Some people view the internet as a tool. It is something to be accessed, utilized and then exited. For these people, the internet is a strip mall. You show up, consume, and leave. Then there are the rest of us. For us, the internet is a worm whole in the space/time continuum. We are here and there at the same time. We are generally connected 24/7. We not only take. We contribute; and not merely for commercial reasons. We contribute to connect with a rapidly evolving community of people who just get “it.”

So what is “it?” That is the question asked by those who don’t get “it.” They are desperate for the answer. They want to connect with people like us. So they study us, and try to mimic us, and many of them fail miserably. Why? Because we can smell a rat.

In the early days of online social interaction (when it was limited to chat rooms and instant messaging), there was a romantic comedy called “You’ve Got Mail.” In this movie, the lead male, Joe Fox (played by Tom Hanks) makes an insightful comment about the rapidly expanding brand Starbucks:

“The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an
absolutely defining sense of self: Tall. Decaf. Cappuccino.”

That, dear readers, is the essence of social media. It is not only the place where we interact, it is the place where we self define. Do you relate to the new Nicki Minaj song? Post it. Does the new Pitbull song make you want to dance? Post it. Did that lol cat make you . . . well . . . lol? Post it. Did that quote inspire you? Post it. Is your latest accomplishment on video? Post it. Appreciate the service at your local coffee shop? Give them a shout out by posting it. Do you really like something (a brand, a movie, an athlete)? Well there is a button for that too. Post it!

For those who don’t get “it,” social media is a bizarre world of over-sharing. Don’t they realize EVERYONE can see that? Well of course we do. Did you realize when you walked out of the house that those socks didn’t really match? I mean let’s face it; we are all “sharing” who we are all the time; whether it is genuine or not. That brings us back to the rats.

Many people who just don’t get “it”, try to infiltrate our world with fake profiles (and by “fake” I mean everything from creating a bogus identity to a desperate brand disingenuously attempting to appear hip). Here is where I would like to give you a little time saving advice, don’t do that. People can sense artificial connections, even when they are online. We have all met that person who tries a little too hard to fit in. It’s really awkward isn’t it? People will only really buy into connections that will benefit them.

Did your physics teacher just try to friend you on facebook? Perhaps you really admire that teacher, so you accept and you look forward to truly connecting. Perhaps you could care less about connecting with this individual, but you believe the decision to accept or not accept might affect your relationship in the classroom (oh it will!) and ultimately your grade, so you accept, but limit their access. You might even have two profiles (like I do), one where you “park” all the people who are searching for you, and one where you let it all hang out. (Yeah, I know, my little secret is not a secret anymore, is it? But then again, it was never a secret to those who get “it.”) Just because you are connected, doesn’t mean you are “connected.”

I have always had a special fondness for Thanksgiving. I believe cooking is an act of love, to be shared with the ones you love. For me, Thanksgiving expresses love even more than Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a show of affection. Thanksgiving is an act of affection. I think the late Dr. Regueiro understood this, too. That is why he always insisted on feeding everyone, and that is why his wife Maria Christina Regueiro, the current President of FNC, continues the tradition.

So as we do every year, Florida National College, will be serving Thanksgiving Dinner at all three campuses. The schedule will be as follows:

Hialeah Campus: November 21 Starting @ 12pm and 6:30pm *

South Campus: November 22 Starting @ 12pm and 7:00pm*

Training Center: November  23 Starting @ 12pm and 7:00pm*

*To ensure proper service, classes will be called to participate

“stop by and join us if you can.”

What will I experience?

The audio message stating “this is a test,” will be identical for all listeners. However,
the video messages may vary depending on the source. The text on the top of the
screen will read, “Emergency Action Notification has been issued.” (It may or
may not include the additional indication “this is a test”.) The test will last
approximately 30 seconds.

What do I need to do?

Just be aware that the Emergency Action Notification is a test, and only a test. No
further action is required.

Why is this test being conducted?

The test is being conducted to assess the readiness and effectiveness of our national alert center. This simultaneous test will provide valuable feedback on the current
state of the system and ways in which it can be improved.

Who is responsible for this test?

The agencies responsible for conducting this nationwide test include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

Will NOAA Weather Radio carry the Test?

No.

Perhaps, if I just count to ten before responding to the ranting and raving of the idiot on the other side of the counter, or if I say a silent mantra when that jerk cuts me off on the expressway, I will feel just fine about the whole situation.
Perhaps with enough techniques, I can be happy in the midst of all the stupidity out there in the world. But, speaking from experience, none of that really works, does it? It might help you control your response to the situation, if you practice hard enough, but it will never help you feel different about the situation. So what are we suppose to do?  We have to go to the root of the emotion.

I used to imagine what might be going on in the other individual’s life to make them behave in such a negative way. Perhaps the individual ranting on the other side of the counter just received some bad news, or the man who just cut me off in traffic is racing to the hospital where his wife is in labor. Concocting fictional scenarios may help you to maintain your composure, it may even lead you to a place of compassion for that individual, but it doesn’t stop that initial reaction. That initial reaction is still there, waiting for the next instigator.

No, a more productive use of your time would be to ask the following question: “Why did I react that way to that particular stimulus?” Ahhh, now there is the golden idea. Is the individual ranting on the other side of the counter “disrespecting you?” Is the man cutting you off in traffic “challenging your right of way?” Why does that bother you so much? When you can get to the bottom of that question you will be able to free yourself from the hair trigger of that initial response.

Recently, this brilliant friend (please don’t tell him I said he is brilliant) suggested the book Choice Theory by William Glasser, M.D. Of course, I looked it up in my Nook and downloaded it immediately. Here is the first line: “This book is about how important good relationships are to a successful life.”  Well, that certainly sounds like a perfect topic for this blog! After all, that is the idea behind Student Services and the Mission of FNC, building a stronger community. Since, building community happens one relationship at a time, this book sounds like the perfect place for us to start this journey together.

So what is “Choice Theory?” Well chapter one explains it this way: “we are much more in control of our lives than we realize. Unfortunately, much of that control is not effective.” (pg 8 ) Eeek! Doesn’t that sound frightening? It does sound frightening, because it is frightening. We are actually in control of our successes and our failures, our happiness and our misery, all of it. If we are in control, then doesn’t that suggest that we can increase positive experiences in our life and reduce the negative ones? (This is the part where I hear a choir of angels singing hallelujah in my head.) Awesome! Let’s get to work!

As I read through the book “Choice Theory,” I will blog about what I am learning. If you have any related experiences feel free to join me: the more, the merrier. Let’s have a conversation about this, add a comment, email me a story, a cartoon, a video, a song. Anything that expresses how you feel on the topic and we will take it from there. You already know the right answer. You just have to know where to look.

PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment and SOC: Security on Campus, Inc. are joining together with other leading sexual assault groups for the launch of the “Safe Campus, Strong Voices” Campaign on September 1, 2011 to mark the first day of National Campus Safety Awareness Month. “Safe Campus, Strong Voices” is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and shatter the silence of college sexual violence. To end the epidemic of sexual violence on universities, students and faculty, men and women, will to work together to create safer and more supportive campuses.

According to the US Department of Justice, 1 in 4 college women will be sexually assaulted, and the majority of those sexual assaults happen fall semester to freshmen and sophomore women. An astounding 95.2% of college rapes will never be reported (DOJ). Addressing this issue is critical when thinking about the safety of everyone in that environment.

“Safe Campus, Strong Voices” focuses on prevention of sexual assault and raising awareness of the high level of underreporting by victims of these crimes. NPR’s recent series “Seeking Justice for Campus Rapes” reveals how most colleges are not successfully dealing with this issue. The campaign will empower students as bystanders to make changes in their campus environment, and encourage victims to seek justice.

PAVE Founder Angela Rose said, “Every time I speak on a college campus, there’s a line of students who want to disclose that they have been affected by sexual assault and most have never reported. This unprecedented campaign will help build the national movement to shatter the silence of sexual violence on college campuses.”

“This campaign seeks to shed light on crimes that so greatly impact the lives of far too many college students every year. By speaking out and encouraging a supportive response to sexual assault survivors, students across the country will be a part of a movement that creates ripples of change in their campus community.” Melissa Lucchesi, SOC’s Outreach Education Coordinator.

Visit: www.StrongVoicesCampaign.org

2. If you enter campus during daylight hours and leave after dark, remember to park somewhere that will be well lit at night and will have a lot of pedestrian traffic.

3. Walk with someone else at night.

4. Scan under your car as you approach and check the back seat before entering the car to make sure no one is hiding there.

5. Once you enter your vehicle, immediately lock your doors and keep windows rolled up.

6. If someone tries to enter your vehicle while you are inside, sound the horn and drive to a populated area immediately.

7. If your vehicle does not start, call someone on your mobile phone before getting out of the car (especially at night). Save the number of campus reception in your mobile phone so assistance can come to you.

Be Social Media Savvy: Your status update is not the only thing that can reveal sensitive information. Does your profile display your date of birth? This is a critical piece of information. Review your profile carefully and remember your social network is not as private as you think. Even if you limit access to your friends, it is easy for an imposter to assume the identity of a friend.

Watch your stuff: Having your wallet, mobile phone, your laptop, stolen is bad enough, but unfortunately, that may only be the beginning. These items often carry vital information as well. Never leave them unattended in class or in your car.

Use your student number: when you registered for school at FNC, you were issued a student number. It is even printed on the student id you are required to wear on campus. Whenever you seek assistance from anyone on campus, either in person or over the phone, ALWAYS use this student number instead of your social security number. You never know who is listening.

Beware wireless: Many students study in locations that offer free wireless internet. Never access any financial accounts from these locations, even if the website begins with https. This only indicates that website utilizes a secure server. You, however, are accessing from an open network, leaving your information vulnerable to intrusion.

Shred, Shred, Shred: Never throw away bank or credit card statements. Shred them. As a college student you may also receive numerous pre-approved credit card applications. Never throw these away without destroying them. Generally, these applications have all of your vital information already filled in, making this one of the easiest ways for identity thieves to start a line of credit in your name.

For more information check out these articles:

Steps to Prevent Identity Theft, and What to Do if It Happens

Preventing Identity Theft: A Guide for Consumers

Our first comment questioned the necessity of school ids. This is such a hot topic, we went straight to the Office of the President for a response:

Greetings  from the Office of the President,

Some of you have expressed a concern because we are enforcing  the use of student  ID’s.

Some of you have commented “but I pay for my education”.

I would like to ask, do you expect to find a good paying job once you graduate?

>Of course you do, and at FNC we are trying to insure that you are going to end up as a well rounded individual,  that among other things, you will not only have the skills and knowledge required in your chosen field, but the ability to perform in all aspects of that environment.

>Unfortunately in today’s environment we are forced to remain vigilant and aware of our surroundings at all times.

Asking our students, faculty  and staff to wear Id’s is a tool that helps to deter possible problems from occurring.

The safety of the FNC community is critical to us and we all have to work together and be part of the solution.

In order to care for your safety, we are providing ID’s and enforcing their use, I hope we can count on your support.

 

All the best,

 

Maria Cristina Regueiro, BEE, MM
President /CEO.

Florida National College