The Eagle Northeast Texas Community College
Volume 34, Issue 7
Friday, March 24, 2017
ntcceagleonline.com
Task force working on new Northeast campus carry policy By Daniel Yanez Editor-in-Chief
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| daniel yanez
Jessica Soc, Stephania Juarez and Maria Ramirez, members of the Amigos Unidos and Student Success organizations, get ready to serve the crowd during The Eagle’s fundraising barbecue cook off.
In June 2015 Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Texas Senate Bill 11. Also know as the “Campus Carry” law, the bill authorizes the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on college campuses across the state. The law has been in effect since August 2016 for four-year colleges and universities, but has now made its way to the doors of smaller community campuses and will become active Aug. 1, 2017. While NTCC does not have a full or disclosed policy yet, the
college has assigned a task force committee to research SB 11 as well as adhering policies from other colleges and universities. The law has in part sparked debates and controversy across the state regarding concerns for safety and the rights of others. “Our committee is reviewing a number of policies from universities across the state,” said Northeast President Brad Johnson. “The difference in approach from one university to the next can be very dramatic. The truth is that every college is in its own different situation.” The law requires that See Law pg. 2
Campus security encourages safety precautions By Kenzie Messer Managing Editor
A recent email from Security Director Russell Taylor to Northeast students, faculty and staff was a stark reminder for the entire campus community that security and safety issues need to be foremost on everyone’s mind. In the email, Taylor mentioned the lack of lighting in some areas due to the continued construction and the importance of being cautious in campus parking lots, especially during evening hours. During an interview, Taylor would not say if the email was prompted by a particular incident, but his correspondence did say, “If you see anyone lingering around in the parking lot that does not seem to “belong” or making you or others “uncomfortable” call security immediately.”
In the email he also encouraged use of what he called “the buddy system.” “When I was in basic training we were required to use the buddy system, so this is not a “Chicken Way,” Taylor wrote. “It is a very good system to have two people together when traveling in and out of parking lots etc. Especially now during renovations and much of the campus is darker than usual.” Sufficient outdoor lighting has been somewhat of an issue since construction began on the Northeast campus more than a year ago. WRL Superintendent Kelly Norris and Northeast Plant Services Director Tom Ramler both said that construction crews are currently working to get the lights back up across the campus. See Security pg. 2
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| daniel yanez
Much of the lighting removed during construction has been restored during the past few weeks. The campus does, however, still have some areas where lack of lighting is an issue.
Progress continues on numerous projects By Nubia Sanchez Staff Writer
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| daniel yanez
Francisco Garcia of J.E. Masonry in Dallas lays bricks on the wall in the new circle. The U.S., Texas and Northeast flagpoles will be placed in the new area.
For Northeast students, faculty and staff adjusting to the ongoing construction projects is like adjusting to the seasons here in Texas, never knowing what to expect. As the construction frenzy nears the end of the 18-month project, there are still some big moves for students to expect. One of those will be the relocation of the Northeast College Store to the Student Union Building. WRL Superintendent Kelly Norris said the move should take place in mid April. When the new store opens, the rest of the dining area in the SUB will open as well. The former location of the College Store will be converted into a computer lab. Norris said the construction of the new store has slowed some due to the heavy demolition that was required. He said there were concrete cinderblock walls and old tile that had to be removed from the area. Although there have been some obstacles in the way for the construction crews, Norris said, “We’re working around it, but we’re on track.” As the college store packs up and prepares to move, students should also prepare for some added elements to the bookstore. Bookstore Director Naomi Taylor said that the new layout of the store should be more functional for students and employees.
She said the store would be divided into different shopping sections, which will make it more convenient for shoppers. “It will be better organized with new displays and nice walking spaces, it is not as condensed,” Taylor said. ¨This will make it easier for customers to find items that they may be shopping for.¨ Taylor said she is looking forward to the change in location and ambiance as well as the bookstores´ expanded options and services. The SUB, where renovation efforts have also been taking place, is a hub for student life. Taylor said the traffic in the area would bring about a new feeling to the bookstore. “It is going to be nice to be in that atmosphere and it will be convenient for students and everyone,” said Taylor. Northeast college student Iliana Gonzalez said it would be a great idea for the College Store to be located in the SUB. “It will be a lot more useful and things will move faster and be essential and it would not be as crowded,” Gonzalez said. The grand opening for the bookstore is set for May 1. As the grand opening approaches, the store will feature a t-shirt design contest for students. The contest will give students the opportunity to enter a design to be featured on store shelves. The winner will receive a free shirt for themselves and See Construction pg. 2
Alpha Mu Chi sweep awards
By Ryan Rose-Mendoza Staff Writer
The Northeast Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa returned from the Texas Regional Convention with awards in nearly every category they entered. “This is the second biggest convention for Phi Theta Kappa in our state,” Dylan McConnell, chapter vice president, said. “And, to see all our hard work pay off in this way was such a wonderful way to start wrapping up our year.” The chapter’s top award winning Honors In Action project focused on the theme
of Peace and War. Alpha Mu Chi decided their service project for the year would be to hold an event dubbed “The New Normal.” The project set out as a way to help veteran’s settle back into their daily lives after returning from combat. Throughout the year, the team came up with activities to relieve stress, sent Christmas cards to veterans on campus, and connected veteran students with scholarships and resources they might not know of otherwise. In November, Alpha Mu Chi offered an evening of calming activities that was not only open to veterans,
but also to their families as well as students and anyone else interested in attending the event. The keynote speaker for the evening was Professor Sony Tiwari who gave an interactive speech on the benefits of music therapy. Booths included calming hand and foot massages, tai chi, manicures and pedicures, aroma therapy and the organization also offered a dinner buffet of comfort foods. The chapter’s College Project is an undertaking designed to better the college in some way. This year the students set out to create a See PTK pg. 2
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| daniel yanez
The flags of Argentina, Italy, the United States, Texas and Venezuela fly at Eagle field during a recent game. The flags represent the home countries of the softball players.