Vermont Trip Essays - 9, Roommate, , Term Papers

Vermont Trip VERMONT TRIP: On behalf of myself, and many other students, I would like to formally address the Drug and Alcohol problem that accompanied the 1999-2000 school year Vermont trip. Many times I have heard stories about the ?infamous? Vermont Ski trip, and the many illegal things that have occurred consistently throughout the years. To the best of my knowledge this behavior was ignored, overlooked, and typical of this trip. So in believing that this kind of ?partying? was habitual, I decided to participate along with several others who had attended past trips. At first I was hesitant in bringing anything, but after a couple of conversations with certain individuals, I was convinced that it would be all right to do so without any punishment being enforced. Thus brought me to obtaining the ?single? bottle I was bringing for a friend ,and I to consume with others, along with the other alcoholic beverages brought on the trip by my peers. This brings us to the time of departure for Vermont, on Thursday March 17, 2000. At approximately 11:50 PM I arrived to load the bus. At a little after 12:00 AM we left the Holley High School for Vermont, without ?A BAG CHECK? by any of the seven chaperones. After a ten hour drive we arrived at our destination, Stowe Ski Resort. At around 4:30 PM we loaded the bus to go to the Courtyard By Marriot, the hotel in which we would be staying at for the remainder of the trip. Following our arrival we were given the room assignments, we then unpacked our bags quickly, and my roommates and I hid the alcohol that we each brought under our beds. After that a majority of us students went to the pool, and jacuzzi for a swim before our expected 7:00 PM dinner time. Dinner lasted for about a half an hour, to forty-five minutes, and soon after I then again went to the pool with a couple of people for another swim. Around 8:30 PM I returned upstairs to a friends room, where I then received a phone call from one of my roommates asking me if I planned on returning to our room to ?drink.? I answered hesitantly, but after a little debating I decided to go back to my room. At that moment I only returned ,to change out of my swim clothes, before I headed back to the friends room. While I was in my room changing I was asked by two of my roommates to compare their drinks, and decipher which was better. This then proves that the alcohol, both mine, and my roommates, had already been out and consumed long before I first returned. After that, I went to my friends room and we both then returned to my room at about 9:00pm. Upon arrival we had found six other people in my room already there for one purpose. I then proceeded to ask one of my roommates where the bottles were, he then replied ?in the liquor cabinet,? sure enough there I found all the alcohol moved from under the beds where I last knew it to be, into the place where I was storing my clothes. At that moment I removed ?the bottle? from the cabinet to pass around to my friends. First I had opened the bottle so that everyone could smell the Butter Scotch aroma. After passing it around to all eight people including myself., we then all took ?one baby sip? from the bottle. A few moments after that most of the people in my room decided to go take a swim. Then three female students left to go change into their swimming attire, leaving my friend, three of my roommates, and myself in the room. At this point the bottle had been sealed for a couple of minutes. I was then listening to one of my roommates tell a story, while the other two changed. During this short period of time there was a knock on the door, and Mr. Orbaker who was the ski trip advisor, walked into the room to see me holding the bottle in my hands. After I got done listening to my roommates story I then noticed Mr. Orbaker standing in the hallway staring at me. He then motioned for me to walk over to him, as I did he signaled for the bottle, grabbed the liquor and proceeded to say? way to be

Stigma, Stigmas, and Stigmata

Stigma, Stigmas, and Stigmata Stigma, Stigmas, and Stigmata Stigma, Stigmas, and Stigmata By Maeve Maddox Another term associated with religious practice, but often used in other contexts, is stigma. The word has two plural forms: stigmas and stigmata. Stigma derives from Greek and Latin words for the type of mark made by burning, like the brand placed on a slave, or by cutting. The word’s figurative meaning is â€Å"mark of censure or infamy.† The plural stigmata appears in a line at the end of Saint Pauls Letter to the Galatians. Paul says he â€Å"bears Christ’s stigmata in his body† (stigmata Domini Iesu in corpore meo porto). Paul is playing on different meanings of the word stigma. On the one hand, he is contrasting the marks and scars he has received by preaching Christianity as the valid equivalent of the mark/stigma of circumcision, which some Jewish Christians of his time insisted should be required of converted Gentiles. He is also using the word in the sense of the identifying mark of a slave, implying that he belongs to Christ, as a slave belongs to his master. In modern religious usage, the Latin plural stigmata refers specifically to marks on the body that mimic the five wounds of Christ: nail holes in the hands/wrists and feet, and a wound in the side. Some reported stigmata include pain and marks around the head (from the crown of thorns) and on the back (from scourging). The first documented stigmatic (person who exhibits Christ’s stigmata) was Francis of Assisi: The  saints  right side is described as bearing on open wound which looked as if made by a lance, while through his hands and feet were black nails of flesh, the points of which were bent backward.- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.   A stigmatic who lived in the twentieth century and was studied by contemporary physicians was Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968). The figurative use of stigma is popular in the media to refer to the disapprobation displayed toward certain members of society or to characteristics felt to be socially disreputable. Used in this sense, the usual plural is stigmas. Here are some examples of this use of stigma: Now, in the 21st century, we still have a situation where the words â€Å"mental illness† have negative connotations, leading to stigma surrounding anyone diagnosed with mental illness. In 1936, a bill was passed that made Texas the first state in the southwest to legally remove the  stigma of illegitimacy  from birth records. It is important to understand stigma in India, given its varied culture and mixture of rural and urban populations. The verb is to stigmatize: Afflicted individuals and racial or national groups  have been stigmatized  because of perceptions about highly contagious, difficult-to-cure diseases. [This book] is a great overview of how romance novels (and their readers)  have been stigmatized  for centuries. How Singles Are Stereotyped,  Stigmatized, and Ignored An error in the use of stigma is the redundancy of following it with the word mark: There is a stigma mark attached to being Aboriginal. I would think that if anyone needs a stigma mark, it is them. Note: The noun stigma has other meanings in scientific contexts. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'ts45 Synonyms for â€Å"Old† and â€Å"Old-Fashioned†The 7 Types of Possessive Case

The Kansas-Nebraska Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Kansas-Nebraska Act - Essay Example There was a divided interest at this point as there was also strong consideration of territorial implications. Stephen A. Douglas, the proponent of this proposed bill, was highlighting national expansion, but the people were most concerned on the extension of slavery. The Kansas-Nebraska Act is therefore a highly political issue that sparked interest among the people and their rights to express their freedom to take stand concerning the issue. This policy certainly affected the Midwest because it divided the consensus stand on the idea behind national expansion. Instead, people were directed to focus on the critical issue about the extension of slavery. Prior to this, there was already a strong desire to eliminate slavery as clearly stated in Lincoln’s â€Å"House Divided† speech (PBS; Wikipedia). In the absence of consensus effort to be united on one stand, division should be remarkable and this was what Lincoln tried to emphasise in his speech concerning the issue ass ociated with Kansas-Nebraska Act. Lincoln’s â€Å"House Divided† speech Lincoln’s speech was an awakening point which could give further justification needed to obtain national solidarity that was threatened by political elements at that time. In order to make his points clearer, Lincoln tried to reference three of most controversial major governmental policies that for him if the people would not be united, particularly the governing body, there would be disunity and separation of popular interest diverted to personal and not to national assurance. Lincoln tried to emphasize national territory as a primary concern for the alignment of political goal of the nation. At this point, he urged the law-making body as far as legal combination was concerned, and so he believed â€Å"a house divided against itself cannot stand.† He was on the side revealing the point that a government could not remain to stand strong half slave and half free. In line with this, he cited the case of Kansas-Nebraska Act and other major governmental policies that gained popular protests and reactions. So there is therefore a good structure on Lincoln’s speech, which elaborates the need to take stand based on the prevailing reality. Lincoln emphasized the need to consider alarming output of some major governmental policies, which has become the strong basis of his stand to point out the Government could not just eventually take center stage but should need to understand solidarity for national expansion or growth. This makes Lincoln’s speech highly organized with appropriate point and structure, trying to combine persuasive manner in addressing a particular issue. Charles Beecher’s sermon, elements of rhetoric or style Obviously, Beecher’s way of addressing the issue on national policies on slavery was an expansion of text coming from the bible. He remarkably gained his authority and strong voice on the issue with reference to some bi blical text. As part of the development of his sermon, the focus of his application on the chosen biblical text was his own interpretation and stand on the national policies on slavery. This made a powerful combination of obtaining voice and authority in his sermon considering that there could be much more appreciation already placed on the actual issue and on the biblical text. Beecher’s sermon therefore has a specific voice trying to influence popular interest as it was timely and created a specific

Employee Assistance Programs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Employee Assistance Programs - Essay Example Employee Assistance Programs can be categorized into five types which can be referred to as full service, peer-assisted, integrated, compliance, and wrap-around versions. A Full-Service EAP, as the term implies, provides a wide array of programs that are internally staffed, well-financed and entails a management support system. It likely provides on-site counseling services and takes a proactive role in managing critical employment issues such as debriefing the staff following unforeseen incidents and preparing the staff both economically and psychologically prior to changes in their job status which could include coping with a planned layoffs due to corporate downsizing. Full-service EAP’s constantly review the employee’s needs at a particular company and develop services to meet the demands. As a result, many programs include disability, financial, legal and sexually transmitted disease counseling in addition to child and elderly parent care assistance for employees. The program is managed by an outside firm such as Value Behavioral Health or Ceridian which performs these services and offers many types of employee assistance packages. Though the full-service programs are a costly up-front expense for the employer, currently in the $50 per-employee per-year range, the long-term savings resulting from a full-service EAP makes it a sound investment for the future. Peer-assisted Peer-assisted EAP’s often are implemented for employees that do not have access to a formal EAP service.

Animal testing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Animal testing - Essay Example According to Matthew Scully in his work ‘Dominion’, it is clearly shown that people should employ the principles of mercy on all living things. This principle gives guidelines on why and how humans should not at any point inflict pain or suffering on them except for protection. This is because animals and humans cannot be compared because the animals are unequal and powerless when compared to men. For this reason, they should be treated with kindness and avoid inflicting pain on them. According to science, human beings evolved from other animals and should not claim to have dominion over them. It is not right because evolution forces have it clearly indicated that people lack an innate-historical claim to dominion. Therefore, the history of human beings cannot be considered innately superior since all humans evolved from different animals. In addition, it is essential to realize that animals have their lives that are independent and should not be used as servants of

Internal and External Analysis of Volvo

Internal and External Analysis of Volvo The macro and micro environmental factors 1) Outline and discuss the macro and micro environmental factors that are influencing Volvos strategy? The micro environment is which explains the internal environment of the company and which tells the position of the company in all the terms of the business and hence this gives an idea of the current position of the company. Micro environment: The Volvo name is 90 years old and has become a Swedish international icon. In the year 1999, Volvo a Sweden based company is sold to Ford motor company, but Volvo maintained independency but benefited from the shared research and development and also the buying power. Volvo employs 27,500 employees. Volvo has its company in 120 countries. And has wide network and distribution of its product ranges to different parts in the world. Volvo sells its products through 2400 dealers worldwide. Volvos main mission is safety, and also invests huge money in Research and development in Safety. Safety in driving has a major role to play in automotive, as majority of the customers priority is safety. Volvo sold 14 million cars in its life time, the figure shows success of the Volvo cars and also how Volvo has retained its position in the market in long run. Volvo is the strongest brand of FORD motors. Volvo is the major contribution to the success of Ford Motors. Volvo has asset oriented advertis ing. The main asset of Volvo is Safety, and hence its advertising campaign is also based on its core competence or asset safety. Volvo being a subsidiary of FORD enjoys a shared Research and development programs. This is very beneficial and cost effective for Volvo, as being a part of the giant automotive group, Volvo can share the cost involved in Research and Development program. Hence this can be one of the key advantages for Volvo to be cost effective. Volvo is also popular for its innovations in the car industry which developed and produced different ranges of cars and hence Volvo has made large profits to FORD motors. The core positioning strategy of Volvo is the Safety and longevity. In order to compete with the luxury brands of Toyota and Lexus, Volvo produced the premier cars which are symbol of luxury. Volvo brand was primary key aspects are Big estate cars, and Safety. Hence Volvo is the symbol of safety and innovations which helped the FORD financially. Macro environment: The macro environment gives the clear picture of the changes in the external environment and how these changes in the external environment have an effect on the performance of the company. The macro environmental factors include Political, Economic, social, technological, environmental, legal factors, which are lose but external to the society. Political factors: There has been an increased regulation on the car industry and also automotive industry is facing a huge taxation on trade. Economic factors There is rise in the fuel prices, and this economic factor has hit the automotive industry fiercely and leads to reduce the performance of the company. Due to this rise in the prices of the oil, most of the customers have started choosing fuel-efficient cars, which has reduced the demand for luxury cars in the market. Social factors: The major problems Volvo is facing is shift in the consumers preferences from a luxury, large engine cars with huge carbon emission to a fuel-efficient, and small cars, due to many reasons like rise in the prices of oil, and also governments are providing tax incentive to those who buy fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars and other incentives include free parking and road tolls. This shift in the consumers preferences which is a Social factor has downturn the performance of the company. There is also Volvo much emphasis on family sector but in Europe there is decline in the number of families. Hence Volvo market segmentation is wrong and may not be useful for sales growth. Technological factors: Toyota has occupied a major share in the market, with the adaptation and implementation of new and advanced technology into its product strategy, and hence has met the needs of their changing environment with fuel-efficient cars with low carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This technological change of the external environment of including many advanced features into the product was not adapted by Volvo. Volvo has advanced only in safety but did not understand the need for the other features of the product which have become the center of attraction in the market, and those advanced features are fuel efficient, eco-friendly, etc. Environmental factors: Due to the emission of large carbon from the big size cars increased the pollution and hence have caused many problems like polluting air, etc. Legal factors: New laws on the protection of the environment have started rallying and this has hit the whole automotive industries. Due to these environmental protection acts and Clean air Act, which was passed by the legislation, brought about a changes in the preferences and shift the needs and hence as discussed above choosing for eco-friendly cars. Volvo asset was and is also is only Safety, but the external challenges are seeking for more reliable, eco-friendly, fuel-efficient cars as the government is putting heavy taxes on the large cars, who emit large carbon into the atmosphere, and more over the governments are proving more tax incentives for those who choose fuel efficient cars, like free road tolls and parking etc. Volvo has introduced flexi-fuel cars but they did not show a good sign on the profits of the company. 2) Conduct a SWOT analysis on Volvo cars. Strengths: Safety of both the environment and driving is the main strength of the Volvo cars, and hence the Governments policies on safety in driving will not have much influence on the performance of Volvo. Volvo has a reputation for big estate cars and last for long periods of time. Goteberg safety center which is a world renowned, and hence after the acquisition, Volvo has introduced ten new models for its customers, and hence earned more profits for FORD. Volvo has 2400 dealers worldwide and has its presence in 120 countries of the world. Huge investments in safety research and development programs. Volvo is a wholly owned subsidiary of ford motor company which is a world famous company and this helps the Volvo can draw synergies of technical innovations and improvements for its parent company. And also the buying power. 90 years of brand heritage, where Volvo has gained much expertise in manufacturing a car which is very safe in driving and this is the core-competence which has played a vital role which has brought glorious years to Volvos brand. Weakness: No change management programs in its product strategy. There has been no innovations and improvements in the product, improvements like fuel-efficient, best performance, etc, which is quite important for Volvo to meet the intense competition. There is a decline in the sales of the Volvos bi-fuel cars. Cannot meet the customer requirement of fuel-efficient cars. Even though the prospective customers of Volvo are shifting their interests from the big engine cars to fuel-efficient cars, Volvo still stress only on the safety in their mission statement, where its core positioning strategy to face the present changed perceptions of the consumers and external environments demands should be fuel-efficient and reliable cars. Moreover the mission statement aims at providing safest and more exciting car experience for modern families, the brand concentrating on the family sector. But in Europe there is decline in the number of families and many couple is opting to be childless, hence this mission of Volvo would badly hit its performance in future. Most of the market for Volvo is in US and Sweden and consequently it is open to irregular economic and political circumstances of those markets. Volvos most of the production is from the Belgium and hence, the cars produced in Sweden is very expensive for the US consumers. This is due to the less facilities of production of Volvo cars in US. Volvos flexi-fuel cars only in certain geographic markets. Opportunities: There is a hope for further growth for the business due to new business in china and India, with a forecast of sales in china of 10,000 a year. The penetration into new markets has an opportunity for improvement in the performance of the company. Threats: Has the Volvo only concentrates on the Safety in its product design, and ignoring on the other aspects like eco-friendly and fuel efficient cars (Toyota Lexus), performance, styling, reliability, handling and value for money, which are all vitally important. Low restriction on imports and trade will increase the competition from the Japanese companies in the Asia pacific regions. Volvos safety may not have any importance as safety is integrated by almost all the car manufacturers. Hence safety which is the main asset for Volvo has no role to play for the improved performance of the company. 3) Outline the strategic options available to Volvo cars, recommending what you believe to be the best option available, give reasons for your answer? The main problem Volvo cars is facing is the external pressures and changing perceptions and requirements of its customers. Volvo who strategy of Safety was very popular during 1990s but with the changing needs of its customers and external environmental factors, the strategy of Volvo did not change hence Volvo has faced such a downturn in its sales during the period of 2004 to 2006. The external challenges are demanding for a more reliable, fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars, which Toyota have understood the need of its customers and hence have concentrated heavily on fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars, and therefore have become the world largest and most successful car manufacturer. Moreover, most of the car manufactures have integrated safety into their product design and hence safety, key element or the core positioning strategy can no more help Volvo to retain its position in this fierce competition. To outline the strategies for the Volvo cars Ansoff product/ market grid (Ansoff, 1957). This model would help the business identify the strategy that gives business the way to grow their business. The four strategies proposed by the Ansoff let us find which would help the Volvo cars to improve their business. This model helps to identify what have to be marketed and at what time and risk involved in marketing these products. The alternatives available to the Volvo cars are: Price strategy, as the cars of Volvo is unaffordable for the common man and hence has to introduce such a model of car for the middle class people. This is the market penetration strategy where with the same product and same market the company has to reduce the cost and hence in turn can reduce the price of its products compared to its competitors. Market development strategy, where the same product is sold in different markets. Product development strategy, where a new product is developed and is sold in the current and existing markets, extensions in the product features which make it different from its competitors and this can also be called as product differentiation. Diversification strategy is one where the new product is sold in new markets, but this is more risky then the market penetration. Let us find which will be best strategy for Volvo cars from the available alternatives from the Ansoff matrix. Market penetration strategy, this strategy of selling its same products in the same market, for lower price by reducing the costs may not be useful for Volvo cars, this is because challenges Volvo is facing is the price rises of complimentary goods and environmental protections laws, which have changed the preferences of its customers from large engine luxury cars to the fuel-efficient cars because of government taxation policies, etc. hence , reducing the price of the cars will not be the best solution to face the challenge. Market development strategy, If Volvo adopts this strategy may not succeed as most of the current markets of Volvo is the developed countries and hence the consumers are in position of afford to buy a premium car. But, if Volvo looks for a market in developing and under developed countries, there is much risk factors involved for the growth of the industry. Diversified strategy will not have a positive effect on the growth of the business as this is risky, and Volvo which is facing a huge performance crisis should not be risk taker but should be risk averter. Product development strategy, this might be the best strategy for Volvo, as in this strategy there is product development according to the changing trends and requirements and hence this would help the Volvo for growth, if it produces cars not only safety and reliability its cars, but integrating safety, fuel-efficient, styling, performance and this leads to differentiation among the players in the industry. If the company integrates all the requirements of the demands of its customers, would automatically increase sales and will enjoy a rapid growth for the business. Volvo being the wholly owned subsidiary of Ford motors enjoys shared research and development. Therefore an investment for further product development is easy and hence it can meet the requirements of the customers. There are Volvos flexi-fuel cars which distributes only to certain geographical areas, and hence Volvo should even have to perform certain product development programs and innovations in these flexi-fuel car s and there should make improvements in distribution networks for these cars so that they are available to all the 120 countries, where Volvo has its network. The reasons for choosing the product development strategy as the best alternative for Volvo cars is, because product development is the only alternative which meets the target customers (especially Volvos target segment of last 15 years) needs and this is the only possible solution to withstand with the challenges Volvo is facing, and Volvo should also consider the some of the aspects like the competitors of Volvo has already met the needs of the customers who are seeking fuel-efficient cars, and hence Volvo have to integrate all the aspects like safety, performance, reliability, fuel-efficient, with low carbon emissions and comfort to compete with their competitors, as Volvo is already reputed for safety and reliability, Volvo has to some other elects in list of product design to provide a best alternative for its customers. Volvos introduction of Flexi-fuel cars to reduce the sales shrink as the customers are moving to fuel-efficient cars shows a positive sign in its performance in the future. Future Product development programs also helps Volvo to achieve its programs like Volvo 2020, where it is trying to differentiate itself on two factors safety of both the environment and driving. Volvo should conduct a budgetary process on the available resources as product development process requires an excess investments into many aspects like research and developments and raw materials and advertising campaigns. REFERENCES: www.volvocars.com WWW.MINTEL.COM Kiley, D (2004), Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World,N.J. John Wiley Sons, Inc. (US). West, P (2000) Organizational Learning in the Automotive Sector, Routledge. Wilson, R. M. S.; Gilligan, C (2005) Strategic Marketing Management: Planning, Implementation and Control 3Rd Ed., London Elsevier. Wilson, A (2002) TheMarketingAuditHandbook: Tools, Techniques Checklists to Exploit Your MarketingResources,CT Koran. Pickett, K. H. Spencer.; Pickett, Jennifer M.(2003)The Internal Auditing Handbook,NJ John Wiley Sons, Ltd. (UK).

career goal :: essays research papers

It has been my craving in every aspect of life to do things differently, chart my own path and tread in to uncharted territory. Nine years back, this what made me join a course in bachelor of marine engineering at MERI, the only institute in India exclusively offering such a course. Idea of venturing in to high sees, braving the storms with only handful of resources and almost completely cut off from out side world made adrenaline pumping in to my veins. All this along with opportunity to get exposure to highly sophisticated systems on board ships, which was fodder for my technical bent of mind seemed perfect for my adventure seeking personality. Through out my career progression I have made such decisions like joining LNG shipping pool of my company and seeking extra professional qualification of eligibility to sail on diesel engine driven as well as turbine driven ships Looking back after nine years, I could not feel more assured that at that time, I made the right choice. My unusual combination of experiences sets me worlds apart from not only a normal engineer but also from a marine engineer at similar position. Working for a big shipping company, exclusively on international assignments in high tech, capital intensive and rising LNG industry is the kind of job I had envisioned at the time of finishing my graduation. I could not have come here without that choice I made back then. As suited to my challenge seeking nature I foresee my own career moving in the direction of handling higher responsibilities in the core business, initially from an advisory perspective (i.e. consulting) and ultimately from a leadership role within a manufacturing entity, preferably a start-up venture. With Asia, especially India rising on global corporate battlefield I want to be where global language and intercultural/personal skills make the difference, where technological know-how supports innovative ideas. This is where I can make my best contribution. In short, I want to be where the action and the challenges are. Thus the reasons why I want to go back to university and do a MBA to get myself a thorough business background to understand not only my career experiences but other students as well and put them in to business context and have a holistic view of the organization. The knowledge I will gain should help facilitate a career change. After extensive work in high tech LNG shipping industry, I want to transfer to shore based industry.