The change from college to university has made its mark throughout campus.

The data used in this article comes directly from a sampling of professors from all departments asking them their views on whether or not the new university title has caused any tangible change on the campus.

One professor noted, “We at Fitchburg State have a very long way to go in order to accomplish this and to have real university status means something other than nice lobbies, plazas, and renovated buildings.”

Over 80 percent of FSU faculty surveyed stated that the most significant area of change so far has been in appearance. Recent construction has overcome the campus with changes in the Hammond Library, Condike Science Building, Anthony Administration Building, and Weston Auditorium. All of these buildings have undergone renovations in the last year and a half, as well as having an inlay with the school logo in the crosswalks on campus.

Most voiced a hope that more academic changes would occur over time, but have yet to see those hopes satisfied. One professor argued that the name change “enables us to dream better things for the college in terms of research and programs development.”

It’s true that the real benefit a university has over a college lays in the funding for and encouragement of faculty research and progressive scholarship. Several professors noted this and the positive effects that such scholarship could have on the students, including possibly adding doctoral degrees, raising FSU’s stature in the academic world. So far that has not been the case. “I hoped we would have a real discussion of what it means to be a university and try to focus more on academics, and enhancing the education/experience of the students but instead I see a lot of emphasis on big showy projects that look nice but add little to the academic experience” as one professor states.

Two out of every three teachers surveyed disagree with the notion that the title change was over hyped and all teachers agree that they have seen at least some change; there still remain a few die-hards fighting for the college name and what it means. “I feel strongly that the continual distinction made between the UMass university system and the eight (used to be college) universities creates a negative image of ‘not quite university,’” one professor said. “Last I knew Boston College and Oberlin College are still using that name with distinction. I think we attract students on merit and not name. I think we under estimated the students’ ability to discern who we are.”

Ryan Dalton, who lives in Townsend and graduated from Fitchburg State last year, is living proof that with the right training and knowledge, true success can be found by young graduates. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it was easy for him as the last couple years weren’t without their challenges.

Dalton is a design major who currently works for Arnold Worldwide, a prestigious advertising firm located at the Prudential Center in Boston. His first foray into the professional world of design came during his later years at Fitchburg State. “The biggest preparation for my career as a graphic designer came through Fitchburg’s internship program,” he says. “I learned more through my internship than I did during my four years in class.”

Something that he wasn’t fully prepared for, but quickly had to learn outside of school, was the basic fundamentals of working competitively. “Once you’re thrown into a professional, fast-paced environment, it’s really sink or swim; so you need to learn how things are done correctly and be able to do them as fast as you can,” he says.

Dalton’s internship from Fitchburg State led to employment at The Boston Phoenix, one of the city’s leading entertainment newspapers. The work he did there, along with a freelance collaboration with the independent sunglasses company Toaster Shades, caught the eye of someone at Arnold Worldwide. He was then offered the chance to interview for his current job.

He works as a layout designer for the company. It is the happiest he’s been in a professional setting and just a year after graduation, he finally feels like the work he put in during his years as a student and occasional freelancer have started to pay off. Arnold’s offices provide the ideal working environment for a creative young person. It isn’t unusual to see an employee travel from one cubicle to another on a Razor scooter, and the company bathrooms play punk rock hits of the 90’s from the likes of Bad Religion and Rancid. Despite the fun, artist friendly environment, the creative output that the company expects from its employees is strictly world class.

There’s one particular Photoshop assignment that Dalton recalls with a slightly amusing sense of despair. “During a creative pitch for McDonald’s, I worked 8 hours overtime, painstakingly removing each individual seed from a series of hamburgers and putting them all back on one at a time until it spelled our company mantra, ‘Great Work Works.’”

That gruelingly tedious undertaking only prepared him for further assignments and at this point he feels confident in his field. He is at the top of his game, working full time for Arnold Worldwide, while he continues his own personal projects like designing skateboards and clothing for friends. He’s found himself at the beginning of a promising career, one that began right here at Fitchburg State University.

You can check out some of Ryan Dalton’s design work at his website: Ryan Dalton Design

Commuters hang out in the Commuter Affairs Lounge. (Photo by Wade Jones)

By Nathan Burns

When the topic of college is brought up, the most common thoughts that enter one’s mind are those of wild parties, tuition fees, all-night study sessions, and the student living in the dormitories on campus. The latter of those thoughts, at least for Fitchburg State University, is gradually drifting toward being an anachronism.

Faced with the increasing pressure to alleviate expenses, more and more students are opting to simply commute from home, rather than deal with life in the dormitories. In the case of Fitchburg State University, this deviation from the traditional view of college life is quickly becoming the norm. As of the most recent assessment by the University, commuter students make up about 48 percent of the student body, and it is likely that the percentage will climb in the coming years.

The growing commuter population at Fitchburg State is feeling continually left out of school and student events. All too often a commuter student must pass up an event that he or she would otherwise be interested in attending, due to the conflicts in one’s schedule. Thanks to the Fitchburg State Commuter Affairs Program, commuters now have a regular outlet in the form of “Commuter Conversations.”

“In a nutshell, our job is to make commuters a bigger part of the university,” says Josh Whipple, manager of Commuter Affairs and one of the major figures involved with “Commuter Conversations.”

This new program seeks to create a laid-back environment where commuter students are provided with free lunch, and are encouraged to air any questions or concerns that they might have regarding upcoming events, the general upkeep of the campus, or any other issues that they might have about their regular commute and their time spent on-campus.

“We had done other events in the past, but no regular programs,” said Whipple, concerning the origins of the “Commuter Conversations” program. “We wanted a place where commuters can get together without being bombarded with information.”

“Commuter Conversations” are being held bi-weekly on Wednesdays in the Main Lounge of the Hammond Campus Building near the library, with the next meeting projected to be held on Feb. 22, barring any unforeseen changes. All commuter students are invited and encouraged to attend, even if it is only to take advantage of the free lunch. Anyone who wishes to learn more about “Commuter Conversations” or any upcoming commuter-related programs or events should visit the Commuter Affairs desk, which can be found in the Commuter Lounge located on the ground floor of the Hammond building.

Enjoy!

By: Megan Dineen

Aquarius 1/20-2/18

While the great ideas seem to keep piling up, write them down for now and revisit them later. When money issues pop up in the middle of the week, take a deep breath and calmly figure them out. The weekend will provide big opportunities for you as it approaches quickly.

 Pisces 2/19-3/20

Don’t be afraid to get other people’s opinions on current happenings in your life—there’s probably something you’re missing that someone else is picking up on. Even when the mood strikes, don’t let the lovey-dovey-ness of your life take over. Take a look around you and appreciate everything for its depth and not the surface.

Aries 3/21-4/19

Favors go a long way with friends but when turmoil arises in the middle of the week, rather than being the one in control, take a step back and listen to others. Consider their opinions. Your independent streak is honorable but tampering it down can’t hurt either.

Taurus 4/20-5/20

Don’t charge at the red cape, bull! People know when they can push your buttons and use it often. Just because what they’re saying will rile you up doesn’t necessarily mean you have to take it to heart. Deep breaths and thinking go a long way in responding. Towards the middle of the week, your energy is attracting friendships and possible romances. Keep an eye out for those!

Gemini 5/21-6/21

Your brainpower is at its best this week, with the new ideas and thoughts you’re coming up with. But use it wisely—in the middle of the week, word what you’re planning carefully, lest you land in hot lava with those around you. Just be straightforward and everything will work itself out.

Cancer 6/22-7/22

Leo 7/23-8/22

Virgo 8/23-9/22

Libra 9/23-10/22

 Scorpio 10/23-11/21

 Sagittarius 11/22-12/21

 Capricorn 12/22-1/19

To many, this is more than just a game. (photo by C. Sullens)

By Kristina Testagrossa

There’s no question that “Call of Duty” is hugely popular. The realistic, military-themed first-person shooter videogame series has taken the gaming world by storm, with 9.3 million copies of its eigth title, “Modern Warfare 3,” sold in just the first 24 hours of the game’s release.

But what is it that makes this game so appealing to people worldwide? In an informal survey of about 30 Fitchburg-area gamers, they revealed the shocking (or not-so-shocking) thing they like most about the game: getting to shoot people.

What may actually be shocking, though, is that just over a quarter of those gamers admitted to playing it for over 16 hours per week. That’s a lot of killing and dying.

In addition to this, over 60 percent of those surveyed said they had stayed up past 4 a.m. playing it. These late nights may be affecting their social life and their adult responsibilities, as several people admitted to turning down plans with friends and significant others In fact, 10 people surveyed admitted to missing classes and work shifts due to playing.

This game is consuming not only gamers’ sleep, but also a large amount of monetary resources. In addition to the game’s $60 price tag and applicable online subscriptions, almost half of those surveyed have admitted to purchasing the “Call of Duty Elite” service. This service adds more multiplayer-based benefits and statistic-tracking capabilities for the more “hardcore” gamer, and comes at a cost of $50 per year.

Best Buy carries a full line of “Call of Duty” gaming accessories and downloadable content that consumers go crazy for, and Best Buy employees sometimes see the craziness firsthand. “I was talking about headsets with a kid and his mom,” employee Alex Easley said of one workday. “They were wondering the difference between the $179 “Call of Duty” headset and the $299 one. I couldn’t find a difference other than the hookup from the Xbox to the headset. They both had all the same specs otherwise, but the kid demanded the more expensive one.”

The final decision? When his mother asked him to choose between that and driver’s education, Easley said, “He chose the headset.”

He was also choosing to play a mature game, filled with realistic depictions of war and intended for players 17 and over. However, the majority of gamers surveyed said that every single game they have been in has had at least one underage player. Yet underage players had to have someone buy the game for them. Do parents really know what they’re getting for their kids?

Fans of vinyl records find more than music in the format. (photo by Miranda Everitt)

By Max Wiater

I’m not a fan of digital music distribution. There – I’ve said it. Come at me, iTunes devotees. Now that whole albums can be downloaded to your computer in seconds and synced to your MP3 device immediately, acquiring music has become less and less complicated.

But it may also have become less and less satisfying.

Maybe that’s why vinyl records have such devoted followers. Whether they’re snatching up freshly pressed music, or sorting through the worn, used discs in thrift-store bins, vinyl fans know what they’re really looking for.

They know that the allure of this music medium comes mainly from the physicality of playing a record and the tangibility of the disk, as well as the album art and inserts. Even the records themselves can be picture disks, or have intricate color splatters and swirls or designs. There’s more to experience than just music, and vinyl listeners get it. Holding something in hand that is a work of art only adds to vinyl’s appeal.

In contrast to the simple, uneventful task of downloading a tune, purchasing a vinyl record can bring a euphoric rush of excitement. Tearing the plastic and practically Frisbee-tossing the record onto the turntable, lining up the needle perfectly with the first song, vinyl listeners can feel the life within the music with each static pop. Playing a record requires a bit of attention; one can’t simply click a mouse and have music play, but a record (usually) needs to be flipped, or if you want to listen to just one song, you have to place the needle accurately at the beginning.

One of the main reasons vinyl records are still popular is the way they sound. The needle on a turntable essentially creates friction as it’s spun over the grooves of the record, which then send the sound to speakers. This gives the music a punch and emphasizes the intricacies of songs. When dust and other particles get stuck inside the grooves, pops and white noise can be heard along with the music, giving it added character. These static noises create a listening experience unlike anything digital.

 “But, Max,” you might say, “you have an MP3 player – what the heck!”

Yes, it is true – I own a Zune HD, so come at me, iPod enthusiasts. The current technology trends have influenced the vinyl industry to include download codes for recently released albums. So vinyl buyers everywhere can take their music with them and not be confined to their turntables. Speaking of turntables – some manufacturers now include a USB jack to connect and record their records into MP3 format. If you see me listening to my Zune, it’ll be a digital rip of Bon Iver’s, “Bon Iver” vinyl record.

These changes to the vinyl industry, along with a devoted audience, allow vinyl records to remain current in the digital age. Though there are easier ways to obtain music, vinyl records bring joy to collectors and create a music experience unlike anything else. And with the added incentive of vinyl-ripping and MP3 codes, vinyl records are here to stay.

Owners of iPhones don't mind showing them off. (photo by Florin Hatmanu)

By Alexis Bean, Rob Gosselin, and Sammi Gorman

 There’s no question that smartphones are popular, and Fitchburg State University seems to be especially open to this technology.

According to a recent Nielsen survey, about 25 percent of Americans own smartphones. But a recent on-campus poll of 42 FSU students revealed that 45 percent of those surveyed own them.

According to the FSU poll, the top smartphone across campus is the iPhone, as it is for the nation, with Androids not far behind.

While the smartphone trend has hit colleges, and the rest of the nation, in full force, the question remains: Are smartphones worth the cost?

In the FSU survey, the No. 1 use for a smartphone was said to be texting – not using applications, but good old-fashioned texting. The second biggest use was making calls. After that came email and Internet access.

So why do so many members of the Fitchburg State University community own smartphones if they could opt out for a cheaper cell-phone plan for the same uses? “It’s about having the option,” says FSU senior Kevin McDowell, who owns an Android. “Even though I mainly use my cell phone for texting and phone calls, I do use it for other features. Instead of having to own an iPod, a GPS, and a cell phone, I own all three in one. I do not use the added features every day, but I use them enough to make it worth owning a smart phone.”

Is having the World Wide Web at one’s fingertips worth a small fortune? With prices from $30 to $80 per month higher than a regular cell-phone plan, smartphones are an expensive temptation. Samantha Sexer, a junior at FSU, claims her smartphone cannot replace her laptop. “I had a smartphone about a year ago, but I got rid of it, it was too expensive,” Sexer said. “I hardly used my smartphone for the Internet or applications.”

Many college students are in Sexer’s position; they know the smartphone is great for a lot of things, but if they’re struggling to save money, they realize it might be beneficial to have a regular cell phone without a data plan. Having a $50 bill for a messaging phone, as opposed to an $80 smartphone bill, adds up to a savings of $360 a year.

Fitchburg State University will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit March 4-7, 2012 by a team representing the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is one of seven accrediting commissions in the United States that provide institutional accreditation on a regional basis.  Accreditation is voluntary and applies to the institution as a whole.  The Commission, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, accredits approximately 240 institutions in the six-stateNew England region. 

Fitchburg State University has been accredited by the Commission since 1953 and was last reviewed in 2002.  Its accreditation by the New England Association encompasses the entire institution.

For the past year and a half, Fitchburg State University has been engaged in a process of self-study, addressing the Commission’s Standards for Accreditation.  An evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate.  The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the institution. Following a review process, the Commission itself will take the final action.

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the institution to:

Public Comment on Fitchburg State University

Commission on Institutions of Higher Education

 New EnglandAssociation of Schools and Colleges

209 Burlington Road, Suite 201

Bedford, MA 01730-1433

E-mail:  cihe@neasc.org

Public comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution.  The Commission cannot settle disputes between individuals and institutions, whether those involve faculty, students, administrators, or members of other groups.  Comments will not be treated as confidential and must include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments.

Public Comments must be received by March 7, 2012. The Commission cannot guarantee that comments received after that date will be considered. 

There are exciting times ahead for the Falcons ice hockey team.

By James Paleologopoulos

With two matchups left before the end of the regular season and the start of the Men’s Hockey Championship on Feb. 25, the Fitchburg State Falcons (7-7-2) are dueling not only for a high seed in the State Conference tournament, but for the first time, for a berth in the NCAA Division III Championship as well.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference has been allotted a spot in the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Championship bracket, which “the winner of the conference championship tournament will receive,” according to a press release sent at the beginning of the semester.

“There’s four, five teams that could win it (and) we’re right there,” Fitchburg State Head Coach Dean Fuller said of the Falcons’ chances of grabbing the MASCAC title for a second year running. “We’re talking about it.”

Though the 2011 champions have firmly clinched a place in the Conference’s Top Six, with Framingham (3-10-3) and Westfield State (3-9-4) left fighting for the last spot, the stakes for the 2012 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship are now higher than ever before.

However, with the championship scheduled to start within the next two weeks, the Falcons hockey team finds itself stuck in the middle of the standings at fourth place. After a recent 8-4 loss to UMass Dartmouth and a non-Conference overtime struggle with Assumption on Feb. 11, the Fitchburg State Falcons added another match to their recent win-less skid (0-3-1), including a 6-3 loss to Worcester State the week before and a 2-2 tie against Salem State before that.

That being said, Fitchburg State University’s offense has withstood the onslaught brought on by MASCAC’s leading teams Plymouth and Salem. The Falcons have brought in an average of 3.6 goals a match over the course of the last month with forward Trevor Lawler leading as top scorer with 11 goals.

And even with recent struggles and losses in mind (8-4 loss to Plymouth), Fitchburg State’s goalie Bobby Leiser collected the MASCAC honor of “Goalie of the Week” at the beginning of February.

“Bobby’s been a very, very patient man,” Fuller said of the honored Falcon. “He’s played behind for us and he’s solid. We have a lot of confidence in him and you’ve got a have a solid defender like that.”

While the coming two conference matches against Westfield State University and Plymouth may not be crucial qualifying matches (though Westfield’s chances may be on the line), they will play vital roles in indicating the Falcon’s ability to survive and thrive in the coming tournament and, potentially, the NCAA Division III Championship.

“We’ve got our captain Kris Threlkeld back, who broke his ankle against Plymouth for a semester, so now we have depth,” Fuller added. “We go 3-4 lines deep, which is the healthiest we’ve been. We’re looking forward to it; we really are.”

For their final two games, the Falcons will be going to Westfield to face the Owls on Feb. 18 at 5:25 p.m., only to come back to Fitchburg and finish the season against Plymouth on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.