MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER WWW.MVCCGLACIER.COM JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
Students audited for graduation By Joshua Mira News Editor Moraine Valley’s U Building was abuzz with grades, socializing, and students who are ready to graduate, hopeful to get into one of the many schools visiting. On Jan. 29, the Academic Advising Center (AAC) hosted R U Ready to Graduate, an event designed to confirm the readiness of a student to move on to the next level of their education. The event allowed students access to both representatives from the AAC and from many of the colleges from around the state, such as North Central College, Governor’s State University, and many others. Christina Carney-Simon, the AAC organizer of the event over the past 3 years, stated that the average attendance rate is seven to eight students per two hours. Ali Riphagen, the AAC
MVCC student Ngai Yu Lau talks to college representatives about transfer programs. [Izabela Kokoszka] graduation consultant at the event, commented that students who were present would be able to consult with her on the status of their aca-
demics and whether they had qualified to graduate for the current semester. “Students find the event very helpful,” Riphagen com-
mented. Furthermore, she noted that the event is designed specifically to tailor to the schedules of the students.
She explained that students who were confirmed by the AAC to have completed graduation requirements could then discuss admissions and course planning with college representatives. This allowed students to bypass the requirement of traveling to their school of choice to discuss terms. Students who are unable to qualify for graduation can also be sent directly to the AAC office in the S Building after consulting with Riphagen. “It’s really good [for] students to come to talk to [the AAC],” she said. If accepted by one of the representatives, the event would also allow students to skirt the application fee, normally around $50 to $60. “[The schools] are here for convenience”, said Riphagen. As well, the event is also helpful in facilitating conveGRADUATION | page 5
Healthy insurance advice ‘Normal again’ By Justin Woods Staff Writer
By Joshua Mira News Editor
The U Building, living up to its name, allowed students to get first hand advice on how to navigate the world of health care coverage. On Jan. 28, the Campaign for Better Health Care, a company that works with both the government and many insurance companies, held a seminar on the compliance rules of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The company visits schools and host events to help inform people about the law and how they can be insured and avoid penalization. As a part of the new law, a penalty is enforced for those who don’t comply with the rules and regulations of the act. For the first year you do
Two former MVCC nursing students in a relationship shared more than mutual love as they experienced simultaneous brain hemorrhages. Students Daiva Liucija, 27, and Cem Ozerdinc, 28, received medical attention on Nov. 21 after experiencing a brain aneurysm and a hemorrhage caused by an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), respectively. Brain aneurysms are bulges in blood vessels in the brain that can rupture and cause hemorrhaging. An AVM is equally dangerous, manifesting as an abnormal connection between the arteries and the veins. According to a report from the Mayo Clinic, AVMs can develop in any location in the body, but are mostly found within the brain or spine.
MVCC student Brianna Griffis discusses coverage. [Erica Sinnott] not have insurance you will be fined 1 percent of your total income, or $95. However, for each consecutive year afterwards, the penalty increases up to 3 percent or $265 after the third year. This applies only to those who are uninsured. The benefit of being insured by the ACA is that the government
helps you pay for insurance that you may not have been able to afford previously. This is also coupled with the fact that now preventative testing is now free for those who are covered. AIDs testing, blood testing, mammograms, among others, are some of the free HEALTHCARE | page 4
However, what set this incident apart from others is that the two received their episodes within 30 minutes of each other. “We were dog sitting at my boyfriend’s aunt’s house when I started feeling dizzy,” said Liucija. “The doctors were shocked. They hadn’t seen anything like it.” Liucija then started slipping in and out of consciousness. Ozerdinc contacted the paramedics. Ozerdinc stayed with Liucija until the ambulance arrived, then proceeded to help the paramedics load her onto the stretcher. “I felt very confused, but I stayed calm,” said Liucija. She commented further that she had lost feeling in her leg while in the ambulance. Unfortunately, Ozerdinc ANEURYSM | page 2
IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES Women in Action start off strong for their first year. SOCIAL PAGE 1
SPORTS Nariman Jaber sets example for Women’s B-ball. PAGE 12
ENTERTAINMENT “Second City” at Dorothy Menker improvises success. SOCIAL PAGE 5
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THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10 ABOUT THE GLACIER The Glacier is published biweekly during the fall and spring semesters by the students of Moraine Valley Community College. SUBMISSION POLICY All submissions should be typed and letters to the editor must include the author’s name, phone number and email address. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted.
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STUDENT TRUSTEE CORNER | EAMON ALMILADI
Hello, MVCC students. First, I’d like to wish you all a happy New Year and a happy return to Moraine Valley! For all new and returning students, the New Year is a great time to set goals. If you weren’t happy with your results from last semester, make sure you make the appropriate changes to do better this semester. There are also many free resources that you can take advantage of such as the Tutoring Center (Building L, room 200), or the Writing Center (Building
ANEURYSM | from front page began to experience his hemorrhage caused by his AVM soon after, which revealed itself through his stilted speech. “The medics noticed that his speech was off,” said Liucija. An additional ambulance had to be requested for Ozerdinc, and the two were rushed to Palos Hospital to receive treatment. “I was at Palos Hospital for over 12 hours,” she said. Both of them received preliminary care at the institution, but eventually sent to separate hospitals; Liucija was sent to the Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet while Ozerdinc received treatment at the Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. “We were sent to different centers because his [case] was more severe. He had surgery that night, while I had surgery one and a half days later,” said Liucija.
A, room 258) to help. Perhaps you’d like to work out more this semester, Moraine Valley is equipped to make this happen. The Health Fitness and Recreation Center is free for all full-time students. Be sure to take advantage of these resources. This semester we have a lot of great events coming up. February is American Heart Month and the Student Government Association will be working on a campaign to sign up Organ Donors. Starting Feb.1, if you’re interested in being an organ donor, stop by the SGA office in U204 to sign-up; it’s fast and extremely simple. Additionally, the SGA will be working on Student Trustee elections in the month of February and March. As the current Student Trustee, I’ve gotten the opportunity to grow not only as a leader, but as a student and a person. It’s been a great 10 months or so and I’ve had the great fortune of representing the brilliant students here at Moraine Valley. However, my time as the Student Trustee and even as a student at Moraine Valley is coming to a close,
It took her two weeks to recover from the immediate problems caused by hemorrhages, while Ozerdinc required considerable amount more rest. The couple spent two months in the hospital. Liucija said that she only started to “feel normal again” afterwards. “I was always on the run, always doing things before [the hospitalization] happened, but I feel that I’ve gotten stronger coming out of this,” Liucija said. Liucija has made a recovery at the time of this writing, and Ozerdinc is undergoing speech therapy and rehabilitation. His friends and family are hopeful he will be able to return to the nursing program within the year. “It was a scary experience, but I had friends and family to keep me calm,” Liucija said. Joshua Mira can be contacted at news@ mvccglacier.com.
Faculty Adviser Ted Powers powerst@morainevalley.edu
Sports Editor Joseph Fay sports@mvccglacier.com
Editor-in-Chief William Lukitsch editorinchie@mvccglacier.com
Photo Editor Erica Sinnott photo@mvccglacier.com
Layout Editor Connor Reynolds layout@mvccglacier.com
Graphics Editor Jennifer Duran graphics@mvccglacier.com
News Editor Joshua Mira news@mvccglacier.com
Online Editor Jake Coyne online@mvccglacier.com
Features Editor Christopher Swinford features@mvccglacier.com
Distribution Manager Joe Eby distribution@mvccglacier.com
Views Editor Kevin Schultz views@mvccglacier.com
Graphics Assistant Laima Sineokijiene editorialassistant@mvccglacier.com
and, as sad as that may be, I can’t wait to see someone else step up and represent their fellow classmates. The Student Trustee serves on Moraine Valley’s Board of Trustees as the student representative. Also a member of the Student Government Association, the Student Trustee represents the college at various conferences around the state. These conferences are not only informative and developmental, but also fun, and grant an opportunity to meet other SGA members
Contributing Staff David Alexander Dimka Atanassova Jackie Cronin David Kowalski Sara Wallscetti Kevin Schultz Dominika Cudzich Lauren Medina Ann Klinski Taso Davros Brendan Sullivan Damien Johnson Isabela Kokoszka Special Contributors Eamon Almiladi Glenn Carpenter
and Student Trustees from colleges all around the state. This is a great position and a great opportunity to develop as a leader and as a steward of the community. I encourage everyone to reach out and grab an application. For answers to questions about what the position entails or anything related to it, please feel free to contact me at almiladie2@student.morainevalley.edu, or you can visit my office in U204.
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JRC seeks employers for Spring Jobs Fair By Joshua Mira News Editor The Job Resource Center (JRC) is seeking employers to attend the upcoming Jobs Fair and provide students with employment. The fair, occurring on Marh 26, will play host to a number of employers that will be conducting on-site interviews with applicants. The students who attend will have the opportunity to earn either employment or internship immediately. The JRC begins looking for employers as early as January in order to ensure a productive event for the students. They expect over 60 employers from around the area to attend. JRC Specialist Tamima Farooqui, one of the employees tasked with the search, stated that the JRC “seek[s] quality employers who are offering paid full and part-time employment and internship opportunities.” She had commented that the JRC strives for diversity in the employment options students are presented, and selects employers from a considerable assortment.
“We have a wide variety of employers; small business to large corporations, local and national. These employers are looking for college students with limited experience, as well as more seasoned job seekers with strong experience,” said Farooqui. Employers who fulfill this criterion are the most sought after, as the relatively flexible requirements for employment from these companies allow both students An MVCC student discusses options in the medical field with MidAmerica Orthopaedics. [Erica Sinnott] without work history and experienced laborers the chance respected companies offered their em- quent job-related school events, fosterto obtain a job. ployment. ing a unique relationship with the colAs well, the JRC attracts a plethora “We are very fortunate to attract lege. of esteemed organizations to attend some major organizations with posi“Many of our employers also offer the fair. tive reputations,” Farooqui said. special internships, work closely with In past fairs, companies such as Employers who have participated various career programs and assist us EMPLOYERS | page 4 United Parcel Service (UPS) and other in previous fairs tend to attend subse-
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A student reviews application forms and discusses potential employment and internship opportunities with two representatives from the Simon Property Group. [Erica Sinnott] EMPLOYERS| from page 3 with Mock Interview Day and other panel discussions, along with Day In the Field opportunities and other events,” said Farooqui. The application process for obtaining a space for the fair is also fairly simple. Particpating employers simply need
to submit the registration form and a fee of $100 per employer to the JRC. Employers attending Fall and Spring fairs need only pay $150. “It is not a lengthy process,” said Farooqui. The JRC Specialist had also noted the feedback from both students and
MVCC student Cosmas Karides talks with event representatives. [Erica Sinnott] HEALTHCARE| from front page benefits that come with being covered by the ACA. Unlike most privatized health care plans, the ACA also covers people who have preexisting conditions, so they cannot be denied. If your annual income is $17,000, the government will give you $435 worth of tax credit, leaving only a payment of $65 a month for health care that also will cover everyone in the family. There are a few factors, however, that determine the amount of credit received. These include household size and annual income. If under a guardian’s health care plan, one should be aware that this coverage is dropped after the age of 26.
As well, it is state law to have an insurance plan, but you are allowed to enroll in this coverage at the age of 19-64 so long as a guardian no longer claims you under tax forms. The reach of the Campaign for Better Health Care doesn’t only include insurance. They also work side by side with many other beneficial programs such as SNAP, which is Supplemental Nutrition Assistance or food stamps as you may be familiar with. They will hopefully be making frequent returns to Moraine Valley to help spread the message. Justin Woods can be contacted at woodsj68@student.morainevalley.edu.
employers who participate in the fair as a testament to the preparation of the event. “While employers cannot often disclose names of who they interviewed [or] hired due to privacy issues, they have expressed great satisfaction and come back again, and again,” said Fa-
rooqui. “In our surveys, we receive high marks for holding such an event by both job seekers and students,” Farooqui said. Joshua Mira can be contacted at news@ mvccglacier.com.
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The book exchange
MVCC student Monica Lemus talks to Western Illinois University. [Izabela Kokoszka] GRADUATION| from front page nient communication with transfer colleges. “I think it’s highly important for students to have access to future schools and all the opportunities those schools provide,” said MVCC student Caileen Casey, who attended the fair to peruse 4-year colleges. Casey commented she attended past fairs as well. She noted that events that allow students to speak directly to college representatives en masse are paramount to establishing a both a professional and personal connection with
other schools. “Events like these allow students like myself to establish contact with these schools and understand what’s out there,” Casey said. Student feedback to the AAC organizers has only helped to solidify the aid it provides students. “[The graduation process] is complicated and confusing, and the event helps students. The main thing is to be sure students can graduate,” said Riphagen. Joshua Mira can be contacted at news@ mvccglacier.com.
Students can take advantage of the free book swap program. [Jennifer Duran] By Jackie Cronin Editorial Assistant Moraine Valley has just launched a new free program for students interested in swapping books. The MVCC Bookstore sponsors the new program. By going on the bookstore’s website, students can type in the ISBN on the swap page and see if anyone would be interested in swapping. The program is meant to help students receive textbooks in a much easier and cheaper way. “We were approached by student government last year to start this program and now it is finally in the works,” said MVCC Auxiliary Services Director Kashif Shah. Students should know that the swap will not be the ‘be all, end all’ to the bookstore. Shah stated that students must to take into consideration that some books have access codes. “The bookstore will still be running but this program is to help students who don’t have a whole lot of money to spend on all their books,” said Shah. “This way they can just exchange with someone.” In order to use the program, participants must have a Moraine Valley email account. Shah noted that the program does encourage email between participants, and wants to keep the swap a safe environment. “This program does have safety guidelines that will be posted on the website,” said Shah. Shah explained that students are
encouraged to swap books on campus, instead of meeting somewhere outside of school. “We definitely want to keep this very safe,” Shah said. Another big factor that Shah pointed out was that more and more students are looking at websites like Ebay or sites that offer discount on books. “The bad thing about getting books online is that you don’t know what you are buying,” said Shah. “You could be buying the wrong book or there could be pages missing. At least through our swap program, you can actually view the book and see what it is worth.” The program is now up on the bookstore’s website and is being encouraged to use. “I think people will start using it once they find out, because it is a good idea,” commented Shah. “We will be posting it on the bulletins, and the student trustee and student government will be making announcements. I will also be contacting marketing to put it out there as well.” The book swap does have a promising future, as it is set-up to be a safe environment and inexpensive way for college students to receive textbooks. “This college tries to work with students to give them opportunities to succeed in many ways,” said Shah. “I hope students can use this program to their benefit, and if they have any questions they can always contact the bookstore.” Jackie Cronin can be contacted at croninj54@student.morainevalley.edu.
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Touring the facilities and picking up slack By Jackie Cronin Editorial Assistant On Jan. 26, the college opened its doors for those interested in attending the community college. High school seniors and their parents spent 45 minutes getting a firsthand look of what makes Moraine Valley special. “The point of the tour is to show that we are more than just a community college,” said Joe Remiasz, who led the tour and works as a high school admissions recruiter here at Moraine Valley. Remiasz handed out brochures of the school to each attendee that covered the different qualities and programs that take place here at Moraine. Remiasz also went over the basics of financial aid, scholarships, admissions, and extra-curricular activities that are offered for students. These monthly tours take place at night to accommodate the guardian’s work schedule. “We feel that it is important that the parents see the school, so that is why we have it at night,” commented Remiasz.
Joe Remiasz showcases the L Building with tourists. [Izabela Kokoszka] The tour began in the S Building, working its way to the rest of the campus with the exclusion of the H Building due to time constraints. “That can be explored on your own time because every part of that building is pretty cool and you’ll probably want to stay there for the rest of the tour just checking it out,” Remiasz jokingly remarked.
Remiasz handed out brochures of the school to each attendee that covered the different qualities and programs that take place here at Moraine. Remiasz also went over the basics of financial aid, scholarships, admissions, and extra-curricular activities that are offered for students. “In these monthly tours, we cover the basics of where everything is, but
in other months, like this March, we will be doing more of a specific tour,” said Remiasz. “So if you are majoring in nursing, in March, you can go on a tour that will just cover what you will be doing here as a nursing major.” The tour ended with going through the U Building and finishing back in the S Building, with attendees expressing their feelings on the matter. “I love the campus, the buildings, and it’s not that long of a drive,” said Hannah Nitka, who is a senior at Carl Sandburg High School, and plans on attending Moraine Valley in the fall. Nitka’s parents were also very impressed by what they saw on the tour. “I think this is great,” said Patty Nitka. “The campus is just big enough and it is a good transition and there is so much here- it’s great.” While the tour did take place at night, as well as under a winter weather advisory, Remiasz thought the tour went exceptionally well. “For the weather, we got a good turnout and everyone seemed to really enjoy it,” he said. Jackie Cronin can be contacted at croninj54@student.morainevalley.edu.
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SGA asks students to ‘Be a hero’ By William Lukitsch Editor-in-Chief
Every year nearly 300 Illinois residents die waiting for an organ transplant, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Moraine’s Student Government Association (SGA) will launch a new campaign next month in coordination with the Illinois secretary of state’s office, which is aimed at addressing the growing need for organ donors. Secretary of State Jesse White started the “Be a Hero” project in 2013 in hopes of increasing the number of participants in the Organ/Tissue Donation Program by partnering with community colleges across Illinois. This campaign is designed to inform Illinois residents on the specifics of organ donation, and to show the tremendous positive impact donors can have on the lives of others. According to statistics provided by the secretary of state’s office, a single donor can save as many as 25 lives. Currently, about 5.4 million Illinois residents are on the registry, which translates to a little over half the eligible population (9.8 million). But
that the idea to implement this program emerged when two transplant recipients attended the blood drive last fall. “That kind of put a real, live face on what organ donation is,” Ismail said. “Here were two people who had heart transplants, and without that they would have died.” SGA members will tour the college starting Feb. 1, asking students, faculty, and community members who wish to participate to fill out an official application form which will be available in the SGA office SGA campaigns to facilitate donations. [Laima Sineokijiene] (U204). Ismail expressed with over 5,000 Illinois residents still that SGA is not seeking to convince lingering on the waiting list, the need people to become organ donors, but for donors is growing every day. rather to act as a facilitator for resiIn an interview with The Glacier, dents who want to become donors. SGA President Susan Ismail explained She did detail, however, that SGA’s
goal is to obtain somewhere between 150 and 200 recruits before the campaign’s end on March 31. SGA is also encouraging other student clubs to join them in this effort. “Any organization can get involved in the campaign for the school outside of (SGA),” Ismail said. Women in Action has already committed to helping some time during the month of February. Club president Cynthia Gongora stated that she views the campaign as a “perfect opportunity” for members of her club to raise awareness on health issues concerning women. Ismail stressed that the decision to become an organ donor is a personal one, which each individual must devote time and consideration to. She did, however, relay that she personally views organ donation as a real contribution to society—one that has the potential to save lives. “You never know when you, or your family members, or someone you know may be in an instance where they need those organs,” she said. William Lukitsch can be contacted at editorinchief@mvccglacier.com.
8 IN BRIEF Graduation Petition Deadline The Graduation Petition deadline for the 2015 Spring Semester is Feb. 2. Hard copies of the petition form are available in the Admissions Office, and online copies can be found on the MVCC website under “Graduation Requirements.” Please make any arrangements prior to the deadline and submit the petition to the Cashier’s Office in Building S. Well Strung The all-male string quartet will be coming to Moraine Valley’s Fine and Performing Arts Center on Mar. 7. For one night only, experience a classical take on pieces from Rihanna, Adele, and other musicians! Reserve your tickets now, and enjoy the show with you friends and family! For more information, visit www. morainevalley.edu/FPAC/ or contact the Moraine Valley Box Office at (708) 974-5721. Board of Trustees Meeting The first Board of Trustees meeting for the 2015 Spring Semester will take place on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. Please make any adjustments to your schedule if you wish to attend.
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Musical Faculty Showcase The MVCC Music Department will be hosting a concert on Mar. 1. Come support your fellow music professors at this free-admission showcase as they present their stylings to the rest of the college! For more information, please visit www.morainevalley.edu/FPAC/.
Moraine Valley Science Fair The Moraine Valley Library will be hosting a science fair in the L Building from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 25. Come see the scientific wonders that the college’s students and faculty will be celebrating! More information can be found at the MVCC STEM site on the Library’s Science Fair tab.
Salute to Great Voices of Jazz Come see renowned singer Laura Freeman sing your favorite songs from the classic “The Sound of Music.” The concert will be Feb. 8 with two performances at 2:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. at the Fine and Performing Arts Center in the John and Angeline Oremus Theater. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.morainevalley.edu/FPAC/ tickets.htm, or call the Moraine Valley Box Office at (708) 974-5500.
Macbeth The timeless Shakespeare classic is coming to Moraine Valley’s Fine and Performing Arts Center on Mar. 2, and performances will run until Mar. 7. Plan ahead of schedule and come with your friends and family to see the play at the Dorothy Menker Theater! For more information, please visit www.morainevalley.edu/FPAC/ or contact the Moraine Valley Box Office at (708) 974-5721.
The Arab Spring Seminar University of Michigan sociologist Atef Said will be giving a special lecture on the Arab Spring. The event will take place on Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the Oremus Theater in the Fine and Performing Arts Center. The event is organized by Moraine Valley’s Global and Diversity Education and is free admission.
HIV Testing In honor of National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day on Thursday, Feb. 5, the South Regional Clinic staff will visit the campus in U209 from 9am1pm to offer a free confidential HIV test. Testing will be done orally.(oral swab or finger prick) The results will be ready within 20 minutes. Just show up and they will test you. No insurance need-
ed. This event is being sponsored by Alliance of African American Students (AAAS) ,Gender and Sexuality Progress (GASP) and Student Life. 24 Karat Dance Team Tryout On Tuesday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 5 tryouts will be from 3:30 to 6 in the M building in the Moraine rooms. Wear comfortable clothes and gym shoes. No dance experience needed. This club performs are school events such as basketball games and Student Life events. Practices are from 3:30 to 6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information contact chapplej@morainevalley.edu. Legacy X Dance Team Tryouts Legacy X incorporates diverse dance styles such as Hip Hop to Modern and Jazz. No dance experience needed. Tryouts are on Feb. 10 and 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the G Building G200. For more information, contact Demetrius Robinson at Robinsond63@ morainevalley.edu. Hot Cocoa Sale On Feb. 3 and 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the U building the Film Makers Club is selling hot cocoa and other goods to fundraise toward their club.
9 Views Should city colleges offer free tuition for a 3.0? THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
“By providing this scholarship, Chicago city schools show a dedication to proving that higher education can be offered to anyone willing to work for it, economic situation aside. “
“The scholarships are a nice gesture, but city colleges could put that money towards more productive efforts, such as fixing Chicago’s broken school system.”
By Kevin Schultz Views Editor
By Sara Wallscetti Staff Writer
In Chicago, a great education cannot be taken for granted. The city schools of Chicago recently proposed the idea of giving a scholarship In a world where a college degree makes all the difference for jobs that are ac- to students who earn a 3.0 GPA free tuition and paid fees to any of the city’s comtually desirable, the Chicago Public School system’s graduation rate of 69 percent munity colleges. As great as this sounds, there are several issues with this idea. in 2013-2014 pales in comparison to the national average of 80 percent. Their idea is that if college tuition is taken away from the equation, college This may seem strange to those of us who received the benefit of schools that graduation rates will boost and lift more people into middle class. Making proaren’t in poverty-stricken areas, but in many inner city areas this is far from grams more efficient pays most of the cost, and that money goes to around 1000 unusual. These kids aren’t lazy, or somehow worse students than the national students coming out of high school who decide to go to community college. This average. When considering why anyone goes to school in the first place, we get new scholarship program, called the Chicago Stars program, and will cover up to to the heart of the problem in Chicago- incentive. three years worth of tuition, books, and other fees. With 44 percent of the student population in poverty in 2010, many who atAs great as this sounds, community college isn’t for everyone. Community tend the public schools of Chicago have very little incentive to focus on their college rarely helps students actually find a fulfilling career. There are trade prostudies as opposed to surviving day to day. With a new scholarship offered for grams that may offer better results for those looking for work, but many these CPS students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA, however, this is all looking to change. classes don’t actually count for college credit. This scholarship provides free tuition to any of the city schools to those who For some, avoiding community college entirely would be the wiser option. This earn at least a 3.0 GPA. Funded primarily by schools saving money from making scholarship doesn’t apply for those going into trade school, discouraging those their operating costs more efficient, this scholarship is estimated to serve about interested from entering it at all. 1000 students in its first year. Students should try for a certification in a trade For many of these students, college would have instead of focusing on getting an associate’s debeen out of the question. There’s no room in their gree. This is a much more effective path of getting family’s budgets for college, and this scholarship a meaningful career. According to the Community gives them an opportunity they may not have had College Research Center at Colombia University, otherwise. Initiatives like this one can help keep inonly 15 percent of students who attend community ner city youths off the street, making this scholarcolleges earn a bachelor’s degree within six years. ship more than just a good will gesture for those For the other 85 percent of students, communiwho normally wouldn’t be able to attend school. ty college simply isn’t a smart investment for their With so much of students in the CPS system livtime and money. As such, earning a certification in ing in poverty, many of these youths may have to trade is a much wiser decision to make. resort to crime to make ends meet. Many of those The overarching problem with education in Chiwho join gangs do so as a response to dangerous cago can’t be solved by a simple scholarship. Many conditions in their neighborhood, or because they students attending Chicago Public Schools live in see no way out of their situations. Income disparity poverty, and for these students, education isn’t a can even account for up to 40 percent of variation priority. in test scores, according to a study performed by Their neighborhoods are also oftentimes very the National Assessment of Educational Progress. dangerous and a haven for drugs and gang violence, As such, this scholarship can also provide incenmaking even their rides to school unsafe. Truly adtive for kids to take their studies seriously, keeping dressing this issue means tackling the economic isthem off the streets and lowering crime. By provid[Graphic by Marlis Nazon] sues that plague Chicago at its core. ing this scholarship, Chicago city schools show a The scholarships are a nice gesture, but city coldedication to proving that higher education can be offered to anyone willing to leges could put that money towards more productive efforts, such as fixing Chicawork for it, economic situation aside. As college costs continue to rise in Ameri- go’s broken school system. If students can barely make it through middle school, ca, education has quickly become much more of a privilege than a human right, focusing on colleges simply isn’t productive. and there are many more steps that will need to be taken. This scholarship is a The focus should be on making sure young people in Chicago make it to college great start to a wider solution. at all, not putting money towards the few that are already on their way there. Kevin Schultz can be contacted at views@mvccglacier.com.
“Why give people incentive when they can do it themselves? -Brett Krueger
“It would be a major benefit to people.” -Manny Bahena
Sara Wallscetti can be reached atwallscettis@student.morainevalley.edu.
“There are outside forces that can impact how a person does academically.” -Robert Hodo
“Yes, because it would encourage students to succeed.” -Mercy Malds
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Anti-vaccination: an American epidemic By Kevin Schultz Views Editor In 1952, Jonas Salk developed a solution to prevent the spread of a disease that had infected hundreds of thousands of people worldwide - the polio vaccine. The development of vaccines in the last century now prevent the epidemic of diseases such as whooping cough, chicken pox, and measles. In some cases, these diseases killed children in record numbers. Though most of these vaccines are considered to be essential medications by distinguished groups such as the World Health Organization, many Americans have elected to not vaccinate their children. Their concerns originate from a paper published in
Lancet magazine in 1998 by a former British doctor named Andrew Wakefield, who alleged that there was a link between the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the appearance of autism disorders. Wakefield’s findings were widely disputed by members of the medical community. In 2010 his paper in Lancet magazine was retracted and his medical license was revoked. Despite Wakefield’s results being proven completely false, the damage to the public mindset was already done. The percentage of parents who were vaccinating their children had already fallen drastically. The belief in a link between vaccines and autism originates in both widespread media exposure and a fear that many parents have about their grow-
Leaking the truth
By David Kowalski Staff Writer
Leaks are often seen as detrimental to the officials that are affected by them. Whether it be Hollywood or the US Government, leaks can be as simple as a photograph that shouldn’t have been taken to treasonous leaks of confidential materials. The recent conviction of Jeffery Sterling in the case of leaking confidential materials to New York Times reporter James Risen highlights this issue. Despite citing First Amendment rights for freedom of the press, Risen still found himself at odds with the Department of Justice. A similar case in late 2013 also put journalists at odds with government agencies both at home and abroad. Journalists from British newspaper, The Guardian, reported on leaked confidential NSA materials that had found their way onto the website Wikileaks. In the digital age, sites like Wikileaks are gold mines for those looking for confidential information. Of course, governments tend to be quick to try and cover up as much as possible when this kind of information is revealed, and journalists will oftentimes be caught in the legal crossfire. Reporter’s privelege lets a journalist refuse to reveal their source, a similar agreement to the doctor-patient relationship. Journalists use their careers as a means of bringing information to the
Have an opinion? Be heard.
masses, information that the public relies on to keep themselves enlightened. By trying to avoid controversy, the public is not only misinformed, a journalist betrays the very purpose of their career. Journalists shouldn’t be afraid to publish their work, and certainly shoudn’t fear retribution from their own government. Clearly, our founding fathers agreed, as these rights are afforded to the media under the First Amendment of the Constitution. In the digital age, finding information both dangerous and otherwise has become as simple as having an internet connection. Journalists have to conisder what impact their stories can have on the public, especially when it comes to leaks. By revealing some of these dark secrets, history itself can be changed. Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward proved this by revealing the Watergate scandal, sinking Richard Nixon’s presidency and shaking American trust in their government for years to come. Edward Snowden and Julian Assange have achieved similar ends fourty-two years later by drawing the curtain on NSA espionage, creating controversy we still see the effects of to this day. Revealing this leaked information has shown that even the dirtiest of secrets, political or otherwise, can’t keep themselves hidden for long. David Kowalski can be contacted at kowalskid@student.morainevalley.edu.
ing children. In countries where these vaccines where widely administered, the prevalence of these diseases became quite rare, and many parents of children born in the 1990s had never been exposed to them before. Autism, however, became much more commonly diagnosed during this time as the autism spectrum broadened, and vaccines became a scapegoat for some of the blame. The popularity of the anti-vaccination movement has led to the reemergence of diseases that had been almost entirely eradicated, most recently the measles. From January 2-28, as many as 84 people in 14 states have been diagnosed with measles after an outbreak that has originated from a foreign visitor to Disneyland. Children who had yet to receive the
measles vaccine became catalysts for the disease’s spread far beyond Disneyland, a clear sign that not vaccinating children against these diseases has consequences for more than them alone. Parents across the world have been influenced by the fraudulent studies of a single doctor, directing them away from one the greatest medical achievements of the last century. Diseases that had long been considered almost entirely eradicated have made a return across the world. Not vaccinating a child against these infectious diseases not only turns away from their wellbeing, it puts the world around them at risk. Kevin Schultz can be reached at views@ mvccglacier.com.
Islam and fear By Justin Woods Staff Writer According to the Oxford English Dictionry, islamophobia is the hatred or prejudice against the people of Islamic faith. This is a problem we face in America; a prejudice has arisen that tells us to shun our Muslim brethren. This ideology has been spurred by Afghanistan, and news coverage of terrorist attacks around the world. What Islamophobes don’t know is that the vast majority of Muslims vehemently oppose this kind of violence. A 2006 ICM Research poll showed 99 percent of Muslims believed the 9/11 attacks were unjustified and wrong. Post 9/11 many Muslims came together to help those affected by the attacks and created various groups to help combat terrorism. There is also another side of the issue that flies under the radar. On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols carried out a bombing attack on the Alfred P. Numah Federal Building. Known as the Oklahoma City Bombings, these acts were masterminded by McVeigh as a result of his deranged anger against the federal government for their actions in the Waco raids. 20 years have passed since that day, and had those bombings occured in 2015,
the public would be quick to assume some sort of Islamic terrorism. This prejudice has become so widespread that even those of other major religions have taken notice- in the U.S., about half of the representatives of major religions agree there is at least some sort of prejudice against Muslim Americans. Muslims more than any other religious group face racial and religious discrimination, with 52 percent of Arab Americans having experienced some sort of racial slur or act against them. Over one third of Americans have negative thoughts when it comes to Islam, while simultaneously claiming to have no prejudice towards Muslims. The same study showed that only 40 percent of Americans respect Muslims at all, a clear sign of how deep the roots of prejudice run through this country. It is clear to see that as the distrust and distaste of Islam in America becomes more apparent in our day-today lives, the only solution is to entirely change our way of thinking. In the land of the free, we should be able to live next to our neighbors in peace, not fear. Justin Woods can be contacted at woodsj68@student.morainevalley.edu.
All letters to the editor are welcome and will be considered for publication or posting online. The preferred method is to e-mail letters to views@mvccglacier.com. Letters should be timely and should be addressed to the editor; no open letters to other people are printed. Letters must be submitted through a valid Moraine Valley student email, must contain contact information, and must be fewer than 400 words. In cases where it is required letters may be published anonymously.
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ATHLETES OF THE ISSUE Shavonne Lewis
Deland Deere
Guard Women’s basketball
Guard Men’s basketball
By Joe Fay Sports Editor
Deland “DJ” Deere is a first-year guard on Moraine Valley men’s basketball team. The 5’10” Thornton Fractional North High School alum is averaging 11.6 points per game along with 75 assists against 54 turnovers. Deere usually posts some of the top stats in every game he is in. Deere’s best game of the season came on a Dec. 20 loss against Joliet Junior College as led his team with 24 points, six assists, and three steals. An equally great game took place on Jan. 22, where Deere took home 20 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and three steals.
Shavonne “Bonnie” Lewis is a second-year guard on the Moraine Valley women’s basketball team. Standing at 5’6”, the Eisenhower High School grad has been a key to the success of the Cyclones in the 2014-15 season. Lewis is averaging 12.4 points per game and has racked up 42 steals over the season. Lewis has been a consistent presence on the court, with an average of 26.7 minutes of playtime per game. Lewis’s best game came against College of Lake County on Jan. 15. Lewis scored 18 points, dished out four as- Joe Fay can be contacted at sports@ sists, and had six steals. mvccglacier.com.
Streak is snapped By Damien Johnson Staff Writer The Women Cyclones’ spark has continued in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC). They defeated the Waubonsee Community College Chiefs 71-62 on Jan. 17. It was a hard fought battle with the Chiefs attempting to catch up, while the Cyclones rose to the challenge, taking the lead early on, and never giving it up. It was a strong team effort with many players contributing to the win. Sharnita Breeze scored 17 points, and blocked 2 shots, while commanding the Cyclones’ offense. Kailey Foster and Shavonne “Bonnie” Lewis each scored 15 points. Nariman Jaber, current the National Junior College Athletic Association Div II season record holder for most blocked shots (132), scored 12 points, with five blocks, and 19 rebounds against the Chiefs. With eight games remaining in the Conference, and 104 blocked shots, Jaber is on pace to shatter her own record. The women kept the ball rolling with a 62-54 win against McHenry County College Jan. 20. This win left the team with an ISCC record of 3-1. Rachel Ruzevich showed up to play with six steals, 12 rebounds, and 8 points. Two days later the Cyclones posted an 88-78 victory against Morton College, it looked like the women had found their groove and were unstoppable. A non-conference game against Kankakee Community College, the defending Region IV Champions, started off rocky. They lost the lead early on, but kept their composure, and tied it up 30-30 by the half. The Cyclones commanded the court and the second half, propelling themselves forward to an 82-69 victory. The fire dimmed a bit when they stumbled to a 61-71 loss against Prairie State College. Head coach Delwyn Jones said of the game, “We came off an emotional high against Kankakee. We beat the regional champs, and I don’t think we came out to play for the first 10 minutes of the game. We need to do some soul searching to find out how we can get off to a good start.”
JABER | from page 12 impressive in NJCCA women’s basketball history. At 5-2, the Cyclones are bound for the playoffs. The next time to catch Jaber at home will be Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 5:15 p.m. If she accomplishes her profes-
First-year guard Carly Trinley lunges for a shot. [Izabela Kokoszka] Jones added “We put ourselves in a bad spot right now. We need somebody to beat Prairie State. They have zero losses and we’re two games back. So, if we don’t get someone to beat Prairie State, it’s out of our hands.” The Cyclones pulled off an easy win Jan. 29 against Elgin Community College 67-49. ‘ Despite the win, Coach Jones said, “We are happy with the victory, but we’re not making shots… but I’m not worried about it. We have enough talent to put the ball in the basket.” Seven conference games remain for the Cyclones who currently hold a 5-2 conference record. This give the women one chance to avenge their loss against Prairie State in the second to last game of the year. Damien Johnson can be contacted at johnsond556@student.morainevalley. edu
sional dreams, she will be the second Argonaut in the last decade to achieve a basketball dream. Saul “Flip” White became a member of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team in 2012. Joe Fay can be contacted at sports@ mvccglacier.com.
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Sports
Joe Fay Sports Editor sports@mvccglacier.com
THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
Graduate of the school of hard blocks By Joe Fay Sports Editor “I want to go all the way. I want to go to the leagues. I want to be overseas, whatever I can. I don’t ever see myself wanting to stop playing.” - Nariman Jaber, Moraine Valley record-setter. For a lucky few athletes, there is a chance to go pro. Jaber is one of those few. Standing 6’3”, the Argo alum has had an extremely successful career at Moraine Valley. She already broke the school season record for blocked shots at with 132 blocks over 33 games in the 2013-14 season, 4.0 per game. For that season she ranked second in the nation and first in conference. Since then, Jaber has only improved her game. Currently, she is ranked first in the nation, averaging 5.0 blocks per game. This is full block per game higher than the second ranked player in blocks per game. Even more impressively, among players who have played as many or more games than Jaber, the next closest player sits at 2.1 blocks per game. For Jaber, one of the main components of her success on the court has been the support of her coaches. One big influence came from cur-
rent Junior Argonauts girls basketball Coach Wiseman. “He taught me everything I know today and always tried to do whatever he could to make me a better player. One of the greatest coaches I have ever had. He worked with me throughout high school,” said Jaber. This proved to be a pattern, as she considers her greatest supporter to be coach Delwyn Jones. “I feel like he believes in me so much. He sees a lot in me that I don’t see myself sometimes. He pushes me to do my best,” said Jaber. She also attributes her successes to her team. “I love my team,” said Jaber. “Both years here at Moraine I’ve grown to see these girls as my family. We spend more time with each other than we do with our actual families! Team chemistry is so important for a team to be successful, so we try to do as much team bonding as we can. I’ve definitely made some good friends through basketball; it just makes the college experience more fun!” Though graduating this semester, Jaber is currently undecided in terms of four-year colleges. “As of right now I know Eastern Michigan is showing interest, if they
do end up giving me an offer, that would be my choice as of now. I’m just waiting patiently for my offers to come in and then decide from there,” said Jaber. She has already received offers from Indiana University Northwest and Governors State University. “I’ve definitely improved my offensive approach to the game. I’ve always been a defensive player, but coach Jones has been pushing me to up my game on offense. For me to succeed at a four-year I’ll need to work on working around the basket more on offense, getting strong post position, and finishing easily over a defender.” Though her plans for the future remain unclear, this season could certainly go down as one of the most JABER | page 11 Nariman Jaber scouts for an opening. [Izabela Kokoszka]
Winds of change blow for Cyclones By Joe Fay Sports Editor
Second-year forward Brian Townsend fights off opposing team. [Izabela Kokoszka]
The Moraine Valley men’s basketball team has managed to recover from their turbulent start to the season with a perfect conference record. The Cyclones are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, which started with their 8373 victory over Oakton Community College on Jan. 6. On Jan. 17 the Cyclones faced off against Wabaunsee Community College and pulled out a 67-64 victory. The lead switched often between the two until the Cyclones ended strongly in the first half to lead 35-28. Niko Cahue finished with a double-double, 19 points and 13 rebounds. Brian Townsend picked up ten points with eight rebounds and three assists, while Paul Ostruskevicius had nine points, three rebounds and two blocks. Deland Deere scored eight, with five assists. The Cyclones had three players notch double-doubles the very next game as they won 98-58 against McHenry Coun-
ty College on Jan. 20. Cahue had 17 points, ten rebounds and two steals, while Townsend had 15 points, ten rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Ermias Nega put up the third doubledouble with 13 points, ten rebounds, and five assists. The Cyclones extended their perfect conference mark with a win against Morton College on Jan. 22. It was a close 93-88 game between the rivals that came down to free throws. It also distinguished the Cyclones as the only undefeated team in conference at 5-0. Cahue picked up his third doubledouble in a row with 29 points and 11 rebounds. Townsend had 20 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while Deere had 20 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and six assists. . The Cyclones pounded out their sixth victory in a row in a match against Prairie State College on Jan 27. The 61-56 victory was decided by a timely ten point surge during the last four minutes of the game. Townsend continued the team’s double-double trend with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Their seventh victory came on Jan. 29 in a 66-56 win over Elgin Com-
munity College with Randall Rushing leading the way with 13 points three rebounds and three steals, ”I am extremely happy with our team’s performance as of late,” said Head Coach David Howard. “These guys have been working their tails off, listening to all of the coaches, and they believe in each other.” Howard maintained, “God has blessed us to be able to turn our season around, so we must start there. Additionally our young men have never stopped believing in the coaching staff and the coaching staff has never stopped believing in them.” “We know that our success is tied and there is no one player or coach bigger than the team. We have all been working hard and it has started to yield results.” Despite recent success, Howard went on to say that “There is always room for improvement. We know that the road only gets tougher so we have to keep getting better and better every day,” Howard continued. “We will work at fine tuning what has been working well, and find new ways to minimize our deficiencies.” Joe Fay can be contacted at sports@ mvccglacier.com.
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Social
Christopher Swinford Features Editor features@mvccglacier.com
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New club changes curriculum By William Lukitsch Editor-in-Chief
in Aguas Calientes, Mexico, and took a few years to ‘figure it out’ as a twentyWomen in Action (WiA) something millennial behas emerged as one of the fore she came to Moraine most active student clubs in 2012. on campus. With founder “I fell in love with school; and club president Cynthia I fell in love with learning,” Gongora running things, Gongora said, reflecting on it’s no wonder. the beginnings of her colSince its creation last lege education. fall, WiA has received nods Without a solid vocafrom the administration tional goal in mind, Gonand from fellow organizagora decided to pursue an tions including our SGA for associate’s degree in scioutstanding contributions Women in Action President Cynthia Gongora, works with club members Reem Motan and Thahab Abdujawad to ence. to campus life. help increase awareness of many important issues on campus. [Erica Sinnott] “Now I’m going for an “The club that I built was M.D.-Ph.D.,” she said. kind of a club that I wanted to join,” eo featuring students and members of Little Village neighborhood, an expeEven though Gongora has already Gongora said in an interview with The Moraine’s administration will be im- rience she called “a battle in itself.” finished her associate’s degree, her Glacier. “There’s just not a club like plemented to show every student how A turbulent upbringing and multi- extreme dedication to WiA motivated that!” to identify and prevent sexual assault. cultural influences were, in part, what her to take a singe one credit hour Perhaps the most astounding WiA‘s main objective is to provide inspired Gongora to create a club pur- class at Moraine this spring so she can achievement Gongora has made women at Moraine with the resources posed toward the empowerment of stay with her club for another semesthrough WiA is the implementation and skills to become leaders through young women and the cultivation of ter. of Obama’s national sexual assault workshops and community service women leadership. “I’m hoping to build some leaders awareness campaign “It’s On Us” into projects, and to prepare them for proBeing an only child from a single- here so Women in Action can continthe college curriculum. fessional careers. parent home and the first in her family ue,” Gongora said. “If I need to start After approaching the Title IX Com“We provide an outlet for members to pursue a higher education made her another credit hour here next semesmittee, which Gongora now sits on, an to explore different activities or differ- independent, ambitious, and resilient. ter, I’ll do it.” addendum to the COL-101 course was ent causes,” Gongora said. “I feel like my environment develmade to raise sexual assault awareness Gongora, 25, of Palos Hills, spent oped me into a leader,” Gongora said. William Lukitsch can be contacted at ediamong incoming freshmen. A new vid- her much of her childhood in Chicago’s Gongora graduated from high school torinchief@mvcclgacier.com.
Second City hits Menker Theater By Brendan Sullivan Staff Writer With sketches ranging from a team of grocery store employees desperately trying to get a coupon to scan, to a strip tease so boring the viewer falls asleep, the Second City comedy troupe brandishes a comedic style that is simply unmatched. “Second City Hits Home” was shown at Moraine Valley’s Dorothy Menker Theater on Jan. 24, as Second City performed their 21st consecutive show since the opening of the Fine and Preforming Arts Center in 1994. The night was performed by Second Cities Blue Company (Blueco); one of three touring companies made up of long time members Liz Reuss and Marlena Rodriguez, along with new members to Second City Alan Linic and John Thibodeaux, and veteran Second City performers (but fresh to Blueco) Andrew Knox and Maria Randazzo. With a show that sampled some of the best material from the over five decades of resident stage productions, following in the footsteps of such comedic greats as John Belushi, Tina Fey,
Amazingly intricate songs were performed, two of which detailed the failed dreams of an audience member who once hoped to be an astronaut, and the disturbing desires of a local man who was sitting uncomfortably close to me. In the age of easily accessible online and televised entertainment, the concept of live comedy has become somewhat of a novelty, but the feeling of personalization and uniqueness was present in every part of the show. No two Second City performances are the same. Each is built on crowd participation and on the spot ad libbing. It won’t be something you can link to on your Facebook or save to a Netflix queue, it’s something that can Professional improv actors from the esteemed Second City brought their hysterical show only be watched in that one moment “Second City Hits Home” to Dorothy Menker Theater on Jan. 24. [Erica Sinnott] in time when it’s being preformed. Second City has daily shows in ChiSteve Carell, Stephen Colbert, and Bill wild imaginations produces a complex cago at their Main and E.T.C. stages “F.” Murray, Blueco incorporates new collage of crowd interaction, physical located as well as at the Up Comedy material and locally specific jokes to comedy, social satire, and hysterical un- Club, all located at Pipers Alley Mall, form a show that resonates with Chi- scripted banter, which takes the audi- 210 W. North Avenue. Show times and cago–area locals. ence on fast paced (often frantic) laugh prices can be found online at www.sec“Second City Hits Home” has a sim- fest. ondcity.com. ple format: six actors, four chairs, and With crowd interactions and on the a piano accompaniment. The combi- spot improv, this show becomes some- Brendan Sullivan can be contacted at sulnation of simple props and the actors’ thing unique and personal to the crowd. livanb86@student.morainevalley.edu.
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Improv lessons, the ultimate irony By Chris Swinford Features Editor
together, and then another student would shout, “FREEZE.” Two coaches from the esAt this point the two perteemed improve school Secformers had to freeze in ond City visited Moraine to their exact position, and offer an improvisation workthe participant that shouted shop for students taking Actfreeze would tap one of them ing 1 and Acting 2 classes. out, and continue the scene On Jan. 20, Liz Reuss, and from the position the actors Maria Randazzo offered a left off in. myriad of exercises for the The activity went in many students to participate in. different directions, ranging One such event, titled from the miracle of child“Thunderdome,” arranged birth, to two teenage boys students into a big circle, all sitting in a room playing of them then began chanting video games. “Thunderdome!” The activity allowed a lot of Two students would then the actors to flex their crestep into the center of the Performers from Second City invited Moraine Valley Acting Students to participate in an improvisation work- ative muscles. circle to compete by listing shop to help further sharpen their acting skills. [Chris Swinford] The event gave the acting off various items of a differstudents a lot to think about ent theme, until one student eventuWith improv, it is very important for cused on was the concept of listening. in regard to their acting method. ally lost by not being able to think of a performers to feed their partner by go- Students were told that in order to be When asked what she thought about new item. ing along with ideas that are brought to successful with their attempts at im- the improvisation process after the lesWhile the events were a lot of fun, the table. provisation, they must listen to their son was over, student Jen Paulos said, both heads of the workshop made sure Both hosts agreed that it was very partners to feed off each other’s energy “Improv is learning to not second guess that their importance was stressed important that an improv performer and carry the scene in the direction yourself. You have the instincts, follow throughout the lesson. avoid shooting down or directly dis- that it needs to go. them, and just have a good time.” Various ideas were introduced to help agreeing with what their partner has to The final event that the students parthe prospective actors improve their say while they’re performing a scene. ticipated in was called Freeze. Chris Swinford can be contacted at craft. Another aspect of scene-work foTwo students would begin a scene features@mvccglacier.com.
Jennifer Davidson welcomed to Moraine By Kevin Schultz Views Editor It takes considerable dedication to oversee academic affairs at an institution with a varied faculty and wide course catalogue such as Moraine Valley. As of Jan. 5, Jennifer Davidson, the new Dean of Academic Affairs, has decided to accept this formidable responsibility. Davidson has years of experience in education, having previously held administrative roles with Governor’s State University, St. Francis University, and North Central College. She also previously held a research position with Moraine Valley from 1998-2000. “It was a great place to work,” she said. “It felt like it fit.” After a 15-year hiatus to take academic and administrative positions in other schools, Davidson returns to benefit Moraine Valley with extensive experience in the field. Davidson’s position evaluates the Moraine Valley course curriculum and faculty alike; especially in regard to the way they affect students. As any changes to the curriculum or Moraine Valley programs need to be approved on a state level, the Academic
Affairs office acts as a liaison between the two. Using the results from students’ grades and course evaluations, Davidson’s office shows how students are learning in their classes, and improves the courses offered at Moraine Valley. The department of Academic Affairs also shows dedication to the adjunct faculty at Moraine. “All of the academic deans will do the hiring or getting the word out through several processes, and we have several offices that are open through the evening for adjunct faculty,” Davidson said. By taking these necessary steps to cater to the needs of adjunct faculty members, the Department of Academic Affairs makes Moraine a fantastic place to work for those not looking for full time positions. Davidson has spent her entire career working in education, holding a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and master’s degrees in Business Administration, Continuing Education, and Training Management from the University of St. Francis. While she started in elementary education out of college, Davidson discovered a love for working with older students from spending time at the
Moraine Valley introduces the new Dean of Academic Affairs, Jennifer Davidson. Davidson was previously and administer at Governor’s State and St. Francis. [Erica Sinnott] Sylvan Learning Center. “I found myself gravitating towards the older learners, the college prep students. I knew at that point higher education was for me,” she said. Even though most of her time is now spent out of the classroom, Davidson’s love for helping students learn
and grow has not waned. In her new administrative position at Moraine Valley, Davidson hopes to make sure every student has a chance to succeed, and to prosper. Kevin Schultz can be reached at views@ mvccglacier.com.
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U-Building goes clubbing By Chris Swinford Features Editor On Monday, Jan. 19th, Demetrius Robinson headed the first ICC Club meeting of the semester in the UBuilding. Representatives from almost every club on the campus gathered to meet with Robinson, and discuss the plans that their clubs had for the upcoming semester. The event began with each representative introducing themselves, and stating what club they were representing. During the introductions for the clubs, two prospective club figureheads introduced the concepts for their clubs as well. One of these clubs was a Meditation Club, where members can facilitate emotional and spiritual growth by meditating. The other possible club idea introduced was the Gamer Appreciation Club, which is the revival of an old club that had been popular on campus several years ago. In this club, people that appreciate video games would be able to come together to discuss, and play some of their favorite games on different systems. Both of these clubs have until Feb.
17 to submit charters to the school board to determine whether or not they’ll receive funding. Once the introductions were complete, Robinson brought up the importance of club members focusing on their academics, reminding people at the meeting that all members must keep their GPA above 2.0 in order to participate in the clubs, stressing this fact by saying he had let go of 60-65 students last semester due to poor grades. Afterwards, Robinson discussed several events that were planned for the semester, including the Club Awards Nominations, which were available starting Feb. 3, and the Valentine’s Day Celebration, on Feb. 1113. Another event mentioned was the College Fair, on Jan. 29. At this fair, many private universities from the Chicagoland area will be in attendance, allowing students to apply for their programs, where they will have an admission decision made on the spot. The Foundation Office will also be giving out 60 scholarships for students that are attending Moraine Valley in the upcoming fall 2015 semester. Student Life announced that they would be hosting a Valentine’s Day Celebration from Feb. 11-13 between
11-2 p.m. On a similar note, Student Life announced another event that was given a lot of focus, their Student Life banquet scheduled for May 1. At this banquet, students will be honored for various accomplishments around campus. Once he was finished announcing different events to the club leaders, he allowed the club members to go around and discuss various highlights that their clubs had over the semester. The announcements started with Alicea Toso, manager of the honors program and curricular learning communities, informing everyone at the event of the upcoming Relay for Life, which will be taking place on April 24. The 24 Karat Dance Team also announced that they would be holding tryouts for new members of the team, starting on Feb. 3. Another event showcased was Moraine Valley’s plan to hold an organ donation campaign, extending from Feb. 1-March 31 in U204. The event was very informative for everyone in attendance, and allowed all the clubs a chance to showcase what they had to offer for the upcoming semester. Chris Swinford can be contacted at features@mvccglacier.com
STUDENT CLUBS Compiled by The Glacier 24 Karat Dance Team Contact Jehan Chapple at (773) 844-3541. Action, Social & Political Empowerment Contact Annette D’Silva at (708) 608-4023. Alliance of Latin American Students Contact Stella Okeke at (708) 974-5487. Alliance of African American Students Contact Stella Okeke at (708) 974-5487. Arab Student Union Contact Nina Shoman-Dijani at (708) 974-5229. Art Club Contact Amy Lubke at (708)-927-0764. Asian Diversity Club Contact Wenney Tse at (708) 974-5313. Tamina Farooqui at (708) 974-5313. Business, Finance, & Entrepreneur Club Contact James Snooks at (708) 974-5785. College Bowl Contact Ted Powers at (708) 608-4177. Combat to College Contact General McArthur at (708) 974-4144. Fashion Valley Couture Contact Dominique McDowell at (708) 608-5722. Filmmakers Club Contact Dan Pal at (630) 336-5471. Forensics - Phi Kappa Delta Contact John Nash at (708) 974-5556, Krista Appelquist at (708) 974-5222. GASP - Gender And Sexuality Progress Contact Jeffrey McCully at (708) 608-4377. Matthew Cullen at (708) 608-4101. The Glacier Student Newspaper Contact Ted Powers at (708) 608-4177. Go Green! Club Contact Stephenie Preseler at (708) 974-5412. Honors Program Club Contact Alicea Toso at (708) 974-4191. Indian/Pakistan Student Union Contact Stella Okeke at (708) 974-5487. Inter Club Council Contact Demetrius Robinson at (708) 974-5353. International Women’s Club Contact Annette D’Silva at (708) 608-4023. International Student Club Contact Alia Ibrahim at (708) 974-5756. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Contact Daniel Cristman at (708) 974-4284. K-Fu Martial Arts Contact Courtney Reese at (708) 608-4067. Legacy X Dance Team Contact Demetrius Robinson at (708) 974-5353. Mastodon Contact Ted Powers at (708) 608-4177. Mathematics Club Contact Keith Nabb at (708) 974-5592. Model Illinois Government Contact Krista Appelquist at (708) 974-5222. Music Club Contact Tammi Carlson at (708) 974-5636. Phi Theta Kappa Contact Demetrius Robinson at (708) 974-5353. Psychology Club Contact Nicholas Shizas at (708) 974-4121. Mitchell Baker at (708) 9744058. Recreation Management/ Recreation Therapy Contact Donna McCauley at (708) 974-5227. Relay for Life Planning Committee Contact Alicea Toso at (708) 974-4191. Rotaract Club Contact Sue Linn at (708) 974-5335. Rugby Club Contact Student Life Office Student Government Association Contact Bradley Custer at (708) 608-4272. Student Nursing Organization (S.N.O.) Contact Georgina Murphy at (708) 974-4122. Ultimate Frisbee Contact Jessica Crotty at (708) 974-5281. Women in Action Contact Maura Vizza at (708) 947-5742 .
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THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
Dr. Deron Schreck shares passion for politics By Osamah Shaltaf Staff Writer Of all the professors at Moraine, one that stands out to students and fellow faculty members is political science professor Dr. Deron Schreck. Schreck has taught at Moraine since 1999. As professor in the Social Sciences department, his students regard him as both a great teacher, and an outstanding person. “I had always wanted to teach, period,” Schreck said in an interview with The Glacier, as he reflected on what brought him to Moraine. “I knew I wanted to teach social sciences, either history or political science.” History is one of Schreck’s passions, and for him, interest in American government began at a very early age. At around five years old, he had all of the former U.S. presidents committed to memory. It would seem Schreck was born to teach poli-sci. After receiving his Bachelor’s from Trenton State College in New Jersey, Schreck obtained his master’s degree at Appalachian State in North Carolina in social science education. After relocating to Chicago, he began teaching at
Moraine while he finished his doctoral program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Schreck ran track in college, was a DJ for his radio station, and worked as a college sports broadcaster. A New Jersey native, he roots for the Giants during football season. He also confessed that he’s a Sox fan by marriage. In his free time, he indulges in music and movies from the 70’s and sports trivia. His favorite hobby, however, is collecting presidential memorabilia. One of his prized collectibles is a document that once belonged to Thomas Jefferson. Schreck discussed at length how students could find success in college. He humorously reflected on the cumbersome processes he had to work through to conduct research, and explained that college students should take advantage of the vast amount of informational resources available to them today. “[Students] should take advantage of that wealth of information that’s out there,” Schreck said. “We didn’t have all this when I was in college. Nowadays we have students who barely have to use the library.” When asked about his future plans,
The passion found in Schreck’s lessons is second to none, as he works with students both inside, and outside of the classroom. [Erica Sinnott]
Schreck explained that he does podcasts with students as part of his classes, and hopes to grow that idea into a college radio station. Broadcasting is a huge part of his background, and he made it clear that it’s something he would like to pursue. Schreck also told The Glacier that one of the most important lessons he
strives to impart on his students is the importance of political involvement. “[Politics] affects our everyday lives and there are events and activities going on every day,” Schreck said. “Make sure they don’t pass you by.” Osamah Shaltaf can be contacted at shaltafo@student.morainevalley.edu.
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Entertainment
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Star power can’t save ‘Mortdecai’ By Dominika Cudzich Staff Writer
by selling art for twice as much as its actual value, which makes him a target of many angered The popular book series “The customers who are seeking his Mortdecai Trilogy,” written by pain as revenge. Throughout Kyril Bonfigliolo, was recently the film, he’s chased down by translated to a film starring Johnridiculous characters, including ny Depp. It seems even Depp’s a group of stereotypical angry star power can’t save “Mortdecai.” Russian bad guys who are racing “Mortdecai” hit the big screen Mortdecai and Jock to reach the on Jan. 23, earning measly $20 same end. million in its opening weekend. It The result, in a nutshell, is a was directed by the famed David sort of dumbed down version of Koepp, who has worked on block“Benny Hill,” peppered with atbuster Hollywood films such as tempted witticisms and paper“Jurassic Park,” “Mission Imposthin personas. sible,” and “Spider Man.” The main problem with this Johnny Depp plays Lord “comedy” is that the jokes are Charles Mortdecai; a sleazy, yet sparse and simply fail to land. aristocratic, art dealer who is acThe lackluster turnout and tertually penniless and cannot afford rible reviews this movie has rethe lavish lifestyle he portrays. Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) is escorted by his faithful manservant Jock (Paul Bettany) as he makes his ceived highlight the apparent At Depp’s side is a manservant way around the globe in search of a priceless piece of art. [Lionsgate, David Appleby] slump in Depp’s acting career. named Jock (Paul Bettany), an At least Depp fans have “Pirates impoverished character that would painting, which is rumored to have off the debts, Mortdecai and his vogu- Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No jump in front of a bullet to protect the an imprinted code number on the ish wife Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) Tales” to look forward to, coming to upscale Mortdecai. back that leads to Nazi gold, it seems set off on an adventure that leads theaters July 7. When inspector Martland (Ewan that Mortdecai’s bad luck has finally them to Hong Kong, Moscow, Los AnMcGregor) offers Mortdecai a 10 per- changed for the better. geles and London. Dominika Cudzich may be contacted at cent grant for finding a stolen Goya Seeing this as an opportunity to pay Mortdecai made most of his fortune cudzichd@student.morainevalley.edu
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THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
The complicated legacy of Chris Kyle By Joe Eby Distribution Manager War is a controversial subject, with strong opinions both for and against it. In Clint Eastwood’s new movie American Sniper, a Navy Seal sniper named Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) describes his experiences with his tours of duty. With an estimated budget of $58.8 million, American Sniper premiered on Dec.25 with an $89.2 million dollar opening weekend. It was the second highest R-rated debut following “The Matrix Reloaded.” “American Sniper” also won Best Picture from the American Film Institution Awards, and Bradley Cooper picked up Best Actor in an Action Film from the Broadcast Film Association Awards. When they first had the idea for the movie, Clint Eastwood met with Chris Kyle’s father Wayne Kyle to ask him for permission to make it. Despite Eastwood’s reputation as a legendary director, Wayne Kyle was hesitant. Re-
Military multiple times, including the Bronze and Silver star. This movie shows some of the hardships and choices Chris Kyle had to face on the battlefield, including a situation he was in where the enemy was using a child to attack American soldiers with a grenade, and Chris Kyle was forced to make a decision of whether or not to shoot him. During his tours, Chris Kyle was forced to watch some his fellow soldiers die; an extremely emotional and traumatizing Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) is the deadliest man in the world with a sniper rifle. [Warner Bros.] experience. At the end of each of his tours, Kyle ports announced that Wayne Kyle was “fake baby” caught a lot of attention. would return home and attempt to reconcerned Hollywood would tarnish This was done to avoid California’s strict adjust to civilian life. his son’s name to support some sort of guidelines in regards to using children in American Sniper was truly a fantastic agenda. films. film. Bradley’s representation of Chris An editing mistake surfaced in a Chris Kyle was a Navy Seal from 1999- Kyle was respectful, and tasteful; a true scene where Chris Kyle was home hold- 2009, and in that time he was credited credit to an American hero. ing his newborn baby girl. It was pretty with 160 kills, earning him the nickname clear that the baby was a doll. With the “The Devil of Ramadi.” He was awarded Joe Eby can be contacted at distribution@ Internet now littered with critics, the some of the highest honors in the U.S. mvccglacier.com.
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THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
‘What a beautiful’ time to stop By Ann Marie Klinski Staff Writer The Decemberists’ new album “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World” had the power to make any indie-folk-punk fan cringe in shame within the first 30 seconds of “The Singer Addresses His Audience,” With their third studio album, “Picaresque,” fans held their hopes high for The Decemberists, only to be disappointed. Any longtime or even short time admirer of this once expressive and imaginative band would agree that, with this new album, The Decemberists lost their rhythmic instrumental accompaniments along with their originality. Unlike other albums, this album crossfaded the band into a whole new sound that can be explained as a notso-far-out 70s try hard band with a de-
teriorating folk-indie past. The phrase “try hard” fits perfectly as The Decemberists came to an unhealthy medium between Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and Neutral Milk Hotel. Although the way The Decemberists have consistently told stories throughout their discography through their lyrics, the newly featured tracks are inconsistent with the style and sound they have earned a respected reputation for. Tracks like “12/17/12” and “AntiSummersong” have evidently altered the previously natural and competent band into a whole other genre of music. After listening to songs like “On The Bus Mall” and “Apology Song,” it is crystal clear that The Decemberists were once a laid-back and admirable group in the past. Lead singer, Colin Meloy, surely can’t be the only one to blame for such a random change in sound. Newer tracks like “Calvary King” and
The Decemberists’ album cover can’t mask the contents. [Capitol Records] “Philomena” sound forced, and it seems as if The Decemberists are trying too hard to please everyone. The folk-indie feel is gone and a more indie-countrypop sound came in to replace it. The only song opposing against previously stated judgments is the fourth
song off the album. The song “Make You Better,” a personal favorite, was possibly the best track on “What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World.” “Make You Better” was finally a track in which they stuck to their rich and soothing folk-indie vibe. Sadly, the album changed back to their new, overly complex sounds when the song ended. If you have the urge to jump on The Decemberists bandwagon, be sure to clear your slate of any preceding judgments you’ve had towards this band. The album holds some worthy musical qualities, but becomes unbalanced within the structure and their memorable sound. They’re on their way towards another direction, from folk-indie to 70s farm-country rock. Ann Marie Klinski can be contacted at klinskia2@student.morainevalley.edu.
Manson returns to his roots
By Chris Swinford Features Editor
When he first entered into the spotlight in the nineties, Marilyn Manson was looked upon as a sort of lord of the pariahs. He took the nation by storm with controversial lyrics, and attitudes on stage. With his newest album, “The Pale Emperor,” he once again reaches into that darkness that brought him his popularity in the first place. The album features a plethora of songs discussing human nature, both on a personal and societal level. In the album Manson experiments with many unique musical qualities, as he steps away from the industrial/metal music that he has been known for in the past. For instance, a lot of the songs feature a subtle blues style with the sound of the gui-
the God of War series, and most recently working on the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, this is the producer’s first delve into a standard studio album. Manson’s unique choice for production definitely proved to be worth the risk, however, as the Marilyn Manson has returned to his roots with “The production value in the alPale Emperor.” [Hell, etc.] bum is up to the very high standards that Manson tars. While still retaining their gothic has always held himself to. nature, they definitely have a much The album opens with the song softer, subtler core that is rarely seen “Killing Strangers” which discusses the within the genre. violence that humanity itself thrives Manson also took a slight on. In the chorus of the song Manson risk in the production of his album, states that, “We’re killing strangers, so as he contracted the work of famous we don’t kill the ones that we love.” movie and video game producer Tyler Within the darker lyrics of the Bates. While Bates has a lot of fame other songs however, there are many producing the soundtrack for games in songs that also feature a softer, more
humane side to Manson that a lot of critics overlook because of the controversial nature of his material. For instance, in the song “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge,” Manson discusses his indulgence in the love of a woman as he binges on her affection. The Pale Emperor is a big step for Marilyn Manson’s music career. Whether it’s due to new inspirations, or simply a famous metal head finally feeling the strains of growing older, the album is much softer than many of his previous productions. Regardless, the subtlety of the album is a unique experience that mixes the best of the artist’s old works with a lot of new elements to make a perfect creation. Perhaps the old saying is wrong, and you can in fact teach an old dog new tricks. Chris Swinford can be reached at features@mvccglacier.com
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Erica Sinnott Photo Editor photo@mvccglacier.com
Photospread
THE GLACIER JANUARY 30, 2015 VOLUME 48, ISSUE 10
Second City provided a night full of laughs to a nearly sold out house on Jan. 24. Story on Social Page 1. Photospread by~ Erica Sinnott