8-27-2009

GORA A

Sailing with MCCC’s Nabers

THE

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Maltese doubles work load

Monroe County Community College

August 27, 2009

Vol. 53, Issue 1

pg. 4

Tuition changed to contact hours Switch hit some students hard

By Asia Rapai Staff

Jaimie Downes, a student in MCCC’s nursing program, found that the 13 credit hours she budgeted for this semester will now cost her $603 more than she planned.

“That doesn’t include books, scrubs, tools, health insurance, and the price to join the Michigan Student Nurses’ Association,” Downes said.

Downes, along with thousands of other MCCC students, is affected by the college’s decision to charge tuition by billable contact hour instead of by credit hour. The change was made to help balance the $25 million budget for the 20092010 school year.

“Instead of slamming one group of the student population, why not have every student just pay a little more per credit hour for tuition?” Downes asked.

MCCC leads list for low cost tuition Seventeen other Michigan community colleges have switched to the billable contact hour system. Of those 17, MCCC has the lowest rate per contact hour.

Michigan Community Colleges ranked by lowest to highest rate per contact hour: 1. MCCC: $67 2. Muskegon: $69 3. Glen Oaks: $70 4. West Shore: $72 5. Lake Michigan: $72.50

6. Lansing: $73 7. Montcalm: $74 8. Mid-Michigan: $76.50 9. Bay de Noc: $77 10. Northwestern: $77.40 11. Kirtland: $77.50 12. Mott: $79.50 13. Grand Rapids: $82.50 14. Southwestern: $82.50 15. Alpena: $84 16. Jackson: $86.50 17. St. Clair: $86.50 Source: MCCC’s Board of Trustees

With the switch to billable contact hour, students are paying $67 per contact hour, not credit hour. Although the cost per hour has not changed since last year, the number of hours will be counted differently, depending on the type of class.

A science class with a lab is considered a four-credit hour class, but the lab adds three hours of contact every week, on top

of the normal 3 hours of class time. This means a student spends six hours with the instructor and that the student has to pay $67 for each of the six contact hours, instead of the four credits.

The cost of most three-credit courses will not change. The student is in contact with the instructor for 3 hours a week, so that student only has to pay for those

three contact hours.

MCCC President David Nixon said most students in transfer programs will not be heavily affected by the change, because these programs focus more on three-credit hour courses. However, students in career programs such as nursing will be affected because of the lab time and longer amount of contact needed.

MCCC’s Board of Trustees collected data based on the number of students who had registered for classes by June.

According to their information, 54 percent of the 2,562 students who were registered would not see an increase in the cost of tuition.

Of the others, 85 percent would see an increase that was no higher than $300.

Three percent of those students would see an increase between $301 and $600, and two percent would see the highest increase of $1,500.

“Those are pretty good numbers, but we still have students in those extreme groups of increase,” Nixon said.

Students who registered before June received letters as soon as the switch to

contact hours was made, explaining why their cost of tuition was raised, Nixon said.

“Students affected by the change were told to speak with financial aid for help, if needed,” he said.

Nixon explained that a scholarship initiative has been started called Monroe Responds. It is expected to help students in financial hardship based on their individual financial aid assessment.

People can donate money to Monroe

See TUITION, Page 2

How to convert

A list of every course and its credit-hour-to-contact-hour conversion is listed on the college website.

1. Go to www.monroeccc.edu 2. Click on “Tuition/Fees” 3. Follow the link “New - Billable Contact Hour Conversion Chart - pdf file”

Employees pitch in to save money

By Asia Rapai Staff

Agora photo by Symone Thomas

MCCC faculty and staff kicked off their 2009-2010 school year Wednesday with a “Welcome Back Breakfast.” The guest speaker was University of Michigan-Dearborn Chancellor Dr. Daniel Little, who talked about his university’s strategic vision, which focuses on serving its Metro Detroit communities.

MCCC gets summer makeover Brandy Werner Staff

MCCC admissions student assistant Courtney Salliotte got a little change of scenery for the past few weeks.

Several buildings on campus received a makeover this summer.

To improve the services offered to students, the Admissions, Registration, Switchboard and Cashier areas of the A Building were renovated.

The Admissions Office was temporarily relocated to the conference rooms down the hall during the construction.

“The only thing I miss about working in the conference rooms is the windows; we can’t look outside anymore,” Salliotte said.

The new office area was completed toward the end of July.

“It looks really nice. There is new furniture in the waiting area, and we don’t have the huge table up front anymore, just a coffee table,” Salliotte said.

The Admissions Office wasn’t the only project this summer.

Agora photo by Brandy Werner

The Admissions and Registrar offices after renovations made over the summer.

“By the end of June we were able to complete a project upgrading all of the teaching/learning technology components and support systems for eight classrooms on the second floor of the CLRC,” said Timothy Bennett, MCCC vice president of business affairs and treasurer.

The project cost was around $173,000.

INSIDE: Editorial...................2 A&E..........................3 CampusNews.........4

Campus News.........5 Feature....................6

Enriching the students across Southeast Michigan

“Another major project is the repair of the windows and carpet replacement in the WHEB,” Bennett said.

“The seals in these windows had severe leaks.”

See MAKEOVER, Page 2

A penny given by employees is a penny earned for MCCC. MCCC’s Board of Trustees approved a 2009-2010 budget of $25 million on June 22, with some creative help by employees.

College President David Nixon says that 80 percent of MCCC’s $25 million budget goes to paying expenses that relate to employees.

“The employees taking sacrifices helped tremendously,” he said.

Nixon accepted a freeze on his wages by turning down a 2 percent raise for this year, saving the college $2,848.52. He also decided to forgo a college-provided vehicle, saving another $9,000.

He said the white Jeep Grand Cherokee he used to drive is now being used as a campus security vehicle.

Along with Nixon, the three vice presidents – Timothy Bennet, Randy Daniels, and Grace Yackee – also accepted a wage freeze and declined their college-provided vehicles.

Nixon added that 28 administrators plus the support staff gave up their raises, saving the college more than $360,000.

“With the current economic crisis, we all know how serious this is,” Nixon said.

MCCC’s faculty also has saved money for the college, according to Mark Bergmooser, president of the Monroe County Community College Faculty Association (MCCCFA), which is a branch of the Michigan Education Association (MEA).

“Basically, the faculty was at the forefront of saving the college money back in 2006 when we agreed to a lower cost insurance plan. We understood the situation and costs surrounding health insurance and were proud to come up with a solution with the district in order to save the college money,” he said.

To save even more money, the Board of Trustees requested that all employees accept a pay freeze. Administrators and staff agreed, and the faculty was asked in May to consider a freeze on their wages for the next year.

“Upon the district’s request for a wage freeze, MCCCFA initiated a process required by the MEA to determine if there is a legitimate need to open an existing contract,” Bergmooser said.

As of now, the faculty contract, which was negotiated between the district and the MCCCFA, provides for a 3 percent raise each year, he said.

Agora photo by Asia Rapai

Security Supervisor Bill Myers poses in President Nixon’s former car.

A decision has not been made yet, but the faculty’s contract is currently in its last year and will be open for negotiation.

The maintenance staff has not determined whether or not they will be accepting a wage freeze either, Nixon said.

They also are part of a union, which is currently in collective bargaining.

“It is time to negotiate their contract.

They have had a few meetings, but nothing was decided,” Nixon said.

He said the trustees want to keep tuition as low as possible without laying off any employees.

Because of the efforts to save money, there were no lay-offs, Nixon said. However, the college was forced to raise more revenue by switching to a billable contact hour system for tuition, he said.

Bergmooser noted that the change to charging tuition by contact hour instead of course hour doesn’t have anything to do with how faculty are paid.

“At MCCC, faculty are compensated according to degrees earned and years served,” he said, “not solely because of the types of classes they teach.”

“A professor of political science with a doctorate who has worked for ten years at the College is paid exactly the same amount as a chemistry professor with a doctorate and ten years of service.”

The implication of the change to contact hours, Bergmooser said, is that lab classes, primarily in the health, science, and technology fields, cost more to operate than other types of classes, such as English or history.

“This is true,” he said. “However, the reason lab courses cost more is not because of faculty salaries; it’s the expense of lab equipment, machinery, hardware, software, etc.”

Fitness Center Hours:

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Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Mon - Thurs: 8 a.m. - 9:30 Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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Visitour ourwebsite websiteat:at:www.monroeccc.edu www.monroeccc.edu Visit

2 THE AGORA

Editorial

August 27, 2009

Judge not, lest ye learn something On a Tuesday, I arrive at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 5:30 p.m. so I can talk to someone before we start eating at 6 p.m.

After driving into the parking lot, I see a fellow classmate walking up to the church. She comes over and says hello and we agree that we will sit together when we get inside.

I also have one of my friends with me, because I am too uncomfortable to go alone.

I thought before that I might run into someone from our class, and now I wonAsia Rapai der how that will Copy Editor affect the situation. It makes the assignment more complicated.

The assignment was for a class called Interpersonal Communication. The instructor, Mark Bergmooser, told our class that we would have to go to a God Works dinner and try to connect with the people there.

God Works is a program, run by Jeff Weaver and other volunteers, that serves free dinners to people in need. The dinners are held at several churches around the community, one each day of the week.

The churches are transformed into soup kitchens to serve people who are homeless or struggling financially.

“Everyone in the God Works group believes that hungry people deserve to eat,” according to the God Works website.

For more information about the program, where the dinners are served, and how to volunteer, go to www.gwsoupkitchen.com.

We were not volunteering. Instead, we were supposed to act like we needed to be there. We also had to try to communicate with someone that we didn’t know.

My night continues: Although I feel comfortable talking to my fellow classmate, it makes it harder for me to focus

MONROE

Meals served by God Works:

Monday Arthur Lesow Community Center 120 Eastchester Info: 734-241-8181 Tuesday St. Paul’s United Methodist Church 201 S. Monroe St Info: 734-241-8181 Wednesday St. Joe’s Church 924 E. Second St Info: 734-241-8181

Thursday First Presbyterian Church 108 Washington St Info: 734-241-8181 Friday St. Mary’s Parish Life Center 127 N. Monroe St Info: 734-241-8181 Saturday Salvation Army Church 1018 E. Second St Info: 734-241-8181 Sunday Trinity Lutheran Church 323 Scott St Info: 734-241-8181

on the assignment. We both seem to make it harder on each other by showing and sharing our nerves.

It is more difficult to pretend I need to be at this dinner when there are people around me who know this isn’t true.

Despite my hesitation, we walk inside the church and enter a gymnasium filled with tables, chairs, and people. My friend, my fellow student and I look for people whom we might feel comfortable talking to.

We decide to sit at a table where only a woman and a young girl are seated.

We address them by saying this is our first time here. They are very friendly and helpful.

After they answer a few general questions about how the program works (such as what other churches do this and which ones have the best meals) we move into the topic of struggling with money. This is a general topic, making it easy to discuss.

The woman is easy to talk to right away and is very open to sharing her story. I think it helps that we are all females.

It seems to make us feel a little safer or

How some costs have changed

Here’s an example of how some courses’ costs have changed: Course Credit hour Contact hour ENGL-151 English Composition 3 3 CHEM-151 General College Chemistry 4 6 RTH-111 Respiratory Care Clinical Pracice 5 16 cent of the $25 million is paid for by the state.

“That number is now down to about 16 percent,” Nixon said.

Since the state still has until Oct. 1 to balance its budget, the trustees still do not know exactly how much money they will receive from the state, Nixon said.

“The state of Michigan is near bankruptcy,” he said. “The state is still $2.5 billion dollars in debt.

They need to make up that money

by Oct. first. If they don’t, the college will receive even less money from the state.”

Although this could cause trouble for students, the trustees think the change will help MCCC to move forward.

“It’s significant to the future of the college. It’s more than just balancing the current budget status. It’s an honest way of charging for instruction,” Nixon said.

Some people worry about how this will affect students. MCCC Professor of History Dr. James DeVries is disappointed about the switch to contact hours.

“It all makes me kind of sad. In essence we have changed the mission statement of the college,” he said.

Devries said that he understands these are tough decisions for the trustees to make, but he is skeptical about their procedure.

“They have to balance the budget, but they don’t want to shift money from the reserves,” he said. “What do we really have in reserves? How much are we sitting on?”

DeVries has spoken openly about his opinion of the college’s finances.

“If I were support staff, I would say we did what we had to do.

The support staff has to be careful, but I can say what I want.

Faculty have contracts; they can’t fire us,” he said.

The students who might not be able to pay for college because of the new billing system are his main concern.

“If we cannot exist to provide opportunity, we shouldn’t exist,” DeVries said.

Nursing student Jaimie Downes agrees with DeVries.

“It seems like there is some shady business going on. I mean, I like the college but the switch to contact hours just doesn’t seem to add up – not like my bills do anyway,” Downes said.”

Agora plans two milestones this fall

By Dan Shaw Agora Adviser

Today’s edition of The Agora represents the first of two milestones planned by the newspaper staff this fall.

This edition is noteworthy because of its date. Your copy of The Agora is arriving on the first day of class, two to three weeks earlier than usual.

A group of Agora staff members, led by Editor Jennifer Niswender and assistant editor Andrew Hoppert, met in mid-summer to plan

TEMPERANCE Monday St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 1690 W Sterns Rd Info: 734-850-6044

more comfortable.

She discusses how she once lived in Jackson, but that she got a divorce and moved with her four children to Monroe.

Her ex-husband does pay child support and her children go to see him sometimes on the weekends.

Her two oldest children have moved out on their own, her youngest son is at a friend’s house for the night, and her daughter who is with her is in third grade.

We also learn that her youngest son has juvenile diabetes and that he wants to be a doctor so that he can study the disease.

We don’t have to say much to keep the conversation going. I think the woman feels as if she is helping us by disclosing her story. It seems like she is trying to make us feel like there is nothing wrong with needing help. She is open to selfdisclosing, maybe because of her motherly nature.

We have a long time to talk to the woman and her daughter before eating.

We are sitting at table number 13 and we are one of the last tables to be called up to get our food.

Tuition changed to contact hours Continued from Page 1

Wednesday 1st Congregational Church of Christ 26250 E. Huron River Drive Info: 734-755-0196

this back-to-school edition. They wrote the stories and produced the paper on their own time, putting in some long hours in the process.

The second milestone will be the launch next month of a Web site for The Agora. News coverage will be posted live, as it occurs, on a 24/7 basis.

MCCC is contracting with the College Media Network, which currently hosts Web sites for nearly 600 colleges and universities around the country, including 14 in Michigan.

Students on the Agora staff will produce the content for the Web site, which will be hosted by College Media Network, an affiliate of MTV. Initially, content on the Web site primarily will be stories and photos by Agora staff members.

It’s likely that more interactive features, such as blogs, comments, photos and videos submitted by other students will be added later.

Look for the new Web site at www.mcccagora.com in midSeptember.

Wednesday Mt Carmel Church 8330 Lewis Ave Info: 734-850-6044

DUNDEE Wednesday St. John Lutheran Church 460 Riley St Info: 734-529-3218

As we wait, the conversation continues.

We learn that the woman is engaged again. Her fiancé is at the meal, too, but he arrives later than us. Before he sits down, she says that she will sit closer to me so that I won’t have to “sit by a guy.”

Before that, we were discussing how she felt nervous picking a table for the first time and we shared that same feeling.

When her fiancé sits down, I am surprised by the way he looks. The woman and her daughter are dressed in normal clothes and do not really give off the impression that they are struggling financially, compared to some of the people who look like they had very difficult lives.

Her fiancé looks as if he had lived a hard life, making him seem like he barely has enough money to get by. He is much harsher looking and does not appear as friendly as the woman and her daughter.

He even seems to look quite a bit older than the woman.

It also made me curious as to how the daughter feels around her mother’s fiancé.

From Page 1

Responds to help students in need.

“One lady came in here on Monday and gave us a check for $2,500,” Nixon said.

MCCC also won a federal Title III grant award totaling $1,665,967 over five years, which is designed to help the college raise money.

“It is a good coincidence that the college just earned a new grant that will help to provide funds to hire 2.5 people to try to find ways to increase financial aid,” he added.

Nixon said the idea of switching to contact hours has been discussed for about two years.

When the trustees saw that they might need to raise tuition to balance MCCC’s budget, they asked employees to submit some ideas on how to cut costs, he said.

“All employee groups made suggestions on how to save money,” Nixon said. “Each group suggested the switch to contact hours.”

When trying to balance this year’s budget, the trustees also had to consider the condition of the state of Michigan and the amount of money that the college would receive from the state.

“It takes $25 million to actually run the college. More than 80 percent of that is for salaries, insurance, and fringe benefits. Less than 20 percent goes to actually running the college,” Nixon said.

He added that less than 20 per-

FLAT ROCK

The mother does not say how she met her fiancé, but it seems like they could have met at one of these dinners.

This makes me think that although the woman had troubles with her first husband, she still seems like she needs a man in her life. I make this judgment based on what I have seen and heard about people who get divorced, but I do not know the real reason they are together.

It is interesting to see how her family was affected by divorce.

My parents got divorced about ten years ago. My two older brothers and I lived with my mother and she did everything she could for us as a single parent.

It really made me respect my own mother. She worked hard so that we would not have to live uncomfortably.

She was able to support my two brothers and I as both of my brothers went to college, because she found a good job.

She had not worked for 15 years prior to that. If she had made a few different choices, my life could have been much different and much more difficult.

I don’t know if that makes her better than anyone at the dinner, and it makes me wonder about what types of choices the people there have made.

These are the thoughts that fill my head as I leave the church that night. This assignment taught me about how I judge people.

Although I felt uncomfortable in that atmosphere, it showed me that some of these people were a lot like me.

Could it be that my family was one choice away from having to depend on programs like this? It gave me a new perspective on my life.

In some ways, though, I do wonder how people really end up needing that kind of help. Would it have been easier for my mother to rely on help like that after her divorce, or was it more respectable to do what she did to work really hard and support our family? These thoughts caused me to judge the people there.

The choices you make can have a huge affect on your life and the people you share it with.

MCCC gets summer makeover Continued from Page 1

These renovations are still in progress and, according to Bennett, are expected to cost around $130,000.

The campuswide makeover does not stop within the walls of the campus buildings. The campus grounds are also being revamped for the new school year.

“We have also been able to complete the campuswide sidewalk replacement program this summer,” Bennett said.

Another project is the recoating of parking lots four and five.

The cost for both these projects is around $160,000.

Also, campus officials had to remove the pine trees in some places because they were diseased. However, there are plans to replace them in the coming year.

College officials have more plans to improve the buildings on campus in the future, including renovating eight classrooms in the CLRC. “A prototype classroom was completed last summer for a cost of about $123,000 for a total project cost of $296,000,” Bennett said.

“We hope to return to this project and complete the renovations to the eight rooms to match the prototype someday when funding allows.”

Several other changes are planned for this upcoming year.

Photo by Brandy Werner

Student assistant Courtney Salliotte enjoys her remodeled work area.

These include replacing the windows in the C and L Buildings, repairing building fascia, and improving some building entrances around campus. “(These) are projects that we have been encouraged to do from outside consultants to maintain campus safety, efficiency, and building integrity,” Bennett said.

All of the money for the renovations comes from the general revenues of the college, including tuition, property taxes, and state appropriations, Bennet said.

The Agora Staff Members Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Niswender Assistant Editor Andrew Hoppert Photographer Symone Thomas Designer Mary Rose Takacs Adviser Dan Shaw

Copy Editors Brandy Werner Asia Rapai Staff Alan McKee Susan Banoski Marcus Akers Danny Shaw Hillary Degner Daniel Ford Nathan Hays Ashley Hammer

“(The money) is allocated by the Board of Trustees as a part of the annual budget process,” he said.

Campus officials have been working to improve the quality of MCCC’s campus, welcoming students back to campus with fresh, new sights.

To the students and employees, Timothy Bennett said: “I think you will join us in being very pleased with the work that has been accomplished and our good fortune to be able to keep your college in tip-top shape.”

The Agora Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Bldg., (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Editorial policy: Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Agora staff.

Signed columns represent the opinion of the writer. All letters to the editor must include a signature, address and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press and is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Collegiate Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Advisers, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper.

Submissions of stories or photos also are welcome.

E-mail them to agora@ monroeccc.edu or bring them to our office.

August 27, 2008

A&E

THE AGORA

Summer brings out MCCC box office winners

Danny Shaw Staff

Every summer, a movie ticket becomes a key to a vessel that takes us from everyday mediocrity to witness otherworldly adventures, impossible feats and characters who delve into the deepest of meanings.

Movies have a certain magic to them that allow the masses to leave their lives for a few hours and live where the impossible truly is possible. This summer, five movies provided escapism at its best.

STAR TREK

Viewers get to see a young James T. Kirk, played excellently

by Chris Pine, and Spock, played

by Heroes star Zachary Quinto, as they step aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise for the first time to traverse the unknowns of space.

Don’t worry, this one isn’t just for the trekkies. The movie combines special effects and a cleverly written story so that even the biggest Trek haters can acknowledge its quality. It’s easily the best reboot of a franchise in years.

The future begins...

Release Date: May 5, 2009 Directed by J.J. Arbrams Rated PG-13 Starring: - Chris Pine - James T. Kirk - Zachary Quinto - Spock - Eric Bana - Nero

UP

Pixar’s newest adventure lives up to the studio’s excellent reputation for crafting amazing movies.

The story follows a flying house on its way to South America, powered by nothing more than multi-colored balloons. It’s piloted by Carl, an ornery old man. He is joined by a Boy Scout adamant on helping the elderly, a nine-foot tall bird, and Dug, a dog that talks through a speaker positioned on his collar.

Combining a heartfelt story, hilarious characters, top-notch voice

acting and wonderful animation, Up easily ascends to Pixar’s best.

The first animated opening film in the history of the Cannes Film Festival

humor and suspense that will truly make you feel immersed.

Once again, I must ask too much of you, Harry...

Release Date: July 15, 2009 Directed by David Yaters Rated PG Starring: - Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter -

Michael Gambon - Albus Dumbledore

- Alan Rickman - Severus Snape

DISTRICT 9

Staff

MCCC has announced its 2009-2010 season of events. Mixing everything from the annual auto show and stand-up comedy, to famous musical talent and the Toledo Symphony, the events lineup has a bit of everything. Here is what to expect through the end of December.

Sunday, September 27

Cars, Coins & Collectibles

MCCC’s annual auto show returns for its 23rd year with live music by Rich Eddy’s Rockin’ Oldies Band. Accompanying the auto show will be the Coins & Collectibles antique show and a crafts show.

The auto show will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the antique and crafts shows will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Public parking will be $3 while all events will be free to attend.

Known best for his regular appearences on the Bob & Tom Show, nationally known comedian Tim Cavanaugh brings his quirky sense of humor and unique stage presence to MCCC at 7:30 p.m. at the Meyer Theater, La-ZBoy Center.

Admission will be $15 for reserved seating and $25 for VIP balcony seating, which includes munchies and a cash bar.

photo courtesy of MCCC

Friday, October 30

Harry Potter Meets the Toledo Symphony

MCCC will get a taste of the enchantment of the musical scores of the Harry Potter films just before Halloween.

The Toledo Symphony will be performing at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center.

Tickets will be $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12, and $30 for VIP balcony seating. MCCC encourages attendees to dress as their favorite Potter character.

Saturday, November 14

www.thealmightyguru.com

Musical Group Rare Earth

cific weaponry belonging to the alien race. He is then most valuable man on the planet.

Blomkamp and Jackson prove movies no longer need bloated budgets and famous faces to make an amazing film. The bottom line is: see this movie.

Known for hits like “Get Ready” and “Loosing You,” ‘70s Motown rock band, Rare Earth, is coming to MCCC. Rare Earth will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center. Tickets will be $17 for reserved seating and $27 for VIP balcony seating.

You Are Not Welcome Here Release Date: August 14, 2009 Directed by Neill Blomkamp Rated R

Other Concert Events

Starring: - Sharlto Copley Marcus Van De Merwe

- OCTOBER -

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

Writer and director Quentin Tarantino, known most for Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, brings his unique film style and witty conversational dialogue to World War II. Set in Nazi occupied France in the 1940’s, we follow the story of the “Basterds.” They are a group of Jewish-American soldiers behind enemy lines on a mission to spread fear throughout the ranks of German soldiers.

Tarantino provides, yet again, a cast of amazing talent. Lieutenant Aldo Raine, portrayed by Brad Pitt, leads the Basterds as they torture and murder Nazis. Pitt provides a refreshingly new entry

Danny Shaw

Comedian Tim Cavanaugh

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE

Having a budget of only $30 million, debut director Neil Blomkamp and producer Peter Jackson (director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy) gave cinema patrons some of the best action, drama and special effects this summer.

With documentary style storytelling and eerily believable digital characters, the story transports viewers in an alternate present day. Aliens coexist with the citizens of Johannesburg, South Africa where they suffer through strict segregation, racism and humiliation.

We follow Wikus Van De Merwe, a quirky pencil-pusher played by Sharlto Copley, as he accidentally infects himself with an unknown alien disease. This allows him to use the DNA spe-

lines up concerts, comedian

Saturday, October 3

Release Date: May 29, 2009 Directed by Pete Docter/ Bob Peterson Rated PG Starring: - Edward Asner - Carl Fredricksen - Eric Bana - Nero

Harry Potter is attending his sixth year at Hogwarts, and for the sixth time, so are we.

Half-Blood Prince does such an amazing job of bringing the Potter world to life. You will feel like a Hogwarts student who’s along for the ride. Following the characters we have loved for a decade, Harry, Ron and Hermione must work together to make it through a hectic sixth year while trying to uncover the identity of the HalfBlood Prince.

Director David Yates, who also helmed the previous installation, expertly crafts a balance of magic,

3

to Tarantino’s long list of interesting characters.

Combining just the right amount of violence, drama, dialogue and quotable characters, Tarantino proves he is one amazing filmmaker.

Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France...

Release Date: August 21, 2009 Directed by Quentin Tarantino Rated R Starring: - Brad Pitt - Aldo Raine - Mélanie Laurent Shonsanna Dreyfus

October 19

Band and Chorale Concert Series Season Opener

The play will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center. Tickets are $5 for reserved seating.

December 13

The MCCC/Community Symphony Band and Agora Chorale Agora Chorale and the begin their musical concert season Monroe Community Chior in the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Presents Handel’s Messiah Center at 7:30 p.m. Admission will be free.

The IHM Motherhouse Chapel is to host the Agora Chorale and the Monroe Community Choir as they perform Handel’s Messiah, a - DECEMBER musical holiday tradition.

Tickets, $10 each, will only be available from Agora Chorale members at the door of the chapel.

The concert begins at 2:30 p.m.

December 8

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...Maybe Santa Claus is Coming to Town… Maybe, presented by MCCC’s own QuagMeyer Productions, is an audience-interactive holiday play. All ages are welcome.

December 14 Symphony Band Concert MCCC’s Symphony Band will finish off the 2009 year with a musical concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Theater, La-Z-Boy Center.

photo courtesy of MCCC

Tickets for

most events can be purchased at www. monroeccc. edu/theater.

For additional information, or to purchase tickets by phone, contact the MCCC Cashier’s Office at (734) 384-

4272.

4 THE AGORA Campus News Maltese adds second division

August 27, 2009

Andrew Hoppert Assistant Editor

Vincent (Vinnie) Maltese, the Dean of Mathematics and Science, also will be the acting dean for the Humanities/Social Sciences division during the 2009-2010 school year.

Maltese was offered the post in June and is acting under a oneyear contract running from July 2009 to the end of June 2010.

The experiment will be watched by the entire college with Grace Yackee, vice president of instruction, who spearheaded the idea, paying close attention.

“Given the current uncertainty of the budget situation, I’d like to pilot one dean over both the Humanities/ [Social] Science and Science/Mathematics divisions, FY10,” Yackee said in a May 7 email sent to full-time faculty and administrative assistants in both divisions.

“In January 2010, we will assess the experience and make a decision as to whether the position will be filled in FY2011.”

The convergence of the positions comes primarily as a measure to balance the budget, but the idea could be a step in efficiency for the divisions, Yackee said,

You can contact Maltese by e-mail, vmaltese@monroeccc.edu, or in the Humanities office, C-201, ext. 4153, or the Math/Science office, L126, ext. 4233. adding that Maltese was the right choice for the position.

“Why Vinnie? [He was the] best candidate for the position. He is…familiar with running a division that supports occupational programs and prepares students to transfer,” Yackee said in an e-mail to the Agora.

“Reason for [the] decision?

Mostly budgetary, but if we can operate more efficiently under this structure without effecting quality of instruction, why not?”

“I’m very excited,” said Maltese, who has a PhD in Higher Education Leadership.

Maltese replaces Bruce Way, whose contract was not renewed after four years in the position.

“I became Dean of the Science/ Mathematics division to facilitate for the faculty and students of that division. I believe that by enabling and empowering faculty

to do their best, students are enabled to do their best. I hope that I will be able to expand this to the Humanities/Social Sciences division.”

In his tenth year at MCCC, Maltese is not taken aback by the added load of both positions.

“The saving grace is that I will be working with two outstanding administrative assistants, Penny Dorcey-Naber and Laurel Johnston, and a wonderful group of very professional and experienced faculty,” he said.

Maltese’s hopes and aspirations for the college follow Yackee’s description. He hopes to see “new and modified occupational programs in the next five years,” as well as more capacity for students on campus.

He also would like to see a ratio between minimum full-time faculty and students.

The failing Michigan economy however, may play a role in whether the two positions are merged for good.

The college’s budget problems led to other cuts this year, too.

There will be no out of state travel for faculty paid with college Agora photo by Andrew Hoppert funds, and there will be a cut in Vinnie Maltese, Dean of Science and Mathematics, has now added Dean of Humanities and Social Scistudent assistant hours. ences to his work load.

Student Government plans barbeque E-mail system gets mixed reviews Jennifer Niswender Editor-in-Chief

MCCC Student Government is welcoming students back by holding a barbeque in honor of welcome-back week.

The gathering will be Sept. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the courtyard in the center of campus for any students who want to attend.

It is free to all students and will also feature a band called Injured List . The barbeque will be sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings and will have hotdogs and hamburgers for students also.

Various clubs also are welcome to join the fun and advertise for their club.

“If you’re looking for a way to get involved in the school and community and make some great friends along the way, student government provides that and memories that last a lifetime,” said last year’s vice president, Jacob McLaughlin.

Student Government provides an opportunity for students to have their voice heard around the campus, McLaughlin said. Students work on supporting student organizations and planning campus activities.

Student Government works to create a fun atmosphere that fosters a community feeling among students, he said.

Participating in these types of organizations and activities can be a great way to develop leadership skills and enhance your college experience, he added.

Student Government meetings are held bi-monthly, usually every other week. All meetings are

Marcus Akers Staff

Agora photo by Jennifer Niswender

Last year’s Vice President, Jacob McLaughlin, encourages students to join Student Government.

open to the public Beginning Sept. 29, Student Government meetings will be held every other Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Government room in the back of the Cellar., which is located downstairs in the Administration building.

Student Government elections will follow shortly after the first meeting. In order to run for Stu-

dent Government office, a student must write a letter of intent expressing interest in the position they are running for. Candidates must also qualify with some prerequisites.

Active members will then vote for the candidates they think will best fit the position. Office include President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Liaison. Candidates, must be

Michigan breaks promises Jennifer Niswender Editor-in-Chief

As many as 200 MCCC students will not be able to attend college this fall because of a promise that was broken.

Students who were eligible for the Michigan Promise Scholarship received letters over the summer warning them that a promised $4,000 scholarship could be taken away. They were also informed to find another method of payment for future semesters.

“I feel terrible for the students who received Michigan Promise award letters from the state and were relying on the funds to help pay for college expenses,” Tracy Vogt, Director of Financial Aid here at MCCC, said.

“Many of our students have financial need and were counting on these funds. They have had to find funding from different sources, such as student loans, to cover

the potential loss.”

Public Act 479 of 2006 signed into law by Governor Jennifer Granholm on December 21, 2006, provides up to $4,000 to high school graduates for successfully completing two years of postsecondary education beginning with the high school graduating class of 2007.

The scholarship awards high school graduates who participate and score well or above average on the annual Michigan Merit Exam during their junior year of high school. How well a student scores can determine if they can receive the money up front, after they successfully complete two years of postsecondary education, or receive the money to go towards any Michigan college or university.

Sadly, the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill to cut the program in efforts to balance the state’s budget. The state is facing a $1.7 billion deficit

and the program costs too much for the state to run any longer. The scholarship program costs $140 million for the 96,000 students attending Michigan colleges and universities.

The Senate, including state Sen. Randy Richardville (R- Monroe), voted in favor and supported the elimination because these awards are not based on financial need.

“I’m depressed on behalf of the students who earned this scholarship,” President David Nixon said to the Monroe Evening News this summer about the program being cut.

“Most of our students have a financial need and it puts the majority of the burden on students.”

To find out more information on the elimination of the Michigan Promise Scholarship, or to find out if you’re still eligible, you can visit www.michigan.gov/promise or call the State of Michigan at 888-447-2687.

committed to the position for at least one year.

The Student Government is already planning new fun activities for this upcoming year.

Anyone with questions or who is interested in joining can contact Tom Ryder, the Student Activities Coordinator at (734) 384-4201, or email tryder@ monroeccc.edu.

With enrollment at record levels, MCCC has developed an email communication system for the ever-growing student body.

With Windows Live e-mail and messenger services, including cell phone text alerts, the school can provide up-to-the-minute notifications on weather delays, special events and one’s academic profile. Using Microsoft’s Outlook Live Beta technology, the college has established a spam and clutter-free personal communications terminal for each individual student.

Students’ Web-Pal user names are incorporated into their Windows Live ID. For example, the e-mail typically consists of the student’s first letter of their first name and their entire last name, sometimes followed by a series of numbers. The entire address ends with “@my.monroeccc.edu.”

As an added benefit, one may also easily network with other students and professors by installing Microsoft’s free Windows Live Messenger, and using one’s school e-mail address as his or her Windows Passport Account. One may use the program for chatting or swapping files and photos.

It may also be configured to deliver online messages to one’s cell phone.

For those students entering professional fields, correspondence with colleagues using a droll student e-mail may be more productive than having replies sent to bikerboy@whatever.com.

“I’m certainly not tech-savvy,

but I can use it,” Chuck Reed, an education student at MCCC said.

Reed appreciates the school email system, although he admits he rarely uses it, relying more on MCCC’s Blackboard or Web-Pal systems for academic information.

When asked if he would prefer school notifications to arrive at his personal e-mail account, Chuck said he would rather use his student e-mail when classes start.

“I haven’t used it all summer,” he said with a chuckle.

MCCC student Bryan Parker is less enthusiastic.

“Why can’t I use my personal email account to begin with? I use AOL,” he said.

Parker notes that one must already have an established online presence to get classes, so in his eyes it is rather useless to have a second e-mail address and password to remember.

“There’s not a Monroe website address. You sign up at Hotmail, that’s even where you go to access it,” Parker said.

“It’s tricky because you’re not always sure what you’re doing, you don’t know where to go. I don’t know why you can’t use your primary email. It would be easier.”

Scott Ohlemacher, a recent MCCC graduate agreed.

“I never used it. I had no reason to. There was never any point.”

Students may find a link to their school e-mail system and log-in instructions at the bottom of the college’s home page at www. monroeccc.edu.

Agora Photo by Asia Rapai

New Smoking Policy

As of August 1, smoking is prohibited on campus grounds and is confined to parking areas only. MCCC is scheduled to be smoke free by August 1, 2010.

Security will be issuing friendly reminders to anyone who is smoking outside of the parking areas.

Campus News THE AGORA 5 MCCC students, professors took flight to ‘Study Abroad’ August 27, 2009

Danny Shaw Staff

Fifteen Monroe County Community College students and two MCCC professors took to the skies on May 17 to embark on the Study Abroad program to Southeast Asia.

The group visited Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand to experience and study Asian culture.

The three week journey consisted of lectures in ancient temples, making sketches of sacred artifacts and towering shrines, taking tours through the Cambodian Killing Fields and even riding on elephants.

“It was life changing,” said student Mary Grace Cuccia.

“You just come back changed.”

Students participated in an art course, instructed by Professor Gary Wilson, and a political science course, instructed by Dr. Joanna Sabo.

The purpose of the courses was to further expand on the difference in the arts and political philosophies of the region compared to that of the United States.

One of the many learning highlights of the trip for the group was to see the infamous Killing Fields of Cambodia and the accompanying S-21 prison camp.

“We got to see a lot of sad parts of history,” said Dr. Sabo about the tour.

As the physical evidence of the genocide of nearly two million Cambodians, the Killing Fields are a testament to the brutal conditions Cambodia faced in the 1970s. The S-21 prison camp, which claimed the lives of 17,000 people in just three years, provided the group with plenty to talk about in their political science course, Comparative Politics.

When Cuccia walked into

Photos courtesy of the MCCC International Studies Club

MCCC students along with professors Dr. Joanna Sabo and Gary Wilson visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during a study abroad trip in May. They saw the Killing Fields and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and a variety of ancient temples, sacred shrines, and floating cities.

They even took a ride on an elephant.

Whitman honors disabilities Brandy Werner

“I’m on the diversity commitee,” Kosmyna said. “We picked disability awareness because it’s a diversity issue that has never had much attention at the college.”

Staff

For the Director of the Whitman Center, Sandy Kosmyna, the month of September is more than heading back to school and the beginning of fall.

September is disability awareness month at the Whitman Center.

“I’m on the diversity committee,” Kosmyna said. “We picked disability awareness because it’s a diversity issue that has never had much attention at the college.”

The Whitman Center will host an exhibit called “From Institutions to Independence” which will be on display Sept. 1 through 30.

According to the Fall 2009 Enrichment Events pamphlet from the Whitman Center, the exhibit allows people to “explore the history of organizations and institutions that provided services to disabled people.”

Sandy Kosmyna Director of Whitman Center

“There are pictures of old institutions where they pretty much warehoused people with mental illnesses,” Kosmyna said.

The display shows just how much work it took to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

The display comes from the Ward M. Canaday Center at the

University of Toledo.

In addition to the display, the Whitman Center is also hosting a speaker, Barbara Floyd, from the University of Toledo, on Thursday, Sept. 17. The free event will take place between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. in Room Three.

Floyd will “examine how our community has treated people with disabilities throughout history,” according to the pamphlet.

She will cover the mentally ill, the vision and hearing impaired, the physically disabled, and the developmentally disabled.

The entire month of September the Whitman Center will be turning its focus to disability awareness.

“People should come [to these events] to learn more about disabilities and the struggles and accomplishments we’ve made over the last century,” Kosmyna said. “[It shows] how things have evolved to this point.”

“You can’t speak out against the government, you can get arrested. I realized I needed to be quiet. In 17 years of teaching, I have never experienced that.”

Dr. Joanna Sabo Professor of Political Science

the blood-stained hallway of the prison camp, where the walls are lined with thousands of pictures of victims, her emotions began to show, something that does not happen often she explained.

“That was the first time I just broke down and cried,” she said.

“There were pictures of people that could have been your grandfather, and there where pictures of kids that could have been my nephew.”

The group also witnessed the lack of freedom of speech in communist countries.

During an outdoor lecture in Thailand, Dr. Sabo had to limit herself when speaking about communism.

“You can’t speak out against the government, you can get arrested,” she said.

“I realized I needed to be quiet. In 17 years of teaching, I have never experienced that.”

Cuccia observed in surprise that the denizens of the tyrannical, communist countries they visited still seemed to go about their daily lives, even seemingly content.

“They were just so happy,” Cuccia said then pausing to find the right words.

“It was just… Wow!”

Frog Leg heads to Whitman Grab-N-Go coming in September

Hungry students at the Whitman Center will soon have a place to go for food.

The Frog Leg Inn Bistro will open a Grab-N-Go eatery on the Whitman campus in September.

“They will serve fresh coffee, hot soup, fresh fruit, sandwiches, and other quick foods,” Sandy Kosmyna, Director of the Whitman Center, said.

The Whitman Center has never

had a food service on campus before.

The new eatery will provide students with the opportunity to, as the name suggests, satisfy their hunger by grabbing a quick bite to eat and heading to class.

The new Grab-N-Go eatery will be located in the vending area, and it will operate between 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

MCCC Huskies bowling team holds tryouts Marcus Akers Staff

Monroe County Community College students looking to get their fix of bowling fun may now join the college’s Huskies Bowling Team.

The head coach, Rebecca Keegan is a United States Bowling Conference (USBC) silver certified bowling instructor. With regard to the USBC’s precious metal ranking system, Rebecca likens her silver certification to a master’s degree in bowling instruction proficiency.

Rebecca, now 35, has been bowling since she was 9 years old, and has coached since she was 18. She has been a professional bowler for 2 years under the sponsorship of Turbo Tech National Training Center for bowling.

Anyone is welcome to try out at any skill level. Rebecca seems very enthused about the prospect of training beginners.

“We’re not looking for established bowlers, per se,” Rebecca says. “People who are interested in learning to bowl are wel-

come.”

“We’d like everyone to come out and get a flavor for what collegiate bowling can be”.

The bowling club will have an informational table for students who are interested in the newly formed club at the student government welcome-back barbecue.

The event takes place Tuesday, September 15 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The bowling club will start Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 pm, and will meet at Nortel

Lanes in Monroe. The cost for club bowling is $10.25 per week, which includes 3 games of bowling. The club will meet for 12 weeks.

Players who wish to compete at conference events will have four opportunities during the 20092010 season. Monroe’s own Nortel Lanes will host the February 6 Heartland Bowling Conference event.

Among the colleges competing in Monroe’s division are: Ball State, University of Michigan, and Kent State.

The bowling club is where students who wish to train for American Heartland Intercollegiate Bowling Conference events can receive expert guidance from Rebecca and assistant coach Kevin Greer.

Rebecca is full of helpful hints.

“Equipment is a huge piece of the puzzle for bowler athletes, as well as understanding lane conditions, and how to read lane conditions. You have to feel out the lane with the ball.”

Students interested in joining the bowling club, who cannot attend the barbecue may contact Rebecca directly, by e-mail at sharpshooter300@ymail. com.

Remember: Tryouts are Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Nortel Lanes in Monroe.

6 THE AGORA

Feature

August 27, 2009

Mark and Penny Naber look on as their boat Cheap Thrills heads into the last leg of the race.

The couple have owned the 26-foot vessel for seven years. They say that it can sleep six or, “...seven if everyone is comfortable with each other,” as Penny stated.

They’ve taken it as far as Put-In Bay in Ohio waters, but are confident they could go much farther.

Story and photos by Andrew Hoppert

Not just a Cheap Thrill...

MCCC staff sail during summer A

Topmost: Mark leans over the port side of his S2 sailboat to look for other racers while manning the helm.

Below: A fellow racer sends its crew to the starboard side of the boat in an attempt to balance out the weight. A crewmember may have many jobs during the course of a race, whether it be keeping weight, watching the GPS, or unpacking the spinnaker.

ny student who has taken a math class at Monroe County Community College has probably met Mark Naber, who teaches classes ranging from elementary algebra to Calculus II. His wife, Penny Dorcey-Naber, the administrative assistant to the Dean of Humanities/Social Sciences, helps guide students with a bright, smiling face.

Here’s something that the college community may not know: the Nabers are avid sailors during the summer months.

The Nabers have been sailing since 2001, and have their boat, Cheap Thrills, a 26-foot S2 sailboat, docked at Monroe Boat Club in Bolles Harbor. Almost every Tuesday night in the summer, the Nabers race the weekly Monroe Boat Club race, as well as a few North Cape races, the exciting and competitive Mills Race, and a few other courses here and there.

Always looking for crew members, the couple has had many students, current and former, sail with them. On August 18, a certain Agora reporter and a camera weaseled his way onto Cheap Thrills for an exciting ride with the friendly, familiar faces that MCCC knows and loves.

The wind made for a nice sail that night, although the forecast had called for storms. The Nabers, three veteran crew members (Larry, Lori, and Greg), and I set off on a beautiful evening to harness the power of the wind to glide across Lake Eire.

Mark took the helm and steered the vessel. Penny tightened lines for the sails and the spinnaker, and the rest watched the sails and kept weight. My job was to stay out of the way and throw my body wherever it was needed… or wherever the lake felt like tossing me.

Mark couldn’t have described it better: Sailing is the ultimate team sport. Everyone has to communicate. A sailing crew runs like clockwork. If one piece isn’t acting right, the entire enterprise is doomed. It was amazing to watch: everyone coming together, knowing exactly what needs to be done.

There was a sense of competition, excitement, adventure, and tension, but there was still room for a few jokes and laughs.

A completely unbelievable sail ended in a not so great placement, but the sail itself was fantastic. The trip home was a talk of what could have done better, what went well, and a beer (well, a Vitamin Water for those of us under 21) as we sailed into the harbor under a red sunset.

After a successful docking, and a declined offer of a sloppy joe dinner in the boat club, everyone left smiling, filled with the sense of adventure and wonder that I cannot wait to duplicate.

Above: The crew (from left Penny, Greg, Larry, Mark) discuss what changes they could have made during the race.

Below: Larry prepares to put up the spinnaker during the prime moments of the race. The Nabers have lovingly named their symmetrical spinnaker ‘Spongebob’ because of its vibrant yellow hue.

Racers make the final dash in the third leg of the race as the sun sets over Lake Erie. The race course depends on the wind, and once a course is chosen, a committee boat will display a course number, which corresponds to a guide each boat carries.