Feb. 4, 2013

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Aug. 26,4,2010 Vol.57, 55,Issue Issue February 2013 Vol. 121

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MCCC celebrates diversity on MLK day - Pg. 5

Exchange students explore MCCC - Pg. 7

Meeting will launch search for president

By Katie Mullin Agora staff

The search for a new college president is picking up steam.

The MCCC Board of Trustees called a special meeting Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. to begin the process of choosing a new president.

Dr. David E. Nixon, current president of MCCC, plans on retiring from his post at the end of the current accademic year.

His employment contract officially ends July 31.

The board began the process of selecting a new president at its November meeting, briefly discussing hiring a consultant to help with the search.

But Jim DeVries, a former history professor at MCCC who was elected to the board Nov. 6, asked for a delay until he joined the board in 2013.

The issue was discussed at the November meeting of the MCCC Faculty Council.

Political Science professor Joanna Sabo, who is president of the Faculty Council, said she would contact the Board of Trustees to express the faculty’s input in the presidential selection, according to minutes of the meeting.

“One key aspect of Faculty Council concern is that the Faculty Council be included in the visioning process regarding key characteristics of a new president,” the minutes read.

Sabo said she would tell Bill Bacarella, chairman of the board, that faculty would like to be included in all aspects of the presidential search.

Grace Yackee, vice president of In-

struction, told the Faculty Council meeting that it was her understanding that college employees will have some voice in the process.

Nixon was asked at the November board meeting whether he would remain as interim president if a replacement was not found.

Nixon said he would make a decision when necessary.

Will E=MC3 savings?

Agora photo by Carla Crockett

Political Science professor Joanna Sabo is begining to use e-texts in some of her classes, after she was introduced to them at a conference.

Sabo encourages e-texts in the class room Julia Wells Agora Staff

We live in a time when technology can be our poison or our savior.

The days of lugging around heavy book bags may soon be gone, with the conversion of textbooks to online formats.

But we also may be losing the comfort of a paper book to hold.

Dr. Joanna Sabo, an MCCC Political Science professor, is one of the first instructors to provide an electronic text to

her students.

She introduced the idea to the rest of the political science professors after seeing it demonstrated at a conference.

The online text, published by the company Soomo, provides all the same material of the physical book, with the added bonus of videos and interactive quizzes.

“My hope was that we would get the students who don’t read today, to read,” Sabo said.

Sabo also said one of the

biggest advantages for students is the cost. The online version of the book can be anywhere from two-thirds to half the cost of the traditional hard copy.

According to Sabo, student response to the book has been mixed, but mostly positive.

“I’m hoping that eventually more and more students embrace it more.” she said. “It does seem like the right thing to do.”

Cassidee Nation, a Monroe High School student who dual-enrolled in Sabo’s class

Fall semester, had both good and bad things to say about the e-book.

“I like having a book online, but I would prefer the standard paper book,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s hard to access a computer, and I feel as if you can make better notes using a paper book.”

Though it is early in the electronic text revolution, signs are saying that it is here to stay.

Four-year universities and

some high schools have already began converting their textbooks to an online format.

“I think it’s going to be all we see someday.” Sabo said.

During Fall semester, eight textbooks were available at the MCCC bookstore in the e-text format, and five are available for Winter semester.

Kelli Plumb, administrative assistant to the director of Purchasing and Auxiliary Services, says she is always checking with publishers for new e-text opportunities.

“We do have some students that prefer to save a little money and just get the electronic version and not lug around a heavy textbook.”

Plumb said.

Lynsee Kostoff, a student assistant at the Bookstore, said students usually have a choice between the physical copy and the e-text, but most people, including her, haven’t used the E books yet.

“They’re confused when we hand them an envelope at the register,” she said.

CTC close to finish line Hannah Boulton Agora Staff

See photos of the new building, Page 3

heating and cooling from the earth. There will be about a six-year payoff on the geothermal system, Blumberg said.

Other special features in the building include desks with monitors, filtered water fountains with water bottle fill-up spouts, large windows that allow people to see in classrooms, and many seating areas for students to hang out.

In 2009, the college hired the architectural firm, Hobbs and Black, to design the building. The company has worked with the college in the past, redoing all the windows in the Life Sciences building.

By 2010, the preliminary designs were drawn up and in May 2012 the official ground-breaking took place.

There have been as many as 60 people working on construction of the building, Blumberg said. Currently, three companies are in the building, completing the finishing touches.

Laibe Electric is doing the low voltage electric work, Hoover Wells is polishing the cement floors and Monroe Plumbing and Heating is finishing up its work.

There have been no major problems during the $17 million CTC project, Blumberg said.

Only one injury was sustained by a construction worker — ­­ a sprained ankle from tripping over some wire.

Students have watched the vast space between the Health and Life Science buildings turn into a modern building.

They’ve experienced the hassle with parking and heard the drilling and hammering in class during the building’s construction.

The good news is the new Career Technology Center is close to being finished.

At the end of January, the building was 80 percent finished, according to Jim Blumberg, director of the college Physical Plant.

The building is ahead of schedule, with only a few major projects left, Blumberg said.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for August, just in time for the Fall semester.

The CTC will be the second largest building on campus, with 60,000 square feet. Only the administration building is larger.

The CTC building is different from any other building on campus - being the most modern comes with a few perks.

The design inside of the building features a high glass ceiling in the lobby that brings in light from outside. There are high ceilings throughout the building, except in the small classrooms.

The building has polished concrete floors. With the exception of a few carpeted areas, all the floors will be the original concrete, polished to a shine.

This style complements the metal grid ceilings in the hallways.

The furniture and equipment from the West Tech building will be transferred to the new tech building, beginning in April or May. A few new technology features will be added to the rooms, such as in-desk monitors.

Some of the classrooms have sensor lights. When there are people in the classroom, the lights automatically come on and when the room is empty, the lights turn off.

This conserves energy throughout the building, which was a goal of the design.

The CTC building is projected to be around a 90 energy star rating, according to Blumberg.

“The energy star rating cannot be known for certain until it’s been open for a year,” said Jim Blumberg.

Many things have been done throughout the building to make it an energy efficient site.

It uses geothermal heat, a process of receiving

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Lobby of CTC has high and partially glass ceilings that brings in natural light.

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opinion

February, 4 2013

Know the signs of domestic violence Carla Crockett Agora staff

Domestic violence is a growing crime that is mostly pushed aside and ignored by authorities.

It is a misdemeanor that can cause the subject to spend up to 93 days in jail and have a $500 fine.

Personally, I believe this is unacceptable. I witnessed first-hand how horrifying domestic violence can be.

On Saturday, January 26th at around 2:30 am, me and my boyfriend heard a couple fighting in my apartment building hallway.

I immediately called the police telling them what I heard.

My boyfriend asked me if he could get the girl and bring her into my apartment until the police showed.

I told him yes, because at this time, the boy had started threatening to throw her down the stairs.

I got off the phone with dispatch and heard a loud bang. I ran to the edge of my living room and witnessed the boy yelling, and pushing, against my apartment door, trying to get inside my apartment.

My boyfriend got the door shut and dead-bolted. The boy must have realized his energy was wasted when he proceed to grab the girl and go into an unseen apartment.

I held my breath and looked out

Witnesses of domestic violence should be a voice unto the voiceless.

the peep-hole of my apartment door. I heard the boy degrading her, telling her that she was worthless and that no one would find her. I heard her cries and the sound of his raspy voice telling her to be quiet, as he beat her.

I walked away towards my living room window, covering my

eyes full of tears, shaking.

My boyfriend told me the police had finally showed and had told the boy to stop.

The boy ran from the police and broke the apartment buildings main enterance door almost completely off it’s hinges.

We waited for police to come

see us. They told me they had caught the boy and went looking for the girl.

They searched for about two hours and left. I still don’t know where she is or if she even lives in our apartment building.

The police took my information down but didn’t bother asking me many questions.

They still haven’t contacted me.

My boyfriend has a description of both the boy and the girl.

Offenses like this happen all the time. They are pushed aside because they are deemed unimportant.

I don’t know what would of happened to the girl If I hadn’t called the police. Things like this should be taken more seriously.

In 2007, there were 101,388 cases reported in Michigan of domestic violence. 27,751 of which were male and 73,545 were female.

Domestic violence is a pattern of learned behavior in which one person uses physical, sexual, and emotional abuse to control another person.

No one deserves to be treated like that. I hope my story makes a difference and that officials will take cases like these more seriously.

Guns laws should be reformed Angie Souva Agora Staff

Do you feel safe on campus? If you don’t, I’m not even going to question you.

With all of these shootings across the United States, I can understand the skeptical feelings. I, myself, feel like there should be some changes implemented nationwide to avoid the loss of innocent lives.

Should school officials be licensed to carry a concealed weapon? Are detectors a possible solution for schools across the United States? Could possible laws be implemented in order to regulate weapons better? As American citizens, we know that things need to change before they will get better.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School is still fresh on everyone’s mind. In this massacre, 20 innocent children and 8 adults, including the shooter, were killed.

What caused a person to kill innocent lives? According to David Hemenway M.D., children between the ages 5-14 in America are 13 times more likely to be murdered with guns as children in other industrialized countries. If you think about it, this really isn’t an unrealistic statistic.

Since 1992, 387 school shootings have been recorded in the United States by stoptheshooting. org. Something needs to change, and soon!

Two things need to be done in

order to make any sort of headway with this issue.

First, there should be mental screenings for school students ranging from ages 7-20. Ensuring that these generations are healthy mentally and physically could lead to the resolution to this problem.

At least with this method, we can screen individuals for signs and symptoms of disorders that they may have. Finding out mental illnesses early may aid in the decrease of school shootings.

Also, laws controlling gun purchases and ownership should be completely renovated. Background checks should be administered to whoever is planning on purchasing a gun.

If they do not pass this mandatory check, they will not be given a gun. It’s appalling that guns have been sold for years with absolutely no paper trail at all. How is this safe?

In conclusion, the United States is in a very confused state right now.

Everyone is still mourning for the losses in Sandy Hook, but we need to take action.

With that being said, I hope these tragedies have opened the eyes of our officials. If they have, we can be assured that new renovations will be made to make this country a safer place to be in.

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Is the library truly for studying?

Sasa Gavric Agora staff

Is the library still a place to study?

The Monroe County Community College library has all the things needed to study, like computers and books to find your information in, but not everyone uses their time in the library well.

As I walked in the library and made myself comfortable in the corner with my laptop in front of me, I immediately noticed someone who was not using his time well.

The guy sat three laptops to the left of me and was having a very active discussion on Facebook chat.

While having his headphones on a little too loud, the people around him, kept giving him frowns, which he did not pick up.

While chatting, his lips moved out the words he was typing on the computer. I could not make out much but thought I could make out some words that are not really appropriate to share with the rest of the world.

His angry, facial expression and the occasional hand gesture, made clear he was not too happy with how the conversation was going.

The students at MCCC treat the library like a meeting point.

There are people that walk in and out; some just coming in to use the bathroom.

One person in particular caught my attention. A 5’9 girl, wearing a black top and blue jeans, walked in three or four times to use the bathroom in less than half an hour; accompanied by a Goth looking girl.

On each occasion, they were happily chatting and texting.

Now I do know that girls go to the toilet more often than men. Most of the time, they did not go alone, but the amount of times these girls used the facility was very weird.

After the fourth time, the girls did not return, but I did see them sitting outside, continuing to chat.

About an hour later, I noticed that a girl, who was already there when I came in, was still sitting there.

The girl had a pink scarf and was wearing some kind of beret.

I saw her visiting multiple internet sites, not one school related, but she did have an open school book next to her.

The girl switched rapidly between Facebook and twitter, while she was also looking something up on Google maps.

When she was not busy on social media, she was doing some online shopping.

The girl preferred turning in circles on her chair, rather than doing any school work.

She was obviously bored, because she kept visiting people’s pages on Facebook without doing anything on them, and refreshing her twitter site without posting.

It took me a good hour and half in the library, to find someone who appeared to be

studying.

While his book was open in front of him, he was searching Wikipedia for Macbeth.

I decided to change seats to sit right behind him so I would have a better view of his computer screen. What I found out was that he was doing something more than just studying.

Next to the Wikipedia tab there was a Facebook tab. Although the guy did spend his time equally on both, I noticed that if he got a notification, he would immediately stop what he was writing in his paper.

After he was done responding he seemed to have forgotten what his chain of thought was and did not continue his writing.

After a couple of minutes of thinking he got his inspiration back and started writing for a while, only to be bothered by a Facebook notification yet again.

The first person that actually looked like he was focused on studying turned out to lose all his concentration thanks to that small tab on his screen.

At this point, I decided to move again. In the back of the library, there are about twelve study tables, which are all divided by a small wooden wall like you see in a lot of offices.

This place looked like it was a good spot to study and where you could concentrate on your work more easily, since there were not many distractions.

As I pretended to search for a book on the bookshelf I noticed a boy and a girl sitting at the same little table.

My first thought was that it is not very practical, since the spaces are very small, but the boy and the girl actually shared the same chair.

She was explaining something to him in a textbook. The boy seemed to have a problem holding his focus on the book rather than her chest.

Although they were studying, this cannot be a very effective way of doing it. I overheard the sentences ‘’are you paying attention?’’ and ‘’I told you that already, where’s your mind at;’’a couple of times too often for them to be having a very effective study session As the library kept getting emptier, so was the number of people coming in to try to study.

It was around 5pm now, and I noticed that the students who are still coming in to the library were just there to kill time.

On every screen I saw at this point, Facebook or other social media was popping up. Apart from the students that just came in the library to use the bathroom or check their Facebook, the students, at first, really do try to study.

They come in with the best intentions, but the endless possibilities of contact with the more fun, outside world proves to be too much of a distraction.

This leads to the students spending more time on other things than on their actual schoolwork.

The Agora Editorial

Save our English language!

Julia Wells Agora Staff

In this digital age of abbreviations, it seems that no one has the time for the English language anymore.

With the increase of social media and smart phones, our delicate language is slowly drifting away into obscurity.

The rise of the internet cannot necessarily be blamed for gruesome grammar issues, as we are the ones behind the keys. Many have gotten into the habit of typing a word and hoping to guess close enough for spell check to recognize it.

Programs such as spell check and autocorrect have made its users so lazy that when they are abandoned at the mercy of paper and pen, they simply cannot get by.

Social media websites have become a cesspool for comments riddled with misspellings and no attempt at proper punctuation. With the connectivity of the Internet today, this madeup, messed-up language that has accidently mutated, spreads like disease.

According to learnthat.org, only a little more than half of the students at American elementary schools write well enough to be considered functionally literate.

This frightening fact is a result of just how little attention we give to grammar and English in, not only our school systems, but at home where learning begins.

How do we end this madness?

The National Council of Teachers of English, who are a light at the end of the literary tunnel, work to promote success in literacy and using the language to our fullest advantage.

Having formed in 1911, the organization has worked for over a century to preserve our language and all it has to offer. You can join in on the fight at ncte.org and learn what you can do to influence education policies in legislation.

But the real place this can be corrected is in everyday life. No matter if you are texting, on Facebook, or writing an essay for college, proper grammar and English should be practiced each time you write and speak.

It kills me a little inside to hear a teacher pro-

nounce ‘across’ as ‘acrossed’. The spell check on my computer is getting mad at me for even leaving that fake word in here.

My point is, if we cannot count on our educators to properly convey our dying language to future generations, then it will be just that: a dead language.

What is even more frustrating is the people who are being shamed are the ones who point out the mistakes, or the “grammar nazis” as they are affectionately called. These people are doing their best to cultivate man’s oldest creation.

Everyone is allowed their typos, but when the typos turn into a language of its own, it’s worrisome.

I fear for a future where contractions become obsolete and we will only have one way to spell ‘your’.

I fear for a future where children do not get to witness words that have graced the pages of Shakespeare but only words that are trending on Twitter.

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

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

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

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

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you’d like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper. E-mail submissions: agora@monroeccc.edu .

Editor Nicki Kostrzewa

Asst. Editor Hannah Boulton

Staff Members

Carla Crockett Lezlee Downing Sasa Gavric Tim Green Jobin Dylan Melanie Jacobs-Davis

Adviser Dan Shaw

William Miko Katie Mullin Christinie Pettit Joshua Rains Angie Souva Julia Wells

February 4, 2012

features

mcccagora.com • The Agora

40-plus welding booths are now in place and are ready for the welding units to be installed in the new Career Technology Center building between the Health and Life Science buildings.

CTC building is coming together Photos by Carla Crocket

View of the main classroom hallway.

Workers from Hoover Wells continue to polish the cement flooring in the new classrooms.

The concrete base of the new car lifts have been poured. Students of the automotive courses will be allowed to bring in their own personal cars for oil changes and tune ups .

Construction worker (from Laibe Electric/Technology) viewing the network and cable layouts.

One of the many new classrooms that will be ready for the Fall 2013 semester.

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campus news

February 4, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Board gets updates on CTC, Whitman New building 80 percent completed

James DeVries, second from left, was sworn in before the meeting.

Dr. DeVries is a former MCCC history professer who retired two years ago and was elected to the board Nov. 6.

Katie Mullin Agora staff

Updates on the new Career Technology Center building and the Whitman Center were among topics discussed in January’s MCCC Board of Trustees meeting.

Jim Blumberg, director of the college physical plant, provided the update on the CTC building.

“As of the last invoice, we are about 80 percent complete with the construction,” he said. “We’re working on finishes now, flooring and final ceilings, working our way from front to back.”

Blumberg said the building is set to have its occupancy certificate by April, and final details will be worked out throughout the summer.

A hot dog and hard hat event, which will include tours of the building, has been scheduled from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Judith Hamburg, of Concerned Citizens for the Whitman Center, talked to the board about her concern for the Center.

“We care very much for our Whitman Center,” she said.

Hamburg waved an issue of Campus Connection, a Toledo publication that focuses on col-

“Effective boards consist of people who come together to form a cohesive group to articulate and represent the public interest; establish a climate for learning, and monitor the effectiveness of the institution… the college trustees are accountable for the performance and welfare of the institutions governed.”

Mary Kay Thayer Board of Trustees member

leges, which did not include an advertisement for the Whitman Center.

She told board members that the Whitman Center needs more advertising to attract more students.

“Please remember us in your

advertising… Please see the vitality of our Whitman Center, “she said.

She also said the Whitman Center is understaffed and asked the board to provide more funding for the center.

“We are very vulnerable. We need a director,” she said.

The former director of the Whitman Center resigned last summer, and the position hasn’t been filled.

“We see a lot of students at Whitman. So I ask you, please

Other Meeting highlights:

The board decided to retain William Bacarella Jr. as chairman. Linda Lauer was named board secretary and William J. Braunlich was retained as vice chairman.

Noel Malcomson

The Great Pumpkin Pursuit was a 5K run held on the MCCC campus Oct. 20.

Baul, assistant professor of Accounting and Felice Moorman, assistant professor of Early Childhood Development.

Faculty contracts were approved for Parnella

The board discussed upcoming negotiations with the Faculty

Association in a closed-session.

The annual Miss Monroe County Pageant scholarship was increased from $500 to $1,000.

It was announced

Students, we need your input.

Nominations for the 2012-2013

Criteria Leadership

p.m. to discuss the search for the next college president.

At the close of the meeting, board member Linda Lauer read a quote by board member Mary Kay Thayer.

“I think it’s a good way to set the stage,” Lauer said.

Thayer’s quote reads: “Effective boards consist of people who come together to form a cohesive group to articulate and represent the public interest; establish a climate for learning, and monitor the effectiveness of the institution… the college trustees are accountable for the performance and welfare of the institutions governed.”

Guidance Services, presented the winter enrollment report, which indicated a decrease in general enrollment but a record increase in dual-enrolled students.

The number for dualenrolled students is 411.

Current board member Majorie Kreps and former

MCCC professor James DeVries were sworn into office by Judge Weipert to the Board of Trustees.

Kreps was re-elected Nov. 6, and DeVries won election for the first time.

look for avenues. Please look at us carefully,” she said.

Joe Verkennes, MCCC’s marketing director, explained why Whitman was not included in the Campus Connection magazine.

“The primary strategy is to market in our target audience,” he said after the meeting.

Verkennes said he has created a marketing campaign for Whitman that primarily targets young to middle age people in Monroe County.

There are limited funds for marketing, he noted.

“We can’t be in everything.”

The board also called a special board meeting for Feb. 18 at 6

Knowledge

Interest

Fairness

Integrity

Who can be nominated?

Full-time Faculty and Part-time Faculty (which includes) Instructors ∙ Librarians ∙ Counselors ∙ Administrators Who can nominate?

“Current” MCCC Students ∙ Administrators ∙ Faculty ∙ Staff

COMPLETED NOMINATION FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AT WWW.MONROECCC.EDU BY Monday, February 25, 2013 Faculty who have received this award during the past 5 years are ineligible for this year.

that the Great Pumpkin Pursuit raised more than $4,200. The money will be earmarked toward a scholarship in Marilyn Schroeder’s name.

Mark Hall, director of Admissions and

John Joy, dean of Corporate and Community Services, presented the noncredit enrollment report from Fall semester. A 25 percent decrease in enrollment was seen on main campus and 16 percent decrease at Whitman. However, contracted training was up 72 percent.

Cathy Spearing

The board honored Cathy Spearing, who retired as administrative assistant at the Whitman Center. Rachel Eagle will be her replacement.

campus news

February 4, 2013

Ann Gerweck hands out samples of ethnic food during the Diversity Fair.

Among the many displays, one highlighted Muslim issues.

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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MCCC celebrates diversity on MLK day MCCC celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to racial justice and equality with diversity fair on Jan. 21.

Information on various dimensions of diversity were showcased in the Administration building hallway.

Several MCCC student clubs were represented along with Islamic, Native American and African American cultures. Ethnic food was served.

This event was sponsored by the Monroe County Community College Diversity Committee, which is made up of students, staff, and faculty members Photos by Timothy Green

MCCC student stops to look at the Habitat for Humanity’s display

Students participate in the Diversity Fair

You’re invited to tell your story about MCCC

Briefly: Gay Straight Alliance plans ‘Meet and Greet’ The Gay Straight Alliance at MCCC is throwing two “Meet-and-Greets’ on consecutive days.

The first one will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 5-7 p.m. in The Cellar in the basement of the A Building.

Cookies, coffee and lemonade will be served at the event.

The second one will be held the next day, Thursday, Feb. 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m., also in the Cellar.

Pizza and lemonade will be served.

Both events are open to all students.

Registered Apprenticeship training planned Feb. 27 A free information session on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship System will be held Feb. 27 on the MCCC campus.

The Registered Apprenticeship System is a training system that combines job-related technical instruction with structured on-the-job learning experiences.

The information session is for employers, prospective and current apprentices, parents, educators, workforce development officials, and anyone else interested in apprenticeships.

The session will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon in The La-Z-Boy Center atrium.

College Goal Sunday scheduled for Feb. 10 MCCC will be among dozens of locations in Michigan hosting College Goal Sunday on Feb. 10.

The statewide event is intended to provide parents and students with free help filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online (FAFSA).

MCCC’s event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. in Room 157 of the West Technology Building.

Anyone who is interested in attending a postsecondary institution – a technical school, community college or university – and might need financial aid should attend. Students who attend have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad mini and other awards.

Students under 23 years of age should attend with their parent(s) and bring both their own and their parents’ completed 2012 IRS 1040 tax returns (if possible), W-2 forms, and other 2012 income and benefits

Agora photo by Tim Green

Alyssa Walters gives blood during the blood drive hosted by Student Government was held Jan. 17. It was the second blood drive of the year put on by Student Government, in cooperation with The American Red Cross.

information.

Students 23 years of age or older may attend alone and should bring their completed 2012 IRS 14 tax returns (if possible), W-2 forms, and other 2012 income and benefits information, To complete the FAFSA online at College Goal Sunday, students and parents should request PIN numbers at www.pin.ed.gov.

Employers needed for spring career and job fair at MCCC MCCC is looking for seeking employers and service organizations interested in participating in the third-annual Career and Opportunity Expo this spring.

The expo will be hosted by MCCC in partnership with Siena Heights University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology, Monroe County Employment and Training Department Michigan Works!, Pure Michigan Veterans Services Division, South Central Michigan Works!, and MCCC Student Government.

The Expo is scheduled for Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Health Building. It’s designed to

bring together students, colleges, employers, veterans and community members and highlight employment opportunities and available resources for returning service members.

Last year, more than 400 job seekers attended the event, which featured 88 exhibitors.

Exhibitor registration information is available at www.monroeccc.edu/careerexpo or by contacting Barry Kinsey, director of workforce development and chair of the expo, at bkinsey@monroeccc.edu or (734) 384-4124.

Whitman Center hosted high school counselors A group of counselors from area high schools were hosted by MCCC during a luncheon at the Whitman Center Feb. 1.

Emily Jaworski, the Whitman Center counselor, explained the advantages of attending the Whitman Center, the services provided and the courses offered.

A number of MCCC administrators, counselors and faculty members attended, to provide information to the high school representatives.

We all have a story to tell.

At some time in our lives, we departed from the routine that defines our days, and experienced something extraordinary.

It might have been a transcendent moment – a life-changing experience that turned us toward a different path.

Or it might have been an aberration – an occurrence so far from the rest of our life experience that it stood out, remarkable for its uniqueness.

At MCCC, many of our stories have something to do with our college experience. We’re different people because we attended this college.

The novel selected for Monroe County’s One Book, One Community program this year is about stories.

It’s about the importance of stories in our lives – about how they’ve shaped our past and about the healing power of retelling them.

The novel is “One Amazing Thing” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. It tells the story of nine people trapped by an earthquake.

Faced with the possibility of death, one of them suggests they share “One Amazing Thing” about their lives. Through their stories, they give us a window into their dreams, their secrets, their fears – as well as insight into their diverse cultures.

The Agora, in partnership with the One Book, One Community program, invites you to tell your own amazing story about MCCC. We’ll publish your stories in The Agora and on our website, www.mcccagora. com.

You can choose to write your story, in a 200-400 word essay, or record your story in a 1-3 minute video.

E-mail your essay to mcccagora@ monroeccc.edu, with One Amazing Thing in the subject line, by March 1.

You can record your video at The Agora office, room L202 in the Life Science building, between 2 and 3:30 p.m. on any Tuesday or Thursday in February.

More videos also will be recorded at the One Book, One Community kickoff event on Monday, March 18.

A&E

February 4, 2012

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|6

Game allows players to ‘go their own way’ Bill Miko

Agora Staff

I enter the room, concealed in the shadows. The man in the room is better occupied with reading a magazine; he doesn’t see me sneak into the hallway.

As I approach the corner, I hear two men talking about the poor state of the city.

With the plague, Dunwall has seen much better days. I teleport to the rafters to avoid the guards, barely escaping undetected as they round the corner.

Of course I’m talking about Dishonored, the new action/ stealth game from videogame designer Bethesda.

The game is set in the fictional city of Dunwall, a city beset by plague and regicide.

Following the death of the Empress, the main character Corvo is framed for her murder, and is set to be executed.

After escaping from prison, he teams up with a group of loyalists who want to get the princess, a 10-year-old girl, onto the throne.

The gameplay is based on the stealth mechanic, which can be strengthened with several magical abilities such as teleportation, possession of animals, and even the ability to stop time!

If you have enough skill, you can get through missions without using the plethora of equipment that is also available to you.

The sword combat is very interesting from a first-person perspective, and the crossbow offers a stealthy alternative to the loud pistol and grenades.

The crossbow can also launch sleep darts.

The sleep darts are important to one of the themes in the game: life is precious.

As a plague of rats destroys the hopes of Dunwall, you can help to stop it. By not killing guards, you can actually see the good effect it has on the city.

Streets are brighter, people are nicer, less swarms of ravenous rats lurk the alleys.

Even the main targets you must eliminate for the story to continue can be taken down peacefully.

However, you may have to work a little harder for it.

Dishonored is built so you can take multiple paths to your goal.

You need to enter a building, but you could do it through the cellar, through a second story window, by possessing a rat and running through a vent, or you could charge in with guns blazing and simply kill everyone inside.

As I mentioned before, the violent approach is often not the best way.

The more chaos you create, the more rats, more bodies, and more enemies start showing up.

It is refreshing to see a game that rewards the player for showing mercy to the faceless guards, in contrast to the chest-high walls and mindless gunfights in many games today.

Dishonored’s visuals are dark and dreary, with an industrial feel to everything from the street signs to guard uniforms to the graffiti on the crumbling buildings.

The game is brought to life by a soundtrack that is haunting yet beautiful.

Dialogue flows and the voice acting is excellent. With multiple endings and many ways to do each mission, this is a game I know I’ll be playing again.

The game itself, however, is rather short.

Downloadable content is set to be released, but personally I’d rather get a sequel set in the same world but in a different location, maybe a different person.

It is a phenomenal game, but quite violent, so make sure to heed the mature rating. This is not a child’s game.

Dishonored was developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. This game is rated for adults only. It also can be found for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Fairy Tale gone bad

By Carla Crockett Agora staff

Gemma Arterton (Gretel) and Jeremy Renner (Hansel) play two witch hunters in director and writer Tommy Wirkola’s version of Hansel and Gretel.

John Latini is an award winning musician and two-time Detroit Blues Champ. He recently released an album, “Lovers, Liars & Losers.”

Based on a fairy tale that’s approximately 10 pages or less, a film made by Paramount Pictures didn’t get good criticism.

They chose to continue with what the children Hansel and Gretel did after they burned the witch.

The story begins with the classic fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel are sent into the woods and come upon a cottage made of candy. After eating some candy, they enter the cottage to find a witch.

The witch was terrifying. It looked to be a prodigy of the Crypt Keeper and Freddy Krueger. The creepiest part was the lizard noises she kept making at the children.

The opening title illustrations made the fairy tale effect enchanting. With the beginning credits popping out at the audience looking like real illustrations from a fairy tale book.

After being orphaned and having to defend themselves they took upon a life of witch hunting.

While the townspeople convict a witch, Gretel gets mad and head butts an angry villager.

The mayor has hired them to save the 11 children the witches have captured.

There is a scene where a young woman comes across some hunters in the woods.

Her enchanting voice lures them in, and then with some computer generated effects, she quickly turns into the old, ugly witch she is.

She gives one of the hunters a spell, (the curse of the hunger of living things), that causes him to eat maggots from the earth.

He returns to town and goes to tell the townspeople a message. It sounds as if he’s about to puke and explodes sending blood and guts everywhere.

A young boy who helps Hansel and Gretel, Ben, makes porridge for Gretel and quotes another famous fairy tale, Goldilocks and the three bears.

He states, “Not too hot, not too cold, but just right.”

The townspeople believe Hansel and Gretel are making the safety of their people worse. The sheriff tries to hurt Gretel and capture her.

She retaliates by taking a bite out of his face. A bit forward, but then again it’s her up against four very powerful people.

Though the film is rated R, mostly for being graphic with the blood from fighting and strong language, it is what makes it a unique spin to the classic fairytale.

The ending fight to save the children is what really ties the whole story together.

I’m not going to spoil the best part of the movie, but everything happens for a reason in the story.

Even though almost every critic on Rotten Tomatoes, a widely known critic site of newly released movies, hated “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters,” I believe it was a nicely done movie, with the right amount of gore and vulgarity.

Annual black history blues series begins Agora staff

Monroe County’s 26th annual Black History Month blues series is set to kick off Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Ellis Library.

The blues series will begin with a special evening of music and memories dedicated to the late, great, Detroit blues legend Johnnie Basset.

Basset’s career featured stints with acts like John Lee Hooker and Smokey Robinson; he also received the Detroit Blues Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The following Tuesday, Feb. 12, at the Carelton branch library, Canada’s top touring bluesman, JW-Jones, will be featured.

Feb. 19, Florida native Damon Fowler will be performing at the Dorsch Memorial library, bringing his hybrid of blues, roots rock and sacred steel to downtown Monroe.

The Lional Young Band has won many awards including the 2011 International Blues Challenge. The band not only features its own music, but also pieces by some of the classics.

Saturday, Feb. 23, Monroe County’s black history month blues concert will be held at the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater at 7 p.m.

Performances at the college will include: The Lionel Young Band; John Latini and The Flying Latini Brothers with The Lovers & The Liars; Gaye Adegbalola; and the Rev. Robert B. Jones, who “was” the first Black History Month Blues Concert in 1988.

Tuesday, Feb. 26, Cincinnati piano pounder Ricky Nye wil perform at the Bedford Branch Library at 7 p.m. Nye is the winner of countless awards for his boogie-woogie blues, stride and Now Orleans piono styles.

For more information on Monroe County’s 26th Annual Black History Month Blues Series, you can call the Library System at (734)241-5277 or visit http:// monroe.lib.mi.us/blues.

Top: Gaye Adegbalola has toured all over the country and world and won numerous awards including the prestigious Blues Music Award.

Left: Reverend Robert B. Jones is a native Detroiter who uses music to send messages to his listeners.

He says we can learn a great deal about where we’ve been, who we are and where we are going.

Features

February 4, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Students bring global touch to MCCC

By Katie Mullin Agora staff

The East and the West have come together on the MCCC campus.

A total of five exchange students are attending MCCC this semester.

They are Sasa Gavric from The Netherlands, Johnny Li and Iris Tan from China, Sylvie Winkin of Belgium, and Hwi-Ram Jeong from South Korea.

They are participating in the non-profit program: Youth for Understanding here at MCCC. Megan McCafferey-Bezeau, coordinator of MCCC’s Youth for Understanding program, said that since 2006, the college has hosted 30 students from 11 different countries.

“It brings diversity to the college and community,” she said.

The host families for these students have included three staff members and the College president, David Nixon.

Board of Trustee member Linda Lauer is currently hosting Sylvie and Hwi-Ram. Placing a exchange student can be a challenging process.

“It’s hard to find host families in the winter,” McCaffrey-Bezeau said.

For the students who find a host home, learning to get acquainted with others, studying in a different language, and living in another home environment can be challenging situations in a culture different from their own.

Eighteen-year-old Sylvie has recently arrived from Belgium and is a first semester student.

Originally from Belgian’s southern section of French-speaking Wallonia, she is majoring in sociology at MCCC. “I like the fact that most of you are very welcoming,” she said about American culture.

“There is a sentence that you say all the time: It’s nice to meet you. We don’t have an equivalent in French,” she said.

Iris, whose real name is Zhuoyan Tan, is a second semester student from China.

She said that in the U.S., it’s easy to get involved, meet friends, and there is more freedom in the schools.

South Korean Hwi-Ram, who is a busi-

Sylvie Winkin - Belgium

Iris Tan - China

Favorite American food:

Favorite American food:

“American chocolate is good.”

“I like tacos, they are my favorite.”

Favorite American TV show:

Favorite music:

“I like slower songs, slower songs bring out your emotions.”

“Everybody Loves Raymond.”

ness major here, shares the same host home as Sylvie.

While interviewing Sylvie and HwiRam at their home’s dining room table, Hwi-Ram observed how American culture tends to be more relaxed as opposed to South Korea’s fast-paced environment.

“I like the slow lifestyle,” he said. “I’m enjoying it now,” the third semester student added.

Sylvie also liked how Americans are open about going to a church.

“Lots of people go to the church and they are not embarrassed to say that they go....”

She said it is different in Belgium.

“It tends to be embarrassing. The young people think it’s boring and useless. It’s embarrassing to say that you believe in God,” she said.

Just as there are pros to a different culture, there are cons.

Sylvie commented on the numerous

restaurants that line Monroe’s main roads.

“I don’t think it’s pretty,” she said.

“A lot of people eat out instead of eating at home,” she said of America’s eating habits.

In my family, we go out to eat only on special occasions, she said.

“It’s too big,” Hwi-Ram said regarding America.

Hwi also noted America’s over-reliance on the use of a car.

“We don’t need a car,” he said about South Korea. “But in here (Monroe), I have to drive all the way…So, it’s kind of tiresome,” he said.

“Everyone is more individual,” Iris said.

Iris explained that the Chinese often ‘take care’ of one another. For example, if someone doesn’t dress properly for the cold weather, someone will often advise them to dress warm.

Hwi-Ram Jeong - S. Korea

Favorite American food: “Steak and rice.”

Favorite American TV show: “How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory.”

“They don’t take care of you,” she said regarding Americans.

But she elaborated: “It doesn’t mean they don’t like you,” she said.

American college life can be an adjustment in itself.

You have to adapt from high school, Sylvie said, adding that the studying is different than what she was used to.

“There are a lot of adults in the community college. In Belgium, at the university, there are only young people,” she said.

University students in Belgium primarily rely on public transportation and youth do not usually work throughout the year while in college, Sylvie said.

Even the language can also be a challenge for an exchange student.

“I don’t think the course itself is not that hard. It’s hard because it’s not our mother language. We have to do a lot of homework. It takes more time..” Hwi-

Ram said.

Hwi noted that in Korean, the ‘th’ sound is non-existent, as well as the P, F and I sounds.

Similar to Korean, Sylvie said that the ‘th’ sound is not used. And she said it’s difficult when individuals use colloquialisms such as “kind of.”

Another part of the college transition is making friends.

“I have to try to find some people to get acquainted with,” Sylvie said.

Whatever the study abroad year brings, lessons can be learned.

Hwi-Ram said that he has learned to overcome loneliness.

When I first came here, I couldn’t understand what my friends said and had difficulty with the language, he said.

However, since he has a car, he is attending a Korean Church in Ann Arbor each weekend, which provides an opportunity to connect with Koreans there.

“I am more independent,” Iris said about living in the U.S. Iris also said that she is learning to become more involved in group settings, and improving her English.

“It’s rewarding to see them change in the semester and learn about the different cultures,” McCaffery-Bezeau said.

When it is time to go back to their native lands, each of the students has dreams of where their future lies.

Hwi-Ram said he plans on transferring to Eastern Michigan University after he goes back to South Korea to fulfill his nation’s mandatory 22-month military conscription.

He also aspires to have his own business, possibly trading between America and South Korea.

Sylvia said she would like to become a translator for English and wants to be married and have children.

Iris, a business management major, wants to be established where she has a job and finishes school. She desires to move to California next year and attend a university there.

Want to know more about the exchange students’ countries? Find out at The Tattered Suitcase blog at Mcccagora.com

Ted Boss and Corey Welch prepare to help in the kitchen.

Sharing stories, sharing dinner

Members of MCCC Student Government volunteered at GodWorks Soup Kitchen at Monroe’s St Joseph Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 23. A few of the Student Government members were returning volunteers at the GodWorks dinner, sharing stories with the first-time volunteers before serving dinner.

Photos by Mandi Davis

Celina Dusseau and Ted Boss roll a cart of food into the dining room at the GodWorks Soup Kitchen.

Charlotte James and Corey Welch begin to prepare the food.

Student Government president (batman) stays busy Christine Pettit

Agora Staff

Chris Holmes is essentially the face of MCCC. As the president of Student Government, Holmes’ smiling face is seen at numerous college events.

Holmes has attended MCCC for three years and has received awards such as the Keys to Success award in 2011 and the Dr. Ronald Campbell Student Government award in 2012.

The president is selected by members of Student Government during their second meeting of the academic year.

Holmes won with a unanimous vote.

If you sit with Holmes for long, it’s obvious he is not only well known, but very well liked as well.

He can’t finish a sentence without someone coming up and greeting him.

“As president, it’s my job to organize and orchestrate the 30-plus members under me, and to take the role of the advisor when needed.”

Chris Holmes Student Government president

Along with student government, Holmes belongs to the Psychology and Black Student Event clubs.

As president, he also is involved in a variety of leadership seminars and alumni meetings.

And he is responsible for appointing other

Student Government members to go the meetings that are necessary to attend.

“As president, it’s my job to organize and orchestrate the 30-plus members under me, and to take the role of the advisor when needed,” he said.

“To be a role model for students who need it, and to be the connection between students, staff, and administration.”

In 5-10 years, Holmes wants to be spending time counseling youth.

He wants to work with 9-17 year olds. He remembers what a rough transition it was from teenager to adult, he said.

If Holmes could be any superhero, he would be Batman.

He has no real super powers, but he has all the wit and knowledge, Holmes said.

“Plus, he beats Superman every chance he gets,” said Holmes.

Agora photo by Tim Green

MCCC Student Government president Chris Holmes

sports

8

Febuary 4, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

VB club works to achieve recognition at next level Josh Rains Agora Staff

MCCC’s club volleyball team is making strides as it seeks credibility under a new coach.

Under the leadership former MCCC student Elisabeth Terrasi, the team has begun playing in tournaments and in a competitive recreational league at the Arthur Leslow Community Center.

The team had been practicing twice a week prior to starting the league at the ALCC; now it practices every Monday while competing against local women’s teams every Wednesday.

Terrasi has been pleased with the progress of the team.

“We’ve lost more games than we’ve won, but this is not to say anything negative about our team,” Terrasi said.

“I am happy to be coaching such a talented group of individuals. The wins will come with more confidence and more experience playing at the club level.”

In addition to the progress made on the court, the program is continuing to grow off the court.

They hosted a tournament on campus and for the first time, and got the chance to host an opposing college club team on campus. Terrasi was excited about the opportunity.

“Eastern Michigan attended, and it was nice to see competition against them, as they also happen to be a newly established club” Terrasi said.

In addition to hosting a tournament, Terrasi has noticed

growth in other areas since she played on the team in its initial season four years ago.

“There was no budget for a coach or money for the team when I was a player,” Terrasi said.

“The team is gaining more recognition, little by little. It gradually gains more respect and support from the college and community, and now we’re even Elizabeth Terrasi able to communicate with fellow club competitors.”

While the club has gained acknowledgement on campus and in the local volleyball circles, they are still looking to capture the attention of the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF).

Terrasi sees membership with the NCVF as the key to moving from the recreational leagues onto full-time club competition.

“What has been a challenge with the establishment of this team is the ability to gain recognition as a college club team,” Terrasi said.

“Our goal is to establish more rapport with fellow college competitors so that our future competition is focused more on college club tournaments. Typically membership in the NCVF gives teams more access to such tournaments.”

Photo by Tyler Rogoff

MCCC’s volleyball team is growing under new coach Elizabeth Terrasi.

Young worth risk for Philadelphia Phillies William Miko Agora Staff

For the Philadelphia Phillies, ex-Detroit Tiger Delmon Young is indeed worth the “weight.”

During the MLB off season, Young became a free agent. He had a decent season statistically, but struggled with off the field problems, including weight issues.

The Philadelphia Phillies decided that Young was worth the risk, signing the former Tiger to a one year contract for $750,000 dollars.

The most interesting part about the deal, is the “weight incentive” that is included in Young’s contract. Young will be stepping on the scale six separate times throughout the upcoming season, with the weight goal being 230 pounds.

Every time Young meets his expected weight, he will be paid an extra $100,000. Young could receive an extra $600,000 just for staying in shape.

Last season, Young was the designated hitter, meaning he would only bat; he did not play defense.

Young has now been signed to

Delmon Young, a former Detroit Tigers player, has recently joined the Philadelphia Phillies under a one-year contract.

a National League team, where there is no designated hitter position.

The Phillies signed Young to play in the outfield for the upcoming season, which involves a lot of running, jumping, and diving, so being at a certain weight is important.

“When I knew I wasn’t going to see the field, you could eat just a little bit extra,” Young told reporters. “I’ve been on a strict diet.

You can get carried away on clubhouse food and late-night room service. Some ice cream and good luck cakes. But when you go back

to the outfield, you have got to eat lighter.”

It will be interesting to see how this plays out, since Philadelphia is known for its famous cheesesteaks.

Young was awarded the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. He hit three home runs along with six runsbatted-in during the four game sweep of the New York Yankees to go to the World Series.

Young also endured off the field issues, which is a possible reason for the Tigers not resigning the free agent.

Last season, Young was suspended seven games due to a dispute during the late night hours in New York City.

After a regular season game against the New York Yankees, Young was accused of being involved in a drunken confrontation that ended with him yelling antiSemitic statements at a New York City resident.

This was not the first time Young has been suspended for a significant period of time. In 2006 , he was suspended for 50 games for tossing his baseball bat at an umpire.

Did you know…

You can finish your bachelor’s degree on the MCCC Campus!

Siena Heights University has a degree completion center right here on campus! Undergraduate classes available in:

• Accounting

• Bachelor of Applied Science

• Business Administration

• Multidisciplinary Studies

• Professional Communications

• Psychology

a n e i S Graduate classes available in Leadership. Contact Siena today at (734) 384-4133 or stop by our office in L-221.