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[ Main | Info | Members | History | Pictures | Links | Fall 1998 EOF Newletter ]
(Educational Opportunity Fund)
429 Cooper Street, EOF Building
Camden, NJ 08102-1521
609-225-6107, 609-225-6139 Fax
| Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey | January 1999 |
EOF –
A RETROSPECTIVE:
Thirty Years of Service
Lambert Blunt Jackson, Ph.D., Director
This year The Educational Opportunity Fund is celebrating thirty years of service to those communities in New Jersey that have traditionally been under represented in higher education due to social and/or economic conditions within our society.
What began as an ideological battle in the war for Civil Rights has become an established institution within the State of New Jersey’s colleges and universities. To many who began the battle in 1968, the success of the programs seems miraculous, not because they felt there was any inherent flaw in the design or in the possibilities, but because they felt that the larger society would not tolerate the challenge. Although the past thirty years have not been without blockades and rough spots, and although there are still people within and without higher education who do not support the goals of equal access and special support for the educationally under prepared student, EOF has survived, thrived, and is touted as the best program of its type in the United States. Our students, who once feared discrimination and avoided identification with the program, are now proud of what has become a badge of excellence.
Rutgers-Camden was one of the early battle grounds. Although the college existed in what was rapidly becoming a minority city, the student body was basically white and middle class. Access was denied students of color and students who, through no fault of their own, were under prepared and could not meet the standard admissions requirements. The late 60s were ripe for change, and change came quickly. Following protests throughout the state and protests on all the Rutgers campuses, the EOF Program was born and the first class entered Rutgers in the fall of 1968. The mission was established, and it remains, "to provide an opportunity for higher education to disadvantaged New Jersey residents who would not be able to attend and/or succeed academically in college without the financial assistance and special services that are part of this program." The regulations go on to state, "The program is geared toward the student who shows potential, and who traditionally has been unable to attend college because of poor high school preparation and whose economic background reflects a history of poverty..."
In the early years there was essentially an open admissions policy; funding was plentiful and the staff was considerably larger than it is today. Early freshman classes numbered over 100 students per year; and the program served nearly 400 students on a yearly basis. Although student numbers have been reduced -- we now serve approximately 300 students -- staff numbers and funding have been proportionately drastically reduced as economic conditions have become more difficult. Admission to the program has also become substantially more selective; each year staff carefully reviews applications and interviews a significant number of applicants.
Over the years, counseling services have been refined and have maintained the flexibility needed to serve students and student cohorts with varying needs. Something of the extent of the counseling activities can be gathered by the fact that over the past decade EOF staff has recorded close to 34,000 student counseling contacts. Tutoring, which once was a significant component of the program, and for many years provided tutoring for all students on the Rutgers campus, was replaced by the Learning Centers when Dr. Lawrence assumed the presidency of the University. Today, EOF tutoring is done only under special circumstances, such as the weekly ESL tutorial that meets the special needs of some EOF students. The academic component has seen the greatest change. For many years, EOF served to either provide or to support basic skills work that was remedial in nature. Both the six week pre-freshman summer program and the academic year were centered on math and language arts development. Since the late 80s, first the summer program and then the emerging freshman studies program became developmentally focused with an emphasis on critical and analytical thinking, writing, and verbal communication skills. We anticipate that as this program is refined, our retention figures will greatly increase.
Certainly, one of the greatest indicators of success lies in the number of students who are educated, who graduate, and who go on to productive citizenship and successful careers. Since the first official graduating class, the class of 1972, Rutgers-Camden EOF has graduated 1,024 students which represents an overall retention rate of approximately 40%. Another, though less recognized indicator, is the longevity, dedication, and experience of the staff. Of the seven full-time employees (down from eighteen in 1972), five have worked in EOF for 23 or more years, four have worked in Camden EOF for more than 23 years, and the two other staff members were EOF undergraduate students at Rutgers. The combined years in higher education for the seven staff members exceeds 150 years.
We join our students in celebrating the work that was done in 1968 and in looking forward to new challenges in the years ahead.
EOF LOSES
LEARNING SPECIALIST
Another wave of budget cuts during the 98-99 academic year resulted in the loss of Ms. Lucille Chagnon, the program’s Learning Specialist. Ms. Chagnon, who joined EOF in 1989, came to Rutgers with many years experience in education, career counseling, and literacy training. She enriched our students’ lives with her commitment and her ability to make writing a personal and integrative function -- of tying life and experience with academics, to make one more real and the other richer. She also had the ability to create a bonding between students and between students and staff as early as the first day of the pre-freshman summer program, which helped students to adjust to their new environment and staff to adjust to a new class.
There are many memories that we will carry with us, not the least of which is the ringing enthusiasm that she had for new ideas and new approaches; she was always seeking for the magic that would turn non-writers into writers and non-readers into readers. Those students who made the decision that they were going to really work with her made amazing progress; their hard work was certainly part of the equation, but the other part was her availability at home, in the office, in the Campus Center, by phone -- or wherever -- to any student at any time who was in need of her help.
We will miss her presence and the many gifts that she had to offer.
GRADUATE SCHOOL
The EOF Program is establishing a program designed to increase the number of students going on to graduate and professional schools. Mr. Jonathan Muse will be coordinating the project. Look for more details in the next issue.
Our recent and current graduate students are: Shawn Bannister attending Columbia University, working on her masters in education; Kenya Majeed attending Rutgers Liberal Studies Program; Patricia Gould, Jenene King, Christine Chew, Ivelisse Silva, Yvette Hunter are all attending Rutgers-Camden M.S.W. Program; Jenne Rollins attending Rutgers-Camden Public Policy Program; Marilus Pagan attending Seton Hall’s Speech Pathology Program; Rose Kupriana and Luis Massallo attending Rutgers Law School; Natesan Kalyanasundaram is attending the Rutgers- Camden Biology Program; Amrita Kaur has been admitted to both RW Johnson and UMDNJ Medical Schools. Bernadette Mahoney is a 1998 Rutgers-Camden M.S.W. graduate. Two students who were not funded but received EOF services were Kim Clark attending, UNC’s Ph.D. Program in Political Science, and Debra Ford who is attending Northwestern to obtain her Ph.D. in Psychology.
Congratulations to all of our students.
RUTH FULLER DIXON RETIRES
Dr. Ruth F. Dixon, tenured professor and Chair of the Academic Foundations Department, retired at the end of the fall 1998 semester. Dr. Dixon, who for many years directed the E.O.F. Program, came to Rutgers in 1971 after an already distinguished career in elementary, secondary, and adult education. Dr. Dixon was instrumental in stabilizing the program in its early stages and in supervising its growth and development. While doing this, she earned her doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, writing her dissertation on "Selected Personal, Social, Economic, and Academic Factors Related to Persistence and Non-Persistence of Disadvantaged Students." Her former students, staff, and friends at Rutgers wish her many happy years of retirement.
IN MEMORIUM
Mr. Jason D. Smith, a senior at Rutgers-Camden, died January 4 of a severe asthma attack. Entering Rutgers in the Summer 1995 EOF Program, Mr. Smith went on to major in English while working toward certification in the Education Department. He will be remembered not only for his academic achievements, but for the warmth and kindness which characterized his interpersonal relations. He will be sorely missed by his fellow students, the EOF staff, and the many others with whom he came in contact over the years. To his family and to his special friend, Sharon Johnson, we extend our deepest sympathy.
FINANCIAL AID REMINDER
| Renewal students, please remember your renewal Free Federal
Financial Aid Form must be completed by June 1, 1999 in order to receive
state aid (TAG and/or EOF). .However, the University
deadline is March 15, 1999 which assures that
students will hear about their aid before the term bill due date.
If you do not receive your renewal financial aid form, please contact your Financial Aid Counselor at 1-609-225-6039 or visit the offices in the lower level of Armitage Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
 |
| SCIENCE TUTORIAL |  |
Dr. Ronald Rahman will hold science tutorial sessions every Wednesday
207 Armitage Hall
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
beginning Wednesday, January 27, 1999.
Dr. Rahman is a M.D. and former Rutgers-Camden EOF student who is volunteering his time. Dr. Rahman is a practicing physician who has taught in medical school as well as at the collegiate level.
News from...
EOF STUDENTS
Jepheth White, Jeff as he is called, will graduate in May 1999 with a degree in computer graphics. Jeff has been involved in a number of activities while maintaining a better that average academic record. Jeff participated in basketball, cross country and track. He is also GAO Chair (Governing Association of Organizations), Student Ambassador, Residential Assistant (RA). He also appeared in a recruitment video sponsored by the Admissions Office. Jeff plans to work and attend graduate school in the fall.
Stephanie Barthelemy graduated in May 1998 with a BA degree in Urban Studies. She is currently the Staff Director at Project Retain in Philadelphia. Stephanie worked as the Director of PACE III at Rutgers-Camden EOF while also serving for several years as a Staff Assistant for the EOF Program. She currently holds the position of Secretary for the Rutgers-Camden EOF Advisory Board. Stephanie plans to enroll in graduate school in the fall.
BEYOND THE OFFICE
It has long been a goal of the EOF Program to be a part of the community. Therefore, staff are encouraged to participate in community activities. The following are a listing of our current activities:
Camden Centerville Simbas Youth Association
Camden Empowerment Zone Corporations
Olgatha Terry Flake Gibson Scholarship
Sports Teaching Adolescents Responsibility and Resiliency
Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity
Camden City Board of Education Curriculum Committee
Project Interaction
Diocese of New Jersey Commission on Anti-Racism
Diocese of New Jersey Commission on Ministry
Diocese of New Jersey Hispanic Ministry Commission
Diocese of New Jersey Hispanic Ministry Evaluation Committee
Parroquia San Andres, Camden, NJ (Consultant)
New Jersey Minority Educational Development Program (Consultant)
New Jersey Minority Educational Development Program, 100% Graduation Rate Program (Partner)
| Staff | |
| Lambert Blunt Jackson, Director | 609-225-6107 |
| Leland Butler, Assistant Director | 609-225-6107 |
| Nezzie Diggs, Secretarial Assistant | 609-225-6107 |
| Carol Hammond, Senior Counselor | 609-225-6257 |
| Jonathan Muse, Counselor | 609-225-6106 |
| Jose Robinson, Counselor | 609-225-6258 |
| Caroline Waters, Bilingual Counselor | 609-225-6258 |
EOF Making a difference for OVER 25 years. |
|
EOF ADVISORY BOARD
RE-FORMS
In November 1998 the Rutgers-Camden EOF Advisory Board was re-formed. The Board is made up of educators, religious leaders, medical personnel, attorneys and students. The Board’s charge is to serve as an advocate for the EOF Program and participate in activities which will have a bearing on the education of EOF students.
The Board members are:
Pamela Grayson Baltimore Family Counseling Service
Roderick Baltimore, Esq.
Stephanie Barthelemy Staff Director, Project Retain
Deanna Burney, Dr. Asst. Superintendent, Camden BOE
Leland Butler Assistant Director, RUCCAS EOF
Carol Hammond Senior Counselor, RUCCAS EOF
Fred Hunter Engineer, Remington & Vernick
Lambert B. Jackson, Ph.D. Director, RUCCAS EOF
J. A. Jones, Rev. Pastor, Nazarene Baptist Church
Susan Leggoe
Marion Proffitt, M.Ed. Asst. Superintendent, Camden BOE
Ronald Rahman, M.D.
Aaron Smith, Esq.
Lauren Smith Asst. Director, RUCCAS Undergrad Admissions
Barbara Sullivan Camden Board of Education
Edward Vernick Remington & Vernick Engineers
Floyd White, Rev.
Sherri Wolfinger Associate Director, RUCCAS Financial Aid
PACE
(Parent Adolescent Collaboration for Education)
PACE I & II are in the middle of their academic year program which includes ongoing academic and counseling endeavors. Both projects have been funded for the next two years by the State of New Jersey’s College Bound Program.
PACE III has completed its annual project and is seeking funding from Bell Atlantic Foundation for a three year initiative. This endeavor in conjunction with Remington & Vernick Engineering Firm will address the three major problems associated with Camden City, housing, economic development and the infrastructure. The project name will be "A City Invincible Re-Designed." Final results will be submitted to city officials in hopes of it becoming part of Camden’s rebirth.
EOF
For any comments, suggestions, problems, questions, etc., e-mail
tep@csac.rutgers.edu
Last updated: July 9,1999.
Copyright © 1997-1999 EOF Multi-Cultural Club
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1997-1999 Christopher C. Eleazar All rights reserved.
