The_Rambler_1981-03

              DEADLINE MARCH 27, 12 NOON
FARMINGDALE STATE STUDENT PRESS THE RAMBLE
FUNDED BY YOUR MANDATORY STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE
M A N D A T O R Y A C T I V I T Y FEE
In the last issue of the Rambler
the "Enquiring Photographer";
interviewed seven students on
campus and it was revealed that
many students are unaware of
the purpose of the Mandatory
Activity Fee.
First of all, every four years the
vote to decide whether to have
a mandatory or voluntary
activity fee. Without
the fee being mandatory there
would be no money to support
the various activities which are
available for the students
benefit.
Secondly, many students
complain that they do not
know exactly what the
activities are. If everyone
stopped by Roosevelt Hall,
even once a week, they could
pick-up various publications
which give, in detail, the
current status on campus
happenings. It is true that many
students have to work, but even
so, many students who are
currently involved in clubs and
organizations also hold part-time
jobs.
In a recent interview with Tom
Croce, President of the Student
Government Association, he
stated that the student's
reaction to the purpose of the
Activity Fee was disap-p
o i n t i n g . I n f o r m a t i on
concerning the distribution of
the activity fee and available
activities can be easily obtained
by any interested student. It is
up to each individual to at least
make the effort to find out
what's going on before
criticizing and arguing that
there is nothing to do. If more
people became involved in the
clubs and activities everything
would be even more enjoyable!
Tome Croce also refuted
several of the statements made
in the Enquiring Photo-grapher.
As far as "not
knowing enough about it" and
"wanting to be informed,"
there is a Student Handbook
available which lists the special
interest groups, regulations
and policies etc. This
handbook can be obtained at
the Student Activities Office in
Roosevelt Hall.
Another student, Ted Richter,
felt that the money is "wasted
on administration." The money
certainly is not wasted, it is
allocated proportionately into
a l l of the clubs and
organizations run by students
here on campus. Admin-istration
does not receive one
penny of the activity fee!
Jim Leder, who was also
questioned, feh that "if you
work, you can't be a part of it",
"it" referring to activities.
Again this is incorrect; true it is
harder to juggle your schedule
while working, but many
students in organizations such
as : Student Government,
College Union Board, Ski
Club, etc. are commuters who
also work. Many activities are
held during "Activity Hour",
Tuesdays and Thursdays from
11:00 to noon. Nobody is
scheduled for classes during
this time purposely!
Mike Romano, an Engineering
Science student, was correct in
stating that the yearbooks are
free because of the fee, many
State Universities charge the
students for this, even though
they do pay an activity fee!
However, he still felt that the
fee wasn't being used to its
fullest extent. In a manner of
speaking this is true-students
are not taking advantage of the
wide variety of clubs offered to
them! Unfortunately this is
why so many of you are
unaware of the purpose of the
mandatory activity fee. Get
involved and learn more than
what the classroom teaches
you! If it weren't for us there
wouldn't even be a Farm-ingdale
University; take
advantage of being a student
and learn everything you
possibly can!
Virginia Lott
FLOWER SHOW FOOD SERVICE
"The bridge of dreams Floating
on the brief Spring night; Takes
leave into the morning sun."
Our campus, Nold Hall to be
exact, was the sight of the
1981 Long Island Flower.
Show. Several of the exhibits
were designed and built by
Farmingdale students.
SUNY Ornamental Horti-culture
Club stated that a lot of
hard work and preparation
went into the exhibits. The
students in Landscaping
started their preparations back
in November by bringing in
certain types of plants so that
they could be forced to bloom
in the greenhouses on
campus in time for the show.
These students built the gazebo
and windmill, which were seen
as soon as you entered Nold
Hall. The most impressive of
these hand-built objects,
though, was the hot tub, which
was built for their exhibit. The
Club's exhibit won the
President's Award and the
Fortunoff Trophy.
Flowertime was there with
advice for plant owners and
they were selling plants as well.
The Horticulture Club was also
selling plants. What would a
Flower Show be without a
display by the ever popular
people at FTD. They had a
display showing the various
bouquets that can be purchased
for special occassions from
your local florists.
One of the most impressive
things about the show was the
dramatic use of small fountains
and pools. They only enhanced
the beauty and serenity that
flowers and landscaping can
create. All of the displays were
filled with bright and colorful
flowers and plants that were
arranged to be pleaseing and
relaxing to the eye.
One student remarked that it
was nice to be able to smell the
flowers without worrying
about being stung by bees. It
was nice to have a little spring
and summer right here on our
campus during the middle of
winter.
Marguerite Menzoff
There has been some
discussion on a possible
alternative path of food service
on campus. As I said
"discussion," fact finding,
intelligence gathering, all
premature... etc. Nothing
more, nothing less!
According to Mr. Amantia,
E x e c u t i v e Director of
Auxiliary Services and acting
Assistant Vice President for
S t u d e n t A d m i n i s t r a t i ve
A f f a i r s , there is some
movement to make the overall
appearance of this campus look
better, attractive, up to date
andf that including his search is
a review of food services.
About two weeks ago there was
a survey team at Knapp Hall,
doing what survey teams do,
results from the firm they
represent (Saga Foods) will
arrive in three to four weeks
when it will be evaluated, said
Mr. Amantia.
Auxiliary Service Corpor-ation,
being separate from the
school, has the mission of
improving and maintaining
overall campus student services
from food to washers in dorms
and a variety of other
important items. At this time
students should be aware that
Alice's Restaurant, although
funded in construction by the
Student Government Associa-tion
two years ago, is an ASC
responsibility to operate but
also a part of SGA's
responsibihty and students
also. Back to food service,
currently improved methods,
more economical equipment,
and better service to students in
Knapp Hall and DeWitt
Chnton. Any method for
change looked at does have to
go through committees related
to the food service and
President Cipriani's approval
all of which takes in discussion
understanding that this is
not a sale of anything,
employees do not have to fear
replacement if new manage-ment
does enter. According to
Executive Amantia, and any
proposed subcontract will
support employees that are
already working. We were
informed that by September a
possible physical change (?ould
come about, meaning walls
built, taken away, equipment
added, or subtracted... etc. and
all to benefit the population
that uses the facility.
Mr. Sinclair, Director of
Food Services, agrees to the
point where up-to-date
equipment is needed, along
with a larger space, places to
sit...etc. Addin that more
revenue will flow into the
campus if we keep commuters
on campus to spend their
money satisfying their needs
here. Then, in turn, everyone
will come out ahead, or equal
but not behind. Knapp Hall's
c a f e t e r i a accommodates
hundreds of students and staff
a day, not including evening
people, that's thousands a week
with this wear and tear it
shows. Any final decision will
come in late May, early June .
Hopefully, a decision to benefit
the present students and futrue
populations to come, I'm sure it
will.
You'll hear any future
developments in late spring
from The Rambler.
By Bill Kobilca