Guest Post by: Mikey Mystik
There are only a few choice things to do when you have an hour-long flight delay in the runway in Chicago. There is, of course, the oh so prolific in-flight magazine where I can find 200 more uses for spinach dip, the run through the repetitive satellite radio playlist or in my case, a chance peel the dead sunburned skin from my right arm, but, alas, I thought an even more novel idea… I decided to call my girlfriend.
At first, we chatted each other up a bit with idle chatter about life and then she mentioned that our alma mater, SUNY New Paltz, had been named “Hottest Small State School” in a list of 25 colleges in the nation, in the August 20 issue of Newsweek.
“Alicia Mejias chose SUNY New Paltz because it was just 90 minutes from her family in Brooklyn, didn’t cost too much and had a step team. Her only concern was she’d be one of the few Hispanics on the rural campus of 6,400 undergrads. That worry was allayed by a rush of festivities that included Jam Asia, Carribash and Latino Week. “Since I was the first in my family to attend college,” she says, “I didn’t know what to expect.” She concluded New Paltz was a place “where anyone should be able to grow.” More first-generation college students are enrolling. The school recently opened a 57,000-square-foot Athletic and Wellness Center with an indoor track.”
Having spent the past two years of my life there, I thought I’d weigh in on why “the Paltz” is on the list. I know the student in the piece. From what I know of Alicia, she always seemed at home at New Paltz, and why not? New Paltz had a clear sense of involvement when I was there. The campus is one of the more culturally tuned-in places I’ve been in the tri-state. It is known for socially progressive politics, decent greek life, Division III sports, (mainly baseball, tennis and basketball) and heavy recruiting of future teachers and MBAs, with regular seminars on both subjects. Yet from my own perspective, SUNY New Paltz is so much more!
For example, from a fine arts and performing arts standpoint, New Paltz is top notch. Art of the Hudson Valley and abroad is showcased in its Samuel Dorsky Museum in all genres from African tribal Motifs to British street art. Of course, you can’t forget your every day local landscapes. Dorsky has the full spectrum while the school also boasts a nationally accredited theater arts program whose recent production of Urinetown was as good as I could have asked of Broadway itself.
Meanwhile, the college’s Slam Poetry Team ranked third in the nation in 2006. The team was one of my biggest inspirations as not only a poet and writer, but also a human being. Also, I should mention that I recieved priceless instruction from an NYU screenwriting professor named Julia (They only keep one of her around) who is wonderfully out of her slightly fragmented mind.
Fine arts standout with a stellar program boasting both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in painting, photography, metals, sculpture and graphic design, and art education with each concentration able to collaborate with another in art shows and the like. The program, in my view, houses some phenominal talent which has included, amongst others in the past few years, a 70-something, wittily sarcastic retired dentist named Ralph who may have a random quote for you if you listen for it.
Other academic programs on both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels include biology, psychology and speech disorders. However, it’s the major programs like Black Studies, Latin Studies, Asian Studies and Multi-cultural Humanistic Education that draw a diverse student body to the school.
On a personal note, the campus is small enough to get anywhere in town without a car. It has a first-rate Disability Resource Center, and more thankfully, a delivery service that will pick up any order from any of the major resturants in town, which can be accessed by request through the student meal plan. The cultural events such as Jam Asia, Envied Fashions fashion show and Black Week are awesome and have rather healthly budgets.This year’s Rock Against Racism concert drew almost the entire student body for the whole day and ended memorably with underground hip hop icon, Immortal Technique. Most of these events are free with a student ID.
I had a great time at New Paltz while I was there and I hope future students will as well! GO HAWKS!
Technorati Tags: SUNY New Paltz, Newsweek, Hawks, Arts, Culture, Disability, Performance, Museum
Hey Mikey – Great Post! I don’t know much about SUNY – New Paltz, but it sounds like a great place to get an education. Your food service sounds like what was available when I went to Wright State.
On campus, through the meal plan, we could get food delivered from a late night service. I can tell you they had some of the best wings I’ve ever tasted, but it was one of those guilty pleasures you never admitted.
Lucky for you, you could use a takeout taxi service with your food plan. Ours didn’t work that way, but the abundance of restaurants that delivered was amazing.
Takeout Taxi would go around to Damons, Chilis, Macaroni Grill, and popular places like that. It was expensive, but an occasional meal beat driving through traffic to get food.
For less expensive treats we had plenty of pizza and Chinese delivery places, the best sub place on the planet (known as Submarine House), and a place that did Burgers, Nuggets, fries and things like that called Chicken and Pizza. My stomach was sad to leave Dayton!
Of course, across from campus we could walk (or wheel in my case) to Arby’s, Bob Evans, Quiznos, Steak & Lube, Mc’Ds, Wendy’s, Big Boy, and the best place for burgers on the planet, Cold Beer & Cheeseburgers.
As if this wasn’t enough FOOD (can you say Freshman 55? LOL) we had a Burger King, Taco Bell, and Chick Fil’ A on campus. Those three are gone so I’ve heard, but the rest remain.
Thanks, Dominick! I’ve been away, so I’m behind on my blogging. It feels good to get your feedback. I’ll try to reply more myself. I agree with your post about the sad state of cartoons.
Mike – Glad to have you back. With the new site design, we’ve slowed down a bit, and our writers have kind of scattered into the wind. I have a few who are back with their reviews and what not so we should be seeing more activity around here again.
How was your vacation?