Jan. 15, 2013

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Aug. 26,15,2010 55,Issue Issue January 2013 Vol. Vol. 56, 151

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MCCC enrollment down 8%

By Melanie Jacobs-Davis Agora staff

MCCC’s enrollment numbers are down again, along with most of the other Michigan community colleges.

MCCC’s enrollment for winter semester declined 6.5 percent in credit hours and 8 percent in number of students, according to Registrar Tracy Vogt.

Enrollment as of Jan. 11 was 3,795, compared to 4,125 at the same time last year.

Of the 27 community colleges that reported enrollment figures to the state association of college registrars, there was an overall average drop of 5.1 percent in credit hours and 4.1 percent in students enrolled as of Jan. 11.

Among other Southeast Michigan community colleges, Washtenaw enrollment dropped 5.8 percent, Schoolcraft was even

Photo by Katie Mullin

Students line up at the bookstore Monday to make some last minute purchases before classes. with the year before, Jackson was down 8.3 percent, and Henry Ford was up .3 percent.

The college is searching for strategies to get potential students in the door.

Mark Hall, director of Admissions and Guidance Services, has been busy implementing programs designed to reach more potential students.

“We’ve increased our recruiting

efforts at all area high schools,” Hall said. “We’ve doubled our visits.”

MCCC has expanded efforts to reach potential students in the downriver area, adding Trenton,

Riverview, Huron, Flat Rock, and Woodhaven high schools to the list of schools being recruited, Hall said.

“Consequently, our out-ofcounty enrollment is up,” he said.

“It is much higher than the previous year.”

Due to issues at the Whitman Center, the college also has taken action to recruit in the northwestern Ohio region as well, he said.

Hall attributes the drop in enrollment to a number of reasons.

“When the economy improves, our enrollment numbers go down,” he said.

There also are a number of programs that are set to expire, or already have, he said. The education buy-out through the auto-industry is running out, the No Worker Left Behind program has ended, and displaced workers receiving education benefits as a

result of the North American Free Trade Agreement are cycling out as well, Hall said.

“All of these things together lead to a drop in enrollment,” he said.

Some questions have been raised regarding the new Career Technology Building and whether or not there will be enough students to fill it.

The welding classes are doing very well, Hall said. As far as the other classes that will be offered in the CTC building, they’re doing well, but numbers will need to improve more, he said.

“Having a state-of-the-art facility will greatly improve enrollment in that area,” he said. “It will appeal to potential students seeking a degree in those fields.”

Hall said he is confident that despite the drop in enrollment, the recruitment efforts will pay off.

Former MCCC student remembered Katie Mullin Agora Staff

The memories of a former MCCC student continue to live in the hearts of those who knew her.

Julia Niswender lit up the room every time she went somewhere.

She made her presence known, best friend Jacob McLaughlin said.

“She was such a bubbly, fun person. She had a laugh you couldn’t forget,” Julia’s twin sister, Jennifer Niswender, said.

The 2011 graduate of MCCC had been majoring in communications and electronic media and film at Eastern Michigan University.

Jennifer Niswender, said that Julia’s career aspirations were to be a reporter or an anchor.

“She wanted to be out there,” Jennifer said.

Julia always said that I was going to write and she would be the reporter.

What happened on the night of Dec. 11 would be tragic.

According to the Detroit Free Press and Ann Arbor.com, friends and family said that they had not seen Julia for a couple days and wondered where she was.

When police came to check on her, she was found dead in her off-campus apartment. The college junior’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

Lt. Deric Gress of the Ypsilanti Police department said in a recent media release: “The Ypsilanti police continues to investigate and interview a number of subjects, and are working closely with the family

Jennifer Niswender Julia’s twin sister and also a former MCCC student

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Niswender

Julia and Jennifer Niwswender shared matching tattoos, each had both their names and interlocking hearts.

of Julia Niswender. We are still awaiting results from toxicology, forensic, laboratory analysis, and a final autopsy report.”

Jacob McLaughlin had been best friends with Julia for almost 13 years.

“You couldn’t ask for a better friend,” he said.

“She was always adventurous,

fun, ready to do. She’d be spontaneous,” Jacob said.

A former MCCC student who knew Julia said in a Facebook message said she was known for her great energy and personality, making her an easy person to befriend.

“Julia was a go-getter,” she said. “Julia was determined to

Nixon leaving MCCC Search begins for replacement Agora staff

Dr. David Nixon will no longer be President of MCCC as of this year.

The search for the college’s fifth president will be on the agenda at the next Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 28.

When the board finds a replacement, the newly hired president is expected to start work in the summer of 2013.

Nixon’s resignation letter was read aloud by Board Chairman Bill Bacarella at November’s board meeting.

During the meeting, Bacarella

Inside:

Justice for Julia

“I’m going to live every day for her, and she’s going to live through me.”

asked Nixon whether he would remain as an interim president if the Board was unable to find a replacement.

Nixon said he would make a decision if and when the time comes.

Criteria for selecting the new president will be discussed at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Vice Chairman William Braunlich asked Trustee-elect Jim DeVries if he wanted to be involved in decision before he officially took office.

DeVries, a former MCCC history professor who was elected Nov. 6, said he would like to be involved in the process.

Nixon made a short statement at the board meeting.

“I will forever be grateful,” he said, expressing his appreciation

Campus News........................2 Feature...............................3 Editorial.............................4 A&E.......................................5 Sports.....................................6

to the college community.

“It has arguably been the most dynamic period in MCCC’s history. Challenged by dwindling resources and Michigan’s longest recession, MCCC’s staff persisted in academic excellence,” he added.

“Thank you, trustees, for letting Judy and I be a part of this.”

“Sorry to see you go,” Bacarella said.

“Some of us are, anyway,” he added, joking.

“We’re not going to accept it,” quipped Trustee Marjorie Kreps, who won re-election to the board Nov. 6.

On July 31, 2013, Dr. Nixon will step down after ten years as the fourth President of MCCC.

have a bright future taking every opportunity she could to fulfill her dreams.”

Jacob also described Julia as very bubbly and never depressed or down.

Jacob said Julia knew her way around his house and was comfortable there. She knew where the snack cabinet was and that there would be Mountain Dew waiting for her. It was one of her favorite drinks, Jacob said.

Jacob said that sometimes they would gather around a campfire in the backyard, talking and sharing advice.

It has been a month since the tragedy. Yet, Julia’s death still remains a mystery and her family is frustrated.

“They just want answers,” Jacob said.

Jennifer Niswender, is Julia’s twin sister who graduated from MCCC and was former Editorin-Chief of the Agora staff. Their inseparable bond between one an-

other was indescribable.

“You can’t put it into words. It’s something you can’t explain. She was such a big part of me,” Jennifer said.

Half of your heart is gone, she said. She was my other half.

Jennifer and Julia had matching tattoos: A pink and purple heart that interlocked. Each heart had a name: Jennifer and Julia.

Jennifer said it was Julia’s idea; she ‘bugged’ her into getting one.

Jennifer said that Julia held her hand throughout the entire tattooing procedure; she concluded that it was not so bad.

Julia, on the other hand, cried through the entire ordeal, Jennifer said.

Jennifer has recently resumed work and her sister’s spirit gives her strength to get through every day.

“There’s not a minute that goes by that I don’t think of her,” she said.

Her last memory of Julia was at her workplace at Walmart in Saline. Jennifer bought lunch for her sister and they ate together.

After their visit, Julia walked her out to the car and Jennifer kissed her on the cheek.

“I love you and I will see you later,” Jennifer said.

“I love you, too,” Julia replied.

Support for Jennifer and her family has spanned across the Monroe community, the nation and even worldwide.

“We still have so many people reaching out to us. We want everyone to know how thankful we are,” she said.

Julia’s memory will forever be a light in the tragedy’s darkness.

“I’m going to live every day for her and she’s going to live through me,” Jennifer said.

“If we keep her memory alive, she’ll always be with us. She’ll continue to live through us,” Jacob McLaughlin said.

Photo by Tyler Rogoff

After ten years, Dr. David Nixon will formaly step down as the president of MCCC in July.

Check out The Agora online at

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Students can take action by purchasing bracelets and t-shirts that say ‘Justice for Julia.’

The bracelets, which originally were conceived by Jennifer Niswender’s cousin, are black, white, and pink – Julia’s favorite colors.

The bracelets are $5 and the T-shirts are $10. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund in Julia’s name for twin students.

“She loved being a twin,” Jennifer Niswender said.

A check or money order can be sent to: Jim Turnquist, 225 N. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48162

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campus news

January 15, 2013

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Hard decisions needed at Whitman Mealanie Jacobs Agora Staff

Lower enrollment and a vacant administrator’s position have left MCCC with some difficult decisions about the Whitman Center.

When former Whitman Administrator Sandy Kosmyna resigned from her position, the college was faced with whether or not the position should be filled immediately.

Grace Yackee, vice president of Instruction, said last fall that all activities at the Whitman Center will be reviewed through the fall 2012 semester before a decision is made regarding the position.

“Although we didn’t want to see the former director leave her post,” said John Joy, dean of Corporate and Community Services, “the vacancy provided the college with an opportunity to step back and evaluate the situation.”

The salary allotted for an administrator at the Whitman Center is in the current budget.

The college could potentially save that money if the position was left empty, Board of Trustees Vice Chair William Braunlich noted at a Sept. 24 board meeting.

The board decided to end spring/summer classes at Whit-

“Our goal right now is to get the students in the door. When we don’t have enrollment, we can’t offer classes.”

Mark Hall

Director of Admissions and Guidance Services man as a cost-containment measure.

Braunlich emphasized that the college has no plans, whatsoever, to permanently close the Whitman Center.

“The MCCC Board of Trustees greatly values the Whitman Center as a vibrant and important part of the MCCC educational enterprise,” he said at the Sept. 24 meeting.

A number of the college’s administrators have been filling-in at the Whitman Center until a final decision is reached.

An administrator’s role is to recruit/advise students, create and implement Lifelong Learning classes, and act as operations

Briefly: One Book program gets grant The “One Book, One Community” program has received a $7,500 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

The grant will be used to cover book purchases, programming support and assessment of the program’s impact on the community.

The book selected for this year’s program is “One Amazing Thing” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

“One Amazing Thing” tells the story of nine people struggling to survive together after being trapped by an earthquake.

Faced with the very real possibility of death, one of them suggests that they share “one amazing thing” about their lives. The book brings together people from all walks of life to tell a story about the power of human expression.

A variety of events linked to the reading of “One Amazing Thing” will run from March 18 to April 24, with many of them on the MCCC campus. Divakaruni will discuss her book in the La-Z-Boy Center at 7 p.m. March 27.

Additional details on One Book, One Community events will be posted at www.monroeccc.edu/ onebook as they become available. Books are available for purchase at the MCCC Bookstore, Book Nook and Books-A-Million.

Transfer agreements signed MCCC has signed new transfer agreements with Eastern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University.

An agreement with EMU will allow students to transfer up to 74 credits from MCCC’s information assurance and security program toward a bachelor of science degree in information assurance at EMU. Students will need to fulfill the MCCC requirements for the associate of applied science degree and the MACRAO agreement, A “2+2” agreement with MTU will allow students earning an associate degree in mechanical

engineering technology at MCCC to complete the first two years of an MTU bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering technology while at MCCC.

AlertNow system to be tested MCCC’s AlertNow emergency notification system will be tested at 1 p.m. Jan. 25.

Randy Daniels, vice president of Student and Information Services, announced in an e-mail that a test message will be sent to all students and employees who have registered for the AlertNow system.

To get information about the system or to sign up for AlertNow, go to http://www.monroeccc.edu/ alertnow/.

Diversity Fair planned Jan. 21 A Diversity Fair honoring Martin Luther King Jr. will be held in the A Building from 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21.

Information on various dimensions of diversity will be showcased, and several MCCC student clubs will be represented. Ethnic desserts will be served.

The event is sponsored by the MCCC Diversity Committee.

Student clubs have been asked to present displays on “How is diversity reflected/promoted in the club?”

Faculty adds new professors Two new professors started work at MCCC this semester – one in Accounting and one in Biology.

Parnella Baul is a new Accounting instructor in the Business Division. She has 12 years of higher education experience, including all levels of accounting, accounting information systems, corporate and individual taxation, and management and organizational behavior.

She has taught at Davenport University, Wayne County Community College, Delaware Technical and Community College, and Delaware State University.

She also is a licensed CPA and has provided accounting services through her private practice. She has an Associate of Arts degree from Highland Park Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware, and an MBA from Delaware State University.

Philip Wahr is a new Biology instructor in the

The Agora Editorial 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 Adviser Dan Shaw

manager at the facility.

“The Whitman Center has been a topic of discussion within the Bedford Community for the past several months,” Dean of Corporate and Community Service, John Joy said.

Some concerned citizens have expressed the desire to have no changes at the Whitman Center.

In other words, Joy said, they want to keep the center open during the spring/summer sessions, regardless of enrollment; don’t want the office hours changed; want to maintain the full-time director’s position; want to offer all the classes/services that have been provided for the last 20-plus years; and want to make a signifi-

Staff Members Carla Crockett Tyler Rogoff Melanie Jacobs-Davis Katie Mullin

cant capital investment to establish a chemistry lab at Whitman.

And they want to do all that with declining revenues, Joy said.

“It’s clearly not possible,” he said. “Some changes need to be made.”

The college is like every other business or household in Monroe County that is challenged with shrinking resources and is forced to do more with less, Joy added.

The college has to make the appropriate institutional/operational adjustments to ensure the continued success of both the Whitman Center and MCCC, he said.

“Many people fear change,” Joy said. “But if changes at the Whitman Center mean the college can continue to provide affordable, higher education opportunities to residents of Monroe County without sacrificing quality, then I think change is good.”

The drop in enrollment at the center has been a key factor in talks of closing for the spring/ summer semesters.

“In my opinion, it’s a result of a combination of factors,” Joy said. “It’s a combination of demographic, economic, academic and administrative factors.”

Mark Hall, director of Admis-

sions and Guidance Services, is one of the administrators filling in at the Whitman Center.

“I’ve assigned a counselor to the Whitman Center until we have a firm plan,” Hall said. “And, we’ve greatly increased our advising hours down here.”

The college has launched plans to convene counselors/administrators from at least seven different area high schools in effort to improve our relationship with them, he said.

“Our goal right now is to get the students in the door,” he said.

“When we don’t have enrollment, we can’t offer classes.”

To help improve enrollment numbers, MCCC is hosting a luncheon at the Whitman Center on Tuesday, February 1, 2013, at 1:30 p.m.

The area’s high school counselors will meet with MCCC’s academic deans and admissions representatives in an effort to improve the student recruitment rates for their respective districts attending classes at the Whitman Center.

“We’ve got all of our dean’s coming out to present about their programs to all of the high school counselors,” he said.

Science/Math Division.

He has 15 years of experience teaching at the college level, including at Columbus State Community College, Ohio State University and the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Physiology, where he also was employed as an assistant research scientist.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Biophysics and Physics from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree in Physics from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from Ohio State University.

Blood drive planned Jan. 17.

Student Government will be partnering with the American Red Cross to host its second blood drive of the school year on Thursday, Jan. 17.

The event will take place in the Dining Room in the A Buildling from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. No appointments are necessary.

Award nominations sought The college is looking for nominations for the 2013 Alumnus of the Year Award and the 2013 College Supporter of the Year Award.

Nomination forms are available in the President’s Office and online at www.monroeccc.edu/alumni/ AlumnusYear2012.htm and http://www.monroeccc.edu/policies/ The Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding alumnus who has contributed to his/ her career, community, and the college. Nominees must be past or present students who have earned 24 credit hours or have graduated from MCCC. Nominations are due by Jan. 31.

The college Supporter of the Year Award is given for general support for the college and its programs, volunteer work, financial contributions, scholarship donations or participation on college committees. Nominations are due to the President’s Office

by March 15.

EMU reverse transfer approved MCCC has signed a reverse transfer agreement with Eastern Michigan University.

The agreement is designed to help students apply credits earned at EMU toward their associate degree at MCCC. Students often transfer to a four-year university before completing an associate degree at MCCC. Even if they go on to complete a bachelor’s degree, they are missing the opportunity to include an as-

“It’ll give them the opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to their students.”

The luncheon is being held at the Whitman Center in an effort to showcase the facility and to let the counselors know that MCCC is a viable option for their students.

They are concentrating on recruiting from the south county and Northwestern Ohio regions.

MCCC is one of Monroe County’s biggest assets and the Whitman Center is an exceptional alternative to the main campus if you live in or around the Bedford area, Hall said.

A 2007 survey found that about half the students attending Whitman took classes at main campus, too.

This led MCCC’s Board to conclude that if Whitman does close for the spring/summer semesters, it might inconvenience some students, but they may not necessarily miss out on courses altogether.

With the beginning of the winter semester here, administrators are pushing forward to find solutions to Whitman’s issues.

“Whether or not the College does offer spring/summer classes next year at Whitman remains to be seen,” Hall said.

sociate’s degree on their resumes.

“If a student is not able to complete their bachelor’s degree for some reason – obtaining the associate degree credential becomes even more critical,” said Patricia Cygnar, director of community college relations at EMU. The new agreement will apply to former MCCC students who have transferred a minimum of 45 credits to EMU, have not earned a degree from MCCC, and are in good academic standing.

Students meeting the criteria will be sent an email asking if they want their EMU transcript sent back to MCCC (free of charge) to use EMU credits toward completing their associate degree.

Kathy Mattea performs Friday Grammy and CMA award-winner Kathy Mattea is performing at MCCC at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18.

Mattea’s Top 20 radio hits inlcude “Where’ve You Been?”, “455 Rocket” and “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses.”

A native of West Virginia’s coal country, she caught the entertainment world off guard four years ago with an album of Appalachian mining songs called “Coal.”

She delved even deeper into her Appalachian heritage with her fall 2012 album release, “Calling Me Home.”

Tickets for Kathy Mattea are available now and can be purchased on the Web at www.monroeccc. edu/theater.

Pop tabs collected again Student Government is again collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house.

Collection jars are located throughout campus.

Tabs can be placed in the jars or given to any Student Government member.

The pop tab project was started in honor of Gabriel Jordan, a baby who was born with a congenital heart defect.

Gabriel’s family spent many days at a Ronald McDonald House, and launched the pop tab project to say thanks.

The collection at MCCC will run through the end of the Winter semester.

Scheer, Rayl and Daniels win awards Carla Crockett Agora Staff

A computer technician, a faculty member and an administrator who went beyond the routine were honored as the November and December winners of the MCCC “Enriching Lives” award.

Tom Scheer, a microcomputer technician in Information Systems, won the December award, according to Molly McCutchan, director of Human Resources.

Scheer was cited for his leadership roles with the Support Staff Advocates and the Support Staff Council, as well as his knowledge and professionalism in his everyday work.

The November winners of the award were Tracy Rayl, a Biology professor, and Randy Daniels, vice president for Student Services.

McCutchan said she couldn’t give details of the award, for privacy reasons.

“Tracy and Randy worked together to address a difficult student issue. Both acted immediately to enact a plan that ultimately led to the student’s safety,” she said.

“It is reassuring to know that we have colleagues who take student concerns seriously and who take the time to make sure that a student is safe.”

Photo courtesy of Pat Nedry

A group of students from Professor Pat Nedry’s Quality Management course visted Spartan Steel Coating for a plant tour Nov. 29. The students gather around Dave Salliotte, plan superintendent, as he explains the steel coating process.

Features

January 15, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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“Polar Plunge” helps local kids Nicki Kostrzewa Agora Staff

The Polar Plunge returns this winter to Monroe County.

“I created the event last year in Monroe County,” said Stacie Ourlian, the Area Director for the Special Olympics.

The plunge is an event where people voluntarily jump into a body of water between the months of January through March.

“The polar plunge is our largest fundraiser, and a time when people can have fun with family and friends, doing something crazy but still be supporting a great cause,” Ourlain said.

Jumpers may jump in teams; the number is decided by the divers they have on duty.

Fifty percent of the money that is raised from this event goes to the Special Olympics of Michigan.

The other 50 percent of the donations goes to the Special Olympics program in the area in which the plunge was held.

The Polar Plunge has become a nationwide fundraiser to help raise money for the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics is a nonprofit organization for people with disabilities.

Athletes may participate, starting at the age of 8; there is no up-

Plunge Sunday The 2013 Polar Plunge for Monroe will take place Jan. 20 at Clamdigger and Riverfront Marina.

For those who are looking to register, or to find out more information, please visit www.firstgiving.com/polarplunge/monroe2013 or email area34@somi.org. per end age limit.

In Monroe County there is a Special Olympics athletic program for children 2 to 7 years of age. During this time, they learn basic skills that will prepare them for the actual competition when they become of age.

Last year, a total of 78 people jumped into the icy cold water. Between them, $16,000 was raised for the organization.

“We have over 500 volunteers who are part of Special Olympics year-round, but this event brings in a different group of people who come together for the common purpose of supporting athletes in Monroe County,” Ourlain said.

Anyone can sponsor someone’s plunge! Participants are encouraged to ask family, friends, businesses, teachers, anyone.

Every donation goes a long way.

Photo courtesy of Bonnie Sorter

Jennifer Musulin, a Special Olympics coach, prepares for her chilly jump into cold water at last years Polar Plunge. Those who participated had the option to wear costumes, many of whom chose Disney characters.

End of the world?

(Nope)

By Hannah Boulton Agora staff

Dec 21, 2012 was (not) the end of the world as we know it.

The predicted apocalypse — which spawned a disaster movie “2012,” a TV show tracking “Doomsday Preppers” taking extraordinary measures for the endof-a-lifetime event, and numerous jokes on social media and elsewhere — stemmed from the end of an important phase of the ancient Mayan calendar.

History is littered with doomsdays that have come and gone.

The end of civilization seems to hold a morbid fascination for people, through a combination of grim excitement over how the end might come, and more individual thoughts of our own extinction.

“I don’t know why people take predictions as crazy as the end of the world so seriously. People can be so easy to believe in anything that’s negative, because most of the time when we sit down to watch the evening news, it is all terrible things. Our society is almost programed to accept the negative so quickly,” said Sarah Fisher, an MCCC student.

The Mayans did not predict anything bad for Dec. 21, 2012.

Their calendar has simply run out. Nothing more, nothing less.

Where did all this conspiracy originate then? According to NASA there were no credible scientists who backed up the Dec 21, 2012, theory.

The story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, is

headed toward Earth.

This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012 and linked to the end of one of the cycles in the ancient Mayan calendar at the winter solstice in 2012 — hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.

But that didn’t stopped people from preparing –as much as it is possible to prepare for the apocalypse.

For all the nonsense, there have been implications for the real world.

NASA was flooded with hundreds of calls the week of the predicted apocalypse, and had to create a separate webpage, www. nasa.gov/2012 , to help quell the misinformation floating around.

“They are afraid. They are scared. They believe what they read on the Internet. Even though most respectable news organizations are saying it’s not going to happen, they don’t want to believe it,” NASA spokesman J.D. Harrington told the Houston Chronicle.

In America, there was a small radical part of the country that took the Mayan predictions seriously.

For the most part, many people did not, but rather used it as a source of themed parties, jokes, and light conversation.

“If people believe in such predictions they are either a drug-taking new-age wacko who believes in ‘mystical signs’ and ‘ancient predic-

“They are afraid. They are scared. They believe what they read on the Internet. Even though most respectable news organizations are saying it’s not going to happen, they don’t want to believe it.”

JD. Harrington

NASA Spokesman

Looting all around the world was seen as a problem, for many people would simply blame their actions on the fact that “dooms day” was approaching.

tions’ or a conspiracy nutcase who will latch on to anything as long as it goes against what the government or NASA are saying,” said MCCC student, Randy Beckon.

Some countries around the world had different views.

In parts of Russia, people stockpiled candles, salt, matches and torches.

In France, police kept an eye on Bugarach, one of two villages said to be safe havens according to CNN. In the other, Şirince in Turkey, the locals made major cash out of the influx of tourists.

In Italy, a well-to-do lawyer skipped court to build a bunker beneath his villa.

People took the day seriously and prepared for it, ignored it completely due to disbelief, or took advantage of people being scared.

Looting on the eve of Doomsday was a fear for many business owners and officials.

This year’s Black Friday had many instances of looting throughout the country. People were blaming their actions on the end of the world soon coming.

There were Facebook pages devoted to groups who were making elaborate plans to loot at certain stores, and blogs all over the internet that were encouraging people

to loot stores the eve of Doomsday.

Store security in some areas were on high alert the days leading up to the alleged apocalypse, according to CNN. Looters may or may not have believed in the end of the world, but they planned on taking full advantage of the day.

“If we live through whatever happens... I’m gonna have a 60 inch,” was posted on a Facebook page named, “I am going looting on December 20, 2012.”

It was all talk, however.

Very little looting of stores was reported to have occurred in the U.S. It was described more as a large shoplifting group, according to ABC. Mobs looted supermarkets in Argentina’s third largest city early Dec 21, leaving two dead and two seriously injured, which turned out to be civilians upset about a power outage rather than Doomsday reactions.

Locally, no reports of crazy behavior due to the end of the world were reported. Only an ironic power outage occurred early in the morning. The outage left both sides of North Telegraph Road as well as neighboring residential areas dark.

The outages were said to be weather related, not due to any end-of-the world phenomenon.

The Mayan calendar moves in cycles with the last cycle ending in December 2012. The last day of the Mayan calendar corresponds with the Winter Solstice (or December Solstice), which has played a significant role in many cultures all over the world. The Mayans didn’t invent the calendar, it was used by most cultures in pre-Columbian Central America – including the Mayans – from around 2000 BC to the 16th century. The Mayan civilization developed the calendar further and it’s still in use in some Mayan communities today.

Editorial

January 15, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Housing Commission: ‘Shame on you’ Woman struggles with cancer while fighting to stay in her home Melanie Jacobs-Davis Agora Staff

Federal housing is government subsidized housing that is income based. It’s primarily for low income or no income tenants.

Tenants of these types of housing communities are protected by an agency called the Fair Housing Commission. They are protected from acts of discrimination regarding sex, race, religion or disability.

The Monroe Housing Commission is one of the entities that oversees Greenwood Townhomes here in Monroe.

It would very easy for one to “assume” a lot of things about the type of people who live in low/no income housing. Unless you’ve fallen on hard times in your life, you really shouldn’t be so quick to pass judgment.

Two years ago, I fell upon hard times myself and had to move to Greenwood. The Housing Commission gave me a wonderful speech about how they prided themselves on helping people who fall on unfortunate times.

It was rather touching, this speech I received, and it gave me a sense of security; until I lived there for a while.

I was very surprised to find that some of the most amazing people I’d ever met were now my new neighbors.

My neighbor to the left of my apartment is a young woman named Melissa Damron. She had three young children and was pregnant with her fourth when she lost her husband to a massive heart attack. She was shy and introverted, relying primarily on her husband for everything.

Then he died.

Melissa had no driver’s license, no diploma, and suddenly no husband. She gave birth to her fourth child a few weeks after she buried the man she loved.

Melissa had to make the hardest choice a mother could ever make.

She voluntarily placed her children with a loving foster family until she could get herself on her feet and be the mother to her children that she knew they deserved.

Within a year, she received a driver’s license, her GED and found a job. She has all of her children back and is doing wonderful. Melissa is definitely a success story.

Situations like Melissa’s are not typical here in Greenwood. It’s really unfortunate.

My neighbor to my right is another amazing woman who came upon hard times as well. Christine Benvenuto is a mother to a

Photo by Melanie Jacobs-Davis

Greenwood Townhouses is low-income housing managed by the Monroe Housing Commission on Greenwood Avenue in northeast Monroe.

10-year-old son; she has struggled with serious health issues for the last decade.

When she first moved in, she received the speech as well. “We are here for you; we’re here to help you.”

Well, that was not the case for Christine.

As a term of the lease, tenants are required to do eight hours of community service a month.

Many of the people who live in Greenwood don’t have a vehicle, including Christine, and have to rely on the bus to get to wherever they are volunteering. The bus stop is at least 250 yards from Christine’s back door.

Seems simple enough, right?

Well, it’s not.

Christine has a degenerative disc disease that has wreaked havoc on her joints, especially her knees. We sometimes joke, to make light of how horrible it is for her, because she has to hobble like a penguin.

It’s not funny, though.

It’s painful, as Christine’s

friend, to see the suffering she endures just to walk. That walk to the bus stop is complete torture for her.

A year ago, Christine met with the Housing Commission director and the Resident Services coordinator. She supplied a note from her doctor excusing her from community service. They completely disregarded the note and humiliated her; they told her she wasn’t trying hard enough.

Needless to say, they didn’t approve her exemption from community service. So she suffered, every month, as her health continued to deteriorate.

Her doctors discovered that, among so many other issues, Christine’s thyroid had to come out. She had to go through a series of surgeries just in preparation for her thyroid surgery.

She needed help, so she asked the Resident Services coordinator to put her 19-year-old son on the lease so he could help take care of her and her son – so she could have these much needed surgeries. The coordinator told her they

“I was very surprised to find that some of the most amazing people I’d ever met were now my new neighbors.”

Melanie Jacobs-Davis

“There are really good people who live here, people who just need a break.”

Melanie Jacobs-Davis would look into it and get back to her, but weeks went by and she didn’t hear anything.

It would’ve been easy to assume that Housing had no issues with it. After all, Christine was really sick; anyone with a heart wouldn’t give a sick woman grief?

The Housing Commission discovered that Christine didn’t complete her eight hours of community service in August, one month before her first of many surgeries.

They pulled her into a meeting and let her know they were going to proceed with an eviction.

I’ll never forget the desperation that my friend felt at the thought of her and her 10-year-old being tossed out on the street.

She felt humiliated and belittled; intimidated and powerless to this “higher” power.

Imagine lying on a cold table about to be sedated for a surgery to have your throat sliced open with the thought of losing your home in the back of your mind.

Not cool.

The doctors performed a biopsy

of her thyroid; Christine has cancer.

She has stints in her heart, needs a double-knee replacement, degenerated discs in her neck and back, arthritis, and now…cancer.

None of this matters though; she didn’t do her eight hours of community service.

Housing knocked on Christine’s door expecting to collect her keys, as if she was going to hand them over and leave her home.

Her 19-year-old son answered the door. The resident coordinator – the same person Christine spoke to earlier about her son – had the police remove him from the property and put him on the no trespassing list because he wasn’t on the lease.

It was three days before Thanksgiving.

Her 10-year-old son watched the police take his big brother away and I watched my friend fall apart.

Christine received her eviction notice on a Thursday; court was scheduled for the following Mon-

day.

For my friend, things were hopeless.

I was outraged, to say the least.

This was, it seemed to me, a clear cut case of discrimination.

I called the Fair Housing Commission for her. They shared in my outrage.

We hooked her up with legal aid, and by the grace of God, they were able to see her the next day.

They took her case within five minutes of hearing her story.

I accompanied her to court where she expected to face a judge. The Housing Commission was there expecting another easy eviction.

To their surprise, Christine had a lawyer. She has a team behind her now, willing to fight for her.

These people say they want to help us; they seemed so sincere.

She is so sick, why wouldn’t you accommodate that?

It’s completely out of her control that her knees don’t work and now she has cancer. They bullied her into thinking she was powerless to what they were doing to her.

They didn’t bat an eyelash at the thought of this sick woman and her son being put out on the street?

I have never been the type of person to stand by and do nothing when I bear witness to such a travesty.

This is my friend. I love her very much, and I am not going to allow these people to harass her and not do something about it.

There are really good people who live here, people who just need a break.

Instead of harassing Christine over eight hours of community service, they could’ve been doing something about the other serious issues there.

Instead, they choose to pick on a sick woman with cancer?

Shame on you, Monroe Housing Commission. We are not second-class citizens just because we are low income.

We are human beings.

These people don’t move into Greenwood by choice. It’s a matter of circumstance.

Some tragic situation is usually the reason behind most tenants having to move there.

I know I didn’t envision myself moving to Greenwood? It wasn’t something I got excited about.

I was actually terrified to move there, amidst learning the hardest lesson of my life.

For now, my friend Christine can provide a warm home for her little boy.

Her fate lies with the Judge when she goes back to court on Feb. 4.

I will be there, by my friend’s side.

Twinkies, snacks in distress Hannah Boulton

“The way I see it, the Twinkie is an American symbol for obesity. Nevertheless, it is a snack that Americans love. Everyone can stop panicking; America will not let this company disappear forever.”

Agora Staff

Fear not for the Twinkie.

There’s a good chance it will outlive us all.

The same cannot be said for Hostess Brands, the bankrupt baker responsible for Twinkies, Wonder Bread and other goods.

The company said recently it has asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to go out of business and lay off 18,500 workers, blaming a labor strike by members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, according to CNN. “We deeply regret the necessity of today’s decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike,” said Gregory Rayburn, Hostess’ chief executive in an interview with CNN. Texas-based Hostess, which has about $2.5 billion in sales, said it had suspended operations at all of its 33 plants around the United States as it moves to liquidate assets.

The expectation is that other baking companies or investors will gobble up the brands, giving its products a good chance at a new life under different ownership.

“We’ll be selling the brands and as much of the infrastructure as we can,” said company spokesman Lance Ignon.

“There is value in the brands.”

Hannah Boulton

The Twinkie is an icon in America. The cream-filled snack was introduced in 1933 as a strawberry shortcake bar. When strawberries were out of season, Hostess replaced the strawberries with bananas, until bananas were rationed in WWII. After making the Twinkie cream-filled, they never went back. In the 1960s, the Twinkie was a popular item in bomb shelters, because of their long shelf life. Bill Clinton even put a Twinkie in a time capsule during his presidency.

According to FOX, Gary Stibel, founder of the New England Consulting Group, said “the jury’s still out” on the company’s future,

adding that the firm may be able to “work something out in the 11th hour.”

“There’s a lot of activity going

on,” said Stibel in the FOX interview.

He added that his firm is involved in the conversations, but

not representing Hostess.

“Let’s just say there are a lot of folks who are going to be working over the weekend,” he said.

Stibel said the only thing for certain is that “these brands aren’t going anywhere.”

“In the final analysis, these brands will return,” he said. “Tylenol came back, Coke came back, and many of (the Hostess brands) will do better once this is over with.”

Among the company’s other brands: Ding Dongs, Sno Balls, Donettes, Dolly Madison Zingers and Drake’s snack cakes.

Hostess had lost some ground with customers.

From May 2011 to May 2012, sales of Twinkies slipped 0.8 percent, Ding Dongs fell 8.7 percent and Ho Ho’s tumbled 6.3 percent, according to analysis from research group Mintel.

Hostess’ bankruptcy made national news and people all over

dashed to their local grocery store to buy up the Hostess products left.

One man, Jim Bowen, is just one of many Americans who were devastated by news of the demise of Hostess products.

Every week, he would buy a cart full of bread, according to the Huffington Post.

He would only buy the bread for the birds and had not eaten a Twinkie until days after the bankruptcy announcement.

I have been told I am not an American because I have never consumed a Twinkie.

The way I see it, the Twinkie is an American symbol for obesity.

Nevertheless, it is a snack that Americans love.

Everyone can stop panicking; America will not let this company disappear forever.

We wouldn’t be able to swallow that guilt.

A&E

January 15, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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‘Ted’ creates laughter — of the raunchy sort Melanie Jacobs Seth MacFarlane ‘s voice and direction make “Ted” a hilarious hit, if you don’t mind off-color jokes.

Agora Staff

Starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis, Ted is a wildly hilarious movie that is definitely worthy of its R rating.

The creator of Family Guy and American Dad, Seth MacFarlane, directed, coproduced, co-wrote, and starred in this raunchy, off-beat comedy.

As the voice of Peter Griffin, Seth MacFarlane once again offers his voice, but this time, as a boundary-pushing, pot-smoking teddy bear named Ted.

Eight-year-old Josh Bennett (Wahlberg) had trouble fitting in with other kids in his school.

After receiving a teddy bear for Christmas, Josh made a Christmas wish that his teddy bear, appropriately named Ted, would come to life.

His dream came true and he and Ted quickly became best friends and “thunder buddies for life.”

The quirky pair is crazy about the 70’s television show Flash Gordon. Sam Jones (Flash Gordon) makes an appear-

ance in the film and turns out to be a bad influence on the pair, ultimately getting them to do drugs with him.

Josh Bennett’s girlfriend Valerie (Kunis) doesn’t appreciate her 35-year-old boyfriend’s teddy bear being such a bad influence on him.

The tension between Josh and Valerie coupled with Ted’s consistently bad behavior sets the stage for this wildly hilarious adventure.

Seth Macfarlane pulls out another hit with this movie where the humor is al-

most offensive.

This movie is definitely not for someone who’s uptight. One could get offended, especially when you see a teddy bear doing cocaine, having sex and smoking pot.

For a movie with humor so bold, it’s buyer beware!

If you don’t like crude humor, stay away from this movie.

It’s so wrong, it’s hilarious! Two thumbs up.

MTV takes on more ‘reality’ Two shows as different as New York and W.V. Hannah Bulton Agora Staff

Book shocks readers, holds surprise ending Carla Crockett Agora Staff

“At some point, you just pull off the Band-Aid and it hurts, but then it’s over and you’re relieved.” - Miles Halter in Looking for Alaska.

With the winter weather starting to take effect, people will want to stay warm. What better way than to read a good book?

Looking for Alaska is about Miles’ journey to find his “great perhaps.”

“François Rabelais. He was this

poet. And his last words were ‘I go to seek a Great Perhaps.’”

Just like our little town of Monroe, he feels there is more out there to experience.

In the process of finding himself, he finds some friends along the way.

Takumi is a smart, mischievous, Japanese man who is the brains of most of their pranks.

The “Colonel,” on the other hand, is sarcastic and leader of all the pranks.

Then, there is Alaska.

Alaska, one of the main characters, is unpredictable.

She is witty, beautiful, smart, sarcastic and very “of the moment.”

“If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.”

I can’t give away the ending but it will shock you.

Once you begin reading and learn the characters, their feelings, and emotions, you won’t want to stop till the end.

This is not a happily-ever-after.

Uptown New York and hillbilly West Virginia are replacing Jersey Shore on MTV. MTV is known for its reality shows. The infamous Jersey Shore finished its last season, and two more reality shows are taking its place.

Washington Heights airs on Wednesday at 10 p.m. and Buckwild airs on Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Washington Heights is set in a Manhattan neighborhood that is predominantly Dominican. It’s located mostly north of 155th Street, and will be getting its own reality show.

It will launch with a two-hour show that introduces viewers to a bunch of friends who are working through the issues of life and each other.

The cast includes: JP, aspiring rapper, self-appointed keeper of the peace among the friends; hot-tempered Reyna; Frankie, a spoken-word performer and close pal of Taylor; Jimmy, aspiring pro baseball player; Ludwin, an artist; Eliza, into fashion (and Ludwin); Rico, JP’s closest friend; and Fred, also into fashion.

“Buckwild,” is more obviously “Jersey Shore,” in a new setting. It’s based in West Virginia, and follows a bunch of friends who raise hell, party and get into trouble with the neigh-

The cast of MTV’s Buckwild. The reality show replaced Jersey Shores time slot with a lot of the same behavior of the Shore cast. Cursing, drinking, fighting, clubbing, but this cast also goes swimming in the back of a dump truck and have mud fights in

bors.

The cast includes: good ol’ boy Shain; Anna, aka “the Ringleader”; tomboy Ashley; Shae, looking for eligible bachelors and vice versa; Joey, who’s called “Justin Beaver” because, well, who knows why; redhead Cara, another wild child; Tyler, the pretty boy; Katie, on the cautious side; and Salwa, eldest of the group.

The two shows are not only opposites in geography, they’re

also very different in tone and style.

“Buckwild” isn’t offensive as much as just boneheaded — almost as bad as “Shore.”

By contrast, “Heights” almost feels like atonement for the biggest hit in MTV history.

The kids don’t swear (much), esteem their elders, work at their dreams and have no obvious or debilitating vices.

Guess which one is most likely to succeed?

EMU–Monroe • Master's in

Curriculum and Instruction

• Bachelor's in

Nursing

(R.N./B.S.N. completion)

734.384.4321 • monroe@emich.edu ep.emich.edu/monroe EP4030

Sports

January 15, 2013

mcccagora.com • The Agora

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Co-founder returns as VB coach Elizabeth Terrasi takes over reins of Volleyball Club Tyler Rogoff Agora Staff

MCCC’s club volleyball team has a new coach this year, and she is one of the original founders of the program.

Elizabeth Terrasi, who played four years of volleyball at St. Mary’s Catholic Central and was a part of the 2007 state championship winning team, is the new coach.

She previously coached the SMCC Freshman volleyball team.

Terrasi had multiple Division I scholarship offers from her time at SMCC, but chose to stay at home for MCCC’s academics.

Terrasi then decided to take the initiative to try setting up a club volleyball team at MCCC. She had the backing of the school right away and would like to see the athletic programs grow even more.

Terrasi has the team playing weekly games in the ALCC recreational league.

The team will also travel to collegiate tournaments while hosting multiple fundraiser tournaments at MCCC. Players on her team are expected to treat it like a varsity team instead of a club sport team, but Terrasi knows that players losing interest is a possibility.

Terrasi feels the hardest part of being the new coach this year is earning everyone’s dedication, time, and participation.

Terrasi is working to market MCCC’s club team to other colleges’ club volleyball teams.

team is one of the most important intangibles to have, and she has named two captains for the upcoming season.

Tia Keeler, who is also the club President, and Chelsea Bateson, the Vice President, are the two team captains.

She feels that both are natural leaders and that their knowledge of the game of volleyball will be vital to helping the team grow.

The team’s middle hitter, Sarah Georgic, is the quiet leader of the team. Georgic is a great player in clutch situations, Terasi said, and her demeanor and talent help to motivate the team during matches.

Terrasi also knows that her job as a colElizabeth Terrasi legiate coach is more than just developing New MCCC volleball coach her team members as athletes.

She also wants to help them grow as stuWhile playing in a recreational league dents and human beings. is fun and good practice, the team wants “My philosophy as a coach is not just to to test themselves against other collegiate teach the game, but to instill in each player programs. important life lessons,” Terrasi said.

“Psychologically, there’s just something “I want to see each player mature into a more fun about facing a fellow college hard working, intelligent, and a respectful competitor,” Terrasi said. young lady.”

Besides playing volleyball during her Everything begins with attitude, and tenure at SMCC, Terrasi also played at Central Michigan University for a year af- Terrasi is hoping that the attitude she tries to instill in her team will carry on to more ter transferring from MCCC. than just volleyball.

Her favorite memory of that season was Terrasi hopes that all that she wants to being able to play in the national tournament, and she is hoping that enough fund- accomplish on and off the court will come ing will be raised to allow this year’s club to fruition throughout the academic year.

“Now, I’m so happy to be back coaching team to do the same. this team. It’s definitely made some progTerrasi knows that leadership within the ress since I’ve been gone,” Terrasi said.

“My philosophy as a coach is not just to teach the game, but to instill in each player important life lessons. I want to see each player mature into a hard working, intelligent, and a respectful young lady.”

Above, MCCC Volleyball team members Chelsea Bateson and Sarah Georgic block a shot during a December game.

Right, Taylor Cole serves; and below, Heather Hyden spikes over two defenders, while Chelsea Bateson waits for the block.

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.