States Schools... Ugh!

[i<3franciscans]

Anyone one else going to one?

 

Positives? Its cheap. Negatives? Everything else

 

Im really looking forward to transferring to Franciscan University.

[brandelynmarie]

Good ole Steubie U :). I loved that university...& it's been eons since I went there! ;)

[i<3franciscans]

I cant wait to get there! Only three semesters to go... if only they gave out more money. :/

[AnneLine]

^{I went to San Francisco State, and it wasn't so bad.... you just have to choose profs wisely.  One good way to cherry pick them is to look at the book lists for the classes.... often they will tell you a lot about the teacher.  And see if there is a Newman Center or other Catholic group affiliated with the school....}

 

^{And I selected 'World and Comparative Literature' as my major - let me read a lot of classics and philosophy as part of the undergrad general ed requirements.  You can make this work, F<3}

 

 

Edited December 4, 2013 by AnneLine

[Starets]

keep in mind with state schools also that it will be mostly grad students doing the actual teaching.

[brandelynmarie]

I spent one year at FUS & after a "sabbatical" went to the local branch (twig) of one of our state schools. Cheaper & it definitely have me the classes I needed for my career. :) That being said, I miss FUS with a passion. It's like a tiny Rome in Ohio!

[TheresaThoma]

Well I have less than 2 weeks left at my state school and I am glad to be getting out. There are some really awkward things that are sanctioned on the campus (queer sex ed event that includes a "toy" give away, anyone?).

On the plus side it is really cheap and I have managed to pay down my loans.

[AnneLine]

Yeah, I get it.  I know why people DON'T want to have to go to a public school.  It's a 'tough gig'.  Agreed.

 

But.... I think there is a witness value for Catholics to simply BE visible on a State campus.   Not always an easy task, but we get to bring Him to people who would never have experienced him any other way....

 

• The Chinese lady in my world literature class who had never read ANY Of the bible before, and was struggling with the King James version in a world lit class.   She liked the Catholic translation a whole lot more...
• The fellow-counseling student that I was with when we started hearing the tolling of the bells that marked the death of Pope John Paul II.   I looked up, and got kind of teary and said a quick silent prayer.  She looked at me and said, "do you know who that is for?"  "Yes, it means that Pope John Paul has just died."  "You feel that much of a connection with him?"  "Yes, I really do."  And I told her a little about why.  She had no idea what Catholics believe or why.... and God used me that day....
• Or the day I insisted that they NOT do a condom bowl during AIDS prevention week.... and got my request honored.
• The day I was one of two students in a class of 200 to take the side of the Pro Life debate in a biological anthropology class..... and while the debate was lost before it was ever started, the teacher made a point of saying to everyone that I had raised issues he had never heard raised before, and that I had him re-thinking some of what he had been told by the PP people..... and to my mind, THAT was worth what that hour cost me.... and I still pray for Dr. G.... because God can still reach him... and the others in that class.....
• The day I found out the chair of the Lit department had been in the seminary for many years, and he found out I had been in a convent... and we realized that we were doing the same work -- incognito Catholics in a foreign land.... and that we could help each other.  Yup.  Hm.   Small world....

 

Little things, yes, but you know.... didn't Jesus do little things too?   He didn't just go where he felt comfortable, He went out into the streets where the need was....

 

I don't feel the 'missionary' call very often, but I really felt called by God to go to school there........  yup.

 

And... frankly.... I'd rather be on a secular campus as a Catholic than a Catholic on a not-so-Catholic-campus that has a religious affiliation.   Anyone else ever tried that one?  I transferred out after 35 units.  THAT was too hard for me to take....

 

 

[AnneLine]

keep in mind with state schools also that it will be mostly grad students doing the actual teaching.

 

Depends a lot on the school, Staretz.   And may be on the state?

 

In California, we have 3 sets of higher education opportunities:  community college system, the California State colleges & university system, and the University of California system.  

 

The UC programs are notorious for people never meeting an actual professor, but you get the 'prestige' diploma.  Go figure.

 

The Community colleges focus on 2 year programs and remedial classes.... and retraining people for allied health, police and fire academy, computer classes, etc... You get good solid classes, and a good prep to transfer after 2 years, and/or a good solid prep for a career.

 

The State Colleges and Universities focus on teaching and teaching well, and MOST of the teachers are either full or tenure-track profs OR adjunct faculty that have a real specialization in the subject being taught.  I've had professors who were experts in their field.... and adjuncts who had a similar reputation.  For example, my intro to astronomy class was taught by the Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific... a world-renowned guy who was one of the best educators I have ever seen!   The chair of my program in the counseling school knew each and every one of us by name.... and we could just drop in and say hi or chew the fat with him.

 

Even most small liberal arts colleges won't have that kind of experience with their department chairs....certainly I never had that feeling the few semesters I attended a local Catholic college.

 

I think it just depends on the school and the program within the school......

[BG45]

 ^{And see if there is a Newman Center}

I just giggled out loud at this.  I never set foot in our Newman Center as a Baptist undergrad, nor did I have a desire to do so.  The priest there was at war with my dorm's residential director to the point where the priest made a point of smoking in the non-smoking areas outside the dorm, she tried to have the priest towed from his own driveway because it was within 20 feet of the dorm entrance (right across the street from it), and the two constantly exchanged swears.  Plus my Catholic roommate tried to get back into his faith once and scheduled Confession 5 times with the priest, before the priest actually showed up to keep the appointment, and then told him to "go get drunk, have fun, and stop worrying so much".

 

 

 

But.... I think there is a witness value for Catholics to simply BE visible on a State campus.  

I know Dr. N and Dr. N. were great silent witnesses as it were, who lived out their faith, even if they couldn't talk about it directly at length in my undergrad program.  It was funny really, all I heard about state schools were horror stories about how the "Atheists are going to try to get you to abandon God!".  First class?  Pentecostal minister.  Second class?  Baptist minister's wife.  Stats prof? Baptist minister.  Every Criminal Justice class I ever took? Catholics and Mormons.  The first time I've ever encountered the Atheist Proselytizing College Prof stereotype was while working in the doc program; most of the profs who were probably atheists elsewhere where I was in school just never brought religion up in a good or bad light.  

 

My students, for the most part, know I'm Catholic because of two things.  One is that some of them have seen me at Mass.  The other is that I use the liturgy as an example to compare to our federal court system.  "If you go to a Catholic Church, they use the liturgical style of worship, and you shouldn't need to understand the language in order to know what's going on in the Mass.  If I go to Mass here and go to Mass in California, there shouldn't be any surprises.  The Federal Courts are the same way.  No matter where in the U.S. or its territories you find yourself, you know the Federal Courts will operate the same way and that there shouldn't be any surprises.  Just like the Catholic Church has the GIRM to maintain its liturgical standards, the Federal Courts have very particular standards of conduct that are codified into law, and they have the Sentencing Guidelines they (sort of not now, it's been ruled to be mainly advisory) have to follow."

 

keep in mind with state schools also that it will be mostly grad students doing the actual teaching.

Having gone through state schools for almost three degrees now, I never once had a grad student teach one of my classes.  Now being the grad student doing teaching on the other hand...if we count next semester that'll be 10ish.

[ChristinaTherese]

I just giggled out loud at this.  I never set foot in our Newman Center as a Baptist undergrad, nor did I have a desire to do so.  The priest there was at war with my dorm's residential director to the point where the priest made a point of smoking in the non-smoking areas outside the dorm, she tried to have the priest towed from his own driveway because it was within 20 feet of the dorm entrance (right across the street from it), and the two constantly exchanged swears.  Plus my Catholic roommate tried to get back into his faith once and scheduled Confession 5 times with the priest, before the priest actually showed up to keep the appointment, and then told him to "go get drunk, have fun, and stop worrying so much".

On the other hand, there are some great Newman Centers. The one at the UW is run by Dominican priests, and a fair amount of people from my school go there. I've been going there for their RCIA classes (to learn more, not to seek any sacraments), and it's been good. ETA: And they're starting a diocesan young adult adoration and hang out and stuff night. I haven't gone to that, but I really want to.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Christina Thérèse

[AnneLine]

The Newman Centers can be really hit & miss.  After my horrible experience at the Catholic campus (where the residential assistants insisted there was nothing to be done about a roommate who not only wanted to have an opposite sex 'friend' spend the night on weekends but wanted my friend to VACATE THE ROOM so she could entertain them!) :doh: I stayed FAR away from the SFSU newman center.   Until the priest actually walked in the door and invited everyone to Ash Wed ash service who wanted to come.  And he did it in the middle of the quadrangle in front of the student union!    (And this year, one of the bishops came and did it there, I might add!!!!)   It wasn't a big group... but it was a lovely handful of people!   And we had some good talks, good potlucks... and prayed together.  It was WELL worth going to.  The Jewish Hillel program ran their program much the same way -- off campus, but with a lot of on-campus presence.

 

And there are regular bible studies to be had, run by the more bible-thumping protestant groups.

 

And a presence for Buddhist students, because that is appropriate to the population.

 

I have no problem with the various groups getting their time and space -- and it really is handled well.  There are even funds to be had for such things, if they are recognized 'campus approved' organizations.   (For things like refreshments.... and rooms available at a discount.  That kind of thing.)

 

In the years since I left, they moved the actual Newman 'center' to a parish near the campus and it has really taken off.  The 'Ecumenical Center' is the blanket organization for all the non-Catholic non-Jewish groups.... and mostly are known for social justice ministry and the best coffee to be had on campus!  ;)  (Again, at least when I was there... stuff can change....)

 

And my pet Dominicans have the equivalent to the Newman center at Stanford (apparently Newmans are ONLY for public universities!) ... and they got my old pastor this year!  I would expect some remarkable things to start happening down there.... he he he....

 

 

[CatherineM]

The only classes I had with grad students were chemistry labs. Great Newman Center. Owed $400 for a bachelors degree.

[i<3franciscans]

We don't have a Newman Center. My school is pretty small (2,000 kids) and this is the first year we have had dorms. There is a Bible club that meets, but I have not been able to find them yet. lol

 

We do have a My Little Pony Club however. I could literally smell their nerdiness as I walked by their club meeting. :P

[AnneLine]

Huh.  I don't know if there is anything to this group, but I found a reference to a PierLuigi Frassati organization that can help a group of catholic students get stuff started.  It's the Frassati Society!

 

Might be worth checking out.... because.... maybe that is why you are there I<3Franciscans... to get a Catholic group started!

 

http://www.frassatiusa.org

 

 

Anybody know anything about this program?  Is it a good program?   It certainly SOUNDS promising!!!!!

 

"How do I start a Frassati Society?"

 

Great question! One of the best ways to put Pier Giorgio's charism into action is to start a group in your area that imitates his example. Often, people wonder if there are regulations and costs and commitments involved in having a Frassati Society. The answers are no, no and no.  FrassatiUSA does not have a membership or any control over or any input into or any connection with the various Frassati groups – other than providing a resource for promoting their existence.  So, it is up to the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio.
 

Many groups have formed in the U.S. and abroad using a structure specific only to them and their members. Links to some of them can be found on this website as well as on the Frassati and Friends blog.  I recommend visiting the websites and Facebook pages of some of the groups that are out there.

Some very general tips or suggestions for your Frassati Society are:
1) Always begin with prayer and make it your foundation and protection. When Pier Giorgio formed his "Tipi Loschi Society" (which we can say was the original Frassati Society!) his central desire was that the group would always be connected in prayer and be a source of spiritual support for one another even when they were apart. Although they often engaged in practical jokes and spent time climbing mountains and going on outings, faith was the real rock that bound them together. It should be the same with your group.

2) Take time to read the books about Pier Giorgio and discuss them and get a good feel for his particular way of imitating Christ. Pier Giorgio was a man of many activities and devotions. Think about how your group feels called to follow his example. In addition to other things, considering joining The Pact and practicing the daily act of prayer and charity.

3) Try to strike a balance with your activities (social, cultural, outdoor, political, spiritual, service, etc.) Keep it simple and try not to be a group that takes on too much or asks too much of its members. The idea is to cultivate a camaraderie that stems from the spirit of Pier Giorgio.
 

4) Frassati will draw a wide variety of people to your activities. Stay open minded and expect new friendships to begin. Try to get as many people involved as possible. If you are a leader, delegate, delegate, delegate!

5) If you can have a priest or spiritual director involved with your group to stay on track and in line with Church teaching, it will be a big plus. 

Years ago, we started a Frassati Society at my parish aimed at serving young adults, single or married, interested in growing in Faith, fellowship and friendship.  Having it under the patronage of Pier Giorgio is what made it work.  We focused on living the Beatitudes, as he did.  We met on Wednesday evenings and had a four-week cycle of spiritual, service, catechetical and social.  The group thrived because we also had a wonderful priest who led us – who was the one, in fact, who asked me to help him begin a group for that age range (20s and 30s).
 

I have found that every group has its own charism which guides its formation but Pier Giorgio provides a universal appeal.   Men love him because he was manly.  Women love him because he was manly.  :)   Well, let's be honest,  it doesn’t hurt that he was so attractive, athletic, had a sense of humor, came from a very wealthy background, etc.!  Regardless of what draws you to form some sort of a Frassati group, the ultimate goal is that it will rouse its members to shake off mediocrity and what the world offers and climb to the spiritual heights with Pier Giorgio.     Verso l'alto!                 

 ///cmw