FRO 13 New York Times Group 2

September 26, 2013 was supposed to be the Baruch College Undergraduate Club Fair. This was the time for many clubs to show to students, especially the incoming freshman, the different extra-curricular activities that were offered to them. However, the Club Fair was postponed for the following week for October 3, 2013 without warning. Although this may seem like hardly an issue to talk about, there were many underlying problems that arose. The politics within the college are possibly to blame. These poltics may have very well shattered the College-Club relationship for a long time.

One of the issues with postponing the club fair so last minute was that some groups had put in a lot of preparation for the popular event. One organization had baked cupcakes, intending to sell them and raise money for their cause. They were instead forced to roam around the school, finding whomever they could to purchase the premade baked goods that they had spent a lot of their own money and time on. They had to see their hard effort effectively go to waste.
of the issues with postponing the club fair so last minute was that some groups had put in a lot of preparation for the popular event. One organization had baked cupcakes, intending to sell them and raise money for their cause. They were instead forced to roam around the school, finding whomever they could to purchase the premade baked goods that they had spent a lot of their own money and time on. They had to see their hard effort effectively go to waste.

In addition, many clubs had already scheduled new member events for immediately after the Fair. Out of respect for new members who joined before the Fair, they had to run these events and close down to anyone else who wanted to join. Clubs such as Fraternities and arts clubs that require rehearsal time could not afford to take on new members so late. As a result, many clubs could not attend the Fair, which severely limited the options available to students.

Perhaps one of the most problematic outcomes of postponing the club fair is the tension left between clubs and faculty. The distrust created left many clubs feeling like they were not respected by Baruch as an integral part of the college experience, much less supported by the it. This prompted many clubs to reconsider how they approach perspective faculty advisors with their plans; many club officers are still reluctant to agree to school–wide programs and events with the bitter taste of the Fair left in their mouths. Without support from the faculty, however, many club events would have to be cancelled. This woul only end up hurting the students in the long run.

Though a small schedule change may have looked insignificant on the surface, it brought about many inconveniences to students and clubs alike.  Preparations like baked goods were wasted by the last-minute change of date and certain clubs were unable to attend because of prior plans and engagements.  This incidence at the club fair may just be the tip of the iceberg, hiding many other lurking problems between students and the school administration.

By Zachary Gitman, Samuel Goodman, Christina Law, Dmitriy Treyger, and Iris Zelenko

America’s recent crisis, a probable default, is not only affecting our nation but nations around the world. The possibility that America may default its debt may “set off global financial trouble and undercut fragile economic recoveries in many countries.” After the global recession set by the US in 2008, many fear another economic catastrophe. John A. Boehner, the House speaker, has stated that “his republican members would not accept a clean bill.” Without a compromise, the potential default looms closer. As Alexander Lambsdorff from the European Parliaments says, “[N]o democracy works without compromise, and if compromise starts to be elusive, then a democratic system has to rethink itself.”

By Christina Law

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/08/us/politics/default-threat-makes-impasse-in-washington-a-global-fear.html?_r=0

The back and forth over the shutdown.

President Obama nominated Janet L. Yellen to succeed Ben S. Bernanke as chair of the Federal Reserve on January 31. According to Calmes, the Senate is expected to approve her nomination. As the Reserve’s current vice president, this is a natural step up for Yellen. However, it is a first for the Reserve: never before has there been a chairwoman of the Federal Reserve. However, President Obama did not select a woman for the sole purpose of setting a new standard; rather, he selected her for her ““good judgement”” (Calmes). As chairwoman the President expects her to be more than capable of helping the country recover from its economic crisis. She is a favorite in both political and general polls and is expected to be an excellent chair for the Reserve.

By Sam Goodman

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/business/announcing-fed-nomination-obama-praises-yellen.html

Nominee Yellen accepting her nomination.

For the first time in twelve years, a new mayor of New York will be elected. An issue surrounding the upcoming mayoral election this November is the font size of the ballot, which has been critiqued for being too small. The article, appropriately named “New York City Ballots’ Tiny Print Is Criticized,” explains that in order to fit all required languages on a single-page ballot, the size of font must be kept to a minimum, even at the expense of some voters’ ability to understand clearly. It has been suggested that separate ballots be made for those who need to see the candidates’ names in a different language, and though that won’t be possible this year, it is being considered for the future.

By Iris Zelenko

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/nyregion/new-york-city-ballots-tiny-print-is-criticized.html

Sample section of the upcoming ballot.

Potential mayoral candidate Aleksei A. Navalny had his five-year prison sentence suspended, although his eligibility to run for office remains in question. After growing popular as an anti-corruption blogger, support grew for Navalny as the mayor of Russia, but a recent law makes it difficult for people of his legal status to hold political power. While he no longer faces the threat of imprisonment, his political career may have already come to an end.

By Dmitriy Treyger

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/world/europe/russian-opposition-leader-is-spared-jail.html

Aleksei A. Navalny, an anticorruption crusader, during a court hearing in Kirov, Russia, in October. Mr. Navalny’s five-year sentence has now been suspended.

With the oncoming mayoral election it seems that de Blasio is a shoe-in for the position. De Blasio, a democrat, bodes a major lead over his opposing republican candidate, Lhota; De Blasio sports a 68% lead in the current polls while Lhota only holds a measly 19%.  According to David W. Chen “New York City voters want to keep Raymond W. Kelly as police commissioner. They want more charter schools. And nearly half of them support the Police Department’s use of the stop-and-frisk tactic” (page 1). However, de Blasio has other plans; he wants to do the exact opposite of what New Yorkers want, yet he still has most of New Yorkers votes. Lhota who supports what the New Yorkers want doesn’t show the same homey qualities that the people seem to want. More simply de Blasio is more likable than Lhota. While most voters have agreed to listen to what Lhota will offer in the upcoming televised mayoral debates, his future as the mayor of New York is looking bleak.

By Zachary Gitman

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/nyregion/new-york-city-mayor-poll-bill-de-blasio-joseph-lhota.html

Voters shared several of Bill de Blasio’s priorities, particularly his desire to address income inequality.