Bernard Letter to The Times in Response to "My Valuable, Cheap College Degree" Op-Ed

Feb 01, 2013

In a letter published in The New York Times, College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Cathy Bernard comments on Arthur C. Brooks' op-ed about his online education. "I suspect that some of Mr. Brooks's success when he returned to school in his late 20s may be attributed to another factor: he had spent 10 years living life, becoming a muscian and traveling abroad. These experiences probably taught him more than college courses ever could, and enabled him to return to his studies with one critical ingredient for college success: the desire to learn."

 

Gasti on NYT Hackers: Sophisticated, Skilled, and Difficult to Defend Against

Feb 01, 2013

School of Engineering and Computing Sciences Assistant Professor Paolo Gasti, Ph.D. tells Voice of America that the attack on computer systems of The New York Times resembled sophisticated hacks carried out by the Chinese military. The hackers in the New York Times case attempted to hide their identify by going through university computers, says Gasti, a network security expert. "It was definitely performed by very skilled individuals," says Gasti.

"They used very sophisticated techniques. They tried to hide their tracks, and of course they had a very high-level target." Adds Gasti: "If you're defending, you have to close all possible holes (in the system), while if you're attacking, you just have to find one door left open and you can get in."

 

Guiliano in The Huffington Post: Striking the Right Interactive Balance?

Jan 29, 2013

NYIT President Edward Guiliano’s commentary in The Huffington Post argues that, "increasing access to online resources is in the best interest of all students, and the benefits are compounded in developing countries with limited access to top faculty or world-class curricula." Guiliano says that as access to online education increases, universities must experiment with various approaches that depart from usual routines. Interactive lessons, hands-on learning inside and outside of the classroom, and assignments that use technology as more than just a mode of delivery are necessary to strike the right balance for today's students.

 

Hadjiargyrou Letter Reflects on Atheism

Jan 07, 2013

College of Arts and Sciences Life Sciences Chair Michael Hadjiargyrou, Ph.D., notes in his letter to The New York Times: "On Sunday while I was driving, my 9-year-old daughter and I were discussing religion and God. I bluntly told her that I did not believe in any religion or God, angels or the devil, heaven or hell, or a soul or spirit. And then she asked, 'Then what do you believe in?' I replied, 'I believe in humaniy and what we do for one another here on earth.'" 

 

Not Your Grandma's Infrastructure: Post-Sandy Wake-Up Call

Jan 04, 2013

"Now we know. The energy systems a 21st century megacity needs can't be 20th century retreads. They won't be reliable, they can't be secured and they won't be efficient. Recovering from Superstorm Sandy's insurgent devastation means a fundamental rethinking of these relics,"  writes School of Engineering and Computing Sciences Dean Nada Marie Anid, Ph.D. and co-author Nancy Anderson in The Huffington Post.

"In this shape-shifting environment promoting an energy revolution will entail creative destruction -- a process by which new technologies and ways of doing things are developed that destroy and replace the old ones."

 

Haar: Spices Can Help Prevent Colds

Dec 12, 2012

"Soups made with herbs and spices, such as garlic dill and oregano add to the body's strength in dealing with cold virus," says School of Health Professions Director of Program Development/Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Mindy Harr, Ph.D. in "Cold Season Prevention Pointers" on Mom.me. Haar is among several experts quoted in the story, and she advises cooks to add herbs, spices, bulgar, wheat and berries to help prevent the common cold.

 

VanBergeijk in Newsday: New Autism Definitions are Misguided

Dec 11, 2012

Ernst VanBergeijk, Ph.D., director of the Vocational Independence Program, argues in Newsday against the elimination of Asperger syndrome as a diagnosis is the new edition of the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-V.  

"This misguided change in the DSM-V limits the number of people labeled as having an autism spectrum disorder, effectively giving insurers and others an excuse to cut the funding for social and educational services these individuals need to live healthy, independent lives," he writes. "There are distinct differences between a child with Asperger syndrome and a child with autistic disorder  just ask any parent who has experienced this with his or her child. So there are different approaches to these diagnoses."

 

WNYC Highlights NYIT's STEM Mentoring Program at P.S. 241

Dec 11, 2012

"The idea here is to bring in science and engineering majors, students who are in the process of becoming those things, and bring them into the schools so the habits of the students are ondisplay in front of the the little ones, the elementary students," instructional technology professor Jim Martinez tells WNYC-AM at an event celebrating the partnership that brought NYIT students to a Harlem school in need of STEM mentoring.

"That's a great way for children to learn - to watch the people who have the skill set in practice." NYIT's program also helped the teachers at P.S. 241; NYIT students helped repair computers, assisted with smart board set-ups, and guided teachers through some technology glitches. Along the way, they "challenged kids to think like engineers," says sophomore Renee Avalos, and discovered the joy of being a role model for a young student.

 

Online Learning vs. Classroom Learning

Nov 20, 2012

"When I think back to my own college years, what I learned was never measured by my test scores," writes College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Cathy Bernard in a New York Times letter in response to an article about large online classes. "What I learned is what I now remember, four decades later. I remember my professors' passion for their subject matter -- my sprightly young English professor who grew rhapsodic over the Romantic poets; my professor from Ireland who jumped onto the desk the first day of class and read aloud from Yeats's 'Sailing to Byzantium.' Can such moments be rendered in online classes for 40,000 students? Perhaps. But I tend to think that it will be a bit like seeing a Broadway play live, the indescribable thrill of the moment, versus seeing a broadcast version on TV."

 

Blazey Advises Men to Talk About Health

Nov 01, 2012

“When it comes to men and health, a lot of it is just getting the conversation going,” says William Blazey of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Men’s Health.

Blazey, who grows a moustache each fall as part of the Movember movement to support men’s health issues, says men often visit doctors only when they have an injury or feel like something is wrong. Having a good relationship with a family doctor can help a patient keep up with necessary tests and screenings, especially if the patient shares family history that impacts testing recommendations.

“A lot of times, I’ll have a patient who comes in, and he’s had a problem for weeks or months, but he hasn’t talked to anyone about it,” says Blazey.

Blazey suggests men in their 20s and 30s may be more open to talking about healthcare issues and can help start the conversation about men’s health with their fathers.