#technically the program is in both physics and astronomy but most of the classes and my research are more astrophysics/astronomy aligned :)

[kokoasci]

Out of curiosity, what are you doing your phd in?(if you’re comfortable sharing)

i'll be pursuing a phd in astrophysics!

[mirastudiesphysics]

Hi

I am going uni this year and I am planning to major in Physics and minor in Astronomy. I've always been fascinated by stars and the Universe but I never got to learn it deeply. Do you have any advice for me?

I can ramble quite a bit about advice, so I'll do my best to organize this in a way that makes sense. And of course note that this is from my personal experience, so feel free to ignore something if it doesn't appeal to you. (I'm writing this as a physics grad student based in the US studying cosmology.)

A major in physics is more malleable than pure astronomy, and there are a few route that you can explore further, depending on what you find interesting. The following few points don't include any specific things to do, but it will be good to keep mind as you go through your classes.

Theory: Do you love the mathematical side of physics? Do you love working through proofs, and using the tools of math in creative ways? Theory is one route with most things in physics, and typically requires grad school, and staying in academia to research. Theory is held up to high standards and so is rarely funded with few positions.

Experimental: Do you enjoy the technical side of things, like building your experiments in labs or using a telescope? Experimental physics and astronomy is very hands-on, and this has both academic and technical routes after college.

Computational: Do you like programming? In physics and especially astronomy you need computers to analyze the data that you are taking in bulk. There's a lot of data science in both areas, and is good to learn if you'd like to go into industry instead of staying in academia. (Academia in physics is awful for learning technical computing skills, but there are ways to get there, one of which I accidentally stumbled onto.)

I can go into general advice for the classes you'll likely be taking. A simple search online can give you an overwhelming amount of tips, but I'll try to condense the ones I felt were most helpful here.

Ask for help when you need it! Whether this is working with your classmates, getting tutoring, or going to professor's office hours, don't feel obligated to bash your head against the wall when you are stuck. While it is a skill to take the time to understand something, your time is also valuable, and you will benefit from learning from others.

Practice. Typically in undergrad, doing homework sets is the best way to get practice learning new material. I'd suggest finding more problems if you feel you still need more practice, and working through those problems with others as mentioned above to get a better handle on the topic.

Find ways to get involved in your department. I hate to say networking because it's an annoying buzzword, but it's still important. See if you can find a job in the department, like tutoring, or if you're lucky like I was, your school may have a campus observatory for you to get hands-on experience with. Otherwise, take on rolls in any physics club, like Society of Physics Students or something similar. This way you can get to know the older students, and show that you're active in the department.

Keep a lookout for research opportunities and/or internships. This is how you 1) explore your interests and 2) get experience for your goals after you graduate. Usually you need some letters of recommendation, which you can ask from professors that know you (best option) or other managers if you have a job.

If linear algebra and differential equations are offered, take them! They should be required, but if not, make room for them.

Asa general note, keep track of your general well-being when you're studying physics and astronomy. It's not an easy topic, but it's a matter of hard work rather than pure talent. If you feel lost, it's okay. Everyone feels that eventually, and it's usually at different points of time. Have faith that you can learn the material, either now or later when you have had more time to digest it.

In any case, I hope this helps, and I hope you have fun!

[carolxdanvers]

We need to talk about accessibility y'all

California's laws give businesses a vested interest in making DAMN sure they follow the ADA to the letter. Any disabled person who encounters an ADA violation can sue and be guaranteed a minimum of $4,000.

Which means that California is one of the most ADA compliant states in the USA, because NOT being ADA compliant can cost you a pretty penny.

I went out to California last week to visit the campuses that accepted me. I went to visit my dream school, my top choice, the one I had been accepted to and had already submitted my intent to enroll and a non-refundable $100 fee.

The school was (mostly) accessible. Technically nothing that I encountered violated the ADA, both at the campus and in the city.

But TECHNICALLY not violating the ADA is not the same as being accessible. I had to wait several minutes for a tiny service elevator to come take me down into the student center. I couldn't access the observatory because the floor it was on is stair-access only. The ramp to one accessible door was too steep for manual wheelchairs, so the "real" accessible entrance was around back. The dorms are listed as wheelchair accessible, but two of the dorm buildings have cubicle showers with little room for a shower chair. Multiple buildings have directories to let you know that wheelchair accessible bathrooms are only available on the second and fifth floors.

As for the city, the public transit is wheelchair accessible... But good luck getting on the train without being hit by a car, and good luck getting on the bus, and good luck going down the sidewalk. Shops and restaurants are tiny, so it's a joke to consider getting a wheelchair inside one.

I was accepted to my dream school for my dream program, and I had to rescind my intent to enroll. Now I'm going to be attending a more accessible school in a more spread-out area, and the degree program is... Not what I wanted. I wanted to study astronomy. I had been accepted to study physics with an astrophysics concentration, the majority of my classes (outside of generic physics and calculus) were going to be astronomy and astrophysics classes. Now I am getting a vanilla physics degree.

I had to withdraw from my dream school because it wasn't accessible.

And it was better than most.

This isn't okay. It's not okay that people are getting shut out of higher education because they can't take a quick piss break in class without missing 10 minutes. It's not okay that the observatory, which I would have needed to access as an astrophysics student, was completely inaccessible to me. It's not okay that I had to give up my dream—an academic dream! A dream about math and stars, not dancing!— because I'm a cripple.

[jupitermelichios]

DC: The High-School AU: The Series: The Staff (the musical)

So I finally cast the school staff and teachers for my DC High School AU, which I thought some of you would have some fun with! I took the subject list from a fairly fancy looking private school, because only schools you have to pay for have their subject lists online, so I’m probably offering way more classes than your average state school, but hey, it’s my AU and I wanted to cram in as many supervillains, obscure heroes, and bad jokes as possible.

Admin & Staff

Principle - Amanda Waller

Deputy Principle & Treasurer - Noah Kuttler (the Calculator)

Nurse - Myra Mason (she was Dr Midnite’s nurse and love interest in the 40s & 50s, then got fridged, but I’m unfridging her and giving her a job with much better survival prospects)

Councillor - Ethel Peabody (she’s a psychiatrist from the Gotham TV show, and also in my headcanon, Amanda Waller’s sister)

Librarian - Stanislaus Johns (The Librarian. I considered bookworm for this job but he’s literally called the Librarian, what was I supposed to do, not use him?)

Admin Staff - Laura Conway (Superman supporting cast and occaisional vampire), Mabel Martin (Riddler’s secretary), Theresa Collins (Goldstar, also Booster Gold’s secretary)

Business

Loren Jupiter (aka Mr Jupiter the richest and therefore most thrustworthy man in the world) - Business 101, Business Law, Entrepreneurship

Wesley Dodds (Sandman) - Business Communications

Annabeth Chamberlain (Brimstone) - Marketing, Hospitality & Tourism (she doesn’t work in tourism, but I figure anyone who can waitress while also having the power to set people on fire and damn them to hell and keeps her job probably knows a whole lot about customer service)

Family & Consumer Science

Miss Tribb (Lobo’s childhood teacher who inexplicably survived the extinction of their species) - Childhood Developement, Early Childhood Education

Neil Richards (The Mad Mod) - Texiles/Sewing, Fashion

Tenzil Kem (Matter-Eater Lad) - Food & Nutrition

Finance

Noah Kuttler (The Calculator) - Personal Finance

Foreign Languages

Matron Bertinelli (Nu52 Huntress, who I’m declaring a sepperate character and the aunt of pre-52 Huntress because they’re radically different characters and I like both of them) - ASL, Italian

Chang Jie-Ru (Nu52 Yo-Yo) - Chinese, AP Chinese

Yolanda Montez (Wildcat II) - Spanish, AP Spanish

Barbara Minerva (Cheetah) - Latin

Health Sciences

Myra Mason - Emergency Medical Responder training

Charles McNider (Dr Midnite) - Anatomy & Physiology, Health Class

IT

Brian Durlin (Savant) - Computer Programming, Web Dev

Jennifer Lyn-Hayden (Jade) - Digital Art 101

Arnold Wesker (Ventriloquist) - 3D Animation, 3D Graphics (I don’t know why but the idea of Wesker as an animator just tickled me. Obviously his real passion is stop-motion, but he learnt 3D because there were more jobs)

English (the fancy private school called this ‘language arts’ which is so prentious it makes me feel slightly nauseous)

Wesley Dodds (Sandman) - English Language, AP English Language

Rac Shade (Shade the Changing Man) - English Literature, AP English Literature

Chloe Sullivan (the worst character in the Smallville TV show, a hotly contested position) - English Language, Communications 101, supervises the School Paper and the Yearbook

Shelly Gaynore (The Whip III) - Englist Literature, Creative Writing

Basil Karlo (Clayface) - Intro to Shakespeare

Nick Scratch (officially his supervillain name is just Scratch, but I refuse to consider that a code-name, looking at you Drake) - Communications 102: Public Speaking

Mathematics (which has a 100% villain make-up, which seems accurate from what I remember of high-school maths)

Noah Kuttler (The Calculator, because I think I’m funny) - Pre-Calc, Calculus, AP Calculus

Harlan Graves (The Underbroker) - Stats, Algebra 1, Algebra 2

Angelo Bend (Angle Man, becuase I know I’m funny) - Geometry, Trigonometry

PE (I realise this is probably too many PE teachers but there are a lot more caonical althetes than just about any other job in the DCU except maybe scientist)

Lawrence Crock (Sportsmaster, you knew this was coming) - Gym, Weight Training, coaches Baseball, Basketball, Tennis & Hockey

Lisa Snart (Golden Glider) - joint-coaches Cheerleading, coaches the Drill Team, Wrestling

Randy Hanrahan (Stallion) - PE, joint-coaches Cheerleading & Cross-Country, coaches Football

William Everett (Amazing Man) - PE, joint-coaches Cross-Country, coaches Track & Field

Matron Bertinelli (Huntress, sort of) - coaches Soccer & gymnastics

Performing Arts

Lisa Snart (Golden Glider) - Dance

Hartley Rathaway (Pied Piper) - Music 101, Music Theory, Composition, teaches Guitar & Percussion

Isaac Bowin (The Fiddler) - Music 101, AP Music Theory, leads Jazz Band, Orchestra, Marching Band

Siobhan Smyth (Silver Banshee) - part-time, leads the Choir and teaches singing

Basil Karlo (Clayface) - Theatre, Theatre 101

Simon Trent (Grey Ghost) - Theatre, Theatre 101, Film Studies

Ted Kord (Blue Beetle) - Theatre Tech

Mary Louise Dahl (Baby-Doll, from B:TAS) - Film Studies, Video Production

Betty Bates (Lady-at-Law, who is technically owned by DC now due to corporate buy-outs) - Debate

Science (do you have any idea how hard it is to pin down areas of specialisation for comic book scientists? TNT is on this list entirely because he’s the only actual honest-to-god professional chemist I could find)

Kirk Langstrom (ManBat) - Biology, AP Biology

Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy) - Biology, Environmental Science

Thomas “Tex” Thomas (TNT) - Chemistry

Achilles Milo (Professor Milo, again not really much of a code name) - Chemistry, AP Chemistry

Will Magnus (I refuse to even dignify it as a code-name) - Physics, Earth Sciences

Ray Palmer (The Atom) - Physics, AP Physics

Adam Strange (DC is just doing this to fuck with me, personally) - Astronomy

Social Studies & Humanities

Barbara Minerva (Cheetah) - World History

Maxie Zeus (ffs) - World History, AP World History (fun fact, Maxie was canonically just a normal history teacher before he got lightning powers, became convinced he was Zeus incarnate, and set out to become a criminal, making him my favourite DC mobster by a country mile)

Terry Long (aka one of the only characters to really deserve to get fridged) - US History, AP European History

Eobard Thawne (every code-name he has is stupid, but lets just go with Reverse-Flash as the least awful option) - US History, AP US History

Nick Scratch - US Government, AP US Government, AP Comparative Politics

Rex Tyler (Hourman) - AP Art History

Magdalene Kyle-Burton (Sister Zero, she’s a sometimes-nun and a sometimes-sister to Catwoman) - Comparative Religion

Michael Carter (Booster Gold) - Economics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics

Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow) - Psychology (there is exactly one heroic psychiatrist in all of comics, and I’d already used Dr Fate elsewhere. Scarecrow seemed like the least bad option of the remaining pool for being around children, and he does at least have teaching experience)

Adam Strange - Sociology

Betty Bates (Lady-at-Law) - Law

Richard Occult/Rose Psychic (it’s complicated, lets just say Dr Occult and leave it at that) - part-time, Criminal Justice

Technology & Engineering

Ted Kord (Blue Beetle) - Electronics, CAD, Woodworking

John Henry Irons (Steel) - Engineering, Metalworking

Will Magnus - Robotics

Visual Arts

Linda Lee/Danvers (she’s Supergirl, but I’m making her a different character from Kara Danvers/Kent because the DCU is really short on artists and I needed someone to teach the damn class, although the only thing that really makes her distinct from other supergirls is that she fucked a horse that one time and IDK how that will translate into a personality...) - Ceramics, AP Studio Art: 3D Design, Art 101

Rex Tyler (Hourman) - Graphic Design, Drawing, AP Studio Art: Drawing

Jack Knight (Starman) - Painting, AP Studio Art: 2D Design, Art 101

Jennifer Lyn-Hayden (Jade) - Photography

So there you go - I’ll be honest I still don’t really understand how high-schools in the USA work, and I have no idea what Design studio art even is so I kind of assigned those ones at random, but now it’s done and cannot be changed.

As always this universe is open to prompts so if you want a chapter focussing on any of these characters just drop me an ask or a comment and I’ll see what I can do. Making Dr Occult & Rose Psychic a single gender-fluid person is already on my list to do, since that’s who I thought they were for a longest time when I started reading comics and I’m still kind of annoyed that isn’t canonically what’s going on.

[pornnutchajivasakapimaspreaw]

Credit-By-Examination Tests Can Help You Finish College Faster

Written by Porrnutcha Jivasakapimas  Published Jul 7, 2020 10:02 pm 

Many people may be concerned about how I can finish my bachelor’s degree faster for many reasons — “I’m a reapplying student.”, I’d like to lighten my family’s load earlier.”, “I’d like to share my family’s work sooner.”, etc.—. But only taking the exceeding maximum of credits per semester/trimester might not be the right solution since you’ll have to work double hard and have decent time management to stuff many subjects in your class schedule. Here is another alternative that will help you gain credits for certain college subjects without needing to study such subjects for the whole semester/trimester. We Will Explore College Equivalency Exam  ~ ~ ~ 

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Advanced Placement examinations (AP exams)

(Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District, 2019)

Advanced Placement examinations (AP exams) are exams created by  College Board, the same organization that produces SAT which is international university entrance exam. Betting all MUIC students who did not take direct exam must have taken SAT, so you guys might know about College Board. However, not many people know about AP exams since they do not arrange the tests frequently as SAT (7 times for U.S. and 4 times for international). AP exams only available annually which is around May. It can substitute many subjects we’re studying in college and is acceptable broadly (Even our university, MUIC, has accepted AP exam as well). AP exams often comes the format of multiple choices mostly with some short/long answers, depending on subjects. I recommend you take AP were you an MUIC student since MUIC receives AP and IB exams as a credit transfer, which can help accelerating your graduation.

Here is the full list of AP tests available. Take a look and if see if any subjects here match with subjects in you major, and considering taking it. You can register for AP as same as when you register for SAT. There are 38 exams in total:

AP Research

AP Seminar

Art History

Biology

Calculus AB

Calculus BC

Chemistry

Chinese Language and Culture

Computer Science A

Computer Science Principles

English Language and Composition

English Literature and Composition

Environmental Science

European History

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Government and Politics (Comparative)

Government and Politics (US)

Human Geography

Italian Language and Culture

Japanese Language and Culture

Latin

Macroeconomics

Microeconomics

Music Theory

Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Physics 2: Algebra-Based

Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Physics C: Mechanics

Psychology

Spanish Language and Culture

Spanish Literature and Culture

Statistics

Studio Art Drawing

Studio Art 2-D Design

Studio Art 3-D Design

US History

World History (Modern)

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College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

(Action Economics, 2014)

CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program. It’s more like GED tests, the testes where you take only 4 subjects, if passed, then you’d get a high school diplomat without having to go to the school for 3 year, doing any projects, or take midterms&finals. Sound convenient right? But CLEP isn’t exactly the same with GED. You cannot escape four years in a college even though you took CLEP. However, you can take some subjects that you hate (to go to the college to study it), and if you passed the CLEP exam of that subject you hate, that’s all. You don’t need to register to study such subject for the whole trimester. You can just transfer you score result and get the credits for that subject. No need to register for the course or enter any classes. This type of exams has both merit and pitfall when compared to its alternative, AP exams. 

CLEP is better than AP that it is available year round. Just like GED, the exam is computer-based. So, you can appoint the test date in advanced and walk in to take the exams any day, anytime within the office hour that you’ve appointed. Since it’s internet-based exam, the score is calculated and reported immediately right after you finished. Nonetheless, CLEP isn’t as popular and broadly accepted as AP exams, and it’s testing centers are available only in foreign countries. Were you to take it, the nearest test center is at Dalat International School, Malasia. Apart from Webster University Thailand - Bangkok, I’ve never seen any other university in Thailand receives CLEP before, but talking about abroad universities, 2,900 colleges already granted/received CLEP.

Here are the sets of CLEP exams available via computer-based platform. It is arranged by 5  subject branches which are further divided into sub-subjects  

Composition and Literature

These exams cover topics related to American and British literature and composition.

American Literature

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature

College Composition

College Composition Modular

English Literature

Humanities

World Languages

These exams assess comprehension of French, German, and Spanish.

Read more about World Languages

French Language: Levels 1 and 2

German Language: Levels 1 and 2

Spanish Language: Levels 1 and 2

Spanish with Writing: Levels 1 and 2

History and Social Sciences

These exams cover topics related to history, economics, and psychology.

Read more about History and Social Sciences

American Government

History of the United States I

History of the United States II

Human Growth and Development

Introduction to Educational Psychology

Introductory Psychology

Introductory Sociology

Principles of Macroeconomics

Principles of Microeconomics

Social Sciences and History

Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648

Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

Science and Mathematics

These exams cover various science disciplines and different levels of math.

Read more about Science and Mathematics

Biology

Calculus

Chemistry

College Algebra

College Mathematics

Natural Sciences

Precalculus

Business

These exams cover various business disciplines.

Read more about Business

Financial Accounting

Information Systems

Introductory Business Law

Principles of Management

Principles of Marketing

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DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

(DSST Credit by Exam Program, 2014)

DSST (formerly DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) are credit-by-examination tests originated by the United States Department of Defense's Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program. The program is an extensive series of 33 examinations in college subject areas that are comparable to the final or end-of-course examinations in undergraduate college courses. These tests are frequently used in conjunction with CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests by students pursuing college degrees in non-traditional formats. Whereas CLEP tests are almost exclusively used for lower level credit at regionally accredited institutions, DSST's are available for both upper and lower level credit.

Prometric administers Internet-based versions of DSSTs under contract with the Defense Department (for military personnel) or on a fee basis (for civilians).

Business

Business Ethics and Society Business Mathematics Human Resource Management Introduction to Business Management Information Systems Organizational Behavior Money and Banking Personal Finance Principles of Finance Principles of Supervision

Humanities

Ethics in America Introduction to World Religions Principles of Public Speaking Principles of Advanced English Composition Math

Fundamentals of College Algebra Principles of Statistics Math for Liberal Arts Physical Science

Astronomy Environmental Science  Health and Development  Principles of Physical Science I Introduction to Geology Social Sciences

A History of the Vietnam War Art of the Western World Criminal Justice Foundations of Education Fundamentals of Counseling General Anthropology Introduction to Geography (formerly Human/Cultural Geography) Introduction to Law Enforcement Lifespan Developmental Psychology History of the Soviet Union (formerly Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union) Substance Abuse The Civil War and Reconstruction

Technology

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Technical Writing Ethics in Technology

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Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)

(UExcel, 2013) 

Excelsior College Examinations (or ECE) are a series of eight, three-credit nursing theory tests offered by Excelsior College in Albany, New York. The exams are supported by corresponding online courses. Excelsior also offers the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam, a two-day practical skills exam, as a capstone to the associate degree in nursing.

Excelsior also offers over 50 UExcel exams in liberal arts, business, education, and science. Many colleges and universities will grant college credit for each test, although UExcel credit is not as widely accepted as CLEP and DSST.

The exam administration period is typically 3 hours and the tests currently cost between $110 and $335. Each exam usually corresponds to a one or two semester introductory or secondary course on the topic, and many exams provide upper-division credit. Most ECE exams are considered equivalent to 3 credits in the semester system.

ECE exams are offered through Excelsior College and are administered at Pearson VUE test centers.

International Students: UExcel exams are administered at select international Pearson VUE Test Centers.

Abnormal Psychology

Adult Nursing 

Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy and Physiology I

Anatomy and Physiology II

Basic Genetics

Bioethics: Philosophical Issues

Business Ethics

Business Information Systems

Business Law

Calculus

College Writing

Contemporary Mathematics

Cultural Diversity

Earth Science

English Composition

Ethics: Theory & Practice

Financial Accounting

Foundations of Gerontology

Fundamentals of Nursing 

General Chemistry I

Human Resource Management

Interpersonal Communication

Introduction to Computer Programming Using Java

Introduction to Macroeconomics

Introduction to Microeconomics

Introduction to Music

Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Psychology

Introduction to Sociology

Juvenile Delinquency

Labor Relations

Life Span Developmental Psychology

Literacy Instruction in the Elementary School

Managerial Accounting

Maternal and Child Nursing (Baccalaureate) *

Microbiology

Operations Management

Organizational Behavior

Pathophysiology

Physics

Political Science

Precalculus Algebra

Principles of Finance

Principles of Management

Principles of Marketing

Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing *

Psychology of Adulthood & Aging

Quantitative Analysis

Research Methods in Psychology

Science of Nutrition

Social Psychology

Spanish Language

Statistics

Weather and Climate

Workplace Communication With Computers

World Conflicts Since 1900

World Population

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References

Advanced Placement exams. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Placement_exams

Choose Your Exam. (n.d.). Excelsior College. Retrieved from

https://www.excelsior.edu/exams/choose-your-exam/

CLEP Exams. (n.d.). College Board. Retrieved from

https://clep.collegeboard.org/exams

College Level Examination Program. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Level_Examination_Program

DSST (standardized test). (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSST_(standardized_test)

Edwards, H. (2020, Mar 21). Complete List of AP Courses and Tests.

PrepScholar. Retrieved from https://blog.prepscholar.com/list-of-ap-exams

Excelsior College Examinations. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excelsior_College_Examinations

[Image of AP exmas logo]. (2019, November 1) 

https://ghs.gcisd.net/news/what_s_new/a_p_testing

[Image of CLEP logo]. (2014, June 26)

https://actionecon.com/use-clep-exams-save-10000-college-costs/ 

[Image of DSST logo]. (2014, February 19)

https://www.facebook.com/DSSTgetcollegecredit/photos/a.429281599830/10152188095469831/?type=1&theater 

[Image of Uexcel logo]. (2013, June 29)

https://www.facebook.com/UExcel/photos/a.430030276477/10151462609561478/?type=1&theater

Images - Writing and Citing: APA 7th Edition. (2020, Jul 10). LibGuides. 

Retrieved from https://libguides.scf.edu/c.php?g=847004&p=6077102

Schinder, S. (n.d.). DSST Exam List. Study.com. Retrieved from 

https://study.com/academy/popular/dsst-exam-list.html

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[pftones3482]

As someone who has been to a US college and sadly lives here, you could do a couple things!

If you wanted to stick with piloting, they'd go to a school specifically to learn to fly aircraft, which I know nothing about lmao. But if you're going with the science aspect of the Garrison, you can stick them in a more traditional school.

Hunk and Pidge would be engineering students, Pidge probably specializing in computer classes and Hunk in robotics. Both of them would be in a shit ton of math and science classes that I've never heard of, and also probably astronomy or geography courses.

Keith and Lance would more than likely be in a similar number of science and math courses, but they would also focus on physical health courses (since they're pilots), as well as linguistics and astronomy.

If you want to completely deviate from the Garrison roles and just put them in less niche studies that still tie into theirs and their lions personalities, here are the ones I typically go with:

Keith: Secondary education (middle/highschool in the US, usually 12-18 years old), physical fitness programs, martial arts courses, self defense classes. I imagine him working at the campus gym, and going to either be a physical fitness trainer or maybe a physical therapy trainer (fitness being tied more to gyms, therapy tied more towards amputees, people recovering from serious illness, etc).

Lance: primary education (kids, think 4-11 years old), Spanish instructor, English instructor, psychology teacher/studying to be a therapist. I imagine him in a ton of children's psych courses, as well as intercultural courses (I could see him either being a teacher overall, a therapist, or working with and helping immigrant families and kids). Would probably be a swim instructor.

Hunk: obvious choice is culinary schooling, but also engineering programs and environmental sciences, specifically geology courses. Could also see him minoring in psychology, maybe more sociology. Probably attempted to work in the school kitchens but got grossed out lol, so he would probably focus on the libraries and coffee shops on campus for employment.

Pidge: botanical studies and environmental sciences, as well as engineering. One of those students who hangs out in the science labs so much that they have a cot in one of the janitors closets. More than likely runs the robotics club on campus.

Shiro: if college age, I'd also put him in physical health and social sciences, minoring in psychology. There's more technical terms for what he could do, but physical therapy is a route I could see him studying. Probably works in the campus' health center at the reception desk. If an adult, most likely a psych prof/therapist in said health center.

Allura: she's always the hardest for me, but I could also see her studying secondary education, specifically world history, minority studies, or diplomacy/foreign relations studies. Basically studying to be a politician (not the shitty kind tho), but wanting to improve foreign relations. Probably part of multiple culturally diverse groups on campus, and she def works at the library.

Also if you're looking for club ideas, basically if you can think of it, it probably exists somewhere.

That got long winded and I apologize lmao, but feel free to steal whatever you want (if you want)!

hey sunny! so in your klance college au, what do you think their majors are? I'm trying to write a fic and I'm not familiar with American colleges and the way they work 😅 your art always brings a smile to my face !!

hi! hmm I'm not sure about their majors but they're probably taking similar classes to the ones they had at the garrison, idk if they would have made up sci-fi names or more realistic ones, I'm not good at coming up with names for stuff like that haha

(oh and I'm not from the US either so most of what I know is from stuff I've seen around 😂) and thank you, that's sweet! 💕

[braincoins]

Title: Learn By Heart Fandom: “Voltron: Legendary Defender” Summary: It's Allura's first semester teaching, and she's prepared for anything ...except Takashi Shirogane. Ships: Shallura Warnings: N/A Author’s Notes: This is for my @shalluraexchange giftee, @zsyree! I hope you like it even if it wasn't your first-choice prompt.

They're not supposed to be at any particular college/university, but this is me, and I write what I know. What I know is Indiana University Bloomington. So to any IU alumni or students out there, some of this should be familiar.

Before anyone asks - they're the same age. (I even have her say it in the fic.) How is that possible? Welllll, she went to college right after high school, while he enrolled in the Air Force. She's completed her undergrad courses and is just starting her graduate career, and, as such, has been press-ganged by her advisor into teaching. Meanwhile, he's taken a few college-level courses as part of his advancement in the USAF, but he's otherwise been preoccupied with his tours of duty. Then he was injured and he needed time to heal, recover, get the prosthetic and then get used to it. This is his first time in a formal higher education setting.

Fic below the cut (3,600 words - also on AO3)

           Allura was logging into the classroom’s computer when she heard a polite, “Excuse me?” from behind her.

           She turned towards the smoothly masculine voice and smiled pleasantly even as her stomach flopped. Standing before her was a handsome young man, her age or maybe a little older, with a shock of white hair, a scar across his nose (just under warm, dark eyes), and an easygoing smile. Broad shoulders and chest… she made herself stop and look him in the eye. Remain professional, she chided herself. Aside from the black turtleneck he was wearing, he looked like a military recruitment poster come to life.

           “You’re Professor Smythe?”

           Her smile widened a little at how surprised he sounded. “I am Ms. Fala,” she corrected. “I’m one of Professor Smythe’s grad students. I’m teaching this section. Can I help you?”

           His gaze had been drifting a bit south and he cleared his throat and straightened up again. Well, at least I’m not the only one who likes what they see. “I’m Takashi Shirogane. I was told to give you this when I arrived.” He held out a piece of paper and when she looked down to take it, she realized almost immediately what it was. Not because of the paper, which was neatly folded in half, but because where his right hand should have been was a jet black mechanical prosthetic.

           She accepted the paper and unfolded it and, sure enough, it was a notice of need for accommodation. She read it and nodded. “All in order. Do you need this back?”

           “Yes, please. I have to show it to all my teachers.” She handed it back to him and he thanked her quietly as he tucked it back into his jeans pocket.

           “What sort of accommodation do you require?”

           “Not much. I just need to sit front and center with my laptop and mic. It’s not a big setup; it shouldn’t be in anyone else’s way. I can use a mouse pretty well but I can’t really type fast enough to keep up, so I’ve got a speech-to-text program set up to take notes on what you say. I also have a notebook for jotting things down the old-fashioned way, but I’m still getting used to the new hand, and I want to make sure I don’t miss anything important.”

           She nodded and gestured to the still empty front row. “I would suggest sitting here, actually, rather than in the center. I spend most of my time at the computer podium or very near it. Also, I do upload my PowerPoints at the end of each class, so you can access those online.”

           His smile widened. “Great, thank you. That’s a big help.”

           “Do you need a plug? There are several free ones on the podium.”

           “Oh, I’ve got plenty of charge, but if it’s not too much of a bother…”

           “No bother at all, Mr. Shirogane.”

           “My friends all call me Shiro.”

           She cleared her throat. “Get your things set up, Mr. Shirogane,” she said pleasantly. Unfortunately, you’re a student, so you’re going to have to stay “Mr. Shirogane.” That was a disappointment, but hey, at least she’d have a nice view during class. STOP THAT. Stop objectifying one of your students. “There’s a plug right here you can use,” she said, indicating one on the back of the podium.

           “Thank you, Ms. Fala.” And he went to his seat, already slinging his backpack off to get it open.

           She resumed setting up her “first day of class” slides and tried to keep her thoughts professional and on the topic of Comparative Politics.

           The first class was standard and boring – talking about the curriculum, where to find the syllabus and PowerPoints online, her grading scale, etc. It was a first-year introductory class, and most of these students were just taking it for the necessary “Breadth of Inquiry” credits that the university required. Still, if she could turn even one of them into a poli-sci major, she’d count that as a huge victory. But ultimately, her job was to relay the required material to them, go over their papers, and compile their grades.

           Still, for a boring introductory class on a basic topic, she found Mr. Shirogane alert and attentive. The small microphone clipped to the lid of his laptop was unobtrusive. While other students were barely staying awake, he hand-wrote the URLs, her college-affiliated email address, and her office hour times down in his notebook and never once looked bored.

           She let them out early (promising them they were unlikely to get this consideration for the rest of the semester) and began the process of logging off and shutting down. Due to his extra preparations, Mr. Shirogane was quickly the only one left in the room with her.

           “Well, it should be an interesting class,” he said conversationally as he started unplugging everything and packing it up.

           “I appreciate your interest, but don’t get your hopes up,” she warned with a light chuckle. Be careful not to flirt, she reminded herself.

           “I’m not. I’m genuinely looking forward to it.”

           “Are you going to major in political science?” she asked.

           He shook his head. “Minor. Well, double minor: this and history.”

           Her eyebrows went up. Not quite a major, but at least he has a definite interest in the subject instead of just taking it as something to get out of the way. “Very nice. Do you have a major in mind?”

           He nodded. “Double major: physics and astronomy.”

           “Double major AND double minor?” She whistled quietly at the mere thought of the workload for that. “Well, you’re not afraid of hard work, that’s for sure. And physics/astronomy with poli-sci/history? Unusual choice.”

           He shrugged. “Well, I want to be an astronaut, so that kind of dictates my majors. There are a few other options, but those were the ones that were most interesting to me. I can pretty much do what I want with my minors, and I thought it’d be nice to diverge a bit, indulge some of my other interests.”

           “An astronaut?” She blinked.

           His smile thinned. “I know, but just because I lost my hand doesn’t mean I can’t…”

           “Oh, no!” She rushed to reassure him. “I wasn’t… that’s not…!” She cleared her throat. “Of course you can. I was just surprised that I have a future astronaut in my class, that’s all.”

           His smile turned apologetic. “Sorry. I’m used to people thinking I’m,” he looked down at his right hand, which closed up into a loose fist, “broken. Like I can’t do anything like that anymore. Everyone talks like I have to give up the dream I’ve had since I was a kid, just because of the hand.”

           “So, it’s… recent then?” She realized what she was asking and cursed at herself mentally. “Not that you need to talk about it; I shouldn’t pry.”

           He shrugged. “It’s okay. I lost it a year and a half ago. Afghanistan.”

           “Oh, you’re in the military?”

           He started to nod and then caught himself. “Well, I was. Air Force.”

           “Thank you for your service…” She paused. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your rank.”

           “I was a Staff Sergeant, but you don’t have to call me that. Medical discharge and all that.” He waved his prosthetic hand. “Finally getting back into the world. I generally prefer Shiro or Takashi to ‘Sergeant Shirogane’ all the time.”

           She cleared her throat. “Well, Mr. Shirogane, I’ll see you in class again on Wednesday, yes?”

           “Bright and early!” he confirmed. “Did you lose a bet to get the 9 AM class?”

           She smirked. “I’m the newest grad student, so I had little choice. And you can’t really complain; you signed up for this section.”

           “Well, technically, yes, but it was the only one that still had available seats.” They both laughed and he swung his backpack onto his back again. “See you, Wednesday, Ms. Fala.”

           She watched him go, chided herself for ogling him again (I’m not sure how jeans that tight can be comfortable, but bless him for wearing them anyway), and grabbed her things. She had her own coursework to see to, after all.

 *****

             Coran set aside the work she’d handed him on her thesis. “So, how’s your first semester of teaching going, Allura?”

           She barely caught her smile from slipping. “Fine.”

           He arched an eyebrow at her. “You know I can tell when you’re lying to me.”

           “No, really, it’s going as well as could be expected, it’s just…” She chewed on her lower lip.

           He reached over his desk to pat her hand. “Students can be rough, especially on a new teacher. They can smell it, like sharks smelling blood. We’re nearly to midterms; I know it’s probably getting stressful.”

           “No, it’s… well, I mean, it is, but not because of that. It’s just,” she took a deep breath, “I think I’m going to need you to grade one of my students’ work from now on. Just the one!” she added quickly. “I know you’re busy and I’m asking a lot of you, but it’s really just the one, and he’s honestly one of the best students, so…”

           “Allura, slow down!” Her advisor was clearly confused. “If he’s one of the best students, why are you trying to pawn his work off on me?”

           She looked away. “It’s… um…” She risked a look back at him.

           Professor Coran Hieronymus Wimbleton Smythe had a single eyebrow arched and the most “Well?” face she’d ever seen. (The mustache helped.)

           She sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. “I am developing an inappropriate attraction. Even though I’m not acting on it, I feel like my ability to grade his work objectively could be called into question.”

           “Oh. Yes, that is a pickle. And you’re not acting on this attraction at all, correct?”

           She nodded. “I’m very careful, honestly. The only times we’re alone together are just before and after class, and only for a few minutes each time. Well, and sometimes office hours, but they’re entirely professional!”

           “He comes to your office hours?”

           “Well, so do some of the other students,” she pointed out.

           “And comes early and stays late? For a 9 AM class?”

           She cleared her throat. “He has a prosthetic hand. He needs the extra time to set up his computer and software and to pack it all up again. And when he comes to office hours, it’s usually because his speech-to-text program misheard some of my words and he needs clarification for what they’re supposed to be. It’s all entirely professional!” She realized she was sounding defensive (and repeating herself wasn’t helping), so she shut up, feeling ashamed of herself. My first semester teaching and something like this happens.

           Coran just nodded. “You’re doing everything right then. That’s fine. I’ll grade his work for the rest of the semester, just to be safe.”

           She sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

           But then he leaned forward and asked, dropping his voice conspiratorially, “So, how bad is it?”

           She blinked. “What, his work? It’s not bad at all, he’s working towards a minor, so he’s actually interested in the subject matter and…”

           “No, no, not that. How bad is this crush of yours?”

           “Coran.”

           “I’m just going to be an insufferable git until you tell me,” he pointed out.

           She groaned and flopped back in her chair, tilting her head up to look at the ceiling. “His smile makes my heart stop, my stomach flip, and my knees weak.”

           “Oh ho! That is bad!” He was enjoying this.

           “And he sits right in front of me. He has to, because of the speech-to-text. He can type, but not fast enough to take good notes. So he’s right there all the time, and he’s always paying full attention to me and the lecture, and …”

           “Handsome?”

           “Extremely,” she confirmed. She lowered her head to look at Coran again. “He was in the Air Force! He wants to be an astronaut! He’s only a few months older than I am. He’s strong and brave and charming and I may die if he wears that one sweater to class again.” She dropped her head into her hands. “Don’t even get me started on my inappropriate staring as he walks out of the classroom.”

           Coran guffawed. “Well, the rules are no fraternizing with students, but nothing wrong with looking! You can’t help who you’re attracted to.”

           “You’re not helping,” she muttered through her hands.

           “Well, I’m helping by grading his work for you,” he pointed out. “Courage. The semester won’t last forever, even if it seems like it will.”

           She lifted her head. “But then I won’t see him again at all.”

           Coran tsked at her. “Midterms really must be stressing you out. You’re overlooking the obvious.”

           She frowned at him, brow furrowing. “What?”

           He shook a finger at her. “You’re a bright girl – one of the best grad students I’ve got – you’ll figure it out! In the meantime, send me the astronaut’s work. We’ll see if it’s truly ‘out of this world.’” He chuckled, clearly pleased at himself.

           She groaned again as she stood. “Can you try to write any comments legibly? I’m beginning to believe the campus rumors that the anthropology department tricks their students into trying to decipher your handwriting as if it were some long-lost ancient script.”

           “I make no promises,” he declared loftily.

 *****

             “Mr. Shirogane!” she called after him when she saw him in the student union. She hurried up to him and smiled as he turned. “I’m glad I found you.”

           “Ms. Fala,” he greeted her. His smile was warm, as always, and elicited that now-familiar feeling of happy sickness within her. But his smile faltered a little. “Is something wrong?”

           “No!” She cleared her throat and tried to calm herself down. “No, nothing at all.”

           He let out a sigh of relief. “I was worried that there was a problem with my test or my essay or something.”

           “No, it’s not about that. Can we talk somewhere a little… quieter?” They were by Sugar ‘n’ Spice – one of the main coffee hubs in the union – and the hallway by it was half-filled with people waiting in line for a hot beverage.

           It was full-on winter now, and students had been hiding their increasing finals-induced stress under hats and scarves and bulky coats. Mr. Shirogane had a black-and-purple beanie, black gloves, and the sort of coat she imagined Arctic explorers would wear to find the North Pole. Or, well, models would wear to give the impression they were exploring the Arctic. Maybe that was just her impression of all of his clothes.

           He nodded and looked around. “Um…”

           “If you don’t mind the cold, we could go outside?”

           He snorted. “Well, it will be much less crowded.” He gestured grandly. “After you.”

           She headed downstairs and ducked out into a tiny courtyard off a seating area. She liked coming here in warmer weather, enjoying the relative peace and quiet of the usually-unnoticed outdoor spot. It offered some nice benches and a lovely little sculpture, all of it surrounded by ivy-covered walls, with an old, high, wrought iron gate leading to stairs going up to the main street level. It was bitterly cold, so naturally no one was out here. It was also rather dark; this late in the year, it got dark so early, and with the courtyard’s relatively low position, it was already well-hidden from what sunlight there was left to them. The union’s exterior lights were already on, so she could still easily see his curious expression as she turned to face him.

           “So, there was nothing wrong with my final?” he asked.

           “You did fine. In fact, I just finished submitting all the grades for the class.”

           He arched an eyebrow. “You submitted my final grade or Professor Smythe did?”

           She fidgeted. “I submitted all the grades except yours, but Professor Smythe has submitted yours, yes.”

           “Can I ask why I seem to be the only one in class who has to put up with his handwriting?”

           She couldn’t help laughing at that, and it took her a moment to pull herself back together. “Well, if you had asked me before now, I would have told you that it was because I wanted him to see your work.”

           He studied her. “Okay. So what’s the real reason?”

           “It’s not a lie. I did want him to see it. You’re a very thoughtful and dedicated student. I can tell you’ve been giving this class a hundred and ten percent, and I appreciate it. So it’s not a lie, but it’s also not the entire truth.” She cleared her throat and tried to keep herself from fidgeting out of nervousness. “I had to turn your work over to someone else to grade. Someone who could be objective.”

           Both of his eyebrows went up. “You… Why couldn’t you be objective?” His voice sounded hushed.

           She bit her lip, then made herself stop that. C’mon. You rehearsed this about a thousand times. You can do this. “I…” You have to do this. “As incredibly unprofessional as it is to say, when I first found out you were my student, I was terribly disappointed.”

           He looked like he’d been slapped.

           That spurred her on (and also made her speak a bit quicker, sound less smooth and steady than she’d hoped). “Not because of…! Because you were so handsome!”

           That transmuted the wounded look into stunned silence. She made herself take a deep breath before continuing.

           “I thought it would be okay. There are a lot of very attractive people on campus, and I’ve always handled things well. I thought things would be the same with you. But they weren’t. They haven’t been, ever. My attraction to you only got worse as I got to know you. So, I turned your work over to Professor Smythe, because it was too hard to view your work objectively.”

           He blinked and, after a moment’s consideration, asked, “Is that why the professor always sat in on class on days I had to do oral presentations?”

           She nodded and stopped herself from fidgeting again. “Exactly. I would never have been able to give you a proper grade on your work. You have a very nice voice and you use it well.” She blushed. “That sounds terrible out of context, but… your delivery is good, and you have such a deep interest in the subject… Oh heavens, it’s just getting worse!” She cleared her throat. “He had to be the one to grade your presentations, is my point.”

           He readjusted the straps of his backpack. “So, you’re… um… telling me this now because…?”

           “Because soon I won’t be your teacher any more. And I was hoping that we could go out, get some pizza and beer, just talk.”

           “About us?”

           Her blush was getting worse, she could feel it. “About us, about one another, about… about anything. I love our little chats before and after class. I always want more time to just talk with you.”

           He just stood there, looking at her. She wanted to scream, but she held it in, trying not to look as anxious as she felt. Then he held out his forearm to her. “Pinch me?”

           She blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

           “Pinch me, because I’m pretty sure I’m dreaming this.”

           She laughed. “I am not going to pinch you!”

           “Why not?” he demanded.

           “Well, for one thing, that’s your right arm; I can’t really make much of a dent in that.”

           He huffed at himself and withdrew the arm. “Sorry, I still forget sometimes.”

           “And, for another, I doubt you’d feel it much through that thick coat anyway.”

           “I’m pretty sure you could do some damage if you really wanted to.”

           “Which brings me to my final point: I don’t want to hurt you!”

           “You really want to go out with me?” he asked, dropping the levity.

           She smiled and nodded. “Ever since I first saw you. Having you sit right in front of me all semester has been driving me mad.”

           “I’d like that. Uh, when you’re not my teacher anymore. Speaking of which, when will that be?”

           “Well, the grades for the class are submitted, so I will officially no longer be your teacher at 6 PM.”

           “What time is it now?” he asked immediately.

           A deep gong from the campus clock tower began declaring the hour. Allura silently counted out the booming chimes until the 6th one sounded and the clock tower’s bells fell into silence again.

           A wide grin split his face. “So. Pizza & beer then?”

           She nodded. “Sounds wonderful.”

           “And, just so we’re on even footing, I have to tell you, I’ve never been one for those ‘hot for teacher’ type scenarios until I met you.”

           Her blush cranked to full volume as she laughed. “And here I was going to tell you how charming you were.”

           Unexpectedly, he reached out and took her hand in his right. He lifted it to his lips to kiss the back of her …well, glove. “You’re the most beautiful and intelligent woman I’ve ever met,” he told her.

           “Okay, you can have your ‘charming’ title back. C’mon, I’m starved, and getting a seat at Mother Bear’s is going to be madness.” She grabbed hold of his hand and tugged him towards the gate.

           “I don’t mind waiting for a table.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “More time to spend with you, Ms.. uh..” He laughed.

           She joined in. “You can call me ‘Allura’ now, Shiro.”

[markwatkinsconsumerguide]

Consumer Guide / No.55 / WFUV DJ Darren DeVivo with Mark Watkins.

MW : Do you consider yourself to be (foremost) a broadcaster? a presenter? a DJ ?

DD : I usually refer to myself as either a DJ , an On-Air radio Host, or maybe an Air Personality.

Disc jockey is sort of a passé term because the vinyl record, which was the ‘disc’, hasn’t been used in broadcasting for decades. These days, even CDs are being used less and less. In addition, DJ was a term coined decades ago to describe a music radio host, back when the host, as a person and personality, was almost as important to a broadcast as the music itself. It’s not like that anymore, unfortunately. But, DJ still has connotations to music radio hosting.

On-air radio Host is a more accurate description, but, then again, it could also be referring to various types of broadcasting (e.g., talk/news/sports radio, music radio, etc.).

It’s all splitting hairs, so any of the three or some combination of the three is okay!

MW : You debuted on WFUV on February 26th, 1984 - what do you remember about that first show?

DD : I do remember that morning! Some of it is fuzzy, but some is crystal clear. Back in those days, when WFUV was a college radio station (see the answer to the next question), rookie DJs who were newly approved to be on the air were given test runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 6-8 a.m.

So, on Sunday, February 26, 1984, at 6 a.m until 8 a.m I hosted my first air shift. The first song I played was the “Venus And Mars” and “Rock Show” combination from Wings’ Venus And Mars album. The glaring lowlight of that first show was leaving my microphone on while playing Traffic’s “Empty Pages”. A friend of mine unexpectedly showed up at the station to hang out with me during my first show. I was distracted by his appearance and forgot to shut off the mic! Our ridiculous conversation could be heard beneath the song until my girlfriend called me on the phone to tell me my mic was still on. You can actually hear me answer the phone, say hello to her and then, the chatter stops. I noticed that the mic was on and quickly turned it off.

By chance, I ended up back on the air for my second show that next Saturday, March 3, 6-8 a.m again. I opened that second show with “The Road To Utopia” from Utopia (Todd Rundgren’s old band), off the Adventures In Utopia album. I also sampled the soon to be released second solo album from Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. He was about to release About Face and in the days between my first two shows, WFUV received an advance promotional copy of the album. I played three songs from it over the two hours. I still have the airchecks, on cassette, of my first two shows. Listening back to those tapes today, it is hysterical to hear how thick my urban New York City/Bronx accent was!

After those first two shows, I was on the air very regularly, and soon, I started getting my own semi-permanent airshifts.

MW : How has WFUVs station sound changed / evolved over the years?

DD : WFUV has made many significant changes over the 34 years since I first walked through the station’s doors. WFUV, which signed on for the first time in 1947 (we just passed our 70th anniversary), was a full blown college radio station when I joined. I went to Fordham University and attended classes at their Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, which was only several miles from where I lived. WFUV is owned by Fordham University and our studios and offices were, and still are, on the Rose Hill campus.

In the early to mid-1980’s, WFUV was almost entirely student run. It had been that way for many years. The only paid professionals on the staff were the General Manager and the Chief Engineer, who were both employees of Fordham. I joined the staff as an incoming freshman in September 1983 and started taking the required classes necessary to be on the air as a DJ in the music department. You also had to be an FCC licensed engineer, so engineering classes were required, too. I completed the required classes/workshops for announcing and engineering by December. I then submitted a demo tape of a mock broadcast to the Program Director (who was also a student) around February 1984. I was immediately approved and was assigned my first air shift – I debuted on the air on Sunday, February 26, 1984, from 6-8 a.m. I was back for my second show that next Saturday, March 3, 1984, again from 6-8 a.m. It wasn’t until that summer, or early fall, that I received my FCC license.

When I started, WFUV featured a block programming schedule. The most prominent part of the week was our rock music programs, which were all hosted by students. Our rock format encompassed a mix of mainstream AOR (album oriented rock), indie and alternative rock and a few other genres, like blues, jazz and reggae. The rock programs were both formatted - during weekday drive times, and free form - during late nights and overnights. Many specialty programs were scattered through the week, as well. Shows ranged from classical, opera, ethnic (Irish, Latin, French, Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern, polka), sports talk, news and public affairs, country, jazz and big band swing, early rock and roll and vocal group R&B, religious music, astronomy, and more. All of these shows were hosted by volunteers, some of whom were Fordham/WFUV alumni. WFUV was required to broadcast Fordham sports – mainly the Fordham college basketball and football games - and Sunday mass from the University chapel.

Over a few years in the second half of the ‘80s, Fordham’s administration started to lay the groundwork to make WFUV a professionally run, non-commercial public radio station. Students would still make up the largest percentage of the staff, but each department would be helmed by professionals hired by Fordham University. It was during this period, mainly 1988-1990, that the station made its gradual transformation. During that two year span of time, I remained on staff as a part-time volunteer, even though I had graduated Fordham in 1987. Under normal circumstances, staff members usually left the station upon graduation, but as an alumnus, I was asked to remain and fill in here and there whenever necessary. I even ended up with another regular air shift once again (Friday night/Saturday morning from 11 p.m-2 a.m).

It appeared the end of the line had finally come for me in June 1990, but within several months, I was once again being offered fill in slots both on-air and behind the scenes. Then, I was hired as a permanent On-Air Host in January 1991. My first airshift as a professional was the weekday afternoon drive slot (approximately 2-6 p.m). With all of the pieces now in place for WFUV to thrive as a professionally run non-commercial public station, the “present day” WFUV began to slowly evolve. Our contemporary music mix (which was concentrated to weekdays), was a potpourri of styles - adult rock, contemporary folk, blues, bluegrass, Celtic and world music. Only a handful of the specialty programs survived the transformation and a handful remain today. That said, the majority of them were gradually canceled during the early 1990s. Over the next decade, WFUV continued to grow and fine tune its programming.

For me personally, upon getting hired at WFUV as a professional in January 1991, I was assigned to the afternoon drive shift, from 2-6 p.m approximately. Exactly a year later, in January 1992, I was made the morning drive host, from 6-10 a.m approximately. I remained on mornings for nine years. In January 2001, I was made the midday host, from 10 a.m-2 p.m. That was my favorite shift and it was mine for over twelve years. In the spring of 2013, I was moved to evenings, from 6-10 p.m Monday through Thursday. Finally, in the summer of 2015, I was moved to my current airshift – late nights, from 10 p.m -2 a.m Monday through Thursday and midnight until 2 a.m Monday mornings. I am also one of the voices on our weekend, or secondary (HD2), channel, called “FUV Music. I’ve been hosting there since either 2008, or 2009.

MW : How has WFUV's record library changed over the years, and how is it maintained?

DD : It has drastically changed, and, unfortunately not for the better. In the 1980s, our library was very deep, but there were the occasional holes. Unfortunately, as a college station, we didn’t have the budget to invest financially into the library. But, record companies (and sometimes the artists, too) kept a semi-constant flow of free promotional records coming our way. We had virtually all the current releases, both relevant and irrelevant, and sometimes, we could obtain replacement titles and artist catalogs when necessary. CDs began to move in around 1987.

By the early 1990s, vinyl was on the back-burner and CDs were virtually all we played. During the ‘90s, the vinyl library was scaled back drastically, with albums deemed irrelevant to the “new” WFUV sound removed and either sold, or given away. Thefts in the late 80s also damaged the record library.

Today, only a disorganized collection of a thousand or so misfit records have survived the years and collect dust on the shelves. Our CD library grew nicely for many years, but with radio transitioning to digital and computers taking over for physical formats, the emphasis on physical CDs has decreased. As a result, our library has fallen into some degree of disarray, with only a portion of the air staff relying on CDs. Technically speaking, 85% of the music heard on WFUV today, maybe more, is coming from the computer hard drive. We have transferred a sizeable portion of the CD library onto the hard drive and continue to do so as needed. We do continue to accumulate many necessary new releases, but not all.

No one person, or persons, manages the library. It sort of manages itself. Unfortunately, it has fallen into a small state of disarray.

MW : Do you request / receive individual promo, or does it all come through the radio station? Tell me also about your relationship with record labels...

DD : The music industry has changed a lot over the past twenty-five years. Many years ago, I usually received my own mail service from many major, and a number of smaller, independent, record labels. Record companies were more generous and financially able to make sure all key radio station personnel received product, if they wanted it. Even if I wasn’t on a permanent mailing list, I would be able to get promotional copies of many titles by simply requesting them.

As time passed, record companies started tightening their belts and promotional product was scaled back. Today, I only receive a fraction of what was sent out years ago. Sometimes, I can still contact a label representative or promo person if I want a certain title, but that has decreased considerably.

Since the emergence of the download, many labels will now only offer audio files. This goes for both airplay copies and copies for individual station personnel. The physical product may be sent when (or if!) it becomes available. In some cases, physical CDs (or vinyl) won’t be sent out unless they’re requested

When it comes to airplay and reporting airplay to labels, promo companies, trade magazines, etcetera - that is something the Music Director is in charge of. Label reps and promo folks work with the station’s Music Director, or an assistant, to try to promote an artist, song or album and, hopefully, gain airplay. Ultimately, it is the Music Director, with input from the Program Director, who decides what is going to get our attention. I have no input into those decisions. If I get any inquiries, I direct them to the music department.

MW : How do you usually prepare for your radio shows, and how much input do you have on the music played?

DD : I am fortunate to have a pretty detailed knowledge of music, especially when it comes to what WFUV is playing. So, I could, if need be, go on the air occasionally and host a show with just the information that I have in my head. But, I prefer to prepare for virtually every show and I do this by reviewing the entire playlist, looking up facts about the songs, albums and/or artists, fact checking what I already know and gathering a sampling of upcoming concert dates and record release dates. We all have access to computers during our air shifts, so, if there’s a bit of info we want to clarify or verify on the spot, we can. As for personal anecdotes, stories, recollections, etcetera; those usually pop up as I go. I do want a certain amount of looseness and spontaneity in my shows. I’d rather not be too rigid. Sometimes, a concrete plan is good, but other times benefit from spontaneity.

Unfortunately, I no longer have much input into what gets played during my shows. Some time ago, each DJ was required to create their own daily playlists, but, here and there, over time, things have changed. I have a set playlist I am expected to follow, but there are still some freedoms that are allowed…within reason. It really depends on the situation. For example, I will add a handful of songs to the playlist to pay tribute to an artist that might have just died. Or, the Music Director may ask me to play some songs to honor an artist, but leave the selection of songs up to me. Really, it’s both rigid and fluid at the same time!

MW : What are "presenters" meetings usually like?

DD : At this point, the only meetings that involve the DJs are our staff meetings. Also, when our on-air fundraisers approach, the air staff will gather, with others, for pre-drive meetings to “plan our attack”.

MW : Why doesn't WFUV use jingles?

DD : It’s not really a non-commercial thing, I guess. It has never been something that’s ever been considered, that I know of. That’s more of a commercial radio trait. We do have slogans, though.

MW : Tell me about your Top 3 interviews...

DD : Wow. It’s so hard to answer this because I’ve done so many interviews over the past twenty-five years; more actually. So, I’ll answer this way:

The first interview was with Joey Molland of Badfinger. I did that remotely - not at WFUV’s studios, but at a hotel we were both at. This was early 1987. Joey and the late Mike Gibbins were in the process of a Badfinger reunion and they were appearing as special guests at “Beatlefest”, now called “The Fest For Beatles Fans”. (“The Fest” is a Beatles fan convention held every year in the New York / New Jersey area, and also in Chicago. It was started in 1974.) The interview was great and I turned it into a four hour Badfinger special on WFUV, also in 1987. The second interview was a phone interview with author Karl Dallas, who published a Pink Floyd book called “Pink Floyd Bricks In The Wall”. We had an awful phone connection from New York to England. Only portions of the interview were salvageable and those were used in an overnight (six or seven hour?) Pink Floyd special. The first in person interview I did at WFUV’s studios was in 1991 with guitarist Laurence Juber. Laurence was the last lead guitarist in (Paul McCartney’s) Wings – 1978-1980. He also went on to collaborate with Al Stewart (essentially replacing guitarist Peter White as Al’s right hand man), starting in 1994. At the time, Laurence was promoting his first solo album, Solo Flight. (He now has well over twenty!) The most recent interview I did was the art pop band, Sparks. Coming up, I’ll be interviewing Dhani Harrison and the Dream Syndicate.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed (in no particular order) – Ringo Starr, Donald Fagen, Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof (twice), Neil Young and filmmaker Jonathan Demme, Robbie Robertson, Sting, John Fogerty (twice), CPR (featuring David Crosby), David Bowie (phone interview), Robert Plant (phone interview), Brian Wilson (phone interview), recording engineer and producer Geoff Emerick (who was the Beatles’ recording engineer from 1966 until their breakup), some of the members (those not named John, Paul or George) of the pre-Beatles band, the Quarrymen (twice), David Sanborn, Dr. John (in his Manhattan apartment; with his dog, Stupid, in the background!), Al Kooper, Bob Mould (multiple times), Thurston Moore, Buddy Guy, Trey Anastasio (of Phish), Richard Thompson (multiple times), Tori Amos (twice), Richie Havens (multiple times), Nick Lowe (twice), Robyn Hitchcock (multiple times), Jorma Kaukonen (multiple times), Hot Tuna, (jazz legend) Charlie Haden, Glenn Tilbrook, Bruce Cockburn (multiple times), Julian Lennon (twice), Daniel Lanois, Warren Zevon (I also interviewed his widow, Crystal Zevon, about her book on Warren), Los Lobos (multiple times), Ian McLagan and the Bump Band, Warren Haynes, Matthew Sweet (multiple times), Ian Hunter and the Rant Band, Al Stewart (multiple times), Garland Jeffreys (twice), Graham Parker and the Rumour, Jack Johnson, the Waterboys, John Mayer (twice), Marshall Crenshaw, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Sarah McLachlan, Leon Redbone and more!

MW : Describe your own record collection, picking out some of your favourites, maybe even rare records...

DD : In a nutshell, it’s VERY LARGE! Unfortunately, it was once very organized, but in recent years, I’ve allowed it to fall into a state of disarray. So much to keep organized and not enough space (or time)! As for vinyl, I’d guess I have over a thousand albums and a perhaps two hundred singles (and some other odds and ends). As for CDs, we have to be talking well over ten thousand. The quantity of CDs is greater because I have received, and continue to receive, a lot of free/promotional material from record companies over the years, including stuff I really don’t need to keep, but I do anyway!

As a fan, collecting the Beatles, together and apart, is my primary hobby. I’d say collecting Pink Floyd is second. I am trying to replace many of the singles I had as a young boy and obtain copies of albums from my father’s record collection - albums that I grew up hearing when I was between four and, say, seven years old. There are other “target” artists and albums for me, as well. Trying to explain what appeals to me, what I look for, how much I’m willing to spend, etcetera, is difficult to briefly sum up. Condition is very important to me as I collect music and I will walk away from a record, or CD, I really want if the condition is not up to my standards.

My collection centers on: CDs and vinyl records – both new and used original pressings, original issues, reissues, box sets, deluxe editions, etcetera - some collectables, BluRays/DVDs/VHS tapes, music magazines, Beatles and Pink Floyd publications, books, concert souvenirs, and other assorted oddities. That’s not to mention a decent sized accumulation of Woodstock and New York Mets publications and other assorted memorabilia. Oh, I do leave a little room for my family!

MW : ... do you ever de-clutter?!

DD : Much to my wife’s dismay, I never declutter! Why would I want to get rid of anything?!

MW : What role, if any, does your wife Sherri play in your own “magical mystery tour”?

DD : In general, my wife has been involved in numerous aspects of my career, mostly providing behind the scenes support and encouragement and offering occasional feedback on my radio shows (although these days she isn’t awake when I am on the air!) and when I emcee live shows.

MW : Do you kids wish to follow you onto radio?

DD : My son has developed a bit of an interest in sports broadcasting, mostly baseball, but for the most part, broadcasting hasn’t interested my kids much. (It doesn’t interest any of my kid’s friends, either. When they find out what I do for a living, it’s usually met with indifference!).

If my children were interested in broadcasting, I would try to steer them towards sports and news and away from music. Quality opportunities for the traditional DJ/music show host have been dwindling for some time now.

MW : List in order of preference your Top 5 Beatles albums, and tell me about your No.1 choice...

DD : I always struggle with lists like this and end up spending far too much time agonizing over them to make them “perfect” and accurate (as if some sort of World Order is at stake!). Right now (and this will change in an hour or so), I’d say:

Abbey Road  (1969)

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band  (1967)

Revolver  (1966)

Rubber Soul  (1965)

A Hard Day’s Night  (1964) - The UK versions of 3, 4 and 5.

By the way, The Beatles, AKA “The White Album” (1968) , and Magical Mystery Tour (1967) are knocking on the door!

Abbey Road is simply a perfect album. The Beatles were at the top of their game as musicians, the production was flawless, the song craft was impeccable, etc.

MW : Why do you love baseball so much?!

DD : Honestly, I am not sure. I’d assume it’s because when I was growing up, baseball was THE sport – not only in my neighborhood, or in New York City, but in the entire country. There was no doubt about that. Football and basketball have made significant inroads in American culture over recent decades; hockey to a lesser extent.

Today, I am not sure baseball is still the most popular sport in the U.S., but it’s still near the top, at least. When I was growing up in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s; there was no question that baseball was tops. Football was probably a distant second. Kids played a lot of baseball, and subtle variations of baseball, back then. So, when I hit the ages of 7 and 8, I naturally gravitated to baseball, like most boys did.

New York City is a huge baseball town and we have two teams – the New York Yankees, who play in the Bronx and have been around since moving to New York City in 1903, and the New York Mets, who are in Queens and started play in 1962. Needless to say, being from the Bronx, I was surrounded by many Yankees fans, but my allegiance went to the Mets. As I grew older, my passion for the Mets grew and my hatred of the Yankees has intensified! (“Let’s Go Mets!”)

MW : Thoughts on the demise of The Village Voice (print version) ...

DD : I was never a reader of the Voice, except for the concert venue listings. I believe the Village Voice had the most thorough concert/show listings in New York City and, before the rise of the internet, the Voice was essential if you wanted to keep up with the city’s music and arts events. Despite not touching a copy of the Voice for a number of years, I still think it’s incredibly sad that the print media, like music, has taken such a lethal blow from the internet. Sorry folks, I’d rather have a physical newspaper, book, CD, LP, etc. If you go all electronic, you’ve lost me as a reader and/or listener.

MW : Thoughts on 50 years of The Rolling Stone magazine...

DD : I’ve always enjoyed thumbing through Rolling Stone, but, I rarely thought of it as a ‘must read’ publication. It has a significant place in history and should always be around - IN PRINT. I’m not a passionate reader of it. Their record reviews often seem to be pandering.

MW : Outside of the radio studios, what do you enjoy doing / seeing?

DD : As I have gotten older, I have become very much a homebody, and I tend to enjoy quietly relaxing at home. I’m pretty easy going and I don’t need very extravagant vacations or eventful evenings to dot my social calendar.

This past summer, I went to Citi Field a lot with my son to see the New York Mets play. We attended twenty-three of the eighty-one games they played at Citi Field this past season.

I do go to occasional concerts, but not quite as many as I used to go to. I usually go see artists I have been fond of for many years – the old tried and true favorites. I don’t really venture out to the clubs to see newer acts, or just to hang out, like I used to. I miss it; sometimes a lot; but I have grown mellower (lazier?!) as I’ve gotten older.

Having a family slows the social life down significantly, as well. I just never got it totally revved up again!

MW : Tips for new artists / groups to watch out for in 2018?

DD : As hard as this may seem, I don’t really have my finger on the pulse of what might be coming or what is presently causing a stir in music. Usually, if I do have an opportunity to embrace a new artist or band, it’s just as an album (or maybe a single) is coming out.

MW : Where can we tune-in for more?!

For those in or around the New York City metropolitan area, we are located at 90.7 FM on the dial. As for listening elsewhere in the world, our website is www.wfuv.org. You can stream us there. You can also listen on our app and the TuneIn Radio app.

I am presently on the air: on the main WFUV at 90.7 FM, www.wfuv.org, and the radio apps – Mondays through Thursdays (into Tuesday through Friday mornings) from 10 p.m until 2 a.m Sunday night / Monday morning from midnight until 2 a.m (Monday) on the HD2 channel, “WFUV Music”, at www.wfuv.org, the radio apps and 90.7 FM-HD2 – Saturdays and Sundays, three times each day from midnight until 4 a.m, 8 a.m until noon and 4 p.m until 8 p.m.

Listeners, and music fans, can link to me by joining my Facebook “radio” page, Darren DeVivo On WFUV Radio. The link is:

https://www.facebook.com/DarrenDeVivoOnWFUVRadio/

© Mark Watkins / October 2017