Script Draft: Smoking Ban 2013

Cue: Musical Intro

Audio Host: “Hello this is Ryan Rash here bringing you the scoop on ASU news. Well folks, times are changing around these parts. As I am sure you are all aware, ASU recently released a statement saying that starting on the first of August of next year, it will be a completely tobacco-free campus. In an e-mail sent to all students that attend the school, the background information reads quote, “The initiative [was] spearheaded by students and supported by the University Staff Council and the faculty Academic Senate” unquote. The university also created a new website regarding everything about the change of policy, including official regulations, “tobacco zone” maps and even tips on how to quit smoking. In addition, if all this information was not sufficient, they produced a video that is about two minutes long to provide visual support for the new ban.

Cue: Sound byte from ASU video

Audio Host: To me, the video was the most effective in explaining that the reason the ban is being instituted is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students who do not use tobacco. The initial e-mail and the website are more designed to educate us students about what is actually going to happen.

Cue: Musical break

Okay so now that everyone knows what the ban is all about, it is becoming hotly debated. ASU is trying to protect non-smokers, smokers want to keep smoking, plain and simple. Personally, I do not see this as an issue of tobacco. The university obviously has a motive of being a safe environment and doing good deeds to improve their reputation, but I see the opposing argument as a condition of freedom. ASU’s current rules are in tune with federal regulations so tightening the grip on those rules is an unnecessary act.

Cue: Transition to student interview

Narrator: As easy as it would be too spew personal opinions on this ban, the fact remains that it effects 70,000+ students that attend the university. Around campus, there are dozens of popular places to sit down and take a drag so I figure one of these smoking areas will serve as a solid place to find various opinions on the sanction. First off, there is no way to dispute the danger of tobacco usage. Study after study shows that cancer and cigarettes essentially go hand in hand. Okay, I am exaggerating a bit but it truly is not that irrational of a statement. Like I said before, the way my questions will be asked will be shaped towards the concept of freedom. The goal is to find out if this law attacks our basic freedoms and if yes, is it a necessary sacrifice? Well let’s see what the people think.

Cue: Separate musical transition that leads into a field interview

Narrator: Welcome to the beautiful Arizona State University campus where I am here standing with (interviewee name) and we are ready to talk ‘2013 Smoking Ban’!

Questions to ask:

·         Do you think the ban is in the best interest of the students of this school?

·         How will it affect you personally?

·         Do you have any suggestions for perhaps a possible compromise on the ban?

·         Do you see the ban as an infringement of basic freedom?

·         The university is trying to reduce second hand smoke so do you think there is a way to isolate the smokers more instead of banning it so both parties are attended too?

Cue: Musical transition back into narration

Narrator: There you have it, the people have spoken. It is now evident that students are concerned about (x, y and z.) The simple question of whether this is good or bad depends on the answers outlined by the public such as in any democracy.

ASU Reacts: The 2013 Smoking Ban

Cue: Musical Intro

Audio Host: “Hello this is Ryan Rash here bringing you the scoop on ASU news. Well folks, times are changing around these parts. As I am sure you are all aware, ASU recently released a statement saying that starting on the first of August of next year, it will be a completely tobacco-free campus. In an e-mail sent to all students that attend the school, the background information reads quote, “The initiative [was] spearheaded by students and supported by the University Staff Council and the faculty Academic Senate” unquote. The university also created a new website regarding everything about the change of policy, including official regulations, “tobacco zone” maps and even tips on how to quit smoking. In addition, if all this information was not sufficient, they produced a video that is about two minutes long to provide visual support for the new ban.

Cue: Sound byte from ASU video

Audio Host: To me, the video was the most effective in explaining that the reason the ban is being instituted is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke on students who do not use tobacco. The initial e-mail and the website are more designed to educate us students about what is actually going to happen.

Cue: Musical break

Okay so now that everyone knows what the ban is all about, it is becoming hotly debated. ASU is trying to protect non-smokers, smokers want to keep smoking, plain and simple. Personally, I do not see this as an issue of tobacco. The university obviously has a motive of being a safe environment and doing good deeds to improve their reputation, but I see the opposing argument as a condition of freedom. ASU’s current rules are in tune with federal regulations so tightening the grip on those rules is an unnecessary act.

Genre Analysis: Morning Edition

     "Let Mitt Be Mitt" http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164732654&m=164767070
     An audio essay is a unique and somewhat new form of literature. The approach to utilize this genre requires a different technique than any other essay. For instance, in writing form, tone can be manipulated by the way a sentence is put together but with audible sound, it is necessary to make sure the actual tone of voice is appropriate. An additional myriad of aspects effect the genre of audio essays.
     A script is the most basic component but it must be well done for the audio to to sound good. If the script is lacking in any way, it will be exposed once the words becomke audible. A certain level of creativity is required for a good script because it serves as a blueprint for the finished product. Everything from cut placement to plot flow has to be considered.
     Not everyone will have sound proof rooms and high quality mics so being efficient with the technology available becomes a priority. To make a regarded podcast, one does not need these expensive pieces of equipment but a frugal mind and a sense of critical thinking are more than enough to make up for financial woes.
     Upon listening to any podcast, the most resounding impact on the audience lies in their impression of the talent, or the narrator. If the narrator is likeable, upbeat and natural, the listener will appreciate what the have to say and relate. On the contrary, if the voice is dragging or condescending, etc. the response will not be favorable. The key to mastering tone is audience awareness. A podcaster has to be adaptive to a flexible audience demographic.
     Because the art of audio literature is so fresh, new experiences are occuring that are changing the landscape of the genre. The concept of an ideal audio essay is still in the process of being understood and the only way to get closer to that is trying new things. Above all the aforementioned components, intuition to new audio ideas will benefit the genre as a whole.

Project 2 Reflection: Improvement

     Our second project in English 101 came with many challenges but also many improvements. Through every step of the process, my goal was to improve on my abysmal performance on the first paper. The professor's comments on my paper revealed to me that I had a crucial weakness in my writing which was stating a clear thesis that clearly defines my position on the topic. On this project, I feel that my thesis states my opinion and leaves no doubt to what I will be writing about in the rest of the paper.
     On the contrary, a wrench or two worked their way into my plans. As I wrote my initial draft, I chose to write 3 annotations so I could use a more focused approach and get a feel for what it would take to write a quality annotation. As it turned out, this put me at a disadvantage because I was unable to use information to build off of when writing my final draft.
     Now that I am a somewhat seasoned college student, I find that it is strategic to view everything as a learning experience. From this project, I learned the importance of having evidence to back up claims. Research is a crucial aspect of literature and for research work to be respected there has to be factual, supporting information. From now on, I will remember to think every time I make a claim if I have enough to prove it.
     I feel that if I can be optimistic about anything on my essay, it is the strength of my evaluation. It was indeed simple, merely stating that being forced to live in dorms has a negative effect on students. I decided on three criteria to determine whether my thesis was applicable and then explained why they proved my theory. I tried to use the most basic process possible to make sure I was not neglecting the point of my essay in light of some more flashy techniques.
     Without question, the experience has real world implications. Off the top of my noggin, I immediately see how it applies to something as normal as a friendly argument. Now, it would be easy to use common knowledge or assumptions to back up your argument but it is much more effective to use descriptive criteria for why the opinion could me more correct. Obviously, this is just one anecdote but the uses for being factual are limitless.
     I can only hope that my dedication to staying true to what was assigned will pay off in the grade book. If anything, I know inside my heart that I am back on track to what good writing entails.

Map of Adelphi Commons II

View Evaluative Research: Dorm Living in a larger map

Works Cited

"Future Residents." Arizona State University, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.< http://housing.asu.edu/content/future-residents>.

Pike, Gary R. "The Differential Effects of On- and Off-Campus Living Arrangements on Students’ Openness to Diversity*." Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice 46.4 (2009): n. pag. Print.

Rozakis, Laurie, Ph.D. "Movin' In." The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Survival. N.p.: Marie Butler Knight, 2001. N. pag. Print.



The Gates to Adelphi

[Source: asu.edu]

 



     The first day a new, anxious college student walks up to his dorm facility holds with it a flurry of emotion and excitement. The thought of the unknown swirling within with no way to know what to truly expect daunts them. This is exactly the student that Laurie Rozakis had in mind when writing "The Complete Idiot's Guide to College Survival". The book is a great reference for nervous college students but the relevant subject to my research is the repeated mentions of getting used to the change of dorm life/being ready for disaster. This is fascinating because the very book geared towards collegiate success discusses the possibility of a nightmare roommate and what to do if a student hates their dorm (Rozakis Chapter 3).
     With this book and countless other pieces attacking the stereotypical dormitory, a bad reputation surrounds the dorm culture. Upon further evaluation though, it is hard to disagree. The very fact that the university has to force students into their dorms is a testament to how unliked they are. Obviously, when someone is in an unfavorable situation, it is expected that their performance goes down. Considering dorms are not a place of work or place of learning, the happiness of a student is more likely to decrease than their productivity. Even though there are advantages to being a student resident, there are many students who would simply be happier in different housing.



Adelphi's Back Alley

     The pathway behind Adelphi holds a lot of mystery in its appearance. During the day, it is a beautiful, subtropical landscape that has the look of a possible scene out of a romantic movie. As night falls though, it is a dimly lit alley that looks like it could be the location of some violent crime. In fact, just a few weeks ago, around midnight, a flurry of police activity in the area arose, including a helicopter. The event turned out to be an armed robbery a mere block away from my building. Locations with occurrences like this can be found across the entire city of Tempe, including the campus area. No matter what is done to protect the students by putting them in dorms, there will always be danger in some way or another.

 

[Source: Ryan Rash]

 

          Even though it would have made the work a lot easier, an isolated incident would not suffice to decide if dorms are unsafe or not. At Adelphi II, the dorm buildings are separated into sections called 'clusters'. I decided to ask ten students from the very northwest cluster (P) a question about their social life. First off, considering that ASU has a fully anti-alcohol campus, I am sure they would label partying with alcohol as a danger to their safety. I asked the unnamed students how many days they drank alcohol last week and 6 out of 10 students told me that they had consumed alcohol more than once in the previous week, not including the weekend.

      Because there are so many opportunities to party and be mischievous in a college town, there is no way that endorsing the use of dorms can truly keep the students safe. Simply put, a kid is going to go out if he wants to go out.

Synopsis

      Arizona State University is a great school. I have known that since my sister attended years ago and I saw her grow academically and as a person. However, in those days, I was too young to understand the logistics that go into the college experience. A new college student goes through a huge transition of change that they can never be truly prepared for, especially if they happen to live in a dorm. Additionally, colleges across the country, specifically ASU, claim to create an environment that eases that transition. They use phrases like "best interest of student" or "building a sense of community" to justify policies that force students into sometimes unwilling circumstances. This is a foggy situation because when one body (school) decides what is best for another body (student), the best answer gets lost in translation, so to speak. A university where dorm life is a requirement for first year students has a negative effect on those students.
     To know if there is any truth to the seemingly good intentions of Arizona State University, it was necessary to conduct some brief research to find out exactly why the school forces the dorm life on its students and found three criteria to evaluate. It is apparent that the overall safety of residents, building a strong, lasting community and affordability of all college related costs are the distinct aspects of life that are connected with dorm living.
     Repeatedly throughout the network of pages on their website, ASU makes references to the importance of keeping students safe. More importantly, they consider dormitories to increase the level of safety because of supervision by peers. This is an obvious ploy to prevent or decrease dangerous behaviors like drinking alcohol and drug usage which brings the discussion to the effectiveness of that plan. With a reputation for one of the best party schools in the country, it is easy to see how shedding that rep is a top priority. The question still remains if it works or not though. By simply asking ten random peers in my community, I found that it is not completely effective.
     Establishing a community of connected peers is absolutely the criterion that I found to be most productive in my study. This collection is not the first to investigate how dorms change the college experience, whether it be positive or harmful. There is an article that approaches the relationship between dorm life and students' ability to deal with the idea of diversity. The results, although unable to be applied expansively, showed that students who live in dorms become more open to diversity. That being said, I do not think it is as successful as the school would like it to be. Much of that evaluation is based on the community within Adelphi Commons II.
     If you were to ask the average family what they considered to be the number one criteria for picking a college, I would be willing to bet that their answer would touch on money/affordability. It is simply impossible for families, excluding the wealthy, to overlook cost. In contrast, there is such a thing called cost effectiveness, or "getting bang for your buck". Tuition wise, ASU has a very low price when compared to other public universities so they do have some leverage in using the dorm requirement policy. On the other hand, there is more that goes into the total cost of attending a university like the cost of a dorm. Upon my examination, the amount necessary to live at a dorm such as Adelphi Commons II is purely exorbitant when compared to the cost of other comparable housing options in Tempe.
     It is evident in breaking down these criteria that there are statements here and there that oppose my thesis. Some may perceive that as a weakness in my argument, but I believe that exposing the opposition to an argument makes it stronger. In all the supposed weakness, there is a clear conclusion from my findings. Forcing incoming students to either live at home and drive or live in a dorm is not in their best interest. I would not go as far to say that it is an abuse of power but it is certainly a result of a collegiate agenda gone wrong.

The Less-Than-Glamorous Living

     When it comes to college, affordability is a major priority for everyone; to some, it may be the top priority. It costs $6,098 a school year to live in Adelphi Commons II, utilities included. I understand that it is difficult to put in perspective, so when the cost is averaged monthly (roughly 8 months in school), the cost is $750 a month. At a glance, this price is actually very comparable to some of the 2 bedroom apartments (only apartments that had utilities included were considered) in the area. However, it is easy to see that the dorm is twice as expensive because both residents of a dorm have to pay the $750 monthly due, instead of splitting it as they would in an apartment. This simple price comparison explains how the university is essentially naming their own price because they are able to require students to live on their facilities.

 

 [Source: Ryan Rash]
         

     Universities are known for their desire to increase profit, such as any business would, but this, in no way results in a profit for students. Cost of dorm living has a big effect on students and they are almost entirely negative. By my evaluation, there is no way that ASU can force a certain price point on students and say it is in those kids best interest. That very act negates any attempt to help us as students.
     I am not blind to the reasons ASU does this, including safety, sense of community, etc. but I do get the sense that they are overlooking the financial interests of their students to better their own. Bottom line, nothing is visible that would suggest campus living could benefit me financially.

A Community of Strangers

     On ASU's official website, there is a page dedicated to informing prospective students of what they can expect going into their freshman years. The page includes details about housing that outline an experience of a "close-knit culture" and "creative connections" that result from living in dorms that house students with similar majors (ASU.edu). First of all, from personal experience, I can assure that in Adelphi II, the community is not close-knit and creative connections are not being made. I am not saying I have not made friends because that would be a lie, but I am saying that when my peers and I are in our dorms, we are usually working on homework or sleeping.
      A study was done at "a major research university in the Midwest" on how dorms effect students openness to diversity (Pike 284).The results showed that dorm life does help students more become accepting of diverse situations. While these findings seemingly provide a compelling counter-argument against my thesis, this was only conducted at one school so the theory is limited. First off, 73% of the participants in the study were female, and only 8 percent were in a minority group. So, as it may suggest a positive outcome, the variables did not allow for clean research. It exposes students to a fresh environment and challenges students to grow as people, but there is a catch. That justification for personal growth does not apply to forcing students into it. Community exists everywhere and it does not have to be limited to campus-sanctioned locations.

[Source: Ryan Rash]