Sept 12, 2016

Summer blockbusters disappoint

Students distracted digitally

Page 8

Information for new students Page 5

Page 4 Sept. 12, 2016 Vol. 64, Issue 1

Pokémon Go lacks pokéstops at MCCC James Quick Agora Staff

Hey, look over there, it’s Pikachu!

If you heard that and immediately went for your phone, there’s a good chance you play Pokémon GO, the new augmented reality mobile game from Nintendo and Niantic.

The game’s popularity has been riding high since its launch at the beginning of summer.

MCCC students are, naturally enough, joining the ranks of intrepid trainers, and in some cases, it’s bringing them closer to their families.

“We live where there’s a bunch of PokéStops,” student Brittney Strauss said. “So we literally just walk up and down the river. It gives me and my mom time to hang out and actually bond over something.”

Student Megan Engle agrees that Pokémon GO is a great way to spend quality

time with her mother.

“My mom hasn’t picked a team yet,” Megan said, referring to the three teams that players can join in the game once they reach Level 5.

Not everyone’s pleased with the game.

PokéStops are areas in the game usually located at local landmarks. At these, players can get PokéBalls, Berries, and Eggs, among other things.

On campus, they number only two: the Z-Building (listed as The Meyer Theater) and The Potter’s Field sign (listed as simply The Potter’s Field).

Some students, such as Brittney and Bri Nocella, feel that more need to be added.

It may help draw in more players, aside from enhancing the gaming experience for existing players in the student body.

Bri Nocella, among others, also thought that more interesting Pokémon might bring in more players as well.

That said, the campus itself isn’t lacking

in Pokémon. A brief look around campus reveals a better selection than one might initially suspect.

While the common or garden Weedle, Caterpie, Venonat, Rattata, Pidgey, and Zubat are present, also sighted were Drowzee, Gastly, Meowth, Seel, and, remarkably, a Kingler! (The latter two are presumably lurking in the duck pond by C Building and the La-Z-Boy Center. Keep your eyes peeled, trainers!)

There are some Pokémon currently unavailable in the game — and not just because the only ones present are from the Generation I. These include Ditto, the transforming Pokémon, and Legendary Pokémon, such as Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, AKA the Legendary Birds.

However, the three birds do appear, after a fashion. They are the mascots for Team Mystic (Articuno), Team Instinct (Zapdos), and Team Valor (Moltres).

The teams represent different styles of

Pokémon Training.

Blanche, head of Team Mystic, champions the use of wisdom and calm analysis.

Spark, in charge of Team Instinct, quite obviously thinks that instinct and intuition are best.

Candela, the leader of Team Valor, believes training to be the strongest is key.

Players are to choose the team they feel fits them most. Of those interviewed, three were Team Valor, one was Team Mystic, and one Instinct.

But one person – the only male who said he played the game and consented to an interview – tells a different tale.

“I didn’t really get too into it,” Clayton Blackwell says. “Tried it once or twice, decided it took up too much room, and deleted it.”

It’s an understandable thought. The game takes up 113MB of phone data, and

See Pokémon, Page 2

Photo by James Quick

A Rattata was caught by the L Building.

Quartey works on retention...

Joeseph Abrams Agora Staff

Poor student retention has led to a decline in enrollment over the last few years.

To remedy this problem, MCCC plans to make the campus more student friendly.

While the enrollment decline appears to have leveled off, there remains a need for student-centered efforts to help retain students.

“The challenge is those who start and then do what? Leave,” said Kojo Quartey, president of the college.

The problem with enrollment is not new student recruitment, Quartey said, but rather retaining students who come to the college in the first place.

“The number one variable for retention purposes at any institution is that students believe that people there know them, and care about them,” he said.

Making sure students are comfortable and cared for is vital for retaining them and for student success, Quartey said.

To demonstrate this to students, Quartey practices something he calls the ten-foot rule.

“So when I say hello to students, by abiding by that ten-foot rule, which means when you pass within ten feet of anyone, you what? You acknowledge that person, say hello,” Quartey said.

“I practice that. I hope everyone on campus will practice that.

Photo by Vanessa Ray I wish I could institute that as a President Kojo Quartey, who worked the crowd at the Back-to-School Barbecue, thinks getting students rule.” more involved is a key to improving retention.

To help students feel cared for, Quartey also expressed a desire to gram, also. Where students have are encountering any challenges he said. start up a mentorship program. somebody they can view or see as at all on campus, besides the ad“That ties in with the feeling “We want to have a mentor pro- a role model, and if those students viser, they can go to that person,” that somebody there knows me,

and somebody there cares about me.”

However, the college has not always succeeded with similar plans in the past.

Near the back entrance of the school is the Student Government spirit rock; the intent was for students to paint or write on it for various reasons.

Unfortunately, most people don’t even realize it’s there.

Many colleges and high schools have spirit rocks, said English professor Timothy Dillon, and they’re generally used for things like painting school colors or showing support for sports teams.

“It’s a pet kind of thing, a school spirit kind of thing,” Dillon said.

“When they said here that we’re going to have one, I thought ‘oh what a great idea,’ but when they put it in the far south corner of the campus, down by the creek where nobody ever goes, I thought ‘well that’s just crazy.’ ” Dillon is not alone in this criticism, as Quartey agreed about the rock’s unfortunate placement.

“I think that it should be in a more prominent area,” he said.

“But I don’t think that’s a battle that I need to be fighting. If the students really think it should be in a more prominent area, then they can make it known to the administration and individuals on campus.”

While there’s talk about improving the campus in the future, at the moment, things aren’t ideal.

“We have some of the components of student success,” Dillon said. “Students having a place to go, students having study areas to go, things like this, those are nonexistent on our campus, and until

See Student, Page 2

...while enrollment decline levels off

Miranda Gardner Agora Staff

MCCC President Kojo Quartey is optimistic about this semester’s enrollment numbers.

“New students are up by almost 10 percent, while total enrollment is down by less than one percent,” Quartey said.

“Which is good news! Last year we were down 8 percent,” he said.

The campus has experienced a steady enrollment decline since 2010, but the headcount for this semester is 3,144, which is only 48 students fewer than last year.

Mark Hall, director of Admissions and Guidance Services, said the turnaround is primarily due to new students.

“We are up in new students and slightly down in continuing students,” he said.

Quartey commended all the staff at MCCC, especially the efforts of the Admissions Office and Marketing Team, for this semester’s enrollment turnout.

“Joe Verkennes, the director of Marketing and Communications, has been getting the information out there,” Quartey said.

“Social media marketing has been huge, along with the mailings to potential students and former students, and people in the community.”

Quartey also noted the efforts of Mark Hall and his team at the Admissions Office.

“Everyone has done a great job!”

Hall said several other factors helped with the enrollment numbers.

“The factors for improved enrollment numbers are The Board of Trustees Merit Scholarship,

Agora Graphic

Enrollment reached 4,723 in 2010 and was 3,144 this fall.

increased dual-enrollment, increased Direct College courses, and extending the date to set up a payment plan to the day classes start,” Hall said.

The Board of Trustees Merit

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MCCC wants students to get involved with millage Leah Thomas Editor

MCCC wants students to support the proposed millage increase on the ballot Nov. 8.

The college’s staff is working hard to generate support for the millage in the upcoming election.

Tom Ryder, the Campus Community Events/Student Activities coordinator, encourages students to become educated and involved in the millage.

“No one knows for sure if the millage will pass with or without the student vote. I would just hope that our students and their families will take a look at the information regarding the millage so they know the facts and understand why the college is going for the millage,” Ryder said.

He said students can find information about the millage on the college website.

The website explains the reasons for the millage and the improvements the money will make on campus.

Students can also register to vote on the website.

Ryder said students should be aware and involved in all the current issues on the ballot, not just the college’s millage.

“I think it is important for our students to get involved in the whole election process. Some important issues impact students’ lives and the college,” he said.

“Elected officials make decisions on topics like student debt, funding for college and the economy. Students can get involved by voting and before election day by becoming educated about the issues so they can make an informed decision.”

Ryder advises the Student Government, and he hopes they will advocate for the millage by helping students understand the millage and its purpose.

“I’m hoping the Student Government will plan some voter registration and information tables in the hallway. Information regarding the millage is already up on the College website and on tables around campus,” Ryder said.

Over the summer, MCCC’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to reduce the millage request from .95 to .85 mills.

MCCC’s request for East and West Tech renovation ranked 14

See MCCC Millage, Page 2

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Campus News

September 12, 2016

A ‘revolution’ of faculty turnover coming Leah Thomas Editor

MCCC will face rapid turnover within the next few years.

The college is at the cusp of change. In the next few years, officials say there will be multiple faculty retiring.

“It might be a revolution,” said Paul Hedeen, dean of the Humanities/Social Sciences Division.

Mark Bergmooser, Assistant Professor of Speech/Journalism/Tae Kwon Do, said English professors Tim Dillion, Bill McCluskey, Terry Telfer, and Cheryl Johnston have all mentioned retiring next year.

A concern for some faculty is the college’s history of delaying the replacement of faculty members who retire.

Patrick Nedry, professor of Business, thinks faculty retiring is a normal aspect of any college.

“The bigger issue is the delay in replacing the positions,” said Nedry. “We seem to be gripped by indecision.”

Some positions have been repurposed, but others have been vacant for years.

Nedry said there is a position in Humanities that is open three years later.

He also said the college saves well over $100,000 when it does not replace a longtime faculty member who is high on the salary schedule.

According to Nedry, the delay has a positive financial consequence, but it lets programs, divisions, courses, and students languish.

“No decision is in fact a decision,” he said.

Hedeen said it takes months to replace faculty.

Retirement is announced in a formal letter to Quartey. The dean writes a position request that justifies the position, and Grace Yackee, the Vice President of Instruction, refines the request.

The position request is forwarded to the cabinet, who approves and posts the position.

Finally, the division puts together a search committee, which interviews candidates.

Hedeen wonders whether or not he can do quick searches and still be thorough.

Faculty said the college loses history when seasoned faculty leave.

Bergmooser said some of the faculty have been here nearly since the college’s inception.

Gary Wilson, a retired art professor, taught at the college for 45 of the 52 years the college has existed.

“What I hope is that the foundation has been passed down,” Bergmooser said. “If you lose sight of what we are, that can be a dangerous thing.”

Roger Spalding, professor of Physics & Astronomy, said people do not remember what the campus was like 37 years ago, as he does.

“Sometimes I think people lose track of the history and what we have developed, but they have replaced it with quality in-

struction and professionalism,” Spaulding said. “It’s just sometimes we don’t have a college memory like we used to have.”

Hedeen said new faculty lack institutional experience, but not subject matter expertise.

Every institution has a different academic culture. It takes two or three years before new faculty are up to speed, Hedeen said.

Yackee said finding highly qualified faculty is always on the college’s mind.

“It is no secret that MCCC faculty (full and part time) are highly regarded by students and the community at large, including four year colleges and universities,” she said.

“Replacing” seasoned faculty requires diligent review of applicant credentials and their commitment to the community college philosophy, particularly the emphasis on access to higher education,” Yackee said.

Hedeen said everyone likes to think

they are irreplaceable, but there are other people who will do a good job.

“If you find the best people, you have a good college. It’s that simple,” Hedeen said.

“I’m hoping the new faculty who come in after these legends leave will come here and try to make a difference, try to insure student success, and leave this place better than they found it,” President Kojo Quartey said.

Bergmooser said he has noticed passion and energy from the new faculty members across the divisions.

Spalding said turnover makes the faculty stronger because people have different history and experiences.

“I think the curriculum is probably going to improve over time because we are bringing in new views and insights and perspectives.

“I think that is an improvement,” Spalding said.

Pokémon Go advances the industry of AR Continued from Page 1

even when running in the background, can use almost 400MB of RAM. With all the other apps and files on most people’s phones, space can certainly be at a premium. Most apps like Pokémon GO take up a lot of room and memory.

While most readers will at least have a concept of what Pokémon (or at least Pikachu) is, “augmented reality” (AR) is another matter entirely.

It’s another increasingly popular concept, one tied closely to virtual reality – the likes of which can be seen in the upcoming Oculus Rift system, or in a more fantastical form in Star Trek’s holodecks.

AR, in a nutshell, is images superimposed over real-time footage or images of the real world.

Such games are relatively new on the scene, but, as previously stated, are rapidly gaining popularity, as evidenced by the variety.

The genre spread in this new field is already impressive, ranging from science fiction (SpecTrek and Niantic’s own Ingress), to gang war (Life is Crime), to horror (numerous zombie-related games), to adventure (Pokémon GO).

While the gaming angle is new, AR as a whole goes much further back. Almost 50 years, in fact!

The initial tests of this technology came in 1968, when Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull developed the so-called “ultimate display.”

This system, called The Sword of Damocles, used head-mounted screens to generate entire rooms from wireframe.

It was simple and clunky by modern standards (the user had to be securely strapped in to the display for it to work properly), but at the time it was revolutionary.

Despite this, nothing much came of AR until 1992, when Louis Rosenberg developed Virtual Fixtures to assist the United States Air Force, allowing them to do re-

by Leigh Cole

mote field work.

NASA began to use a similar system (X-38) in 1999, allowing scientists to further develop cheap yet reliable spacecraft.

Enrollment levels off Continued from Page 1

The Direct College courses are taught on-site at the participating high schools, including Monroe, Erie Mason, Britton-Deerfield, Whiteford, and the newly added Gibraltar Carlson.

“Gibraltar Carlson’s add-on brought an additional 26 students,” Quartey said.

The campus is up 90 students in dual-enrollment this semester.

“We have the highest number of dual-enrolled students in our history,” Quartey added.

MCCC’s biggest hurdle with enrollment is student retention.

“That’s the challenge. Students who start and don’t stay. They move on or go somewhere else,” Quartey said.

MCCC has a Retention Committee to help jump over these hurdles.

“The Committee will meet and strategize around efforts to keep more students here,” Quartey said.

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It didn’t reach mobile phones until 2004, courtesy of German developers.

It would seem that with the advent of these AR games, the gaming industry is

marching forward into a brave new era.

These new kids on the block are even being called “the future of gaming.”

If this is the future, then it seems bright.

Hopefully more franchises develop engaging titles such as Pokémon GO in the near future and help push this fledgling industry forward.

Student retention is Quartey’s priority Continued from Page 1

we get those kinds of things, we don’t have the whole package.”

Dillon suggested having a student rest area on campus to show that the college appreciates its students.

“There’s a couple ways you identify what’s important, you name it, and you give it physical space,” Dillon said. “So if students are important, we should have an area, a central area, a place that’s just for students to do what students want to do, and we identify that student centered space and that gives it importance.”

Quartey agrees that not all the buildings are well designed for studying or for students to relax in.

“You go in the life science building, that’s the L building over there, and students are essentially studying under the stairs.”

However to create more student centered spaces Quartey insists that the funds from the millage are essential.

Some of these proposed renovations include joining the east and west technology buildings together, and using the extra space

“If students are important, we should have an area, a central area, a place that’s just for students to do what students want to do, and we identify that student centered space and that gives it importance.”

Tim Dillon English professor to create a student center.

Head of maintenance Jack Burns explained some of the potential renovations that may be happening to not only create a student area, but to expand the learning assistance lab as well.

“So the primary focus of the renovation is we’re going to take and combine east and west tech into one building,” Burns said.

“We’re actually going to take and combine them and create an open atrium very similar to what is at the CTC but in between them, and there’ll be furniture in there. When I talk about

student breakout spaces kind of things, there will be a study lounge area, but the LAL will be off of that area and we’ll actually be able to take some existing classrooms and double, more than double the space that the LAL has.”

The east and west tech buildings are only one of the renovations planned, and the college is considering renovating the library to make it more modern, said Burns.

“So we’ve investigated a number of case studies, the one we looked at locally is Grand Valley State. They just did a huge addition/ renovation to the library and now they have a lot of like student breakout spaces, where you can actually get in groups with flat panel tv’s you can plug your laptops in and do group study sessions,” said Burns.

“We’re in and experiencing that transition, those growing pains. So when I say updates to the learning environment, that kind of thing.

We need to address new learning styles.”

However the status of these student centered renovations is dependent on the millage, said Burns, as updates to the school’s infrastructure and security comes first. Those are updates that must be done, regardless of the fate of the millage.

MCCC millage seeks student support Continued from Page 1

out of the 16 projects that requested state funding. Our state legislators, State Sen. Dale Zorn and State Rep. Jason Sheppard, worked until the request placed in the top six.

On June 29th, House Bill 5294 was signed into law which secured $3.75 million in state funding for the renovations that will turn existing facilities into useable classrooms and laboratory spaces and create more accessible locations for critical student support services.

MCCC President Kojo Quartey explained that since the state has agreed to contribute to the funding, the college is able to reduce the millage request by nearly ten percent.

“We have relieved our local taxpayers of that burden, so instead of costing them approximately $48 a year, now it’s going to cost them approximately $42 a year to support this institution over the next five years,” Quartey said.

According to Quartey, reducing the millage is fiscally prudent and the right thing to do. He also believes the cut builds a stronger case for the millage.

The only catch is the state will only hand over the money if MCCC can match it. The college expects the money generated by the millage to cover their half.

“If the millage fails, we would have to do a fundraising campaign for the money. The proj-

ect would be delayed and endangered without a millage,” Quartey said.

Quartey embarked on the “Township Hall Tour” to discuss MCCC’s 5-Year Maintenance and Improvement Millage request. The tour included volunteer recruitment efforts and “Meet the Candidates” forums at each stop.

Quartey has assigned champions in every township. Champions are hardworking individuals who work in their township to recruit volunteers and head up advertising to ensure a successful millage.

The college will continue to educate students and Michigan residents to ensure a successful millage.

September 12, 2016

Campus News

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School barbeque succeeds after moving Joseph Abrams Agora Staff

The annual Back-to-School Barbeque was held inside this year due to rain.

The event was surprisingly successful, despite the sudden change in location.

After a rain early in the morning, the decision was made to set up tables in the cafeteria, instead of the usual location outside next to the La-Z-Boy Center.

Tom Ryder, MCCC’s coordinator of Student Activities, said he was prepared for the turn of events, and that there was a contingency plan in place from the beginning.

While things were not ideal, Ryder said the event was going very well.

“I’m disappointed that it rained, but I’m happy with the inside turnout,” he said.

Some students actually preferred that it was inside this year, as they felt it wasn’t as hot and helped student awareness of the booths.

“I think being in an enclosed area where people could sit down lets them look at the stands,” said Maddie Cooley, a member of the MCCC Student Government.

People manning many of the booths found that students were more interested in visiting their setups this year, and some even said it threw them off.

Additionally, students were happy to not be out in the humid heat, and though the cafeteria itself was warm, they did not have to worry about rain.

While there was concern about students finding the event, those worries were put to rest once the event started.

During the last hour of the barbeque, a train of professors walked through with picket signs to call attention to their contract negotiations.

The details of the negotiations have been kept quiet, and many students didn’t know it was going on, leaving some confused.

“At first I got confused, but then I got

Students packed inside the cafeteria to enjoy the Back-to-School Barbeque, which had to be moved indoors after a morning rain.

irritated. This is a school event, and I thought it wasn’t appropriate,” one student said.

Other students agreed and believed that the teachers interrupted an event that has nothing to do with them.

Meanwhile, other students were supportive of the professors.

“Personally, I didn’t think it was real, I thought it was a joke, but I do agree with what they’re doing. They earned the right to do that,” student Derek Crawley said.

Ryder was in charge of the event, and he was not pleased with what happened.

“This is a student event, it has nothing

Students visit booths set up by local businesses outside the cafeteria after the event moved inside.

to do with faculty or administration,” Ryder said. “I felt it wasn’t appropriate.”

Meanwhile, the professors protesting said they were trying to raise awareness of the situation.

Students seemed to be pleased with the barbecue, and some even expressed a desire to have these events more of-

Photos by Vanessa Ray

ten.

“It should be every semester, it’s more welcoming to people who join mid-year,” a student said.

Other students said they simply enjoy having events with free food.

Student Government members serve food for students at the barbeque

Faculty and college negotiate over contract Julia Skrobowski Agora staff

MCCC’s faculty began the semester without a new contract.

The Faculty Association, known as MCCCFA, is currently negotiating a new 3-year contract with the college. The previous contract expired Aug. 23, 2016.

The contract outlines faculty work duties, responsibilities, work load, benefits and salaries.

The faculty and the college began negotiating a new contract in February of this year, and as the expiration date drew closer, there was more urgency to reach agreement.

However, Aug. 23 came and went, and still no contract.

“We worked from February all through the summer — our negotiating team with the college, their negotiating team — with the intent that, from both sides, there was a commitment to completing negotiations prior to the last contract expiring,” said Tracy Rayl, Biology professor and MCCCFA chief negotiator.

Molly McCutchan is the director of Human Resources at MCCC and also the chief negotiator for the college.

She said there is no typical length for a negotiation period. It varies with every contract.

This year, however, there have been a number of proposed language changes to the contract.

“I don’t know if this contract negotiations is any longer than any other contract negotiations. I don’t think this is really atypical, the length of time that it’s taking,” McCutchan said.

On Aug. 16, commitments had been made on both sides to stay all day to try to finish the negotiation process so that a new contract could be presented on Aug.

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Faculty members walked through the Back-to-School Barbecue to call attention to their contract negotiations.

22, Rayl said.

“At the end of that day, the college decided, no warning to us, that they wanted to go to what we call mediation,” Rayl said.

Faculty were not expecting that because both teams seemed to be working together to create a new contract, she said.

Mediation means that one of the two negotiating parties requests that a “mediator,” or unbiased third party, meets with both sides to try to bridge a gap between the parties to reach an agreement.

MCCCFA, the college’s faculty union, picks a negotiating team from within the faculty membership, and the college also

has a chief negotiator and a team. These two parties meet to discuss modifications to the faculty’s contract.

McCutchan said contract negotiations have gone to mediation as long as she has been at the college — the past 15 years.

“Generally, it has been part of the process in contract negotiations,” she said.

The college’s attorney was brought in when the mediation phase was reached, McCutchan said.

“We were blindsided by that,” Rayl said.

The faculty did not know an attorney would be present at the first mediation meeting.

“We were optimistic that we could complete this without mediation and without an attorney,” Rayl said.

Mark Bergmooser, the president of MCCCFA, said he was surprised that an attorney became involved with the negotiation process because he was originally told that an attorney would not be involved.

Regardless of the surprise attorney, Bergmooser said he thinks the negotiations are close to settling, with both the college and MCCCFA achieving their ultimate objectives.

“We’re hoping that the closer we get, nothing jeopardizes that. So I guess that

makes it sensitive, but it’s not that sensitive that we can’t talk about it,” he said.

Bergmooser said that context is very important to MCCCFA and the college alike. Negotiations have been a part of the institution for nearly 40 years, and there is always increased sensitivity as the end of a discussion draws close.

The negotiation is a sensitive topic, partly because it has now gone on throughout the summer and into the new school year.

“Negotiations in general are intended to occur without an audience. It’s intended to happen between the two teams,” Rayl said.

During the negotiations process, it’s typically understood that the parties do not publically talk about the details of what is happening at the negotiating table, until there is a tentative agreement.

That agreement is taken to the faculty membership and the college Board of Trustees to be approved.

McCutchan hopes that, as the two parties continue to negotiate, there would be a final decision that serves both the college’s and MCCCFA’s objectives.

“We have a few outstanding issues, but I hope to find a resolution. We continue to negotiate in good faith,” she said.

It is important to the faculty and administration of MCCC that the college stays competitive as an institution.

“We want to remain competitive with neighboring institutions so that we are attracting the best and brightest to Monroe County Community College, so that we have strong faculty and programs to offer to the students,” Rayl said.

Rayl said that the MCCCFA team is optimistic that both parties can agree on a new contract in a timely manner.

The next negotiations session is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 20.

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The Agora

Campus News

September 12, 2016

Students distracted by phones in class

Justin Pawlowski Agora staff

An increasingly debated issue on college campuses is that of students using their devices in the classroom.

Devices such as cellphones, tablets, and laptops can be used to benefit the student, but often this is not the case.

According to Anya Kamenetz, writing on NPR.org, typical college-age students use their cell phones from eight to 10 hours a day. They check their phones at least once every 15-20 minutes.

A study by Bernard R. McCoy, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, indicated that average students use their cellphones nearly 11 times a day while in class, for non-class related activities like texting and emailing.

At least 80 percent of the students who admitted to cell phone usage in class confessed that their phones cause them to become distracted and miss instruction.

It seems like it would be a good idea to ban cellphone usage in the classroom, but the issue isn’t so cut and dry.

Devices often are used to take notes, and it’s fairly argued that students can take quicker and more accurate notes on an iPad or laptop than with pen and paper.

Some teachers even encourage internet browsing on devices for the benefit of the class.

“Mr. Wilson will allow you to have your phone out. You can use the internet on your phone to bring up pictures of what you want to draw,” said Stefano Gambino, an MCCC student, referring to recently retired Art professor Gary Wilson.

While other professors dislike the use of cell phones, most have no issue with tablets and laptops for note-taking purposes.

“I am not a great fan of cell phones, etc. in the classroom,” English professor Wil-

Photo illustration by Justin Pawloski

Using cell phones and other electronic devices in class can be distracting to other students

liam McCloskey said. “I think it is rude to use some of these devices while I am lecturing or explaining something. I try not to make a big deal about it when I see it — often, I just ignore it. But it is rude.

“I don’t have a lot of students who use tablets or computers in class, but as long as they use them for taking notes, I don’t have a problem,” he said.

Taking notes is a good reason to have devices in class.

But according to some students around campus, the use of devices in classrooms can be distracting to students who are just trying to pay attention.

“It’s more of a laptop issue. It’s up for notes, but then they’re using it to watch Netflix or something,” student Mara

Johnson said.

“In all my classes, there’s always someone on their phone sitting in front of me,” student Becca Butler said.

“This kid in my math class violently plays fruit ninja sometimes. His limbs are all over the place because he gets into it,” student Natalie Lazere said.

But not every student feels distracted by

device usage in classes.

“I don’t really pay attention to what other students are doing,” Jason Lucking said.

“It hasn’t really been an issue. It was more of a thing in high school, but not in college,” student Eric Ackerman said.

There’s also the matter of whether professors should even have the right to ban cellphones and other devices.

Some students and professors don’t think so.

“A professor should never be allowed to take a phone away from a student — a phone is a personally owned device,” said student Kara Walker.

“Yet, if a student signed up for school, she is under the authority of the professor for an hour and 20 minutes, two days a week. If a professor thinks it’s best that no one has their phone out, then that’s the rule. We should be respectful,” she said.

“I would not be in favor of a policy limiting usage,” McCloskey said. “Smells like high school to me. Next thing is they’ll want me to check water bottles.”

Lucking agreed.

“They have no right to ban my personal property. If I’m paying for a class, I have the right to attend that class as I choose to,” he said.

MCCC has no official policy on the issue, other than to say that professors have wide latitude to maintain control in their classrooms.

It’s clear the debate about whether there should be a policy is widely divided, and that it’s not likely a policy will be implemented on our campus any time soon.

It’s ultimately up to the individual students to focus on paying attention.

If you must check your phone in class, be discrete and do your classmates a favor – don’t play fruit ninja in math lab.

Clubs on campus recruiting for new school year Student Government meetings set Emily Cornett Agora Staff

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Student Government had a booth at the Back to School Barbecue in the A Building Cafeteria Sept. 8.

Students offered chances to get involved Emily Cornett Agora Staff

The “college experience” is an idea that many students might not think they are able to get on a small community college campus, like MCCC. However there are actually many different ways to get involved around campus.

One of the best ways is to join one of the many clubs, which range from Student Government to the International Studies Club, or the Gay Straight Alliance.

As part of the effort to get students more engaged with the campus, a number of new clubs have been proposed.

Tom Ryder, Campus Community Events/Student Activities coordinator, thinks it is valuable for students to participate in extracurricular activities.

“Clubs give students that chance and makes their time at MCCC much more enjoyable,” Ryder said.

Among the new clubs that have been proposed are DECA, a marketing club, FFA, an agriculture club, and intramural sports. In order for these clubs to be successful, there must be student interest.

Anyone can propose a new club. A minimum of five students are needed,

along with a faculty advisor. For more information, contact Tom Ryder at (734) 384-4201.

“Should we be able to begin/continue some of these activities, it would help us further engage our students, which would lead to better retention,” MCCC President Kojo Quartey said.

MCCC clubs and organizations The Monroe County Community College Accounting Association: For information, contact Accounting professor Parnella Baul at 734-384-4289.

The Agora student newspaper and website Students interested in getting involved with The Agora should contact Journalism professor Dan Shaw at (734) 3844296.

The MCCC Student Ambassador Club:​ For information, contact Tom Ryder at tryder@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734384-4201.

American Association of University Women: For information, contact Sociology professor Teri Kovach at tkovach@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-384-4161.

Agora file photo

Catherine Brodie, right, is the leader of the Agora Chorale.

Archaeological Society of MCCC: For information, contact Anthropology professor Ken Mohney at kmohney@ monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-3844232.

Ballroom Dance Club: Contact Kellie Lajiness at klajiness@ monroeccc.edu for information.

The Black Student Advancement Association: For information, contact Anthony Quinn at aquinn@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-384-4289.

The Circle K Club: For information, contact Psychology professor Patrick Wise at pwise@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-384-4298.

College/Community Agora Chorale: For information, contact Catherine Brodie at cbrodie@monroeccc.edu.

College/Community Symphony Band: Admission is by application and audition to the director.

For information, contact Mark Felder at (734) 289-5555.

Criminal Justice Club: Interested students should contact Social Sciences professor Jennifer Miller at jmmiller@monroeccc.edu.

Visit their Web site at http://www.monroeccc.edu/criminaljustice/.

Culinary Club: For information, contact Chef Kevin Thomas at (734) 384-4150.

Drama Club: Contact Kellie Lajiness at klajiness@ monroeccc.edu for information.

Gay/Straight Alliance: For more information, check out their web site at http://www.monroeccc.edu/ gsa/.

International Studies Club: For information, contact Political Science professor Joanna Sabo at 734-3844297.

International Students for Social Equality: For information, contact English pro-

MCCC’s Student Government will meet three times in September to get organized and elect officers.

Student Government will hold its first meeting of the semester on Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 12:30 to 1:30 in the Student Government room, located in the Cellar in the basement of the A Building.

The second meeting, which will take place Sept. 20, will consist of team building activities.

The third meeting will be Tuesday Sept. 27, and will focus on electing officers. Elected positions include president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, liaison, and historian.

The president runs the meeting and is in charge of the group.

The vice president is next in charge, and takes the place of the president if the president is not able to attend.

The secretary is responsible for keeping track of event committees and what happens during meetings.

The treasurer keeps track of the budget for the school year, monitoring how much money should be allotted for each event.

The liaison is the ‘face’ of Student Government, speaking on behalf of students during public events.

The Student Government historian documents each event, primarily through photos and videos.

If you are interested in planning college wide events, such as Sweetheart Ball, blood drives, Family Fun Night, and Antiques in April, the meeting on Sept. 13 is for students interested in Student Government.

Contact Tom Ryder, Campus Community Events/Student Activities Coordinator, with any questions. His email is tryder@monroeccc.edu, his phone number is (734) 384-4201.

Agora file photo

The American Association of University Women sponsored Girl Rising last semester.

fessor Terry Telfer at (734) 384-4156.

Lambda Alpha Nu: For information, contact CIS professor William Hilliker at (734) 384-4148.

Math and Science Society (MASS): Contact Chemistry professor Lori Bean at (734) 384-4131. Visit their web site at www.monroeccc.edu/mass.

Military Veterans United: Interested students should contact Counselor Steve Mapes at (734) 3844262.

OASIS: This club is a non-demoninational Bible Study Group. Interested students should contact Brenda Kraus at (734) 242-7300, extension 5772. Visit their web site at www.monroeccc.edu/oasis/ Phi Theta Kappa - Tau Omicron Chapter: This is the international honor society for community colleges.

For information, contact Lauren Pillarelli (734) 384-4303 or Jamie DeLeeuw (734) 384-4237.

The Psychology Interest Group: Contact Psychology professors Patrick

Wise at (734) 384-4298 or Melissa Grey at (734) 384-4292.

Respiratory Therapy Students’ Organization: Open to all students who have been accepted to the Respiratory Therapy Program Contact Respiratory Therapy Director Nicholas Prush (734) 384-4268.

SME Robotics: For more information please contact Technology professor Bob Leonard at (734)384-4114 Student Nurse Association (SNA): Open to all students who have been accepted into the Nursing Program Contact Nursing professor Dawn Lymond at dlymond@monroeccc.edu.

The MCCC Service Club: For more information, please contact Financial Aid Director Valerie Culler at vculler@monroeccc.edu or by calling 734-384-4139.

The Upward Bound Alumni Club: Contact Charles Friedline at cfriedline@monroeccc.edu or by calling (734) 869-7199.

Campus News

September 12, 2016

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|5

HVAC construction moves offices Emily Cornett Agora Staff

Photo by Emily Cornett

Air conditioning units are keeping the cafeteria cool until the installation is complete.

MCCC’s new geothermal heating and cooling system will be more environmentally friendly and cost less — but for now it’s just getting in the way.

A number of offices around campus, including the Admissions and Registars offices, have been relocated.

Jack Burns, director of Campus Planning and Facilities, is in charge of implementing the new $16.2 million heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

The geothermal system is better for the environment and more cost-efficient. It will save the college a minimum of $200,000 a year, Burns said.

The newest building on campus, the Career Technology Center, installed a geothermal system when it was built in 2013.

A similar geothermal heating and cooling system is being installed in five of the campus’s older buildings.

Photo by Emily Cornett

Signs around campus direct students to relocated offices.

Included in the change are East and West Technology, and the A, L and C buildings, all part of the original campus from the 1960s.

The work was completed before fall classes in the East and West Tech buildings. The C Building was scheduled to have the system installed by the end of August, and the L and A

buildings are scheduled to be finished near the end of September.

If the millage on the ballot in the Nov. 8 general election is passed, the remaining buildings – the La-Z-Boy Center, the H Building, and the Maintenance Building – could be added to the geothermal system, Burns said.

“We are first college to go to geothermal heating and cooling,” Burns said, based on the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.

The main reason for the change to a geothermal system is the age of the old system, he said.

The original heating and cooling system had begun to fail, Burns said.

Conversations about how to replace the aging equipment led to the idea of a geothermal system.

One complication that has been observed is the inconsistency of temperatures and lack of air circulation in the C building.

Information to help new students succeed

Spotify: Students get a 10% discount on the Spotify music service. (Premium service comes out to only $4.99 per month.)

Sprint Wireless: Visit the Sprint Discount Request page and enter your email address. Expect monthly savings in the 10-15% off range.

T-Mobile Wireless: Visit StudentRate. com and get a 10% discount on your monthly bill. (They’ll even pay the early termination fee with your current provider if you want to switch.)

Vanessa Ray Agora Staff

One of the more stressful parts of starting college is the “not knowing.”

When I began taking classes here at MCCC, I was perpetually overwhelmed by the feeling of having no idea what I was doing.

I looked high and low for someone or something to guide me and kept coming up empty handed.

When I joined The Agora, I immediately knew that I wanted to create something that would help any student, but especially those who felt like I did.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, I do believe that it includes information that many will find useful.

Subscription Services: Amazon Prime: Join Amazon Student for $49 a year (Regularly $99) and get free 2-day shipping, free Kindle books, and free unlimited streaming of 41,000+ TV shows and movies. There’s actually an option to try this all out for free for 6 months, so make sure to check that out!

Sam’s Club: Sign-up for a Sam’s Club Collegiate membership and get a free $15 Sam’s Gift Card.

Important 2016 Dates

10/10 – Last Day to Change to/from Audit or Pass/Fail 11/11 – Last Day to withdraw from a Class 11/23 – No Classes 11/24 to 11/27 – Thanksgiving Holiday – College Closed 12/12 – Last Day of Fall Semester

Facilities and Hours

Library – Ground floor of the C Building.

The Library is your friend. Whether you need to check out a book, write an entire term paper, or just need a place to study, the Library has you covered.

The Library’s extensive database has a wealth of useful information. If you have any questions, the wonderful librarians are always more than happy to help.

Phone: (734) 384-4204 Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Sunday Closed Fitness Center - The fitness center, which is located in the H Building on the north end of campus, is open to all MCCC students free of charge.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Fri. and Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed *Photo identification required to use the facility.

The Learning Assistance Lab (LAL) is located in room C218 in the C Building.

The LAL is free and open to all students.

Services offered in the LAL: Tutoring – Tutoring assistance is available in nearly every MCCC subject area.

Supplemental Instruction – For certain identified courses. See LAL for details.

Photo by Vanessa Ray

Students enjoy themselves at the 2016 Back to School BBQ.

Disability Services – Disability Services provides support and individualized accommodations for students with disabilities.

The Writing Center – Student Writing Fellows assist with all stages of the writing process from prewriting to revision and editing. Many courses at MCCC are assigned a Writing Fellow; however, assistance on any writing project is also available by appointment in the LAL. LAL Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Sunday Closed

Saving Money

Microsoft Office (which includes Word) plus 1 TB of online storage for FREE. (Must sign up with youir MCCC email.)

Food: Arby’s: 10% off your entire meal with your Student ID. Buffalo Wild Wings: At many BWW locations you can score 10% off your meal. You just need to ask.

Burger King: Use your Student ID to get 10% off your next meal.

McDonald’s: At many McDonald’s locations you can use your ID to get 10%

off your purchase.

Pizza Hut: Show your Student ID and get 10-20% off your next pizza. (Discount depends on location.)

Subway: At participating Subway locations you can use your Student ID to get 10% off your purchase.

retailer offers a discount of at least 10% for students.

Shoebuy.com: Register via the StudentRate site and get 10% off at Shoebuy. com.

Steve Madden: Save 10% off with Student ID.

Books and Newspapers: Barnes & Noble: Deals on textbook rentals (with savings of up to 50%.)

New York Times: College students can save 50% off the regular rate. (Check the College Rate page on their subscription site.)

Wall Street Journal: $1 a week for the WSJ.

Tech/Wireless: Adobe: Up to 80% off popular Adobe software titles. Students can also download Creative Cloud and get every app offered by Adobe (including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects and more) for $19.99/month (usually $49.99/ month).

AT&T Wireless: May qualify for a 10% discount with student email.

Best Buy: Has a College Student Deals program which includes laptops, desktops, tablets and more.

Dell: Via Dell University, students can qualify for some pretty decent savings on new laptops and desktops.

Hewlett Packard: Check out the HP Academy program for some exclusive student discounts.

Microsoft: Visit the Microsoft Store for Education and save 10% off software, Windows PC’s, accessories, and more.

Norton: A Student Discounts page which offers savings of up to 50% off titles like Norton 360, Anti-Virus, and Internet Security.

Clothing and Retailers: Unidays (website)w – Sign up with your MCCC email to receive discounts at a wide range of very cool stores (Which includes American Apparel, ASOS, MissGuided, Zumba, Pac Sun, Apple Music, and many others!)

Ann Taylor: 15% off a full priced order with Student ID. Banana Republic: 15% off a full priced order with ID. Charlotte Russe: 10% off entire purchase with ID. Goodwill: 10% off with ID. ModCloth: The popular online clothing

Insurance and Transportation: Allstate: If you’re a student under the age of 25. Allstate offers a savings up to 20% off for full-time students.

Esurance: If you’re under 25 years old and maintain at least a 3.00 GPA in high school or college, they’ll lower your premiums by 10%.

Farmers Insurance: They offer a Good Student Discount which entitles students to a nice discount if they can carry a 3.00 GPA. Geico: Maintain a “B” average and you’ll be eligible for the Geico Good Driver Discount.

General Motors: When buying a GM car make sure to get the Student Discount when financing the purchase. (This can be combined with any other current incentives that GM is offering.)

State Farm: State Farm offers a 25% discount for students with good grades (which is probably a 3.00 average.) This savings program lasts to the age of 25 (even if the student graduates before then.)

Travelers Insurance: Travelers also offers a student discount if you maintain a “B” average. Must be a full-time student and between the age of 16 and 25.

Misc Info

Student IDs: Please keep your eyes open for information about when and where student ID’s will be taken.

The Celler (located in the A Building, right across from the book store) is open to all students. It’s a great place to do homework, relax, or just mingle with your fellow MCCC students.

To get the fastest Internet speed on campus, use your MCCC email and password to log-in (instead of using mcccguest / guestmccc.)

Student retention focal point of focus groups Joseph Abrams Agora Staff

The students have spoken.

Over the summer a group of students got together to share what they like and dislike about the college experience in a series of focus groups.

Jamie DeLeeuw, the coordinator of research evaluation and assessment at MCCC, was in charge of the project.

During the focus groups, the students offered feedback over many different topics, such as developmental math classes and course scheduling.

The general reception of the developmental math courses was negative, DeLeeuw said. Many students felt lost and alone when taking these classes.

“They would like someone to ask the questions instead of just wait, and they feel like they missed out on that interaction,” DeLeeuw said.

Some of the feedback given by stu-

dents included things such as having class schedules available more in advance, or having more classes with online options.

DeLeeuw noted that some students commented about classes being canceled and needing to wait a year or more for the classes to be reoffered.

DeLeeuw noted that it was not just academics the students talked about.

“Lot of stuff about student groups and clubs, and having those advertised more, or opportunities for student interactions,” she said.

The reasoning behind the focus groups was to gain solid personal opinions from students who attend MCCC, as opposed to guessing based on numbers like attendance.

“For instance, one of the things I saw in the quantitative data was it seemed like students didn’t feel very supportive of the college,” DeLeeuw said.

“How support is defined in these ques-

“Basically, just looking for suggestions on how to improve. What are the student issues so that we can improve the college.”

Jamie DeLeeuw Coordinator of Institutional Research tions and how these factors are comprised, it’s like ‘do you attend tutoring services’ or ‘do you attend computer lab services’ and we’re like, okay, maybe our students don’t attend these things a lot, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t feel supportive.”

DeLeeuw said she started with a random selection of students.

“I then realized that students don’t really want to attend a focus group session

for a $10 gift card, especially around finals time, so then I opened it up to everyone,” she said.

DeLeeuw said she wanted to get the feedback of three different groups of students: dual-enrolled, 18-23-year-olds, and those over 23.

The focus groups were created with the intention of getting opinions from the students.

“Basically just looking for suggestions on how to improve,” DeLeeuw said.

“What are the student issues so that we can improve the college.”

DeLeeuw said college President Kojo Quartey has promised to implement at least three changes based on the feedback given.

About 30 students attended the focus groups. Ideally, according to DeLeeuw, each group should have had 5-8 students each.

While the turnout was not optimal,

DeLeeuw was pleased with the feedback received from each group.

“I actually learned a lot more about how the college worked myself,” she said. “In whatever position you’re in, you can only see so much. It was fun to learn and see the student’s experiences.”

As for how she might do things differently in the future, DeLeeuw said she would like to offer a larger incentive to students who come.

Additionally she would like to reach out to students who had left MCCC in the past without completing a degree, but that isn’t feasible at this time.

“I was also interested in interviewing students who had a goal of getting a degree or certificate, but they left early and didn’t come back.

“But then to track them down and actually get them to want to come back would probably take a lot more resources,” she said.

6| mcccagora.com •

Campus News

The Agora

September 12, 2016

Budget cuts shouldn’t affect students Scholarships by test scores

Leah Thomas Editor

MCCC officials are certain budget cuts will be undetected by students.

“We really tightened the budget, but our goal was not to sacrifice in any way the services provided to our students or the instructional quality our education provides,” said Suzanne Wetzel, Vice President of Administration and Treasurer.

The college has lost revenue, so it had to cut several areas in the budget. The total revenue is projected to be $32.3 million, down $642,527 from last year.

President Kojo Quartey said that despite the decrease in revenue, the college is offering several new improvements for student success.

The college introduced a new scholarship program this year.

The Trustee Merit Scholarship program awards scholarships based on ACT or SAT scores.

Students with minimum score qualifications automatically receive a scholarship when they apply and register for classes. Dual-enrolled students are also eligible for a scholarship.

The scholarship is split equally between semesters and is renewable each year if the student keeps a 2.5 minimum GPA. “The redesign of the institutional scholarships is, in my opinion, a huge bonus to our students. I think we are helping a lot more students cover some of their educational costs,” Wetzel said.

The new program disperses the money designated to scholarships in smaller amounts to more students.

Wetzel said the college can give around 25 students partial scholarships with the money it previously gave 10 students full ride scholarships.

The college reduced its full-ride scholarships so it could fund the new program.

In the 2015-2016 school year, the college awarded 124 full-ride scholarships.

This year, the college has budgeted to award 218 scholarships, but the majority will be partial scholarships.

Of the 218 scholarships awarded, 65 are full-ride and the rest are Trustee Merit scholarships.

Wetzel predicts the college will hand out 290 scholarships in the 2017-2018

$1,500 $1,250 $1,000

Charts by Leah Thomas

school year: 20 full ride scholarships and 270 partial scholarships.

She said the college will honor the second year of scholarships awarded last year, although some of them no longer exist.

The college will collect more money for the Trustee Merit Scholarship program next year when the previous scholarship agreements end.

The budget also includes funds to enhance some student services.

“The redesign of the institutional scholarships is, in my opinion, a huge bonus to our students. I think we are helping a lot more students cover some of their educational costs” Suzanne Wetzel Vice President of Administration and Treasurer

Quartey expects exciting improvements on campus for students. There will be more money to reach out to students all over campus.

“Overall, there is going to be more of an emphasis towards student services on this campus,” Quartey said. “For example, with the LAL, the number of students with disabilities are growing, so we are certainly putting more money towards that.”

Wetzel said the Disadvantaged Student Services budget increased approximately $7,800. The funds are used to hire student note-takers to assist students with disadvantages.

Quartey’s mission is to increase retention rates.

“I think a good way of retaining students is to have them involved in campus activities where they feel like they are part of a family,” Quartey said.

Sat 940-1100

1020-1080

1090+

ACT 20-21

22-23

24+

Quartey wants to increase the number of clubs on campus, so he asked professors to be willing to advise.

He wants the college to offer athletic club teams, intramural sports, DECA (marketing), Business Professionals of America, a chess club, and a ping pong club.

Wetzel said she budgeted $21,185 for student clubs last year, but the college only spent $16,725. Rather than reducing the budget, Wetzel left the budget the same to compensate for Quartey’s plans.

Wetzel said cutting the budget was time consuming because cuts were considered for every line item.

The college has saved money by keeping seven full-time faculty positions open over the past few years.

Two more faculty left last year, so the 2016-2017 budget includes a workforce reduction of two full-time employees.

There are also major adjustments to adjunct faculty funding because enrollment was expected to decrease.

Capital outlay such as equipment for classrooms, offices, and grounds crew were cut.

The capital budget is $74,375, whereas years ago the college budgeted hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Renovations are budgeted under $6,000 this year. Much like with the capital outlay budget, hundreds of thousands of dollars were formally spent to keep the college maintained.

Wetzel said the college has not budgeted for new carpet or fresh paint because it does not have the money this year.

“It’s just an overall tightening,” she said.

Students balance comfort and fashion at MCCC Student fashion choices Vanessa Ray Agora Staff

If the thousands of sites online dedicated to student fashion are proof of anything, it’s that dressing for college is a big deal.

While it’s no secret that some university students really get into fashion, I wondered what the view was like here at MCCC. Most four-year universities are diverse places that have their own unique identity and culture. Community colleges, on the other hand, usually mirror the demographics and culture (including style) of the surrounding county.

I’ve spent a good portion of my life in Monroe, and while it may be a wonderful place to grow up, if there’s one thing it isn’t, that’s a fashion-forward town.

Nevertheless, I set out to interview students on campus to see just how much of a

role fashion actually plays in their choices and lifestyle. While it did seem that a majority of the students dressed for comfort, there were some like 25 year-old Kasey P. “It’s a mixture. I’d say 60 percent to impress and 40 percent comfort,” she said.

Kasey actually may be on to something.

New research from a team of psychological scientists from California State University, Northridge and Columbia University finds that the clothes we wear can also influence the way we think.

“Across five experiments, study authors Michael Slepian, Simon Ferber, Joshua Gold, and Abraham Rutchick found that dressing to impress enhanced people’s ability to engage in abstract thinking,” the study said.

While pajamas and sweat pants may be comfortable, they’re not the best choice for class. When you put a little effort in to your outfit, you’re not going to be tempted to fall back asleep or space out.

Name: Taylor Apker Age: 18 Major: English How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Name: Tina Reaume Age: 35 Major: Nursing How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

“30 to 45 minutes” “Comfort”

Do you pay attention to trends?

“A little bit”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“Twenty to Twenty-five”

“One hour” “Both”

Do you pay attention to trends?

“Yes, I do.”

Are there any particular styles or trends you’re tired of seeing?

“Skinny jeans and shorts with the pockets hanging out of the bottom.”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“63.”

Name: Alyssa and Solomon Age: 16 and 15 Major: Middle College Students How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

A: “20 minutes” S: “About 20 minutes. I actually timed it this morning so that I could see the absolute latest that I can sleep in.”

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

A: “Both.” S: “Both.”

Are there any particular styles or trends you’re tired of seeing?

A: “Uggs. Definitely Uggs.”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: “15” S: “One”

Name: Kasey P. Age: 25 Major: Undecided How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

“15 minutes to 2 hours”

Name: Michael Brochue Age: 18 Major: Liberal Arts How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

“10 to 15 minutes”

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

“Comfort”

Do you pay attention to trends?

“No”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“Three”

Name: Arrington Age: 19 Major: Biology / Radiology How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

“About 45 minutes”

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

“Both”

Do you pay attention to trends?

“Not really”

Are there any particular styles or trends you’re tired of seeing?

“Tails”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“Five”

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

“It’s a mixture. I’d say 60 percent to impress and 40 percent comfort.”

Do you pay attention to trends?

Name: Emma Muth Age: 19 Major: Undecided How much time does it take you to get ready in the morning?

“45 minutes to 1 hour”

Do you dress for comfort, to impress, or a little bit of both?

“95 percent comfort, 5 percent to impress” How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“Twenty”

“I do”

Are there any particular styles or trends you’re tired of seeing?

“Messy Buns!”

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

“10 pairs of fancy shoes and five pairs of workout shoes.”

Photos by Vanessa Ray

Opinion

September 12, 2016

mcccagora.com • The Agora

|

Deep fried fair food and other delights Leigh Cole

“As if on patrol, looking for an ambush amongst the mass of tin sheds, brightly lit whirling rides, and the ear splitting sounds of rollercoaster music, we spotted our quest.”

Agora staff

Sometimes we must abandon all logic, good sense, and just go for it. Color outside the lines. Put yourself into the maelstrom. The eye of the tiger. The teeth of a typhoon at sea.

Sometimes we must just throw all caution to the winds and say, “This is just because I want to see if I can live through it!”

Just such an event happened to me at the Monroe County Fair this summer.

Along with my wife, Christine, I attended this annual consortium of hair-raising thrills and spills, of wild abandon and unspeakable temptations.

I went in ready to brave the traffic, the crowds, and the cacophony of sounds that sweep over one as if waves crashing into your life boat while lost at sea.

Well, not really. Perhaps I am embellishing a bit. But we did go to meet up with friends from church and see the Christian music band 10th Avenue North.

Ok, not as dramatic, but that doesn’t mean we did not experience a most unexpected turn of events.

It all began when my good friend, Pastor Josh, mentioned he was hungry.

“You know, we gotta eat some fair food,” he said.

Well, I am a veteran of over 20 years military service. Decades of eating in Marine Corps chow halls, mystery tacos from street vendors in Tijuana, and native foods in the jungles of the Pacific had all prepared me for this very minute.

I looked my friend square in the eyes.

“Yes! Let us do that!”

Well, I did not really say it like that, but this is my story, ok?

As if on patrol, looking for an ambush amongst the mass of tin sheds, brightly lit whirling rides, and the ear splitting sounds of rollercoaster music, we spotted our quest.

In bold neon, beckoning us with promises of other worldly delights, we saw the sign. The words sent a chill down my spine.

By Leigh Cole

“Deep Fried Twinkies!”

Deep Fried Twinkies? Seriously, what kind of a mind would think of taking a completely unhealthy child’s treat, one reviled above all others by the First Lady of the United States, and say: “You know what, Mrs. Obama? I am gonna up the ante. I am going to dip them in batter, drop it in boiling fat, then when it has sufficiently fried itself, I am going to top it with powdered sugar, and then I shall drizzle it with chocolate syrup.”

What kind of mind, indeed?

On top of this culinary equivalent of

the AMC Gremlin, the fabled failure of American automotive engineering of the 1970’s, the mind behind the mayhem did not stop there. There was more.

Deep fried Oreos. Milky Way bars.

Snickers….hey, I am just not myself when hungry, right?

And the piece de resistance… Deep fried cheesecake balls. All topped with those aforementioned confections of sugar and chocolate.

The Marine in me came out. Danger beckoned, and while more sensible folks run from the sound of battle, I am trained to run toward it.

I knew every ounce of my high-priced military training must be exercised here.

No guts, no glory! Death before dishonor!

Well, actually, honor didn’t have anything to do with it. In fact, perhaps the inverse. But it did take guts to desire to consume this fare.

Or maybe a lack of intellect, but we will leave that topic for another day.

As there were four of us, we decided to each order a separate entrée and sample each other’s plates. I felt a bit dizzy as I watched our orders emerge from the deep fryer, glistening with oil.

“Do you want the powdered sugar and chocolate?” the lady asked me.

No time for hesitation, I thought. This situation demands instant action. I summoned up my faltering courage and said, “Yes, please!”

It was done. We were now to enter the forbidden zone.

Each of us grasped a paper plate filled with bombs of sugar and fat and headed out to find a picnic table. Perhaps we would be safer eating this sitting down.

None of us had tried this deep-fried fad before. At least none of us had thought about deep frying a candy bar before.

Chicken is one thing, but Oreos?

Well, obviously we survived. I am here to tell the story. I didn’t breathe my last near the Tilt-a-Whirl.

And the concert was excellent. But how was the food (I will loosely call it food) you ask?

Well, it was fabulous!

Don’t even think about the health factor if you decide to follow this path. Just eat it.

The consensus was the deep fried cheesecake was the best. It all melts inside that corn dog crust and the taste sensation is truly one you won’t forget anytime soon.

I’ve got to hand it to the mind of the person who thought of this.

I wouldn’t recommend it as a daily entrée, but when you’re at the carnival, do as the carney’s do.

Now I have read of deep fried butter at the Texas State Fair. I am tempted….

Problems with political correctness Leigh Cole Agora Staff

By Leigh Cole

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees Americans, among other liberties, the freedom of speech.

The right to express oneself without fear of repression or being sent away for re-education is a basic tenet, not only of this country, but should be a basic right of mankind.

“Wait a minute,” you might say. Did the writer just say “mankind?” Is that inclusive? What about women? Did that thought just go through your head?

That is the effect of the linguistic fascism of political correctness.

The term “mankind” has been used for thousands of years under the common knowledge the term is equivalent to “human kind.” It is an all-encompassing term, but lately, such terms have been under attack. Why? The roots of the term, “Political Correctness,” are from the Marxist ideology.

Marxism is a political ideology which seeks division to gain power. It also seeks complete annihilation of opposition and in doing so must reverse opposing thought.

People must be divided into groups. The “us against them” strategy. Isolate, divide and demonize.

The poor must be poor because they are

“Political correctness does not seek the truth, but wishes to bury it.” oppressed by the not-so-poor. The rich are demons number one.

Other ideologies that got in the way included Christianity and capitalism. The aim of political correctness was cloaked in the guise that any conversation in opposition to Marxist ideology was evil, harmful and offensive.

Opposing thoughts were not to be tolerated as debate is not the goal of Marxism.

Destroying completely the opposing view point is the goal of Marxist thought.

The Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin helped to coin the term and he sent millions to their deaths in camps in Siberia for violating “Political Correctness.”

Political Correctness is the exact opposite of freedom of expression. Political correctness does not seek the truth, but wishes to bury it.

I believe deep down this is not a left nor right issue. I don’t believe only conservatives love freedom. Liberal commentator Juan Williams has said: “The critical importance of honest journalism and a free flowing, respectful national conversation needs to be had in our country. But it is being buried as collateral

damage in a war whose battles include political correctness and ideological orthodoxy.”

People never gain freedom by suppressing others freedom. People must be free to speak.

Yes, even to be offensive. And we are free to reject those people out of hand.

And we have. This American desire to worship as we choose, and not have a state church, is an example.

The freedom not to call the President “Dear Leader” or live in fear of being sent to a re-education camp for our speech is a tenet of American freedom.

So what does it mean when someone speaks their mind and instead of debating, we want to send that person off to “sensitivity training?”

One thing the Constitution does not guarantee is your right not to be offended.

Freedom cannot be censored or monitored.

Freedom involves courage and personal fortitude. If you feel offended, you have the right to speak out as well.

“If you don’t like other people’s signs, make up your own signs,” to paraphrase John Lennon.

The Sixties movement was all about getting big brother off the backs of the people.

Today, many want big brother to enforce punitive laws against anyone who offends us. That is the inverse of freedom.

Artwork by Leigh Cole

8| mcccagora.com • Arts & Entertainment Meyer theater plans a breadth of talent this fall The Agora

September 12, 2016

A variety of events and bands are featured this fall season at the Meyer Theater in the La-Z-Boy Center.

Shenandoah

Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.

The classic country music band Shenandoah will kick off the season. One of the most notable country music bands of all time, Shenandoah is known for hits like “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on the Cumberland Road,” “I Want to be Loved Like That,” and “Next to you, Next to Me.” Opening for Shenandoah will be Cory Young, a Monroe County native. Cory grew up splitting his time between the island paradise of Hawaii, and the dirt roads of Carleton.

He is a veteran of the Nashville music scene. His music is best described as country with a mix of Island and Americana.

Symphony Band and Chorale Monday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.

The first show of the season from the College’s band and chorale. The Community Symphony Band and the Agora Chorale. General admission is free.

Bee Gees Gold Friday, November 11/7:30 p.m.

The Bee Gees Gold

Agora file photo

The Community Symphony Band performs at a recent concert.

Bee Gees Gold, A Tribute to the Bee Gees, will recreate the classic Bee Gee hits from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Featured songs will include “Massachusetts’ and “I Started a Joke,’ as well as later Disco classics like “Stayin’ Alive” and “You Should be Dancing.” There is also the Disco

Fever Pre-Party, 5 p.m. in the La-Z-Boy Center Atrium. Cash bar.

Essential Survival Guide to School Friday, November 18/ 7 p.m.

Junie B. Jones Essential Survival Guide to School for one hour. This children’s event is recommended for grades K-5.

All you need to know about band aids, car pools to cookies. This all-new musical adventure is based on Barbara Park’s popular book.

Brad Wenzel Saturday, December 17/ 7:30 p.m.

Local comedian and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central graduate Brad Wen-

zel brings his offbeat, one liner comedy home. Recently a guest on “Conan,” he has also opened for acts like Gilbert Godfrey and Louie Anderson.

Agora Chorale and Children’s Chorus Tuesday, December 6/ 7:30 p.m.

The Agora Chorale Concert and MCCC’s Prelude Children’s Chorus perform. Free admission.

Symphony Band Monday, December 12/ 7:30 p.m.

Symphony Band Concert performs.

Free admission.

Comedian Brad Wenzel

Summer blockbusters disappoint while gems go unnoticed you fall in love with them.

Sing Street is one of those movies.

There are no big stakes and overly-complicated storylines to follow.

It’s just about a teenage boy in 1985 Ireland who forms a band to impress a girl.

Its tone is so charming and earnest that it becomes irresistible.

Much like Popstar, the film ultimately works because of the songs.

Rather than coast off the audience’s familiarity with 80’s music, Sing Street takes the feel of that era of music and makes it its own.

No other film left me feeling this good after watching it. And after a summer of grim, world-ending blockbusters, this was an excellent pallet cleanser.

Sawyer Jackson For the Agora

There is no tip-toeing around this. This past summer movie season was a disappointment to say the least.

There were films that fell short of their hype (Jason Bourne and Suicide Squad), films that were made despite little enthusiasm (Were any of you foaming at the mouth for Alice: Through the Looking Glass and Independence Day: Resurgence?), and then there were the movies that garnered critical praise, but were met with little fanfare.

And that’s what this piece is about. The movies that few people saw, but were deserving of more attention.

In no particular order, here are some of the most underrated releases of summer 2016.

The Nice Guys

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

This one hurts. Not only was it criminally overlooked, but it was pulled from theaters just a few weeks after it was released.

Why? It’s The Lonely Island making a Justin Bieber version of This is Spinal Tap. How is that not appealing? Whatever the case, Popstar is a hilariously absurd satire of the current music industry.

Its real strength, however, lies in the songs. If those didn’t work, the film wouldn’t work.

Thankfully, each one is funny and like its main character, ignorant. Mona Lisa, Finest Girl (Bin Laden Song), and Incred-

Poster for Popstar with Andy Samberg

ible Thoughts are just a few of the standouts.

It comes out on home media soon, so if you missed out the first time, don’t pass it up again.

It’s the most underrated comedy of the year.

Sing Street

There are movies that you have to warm up to. Then there are movies that hook you from the beginning and make

Briefs

First blood drive set Oct. 18

The first bood drive of the year will be 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18.

The blood drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross and MCCC Student Government, will be in the A Building cafeteria.

Appointments are preferred but anyone can drop in. A valid photo ID is required, and 16-year-old students need a signed parental consent form.

To schedule an appointment, please visit www. redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code MONROECC, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Kosch offers yogurt bar

The Kosch Grand Café opening is bringing back the MCCC sandwich, daily breakfast specials, and an addition to the salad bar.

The café’s breakfast hours are from 8-10 a.m.

A build-your-own yogurt bar is coming, which will include fresh fruit, nuts, and granola.

Hours are 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday. The Grill and Deli counter close at 2 p.m. Monday - Thursday.

Constitution Day celebrated

Voting your Conscience, Voting your Constitution is the title of MCCC’s celebration of Constitution Day Sept. 15.

The day will feature a panel discussion featuring four representatives of Michigan politics: Michael Banerian, youth vice-chairman of the Michigan Republican Party; Paul Homeniuk, the Green Party of Michigan treasurer and former candidate for governor; Brandon Dillon, former state representative and chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party; and Ken Proctor, the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. House in the 7th Congressional District.

The panel discussion will start at 7 p.m. in the Meyer Theater.

How this one went under people’s radars is a mystery.

Especially since it was released in the beginning of summer and stars two A-list actors is Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.

Writer/director Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3) knows the film noir inside and out and his ability to constantly subvert audience expectations makes The Nice Guys a film that only improves on repeat viewing as you start to notice things you didn’t see before.

It’s also incredibly funny and features terrific chemistry between Crowe and Gosling (the latter proving to have a talent for physical comedy).

Despite underperforming at the box

Tech show trip offered

Students and interested community members are welcome to join a day trip to the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago.

This is a world-class event showcasing cutting edge machines, robotics, and welding. The trip is made possible by an MCCC Foundation Enhancement Grant to the MCCC Technology Division.

Those interested in going must give a $20 deposit – $30 for non-students – which will be returned at the end of the trip.

The bus will depart from the parking lot outside the Career Technology Center at 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16. The expected return time is 11 p.m. the same day.

For more information on the trip, contact Cameron Albring at calbring@monroeccc.edu or Martin DuBois at mdubois@monroeccc.edu. Or you can call the division office at (734) 384-4112. For more information on the show itself, go to www. imts.com.

MCCC hosts flu shot clinic

MCCC will host a community flu shot clinic on Sept. 26.

Shots will be administered by a certified CVS pharmacist to those 8 years and older and should not take longer than 5 to 10 minutes.

A valid ID and health insurance card must be presented to receive a shot. Anyone desiring a shot will get one, even if they are uninsured.

The clinic was made possible by the MCCC Respiratory Therapy Club. It will be in the H Building, Room 139, on Monday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Nick Prush at (734) 384-4103 or nprush@monroeccc.edu.

FBI promotes college hiring

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is promoting its Collegiate Hire Program at MCCC The program is not just for Criminal Justice majors – it is available to everyone, according to Barry Kinsey, MCCC director of Workforce Develop-

office, The Nice Guys looks to have a healthy life on home media.

You can count on seeing this one on many critics’ best of the year lists.

Hell or High Water

Over a week ago, I saw No Country For Old Men for the first time.

While neither of these films are related, Hell or High Water feels like a spiritual successor to that film.

In that they are both contemporary westerns that sees a character (or in High Water’s case, two brothers) become lawless out of greed, survival, or sometimes both.

However, while Old Men has a clear villain, the roles of protagonist and antagonist are constantly shifting.

On some occasions we want to see these two brothers (played exceptionally well by Ben Foster and Chris Pine) succeed, and on others we want the closeto-retirement cop (Jeff Bridges) to bring them to justice.

Hell of High Water wears its thematic undertones on its sleeve.

The film is about two brothers robbing banks during the recession to get enough money to purchase their home, which is sitting on oil, before the bank forecloses.

To a lesser extent, the film also shows why “good guys with guns” are ineffective at stopping criminals.

But if you want to ignore all that and just focus on the film being a slow burner that becomes a shootout/high-speed

chase, then Hell or High Water is for you.

Pete’s Dragon

At this point, it’s safe to say that Disney is on a roll with their live-action remakes, and out of all of them so far, Pete’s Dragon is a my personal favorite.

If you’re hoping for a straight-up remake of the 1977 original, you are going to be disappointed.

Rather than being harmless kiddie fodder like its predecessor, this remake opts to tell a carefully restrained, yet still aweinspiring story about loss, family, and companionship.

It may be a film for kids, but Pete’s Dragon treats its target audience (and accompanying adults, too) with respect and honesty.

Almost every character in this film has been affected by the death of a loved one, yet rather than go into lengthy and expository scenes detailing each loss, it gives you just enough for you to put the pieces together for yourself.

We live in an era where so much of our entertainment tries to make us nostalgic for things from our past.

Pete’s Dragon makes us nostalgic for who we once were: Children who were both frightened and amazed by the larger world around us.

In just its first five minutes, the film effortlessly weaves tragedy, fear, curiosity, and wonder. Pete’s Dragon may not reach Jungle Book levels of success, but it’s destined to become a classic in its own right.

ment. The program recruits freshmen as interns, giving them up to 40 hours of work per week during the summer, then up to 16 hours per week during the school year. An evaluation for full-time employment will be given after completion of a bachelor’s degree.

For more on the program, or to apply, go to https://www.fbijobs.gov/students/undergrad. The deadline for this year’s program is Friday, Oct. 14.

versity of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan, University of Michigan Dearborn, University of Michigan Flint, University of Toledo, Valparaiso University, Walsh College, Washtenaw Community College, Wayne County Community College, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University.

College night set Oct. 18

A conference on the need to stop the rising amount of human trafficking will be held Oct. 8 at the Monroe County Intermediate School District.

Speakers include Andy Soper, Joyce DixonHaskett, and Nicole Lange. Donations of bedsheets (full, twin, and bunk only), towels, washcloths, and other hygiene products will be collected for Clair’s House.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. for the event, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration can also be done online at monroetraffickingconference.eventbrite.com. Cost is $10, including a continental breakfast and lunch. The event will be held at the Monroe ISD, located at 1101 S. Raisinville Road.

MCCC’s College Night 2016 will be held Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Students and prospective students can meet with representatives of a variety of colleges and universities.

The event will run from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the H Building.

Colleges that plan to attend include: Albion College, Alma College, Douglas J Aveda Institutes, Baker College of Owosso, Bluffton University, Bowling Green State University, Butler University, Calvin College, Central Michigan University, Cleary University, Columbia College Chicago, Concordia University, Cornerstone University, Davenport University.

Defiance College, Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, Gannon University, Grace Bible College, Henry Ford College, Indian Tech, Indiana University, Purdue University/Indianapolis.

Kendall College of Art & Design, Lake Superior State University, Lawrence Technological University, Lourdes University, Madonna University, Manchester University, Marygrove College, Mercy College of Ohio, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University.

Northern Michigan University, Oakland University, Olivet College, Otterbein University, Owens Community College, Rochester College, Saginaw Valley State University, Saint Joseph’s College, Saint Mary’s College, Savannah College of Art and Design, School of Advertising Art, Siena Heights University, Spring Arbor University.

The University of Alabama, The University of Findlay, Tiffin University, U.S. Coast Guard, Uni-

Trafficking talk planned

Study abroad trip still open

Students and community members interested in joining the 2017 Study Abroad program still have time to join the trip.

The trip is an 18-day tour in Europe with stops in Venice, Florence and Rome in Italy, and Athens and Delphi in Greece. It ends with a cruise of the Greek islands.

Student sand community members must enroll in one or more of the classes offered to join the trip.

The classes offered are Global Business Marketplace in Mediterranean Europe, Poetry and Drama, and Comparative politics.

For more information contact Joanna Sabo at (734) 384-4297, or jsabo@monroeccc.edu, or attend one of the informal meetings this fall.

Upcoming informational meetings will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Room 173 of the A Building; 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, in Room 173 of the A Building; and 5 p.m. Oct. 5 in Room 257 of the La-Z-Boy Center