Mark Pine

Tag: Baruch College

  • Opinion: Respectful email to Baruch College about me suing them without an attorney.

    Disclaimers: Use this information at your own risk. I’m not an attorney. All information is subject to change. Please verify everything yourself.

    Greetings Baruch College,

    I always and will continue to treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times. I don’t care if someone pours a can of paint on my head, I will not get into a negative conversation with anyone at CUNY Baruch College under any circumstances. That includes staff, professors, security guards, maintenance, and students. 

    Treating people respectfully is more important than anything. I never participate in controversial conversations at Baruch College. I love Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York.

    With that being said I’m about to file a lawsuit against The City University of New York / Baruch College. I’d rather not get into the details here, I’d prefer to save the details for the court documents. 

    You very kindly and politely told me it would be best if I only contact you instead of reaching out to others at Baruch College.
    I 100% followed your instructions and will continue to without exception.  

    I’m figuring out the legal process for serving legal documents. One thing I did read on the New York State Court of Claims website is that I have to hire someone to serve the paperwork for the lawsuit directly to CUNY.

    Please let me know if it is OK with you for me to have the documents served directly or if there is another way you would like for me to handle it. 

    More important than anything, I’m going to follow your rules and the rules of Baruch College / CUNY and stay in good standing with the college. The whole point of the lawsuit at its core is to stay in good standing with Baruch College CUNY. 

    I should have more information in the next week or two because I’m not 100% sure that is where the legal documents are supposed to go. When I find out for sure I will follow up with you. 

    I have absolutely no animosity towards Baruch College or CUNY at all. I’m merely trying to protect and defend myself. 

    Please advise if it’s OK to serve the CUNY legal office or if there is another way you would like for me to proceed. I guarantee you I will treat them as respectfully as I treat you and everyone at Baruch College. 

    Regardless of what the process is, I will keep you updated and make sure to clear everything with you first unless you tell me differently. 

    Thank you very much for all the consideration and support the whole time I’ve been at Baruch College. 

    As I mentioned to you a few weeks ago I bought the textbook for a Spanish class that doesn’t start for about 3 or more weeks. I have been studying every day. 

    I can not tell you the advantage it’s going to give me to succeed in the class. I’m also using an app called quizlet.com to help me memorize the material.

    I’m also about to start studying for math and science even though I’m not taking those classes for another semester. 

    The reason I transferred from Laguardia Community College before I graduated was so I could focus on graduating from a four-year school. My plan is working and I’m working diligently towards my degree. 

    Lastly, as usual, I’m not mentioning a word about this lawsuit and the police harassing me to anyone at Baruch College besides you under any circumstances. 

    I keep to myself in regards to students. 

    Anytime I interact with anyone at Baruch College including students, staff, professors, security, maintenance, etc. all I do is talk about school and be very professional. I act like I’m on a job interview with the New York State Attorney General’s Office with everyone I interact with at Baruch College / CUNY. 

    I’m making the best of it like always, although, NYC law enforcement has taken all the fun out of Baruch College for me. I’m scared to open my mouth at school because NYC law enforcement runs around Manhattan and tells people I interact with to say Mark Pine is rude, inconsiderate, smells, is stalking all the women, is having outbursts, etc; when in reality I treat everyone with the utmost respect at all times and shower every day. 

    NYC law enforcement did everything they could to try and lock me up. When that didn’t work they switched to robbing me and trying to sabotage me everywhere I go.

    I feel bad for everyone they’ve done this to and are doing this too. I would have expected more from them. Personally, I can’t believe this goes on in the United States. I wouldn’t believe it had I not experienced it firsthand. 

    I have reported NYC law enforcement to hundreds of government agencies nationwide, thousands of times, yet, somehow in my spare time, according to NYC law enforcement, Mark Pine is this big problem even though after 45 years I have zero criminal record. Plus, I’ve helped a lot of people with web marketing, real estate, etc. 

    NYC law enforcement is being paid by people I grew up with to abuse and sabotage me every day. For example, they broke my arm, arrested me for no reason, wrote me thousands of dollars in tickets, stole my cell phone four times in the last month, have people try and pick fights with me every day, etc. 

    I’m always polite to patrol police officers. I interact with them constantly because I’m homeless and am regularly reporting that I’m being robbed. Sometimes they issue me police reports and sometimes they don’t. Regardless, I’m not trying to make a bad situation worse. Also, what are my options? I have a hearing to sue the NYPD, that’s the only productive thing I can figure out how to defend myself. 

    Please advise if it’s OK for me to serve Baruch College with the legal papers in the manor the New York State Court of Claims requires. If not, please let me know an alternative that is acceptable to you. If you require any further information please let me know. 

    Thank you very much for your consideration. 

    Have a great day. 

    Ever upward, 

    Mark Pine 

  • Opinion: NYC law enforcement is down to their last lie and scam to try and get me kicked out of Baruch College. 

    The final scam NYC law enforcement is trying to use to have me kicked out of Baruch College is the “he had an outburst at school scam.” 

    It’s exactly like the movie “Tango and Cash” from 1989. In the movie, people take audio out of context and edit it to get Tango and Cash in trouble. 

    People I know have been paying NYC law enforcement to harass me for years. NYC law enforcement has their scam team shove their phones in my face, crash into me, spit in my face, sneeze in my face, cough in my face, and cut me off, while shoving their phones in my face.

    I take the abuse because I have no choice. The only thing I know I can do is call and report NYC law enforcement to various government agencies. 

    NYC law enforcement is planning on taking the audio of me reporting them outside of school, along with videos of their scam team shoving their phones in my face over and over, and saying the whole thing happened at Baruch College. 

    NYC law enforcement will have so many witnesses to back up their lies, it’s not even funny. NYC law enforcement has thousands of people unofficially working for them exactly for situations like this. NYC law enforcement has people whose job it is to serve as witnesses and lie. 

    NYC law enforcement has been harassing me for years. I am more than happy to share my phone and bank records with anyone who works for the US government. They can match the locations where I’ve been to security cameras around Manhattan. They will see NYC law enforcement’s regular clothes hate/lie/scam team harassing me hundreds of times in stores, the street, and the subway. 

    I never mention a word about the police harassing me to anyone at Baruch College. I’m respectful to the staff, security, and professors at Baruch College. 

    Anytime I interact with anyone at Baruch College I only talk about school, I’m respectful and professional. 

    I keep to myself in regards to students. The only time I speak with students is in mandatory student groups which are very rare. When I speak with students I only talk about school and I’m respectful and professional. 

    People I know pay NYC law enforcement to harass me several times per day. I have reported NYC law enforcement to hundreds of government agencies and I’m still being harassed. 

    The agencies I’ve reported NYC law enforcement for taking money under the table to harass me include the US Attorney Southern District’s office, Manhattan District Attorney’s office, NYPD Internal Affairs, Civilian Complaint Review Board, Department of Investigations, and hundreds of others. 

    NYC law enforcement knows I have contacted hundreds of government agencies thousands of times to report them for harassing me. 

    NYC law enforcement is desperately trying to get me kicked out of Baruch College. I mentioned it to one of the executives at Baruch College and was told there is nothing that Baruch College or CUNY can do to help me. Therefore I dropped it. I never mention a word about NYC law enforcement harassing me to anyone at Baruch College. 

    I always treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times. That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students. 

    Treating people respectfully is more important than anything. I never participate in controversial conversations at Baruch College. 

    I love Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York. My goal is to earn a C or D average. Grades are not my priority. I’m at CUNY to learn.

    If you have an emergency call 911. This is my opinion. Use this information at your own risk. 

    I have no idea if it’s legal or not but in my spare time, I call random companies and organzations that I find on Google and leave them voice mail messages. I keep track of who I call so I only leave one message for each company or organization. 

    I’ll call companies at night and leave a message on their voice mail. I’ll say, “Hi my name is Mark Pine. Allegedly people I know are paying New York City law enforcement to harass me. I’ve contacted several government agencies and they aren’t helping me. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. I keep track of every company I call so I’ll only leave this one message.”

    I have three days left at Baruch College until the end of the semester. I already finished all the work for one of my classes. I have the majority of the work done for the remaining three classes I’m taking. 

    I’m literally walking on eggshells. I’m being as cautious as humanly possible. I’m treating everyone with the utmost respect. I’m barely talking at all unless a Baruch College staff member or professor speaks with me. 

    I just found out for some reason I’m about to get a direct deposit next week from Baruch College for about $1,000. 

    Then in February and March of 2022, I’m going to receive about $7,000 from Baruch College student loans in my bank account to take care of necessities. 

    Not bad for a street homeless person that’s been on welfare for the past five years. 

    New York City law enforcement is gearing up to claim that for some reason “He’s going to throw that all away to have an outburst in class.” 

    I have no criminal record. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t party. I don’t do anything illegal.

    When NYC law enforcement has students they are connected with cut me off, crash into me, and shove their phones in my face, I ignore them and don’t say a word. I don’t report it, I just ignore them. 

    I can care less about grades. I just want to pass. When I try and study, NYC law enforcement has their scam team sneak up on me and blow vape and other types of smoke in my face. They have done that hundreds of times. 

    I’m always respectful to the NYPD when I see them in person. My civilian enemies that pay NYC law enforcement to torture me aren’t paying cops that are interacting with the public. My civilian enemies are paying high-ranking law enforcement that are running scams behind the scenes. 

    NYC law enforcement also has girls follow me around and pretend they are under attack and fighting for their life with people all over the place, security cameras, and NYC law enforcement supervising. 

    I’m not saying that NYC law enforcement doesn’t keep us safe because they do to some extent. I’m saying that in my opinion, keeping us safe doesn’t excuse this type of behavior. Also, in my opinion, the CCRB, IA, and DOI should be completely revamped. 

  • Opinion: Email to the Baruch College Bursar about the Fed ARPA Student Grant.

    Greetings Baruch College Bursar,

    Thank you for all the help this semester and every previous semester.

    If I’m correct, I read in CUNY First that I have a grant for $1,000 on the way from the federal government and/or CUNY.

    It appears that the federal government has really been doing what they can to look out for people that normally don’t have a platform to ask for help. I have noticed an increase from HRA too.

    From my past experience, it can take up to a week or two from the date listed on CUNY First until the money is direct deposited into my bank account. Is that correct? Am I going to receive $1,000? Is there a date range in regard to when available for students? If the answer is yes, that’s amazing.

    I had no idea there were so many extra benefits to CUNY/college when I came here from the HRA welfare job program. When I started at LaGuardia Community College before Baruch College, I didn’t even have a $200 laptop. Now I have laptops, smartphones, etc.

    LaGuardia Community College, Baruch College, and CUNY are one of the best opportunities in New York City.

    I’m spending my free time trying to earn money and elevate my situation. I hope to make everyone at CUNY proud one day. I want to be an example of someone who utilized the CUNY platform to go from homeless to an apartment and job security.

    Please advise if possible.

    Thank you and have a great day.

    Ever upward,

    Mark Pine

  • Opinion: Email to Baruch College about my probation appeal and NYC law enforcement trying to have me removed from school. November 5, 2021.

    Greetings Baruch College,

    I’m at school studying for my classes. I just returned from the post office on 23 Street. I sent X the exact same PDF that I sent to you. 

    As far as I’m concerned the probation appeal process is over. From now until the end of the semester I will continue to walk on eggshells like I always do. 

    Today I was walking into the Baruch College verticle building at about 8 AM. My Baruch College ID wasn’t working and the security guards let me in.

    For anyone that isn’t even something worth mentioning. For me, I have to watch every interaction very carefully. The reason is that NYC law enforcement has been harassing me and sabotaging me worse than ever. 

    When my student ID didn’t work, I said to myself this is all I need. If one of the security guards says I was rude, I’m gone. And of course, it was a coincidence that my card wasn’t working. Of course, that would never happen here. I’m just saying that’s how my mind works. 

    Even with all this, I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t vape, etc. The abuse I take from NYC law enforcement is intense. I have been to the emergency room of the hospital several times this semester from NYC law enforcement harassing me. I don’t need therapy, I need an apartment, money, and law firms. 

    I never mention any of this to anyone at CUNY. I don’t even like mentioning it to you but I feel like every so often its good to cover myself because NYC law enforcement is so good at running scams and sabotaging people including me. It’s a miracle they haven’t figured out a way to get me kicked out of CUNY.

    I know NYC law enforcement is drooling that I’m on probation. 
    They almost got rid of me last semester when they arrested me. I beat the case and got a 4.0 GPA with 12 credits. They have been harassing me every day since I had the charge dropped down to a violation. 

    That’s why when I contact hundreds of government agencies nationwide to get help from NYC law enforcement harassing me I don’t blame them for turning their heads the other way and pretending I don’t exist. NYC law enforcement doesn’t play around. When they want something it’s not up for negotiation. 

    Thank you again for helping me with the appeal process. 
    In regards to school, I’m so far ahead of the game this semester that it feels great. I’m literally studying for Spring 2022 classes today. I’m about to buy one of the textbooks for next semester next week and I have a few sample pages of it already. Instead of wasting my time watching celebrity interviews like I usually do in my spare time, I’m going to study math and Spanish. 

    I’m also going to start to document via video how I live in the subway in an effort to raise awareness and try and get help from the general public. I have a place to shower and keep clean clothes. Cold nights I live on subway platforms. I have never been more confident that I’m going to get back into an apartment one day soon thanks to HRA and CUNY. 

    I’m going to make you and the whole CUNY family proud one day and I’ll make sure to always let everyone know that the only reason I was able to get back on my feet is thanks to HRA and CUNY. Two of the most amazing organizations in New York City. The staff here is as good as it gets and the opportunity is beyond words. 

    Thank you and have a great day. 

    Ever upward, 

    Mark Pine 

  • Question to a Baruch College professor about Elementary Spanish.

    Greetings Professor,

    I just signed up to take Elementary Spanish 1 next semester (Spring 2022). I’m going to start to study Spanish now in my spare time. 

    CUNY First doesn’t say who my professor will be. I saw your name on the website so therefore I decided to contact you regarding how I can prepare for Elementary Spanish 1. 

    If I’m correct we have about a month or so of free time between Fall 2021 and Spring 2022. I’m going to study 5 to 10 hours per day every day during that month for all my Spring 2022 classes before they start so I’m familiar with the material when classes begin.  

    Is there any specific type of Spanish that I should be studying?

    Is this the textbook? 

    Please advise with any information if possible. If not it’s no big deal, I’ll do the best I can with the information listed publically on the web (Google, YouTube, etc.). 

    Thank you and have a great day. 

    Ever upward, 

    Mark Pine 

  • Question for my college math professor.

    Greetings Professor,

    I just signed up for a Math class of yours next semester. 

    The last time I took Math was approximately 25 years ago. I passed the Accuplacer to get into CUNY and that was about it. 

    I don’t know anything about Math. I’m a journalism major. The reason I’m contacting you is to see if there is anything I can do now to start getting ready for class? 

    I don’t know what the rules are about asking a professor if there is anything I can do to start preparing early. I contacted a professor that teaches Spanish and the professor told me what the textbook is going to be early so I guess it’s allowed and up to the professor’s discretion. 

    In addition to not having taken any math for 25 years, I also know we have about a month off between this semester and when we start next semester. I am trying to figure out ways to use that month productively. If there is anything I can do to brush up on my math or start studying please let me know. I contacted the math department to ask them too. I’ll also search Google and YouTube.  

    If you can provide any guidance or feedback that would be excellent. If not it’s no big deal. I look forward to taking your class. 

    Thank you and have a great day. 

    Ever upward, 

    Mark Pine 

  • Opinion: Email to Baruch College defending myself. October 25, 2021.

    Greetings Baruch College,

    The following is the answers to the questions I received from you a few hours ago. Please let me know if you require any additional information. 

    Dear Mr. Pine – it appears each week I get a complaint or concern reported to me about you.  

    Can you please share one complaint you have received about me?  I keep to myself in regards to students. I treat all my professors with the utmost respect at all times. If you look at any email I’ve ever sent to any professor, they are all respectful.  

    This time, it appears you did not complete a group assignment where you were to be interviewed or to interview one of your peers for a class assignment. Why did you not complete the assignment as required? 

    I was assigned an in class project to interview a student. I respectfully and professionally interviewed a student. I didn’t record that interview but I just recorded a bunch of interviews outside of school for another class project. If you listen to any of them you will hear how polite I am with everyone.  

    There was another assignment to go outside, take off our masks and take pictures of a student from class. I respectfully and politely said that I don’t feel comfortable going outside of school and talking pictures of another student.  

    Please note that as you advance in your coursework, it will become extremely challenging for you to maintain a good standing in your classes if you continue to object/refuse to participate in group or teamwork in the class. Group work is part of the application process of learning in today’s higher education, particularly in communications classes, and especially if you pursue internship opportunities.   

    I didn’t refuse. I just did a project where I interviewed a student. I was professional and respectful. I’ll interact with students.  I just don’t feel comfortable going off campus, taking off my mask, and taking photos of a student. I’ll gladly interact with students inside of Baruch College classrooms.  

    Also, I discussed with you several times not to share your personal life with classmates, unless it is pertinent to the classwork. I am told you continue to do so. It is the case?

    After all the emails between you and I, I’m not sure where this question is coming from.  

    I was interviewed by a student for a class assignment. That is the only time I ever spoke with a student in over a year.  In the interview I spoke about being homeless because it was an interview about me. The student I interviewed spoke about her life.  

    Due to the alarming amount of complaints from students against students at  New York colleges I have requested to keep to myself in regards to students. You said no.  Now your asking me not to share my personal information with students? 

    The only time I interact with students is when it’s mandatory and that has been one time this year.

    Anytime I interact with students and professors I treat them with the utmost respect. I follow the instructions of the assignment and nothing more.  

    The one time I respectfully refused to interact with a student is becasue I didn’t want to go outside, take my mask off and take pictures of another student outside of school with no teacher supervision.   

    Additionally, we discussed your deleting the following statement from your Baruch e-mail signature, yet it remains: “I always treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times. That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students. Treating people respectfully is more important than anything.” Again, what is the relevance of this statement? It only causes confusion. Do it, don’t write it. 

    The reason that sentence is there is to let everyone I interact with at CUNY know that I respect the work everyone does at CUNY.  

    I’m going to respectfully request for a new contact at school. In my humble opinion this email is borderline abusive. Especially due to my stellar track record at CUNY.  If I have to continue to receive these types of emails from you I will but I’m formally requesting another contact at Baruch College CUNY.  

    Regardless of how you speak with me and or email me I will treat you with the utmost respect at all times. That doesn’t mean I enjoy these types of emails.  I’m not going to speculate why you are signling me out. I will gladly share that I don’t take it personal.  

    I will continue to treat you and everyone else at CUNY with the utmost respect at all times.  I have a perfect record at Baruch College and LaGuardia Community College in regards to my behavior.  As far as I know my probation is under appeal.

    The only student I have ever spoken with at Baruch College is one woman who is in my JRN 3060 class. The project was to interview each other. I spoke about being homeless. She spoke about the topics she was interested in. It was a professional interview. I acted like I was on an interview for the NYC Comptroller’s Office. 

    I don’t drink. I don’t smoke.  I don’t have a criminal record. I do my schoolwork 7 days per week. I treat everyone with the utmost respect at all times. 

    In regards to the request to take that one sentence off my email signature, I’m not sure why that’s an issue. It’s an issue to have this sentence at the end of my email signature? 

    I always treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times. That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students. Treating people respectfully is more important than anything.

    I have completed either 3 or 4 semesters at CUNY while living in the street homeless the whole time. I’m as clean as any homeless person can be. I just had the flu shot, I’m vaccinated, I’m about to get my booster shot. I have a place to shower. I have a place to keep clean clothes. I treat everyone respectfully and keep to myself.

    You said I have to interact with students and I did for the one assignment. I don’t think it’s fair to ask me to go off campus with students unsupervised. I’ll gladly interact with students in the school. 

    Right now I’m writing this email while sitting on the steps of the subway platform on 77 Street and Lexington Ave in Manhattan. There is another homeless person yelling at me to illegally let him in to the subway through the door. I’m ignoring him.

    After I do more homework, I’ll take a nap on the steps of the subway. Usually the NYPD comes around at about 5 AM and wakes up most of the homeless people.

    Sometimes the NYPD writes me a $75 ticket for sleeping on the steps. I just paid about $700 to the MTA TAB for those tickets.

    Next I’ll change my cothes, take a shower and be at school around 7 or 8 AM. I’m doing the best I can with what I have. I might get a 2.5 this semester, I might get a 3.0. My main concern is that I pass.

    Regardless what my GPA is, I’m going to pass all my classes. I’m going to continue to treat everyone respectfully. I’m going to continue to follow the rules. 

    In addition to being successful at Baruch College, my goal is to get into an apartment. Baruch College is helping me get there. 

    I worked on this email for 3 hours. I can spend another 10 hours on this email but I have schoolwork and I want to take a nap before school. 

    Thank you for your consideration.  

    Please advise,

    Thank you and have a great day. 

    Ever upward, 

    Mark Pine 

    I always treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times. That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students. Treating people respectfully is more important than anything. 

  • Opinion: Email to the New York City Council Committee on Education about student interaction.

    10/3/2021

    Mark Pine

    Baruch College CUNY student

    RE: Student interaction / Student groups. 

    Greetings New York City Council Committee on Education,

    I love Baruch College and The City University of New York. 

    I always treat everyone at Baruch College CUNY with the utmost respect at all times. That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students. Treating people respectfully is more important than anything. 

    I never participate in controversial conversations at Baruch College out of respect for people’s feelings. 

    I love Baruch College and The City University of New York. It’s the best opportunity ever.

    I’ve been living in the street homeless for the past five years. I believe that Baruch College CUNY is going to be my bridge to having an apartment. 

    I never intentionally partake in risky behavior. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t party. I don’t have a criminal record. 

    I would like feedback from the New York City Council – Committee on Education regarding an issue I’m having at Baruch College CUNY. 

    I read that there are thousands of complaints from students against students every year in New York Colleges including New York City. 

    I read that CUNY is spending millions of dollars per year to defend complaints and lawsuits from CUNY students against CUNY staff and professors. 

    I politely asked the Baruch College CUNY staff if I could be excused from having to get into small groups and pairs with students. 

    I don’t mind getting into a big group and keeping quiet and observing. 

    I’m referencing getting into a small group or pair. 

    The Baruch College CUNY staff responded and said getting into small groups and pairs with students is mandatory and non-negotiable. 

    Even though I disagree with the Baruch College CUNY staff on this one issue, I hold them in the highest regard and treat them with the utmost respect at all times.

    The Baruch College CUNY staff and professors are as good as it gets. I appreciate the opportunity to be part of the Baruch College family. When I graduate from Baruch College I would like to attend a CUNY graduate school. 

    For the last three semesters (two at LaGuardia Community College and one at Baruch College) I have been lucky enough to avoid student groups.

    I don’t date and I’m not looking to network at Baruch College. I’m a people person and I enjoy meeting people but not under these circumstances.

    I would prefer to network outside of college where I don’t have to worry about complaints and getting in trouble at school. 

    I will also let all students in my groups know that I live in the street and am homeless just in case the student doesn’t want to be in a pair with a street homeless person. 

    I also notified my professors that it’s OK to notify the class that Mark Pine (me) is street homeless. I want the students in the class to know upfront because I’m confident that a lot of students and their parents wouldn’t want their children in small groups with street homeless people.

    It’s common knowledge that homeless people, in general, have a bad reputation. 

    Please advise if there is anything I can do to respectfully avoid student groups at Baruch College. It’s such a small part of school but has the ability to derail my entire education. 

    Thank you and have a great day. 

    Ever upward,

    Mark Pine 

  • My new email signature at Baruch College. September 25, 2021.

    Thank you and have a great day.

    Ever upward,

    Mark Pine

    CUNY Student Number #

    I always treat everyone at Baruch College with the utmost respect at all times.

    That includes staff, professors, security guards, and students.

    Treating people respectfully is more important than anything.

    I never participate in controversial conversations at Baruch College out of respect for people’s feelings.

    I love Baruch College and The City University of New York. It’s the best opportunity ever.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I was able to pay my phone bill over a year in advance. It’s one thing to be homeless. It’s another thing to be homeless without a smart phone. Being homeless without a smart phone is like living in the 1990’s and earlier.

    Could you imagine being homeless, sleeping in a chair on the subway platform, and reading newspapers in bad light? Not my idea of the best time ever.

    Being homeless with an smart phone is endless possibilites, ability to study, entertainment, etc. I have a student YouTube premium account so I can watch videos for school off line and without commercials. It’s great.

    Not only do I have a smart phone but I have a Samsung A52 5G. If that’s not enough I have insurance with a $100 deductable so I can lose my phone three times per year and get a new phone. I’ve been robbed several times in the subway so the insurance works for me.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I have laptops. I love my laptops.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I was able to buy winter clothes so I don’t freeze this winter when I’m sleeping in chairs on the subway platforms in Midtown Manhattan. I tried the homeless shelters, I prefer to be homeless on my own terms instead of at those places.

    I’m not going to mention the clothing companies name here, although they have a free repair policy. Anytime I have an issue with my clothes, I can mail them to the company and they fix them for free. It’s the best deal.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I was able to pay almost all the tickets I received from the MTA in the subway. Now when members of NYPD transit run my name I don’t have subway tickets from 2018 and before on my record. The transit police are always very nice to me. Now when they run my name they will see that I’m following the rules and paying my tickets. That’s respect.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I have credibility. Instead of being a street homeless person in the welfare job program, I’m a college student at Baruch College. Albeit, a homeless colllege student.

    I already applied for jobs at almost every restaurant and retail store in the city and they didn’t hire me. I’m not sure if it’s becasue of my credit, age (45), etc. Also, I tell everyone I’m homeless. I’m not going to lie about it. Long story short, no retail company wanted to hire me. That means I have to sit around the welfare job program every day. Phone doesn’t work up there. No access to a computer. No WiFi. People crashing into me all day long.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I’m becoming a 10X better entreprenur.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I learned how the government interacts with private industry.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I learned about how this country was formed. Before Baruch College I had no clue.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York learned about my carbon footprint.

    My life is like a video game. The game is to go from homeless to home. That’s what I’m trying to do. I have bad credit and evictions on my record.

    On a positive note, I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t do anything illegal. I don’t have a criminal record. I believe with the platform that CUNY is providing for me that I will have a roof over my head before I graduate.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I filed my taxes. I’ve been homeless for years. I wasn’t filing my taxes. The amazing, super helpful, caring, and stellar financial aid office at LaGuardia Community College advised me to file my taxes. It feels great to have filed my taxes. I thought I was going to jail for not paying my taxes. It turns out that the IRS is very nice. I went to the IRS office at 290 Broadway in Manhattan. I filed a bunch of back tax returns and it turns out I don’t owe that much. At least not enough for the IRS to lock me up. I filed my New York State taxes too.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I receive food stamps, cash assistance, health insurance, and storage to keep clean clothes.

    Thanks to Baruch College, LaGuardia Community College, and The City University of New York I have a place to shower. Not at school. A place I was able to pay for. A nice place.

    My goal is to attend Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY or another CUNY graduate school after I graduate from Baruch College.

    In my spare time, I’m working on charitable and entrepreneurial ventures. I am working on raising money from professional accredited investors to create a nonprofit that will help people obtain state-issued licenses. For example, a real estate salesperson’s license. I have to consult with attornies and make sure it’s legal.

    I’m also working on trying to create several entertainment and media-based projects. For example, a broadway show, television, and movie project about digital identity theft. For example, people editing audio of innocent victims into new conversations to get them in trouble. People editing videos of innocent victims to set them up. People using video cameras to sabotage victims. People erasing evidence. People impersonating others with email and social media.

    It’s all about the ways people are using digital technologies to sabotage innocent victims. I would like to create awareness to try and help people.

    When I started school, decades ago, we used pensils, paper, and typewriters. I don’t even remember having a typewriter at home. I wrote my homework by hand. I’m enjoying school a lot more now with the technology. It’s a lot more fun. The technology is allowing me to learn valuable information.

  • Opinion: Letter to Baruch College about respecting the opportunity.

    Greetings Baruch College,

    I completely understand you have a large school to run with many students. 

    I’m patiently waiting for the instructions regarding the probation appeal.

    I’m never submitting another student grievance under any circumstances. 

    Being a student at Baruch College has many benefits. 

    I just paid my T Mobile phone bill, the best plan with mobile hotspot, for more than a year in advance. That is a huge benefit for a homeless person. That’s great for my studies, my lifeline, etc.

    I just paid for MTA tickets I’ve accumulated over the years, so I don’t get arrested in the subway this winter. I could have run into issues with the transit police if I didn’t take care of the MTA tickets. The transit police are always very nice, but rules are rules. 

    I was able to buy a new laptop for school today. I was using a Google Chromebook. Now I realize that a Windows computer is necessary for my classes. I picked one up on Amazon for a great deal. 

    I can list dozens or hundreds of additional reasons here. 

    Last but not least, I’m becoming a 10X better writer thanks to my professors. By next semester, I believe my future professors will see the dedication and commitment I’ve made to improve my writing because it’s such a crucial part of the college experience. 

    I used to think college was unnecessary when I was younger. I realize now that college prepares me for the real world because I did everything in reverse order. 

    With the platform provided by Baruch College, I will have a roof over my head one day. The sooner the better 🙂 

    All my assignments are being turned in on time or early except for one small homework that I couldn’t complete without my windows computer. I let my professor know the situation and he is very understanding. 

    I earned two A- on the other assignments. The one I’m late for will be submitted in a few days. In the meantime I’m studying with the laptop I have.  

    I appreciate the consideration that you have provided for me as one of the thousands of students. I look forward to hearing your instructions when you are available. 

    Have a great weekend. 

    Ever upward,

    Mark Pine