The number of women held in local jails for misdemeanor crimes or in anticipation of a trial has increased by at least 14 times since 1970, from a mere 8,000 to close to 110,000 women in 2014, according to a study reported by The New York Times. And while the number of men in prison still far outweighs the number of incarcerated women, many are concerned about the lasting affects of this drastic growth.
According to The Guardian’s reports, most of the women who have been recently incarcerated are either Hispanic or of color, and nearly 80 percent of them are mothers.
They also tend to enter prison in more hostile situations than men; for instance, they generally are struggling financially, unemployed or using drugs at the time of their arrest.
Even still, about a third of incarcerated women suffer from a severe mental illness, like major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, according to The Guardian—a much higher percentage than is present among jailed men.
Life before jail seems rough enough for these women, but the actual imprisonment can be somewhat of a threat, as well, according to the study.
“For women, jail can be especially destabilizing because most jail environments were not designed with them in mind and do not take into account the particular adversities they have experienced,” the report said, according to The Guardian.
And while women reportedly make up just 13 percent of the imprisoned population, they fall victim to more than two-thirds of all staff-on-inmate sexual assaults.
“Many women leave jail with diminished prospects for physical and behavioral health recovery, with greater parental stress and strain, and even more financially precarious than they were before becoming caught up in the justice system,” according to the study.
With situations declining for the skyrocketing number of impoverished women in U.S. jails, it is clear that reform is necessary, not only to prevent their arrest, but to ensure their safety during and after their sentences.
Maybe you’re new to campus or maybe you’re a sophomore who hasn’t gotten the hang of the lecture hall yet, but college professors have high expectations for all of their students. While they may not care if you roll up to class in pajamas, they will care if you aren’t paying attention. Some college professors are straightforward with their demands, and others may rely on you having common sense. No matter what side your professor lands on, there are some things that every professor expects from you.
1. Be on time
This may be obvious to most, but it’s seriously important. Your lecture, lab or discussion hall isn’t a frat party that you can arrive to fashionably late. Not only do the latecomers interrupt the professor with the sound of the door, fumbling to find a seat and getting ready for class, but it’s just plain disrespectful.
“Being on time shows that you’re ready to learn and will also give you time to set up your laptop or notebook and get settled before the class starts. When you’re on time, you’re less distracting to your peers and you’ll never miss the attendance sheet,” says Erin Sestric, a graduate of Duquesne University.
2. Know the due dates
College professors have to memorize hundreds of students’ names, grade a ton of papers and sometimes even work on their own education. If they can stay organized, then so can you.
Autumn Dube, a senior at Emmanuel College, says, “Organization is key for maintaining success throughout your semester, and professors expect students to know this. Having a planner and writing down important dates from your syllabi is definitely a must at the beginning of each semester.”
Planning ahead means you get to give each assignment the attention it requires so you can incorporate study time and Netflix time into your schedule.
3. Know the university policies and procedures
Many colleges require their professors to outline the rules for plagiarism, university policies surrounding students with disabilities and their grading scales. Since it’s explained to you at orientation, on the university website and on every syllabus, professors don’t want to waste their beloved lecture time outlining everything for you.
Sydnee Marie, a graduate student at Florida Atlantic University, urges students to read up. “It sounds intimidating, but lots of professors hate answering questions they feel they've sufficiently explained in the syllabus,” she says. “It slows down the class and takes away from teaching time.”
Save your first-day questions for specifics about assignments and what you need to succeed for the rest of the semester.
“I think one thing that professors expect you to know is the importance of office hours,” says Mara Hyman, a graduate of the University of Southern California. “It's easy to forget that they're there the further you are into the semester, but your professors are there to help you.”
Imagine being a professor of a 300-person lecture and having 50 students come up to you after class with a million questions. It sounds impossible, doesn’t it? That’s why professors have office hours; it’s the one-on-one time that you can’t get in between classes.
Mara also points out one bonus of office hours: “If you can establish a positive relationship with [your professors] at the beginning of the semester, you will set yourself up for success.”
5. Ask relevant questions
With only a semester worth of classes, many professors try to get in as much material as possible. Not only does that mean they’re relying on you to do your homework, but they are also relying on you to further the discussion and not hinder it. This means that you shouldn’t be raising your hand to ask what happened in Chapter Three, but you should be raising your hand to ask how Chapter Three tied together a loose end from Chapter One.
“In general they expect you to show up to class, to pay attention, take notes and ask relevant questions," says Sophia Walker, a senior at Bowdoin College. “Irrelevant questions just slow down the pace of the class.”
You may think you can become teacher’s pet by asking simple questions, but it can be frustrating to your professor and your fellow classmates if it’s clear you’re only in it for the participation points.
6. They’re more understanding than you think
Even in college, emergencies happen and teachers understand. Don’t forget—they were college students once, too. If your mental health, family issues or unforeseen circumstances are interfering with your work, it’s best to talk to your professors as soon as possible.
“I had to drive home for a family emergency the day I had a big paper due, and my teacher was only accepting hard copies,” says Emily McMullen, a graduate of Temple University. “But instead of taking the bad grade, I emailed my teacher, and she was more than understanding and ended up letting me turn the paper in when I got back to campus.”
Sometimes your professors may seem like they’re the most frigid people in the world; however, at the end of the day, they’re people too and they know life happens. As long as you’re not lying to them and constantly finding excuses to turn in late work, your professors will work with you to help you succeed in their class.
7. They trust the TAs for a reason
If a professor is teaching multiple classes with a bunch of different sections, then they will most likely get help from teaching assistants. TAs can be responsible for grading, holding discussion sections and hosting review sessions. You may not think it’s fair that you’re receiving a grade from someone who isn’t an actual professor yet, but TAs are incredibly knowledgeable about the subjects they teach.
Alexandra Rodwick, a senior at Slippery Rock University, says, “My TAs gave me the one-on-one attention I needed before tests and quizzes. I had a lot of huge lectures, so it was impossible for me to get help from my actual professor when I had a quick question.”
Creating a good relationship with your TA doesn't only help you in class; it can help you in the future as well. TAs are a good resource for recommendations because they know you as an individual and a student.
Set yourself up for success by being prepared on your first day of the semester. Whether it’s your first semester or your last, knowing what your professor wants from you will help you get that A—and make the class a more positive experience.
The Department of Justice has just released a memo outlining their plan to reduce, and ultimately discontinue, the use of privately operated prisons.
In the memo, Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said that she will be directing the Bureau of Prisons to “decline to renew that contract or substantially reduce its scope” when contracts with these private prisons came up for renewal, ABC News reports. Those contracts will all come up for renewal within the next five years.
According to ABC News, a report released by the DOJ’s inspector general found that contract prisons had "more safety and security incidents per capita" than government-run prisons.
Yates said that private prisons "simply do not provide the same level of correctional services, programs, and resources; they do not save substantially on costs; and as noted in a recent report by the Department’s Office of Inspector General, they do not maintain the same level of safety and security,” The Washington Post reports.
According to ABC News, the DOJ’s report showed higher per person rates of “contraband finds, assaults, uses of force, lockdowns, guilty findings on inmate discipline charges, and selected categories of grievances” in these privately operated prisons. Incidents in these facilities could turn deadly—at a prison in Mississippi, a correctional officer was killed during an inmate riot over bad food and medical care, the Post reports.
Several people working for private prison corporations gave statements to the Post saying they were disappointed with the new rule. But human rights advocates were excited for the change, even if it only affects about 22,000 prisoners out of more than 2 million in the U.S. This plan will only affect privately run federal prisons, not state prisons, although some states may follow the federal lead and eventually eliminate the use of private prisons as well.
“There’s a practical impact, and then a symbolic impact," Marc Mauer, executive director of the Sentencing Project, told the Post. "I think it’s part of the evolving climate on criminal justice reform.”
Yates stated, “Private prisons served an important role during a difficult period, but time has shown that they compare poorly to our own Bureau facilities. For all these reasons, I am eager to enlist your help in beginning the process of reducing—and ultimately ending—our use of privately operated prisons.”
Even though Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass may be a fictional couple in the world of your dreams, that doesn't mean you and your bae don't find them relatable. Here are the 15 ways that you guys are pretty much the same couple.
1. Sometimes you have your doubts
2. Other times you're sappy
3. Sometimes you even get possessive
4. It's really hard to move on from one another
5. All your friends know what's up
6. You often ask too much of each other
7. You've agreed to fight for what's important
8. Your world crumbles when bae leaves
9. You complete each other
10. Despite being together for years, you still find ways compliment each other
11. You've heard this before and know it's a lie…
12. You always remind him you want to be independent
13. You both love napping together
14. You even come up with cute nicknames for each other
Don’t get us wrong—we’re excited to go back to school. We love our college, and we can’t wait to see all of our friends and meet new people. All we’re saying is, getting back into homework, exams and dining hall food would be a little more bearable if we were going to one of these (sadly) fictional schools.
1. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
We wish our course load consisted of Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and flying lessons! Not to mention living in a gorgeous castle, enjoying a delicious start-of-term feast and taking weekend trips to Hogsmeade. Seriously, where is our Hogwarts letter?
2. Constance Billard School for Girls
We really don’t want to go back to high school, but if we went to an elite private school in New York City we might be okay with it. The uniforms would even be bearable, because we could flirt with the guys at St. Judes and hang out in the gorgeous courtyard between classes.
3. Octavian Country Day
Seriously, why wasn’t our middle school experience this fabulous? We definitely had to deal with mean girls, but our sense of style still isn’t as on point as the girls in the Pretty Committee. Sigh.
4. Rydell High
Living in the '50s would be pretty great—style wise, at least. The guys wore leather jackets, and for girls, leggings totally counted as pants! Plus, at Rydell High everyone is always singing, dancing and having a good time!
5. Bronson Alcott High
At Bronson Alcott High there are tons of beautiful people, the parties are actually fun and there never seems to be any homework. Count us in!
6. North Shore High
Yes, this school is kind of awful, but there always seems to be something going on! And with Tina Fey as our math teacher, we’d totally pay attention in class. Unless we got distracted by Aaron Samuels, that is.
7. Sunnydale High
This high school might sit on the Hellmouth, but at least life is never boring! We would love to spend our time with the Scooby Gang. If we can’t be Buffy, we’d like to at least be one of her best friends.
8. East High
A high school where everyone is talented and people actually care about extracurriculars? We’d like to go there. We could even get used to breaking into song every few minutes... if Zac Efron was our duet partner.
9. Shermer High
We don’t actually get to see this school in session, but does it really matter? We all want to live in a John Hughes film, after all.
10. Horace Green Preparatory School
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Our homework would be to listen to great music, we’d go on a field trip to the Battle of the Bands and Jack Black would be our teacher. We repeat, Jack Black would be our teacher.
Unfortunately, we can’t attend any of these fictional schools. So it’s a good thing we love our university of choice—even if it’s not Hogwarts.
Whether you’re completing a major project or studying for the big exam, there’s no denying just how much time a collegiette like you spends at her desk. That’s why it’s so important to create a space you love —one that matches your personality and sense of style (without breaking the bank). So which work station is right for you? We’ve rounded up four options that you can easily emulate, featuring a few back to school supplies available at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores or online.
1. For the Girl with Vacation On Her Mind
Who says you need to wait until spring break to think about vacay? Bring the tropics directly to your dorm room with a warm weather-inspired desk like this one. Folders with pineapple, flamingo and cityscape prints can instantly energize an otherwise ordinary space. To further flaunt your wanderlust, you can even accessorize with colorful binder clips, Sharpies® markers and earbuds.
2. For the Girl with a Candy Crush
Satiate your sweet tooth with a candy-theme work station. Opt for graphic notebooks — try these from the Divoga® Sweet Smarts Collection, exclusively for Office Depot and OfficeMax stores and online — that feature your favorite treats like ice cream, donuts and sprinkles. Pens and Post-it® notes in varying pastel shades (think pink, orange and green to start) can add a fun twist, too.
3. For the Girl with an Eclectic Flair
If your style is a little bit of everything, then you’ll want to add this desk to your décor Pinterest board ASAP. The Whimsical Wonder Collection from Divoga® (exclusively for Office Depot and OfficeMax stores and online) lets you mix and match items with inspired patterns for a look that is distinctly you — fun, quirky and a little unexpected. Try layering journals and notebooks for a truly unique aesthetic.
4. For the Girl Who Keeps It Minimal
Keep things simple with a no-frills look that puts all the attention on the essentials. We love how the folders and notebooks from the Divoga® Mediterranean Mosaic collection take center stage on this polished surface. Try a simple upgrade on classic supplies bysticking to one color family or print. Consider the same for your accessories in order to achieve that understated, neutral look.
Ready for a fun décor project? Go back to school in style with these desk essentials from Office Depot and OfficeMax stores or online atwww.officedepot.com/college.
The best part of your birthday isn't the presents you get or the relatives you only see a few times a year or the fact that it's your little brother's day to wash the dishes. No, the best part of your birthday is, unquestionably, the cake. Wouldn't it be great if every day was your birthday? Well, with these recipes, you can have your cake and eat it, too. Don't forget to lick the bowl!
Students at the Claremont colleges in California recently sparked a debate when they made a Facebook post looking for a fourth roommate, requesting "POC only."
Many were upset about the request, calling it racist, and President of Pitzer College Mervin Oliver released a statement saying the post was inconsistent with the college's values.
I can't blame people for their immediate reactions to this, but the truth is, there's nothing wrong with people of color requesting a POC only roommate.
The term "safe space" is thrown around as a media buzzword these days, used to terrorize the public into thinking Millennials and college students are changing the way we all live. But safe spaces have their roots in marginalized groups. When they aren't overused or abused or used to frighten authority figures, safe spaces are simply supposed to be a space that is designed for members of a marginalized group to feel comfortable away from the typical systemic oppression they face on a daily basis.
As an LGBTQ+ person, I completely get why some people need safe spaces. I have non-queer friends. In fact, a majority of my friends and family members aren't queer. None of them are outwardly discriminatory to the queer community. But the fact is that, despite meaning well, non-queer people don't get what my experience is like as a marginalized queer woman. They don't understand the homophobia and biphobia that I experience on a near daily basis. And they can't completely get why I have to be wary in spaces that aren't specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community.
It can be really hard to find people to live with who completely understand you, especially if you're multiply marginalized (POC + queer, POC + Muslim, POC + Native American, etc). But I think it's everyone's right to make choices about who they live with, and if they want their roommates to represent a marginalized community that they're a part of, I don't think there's anything wrong or racist about that.
I consider myself a comrade to marginalized communities I'm not a part of, but I'll always step out of the way if it's a "POC only" space, or a "transgender only" space, or any other space not meant for me. Because that's exactly what I'd want my allies to do for me.
It is the end of an era for a certain type of online journalism, as Gawker.com will officially down next week after 14 years, the site reported Thursday.
Univision Communications Inc., Gawker’s parent company, purchased ownership rights for the site at a whopping $135 million at a bankruptcy auction on Tuesday. Univision plans on adding Gawker Media's other websites—Deadspin, Lifehacker, Gizmodo, Jalopnik, Jezebel and Kotaku—into its Fusion Media Group, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Gawker has been no stranger to lawsuits and controversy over the years, but a story published in 2012 about a scandalous sex tape featuring former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan led to a legal battle that pushed the company into bankruptcy. Hogan filed a lawsuit against the company this year and won $140 million, and Gawker filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection shortly after.
Hogan’s lawsuit was secretly bankrolled by Peter Thiel, the billionaire founder of PayPal. Gawker outed Thiel as gay in 2007, and he paid $10 million for Hogan's lawsuit in an attempt to stop what he felt were Gawker's unacceptable ethical violations. Many have pointed out that Thiel’s success in shutting down Gawker through lawsuits is a serious threat to the free press.
In a memo to staff sent out on Thursday, Gawker Media founder Nick Denton announced that he would be leaving the company and though Gawker Media will remain intact, Gawker.com will no longer be in operation, according to the Huffington Post. The site’s controversial past made it a hard sell to potential buyers, Denton explained.
“Sadly, neither I nor Gawker.com, the buccaneering flagship of the group I built with my colleagues, are coming along for this next stage,” Denton said in the memo. “Desirable though the other properties are, we have not been able to find a single media company or investor willing also to take on Gawker.com. The campaign being mounted against its editorial ethos and former writers has made it too risky. I can understand the caution.”
Univision’s acquisition of Gawker may be its first move towards becoming a more digital company and growing its millennial audience, according to the Wall Street Journal.
While teammate Michael Phelps has been making headlines for his historic Olympic career, U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte has been dealing with a scandal. Earlier in the week, Lochte claimed he was robbed at gunpoint while in Rio during a night out with other American swimmers.
After Lochte said that he and fellow Team USA members Jimmy Feigen, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger's lives were threatened, the Brazilian Police and International Olympic Committee investigated the claims. But Lochte’s story was called into question after a video from the night of the incident was released and lacked any evidence to back up the swimmer's tale.
Lochte took to Instagram today to extend an apology for the way he described the run-in.
“I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend—for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics,” he wrote.
Lochte still maintains that a gun was pointed at him while at the gas station. “It’s traumatic to be out late with your friends in a foreign country—with a language barrier—and have a stranger point a gun at you and demand money to let you leave, but regardless of the behavior of anyone else that night, I should have been much more responsible in how I handled myself and for that am sorry to my teammates, my fans, my fellow competitors, my sponsors, and the hosts of this great event.”
Although Lochte appears to be the one who exaggerated the event in the first place, he wants the focus to shift back to the Olympic Games. “There has already been too much said and too many valuable resources dedicated to what happened last weekend so I hope we spend our time celebrating the great stories and performances of these Games and look ahead to celebrating future successes.”
At least he kind of admitted he was wrong. Hopefully next time he chooses his words more carefully.
Nicholas Dirks, Chancellor of University of California Berkeley, has resigned,The New York Times reports. The UC Berkeley Chancellor released a statement Tuesday regarding the matter on the University website, stating that over the course of the summer, Dirks “came to the personal decision" that it was time to step down.
His resignation comes amid the criticism from officials and students alike about of the mishandling of both financial funds and sexual harassment claims. The chancellor leaves a spotty legacy after his time at Berkeley, despite a $200,000 effort to save his image with consultants.
Dirks started as UC Berkeley Chancellor in June 2013 and has since cultivated a tense relationship with university officials and students. Since his time at Berkeley, Mother Jones reports there have been at least four incidents of high ranking Berkeley professors and staff harassing students and subordinates, including the School of Law dean and a famed astronomy professor. Both were found to have been in violation of Berkeley code. The president of the University of California system, Janet Napolitano, expressed disappointment with the Chancellor for the handling of the allegations.
In response to the mishandling of these allegations, students took to his office and protested for his resignation. He responded by building a $9,000 escape door, a move students called unneccesary and elitist, which further called his handling of funds into question. The San Francisco Chroniclereported the chancellor built a security fence around his campus residence which cost the university around $700,000. There were also reports of the chancellor using a personal trainer with free reign, causing the trainer to be put on administrative leave.
UC Berkeley students took to Twitter to express their views on his resignation, mostly joy at the news and upset at the discord.
Jordan Rodgers might have been hoping to put all his Bachelorettedrama behind him, but his ex-girlfriend, Brittany Farrar, is not letting him off that easy.
When JoJo's season of The Bachelorette first began airing, Farrar blasted Rodgers on Instagram for claiming that his career was the reason they broke up. Farrar also shared that infidelity was the real cause of their relationship's end. But Rodgers has stated in multiple publications that the cheating allegations are untrue.
Not one to have her character questioned, Farrar returned to Instagram last night to spill all the tea and prove she has actual receipts.
In the first half of her detailed post, Farrar wrote, “Unlike Jordan, I’m not going to sell stories to magazines. Instead I’m posting right here. Because to me truth is not about fame—I don’t want it. And it’s not about money—I can afford to leave some chia behind. All I want is the same thing that anyone else who’s been wronged would want: the chance to share the truth.”
A photo posted by Brittany Farrar (@brittany.farrar) on
Her caption reads: “After our breakup, I was surprised to find out what a prolific liar and cheater #JordanRodgers was during our entire 3 1/2 year-relationship. But what has surprised me even more is how he has carelessly bashed and lied about me in public. I guess he thought I wouldn't stand up for myself. #HeWasWrong"
In the second post, which features more specific information, Farrar attached pictures of a receipt for roses she claims Rodgers bought for another girl while he and Farrar were still together. There are even texts from Rodgers, who was clearly desperate to win her back after their breakup.
A video posted by Brittany Farrar (@brittany.farrar) on
We'll have to wait and see if Rodgers decides to respond to these comments or if he'll keep the focus on his new life with fiancée JoJo Fletcher instead.
Avocado lovers, don’t freak, but…you might need to put down your best fruit friend indefinitely (or at least REALLY slow down the consumption of it).
In recent years, the avocado has seen a boom after being marketed as a superfood packed with "good fats." People now regularly enjoy avocados beyond just guacamole—it’s taken over breakfast and beauty treatments alike. Millennials, perhaps the most health conscious generation in history, are avocado-obsessed. But unfortunately, this love has contributed to the worst kind of environmental hurt: deforestation.
Because of the recent boom, Mexican farmers find the fruit is more profitable than other crops, leading them to increase their production of the fruit. But to keep up with demand, they're cutting down pine and fir forests. As these trees and avocado trees share similar growing conditions, the forests are a prime target as farmers look to increase production. Not only that, but these forests are the natural habitat of the monarch butterfly—a species that's rapidly losing its resting place. The Guardian also reports this deforestation might also be linked to the narcotics trade as farmers pay gangs to help avoid authority and subsequent prosecution.
However, this isn’t the first time a superfood craze has caused trouble for the native regions and consumers. Quinoa came under scrutiny as it gained popularity as well. As popularity grew, the price doubled and those who relied on it as their native grain could no longer afford it. It’s not even the first time avocados have been blamed for trouble. In 2011, the fruit was blamed for the Chilean drought.
So I’m sorry avocados, but I really love butterflies...time to put down my favorite snack.
When Inside Amy Schumer writer Kurt Metzger heard that Upright Citizens Brigade theaters had banned a comedian because of rape allegations from several other comedians, he was furious. So he took to Facebook and Twitter to vent his hateful, misogynist opinions.
"Guys, I have just heard some disturbing news, this guy Jiff Dilfyberg is a rapist!" he wrote earlier this week. "I know because women said it, and that's all I need! Never you mind who they are. They are women!"
Metzger's now-deleted posts went on to blame the women involved because they "didn't bother going to the police at all." He also condemned the rape culture discussion for not educating the women about what to do as victims of rape.
When Amy Schumer didn't immediately respond to the controversial comments, her fans flipped out. They demanded to know why such a strong and inspiring woman worked with such an anti-feminist. A few fans even claimed that Schumer blocked them on Twitter for asking her about Metzger's rant. When Schumer finally spoke out, her remarks sparked rumors that Inside Amy Schumer had been canceled, which Amy dispelled with a tweet explaining that the show is currently on an extended hiatus.
I didn't fire Kurt. He isn't a writer for my show because we aren't making the show anymore. There are no writers for it.
Now, Schumer is delving into the Metzger situation further in an interview with Charlie Rose, in which she totally puts Metzger in his place.
First, she praises the opposing point of view Metzger brings to the Inside Amy Schumer writers' room. "We butt heads, we get in fights, because he infuriates us," she says. "It feels very positive to have someone in there saying, 'Well, this is from the male perspective.'" However, Schumer goes on to explain that she, of course, does not stand by Metzger's recent comments because she doesn't agree with "whatever tangent he's gone off on."
Amy sums up the issue by arguing that the focus should be on the real issue, rape and sexual assualt, not Metzger. "I would love to refocus the energy and the attention on the real problem. He baits people. He's the problem, no question, but the focus is on him rather than on what the real, main problem is."
Your college career is about to take off, bringing about changes in scenery, new friends and exciting experiences. In the midst of all of the excitement, you also need to consider the changes you’re going to come across in the classroom, especially how you’ll interact with your professors.
A collegiette’s relationship with her professor is a lot different than a high school student’s relationship with her teacher. Professors “treat students as young adults because [that’s what] they are,” says Desiree Hanford, a journalism lecturer and the Journalism Residency Coordinator at Northwestern University. You’re expected to keep up with all the coursework and be diligent about asking for help if you’re falling behind, since professors will rarely keep tabs on you and your assignments. But while being proactive about asking for help is crucial in college, the thought of doing it—or even forming a relationship with your professor at all—can be intimidating. But have no fear, incoming collegiettes! We rounded up a few tips you can put to use so you can form a solid relationship with your professors, who can be fantastic resources when you’re looking for jobs, internships and other opportunities.
Mr., Mrs. or Ms. so-and-so is typically not the best way to address your professor. Nate Kreuter, an assistant professor of English at Western Carolina University, says that your safest bet is to address your professor as “Professor” followed by his or her last name. If you’re communicating with her by email, the signature on her response will give you an indication of how she prefers to be addressed, so use what she specifies in all future correspondences, whether it’s “Professor,” “Dr.,” or a first name. The way your professor lists her name on the course syllabus may also help you figure out what to call her. If she prefers to be called by her first name, however, that probably won’t be indicated on the syllabus, so pay attention on the first day of class to see if she makes any specifications. You should follow these instructions with lecturers as well.
When addressing a teaching assistant, you can most likely use a first name, as these individuals are likely not much older than you. However, address them as “Mr.” or Ms.” so-and-so if you contact them before class in case they prefer a more formal interaction. In your first class session, your TA will indicate her preferred name when introducing herself, so you can feel safe sticking to that.
2. Introduce yourself at the start of the semester
Putting a name to a face will help your professor remember who you are, laying a foundation for a meaningful professional relationship. It will also help you get past any fears you may have about chatting with her later in the semester. You can introduce yourself after one of the first lectures. Don’t do this before a lecture, however, because your professor will likely be focused on preparing for the class, says Julia Mossbridge, a research associate in the department of psychology at Northwestern University who has also taught courses.
When you introduce yourself, don’t just leave it at your name. “It’s always awkward when a student approaches me and just tells me their name and that they are looking forward to the class,” Mossbridge says. “I am generally flattered, but I know that I’ll forget her name because there was no real content to our conversation. If, however, the student approaches me after a lecture… to ask a question or make a comment, we usually get into a real conversation and I remember her much better.” Listening closely to class lectures and discussions is a fantastic way to come up with some ideas for conversations to have with your professor after class. Plus, it shows you’re interested in the course—something professors always love to see!
3. Sit in a seat in class where you’ll pay attention
In order to build a sound relationship with your professor, it’s important to be respectful and attentive to her in the classroom. By not paying attention in class, you’re essentially telling your professor that you don’t care about the work she put into planning a lecture or discussion for you and your classmates. Plus, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb if you fall asleep for an hour or spend the entirety of the class whispering with the friend next to you. If you can’t give respect to your professors in the classroom, they’ll be less inclined to form a relationship with you in other settings.
So how do you make paying attention easier in class? Sit somewhere where you likely won’t be distracted. Some students can pay attention just fine in the back, but up front, you’ll be less likely to become mesmerized with whatever is on the computer screens of your classmates in front of you. Also, if you find yourself tempted to chat with friends sitting nearby, it may be wise to put a bit of distance between yourselves until class ends.
There’s also another bonus to picking your seat wisely. For some professors, where you sit can influence how well they remember you. Joan Linsenmeier, a faculty member in Northwestern University’s department of psychology, recommends that students sit in seats where professors can make eye contact with them in class. “In a small classroom, all seats may be just fine,” Linsenmeier says. “In a lecture hall, I think that the outer seats in the first few rows are not good choices. … [The students in these seats] are the ones for whom I’d have to turn my head most—thus, turning away from much of the class.”
In addition to helping some professors remember you, eye contact is also a good indicator that you’re paying attention. You really can’t go wrong with making yourself more visible!
Spending the majority of class on your phone or on the Internet is a fantastic way to make sure your professor will remember you—but not in a good way. Many college professors will give you the privilege of using your laptops to take notes during class, and you should be using them for that purpose only!
Checking your email and Facebook notifications not only hinders your ability to absorb the information you need to know for your exams and assignments, but it’s also disrespectful to the professor, who put in a lot of time to prep for the lecture or discussion. She WILL be able to tell when you’re smiling at a cat gif and will remember that you weren’t listening in class, something that will hinder any sort of professional relationship you want to form later on outside of the classroom.
All of this goes for phone use, too. If you need to use your phone during class because of an emergency, then step outside. There’s really no better way to tell a professor you’re not interested in the class than by scanning your phone and the Internet throughout your entire time in the room. If you’re not respectful to her, then she won’t be likely to want to get to know you. Do your professional relationship a favor: shut off your phone and turn off the Wi-Fi connection on your laptop until class is over.
5. Ask questions in class, but don’t waste time
When you’re listening to a lecture or discussion and something comes up that you don’t quite understand, you should feel free to ask the professor for clarification. “If you don’t understand a concept that the professor is trying to convey, chances are other classmates are also lost, and asking a question would reflect your initiative, help your professor explain their point and help your classmates learn,” says Jeanette Ortiz, a lecturer in the Northwestern University School of Communication.
But be careful not to ask questions that are explicitly answered in your syllabi or other course materials. This is “tiresome” and “shows a lack of maturity,” says Tom Klinkowstein, a professor of New Media Design at Hofstra University. If you have questions about an individual situation rather than the class material, such as making up missed coursework, then ask about that after class or during office hours. “The more questions, the better, as long as they’re questions that show curiosity and show respect for other people’s time,” Klinkowstein says.
That being said, don’t just ask a question for the sake of standing out, Ortiz says; ask a question when you’re genuinely interested or confused. Professors can tell when your question is rooted in a desire to impress them instead of in real curiosity. “Have you ever tried to ‘appear’ engaged when you’re telling a story? It’s obvious, right?” Mossbridge says. “Professors have the same skill as you do when determining when a student is [not engaged], but it is honed about 1,000 times better, because we get lots of practice. Be authentic, or don’t go to class.”
If you have questions that can’t be answered succinctly during class, are not directly related to course material or that pertain specifically to you, heading to office hours is a great option. Most professors list their pre-scheduled office hours on their syllabi, but if those times don’t work for you, email your professor to make an appointment.
There is no optimal number of times to go to office hours, Mossbridge says. Instead, she says, go as often as you need help. Just make sure to be prepared with specific questions any time you go. “If a student stops in during office hours to discuss a specific topic, the student should do their research in advance so the professor and student can make the best use of their time together,” Hanford says.
It may seem intimidating to meet one on one with a professor during office hours, but don’t be afraid to take the leap! Even if professors may be more inclined than your high school teacher to treat you like an adult, that doesn’t mean they expect you to be perfect. “Before you get intimidated, it’s good to remember that most professors recognize that adults, like kids, make mistakes and can misunderstand ideas. The very professor you may be intimidated by probably just asked a colleague this morning to explain something to her,” Mossbridge says. So if you bombed an exam, missed a couple classes or just don’t understand what the heck your professor is talking about, head to office hours and speak up!
But that being said, do have a good reason to go to office hours. “Office hours should be used mostly for discussing academic questions, or for continuing a prior conversation,” Ortiz says. “It is unusual for a student to attend office hours to simply ‘hang out,’ which may annoy professors, or give them the impression that the student is excessively needy or trying to gain some advantage.” So, collegiettes, only meet with your professor if you have a specific plan of action. If not, then don’t waste her time!
7. Say hello outside of class
Believe it or not, professors are people, too, so you’re bound to see them outside of class in hallways or around campus. When this happens, don’t be afraid to say hello. If you’re passing them in the hallway, a quick “Hi, how are you?” should do the trick. If you have a longer encounter with one of your professors, such as standing in line at a campus coffee shop, you can make small talk. Chat about the weather, ask if she enjoyed her weekend or comment about your busy week. The exchange doesn’t need to be long—a couple minutes is fine—but when you get your coffee and head out, say a quick goodbye if your professor is nearby and not chatting with someone else.
If you initially encounter your professor in a conversation with someone else, however, use your judgment to determine if you should interrupt. If your professor makes eye contact with you, feel free to give a wave and quick hello, but continue on unless she takes initiative to lengthen the exchange. If she’s immersed in her conversation, however, don’t go out of your way to interrupt. You’ll likely see her outside of class sometime again.
8. Look for ways to interact with professors outside the classroom
A great way to interact with your professors in different settings is to get involved in a lab or project they’re leading. “If all of your academic questions have been answered and you would like to continue working with a professor, then you may want to consider getting involved in their research or setting up an independent study,” Ortiz says. She recommends inquiring about opportunities right away via email, before or after class, or during office hours. If you decide to shoot your professor an email, introduce yourself and identify what class of hers you’re taking. Then, let her know that you’ve been looking at her research, it sounded interesting to you and you’d be interested in learning about any opportunities to work with her. But before doing this, make sure to actually read up a bit on the professor’s work to ensure that it interests you, or else you both may be in for a less-than-ideal experience working together! And at the end of your email, always remember to thank your professor for her time.
Keep in mind that when looking for research assistant positions, it’s possible that there may not be any openings for at least another semester. “[Students] need to understand that it may be weeks, months, another semester before such a thing becomes available that’s [relevant] to their interest,” Klinkowstein says. Because of this, he recommends expressing your interests early so you can be kept in mind for any openings that come up later on.
But while you’re waiting, Ortiz says you can still learn about the professor’s research. “If the professor does not have space available on any projects, students can ask to attend lab meetings… in order to build a base of knowledge in the professor’s research area, and ask to be considered for a project during the next academic term,” she says.
If you don’t find a lab or project that fits your interest, an equally great way to get to know your professors is to get involved in an organization where you have the opportunity to mingle with them. “One of my clubs has a faculty and student dinner once a month where we invite a lot of faculty in different departments to join club members for a dinner,” says Franklin & Marshall College junior and HC Co-Campus Correspondent Shira Kipnees. Shira says these dinners have helped her develop solid relationships with her professors in a setting other than class. “We can talk about a variety of topics not related to topics within the classroom, and they often get to know me better and help me pick better classes or help me figure out how to better prepare for my future,” she says. “One professor who I interact with a lot at dinners actually became one of my advisers and helped me plan out my whole major.”
If faculty/student dinners don’t sound like your cup of tea, you can also get to know your professor better through attending lectures, discussions or readings they may be holding. Klinkowstein encourages his students to go to those that interest them. “There’s a lot of opportunities for outside lectures, some of which I organize,” Klinkowstein says. “Most students do not understand the importance of finding a way to go to that. … I encourage them to see the university more holistically than ‘I go to this class, I go to this class.’” To find out about interesting academic events, sign up for department email listservs, look online at department calendars, peruse bulletin boards in academic buildings or ask your professors.
Life on a college campus can be quite stressful, especially when adjusting to a whole new class structure. But if you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to ease the transition and focus on expanding your knowledge. Have a great first semester, incoming collegiettes!
As the horrendous civil war in Syria drags on, the children of the country suffer the physical and mental consequences.
This all became even more clear when a 5-year-old boy, Omran Daqneesh, was pictured in the back of an ambulance after being discovered by authorities—and quickly went viral. A tweet of the photo by Telegraph reporter Raf Sanchez has more than 18,000 retweets.
Daqneesh, along with five other boys, was injured after an aerial attack, according to the Telegraph. He is covered in dirt and blood, and is seemingly unware of it all as he sits in the back of the ambulance awaiting medical help. He was later released from the hospital after suffering head injuries and cuts.
This graphic picture and video of Omran speaks to the devastation that Syria and its residents, both adult and children, face every day—driving home the real human consequences of a conflict that can feel incredibly far away to many of us. The fact that there are many more Omran Daqneeshs that we'll never see is the most devastating part of it all. And while countries sit and debate what exactly it is that can be done to help the people of Syria, more people die and more children, like Omran, are injured.
Three other people were killed in the attack that injured Omran, which also injured at least eight other women and children.
In April, according to Al Jazeera, UN Special Enoy Staffan de Mistura said that an estimated 400,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war. This incredibly large number is indicative of a need for help from other countries, and it's unfortunate that the topic is still up for debate in so many nations.
As countries debate whether or not is is viable to accept Syrian refugees, more lives are devastated and ruined through this unimaginable violence. But you can help if you feel compelled to. UNICEF is accepting donations to help children in Syria, as are a number of other charitiable organizations.
Through it all, there's hope that the viral picture of Omran will spark a better understanding of why assistance to the people of Syria is so incredibly vital, as the longer the debate of what to do goes on, the worse the situation gets.
You’ve been told that lying is bad ever since you were in preschool. Unfortunately, the group of U.S. Olympic swimmers that lied about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio is still working on that concept. As a result, Jimmy Feigen, who won gold in the 4x100 freestyle relay, will be allowed to leave Brazil and avoid prosecution after he donates 35,000 reals (roughly $10,800) to the Reaction Institute, a charity that uses sports to educate underprivileged children. Feigen will have his passport returned after he pays up. Due to a Brazilian law that allows donations as payment for minor infractions, the swimmer will avoid prosecution.
The gold medalist is one of three other swimmers caught up in the scandal created by outspoken veteran Olympian Ryan Lochte. Police confronted the group after they vandalized a gas station bathroom. In an attempt to cover up the misdemeanor, Lochte fabricated a story about being robbed at gunpoint.
He eventually apologized for his actions, and in response, Rio's mayor Eduardo Paes graciously accepted Lochte's apology and said that American toursits are always welcome in Rio.
But the repurcussions are continuing for Lochte's teammates, who seem to be having more legal issues than the former reality television star.
Feigen, Lochte’s teammate, will be the last of the accused swimmers to leave Brazil—even though the main fabricator of the story, Lochte, exited the country earlier this week. The other two swimmers, Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger, also experienced a brief delay but were eventually allowed to leave after their lawyer proved they weren’t involved in Lochte’s story.
The U.S. Olympic Committe also apologized for the actions of their athletes in a formal statement. "We apologize to our hosts in Rio and the people of Brazil for this distracting ordeal in the midst of what should rightly be a celebration of excellence," said chief Scott Blackmun.
The whole fiasco has put a black smudge on an otherwise impressive Olympic run for the U.S. swim team, but hopefully all of the incredible athletic accomplishments in Rio will trump this debacle.
While the matter of sexual assault is generally no laughing matter, Reductress, a women’s satirical news website, has posted a number of Onion-style articles on its homepage that highlight the issues we see with reporting sexual assault and the conversations surrounding it. The homepage takeover was in response to controversy after a man was kicked out of the Upright Citizens Brigade, a comedy group, because female members accused him of sexual assault.
Kurt Metzger, a comedian and writer for Inside Amy Schumer, has been one of the most vocal defenders of the male Upright Citizens Brigade comedian, saying that since the women have yet to report the assaults to the police, there is no basis for banning anyone.
Metzger’s troubles with the accusations culminated in awkward, offensive social media posts that have earned him scorn. Amy Schumer condemned Metzger’s posts in a tweet.
“I am so saddened and disappointed in Kurt Metzger. He is my friend and a great writer and I couldn’t be more against his recent actions,” Schumer said.
Beth Newell, the founder and head editor of Reductress, spoke to Jezebel about the website’s latest posts.
“Our female comedian friends were feeling pretty frustrated with a lot of the dialogue surrounding these events, specifically some of the comments coming from men,” Newell said. “We put out a call to writers for pitches on the topics of sexual assault and related issues and we received an overwhelming response… I think this story is so much bigger than [Metzger] and to make it entirely about him is maybe giving people a scapegoat. Not to mention giving him the attention he desires.”
Though it may seem as if Reductress is taking the issue of sexual assault too lightly, the articles themselves do not eliminate the very real issue of sexual assault, but rather they illuminate key issues through humor.
“Jeff, a yet-to-be-convicted serial date rapist, offered to share his secret on how to end rape culture. How generous! Here’s his advice: 'Rape culture doesn’t exist.' Wow! Jeff admits that rapes 'do happen' but that culture is 'not even a thing.' 'There are individuals who make decisions, and that’s it,' Jeff says. 'It’s like, why can’t you use logic?' Good point! We should just drop it. Be the change you wish to see in the world! When asked to explain further, Jeff asked, 'Why are you so obsessed with this? It’s weird that you keep trying to talk about it when we’re all just trying to have a good time here.'"
“There’s nothing more thrilling than being publicly dragged through the mud as strangers speculate about why you deserved to have a horrific crime committed against you,” the article reads. “Most women dread this ritual of victim-shaming, but not me. I reported the crime because I wanted some attention, without any of the attention specifically aimed at me. What can I say? I’ve just always kind of been one of those people who feeds on drama!”
If you can’t get enough of Chad Johnson’s antics and ability to stir the pot, then get excited—because your favorite villain will soon be gracing your television screen once again. According to ET, the Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise contestant that everyone loves to hate will have a few cameos in Bachelor couple Ben Higgins and Lauren Bushnell’s upcoming reality show, Ben and Lauren: Happily Ever After?
Considering there wasn’t much crossover between these Bachelor Nation alums, Johnson’s involvement is a little unexpected but will definitely make for an interesting show.
The reality series is set to explore Ben and Lauren’s life post-Bachelor. Bushnell told E! News: "We [Ben and Lauren] don't want it to be all just happy and go-lucky, we really want it to be real, and with that, Ben and I are human beings, we have our downs, we have our arguments. I don't want any of our struggles to be censored. I want it to be very real. That's the conversation we've had. We just really want to be ourselves and not feel like we have to censor ourselves or be different than we who are just because there are cameras around."
We’re not quite sure how Johnson will fit in between wedding planning and life as a new couple living together in Denver, but we’re excited to find out. Either Chad Bear is ready to create more mischief or maybe he’s actually real-life BFFs with the couple (probably not), but one thing’s for sure—pass the popcorn.
Disney darling and red carpet queen Zendaya is shattering stereotypes once again with her first major role on the silver screen. The Wrap revealed that Zendaya, who was cast in Marvel's upcoming film Spiderman: Homecoming in March, will play Peter Parker's famous love interest Mary Jane Watson.
When the news broke yesterday, the internet went wild. Most MCU fans are excited to finally see a woman of color snag a lead role in a Marvel film. Though Mary Jane is a traditionally white character, the majority of fans are ready to shake things up.
However, unfortunately, there are also the very vocal few who don't believe Zendaya is right for the role. Several of these protestors think the casting should stick more closely to the traditional comics. Some argue that Zendaya should not play the redheaded Mary Jane simply because she isn't a natural redhead. Need we remind you that Kirsten Dunst, who played Mary Jane in the Tobey Maguire-starring Spiderman films, is a natural blonde? And, come on, one look at the fan edits shows you that Zendaya would slay with red hair.
You can watch Zendaya rock the silver screen as Mary Jane Watson, redheaded or not, when Spiderman: Homecoming hits theaters July 7, 2017.
