Vol. 2 Issue 1 September 2005 Monthly The Jungle: Untamed and Uncut What Really Goes on at Stony Brook Welcome to Stony Brook University. Don’t get the wrong impression from the headlines! Things at “The Brook”; as many of us affectionately call it, aren’t that bad, even if there is a website devoted to why it sucks (www.stonybrooksucks.com). Rather, this issue addresses and explores some of the prob- lems students have at the University from a unique perspective and offers some tips on overcoming them. Check out the special section, “Welcome to The Brook” for some tips and tricks for freshmen and transfers as well as some eye-opening informa- tion that will even surprise students who have been attending the University for years. From our analy- sis of the new mandatory health insurance policy to suggestions on how to make new friends on cam- pus, this issue has it all. Enjoy it and don’t forget to send us some feedback (www.stonybrookpatriot. com), whether you love us, hate us, or don’t care. Photo Courtesy of Erik Berte Investigation: Student Activity Fee Breakdown By Erica Smith $40,000. The highest recipients are Benedict and the apartments. To be fair to those who do not There is no doubt that clubs are a meaningful live on campus, the Commuters Student Associa- part of the college experience and, for many of us, tion is typically granted roughly the same amount, play a significant role. However, after looking at although this year they will receive significantly this year’s budget, as well as those in the past, I more than the dormitories with $46,210. believe that the student body needs to pay more at- WHERE IS YOUR While these numbers are all posted online at tention to how their money is being distributed, as the USG site, there are other costs that are not pub- well as being more vocal about their objections. licized, such as the breakdown of the student activ- This year, an average amount of $9,767 was MONEY GOING? ities’ administrative expenses. These alone account allocated to each of the 82 clubs that were included for almost $800,000. This money is being spent on in the budget. This number seems to only be climb- things like salaries, legal fees, telephones, States- ing, predictably along with the activity fee (up $20 man advertising, computer equipment, traveling, per year from last year to $188.50), for over half of training, software, even furniture (furniture costs the clubs experienced a significant increase in their age of $1,389 goes to each of the 26 dormitories alone were $19,000 in the last year). Add that to budget for the upcoming year. and the West Apartments through LEG, the leg- Besides the money given to each club, an aver- islative bodies of the dorms, adding up to almost Money: Continued on Page 14 DE: SI It started with raising the smoking age to 19. Now How do the prices of campus food compare to sim- Stony Brook has instituted a mandatory health in- the County is considering a ban on some types of ilar items purchased at local supermarkets? Are surance policy, forcing students to pay for cover- IN piercing and body art. Page seven. you getting ripped off? Page five. age whether they want it or not. Page two. SBU Health Insurance Shake-up By Robert Romano lieve that the additional cost of health coverage is posed annual cost of $900. Previously, The Patriot Recently, Stony Brook University implement- matched by the benefits it will bring both to the had reported that SHAC was disallowed from con- ed a mandatory student health insurance policy ef- individuals and to the University community.” ducting a survey by the administration. fective for the Fall 2005 semester. According to But were students given a voice in this deci- In addition to conducting the survey, SHAC the University’s website: “All full time students sion? According to Leta Edelson, the manager of also produced recommendations against the pro- are required to have an adequate health insurance the Student Health Insurance Office, a survey of posed insurance policy and presented all of its find- plan… The cost of the insurance is $900 – per ings to the administration. Michelle De Marco, the year… Waivers for this insurance plan are given “Approximately 86% of Chair of SHAC, when reached for comment stated, only if the student already has insurance” through “SHAC strongly recommended against the manda- a job, parent, spouse, some other related individu- respondents, including tory student health insurance policy.” al, or through Medicaid or “Healthy New York.” graduate and undergraduate Students may not be able to afford the insur- Additionally, students enrolled in the Schools of ance, according to SHAC’s report: “Approximate- Medicine, Dental Medicine, and certain clinical students, were opposed to ly 66% of the surveyed uninsured undergraduate programs shall be billed an additional amount “that the implementation of the students and 68% of the uninsured graduate stu- covers the required insurance riders for Clinical mandatory insurance...” dents indicated that the additional $900+ fee may Practice.” require them to discontinue their studies at SBU.” In a letter dated June 2005, University Presi- Additionally, according to the recommendations, dent Shirley Strum Kenny stated, “The decision to students “was set up and done by the … SHAC financial aid will not cover the cost of the insur- implement this policy was taken after careful con- [Student Health Advisory Committee]…” SHAC’s ance since it only affects 30% of the student popu- sideration. Many studies have shown that health survey found that approximately 86% of respon- lation, and also that “SBU Financial Aid can-not insurance promotes well-being, safety, and suc- dents, including graduate and undergraduate stu- compensate in aid for an additional $900+ manda- cess. Students who lack insurance do not receive dents, were opposed to the implementation of the tory student health insurance fee, since there are adequate preventive care, risk financial hardship, mandatory insurance at Stony Brook University, and jeopardize their academic standing. We be- and that 95% were against the insurance at its pro- Insurance: Continued on Page Bike Owners Beware By Erica Smith According to Deputy Chief Doug- So should you las Little of Campus Police, ap- leave the bikes Last May, I was walking out of my dormi- proximately 4-5 bikes are at home? tory early one Monday morning when I suddenly stolen on campus every Well, I stopped short, my mouth dropping open. My bike year. However, Campus haven’t was gone. Someone had snipped the cable lock and Bike, located across from given rode off in the night with my new and beautiful red the train station, figures up hope Mongoose. the total to be much great- yet. Four Ironically, this wasn’t the first time the same er: “People come in all the months bike had been taken from the bike rack. The month time with bikes stolen,” said later I’m shopping before, I had absentmindedly forgotten to lock it, Neal, an employee at the shop. for another bike, and determined and someone had taken it in the 20 minutes of broad He went on to say how one Stony Brook Student to keep it. The trick is how you lock it up. Both daylight that I had left it vulnerable. After walking actually had 3 taken already, and was on his 4th. Deputy Chief Little and Neal recommend a Kryp- around the campus in a daze for a few hours, my It is not that the police are covering up crime on tonite, and Neal added that Ali Baba is also very hopes falling after every mistaken flash of red, I campus, but more likely that many students don’t good. Having any lock with a wire or chain that had come back to find it waiting for me in front of bother to report the theft. Understandably so, for could potentially be clipped is a bad idea. (I had a my dormitory. My friends had joked that someone both sources agree that although not impossible, it cable).When I visited Sports Authority, I was told must have “borrowed it” to be on time for class. is very unlikely that stolen bikes will be recovered. that although the “Kryptonite ATB U-lock” is not This time, however, neither myself nor my bike, Most bikes are painted after they’re stolen, or taken would be so lucky. off campus. Bikes: Continued on Page For the last 200 years, this country has stood for truth, justice, natural rights, individual liberty, freedom, and independence. Become a part of the tradition. Contribute to The Patriot. Please send submissions to: [email protected] Editor-in-Chief News Editor Staff Writers: Enduring Freedom Alliance: Erik D. Berte Erica Smith Advertise with us: Nathan Shapiro President Contact Chris Dolley at [email protected] Managing Editor Advertising Manager Artie Perri Erik Berte Rachel O’Brien Chris Dolley Elizabeth Alonzo A paper of the Enduring Freedom Alliance: Vice-President Production Editor Public Relations Manager Virginia Morgan http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/clubs/efa/ Ilan Nassimi Robert J. Romano Virginia Morgan Andrew Curran Secretary Financial Manager Disclaimer: The views expressed in the opinions columns Art Director Leslie Mescallado Rachel O’Brien Alexsandra Borodkin are not necessarily the opinions of The Patriot or its editorial Justin Cleveland Stavros Zinonos Treasurer staff. Logo Design Staff Photographer Chris Dolley Chris Pitera Willis Mason West James Davis The Patriot - September 2005 “I believe that this a case of the clash between ideology and practicality.