I'll take Twinkies, Yoo-Hoo and a pack of menthol
Federal and state laws say it's illegal for retailers not to check identification of tobacco purchasers who appear to be under age 18. But according to Paul Scipione of Marketing, it seems that convenience stores in New Jersey are making it easy for teens-especially females-to light up.
Last semester Scipione's marketing research class conducted a study on whether teenagers in New Jersey are asked to present proof of age when they attempt to buy cigarettes. During the winter break Scipione and his students enlisted two confederates-a male and female-both age 17, who ventured out to sample a selection of stores throughout the state randomly chosen from the yellow pages.
"I was surprised at the outcome of the study," said Scipione. "I expected that at most, 10 percent of the stores wouldn't check ID, but it was more than three times that. We set out to determine whether there's a problem in this state and it looks like there is."
Scipione said there was good blanket coverage of stores in central and northern New Jersey with a few from Atlantic and Ocean counties. The sample included 50 supermarkets, among them Shop-Rite, Pathmark, Grand Union, A&P, Kings and Edwards; and 50 convenience stores including Wawa, 7-11, Krauszer's and several "mom-and-pop" delis. He said they had modest goals so the research focused only on total numbers, not demographics or store identity.
The study revealed that if teens want to purchase a tobacco product, they're much more likely to get it in a convenience store than in a supermarket. Overall, supermarkets checked identification 55 percent of the time, while convenience stores checked only 31 percent of the time. "Our hypothesis is that convenience stores see bigger profits from tobacco products than do supermarkets, so there's a bigger financial loss if they play by the rules," Scipione explained. "Cigarettes account for only 1 to 2 percent revenue in supermarkets and 25 to 30 percent in convenience stores. Also, supermarkets are staffed with more professional management and there are stricter rules and regulations to follow."
The female in this study was asked to present ID fewer times than the male, who was proofed at 64 percent of the supermarkets and 44 percent of the convenience stores. The female was proofed at 46 percent of the supermarkets and only 18 percent of the convenience stores she visited. Scipione pointed out that it wasn't because she looked older. He said they both clearly looked like high school students and couldn't conceivably be mistaken for being over 18. Both teens dressed the same for every store to avoid an ambiguous situation.
"People may be more trusting and less willing to challenge a female," Scipione speculated. "If people behind the counter were younger males, that could have been a dynamic, too." Scipione chose to conduct this "hidden shopper study" rather than a survey because he said people who feel they're under the microscope often pull punches. And people who know they're being evaluated act in exemplary fashion. "We wanted to observe day-to-day interaction with customers," he said. "Based on what we've discovered, it's probably wise for state authorities to initiate their own study on a larger scale, and there could be variations on this study, including one with alcohol.
"Students are a valuable resource," he continued. Our undergraduates are capable of conducting real first-class research. When schoolwork relates to the real world and has implications to real-world decision-making, there's added incentive to do a good job."
One day last week, a group of faculty and staff packed their lunches and headed across Normal Avenue to the Alumni House by special invitation. They weren't being recruited for Phonathon or Alumni Weekend; they were being honored.
According to Margot Horney of Alumni Relations, about 120 alumni are employed on campus and the gathering was a way of reaching out to this constituency that has double ties to Montclair State.
"We want to acknowledge and thank Montclair State's alumni-employees and let them know we're here," said Horney, who encouraged the group to get involved with the alumni organization.
Greg Waters, vice president for Institutional Advancement, also attended the lunch. "It's remarkable to have a group of people who are alums help transform the University as we move forward," he said. "Thank you for all you've done for MSU. You have a special edge on all of us and you put meaning into the words 'Carpe Diem.' "
Holly Gera of Athletics (BS '79) explained that alumni-staff have an edge because they've had the opportunity to experience Montclair State from the students' perspective. Edith Wilderotter of Financial Aid (BA '70) agreed. "I can identify with students' needs because I was there," she said. "It's an odd but interesting experience to sit on a committee with professors who were my teachers."
Joanne Matkowski of the Institute for the Advancement of Philosophy for Children (BS '83) said as an alumna she has a feeling of being part of the University's history. "I've been here so long it's like working with family. Not many people have that kind of opportunity," she said.
Alumni Relations, which Horney described as the custodians of Montclair State's history, is planning to bring the alumni-employees together again for a picnic lunch in June.
Ophelia Johnson knows the difference one person can make. Along with her sorority sisters from Sigma Gamma Rho, the senior broadcasting and speech communication major participates in food and clothing drives, helps feed the homeless, visits nursing homes and takes part in walks to benefit AIDS and multiple sclerosis. "I live every day believing I can make a difference," she said.
So when it came time to sit down with MSU President Susan A. Cole to talk about Montclair State's role in the surrounding communities, Johnson delved right into the job. The 20-minute interview, taped in the DuMont Television Center, will be aired on an upcoming episode of the student-produced "Carpe Diem" and will be sent to Campus Compact, an organization of 600 college and university presidents dedicated to helping students develop values and skills of citizenship through participation in public and community service. Cole, who is a member of the Campus Compact Board of Directors, is dedicated to strengthening MSU's ties to the community. "I want the world around us to regard MSU as their university," she said. "Through programs such as Service-Learning, students will understand how knowledge is applied and also learn that they can make a difference." This semester, more than 200 students are involved in community projects through MSU's Service-Learning program.
Cole said faculty can do their part by encouraging students to take responsibility for their education as well as help them learn to respect people's differences. "Our students' off-campus involvement should be a natural extension of their on-campus education," she said. Johnson enjoyed having the opportunity to sit down with the president to discuss this issue. "It was an honor to be selected to do this interview," Johnson said, "to talk with Dr. Cole about the students' roles in a community."
Brian Driscoll
freshman, music major
"Musicians need to have a decent ear for music, but whether it's music or anything else, practicing six hours a day, seven days a week; training; and learning are the keys to becoming successful."
He may not have reached the same stature as Beethoven or Mozart-yet, but freshman Brian Driscoll shares a common bond with those musical masters, who both wrote symphonies during their teen years. At age 19 Driscoll is already a published composer. His skill and dedication to composing music are surpassed only by his compassion and generosity. After learning that a girl from his hometown of Budd Lake was seriously injured in a car accident, Driscoll decided to dedicate to her his latest work, "Missa Brevis," and to share with her any profit the piece earns. A music theory and composition major, Driscoll has been playing guitar, which he taught himself, for nearly 10 years. He also plays bass, trombone, piano and the fife, which was popular in colonial times.
INSIGHT: How did you go about getting your work published?
Driscoll: A choral composition I wrote called "Lord, There's a Fire" won the grand prize in a high school choral composition contest. I used references from the Bible to illustrate the theme "fire." It's up to the listener to interpret the piece.
After "Lord, There's a Fire" received a favorable review in Classical New Jersey, I sent it to Alfred Press in Van Nuys, Calif., one of the largest choral publishers in North America. They responded in two weeks. We also signed a contract to publish "I'm Not Ready to Go," which I hope will come out some time next year.
INSIGHT: What's that piece about?
Driscoll: "I'm Not Ready to Go" is written in the traditional gospel style. I first arranged it for men's voices with a baritone soloist, but was asked to rewrite it for mixed voices. It's about a man who has achieved all his personal goals. He's financially successful, but he's missed out on living life-everything we take for granted. When God says, "It's your time, now," the man responds, "Wait, I haven't seen or done everything I really want to do. I've only done the things I'm supposed to do. I never got to watch my child grow up."
My father passed away when I was 16 and his life was very much like that. He missed out on a lot that he wanted to do because he worked so much.
INSIGHT: What's the story behind "Missa Brevis"?
Driscoll: I just completed that. The subtitle is "The Conductor's Mass" because I took out all the aspects such as loudness, softness and tempo-all the elements that give a piece its style. I'm leaving that up to the discretion of the conductor.
"Missa Brevis" is dedicated to Maria Tetto, an eighth grader from my hometown who was seriously injured when she was hit by a car when she was trying to cross a highway. When I heard that a girl from my town had been badly hurt I wanted to meet her to get firsthand a grasp of what she'd been through. I was inspired by her positive attitude. This situation would have devastated most people, but Maria is optimistic, and she told me not to worry, that she'll be up and about again. All proceeds of "Missa Brevis," should it be published or win any awards in my lifetime, will go toward her recovery.
INSIGHT: Do you find inspiration in the Bible when you compose music?
Driscoll: I've never been a religious person, yet I often refer to the Bible because it's a great source of literature. I write from the factual rather than the religious side of things. I don't believe in the organized church because every religious faction reads from the same scriptures and gets something different out of them. I believe we should all read the Bible and get what we each want out of it.
INSIGHT: Is the ability to write and perform music something you're born with or can anybody pick it up?
Driscoll: There's a general misconception that musicians have some sort of inbred talent. Musicians need to have a decent ear for music, but whether it's music or anything else, practicing six hours a day, seven days a week; training; and learning are the keys to becoming successful.
INSIGHT: What are your aspirations as a musician?
Driscoll: To gain notice, not because I'm a great composer, but for making small, lasting contributions to my art throughout my lifetime.
The Organization of Students for African Unity (OSAU) and the African American Studies Program are sponsoring several activities in honor of African-American Heritage Month.
The theme is "We Are Africans Wherever We Are: A Renaissance of Consciousness." For more information, call Saundra-Collins at 7378 or OSAU at 4198.
Feb. 8: "African Consciousness: Our Ancestors, Ourselves, Our Children" by Amiri Baraka. Noon, Student Center Ballrooms.
Feb. 15: "African Origins of African Americans" by Colin Palmer of City University of New York. 7 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms.
Feb. 17: "African Traditions" by Malidoma Partice Some, author, Of Water and the Spirit. 5 p.m., Student Center Dining Room.
Feb. 18: "Africa The Continent: An Educational Exhibit" by Sandra Lewis of the African-American Studies Program. Noon, Student Center Ballrooms.
Feb. 19: "African Identity, Cohesion and Cultural Continuity" by Andrea FeFe Dunham of the African-American Studies Department at Temple University, Philadelphia. Noon, Student Center Ballrooms.
Feb. 23: "African Influence in the Caribbean" by Lenworth Gunther of Essex County Community College. 7 p.m. Student Center Ballrooms.
Feb. 26: "A Renaissance of Consciousness: A Critical Dialogue" with Opoku Agyeman, Duke Ophori, Amos Minh, Mary Ann Rogers-Wright and Saundra Collins. Noon, Student Center Ballrooms.
Stop sign at Quarry Way and Quinn Road changes direction
No, it's not a fraternity stunt. The stop sign at the intersection of Quarry Way and Quinn Road now faces the traffic coming down the hill from Blanton Hall. According to Director of Campus Safety and Security Phil Calitre, the New Jersey Department of Transportation ordered the sign be moved because Quinn Road is a through street and it's the cross street traffic that needs to stop. "So far we've had no accidents," said Calitre. "There's still some confusion because we haven't yet removed the white stop lines on Quinn, and it will take some time to reverse the drivers' conditioning to stop at the bottom of the hill."
Station to broadcast basketball game on Internet for first time WGHT Radio of North Jersey will broadcast the men's basketball game against William Paterson on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. live on its website, ghtradio.com. This is the first "webcast" of a college game in WGHT's history. Although it has broadcast Red Hawk baseball games in the past, FCC territorial regulations prohibit WGHT from broadcasting at night. Now with its webcasting ability the station can cover night games exclusively on the web so people can listen from their computers. This event also marks the first time an MSU contest will be broadcast via the Internet, and will open the door to many more.
GER proposal passes 180-121 in December referendum
The University Senate Elections Committee met in December to tabulate the results of the General Education Requirement (GER) referendum. The Committee counted 301 validated ballots from the 432 eligible voters and the referendum for the new GER proposal passed with 180 "yes" votes (59 percent) to 121 "no" votes (40 percent).
"The real winners here are the students who will be in the classes of 2004 and after," Provost Richard Lynde wrote in an e-mail to all voters. "The new program will enhance the undergraduate experience at Montclair State in a significant way and I am very pleased that they will be able to participate in several exciting new instructional ventures." Lynde stressed that successfully implementing the process will require broad participation, "a characteristic I trust will generate a sense of shared ownership and pride."
Honors team captures first place in College Bowl tourney
Students from nine organizations put their minds to the test at the ninth annual College Bowl tournament on Jan. 30. A question and answer game of general knowledge and fast recall, the College Bowl spotlights the fastest minds on campus in a round-robin tournament. The Honors Program captured first place after the undefeated team took six straight games. Second place went to Theta Xi fraternity in a final score of 80-60.
Chuck Feiner of the Student Center put together a team of the top individual scorers who will represent Montclair State at the regional competition at NJIT on Saturday, Feb. 20.
Maralyn Kinch and Beverly Ververs of Career Development have received New Jersey counselor licensure. The designation is LPC, licensed professional counselor.
Chip Maxwell of Anthropology presented a paper, "Gypsy Scholars Down the Road," at the annual American Anthropological Association meeting in Philadelphia. He also chaired the business meeting of the Society for Urban, National and Transnational Anthropology's Task Force on Poverty and Homelessness, and made presentations on the work of the task force at the society's business and board of directors meetings.
Joan Brindisi
Secretary, Second Careers
A Retirement Seminar will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Dickson Hall, Brantl Lounge. A representative of the Division of Pensions and Benefits will provide information on benefits available from the Public Retirement System and the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund. Topics addressed will include pension payments and options, group life insurance benefits, cost of living adjustments, purchase of service credit, health benefits at retirement and a brief overview of available voluntary supplemental programs.
The Latin-American Student Organization (LASO) is collecting food, clothing, medicine and money for the victims of a recent earthquake in Colombia, South America. It was reported that 1,000 people perished and many communities were devastated. Items can be brought to the LASO office, Student Center, Room 100.
Sprague Library is conducting two workshops this week. Each 45-minute session will be held in the Library, Room 110. "Introduction to Online Full-Text Databases" taught by Anita Daniel will be held Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.; Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.; and Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. "Advanced Search Techniques: Eric and Psyclit" taught by Mark vanLummel will be held Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.; Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. and Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.
For more information about position announcements, see the bulletin board outside the Personnel Office in College Hall or visit MSU's web site at www.montclair.edu.
Dean, School of Business. Starting date: July 1. Send letter and resume by March 1 to John McGinnis, chair, Search Committee. V-012.
INTERNAL SEARCH: Director of Financial Aid. Salary: $56,013-$84,018. Starting date: July 1. Send letter and resume by March 1 to Ruth Shaw, Chair, Search Committee. V-013.
Department Chair, Accounting, Law and Taxation. Starting date: July 1. Send letter and resume by March 22 to Diane Schultz, chair, Faculty Search Committee. V-011.
PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Senior Audit Account Clerk. Salary: $19,324.64-$26,018.56.
Personnel Aide 1. Salary: $25,000.90-$33,946.10.
Senior Security Officer. Salary: $26,119.05-$35,506.65.
Senior Repairer. Salary: $25,000.90-$33,946.10.
FORD MUSTANG. 1994 GT convertible. V-8, 5.0 liter automatic. 30,000 miles. Hunter green with tan interior and top. C/D tape player. Includes Ford warranty to June 2000. Asking $15,500. Submitted by Randye Mitrani of Athletics. Call Adam at 212-495-2477 days and 201-222-8680 evenings.
If you have an item you would like advertised in the "Bulletin Board," send it to Diana St. Lifer of Public Information.
During the Child Care Center's recent Pajama Day, 23 of the 25 preschoolers took their required naps, with the shortest nap being 45 minutes and the longest running 2 hours and 45 minutes. So when's Employee Pajama Day?
For tickets to or information about theater events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Noon Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
Afternoon/Evening Recitals. McEachern Recital Hall.
For tickets to or information about dance events, call the Box Office at 5112.
Home games only are listed. Schedule is subject to change. For more information, call the Athletic Office at 5234. (Mens and Women's Track Meets are all away)
ON 'CARPE DIEM'
The weekly television show produced by MSU broadcasting majors presents "Blurring Lines of Color," interracial couples discuss their relationships with children of racially mixed marriages. Joan Ficke of Academic Affairs and the Women's Center, and student Cara Leach discuss the experiences of interracial adoptees. Produced by Charlotte Decanay, Frank Fleming, Ophelia Johnson and Jeanine Zarra; directed by Brendan O'Melia; and hosted by Johnson and Zarra. Airs Feb. 9 at noon on Cablevision and
9 p.m. on Comcast; and Feb. 11 at 8:30 a.m. on CTN.
Saturday Matinee Movies for Kids. 3 p.m. Cost: Price of museum admission.