Baggage Claims

Baggage Claims: Attitudes and Skills to Pack for College combines the knowledge, academic backgrounds, and life experiences of five educators to help first-year university students appreciate what college has to offer and acquire the skills needed for academic success. It addresses the intangibles that impact this success, and prepares students for the university experience.



The readings provide opportunities to engage in analysis and academic discourse, and become comfortable with sociological language and college-level reading and research. The material poses questions, gives examples of how to think and respond clearly, and provides guidance on writing about research.



The unique organization of the text approaches the first-year college experience as a journey. Each chapter advises students on what to pack and what to leave at home. Topics include the excess baggage of previous academic experience, the cosmetic, surface projection of oneself, what to carry on in terms of personal moral codes, and the usefulness of repacking with wise choices and new tools. This new edition features even more knowledge and perspective from the authors on topics such as defining one's identity, projecting oneself to others, and expanding personal views.



Baggage Claims can be used in communication and sociology classes. It is also a useful supplemental reader for any course designed to encourage critical thinking.


Joe Marren earned his M.A. in history at St. Bonaventure University. He is a professor and the chair of the Communication Department at SUNY Buffalo State.


Amitra A. Wall holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Texas Woman's University. She is professor of sociology and the assistant dean of intellectual foundations and first year programs at SUNY Buffalo State.


Amy DiBartolo Rockwell holds an M.L.S. in library and information science and an M.S. in rehabilitation counseling, both from the University at Buffalo. She is the first-year experience librarian and the accessibility services librarian at E. H. Butler Library, SUNY Buffalo State.


Jane E. Sullivan earned an M.S. in reading education at Canisius College and holds a B.A. in English from Syracuse University. She is currently an adjunct lecturer in the College Writing Program at SUNY Buffalo State and the lifestyles editor of the East Aurora Advertiser and the Elma Review.


Susan Mary Paige completed her Ph.D. in elementary and early childhood education at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is a lecturer at SUNY Buffalo State.