Jan 30, 2017

Textbook prices discourage students

Math pilot program postponed

Page 5

Top 10 best films of 2016

Page 6

Page 8

Jan. 30th, 2017 Vol. 64, Issue 4

Student Government plans ball and more

MCCC loses longest-term

Joseph Abrams Staff Writer

If you have a mask, now’s the time to break it out and boogie for Student Government’s “Unmask the Night” On Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. Student Government plans to throw their annual dance.

For $30, students and a guest can attend the dance at the Grecian Center in Southgate. The student government has been planning this event, alongside many others, over the last few months.

“I hope to really engage campus, to get people to come on by and have fun with their fellow classmates,” said Grayson Bacarella, the president of Student Government.

Bacarella said the event is not meant to be seen as a romantic dance, but rather a school dance for everyone and anyone who wishes to participate.

“It is not a Valentine’s Day dance. You can bring a date, or you don’t have to bring a date. I personally won’t be bringing a date myself,” he said.

By everyone, he means everyone. MCCC students, alumni, and guests of the MCCC students are all allowed to attend, he said.

Although there isn’t a strict dress code, the event is somewhat formal, so dressing a bit better than casual clothing is recommended, Bacarella said.

“It’s definitely got some air of formality about it, but it’s not too serious. We’re all there to have fun,” he said.

“It’s definitely something to dress up for, but it’s not a formal formal dance. Don’t feel that pressure.”

Though the theme of the dance is the masquerade, those who might not have a mask laying around will still be able to participate in the fun.

“You know, it’s the masquerade ball so if you have a mask, bring it,” Bacarella said. “We’ll be handing out masks as well.”

The colors of the dance are red and gold against a black and dark blue contrast, he said.

The ticket includes a dinner courtesy of the Grecian Center, which has a large buffet including vegetarian options, he said.

Some of the other features of the dance will be a DJ and potentially a photo booth according to Tom Ryder, MCCC’s student activity director. He said that he sees it as just another fun addition for the students.

“Every time that a group has had a photobooth, there’s a line,” Ryder said.

For those planning on attending the best time to buy tickets is before the last week of sales, according to Molly Siedlecki, a member of Student Government and planning committee.

She said that a week before the event they have to contact the Grecian Centre on the minimum number of tickets sold.

After giving the projected number, Student Government will limit the amount of tickets available, so waiting until the last minute may result in an inability to purchase any.

professor

Vassar retires after teaching for 47 years at MCCC

By Kathy Gibson For The Agora

Art professor Ted Vassar enriched the lives of students in his classroom every day.

“Ted is an inspiration to the students and a trusted friend,” said his former colleague, Art professor Gary Wilson.

Wilson retired at the end of the 20152016 academic year, and Vassar’s retirement was effective Dec. 16, 2016.

At MCCC’s Board of Trustees Jan. 23 meeting, board member Jim Devries read the resolution of commendation for Vassar’s retirement.

“He has been an outstanding educator at the college for 47 years and an excellent colleague and valued member of the Humanities Social Sciences Division since 1969, and in this role motivated, inspired, and guided thousands of students, as well as encouraged them to become educators and working artists themselves,” DeVries read.

Most people on campus know that Vassar is an avid sportsman with a cottage up-north on Beaver Island, and that he has taught longer than any other instructor at MCCC. Most know he is an award-winning watercolorist.

“He has always been a striking and noteworthy example of how a real working artist approaches his craft and of the level of dedication required for excellence and professionalism,” DeVries said.

Vassar won scores of prizes and best-in-

Ted Vassar coaches MCCC’s women’s volleyball team in 1975. Former MCCC president Ron Campbell said he was a gracious coach.

show awards in both regional and national competitions and fairs.

Vassar and Wilson acquired and supervised the art collection at the college.

Few probably remember when he was

“He has always been a striking and noteworthy example of how a real working artist approaches his craft and of the level of dedication required for excellence and professionalism.”

Jim DeVries MCCC Board of Trustees

all the details.

Vassar keeps the treasured coach’s notebook on the top shelf in his office, next to the art books and student painting projects.

Though his side of the shared office space resembles one of his award winning watercolors, “Systemization of a Chaotic Condition,” he knows where everything is.

The black, three-ring binder is complete with play strategies, restaurants close to the Lesow Recreation Center, directions on how to wash your uniform, and blue mimeograph printing.

Vassar said he believes students need recreation and sports as part of their personal growth.

See Students, Page 2

Winter enrollment increases James Quick Agora Staff

Enrollment at MCCC is up 1.4 percent, going from 3,012 this time last year to 3,055, reversing a six-year downward trend.

Credit and contact hours are down by negligible amounts, less than 1 percent each, according to Tracy Vogt, the college registrar.

The increase places the college fifth in enrollment growth out of community colleges in the state, according to the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers.

“It’s because of our relationships with the high schools,” President Kojo Quartey

See Bacarella, Page 2

Inside:

the women’s volleyball coach, early in his career at MCCC. Having played volleyball in school, he volunteered to coach the team in 1975.

MCCC’s first president, Ron Campbell, reminisces about those early days with Coach Vassar.

“He was always very gracious with his time,” Campbell said. “He had a good sense of humor and related to his students.”

Starting out at a new college meant making do with what you had or did not have.

“At that time, MCCC didn’t have a gym,” Vassar said. “So we had to practice at the Arthur Lesow Recreation Center in Monroe.”

“It took some organization and sharing rides, but we managed,” he said. “I have a notebook around here somewhere with

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said. “We’re doing more direct college courses, where we’re teaching college classes at the high schools. It’s geared more towards younger students taking classes with us.”

Mark Hall, director of Admissions and Guidance Services, said the college offers classes in six high schools, and they all plan to continue next year.

He believes another part of the growth is due to the passing of the millage during the November 2016 election.

“It shows that our community believes in us. They trust us,” Quartey said. “They believe that we provide a high-quality education. That’s why many people voted yes for the millage.”

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2| mcccagora.com • Campus News Career and Technical Early College launching The Agora

Sarah Worrell Agora staff

Monroe County high school students will have new opportunities this fall with the launch of the Monroe County Career and Technical Early College.

MCTC Early College is a new dual-enrollment option for high school students to earn college credits at MCCC through a five-year program.

Students register with their home district, then complete their first two years of high school at their home location.

When students reach their third year, they will begin to take college classes on the MCCC campus.

January 30, 2017

The percentage of college courses will increase over the next two years until the fifth year, when all the courses will be at the college and none at their high school.

Students will have the ability to earn an approved technical certificate, an associate’s degree, and/or up to 60 credits through MCCC. Stephen McNew, superintendent at the Monroe ISD, said area employers need more of the kind of skilled workers that will be produced by the MCTC Early College.

“We know that we have an aging workforce in skilled trades,” said McNew. “We have a tremendous

need in this area to fill those positions.”

Students in the program have the opportunity to study accounting, agriculture, welding, marketing, and many other fields.

Tim Lake is the president and CEO of the Monroe County Business Development Corporation.

He envisions the MCTC Early College bringing economic development, growth and prosperity, and new businesses.

“I’m hoping in a lot of cases, students will earn credits in areas that are desperate for workers,” Lake said.

The new program is separate from the Monroe County Middle College, which is already on

MCCC’s campus. The Middle College also is a fiveyear program that gives students the opportunity to earn college credits during high school, but it is primarily health and math-science based.

“One of the primary differences is location,” McNew said.

Middle College students spend all five years on the MCCC campus, while MCTC Early College students will only spend a portion of the last three years on campus.

Students and parents interested in the MCTC Early College can learn about it at a CTE Expo at the Monroe ISD PD Center at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. It is open to all 8th-11th graders in Monroe County.

Students appreciate Vassar’s individualized teaching Coninued from Page 1

Community campus life could be more fulfilling with team sport activities, he said.

“We had a community college league to compete with. It was great fun.”

The other side of his office was shared with Wilson, his long-time friend and cohort.

“Ted is a great guy to work with,” Wilson said. “It’s almost unbelievable that two men can share the same office for over 40 years without a cross word between them. We are a good team.”

Vassar said not seeing his friend regularly will be the greatest loss he will feel when retiring. Second, he said, was his students.

“I figure about five to six thousand students have been in one or more classes Wilson and I’ve taught over the years,” Vassar said. “I really enjoy the students and I’m going to miss them, too.”

Many MCCC art students have become professional artists or art teachers themselves. Vassar admitted he had not kept up with all his students, but some send him a line or give him a call so he knows what they were doing.

He knows for certain that at least 20 are professional artists and about 20 more are teaching art.

“We have three different kinds of art students at MCCC,” Vassar said. “Some want to major in art and go on to another school to further their education. Some are taking an art class to fulfill an elective requirement for a different degree. Oth-

Photo by Kathy Gibson

From left, students Skyler Prevenas and Christin Kern, Ted Vassar, and students Kathleen O’Brian, Kathryn Beland, Noelle Fragner, and Alan McKee.

ers are in our classes for personal enrichment.”

Addressing the needs and skill levels of such a diverse group of students can be challenging, but Vassar took it in stride.

Not only are the goals and skills different for every student, he often combined classes to make sure they were offered at the college.

Because instruction must be individualized, serious art students were appreciative of his individualized instructional

style and talent for art.

Probably his early teaching experiences at Toledo Public Schools contributed to his instructional skills.

He taught seventh and eighth grade students at Longfellow Elementary and was teaching at DeVilbiss High School when he was hired at MCCC. Campbell remembered hiring Vassar because he had such a good art portfolio.

“He was a good artist. We learned through the probationary period what a

gold mine we had,” Campbell said. “He had a feeling for the students.”

One of his students, Noelle Fragner, was a business student taking painting as an elective because she liked to be creative.

Fragner said Vassar helped her learn new painting skills.

“Everyone gets to do their art work at their own level,” Fragner said. “He is an amazing teacher, yet a tough critic, because he knows art.”

Kathleen O’Brian was a life-long learning student in watercolor class. She had never taken formal lessons in art, but had studied on her own for several years.

Having the opportunity to study with an award-winning watercolorist enlightened for her.

“He is a phenomenal instructor and artist,” O’Brian said. “He knows just what to help you with and then he lets you do it.”

“You can’t hover over them,” Vassar said. “You have to let them go on their own. It’s a studio. The students are doing the best they can at the level they are.”

Student Christin Kern was undecided about her major, but knew she wanted to pursue a career in art.

“Professor Vassar is so helpful,” Kern said. “He gives you feedback on what you are doing good and what you need to improve on. I like that he looks at my work individually and knows how to help me get to the next step.”

Vassar’s office was often open. He stayed available to his students and was a good role model for aspiring artists because he was always working on something himself and eager to show it off.

“It’s my home away from home,” Vassar said.

There was an art piece on Vassar’s bulletin board, with a note attached. It came from a student, he said.

“You have helped me take some of the secret out of seemingly unattainable concepts,” the note read. “You, above all others, have helped me to grow as an artist.”

Left, Ted Vassar draws; above, he teaches Kathleen O’Brian.

Agora wins eight awards at MPA contest

By Sarah Worrell Agora Staff

The Agora won eight awards in the Michigan Press Association competition.

The MPA competition honors the best work in journalism in the state. It includes several categories, ranging from large professional newspapers to small colleges. The Agora competed in the division for college newspapers that publish less than weekly.

The Agora Editor: Leah Thomas Assistant Editor: Joseph Abrams Web Editor: Vanessa Ray Adviser: Dan Shaw Staff: Cheyenne Abel Selene Avilla Leigh Cole Miranda Gardner

Sawyer Jackson James Quick Sarah Worrell

Editorial Policy 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 Building, (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Submissions: The Agora encourages submissions by anyone in the college community, including free-lance articles, opinion columns or letters to the editor.

All submissions must include a name, 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.

It is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

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

The awards were presented Jan. 26 at the annual MPA convention in Grand Rapids. The Agora was a finalist for College Newspaper of the Year in its category. The award went to Grand Rapids Community College.

Evan Kutz, co-editor of The Agora for the 20152016 academic year, won three awards.

Awards won by Agora staff members include: Best Writer: Evan Kutz, second place.

Best Photographer: Julia Toniolo, second place, and Evan Kutz, honorable mention.

Investigative Reporting: Evan Kutz, third place.

Column, Review or Blog: Adam Rayes, third place.

Feature Photo: Julia Skrobowski, second place.

Front Page Design: Shelby Spencer, honorable mention.

Online Newspaper: Agora staff, second place.

Bacarella optimistic about student dance Coninued from Page 1

“If you’re planning on waiting until the last week of ticket sales to buy your tickets, I beg you please don’t do that,” Siedlecki said.

It was a lack of interest and sales that led to the cancelation of last year’s “Midsummer’s Night Dream” dance. The lack of sales was driven by some conflicts with over events, Bacarella said.

“It had fallen on the same date, well not the same date, as the GSA and the Middle College prom. So we didn’t end up getting the ticket sales we needed,” he said.

To prevent this from happening again, this time around the Student Government is preparing ahead of schedule.

“We are far more on-task this year,” he said. “We’ve made sure to schedule it so stuff like that isn’t a problem.”

Based on the current ticket sales, things are going according to schedule, Bacarella said.

“This year we’re more optimistic about that,” he said.

Some of the things Student Government has planned to help sales includes setting up tables in the dining room on Jan. 30 and 31, in addition to Feb. 1 and 2, Ryder said.

The following week there are plans of possibly having DJ Manny play music in the cafeteria for students to enjoy, along with the opportunity to sell tickets.

“We have the opportunity to send someone

Photo courtesy of Tom Ryder

Students attend the 2015 version of MCCC’s winter ball at the Crystal Gardens.

up there and say ‘hey, hope you’re having a good time on behalf of the Student Government, and by the way if you like this event we’re hosting another event,’” said Siedlecki at the Student Government meeting.

The tentative date for the cafeteria concert is Feb. 7.

During Student Government’s meeting other future events were discussed that aren’t related to the dance, and some of the recent events were recapped.

One event was the recent blood drive.

They were able to receive 49 units of blood out of a projected 50 units, enough to still call it a victory, Ryder said.

Another event being considered is a poten-

tial concert with the musician Bubba Wilson for Black History Month. At the moment, this is only in the planning stages, with the price still under negotiation, but the majority of Student Government was in favor of bringing Wilson to the college.

In the future, Student Government also has plans for Family Fun Night, an Earth Day event, Honors Night, and “Kojo’s Pingpong Beatdown Part 2: The Rebound.”

Though Student Government is currently focused on the school dance, they plan to have small events to promote the event here and there, Bacarella said. He declined to say exactly what.

“The stuff we do have... I don’t want to ruin the surprise,” he said.

Campus News

January 30, 2017

By Leah Thomas Agora editor The first stage of MCCC’s 2016 millage will reinforce the L Building and add a student space to the north side of the building.

The five-year millage request was passed on Nov. 8, 2016. The revenue produced by the added property tax will finance a series of projects that are designed to make the main campus and Whitman Center more safe, accessible, and technologically advanced.

“I think passing the millage was very positive for us and for the community.

It shows that our community believes in us. They trust us. They believe that we provide a high-quality education,” MCCC President Kojo Quartey said.

“And that’s why many people voted ‘yes’ for the millage.”

Sue Wetzel, vice president of Administration, said the first millage project will be repairing the masonry and sun

mcccagora.com • The Agora

Student lounge

Life Science Building shades on the L Building, which will begin in the summer.

The masonry refers to all the exterior brick on the building. Some of the bricks have cracks, so they need to be

reinforced.

The sun shades are on the second floor of the building, and they provide shade for all rooms on the exterior walls.

|3

They were originally engineered out of concrete. The heavy material has cracked over time, which is endangering the structure of the building.

Wetzel said they will construct new sun shades out of a lighter material, probably metal.

The masonry and sun shade project will cost about $925,000.

There is a little over a million dollars in the Millage Maintenance and Replacement Fund, which is the fund that tracks the project’s revenue and expenses, from this wave of taxes.

Quartey said they are carefully managing the millage money.

“We will remain accountable with the funds,” he said.

While the L Building is under construction, college officials plan to add a student space onto the north part of the building. The area will be an extension of the hallway that leads to the front parking lot by the CTC Building.

HVAC construction to continue through winter Leah Thomas Editor

The college’s heating-cooling project is not as far along as college officials thought.

Sue Wetzel, vice president of Administration, said the geothermal heating and cooling system is 68.5 percent complete.

They thought they were 75 percent complete, but after another review, they found they were not quite as far along.

The completion date is scheduled for July 31. Wetzel said although they have a lot to do, the workers seem confident they can finish on schedule.

Jack Burns, director of Campus Planning & Facilities, will be back to work on Monday, Jan. 30. He has been on leave since Nov. 28.

Burns and Wetzel have been working together to bring each building in the project to completion.

“None are complete. They are all in process, but some are further along than others,” Wetzel said.

The C Building and the East and West Tech Buildings have the pipelines laid and ready to connect to the system. The lines in the A Building are currently being pressurizing to prepare them for the final hook up.

Photo by Leah Thomas

HVAC equipment outside the A building.

Pressurizing the lines is a long and tedious process, Wetzel said. If lines come loose, they have to pump out all the water, reattach the pipeline, then fill the line back up and begin pressurizing again.

Last week, students may have noticed standing water in the parking lot behind the A Building. Wetzel said the water was from a line that disconnected.

“Those are to be expected as they work through the testing phases,” Wetzel said.

The college’s maintenance crew is not yet controlling the system, but they are getting experience by working closely with the contractors and engineers.

“They are really becoming a very valuable part of the team that is finishing the project,” she said. “They are just so good at what they do that they are really becoming some of the best troubleshooters for the contractors.”

Wetzel said the maintenance crew is monitoring the system and helping solve issues.

The L Building is the last phase of the project. They will begin the majority of the work when classes end this semester.

“They’re working behind the scenes,” Wetzel said. “Stuff is happening, but it’s pretty controlled because of the classes that are going on in there.”

The building will be offline during the summer with the exception of a few labs, she said.

All the buildings in the plan except the L Building will be operating on the new cooling system during Spring semester.

Although the project will be complete

by July 31, the new heating system will not be used in all the original buildings, A, C, E, W, and L, until 2018 Winter semester.

Photo by Leah Thomas

A worker cuts concrete as HVAC work continues outside of the A building.

4| mcccagora.com • Campus News Board member asks college to fill vacancies The Agora

Leah Thomas Editor

Board member James DeVries pressed the college to advertise the vacant fulltime positions this semester at the Jan. 23 board meeting.

DeVries read a letter he wrote that addressed the college’s history of rapid retirements and slow replacement. The meeting also contained the recognition of art professor Ted Vassar’s retirement, and budget, millage, HVAC, and enrollment reports.

The board voted Lynette Dowler the chair of the board and Aaron Mason the secretary and administered the office of new board members William Bruck and Steven Hill at a special meeting on Jan 9.

“I want to see a plan, post-haste, regarding this issue. For me ‘kicking the can down the road’ is not an option,” DeVries said.

He reminded President Kojo Quartey that he was assured that humanities pro-

fessor John Holladay was going to be replaced when he retired in 2014, but the position is still open today.

In the past year, four more humanities professors have retired and a fifth is preparing a letter of intent to retire in May 2017.

The college has only filled one humanities position, and no other positions have been posted, DeVries said.

“We are at a crossroad: the Humanities/Social Science division has faded to a shadow of its former strength,” he said.

“Without a solid staff of full-timers, we will soon become just another two-year institution with more adjuncts and more administrators, and just a degree or credit mill. The college may save a lot of money but we will have lost who we have been.”

DeVries said they should be advertising in Feb. and March.

“There are several who retired just before the holiday, so it is difficult to fill those positions almost immediately,”

January 30, 2017

“Without a solid staff of full-timers, we will soon become just another twoyear institution with more adjuncts and more administrators, and just a degree or credit mill. The college may save a lot of money but we will have lost who we have been.”

Jim DeVries MCCC Board of Trustees Quartey said.

He said the organizational structure of the institution has to be considered. There were 2,500 students enrolled in 2010 and a little over 3,000 students enrolled this semester.

“There is some imbalance in the equation,” Quartey said.

Vice President of Instruction Grace Yackee was not ready to respond to the issue with detail at the meeting, so she offered to meet with Quartey to discuss how

to address the issue.

She said they have posted two temporary full-time English positions for the fall. The positions will remain temporary until the English faculty present exact credentials for the positions.

DeVries read the resolution of commendation for Vassar’s retirement. Vassar accepted the commendation with a grin.

“That was a lot of reading,” he said.

“It’s been quite a journey. It just seems like a home away from home. I get choked up, so thank you.”

Vassar received a standing ovation from the audience and many kind remarks.

“You will be missed, and we wish you the very best,” Quartey said.

He said Vassar retained students by sharing his passion for art.

The next board meeting will be Monday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m in the La-Z-Boy Center.

O’Halloran pushes to start an art club at MCCC Miranda Gardner Agora Staff

Of all the clubs and extracurricular activities at MCCC, an art club is not one.

Art professor, Therese O’Halloran is accepting signatures for those who want an art club.

“First we need to figure out who’s interested and find that group of people that’s gonna start the art club,” O’Halloran said.

She said that the art students who excel in different art mediums do not have a way to connect.

“I want to create a community to unify these classes to interact with each other.”

She wants students to organize events, get out there and do exhibits, and see what

they can do in a supportive group.

“They should know how to put up a group show,” O’Halloran said. “That’s the kind of goal either off-campus and oncampus.”

She wants people to have the chance to explore, thrive, and participate in art at MCCC as a team, and to gain valuable experiences through the opportunities the club offers.

“We have quite a few artists that want something to show to their community,” O’Halloran said. “Something for people to belong to.”

Cassy Fallon, a second year fine arts major at MCCC, said having an art club would benefit the students who are going for their degree in fine arts.

“We could get experience in the business setting, galleries, and art shows,” Fallon said.

She said this was O’Halloran’s idea to bring together artists of all forms to creatively collaborate, plan events, and mentor rising artists.

The club would make flyers to spread word of upcoming trips, shows, or guest appearances for the community.

“Therese and Dave Hall are doing a show at the Mother House,” Fallon said.

“It’d be really cool for the students to go.”

The art club is still accepting signatures and those interested can speak to O’Halloran. Her office is located in A building, room 167.

Photo by Miranda Gardner

Therese O’Halloran wants to create an art club so art students can network and learn.

Her office hours are Tuesdays, 9am12:30pm or Wednesdays, 11am-12pm,

and her phone number is (734)384-4158.

Cultural dinner highlights life of faculty member Miranda Gardner Agora staff

The cultural feast stuffed the bellies and inspired the minds of MCCC foreign language students.

German, French, and Spanish students celebrated cultural diversity at a dinner in the cafeteria near the end of Fall semester.

The aroma of dinner filled the air while attendees waited in line for French beef bourguignon, Polish sausages, Spanish rice, and Mexican tacos. At the end of the table were churros and German chocolate cake for dessert.

MCCC foreign language professors provided cultural treasures for students to explore and enjoy.

Tables lined the cafeteria windows, displaying postcards, books, photo albums, and trinkets that professors gathered traveling to different countries.

Irish guest speaker and assistant professor of art, Therese O’Halloran, told her life story after dinner.

“I’m from a small town in Ireland called Foxford,” she said. “Very rugged, rural area, lots of stone walls, lots of history.”

She said Foxford had roughly 800 people.

O’Halloran’s adventures included being knocked down by a car, but that didn’t keep her down. She recovered and put in the dedication to work on a career in pottery.

“I decided the way to get experience was to go to school, then go work for different potters,” she said.

O’Halloran traveled from Ireland to

Foreign currencies are displayed throughout the cafeteria during the cultural dinner.

Wales, Holland, China, and eventually to Monroe.

“I was always very interested in teaching and encouraging my students to ex-

Volleyball club looks to offer students a fun way to exercise Leah Thomas Editor

If you are itching to bump, set, and spike, MCCC’s Volleyball Club starts Tuesday, Jan. 24.

The club meets twice a week in the gym located in the H Building on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 and Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30.

Each meeting will be a game, so come ready to play.

Volleyball Club adviser Kathleen Czajkowski said everyone is welcome to play no matter how advanced.

“Experience helps the level of play, but I think that the more experienced players can help people who are less experienced learn some techniques to get better,” she said.

“I just want to give people the chance to play and have fun while they exercise.”

Tom Ryder, the Campus Community Events/Student Activities coordinator, asked faculty to advise the Volleyball Club, and Czajkowski accepted the invitation.

She played intermural volleyball in college and continued to play pick-up games after college until her knee would not allow it.

Last semester, she attempted to launch the Volleyball Club. Czajkowski said they held a few meetings and had scheduled gym time, but the club did not get much interest.

“I don’t think we had enough advertising last semester, so hopefully, everyone will encourage people who play volleyball to attend,” Czajkowski said.

She said the club can play with four players, but at least eight players are optimal.

Seven people have already signed-up.

If anyone is interested in playing, they can contact Czajkowski at kczajkowski@ monroeccc.edu.

No one is obligated to attend every time.

“Just let me know if you are not coming. That would be great,” Czajkowski said.

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Kathleen Czajkowski advises the club.

Photo by Miranda Gardner

plore, go forward, and see what they can see,” she said.

She encouraged the audience at dinner to leave their comfort zone and recognize the larger world outside this little town.

“I ended up crossing the Irish sea at night; this guy picked me up in a car, and I worked for him for three months,” O’Halloran said.

She laughs about the memory and said she probably would not do it again, but it all worked out well.

“I wouldn’t encourage my daughter to do that; seriously, no,” O’Halloran said.

“But that’s taking that step forward, having enough leave for yourself to go forward, and try something new.”

O’Halloran said traveling comes with the challenges of language barriers, but she said you have to trust people to help guide you, and she reassured everyone that people will help.

“I was traveling alone, but the experiences you gain are amazing and the people are amazing,” she said.

O’Halloran said every time she traveled, she learned something new.

“I learned a lot about culture, knowledge about myself, knowledge about my work,” she said. “You’re gonna have to make your own way and figure out what you’re gonna do.”

MCCC French student Nikolaos Mantas said he enjoyed O’Halloran’s talk.

“It’s always interesting to hear someone from another culture,” he said.

O’Halloran’s emphasis on taking risks left an impression on Mantas.

“Take that chance and it might work out,” he said. “Carpe diem—seize the day.”

Campus News

January 30, 2017

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|5

Textbook prices discourage students Concerns arise as students empty wallets for required books

“People generally understand that we are not responsible for setting the prices, though we do occasionally get yelled at.”

Vanessa Ray Web Editor

Tuition is not the only major expense that students have to consider when it comes to enrolling in college.

The cost of textbooks, which often run upwards of $200 or more per book, can leave students feeling discouraged.

“It’s frustrating,” said business student Marissa Sawyer.

“My total cost of books this semester was over $600, and half of those were just access codes which means I can’t sell them back. I have no idea why we have to pay so much.”

According to the Government Accountability Office, over the last twenty years, textbook prices have risen at a rate of three times greater than that of inflation.

While anger is an understandable reaction to the price of textbooks, it is often misdirected.

Student Samantha Bartley works in the MCCC bookstore and wants her fellow students to know the store is not responsible for the high prices.

“The bookstore doesn’t make a lot of money off of textbooks,” Bartley said.

“We’re here to make it easier for students to access the textbooks they need.

We sell the books for the lowest possible price we can.”

“I also want to add that we don’t get any

Molly Siedlecki MCCC student and bookstore employee

Rising prices for required textbooks causes concern and confusion among students at Monroe County Community College.

discounts for working in the bookstore,” Bartley said. “We deal with the high prices just like everyone else.”

Student Molly Siedlecki, who also works in the bookstore, agreed.

“People generally understand that we

are not responsible for setting the prices, though we do occasionally get yelled at,” Siedlecki said.

“I would encourage those who are frustrated with cost of textbooks to contact the book’s publisher.”

Amy Salliotte, an administrative assistant who works in the bookstore, said the bookstore works hard to make textbooks as affordable as possible.

“We try to save students money by purchasing as many used and rental texts as we can,” Salliotte said.

“We focus on having the books that professors are looking for. We make sure to have current editions and correct access codes.”

Outside of the MCCC bookstore, sites like Amazon, Valore Books, and Chegg allow students to rent textbooks at a discounted price.

Nursing student Tina Reaume said she is able to keep her costs down by renting her textbooks online.

“Text books are over-priced and underutilized in class,” Reaume said. “It is best to rent them online and return them at the end of the semester.”

Because many textbooks are required, students can sometimes feel like there is little they can do.

Grants, scholarships, loans, and workstudy can help subsidize the cost of both tuition and books.

Students interested in any of these options are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA form and make an appointment with Financial Aid.

Political beliefs affect family relationships

James P. Quick Agora staff

Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences | Engineering | Management

People around the Internet have told horror stories of how their families have been split by the election and differing political ideologies.

“I’ve heard stories of a lot of different families, where the son’s a Trump supporter and mom and dad are all for Hillary, or maybe Bernie,” MCCC student Joshua Taylor says. “They don’t talk to each other.”

It’s a story that’s all too common in recent months, with many publications running articles on how relationships have ended over the election.

But around MCCC’s campus, it appears that things are mostly alright.

“I did not have a falling out,” says Lisa Scarpelli, a professor of Geosciences.

“We just decided not to discuss politics anymore.”

“Get over it. Everybody has their day. Eight years ago, people were feeling the way you’re feeling today. Everybody gets their turn.”

LaKeisha Walker MCCC student “We all voted Trump,” Taylor says, and mentions no family strife whatsoever.

Student LaKeisha Walker has an admittedly very diverse family where political divides weren’t an issue. She says they simply don’t discuss politics or religion.

There was one thing that she said bothered her.

“A lot of people didn’t vote,” she says.

“They didn’t see that it was going to make a difference, I suppose. It wasn’t who they were looking at. It wasn’t their perfect candidate.”

Some on campus have not been as fortunate as Walker, Taylor, and Scarpelli.

One MCCC professor with views on the subject asked to remain anonymous so their political beliefs will not make students uncomfortable in their class.

“Most of my family probably voted for Donald Trump,” the professor said.

While there were no issues of relatives not speaking, some strong words were exchanged.

“I did have a conversation where my mother told me, after she and my father had filed their absentee ballots, that my father had voted for Donald Trump. This was after I had said that anyone who voted for Donald Trump and has female chil-

“Family’s too important to let something as stupid as who our president is split your family. You should stick together whoever it is.”

Joshua Taylor MCCC Student dren should feel a great sense of guilt.”

The professor’s concern centered around their father’s morality, or lack thereof.

“My mother pointed out that my father is a good man,” the professor said. “And I said, ‘I have reasons to doubt that now.’

So there was quite a bit of tension there.

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“I’ve argued continually with them over politics. Simply put, I keep pointing out that they raised me to be a better human being and stand up to bullies, then they went and voted for a bully.”

So what can be done to mend bridges in families that are divided?

“You need to come back together,” Taylor says. “Family’s too important to let something as stupid as who our president is split your family. You should stick together whoever it is.”

“I can have perfectly good discussions with my relatives and we can love each other and have dinner and stuff,” Scarpelli says. “We just don’t talk about politics.

So that’s what I would recommend.”

“Get over it,” Walker says. “Everybody has their day. Eight years ago, people were feeling the way you’re feeling today. Everybody gets their turn.”

6| mcccagora.com •

The Agora

Campus News

January 30, 2017

MCCC celebrates diversity Week filled with events, speakers, and perspectives Selene Avila Agora Staff

Staff and students kicked off the winter semester by hosting a Diversity Fair throughout campus the week of Jan. 16 through Jan. 20.

All classes were cancelled on Monday to celebrate and honor the life and accomplishments of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. Each day of Diversity Week had a range of events held to shed light on the various types of diversity within the college, and the community.

On Tuesday, MCCC President Kojo Quartey presented “Immigration: Pros and Cons” in the dining room.

The following day offered three chances to get involved.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Shall Overcome” simulation march began in front of the CTC Building and concluded in the hallway of the A Building; where the Diversity and Service Fair was being held.

Tables were set up to represent clubs of every race, gender, and upbringing. Community service programs were also in attendance.

Representatives from the Jehovah Witness community, the Native American Alliance, students with disabilities, Veterans Benefits and Services, Student Government and the Gay-Straight Alliance were present.

GSA member Hunter Wright said it was

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Kojo Quartey leads the Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Shall Overcome” march simulation for anyone to join.

important to recognize diversity in higher level education.

“It’s kind of a part of everyday life,” she said, “and is still really, really hated and it’s really ridiculed.

“I think, because it’s so common, it

shouldn’t be a big deal, like anything else here.”

Wednesday’s events were rounded out by guest speaker, Robert Hendrix, who is the First Lieutenant of the Michigan State Police Department.

Hendrix covered increasing diversity in law enforcement and its importance in every field of work.

On Friday, the college’s culinary staff prepared a lunch comprised of international dishes.

Photo by Vanessa Ray

GSA members Robbie Heikkila and Janis Wright show the diversity within their own club.

Every event was open to the public.

People were welcomed to join various diversity groups around campus.

Although MCCC hosted a week-long celebration on the importance of diversity in education, it is a continuous priority year-round.

People are more motivated to be involved and put forth a greater effort when they feel comfortable in their environment.

Participation is vital to educational success in the years of higher education.

Grayson Bacarella, Student Government President, agreed that diversity on campus improves things.

“Yes, I think it does a good job of representing diversity in different communities,” he said.

Quartey said diversity impacted him throughout his years of study.

“Diversity in my years of education has taught me more about myself, who I aspire to be,” he said, “to be the best I can be and to impart that knowledge onto the young people.”

Quartey affirmed his belief in uplifting each other in a positive way and encouraged each and every person of the Monroe Country Community to embrace themselves and be able to achieve their full potential.

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Lt. Robert Hendrix adresses the audience about the merits of being an officer.

Math pilot program canceled for Winter 2017 Leah Thomas Editor

The math pilot program scheduled to begin this semester was postponed until Fall 2017 semester.

Although the program was unsuccessful this semester, Grace Yackee, dean of Science/Mathematics division, said the college plans to launch the program next semester when there is more time to advertise it.

“We wanted more time to make sure all students were aware of this opportunity,” math professor James Vallade said.

For the past five years, MCCC math classes followed the Emporium method, which uses a computer-based program.

Students will not need a computer for the pilot classes because they are traditional lectures.

The pilot classes combine Math 090 and 092. They were for students who either tested high in Math 090 or low in Math 092. Once the class was completed, students would be ready for Math 151.

Yackee said the program did not begin this semester because it lacked student interest.

“Only one student registered for the traditional-lecture pilot courses,” she said.

Yackee said there were several reasons students would not be interested in the pilot program.

“Students who test into 092 may not see the value in engaging in 4 weeks of 090 review. Also, some may prefer the Emporium method because they expect to complete some or all of 151,” she said.

“Finally, students may not be as interested in the traditional lecture format as some originally thought.”

Yackee said marketing will improve next semester because students will have more time to meet with faculty and ask questions.

Also, the Admissions Office will be educated regarding the criteria for enrolling in the program, she said.

Photo by Vanessa Ray Artwork by James Quick

For some students, figuring out how the math pilot program works is just as confusing as math itself.

Yackee said the program will only be successful next semester if students are willing to try it.

“It really is up to students who qualify, that is whether they are interested in en-

rolling in this option,” she said.

The college is currently reviewing the Fall 2017 schedule, so the days and times of the pilot classes are uncertain.

Vallade said the Science/Mathematics division will review the issues such as advertising and registration that surfaced this semester.

“We have been too busy to look at these

issues right now. I should be able to answer these questions in a month or so,” Vallade said.

January 30, 2017

Feature/Opinion

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|7

Internet aids resurgance of fake news Joseph Abrams Assistant Editor

Not everything you read is necessarily true.

Reports of fake news articles have cropped up all over during this last election, and discerning the validity can be difficult.

Though there are some tips to avoiding false news stories, people need to understand that part of it comes from their own biases.

“I think we live in an age where we’re so used to immediacy that we thrive on drama,” said MCCC librarian Mary Bullard. “We’re so used to getting things fast with immediate access, we aren’t thinking things through.”

Bullard has been a librarian both at the college and at the high school level for many years, and has taught many students the importance of digital literacy - the ability to find and evaluate information online, including the authenticity.

Anyone who has used social media has undoubtedly run into fake news stories, especially recently, she said.

However, she fears that students will eventually reach a point where they get all their news from websites like Facebook, where this problem is so much more common.

“One of my main worries is that they are relying solely on social media, instead of print,” Bullard said.

Print media, while not perfect, has a history of being more thoroughly checked and vetted, she said.

While not all print media is created equal, the more legitimate ones are not purposely trying to create dramatic, sensationalist headlines to get page views, like websites do.

This last election emphasized that point for her.

“Is the news for money or for information,” Bullard said. “Some of the legiti-

Artwork by Cheyanne Abel

macy was questioned.”

Grayson Bacarella, president of Student Government, said this problem has always been around.

“I don’t think fake news is new. I think it’s been around a really long time. I think with the craziness of this election, it’s been kinda amplified, and people are more wanting to talk about it and the negative impact it might have,” Bacarella said.

Bacarella said he has not encountered the problem of fake news in his personal life, but he has seen it many times on so-

cial media.

“I see crazy stuff; information that doesn’t really have proof, websites that are less than credible, you know information that was just passed from people to people. Then it gets published, people think it’s real, and it just kind of spirals,” he said.

Solomon Hatchett, a student at MCCC, also believes that this issue is cyclical history.

He said time is repeating, and that fake news is making a comeback partially due

to how easy it is to create.

“It’s easier for them to do it, because they don’t have to take responsibility,” Hatchett said.

On the internet, it is hard to hold people accountable, since anyone can post freely, it is possible for anyone to lie.

People believe these news stories before double checking sources or evaluating the site. Part of the reason for this is confirmation bias, he said.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to believe something that you already think to

be true, and to discredit things that do not agree with these views.

“They want something to agree with, or a news article that sounds interesting,” Hatchett said.

Hatchett and Bacarella agree that sensational headlines that echo things people already might believe are dangerously enticing.

“Something that sort of conforms to your worldview is easy to believe as something you want to be true,” Bacarella said.

What people read is not always thought through critically and objectively, Bullard said.

“We’re reacting, not reflecting,” Bullard said.

Though it is easy to encounter false news online, there is some things people can do to minimize the risk.

“I like to double check, triple check, quadruple check all of my sources,” Bacarella said. “I make sure they’re from sources I deem are valid.”

“I double check and make sure it’s coming from a place like the Associated Press and not like, you know, Buzzfeed or something.”

Bullard suggested using Michigan’s MeL.org database, a service paid for by Michigan to provide residents with vetted sources of information. MeL offers sources of magazines and newspapers that have been approved for accuracy.

All MI residents have free access.

“If you’re in Michigan, it recognizes you’re in Michigan, and lets you in,” Bullard said.

If you’re out of the state, you can enter your driver’s license or state ID, to access the database.

“They keep labeling it the age of misinformation, but we live in an age of abundant information. We just have to be proactive in deciding how we select the right stuff,” she said.

New library director wants library to be more open Miranda Gardner Agora Staff

MCCC’s new library director,, Laura Manley, carried an oversized bag of mints into the library.

“We have candy in the library now,” she announced.

The mints are just a small gesture to foreshadow the sweet things to come.

“We have them at the circulation and reference desks,” she said.

Everyone is encouraged and welcome to the mints.

“Mints are supposed to stimulate the thought process,” Manley said. “Just pop one in your mouth while studying or before tests and quizzes; and now I’m addicted to them.”

Manley wants students and community members to have more access to the library and its resources.

“I’d like to increase access,” she said.

“A lot of community colleges allow the residents of the county borrowing privileges, and I’d like to see our community college doing this.”

The library’s DVD collection is exclusive to professors, but Manley would like to give students the opportunity to check out DVDs. “We spend a lot of money on them and they should be used,” she said. “We have

a really large DVD collection that doesn’t get a lot of use because only professors can check them out.”

She wants a system where students can check out popular movies, but the teaching DVDs are reserved for professors.

“Not everything because some are very costly, but I’d like to see them used more,” Manley said.

Manley plans to shift shelves, rearrange furniture, and add study rooms.

“We want to move the furniture in different arrangements and see how the students use the furniture,” she said. “Ask the students, ‘How would you like the furniture arranged?’”

Manley said she is usually nervous for interviews, but she felt at home during her job interview at MCCC. “Some of the people, I felt like I already knew them,” Manley said. “Whether it was kindred spirits of working in the library; I took it as a sign that this was the right place for me.”

“It’s my first month here, I wanted to talk to the staff and get to know the college,” she said.

The former director, Barbara McNamee left in April, and Manley’s first day was Dec. 5.

“There was a long period of time where there wasn’t a director,” Manley said.

Manley started as an Oakland Com-

Find the logic beyond your perceptions Leah Thomas Editor

Your perceptions are your reality.

This statement reflects the heart of American culture.

America is the land of freedom. People are given the right to express their opinions when at another time or place they may not have for fear of persecution.

The freedom to express ideas and opinions has led to new technology, medical breakthroughs, and philosophical contributions.

For the past few weeks, I have participated in a discussion on perceptions in a speech class on campus.

The discussion focused on the stereotypes in cultures. During class, we listed multiple stereotypes and found the majority of them were negative.

Culture becomes more visible when it differs from your interpretation of mainstream.

We adopt the things we like and judge the things we don’t. Consequently, we have defined differences as negative aspects of culture.

It is true that the way you interpret the world is your truth, but I am afraid people have misinterpreted the message. The consequences of the mistake may be doing more harm than good.

Sometimes I think people perceive the message as “your perceptions are the only reality.”

The misunderstanding represses empa-

OPINION thy and increases enmity. It silences any willingness to compromise.

I think people hide behind sayings like “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.” These statements stop conversation.

If everyone has their own reality, but they are not willing to see things from a different perspective, then nothing can be done.

It is impossible to discuss a controversial subject when both sides are either unwilling to listen to the other side or become defensive and argue every point.

We need to stop hiding.

I am also taking Intro to Anthropology this semester, and I quickly realized anthropology is a selfless field.

Anthropologists work to understand different perspectives by studying other people and trying to see life through their eyes.

They fight ethnocentrism. In their field, nothing is right or wrong; it is a logic.

The challenge is to figure out why people think the way they do.

We should challenge ourselves to look past right and wrong. Find the logic.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

The next time you are tempted to argue, hold your tongue. Choose to consider another perspective. Pursue the conversation with an open mind and ask questions before you argue.

You may find your relationships sweeter and richer.

Photo by Joseph Abrams

New library director Laura Manley distributed mints around the center to help fuel the learning process.

munity College student, and the campus library became her first job.

“The only degree I ever walked for was for my community college degree,” she said. “I was proud of my degree; it was very special to me.”

Manley values her experience at the community college and was inspired by the opportunities that presented them-

Briefs Closing process given

The Winter semester reminder about the process for closing the college for inclement weather was sent Jan. 18 by Randy Daniels, vice president for Student Services.

“Please note that we will be open as long as sidewalks, parking lots, and main roads are passable,” the reminder stated.

If the college is closing because of bad weather, Daniels said a message will be sent via the MCCC emergency notification system; a note will be placed on the college website homepage; and the announcement will be placed on the MCCC Snow Line: 734-384-4223.

To register for the emergency notification system, which sends emails, text messages and voice messages, visit https://mccclaert.bbcportal.com/Entry.

These media outlets will be notified of college closings: Detroit TV stations WJBK (2), WXYZ (7), WDIV (4), WWJ (62); Toledo TV stations WTOL (11), WTVG (13), WUPW (36); Monroe radio station WMIM (FM 98.3); Detroit radio stations WJR (AM 760), WWJ (AM 950); and Toledo radio stations WTOD (AM 1560), WLQR (AM 1470), WKKO (FM 99.9), WXKR (FM 94.5), and WWWM (FM 105.5).

Daniels noted that if there is a late opening, such as a two-hour delay, students should report to their class normally in session at the time of the

selves to her.

She said her community college experience pushed her into higher education.

“My heart’s near and dear at the community college,” Manley said.

Manley was a Phi Thetta Kappa president, and that provided her a full-ride scholarship to Marygrove College in Detroit, where she finished her bachelor’s

opening.

If the college is closed, all classes, workshops and activities are cancelled.

That includes all offices, and events scheduled by outside groups.

African-American Poetry Night planned

An African American Poetry Night will be hosted by the Writing Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

The event, which is part of the Black History Month celebrations, will be in the Little Theater in the basement of the C Building.

It is intended to celebrate African American poets and authors who helped shape the literary landscape of America.

There will be free refreshments, poetry and other readings, and a drawing for a prize. This event is open to the public.

A bake sale will be held the same day from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the A building, with the profit going to the Writing Center.

Annual career expo invites exhibitors

Exhibitors are being invited to the 7th Annual Career and Opportunity Expo at MCCC on Friday, April 7.

The event, held in the H Building from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., will cost exhibitors $50 for employers and educational institutions and $30 for nonprofit and veteran service organizations.

A limited number of sponsorships also are available for $120.

degree and became an intern library director.

“It’s a valuable membership to have and to put on your resume,” she said. “It is really a lesson in leadership, a lot of leadership training.”

“I got the confidence I needed in participating in PTK.”

Manley has a doctorate in library science from Dominican University in Chicago, but she feels called to help mentor beginning students.

“It’s different from high school, it’s different for people that are returning to school and haven’t touched a computer,” she said. “You see such a broad range of skills at the community college level.”

She encourages students to use the library and the resources provided.

“Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, that’s why we’re here—we’re here to teach you the skills so next time you only need little or no help at all,” Manley said.

The library staff can guide students through the little tricks in the databases.

They can provide both print materials and electronic resources to make papers rich and full. The staff can teach students to be better researchers.

“You need a library card to access the databases off-campus,” Manley said. “I would suggest you come into the library and get a card.”

Interested exhibitors can register at http://www.collegecentral.com/ monroeccc/. The deadline is Monday, March 20.

Anyone interested can contact Barry Kinsey, director of Workforce Development, at bkinsey@monroeccc.edu or (734) 384-4124, or visit the website at: www.monroeccc.edu/careerexpo.

19th Century band performing at MCCC

The Dodworth Saxhorn Band, America’s premier 19th-century brass band, will perform in the La-Z-Boy Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb.4.

The Ann Arbor-based band is directed by Mark Felder, who is also director of the MCCC/Community Symphonic Band. Its performances recreate the music and atmosphere of a 19th-century community brass band.

It is modeled after the Dodworth Band of New York City, which was the premier brass band in the U.S. from the 1840s to the 1880s.

The Dodworth Saxhorn Band uses only brass and percussion instruments that were built in the 1800s. The antique horns are commonly called “saxhorns.”

They are handmade and pitched higher than modern 21st century brass instruments, producing a uniquely mellow tone.

The band performs compositions and arrangements from the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, private collections and university libraries.

Tickets for reserved seating are $12.

8| mcccagora.com •

The Agora

Arts & Entertainment

January 30, 2017

Singing the Praises of 2016’s Top Films Details on ten fantastic movies and where to find them is always intense, even when the characters are doing something as simple as eating dinner at a table.

The performances from its main trio of actors are all phenomenal, particularly John Goodman who creates the movie villain of the year in Howard, a character who can go from being reasonable, but awkward to outright terrifying in seconds.

The real heart of the story, however, is the highly-underrated

so well that by the time it reaches its climax, I felt the film had reached the point where it could have done anything and it would not have shattered my suspension of disbelief.

I walked out of the theater completely unnerved, which rarely ever happens to me.

This is writer/director Robert Eggers’ feature debut and he made one hell of a first impression.

He crafted an engrossing story

it up and watch it again on home video.

on the fear of the unknown and the nature of evil. And it’s one that still haunts me even after seeing almost a full year ago. Especially that last shot.

Honorable Mentions: The Edge of Seventeen, Green Room, Deadpool, Moana, Pete’s Dragon, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who imbues her character Michelle with the resourcefulness, resilience, and vulnerability to be one of the best female characters of the year.

While the final 15 minutes of the film were polarizing, none of that negates any of what came before. I’m so happy “10 Cloverfield Lane” was a hit because I’m excited to see where this franchise goes next.

10. Hell or High Water

8. The Nice Guys

political film to date.

In an era of American history where racial tensions are high and the need for diversity is stronger than ever, this was one of 2016’s most relevant films.

It may be targeted for children, but it has plenty of deep, politically-charged ideas to explore.

Set in a world comprised entirely of anthropomorphic animals, “Zootopia” tackles touchy subject matter like prejudice, misogyny, self-fulfilling prophecies, racism, and even politicians who systematically target minorities to achieve power.

Thankfully, the film doesn’t take these hot-button issues lightly and they are all handled with serious deft.

Even putting aside all the social and political subtext. It’s still a fun movie to watch.

As someone aspiring for a career in animation, “Zootopia” is masterful on a technical scale.

The amount of thought, effort, and detail that went into creating this world is so visually stunning and eye-popping that I would watch the film multiple times and catch things I didn’t notice on the previous viewing.

The entire team at Disney Animation should be applauded for delivering two beautifully-crafted films in the same year (the other being “Moana”).

On top of that, it has some of the best visual comedy I’ve seen all year. I dare you to watch the DMV scene without cracking a smile.

This is a film that works on so many levels. It’s a highly entertaining family picture and a plea to end bigotry that never feels fake.

It was one of the biggest releases in 2016 so if you still need convincing, know that there is an excellent “Breaking Bad” joke in the third act. That’s all.

Sawyer Jackson Agora Staff

2016 will certainly go down as one of the more fascinating years for film. It was a year of alternating highs and lows.

As is typical, January was terrible, but there was noticeable uptick in quality come February.

And then it all crashed and burned when summer rolled around with so many highly anticipated blockbusters just failing to live up to expectations.

Luckily, it all came back together before the end of the year.

All things considered, this is quite a strong crop of movies listed here, even if most of them weren’t box-office hits.

In fact, as of this writing only one movie chosen for a spot on this list has grossed over $100 million at the domestic box office.

The 10 films I picked below are based on personal preference.

This is not the end-all-be-all of ‘End of the Year’ lists. What I like someone else may not like, or vice versa.

Film is a subjective medium and can be interpreted in many different ways.

These are movies I enjoyed because they affected me either emotionally, intellectually, or both.

Before I divulge my picks for the best movies of 2016, here are a list of some films that didn’t quite make the cut, but are just as deserving of your attention.

Deciding what to put in this number 10 spot was difficult because most of the honorable mention were on this list at some point.

Ultimately, it was “Hell of High Water” that won out in the end.

There are some movies that have trouble crafting a setting for a story, but not this one.

“Hell or High Water” takes place in Texas during the recession and it does an impeccable job at building a lived-in environment.

This a film with an absorbing atmosphere. Nothing feels glamorized.

From the music to the landscapes to the way the citizens talk and dress, everything looks and feels like Texas.

It also engrosses its audience into the recession setting.

There are so many dilapidated buildings and foreclosure signs that you feel the desperation of these two brothers (played superbly well by Chris Pine and Ben Foster) who are trying to save their family’s ranch, which struck oil, from foreclosure.

The film doesn’t paint the brothers or the police tasked with taking them in as the good or bad guys.

We want to see our two main characters succeed because they just want to save their rightful land from a greedy economic system that has jeopardized the lives of so many people.

Brimming with atmosphere, authentic performances from the entire cast (there is a waitress who gives quite possibly the briefest yet funniest monologue of the year), and a relatable emotional

core at its center, Hell or High Water is the best modern Western to come along in years.

9. 10 Cloverfield Lane

The fact that this film went from nobody aware of its existence two months prior to release to garnering so much critical acclaim is astounding, but warranted because it’s just so good.

Director Dan Tratchenberg takes what could have easily been a disposable cash-in on the “Cloverfield” name and creates an intense, economical character study that

How this one ended up underperforming at the box office will always baffle me.

This is one of the thoroughly entertaining and appealing films I saw last year. “The Nice Guys” reminded me of one of my favorite movies, the 2007 action-comedy “Hot Fuzz,” in that the more you watch it, the more you pick up on details you didn’t notice on initial viewing.

This is a movie that has so many jokes and layers in the story that even after three viewings, I still don’t think I’ve caught everything.

It’s nice to have a film that constantly rewards its audience for coming back. On top of that, the film is hilarious. Co-writer/director Shane Black (“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” “Iron Man 3”) is such a masterful storyteller that he can subvert genre tropes in ways I didn’t expect.

It also helps that he has two great actors, Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, who have such terrific chemistry that I want to see more movies with those two.

I know a sequel is a long shot at this point, but I hope it comes together someday. It’s funny, violent, cynical, and all-around brilliant.

I cannot recommend “The Nice Guys” enough.

7. The Witch

When it came time to revisit my Top 10 films of this year, the one I was hesitant to watch again was “The Witch.”

Not because I was afraid it would diminish in quality on re-

peat viewing (it didn’t), but because it is not a pleasant film to watch.

A movie about an excommunicated Puritan family slowly turning against each other due to sinister forces and superstition with horrific results is not exactly a feel-good experience.

However, I believe the fact that the film took me out of my comfort zone proves how effective it was.

It’s deliberately paced, but this approach pays off because everything about the movie hooked me

6. Sing Street

One of the breakouts at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Sing Street” could have done better at the box office if not for the fact that its distributer, The Weinstein Company, totally botched its release.

Aside from that, there is no reason this film should’ve underperformed.

Its tone is so charming and infectious, it has an absolutely incredible soundtrack (“Drive It Like You Stole It,” “Up,” “To Find You,” and “Brown Shoes” are my favorites), and the characters are so endearing and relatable that you want to see them succeed.

It seems we live in a world that is determined to tear itself apart.

“Sing Street” is about the strength in unity and when you are made to feel worthless or ostracized, the best way to fight back is create something can’t be destroyed.

Individuals and power are temporary. Art and ideas are eternal.

As long as we have those, the forces of oppression can never win. “Sing Street” is a rousing celebration of outsiders, misfits, and rebels.

If you’re feeling down, put this film on and it will lift you up.

5. Arrival

I already did a review of the film a couple months ago, so I won’t say much about it.

I will say that “Arrival” has stuck with me more than any of the other movies on this list.

Not just because of its important and timely message on how language and communication are essential to resolving a conflict or understanding those we deem “the other,” but also because of its ending.

I didn’t touch upon it much in my review and I won’t go too far into detail due to massive spoilers,

but “Arrival’s” ending masterfully re-contextualizes the entire film.

It’s even more enriching when you realize Amy Adams (giving quite possibly the best performance of her career) is being directed in two very different ways.

I won’t any further beyond saying when I was putting the pieces together at the end, my mouth was hanging open and I was on the edge of my seat.

“Arrival” is the smart science fiction we so desperately need right now and I’m so eager to pick

4. Zootopia

At this point, it’s safe to say Disney Animation is in the midst of another renaissance period.

Though I’ve enjoyed all their recent entries (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “Frozen,” “Big Hero 6”) to varying degrees, “Zootopia” has to be their most ambitious, yet socio-

3. Moonlight

Watching “Moonlight” reminded me of Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood”.

Both films tell the stories about following young boys from child-

hood to adulthood with only a few “big” moments punctuated throughout.

Unlike “Boyhood,” in which we see every year over the character’s 12 year journey, “Moonlight” is divided into three acts.

Each focusing on the protagonist Chiron during three different stages in his life: Child, teen, and adult.

All three acts are separated by a title card that doesn’t inform us how much time has passed in between each act, but rather Chi-

ron’s own name or the nicknames ascribed to by bullies as a child, such as “Little” and “Black.”

Writer/director Barry Jenkins weaves through different stages in Chiron’s life without resorting to tedious exposition in subversive ways.

When a character (whose name I won’t spoil) disappears from the film after the first act, their absence is felt and Jenkins trusts his audience to put the pieces together

and “Swiss Army Man” confronts this head-on, reckless abandon.

It’s a fearless picture further enhanced by two fearless actors, Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe, who throw everything they got into their performances.

They inhabit their roles so well that it’s hard to imagine any other actors filling these parts.

These two are such a joy to watch in a film already so enjoyably odd. I wrote an article months

themselves.

He is also able to get incredible performances out of his entire cast. There is not a single weak link among these actors.

Chiron and Kevin, a character who sporadically drops in and out of Chiron’s life, are each played by three different actors.

All their performances floored me because of how each actor imbues their respective character with idiosyncrasies that are carried over into the next act, but with all the wisdom and experience that comes with growing older.

Like some other films on this list, “Moonlight” is also about not shying away from emotion and embracing one’s true self.

Chiron is tormented for most of his youth by bullies who chase him down and hurl homophobic insults his way.

Society tells boys from an early age to bottle up all emotion that doesn’t resemble a stoic demeanor because it’s considered “weak” or “girly.”

Chiron and Kevin are pressured by toxic masculinity to either stay as hidden as possible or conform to social norms to survive.

Chiron’s struggle with his own masculinity is a universal one.

One that has been shared by every male at some point in their lives.

It’s when we finally let our emotional barriers down and open up to someone that we see who we really are.

This is a unique and intimate tale of love, time, and coming of age that I hope more people make an effort to check out because stories like this are more essential than ever.

back on the most underrated films of the summer.

If I had seen it earlier, “Swiss Army Man” would have been at the top of that list.

Not only was it underrated in the summer of its release, it was the most underrated film of 2016.

This is one I’m eager to show to friends just so they too can experience something so unique and fresh. “Swiss Army Man” is so irresistibly strange that I look forward to seeing it again soon.

2. Swiss Army Man

Of all the films I’ve seen this year, this one is the most original of them all.

Kudos to the Daniels (the directing duo behind the “Turn Down For What” music video) for taking something as infantile as farting and turning it into beautiful metaphor for the things we keep to ourselves to avoid embarrassment.

It’s surprising to say that a story

about a man who befriends a magical farting corpse is beautiful, but it’s true.

Aside from being hilarious, “Swiss Army Man” is poignant because it can find wonder and beauty in things we find off-putting, specifically farting.

We humans fear many things.

We fear loneliness, death, rejection, and humiliation.

These things keep us expressing our emotions or taking actions because we fear what others will think of us. It’s a cruel way to live,

1. La La Land

Every once in a while, I see a film that reminds me why I love movies so much. This year, that film was “La La Land.”

With his follow-up to his 2014 film, “Whiplash,” co-writer/director Damien Chazelle proves himself to be one of the most exciting talents working behind the camera today.

On the surface, “La La Land” feels like its cashing in on the nostalgia of classic Hollywood musicals (it was shot on CinemaScope just like those films), but it has its eye on how to further evolve the genre.

It’s not a film stuck in the past where the filmmakers lament how the present isn’t like “the good old days.”

In fact, despite being about the excitement of chasing one’s dreams, and falling in love against the backdrop of a city where everybody wants their voice to be heard, “La La Land” strikes the perfect balance between joyous fantasy and harsh reality.

In real life, things don’t always work out the way we want them to.

In a perfect world, we would get everything we want all the time without having to make any difficult choices or sacrifices.

However, the film recognizes this romanticized version of reality keeps us from growing as individuals.

Whereas “Whiplash” has a dark and brutal perspective on what we sacrifice to reach greatness, “La La Land’s” is more bittersweet.

It’s an emotional journey, but luckily we have two great characters played by two great actors, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, to follow.

Aside from just having terrific chemistry, Stone and Gosling bring such depth to their performances that I was fully enamored with their respective plights.

I wanted to see Stone’s Mia achieve her dream of being an actress as much as I wanted to see Gosling’s Sebastian succeed in opening his own jazz club.

I was with these two every step of the way. I loved how they complement each other and in the end, make each other better people than they were before.

Along with boasting an excellent soundtrack, “La La Land” is a technical achievement with humor, energy and has an endearing romance at the center of it all.

This is a film for anyone who is in love or has had their heart broken, to all those who struggle to make their dreams come true, and to those who want to be reminded of the power of cinema.