Oct 21, 2015

Marijuana probably on Michigan ballot next year

Student Government putting plans in motion

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Fashion giants cut corners

October 21st, 2015 Vol. 62, Issue 2

Page 5

Is MCCC ready for campus violence?

Jacob Adams Editor

Photo courtesy of Brian Stansberry

A group protests violence in our culture.

The recent school shooting in Oregon is another bloody entry in a long list of school-related shootings.

School shootings have been continually in the spotlight since the Columbine High School shooting in 1999.

Since Columbine, there have been over 160 reported incidents related to gun violence on school campuses, with over 200 reported deaths.

These statistics raise many questions, namely, how can these situations be prevented from happening in the future, and what can we do when they do happen?

Many buzzwords seem to be thrown around without much plan-of-action behind them. “Gun control,” and “mental illness,” are two of the most used.

The Oregon shootings were particularly close to home, because they occurred at a community college whose campus is very much like our own.

MCCC officials say they have been planning for years what to do if there is a violent incident involving guns on campus.

Randy Daniels, the vice president of Student and Information Services, said there has never been a gun-related incident on campus, but there are many aspects to our preparation.

“The staff has had training in the past,” he said.

“We purchased a training DVD called Shots Fired, which is available to anyone, in the library, and we encourage professors to show this video to students.”

While the staff has received training and done drills, there is still a question of student training.

“There is currently no plan for drills for students,” he said.

“I think it’s a possibility for the future.

But we’re a transient population. Over 70 percent of the students enrolled here are part-time. While having a live drill

for students would be beneficial, we can’t train everyone.”

He did, however, reassure that the campus is well-prepared.

“We currently have eight security officers, who are on campus before students arrive, as well as after they leave. They are all armed, which was something we initiated after the Virginia Tech shooting,” he said.

He also said county and state organizations have prepared for the possibility of such a situation happening on our campus.

“The State Police have done live drills on campus, and the Sheriff’s department has done a walk-around to familiarize themselves with our building layouts if a shooting were to occur,” he said.

MCCC student Julia Navarre says she doesn’t think we’re very prepared.

“We haven’t really gone through any practice drills or anything. I wouldn’t know where to go if something happened,” she said.

Better treatment of mental illness and stricter gun control laws seem to be the media’s go-to responses after a school shooting occurs.

But there is a major problem with new gun control laws — the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which stands in the way. Many people are uncomfortable with stricter gun control policies.

Mark Bergmooser, an MCCC professor and president of the Faculty Association, said he doesn’t think gun control will solve school shootings.

“I’ve never heard a reasonable plan for gun control to stop mass shootings.

People exercising their Second Amendment rights is the answer.”

Many people share such sentiments.

Our culture, America, was founded on freedom – freedom of religion, freedom to pursue individual interests, and freedom to own guns.

See Shooting, page 2.

Women uncover new fight for equality Cherie Farley Agora Staff

The spike in popularity for the Free the Nipple movement seems to have come from Scout Willis, the daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, who walked around New York topless.

People want to “free the female nipple” as an effort to achieve equality between men and women and their bodies.

Some women are tired of the sexualization of nipples and want the stigma against women’s nipples removed from the public mindset.

A documentary, released in December 2014, “Free the Nipple,” piqued the public’s interest. The documentary is based on true events in New York City.

In the documentary, the character Liv, who is played by Lola Kirk, describes how the female nipple should not be seen as something obscene and should not be illegal if exposed.

“What I can’t get my head around is that the nipple is the first thing we see when we are born. It nourishes us. Then somehow, the symbol of life becomes illegal,” she said in the film.

“I mean, my own mother was kicked out of church for breastfeeding me, and what’s even more annoying is while we are allowed to see murder, violence, and war on every channel, Janet Jackson’s nipple slips and it becomes the f**king crime of the century.”

MCCC student Clara Younglove agrees that breasts are not sexual, but she still doesn’t want to see them.

“I wouldn’t want to look at other women’s stuff, but at the same time [nipples] shouldn’t

Photo Credit IFC Films

Free The Nipple is an short film and equality campaign started by filmmaker Lina Esco, and supported by prominent celebrities.

be sexualized, they aren’t sexual organs,” she said.

Student Kevin Stewart disagrees that breasts are indeed sexual.

“They may not be clinically considered sexual organs, but I find them highly erotic,” he said.

Many MCCC students feel that there should be equality for women, including the option to go topless, especially if they’re breastfeeding. But they still see a need for restrictions.

Student Phoenix Vaive thinks that as long as being topless is for a function, she under-

stands the issue.

“I think it’s silly for Americans to adopt other cultures as a trend. In Africa it serves as a function for nursing mothers. If it is for women who breastfeed, then it makes sense,” she said.

“I do think that it is an equality issue be-

cause women are sexualized way more than men are. You’re fed from a boob and people can’t get over it.”

Student Kyle Bryant thinks that it wouldn’t matter if women went topless on the streets, but they should follow the same restrictions as men when entering businesses or restaurants.

“I think it can be appropriate in certain settings. I don’t see a real need for them to be nude, but on the streets it’s not hurting anyone. Now letting it into businesses and establishing rules would be difficult,” he said.

Some students are surprised that it is even an issue. Sam Boudrie thought that this was dealt with years ago.

“It’s like the civil rights movement, this is something we did years ago and we seemed to have already handled this issue of equality.

I don’t think there should be a movement, it should just be,” he said.

There are a few students who disagree with the movement and think breasts are meant to be covered. Dawn Whitmer is one of them.

“Adolescent boys wouldn’t know how to handle that. I, for one, wouldn’t want to do it and I would end up staring,” she said.

Marissa Drew also thinks that breasts are not meant for public situations.

“I feel like women’s chests are private. It would make me uncomfortable seeing that,” she said.

Overall, it appears the majority of students would not be bothered if women were to free their nipples.

This is summed up by Robie Heikkila.

“It’s just a nipple,” he said.

Possible hitch in financing slows geothermal upgrade process Evan Kutz

Assistant Editor

MCCC’s new geothermal heating/cooling project lost some steam this fall when the plan for financing fell through.

Bank of America, which had considered lending money for the $17 million project, backed out, said Jack Burns, MCCC’s director of Campus Planning and Facilities.

“There’s a few reasons why, and one of them is because we’re in Michigan and any kind of big investment in Michigan is seeming kind of risky right now because of Detroit,” he said.

“Detroit has kind of given the state of Michigan a bad name as far as credit.”

Burns added that MCCC has borrowed very little in the past, so it has little credit history, which is unsettling for larger investors.

When the Career Technology Center was built in 2013, for example, it was half financed by state money, with the rest coming from the college’s reserves and a capital campaign. As a result, the college never took on any debt, Burns said.

“And then our enrollment dropped,” Burns said, giving financial institutions another reason to be nervous.

“Even though if you look at the way we’re funded, most of our budget comes from property taxes,” he said. “The second biggest part of our budget is from student tuition and the third is from state appropriations.”

Burns said banks were hesitant about our ability to pay back the money we borrow for the heating-cooling renovations, but this hasn’t affected his confidence in the project.

“It’ll get there, I’m confident. We’re just in a little delay,” he said. “We will

Inside:

probably end up having to rent another temporary chiller next summer because of the delay, but other than that, we’ll be good.”

Burns says the college is working with a smaller lending institution that would bring in other banks to share the financing, but this doesn’t really change anything for the college other than some additional paperwork.

“It’s good, because hopefully that way we can have more of a local presence,” Burns said of working with a new lender.

The new system is needed because MCCC’s cooling system gave out last year, and the heating system is long past its normal lifespan. The MCCC Board of Trustees decided in July to replace both with a new system that will use geothermal energy.

Burns clarified the order of the planned renovation projects. He said work is

Photo Credit Evan Kutz

The new geothermal systems are needed due to the age of our current systems.

scheduled to begin on the Administration building’s culinary hallway during the break between fall and winter semesters.

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Campus News

The Agora

October 21, 2015

Student Gov’t officers prepare for year

By Sydney Begeman Agora staff

Student Government plans to reorganize to help new president Jessica Ryder have a successful year.

Jessica Ryder is a senior in the Monroe County Middle College and has always lived in Monroe.

She wishes to pursue a career in health care administration or as an epidemiologist and at the end of the fall semester will have 28 college credits.

Jessica is an active member in other areas of the college like the Ambassador Club, the new Phi Theta Kappa Club, and leads the Monroe County Middle College’s Relay for Life Team as well. In her busy schedule she finds time to watch some of her favorite shows and moveis like America’s Next Top Model and the Breakfast Club.

The elections were held of Sept.

29, and there were five candidates that ran for president. “The race was extremely close going in and anybody could have won. Everyone gave amazing speeches.” Jessica mentions.

The new board consists of new President Jessica Ryder, Vice President Cole McNew, Secre-

Photo by Emily Cornett

Newly elected president, jessica Ryder poses in the Student Government room in the basement of the A Building.

tary Alyssa Turgeon, Treasurer Miyuki Zerke, Liaison Molly, Siedlecki, and Historian Caitlyn Davies.

Jessica believes that with the entire board being made of returning members that the previous

year’s bonds will only grow and cause the group to take all of their potential and be successful with it.

Later Jessica mentions how she plans to work hard as president, but hopes that the groups thoughts of her do not change since she

is the supervisor, Tom Ryder’s, daughter.

“I just hope my involvement and accomplishments in the group speak for me over the fact that my dad is our advisor and that the votes came from what I have

Cole Mcnew, Vice President

Molly Siedlecki, Liason

Alyssa Turgeon, Secretary

Caitlyn Davies, Historian

done.” Jessica notes when talking about the relationship between her family and student government.

“I like to focus on quality of events, not the quantity. I’d like to stay around 50-60 events and make them great events. I want

Global Studies Program opens new office Cherie Farley Agora Staff

MCCC has created a new Global Studies office, head by Political Science professor Joanna Sabo.

Sabo, who also is adviser of the International Studies Club, will be working on new Global Studies offerings for students and faculty members.

Her office is located in the C building in Room 216.

One of her roles is coordinating the new Global Studies Degree Designation, which is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge about global and multicultural influences while earning an MCCC degree.

The “Global Studies Designation,” will be a line on their transcript, referred to as a degree enhancement, which they earn by enrolling in courses that have an international element, such as world history, or a foreign language.

Oregon school shooting raises concerns

The first step for students interested in the designation is to take a one-credit course called “Global Studies Orientation.” It will be offered in the winter semester at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

There is more information on the Global Studies Degree Designation on the graduation page of the MCCC website.

Sabo noted that the Global Studies designation looks good on a resume for employment because it shows students were exposed to new cultures, communication skills, problem solving, networking skills, and others.

“Global or international experience will make students more employable. It is very impressive to an employer that they have this experience,” Sabo said.

She said she also will be working on developing relationships with four-year colleges around the world. That could give both students and faculty the chance to study overseas, including

Continued from Page 1.

Photo courtesy of Joanna Sabo

Professor Joanna Sabo looks over Trafalger Square in London on MCCC’s most recent study abroad trip, to Western Europe in May 2015.

programs such as the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Sabo said she was first exposed to study abroad trips in 2003.

“In 2003, I found out how much you learn when you go abroad. In 2005, I observed another school’s program.

“Here at MCCC, we went on

But with our amount of freedom, there is a risk of something like a school shooting happening.

“I am definitely for stricter gun laws,” said Kris Gerlach, Disability Services Coordinator for MCCC. Isaac Murphy, an MCCC student, says he’s still comfortable on our campus.

“I feel safe here because I constantly see campus security driving around almost all the time.”

The media seems to go on about school shooters being mentally ill, and while we can all agree that someone who shoots multiple people at a school is suffering from

Editor: Jacob Adams

some form of mental illness, it does nothing to fix the issue.

Gerlach says she doesn’t see better mental health care necessarily solving the issue of school shootings.

“I don’t think there is a direct correlation,” she said.

“I don’t believe any student with a mental illness is automatically going to shoot people, but better mental health care would be beneficial.”

Her statement seems to embody the issue with mental health problems and shootings – we all agree there needs to be better mental health care – but where is the starting point, and what should we do for these people?

We can take steps to help our own stu-

ships and other ways to finance the trip,” Sabo said.

If a student is interested in getting involved now, the International Studies Club has meetings about every two weeks. Students can email Sabo at jsabo@monroeccc.edu with questions.

dents, Gerlach says, though there is only so much that can be done.

“We offer crisis intervention here in the LAL (Learning Assistance Lab), but we don’t offer on-going therapies. We just don’t have the staff, but then again not a lot of community colleges do offer long-term therapy,” she said.

Bergmooser weighed in on mental health care as well, shedding light on the country’s ongoing battle with health care.

“Mental illness needs to be treated more effectively. It’s also underfunded, which is really a big problem,” he said.

Overall, there is no one answer. Our school has prepared itself if an event was to happen, but beyond that, there isn’t much

that can be done.

Randy Daniels gave his thoughts on what we can do in today’s world.

“I have three daughters, one of them in college. There have been shootings across the country, and because of our freedoms, that’s a risk. It’s something I always worry about,” he said.

“We need to be vigilant in our own lives.

Not just here on campus, but everywhere.

It’s about being constantly aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, report it.

“We’ve looked into incidents on campus before, and even brought students in to question them. If you see something, let us know.”

Shaylie Calvin Agora Staff

Adviser: Dan Shaw Staff:

Caroline Hudson Mika Kotanova Sydney Begeman

our first campus-wide trip in 2007,” she said.

Plans are being developed for MCCc’s next campus-wide study abroad trip in 2017.

“The proposals coming in are for spring semester in Italy and Greece. The cost will be around $4,000, but students shouldn’t worry because there are scholar-

Semester, but may pick up sooner depending on the weather. Indoor work will resume with the East and West technology buildings a week after commencement in May. The air handling systems will be shut down while being replaced in Campbell and Administration buildings, so all business in these buildings will be relocated. The library, book store and copy center will have temporary cooling to protect the books, paper and general merchandise from the unconditioned air, Burns said.

As the crews become familiar with the process, time spent on each project may shorten, Burns said. Things might adjust in the timeline, so the schedule will remain flexible.

The first phase of the heatingcooling project will be drilling a well field for the geothermal system behind the solar panels east of campus. This is still planned for this year, but has been delayed past its initial Oct. 1 scheduled date, Burns said.

The plan is for the East and West Technology and Campbell buildings to be fully open before the 2016 Fall Semester. The Life Sciences and Administration buildings may finish a few weeks into the Fall Semester.

Culinary arts program heading to Italy

The Agora

Jeff Brown Shaylie Calvin Cherie Farley

Geothermal

Continued from Page 1.

Assistant Editor: Evan Kutz

the group to be able to grow together with these events and I want the individuals to have clear visions of the events they put together.” Jessica states when talking about upcoming events.

Jessica also noted that

Emily Lorton Julia Toniolo

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MCCCs Culinary Arts Program will be traveling to Italy for 10 days at the end of May 2016.

Students who go on the trip can earn three credit hours in the Spring Semester.

The trip is called, “A Taste of Italy,” and is similar to the first culinary study abroad trip, in May of 2014.

The trip is built around a variety of food and wine experiences, ranging from demonstrations to classes and, of course, eating at great restaurants, said Chef Kevin Thomas, director of the Culinary Arts program.

There also will be some time for traveling and sightseeing, he said.

The days are very busy, Thomas said. Sometimes students will go to more

Photo courtesy of Kevin Thomas

Students on the May 2014 Culinary Arts trip to Italy pose for a group photo in the central square of Florence.

than one destination in a day.

“There is a lot of walking involved,” he said.

Thomas estimated they walked more than 15 miles on the 2014 trip.

“The interaction with

the people preparing the food in Italy is probably the most valuable part of the trip,” he said.

As of right now, there are 13 people signed up for the trip.

“When it’s all said and done, I’m expecting about

18-20 students signed up,” Thomas said.

Some students are graduating in April but are still coming on the trip to add to their degrees.

Thomas thinks it is a good experience for the students to taste and see

first-hand the making of Italian food.

In Italy, all the food is made fresh, he said.

It’s called farm to table, and there is very little processed food like Americans are used to.

“It is a trip of a lifetime,” Thomas said.

This is the first time the culinary study abroad trip offers course credit, Thomas said.

Students will be required to keep a journal during the trip. They will keep notes and write down their impressions of the restaurants, wineries and markets they see.

To prepare for the trip, students have to research menus and food and wine pairings.

When they get back they will have a final exam, like any other class, Thomas said.

Campus News

October 21, 2015

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|3

Panel explores plight of refugees

By Nicole Wilson

“The sad truth is that 80 percent of all refugees are women and children having to leave their home and everything they know. And a lot of times they leave other family members behind to flee for safety.”

Agora staff

Many people might not even know the meaning of the word refugee, but it was spoken loud and clear at an MCCC panel discussion on the refugee crisis.

Joanna Sabo, a professor of Political Science at MCCC, went through a slideshow on some of the issues that refugees typically face. She also gave a definition of a refugee.

“A refugee is outside of their home country, and is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group and/or political opinion,” Sabo said.

The five panelists sat at two white tables talking about the issues that refugees have to deal with in today’s society.

Panel members were Vinnie Maltese, the dean of the Math/Science Division at MCCC; Charles Friedline, the Upward Bound academic skills coordinator (Airport); Niles Williamson, writer and editor for the World Socialist website; Zeina Hamade, community outreach coordinator for the Detroit Office of U.S; and Sabo.

Kayla Corne, a former MCCC student and member of the International Studies Club, also spoke. She was one of the MCCC students who visited a refugee

“We really haven’t taken care of any of our veterans, any of our homeless that are on the streets. What makes us think that we can take care of more homeless or displaced people.”

Kayla Corne Former student who visited a refugee camp in Arizona with the MCCC International Studies Club. center in Arizona last spring.

Corne noted the high percentage of refugees who are families.

“The sad truth is that 80 percent of all refugees are women and children having to leave their home and everything they know. And a lot of times they leave other family members behind to flee for safety,” Corne said.

Corne described what a refugee might go through when traveling to another country for refuge.

“So how we can help understand what refugees go through — they leave under crazy circumstances that they have to get out of,” she said.

“The first thing that they have to do is leave their first country, their home coun-

try. Their ultimate goal is to return back to that country, but that is not always the case.

“So from there, they go to a second country and they wait there to be transported to the third country. From that third country they then come to the United States or other countries that accept refugees and find homes there in the new place.”

Maltese spoke about his own experience with refugees while he was in the Merchant Marines.

He saw people get into boats in Vietnam that were too small to carry them. He talked about the great lengths that some would go to just to get away from the country they were in.

Eric Honomichl MCCC student who served in the military in Afghanistan.

“There would be many more people than could safely be on those small wooden boats, and if you have ever been to sea, there’s waves and swells; it’s very hard to see a small boat,” he said.

“So what these people would do is, they would light their wooden boats on fire when they saw an American ship at night.

Well think about this – this meant that they were willing to get picked up by this American ship or die. Going back to Vietnam was not an option,” Maltese said.

Questions were opened up to the students and faculty in the dining room. Student Eric Honomichl expressed concerns about America accepting refugees.

“How do we know these aren’t terrorists that we’re harboring? And if we look at our current economic status right now

we really haven’t taken care of any of our veterans, any of our homeless that are on the streets. What makes us think that we can take care of more homeless or displaced people,” Honomichl said.

“They get more benefits than someone coming home from the military, they get free food, housed, clothing.”

Honomichl said he was a veteran who served in Afghanistan and received little help when he left the service.

“They say here, here you go, live your life. There’s no one to help me, no one to help me get on my feet to get going.

“You have homeless veterans on the streets ... homeless people that are milling around, when they could be contributing and taking those jobs up.”

Club shows documentary film ‘Girl Rising’ Shaylie Calvin Agora Staff

Agora photos by Shaylie Calvin

The film, “Girl Rising,” tells the stories of girls around the world who are struggling to get an education.

Many girls in developing countries don’t have the chance to go to school.

They are expected to work, care for children, get jobs ... the list goes on.

The American Association of University Women’s student club at MCCC presented a documentary Oct. 10 titled “Girl Rising” in the Meyer Theater.

Sixteen people showed up to watch the film.

The documentary, called “Girl Rising,” focuses on the difficulties of getting an education for girls in eight different countries across the world.

Before the movie, Social Science professor Terri Kovach talked about the issue.

“Research is clear, educating young children helps them with the rest of their life,” she said.

The film stated many facts about the issue. Sixty-six million girls are out of school globally. There are 33 million fewer girls than boys in primary school.

The film stressed that a girl is not defined by what her society sees.

The film was eye opening for many people, and the stories of each girl were sad.

One little girl was from Haiti, her name was Wadley, and she was 7 years old. In January of 2010, an earthquake destroyed everything in Haiti.

Professor Terri Kovach introduces “Girl Rising” in the L Building.

Wadley had to work every day instead of going to school. She would have to go to a drinking fountain to get water.

A school was open, but Wadley didn’t have the money to go. She decided that money was cursed because only a cursed thing could keep her out of school.

Another girl was from Nepal and her name was Suma.

Her mother and father bonded her at the young age of six. When someone is bonded, they are forced into labor. Her parents didn’t want her to worry about food. They thought they were doing it to protect her.

Suma had a few masters throughout the years. Her second master called her an unlucky girl and beat her every day. She liked to sing to keep positive.

Her third master got her a school teacher who eventually convinced her master to enroll her in night school.

A girl named Amina from Afghanistan was married at 11 years old. Her parents used the money she made to buy her brother a car.

Amina did not think it was right to be married at such a young age. She took a stand.

“Look into my eyes. Do you see it now? I am the change,” she said.

At the end of the film, Kovach talked about ISIS and slavery.

“Slavery is not old news, it’s happening every single day,” she said.

There was also a guest speaker.

Former MCCC student Kayla Corne talked about when she traveled to Phoenix in February with the International Studies club.

Many people she talked to left other countries to come here due to the horrible conditions they had been in.

“It is very humbling to hear their stories,” Corne said.

“Immigrants and refugees aren’t the same, immigrants come for jobs and money,” Corne said.

“Refugees aren’t leaving because they want to, they are fearing for their life.”

Corne said many of the stories she heard were eye opening.

“They are people who matter.

They have a name. They have a purpose,” she said.

Students have a blast on National Student Day

By Cherie Farley Agora staff

The sound of karaoke and the smell of popcorn enveloped you soon as you stepped foot into the A Building on Oct. 8.

MCCC’s bookstore hosted the fifth annual National Student Day, sponsored by The National Association of College Bookstores.

The festivities included food, give-a-ways, booths from local vendors and volunteer groups, music, and the time to meet and interact with other students.

Blu Water spa and salon ran a booth with a massage table, which was a favorite of many students.

Nichole Moore felt the massage was something she needed after class.

“I would definitely attend this event again,” she said.

“The massage table was my favorite part. I’ve been in basic mechanics all day and the lotion they had helped my hands.”

Pizza, popcorn, and other snacks were handed out by Student Government members.

Karaoke seemed to be a huge hit for students. James Burns and James Parriet did a duet of “Don’t Stop Believin’”

MCCC student Phoenix Vaive recieves a massage.

Agora photos by Cherie Farley

MCCC students James Burns and James Parriet perform a karaoke duet of “Don’t Stop Believin.”

“I’m sorry for anyone’s ears that bled, but it was so fun we’re going to make it worse and go again,” Burns said.

Bookstore staff who helped set up the National Student Day Jean Ford and Amy Salliotte were happy with the re-

sults and are excited to participate next year.

“It’s great we get to have a different relationship with the

students rather than just a retail store. It’s something fun and it’s a way to give back,” Ford said.

Student Government President Jessica Ryder passes out popcorn at the event.

4 | mcccagora.com • Campus News Higher Learning Commission lunches with students The Agora

October 21, 2015

Evan Kutz

Assitant Editor

A representative of the Higher Learning Commission met with MCCC students for lunch Oct. 19, to get an idea of what it’s like to attend the college.

Students from Student Government, the International Studies and Respiratory Therapy clubs were present.

The Higher Learning Commission is the group that grants accreditation to colleges. A six-member team from the HLC visited MCCC Oct. 19-20 to review the college’s accreditation. Team members me with faculty, staff and administrators during the visit, and had lunch Monday with students.

Students were asked to talk about their experiences with things that have gone well or been a challenge for them, as well as how easy the process of enrolling for necessary courses is.

A few students said that it had been difficult understanding what courses to take, yet it was generally agreed that once a student decided on a major, there were academic advisors available to help guide them to the right courses.

Student Government officer Molly Siedlecki noted that the college catalog is available all around the campus, with information on all of the degrees that are offered at MCCC, as well as the prerequisites required for courses.

Photo by Evan Kutz

Students describe their experiences at MCCC to the Higher Learning Commission.

“I never meet with a counselor. I just looked at what I was interested in and what I needed to keep going and went about it that way,” said Respiratory Therapy student and club member Amanda Vesty.

“Sometimes the adjunct professors were more of a challenge for me,” Vesty said.

She said that she had a really good experience taking courses required for her program with the full-time faculty, but that adjuncts didn’t offer a similar experience.

“Maybe the class was more difficult or it was kind of unclear what they expected of us,” she said.

International Studies Club member Steve Moore described enrolling as pretty simple, citing the WebPal website’s registration form that shows which classes are necessary for a particular major. Alternatively, if the major is not listed on WebPal or if students prefer, they can meet with a counselor and go over an outline of what courses are needed and schedule them

ship professionals will be available to help students.

For more information call the Office of Admissions at 734-384-4105.

Briefs

“Smart student” workshop X-Tech open house scheduled for Halloween in Career Tech Oct. 27 A Halloween workshop on how to do well in college will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11-11:30 a.m. in C-228.

Barbara Mauter, a LAL Faculty Specialist Tutor, will be presenting “Tricks of Smart Students,” sharing techniques on how to be successful in college.

Reservations are requested – LAL 734-3844167.

College Night features .more than 45 schools

ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, SCIENTISTS, AND VISIONARIES.

MCCC will host College Night 2015 in the Health Building on Oct. 27 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

There will be over 45 colleges attending, including Lawrence Technological University, Siena Heights University, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and the United States Army.

Information on women in science, technology, engineering and math will also be provided.

In addition to admissions representatives from colleges and universities, grant, loan and scholar-

Possible is everything.

MCCC will host X-TECH, an open house for the Applied Science and Engineering Technology Division programs, in the Career Technology Center on Oct. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

X-TECH is geared towards high school students and their parents, along with adults who are interested in working in the skilled trades programs offered at MCCC. For more information call 734-384-4112 or email calbring@monroeccc.edu or pcoomar@ monroeccc.edu.

Those wishing to pre-register can visit www. monroeccc.edu/xtech.

Early childhood program receives $32,000 grant

MCCC’s early education program has received $32,030 to pursue National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation.

The NAEYC Commission awards accreditation to associate degree programs that show evidence of its Professional Preparation Standards.

right then, he said.

“Actually, I have never seen a counselor,” said Cole McNew. “But Student Government gave us pretty good relationships with the president and vice presidents of the college.”

Student Government President Jessica Ryder said she has heard many stories of students struggling with the math program. When they go up to their professors asking for help, they simply send them back to continue to work on MyMathLab

to watch the video again, she said.

She said the trigonometry class is she must take for her degree is online.

“I don’t want to learn a higher up math online, I want a professor to explain it to me,” she said.

The hours these courses are offered do not lend themselves to flexible schedules like many other courses, she added.

“I remember having to schedule everything else around it if I was going to take it,” she said.

“I can’t imagine taking a math class online. That seems really difficult,” Vesty said.

“That makes me so scared for the two math classes I have to take now,” Moore said. “I cannot do online classes.”

“I just don’t learn well with them. It just doesn’t fit my learning type,” he explained.

“Half the time MathLab doesn’t work, either. Something is always down on it,” he said, receiving agreement from most in the room.

McNew said the math redesign was implemented slowly, starting with basic courses.

“There was a professor actually teaching the course and then your homework was all on MathLab,” he said. “And then it slowly went into them teaching the 159 level, the crazy courses, all online now.”

MCCC is one of nine other Michigan colleges that will be seeking NAEYC Early Childhood Associate Degree accreditation or reaccreditation in the next two years.

“NAEYC sets the standards of excellence for teacher preparation programs, and the ECE program is committed to creating well-prepared graduates that can effectively meet the needs of diverse children and families,” said Felice Moorman, assistant professor of Early Childhood Education.

Gardens.

Rayl said Botany is not only a great class for science majors, but also is valuable for individuals who just want to learn more about plants. Contact Rayl at trayl@monroeccc.edu if you have any questions.

Botany class scheduled for Winter Semester

A children’s defense seminar will be offered Oct. 29 in the Health Education Building The seminar, which will be taught by Speech professor Mark Bergmooser, a 5th-Degree black belt, will be in Room 139 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Children will learn defense strategies on how to protect themselves from attackers.

They will also learn how to recognize threatening situations and how to gather confidence emotionally and mentally to survive.

The seminar is open to children from ages 5-12; they must be accompanied by a parent.

Imagine a world where the plants of the planet are harnessed to help its inhabitants find sustainable solutions for some of their most pressing needs – clothing, food, housing, jobs, clean air, clean water.

Welcome to planet earth! That’s the way Biology Tracy Rayl describes Elements of Botany, BIOL 251, a course that is only offered once every two years.

“The Winter 2016 semester is your opportunity to experience this great course,” Rayl said. “Botany is the scientific study of plants — from the giant sequoia trees, to algae, mosses, ferns, and flowering plants.”

“In this class you will learn all about the cool things that plants do. You will experience the MCCC greenhouse, learn some plant identification, and participate in field trips to places like Hidden Lake Gardens and Matthaei Botanical

Children’s defense class offered by professor

Student Gov’t again collecting pop can tabs

MCCC student government is again collecting pop can tabs until May for the Ronald McDonald House.

Donations can be put in the containers found in every building, or in Tom Ryder’s mailbox.

Lawrence Technological University isn’t for just anyone. We want the future designers, engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs who will create the innovations of tomorrow.

The earning potential of Lawrence Tech grads is among the highest in America.

If you believe that everything is possible, and that possible is everything, we want you at LTU. Watch LTU students share their college experiences at ltu.edu/StudentStories.

Ready to apply now?

Visit ltu.edu/applyfree.

Southfield, Michigan 800.225.5588 admissions@ltu.edu www.ltu.edu Architecture and Design | Arts and Sciences Engineering | Management

Features mcccagora.com • |5 Fast fashion affects more than just the fashionable October 21, 2015

The Agora

Evan Kutz

Assistant Editor

There is something rewarding about finding a good deal. It usually helps us to justify buying “that thing” solely because it’s such a bargain. But sometimes the purchases we make are not as valuable as we allow ourselves to be convinced.

Clothing fashion giants like Forever 21 and H&M offer customers a wide and constantly updated inventory of currently trending clothing items at startlingly low prices, where customers are persuaded to come back week after week. It works— really well.

“Fast fashion” retailing has changed the landscape of the clothing market. Legacy department stores are losing a significant consumer base to the increasingly popular shopping experience, primarily middle class families and college students.

Young people and parents flock to these stores without questioning the prices. In our Throwaway Culture, no one is asking if we really need so much surpluss.

“Charlotte Rouse and Forever 21 are cheap, and I’m on a budget,” said MCCC student Staci Storms.

The clothes don’t last as long from those places, so it’s best to buy basics such as tank tops instead of wardrobe staples like coats, she said.

Searching clearance racks for affordable items can be a lot of work. So when an entire store’s prices are kept at an affordable price index, it means a lot to shoppers who can find what they want in a fraction of the time they’ve been accustomed to.

The clothes of these stores have no distinct look—it’s constantly changing, derivative of current trends, and will seamlessly blend in with what everyone else is wearing. In fact, it’s become more common for friends to be seen wearing the same exact piece.

Middle college student Stefani Harasim says that she prefers H&M’s fashion sense better than Forever 21.

“I like Forever 21, but H&M is kind of cheaper and I like their style, but I got my earrings from Forever 21,” she said.

The range of clothing and accessories these kinds of stores have is a measure to offer shoppers the chance to complete their look without having to shop anywhere else.

Walk into one of these stores and you may find the two story, overly bright florescent lighting, large crowds and excess of merchandise intoxicating. You’ll notice a few of this season’s new arrivals like a Classic Maxi dress for $15.90, or a

Forever 21, which has a store in the Briarwood Mall, has been under scrutiny in recent years for copyright issues.

Ribbed Knit pencil skirt for $9.90.

But what’s not on most shopper’s minds is how these low prices can be sustained. Or that Forever 21 has faced over 50 copyright lawsuits for stealing designs of actual fashion industry artists.

H&M’s profits climbed 17 percent in 2014, which is leading to the opening of 400 new stores, so they’ve made their business model work very well. Taking a look at exactly what that model is reveals how they may be cutting the corners so easily.

We know the quality of the clothing isn’t as genius in engineering, the material not as luxurious—because that’s okay with us. Instead of two high quality items to rotate, we have six that will wear out fairly quickly. Then they’re soon replaced with a current, trendier version.

Katie Wicker, a middle college senior student, believes you will get what you pay for.

“If I’m paying more for it I’d expect it to last longer, but if I’m only paying so much for I don’t expect it to last long,” she said.

Repeating the clothes we wear has become such a heightened concern that we’re over-purchasing new items at an averaging biweekly basis. The uncomfortable fabrics, questionable craftsmanship and low wear life of these clothes make consumers feel better about throwing them out in a couple of months any-

how.

As far as knowing why these clothes are so cheap, like most people Wicker really just hadn’t considered it.

“I probably don’t want to know, to be honest. It’s probably a really sick twisted child labor story,” she said.

The working conditions of all laborers is a concern, and the International Labour Organization estimates that 260 million children are employed in the world, 170 million which are engaged in child labor, which the UN defines as any work under a counties legal age limit to work or that is unfit for children. The ILO reported that from 2000 to 2012 there was a decrease in child labor in the world by 30 percent, but there are still many children who are willing to work for low wages, often being persuaded with promises of a raise that will never come.

In the mid 1960s, 95 percent of the US’s clothing was made at home. Now fifteen years into the 21st century, 97 percent of our clothing is made abroad. This has made two of the richest men in the world the owners of fashion clothing producers that are H&M and Zara. Now one in six people in the world are in some way working for the global fashion industry, one that has reached the coveted position as the world’s second largest polluting industry, right behind oil.

So who is making these clothes? H&M is the biggest clothing producer in Bangladesh, which has the lowest minimum

wage in the world, which comes to about $38 a month, or around $0.20 an hour.

This must save fashion companies incredible amounts of money, because no one is paying over the minimum wage. At the beginning of this where H&M was one of 37 companies who were caught paying workers in the U.K. less than minimum wage said it was due to a computer error.

The working conditions and safety of these employees is highly questionable— in 2013, a garment factory in Bangladesh producing for companies that include H&M, Gap and Walmart collapsed—killing 1,100 workers and injuring 2,500.

Following this tragedy, a safety inspection of active clothing factories in Bangladesh lead to 35 of them being shut down.

With each exposed unfair labor practice new measures for safety are instilled, with PR-ready donations made by the clothing giants that supply these unethical systems—yet the fundamental issue is the support of a system that works against human beings.

Although these people need jobs, there is little in the way of accountability in many countries that make large amounts of exported goods, and for every shut down manufacturer another will start up and acquire the contracts they need from US giants.

Companies sidestep the blame for the poor conditions of workers making their products—because they can blame the

agencies they use that determine where it’s best (or cheapest) for these clothes to be made. It’s not just a problem of outsourcing—in 2012 a surprise investigation into garment manufacturers was carried out in the Southern California area, where 93 percent found violations. 138 workers were owed $326,200 in backpay, and workers were found not being paid not by hour but by how much they sewed, and without time-and-a-half pay for overtime work as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. US shirt printing company TS Designs has figured out how to sustainably produce its own t-shirt that is ethically made—from the Northern Carolina organic cotton it’s made from, environmentally friendly print and dye system to it’s transparent supply chain. When you input a code printed on every shirt tag on their website, you will be meet with the a name, photo and contact information of every person who’s work went into your garment, such as the farmers who grew the cotton to the person who dyed your fabric. So what does this t-shirt cost? In 2013 it would set you back about $14, which was estimated to be $6 more than a shirt made abroad.

It’s true that we feel good about helping out other people. Yet it’s not as simple as buying a pair of TOMS, a company which has figured out how to capitalize on any goodwill consumers may have.

The popular shoe company uses developing countries to support it’s marketed “One for One” policy, where for every pair of shoes purchased another pair will be made and distributed to developing countries. The one thing TOMS does not talk about in it’s One for One program is the threat of barefoot school children contracting hookworm, and it’s horrible effects on the physical and mental capacities of it’s hosts. A fraction of the money spent to make those twin pairs of shoes, that may last a year in these conditions, could be spent to build working latrines and concrete floors that would substantially fight the spread of hookworm in the first place.

We can hope that we as consumers continue to question where and how the things we buy, wear and eat are made.

The real cost of a good bargain is more than imagined by many, but we can hope for a continuation of implanting ethical practice everywhere. All people deserve to lead a safe and fair life—a basic human right that we Westerners often neglect to consider for anyone but ourselves. Hopefully consumers will continue to ask what value really means to them.

Top Ten ...

reasons to become a Writing Tutor at MCCC The MCCC Writing Center is looking for qualified students to join the Writing Fellow Program.

and bookstore money by Earn tuition tutoring other students. students, faculty, Meet interesting and staff. nifty t-shirt Acquire another (MCCC Writing Center).

Earn

respect from faculty and staff throughout campus.

be listed on Scholarships can your resume.

Great

preparation to go into teaching and education.

Opportunities

to attend conferences.

If you are interested in becoming an MCCC writing tutor, please stop by the Writing Center in C-218 to pick up an application. If you would like to know more about the Writing Center go to http://www.monroeccc.edu/writing. Applications can submitted to the Humanities office, C201, or to Dr. Carrie Nartker, C-211.

6 | mcccagora.com •

Features

The Agora

October 21, 2015

MCCC visits Art Prize Seven

Artist Judith Braun talks about her charcoal finger painting.

Art piece made from pages of the Bible is displayed at a hotel in Downtown Grand Rapids.

T

wenty-nine MCCC students and staff took a bus Oct. 1 to Grand Rapids Art Prize Seven.

Art Prize Seven is an art show spread throughout the downtown area in Grand Rapids.

This year there were 162 venues, which included 1,551 works of art.

This is an international competition in which two $200,000 grand prizes and eight category awards add up to more than $500,000 awarded to artists.

The artwork is accompanied by a number that can be used to vote using your smartphone on the “Art Prize”

app.

Student Phil Zaborowski used the app while he was there.

“I used the app and voted for a lot of stuff, but brewery is my favorite form of art,” he said.

Most of the students and staff that attended the field trip agreed that it is difficult to see all of the projects because of the many different venues.

Art professor Gary Wilson, one of the faculty members who joined the trip, thought that many projects were lost.

“I noticed that it is just so saturated, after the first few things you get lost.

Paul Robertson’s tree with colorful digital art, which he calls “Enchanted Forest.”

As an artist you know what’s big is going to win,” he said.

“If I was in charge I’d want a better map to show where things were; in the crowds you lose so much.”

The overall trip seemed to have a good outcome.

Professor Bill McCloskey, who organized the event with Professor Cheryl Johnston, said he was glad that the students were able to have this experience.

“Every time we can take students somewhere they haven’t been is valuable, especially those who don’t travel often,” he said.

A close-up of part of DoYOUdle, by Team Gina.

Blue giraffe, by Jim Neal.

A self portrait, by Bountom Vongkaysone.

MCCC student Erika Wicker stands next to Krista Schoening’s piece Karma Dahlia II An origami lighthouse is displayed in one of the many venues at the Art Prize Seven.

Story and photos by Cherie Farley

Features

October 21, 2015

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|7

Prep school rape raises consent issues The trial of Owen Labrie, a Concord, N.H., senior accused of raping a freshman girl, has gained national attention and raised issues of rape on school campuses.

Caroline Hudson Agora Staff

While rape occurs often and to numerous people, some cases spark more attention and talk than others.

In Concord, New Hampshire, last year at an elite prep high school a 14-year-old freshman girl claimed she was raped by an 18-year-old senior boy named Owen Labrie.

Labrie was participating in a tradition known as the “senior salute.” The salute was a game between senior boys — whoever could get the most underclassmen to have sex with them before graduation was the winner.

This particular trial was complicated from the beginning. While the young girl claimed that Labrie raped her, texts and Facebook messages were released during the trial, with her telling him he “was a fun time.”

They had spoken before the encounter over Facebook and she admitted to liking the attention he was giving her, but she thought maybe they would just make out and that would be the end of it.

Labrie claims that he never had sex with her; he put a condom on but decided at the last minute not to. His claim: they just kissed. Yet his sperm and semen were found on her underwear.

As complicated as the trial was, to most it would seem to be obvious. He raped

her and thought it was okay because she agreed to meet up with him and kiss him.

It seems to be the same story, with hardly any justice — Labrie was cleared of three rape charges.

While he was found guilty of 3 misdemeanor sex assault counts and a felony charge, whether or not he will serve up to 11 years or will have to be put up on a sex offender’s list won’t be known until sentencing on Oct. 29.

This verdict has sparked quite a bit of attention from not only all national news associations, but students here at MCCC. “Her being a minor is where I have an issue,” student Kailey Christensen said.

“Had she been older, at least of legal age, I wouldn’t see it as rape.”

Student Anthony Szpaichler disagreed.

“With the messages she sent before and after the incident, I can see where the jury came from,” he said.

“No one was there other than the two of them, so no one will ever really know the truth. I’m not saying its fair. But I can see where the case mad it difficult to find a fair verdict.”

Recreational marijuana headed for the ballot

By Julia Toniolo Agora staff

MCCC students who wish to vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana may have the opportunity next year.

A group is gathering signatures to put the Michigan Marijuana Regulation and Economic Stimulus Act on the Michigan state ballot in November 2016.

If passed, the marijuana initiative will give Michiganders the explicit right to purchase, possess, and consume marijuana and marijuana products without needing a medical card.

The act states that the consumption of marijuana on public or private property is not subject to arrest unless stated otherwise by law.

The act does not require consumers to be medical card holders, but normal civilian consumers will have more restrictions when it comes to possessing and consuming the herb than card holders currently do.

You must be 21 years of age to purchase, possess, and consume the product.

The initiative also puts limitations on the amount a person can hold as well as grow on their personal property.

Students at MCCC have many opinions regarding the issue, ranging from support, to opposition, to indifference.

Student Kayla Richards supports the legalization of marijuana because of incarceration rates.

“I do think it should be legalized because I think it can reduce crime and reduce our prison population,” Richards said.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, between 2001 and 2010 there were 8.2 million marijuana arrests. Of those, 88% were for just possessing small amounts of marijuana, and 52% of all drug arrests in 2010 were for marijuana.

The number of people who were arrested for a marijuana law violation in 2013 was 693,482, according to drugpolicy. org, and 88% of those law violators were arrested for possession only.

Student James Parriet supports medicinal marijuana, but he does not support recreational marijuana use.

“It does have a good purpose behind it because it does help with medical conditions. Recreationally, I say no, only because the simple fact that if we start legalizing too much we’ll have negative effects,” Parriet said.

According to drugabuse.gov, many people describe marijuana as a “gateway drug” to harder substances. A person’s social environment, however, plays a huge role in a their risk for drug use.

Photos by Julia Toniolo

The Green Door, located on East Liberty Street, is one of many dispensaries in Ann Arbor which sell marijuana products to medicinal marijuana cardholders.

Many comments on social media reveal some people fear that legalizing marijuana will make people think it’s okay to do harder substances or even legalize them.

One student, Janice Martyres, expresses concern of marijuana use affecting the professional workplace.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with marijuana, but I don’t think it should be legal because if people are under the influence of it and they’re a doctor or something it could cause damage from them working,” Martyres said, “It shouldn’t be legal for people to do it anytime.”

Student Jeremy McGarry is indifferent

about the legalization of recreational marijuana as long as it doesn’t harm others.

“I really don’t care as long as it doesn’t effect me or harm anyone else. It’s their choice to smoke it and as long as it’s not harming anyone, people should be able to do what they want,” McGarry said.

A few students support recreational legalization because of the economic revenue it could bring to the state of Michigan. Students Sierra Poppenhager, Kyle Bryant and Greg McMillan talked about how revenue could be raised by taxing marijuana purchases.

“I think it would bring in a lot more

profits,” McMillan said, “Maybe there would be less problems if it was legalized.”

Poppenhager and Bryant both mentioned taxing marijuana similar to alcohol and cigarettes.

“Economically, it’s a good idea,” Poppenhager said, “They could tax it just like cigarettes and alcohol, it would be no different.”

“I think it should be taxed heavily and the economic revenue would be awesome for Michigan,” Bryant said.

“It should be in a category with alcohol

and cigarettes as far as taxation goes.”

Bryant added that regulations should be strict for who can purchase marijuana.

“It should be regulated heavily and tough to get; I don’t think just anyone should be able to get it,” he said.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulation and Economic Stimulus act states that the crop will be regulated and the growth, sale, and use of the product will be taxed.

Calculations from the Colorado Department of Revenue reveal in the first full year of marijuana sales in Colorado in 2014, $385.9 million was raised from medical marijuana and $313.2 million from recreational marijuana.

The Michigan bill states that sales of marijuana products are subject to a 10 percent excise tax paid by the consumer.

The legislature can reduce this number but not raise it.

Forty percent of the net proceeds will go to the department of transportation.

Another 40 percent will go to the school aid fund, and the last 20 percent to the community where the marijuana establishment is located.

Marijuana products given to a person via physician recommendation and those registered in governmental medical marijuana programs are exempt from all excise taxes.

Professors list least favorite essay topics Cherie Farley Agora Staff

When professors pull out the syllabus and mention a paper the students will be writing, there are topics they are tired of seeing.

Do not be that person to make your professors roll their eyes.

Many professors agree they are bored of those controversial subjects that get personal. Some subjects they agree have been exhausted include abortion, gun control, religion/prayer, and obesity.

“I call them high school topics,” said Tim Dillon, an MCCC English professor and director of the Writing Center.

Professors are looking for something that the student can research, without a

“I look for subjects with some controversy so that they can have a position to take, and an opposing position.”

Tim Dillon English Professor

personal opinion that gets in the way.

“In a Comp 2 class, we are supposed to do research. Subjects like school and prayer are hard not to have an opinion on,” said Lori Couch, an MCCC Eng-

lish professor.

Professors want to see their students succeed in their writing. They also want students to connect with what they write.

Dillon suggests that it is a good idea for students to become grounded in a subject they have an interest in. It also should be something that isn’t too personal.

“I look for subjects with some controversy so that they can have a position to take, and an opposing position,” Dillon said.

Couch wants to be enlightened by her students’ papers.

“I enjoy papers that I learn something from,” she said.

On the opposite side of the grid there is William McCloskey, another English professor. He said he is not tired of any topic; as long as the student cares about the topic, he does too.

“After 43 years, I have read a lot of topics. To me they might be old/boring, but usually not to the student.

“It is about the students, ultimately, not me. Does it really matter if I am bored with a particular topic?” he said.

MCCC Writing Fellow Kellyann Navarre thinks that sometimes students need freedom, but restrictions should also be in place.

“I’ve noticed that sometimes if students have the choice to write about anything, it can be biased, unorganized, or too emotionally involved,” she said.

“I think they need to be able to enhance their writing and show they can write without always doing whatever they particularly want. But in some instances I think they also need freedom.”

8 | mcccagora.com •

The Agora

Arts&Entertainment

October 21, 2015

Destiny expansion caters to loyal players Jeff Brown

November Video Game Releases

Agora Staff

Destiny: The Taken King added a plethora of improvements to the base game, but at the end of the day, it’s still Destiny.

Destiny: The Taken King is the biggest expansion to come out for Destiny yet, and heralds the coming of year two of the controversial game.

Unlike previous expansions, Crota’s End and The House of Wolves, TTK adds almost as much as vanilla destiny added at launch. On top of the new story missions, TTK adds four new strikes, two new multiplayer modes, and the biggest raid so far.

Destiny: The Taken King looks just as impressive as always; even after a year, the graphics hold up well. The biggest problem with the visuals are some recycled assets and flat textures, but nothing noteworthy.

The gameplay is as good as ever.

At the end of the day, Destiny is about shooting aliens and you won’t find many games that do that as well as Destiny does.

Now to the meat and potatoes of this review, the new stuff and the changes made in the wake of the second year of Destiny.

If you read my review for Destiny, then you know that I really like this game in all of its mediocrity.

This time around, developer Bungie added features to Destiny that not only should have been present at the launch of year one, but are expected in games of modern design.

First, the story. Instead of sending you out on missions with no context to why you’re fighting aliens, this time it is clearly explained.

Better yet, there are characters with which the player can connect and interact.

The story takes place after the events of year one. Oryx the God and King of the Hive enters the Sol system to take vengeance on you for killing his son, Crota, who you kill in the first expansion, Crota’s End. Along the way the player is

November may look light compared to October, but don’t be fooled by the size of this list because the games represent a huge percent of total games sold all year.

Every week this month consumers will be treated to another triple-A, blockbuster game.

The games to watch out for this month are Call of Duty Black Ops III, Fallout 4, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Star Craft II: Legacy of the Void, and Star Wars Battlefront.

When you play Destiny: TTK, you won’t find that you lack for things to do. introduced to characters that were there through all the events of Destiny year one, but were never explored, including a character voiced

by Hollywood superstar Nathan Fillion.

Because the story now has context and characters, playing through was a much more enjoyable experience.

When you play Destiny: TTK, you won’t find that you lack for things to do. From playing through the lengthy story missions to exploring the Dreadnaught (the new patrol zone), it always feels like there is something to do.

Instead of mission design being a recycled “go here, shoot them, press that button,” the mission structure tends to have more variety. Some missions discourage killing at all, or force you to run away from overwhelming odds.

Once you finish exploring and doing missions and reach the rec-

ommended level, the new raid becomes available to play.

Kings Fall is the new raid that requires precise timing, teamwork and skill to pull off and is not only one of the most challenging gaming experiences I’ve ever had but after the six- to eight-hour adventure was done, it was one of the most rewarding.

Speaking of rewards, Bungie promised that the loot algorithms have been changed, giving you a chance to find better loot and things that you don’t already own.

My experience begs to differ. The amount of trash loot and doubles (even triples and more) has been astonishing, to the point where sometimes after playing for hours or even days, I felt like I was making no progress.

That’s not all, in order to play the best part of the game, the raid, you have to be at least light level 290.

This means the average rating of

all your gear must be that or higher in order to be successful. There is also a lack of match making, so after you put in the dozens of hours required to become raid ready, if you don’t have six friends available and ready to give up a whole night (or two) playing the raid, Bungie offers no solution for you.

Instead you have to rely on third party sources like my favorite, DestinyLFG.net.

Destiny: The Taken King looks and feels as good as ever, and the many improvements to the storytelling mechanics of the game make the play-through experience a much more enjoyable journey.

However, innaccesability and walls locking out content still seem to be a huge problem standing in the way of Destiny becoming a great game. I will, hoever, upgrade the game from mediocre to good.

If you’re a new Destiny player or a returning one, Destiny: The Taken King, is well worth your time.

Destiny: The Taken King was reviewed on the PlayStation 4 and is also available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

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 • Criminal Justice • Multidisciplinary Studies • Professional Communication • Psychology • RN to BSN

CONTACT US TODAY!

Phone: (734) 384-4133 Email: monroe@sienaheights.edu Stop by our office located in L-112

www.sienaheights.edu/mccc

November 3 - Anno 2205 (PC) November 3 - Need for Speed (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 3 Peanuts: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure (Xbox One, 360, PS4, Wii U, 3DS) November 6 - Call of Duty: Blacks Ops III (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 6 - Yo-Kai Watch (3DS) November 10 - Alekhine’s Gun (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 10 - Fallout 4 (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 10 - Rise of the Tomb Raider (Xbox One, Xbox 360) November 10 - Starcraft II: Legacy of the Void (PC, Mac) November 10 - Rodea The Sky Soldier (Wii U, 3DS) November 17 - The Crew: Wild Run (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 17 - Star Wars Battlefront (Xbox One, PS4, PC) November 17 - Stella Glow (3DS) - November 17 Sword Art Online: Lost Song (PS4, Vita) November 20 - Mayan Death Robots (PC) November 20 - Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (Wii U) November 20 - Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (3DS) November 24 - Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires (Vita) November 26 - One Final Breath (PC, Linux) - November 28, (Mac) - November 30, (Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Vita)

*release dates are subject to change.