68.7 by Erie Square Gazette

The Erie Square Gazette A public forum by and for the students of St. Clair County Community College since 1931

Volume 68.7

april 21, 2016

The times, they are a changin’

Getting to know the interim president, Dr. Deborah Snyder

Nick “Chico” Hernandez Managing Editor Out with the old, in with the new; getting her foot in the door Dr. Deborah Snyder took over the presidency of SC4 on April 1, following the resignation of former SC4 president Kevin Pollock. Snyder’s definition of an interim president is, “someone who is serving for a finite time period.” While the best-known title is ‘interim president’, Snyder said “my contract does say I’m the president of SC4 and the contract period is for 12 months.” On Jan. 19, Pollock announced his official resignation to SC4 and that he would be out the door by March 31. When Pollock first ran, Snyder had been contacted by a member of the board to run for president but, due to having recently been crowned Dean of a business school section of Strayer University, she had to decline. “So this board member, believe it or not, remembered this conversation and called me out at my college in California and said ‘Our president has just resigned and he is taking a new position with another community college in another state. We need an interim president. Is this something you’d Earth Fair - April 29 | pg 3

Photo provided by SC4.

be interested in?’ And at that point, I said yes.” Snyder said. While Snyder referred to herself as being “kind of like that top person where the buck stops,” she also openly says she has other bosses as well. “The board members are my bosses,” said Snyder. Tampon Tax | pg 4

When asked if she planned on running for president after her contract expired, Snyder simply answered, “I’m here to do the best job I can as long as they want me to serve.” Snyder’s plans and thoughts for SC4

Censorship in Media | pg 5

Snyder has been in office less than a month, and has let it be known she does not want to make rash or uncalculated decisions. “When you’re a new president, it’s hard to come in and throw the baby out with the bath water, and that certainly isn’t my intention,” said Snyder. Snyder added that, “any plans that would be evolving would be based on the fact finding that I’m doing here now.” Before making any future plans, Snyder said, “what I’m doing now is trying to meet with as many people internally and externally from stakeholders, faculty, staff, students, to people in the community, and people on the Foundation Board to really find out what they think. That will help me form any plans I might have with moving forward in the future.” Snyder does have a particular goal in mind and stated, “One thing we know we need to do is improve enrollment. We have fewer students now than have had in the past. So certainly that is something that is on my radar. We’re the community’s college. So, to me, I really have to look at planning from a community prospective.” Story continued page 8

Letter from the Editor | pg 8

Volume 68.7

Editor-in-Chief Emily Mainguy Production Editor/Designer Emily Mainguy Managing Editor Chico Hernandez Business Editor Jamie Koebke Photo Editor Jenelle Kalaf Copy Editor Melanie Buskirk Sports Editor TBD Webmaster TBD Adviser John Lusk

ESG Contact Info: Email: eriesquaregazette@gmail.com Address: 323 Erie St Port Huron MI 48060 Editor’s Note: All views expressed in editorials and columns contained within the ESG are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the ESG or any of its advertisers. We welcome feedback!

Find us at esgonline.org @esgonline facebook.com/ESGonline First copy free; second copy $1

Calendar Community

April 24 | “Hamlet” Auditions The Citadel Stage | 5-9 p.m.

Bring May-August availability, Resume with a headshot, and two 90 second audition pieces (designers bring examples of previous work).

April 25 | “Hamlet” Auditions The Citadel Stage | Noon-9 p.m.

Bring May-August availability, Resume with a headshot, and two 90 second audition pieces (designers bring examples of previous work).

April 25 | City Council Meeting City Municipal Office Center | 7 p.m.

April 26 | Blue Water Vintage Swing Classes | Tio Gordos Cantina 7:30-9 p.m. (Ballroom at 6:30p.m.) $10 per person

April 29 | St. Clair County Earth Fair Goodells County Park April 30 | St. Clair County Earth Fair Goodells County Park April 30 | International Symphony Orchestra Season Finale: “Portraits” McMorran | 7:30p.m. Tickets: $27 Adults, $25 Seniors, and $7 Students. May 5 | Michigan Works! Young Professionals Career and Education Expo | City Municipal Office Center 3-6 p.m.

Sports

April 21 | Baseball Home Game Sanborn Park | 2-6 p.m.

Campus

April 23 | Music: The Finale Fine Arts Theatre | 7-8 p.m.

April 28 | “Patterns” Award Ceremony and Reception | 7-9 p.m. Fine Arts Theatre and Galleries

April 21, 2016

Educational environmental fun Free Earth Day Fair in St. Clair County Mel Buskirk Copy Editor

different birds of prey and their importance to the local ecosystems. Live hawks, owls, Nations of people worldwide eagles, and vultures will make an will be holding celebrations for appearance at the show. th the 46 annual Earth Day this Talks will be held at the Earth Friday, April 22. Though it will Fair in the Columbus Bible be a week after Earth Day, the Church in the Historical Village people of St. Clair County will every half hour. Topics for have their own festivities to these talks include beekeeping, celebrate the planet we live on spinning wool, local wildflowers, and how to conserve it. Earth Fair learning to reduce waste, will be held in Goodells County polishing Petoskey stones, and Park on Friday, April 29 from 9 much more. a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, Trolley rides will take tours April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the Historical Village This free, family-friendly event and give fairgoers the chance will have plenty of educational to explore buildings built in the exhibits, talks, and shows to mid-1800s. The trolley will also attend. Shows include the “Lords make rounds through the parking of the Sky Show” which exhibit lot, at restrooms, and at the

playgrounds. A couple of quieter attractions will also be available on site. The Butterfly House Exhibit provided by the Master Gardeners of St. Clair County allows fairgoers to walk through an enclosure surrounded by a variety of different species of butterflies. The St. Clair Conservation District will be holding a sale of evergreens, flowering trees, shrubs, hardwoods, and local wildflowers for fairgoers to purchase and plant at home. Trees and shrubs won’t be the only thing for sale at the Earth Fair. Over 60 local vendors will have their own booths set up for fairgoers to browse their wares and services. Exhibitors

from Powder Puff Pacas, Stable Dreams, and Tigerbunny Acres Farm will be bringing animals to exhibit and pet at the fair. Food will also be available at the fair. Sweets from Michigan Candy, Inc. and Sweet Lane Fudge Factory will be sold along with other goodies from Just a Poppin, Lucky Lunch, Maria’s Tacos, and St. Clair County Farm Museum. Since 2003, the St. Clair County Earth Fair has celebrated the local community and environment. For more information on the events of Earth Fair, the event map, or directions to Goodells County Park go to www.earthdayfair.com.

“Patterns” Volume 58 coming to a school near you Awards ceremony and magazine release happening April 28 Emily Mainguy Editor-in-Chief

According to the 2015 volume of “Patterns,” it is has been published annually since 1959. Which makes it the longest continually published magazine of its type in Michigan; as stated on the poster for the event. This year’s issue of “Patterns” will debut on April 28 at 7 p.m.

Which will take place during the awards ceremony where students with chosen entries will discover if they won an award. The awards include, Eleanor Mathews, Patrick Bourke, Blanche Redman, Richard Colwell, Kathy Nickerson, first place in Visual entries, along with second and third place awards in literary, poetry and visual arts entries. Other entries that were

included in the magazine receive Selection of Merit awards. This year the design and layout efforts were created by Jason Grill, Blair Spear, and Emily Mainguy; with the oversight of Martha Pennington, Sarah Flatter and Cliff Johnson. For more information on the event or to see the art work published in this year’s “Patterns” stop by the Fine Arts galleries.

Part of the “Patterns” poster that reflects the style of this year’s volume.

Volume 68.7

Fighting the tax on feminine hygiene

Michigan bills to ease monetary menstruation woes Jamie Koebke Business Editor

The fear and panic that sets in when you think you’ve started your period in public and aren’t sure if you have a tampon, is unlike any other panic that is felt. You run to the bathroom just to realize that you don’t have any nor do you have a quarter to buy one. Fuck, there go your favorite undies. The price for a 36 count of Tampax Pearl at Meijer is $6.99 plus the state’s six percent sales tax. This is roughly $7.41 a month. That’s also only if the women buys tampons, that’s not counting if they buy pads or panty liners. Due to Toxic Shock Syndrome, it is not recommended to wear only tampons. A pack of Always overnight pads is $7.29 plus tax and a pack of Always panty-liners is $4.19. Monthly a woman is looking at $19.83. Assuming the woman started her period when she was 13 and starts menopause at 51, the women will be spending roughly $9,110 throughout her life on feminine hygiene products. State Representative Sarah Roberts has proposed a bill that will eliminate sales tax on any feminine hygiene products. Roberts has also proposed a

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bill that will make feminine hygiene products available for free in public schools and state buildings. The Detroit Free Press says having a tampon tax is basically a punishment for women, when they have no

control of their menstruation. If passed, Michigan will not be the first state to eliminate the tax, five states have already eliminated the tax on the products; five other states have no sales tax at all.

Michigan has tax exemption on things that are considered to be necessary, groceries, prescription drugs, even newspapers. Yet women are paying taxes on feminine hygiene products for something that they can’t change, something they were born with. Another reason Roberts has proposed these bills is to help with the idea that menstruation has to be a dirty little secret, people know about it, yet most men still say “ew” or cringe when anything about a period is mentioned. The idea of a young girl not being able to get a feminine hygiene product at school because she’s ashamed to ask for one or because there are none available for her, is the point behind the second bill. Periods are something that men will never experience, so the question is… if men used these products would there be a tax on them? Would they be as expensive as they are? Would this even be an issue? Your opinions on these bills can be heard! State representatives: Go to house.michigan.gov or call 517-373-6339. State senators: Go to senate. michigan.gov or call 517-373-2400.

April 21, 2016

It’s fake. Get over it. Censorship in media Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor Let me get this straight. I can play as a female sniper wearing a small leotard but I can’t see the backside of a time traveler in a full body suit because you can tell she has a butt? Censorship in media has been, and always will be a topic of discussion. We’ve come a long way since the days of Freddy and Daphne sleeping in different beds, but it’s been a battle. Violence and sexual behavior are just part of human nature. Not to say we should violent, but it’s something we as humans are curious about. Growing up, I remember it was scandalous to teachers that I watched “Law and Order: SUV,” but now I hear about how a group of fifth graders are discussing the story telling styles of “The Walking Dead” for a homework assignment. Granted, teachers are trying to use something most kids are exposed to teach lessons, but it baffles me. I’ll state this now, I’m 21. So not long ago was I being told that I shouldn’t “really be playing violent games” and my parents “shouldn’t let me watch ‘Game of Thrones.’” I know the struggle of being under the amazing age of 17 and having to explain to my mom in detail what was in this rated M game I wanted so badly. I won a lot of battles, but I lost a lot as well. Now I’m 21 and I find myself seeking more kid friendly games and books to entertain myself, due to the fact that violence no longer exist in just those few things I got away with watching or playing, but now heavily

from things we as a society have decided collectively that we don’t want to see. Hence why to me, “Game of Thrones” isn’t that bad compared to what my mom probably thinks about it. I remember when I was younger, “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” was recalled here in the U.S. when it was found out that the developers hid a graphic sex scene from the ERSB rating board. Meaning when it was found, the game was given an “AO” (Adults Only) rating and removed from the store shelves. We still have a copy of the AO version, due to lack of interest in returning it, but I remember thinking “Why is this so bad? The graphics don’t even look real.” I guess to some up my point, we Promotional Image as humans only add controversy to controls the world I’ve started because “everyone should feel like a these games when we make a big paying more attention to. hero.” deal about it. Thus creating a type of That doesn’t mean I support While outrage sparked over this, free advertising to be interested in censorship. Blizzard released her new pose. A these things. This was brought up by a little classic pinup pose (pictured in B). The same can be said for any incident regrading Blizzard’s new Now I have a few ideas why episode of “The Walking Dead” game, “Overwatch.” Blizzard did this. I think they wanted when they censor the word “fuck” Blizzard, known for the “World of to change the pose anyway and took during the broadcast but add it in Warcraft” games, likes to make the the opportunity for media coverage for the DVD releases. men muscly and the women… well, on the game. I wouldn’t have bought those DVDs they don’t wear much. Or they really didn’t like people if it wasn’t for that fact. Much to everyone’s surprise, their saying their characters were “too I think of media censorship in the new title wouldn’t have as many sexy” which probably meant to them same light at censoring books and breasts on display. Though a few they needed more sex appeal. art. Not only is it not serving a real characters still do, it’s because it But this got me thinking, Blizzard purpose, it only adds to the fuel of matched they’re personality. could have given her a completely want, so I guess for a marketing One girl, a time traveler with a innocent pose. Now Blizzard department, it helps. quirky personality was under attack. understands the market for their To bring my rambling to a close, By one person. games and knows a lot of people I’d like to hear other thoughts about One person emailed Blizzard play them for the sexy characters. censorship. Do you agree with it? Do and said her “Over the shoulder” Meaning, this pose would make you hate it? Send us an email over to (pictured in A) was too sexual for more sense. eriesquaregazette@gmail.com. her personality. Blizzard announced A lot of media and games are they were going to change the pose changed to “shield the audience”

Volume 68.7

Game Title: Rocket League Platform: Steam/PC/ XBox One/PS4

The Ratings: Game play: 9/10 Sound and Graphics : 8/10 Overall: 9/10

Late to the game

Some cars play sports together Jenelle Kalaf Photo Editor

The controls are weird, no one shows sympathy, and you never seem to be able to land a hit on Soccer, also known as futbol, the ball. Despite the awkward hasn’t changed much through the controls, by the third game, years. The ball gets kicked, there you’ve mastered timing you’re are nets, teams, etc. boosts, you aren’t constantly But the burning question calls turning around and suddenly out: What if cars played soccer? hitting the ball comes much Here’s the answer to the easier. question no one was asking, “Rocket League” somehow took “Rocket League.” A game where a mess of controls and made friends or strangers alike can get them feel natural by forcing together and play the good ol’ you to deal with them. (I don’t wholesome game of soccer with know how true this rings, but cars. I’ve also heard it’s easier for But is it worth $19.99? less experienced gamers to Gameplay: understand.) As stated earlier, the idea of And “Rocket League’s” “Rocket League” seems simple community rocks. My experience enough. comes from the steam Have some Hot-Wheels like community, where you can ask cars, have a ball, and play a game. almost any question (within Seems easy enough. reason) and someone will gladly The first time with “Rocket show you a few tricks to the League” stands as most players game. worst and best time. The game does require a

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constant internet connection, so at times it can be laggy. Which can make the game four times harder to play. That doesn’t hinder the fun too much, though. “Rocket League” keeps up the fun with good humor. The player can customize the cars they play as. From top hats to snowmen antenna ornaments, “Rocket League” will have you noticing and giggling at other players and their car’s fashion choices. Graphics/Sound: “Rocket League” stands on par with most other current generation games. The game has a cartoony quality about it. The colors are nice to look at with an almost 70’s style neon glow to it all. The cars fit well into the world but still stand out well. Sound wise, “Rocket League’s” fun soundtrack does its job while

still carrying some weight of its own. The sound effects are super satisfying. The blazing horn sounds when one of the teams score, the metal clank sounds great when you finally land a solid hit on the ball. If anything, the sound reward you more than the score board does. Overall: “Rocket League” does some weird things not found in most “sports” games. Besides playing as a car, the game forces the player to not only play with awkward controls, but love them. Though the concept seems simple, “Rocket League” really does something different here. I know I can’t put “Rocket League” down. Happy Gaming.

April 21 , 2016

“I’ll be back”

Automatron DLC brings the metal Nick “Chico” Hernandez & Mel Buskirk Managing Editor & Copy Editor Sentry bots, assaultrons, and Mr. Handys, oh my! The newest Fallout 4 DLC, Automatron, dropped on March 22 on Xbox One, PS4, and PC. This DLC is the first of three that have been announced by Bethesda, the other two being Wasteland Workshop (a simple crafting expansion) and Far Harbor (a full blown DLC said to be bigger than Oblivion’s Shivering Isles). Automatron brings a new level of crafting to the table in the form of robots. After you receive a distress signal from a caravan being attacked by hostile robots you encounter Ada, the only caravan survivor. However, you won’t receive the distress signal until you are level 15 or higher. Ada is part assaultron, part protectron, and all revenge. She leads you on the three hour (it varies on play style) quest to find and stop The Mechanist, the person whom is leading/crating these hostile robots. This opens the floor to building a robot workstation where you can customize Ada, or build a new robot entirely. All it takes is some blueprints and you can build to your heart’s content. I prefer a flying robot with two flaming swords called shishkebabs. The robots don’t just wonder around like useless settlers (looking at you, Jun Long), they can assigned to different stations to work as well. I use them mainly as guards. Besides being able to build a mechanical agent of death (there are more mods for robots than I care to

list), small additions to settlement building are welcome. These come in the form of more paintings, more signs, and miscellaneous items that can add that touch of home (or bloody torture room, your choice). Not only are there new robots and new building materials to play with, but the DLC includes new weapons and armor as well. The robot armor found on a new enemy gang known as the “Rust Devils” provides a decent amount of

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ballistic and energy resistance if you don’t mind it taking up half of your carry weight. New unique legendary weapons – also made of robot parts – are fun additions to your arsenal. While the story doesn’t have a lot of heart to it, Automatron will still be fun to most people. Additional dialogue is also available if players wear the Silver Shroud outfit while talking to The Mechanist, which can prove humorous. Unless players have bought the

Season Pass for Fallout 4 (currently sold at $49.99), the Automatron DLC will cost $10 to download. The $10 price tag is cheap compared to the hours can be spent just on building robots alone. Automatron surely won’t win over every critic, but the cheap price and longevity of building and killing robots definitely makes it worth it to me.

Dr. Deborah Snyder Cont’d McMorran Pavilion “I’ve asked the question ‘is this a done deal?’ The answer I got was yes. It’s already been voted on by the board, the city has agreed to sell us the building. My job, as president, is to move forward and help the communication go forward with all this.” Snyder also added, “I still think we need to do a better job of communicating such as what are we doing, what our plans are.” With a smile on her face Snyder said, “I think people will be very pleased with what the college has planned to do.” The Pavilion, which will be renamed SC4 Fieldhouse, is planned to be the home for the college’s athletic teams. The Pavilion/ Fieldhouse will also be open for community use, and host youth and high school athletic tournaments, camps and other events.

Residence and a notable achievement Snyder, while working and living out in California, still owned a house in St. Clair County. “We’ve had a home, up on Gratiot, for 11 years. We renovated a small cottage on the lake after our daughters graduated from high school. We decided to come home,” Snyder added that, “there’s no place like Port Huron, it’s a wonderful place to live.” Many people have a notable achievement that brings pride to themselves, and Snyder is no different. “My most notable achievement is getting my education, particularly my doctorate. Much like a lot of the students at a community college, I worked when I went to school and I never didn’t work. It took me 10 years to get my undergraduate degree, 8 years to get my master’s degree, and 7 years to

Letter from the Editor

It’s Not too late to join the paper! Emily Mainguy Editor-in-Chief Hello readers! If you missed our last issue of the paper you may be thinking that this is our last issue. But we still have one more. Last issue we published an article about the college changing our program next year and we would like to hear your opinion on it. Next to this article there is a place to write down your comments. We would really appreciate hearing from our readers. When you are done filling it out, you can cut it out and drop it off at our office. If we are not in the office please stick it

under our door! I also wanted to take this time to say that it is not too late to join the paper. With most of the staff leaving this semester all of the Editor positions and their scholarships will be open for the taking. If you would like to join us for our last issue stop by our meeting Thursdays in the Main Building room 122 and 123 from 2-3p.m. If you are unable to join us for the meeting but are still interested in joining us feel free to email me at emainguy@att. net or eriesquaregazette@gmail. com. We hope to hear from you all soon!

get my PhD. But it’s because I was driving downtown to Wayne State, I was raising kids, feeding horses in my back yard because I used to have horses way back when. And goats, rabbits, dogs, cats; we had a menagerie.” Snyder went on to say, with some laughs, “We lived in Romeo when our girls were growing up. We did have some acreage; we lived right behind an apple orchard. We pretended to be farmers, I had a garden, but certainly serious farmers would have rolled their eyes at us. It was a wonderful environment to raise our children in.” Changing SC4 and building more trust “I’d like to be instrumental in building more trust. Trust with the community, the internal community. That’s what I really hope to do.

It’s not to say there is a problem now, but I think that it’s important to build trust and have everyone understand we are all part of the same team,” Snyder said when asked how she would like to change SC4. Snyder also stated, “Together we can do many things that we can’t do as individuals and I can’t do anything without the rest of this team.” Closing Words In relation to her notable achievement Snyder said, “Education opens doors. It does it for me, it does it for you, and it can do it for anyone. Education is key. Go as far as you can.” Snyder added, “I’m a listener and an important part of my job is to make sure I hear from students, hear from faculty, and I hear from staff because that is the only way I can make good decisions.”

The

Erie Square Gazette Please cut out and return to the Erie Square Gazette office, MB 122 & 123.

What did you think about SC4 changing the ESG and WSGR?