Page 2 SePtember 22, 2010 News

The STudenT newSpaper of SCSu hTTp://SnewS.SouThernCT.edu/ “all The SnewS ThaT’S fiT To prinT”

Buley offers one-on-one sessions, database tutorialsSean MeenaghanGeneral assiGnment reporter

Even as the Buley Library serves as a great source of ref-erence material for research papers, many SCSU students are unaware of the online databases Buley offers for free.

To facilitate the students and faculty, the library offers a one-on- one session to those looking for help with their papers.

Lisa Bier, social science refer-ence librarian, said many juniors and seniors come back and say they wish they had known about the program earlier.

Bier said the library offers about 150 databases that include eBooks and journals.

“Students have a hard time at figuring out where to start,” Bier said. “We try to guide them to specific sources.”

Winnie Shyam, head of refer-ence, said the number of students who are taking advantage of the program is increasing.

“From 2008-2009 we had 250 students,” Shyam said. “From 2009-2010 we had over 300.”

Shyam said she feels that stu-dents prefer a one-on-one session to a class environment.

“Many students want instruc-tion for a specific paper when it is due,” Shyam said. “Some people do not feel comfortable asking questions in a class session but prefer to ask it in a private session.”

Shyam said she thinks the session can be really helpful for the student or faculty worker.

“Students can write better papers,” Shyam added. “Not every student understands how to use an academic database. We can show them specific examples to help them focus on their research.”

Shyam said during the one on one session, students can meet with her as little or for as long as they would like.

“Once a student signs up, I can help them as long for as they want,” Shyam said. “As long as it takes to find the correct sources for their paper.”

Susan Clerc, electronic resources coordinator and refer-ence librarian, said there are a lot of advantages to using online resources.

“There are not the frustra-

tions of seeing if a specific book is checked in or out,” Clerc said.

“You can access the database whenever you want on your own computer, and you don’t have to worry about getting to the

library.”Clerc indicated she would

like to outreach to non-tradi-tional students.

“People who have been in the work force may not be familiar with using an online database,” Clerc added. “Some students also work full time so they are hard to reach.”

Clerc said the number of databases could become overwhelming.

“The interfaces on the differ-ent databases differ. Since there are so many to chose from it can become confusing.”

Clerc said she has seen many graduate students taking advan-tage of the program.

“Students who need to start a thesis come in to use the data-bases,” Clerc said.

“Students who are also in a upper level class or in a W class where they need to write a 12- page paper come into see how to use the resources.”

Bier said that students can submit a request for an

appointment and enter the subject the research is for.

Then, depending on the sub-ject, the correct reference librarian will be contacted.

“Every librarian specializes in a certain subject,” she said. “It is helpful that Sue (Clerc) has a degree in law, because they are very difficult to come by.”

Catherine Groux | Photo editor

Senior English major Michelle Opalenik (left) receives guidance from Distance Education/ Science Librarian Rebecca Hedreen (right) last week.

We try to guide them to specific sources - Lisa Bier

rush: recruiting process has begun for Greek LifeContinued from Page 1

Veterans react to new Post traumatic Stress disorder lawStephanie Paulinonews writer

When he first sought enroll-ment to Southern, Iraq war veteran Don Spencer said he was denied admission because of issues with his high school transcript.

After contacting the presi-dent’s office about the issue, Spencer said he was referred to Jack Mordente, director of Southern’s Office of Veterans Affairs, who straightened it out.

“[United States Department of Veterans Affairs] paperwork is confusing, it’s impossible if you don’t have someone like Jack to walk you through it,” said Spen-cer, a junior sociology major, who served in Iraq from 2005 to 2006.

The Veterans Affairs office provides counseling, academic advisement, federal education benefits, known as the GI Bill and CT War Veterans Tuition Waiver Certifications and serves as a liaison with state and fed-eral agencies for Southern’s 400 veterans.

Until last year, when Cen-tral Connecticut State University opened an Office of Veterans Affairs, Southern was the only university in Connecticut with a full time staff member and office

for veterans. The office currently serves

veterans of the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, military dependents who benefit from the GI Bill, National Guard and Army Reservists and disabled veterans suffering from service-connected injuries.

Mordente, who is starting his 36th year as director this semester, said with a new GI Bill, introduced last summer, he has seen an influx of veterans.

The new bill pays for tuition and fees, funds for books and monthly allowances.

The older law provided tuition but limited monthly allowances.

Mordente, a Vietnam-era veteran, said for veterans to qualify for disability-related compensations, the Department of Veterans Affairs requires a review of medical records from active duty, for example, back injuries, concussions from explo-sives, or gun shot wounds.

In addition to physical injury, veterans often suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as P.T.S.D., which causes symptoms such as emotional numbness, anxiety, irritability and flashbacks.

P.T.S.D. is more likely to manifest itself after service men

and women are discharged, said Mordente.

Recently, there has been a rise in mental health clinics on bigger bases, allowing for more diagnoses of P.T.S.D., however, people are still hesitant to seek help, she said.

“As much as we’re more aware about the fact that mental health is like any other injury,

there’s the thought that if it ends up in their records, this can harm their careers,” said Mordente.

According to a New York Times article, a new regulation went into effect in July making it easier for veterans to receive dis-ability benefits for P.T.S.D.

Veterans will no longer have to document specific events like firefights or bomb blasts that

might have caused the illness, as long as the diagnosis comes from a physician or psychologist working for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“It’s very positive,” said

Mordente. “After Vietnam, vets had to jump through hoops for benefits.”

Last March, a Southern student who suffered from P.T.S.D. committed suicide, said Mordente.

Matthew Wargo, a marine, served two tours in Iraq and enrolled at Southern three weeks after coming home in January.

Mordente said Wargo, 27, had visited a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven and was taking prescription medicine to treat depression, but didn’t like the way it made him feel.

Wargo then started to “self-medicate” with alcohol, which Mordente said is common among veterans.

Mordente said he keeps in touch with Wargo’s wife, who may be entitled to education benefits because Wargo’s death was considered service-related.

Spencer, an army soldier, said he didn’t witness anyone with the condition while serving in the U.S. Army because veter-ans realize the impacts of war when they get back home.

“Your mind just freaks out,” said Spencer, 25.

Mordente said there was a suicide a day among veterans in the month of June.

Although Mordente did not say how many of Southern’s veterans suffer from P.T.S.D., he said the effect is significant, especially for service men and women who engage in multiple tours of duty.

“You can’t be exposed to the horrors of war and not let it effect you in some way,” said Mordente.

Photo Courtesy BurnPit.LeGion.orG

Brain structures involved in dealing with fear and stress.

Mental health is like any other injury, there’s the thought that if it ends up in their records, this can harm their careers.

- Jack Mordente

and president of Delta Phi Epsilon said each organization plans their own events to fit their needs.

“We plan events that get our information out there to the stu-dents so they can learn about our organization as we learn about them,” said Cirivello.

The rush process is similar for the fraternities.

Cody Marino, a junior and Beta Mu Sigma rush master said it’s a no commitment period.

“Student’s can check out any event they can make it to. It’s an informational period of time,” said Marino.

“Some students really have no idea what Greek life is about; it’s nice when they come in and are interested.”

Anyone is eligible to rush, however there is a 2.25 GPA requirement and if someone made it to the new member

period of one fraternity they can’t try and rush another one if they don’t get into their original choice said Marino.

“It’s a mutual want when someone makes it to new member period but if someone doesn’t make it to new member period there are never any hard feelings,” said Marino.

Tau Kappa Epsilon prides itself on being an international fraternity.

Pat Hunt, a senior and president of TKE said they try to incorporate their history at the rush events.

“They’re joining something greater than themselves,” said Hunt.

TKE requires a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average and someone with dedication and leadership like qualities.

“We don’t look for numbers, we look for quality. People who

hold academics in high regard; leaders on campus,” said Rick DeMatties a junior and rush coordinator for TKE.

After the five week rush period for all the greek organiza-tions, the groups decide who fits best in their organization and who will benefit from being a member.

If a rushee gets a bid to be part of the new member process that’s when they learn about the specific organization. Zarnowski said it’s almost like a job interview.

“There’s an interview pro-cess and then they are extended a bid. Five to 20 girls can be part of the new member process depending on the group,” said Zarnowski.

“They learn the secrecy and tradition of the organization; they are educated on Greek life and learn the history.”