Pforzheimer Honors College
One Pace Plaza – Suite W 207G
New York, New York 10038
Telephone: 212-346-1697
Fax:
212-346-1948
Dr. Christopher Malone,
Director
[email protected],
x11146
Dr. Bill Offutt,
Faculty Advisor
[email protected],
x10399
IM: BillOffutt
Aydde Martinez,
Program Coordinator
[email protected],
x10398
Brittani McClendon &
Coti Sibbach
Student Assistants x
10397 & x10395
Inside this Issue
The Corner
2-3
October:
What Happened?
4
Honors Cares:
Cause of the Month
5
On the Issues:
Obama vs. McCain
6-7
Your Turn
8
Honors Calender
9
Student Newsletter
O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R
2 0 0 8
This Month’s
Topic:
Bad politicians are sent to
Washington by good
people who
Recommended Websites
don't vote.
www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008
- William E. Simon
www.pollingreport.com
www.npr.org/election2008
www.predictify.com
Recommended Reading
The Brief Wondrous
Life of Oscar Wao
By Junot Díaz
Dreams from My
Father: A Story of
Race and Inheritance
By Barack Obama
A Confederacy of
Dunces
The War Within: A
Secret White House
History 2006-2008
By John Kennedy
Toole
By Bob Woodward
The
Corn
er
d
n
li a e
l
B lon
h
t Ma
i
W r.
D
What Dr. Malone and Bill have to
say to you, the Honors Student!
“Well the first days are the hardest days, don’t you worry any more/
Cuz when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.—
Grateful Dead, “Uncle John’s Band”
If, as I believe the aphorism from Woody Allen goes, 90% of success is just showing up, then sometimes that’s all you need do—just show up, because there’s nothing
more that can be done. And yet, to summon another favorite quote of mine (I don’t
have anything original to say, I just stitch quotes together in this column), from the
Tom Hanks’ character in “A League of Their Own” “It’s supposed to be hard. If it
was easy, everybody would do it.”
All this is a way to say that there will be times that are not easy here, whether you
are a frosh or a senior. If you are discouraged or frustrated or merely slacking for no
apparent reason, you are not alone. There are ways to get through, and there are people—other Honors students and faculty as well as me—for you to reach out to for help.
All you have to do is let us know what’s going on. This may be the hardest part to
learn, because most people cringe if they’ve screwed up; they try to avoid talking about
it and hope things will get miraculously better by themselves. Overcoming the cringefactor may be the most important thing I learned in college (or was it in grad school?),
and it was hard.
And yet, I keep telling you that as Honors students you have the right to have fun.
Some of you may take the latter notion to absurd lengths, and I would hope that you
don’t do anything stupid or illegal or even inconsiderate in your fun. But nonetheless,
there is for you (or should be) a notion of freedom, of exploration, of limitless possibilities in college that you didn’t have before. Some of those freedoms and possibilities may be more personal than intellectual or professional, and that’s OK. If there is
not joy in your college life, if it’s all hard, that’s not good.
In my first Honors column, seven years ago, in appallingly hard circumstances, I
quoted from “Rent”, from the character Angel, whose song goes “today for you, tomorrow for me.” That’s how I wish to be and how I hope you will be, both for the hard
part and the joyful part.
The Corner With Bill and
Dr. Malone
Welcome (Back)!
I trust and hope that your academic year is off to a great start. We begin Fall 2008 with an extraordinarily robust Honors
College. I am very excited to welcome our new additions to the Honors College family - and welcome back our returning students.
* I want to first welcome our incoming class! This fall, 130 new first-year Honors students joined us - the biggest incoming class we've had in years.
* I also want to welcome our Honors Transfers students who also joined us for the first time this semester. There are
over 45 of you who applied and joined the Honors College at the end of last spring and this summer.
* And last but not least...welcome back to our returning sophomores, juniors and seniors, which number well over 300.
Many of you are just learning the ropes, and some of you are old hands. This summer I sketched out a general policies
and procedures document which should serve as a guidebook to the Honors College. Parts of it are already up on our
website, which you can check out at: http://www.pace.edu/page.cfm?doc_id=28727
We know that some Honors students find it difficult to meet the demands of their particular academic discipline and the
requirements of the Honors College. We have therefore attempted to create as much flexibility with the types of Honors
courses that are offered each semester to meet the needs of the Honors students. The following are the variations of Honors Courses offered each semester and ways in which students can earn honors credit for other courses:
* Exclusive Honors Courses. These are classes offered every semester that are only open to Honors students.
* Non-Exclusive Honors Courses. These are courses in which a specified number of seats are held open for Honors
students. The rest of the seats are open to non-Honors students. Courses which are listed as Non-Exclusive Honors are
usually upper level courses taught by Pace faculty which the Honors Director and Faculty Advisor have determined to
be challenging enough to warrant an Honors course designation.
* Honors Option Courses. An Honors student may take ANY 200-level or above course for Honors credit if the student applies for the Honors Option. The application process involves getting permission from the faculty member and an
agreement to submit extra work for the course. The student must receive a B- or higher in the class. Faculty members
must submit a final report on the student's extra work. Students who enter the Honors College as a freshman can do
TWO (2) Honors Option courses in their academic careers at Pace; transfer students are allowed to do ONE (1) Honors
Option course. Applications for an Honors Option are available at the beginning of each semester on the Honors College
website and in the Honors office.
* Senior Thesis Writing Workshop. Honors students in their senior year can take HON 499, which is a one-credit
course that is geared toward your Senior Thesis. The class focuses on research methods for all majors and disciplines,
and the goal of the class is ensure that Honors seniors are making significant progress toward the successful completion
of their thesis.
* Internships. Any Honors student may receive honors credit for successfully completing an internship either during a
semester or the summer break. Students who wish to receive Honors credit for an internship must submit to Dr. Malone
a FIVE (5) page essay on an academic topic which grows out of the internship experience. Any student interested in
receiving Honors credit for an internship should meet with Dr. Malone at the BEGINNING of the term in which the
student is completing the internship.
* Travel Abroad/Study Abroad Course. The Honors College encourages Honors students to take a travel course or
study abroad during their careers here at Pace. Students can receive Honors course credit for either doing a travel course
or for studying abroad. Arrangements should be made with the Honors College office at the BEGINNING of the semester in which the travel course is taken or the study abroad is initiated.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this or anything else - you know where to find me:
[email protected]
Have a great semester,
Malone
The honors newsletter is back! But October has
been a whirlwind of a month —
October 3rd— The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 or
the “bailout” of U.S. financial system, permitted the U.S. Secretary of
Treasury to spend up to $700 billion
in purchasing distressed assets from
the nation’s banks. The bailout is
meant to alleviate some of the global
financial crisis of September-October
2008.
October 28th—The World Wildlife Fund claims
reckless borrowing of the earth’s recourses is driving this planet toward an ecological “credit
crunch.” In a 2008 study conducted by Zoological
Society of London (ZSL) and the Global Footprint
Network (GFN), there is a drop off of about 30
percent since 1970 in some 5,000 monitored
popula-tions of 1,686 different species.
"We are acting ecologically in the same way as
financial institutions have been behaving economically -- seeking imme-diate gratification without
due regard to consequences," said the Zoological
Society's Jonathan Loh.
October 29th— After three rounds of presidential debates, increased campaign-ing, and publicity, a recent poll conducted by CNN October
21-26, shows Obama is in the lead by 8-points
over Republican presi-dential candidate John
McCain; 51% to 43%.
Interested?
Contact Anastasia
[email protected]
Imagine not being able to reach a light switch, pick up your keys when you drop them, or open a cabinet door. Then
imagine having a dog that could do all of that for you, and more… Since 1975, CCI Assistance dogs enhance the independence and confidence of people with disabilities by providing increased functionality. Canine Companions for Independence provides assistance dogs to people with developmental or physical disabilities who can demonstrate that a Canine Companion will enhance their independence or quality of life.
CCI promises that dogs are provided at virtually no cost to the graduates. All the expenses of breeding, raising, and training a Canine Companion are funded through private donations. CCI breeds Labradors and Golden retrievers and a
cross of the two to be assistance dogs. During puppyhood, volunteer breeder caretakers care for the dogs from newborn
puppies to 8 weeks. During the stage of “Basics and Socialization,” the pups spend the next 13-18 months with volunteer
puppy raisers who teach 20 basic commands and familiarize the pups with mass transit, going to work or school, and
working in public. While training, The dogs spend the next six to nine months in advanced training at one of five regional centers. Here the dogs learn over 40 specialized commands before completing “Team Training,” where they are
matched with their adult or child.
At about 10 years old, CCI dogs have a comfortable retirement, living with a volunteer family as a pet. CCI maintains
connections with the volunteer caretakers and the disabled partners. Puppy raisers fill out a “Puppy Progress Report”
every month and go to CCI-sponsored puppy classes at least twice a month. CCI provides ongoing support and a virtually free assistance dog to a person with disabilities who demonstrates a skilled companion would help them be empowered. The partners choose if they want to maintain contact with the puppy raisers. Volunteer families take retired dogs
into their homes. They are either carefully selected families or the old puppy raisers.CCI dogs live long and healthy
lives with a noble purpose. They are amazing dogs, as are their partners.
People who can't have full control of their bodies sometimes feel like they've lost control of their lives. Skilled companions allow people with disabilities to take control and not just be under someone's care. CCI dogs are happy to be
there when you need them. Companion dogs are a bridge for disabled persons to able-bodied persons, allowing for participation in society and alleviating the difficulties of living with handicaps. When you see a disabled person with a dog,
remember to greet the human first, and ask permission to pet the dog. Remember, the dog is working and he is not a pet
dog.
Canine Companions for Independence provides exceptional dogs for people who face exceptional challenges. CCI
dogs give life, unleashed.
On the Issues
Barack
Obama
We’ve heard (time and time again), what the candidates
think about the United States economy. But with the election right around the corner, let’s remind ourselves what
Senators Obama and McCain feel about the other sectors!
John
McCain
Courtesy of Factmonster.com
Iraq




Immediately begin to remove troops.
Remove one to two combat brigades each month; all combat brigades out within 16 months.
Engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society to
seek new accord on Iraq's Constitution and governance.
No permanent bases in Iraq.






Favors deploying more troops.
Strengthen Iraqi armed forces and police.
Keep senior officers in place.
Call for international pressure on Syria and Iran to get involved to help stabilize Iraq.
Implement new counterinsurgency strategy.
Accelerate political and economic reconstruction.
Energy/Environment





Supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
Develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners,
farmers, and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere
Invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the
commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in lowemissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new
digital electricity grid
Establish a 25% federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
to require that 25% of electricity consumed in the U.S. be
derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar,
wind and geothermal by 2025
Require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be included
in the fuel supply by 2022 and increase that to at least 60
billion gallons of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol by
2030




Encourage developing nations, China, and India to join
with other countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Implement a mandatory cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions
Seek ways to eliminate U.S. dependence on foreign oil
Limit carbon emissions by harnessing market forces
that will bring advanced technologies, such as nuclear
energy, to the market faster
Immigration




Supports additional personnel, infrastructure, and technology on the border and at our ports of entry
Increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families 

together and meet the demand for jobs that employers
cannot fill

Crack down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants
Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants
who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and
go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become
citizens
Vows to secure U.S. borders
Supports a temporary worker program
Recognize the importance of the assimilation of our immigrant population, which includes learning English, American
history and civics, and respecting the values of a democratic
society
John
McCain
Barack
Obama
Healthcare







Guaranteed eligibility.
Portability and choice.
National Health Insurance Exchange.
Employers who do not offer or make meaningful contributions to cost of quality coverage are required to contribute
percentage of payroll to pay for national plan.
Mandatory child coverage.
Expand eligibility for Medicaid and State Children’s Health
Insurance Program.







Allow national insurance companies to sell across state borders.
Foster development of routes for safe, cheaper generic
drugs and biologic pharmaceuticals; safety protocols to permit re-importation.
Eliminate bias for employer-sponsored health insurance, and
$2,500 Health Insurance Credit for individuals ($5,000 for
families).
Portable insurance.
Give veterans access to local physicians.
Require states receiving Medicaid to develop financial "risk
adjustment" bonus to high-cost and low-income families.
Individual insurance through any organization or association.
Promote competition in health care system.
Taxes







Lower income limit for Child Tax Credit.
Eliminate income tax for seniors earning less than $50,000
a year.
Reverse Bush tax cuts for wealthy.
Simplify filing process.
Universal mortgage interest credit.
Tax credit up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working
family.
No capital gains tax for start-up companies.



Tax cuts for middle class families; repeal Alternative Minimum Tax.
Make Bush income and investment tax cuts permanent.
Permanent R&D tax credit.
Education







Increase funding for Head Start.
Zero to Five plan.
Support innovative schools.
Recruit and reward teachers.
Modify certification and teacher preparation process.
Tax credit toward college.
Streamline financial aid process.



Tax deductions for college tuition.
Favors school choice: vouchers, charters, home-schooling.
Tax-free savings accounts for education expenses.

Do you tend to vote along the same party
lines as your family?
Polling
Place!

Would you consider this election to be a
turning point in American history?

What holds more promise: “Experience”
or “Change”?
Send your responses to the Honors Newsletter!
[email protected]
Subject Line: “Newsletter Polling Place”

Are you planning to vote November 4th?
Oblivion
Your
Poetry
Contributors Needed
 Comic artists - Get your comic featured in
the next Honors E-Newsletter!
 Any submissions? Send photos, articles,
Op-Ed pieces, etc.
 Send pieces to
[email protected]
By Kristina Hodelin
Oblivion is to sleep
(‘11)
To sleep is to dream
Each exquisite dream
Creates a pool of wonder
A lush surrounding of the making
Incisive of our thinking
Of our mind
Of our world
Cutting of the essence
Cutting of the time
Retorting the false entity
Of hatred
Oblivion really is to dream
November
Eddie Daniels, South African Political Prisoner and Apartheid Resister
Date: Monday November 3rd
Time: 12:30 -1:45pm
Location: TBA
Honors College Registration Luncheon
Date: November 5th
Time: 12:20 - 1:15pm
Location: Honors Lounge
Religion and Politics Colloquium V
Date: Wednesday November 12th
Time: 6:00 – 8:30pm
Location: Lecture Hall North
Movie Night
Date: Friday Nov 14
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Honors Lounge
Jacqueline Murekatete, Rwandan Genocide Survivor
Date: Wednesday November 19th
Time: 1:30 - 3:00pm
Location: TBA
In the Heights
Date: Thursday Nov 20th
Time: 8:00pm
Location: Richard Rogers Theatre
December
Thesis applications due
Date: Monday Dec 01
Time: 9:00am- 5:00pm
Location: Honors Office W207E
A man for all Seasons
Date: Wednesday Dec 03
Time: 8:00pm
Location: American Airlines Theatre
** The Broadway Musical tickets are given out as a lottery.
Please keep checking the list-serve for updates on all events **