On September 21st, 2022, Student Council announced Sam Ascencio had resigned as Student Council President amid upheaval within the body.

Interim-President Kelvin Pineda broke the news at the recent Town Hall meeting.

Ascencio’s decision continues a pattern of instability in the council. Ramsha Zuberi, the former Vice-President, resigned soon after the start of the semester. Two chiefs of staff, Erica Calabrese and Frances Zusman allege wrongful termination by former President Ascencio. 

“Ascencio’s resignation from the Student Council came as a surprise to me,” said Zuberi. “Sam was a good president and my experience with them was amazing.”

Zuberi’s exit from Student Council came after a struggle in balancing studying for LSAT’s and her internship.

“I know I’ve been silent y’all but no need to worry,” said Ascencio on Instagram. “I left @jjcouncil because I’m busy being qconnections director at BCC.

Qconnections a mentorship program that connects students to LGBTQ+ resources, began at John Jay but has recently expanded to Bronx Community College. 

Shortly after Zuberi’s resignation, Calabrese and Zusman were terminated as Chiefs of Staff. The two allege that in a phone call from Ascencio, they were told the reasons for their termination.

“The person that xey wanted to be chief of staff is now free after not being available over the summer and Sam wants to hire them instead,” said Calabrese in an email to liason, Makeda Jordan on why Ascencio wanted to fire them. “Sam prefers chiefs of staff who can work in person more often.”

Ascencio goes by xe/xem/xyrs pronouns.

The two former chiefs of staff did not work in-person due to their concern for their immunocompromised elderly relatives.

“Sam never listed this as an issue at any time while we were working for xem,” said Calabrese. “We could not work in-person because of the barely existing COVID protections for students which can harm ourselves and potentially kill our family members.”

Calabrese requested mediation to resolve the dispute.

Following this communication, the two received an email from Lisa-Marie Williams, Chief Financial Administrative Officer of the Student Activities Association, confirming their termination “effective immediately.” The email promised compensation for work completed up to August 29. 

Both former chiefs of staff claim to have been wrongfully terminated. The Council’s bylaws are in agreement.

Article V of Student Council’s Charter states the reasons of impeachment for all elected and appointed members which include serious misconduct, misappropriation of funds, excessive absences, chronic lateness, and violation of the charter provisions. Calabrese and Zusman were fired on none of the grounds listed for removal.

It goes on to explain the process of impeachment. “The Student Council member in question for impeachment shall have the right to present at the meeting in which they are impeached and shall have the right to present evidence or witness in regard to their impeachment.” 

Calabrese and Zusman were not given an impeachment hearing. 

When reached for a comment, Ascensio referred all questions on the matter to Makeda Jordan.

“Reasoning for termination is a personnel matter and not shared publicly,” said Williams in response to the Sentinel’s inquiries about the termination.

Pineda, the previously appointed Vice-president, has temporarily replaced Ascencio as President. 

“I am currently serving as Interim-President of the Student Council until we decide how to proceed with the election of a New President in this upcoming meeting,” said Pineda in a post on Student Council’s Instagram page.

The Student Council has yet to announce when this meeting will take place. However, in the next two weeks, they are continuing to have meetings with applicants to fill the vacant positions.

The Sentinel is following this story and will keep the school body updated once more information unravels.

This story was updated to include the reasons the two chiefs of staff did not work in-person and to note that Ascencio’s reasons for termination were not cited in the charter of the Council.

Interim-President Kelvin Pineda has spearheaded the Student Council to approve funding ten scholarships, continuing the legacy of predecessors. 

Approximately $700,000 are awarded to students in scholarships each year. Historically, ten scholarships have been made available yearly funded by the Student Council. 

Over the past few weeks, the council has been in meetings to discuss budgeting and tapping into surplus funds to assist students. Hundreds of students apply each year for scholarships, and this expansion will grant funds to dozens more students.

Current scholarships are available to students who are part-time, international, in graduate school, veterans, disabled, formerly incarcerated, parents, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Many students seem to be intimidated by the process or feel that scholarships might not be for them,” said Michael Scaduto, Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarship Coordinator. “This is simply not the case. Most are open to all students, regardless of major, financial aid eligibility, or residency.”

To apply, students are required to log in with their John Jay emails and answer all of the application’s questions. 

The deadline for these scholarships is November 28. Funds will be distributed over the course of the fall and spring semesters. 

“While many of the scholarships we offer are academic-based, others focus on service, social justice, or overcoming an obstacle,” said Scaduto.  “There are opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students.”

The ten scholarships require a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, a minimum of six credits earned at John Jay College, and a current enrollment of six credits. Each scholarship has an essay question that will be used to determine the recipient. 

“I know there are plenty of students having financial troubles which could be alleviated to some degree if they were to be awarded a scholarship,” said Pineda as to why he approved funding these scholarships. “It was also to increase engagement in a multitude of ways on campus amongst the various communities as you can see 10 different scholarships target different groups.”

Pineda hopes students will become more active not only on campus but also in their communities. He believes these scholarships will create and refine leaders.

The Student Council has also allocated $45,000 to purchasing $67.50 Metro Cards, assisting 667 students this and next semester. 

The Council’s future plans include developing/co-sponsoring a series of workshops on women’s empowerment, civic engagement, leadership development, and financial literacy, as well as organizing a student gala.

“We are looking to make a real impact on the students and be fiscally responsible in the process,” said Pineda. 

These scholarships can be found on the scholarship webpage. 

EMAIL: Michael Scaduto, Scholarship Coordinator, for any scholarship related questions: mscaduto@jjay.cuny.edu

On October 6th, 2023, CUNY hosted the eighteenth annual Black Male Initiative Conference at Queens College; students at John Jay shared the meaning of the event with them.

Black employees make up just 5% of the senior manager and VP workforce and 4% at the SVP level. Only about 1% of Fortune 500 CEO positions are held by Black executives, according to CNBC. This conference where attendees from different CUNYs gathered to learn about ways to improve themselves and boost their careers works to address that issue. 

The conference speakers included hip-hop superstar Ja Rule and entrepreneur Champ Nichols. 

Each speaker told of their individual hardships and victories, emphasizing building a legacy in entrepreneurship and business. For instance, Champ Nichols, who was raised in New York, went on to build Shark Speakers, a public speaker management and consulting firm. Similarly, Ja Rule, who was raised in Queens, New York, went on to sell 20 million records. 

Champ Nichols, the keynote speaker, spoke about the challenges he faced moving up the corporate ladder without a college education and how going back and getting a degree from Queens College empowered him to build entrepreneurial skills.

“With the skills I learned here at CUNY, I went to work and made strong partnerships,” said Nichols.

Many attendees were incredibly excited to hear hip-hop legend Ja Rule and were inspired to express themselves and their struggles through art continuously. 

Rahele Gadapaka, a John Jay senior, explained how hearing success stories of people from underrepresented communities empowered her to chase her own dreams. 

“Seeing these speakers that come from a place similar to where I come from shows me how an entrepreneurial mindset will allow me to uplift myself and my family,” said Gadapaka. 

Ja Rule commented on the character of black people and the origins of hip-hop in his speech.

“Black people are incredibly resilient, a resilience that came from our hardships,” said Ja Rule. “From this hardship came a beautiful art form: hip hop.” 

Workshops followed the speech and were centered around healthy financial habits and building generational wealth. Some of the workshops included entrepreneurship and wealth management seminars. 

In these workshops, speakers, most of whom worked as business executives, explained how their personal habits, such as investments in 401 K accounts and investing in the stock market, allowed them to provide for themselves and their families. Following short speeches, the classes were opened up for students to ask these executives questions.

Aaliyah Antrobus, a senior at John Jay, explained how these workshops taught her important life skills.

“Seeing the personal habits of these successful people, who each came from underprivileged backgrounds, helped me realize that my dreams are attainable,” said Antrobus.

Shrouk Elbarsiky, a senior at John Jay, mirrored such sentiment as she explained how the skills she learned would change her behavior. 

“The information I learned about investing in retirement funds and stocks through the workshop is priceless. This inspires me to go research about stocks and investing,” said Elbarsiky.

These impactful workshops were then followed by a career and internship fair, which gave attendees a chance to network amongst themselves and with a variety of employers, such as the Internal Revenue Service and Amazon. 

Hector Martinez, a senior at John Jay, expresses how networking with other students gave him insight into the perspectives and career paths of other students. 

“Meeting with students from other BMI programs and networking with recruiters gave me insight on internship and career opportunities,” said  Martinez.

Israel Tavera, a senior at John Jay, explained that connecting to employers has allowed him to make meaningful connections with recruiters. 

“Speaking to recruiters and staff at this fair allows me to have a deeper understanding of the internship positions I apply for,” said Tavera.

Antrobus added that this conference gave students from underrepresented communities an experience that empowered them to set high standards for themselves and work hard towards their goals. 

“This conference inspires us all to believe in our own success,” said Aaliyah Antrobus.

College students in New York are trying to find ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a budget-friendly manner. Luckily, for John Jay students The Waterfront Club in Long Island City is offering a twenty percent discount to John Jay Students, Faculty, and Alumni any day Tuesday-Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Reservations can be made through The Waterfront’s website. Students and faculty must show a valid ID upon their visit to claim the offer. 

John Jay Alumna and Managing Partner Nina Megna want to give back to the community that has given so much to her. Megna built friendships and skills by playing Women’s Soccer at John Jay, writing for The Sentinel, and participating in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  

“[The Waterfront Club] has an upscale New York City vibe with elevated American Classic dishes and a warm cozy atmosphere,” said Megna.

For something closer to campus, SESAMO provides a quaint Italian dining experience.

The dishes at SESAMO range from $20 to $40. But, plates can be purchased for less than $20. The most popular items on SESAMO’s menu are the truffle mushroom lasagna and duck ragu pappardelle.

Meagan Heatherton is a John Jay Student with a long-distance boyfriend visiting New York for Valentine’s Day.

“SESAMO is one of our favorites. It is close to school and affordable for a special occasion. We love spending a few hours there eating good food and catching up. It is such a nice restaurant,” said Heatherton.

For some students, who, prefer a quiet evening at home or in their dorms, without the stress of cooking this takeout option is accessible and affordable.

Lion’s Gate Grill is an Asian-style restaurant just two blocks away from John Jay’s campus. Reagan Peperno, a freshman at John Jay, shares sentiments about the restaurant. 

“Me and my friends stop at Lion’s Gate Grill all the time. It is super close to the train station, pretty cheap, and the food is good,” said Peperno. 

The meals at Loion’s Gate Grill range from $10 to $20 per person and include simple boxes like butter-grilled shrimp and braised beef. All meals come with a side of vegetables, white rice, and a beverage.

Veneisha Turner, a John Jay freshman, values accessibility for her meals. She goes to Afficionado Coffee Roasters often.

“It is close to school and I love their drinks and food. What makes Aficionado different, compared to other coffee shops near school, is the great amount of comfortable seating like couches and cushioned chairs,” explained Turner. 

A recommendation for those who are looking to have a no-cost, quiet Valentine’s Day experience is a trip to Wagner Cove in Central Park.

Rae Ross, John Jay Junior, is new to her relationship. Ross commented on her plans for a no-pressure Valentine’s Day.

“We aren’t ready to do the whole fancy dinner thing yet. We wanted a casual at-home dinner but still wanted to do something special too. We [my partner and I] walk by Wagner Cove on the way to school all the time and love sitting down for a few minutes if we have the time. It is such a beautiful and serene place.” said Ross. 

Wagner Cove is a secluded scenic spot set on The Lake in Central Park and is one uptown subway stop on the A or C train away from Columbus Circle. The small pavilion located in the cove is the perfect picturesque spot to stop before heading home or to dinner plans.

There are many campus-based events on the John Jay campus planned such as on February 13th, John Jay’s Spectra is having a tabling session entitled “Love Yourself, Know Your Status.” 

As for on-campus events, there will be free STI/STD testing from 10 am to 3 pm in the Atrium. 

The President of Spectra, Amaris Vargas explained further, “The tabling event is an opportunity for students to feel comfortable with their sexual expression. The truest form of self-love is self-care.” 

Vargas also shared how this event is one of Spectra’s aims to make STI/STD testing readily available to students. 

“We hope to de-stigmatize “taboo” topics, to create a space where students can freely be themselves without the fear of judgment,” said Vargas

John Jay’s Donor Club will also be hosting a Valentine’s Day Bone Marrow Drive on February 13th from 10 am to 5 pm at Hound Square.

Whether your plans include taking a stroll at Wagner Cove or grabbing a bite at The Waterfront Club, students like Peperno explain how you celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing support for your community.

Peperno said, “Compared to other holidays where people just give and take with everyone around them, Valentine’s Day is a time devoted to people showing how much they care about the people closest to them.” 

The insufficiency of religious and cultural accommodations within CUNY’s academic calendar illustrated the broader struggle for inclusivity in higher education. However, all of this is set to change beginning in 2025.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez officially announced a groundbreaking decision. 

“I’m so proud to tell you that CUNY is now one of the first universities in the nation to designate Lunar New Year, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Diwali as official instructional holidays,” he said. “This historic change brings CUNY in line with NYC public schools, and shows our commitment to advancing equity for our students.” 

Rehnuma Hyder, a Bengali-Muslim student at John Jay, praised CUNY’s decision for reflecting New York City’s diversity.

 “NYC is known as a melting pot, and CUNY plays a significant role in that,” she remarked. “Although it took some time, this decision demonstrates that CUNY is committed to valuing the beliefs of its students.”

Despite the diverse opportunities amongst CUNY campuses, including the Faith FULL Interfaith Fellowship, the decision to abstain from observing closures during religious and cultural holidays such as Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Lunar New Year prompted inquiries into CUNY’s inclusivity policies.

Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are two significant Islamic holidays Muslims globally celebrate. Eid al-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” emphasizes the importance of sacrifice, obedience, and gratitude. Eid-al Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Both days provide opportunities for Muslims to strengthen bonds with family and friends and engage in acts of worship and charity. 

Mariam Saab, a member of the Muslim Student Association at Hunter College, commented on the decision to include Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr as official holidays.

“This is definitely a positive step forward in promoting inclusivity,” she said. “It also helps students learn about unfamiliar cultures and holidays in a positive way, especially since students appreciate having days off.”

Zayn Qazi, a Muslim revert studying at City College, added, “Students, including myself, no longer feel isolated or overlooked by the administration. I now feel a sense of pride and belonging at CUNY.”

Diwali, deriving from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” which means “row of lighted lamps,” is one of the most significant festivals in Hinduism. During Diwali, families gather to perform prayers, seeking blessings and prosperity for the coming year. This day symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, showcased by the illumination of homes and streets with rows of oil lamps, candles, and lights. 

Arijit Das, a law and society major at John Jay, reflected on no longer having to compromise between education and culture.

“Individuals no longer have to choose between honoring their personal traditions and managing their academic responsibilities. They can perform both duties without facing any barriers,” he said.

Mim Dey, a sophomore studying computer science at City College, also noted, “Diwali is one of the biggest holidays in our Hindu religion. If we have the freedom to practice any religion openly, we should also be given the opportunity to celebrate it properly.”

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a significant celebration in many Asian cultures. Families gather for reunions, share meals, exchange gifts, and honor their ancestors. This day is a time for renewal, reflection, and hope for happiness and success in the coming new year. 

Shiying Xu, a sophomore majoring in nursing at Hunter College, reflected on the impact of the decision on students’ mental health.

“Some ceremonies take the whole day, so having a day off means less stress for students,” she said.

Christina Chan, a freshman majoring in accounting at Baruch College, shared, “It feels validated to have Chinese culture be acknowledged as an official holiday. It’s a step in the right direction in embracing Asian culture.”

Although not celebrating any of the four holidays, Professor Marisa Tramontano, a sociology lecturer at John Jay, recognized the significance of CUNY’s decision within a broader context.

“The entire academic calendar is dominated by Christian hegemony – no Sunday classes, the semesters revolve around a Christmas break and the Gregorian new year, Spring Break usually takes Easter into account, and so on,” she explained.

CUNY representatives’ landmark decision to observe closures on Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Diwali, and Lunar New Year signals a significant step forward in fostering a campus culture that values diversity and cultural expression. 

As Professor Tramontano expressed, “I’m thrilled that CUNY went another way and decided to honor holidays important to our large Asian, Muslim, and Hindu student populations.”

On November 20th 2023, the Transit Mobility Review Board suggested a fixed toll of $15 per vehicle entering New York’s Central Business Districts (CBD). As of March 2024 this proposal is underway and is supposed to come into full effect around the summer. However, this change is causing an stir in New Yorker’s lives.

The plan will negatively impact transport companies, such as Uber and Lyft, as well as firefighters’ commute, who drive into the city daily as part of their job. Firefighters will be forced to pay fees for hauling essential city equipment in their personal vehicles.

Uber officials surprisingly supports the congestion pricing plan. In a statement on their website Uber explained: “congestion that slows travel times and frustrates riders and drivers is bad for business.”

Yellow medallion drivers are also feeling the heat from this plan, as more and more yellow cabs have turned to the ride sharing app to keep their income afloat. Massauto, a yellow cab driver, also driving for Uber worries about the future of yellow cabs. “Sometimes when its too busy Uber gives us fares, but its still a very scary situation because you cannot predict the outcome,” he explained.

In 2022, Uber announced their app would allow riders to be picked up by yellow cabs around New York, but it didn’t start until 2023. Only now since the pricing plan is being finalized have riders started seeing more yellow cabs pick them up from the Uber app. 

Massauto has been driving a yellow cab for 10 years now, and feels that driving solely for Uber wouldn’t be any easier. “I drive part time now, but this is a very tiring job; it doesn’t matter the color of the car,” he explained

Malaak, an Uber driver of over a year, is not happy with the congestion pricing plan, “I feel like the congestion pricing plan is a cash grab by the city, a lot of taxi drivers are switching to Uber,” he explained.

After congestion pricing was announced back in 2023 however, Taxi Drivers were worried that assimilating to Uber would be their only option.

Malaak is adamant that Uber is the better option. “There’s no competition for Uber in my opinion, the ease of access beats any taxi or cab service in the city,” he said.

When the pricing plan finally hits, the choice between struggling to find riders in a yellow cab, over getting connected to riders through an app is a no brainer for drivers.

The plan will make riders pay a surcharge of $2.50 for Uber and Lyft adding to the already hefty fees. The $1.50 surcharge for yellow cabs, on top of the $3 dollar initial charge, leaves yellow cabs at an even greater disadvantage.

Uber drivers are also worried about extra fees affecting riders mindsets when ordering rides. “I don’t hate the plan, but I feel bad the riders that have to pay more for my rides,” said Rongbo.

Rongbo, an Uber driver of over six years, who also immigrated to the U.S. from China, worries that surcharges will most likely hurt Uber in the long run. “Having to pay extra will make some people not want to get in an Uber,” he explained.

With the average price of an Uber or Lyft ride being $34, accompanied with the congestion pricing surcharge, this leaves daily Uber riders rethinking cheaper transportation options. 

Unfortunately, rethinking transportation isn’t only a civilian problem, but an issue for the FDNY firefighters as well. Firefighters protested at MTA headquarters to air their grievances about the plan’s lack of an exemption for the FDNY. 

The MTA has held four public hearings at their headquarters. So far, many city officials and firefighters have spoken out about the deal, and how they should be exempt. Firefighters brought their gear weighing up to 79 lbs, and argued that the only possible way to transport this gear was in their personal vehicles.

The congestion plan would essentially make firefighters pay for using their vehicles to carry city equipment throughout their shifts. Daniel has been a firefighter of seven years, and described the plan as “ridiculous.”

Daniel explained how the pricing plan would affect Firefighters daily schedules. “A guy can report to one house downtown, find out the house is full, and be detailed to a house uptown,” he said. 

Daniel also explained, “Then at the start of his next tour 15 hours later, he could be sent back downtown.” Therefore Firefighters would be paying twice, because their shifts go passed the time to avoid the second toll.

Sadly, throughout these tours a firefighter would have never left the city, and would have been working all day and night.

The gripes with congestion pricing travels throughout the FDNY, but that’s not their only problem. “We are hemorrhaging; more guys are leaving the department than coming in at this point,” Daniel said. The loss of workforce also implores firefighters to work longer tours than average.

The plan will make firefighters more inclined to stay until their next 15-hour tour. Daniel comments how this will takes a toll on their bodies, “guys working in the city are forced so much over time that they sleep at the firehouses; it’s not worth going home to come back in 9 hours.”

A firefighters life is already at high risk when battling fires. Staying overnight consistently raises cancer risk as well, as firehouses are constantly smelling of smoke and diesel.

On March 27th, the MTA gave the OK to launch the congestion pricing plan for the summer.  Unfortunately, they have already installed structures called gantries, which will take a picture of all vehicles being charged for the toll. 

Firefighters are hoping that their pleas for exemption will be taken into consideration before the official launch. When questioned about the possibility of an exemption for For Hire Vehicles, yellow taxis, and essential workers of the FDNY, the MTA has failed to respond.

On September 11th, 2001, a terrorist attack against the United States resulted in the deaths of almost 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Every year John Jay hosts a series of events in remembrance of that day 23 years ago. John Jay markets these events by using three simple words that carry a heavy meaning and describe what the events are aimed at: Recall. Reflect. Reaffirm.

The 9/11 Tribute Day was hosted in the atrium on September 9th, 2024 during community hour and began with Military and Veteran Services (MVS) students and John Jay Student-Athletes placing flags around the 9/11 memorial in Haaren Hall.

The MVS students placed 67 miniature John Jay flags around the base of the memorial to represent the 67 members of the John Jay Community who passed on 9/11. The Student-Athletes placed 23 miniature American flags on either side of the memorial to represent this year being the 23rd anniversary of 9/11.

Lynda Day, Head Coach for John Jay’s Women’s Basketball Team, commented on the purpose of Student-Athlete involvement in the 9/11 event set-up. 

“We want to bridge the gap between [our students] and the memory of 9/11, which is important since a lot of these students want to go into public service,” Day said.

The remainder of the event was held as an open platform for students to write gratitude notes to first responders. The notes were then pinned to a board that were displayed at the 9/11 Anniversary Tribute Premier. Students who wrote notes received a 9/11 pin, an American flag magnet, and a cookie. 

Mindy Bockstein, John Jay’s Executive Director of External Affairs, commented on the importance of the 9/11 Tribute and other upcoming 9/11 events. 

“We want to inspire the community and commit to the legacy of service,” she explained. “We have found through various 9/11 events we can engage, educate, and encourage our future leaders and because of that, the tradition [of remembrance] will remain,” said Bockstein.

The 9/11 Tribute Premiere was held on September 10th, 2024 during community hour at L.61. 

The ceremony began with the CUNY Army ROTC Color Guard posting the colors while Gregory Sheppard, a professor in the Department of Art and Music, sang the National Anthem. 

Attendees of the event included President Karol V. Mason, John Jay Alumni, and almost two dozen Student-Veterans. 

The tribute consisted of a welcome speech from President Mason, readings of two student poems, a recital of the names of the 67 John Jay community members who were lost on 9/11, and a speech from Board Member Markus Green regarding John Jay’s legacy of service and action. 

Green challenged students who weren’t alive when 9/11 happened to, “Google and read about it.”

Another part of the tribute included three students reading recounts of 9/11 on behalf of three John Jay Alums in the “Portraits of Heroes” portion of the event. 

Misael Azcona, a senior majoring in security management and Navy veteran, was one of the “Portraits of Heroes” student readers. He explained why he volunteered to read at the 9/11 Tribute Premier. 

“I was six when 9/11 happened and all the smoke and chaos was confusing for a kid,” he explained. “Reading today allowed a 6 year old me to reflect and give thanks to the people who saved lives on 9/11 and died in the process,” said Azcona. 

The Tribute Premier ended with a moment of silence at the 9/11 Memorial Sculpture in Haaren Hall for the lives lost in the tragic events of that day. 

More upcoming on-campus events include the DeWitt Clinton Park Clean-Up on September 13th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at DeWitt Clinton Park and the John Jay Blood Drive on September 19th from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at room L.61.

Additional information about these events can be found on the John Jay 2024 9/11 Events Page. 

The MVS Department will also participate in an off-campus Annual Meal Pack-a-Thon at the Intrepid Museum on September 12th, 2024. This will be the MVS students’ ninth year assembling healthy, dry meals for those in need. 

Richard Pusateri, the MVS Program Manager, spoke about the event and its importance.

“It is [about] giving back in memory of 9/11,” he said. “It represents unity and selfless service.”

In addition to the on and off campus events coming up, the English Department hosted a contest for the two poetry pieces that were read at the 9/11 Tribute Premier on September 10th.

Jean Mills, English Department Chair and co-judge of the contest, offered insight as to why the contest was hosted and why it is an important part of this year’s 9/11 remembrance. 

“[The contest] was about participation and involvement, and allowed us to gather insight and views from the first generation of students removed from 9/11,” she said. “It gave us a perspective on remembrance,” Mills explained.

As much as the 9/11 events demonstrate the importance of remembering the tragic events of 9/11, the emotional connection comes from talking to John Jay’s students. 

Niko Searles, a senior student majoring in criminal justice, offered his insight as to what people should be doing in the coming weeks to properly honor those who have passed away because of 9/11. 

“It is simple. People should be remembering and never forgetting,” Searles declared. 

Harry Yachimba, a junior majoring in computer science and information security, offered a similar sentiment. 

“9/11 brought America together, if even for a second,” Yachimba said. 

On the evening of September 25th, 2024, New York City Mayor and John Jay alumnus Eric Adams was indicted on federal charges, sparking a wave of reactions across the John Jay College community.

As Adams becomes the first sitting mayor in city history to face criminal charges, students and faculty are openly sharing their thoughts on the matter

Mayor Adams is under federal investigation for campaign fundraising violations and foreign influence.

The now unsealed indictment revealed that Mayor Adams is being charged with bribery conspiracy, fraud, and illegal foreign campaign donations.

Although Adams was planning to run for a second term next year, prominent public officals, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have already called for his resignation.

Several other public officials in New York City, including Chancellor David Banks of the public school system, New York City Police Department Commissioner Edward Caban, and Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg, have resigned in connection to the ongoing investigation.

Lisa Haye, a senior majoring in economics, expressed skepticism about Eric Adams’s public persona and criticized his impact on important community resources like education and libraries.

“I am not shocked at all,” said Haye. “He cosplays a rough and tumble kid that made it out of the hood and is working for his community but is the same man who sucks funds out of our public education and library systems.”

On the morning of September 26th, around 6 a.m., a dozen federal agents raided Mayor Eric Adams’s Gracie Mansion residence, seizing personal items such as phones and laptops in connection to the charges against him. Adams accused federal investigators of sensationalizing the probe to damage his credibility.

His lawyer, Alex Spiro, criticized the raid, stating they would have voluntarily provided the evidence. The investigation is being led by the Southern District U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

Adams prepares to plead not guilty in his court appearance that is being scheduled for either tomorrow or Monday.

Timothy Martinez, an international criminal justice student, expressed his reaction to Mayor Adams being the first mayor ever charged in history.

“It is about time. Mayor Adams only cares about the money and having the title of mayor. He doesn’t care about the well-being of actual New Yorkers like you and I,” said Martinez.

Bryant Duell, a student majoring in political science, expressed a similar sentiment.

“He’s not even a Democrat and won as a Democrat; he didn’t even live in NYC and his whole vibe and aura turned me all the way off,” said Duell. “Furthermore, with the trips taken to Turkey, it just seemed there was corruption there.”

Many students at John Jay have expressed little surprise at the charges against Mayor Adams, citing his past controversies. However, some students have been shocked by the severity of the investigation and the raid on Gracie Mansion.

A senior police studies major, who preferred to stay anonymous for the sake of this interview, expressed his reaction to the events of the week.

“I am shocked he has defrauded the people of New York City and the John Jay community,” said the student. “I voted for him because I thought he would keep criminals off the streets, not knowing I was electing a criminal into office.”

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.

Topics discussed at the October 9th Town Hall included the closure of the Women’s Center, ICE’s presence on campus, reiterated concerns regarding what students deem a lack of support for Palestine, and student safety on campus.

President Mason began the meeting with a declaration stating that, “John Jay is trying to create a different atmosphere at Town Hall.” 

Mason continued, “While we may disagree with and challenge each other, we do it with respect. We are all part of the same community.”

The first and most heavily raised concern was the closure of the Women’s Center lounge.

Elizabeth Ninaquispe, a senior and political science major, was the first to ask a question. 

“Is there a possibility of bringing back the Women’s Center? After recent allegations, I don’t think it is fair to get rid of it,” Ninaquispe asked. 

Daniel Matos, interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, responded.

“Though the physical space is gone, services will continue to be offered,” Matos explained. “The reality is the Women’s Center isn’t meeting community needs.”

Mary Jones, a senior and political science major, raised similar concerns.

“That lack of communication regarding the closure of the Women’s Center was a demonstration of unprofessionalism,” Jones said. “Deciding to cut funding raises questions about John Jay’s commitment to underserved communities.” 

Matos was, again, prompted to reply. 

“The Women’s Center has been on a decline for years now with providing student services,” Matos explained. “It is a far cry from the center’s mission.”

Jones countered Matos’s explanation.

“The closure wasn’t told to the student body, so you didn’t give women time to come up with a plan,” Jones said. “We didn’t have a chance to show you guys we could meet the standard.”

Without the Women’s Center lounge, which provided a safe space for female-identifying students to convene, relax, and peer counsel, these students could lose their feelings of safety at John Jay. 

Matos took responsibility for not having sent any communication earlier and the floor was given to Professor Rosemary Barbaret, participating on Zoom. 

“Some of us listening in are in complete shock about the Women’s Center,” Barbaret commented. 

The topic of the Women’s Center was dropped after a John Jay Alumna offered her insight into the way VP Matos handled the closure. “With all due respect, you dropped the ball,” she said. 

The conversation then briefly moved to the topic of a student prompting a question about divesting funds in Israel. 

“What do I have to do, how many more of my people have to die, for you to divest?” the student questioned.

Mason responded, “It is not a decision I am prepared to make at this time.”

That same student also brought to the discussion the presence of ICE on campus a few days prior to Town Hall for a career fair.

“Where was the care for our safety when you invited ICE to campus without warning students?” she asked. 

“We have all talked and realized we made a mistake, and we will fix that. We deeply apologize,” Mason responded.

Mason continued to explain that banning ICE from the John Jay campus wouldn’t be right, as many students that attend John Jay look to them for potential employment.

It is about, “balancing the needs of different parts of our community,” she concluded.  

An online participant raised another question in the Zoom chat, asking after the sexual assault of a John Jay student in the women’s bathroom, “What is the college doing to address safety? I myself don’t want to be unsafe for the sake of inclusivity.”

A representative from public safety responded.

“All bathrooms are equipped with emergency alert systems and public safety patrols the halls constantly,” he said. “If you hear or see something suspicious, come to public safety and we will do our best to help.”

When it comes to an apparent lack of concern for John Jay students and their desires, a student speaker offered her insight. “We are sick of it,” the student said. 

After a lively set of questions, President Mason ended the Town Hall by offering an unofficial mission statement. 

“You’ve seen you can challenge us respectfully. This is the Town Hall we all want,” Mason said.

John Jay College’s Lloyd Sealy Library is extending its Library Lab hours from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. from December 9 – December 19 to support students during finals.

The library will be open for its first time on Sunday since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the library’s computer lab, students have access to desktop computers, printers, and scanners. On Sunday, the library will be open from 12 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. 

Access to the upper level, reserve services, bookshelves and the circulation desk will be available. The computer lab will remain open until 11:45 p.m. 

Ellen Sexton, Chief Librarian at John Jay, commented on the library operating on Sunday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is the first Sunday we’ve been open since before COVID, the whole library. It’s an experiment we’re going to see if people come in. If they do, we’ll do it again,” said Sexton.

For many students, the library’s extended hours provide comfort and a space to work without distractions during finals week. 

Kendice Marshall, a transfer student majoring in Political Science commented that she does not have a laptop and that the extended library hours have been helpful. 

“I have an iPad, but I don’t have a laptop. It’s very useful and very important,” she said. “I live in a household where I absolutely have no space. I’ll have not only room, but time to study; otherwise I would have been sitting up on my bed in the corner of the room trying to get my work done with no table,” said Marshall.

Marshall also expressed her desire to have similar access to the library semester round. 

“I had a Saturday class; I would come here on Saturdays, it would open at 12 p.m. and it would close at 4 p.m. That’s not a really long time for someone to come and work here,” said Marshall. 

Students also expressed how the library’s extended hours is an important factor in their ability to get their work done. 

Arleen Balderas, a junior majoring in Cell & Molecular Biology commented on how the quiet environment of the library helps her focus.

“It keeps me from my distractions. I just pay more attention to my homework,” she said. “At home there’s more things that I need to do family wise. Here I can just focus on my homework and all of the stuff I need to do,” said Balderas.

Disayra Then, a Forensic Accounting certificate student, said she has an outdated laptop and the library’s availability is crucial to getting her work done.

“The laptop I own is from the 90s; the software that they [the computers] have, like Excel and Tableau, is something I need, so I have to come to the library,” she said. “These hours are extremely helpful because I would be home not able to do my homework at all,” said Then.

Students have also expressed that they would benefit from extended hours throughout the entire semester. 

“I would use it because I work full time, so I get out after 5, 6, or 7 p.m. There was one time I wanted to stay longer and I couldn’t because the library was closing,” said Then. 

Sexton says that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people who need the library isn’t what it was before. The library has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic numbers, with gate counts dropping from a record 375,054 in 2019 to just 178,487 in 2024, less than half of what it was. 

“If students were to ask us to open on Sunday, and actually come in on Sunday, then we would provide the service,” said Sexton. 

Sexton continued to stress the importance of student success at John Jay.

“John Jay wouldn’t exist without student success. It’s an intrinsic part of the existence of John Jay,” she said. “It’s very important to us as faculty and to me personally. Whenever we’re making decisions about our resources, supporting students is a very important part of that decision,” said Sexton. 

Sexton encourages student feedback on how the library can be improved. 

“We need to hear what people are not happy with, cause otherwise we think everything is perfect and why would you change anything?” she said. “I do like hearing people’s experiences and what they think we should be doing,” said Sexton. 

For any concerns the library’s website offers email contact information and she encourages its usage.