Campus Current January 18th Issue

The Independent Student Newspaper of Anne Arundel Community College

www.thecampuscurrent.com

January 2017 Preview

Preview

Why I voted for President-elect AACC to host 2017 women’s naDonald Trump, by student Piper tional lacrosse tournament in May, Page 10.

Lewis, Page 2.

Author delivers 36th MLK keynote address Khadean Coombs Co-Editor

New York Times best-selling author Wes Moore told a campus audience Monday that action is the prerequisite to any meaningful change.

In an interview with Campus Current before he delivered a speech, Moore, author of “The Other Wes Moore,” said the civil rights leader “demanded, pushed for and got done.”

Moore, CEO of BridgeEdU, an education technology startup, delivered the keynote address at the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast at AACC, hosted by Anne Arundel County’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee.

Moore said the reason for remembering King on this day is because he stood out among great leaders.

“We have had many great leaders, but they don’t get days named after them,

said Moore, a decorated Army combat veteran.

Moore said that giving the keynote address for the breakfast meant “a great deal” to him. “[Maryland] is home base for me,” Moore, a Baltimore native, said. “And not just doing it here in Maryland, which is the place that I still live, it’s also doing it at a community college. As a community college grad I understand how important [they] are and being able to

a month in print and daily online, will focus more on social media and online news this semester.

Johnson also said he will write more about entertainment, recruit more staff members and make the paper more student centric.

“I’ll move [the newspaper] up to where it is some-

thing that will be reckoned with,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he started writing music and movie reviews for Campus Current as a freshman after he took a communications course in 2014.

In addition to writing, Johnson is the bass player with The Vibesmen, a local

rock and reggae band.

The Student Government Association approved

Johnson’s promotion in De-

Brad Dress Co-Editor

attorney for AACC requested the extension because of the winter holidays.

In the lawsuit, Dr. Richard Cerkovnik, a former special assistant to the vice president for learning and the former chair of the AACC Physical Science Department, claimed the college’s “preference for only female leaders resulted in [his] being denied promotions based

solely on his gender.”

In court papers obtained by Campus Current, Cerkovnik claimed that at one time, all 12 senior administrators, including AACC’s president and its three vice presidents, were women. In addition, he said in his lawsuit, all 10 deans were women.

When Cerkovnik was tapped to lead the National STEM Consortium, AACC

leaders refused to relieve him of other duties despite a requirement of a federal grant, according to the complaint.

Cerkovnik said he complained to AACC PresidentDawn Lindsay and a vice president, and “was subjected to … retaliation from the college,” the document said.

Cerkovnik claimed “less-

Campus Current names new ‘17 editor-in-chief Brad Dress Co-Editor

The 2016 associate editor for Campus Current will step into the editor-in-chief role this semester.

Third-year student Jesse Johnson said the independent student newspaper, which comes out once

Author Wes Moore gives a keynote speech at an MLK breakfast on AACC’s campus.

Photo courtesy of BridgeEdU celebrate that on a day like MLK Day means a great deal to me.”

Moore graduated from Valley Forge Military Acade-

my & College, a junior college in Pennsylvania, before attending Johns Hopkins Uni-

Continued on Page 3

Jesse Johnson takes on Campus Current’s editor-in-chief role.

Photo by Britney Pieraldi

Continued on Page 3

College gets lawsuit extension

A U.S. District Court judge in December gave AACC until Jan. 30 to respond to a $2.4 million lawsuit by a former employee who claimed the college disA U.S. District Court judge criminated against him beallows AACC more time to cause he is a man. respond to a lawsuit.

The college’s original Photo by Carol M. Highsmith deadline was Dec. 28, but an

Continued on Page 3

2 | Campus current | 2017 | January

January | 2017 | campus current | 3

OPINION MEET THE CAMPUS CURRENT STAFF Special Back-to-School Winter Edition Editor-In-Chief

Jesse Johnson

Graphic Designer & Photo Editor

Britney Pieraldi

Co-Editors

Khadean Coombs Brad Dress Tony Petro James Whitley

Faculty Adviser

Sharon O’Malley

Contact Us Campus Current Anne Arundel Community College Humanities 206 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD 21012 Phone: 410-777-2510 410-777-2296 www.thecampucurrent.com campuscurrent@gmail.com

Advertising Jacob Baumgart 410-777-2803 campuscurrentadverts @gmail.com Twitter @campus_current Facebook Facebook.com/CampusCurrentPaper Instagram campuscurrentaacc

Campus Current staff has tips for surviving spring semester Welcome back to AACC; we know the fall semester of 2016 was a rough one, according to social media. Here at Campus Current we have come up with a few tips to not only help you survive this spring semester, but make it easier, too.

Tip 1. This is basic, but essential to surviving college.

Be organized, not only with the assignments from class, but with your due dates and future test dates. Write all upcoming assignments and test dates down. This will keep you prepared for what’s ahead and you won’t miss any big assignments. Invest in a calendar or planner, or even download the Google Calendar app, whichever you prefer. It’s a life saver!

Tip 2. This one may be uncomfortable for some students, but it pays off in the long run. Make friends with your classmates or at least connections. Exchanging phone numbers or social media usernames with your classmates comes in handy when you forget a due date or need help with an assignment. Having connections in the classroom helps make

your courses more fun, and it is never a bad thing to be social. Sharing your anxiety about a test or big assignment with your peers is great because they are feeling the same way. This lowers your nervous feelings as well as theirs, killing two birds with one stone.

Tip 3. Along those lines, but perhaps more daunting: Interact with your professors. They are here to help you. Your professors know the course better than anyone; that’s why they are teaching it. Professors are “chalk” full of helpful hints and ideas. Don’t be afraid to

approach them after class; they love talking to their students, and may even delay a due date or test date if you have developed a good relationship expressing your desire to succeed in their class.

Professors also are usually happy to write letters of recommendation when it comes time to transfer, but they don’t write them for students they don’t know.

Tip 4. This may seem obvious considering that just about every student owns a smart phone. Download the Canvas app. The app allows for easy access to your assignments, test dates, quizzes

The professors at AACC are dedicated to helping their students through any challenging part of their course.

Photo by Khadean Coombs

and any PowerPoints your professor may have uploaded. Many professors upload their lecture notes and PowerPoints onto Canvas. The Canvas app allows students to study these notes and presentations at the palm of your hand right up to the minute before your test begins. The app also allows you to take a quiz on your phone when you are stretched for time and can’t make it to a computer.

Tip 5. This could be strenuous for some and seem pointless to others, but trust us; it’s worth it. Bring your textbooks, notebooks, coursework and handouts to school. Yes, textbooks are heavy and often professors say to leave them at home, but they come in handy when you need to reference course material during class. Carrying all your handouts and coursework helps you to never forget assignments at home. Missed assignments kill grades.

We hope you find these tips useful, and that they will help you breeze through the spring semester and into the summer break.

Current Perspective

Why I voted for Donald Trump ing to be a president for all Americans, and he seems to believe, as I do, that we are a country with laws and those laws must be followed. I welcome diversity and culture, and, like Trump, I believe in America and I believe in strong borders.

I absolutely would encourage everyone to get behind him because we are weakening ourselves by allowing our country to become divided.

I think a simple unifier is understanding that we really are all in this together.

Every American citizen will be governed under the same president with the same laws, so take a step back and decide to work your hardest and do your best.

Piper Lewis Guest Columnist

To be very honest, the most prominent reason I voted for President-elect Donald Trump, besides agreeing with him ideologically, is that his opponent was Hillary Clinton. I could not get past the corruption of Clinton. I really do not understand why she was allowed to run for president.

When I listened to Trump announce his candidacy, I agreed with the specific points he made about our economy. But more than that, I trusted his reasons for running for president. This was not a calculated move that he conned his way into.

He watched the American economy grow weaker for years, and once it got so bad, he decided that he needed to try to help.

Trump says he is go-

First-time voter Piper Lewis explains why she voted for Donald Trump.

Photo by Britney Pieraldi

Our country is strong, and someone so full of patriotism can only make it stronger. For those who are hesitant about the incoming administration, a basic understanding of the division of power is reassurance in itself. There are checks and balances specifically in place so that power is not centralized; hence our judicial and legislative systems.

The point of all of this is to be happy. America will be a much happier place as we all come together in acceptance of things we cannot change and passion to grow in ways that we can.

Piper Lewis is a thirdyear political science major with a minor in communications.

what do you think?

Be our next guest columnist!

Contact Editor-In-Chief Jesse Johnson campuscurrent@gmail.com

Author speaks at MLK function Continued from page 1

versity and the University of Oxford.

During the interview, Moore, who also wrote the best-seller “The Work,” offered advice to AACC students.

“The key thing is to focus on skill set and then you want to focus on passion points,” said Moore, 38. “Work on things you actually care about, because if you actually care you’ll have a much better chance of getting things done.”

In the interview, Moore,

President-elect Donald Trump’s victory shocked many students at AACC, but a closer look at his educational policies could lift some spirits.

Trump plans to “Make America Great Again”; one way he intends to do that is to reform higher education laws.

“If the federal government is going to subsidize student loans, it has a right to expect that colleges work hard to control costs and invest their resources in their students,” Trump said during a speech in Ohio on Oct. 11.

“If colleges refuse to take this responsibility seriously, they will be held accountable.”

According to Trump’s campaign site, he plans to work with Congress on reforms to ensure universities are making an effort to reduce the cost of college and

King Jr. Memorial Committee, a non-profit organization, raised more than $250,000 in 2005 and 2006.

With the money raised, the committee hired sculptor Ed Dwight to build AACC’S MLK statue, which is the only one of King in Maryland.

AACC President Dawn Lindsay said the statue is “a symbol of courage.”

“The MLK statue is here for the community as well as our students,” Lindsay said. ”The MLK statue is a symbol of community interest, inclusivity and leaders in the past who see education as a prime factor.”

Campus Current gets new editor cember. Because Campus Current is a student organization, the SGA funds it and approves its editor.

Sharon O’Malley, the newspaper’s faculty adviser, called Johnson “a natural for the position. He’s a great

Trump on edu: minor changes Tony Petro Co-Editor

The annual breakfast at AACC is not the first honor the college has given to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In August 2006, AACC unveiled a bronze statue of the civil rights leader on West Campus.

The nine-foot, six-inch statue is mounted on a fivefoot granite base.

Behind the statue stands a stoned archway, which is filled with plaques that contain quotes from King’s landmark speeches.

Among them is his famous line: “Intelligence plus character, that is the good of true education.”

The Dr. Martin Luther

an entrepreneur, said it’s important that “we keep the legacy in mind. The legacy has to be about the act.”

The AACC annual MLK breakfast honors civic leaders and educators who best radiate the spirit of the late King, and echo his mission.

The theme of this year’s breakfast was “Making the Dream a Reality.”

Among the six honorees at the breakfast was speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Mike Busch of Anne Arundel County, who won the Alan Hillard Legum Humanitarian Award.

Continued from page 1

Editor Jesse Johnson reads Campus Current.

Photo by Britney Pieraldi

A legend on campus

writer, reporter and editor.

I’m sure he’ll take the paper to the next level.”

“I think Jesse is a very responsible guy,” Britney Pieraldi, the photo editor and graphic designer, said.

“I think he is very capable of [being] the editor-in-chief.”

Johnson replaced third-

year student Cody Colston, who was editor-in-chief during the fall semester and oversaw the relaunch of Campus Current, which had been dormant for a year.

Colston called Johnson “dedicated” and said he will be a “success.”

Colston stepped down

student debt in exchange for federal tax breaks.

Trump wants colleges to use tax savings for students, not themselves; he said he intends for colleges President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to reto use that money to cut stu- form higher education laws. dent debt and tuition costs.

Photo courtesy of Conservative Political Action Conference Trump also said he plans to make sure the op- the curriculums at college. ple to join the military and portunity to attend college, Colleges could start to focus stay longer.” or pursue a trade or a skill their students more toward Nataf describes Trump’s through vocational and tech- engineering vocations due to foreign policy as “vague.” No nical education, will be easi- his trade policies, in which he one can really tell if he wants er to access, pay for and fin- is attempting to keep more America to be aggressive or ish. jobs in the U.S. We could see become isolationist, Nataf “I really hope that a revitalization of manufac- said. Both would affect the Trump will do what he says turing.” military. he will do when it comes to Nataf also said Trump’s Liam Callaghan, a education,” freshman De- election could affect col- sophomore business adminsiree Gabor said. “I think he lege-age students in more istration major, said he voted has some good ideas but I ways than through his edu- for Trump because of Hillary just hope it happens.” cational policies.

Clinton’s scandals.

Dr. Daniel Nataf, a po“The military is a big “Trump is looking to litical science professor at thing to consider when dis- make changes, and I think AACC, called Trump’s poli- cussing Trump,” Nataf said. that’s exactly what America cies on education “thin” and “Trump says our military is needs right now,” he said. “hard to accomplish.” depleted. This may lead to Callaghan says he will Still, he said, “Trump’s the president creating incen- attend Trump’s inauguration presidency could change tives to persuade more peo- on Jan. 20.

in December to focus on work, grades and transferring to a four-year college in the fall.

Joining Johnson on the Campus Current staff this semester are Jacob Baumgart, the paper’s new advertising manager, and Brad Dress, the new associate editor.

Judge OKs extension Continued from page 1

qualified white female candidates” were appointed to positions he applied for.

Prior to filing, Cerkovnik lodged a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which referred the matter to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.

The result, according to the legal document, was a hostile work environment for the plaintiff and “even more retaliation from the college.”

Cerkovnik’s complaint said he filed the lawsuit because he was “unsuccessful at obtaining appropriate relief from the administrative agencies.”

Cerkovnik worked at AACC from 1989 until 2015, and now holds a directorial position with Montgomery College’s STEM initiative.

Cerkovnik and his attorney have declined to comment on the case, as have representatives for AACC.

4 | Campus current | 2017 | January

January | 2017 | campus current | 5

Students recommend taking winter classes

Students look for new ways to buy textbooks

How to save money on textbooks To save money on textbooks: • Download the AACC bookstore app. Check the price of textbook rentals, e-books, and both new and used books.

• Compare AACC bookstore prices with other sellers online and in retail shops.

• Buy online versions of your textbooks, also known as e-books. They’re less expensive than hard copies.

• Buy used books to save at least 25 percent compared with new textbooks.

• Look for the textbook exchange wall just outside of the AACC Bookstore. You’ll find deals there for used texts.

• Check out these websites for good deals: www.chegg. com; www.valorbooks.com; www.textsurf.com.

Khadean Coombs Tony Petro Co-Editors

Approximatley 1,200 students enrolled in winter courses at AACC in 2017.

In an informal poll of 20 students on campus during the first two weeks of January, 15 said they took a winter class because they can earn credits quickly. Twoweek Winter Session classes earn students three credits.

“I want to finish my credits as fast as I can so I can graduate sooner,” Yuelun Lin, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said. “Winter classes are really short and [they] get you ready for the spring and get you more credits.”

Ten students in the poll said the two-week semester is a lot of work.

Freshman Judi Handel browses the bookstore for cheap books.

Photo by Khadean Coombs 88 percent since 2006. “[When I was in college] I paid $50 for a textbook that would be $80 now, but it’s all relative to income and current inflation,” AACC Bookstore Manager Christopher Wirth said.

Wirth said AACC has a policy requiring a textbook for every course.

Professors said they consider both content and affordability when they choose textbooks for their courses.

“I design my [student] outlines right along with the textbook,” psychology pro-

fessor Diane Smith said. “I would like for my students to have [textbooks] with them.”

Wirth said he understands some students struggle to pay.

“When students are in positions where your income is relative to your expenses, it can be a burden,” Wirth said.

“Let’s face it, when you buy a textbook you’re not buying something you chose to read; it’s something you’re required to read. If you have to pay $200 for a book and you’re a student, you got to weigh your [expenses].”

“Winter courses are a lot of work, but the professors are good and they don’t overload you,” Valentina Ojeda, a sophomore, said. “I chose a class that I liked and that was easy for me.”

“You have to stay on top of your work and don’t screw around,” Liam Callaghan, a sophomore business administration major, said. “You really have to buckle down, but it’s definitely worth the quick credits.”

Winter classes allow students to take fewer courses in the spring and fall semesters.

“I have to take five classes in the spring to graduate, but I don’t have time for that, so I took a winter course to split it up,” Megan Ladabouche, a sophomore transfer studies major, said.

“I work part-time and took

off these two weeks for this class. I do my homework in the evenings and basically have no social life, but I would recommend taking a winter course.”

Freshman T.J. Demerto agreed.

“I have work outside of school and I have to ask my boss for time off to get my school work done, but if you have the time and determination to [take a winter course], then do it,” Demerto, criminal justice major, said.

All students in the poll said they recommend taking a winter course.

“I would highly recommend taking one,” Spencer Schwink, a sophomore, said.

“It is a lot of work, but it’s not too much to handle, so show up to class, pay attention and do all of your homework.”

Earn your bachelor’s degree at Frostburg State University at community college tuition rates through FSU’s Associate Degree Scholarship Program: • • • •

WINTER WONDERLAND?

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During the January winter session from Jan. 3 to 13, students find a nearly empty campus.

“I recommend taking a winter class because it’s not spread out so you can really focus on the material,” said Louis Brown, a sophomore

transfer studies major who took a communications class.

“I make sure I always look at my calendar and budget my time outside of class.”

Photo By Brad Dress

It’s easy to transfer to Frostburg State University.

• You’ll get a complete transfer credit evaluation when you’re admitted, so you’ll know exactly what courses will transfer to Frostburg before you pay your tuition deposit.

• If you have any questions about the transfer process, you’ll have access to the FSU transfer coordinator and FSU academic advisors.

Apply now for Fall 2017!

Students work in the library between classes during the Winter Session.

Photo by Tony Petro

Photo By Khadean Coombs

students, all admitted to purchasing textbooks, but not reading them.

Most of those students bought their textbooks from the bookstore, and one bought books online.

The College Board found in August that the average college student spends up to $1,200 on textbooks and supplies a year.

However, in the campus poll, the students said they spend between $80 and $900 on textbooks and supplies.

AACC students are losing interest in reading their textbooks and some are seeking cheaper alternatives.

“There’s alternatives,” second-year chemistry major Lea Raffitt said. “You can usually find them cheaper online like [at] Chegg.”

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the price of textbooks increased

Photo By James Whitley

The AACC Bookstore is a beacon for students during the first two weeks of classes.

“I waited in line for what felt like hours” last semester, second-year transfer studies major Tia Aponte said. “I didn’t even use half

the books I bought.”

However, Aponte said that’s not the worst part.

When it came time to sell her books back to the bookstore, newer editions of the texts had made hers worthless.

“It’s not worth it; I don’t even buy books anymore,” Aponte said.

In an informal poll of 10

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Photo By Britney Pieraldi

Monica Hager Reporter

6 | Campus current | 2017 | January

January | 2017 | campus current | 7

Board ready to appoint 2017-18 student trustee Tony Petro Co-Editor

dents don’t normally get to.”

The Office of Student Engagement advertised for a replacement board member in December, and will accept applications until Jan. 23.

Director of Student Engagement Christine Storck said the college will announce the new student trustee this spring.

Storck said she receives about two to six applications each year.

AACC is the only one of the 16 Maryland community

The AACC Board of Trustees is in the process of replacing its sole student member.

Sophomore Adam Hertz’s one-year term on the board will end on July 1.

He said this year has been a great opportunity for him.

“It’s been a big responsibility,” Hertz said. “I get to work with a lot of great people and see a lot of things stu-

Free Welcome Back to School Breakfast Monday, Jan. 23 9-11 a.m: SUN Dining Hall Wire Art

Upcoming Events Calendar

Tuesday, Jan. 24 11 a.m-1 p.m: SUN Dining Hall

AACC Dance Company Spring Auditions Tuesday, Jan. 24

colleges with a student trustee who has voting power.

“I think it is a real testimony to our commitment to the opinions of our students,” AACC President Dawn Lindsay said.

Hertz said his tenure as a trustee has been fun, but difficult to juggle with work and school.

“I can actually help other students with the knowledge I’ve gained and my personal relationships with the higher-ups at the college,” Spin Art T-shirt

Wednesday, Jan. 25 12- 4 p.m: SUN Dining Hall

Free Chick-fil-A Thursday, Jan. 26 12-1 p.m: SUN 202

AACC offers Adult Basic Skills classes that help pass GED test Megan Ladabouche Reporter

Student trustee Adam Hertz’s term on the AACC Board of Trustees will end July 1.

Photo by Tony Petro Hertz said of his experience. “[The student trustee] gets to make sure all the board decisions are in the best interest of the students,” Storck said.

Storck said a committee will interview each applicant for the position and send its AACC Jazz Ensemble “200..ISH” Sunday, Jan. 29

Drag-A-Palooza Auditions

Throwback Time Machine Dance Party Friday, Jan. 27 8 a.m-12 p.m: SUN Dining Hall

Friday, Feb. 3 3- 4 p.m: Humanities 112

Club Cafe

Monday, Feb. 6 2-3 p.m: Careers 240

AACC’s $100,000 Business Pitch Competition

recommendation to Lindsay for approval.

Then, Lindsay will send the recommendation for Hertz’s replacement to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who will appoint the new trustee and swear the student into office.

Share the Love Paint Nite Tuesday, Feb.14 6-8 p.m: SUN 100

The Magic Flute Opera Performance

● Friday, Jan. 27: 7:30 -10 p.m. ● Saturday, Jan. 28: 7:30 -10 p.m. ● Sunday, Jan. 29: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. ● Wednesday, Feb. 1: 7:30 – 10 p.m. ● Friday, Feb. 3: 7:30 – 10 p.m.

The Kauffman Theater

Tershia Richardson struggled to attend a mandatory internship that would have allowed her to graduate during her senior year of high school, so she decided to drop out.

During her last year, Richardson faced complications with her pregnancy that made it hard to continue attending that required work study program.

Richardson, like many others, eventually passed the General Education Development test, receiving her Maryland high school diploma after attending Adult Basic Skills classes at AACC. Adult Basic Skills class-

es are offered to help students learn the core subjects on the GED test: mathematics, social studies, science and reading.

Rena Burkowsky, curriculum coordinator of Adult Basic Skills at AACC, said she has noticed multiple themes among students who drop out of school and return to AACC to take these classes, such as lack of transportation, childcare or confidence.

“That makes it hard for them to attend on a regular basis or to work as hard as they could be because they have other worries,” Burkowsky said.

Since AACC began offering Adult Basic Skills classes, 2,754 students have earned their Maryland high

school credentials.

During the 2016 program year—from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016—778 students registered for Adult Basic Skills classes at AACC. More than 290 students have enrolled for 2017, according to Burkowsky.

In October 2016, 47 students attended the GED Graduation and Student Recognition ceremony. One hundred more received their certificates throughout 2016.

Kaitlyn Beasley said she dropped out of high school because she thought it would be more convenient than studying and graduating.

After getting a concussion one day at work, falling into depression and then finding trust in a therapist,

Students use creative excuses to ditch class

Beasley earned her GED last fall. Two days later, she met with an academic adviser at AACC to register for credit classes.

At the GED ceremony, Sandra Jones, assistant dean for continuing professional education and special populations, told the graduates, “We are all very proud of you and we know you will continue learning. … Remember we are always here for you as you seek to continue to redefine yourself.”

Years after she dropped out of high school, Richardson completed the National External Diploma Program last fall after passing the GED test. Days later, she registered for credit classes through AACC.

AACC offers classes to help students pass their GED requirements.

Photo by Megan Ladabouche She now works at a dental office after completing the dental program at AACC.

Get out of class free These are the nine most effective excuses for skipping class, according to College Magazine.

ah Deal, a freshman, said.

“I even poured water on my face and went in shaking when I talked to her to make it more believable.”

According to a Harvard University survey of more than 3,000 students, 28 percent of students gave professors a false excuse when, in fact, 30 percent simply didn’t feel like coming in and 19 percent just wanted more sleep.

“I tell my pig-headed male professors that it is my time of the month and they ask no further questions,” Titilayo Cgunduyilemi, a visual arts major, said.

Traffic, car accidents and cars breaking down are a few other excuses used repeatedly. “[One] morning when I overslept, I told my teacher I got into a car accident on Route 50 and my car nearly flipped over,” Tyler Creswell, a freshman business major, said.

Some students claim to stun their professors with their excuses. One student couldn’t stop laughing as he recalled his “most ingenious excuse.”

“One time I really did not feel like staying in class

so I rubbed a greasy breakfast sandwich on the back of my pants and told the teacher I had explosive diarrhea,”

Tony Lombardi, a sophomore transfer studies major, said. “Needless to say, I was excused.”

If you aspire to own your own business, join us for the kick-off event January 31st

Brad Dress Co-Editor

Contact Stephanie Goldenberg at slgoldenberg@aacc.edu

AACC students may anonymously report crimes to campus police via the college’s website.

The Silent Witness Crime Tip allows students to fill out an online form anonymously about any crimes they may have witnessed or been a victim of.

According to police, students have only used the form twice—and police said

it has been available for at least 10 years.

Police said one of those tips was a practical joke, as the anonymous tipster claimed to report to the “fashion police” that someone was wearing white pants after Labor Day. The other tip, reported last year, alerted police about someone consuming and possibly selling illicit drugs in a car on campus.

According to Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer,

when a student submits a tip, key authorities in the department receive an email, and the police investigate it as a crime.

“It’s another tool,” Kapfhammer said about the form.“If we did have a problem, someone could report.”

Kapfhammer said most police departments have some form of anonymous tipping program.

Another form, a care/ concern report, is also available on AACC’s website. This

form is for students indicating a specific harmful incident or crime.

Students may enter the type of crime, location, date, suspect’s name and why they think a crime is occurring.

An optional box at the end for contact information indicates whether the students will remain anonymous or are willing to talk to campus police.

The Silent Witness Crime Tip can be found on AACC’s website.

Kick-off Event and Information Meeting Tuesday, January 31 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Careers Building, Rm 340

Guest Speaker: Andrew Carlson, Business Banker, AVP Capital One Bank Learn from a banker's perspective what an investor wants to know when you pitch your business

Lauren Hartman Reporter

AACC students said they can usually get out of class or turn in an assignment late if they give their professors the go-to “I’m sick” excuse.

In an informal poll of 10 students, half said they have used a fake health issue to miss a class, while the other half gave excuses ranging from car trouble to technology malfunctions.

“I had a minor cold but told the teacher that I was sick with pneumonia,” Azi-

Learn how YOU can compete in AACC’s $100,000 Business Pitch Competition

Visit www.aacc.edu/esi for details

Silent Witness is a crime tip service on AACC’s website.

Photo by Brad Dress

1. Food poisoning 2. Jury duty 3. Diarrhea 4. Allergic reaction 5. Car accident 6. Dental emergency 7. Locked keys in car 8. Stolen car 9. Head lice

Silent Witness available online

8 | Campus current | 2017 | January

January | 2017 | campus current | 9

Chief brings Lot Patrol back to AACC campus

High schoolers get Jump Start Jacob Baumgart Advertising Manager

“I spend most of my time running back and forth between high school and college.” ­ High school senior Casey — Thomas

the rankings] does that high school want to encourage students to leave and go to college?” Korbelak asks.

Korbelak says U.S. News & World Report determines these rankings by the proportion of Advanced Placement students a school has.

She says she believes schools

Shaq Worrell Tony Petro Reporter & Co-Editor

Jacob Baumgart gives insight to the daily lifes of Jump Start students.

Photo by James Whitley

High school senior Jacob Baumgart gives insight into students who are in the Early College Access Program, also known as Jump Start.

Photo by James Whitley ranked highly will push students to take more AP classes instead of college courses.

However, 20 percent of ECAP students come from the county’s top-ranked institution in the report, Severna Park High School.

Though Korbelak suspects counselors encourage students to take AP classes instead of AACC courses, many learners say they have no trouble doing both.

Arundel High School senior Keegan O’Donnell claims he manages to balance his three AP classes and his accounting course at AACC. “The challenge is I have to deal with stupid people,” O’Donnell, the only high

Students say advisers help transfer process Shaq Worrell Reporter

AACC professors and advisers are doing a good job of preparing students for the transfer to four-year universities, according to an informal poll on campus.

“The advisers do a great

job helping you transition step by step,” said Molly Gordon, a third-year childhood education major.

Nationwide studies show one in five community college students transfers to a four-year institution. Sixty percent of them earn bachelor’s degrees within four

Students Khadean Coombs and Tony Petro prepare to transfer to Towson University.

Photo by James Whitley

years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.

“It’s a huge change,” Mike Nunn, a sophomore studying cyber security, said.

“But I think [AACC] is preparing me.”

Still, some students said no amount of counseling or coursework is enough to prepare students for a fouryear. “The transition might still be difficult,” said Lauren Barber, a senior forensics major at the University of Baltimore who takes a class at AACC. Robert Melchor, a sophomore chemical engineering major, said AACC gave him some “insight” of what to expect once he transfers to a four-year college.

school student in his class, says of his AACC experience.

Arundel High School classmate Ana Mellos agrees her psychology class at AACC is easy.

Mellos says one of her biggest challenges is waiting for the elevator at the Arundel Mills campus.

“The elevator takes five years,” Mellos says.

However, not all ECAP students have as few struggles as O’Donnell and Mellos.

For Meade High School senior Casey Thomas, her adjustming to college life has been more difficult. She takes four classes at AACC on top of two at her high school.

“At the beginning [of the

school year] it was very overwhelming and I didn’t know if I could make it all of the semester,” Thomas explains.

Thomas added that the biggest casualty from her studies is her social life.

“I spend most of my time running back and forth between high school and college,” Thomas says. “My friends are [having fun] and I’m here studying.”

Thomas’ juggling act is a rarity in the ECAP. Fitzpatrick says she would tell future ECAP students not to be stressed.

“People say [AP classes] are so much harder than college classes and that’s so true,” Fitzpatrick says.

Fitted with a bright yellow vest, sophomore Marcia Howard approached a sedan in the very back of a West Campus parking lot removed from everything, which is an unusual place to park, and especially at night. Inside, she saw a sleeping couple: a homeless man and his girlfriend.

She quickly called AACC’s Police Department, and officers shooed the couple from the campus.

Like six other students, Howard is a member of the Police Department’s Lot Patrol and walks the campus parking lots, looking for po-

tential problems and alerting police when she finds them.

“It’s very rewarding to help people and to be a presence in the parking lots to let students know they are safe here at AACC,” Howard said.

The Lot Patrol program hires full-time students to work part-time with the Police Department.

AACC’s Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety, Sean Kapfhammer, resurrected the Lot Patrol program upon his arrival in June.

“The Lot Patrol program helps morale on campus,” Kapfhammer said.

“People feel safer when they see a patrol person walking around.”

In the first week of classes last semester, Howard went through the necessary background checks to become one of the seven students patrolling AACC’s parking lots.

“I decided to apply because [Lot Patrol] is very different from anything I have ever done before,” Howard said. “I also enjoy it because I get to be active in the AACC community.”

Howard said working with Lot Patrol has been rewarding and has made her feel she is a part of something bigger. “[Lot Patrol] is like nothing I have ever done before. And I have definitely logged plenty of miles walking,” Howard said.

Crime rates reach low in 2016; best in years Brad Dress Co-Editor

AACC had its lowest crime rate in six years in 2016, according to a Campus Current tally of Public Safety Department records.

Campus police responded to 74 crimes last year. The majority of the crimes happened on the Arnold main campus, followed by the Glen Burnie Town Center campus.

The Arundel Mills campus had only two crimes, both vandalisms. The AACC Cyber Center, located in Hanover, Maryland, had only one—a disorderly conduct.

In both 2010 and 2011, police responded to 153

crimes. The following year, crime decreased to 112 incidents but in 2013, crime shot up to 149 reports. The crimes totaled 140 in 2014. However, in 2015 crimes were down to 81.

Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer said the low rates at the college could be because of high police visibility and the lack of dorms on campus.

Last year’s lower number may be the result of the added Lot Patrol, which the chief brought back in 2016. Kapfhammer also said the addition of armed police officers and higher levels of training in 2014 could have brought crime down.

“We’re going to contin-

ue what we did last year,” Kapfhammer said about preventing crime in 2017.

“We’re going to continue the [Community Emergency Response Team] program and we’re going to continue Lot Patrol.”

The program, Kapfhammer said, trains student and faculty volunteers to prepare them for an emergency.

Students at AACC said they feel safe on campus.

“Campus [authorities are] very aware of safety,” Lisa Gardner, a first-year nursing major, said.

“For all the things that are going around, with people dying, it feels good to come to school and not worry

Kapfhammer said. “They’re rushing to get a spot and they’re not paying attention, and that causes the accident.”

During the first two weeks of the fall semester, 12 students were in car accidents on campus.

Kapfhammer offered advice about what students can do in case of an accident.

“They should immediately call [the Department of] Public Safety to come

out,” Kapfhammer said. “We either take a police report or mediate the exchange of information.”

To avoid accidents on campus, Kapfhammer said, “Obviously don’t text and drive. Don’t talk on your cellphone while you’re driving.

Drive the speed limit and be aware of your surroundings.”

According to a U.S. News & World Report study, more than three-quarters of

Freshman Jimmy Nyugen tickets a car for Lot Patrol.

Photo by Khadean Coombs Jimmy Nguyen, a freshman electrical engineering major working part-time with Lot Patrol, said he puts Crime Prevention Reminder tickets on at least one car a day.

“It’s a pretty slow job for the most part, but sometimes we see some cool stuff,” Nguyen said of his patrol shifts. “One time I saw a dog left in a car, and one time I saw a couple having sex in their car. I give tickets to let drivers know we are here for

number of crimes

AACC elementary education student Molly Fitzpatrick says she loves her Broadneck third-graders.

Although she claims her course’s requirement to teach an elementary math class is rewarding, she had to sacrifice her job.

“I had to give up a nannying job,” Fitzpatrick says.

The teacher had to give up more than professional opportunities to earn her chance at the elementary school; she also had to give up high school classes.

While Fitzpatrick takes a math education class at AACC, she is also a senior at Broadneck High School.

“I skipped my college class, [and] ... my high school class to be with [my students] at their Halloween party,” Fitzpatrick says.

Fitzpatrick earned her chance to take the teaching class through the Early College Access Program.

The partnership between Anne Arundel County Public Schools and AACC allows high schoolers to take classes at the community college for a reduced price.

As the ECAP students attempt to earn college cred-

its, many say they have little trouble balancing high school, college and social lives.

Anne Arundel County Board of Education President Stacy Korbelak encourages high school students to take advantage of this opportunity if they can.

“It teaches you to learn independence and [experience] that college world,” Korbelak says.

While the opportunity is available to all county public school students 16 or older, Korbelak suspects some high school counselors discourage their teens from taking AACC classes.

“You’ve got this outside party who’s ranking high schools. … If any of our high schools are in the top [of

POLICE BEAT

153 149 140 112 81 74

AACC crime rates over 7 years

2010 2011 2012 2013

While few students were on campus during the Winter Session, faculty members came together on Jan.11 for a convocation.

Photo by James Whitley

More students are in car accidents during the first two weeks of the semester than during any other time, AACC’s police chief said.

Police Chief Sean Kapfhammer attributed the crashes to students who are unfamiliar with the campus.

“Maybe they don’t get here soon enough for class,”

2014 2015 2016

Illustration by Britney Pieraldi about anything,” Birva Patel, a second-year engineering major, said.

The most frequent crimes in 2016 were thefts, with 23 throughout the year.

Other crimes included nine vandalisms, nine disorderly conducts, four harassments and six assaults.

The least-common crimes included a drug offense, sexual harassment, trespassing, robbery and a weapons law violation, at one each. In addition, a student attempted suicide on campus in September.

The robbery, police

Crashes soar at start of school James Whitley Co-Editor

them, but mostly I call the officers in and let them do their jobs.”

Additionally, Lot Patrol can escort anyone on the Arnold, Arundel Mills or Glen Burnie Town Center campuses who has requested one. The service escorts any guest, student, faculty or staff member.

To request a Lot Patrol escort, call 410-777-1818, or activate the Code Blue Emergency phones around the campus.

college student drivers text while driving.

Kapfhammer said the most common type of car accidents are minor fender benders. He said he hasn’t seen any fatal accidents since he took the job in June. Campus drivers were in 79 accidents in 2016. Out of those, 29 were hit-and-runs.

Traffic and parking regulations on the AACC website inform students and faculty

said, happened on the Glen Burnie Town Center campus, where a student held a knife to a victim and robbed him.

According to police, the weapons violation, also at Glen Burnie, involved a student with pepper spray and a folding knife.

The attempted suicide happened on the Arnold main campus in September. when a student attempted to leap off the second floor of the library with a rope around his neck, police said.

Other crimes included animal abuse, fraud, bad checks and obscene material.

Chief Sean Kapfhammer says car crashes increase the first two weeks of every semester.

Photo by James Whitley they must park safely, yield to pedestrians and park in the spots. Offenders may have to pay fines, of either $15 or $35.

They may also lose their right to park on campus.

10 | Campus current | 2017 | January

January | 2017 | campus current | 11

AACC set to host ‘17, ’19 Women’s Lax tourneys

Athletes make AD’s honor roll

AACC will host the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association Women’s Lacrosse national tournament in May. The NJCAA asked Athletic Director Duane Herr to host the 2017, 2018 and 2019 national tournaments. Herr said he declined the 2018 offer and accepted the invitation for 2017 and 2019.

Herr said the college bid on the tournaments in late 2015. The NJCAA considered the community that surrounds the college, the condition of the athletic fields, the size of the facility, the amount of staff support and the technology available, according to Herr.

Thirty-three student athletes earned spots on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll on Jan. 4 for the fall sports season.

The Athletic Director’s Honor Roll started in fall 2015. Inlcuding this year, 89 students made the AD honor roll. To qualify, athletes must play one of the 11 sports at AACC, earn 12 or more credits and finish the semester with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

AACC’s Athletic Director, Duane Herr, started the honor roll to give student athletes more recognition on and off the field.

“Most of the Maryland Junior Colleges give accolades for a 3.5 or better. We thought a 3.0 was still a very high GPA especially given the workload they’re going through with participation and sports,” Herr said.

Herr said the goal of the honor roll is to show student athletes their hard work in the classroom gets noticed .

“It’s not a bragging piece but it’s something for them to feel good about,” Herr said. “It goes to show they’re athletes but they’re

Megan Ladabouche Reporter

“[The NJCAA] wanted to make sure its [tournament location] is appealing for the community involved, but also for the national stage,” Herr said.

Herr said the athletic department will assemble a tournament staff this semester.

2017 NJCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament Dates: May 13-14 Women’s Lacrosse head coach Jim Griffiths said it takes a lot of work to get ready for the tournament.

“Obviously it’s exciting to host it, but it’s a big responsibility and a lot of work for our athletic department,”

Griffiths said. “Provided we make it to nationals, it will be a big advantage to play at home.”

A lot goes in to hosting a national tournament, Herr agreed. The responsibilities include finding a speaker, booking a hotel for a banquet, setting up film crews and reaching out to the community through the campus public relations department, and arranging for crowd control and organization the weekend of the tournament.

“It’s more than just a normal game for us, but once Saturday and Sunday come and all those things are in place, then it just becomes the normal set-up,” Herr said.

The Women’s Lacrosse season starts March 5.

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AACC Athletic Director Duane Herr is ready to host the National Women’s Lacrosse Tournament.

Photo by Brad Dress

Men’s baseball hoping to improve on last year James Whitley Co-Editor

Nathaniel Anthony, shortstop and captain for the baseball team, said he hopes to become more of a leader this season.

Photo by James Whitley

James Whitley Co-Editor

AACC’s Men’s Baseball has a new head coach for the upcoming season.

After what the players described as a “disappointing” season last year, head coach Carl Brooks resigned, and Athletic Director Duane Herr hired a previous volunteer assistant coach, Chris Jenkins, for the baseball team.

“It didn’t go as well as what coach Brooks hoped it did,” Jenkins said about last season. “We had good players; we just ran into some tough games. They did well, but we didn’t reach our full potential.”

Ryan Dinko, the starting first baseman, said the team couldn’t click well to-

gether last season.

“The team had great chemistry and we had a lot of talented guys,” Dinko said.

“But unfortunately, we just never went through a stretch where we all clicked at once.

When we did, we could beat anybody.”

Jenkins said the team’s record will depend on its pitchers.

“We have good pitchers,” Jenkins said. “We have a couple weeks in a row where we have a lot of games. How far our pitchers go each game will dictate how well we’re going to be the next game.”

The players said they have high hopes for the new coach.

“I think coach Chris was the best choice for this school,” Dinko said. “He

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pointed out things to me during a game that I never thought of myself.”

“He’s a great guy,” Nathaniel Anthony, the starting shortstop and team captain, said. “Very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience.

He’s a huge step up from last year.”

Anthony said he hopes to become more of a leader this season.

“I think I need to improve on being a more vocal captain,” Anthony said. “I like to lead by example but being more vocal would be better.”

AACC’s Men’s Baseball season begins Feb. 4 at Florence-Darlington Technical College.

The team ended the 2016 season with a record of 18-29.

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students first.”

One of the recipients, basketball player Marcus Dentley, said it feels good to be recognized in the classroom and it helps with transferring.

“It feels really good. I worked hard in the classroom so it’s nice to make the AD’s Honor Roll,” Dentley, a sophomore, said. “Four-year [colleges] always look for good grades and I’m trying to stay on top of my grades so I can transfer in the near future.”

Another recipient, soccer player Mark Jacoby, said working hard in the classroom paid off.

“It was challenging to stay on top of my school work with all the practices and games,” Jacoby said. “I worked hard to make sure I maintained high grades and it paid off.”

Jacoby said he feels accomplished with what he had to juggle.

“I have always had to juggle soccer with school over the past few years and I love the feeling when I see my final grades,” Jacoby, a sophomore, said. “Receiving As makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.”

Men’s Basketball Co-captain Marcus Dentley earns the award for JUCO Athlete of the Month and a spot on the Athletic Director’s honor roll.

Photo by Brad Dress

AACC basketball player wins JUCO’s top award Brad Dress Co-Editor

An AACC Men’s Basketball team co-captain won the Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference Student Athlete of the Month award for November.

Maryland JUCO gave the award to Marcus Dentley, a second-year student, co-captain and foward for the Men’s Basketball team at AACC . “[Marcus] is one of the most unselfish basketball players on the team,” Joe

Student earns $10K in NASCAR’s competition James Whitley Co-Editor

An AACC student won a $10,000 scholarship from NASCAR on Nov. 6, which she used to transfer to James Madison University.

Rachael Frost, an engineering major, won the firstplace prize from NASCAR’s Diversity Scholarship.

Frost was able to explain the physics of drafting in her video submission.

Drafting is a tactic in which two or more cars are used to achieve a speed faster than one can go by itself.

Frost is attending James Madison University to get her engineering degree.

Frost said winning this scholarship meant a lot, given what she has gone through.

“It has been a complete struggle,” Frost said. “My dad died in high school and my mom moved to Pennsylvania … so getting this scholarship is absolutely incredible. It pays for almost a full semester.”

Frost said she grew up watching NASCAR. “My family always had it on in the background,” Frost said. “Jimmie Johnson is my lifelong favorite.”

Jimmie Johnson is a NASCAR driver for Hendrick’s Motorsports.

Frost said she didn’t want to be an engineer at first.

“My mom is an engineer,” Frost said. “She’s always wanted me to be one, too, since I’m good at math and science.”

Director of NASCAR’s

Multicultural Development Dawn Harris said the company started the scholarships in a joint initiative with Chevrolet.

“Chevrolet is one of NASCAR’s official partners,” Harris said. “They have a portion of the sponsorship that is targeted toward our multicultural development department. So we used those funds to create the NASCAR and Chevrolet Diversity Scholarship to focus on students taking [science, technology, engineering and math] based classes.”

Harris also said the goal of this scholarship is to show it’s not just mechanical engineers behind the scenes at NASCAR. “There are literally hundreds of STEM-based applications that exsist in our

Snowden, the head basketball coach, said. “He is going to listen and do exactly what you ask him to do.”

“He works hard, he puts in a lot of work,” Co-Captain Larry Stevenson, said. “He gets everyone back on track and keeps this team together.”

JUCO receives nominations from all the junior colleges before reviewing each candidate.

AACC Athletic Director Duane Herr, along with sports information specialist Zachary Malone, nominated

Dentley for the position.

According to JUCO, Dentley averaged 23.7 points per game, 9.89 rebounds per game and had three double-doubles in November.

Maryland JUCO ranks Dentley as No.1 in Maryland JUCO’s Men’s Basketball.

Dentley said he juggles many responsibilities. He works at Olympia Sports, is a full-time student and has practice every day.

Dentley started playing basketball when he was 8 and hasn’t stopped since, the award winner said.

Former AACC student Rachael Frost (far right) wins $10,000 in NASCAR’s Diversity Scholarship contest.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR sport,” Harris said. “Another reason was to get students to think about how their particular area of study can be applicable in a career in motorsports.”

Frost said she hopes to

apply to NASCAR’s internship program next summer.

When Frost gets her degree, she said she wants to combine engineering and ministry in some way as she pursues her career.

12 | Campus current | 2017 | January