DELTACOLLEGIATE
Volume 86 • Issue 7
STUDENT RUN SINCE '61
Delta students share their talents Pgs. 4 & 5
March 30, 2020
Should Delta switch to pass/no credit grading? Pg. 7 Cover photo courtesy of Jared Harris • Student Submission
2 NEWS
www.deltacollegiate.org
MARCH 30, 2020
Pioneers experience the ‘Delta Difference’ at home Michael Piwowarski News Director @DCMichaelFP UNIVERSITY CENTER – The amount of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan has now exceeded 2,000 and the pandemic has spread across the state, including all three Tri-Counties. But well before the first coronavirus case appeared in the Tri-County area, Delta College made the decision to close up and switch to online-only classes. Students – and their faculty – are still adapting to this change, with a few weeks left to go until Delta is slated to reopen. Even if that happens, the college has decided that regular face-toface classes will not resume. Related story: Delta extends closure through the rest of winter semester “It’s unfortunate they have to do it, but it’s a good choice to help prevent spread,” says Ryan Kent, Library and Learning Information Center employee. Student Kelly Lore says the transition has been “stressful,” noting that the advantage of inperson classes is the ability to ask questions and participate in a real time discussion, making it easier to understand the material being taught. “Taking math, English and American Sign Language (ASL) online for me is very difficult because I am a visual learner,” says Lore. “I am grateful for the time my teachers have been putting into creating their instructive videos, but it's not the same as it would have been in class.” Not only have students had to adapt, but teachers have also had to scramble to change the formats of all their in-person classes. “[My teachers] have to create new assignments because they
didn't plan for something like this, which is a bit stressful for students,” says Lore. “Teachers are trying their best right now to accommodate their students; they are probably just as stressed as we are.” When Delta first suspended face-to-face classes, they intended to keep the building open so as to facilitate lab classes, skilled trade courses and other classes that required in-person activities. However, just days after the move to online, Delta opted to close their main campus and all learning centers entirely, meaning that lab classes cannot be held. This creates yet another problem for teachers, who are now unable to utilize the lab facilities on campus and have to come up with workarounds. In response to an Instagram poll created by the Collegiate, Instagram user katie_comtois said “I had all
my painting supplies in my locker that I intended to pick up today, but now cannot and therefore cannot work on paintings at home for my painting class. My instructor understands, however, and is letting us use colored pencils, etc to work on projects, but I am in no way getting the most out of this class that I was so excited for.” Delta College president Jean Goodnow announced in an email that the college will review these outstanding issues if Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order is lifted before the end of the semester and Delta is able to reopen to the public. Lore is concerned that the inability to attend classes at Delta will affect her grade point average (GPA) and her ability to graduate. “Delta should do something to help students with this stressful semester,” says Lore. “I have
heard from friends that attend SVSU that their college is making the winter semester a pass or no credit semester. I think this could be beneficial to all the students that attend Delta College.” In spite of these difficulties, Delta students believe that this was the right decision to make, to help slow the spread. In recent polling done by the Collegiate on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, 90% said Delta made the right choice in closing its doors (out of 58 responses total). “I think Delta's response to the COVID-19 was very appropriate,” says Lore. “Since this is an airborne disease, it could have spread much faster if we were still attending classes at school. Delta took precautions to keep its staff and students safe from this pandemic.”
NEWS 3
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MARCH 30, 2020
Bay City church services go online Jordan Green Reporter @Jordan_Green6 BAY CITY – Churches across the state made the decision to shut their doors to the community in widespread efforts to contain the coronavirus. As the number of coronavirus cases grows exponentially in the U.S. and life seems to be at a complete halt, church organizations are working hard to bring normalcy to the community during such an unprecedented time. While this means there will be no more regular services for churches across Michigan, Bay City’s Immanuel Lutheran Church is looking on the bright side of this gloomy situation. The Rev. Kevin Jones says he is now able to reach people across the globe. Some of the livestreams of the church's service received over 250 views. “We've been able to reach probably further, digitally, than we have just sitting here within the walls of the church,” says Jones. “We have a gal in Germany that has responded well. My sister in Switzerland has sat in on our [online] worship service.” Jones says Immanuel Lutheran Church and their school is making do with the online adjustments, and a scroll through their Facebook page can justify this statement. For Immanuel Lutheran, the “Stay Home, Stay Safe”
order has meant an increase in their online presence. Facebook posts of the school’s K-12 students participating at home in virtual spirit week are uploaded daily. The church is hosting live bingo, streaming live services and posting to their Facebook daily to connect to their members. The daily devotions are usually done at 8 a.m. on Immanuel Lutheran’s Facebook page. For members of the church who aren't connected on Facebook, the church broadcasts on WSAM (1400 AM) every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Blocks away at First Presbityeran Church – located on Center Avenue – interim pastor Leslie Piper made a swift transition to online with help from her talented and dedicated staff using Facebook groups to stay connected. “It's really hard, as you can imagine, [because] when things like this happen, you want to go to church,” says Piper. “In the midst of any kind of time of distress or tragedy; it was really a hard decision to cut people off from [church]. We knew that people were going to feel isolated at a time when they needed to feel a sense of community.” Piper and her staff proceeded to split the directory and call to check in on church members during this time of social distancing and isolating, with a special focus on the older members who are more vulnerable to the virus and may be left completely alone during this frightening time.
Jordan Green • Reporter First Presbyterian Church at 805 Center Ave. posts a message canceling their services until further notice. Piper found that most of the elder members have responded that they had grandchildren, a neighbor or someone else who is checking in on them regularly. She says people are realizing they need to step up during this time of need.
“I don't think anybody is happy about it,” says Piper. “I don't think anybody wanted this to be the way things are working out. But I just am very impressed by the way that they're taking that on and doing what they feel like they need to do at this time.”
As supermarket shelves empty and the number of positive COVID-19 cases rises exponentially in Michigan, be sure to check on those most susceptible to the virus – people over 65 or those with underlying health issues – to see if they need groceries or company.
4 COLLEGIATE LIFE
www.deltacollegiate.org
March 30, 2020
Photos courtesy of Alexis Zimmerman.
A craft goddess roams Delta’s halls Maddison Godi Brand Ambassador @DCMaddison
UNIVERSITY CENTER – Most college students struggle with time management, but for third year Delta College student Alexis Zimmerman, she has found time to start a business with a full-time class load.
Working powerhouse Throughout her life, Zimmerman has been a powerhouse. Her high school schedule was packed with the equivalent of a full-time job: sports practices, team bonding events, and honors and advanced placement courses. This encouraged her to thrive on a busy schedule. “I literally went from having everything scheduled for me, to being able to control every aspect of my life,” says Zimmerman. Entering college, she found more control. She spread out her classes, allowing her to focus on a 12-credit class load instead of 16-credit loads. Zimmerman was also able to join nine student clubs while staying heavily involved in three. Creating a well-rounded resume was very important to Zimmerman. Her end goal was to transfer into Ferris State University’s pharmacy program. To do this, she needed to look outstanding on paper and in real life. With her class schedule loosened, Zimmerman decided to pick up an on-campus job. She found a position working for the sustainability office and
gained environmental knowledge. Zimmerman has always been an advocate for recycling and not polluting the Earth. This job allowed her to push further into her passion, but she still felt like she could do more.
Learning to fold creations Despite her classes, job and clubs, Zimmerman still found herself with too much free time. In the winter semester of 2019, her professor Joan Ramm sparked her interest. “One member of the English staff did a presentation on book folding and she was able to teach me,” says Zimmerman. Book folding is a craft where one finds a hardcover book and manipulates the pages by folding, cutting and coloring them into a design. It takes up a lot of time, but when finished, an old, dusty book becomes a work of art. She began filling her free time by doing book folds. In the first few months of practicing, she made them as gifts for friends and her co-workers in the sustainability office. “I received a lot of great feedback from my coworkers about the book folds,” says Zimmerman. “They even said that I should sell them, and that’s where the whole idea of a business started.” As they took off, her boss Linda Petee asked about doing book folds as a community event to inspire people to reuse materials instead of considering them garbage. Zimmerman and her co-worker began hosting book folding classes at The City Market in Bay City.
Creating a social buzz After six months, Zimmerman wanted to turn her hobby into a business. Zimmerman named her craft brand Alice. Alice was chosen because of her love for “Alice in Wonderland” and Alice is very close to her own name; it was a perfect fit. “I leave my book folds everywhere: on my desk, [on my] co-workers’ desks, at 99 Trees...” says Zimmerman. “I leave my business cards with them as well, and that’s how the word spreads.” She told friends and family that she was selling her book folds for $25. Word traveled, and she started receiving orders. Eventually, she put her products into a website and used Twitter as an outlet to share her book folds. Social media is what helped make everything take off. “It definitely fills most of my free time,” says Zimmerman. “I have to take care of all the finance stuff on my own, plan when I am going to meet people; I have to be very organized and precise.” Zimmerman is the only one creating and handling the orders, so there is a large dedication of man-hours. Each book takes her a total of one to 1 1/2 hours to complete. Since starting her business, she has made over 175 book folds. “The max I have ever made in a day is four, and by the end [of the day], my right pinky finger and left index finger are raw,” said Zimmerman. Since August 2019, Zimmerman has opted to take up more crafts to fill time. She now offers crocheted scrunchies and charms. Check out her website for all her latest crafts. “I have a lot of free time,” says Zimmerman. “I have so much free time that, even with my business, I am bored.”
COLLEGIATE LIFE 5
www.deltacollegiate.org
March 30, 2020
Meagan Rowe and Painting with Meagan Kali Schneider Student Submission
You never know what amazing talent is hidden in the students at Delta College. Meagan Rowe is a Delta student with a passion and a talent for art and is someone you should look out for. Rowe has been an art and psychology major ever since she started attending Delta in 2016. Rowe’s art career began when she spent time with her dad doodling on his back as a child. Ever since, she has had a passion for art. Since she began taking classes at Delta, she has furthered her knowledge about the creation of art and its relationship with psychology. Her art was recognized by a professor, resulting in one of her pieces being showcased at an April 2019 art show at Studio 23 in Bay City. Rowe has a talent of using different methods for art, but her true love lies within painting. She has spent years expressing herself through her art. Recently, Rowe decided to share her talents with others. In December 2019, she started her own business, Painting with Meagan. The business is hosting painting parties that teach techniques to members of the community. She teaches people how to create paintings of their choice, which can range from animals to scenes and anything in between. In the past few months, the business has flourished, with most of her weekends through March already booked. Meagan says she’s focused on making her customers happy and wants to make sure hosts have everything they need to enjoy themselves. Painting with Meagan isn’t like your average sip ‘n’ paint business. Unlike businesses of its kind, you don’t have to travel out of your way to attend a party. Painting with Meagan brings the party right to you – and it’s affordable. You can host your party in the comfort of your home and invite friends and family to join in on the fun for only $20 per person and if you host your own party, you get to paint for free. The only thing that the host needs to pay for is any snacks or drinks that they may want for their guests. At the end of each party, each painting is similar, yet they differ because of the way each person interprets the techniques, or just because they want to put their own spin to the painting. Learning to paint your own picture will make you feel like an artist yourself. Rowe encourages everyone to follow Painting with Meagan on Facebook to view the details of what she can do and how to book your own party. The excitement around the business is growing and bookings are filling up quickly because of Rowe’s teaching skills. One of the best things about attending community college is meeting new people with interesting things to share with you, and this is one of them. Check out Meagan Rowe and her business to view one of the many hidden secrets of Delta’s community.
Stay connected while staying distant!
Photos courtesy of Meagan Rowe.
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6 SCIENCE & HEALTH
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MARCH 30, 2020
Not ready for a baby? We’ve got you covered Jane Doe Collegiate Correspondent If you are on the journey to having children, this article is not for you. This is a call to action for all sexually active adults who want to feel closer to their partner(s) and not contract a disease or birth a child. Many people believe birth control is just for women. Some might also believe that if they are in a same-sex relationship, they cannot learn anything from this article. Both would be wrong. Birth control includes everything from pulling out to IUDs (intrauterine device, which is NOT a bomb that goes in a vagina). Come to the bedroom prepared: here are just some of the best STD and birth control methods, from most effective to least effective.
The best: the birth control implant and the IUD According to Planned Parenthood, there are two types of birth control that are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. The birth control implant and the IUD are both implanted into a woman’s body by a doctor to regularly release hormones into the body that prevent pregnancy. The birth control implant is injected into the arm and can stay there for five years. An IUD is put into
help prevent the spread of STDs and other germs during intercourse.
The worst: pulling out
the uterus and changes the direction of sperm cells so they cannot reach the egg and can last for 3-12 years. Both the birth control implant and IUD are best for those who want to have unprotected sex without constant reliance on taking a birth control pill.
The pill The pill is a hormonal way to keep sperm from reaching the egg. It prevents a woman’s body from reaching ovulation and, according to Planned Parenthood, it is 91% effective at preventing unplanned pregnancy. It is only this effective if the pill is taken every day at its scheduled time. Faltering from this schedule can result in a hormonal imbalance within women, which can lead to spotting, two periods
in a month, cramping and/ or an unwanted pregnancy. The pill affects every woman differently so it is important that you consult an expert before trying birth control. The pill does not prevent STDs, so it is best to pair this protection with a condom. There is a male birth control pill being developed. This pill has passed human safety tests, but does not have a release date yet. It will be a hormonal pill that stops sperm production in men – something the future has to look forward to. Quick tip: set a daily alarm so you can remember when to take your birth control. Keep up with ordering your packets and do not skip any pills. If you do miss a pill, refrain from having unprotected intercourse until you are back to a consistent pill schedule.
Condoms/ dental dams These are the easiest forms of contraception to get a hold of at Meijer, Walmart, the gas station (only in dire situations) – even Amazon has them in bulk. There are two types of condoms: the traditional male version and the internal condom for females. An internal condom is a little pouch put into the vagina that creates a barrier so sperm does not reach the egg. According to Planned Parenthood, the male condom is 85% effective and the female internal condom is 79% effective. Dental dams are not just for dental majors – they are used to keep a barrier between the mouth and the genitals during oral sex. All of these methods
Do not roll your eyes; this is one of the cheapest ways to avoid negative repercussions from sex. According to Planned Parenthood, the pull-out method alone is only 78% effective at preventing pregnancies – pair that with a great condom and dang, you could be somewhat sperm-proof. Also, to all the women: do not let your guy tell you he does not know when he is going to ejaculate. Men, pay attention to the build-up of pressure in your penis. When you think you are about to ejaculate, pull out. Stay cautious. Quick tip: double-up birth controls with the pullout technique if you truly want to avoid diseases or unwanted pregnancy. Just because she is on the pill, or he is wearing a condom, does not mean those are all 100% protective (because they are not). These are only six of the 18 reliable and known birth control methods. Don’t be afraid to research all your options and find the best one for you on Planned Parenthood’s website. Having fun does not have to come with negative outcomes, as long as you and your partner are safe and take the necessary precautions. Stay thirsty, my friends.
OPINION 7
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MARCH 30, 2020
‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ provides distraction, companionship in times of isolation Sadie Shepherd Page Designer @DCSadieShepherd As days spent in the house continue to roll slowly by, many of us find ourselves missing the errands we once took for granted. The simple freedom of being able to go about one’s day and interact with others in the community feels like that of a bygone era before COVID-19 restricted one’s every move. Almost as if answering the world’s collective wish for something to occupy our restless, anxious minds, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” was released for
the Nintendo Switch console on Friday, March 20. The popular game series, first introduced in 2001, allows players to oversee life in personalized towns in which all of the villagers are from a cast of endearing animal companions who showcase a variety of personalities and provide many fun conversations. In the latest installment, players set out to create a thriving community on a deserted island. Most of the gameplay is spent living off the land to gain food and resources. Players can also earn needed supplies by helping out fellow villagers with tasks around the island.
Beyond just interacting with the characters in the game, players can also invite friends to explore their island through online and local wireless means. Although we may be social distancing in real life, the game helps to bridge the space between us while providing a needed distraction at the same time. Perhaps the best part of the game, though, is that the day is yours to tackle however you see fit. While there are objectives that are meant to be completed, players can choose to spend their time exploring and wandering around. So, while you may not
be able to go visit your actual neighbors at this time, your neighbors in “Animal Crossing” will be there whenever you turn on your gaming console. In
times like these, perhaps a gang of familiar animal friends is just what we all need to provide calm and insight, and to leave us with a genuine smile.
Pass/no credit grading options relieve stress during crisis Sadie Shepherd Page Designer @DCSadieShepherd Over 14 million college students have been affected by coronavirusrelated school closures, as reported by CNBC. This widespread shutdown of in-person classes has led to online learning becoming the only viable option. While the transition to online learning has been seamless for some students, there are many factors which can make virtual studies less than ideal for others. For students who don’t have access to a stable Wi-Fi network or computer, completing the coursework seems almost impossible, leaving many wondering if they will be able to successfully finish out the semester. With these concerns in mind, many schools have taken initiative to relieve some of the stress students face while dealing with such big changes to their educational workflow. Colleges and universities across the United States are switching from a letter grading system to pass/no credit (P/NC) grading. P/NC grading allows for any
grade considered “passing”, traditionally C- or above, to be shown on transcripts as a P for pass rather than an actual letter grade. If a grade drops below the threshold to be considered passing, transcripts will reflect the grade as NC for no credit without affecting the grade point average. Charissa Urbano, professor of biology at Delta, is a strong advocate of colleges and universities adopting a P/NC grading system in light of COVID-19. “It provides students with some flexibility and reduces the uncertainty of what to expect at
the end of the semester,” says Urbano. “I'm very concerned about the disruption and uncertainty in our daily lives at this moment in time and think that any proactive, student-centered decision that can be made to reduce anxiety is warranted.” Locally, Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Michigan are giving students the option at the end of the semester to choose whether they want their grade reflected as P/NC or as a traditional letter grade. At Delta, the P/NC grading policy is already similar to those just now being enacted by other
schools, according to Denise Hill, professor of English. “[...] Part of the Delta P/NC policy always allowed students to reverse their P/NC after the end of the semester once they saw their grades,” says Hill. “Not all schools I've worked for have offered that, and I always thought it was a generous policy that benefits students.” Still, many students say that expanding P/NC grading options isn’t the answer. While some students support policies to mandate that everyone passes, others want to retain their letter grades to ensure their transcripts are well-received by graduate programs. Regardless of which side you're on, maintaining open lines of communication with your professors is key. “When students express their concerns to faculty, we are listening and we are continually taking these concerns to our leadership to find solutions,” says Hill. “I appreciate our students for all they are doing to work through these kinds of issues with their faculty.”
the final weeks
Written by Maddison Godi Illustration by Lindsay Lang
DISCLAIMER
Since 1961, the Delta Collegiate has been written and produced by Delta students for students without any input or oversight by administration. The paper does not represent the views of Delta College, its faculty, staff or administration. Stories are selected by the student staff members to bring reliable information and entertainment to our readers.
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