Dec. 8, 2014

MUSICIAN FINDS HER SUCCESS AND LASTING FRIENDS AT CLC Page 10

MonDAY, December 8, 2014

Truth Conquers All Since 1969

Vol 48, No.7

“We are budgeting for gradual declines in enrollment...

If we can hold the decline to two or three percent a year, it probably doesn’t have any serious implication.”

- CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber

Fall 2014

CLC enrollment is between three and four percent lower than in previous years.

Fall enrollment down three to four percent Sunny Muehleman

Staff Reporter

CLC’s enrollment is between three and four percent lower than in previous years, and the college is looking for ways to increase the number of students that are taking classes.

CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber said one factor is the economy. There is a correlation between how the economy is doing and how many people are enrolling in school.

“In 2009, we had a big surge in enrollment. That went for 2009 and 2010 and then the enrollment has

gradually been declining from that level,” Weber said.

“There is an inverse relationship. As the economy worsens, our enrollment goes up.”

Because of decreasing enrollment, CLC could also face a decrease in the funding received from the state.

The state has a formula where they take into account the number of credit hours generated in each school and from that determine how much aid each school is going to receive.

CLC does not rely as heavily on state funding as some other colleges do, so this will not be as large of a problem.

Executive Director of Public Relations Evelyn Schiele said that right now the state provided money is about eight or nine percent of our total budget. This means that even with a slight decrease in funding, CLC will not suffer as greatly other colleges because of low enrollment.

“We are budgeting for gradual declines in enrollment,” Weber said. “If we can hold the decline to two or three percent a year, it probably doesn’t have any serious implications.”

One way CLC is trying to increase enrollment is by targeting high school students.

The enrollment management

team has worked with outside consultants to survey prospective students about what would make them want to go to a school. The school will examine the consultants’ findings and put a plan into action in the next three years.

Along with prospective students, CLC is also taking a look at the currently enrolled students.

“We are doing a number of programs to increase our student retention so the students can stay here to complete a degree,” Weber said.

There may be a decline in the amount of class times offered. While classes will

continue to run, the number of sections offered could decline slightly. Classes with low enrollment will have a greater chance of being dropped. If not enough people sign up for a particular class, then the class will not be able to run for that semester.

“One thing that all the students can do is to certainly just get registered. That would help quite a bit,” Weber said. “The sooner they can register, that benefits them because they get the best classes but it benefits us because then we can focus on the areas where we have low enrollment.”

News Brief:

Cafeteria reopened, emails unclogged of worm Trey Martin Sports Editor

CLC’s cafeteria, Lancer’s, was closed Dec. 1 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. because of a plumbing clog, according to Evelyn Schiele, executive director of public relations

and marketing.

“The clog occurred somewhere in the pipes between the street and Lancer’s.”

Schiele said. “This affected running the water to the kitchen and necessitated the closing of Lancer’s.”

The clog was responsible

for the foul odor present in the C Wing Monday afternoon.

“The odor resulted from rodding out the sewer line to resolve the clog,” Schiele said.

Lancer’s officially reopened Tuesday at 7 a.m.

CLC also worked Thursday to resolve a worm/virus that was clogging emails with a “Your documen’” subject line.

Users were warned not to open the email or click on the zip file, and ITS assured usrs that the worm/virus had

been contained.

A list of users who had opened the file had to have their computers checked.

Accounts were disabled until the computers were scanned and were given “a clean bill of health,” an email from ITS said.

News

Chronicle

Page 2 | Monday, December 8, 2014

Original Nation brings medicine wheel to CLC Caitlyn Sinclair Staff Reporter

On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Intertribal Original Nations Organization took the next step to creating a medicine wheel at CLC. A medicine wheel is a circle of unity representing the cohesive community we have created with different types of people.

Photo by • Caitlyn Sinclair

Women perform ceremony on CLC grounds.

Cydney Salvador News Editor

Erin Smith

Features Editor

Trey Martin Sports Editor

Sam Greenberg Sports Columnist

Medicine wheels, or sacred hoops, have been used for generations by various Native American tribes. While some symbolize health, healing or different elements of Earth, CLC’s wheel will signify diversity, acceptance and harmony.

Co-advisors of the Intertribal Original Nations Organization, Ed Popelka and Lamont Barrientos, are involved with creating the wheel. They believe it is important acknowledge cultural diversity. Their mission as stated in their Constitution is to “embrace and develop the intertribal, multicultural, and spiritually ecumenical identity of Aboriginal peoples.”

Popelka hopes the Native American culture is preserved and treasured.

“We will always be celebrating our cultural diversity and our medicine

wheel would be a continuing celebration of this,” Popelka said.

Barrientos feels connected with Native American ancestors when making the wheel.

“Spiritual reconnect with those natives who have passed on before us, who use to walk, live on and hunt this very land,” Barrientos said.

These tribes include the Potawatomi, Sac Fox, HoChunk, Miami and Illinois Tribes.

Barrientos wants the wheel to be an educational experience for CLC students unfamiliar with Native American culture. He said the organization is about “achieving cultural competencies.”

“We are an academic institution, so there is an opportunity for learning original nation cultures,” Barrientos said.

To recognizing different

cultures, this circle will be formed on the grass behind the horticulture building.

Each medicine wheel has four quadrants. Some tribe’s quadrants represent the stages of life, seasons of the year, aspects of life, elements of nature, or animals.

However, the four quadrants at CLC will represent ceremonial plants and will consist of sweet grass, tobacco, sage and cedar. Other foods incorporated in the wheel include squash, beans and corn.

The entire project is predicted to be completed in the spring of 2015.

“It is in the beginning stages of being approved,” Popelka said. “(it will) be an ongoing project with participation for all of our community college clubs.”

Barrintos and Popelka gathered at the horticulture

THE CHRONICLE Miles Hoehne Editor-in-Chief

Staff List Contributors:

building with elders of local Native American tribes, the Original Nation, to send an offering to the spirits.

To make a medicine wheel, it is necessary to invite the local tribes to a natural meal of chili made from buffalo, corn and beans. If the spirits of the tribes accept the offering, the medicine wheel can be constructed. The elders from the tribe must also put the offerings of cedar, tobacco and cornmeal into the sacred fire.

Original Nation members who were in attendance included Matt Bell, a CLC student with a Cherokee/ Blackfoot background, Lake County residents Felicia Young from the Cherokee/ Choctaw tribe and Joe Russell from the Arapahoe tribe, and H. G. Geetanjali Kur Signh Begam from the Cherokee tribe.

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News

Chronicle

Page 3| Monday, December 8, 2014

Financial director gives students new direction Ana Tarlas Staff Reporter

CLC Financial Aid Director, Erin Fowles, gave her advice on how students can be smarter about taking out student loans.

A student loan is designed to help students pay for college expenses like books and tuition.

Fowles outlined the process of taking out student loans at CLC. Students who take out student loans must complete the Responsible Borrower packet.

“The first step is to fill out the FAFSA,” Fowles said. “Students need to be enrolled in at least six aid-eligible credit hours, be pursuing an aid-eligible program of study and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.”

After these steps, the student should then make an appointment to meet with a financial aid specialist.

Fowles spoke about some of the benefits of getting student loans.

She believes that the largest benefit is the security of having all your expenses paid for.

“Knowing that your tuition, books and other educational benefits are paid for with a modest student loan allows many students to focus on their studies,” she said.

Additionally, students who take out student loans have a multitude of ways to pay them back.

“A second benefit is that there are a lot of repayment options available,” Fowles said. “If you do nothing after you graduate or leave school, you will

be enrolled in the standard repayment plan.”

She emphasized that students should not borrow more than they need, because they will not be able to pay them back.

She also suggested that students keep their future salaries in mind when taking out loans for school.

“Loans are problematic when students are irresponsible borrowers,” Fowles said. “Be realistic about your starting salary when you graduate. Student loan payments should not be more than 10 percent of your income.”

She said students should be smart about taking out student loans. Unlike most types of loans, student loans cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.

According to Fowles, it is important to remember to

be more frugal after taking out student loans.

“That may mean a lot of Ramen noodles and skipping the Starbucks,” she said.

“Do not use loans to finance a lifestyle above your means.”

Additionally, Fowles stated that students must be aware of the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans.

“Subsidized loans are available to students who have financial need,” she said. “With these loans, the federal government pays the interest that is accruing while the student is in school. However, with unsubsidized loans, which are available to all eligible students, the interest accrues while the student is in school and is added to the principal when the student begins repayment.”

Of the different methods for taking out student loans, Fowles believes the best method is through the Direct Loan program.

“Students should first take advantage of the federal Direct Loan program,” she said. “Interest rates and repayment options are usually better through the Direct Loan program than through a private lender.”

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News

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Page 4| Monday, December 8, 2014

Aguinaldo named new Dean of Student Life

Teresa Aguinaldo, dean of student life at CLC

Cydney Salvador News Editor

This past July, Teresa Aguinaldo was hired to fill the new position of dean of student life at CLC. She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Grayslake in 1991.

Aguinaldo received her master’s degree in English at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began teaching English at CLC in 1991 and gradually began to assume responsibilities over the Student Empowerment Center and Student Activi-

ties. In April 2012, she was named interim executive director of student life.

During the college’s reorganization, the position’s title was altered from executive director to dean and the duties were expanded to include more departments and programs.

“When the position became dean it had a larger scope of responsibilities,” Aguinaldo said.

She oversees the Student Empowerment Center, Student Activities, the Health Center, Athletics, Student Conduct and the Children’s Learning Centers on the Grayslake and Lakeshore campuses.

Aguinaldo has many goals that she would like to fulfill in her position.

“The big one is to create new initiatives for the college-wide goal, which is to promote and support student success,” she said.

According to Aguinaldo, collaboration is important to improve students’ experiences at the school. She led one of the projects in the Academic Quality Improvement Program that was de-

signed to aid students struggling academically and at risk of dropping out. AQUIP was the precursor to the Coaching for Academic Success program, which Dean for Student Success, Tanya Woltmann, now manages.

“I’m really happy to see that program become established,” she said. “It’s providing support right now for developmental students but they are also slowly branching out to other students in need.”

The CAS program provides coaches and resources for students who are identified by their professors as struggling in their classes.

Aguinaldo aims to have all the departments under her work together and become more connected. She believes communication is essential, so she meets with other department heads weekly and attends student meetings.

“I really want there to be more collaboration between the departments,” she said.

“If you look at all the departments, while they all have students in common, they all seem very different from one

another.”

She believes the common goal amongst these departments is that they serve the students.

“We’re all in the business of supporting and retaining students,” Aguinaldo said.

To Aguinaldo, it is equally important to partner with departments not under her, like the James Lumber Center. For example, the Jo Koy event was a result of a joint effort between JLC and Aguinaldo.

In addition to these objectives, Aguinaldo wants to foster leadership among CLC students, primarily through community service.

“For me, leadership means community service,” she said. “I want students out there, touching the lives of people outside the community, to potential students and high school students.”

While Aguinaldo believes it is important to work with other aspects of student success, her focus will remain on student development outside the classroom.

“We need to collaborate with the academic side of the house, but at the same

time we are really focused on co-curricular and extracurricular things that really create campus life and help students feel that they are a part of a community,” she said.

Aguinaldo added that the job of appealing to potential and current students is becoming more difficult.

“Now that the economy is recovering, we know more people will be able to afford going to four year institutions,” she said.

As a result, student enrollment and funding for student activities may suffer.

She feels that it will be challenging to adapt to student interests as the population and CLC changes. However, she believes CLC will improve as a result.

“The entire college is invested and on the same page, working towards the same goal—student success,” Aguinaldo said. “If you’ve got the same goal and mission, it isn’t really a question of whether we want to collaborate or not; it’s how and what we choose to collaborate on.”

of individuals that benefit from an increase in minimum wage are age 20 or older.

Johnson Jones said because CLC students fall into this age category, the wage increase will benefit them the most.

“Many of the students fall in the age bracket of individuals that normally work minimum wage jobs,” she said. “The typical minimum age worker is not a high school student earning wages for pocket change.”

Johnson Jones said the increase will benefit CLC students.

“This is a positive change for students, especially for the students who depend on their own source of income to get the basic necessities and tools,” she said. “The increase will allow the students to sustain and will assist them with completing their educational goals.”

The change might also

impact CLC students on another level—many would no longer need supplemental assistance.

“Students will have the opportunity to earn more money as they learn,” she said. “They will continue to stay competitive with the workforce.”

Over 50 percent of all minimum wage employees work full-time.

“Being competitive will allow students to continue to desire learning and work experiences while on campus,” Johnson Jones said.

According to her, the increase will benefit the college because it will attract hard-working students.

“I believe this will be a win/ win for both the students and the college,” Johnson Jones said. “The wage increase will attract more students who are willing to work on campus. Many of our students demonstrate great talent—from great communication skills

and teamwork, to problemsolving skills and abilities.”

Johnson Jones believes this change is necessary and it will directly impact many people.

“It is time for an increase,” she said. “The minimum wage has been at $8.25 for a few years now. I believe the school should support the increase and advocate for more funds, to create even more jobs for students looking for on campus employment.”

Johnson Jones said CLC is still making plans about how to move forward.

“There are many conversations going on, as the exact minimum wage for the state remains unknown,” she said. “When we will receive specific information regarding the minimum wage increase, we will start moving towards determining how we’ll go about increasing the hourly wages, over a few years or less.”

Chicago approves minimum wage hike Melinda Czifrak Staff Reporter

On Dec. 2, the Chicago City Council approved a plan to raise the city’s minimum wage to $13 an hour by the middle of 2019. In the state of Illinois, the minimum wage stands at $8.25, similar to that of many other states in the country.

Beginning July 2015 the minimum wage will go up to $10 an hour. It is expected to increase incrementally over four years until it hits $13.

Sylvia Johnson Jones, executive director of the Center for Career and Placement Services at CLC, shared her thoughts on the minimum wage increase in Illinois and the ways this change will affect both the school and the students.

The increase could impact the current budget for the student employment program.

Approximately 87 percent

Photo courtesy of www.progressivemass.com

Features

Chronicle

Page 5| Monday, December 8, 2014

Neil Nunez gets animated beyond classroom

Neil Nunez

Erin Smith Features Editor

CLC student Neil Nunez has decided to go a step further in pursuing his career by becoming involved with his major outside of school. An animation major, Nunez has been working on a project at the Riverside Foundation.

The Riverside Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been providing adults who have disabilities with skills and developmental training services for 30 years.

The project is for the Riverside Foundation’s annual Gala night, and will eventually be posted on their website. The goal of the video is to portray the everyday lives of the residents and staff and what a large impact the Foundation has made for them.

Nunez fully supports the project’s goals and is grate-

ful for the opportunity they have given him.

“I believe in what they stand for, and this project has touched my heart,” he said.

Nunez first learned about the project from Michael Kozien, a digital media design professor at CLC. During the project, Nunez works with the staff at the Foundation, particularly Executive Director Debra Rogers and Debbie Miller, director of development.

Nunez is doing the production, filming and audio, and visual editing for the video.

Growing up, Nunez was drawn to art and started off at CLC wanting to be a graphic artist.

He is currently taking Digital Media Design with Michael Kozien, who has inspired his passion for 3-D animation and provided many opportunities for Nunez.

“Since the beginning, he has pushed me to really get better at my field and I really appreciate that in him as a professor. He was the driving force in all that I have become so far,” Nunez said.

In addition to his project for the Riverside Foundation, Nunez does freelance filming and video editing for a local cable show in Vernon Hills called Fibromyalgia Talks with Necie Edwards.

He plans on creating a documentary project for Necie Edwards’ journey with fibromyalgia.

Much of his freelance

work is filming and video editing, but Nunez is most proud of his 3-D animation and motion graphics projects. He started getting into filming and editing to enhance his skills in motion graphics, and tries to apply those skills to his video edits whenever he can.

Although Nunez currently lives in Zion, he used to live in the Philippines.

While in the Philippines, he graduated from high school and finished a five year degree in aeronautical engineering.

After graduating, Nunez got a job in advertising, which he thoroughly enjoyed and had sparked his interest in animation.

“The biggest highlight of that job was when former President George W. Bush went to visit the Philippines, I was one of the event coordinators and I got to shake his hand,” Nunez said.

When he finishes at CLC, Nunez hopes to get a job in motion graphics. He says that Chicago has many opportunities in that field of work, but filmmaking is another good option for him as well.

His immediate family consists of his wife, Denise, who is a nurse, his daughter, Sophia Lia, who is five years old, and his son, Neal Gavin, who is almost three years old.

“My wife has been very supportive of me pursu-

ing my dreams. Other than myself, my children are my biggest critiques,” Nunez said. “They are also my biggest fans.”

Aside from motion graphics, Nunez is interested in photography in spite of not having much time for it.

He also rediscovered drawing recently, which is a passion he lost touch with after becoming interested in digital art.

Nunez loves to watch

movies from the perspective of a filmmaker, which he feels is a good exercise for someone such as himself.

Between family life, school and projects, Nunez has his work cut out for him while pursuing his career. With support from his wife, children and professors, he is sure to succeed in following his dreams.

Graphic by • Neil Nunez

One of many graphic workings in a 3-D space by Neil Nunez utilizing skills taught through CLC’s programs.

Beat the rush and enroll in choice classes Emily Baldwin Staff Reporter

College students are famous for their abilities to procrastinate, but when it comes to solidifying their schedule for the next semester, all agree that sooner is better.

CLC’s spring 2015 registration opened Nov. 10, and though everyone agrees that it is best advised to sign up for classes right away, most have yet to do so.

Five students were asked their thoughts on when the best time is to register for courses.

Sophomore Corine Soto believes that early registration is wise in order to utilize the help of an adviser.

“Probably before the last month of the semester, so the classes don’t get filled up or classes don’t get cancelled because there weren’t enough people signed up,” Soto said. “Plus you can always ask your advisors for guidance if you have enough time.”

Sophomore George Bettasso agrees that early registration is important, as to not run into full classes.

“Register now, early as possible,” Bettasso said.

“It’s important to get in before classes are full and you have to deal with a slow semester or bad schedule.”

Sophomore Sam Steinke insists that registering early is an opportunity to not only have a broad selection of courses, but teachers as well.

“Having a choice of classes and teachers in times that fit your schedule is nice,” Steinke said. “If there’s a specific teacher you want to take a class with, it’s far more likely that you’ll get to take a class with them if you register early.”

However, Creative Writing major Micah Iuli does

not notice a penalty for being lazy with the registration process, noting that he has yet to miss a class due to procrastination.

“I haven’t registered for classes yet, I probably will once finals are over,” Iuli said. “I haven’t missed a class because of late registration, so I’m not worried.”

Nathan Garrett, an English major, also confirms that late registration has not caused any missed classes, but he recommends waiting until you are sure about which courses you will require.

“I think the best time to

register is when you know what classes you need, and registration is available,” Garrett said. “If you don’t register early, you might miss a class. I usually register late because I’m lazy, but I haven’t missed a class.”

With the semester reaching its end, many students focus primarily on finals and plans for the break, but when it comes to registering early for classes, a little foresight can go a long way. Early registration ensures entry into the courses you want while also removing the headache of having to scramble against a deadline.

Features

Chronicle

Page 6| Monday, December 8, 2014

Students handle finals crunch in many ways Agatha Petrulis Staff Reporter

Winter break is just around the corner which means students are clutching onto their gloves and scarves, not to mention their notebooks and pencils considering finals week is rapidly advancing upon us. On Oct. 23, five students from CLC were asked about their daily patterns, techniques and

concerns, all wrapped up in one big headache called finals week.

Samuel Graszer, a business major at CLC shared his experience with finals week.

“It would be easier for me to spread out my studying more. I always tell myself I will, and then I just keep putting it off,” Graszer said.

“My parents keep me

Graphic by • Jimmy Pierson

going. They nag me a lot to study for my finals.”

Marissa Laguidice, who is in her third year here at CLC, studies a lot through finals week.

“I study through the week.”

Laguidice said. “I’m a very bad test taker so I’m afraid that might influence my final grade and that it will drop my grade down completely,” Laguidice shared how she motivates herself to study.

“I honestly study whenever I feel like it. I know I have to study but I try and motivate myself before.

When I wake up, I’ll do some relaxing and maybe watch some TV then I’ll tell myself I have to study,” she said. “Then I go in my room and study for about 30 to 40 minutes, take another break and do it all over again.”

CLC student Karl Kersten shared his methods for

studying. Planning out times to study isn’t a problem for Karl as it’s easier for him to cram everything in last minute.

“I have absolutely no stress about finals.” Kersten said.

“I feel that finals shouldn’t be that hard as long as you pay attention in class,” Jibri Ford is in his first semester and stays on the safe side.

“I wouldn’t sign up for a class that would stress me out so much that I would have to cram for finals,” Ford said. “I feel like tests are pretty useless because honestly, logically, I cannot see the point of taking a test if the goal is to only do it just so I can pass this gateway saying, ‘Oh, you did a good job.’”

Jesse Vaugha, another student at CLC, makes sure to review all of his notes.

“Most teachers have slides for classes so I print those out and basically write in what she says we have to study for,” he said. “I like to study with a group of people indoors. Sometimes I study, then I’ll go outside to take a break and listen to some music.”

I think we can conclude that there are many different ways students study for finals.

For some, it’s lots of coffee. For others, it’s studying throughout the weeks and making sure to keep on top of their school work, some find it easier to retain more information by studying last minute.

I think the majority of us can agree that although there are many different studying techniques, a very important one is to stay positive.

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Features

Chronicle

Page 7| Monday, December 8, 2014

Griffin versus wild

Kevin Griffin with fish.

Chris Picazo Staff Reporter

Hunting is a year-long activity for CLC student Kevin M. Griffin. Starting in the spring with fishing, continuing into the fall with hunting, and ending in the winter with trapping, Griffin finds a way to keep his pastime going year round.

“I’m excited when spring and summer rolls around because I can fish and in the fall I can go deer hunting,” Griffin said. “Starting in November until January, I go trapping for raccoons, minks and foxes.”

Griffin, 20, of Lake Bluff, began hunting at an early age through his father, who has always been a hunter.

From his early experiences, he developed a passion for it and has since continued into early adulthood.

His first hunting experience was deer hunting at the age of 12.

“My first experience was when I was about 12 years old,” Griffin said. “I shot a deer with a rifle and I’ve been hunting ever since.”

Fishing is Griffin’s first chance of hunting in the year, and his favorite fish to catch are the flathead catfish and the longnose gar.

He said both fish pose the biggest challenge while fishing, and he prefers a challenge when it comes to hunting.

“You can only fish for the flathead from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the summer,” Griffin said.

“My goal is to get a 60 pound flathead, but the closest I’ve been has been 35 pounds.

I also have the unofficial record for biggest longnose

gar caught in Wisconsin.

Official record is about 50 inches and I caught a 64 inch gar.”

Griffin said for his record to have been verified he needed to submit it to the Department of Natural Resources, but he chose not do so because he did not want the fish to be killed.

As soon as it is fall, Griffin then prepares for fall hunting, which includes deer hunting.

Griffin used to hunt with a rifle, but transitioned to a bow-and-arrow at around the age of 16.

“I started using a bow because it gave a more rewarding feeling to get a kill,” Griffin said. “It’s more of a challenge than using a rifle and more fun.”

When Griffin goes deer hunting and gets a kill, he will cook the venison meat from the animal and enjoy it as a meal. Griffin also has two deer mounted in his family home.

“I have a big 12 point deer mounted on a wall,” Griffin said. “I also have a smaller 10 point deer mounted.”

Trapping is another hunting activity Griffin also enjoys. He prepares for it early in the fall by getting all his traps ready for the season.

Once prepared, Griffin is ready for trapping season that goes from November until January. He traps many different animals during this time.

“I trap mostly raccoon, but I also trap coyote, mink, fox, and muskrat,” Griffin said. “I sell the fur from the animals to a buyer afterwards. I can get about $20 for a raccoon pelt and about $35 for a fox pelt.”

Griffin also enjoys challenges when it comes to hunting.

In the summer of 2014, Griffin went wild rushing boar hunting in Tennessee. Griffin was able to kill one boar, weighing 235 pounds, and mounted the animal in his family home.

Griffin also went black bear hunting in the summer of 2014 in Ontario with just a bow.

He said the experience was not scary due to

him being in tree stand instead of hunting on the ground. Griffin said he was not successful in his trip and did not get a kill, but he has made it a goal to get a kill in the future.

Apart from hunting, Griffin also enjoys his other favorite activity, cooking.

He enjoys cooking anything he can, and said his inspiration for the activity is Gordon Ramsey.

Griffin has been cooking for as long as he can remember and said he started because he enjoyed making things he could eat.

His favorite dish to make is beef wellington which is a tenderloin wrapped in a puff pastry.

Cooking is something he plans to continue to do in the future as a hobby.

Griffin is also a student at CLC and began attending the school in the fall of 2012.

He had previously attended Lake Forest High School, having graduated in the spring of 2012.

He is currently enrolled in Newswriting at CLC and calls it his “favorite class” of the semester.

Griffin plans on transferring from CLC at the end of the academic year to Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

He chose the university because of its in-state location and cheaper tuition compared to universities that are out-of-state.

At SIUC, Griffin plans on majoring and graduating with a degree in communications and plans to go into business and sales afterwards.

He wants to go into business and sales to work with hunting and fishing companies.

Griffin said that although he wants go to school for communications, he has a different dream he wants to live for his future.

Kevin enjoys the wilderness and trapping, and wants to make his future revolve around some of his favorite things in life.

“I want to go school, but I also have a different dream,” Griffin said. “My dream is to run a trap line in Montana because that would be something I would like doing.”

Pathways Program paves way for new styles of learning Ana Tarlas Staff Reporter

An information session covering the CLC-University of Illinois Engineering Pathways program will take place on Feb. 5, 2015.

The session is at 7 p.m. in room C005 on the Grayslake campus.

Students are invited to attend the session and learn more about the Engineering Pathways program.

By starting their college career at CLC, engineering students can qualify for this program that leads them to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the country.

Rob Twardock, engineering department chair, explained what the Pathways program is.

“Pathways is a competitive admission program,” Twardock said. “Admission is based on academic performance, letters of recommendation and an essay.”

By completing CLC’s two-year engineering degree program, students have the possibility of guaranteed admission to the College of Engineering at UIUC. “Pathways guarantees admission into the College of Engineering if students keep their GPA high enough and complete the required coursework while at CLC,” Twardock said.

Admission requirements, benefits of the program and program requirements are the topics covered at the information sessions.

Additionally, the information session will explain scholarship opportunities such as the National Sci-

ence Foundation Scholars program for low-income, academically talented students.

Anyone interested in more information on the program is allowed to attend the sessions.

“High school seniors will be most interested in pathways,” Twardock said.

“Current CLC students interested in engineering and scholarship opportunities will benefit from attending.”

Not all CLC engineering students are part of the program, or need to be for admission to UIUC. “CLC students who are not part of Pathways can still apply for admission to UIUC as a transfer student, and can be accepted with similar CLC GPA and coursework completed,” Twardock said.

The program is not a requirement for transfer students applying to UIUC’s engineering school.

However, being part of the pathway program is beneficial to students who aspire to transfer to UIUC. “Pathways students have the advantage of advising

by UIUC counselors, and a cohort model while at CLC,” Twardock said.

Pathways participants benefit from proactive advising by both UIUC and CLC advisors, orientation courses, transfer assistance, small class sizes and CLC’s low tuition cost.

The deadline to apply for the program is Feb. 27, 2015, and notification of acceptance is given by April 1.

For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/ pathways.

graphic by Jimmy Pierson Ever since her parents left her as a baby, little Annie, played by Quvenzhané Wallis, has led a hard-knock life with her mean foster mother, Miss Hannigan. However, that all changes when hard-nosed billionaire and mayoral candidate Will Stacks, played by Jamie Foxx, takes her in on the recommendation of his advisers . Stacks believes that he is Annie’s guardian angel, but the plucky youngster’s confidence and sunny outlook may mean that Annie will save Will instead.

Having reclaimed Erebor and a large treasure from the dragon Smaug, Thorin Oakenshield sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the Arkenstone. In spite of Smaug’s fiery wrath and Bilbo’s, played by Martin Freeman, desperate attempts to make him see reason, Thoren is determined to find the gem. Meanwhile, Sauron sends forth legions of Orcs in a sneak attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As the ultimate fate of Middle Earth hangs in the balance, the races of Men, Elves and Dwarves must decide whether to unite or die.

Set in the winter of 1981, “A Most Violent Year” is a drama that follows the lives of a family as they try to capitalize on their American dream. Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac star in a period movie about corruption in New York City, and how it pushed their characters to risk everything they have been working for.

Set in ancient Egypt, “Exodus” is the story of two Princes: Moses, played by Christian Bale and Ramses, played by Joel Edgerton.

When Ramses rises to power and becomes pharaoh, Moses is his top advisor. But when Moses’ Hebrew heritage is found out, Ramses banishes him to the desert to die.

While in the desert, God calls upon Moses to free the Israelites from slavery. After Moses returns to Egypt to complete his mission, an epic battle breaks out.

Aaron Rapoport, played by Seth Rogen, and Dave Skylark, played by James Franco, act as hosts on popular talk show “Skylark Tonight.” Hoping to be viewed as p rofessional journalists, the two set up an interview with North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong Un. However, when the CIA learns of the interview, they have other plans for the hosts: to assassinate the dictator.

A&E

Chronicle

Page 10| Monday, December 8, 2014

Musician discovers success and lasting friendships at CLC Cynthia Crawford Staff Reporter

Keeping genres fluid, ranging from guitar to beat boxing, and letting the music take over is what Nino Arobelidze stands for. Arobelidze is a singer and multiinstrumentalist all the way from the country of Georgia.

During her teenage years, she moved to the Chicago area speaking only a few words of English. Since then, Arobelidze has been performing live and creating her first studio album NOMAD. Arobelidze has come a long way with her naturally warm vocals and always changing melodies.

In each of her songs you can hear the underlining of jazz with different genres cruising over the cool subtle beats.

Before all of this, Arobelidze attended CLC as a young, blooming music student.

“CLC is where I gathered the quintessential building blocks for the type of multigenre work I was interested in doing,” Arobelidze said.

Arobelidze not only creates music, but makes sure to study and understand every sound that she shares.

She strives to affect people through beauty.

She was able to find how to do that with her music.

Arobelidze has been heavily influenced by her peers.

“I made truly lasting friendships and professional connections going to school here,” she said.

Her newest music video, “Passages,” was directed by Terry Dixon, who is a part of the art faculty at CLC. The video is funky, fresh and wonderfully directed.

Her warm, classy tone comes naturally through her voice, but as any artist it took a lot of time, patience, and practice.

If Arobelidze were to advise other CLC music students, she would tell them not only to explore creativity but to also learn the basics of the music industry.

“Take classes, ask questions, see live music, be creative at every opportunity you get, be critical only of yourself yet be gentle to your spirit,” Arobelidze said.

It comes naturally that she would support any artist.

“Everyone starts out by taking a few tumbles before learning to cruise along and in some, very fortunate and rather feathery cases—to fly,” Arobelidze said.

Arobelidze is currently signed with the independent label Ni Fu Ni Fa records.

NOMAD, her first studio album, is much awaited from her fans all over the world.

She often has live performances all around the Chicago area and is known for always keeping things interesting.

Her next performance is on Dec. 6 at Ravenswood Used Books.

The music program at CLC has helped many artists like Arobelidze and continues to do so every year.

Every music student at CLC should take advantage of all opportunities that could enhance their creativity and the connections they need.

Arobelidze has earned much success and hopes to further expand her music career.

Photo courtesy of Terry Dixon

Musician Nino Arobelidze performs on Dec. 6 at Ravenswood Used Books.

Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org

Mathers newest album “Shady XV” debuted on Nov. 24.

Mixed line-up brings Eminem mixed ratings

Taylor Jones-Koelle Staff Reporter

Music legends can only hold their spots at the top of their respective brackets for so long.

Eminem is one of the most respected emcee’s in the hiphop world, releasing albums such as “Slim Shady LP,” “Marshall Mathers LP” and “The Eminem Show.”

“Shady XV,” the new album that also includes a greatest hits disc, is barely enjoyable except for a few miniscule parts that Eminem isn’t rapping on. The album is a label-album that contains a lot of his peers and label mates such as Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, D12 and Skylar Grey.

The first song of the album, “Shady XV,” starts off with another classic dad-rock sample that he has seemed to take a liking to in the past few years even though it doesn’t fit with the way he rhymes or flows. It’s like trying to put a wrench in a garbage disposal.

The greatest of Eminem tracks have him rapping over a raw hip-hop beat usually produced by the famed Dr. Dre. Most of the songs on the album are just Eminem rapping over a beat, not becoming one with it. Eminem’s lyrics feel like he is stuck in the past, trying to be his angsty, younger self—he isn’t young anymore, and the direction of this album is overdone with his generic Eminem sound.

The album then leads into one of the somewhat enjoyable tracks on the album “Psychopath Killer.” This track has a gritty, dark, scary instrumental that brings it together. Beyond that, the features on this song outshine Eminem by far. The al-

bum then leads into the “Die Alone” in which Eminem talks about his relationship with Kim Mathers and how he felt about it ending.

For the songs that are actually OK, you have “Y’all Ready Know,” “Guts Over Fear,” “Fine Line,” “Right For Me” and “Detroit Vs. Everybody.” “Y’all Ready Know” is a Slaughterhouse track that takes it back to straight hip-hop.

“Fine Line” is one of the few Eminem tracks that worked out and it’s because he uses a beat that actually sounds like a hip-hop beat. It comes in with some hard hitting drums and a nice piano that ties everything together.

The downfalls of this track are that he starts getting into his screaming flow by the end of song and the bridge is really ugly to ears.

In “Guts Over Fear,” he talks about how he barely has anything to talk about anymore with lines like “// sometimes I feel like all I ever do is find different ways to word the same old songs//.” This was a change of pace and while the beat and chorus do sound very generic, the content is interesting.

Overall, this album is just not enjoyable to listen to.

There are only a couple of interesting songs on this album that I would go back and listen to more than once.

Eminem’s technical ability is there, but that alone is not what made him amazing.

What made him amazing was the way he seamlessly blended with the beat and used his emotions to talk about the topics he loves to talk about. If he took a different direction he would have been able to an album that is worth it in the future, but for now that just didn’t happen.

Opinion

Chronicle

Page 11| Monday, December 8, 2014

CLC tunes out choir instructor position Miles Hoehne Editor-in-Chief

Last year Charles Clency, a full-time music instructor, retired from his position at CLC. Besides teaching classes, Clency also directed the CLC choirs.

A request was made to replace Clency, but the college refused that request and eliminated his position.

The Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts Division had requested that Clency’s position as well as three English positions be refilled.

None of these jobs were new. They were to replace retirements or—in one case—a transfer. The Board only approved replacing two English positions.

When it comes to the arts, cuts seem to always come from that part of education before any of the “core” subjects. But who determines whether a set of classes are “core” for every student?

For students who are pursuing a degree in fine arts, math and science courses are the least of their concerns.

Their areas of study would focus on music, English, theater, etc.

In a Dec. 2 email, Dr. Michael Flack, who is now the only full-time music teacher at CLC, said the administra-

tion had cited the reason for eliminating the position was a budget shortfall, and that he does not “know who to believe.”

“My personal belief is that the arts at CLC are considered to be a non-essential component in the current educational model espoused by the administration,” Flack said. “They are not committed to the arts, nor do they understand the nuances of the arts. They have a beautiful facility in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts and it is a shame that they don’t hire a full-time choral director to produce quality performances of quality literature.”

With the full-time music faculty cut in half, how does the administration expect the music department to keep up with the needs of music students as other departments keep up with the needs of their students?

“The cut will seriously hamper the ability of the music department to respond in a timely manner to student needs,” Flack said. “I cannot think of another department on campus that serves the number of students that the music department does with only one full-time instructor.

In fact, other departments of similar size usually have two and sometimes more full-

time faculty instructors.”

Flack also said he had been told that adjuncts would continue to fill the eliminated position.

But how will an adjunct be beneficial in teaching Clency’s old choir classes and keeping up with the needs of music students, including those who sing in the choir?

In a Dec. 3 email, Vice President for Educational Affairs Richard Haney said decisions about replacing retirements such as Clency’s “are often very difficult, particularly, in an environment of shrinking resources and declining enrollments.”

“Each year, I receive more requests from the divisions than we are able to fund, and at times, we reallocate faculty positions from one department to another in order to meet student and program needs,” Haney said.

“I take into consideration many factors when making these decisions, including enrollment growth/decline, # of students majoring in a program, graduation/transfer rates, department chair responsibilities, institutional responsibilities of departmental faculty, high impact courses, availability of a high quality adjunct pool, and labor market trends.”

In a Dec. 4 email CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber

said, “The general process from experience is that new faculty positions are requested by departments and evaluated by administration on a number of factors. The requests usually flow to the chief academic officer, who in this case is Dr. Haney.

Final decisions on positions are recommended through administration and approved by myself and the Board of Trustees.”

In his Dec. 3 email, Haney said the Board at its Oct. 28 meeting approved eight fulltime faculty positions representing each of the college academic divisions.

He added that the eight approved positions included new, replacement and reallocated positions.

“I think it’s important to note that we continue to make investments in full time faculty in an environment of declining enrollments and budget constraints,” Haney said.

If low enrollment and chair responsibilities are factors in deciding when a position is faculty position is eliminated, why leave the music department with one full-time professor to cover what had been the responsibility of two?

In the future another request can be made to refill the Clency’s position, but

the request then would be to create a new position, not replace a retirement. With the cuts the school has already seen, the likelihood of creating another full-time faculty position seems unlikely— especially in the arts.

After all, music is not a “core” subject in this environment.

Music students and other students interested in fine arts should not hold their breath while expecting to benefit from a reallocation of a position from another department.

Meanwhile, all students should watch the larger context in higher education.

They should also expect an increasing reliance on adjunct instructors and a continued emphasis on what is considered the legitimate “core” of an education. If they like the fine arts, they just have to remember where they stand.

They are the secondclass citizens of higher education.

They can take their cue from the practical assessment of CLC’s only fulltime music teacher.

“Now that the position has been eliminated, I do not expect that the position will ever be filled again by the current administration,” Flack said.

Computer congestion causes conundrum Sunny Muehleman Staff Reporter

One thing that can be both helpful and hindering at CLC is the computer labs. These labs have access to the internet, printers and specialized programs but seem to lack in quantity.

Whenever I need to use a computer to work on homework or print a project, there never seems to be any available.

Some students cannot afford a laptop and do not have access to a computer at home. With the simplicity of typing and submitting papers online, many professors are taking that route for homework and projects. For the students who do not have access to computers, these

labs at school are essential for them to get their work done.

There are computer labs located in the library both on the first and second floors.

On the second floor of the library, there are 41 computers total. While 41 may seem like a lot of computers for only the second floor, it really isn’t. This is enough for only two to three classes to utilize.

Too many times I have seen students pacing back and forth in the library just waiting for another student to stand up from his or her chair.

We should not have to wait in line to work on homework or to print off our homework before class. Because of the enrollment level at this

school, there should be more computers available for student use.

Each student that attends CLC has to pay for their classes. The money the school receives from this tuition should in part go towards providing things that we need.

On the first floor of the library, the computer lab fills up very fast. In that lab, there are 20 reserved specialized computers for different programs of study. Some of these programs include Auto-CAD, multimedia use and assistive technology.

These computers can be helpful to students who may be in that reserved group, because they have the programs on them that students need. The problem with

these computers being in the all-student lab is that many other students use them. If there is an open computer and a student needs to work, they will use it. This means that the “reserved” sign is often disregarded.

There should be a specific lab where these specialized computers are located and a regular computer should be put where they are located now. This would bring more computers into the library for student access.

One thing that we have in place right now is a computer where you can log in and print your waiting papers.

The problem with this is that you would have previously needed access to either a personal laptop or regular computer and would have

had to send your papers to the printer. There should be computers near the printer for someone to log-in strictly to print things.

These computers would allow students to open their email or a file off of their thumb drive, click, print and then leave. Because printing is sometimes the only reason students need the computer, this system would be very helpful.

There would be no more waiting for a working student to get up and no more being late to class.

While the computer labs are very helpful, they can also be a load of stress.

Searching for a computer to do homework should not be this much of a difficulty for students.

Opinion

Chronicle

Page 12| Monday, December 8, 2014

Limited choices prompt limited interest Cydney Salvador News Editor

Often I notice many students going to vending machines instead of heading down to Lancer’s. They would rather have a Pop-Tart or chips for lunch then a meal from CLC’s cafeteria. However, this sentiment is not one uncommon on campus.

CLC has yet to add fast food restaurants to the campus.

I’m sure many students would prefer to eat at a popular fast food restaurant if they could, but it would be nice if it was convenient.

Students are finding it difficult to obtain a variety

of food while at CLC. As a result, they would rather be hungry than eat an unsavory or unsatisfying meal.

Many people I know would prefer not to eat CLC food, but do not have the time to go out to get the food they want between work, classes or extracurricular activities.

Lancer’s closes at 2:30 p.m., so if students are on campus after this time they have to fend for themselves.

Why are our choices so limited? There are many night classes at CLC, so many students are hungry because there is no other option than snacks from the vending machine or Some-

thing’s Brewing.

Students cannot always run out to get something to eat. Many students do not own cars, so the option of going home or going out to eat. It is inconvenient. Students’ choices are limited even when Lancer’s is open if they are not serving anything appealing.

Lancer’s switches its menu around every week, a student craving Mexican food on a day it is not being served will choose not to eat at the cafeteria. It’s easy to lose potential customers when the menu changes sporadically.

Lancer’s would not have to try to satisfy all tastes if

there were a Papa John’s or a Panda Express that could cater specifically to students who want pizza or Chinese food. It would be convenient for students to have a specific food served on campus at all times instead of sporadically.

Certain food items are popular enough that they should be served at all times because students would actually buy them.

Including popular fast food chains would bring in revenue for the college as more students will likely go eat at a fast food chain than at Lancer’s.

Personally, I avoid the

cafeteria when I can, and the students I have talked to find cafeteria food unappetizing.

I would have no problem eating at CLC if it was from a popular fast food chain.

The fast food chains would get more traffic than the school cafeteria and student satisfaction in food service would increase.

If CLC wants to improve student satisfaction with food services, it is important to pay attention to what students want to eat.

Ignoring their desires will only mean that students will continue to avoid Lancer’s and complain about their choice of food.

Rain or sleet or snow or shine, show support Natalie Laczewski Staff Reporter

As we fall into the long, cold winter months ahead of us, we all start to prepare for the holidays, whether that be putting up the Christmas lights, getting a head start on holiday shopping, or bringing down the snow shovels from the attic.

But a large population of U.S. employees prepare for the holiday season differently each year.

My mom works for a local post office, and as the days get shorter and darker, her day gets longer and harder.

You walk down to your mailbox every day to pick up your mail and probably think nothing of it. You probably do not stop to think about and appreciate all the effort that goes into getting your mail on time, especially during the winter.

Because everyone is wanting to send packages and holiday greetings at the same time, postal workers find themselves overwhelmed with not only brutal weather but also with a volume of mail.

And do these workers receive higher compensation or more appreciation during these longer and tougher work days? Nope, not at all.

Mike Latza, English instructor at CLC, worked for the post office before starting his teaching career.

Latza started working for

the postal service over the summer as a college student back in the ‘70s in Chicago.

He said he enjoyed his time as a mail carrier.

Just as the Chicago weather can be beautiful and enjoyable, we all know how harsh and unpredictable our winters can be. Like many other employees, Latza then found himself preparing for the hypothermia and frostbite inducing temperatures.

“I remember one winter when I delivered mail in actual temperature of 26 degrees below zero,” he said.

Last year when schools and businesses closed because of dangerously cold temperatures, postal carriers found themselves still abiding by the unofficial motto: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Employees’ health and safety are at risk each day they step out on the job whether that be from weather, dangerous drivers or even vicious dogs lurking behind a house.

Jeremy Urbanik, an employee of 13 years at the Wadsworth post office and father of a CLC student, said winters can be rough on rural carriers.

“By far, [the winter] seems like it’s a lot harder on your body,” Urbanik said. “You’re more sore, more tired.”

With the post office such

a large, independent government agency and employing one of every 150 working individuals in the nation, you would think that there would be more attention paid and money allocated to the department.

“We get the short end of it,” Urbanik said. “I don’t think we get [the] funding we need.”

Besides inadequate funding, some postal workers report that their equipment is not sufficient.

“I don’t think they give us the proper things we need,” Urbanik said. “This is the first year they’re actually giving us boots and reflective vests. Before, they didn’t do that.”

How is it fair to force employees out in unsafe conditions without having any help or proper equipment provided?

Workers not only lack proper gear for the harsh weather conditions, but their delivery trucks they must rely on every day also are inadequate.

At least once a year, I get a call from my mom to tell me that she has been in an accident, veered off a road because of icy conditions, gotten a flat tire, etc.

Urbanik criticized the condition of the vehicles and said they do not ensure safety, especially with the icy and snowy roads.

“First, they’re rear wheel drive, and [the post office

doesn’t] take care of them,” he said. “They never fix them. They don’t give us good tires. They’re just horribly designed vehicles for the conditions we have to work in.”

Latza said there have been some improvements in the state of delivery trucks today, but he remembers running into a few incidents during bad weather.

“The irony was that the jeeps had the worst traction in the snow and ice,” he said. “I remember getting stuck quite a few times. This is actually quite a common occurrence since letter carriers deliver every day, even before the plows have a chance to clear side-street snow.”

If your mail or package is mis-delivered or delayed, the post office wants patrons to know it is doing the best it can with the sudden influx of mail around this time of year.

“There are legitimate reasons why some [people get] mad,” Urbanik said. “Some just don’t understand our rules, our regulations [and] how we do things. They’re upset about it.”

With the winter weather, mail and packages sometimes cannot be delivered because roads are not properly plowed.

Instead of immediately hating your letter carriers or coming into the office to yell at them, think of the

high volume and the awful conditions the employees are dealing with. And try to consider if the situation was your fault.

“You’ve got to be patient,” Urbanik said. “It’s hard because there’s no really “get ready” period. One day it just hits and it never slows down until after January first.

“Postal Carriers are often invisible,” Latza said. “We don’t think of them unless something goes wrong, a letter or a package goes missing.”

With workers spending more than 12 hours delivering some days in the brutal weather, Latza hopes people recognize the efforts and struggles of postal employees.

“It is a great idea to show your appreciation to your letter carrier during the holidays,” he said.

“And I remember that everyone made a great effort to be sure that the post office was completely emptied of mail on Christmas Eve—we didn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

Every year, the post office keeps you in mind and strives to deliver everything on time around the holidays.

So this year please remember to return the favor.

“Just remember us,” Urbanik said. “Just remember that we’re out there when it’s cold. Remember to take care of [your mail] box so it’s not hard on us. And be patient.”

Sports

Chronicle

Page 14| Monday, December 8, 2014

Quicker clock would bring better play to NCAA Trey Martin Sports Editor

College basketball has a problem. The free-flowing nature of the sport has been compromised, causing lower scoring games and sloppy play. This, in turn, has led to a decrease in interest in the sport. The lack of high-scoring games has cost the sport monetarily and casual fans are abandoning the sport.

Before last season, the NCAA changed its fouling rules regarding hand-checks on the perimeter, to allow more freedom of movement for the players. This was an attempt to get scoring numbers up.

It has failed to make a significant impact on scoring, and has made the games harder to watch, with fouls being called at a higher rate than ever before. It hasn’t just failed, though. It has backfired.

In its effort to bring up scoring and increase the entertainment value, the NCAA has caused even more stoppages and stagnant play on offense.

I propose lowering the shot clock from the current 35 seconds to 30 seconds.

This would help both to bring scoring back up and bring the casual fan back to the sport.

It may not seem like a significant change, but the benefits would be made apparent immediately. Shortening the time the offense has to get up a shot would force more possessions for each team.

This should cause scoring to go up, if only because of the increased number of shots taken.

Shortening the shot clock also would eliminate some of the apprehension and tightness you see on display in the NCAA, night after night. Unlike the NBA, college basketball is a coaches’ game. Players come and go, but the coach is the face of the program and sometimes of the university. This can be problematic because players are often so concerned with following their coaches’ instructions and running the offense perfectly. They may pass up open shots or lack the confidence to spontaneously make a play on the court. Maybe they don’t take that semi-open shot

when there’s an extra pass available—even if it’s an ill-advised pass—because they don’t want to draw their coach’s ire should they miss.

Confidence is everything in sports—basketball especially.

Often the most thrilling moments in a game are unplanned slashes to the net or heat-check three pointers early in the shot clock.

Those improvisations set basketball apart. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, believed the sport to be a player’s game and was a staunch adversary to overcoaching.

“Basketball is a game to be played, not coached,” Naismith said.

Naismith was never a great coach himself, and there’s a place for coaches in the game—but over-coaching has contributed to the problem.

That aforementioned lack of offensive aggression leads to teams missing out on scoring opportunities and running the shot clock down to the last few seconds.

By shortening the amount of time for a shot, players would be forced to try to score the ball quicker.

Theoretically, that would prompt a return of the free flowing, up-and-down play that makes basketball what it is. It would also make coaches adjust their offensive strategies and would give players a little more freedom to let that open shot fly, even if there are still 20 seconds left on the shot clock.

Some argue that shortening the shot clock would actually lead to less scoring because teams wouldn’t be able to run their offense to completion, but that’s just an excuse for the status quo.

Teams have adjusted to previous shot clock changes, and only shortening it five seconds should still allow for teams to run offense, while simultaneously getting up more shots per game.

It usually takes around 5 seconds to 8 seconds for a team to bring the ball past the half court line. Assuming the shot clock was shortened, there would still be around 22 seconds to 25 seconds for that team to run at least a couple cycles of its offense. Anything more than that usually means the play-

Graphic by • George Tillis

ers are running offense for the sake of running offense and for scoring. That is not a recipe for winning basketball.

The most salient argument against shortening the shot clock is that doing so would make it more difficult for mid-majors (smaller schools) to pull off the upsets that make college basketball—especially the NCAA tournament—so beloved and unique. This argument is based on the fact that the skill level at these smaller schools is much lower than at large universities. When a mid-major beats a blue blood, it frequently does so by running the shot clock down to the last few ticks each time down the floor, to cut down the amount of possessions the opposing team will have.

However, there is ample evidence showing that smaller schools can put up high-major numbers on offense.

The highest scoring team in the NCAA last season was Virginia Military Academy—a mid-major. The top-5 scoring offenses from a season ago were all midmajor schools, according to NCAA.com. These teams implement a “quick shot” mentality and it works. If a change were made, midmajors would have to adjust, but it’s been proved that you don’t have to be a big name school with big name recruits to put up lofty scoring numbers.

For an article published in the academic journal PLOS ONE, Brian Skinner studied optimal shot patterns and when it is ideal to shoot within the time allotted. He reported that the longer a given team has the ball, the more likely that team is to turn the ball over.

As the shot clock ticks

down, the probability of finding an optimal shot decreases.

In the NBA, teams average about one point per shot attempt if the shot is taken with between 10–15 seconds remaining on the shot clock. That decreases to around .8 points per shot attempt for shots taken with 5 seconds or less remaining on the shot clock.

A 2 percent change may not seem like much, but extrapolate that over a 40-minute game and it can make a significant difference in the final score.

Although it may seem contradictory, forcing players to take quicker shots would decrease the number of low-percentage shots and subsequently increase scoring numbers.

It would also allow teams less time to hold the ball, thus decreasing the odds of a turnover on each possession.

This would benefit the game twofold. It would make scoring numbers rise and improve the “watchability” of a given game, because of the decreased number of turnovers.

A popular complaint lately regarding college basketball has been the increasing frequency of intentional fouling late in the games.

This occurs because coaches instruct their players to foul

in the last two minutes or so of a game in which they trail to extend the game and give their team a better chance at

a comeback. While it is sound strategy to make the opposing team earn their points at the free-throw line, it’s not exactly gripping television. Who wants to watch the final two minutes of a game turn into a half-hour foulathon and free-throw contest?

You don’t see that same problem in the NBA. The 24-second NBA shot clock means less need for late game fouls because the opposing team can’t run the clock out quite as much on each possession.

By shortening it by 5 seconds, the change wouldn’t be as dramatic, but some progress is better than none.

And when you consider the other benefits, this just feels like icing on the cake.

There are far too many talented individuals in college basketball, both on the court and the bench, for the games to be so esthetically displeasing.

Shortening the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30 seconds would increase scoring, improve the flow of the game and help bring the casual fan back to the sport. It’s not a cure-all, but it would be a great first step.

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Sports

Chronicle

Page 15| Monday, December 8, 2014

CLC athletes have no crowds to please Trey Martin Sports Editor

Playing sports at any college requires a commitment of time and energy.

At a community college, student athletes and their coaches face a unique set of challenges that separate them from their counterparts at four-year schools.

Saverio Traversa, head coach of the women’s soccer team, said recruiting is the biggest challenge, especially in Lake County.

“Not having the means to recruit is a problem,” Traversa said.

“But unfortunately in our area they look at a community college as a bad thing. So you have a lot of players who would forfeit the chance to play just to go to a university.”

He added that while he does not see the lack of fan support as a challenge for the team, it does mean there is no excitement for the players.

Jocelyn Gaughran, captain of the women’s soccer team,

said some student athletes struggle with playing in front of empty seats.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” Gaughran said. “In high school there were way more people that came to our games. At CLC, it’s usually only parents. And some of them don’t even come on a regular basis.”

Some parents are unable to attend those weekday soccer games because the games are usually at 4 p.m., and many parents are still working, Traversa said.

His team’s games are

scheduled early because the soccer field has no lights.

“We’ll have one, maybe two sets of parents who come out to watch the game—not counting the men’s team and those boys who come out,” he said.

Chuck Ramsey, coach of the CLC men’s basketball team, said that athletes at a community college can’t count on the spectators to get them pumped up.

“You have to find other sources of motivation.”

Ramsey said. “You’re not going to get it from a junior

college crowd.

These troubling predicaments don’t have simple solutions.

“Any suggestions come down to money and adding lights to the field,” Traversa said.

The truth may be that athletics—and the students who participate in them— are not a priority at CLC. “For a community college, especially in our situation, I don’t know if we’d get the support that we should be getting from the board of directors,” Traversa said.

Gaughran awarded Ryan scholarship

Jocelyn Gaughran, captain of women’s soccer team.

Sean Geary Staff Reporter

CLC soccer player Jocelyn Gaughran has been named the female recipient of this year’s Keith Ryan Scholarship.

“I was in shock after my coach told me the great news,” Gaughran said. “I ran to my mom to tell her and texted a bunch of my closest friends to share the news.”

The annual scholarship was created in memory of Keith Ryan, a sportscaster who spent 25 years covering sports in Lake County.

There are three winners for the award each year. One male CLC student-athlete, one female CLC studentathlete, and one CLC journalism student each receive a $1,000 scholarship. The awards were announced Dec. 1.

“The money will definitely help with paying my tuition next semester in order to complete my associate’s

degree,” Gaughran said.

The Grayslake Central graduate has spent the past three years on the CLC team. Her first year was in 2012 when the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference recognized her as one of the best players in the conference.

The team made it all the way to pool play of the NJCAA DI Women’s Soccer National Championship in Florida—the first time in school history.

After a successful freshman campaign, she suffered an injury to her right knee in a coed indoor game during the offseason. It kept her on the sidelines for the entire 2013 season.

“I blocked a shot from a guy and heard a pop in my knee,” Gaughran said. “I had to get reconstructive surgery because my knee cap got pushed behind my ligaments.”

She ended the surgery with her knee cap back in place, held together by a “few screws.” The doctors had to remove a lot of cartilage in her knee.

“I was supposed to be out six to eight months,” Gaughran said. “I came back in four months, but I was told I wasn’t allowed to play.”

She was still a part of the 2013 team, practicing with them and filming their games.

That year’s team made a run to the pool play of the National Championship for the second year in a row.

“It was frustrating that I couldn’t play, but I was proud of the girls that they

made it back to Florida,” Gaughran said. “I was pretty upset that I couldn’t go with them.”

Gaughran was a major contributor to this year’s team.

She was again selected to the Women’s Soccer All Conference Team, and her career was capped off by winning the Keith Ryan Scholarship.

She is grateful for her coach, Saverio Traversa, who nominated her for the award.

“He has helped me through my two years playing for CLC, but has also been there whenever I needed advice,” Gaughran said. “Without his nomination I wouldn’t have had the honor to win this amazing award.”

While Gaughran thanked her coaches and teammates for winning the scholarship, she was most appreciative of her mother.

“I thank my mom the most because without her I wouldn’t be as privileged as I am today,” Gaughran said.

“My mom is my inspiration in anything I do, and one day I want to help her as much as she’s helped me.”

Although her soccer career at CLC has ended, she has big plans.

“After I receive my associates this year, I would love to transfer to a school that will offer my criminal justice major and will allow me to play soccer,” Gaughran said. “I haven’t found the right school just yet, but I’m still in the process to find my dream school.”

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Truth Conquers All Since 1969

Vol 48, No.7

UPCOMING Kanzler’s big night sparks offense hOME GAMES Alexis Vetter Staff Reporter

woMen’s bASKETBALL

V.s.

Madison College

DEC. 13 1 p.m.

V.s.

College of Dupage

DEC. 20 1 P.M. Men’s bASKETBALL

V.s.

Rock Valley

dec. 9 7:15 p.m.

V.s.

Madison College

DEC. 13 3 P.M.

With winter sports in full swing, the CLC women’s basketball team improved to 3–7 with a 74–68 victory over the UW-Waukesha Cougars, Thursday in Grayslake.

The win snapped a threegame losing streak. The Lancer women held a lead early in the first half, but the Cougars came up with 10 quick points, taking a 27-26 into the half. Back and forth scoring in the second half allowed the Cougars to hold an eight-point lead with 6:50 left in the game.

CLC stormed back and took the lead with 3:35 remaining in the contest. The Cougars would not lead again. Kaylie Kanzler paced the Lancers offense with 31 points. Kristen Rupprecht said the team has had a rough start with a whole new group.

The team also has had to deal with injuries and absences.

“We’re all at really different levels,” Kristen Rupprecht said. “We’re just trying to get together and see what we can do.”

At the moment, the CLC women’s team only has eight players, but is looking to add some girls to the roster.

Photo by • Miles Hoehne

Lancer’s Guard Kaylie Kanzler takes free throws against UW-Waukesha. She finished with a game high 31 points. CLC snapped a three-game losing streak with a 74-68 win.

Although the season has not started out well, it is only the beginning of the season and Head Coach Kyle Brokmeier still has his sights set on the conference championship.

“We’re still trying to get used to playing with everyone and getting on the floor,” Brokmeier said. “Everyone is still trying to learn their roles and learn how to play with each other. We’re

going to set our goals high and I think we can do it.”

The team is hoping to continue improving its defense and keep working together. They take pride in the fact that they are not selfish with the ball even though they are new to playing with each other.

“I think when we play together and do the little things right we can be very good,”

Brokmeier said. “They are very good defensively in the half court. We just need to shorten some things up, but we’ll get there.”

This game provided an example to the team that their hard work may be starting to pay off. The Lancers will look to start a winning streak Saturday when they take on Kankakee at 1 p.m. in Grayslake.

Lancers hit century mark in victory Wes Kinard Staff Reporter

The CLC men’s basketball improved to 7-3 by defeating UW-Waukesha 100-65, Thursday at home. The Lancers jumped out to a 14 point lead five minutes into the first half.

With defense at the center of Coach Chuck Ramsey’s game plan, the Lancers capitalized on sloppy offensive plays by UW-Waukesha, turning them into fast break points.

Falling into a natural rhythm, the tone was set by Henry French, who finished the game with 12 points and 3 steals.

“I use my long arms to press up on the ball handler.”

French said.

Late in the first half, UWWaukesha switched to a zone defense. The Lancer men took advantage, setting up Gabe Ramirez for three point opportunities.

“The last couple of games I was in a shooting slump,” Ramirez said. “My team-

mates told me to keep shooting. They hit me at the right spots. I was fortunate to knock them down.”

With 5:30 to go in the first half, Ramirez drained a three and was fouled on the play.

His 4-point play extended the Lancers’ lead to 29 points.

Ramirez would later hook up with French for a thunderous dunk.

“As soon as Henry gave it to me, I already knew to put it up there,” Ramirez said.

“The guy stepped up, caught

it and put it down.”

Coach Ramsey was pleased with his team’s performance.

“We were able to get the ball inside a lot, and we did a good job of moving the ball and making decisions,” he said.

Dominating the game, all five starters finished in double digits. Eric Quall led the team with 23 and 10 rebounds, and Chaunsey Weightman added 16 points.

Davion Bell finished the game with 12 points.