PASQUINO
February 27, 2018
Volume 97
Number 3
PSC Remembers Dr. Henry S. Falkowski’s Legacy By Zoe Sypolt, Contributing Writer
“Just like the theme of the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ I believe the world is a better place because of Dr. Henry S. Falkowski, and I know I’m a better person for having worked with him,” said former Potomac State College President Leonard Colelli. Falkowski was the senior chemistry professor at PSC, where he taught the last 41 years. PSC was also the place he and Terry Falkowski, scientific materials manager and his wife of 36 years, first met. “I think one of my favorite memories involves doing chemistry demos for school groups here at PSC,” said Terry Falkowski. She recalled a time during a presentation when a beaker went flying through the air and came crashing down by mistake. It was spectacular for everyone, including them! Terry Falkowski described how he became a chemistry professor: “Henry was born to be a chemist. At a very early age he had a lab in his parents’ basement. In those days you could purchase certain chemicals and equipment from the drugstore, and he used any money he made to purchase chemistry lab books, chemicals and equipment.” He had the help of his friends in getting started. “He had a friend who was a blacksmith, and he had taken chemistry through a correspondence course. He gave Henry his first real book, chemicals and equipment.” Henry didn’t always plan to be a college professor “When he was ready to graduate from high school, he wanted to teach high school chemistry. He attended a
Dr. Henry Falkowski (1951-2017) taught at PSC the last 41 years. His dinosaur class was a student favorite. Photo courtesy of Terry Falkowski community college and the chemistry professor there told him he was far too good to just teach high school. [The professor] set him on track to attend graduate school and be a college professor.” She described his teaching style: “He was a brilliant chemist and a natural teacher, but he demanded the very best from everyone he touched. He was blunt with people, but sometimes that’s exactly what a student needed.” His former and current students described him as full of passion for science and making the world a better place. According to multiple students, the most important thing he taught was how to calculate the number of moles: “The number of moles equals the number of grams over molecular weight.” If you didn’t know Falkowski personally, you would hear that his class was
one of the hardest, as he pushed his students to do their very best. “Dr. Falkowski provided sincere support for students who intended to meet the high expectations,” said Andrea Schafer, current PSC elementary education instructor, recalling her years as a student at PSC. She even went on to explain that the attitude he reflected in the classroom made its way into her teaching. Student Hannah Nesselrodt explained what a normal day was like in his classroom: “He literally made lab the best class ever because he would circle the room exchanging jokes the entire time. It was always a party, but of course he made sure our experiments were done correctly.” Falkowski’s excellent teaching skills were evident as he often had a waiting list for students signed up each spring for his dinosaur class, which involved
taking a trip to the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His classroom was full of sights and smells as students recall sitting in front of a live Tesla coil witnessing hydrogen balloons explode. Some students were even lucky enough to see his dinosaur collection. Falkowski was “a fantastic teacher whom I will remember for the rest of my life,” student Alex Bowlby said. Falkowski received his associate degree from Luzerne County Community College in Pennsylvania, his bachelor’s degree from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and his master’s degree in Analytical/Physical Chemistry and doctorate in Chemistry Education from West Virginia University. He was named the 2011 Professor of the Year and served as the Campus Chair of Chemistry, Chemical Hygiene Officer and Campus Safety Manager. Those interested in making a donation to PSC in his memory please contact Director of Development Lucas Taylor at 304-788-6995. A little about Dr. Falkowski... Chemistry was his passion. He enjoyed books, history, trolleys, electric trains, Star Trek, Polish/ Italian cooking and the beach. He was the technical expert for the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial in Wilmington, NC. He had over 100 model ships and a personal dinosaur collection.
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CAMPUS NEWS
PASQUINO
February 27, 2018
Growing Textbook Prices a Problem on the Rise By Molly Browning, Editor For some college students, textbook prices are a heavy weight that they can’t always afford. Potomac State College business student, Zoe Sypolt, stated she budgets $500-$1,000 for her text books each year. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the price of textbooks has risen from January 1977 to June 2015 by a 1,041 percent increase. Lesley Nester, a PSC freshman, typically uses her financial aid to pay for books but still explained, “it’s a lot of money for books I don’t use.” Payten Reese, PSC sophomore, finds himself in the same scenario. “It’s ridiculous, considering you don’t use them half the time,” said Reese. Alex Ritte, a PSC student, said she uses rentals and online option to try to “take down cost as much as possible.” Sarah Hutton, a nursing student at Allegany College of Maryland, stated she spent $1,500 for one semester of books, $500 for another semester, and $400 for her most recent books. All of these she said she only used “a couple of times.” Some classes don’t require a traditional textbook but online access codes. These codes are typically used to do online homework and provide access to a digital copy of the textbook. These codes also provide extra resources like studying tools or help from tutors. The only downside to this option is the cost. According to The New York Times the average online textbook access code bundle costs $126. Math professor Dr. Stephanie Beck Roth explains that the benefit of these codes outweighs the cost. Through the program Beck Roth uses, students perform mastery learning. Through this method of learning, students must repeatedly get questions correct before they can move on to the next section.
The chart above shows the increase of textbook prices of 1,000 percent. Beck Roth stated that with this program she has seen an increase in test scores. She believes with this system of learning, students are understanding more material. Beck Roth also sympathized with the struggle to buy expensive books as a young person. “I was a student in this situation, it wasn’t easy,” said Beck Roth. She recollects stressing to the point of tears over having to purchase a $300 textbook in her college days. “I typically don’t purchase textbooks for classes,” said PSC student James Beall. Beall expressed his frustration in already having to pay heavy amounts in student loans. “It would be a different story if I were failing classes, because then it would just be irresponsible for me not to buy books. But anything I need to know that goes unanswered in class I can find on one of the many databases provided to students by West Virginia University Libraries or other scholarly sources.” Beall also explained that his primary professor, Nicklaus Goff, is so good at teaching, that his ample class notes enable him to succeed.
This situation isn’t uncommon for students, however. Based on a study by NBC news, 65% of students admitted that they skipped buying books- some because they couldn’t afford them. This epidemic hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. On Oct. 8, 2015, the Affordable College Textbook Act was presented to Congress. Within the bill it states, “more must be done to address rising costs.” It argues that with the rising price of books, opportunities for higher education diminish for some who can’t afford it. The goal of this bill is to expand the use of digital open textbooks to achieve savings for students. This would be made possible with educational grants. Open textbooks are “high-quality college texts with an “open” copyright license allowing the material to be freely accessed, shared and adapted,” as defined by StudentPIRGS.org. WVU is now offering training to faculty on open textbooks. Professors can also place their textbooks on reserve for students to use within the library. More than 70 courses have texts on reserve. One professor who makes most of her required textbooks available is English professor, Dr. Martha Johnson-Olin. “I believe in providing my students with as many opportunities to succeed as possible,” said Johnson-Olin, “I worked my way through school, so I know what it is like to need two or three paychecks to buy a semester’s worth of textbooks. I want my students to know that they can succeed in my classes regardless of any financial struggles they may be experiencing.” Johnson-Olin stated that she makes sure her students know her books are available in the library, but they don’t always take advantage of it. “It depends on the student’s drive to succeed.
I make the resources available to help, but it is a student’s choice to use the materials.” Johnson-Olin also stated how she dislikes the rising textbook prices just as much as her students do. She attempts to provide open online access materials to help save money. “I have passed on excellent textbooks when I feel the cost is not reasonable for my students,” said Johnson-Olin. Lastly, Johnson-Olin wishes that students understand a key aspect about textbooks: “Most teachers do not decide to use a book randomly or on a whim, and we build our courses carefully around the book(s) we ask students to purchase.” Johnson-Olin also explained that if students expect professors to be prepared for class, they should do their “Failing to buy a book (or failing to access a library copy) after the first week is like coming to class without a paper or pen.” - Dr. Martha Johnson-Olin
best to be prepared as well. The rise in textbook prices is due to lack of competition in the textbook publishing industry. According to StudentPIRGS.org, only five publishers control 80 percent of the market. One of the most commonly known and wealthiest of these is McGraw-Hill Education. McGraw-Hill made a revenue of $2 billion in 2014 alone. With this kind of industry, the average college student will spend approximately $655 on text books each year, based on information from The National Association of College Stores (NACS). But this price could be much higher with books costing as much as $300. The PSC website does not list an average cost for books per semester.
February 27, 2018
ACADEMICS
PASQUINO
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Coaching Helps Students Facing Suspension By Aaron Smith, Managing Editor
Potomac State College is helping students focus on learning to improve grades with on-campus coaching programs, and faculty involved have seen results in those who are driven to succeed. These programs are aimed at students with less than a 2.0 GPA. These programs are now more important than ever, with a new rule stating that students who end the spring semester with less than a 2.0 will be on academic suspension. Studies have shown a focus on learning and comprehension is what leads to better grades, and the PSC Student Success Coaching program provides that support and encouragement for students on academic probation. Last spring, all students with GPAs under 2.0 were assigned a success coach. A total of 161 students were split among 40 coaches who were faculty and staff volunteers. Students had meetings with their coaches four times
over the semester, and coaches guided the students using a template from West Virginia University. Psychology professor Mimi Vandenberg participated in coaching students and saw success in students who tried their best. “One of my students went through the whole program and is doing wonderfully well,” Vandenberg said, adding that the student even came in on her own for academic advising. “It has to come from the student. We do whatever we can. I credit students as much as the program.” Vandenberg says it’s all about student mindset and utilizing all the people and services the college offers. The one-on-one connection she offers as a coach is part of that. “Having that one person that you know on campus that you know you can go to helps people be resilient and overcome the disadvantages they may be bringing here with them. The beauty of this program is that it provides that personal connection to students who may not have found it on their own.” Students involved tended to see improvements in their grades. The average increase among all participants was 0.4 in their cumulative GPA. The highest cumulative GPA increase was 1.7, and the worst change was a
Students who got involved tended to see improvements in their grades.
Professor Mimi Vandenberg stressed the importance of students’ actively using campus resources to raise their grades. Photo by Aaron Smith
decrease of 0.35. Overall, 38% of the participants returned to PSC or transferred to WVU in the fall. The program was successful for those who actively participated in it; students who returned the following semester attended an average of three meetings with their coaches. Students
who did not return, on the other hand, attended an average of 1-2 meetings. The PSC Student Success Coaching program is one of many opportunities for students to focus on learning. The school also offers an Academic Recovery program for students with a GPA less than 1.0. The Academic Success Center works with students “to assist them in defining, clarifying, and achieving their academic goals.” Tutoring is available for math, biology, chemistry, computer science, psychology and sociology. Science tutor Kurt Stoltz spoke about the Academic Success Center’s mission. “We help people get on track and stay ahead,” he said. Stoltz said tutors offer academic guidance and can help students develop the study skills they need to succeed.
are dealing with. No matter what, someone should be offered another semester to show they can do it.” The Academic Success Center is available to all students and is located at the Mary F. Shipper Library. Students who would like a PSC success coach but were not assigned one are encouraged to contact Jayne Gilbert at AJGilbert@mail.wvu.edu.
“Students have to come in and want it.”
Students participate in a ‘Final Exam Blitz’ at the Academic - Science tutor Kurt Stoltz Success Center. Photo courtesy of PSC Academic Success Center His best advice for students is to Facebook
have a mindset that invites growth and realization. A key part of that is being driven in all aspects of a college education. Stoltz added that a degree is more than paper, it is “to build a better life and be a better person and learn how to learn.” PSC Sophomore Leiana Diaz thinks more colleges should offer programs like the Academic Success Center and coaching for students. “It shows that the campus really cares about their students,” she said. Diaz said she hopes the new rules will still allow for students going through a difficult situation to have time to get back on track. “They might have things in their personal life they
The Coaching Approach Coaches and students set class goals. Students considered courses they did well in and why. Students aimed to discover why they performed poorly in specific classes. Coaches and students discussed study habits. Students worked with coaches to assess challenges and how to overcome them.
HUMANS OF POTOMAC STATE
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PASQUINO
February 27, 2018
Inspired by “Humans of New York,” a diverse group of students was interviewed and photographed. To keep the focus on their experiences, the subjects are not identified by name. These are the stories of the Humans of Potomac State.
“I wanted to become a RA because of the vibe of being new to college. I was nervous and just the thought of leadership made me feel different. It allowed me to reach out to other residents and make friends. One thing that is interesting about my job is learning the rules of the university and the responsibilities we must uphold as a RA. However, the down part about the job is that you tend to forget about yourself and worry about others. But you have to be smart with your time and be patient. While managing your time accordingly, planning a program is sort of tricky, yet fun, because you have to consider what every resident would want to do, which is where getting to know them more plays a big part.” Interview by Tyrek Saunders, Contributing Writer
“I’m a veteran and a forty-year drug addict. I chose to come back to school to become a drug and alcohol counselor. Maybe I can help people make a positive change in their lives. If I could give one piece of advice to the younger students – Take this **** seriously. If you ever want to have anything – money, a career - you have to take it seriously. Get good grades, and stay away from drugs!” Interview by Matthew Timbrook, Contributing Writer
“I picked social work because I really like interacting with people. I originally was in education, but then I decided education wasn’t really for me because I had a couple of experiences with kids, and I didn’t really like them. I worked at a church camp over the summer and there were a bunch of kids that were really smart-mouthed and this one girl kept wetting the bed. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to work with kids anymore.’” Interview by SeVohn Hunter, Contributing Writer
“I think some of the most memorable times I’ve had in college are when my friends and I all get together in my one friend’s apartment and play board games, Pokémon, Magic cards, and video games like Super Smash Bros. Sometimes we’re not all together, but there is always at least three of us. We usually stay up extremely late and don’t end up going to sleep until morning of the next day. But each time is always amazing, and we’re always coming up with new inside jokes and memories.” Interview by Ryan Cook, Contributing Writer
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February 27, 2018
AROUND CAMPUS
PASQUINO
Resident Assistants Receive Training By Cody Brazil, Editor
While Resident Assistants enjoy benefits such as free housing and dining plans, their lives can be an extremely stressful, dealing with problematic peers and juggling work and college. PSC provides training to prepare the students for the position. Carissa Carter was a RA at PSC in the fall semester of 2016. She admitted to retiring from the position because she did not feel that she personally was ready to cater to other freshmen’s needs while she was getting used to college herself, but she spoke very highly of the ten-day training camp that every RA has to go through. “So basically during the training we did a lot of team building exercises, we had a fire training, active shooter training and a bunch of other general safety classes. Besides that, we just made decorations for our halls and our resident’s doors. It was a lot of fun,” said Carter. Carter felt that the training period was a good time and the information learned was relevant to her position as a new RA. But not every person who went through the training felt the same way. A current RA who wishes to remain anonymous admitted feeling that the training period only contained one day of relevant training. Lynch stated that the RA training is an intensive week-and-a-half long program where the RAs are trained to adequately do their jobs while attempting to achieve three main goals set for them: building a community on their floor, completing administrative duties and teambuilding among the RAs. “The main job of a RA is to build a community on their floor. It is important to us that our residents feel at home on their floors,” said Michael Lynch the PSC resident hall supervisor.
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PSC Hosts A Week For Women
By Aaron Smith, Managing Editor
Resident Assistants Emily Curtin (left) and Rocky Morgan at work. Photo courtesy of the Potomac State College Flickr
“For a lot of the residents, this is their first time being away from home, so we try to make sure the transition is both seamless and a little fun for them.” - Colton Dickerson, University Place resident assistant. A RA on the PSC campus is tasked with building a bond of trust and mutual respect with their residents. They do this by planning programs for the residents and by generally keeping up with their residents. Lynch stated that it is clear when RAs are not doing their job because residents start to move off of the floor. “RA’ s take a lot of heat for simply doing their jobs. This can be difficult, especially in younger RAs, because it can make them nervous to do their jobs. This is probably the main reason for turnovers in the RA positions,” said Lynch. The RAs are obligated to complete certain administrative tasks while they are in the position. These tasks can
(right) hard
range from roving the halls to handing out temporary keys and guest passes. Lynch would like to ensure residents that the admin responsibilities are completed to ensure the safety of the residents. “It is a common misconception that when an RA is roving they are out trying to get people in trouble. They are not. They are just out to make sure the halls are safe; they look for broken glass or even lights that may have burned out in the stairwells. But they are instructed to deal with any violations they come across,” Said Lynch. The final goal of the RA training is to stress the importance of teambuilding. The RAs are backed by their supervisors when they are forced to enforce disciplinary actions. They always have a Resident Hall Coordinator or Lynch himself on call to back them up if they are not comfortable handling anything alone. PSC recently hired six new RAs for the spring semester who also underwent training for the position.
Potomac State College is celebrating Women’s Empowerment Week with activities and panels on campus from Feb. 26 through March 1. Kicking the week off at 4 p.m. in Academy Hall 210 is the “Women of STEM” panel. Speakers include faculty members Nikki Chandler, Sheri Chisholm, Candace Lawrence, Mary Beth Moore and Joan Vogtman. These STEM faculty will share stories of women throughout history who have made significant contributions in the field. On Tuesday, the Body Image Workshop will help women (and men) feel good about themselves starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Loft. Group activities such as ‘Cross the Line If…’ and ‘Mirror, Mirror’ are planned along with an open discussion and fire pit. At 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Academy Hall Room 210, panels ‘A Woman’s Image In A Digital World’ and ‘#MeToo’ will discuss issues like personal data security, consequences of posting online, adversities women face, as well as sexual harassment and gender roles in the digital age. Panelists include Campus President Orlikoff, Danielle Walker, Tricia Shultz, Cherise Southerly and Diana Niland. On Thursday, the Mary F. Shipper Library will host “‘His’tory of ‘Her’story,” allowing male students, faculty and staff to tell stories of how specific women in their lives have had a significant impact on who they are today. Presenters include Dean Ochoa, Derek Artimez, Dr. Edward Brown, Nicklaus Goff and Zach Halterman.
AROUND CAMPUS
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PASQUINO
WVU Guest Speakers Coming to Library By PSC Staff
The Mary F. Shipper Library is offering students a chance to learn beyond the books on its shelves. The library will host three guest speakers from West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus this semester, and each presentation will be free and open to the PSC community and the public. Dr. Lauri Andress will present “Good and Poor Health: How Do We Get It Right?” on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 5 p.m. Andress is a professor in the Department of Health Policy, Management and Leadership at Health Sciences. Andress will host an interactive discussion on how the community conditions where you are born, grow, live, work and age determines your health status. Andress’s research has taken her throughout West Virginia exploring inequities in food access and health care. Kofi Opoku will present “Face of Homelessness” on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 3 p.m. Opoku is a professor at the School of Art & Design. Opoku will discuss his website, faceofhomelessness.com, where he
shares stories of veterans, former drug addicts, the terminally ill and many others who live on the streets of Morgantown. This website originally began as Opoku’s master’s thesis, and his passion for their stories has driven him to continue it. Dr. Steven Kinsey will present “Cannabis: Ancient Healing Medicine or Addictive Drug?” on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 5 p.m. Kinsey is a professor in the Department of Psychology’s Behavioral Neuroscience program. Kinsey will present an overview of cannabis, its historic uses, challenges in research, and its interaction with brain chemistry. After the lecture, Kinsey will lead a discussion with the audience. Kinsey’s research has focused on how cannabinoids (compounds found in cannabis) affect the body and the benefits and risks for treating stress, anxiety and chronic pain. For more information, contact Nicholas Gardner, Library Technical Assistant II, by phone (304-788-6905) or email (ngardner@mail.wvu.edu) or stop by the Library Information Desk.
STEM Festival Returns By Cody Brazil, Editor Potomac State College will be hosting the STEM Festival on March 24, 2018 from 12-4 p.m. Students and the public can participate in activities and displays in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics on campus. Past favorites such as green screen technologies and Rubik’s Cubes mosaics will return to the festival, and some new and exciting demonstrations will be on display including an interactive drone experience, a math activity about
triangles and an exhibit on identifying different trees. The “Hands on Anatomy” display returns to teach the public about their bodies. The engineering department is doing a Moon Racers Robotics Obstacle Course and a Solar System Rocket Launch. “It’s a can’t miss opportunity for families to explore all aspects of science,” said Andrea Schafer, STEM Festival organizer. The event is free.
February 27, 2018
Green Bank Observatory Researcher Speaks to PSC Students By Matthew Timbrook, Contributing Writer
The students and guests gathered in the Davis Conference Center to experience a close encounter of the third kind, but it wasn’t an extraterrestrial who had come to deliver a message. Dr. Andrew Seymour, a researcher from Arecibo Observatory and Green Bank Observatory, came to share a presentation on the subject of radio astronomy. Seymour is an experienced astronomer who has worked as a research associate at Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico – made famous as the setting of the 1997 film “Contact” starring Jodi Foster. In addition to working on the cutting edge of radio astronomy, Seymour attended Potomac State College in 2002 and was a research assistant in the Department of Physics at West Virginia University from 2010 to 2014. In his presentation, entitled “Fast Radio Burst: The Eagles of The Universe,” Seymour showed the relative size of the massive satellite dishes used in radio astronomy, discussed some of the techniques currently being applied to discover pulsars and explained how radio waves can be identified by likening them to bird calls. The students in the audience asked questions about some of the technical aspects of scanning the skies. Seymour emphasized the importance of passionate students offering fresh perspectives “Radio astronomy is a field that still has engineering puzzles to be solved,” he said. “Finding new solutions to these
Andrew Seymour from the Green Bank Observatory lectures in the Davis Conference Center. Photo by Matthew Timbrook problems will quickly result in great scientific advances.” At the end of the presentation, the students were given details and directions on how to sign-up to further their education through research programs. For more information on the Arecibo Observatory and Green Bank Observatory, you can visit outreach.naic.edu/ ao/landing and www.greenbankobervatory.org
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February 27, 2018
AROUND CAMPUS
PASQUINO
PSC’s “Willy Wonka” Opening on March 16 By SeVohn Hunter, Contributing Writer On Friday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m., Potomac State College’s theater program will present its spring production of “Willy Wonka” at the Church-McKee Arts Center. This production of “Willy Wonka” is based on Roald Dahl’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and will include all the songs from the 1971 movie. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” tells the story of Charlie Bucket, a poor boy who lives in a tiny house with his parents and grandparents. Charlie and four other children find the five golden tickets placed in Wonka Bar wrappings and win a tour of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The cast and crew are comprised of college students and community members. The five golden ticket winners are played by middle and high school students: Elizabeth Badillo, Dylan Dolley, Brendon McCabe, Clayton Muir and Brielle Windle. The adult roles are played by community members who have participated in other productions or are parents of children participating. Willy Wonka is played by Robert Godfrey, who is a veteran of PSC productions. Sean Beachy and Debi Beachy are the music directors for the production. Debi Beachy teaches vocals, and Sean Pasquino Writers/Design: Aaron Smith, Managing Editor Cody Brazil, Editor Molly Browning, Editor Levi Linn, Copy Editor Join the Staff! Contact Amber Butcher, advisor amber.butcher@mail.wvu.edu
Beachy provides accompaniment. Kimberly Rowley is a co-director who also creates and teaches all choreography. Jordan Kline is the director the show. Kline previously directed productions in Frostburg and Cumberland, Maryland. Kline also performed in previous productions at PSC. Brian Plitnik is the producer of this production and chooses each year’s show. Plitnik said he cannot credit himself for the idea of recreating “Willy Wonka.” Rowley originally proposed the idea, and she and Plitnik agreed that “Willy Wonka” would be a great success for PSC. Cast members shared how much they love the story of “Willy Wonka” and how eager they were to join. McCabe auditioned because he “loved the book, movie and any work by Dahl.” Windle said her dreams are coming true because she “always wanted to play the role of Veruca.” “Willy Wonka” will be showing from March 16-18 and March 23-25. General admission tickets are $12 for children and $18 for adults. Regular VIP tickets include a backstage tour and priority seating. VIP Golden Tickets also include a chocolate reception as well as other VIP benefits. To reserve tickets, call the PSC Box Office at (304)-788-6855. Contributing Writers: Zoe Sypolt SeVohn Hunter Matthew Timbrook Tyrek Saunders Ryan Cook
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PSC Fly-Fishing Course Coming Back this Spring By Levi Linn, Contributing Writer
Students and members of the community can take a course that isn’t about hitting the books --- it’s about learning how to fly fish. Potomac State College’s Introduction to Fly-Fishing course returns this spring. Professor Tom Sydow is co-teaching with Charlie Laffey who has extensive knowledge of the Savage River watershed and regional Brook Trout streams. “He’s like a walking encyclopedia,” said Sydow regarding his colleague. In this course, students will gain all the tools and knowledge they need to pursue this unique hobby. Students will learn about the equipment used, knot tying, entomology (the study of insects), how to read the water and onstream tactics. All equipment for this course will be provided by the instructors. “I’m always excited,” said Sydow when asked how he felt about the class starting soon. Sydow has been fly-fishing for almost 30 years and still enjoys it. “It means spring’s here.”
Sydow describes fly-fishing as far more advanced than regular fishing. It’s more difficult but more rewarding and far more interactive as opposed to sitting and waiting for a fish to bite. “Students will be interested because it’s an entirely different style of fishing than most people are used to,” said Sydow, “It’s interesting and takes a lot of skill.” As for teaching with his colleague Laffey, Sydow can’t wait to get started. “It’s always fun with Laffey,” said Sydow, “We’re both easy going and very enthusiastic about teaching this subject.” Sydow and Laffey have fished together for years. The fly-fishing class starts on March 8, with meetings every other Thursday in Science Hall 120 from 5-8 p.m. The cost is $99, and the course fills up quickly. The course is open to both students and the public, and registration is available on the PSC website. For more information on the course, contact Sydow at Tom.Sydow@mail.wvu.edu
Queen2Queen club members Keyonne Witherspoon, Jewell Masterson and Keshi Huntington arranged gift baskets with photos of lost loved ones, roses, stuffed animals and a card for parents who have lost children due to gun violence. Photo provided by Potomac State College
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PASQUINO
February 27, 2018
Beware of ACN Multi-Level Marketing on Campus By Aaron Smith, Managing Editor
“A guy came up to me in the gym and asked if I’d like to meet a famous baseball player,” said a PSC sophomore student, who wished to remain anonymous. “I figured why not? In hindsight, I probably could’ve been kidnapped or killed just getting in a car with someone who promised to take me to meet a baseball player,” the student said with a chuckle. “I don’t think I’ll be doing that again.” The student attended an off-campus meeting about a company called ACN, and the focus of it was to get people to join the company and make money. A former baseball player gave a speech in favor of the company. Just what is ACN Inc.? A phone call to the company’s customer service center didn’t reveal much.
“ACN used to stand for something, but it doesn’t anymore. It’s just the letters.”
- An ACN Customer Service Representative
ACN’s customer service representative went on to say the company acts as a middleman for telecommunications products. When asked why someone would choose ACN over directly going to a company, like Sprint, he responded, “Customers choose ACN because of our customer service.” The company’s website claims: “What if you got paid every time someone talked on the phone, watched television, sent text messages, surfed the Internet, swiped a credit card, or used natural gas and electricity?” ACN Inc. labels itself a ‘multi-level marketing’ company that resells Internet, wireless phone, home security, energy and other services to its customers. The company uses “Independent
A screen shot of ACN Inc.’s website from 2013 heavily featured Donald Trump, who had to distance himself from the company when starting his presidential campaign. Photo from The Wayback Machine Business Owners” (IBOs), who sell services and also recruit new IBOs. The customer service representative for ACN said that the initial cost to become an IBO is $500. IBOs have the option to cancel their agreement and receive a full refund within 10 business days. Web archives of ACN’s website revealed the company’s close ties to Donald Trump, who was their spokesperson before his presidential run. Following his candidacy, Trump distanced himself from ACN, telling the Wall Street Journal, “I do not know the company. I know nothing about the company other than the people who run the company.” An ACN customer service phone representative could not comment whether or not the baseball player recruiting PSC students was a paid spokesperson for the company. After learning about the company’s presence on campus, officials warned students that ACN has not been approved for business on the college grounds. PSC’s Director of University Relations René Trezise said, “The College
thought it important to post a notice because ACN is not sanctioned by the College and we suggest students beware of doing business with this company.”
“This company has not been approved by me.”
- PSC President Orlikoff
The Wall Street Journal also reported that regulators and consumer advocates warn about ACN’s business model, and that few participants actually turn a profit when participating in a multi-level marketing model. The company has been involved in legal action brought up by regulators in Montana, Canada, and Australia who claim the company is running a pyramid scheme. The company has had to improve its training program as a result. Students hoping to make some cash while living on campus should be wary of working with other businesses as well. “Students aren’t permitted to run a business out of their dorms,” said Dean of Students William Letrent. He added that businesses wishing to solicit on campus must first go through
the president’s office for approval. PSC Alumni Relations Coordinator Derek Artimez stressed the importance of research for students looking into these opportunities. “It is important to understand the concepts [pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing systems] are using to mask themselves.” The Better Business Bureau claims the red flags of a multi-level marketing opportunity consist of “promises of high earnings, especially with little effort, time or serious commitment, requirement to purchase a large amount of inventory to start, with no written guarantee that unsold products will be bought back for a certain percentage of the original price, and request for payment in cash, via wire transfer, or money order for initial investment.” Pyramid schemes have a somewhat similar checklist from the BBB, with the red flags being “Promises to make thousands or even millions of dollars with little effort, long anecdotes of how many people have made a fortune with the company without providing concrete facts, large start-up costs and substantial hidden fees to become a distributor, revenue is generated from selling the opportunity not the product.” A study published on the Federal Trade Commission’s website claimed that 99 percent of people involved with MLM companies failed to make a profit. “The average net income (after subtracting expenses) for the 200 top Amway distributors in Wisconsin was approximately minus $900.” The study used sample calculations using data from a multi-level marketing company called Nu Skin. It put the odds of profiting being about one in 3,922. The FTC study stated, “MLM is […] inherently flawed, unfair, and deceptive. MLMs are also extremely viral, predatory, and harmful.”