By Monir Khilla —
The Fall 2011 semester has been a turbulent semester for the New Jersey City University (NJCU) community. There was an informational picketing held November 14th on John F. Kennedy Blvd. that, for the first time, brought together all three NJCU unions: AFT Local 1839, CWA Local 1031, and IFPTE Local 195.
The picketing was in response to class cuts by the administration and funding cuts by the state. Students and Union members also expressed concerns over tuition increases.
Dr. William Calathes, Executive Vice President of Local 1839 and Professor of Criminal Justice said that “This informational Picketing was an unprecedented display of the NJCU community. It brought together over 400 students, as well as members from the three campus-wide unions.”
On the importance of the picketing, Dr. Calathes stated that “This informational picketing is critical because in wake of continued State defunding and non-support from the administration, the NJCU community is stepping up to have its voices heard.”
Malcolm Eddington, 22, National Security Studies major from Jersey City said “I’m here to support AFT Local 1839 and to put the administration on notice that raising tuition isn’t the way to solve any problems.”
When asked what message he would send to Trenton, Eddington said “When it comes to education, stop the shenanigans.”
Other students expressed similar views.
Sean Wilson, 22, Criminal Justice major from Jersey City said “I’m here to protest for students and faculty over budget cuts. Both have been affected by these cuts.”
Wilson believes that “There should be equality for students and faculty,” and that he supports the informational picketing because, “We need to bring awareness so students can come together and fight the common cause that affects us students and faculty.”
Wilson also said that if he had one message to send to Trenton it would be to “Step in the shoes of a working-class student who can’t afford an education. They should have some sympathy and compassion for us and to support higher education.”
Due to the budget cuts NJCU is facing this semester, classes and sections will be cut for Spring 2012.
Professor Joseph Moskowitz, Associate Professor of Political Science said “The administration is forced to, they don’t want to do this, but they’re forced to cut class sections and classes students are already enrolled in.”
Dr. Moskowitz also said “Students could see class sizes of up to 35 students this upcoming Spring 2012 semester. If it wasn’t for certain professors checking their courses for next semester, the administration would have gotten away with it.”
Many Students sounded off on the issue. Britney Robinson, 22, Criminal Justice major from Trenton said “It might be an issue for people who are graduating. That may prolong students from graduating if their class is cut and isn’t available until next semester or next year.”
Kyle Preston, 19, Audio Engineer and Media Arts major from Newark said “I think it’s terrible. I like smaller classes so I can get the attention I need.
When asked on what the administration should do instead, both Preston and Robinson agreed that “They [the administration] need to cut their pay. We pay to go here and yet, we can’t take the classes we need. If we cut back on professors it’s a bigger burden on them.”
Nirav Patel, 23, Computer Science and Physics major from Jersey City said “I think it’s horrible they’re cutting classes. It’s stupid that tuition is going up and everything else is going down.”
Patel also agreed and said that “The administration should cut their payroll and take a bigger step in lobbying the state.”
Some students have already begun to feel the strains of class cuts and are experiencing overloaded classes.
Jessica Flores, 19, Education and History major from Union City said “One of my classes is pretty packed. People take advantage of the professor and submit stuff late, while I submit stuff on time and receive the same credit.”
Flores, however, thinks that there should be alternative options to remedy the situation.
“I think the school should reach out more to the Alumni and have them help fundraise.”
Samir Zaroui, 20, Marketing major from Union City said “I came to NJCU because it’s a small university, too many people in a class isn’t good.”
Zaroui feels that “The administration has to gather together as a group and to talk everything out.”
When asked to comment, Dr. Barbara Feldman, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, addressed concerns over the class cuts and said “I want to assure students that decisions regarding course cancellations are made collaboratively between the Dean’s office and Department chairs. Many factors enter into the decision [to cancel classes].”
Dean Feldman said that “Our first and primary factor in the decision to cancel classes has always been the effect a cancellation may have on students and how we can accommodate their needs should a class be cancelled. We will continue this practice going forward.”
Uncle Manny • Apr 7, 2012 at 9:19 am
I graduated in 1979.33 years later it’s SOS.In the famous words of Steven Tyler,”It’s the same old song and dance.”
PJ • Jan 20, 2012 at 4:30 am
And, to the writer of the article (Monir), if I can give you one piece of advice – it’s unwise and in fact unethical for a journalist, even a student-journalist, to publicly advocate for or show support for a particular candidate, party, etc., especially in a comment box below what is supposed to be an objective news article!
I understand that your response to ‘Jack’ was meant to demonstrate your conservative or Republican bona fides, but instead it tells the reader that he or she should be wary of any articles you write because there is a chance that either (a) you’re going to favorably cover Gov. Christie or Republicans or (b) unfavorably cover liberals or Democrats.
Not a criticism but a piece of advice from a former student-journalist to a current student-journalist!
GothicTimesMonir • Feb 1, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I appreciate the advice PJ, but in respect to the ethical “dilemma,” there is none.
The Society of Preofessional Journalists (SPJ) states that:
Journalists should be free of obligation to any interest other than the public’s right to know.
Journalists should:
— Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
— Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
— Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity.
— Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
— Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
— Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence news coverage.
— Be wary of sources offering information for favors or money; avoid bidding for news.
I always ask people to question my personal political opinions and my newswriting to simply look for evidence. I never let my opinion come into the way of newswriting, my job is to create a forum for open discussion and dialogue when it comes to certain issues.
As long as I don’t show favoritism in my writing, or create a arguable scenario where there may be a conflict of interest, there is nothing wrong with expressing my personal opinions.
I’ve written stores where I may not agree with the source, as well as, stories where I agree with my source. However, my job is to present both sides and not input any of my opinions in the story. I let the reader decide.
I do, again, appreciate the advice though and will keep it in mind where I may someday personally question the objectivity of my writing.
Best of luck to you, Patrick,
Monir Khilla
PJ • Jan 18, 2012 at 8:39 pm
The bottom line for the students is this: if you don’t like the tuition increase or any of the other budgetary problems associated with NJCU, then you need to move your ‘informational picketing’ to Trenton! NJ politicians, both Democrats AND Republicans, have improperly managed this state for years. Local elected officials have staked their claims and have managed their municipalities in a similar, disastrous manner. Why haven’t you taken your complaints to the state house or to any of the numerous city halls throughout New Jersey?
I am a former NJCU student who was active in campus activities and the overall politics of NJCU. I can tell you from first hand experience that the vast majority of students at this so-called university could care less about politics and/or social issues. Those that do care are wildly misinformed, led astray by disinformation in both the conservative AND liberal media, and in some instances, by their cultist obedience to professors like Dr. Calathes (and others). Having had my share of arguments with these individual professors for pushing what amounts to their opinion as if it were unmitigated fact, I can say that they have an intellectually crippling grasp over the minds of the younger, impressionable NJCU students. It’s a serious problem at NJCU and should be given as much attention as budget cuts or tuition increases.
Jack • Dec 9, 2011 at 3:10 am
This is silly. The State is broke. It’s reasonable to take a hit for the 4 years you are in college and then make it up in the future. NJCU is the most affordable university in NJ and you’re still complaining. When will people realize this is all union driven and has nothing to do with the students and only with the benefits teachers and other workers receive? I guess NJCU students have to learn early on in life that their voice will be used by those in power to benefit themselves. NJCU Unions clearly demonstrate that.
GothicTimesMonir • Dec 13, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Jack
I couldn’t agree more, believe it or not. I am a huge supporter of Governor Chris Christie. I did this story because the Unions wanted to have their fair say when it came to the Gothic Times.
The previous issue (November 16, 2011) featured an interview with the Vice President of Administration and Finance. The Union wanted their side of the story to be told, as well.
Monir Khilla
Jack • Dec 15, 2011 at 3:34 am
Thanks for the note!