3-17-2003

Class Romance

Marvin’s Museum

Wan Online Version of the Newspaper, E For N

Te a c h e r s , students find long-term relationships

Mechanical w o n d e r s dazzle the mind

Go to www.monroeccc.edu/agora/index.htm

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AGORA

THE

Inside...

Editorial.................pg. 2 Campus News........pg. 3 Feature...................pg. 4 Feature.................. pg. 5 A & E......................pg. 6 In the Mix..............pg. 7 Spotlight................pg. 8

MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

March 17, 2003

VOLUME 45

ISSUE 8

Code Yellow

Country awaits signals of terrorists attacks, war Photos courtesy of FEMA

By Veronica Terry Copy Editor The beginning of February, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that America’s chances of more terrorist attacks were “orange.”

One more level, one more color, and the entire nation would spin into a whirlwind of panic and anxiety.

Since then the level has returned to yellow, lowering the chances of attacks to “moderate.”

Following the events of Sept.

11, President Bush merged 22 U.S. defense agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Department of Defense into one department, known as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

This

program’s main goal is to protect Americans from any more terrorist attacks.

To keep communities better informed, the DHS has created the Homeland Security Advisory System and a system of public alerts, according to the DHS website. The level America stood at for almost a month, orange, is the second from the highest threat of red.

Orange simply means that the threat of attack is high, while red

means “an attack is imminent or under way,” CNN reported.

Government officials urged citizens not to panic over the prospect of terrorist attacks.

DHS Secretary Tom Ridge insisted that people continue preparing, but refrain from overdoing it.

But while the government advised society to remain calm, numerous organizations

unintentionally pumped up the anxiety. The American Red Cross launched the “Together We Prepare” Plan, which helps citizens organize an emergency kit, arrange an evacuation of the home, and set up a place to stay.

The plan covers every type of disaster, including natural, biological, and nuclear. In the see Yellow, page 7

College leans towards single platforms

By Joe McIntyre, Copy Editor & Kellie Vining, Reporter The Instructional Technology Committee (ITC) meeting held on Feb. 11, where Brian Lay, Manager of Information Systems presented the single microcomputer operating system, comparing it to a multiple microcomputer operating system.

According to a draft of meeting minutes, Lay then

presented a Power Point presentation, addressing the past, present and future of Monroe County Community College (MCCC) micro computing operating systems.” In his presentation Lay discussed issues inherent with a multi platform campus.

Lay then presented cost comparisons of IBM vs. MAC. John Joy, Dean of Corporate and Community Services stated, “In 19 years, he has never had a MAC training request,” Joy further added, “three out of 60 plus employment requests were MAC designated.”

Paul Knollman, Dean of the Business Division then voiced his concerns “that his division is able to provide the services needed by our students as they prepare to leave our college.”

According to Lay’s power point presentation functionality and compatibility are the main reasons for supporting a single platform operating system on MCCC campus.

Lay concluded his presentation with quotes from Ten Ways Colleges Can Cut IT Costs, saying, “That’s what we are trying to do.”

Following a meeting of the IT committee on March 25 recommendations will be made by Gail Odneal, Interim Vice President of Instruction, and Lonnie Brunswick, Vice President of Student and Information Services. Audrey Warrick will make a final decision based on their recommendations.

The Administration declined to comment on this controversy. The Agora will continue to report any new developments.

Arguments for a Single Platform • • • • • • • •

Macintosh software is not always the same as an IBM compatible machine.

Newer Macintosh systems do not support older type Mac serial communications.

Antivirus systems must be purchased separately for MAC The GroupWise client for Mac’s has not been updated since April 22, 1998 IBM compatible computers are faster overall than current Macintosh systems.

Updating Macintosh hardware is more expensive then upgrading IBM compatible hardware.

Prices for Macintosh system are higher than a comparable IBM compatible system Repair and replacement costs for Macintosh computers can be double of what it costs to repair a PC.

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EDITORIAL

The Agora

Jenna Koch

Two systems are better than one

By Jenn Stelmach Reporter

Past is prologue

Frenchtown. The name Frenchtown should denote more to area residents than a mall.

However, most people in Monroe are unaware that Frenchtown is not merely the name of our local shopping center and of a township, but is the embodiment of Monroe’s humble beginning.

French missionaries began coming into this territory as early as 1634, but it wasn’t until 1785 when Francois Navarre first came to this area from Detroit that a permanent settlement was created.

Navarre, according to www.monroeinfo.com/history, was deeded a piece of land along the north side of the River Raisin, or the Riviere aux Raisins as Navarre would have called it, by the Potowatomi Indian Tribe.

His farm, located at what today is 320 E. Front St. (now the site of the historical Sawyer House) became the center of this new French settlement. The new community became known as Frenchtown due to the many families who migrated here from the French settlements of Detroit, as well as Canada.

The community that began to grow around Navarre’s settlement became “only the third major community in Michigan in 1815,” according to www.monroecountymi.net.

Navarre’s home was used by General Winchester as his military headquarters during the River Raisin Battle of the War of 1812.

He was a leader of the French settlement, and served as a liaison between the American government and area settlers during the tumultuous time before British officials were officially removed from all American Territories, following the War of 1812.

Navarre was the first white settler of the town that we now call Monroe. Without his pioneer spirit the settlement of Frenchtown would never have been established. His 500-acre farm deeded to him by local Natives is what blossomed into this city that we now call home. So, Frenchtown means far more to Monroe residents than a place to purchase shoes and video games, Frenchtown is the name of Monroe’s past.

“What’s past is prologue” -William Shakespeare

Monroe County Community College

One of the biggest assets our college offers is the several large computer labs.

This allows students the opportunity to do research, type papers, learn programs such as Excel, prepare presentations, and even take online courses. It also provides means for students to contact each other, professors, register for classes, and access information about our college.

All of these are extremely valuable resources.

Several times I have had to come to campus and print out a paper before class, due to a malfunction of my personal printer. I have also been able to make last minute changes to papers and essays, mistakes that I caught only after I was preparing for class while on campus.

Luckily for myself, I have a personal computer at home, which makes my disks and programs compatible with the computers at school.

My disks are already formatted to the college computers and I can easily access information which I have worked on at home. This is not so for many Macintosh users. I have seen the panic in a student’s eyes when he or she puts their Mac formatted disk into a PC and cannot open the document that he or she desperately needs, because the two are not often compatible.

There has been great debate on our campus lately over the decision to be a single platform or multiple platform institution. This simply means that the campus will either be all PC’s or a mix of platforms.

I think Monroe County Community College should be a multiple platform college. While my personal preference lies

with personal computers, this does not mean that I will always be able to work on one.

Someday I may hold a job that only uses Macintosh’s in their office. As a future degree holding employee, I would be embarrassed if I couldn’t operate the type of computer chosen by my employer.

Learning now how to use both types would only make me more attractive as a potential employee. I would be able to possess a greater knowledge of computer systems and perhaps offer a quality to a certain place of employment that others could not.

And what about the students who own Macintosh computers? It would be wonderful for them to have the peace of mind that they can come to our college and work on

See Systems, page 7

Possible war causes panic

By Bethany Slovik Copy Editor People in Monroe County make mad dashes to local grocery stores to stock up on bottled water and other potentially useful supplies in case of disaster. In times of possible war, is it vital that we be uneasy, paranoid, and frightened to lose what we know as life?

Recent encounters with extremists have led me to believe that the possibility of being overly cautious and unreasonably suspicious is unusually and intolerably high. Only so much can be done for physical and mental preparation for future disasters or times of war, therefore, there is only so much you can do to try to live without hesitation before physical and emotional exhaustion occurs.

“As for the war, I’m not doing anything differently. I think stocking up on supplies isn’t a bad idea, but people should still try and act normally and go on with their daily lives without worrying too much about the war. It’s best to be prepared, but not paranoid”, Monroe County Community College (MCCC) student Andrea Poteet said.

Being cautious and aware of what is going on in our country and individual environments is vital, however it is also necessary to be knowledgeable about where we live and current events at any time, not only when the threat falls upon uncertain times.

“My family is stocking up on water, and we still have emergency candles from Y2K, so those might come in handy.

Personally I’m just trying to enjoy what I have now.

Because who knows what privileges can and will be taken

away”, MCCC student Emily Porter said.

People do not tend to act out of rational nature when disaster strikes. Out-of-charactercaused-chaos could easily be our most detrimental threat in the long run. Altered conditions can be expected but do not automatically cause negative circumstances.

I am trying to mentally condition myself for any potential event; however it seems impossible to be ready for the devastating affects of war. I have already witnessed a few accounts of people acting irrationally in an attempt to prepare and I’m trying to avoid going crazy.

I’ve seen people act in opposites, either joining the military in a quick attempt to defend the country and I’ve heard of others immediately going to Canada to avoid a future draft.

See Panic, page 7

The Agora Editorial Policy Mark Bergmooser Advisor The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Michigan, 48161. The editorial office is located in 202 of the Life Science Building, (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

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

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

Jenn Stelmach

Chew on This

Dear Jenn, I have a professor who is wacky and I sometimes don’t understand what he is telling us. I continue to ask him and I still don’t understand! A lot of people agree what should we do?

-Confused in Class Dear Confused, It is hard when you don’t understand what a professor is trying to teach. It leaves you wondering how you will pass, and if you can you begin to wonder if you can afford to drop the class.

Seriously talking to your professor and thoroughly expressing your concerns is the first step. Make sure he understands fully what the problem is. You may even need to share that other students are struggling with the same thing.

If this elicits no response, the next step may be to seek out assistance or tutoring in the LAL (learning assistance lab.) They offer help in many different classes and may be able to clarify what your teacher is trying to say.

Another suggestion is to seek out students who have already had the same class with the same professor.

Since they are finished with the class they may be able to offer insight and tips as to how to succeed.

Consulting an administrator is also a way to express your concerns and seek help or advice. Arrange to speak with the dean of that department.

At last resort, and by no way am I suggesting that you do this, but I have found myself in a similar predicament, you may need to drop the class. Anything lower than a “C” will not transfer and it will destroy your grade point average.

Maybe this professor just doesn’t use your style of teaching, and you may be able to retake the class from another professor who more matches your learning style.

Make sure you exhaust all your options before dropping a class. Also, be sure to be well informed of the process of dropping. You should consider how it will affect your scholarship, financial aid, or graduation time.

I hope you get the assistance you are looking for, and wish you luck in succeeding in your classes.

Monroe County Community College

CAMPUS NEWS

The Agora

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“That’s why Americans have never lost nor will ever lose a war; for the very idea of losing is hateful to an American.” -General Patton

“The world must be made safe for democracy.” -Woodrow Wilson

Dance Day to be unique experience B y Jesse Beard Guest Reporter

Agora photos by Crystal Pierce

International Relations students Bevin Fusik (above) and John Cress (right) were among a total of eight students that read famous speeches continously to raise money for their New York City trip. As of March 11, the class has raised $2,248.00.

Spring, Summer class registration to begin soon B y Melanie Goetz Reporter Don’t know what to do with that extra time once the winter semester ends? Consider signing up for some Spring and Summer classes offered at Monroe County Community College (MCCC).

“A lot of guest students come here for a variety of reasons.” faculty member Jill Billmaier said. Billmaier is referring to students coming from universities that take classes at MCCC to help fulfill a prerequisite they may need to take back with them.

Other students may take this time to get themselves ahead in order to graduate sooner, or some may just want to try something new.

“When I went to MCCC, I took Spring and Summer classes. It was hard work, but the classes were

smaller, and the teachers were more accessible. I feel I retained more information.” English professor Diana Agy said.

The semesters are split individually, Spring and Summer.

During the Spring and Summer semesters, courses are shortened to a six to twelve week time period.

Classes will start May 12 for the Spring semester. Depending on the course chosen, starting and ending dates will be listed under each class.

Students can take six credit hours and is considered full time. The maximum a student can take is seven credit hours.

Registration begins Monday, March 24. Times and dates will vary depending on a students’ number of cumulative credit hours earned. Open registration is offered on March 27 through May 12.

Tuition prices start at $55 per credit hour for a Monroe resident,

plus a nonrefundable registration fee of $24. A booklet with all the registration information will be sent to all enrolled students of MCCC on March 12. There will also be booklets available in the Administration building on this date.

WebPal currently has information on the courses offered for the Spring and Summer semester. Just go to the MCCC website and click on the WebPal icon. Type in a specific class to know if it is offered during that semester or one can look at the list of classes offered each semester.

Eventually MCCC’s goal is for students to be able to register on WebPal, providing more convenience. Until then, a student can register through the SMART telephone system at (734) 384-4100, or pick up a form to fill out at the cashier’s window in the Administration building.

A student interested in dancing, for fun or a career could plan on attending Dance Day on Mar. 29. Monroe County Community College (MCCC) and People Dancing, Ann Arbor, will present the first Dance Day at the Gerald Welch Health Education Building (H).

This fun event is open to all, including children accompanied by an adult.

The opportunity to experience dance seminars, live music, video presentations, performances, and an information fair for those interested in dance as a career will begin at 11:40 a.m. and continue till 7:00 p.m.

Performers include: River Raisin Center for the Arts / Dance, Eastern Michigan University Dance Ensemble, University of Toledo Student Dance Co., and University of Michigan Freshman Touring Company. Events will conclude with a special

Russian Dance Performance at the Cantrick Middle School. The Russian Dance Performance, a ballet, will feature two professional dancers and two pianists from Russia.

“The caliber of top notch performers and the opportunity to experience this type of event has never occurred in this area,” MCCC Campus & Community Events Coordinator, Tom Ryder said.

“This event will present people with an interest in dancing the opportunity to further their talent and point individuals, with the desire, in the direction of a dance career.”

Ryder said.

Tickets will be $5 for Dance Day, an additional $5 will be charged for the Russian Dance Performance. The first 100 people to attend will receive a free box lunch .

“This event will only occur every couple of years,”Ryder said. So bring family and friends for a Saturday of learning fun.

Writing Fellows prepare mini-sessions for student benefit B y Crystal Pierce Page Editor Writing Fellows at Monroe County Community College (MCCC) are preparing three writing work-shops to help students with academic assignments. The free workshops offer students assistance with writing assignments and free refreshments.

This will be the third year Wr i t i n g Fellows have volunteered their time to help other students with writing projects. These sessions have proved helpful to MCCC students in completing assignments such as essays and research papers.

The first workshop will focus

on avoiding plagiarism, and it is the first session to recognize t h i s t o p i c . Wo r k s h o p 1 : Avoiding Plagiarism will begin on Thursday, March 13 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in room A-173B. The session will help writers recognize and avoid plagiarism in their writing. This workshop replaced the essay workshop from previous years, since plagiarism has recently become more prevalent.

According to Tim Dillon, Associate Professor of English and Coordinator of the WAC (Writing Across the Curriculum) Program, a recent need has developed to teach students about plagiarism.

“Students may inadvertently plagiarize. Because of the availability of modern

technology and the Internet, students often think that information found online is not copyrighted, and they believe they do not have to document information taken from these sources. This, however, is a mistaken conclusion,” Dillon said.

The other two workshops pertain to the process of writing a research paper. The greatest need for students was help with research papers, according to Dillon. To address this, Writing Fellows have created two workshops revolving around research issues. The first addresses choosing a topic, gathering sources, and taking notes, while the second focuses on MLA format, especially parenthetical documentation

within the text and creating a works cited page.

Workshop 2: The Research Paper will occur on Thursday, March 27 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and Workshop3: The Research Paper takes place the following Thursday, April 3, from 12:301:30 p.m. These sessions will also be held in the Administration Building in room A-173-B. During all three of the workshops, time is allotted for questions about specific assignments or problems students may be facing.

“These workshops do not take the place of face-to-face tutoring,” Dillon said. He thinks that a personal tutoring session is the most effective method of helping students improve their

writing skills.

According to Dillon, the workshops provide an “opportunity for a crash course in how to complete a writing assignment.”

Jaime McDonald, one of the Wr i t i n g F e l l o w v o l u n t e e r s , thinks the writing workshops are a valuable resource for students.

“I believe they do help students tackle projects by providing the students with the tools and techniques to succeed on their assignments and reduce anxiety,” McDonald said. “ I love the atmosphere that the workshops portray. We give useful information, and it is friendlier than a classroom setting. We give out handouts for students to use as reference after the session.”

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Monroe County Community College

FEATURE

The Agora

Titanic captivates community

Monroe County Community College presents dinner, speaker exploring the “ Last True Story of Titanic.”

Agora pictures courtesy of Jim Clary

Jim Clary’s painting “R.M.S. Titanic” is just one of his many works of classic and contemporary seafaring vessels.

ByAnna Hess Page Editor Although many denied it, a giant ocean liner was dying. The superstitious nodded their heads, knowing her fate had already been sealed. The freezing Atlantic crept up to the forecastle head as the massive vessel, with all her lights aglow, slowly, almost imperceptibly, sank at the bow.

It is the telling of such a tale that will entertain guests at

Monroe County Community College’s (MCCC) Titanic Dinner on April 11. The previous lines are taken from the back of James Clary’s book: The Last True Story of Titanic. Clary will be the speaker at the dinner.

Clary is a marine artist, author, and historian whose interest in the Titanic has spanned for over 50 years.

“The Titanic and associated disaster was, still is really, the biggest piece of marine lore in maritime history. Perhaps so,

because for so many years that fateful night on board it had not been found.

Titanic. The culinary arts Always near, living near the students at MCCC will be the water, maritime history has ones preparing the dinner. been steeped within me all “I’m excited to do it my life and the Titanic as a [prepare the dinner], we did major page in maritime a dinner theatre last year, but history, of course, was a it didn’t have a theme. I think major part of my interest. I the theme will be cool,” poured over everything culinary arts student, Dennis Titanic as most enthusiasts LaVoy said. did and do, but I always The Last True Story of looked for details, tidbits of Titanic lecture by Clary is information/facts that approximately an hour long. weren’t really covered in the general accounts. I’ve studied the Titanic ever since I was ten or so, increasingly more in depth as the years went by,” said Clary.

These tidbits of gathered knowledge will be told to the audience at the dinner.

Clary will talk about unknown facts, his research, and gathered material that Clary’s original painting “1:40 a.m. has led him to an error made Titanic Time April 15, 1912”. that could have saved Along with the dinner and everyone on the ship that night. talk, a door prize will be given The dinner being served of a pen and ink drawing by will be the same as the first Clary. Tickets can be class dinner that was served purchased at the cashier’s

Agora photo courtesy of Jim Clary

Author, artist, and nautical enthusiast Jim Clary will speak at Monroe County Communty College on April 11. Clary will discuss his research and his new book “The Last True Story of Titanic.”

window, by mail through the Events with Class brochure around the college, or by phone through the Ticket Hotline, 1-734-384-4272.

Each ticket is $24. The dinner will be held in the Administration Building Dining Room, and has a total capacity of two hundred seats available.

To learn more about Clary and the dinner, visit his website, www.jclary.com.

His Pulitzer Prize nominated book, The Last True Story of Titanic will be available at the dinner.

Detroit Science Center presents Titanic artifacts exhibit

By Jenna Koch Page Editor On Feb.8 the ill-fated “unsinkable ship” docked at the Detroit Science Center (DSC) for an amazing voyage into the world of Titanic. “Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibit” features over 900,000 square feet of recreated rooms, artifacts, and the technology needed to recover relics from their watery grave. The exhibit runs until Sept. 7.

Before a visitor to the exhibit can “board the Titanic” they must be given a boarding pass. This pass gives the name of an actual traveler

Agora Photos courtesy of The Detroit Science Center

Artifacts like this felt bowler hat help visitors of the museum relate with the survivors and the lost souls aboard the Titanic. and their purpose aboard the Titanic. It also tells who accompanied the traveler, their age, their class aboard the ship, and a small passenger fact.

This pass brings the visitor into the world of Titanic by making the experience a personal one, rather than simply a viewing of artifacts.

The pass enables the visitor to relate with someone aboard the ship, and also to realize the extent of tragedy that occured in the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean on April 18, 1912.

A memorial wall at the end of the exhibit allows visitors to discover the fate of the person whose boarding pass they were given.

Many discover that the person

whose pass they carried did not survive.

Guests can learn how this “floating palace” was crafted seeing authentic recreations of first and third class rooms. As guests of the exhibit explore the artifacts eerie orchestral music seems to float through the air, recreating the music that was being played all through that fateful voyage.

A peek into the lives of many passengers of the doomed ship is

This leather suitcase was used by a passenger aboard the titanic. also offered. Towards the end of the exhibit there is a pocket watch, and a sign that tells the fate of the man who carried it. Narrations such as this, coupled with personal effects of the passengers make the exhibit poignant, moving, and tearprovoking. This exhibit isn’t only

The Imax movie Night of the Titanic is just one of the many Titanic experiences offered at the DSC. about the artifacts, but about the men women, and children who carried them, and the thousands of unlucky travelers who died with the relics that are now offered for viewing.

Visitors can also “feel” what it must have been like in the freezing water by touching an “iceberg.” The exhibit asks guests to imagine how it must have felt to cling to life in an ocean of frozen water, and the iceburg helps to aid in bringing this freezing effect to life.

Finally, according to the DSC website, visitors to the exhibit can discover the groundbreaking technology that was needed to

procure these artifacts from 2.5 miles below the ocean surface.

If the exhibit isn’t enough to satisfy curious minds the DSC also offers two IMAX movies; Titanica and Titanic: Night of the Titanic.

Titanica is a documentary of the 1991 expedition to the wreck site, how the wreck was found, and the painstaking efforts involved in rescuing these artifacts from the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Titanic: Night of the Titanic recreates the environment for passengers on the night that the ship sank in ice cold waters off the coast of Newfoundland.

“Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibit” costs 16.95 for adults, 13.95 for seniors over age 60, and 11.95 for children ages 2-12. Children under 2 are free. Included in the exhibit cost is the general admission charge to the DSC. Tickets to the IMAX movies can be added for $4 for one, or $6 for both shows.

The DSC is located at 520 John R St in Detroit Michigan. For additional information on hours, location, and exhibits, visit the Detroit Science Center website at www.sciencedetroit.org or call (313) 577-8400.

Monroe County Community College

FEATURE

The Agora

page 5

Romance in the Classroom...

y Professor-student relationships no longer taboo at MCCC

By Rachel Ziethlow Editor Once taboo, relationships between teachers and students are becoming more and more prevalent in the college atmosphere.

Single college teachers often search for a soulmate in one of the only respectable places left to look: their workplace, a classroom.

“I was divorced and the only place I was able to meet people was where I work or where I have conferences, unless you go to bars, and bars you don’t meet people there,” Robert Pettit, assistant prof e s s o r o f bio-logical sciences at Monroe County Com-munity College (MCCC), who has formerly dated students, said.

However, what kind of students are attractive to teachers and furthermore why would a student consent to dating a teacher in the first place?

As long as there have been humans roaming the planet, there have been attractions, physically and psychologically, between the sexes.

Kathleen Hull, author of Eros and Education: The Role of Desire in Teaching and Learning, states that sexuality and sensuality between teachers and students dates back to Greek mythology, when even Plato had sexual feeling for his teacher, Socrates.

Hull describes Eros, the Greek god of love, not to be confused with Cupid, the Roman god of love, as the root of studentteacher attractions.

“Eros as desire may be understood as the internal movement of the body, mind, or spirit towards having and enjoying an object that is seen as good by the one who desires.”

Sometimes this desire and

passion can be misinterpreted.

All too often, students think of learning and school as a chore and work that must be done in order to succeed in life.

However, at some point, something snaps in the student’s head, a feeling of understanding.

Someone, in this case the student’s teacher has reached him/her and a passion has erupted.

“In other words, both desire for wisdom and the intellectual means to it emerge through Eros,” Hull said.

Students misinterpret their passion for learning and knowledge and transfer that passion onto their teachers, the people who possess this source of knowledge.

Who is responsible for the initial relationship or does it seem as if the teacher is taking advantage of the student’s vulnerability and passion for knowledge?

Students often think that these attractions are material and many times relate an attraction to a teacher as a play on authority or good grades.

“Teachers have power,” an anonymous MCCC student commented.

The student might feel if she advances on the teacher, she will likely advance her grade in the class. However, a student might

not realize that while authority “I think that characteristic is often perceived as an may lend itself better to a dating attractive trait, the true system,” Pettit commented. attraction might come from the Pettit and his wife, a former knowledge that the teacher holds student, have been happily or has given to the student, married for 13 years. There is according to Hull. a ten-year age difference “If Rumplestiltskin had power between the two.

I don’t think he would still be Although the age gap date-able,” Pettit stated. between DeVries in his wife is Dr. James DeVries, quite a bit higher, 18 years, professor of history, who also found his current wife of 21 years at MCCC, disagrees. “As a professor, you do have a certain status and stability and if you are single or apparently not married or whatever, you’re going to be a desirable object.”

Agora photo courtesy of James Devries However, it James DeVries and his wife, a former MCCC takes two to student, have been married for 21 years. tango, so why, besides location, are teachers DeVries says the difference is attracted to students to begin not a significant matter in their with? relationship.

The average student at How taboo are consensual MCCC is a 20-30 year old relationships between teachers female, according to the MCCC and students? Apparently not website, www.monroeccc.edu. very.

If a professor were attracted to “I think we’re becoming a her, the age difference would not little more understanding of it. likely be significant.

It’s their business,” Pettit said.

Teacher of the Month...

Metzger picks up signals from Soviet Union at young age, finds interest in electronics sparking future endeavors

By Bob Oliver Reporter

Agora photo by Bob Oliver

Daniel Metzger began teaching at MCCC in 1967.

Daniel Metzger, assistant director of electronics and computer technology, began teaching at Monroe County Community College in 1967, the first year that classes were

taught at this campus. He has taught hundreds of students through the years and has helped many of them get involved in a career that they enjoy.

His interest in electronics came as an adolescent, when he began picking up signals from the Soviet Union and London, England on his short wave radio.

“It fired my imagination. It was magic back then to sit and hear these signals from so far away coming into the radio,” said Metzger.

In his senior year of high school (around 1959), Metzger put a Ham radio in his car, which enabled him to talk to about 6 to 10 other kids with the same capabilities around town. They were part of a larger group of around 30 people, and they called themselves the Teen Hams of Toledo. That interest in Ham radios is something that has never left.

Before teaching, Metzger worked in engineering, but didn’t like it.

“I was bored with my job at the Magnavox plant. It wasn’t worthwhile,” said Metzger, “I would offer proposals and changes, but they would never get adopted. A friend told me about teaching, so that’s how I got started.”

His first teaching experience was at Woodward High School, in Toledo, Ohio. In his only year there Metzger taught radio and television repair to a group that mainly consisted of “rambunctious juniors.” Some were so rambunctious that they once started a magnesium fire in class.

Metzger is also a writer. He has had feature and cover stories in Radio Electronics, QST, and CQ magazines (the QST article came out in Dec. 2002). He is especially proud of the cover

story in Radio Electronics, because of the help he had with the article. The article, which was printed in April 1980, was a collaboration between Metzger and student Dennis Perry.

“It was a construction article, about an oscilloscope with an automatic baseline. Dennis built the machine and I designed it and wrote the article,” said Metzger, “It was great that it involved a student’s help.”

Aside from the article, Metzger has also written 6 textbooks covering electronics.

He also started his own publishing company called Technology Training Incorporated to release his latest text book.

His hobbies include reading nineteenth century pulp fiction (which he has a large collection of), singing bass in a barber shop chorus in Toledo, and volunteering 4 hours a week at

St. Vincent’s Specialty Clinic (also in Toledo).

The clinic offers local level health care to anyone who needs it. Patients at the clinic will not be turned away, regardless of whether or not they have Medicaid, insurance, or money.

Metzger helps by running errands like; getting x-rays to doctors and “wheeling” patients around. He began helping them after responding to an article he saw in the Toledo Blade.

“Every human being deserves health care,” Metzger said, “Unfortunately; we [society] don’t help those who don’t have health insurance.

We’re too cheap to take care of those people.”

After retirement, Metzger plans to stay in Michigan near his family, and continue to write, read, and sing. But now, he’s happy teaching and interacting with faculty and students.

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The Agora

Monroe County Community College

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Ar t

Spot light

A r t i s t p a i n t s p i c t u re , re v e a l s h i s t o r y B y Korinne Milks Page Editor

Storm coming to overtake the ship.

At first glance – even at first thoughtful stare – Joseph Mallord William Turner’s painting, Slave Ship, may seem indistinguishable and chaotic. With a little time and information, however, the painting becomes an intense, powerful Ship contribution to an antislavery campaign.

Picture courtesy of: www.artcyclopedia.com Painted in 1840, Turner Slave Ship by Joseph Mallord Willimam Turner A slave’s leg with a cuff and chain on ankle. tells a true story of the times. collect insurance money on The English ship depicted in those slaves only if they were the painting was traveling lost at sea. If the slaves merely from Africa to Jamaica with died from disease on board, To see the detail of this painting or for further information, visit slaves on board, and the sick the captain could not collect www.artcyclopedia.com, and use the search features. This site also and dying slaves were thrown the insurance money. provides easy access to many other works of art and the stories behind into the sea (and can be To the left of the ship, clearly seen in the lower right Turner portrays a massive them. of the painting). storm coming to bring justice The captain of the ship to the captain and his ship. threw slaves overboard for Soon, the ship would meet the one reason: because he could same fate as the slaves.

Museum grows from unusual hobby something—from vintage pharmacist at the Detroit drug posters papering the walls, to store his father opened 72 years B y Terri McConnaughey model airplanes hanging from ago during the day, but nights Copy Editor the ceiling. and weekends, his hobby takes Game prices range from a over. penny to five dollars. For a Located just a short drive quarter, visitors can see the north of Monroe is an mysterious two headed entertainment extravaganza; baby, or test Marvin’s Marvelous your nerves Mechanical Museum (M3’s) with the, in Farmington Hills is a mix of “Nerve-Oold and new arcade games, M e t e r ” .

There are with something for all ages.

“Marvin Yagoda is a man also newer with a hobby that went out of video games control,” according to his website, marvin3m.com. He started collecting in the late 1960’s and has continued since.

The museum is a collection of coin-operated oddities, children’s rides, posters, neon signs, video games, pinball and Toy planes and other objects decorate the “Ask the Brain” will musical machines. Some of the ceiling at Marvin’s. answer a question for machines he purchased were a small fee.

“It would be kind of relatively cheap while others, like the 38 piece musical band, to keep younger kids attention, interesting to see older games. which plays over 3,000 songs, such as interactive boxing and That kind of thing is coming a police chase game. back, [arcade games], retro cost thousands of dollars.

When asked what was his stuff.” Ryan VanDaele, a M3 has 5,500 square feet of floor space, and you wonder favorite game or machine, Monroe County Community how he fits everything in. There Yagoda said, “ That’s like when College Student said. Jenna is a café in the center of the you ask a parent who’s their McCormick, another MCCC building. Every inch of this favorite kid. You can’t have a student offered, “I would go, establishment is covered with favorite kid.” Yagoda is a because my friends and I are

always looking for something different to do, since Monroe can be kind of boring.”

Terry Telfer, Professor of English, found out about the museum from his son. They visited last summer and Telfer said he spent about $10.00 for an afternoon’s amusement.

“It’s like Ann Arbor; you can

shakes and whose head smokes. That was exciting. If MCCC students don’t like Marvin’s, I haven’t been doing my job properly.” He plans on returning.

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum ...is located at 31005 Orchard Lake Rd. Farmington Hills, MI. 4834.They are open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 9pm, Fridays & Saturdays 10am to 11pm, and Sundays from 12 noon to 9pm.

-Photos courtesy of www.marvin3m.com

Two headed baby, available to view for only 25 cents.

spend a lot or a little,” Telfer said.

What he enjoyed most about the museum was, “ The coin operated electric chair, complete with a criminal who

Monroe County Community College Yellow, page 1

event one gets all these plans mixed together, the effect would be unbelievable. The Red Cross Chemical or Airborne Hazard plan calls for duct tape, to “seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.” Federal officials have also advised duct tape and plastic sheeting to be used as sealants. Local stores were swarmed with panicked shoppers, desperate to get their hands on a roll of duct tape.

Although not everyone reacted in such a manner, most families were advised to put together some kind of emergency kit. The DHS recommended that kits contain water, dried foods, blankets, and basic emergency supplies like flashlights, first aid kits, and prescription medicines. All families should have a place to meet if disaster strikes.

Parents are urged to talk to school officials if they have

IN THE MIX underage children and find out what to do if something happens during school hours.

Schools are required to prepare a plan in case of terrorism also. The DHS recommends school be advised of any developments and report any suspicious behavior among students or faculty. Visitors should be escorted during a code red and proper identification is required and held until their departure. Any closings are to be made by appropriate authorities.

“It never crossed my mind that we would get bombed,” Monroe County Community College student, Stephene Drouillard said. “[Our government] has too much devoted to it for it to happen.”

“Having a plan is fine,” Drouillard said, “but investing money and time into it is useless. It doesn’t make me feel any safer. Tornado and fire drills didn’t make me feel safer. I’d feel safer if we didn’t have drills and we just debated the causes of [the need for a plan].”

The Agora

page 7

R V

eader’s oice

What is your favorite reality television show and why?

“Real World and Road RulesBattle of the Sexes. I like the way they are competitive and no one is on there to get married.”

-Nikki Radtke

“Real World Las Vegas, because its crazy and you don’t know what is going to happen next.”

-Dawn Geister

Panic, page 2 The Monroe County website (www.co.monroe.mi.us) offers tips in preparing for various disasters. It easily explains a multitude of information for Monroe residency and appropriate action necessary for safety of family, friends, and pets for any threatening state.

It is one thing to be cautious and aware of what is currently happening, however, paranoia could be our most detrimental threat throughout these hectic times.

Do you know how to Draw?

“I like Road Rules, it’s not cheesy and it was one of the very first reality shows to come out. It’s authentic and the people are actually hot. Shows like The Bachelor and Survivor suck.”

-Dan Burnard

If so, The Agora needs you. The Agora is looking for talented Monroe County Community College students who can draw and have a voice to fill the shoes of staff cartoonist.

If you are interested please call 384-4186 or visit The Agora in the Life Sciences Building in room 202.

Systems, page 2 computers here that they are familiar with. Same with faculty and staff, everyone has their own preference.

This is not a question of Mac’s vs. PC’s. I think it is a matter of diversity. I have always heard that diversity creates a better environment; it allows us to learn and experience new

things. It teaches us understanding, respect, and all in all leaves us more wellrounded and betterequipped individuals.

So why do we limit diversity to people and classes?

Wi t h o u r technology ever-changing, learning more can only make us better. Someone once said two heads are better than one, and I think that general theme applies here.

Two platforms are better than one.

“I occasionally watch American Idol, it wasn’t a bad idea.”

-Tyler Johnson

“American Idol and Star Search. It is fantastic to see the talent of singers and dancers; it’s interesting to see how good they really are.”

-John Miller

page 8

SPOTLIGHT

Monroe County Community College

Road Not Taken...

The Agora

The

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far I could To where it bent in undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, 1 Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: 1 and I — Two roads diverged in a wood, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. ...Robert Frost

Agora photos by Rachel Ziethlow

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