Quo Vadis 12/13/2017

Quo Volume: 54

Issue: 15

http://www.quovadisnewspaper.com

Va d i s Middlesex County College

Quovadisnewspaper

Dec. 13, 2017

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Main Hall Construction Continues

By Alexander Lewis and Sergio Rivera Managing Editor and Ars Poetica Section Editor

The Facilities department of the College is continuing the renovation of Main Hall on the Edison campus, with the first phase ending by the end of February and the second phase ending in June.

Executive Director of Facilities Management, Don Drost,

said that the first phase is the actual wing itself.

“… the second part of it is to build a new entrance vestibule, which helps with our energy,” said Drost, “You open the doors and the cold and hot air come in and out the building … so, we’re going to build a vestibule, so we have an airlock.”

Drost said, “When you’re sitting at the Starbucks and drinking your coffee in January the cold

air is not blowing in on you [and] we’re also increasing the size of the lobby, it’s going to double in size.”

Over the summer, Main Hall closed its west wing in order to prepare for its latest renovation project and has since been emptied of its classrooms and labs.

After building the new chemistry labs in South Hall, MCC is repurposing the old chemistry labs in Main Hall, said Drost.

Drost said, “What will be

in Main Hall is going to be physics labs, geology labs, process technology labs, a classroom and office space for the natural sciences faculty because that department was combined, it used to be a different department.”

“It was biology and chemistry and physics and now they’ve all come together,” said Drost, “So, their offices are scattered all over campus … some are in L’Hommedieu, some are in Main Hall, some

were in Billy Johnson Hall … this will bring them all together to a single department.”

Drost said that the College is also planning to do the same concept in L’Hommedieu Hall, where they will repurpose the space of the old the biology labs.

You can reach the authors at alexander.lewis99@yahoo.com sergio.rivera.jr@hotmail.com

Poetry Club Publishes First Book MSA Holds Islamic

Photo Courtesy of Roi Abraham Saint-Vil

See inside...

Awareness Week

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) in cooperation with Counselor Sheema Majiduddin from the Counseling Services department hosted special guest speaker and winner of the Hult Prize, Sr. Gia Farooqi, in the College Center lounge on Nov. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, as part of Islamic awareness week, which lasted from Monday, Nov. 27 at 9 a.m. to Wednesday, Nov. 29. at 2 p.m.

The day before was marked by guest speaker Imam Kaiser Aslam, Rutgers University MSA Chaplain.

Farooqui was accompanied by her teammates Hasan Usmani and Hana Lakani.

As of September, Farooqui and her team were this year’s winners of the Hult Prize, a global contest aimed to better the whole world.

Farooqui said that they aimed to better the lives of refugees by restoring the dignity of refugees through their business model “Roshni Rides,” a solar powered rickshaw business model designed to aid refugees in Pakistan with accessible transportation.

She said that the prize was $1 million to fund their model, awarded to them by former president Bill Clinton.

Farooqui said that the hijab can be a barrier to professional life.

Pursuing her ambitions with Hijab, she said she believed that it would be a detriment for her, but it turned out that it wasn’t.

She said that while it is a predicament to be a visible Muslim in Trump’s America, four out of the six finalist teams had a visible Muslims on their teams.

Farooqui said that her and her teammates are all supply chain management students but instead of sticking with a nine to five, they wanted to use their skill sets to directly contribute to the world.

They started their project in Oct. 2016 and pursued the transportation industry, said Farooqui.

She said that bike sharing in Jordan was their initial plan, but they changed their model to focus on the Asian country with the largest number of refugees, Pakistan.

When asked why she believes that her team won against the other 50,000 teams who competed, Farooqui said that she believes her team triumphed because they had great teamwork.

The members were also very familiar with each other since they had already worked together for three years on other projects prior to preparing for the Hult Prize said Farooqui.

Farooqui said that there were a lot of sacrifices from e v ery

By Huda Usmani and Alexander Lewis Staff Writer and Managing Editor

Photo Courtesy of Roi Abraham Saint-Vil

The Shadon the collation of the second novel, ows on Pa“Shadows on Paper Two,” which per poetis set for publication early in the ry club is spring 2018 semester. publishing “Shadows on Paper,” a collective

The Shadows on Paper poof 101 poems, curated and edited by the etry club also has a lot of plans club at the End of the Semester Celebrafor the spring semester said tion in the College Center cafeterias at 4 Rivera. p.m. on Dec. 4.

Rivera said, “We want to

Sergio Rivera, President of the make sure our foundation Shadows on Paper poetry club, said that stays solid while also exseven members of the club contributed panding to different projects.” and assisted in the creation of the novel.

“By the end of it [spring

The novel was predominantly semester] we’re going to try dedicated to understanding how humans, to have the 3rd volume of or more specifically, how the students at MCC, the book,” said Rivera, undergo the events in their day-to-day lives and “We’re also lookhow they can react to that, said Rivera. ing to do some

Rivera said that because it is their first more perpublication, him and his team members really formancwanted the book to capture the emotions of es, more the students and dive into a sort-of storytelling mantra both students and faculty at MCC would be able to understand and enjoy.

He said that the book features five major themes: happiness, love, heartbreak, depression and inspiration.

“Those basic five themes cover the wide scope of what people would be feeling,” said Rivera, “We wanted to really get that out there, to tell people that others feel like just like you.”

“The publication for the book began as early as the beginning of the spring semester, so it has taken about a year to collate,” said Rivera, “The book is varying, capturing real emotions that students will relate to.”

“It illustrates the understanding of what students may be going through in all aspects of college, emotionally and even financially,” said Rivera, “The novel also goes through the emotions of heartbreak, even This is the first time President of the Shadows on Paper, Sergio Rivera, has love and even fear of the un- been published. known.” open mics, more slams and maybe doing a podcast.”

Rivera said, “Although it seems very emo For students who may be interested in contional and rocky to begin with, it thankfully ends on tributing to the publication of future novels from the a good note which I think students will appreciate.” poetry club, the club is accepting submissions as well

The campus print shop oversees the official as new members. printing and publication of the novel, while all the

During the transition to Canvas from Cammembers of the poetry club will oversee distributpus Cruiser, those interested can send submissions to ing the novel to easily accessible departments here 123edenuel321@gmail.com. at MCC, like the Library and English department said

Club meetings are still tentative as the campus Rivera.

College Hour hours

Rivera said that Assistant Director of StuYou can reach the authors at may be changing. dent Life, Ode Hoppie, helped with a lot of the design ugbanachinazo@gmail.com and publishing of the book. alexander.lewis99@yahoo.com

Rivera said that although the club is still new in the publishing world, they are currently working Colts Beat Ocean County Philosophy Club by 3 Points Screens “Snowpiercer” CAMPUS & COMMUNITY pg. 2 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT pg. 3

By Claudia Ugbana and Alexander Lewis Staff Writer and Managing Editor

Special guest speaker, winner of the Hult Prize, Sr. Gia Farooqi, speaks to students in the College Center lounge on Nov. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Islam con’t on page 2

Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty LIFESTYLE & POLITICS pg. 4

Has “Call of Duty” Lost Its Spark?

OPINION & CULTURE pg. 5

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

Campus & Community

By Christian Grullon Staff Writer

The Colts Men’s basketball team pulled through with a win against Ocean County Community College with an 86-83 victory on the Edison campus on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.

The Colts were looking to add another win to their season after a 106-94 road defeat against Passaic County Community College on Nov 28.

Guard Jamarr Joseph said, “We played with heart as a team and we wanted it more.”

Joseph scored 30 points shooting 12-of-18 from the field with 16 rebounds and 3 assists.

Jaquan Robertson dropped 34 points shooting 12of-20 from the field and had 4 blocks. Joseph led the team in rebounds and Robertson led the team in points.

Although the team lost the turnover battle with 14 and

Ocean County having 12, the team outrebounded Ocean County 4734.

The Colts shot 46 percent from the 3-point line while Ocean County shot only 29 percent.

The Colts led by 4 in the first half and as the game got close to the final seconds the team pulled it out with 3-point victory.

The Colts have been outstanding with a 3-1 record at their home court, despite having it worse on the road with a 0-3 record.

Joseph said, “It’s great to have a win, we just have to stay consistent.”

The team was 51 percent from field goals while Ocean County was 46 percent.

Looking for a 2nd straight win, the Colts will go back on the road on Dec. 8 when they will play Gloucester Community College.

You can reach the author at cgrullon1995@gmail.com

Photo Courtesy of Christian Grullon

Colts Beat Ocean County by 3 Points

Ali Austin drives to the rim with a layup.

Cynthia Richardson and Alexander Lewis, co-vice presidents of the MCC Phi Theta Kappa Honors In Action hosting a film screening of “The Dream Is Now” in the College Center, Room 334 on Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. to help spread awareness about the DREAM Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Islam con’t from page 1

Photo Courtesy of Roi Abraham Saint-Vil

member involved for them to be able to put all their time and effort into the finals.

When asked how they had come up with their project name, Farooqui said that the main language of their target consumers is Urdu.

She said that the word “Roshni” in their project title is Urdu for light.

Farooqui said that they want to create light in the lives of our customers by giving them the privilege of transportation, something that we take for granted every day.

“These people are survivors and are already doing whatever they can, and we are here to just You can reach the authors at lighten their burdens,” Farooqui hudausmani99@gmail.com said. alexander.lewis99@yahoo.com

Photo Courtesy of Bilal Dixon

Spread DACA Awareness

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Lewis

Colts Basketball Players PTK Film Screening Helps Give Back to the Community

Victor Spencer and Joe Cudakiewicz play basketball with children in the Child Care Center on the Edison campus on Nov. 28 to give back to the community.

Newspaper Holds Training

By Claudia Ugbana Staff Writer

Quo Vadis, the MCC student newspaper, is holding training meetings in College Center, Room 319 on Dec. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Dec. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of a program implemented to help train new members who are interested in joining the newspaper for the spring 2018 semester.

The paper is looking for members to join any of the following areas: journalistic newswriting, journalistic option writing, photojournalism, graphics arts, illustrating, copy editing and a variety of other areas students may be interested in.

Students are encouraged to attend the meetings because working with the school newspaper will provide numerous oppor-

Dec 15.

- Last day of classes for fall semester.

Dec 16, 18, 19

- Specially scheduled final examinations.

You can reach the author at ugbanachinazo@gmail.com

TRAINING SCHEDULE Dec. 18

9:30 to 11 a.m.

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

12: 15 to 1:45 p.m.

1:45 to 3 p.m.

Students listen to special guest speaker and winner of the Hult Prize, Sr. Gia Farooqi, in the College Center lounge on Nov. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Calendar of Events

tunities now and in the future.

There is a chart below that shows what the meetings will cover.

Regular, weekly Quo Vadis meetings will be held in the College Center, Room 316 on the Edison campus every Wednesday at 11 a.m. beginning next semester.

Students can find the sign-up sheets in their campus emails which was sent to over 3,000 students in five majors registered at MCC.

For any students who are unable to attend any of the meetings, emails can be sent to Quo Vadis’ adviser Professor Melissa Edwards at MEdwards@middlesexcc.edu to discuss other meeting times.

Layout and Design (Graphic Arts)

Copy Editing and Journalistic Writing (newswriting, opinion writing, feature writing) Photojournalism, Illustrations Leadership meeting (Executive Editors Editorial, Section Editors Editorial, Social Media Editors, Video Editors)

Dec. 19 9:30 to 11 a.m.

11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

12:15 to 1 p.m.

Leadership meeting (Executive Editors Editorial, Section Editors Editorial, Social Media Editors, Video Editors) Copy Editing and Journalistic Writing (newswriting, opinion writing, feature writing) Handbook review

Page 2

Quo Vadis Staff

Managing Editors: Alexander Lewis Ramaninder Multani Front Page Editor: Alexander Lewis Campus & Community Editor: Alexander Lewis Arts & Entertainment Editor: Ramaninder Multiani Lifestyle & Politics Editor: Jamal Kingston Opinion & Culture Editor: Ramaninder Multiani Ars Poetica Editor: Sergio Rivera Head Copy Editor: Scott Pietschker Copy Editors: Samantha Casano Kayla Lombardo Ramaninder Multani Christian Grulon Tiana Emanuel Layout Editors: Alexander Lewis Hailey Kasprowicz Ramaninder Multani Content Editor: Alexander Lewis Head Social Media Editors: Samantha Cheng Adam Homza Social Media Editors: Alexander Lewis Writers: Alexander Lewis Sergio Rivera Christian Grulon Claudia Ugbana Huda Usmani Humberto Marmolejo Jamal Kingston Adam Homza Jane Jiang Yesenia Rivera Caitlin Clare David Craig Boone Photographers: Alexander Lewis Roi Abraham Saint-Vil Christian Grulon Bilal Dixon Head Digital Media Editor: Alexander Lewis Digital Media Editors: Samantha Cheng Alexander Lewis Adam Homza Sergio Rivera Faculty Advisor: Melissa Edwards medwards@middlesexcc.edu Email us: quovadis_newspaper @hotmail.com Website: www.quovadisnewspaper.com Poetry Submissions: quovadis_newspaper @hotmail.com

Come to the Quo Vadis Meetings!

We meet every Wednesday at 11 a.m. in College Center Room 319

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

Arts & Entertainment

Page 3

Philosophy Club Screens “Snowpiercer”

By Humberto Marmolejo and Alexander Lewis Staff Writer and Managing Editor

of humanity is wiped out, with the exception of the inhabitants of a large train named the Snowpiercer.

Professor Giuseppe Rotolo introduced viewers to the film.

Professor Rotolo said, “Welcome to our last installment of our series, I won’t say anything about the movie, lets watch it to-

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Lewis

The Philosophy Club and Philosophy Program of MCC, with the help of the Student Life office presented their final film in the “Thinking Through Images: Revo-

lution Edition” movie series, in the College Center Corral restaurant on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

The movie shown was the 2013 science fiction action film, “SnowPiercer,” which depicts a post-apocalyptic world in which a catastrophic climatic effect brings in a second Ice Age in which most

A projector and seating was set up in the Corral restaraunt for the event.

gether and then have a conversation on it.”

The film starts with main protagonist Curtis Everett (Portrayed by Chris Evans) planning a revolt in which the inhabitants of the rear end of the trains capture control of the trains engine. The inhabitants of the rear end of the train are treated despicably, with harsh living conditions, and under the brutal watch of Minister Mason and her guard unit. As Everett and his comrades navigate the front carts of the train, they view the many aspects and living conditions the other inhabitants are living in.

These living conditions are luxurious and extravagant, with the train being capable of having a sustainable eco system, and superb food for these lucky inhabitants. These magnificent living conditions greatly contradict the living conditions that Everett and his comrades were forced to live in, a place in which the only food provided were “protein bars” made of cockroaches. The group finally make it to the front engine in which they are confronted with a cruel reality that shocks the protagonist to his core.

After the movie ended, many students had the opportunity to voice their opinions of the film.

MCC student, Zoheb Tahir , said, “The state of nature which is the social contract and you can see how the engineer of the train says that they are better off being in the position they are in than being outside in the wild where the people would kill each other, whereas the

social contract gave them a form of order.”

Quo Vadis Managing Editor, Alexander Lewis, said, “I would say how it goes with Nietzsche’s demon on your shoulder experiment the way he was talking about self-actualizations where instead of going where society is pushing you into the preordain roles where you’re destined to be you kind of go on your own and on your own path and change things.”

The film has a rich philosophical message in which it portrays the many different social classes and how the high class have a higher authority and power, while on the other end of the spectrum the struggles people on the lower classes have to go through in real life can be compared to the civilians in the film, living in the lower part of the train in abysmal conditions.

“Snowpiercer” was a huge success both critically and commercially. The film made approximately $86 million at the box-office, with a budget of $40 million.

Critics praised both the acting and the depiction of a post-apocalyptic world and the structure of the train. While most catastrophe and post-apocalyptic films focus solely on destruction and bloodshed, “Snowpiercer” succeeds in presenting a cold world in which power controls what is left of society.

You can reach the authors at alexander.lewis99@yahoo.com Humberto.Marmalejo0728 @gmail.com

This year has been a year in which the careers of many high -ranking men of a wide range of careers have been affected because of inappropriate acts of sexual misconduct and harassment. From multi-millionaire film producers to respected news anchors, to Oscar -winning actors, to even aspiring senators and sitting senators, the nation has been witness to many allegations of inappropriate behavior in the past few months. One of the very first allegations to come out was back in April when famous Fox News host Bill O’Reily was fired from his own show due to various cases surfacing regarding his unethical behavior, and the many lawsuits settled behind the scenes.

Other famous and respected news anchors have also been the center of sexual allegations, including admired CBS and PBS news anchor Charlie Rose, who was accused of inappropriate behavior and was soon fired from both television stations. The accusations range from unwanted sexual advances, groping and grabbing women, walking naked in front of them and making lewd phone calls. One of the most recent allegations surrounding news anchors are allegations set against Matt Lauer, NBC’s the “Today” show’s morning host.

Matt Lauer’s contract with NBC was swiftly terminated that same morning.

Harvey Weinstein was one of the first major men to be

publicly humiliated and face backlash for his many cases of inappropriate behavior that range from harassment to rape. Many experts have described Weinstein’s behavior as “sick.” The result of this major scandal would lead to him being fired from his own company The Weinstein Company and being expelled from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

One of the most shocking and unexpected accusations that have developed in the last couple of weeks came from actor Anthony Rapp, in which he alleged that actor Kevin Spacey tried to initiate sexual advances with him after a party in which he was invited when he was 14 back in 1983. The backlash was instantaneous and the consequences were total. Spacey’s involvement in the hit Netflix show “House Of Cards” was suspended, and his role in “All the Money in the World” replaced by Christopher Plummer.

Spacey, who is a two-time Academy Award winner in 1995 and 1999, released a statement on Twitter trying to defend his actions: afterwards 23 other men accused him of sexual misconduct, and harassment.

The sexual harassment allegations have also reached the political arena, in which the most horrifying and sickening allegations are linked to aspiring U.S. Senator from Alabama, Roy Moore. Roy Moore has been accused by more than nine women of his sickening behavior in which he had made inappropriate advances to women from the ages of 14 to 28. After

the news broke out, many senators decided to withdraw their support, with many demanding his resignation from the race. Moore has denied all these allegations, and has pushed his innocence with iron determination with the intention of winning the race. Most surprising however has been President Trump’s support for the controversial candidate, with the eye-raising possibility of campaigning for him.

On the other side of the political aisle the accusations of inappropriate behavior have also arose against Democratic senators Al Franken of Minnesota, and John Conyers of Michigan. Al Franken has been accused by Los Angeles news anchor Leeann Tweeden of groping her and touching her inappropriately, and has also been accused by three other unknown women. Conyers, on the other hand, has been accused by many of his staffers of harassment, and a case involving a D.C. ethics lawyer. Both senators have released statements apologizing for their inappropriate behaviors, and both have been pushed to reason by both their Republican and Democratic colleagues.

All these allegations against all these men have left one thing abundantly clear: enough is enough, the victims of these despicable acts have spoken out on the dismal experiences that they have endured, and the men who have perpetrated these immoral acts should face scrutiny and justice.

You can reach the author at Humberto.Marmalejo0728 @gmail.com

The Student Life office held a Silent Disco in the College Center cafeterias on Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the end of the semester.

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Lewis

By Humberto Marmalejo Staff Writer

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Lewis

Sexual Misconduct Allegations MCC Hosts End of Have Far Reaching Consequences Semester Silent Disco

To participate students needed to display their student IDs and could then receive headphones to listen to the music.

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

Lifestyle & Politics

Page 4

Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty

By Jamal Kingston Lifestyle and Politics Editor

Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn (Ret)., who was the short-termed former National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI on Dec. 1 at a Washington, D.C. courthouse that haunted the Trump White House and reignited fears that the Trump campaign and tran-

sition team were in contact with the Russian government during the contentious 2016 presidential election that has continued to haunt Americans by the day. Flynn is currently cooperating with the special counsel headed by Robert S. Mueller, the former FBI director from 2001 to 2013.

Flynn, who was the National Security Advisor from January 20 to his firing on the night of Feb. 13, was interviewed by

the FBI on Jan. 24, four days after Trump was inaugurated. He lied to the FBI about his contacts with the then-Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak about the United Nations resolution about Israeli settlements and U.S. sanctions that President Barack Obama issued on Dec. 29. It is true that Flynn contacted Kislyak to advise them to delay the U.N. resolution criticizing Israel for building settlements in Palestine. The Obama administra-

tion refused to veto the resolution at the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan.

Flynn then called Kislyak days later to discuss the Obama sanctions on Russia for their meddling in the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton. Flynn apparently lied to the FBI a month later when he said that he did not contact the Russians about the sanctions on Dec. 29, but about other topics. It is true that Flynn called

Kislyak about how to deal with the response of the Obama sanctions.

Lying to the FBI is a federal crime, and now that Flynn is the first person from Trump’s inner circle to be in legal crisis over the Russian probe. More of his associates are expected to face special prosecutor Robert S. Mueller III’s questioning about their contact with Russia.

without having to throw out a racial slur. Donald Trump does this over and over thinking somehow, he is going to shut me up with it. It hasn’t worked out in the past, it isn’t going to work out in the future.”

The White House was quick to defend the President, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “I think Sen. Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to ad-

vance her career, and I don’t understand why no one is asking about that question and why that isn’t constantly covered,” The Native American people themselves criticized the President. Many Native American leaders believed that it was “disrespectful” and “offensive.” Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement, “all tribal nations still battle insensitive refer-

ences to our people… As Native Americans, we are proud people who have taken care of this land long before there was the United States of America and we will continue to fight for this Nation.” This crude comment shows the amount of incompetency President Trump has as a communicator and at the same time, the amount of disrespect he has for servicemen, something that he has shown in the past

when he insulted Senator John McCain’s time as a P.O.W. during the Vietnam War. It is deeply sad and concerning to see our Presidents inability to host an event without insulting someone and raising criticism and backlash.

You can reach the author at pricekeys82@gmail.com

Trump “Pocahontas” Comment Draws Criticism The Navajo Code Talkers are one of the most respected and admired American heroes this Country has ever had the honor of having. The Navajo’s are a humble people whose ancestors were mistreated by the policies of US western expansion and “Manifest Destiny.”

When the United States entered World War II many men of the Navajo tribe joined the military to fight for the Country that in the past had mistreated them, yet, it was still their homeland and their fellow countrymen. The Navajo’s played a crucial rule in the United States involvement in the war. 400 Navajo Code Talkers participated in the U.S military’s integration of the Navajo language as the undecipherable code used in the War effort in the pacific as a means for secure communications.

The Navajo native language is known for its difficult to understand dialect, something that troubled enemies. The Navajo servicemen were known for their skill, their exceptional speed and accuracy for which it took for them send and receive messages, and their courage and determination. All these attributes make them heroes that should always be honored. This past Monday, President Trump held an event to honor these braves Americans, where he had the opportunity to honor these great Americans whose involvement in the war was once vital yet classified. However, like many times in the past he failed to make a good impression and bring more controversy to a 10-month Presidency that is filled embarrassments and controversies.

During the event, which housed the portrait of President Andrew Jackson (Architect of the Indian Removal Act), President Trump said the following controversial remark, “Just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here,” Trump said. “Although, we have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time ... longer than you -- they call her Pocahontas!”

The President was referring to Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who in the past has identified herself as Native American. The comment was received with widespread criticism with many people calling the comment a “racial slur.” Senator Warren responded to Trump’s comments by saying, “It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes

You can reach the author at Humberto.Marmolejo0728 @gmail.com

The Newbies Guide to PC Building 101 Pt. 15: The Build

By Alexander Lewis Managing Editor

the end of the PCIexpress slot you are installing the card into, typically the one closer to the CPU. Similar to the RAM installation, apply pressure until you hear the latch click into place. Then, screw in the card next to where the expansion slots were for reinforcement.

Next, you will want to take the hard drive rail from the hard drive cage and screw in you HDD. Then, connect the SATA cable from the HDD to the SATA slots on your MOBO. After this we will start installing the cooling system or fans.

These can go either on the front, back, top or bottom of your case and typically the air will from either from front to back or bottom to top.

These will then need to be plugged into the fan headers on your motherboard.

Last but not least is the PSU, which will go into the bottom of the case. If it is a modular PSU, the appropriate cables will also need to be plugged in.

Finally, we will plug in the appropriate cables from the PSU into the components it needs to power. We will plug a 24-pin ATX and 8-pin CPU cables into the MOBO. We will use a PCIexpress 8-pin connector for the graphics card. Then we will plug in a SATA power cable into the hard drive.

The last thing you will have to do is install the operating system, as shown in the last issue of the guide.

For those who have been following the guide, I want to say thank you for reading and I hope this has inspired you to try building your own PC. If you have any questions or need any help with it please don’t hesitate to email me at the email below. Have a terrific winter break everyone.

Hello Middlesex County College, and welcome to the last issue of the Quo Vadis PC-building guide. In the previous issue, we took a detailed look at the operating system and the software. In our last issue, we will tell you how to put all these components together to build the PC. Before you get started, you want to make sure your work area is not on carpet, which builds static electricity. So, either concrete, wood or metal. The first thing you want to do is make sure you have an anti-static wrist strap on and you’re grounded. You can do this by either touching the top of a faucet or your PC case (stainless steel only).

Then attach the wrist strap either onto the case or to the unplugged PSU unit. Otherwise you risk frying the sensitive internal components by discharging your body’s static electricity.

First, you’re going to want to install the CPU into the motherboard. Pull lever up, then gently place the CPU into the MOBO CPU socket, making sure the line in the corner lines up and you only touch the sides of the CPU, as you don’t want to bend the pins. Pull lever down.

Then, you will want to install the CPU cooler. Most modern CPU coolers come with pre-applied thermal paste but if yours does not you will want to use some using either the line or the dot method. You want to make sure you take of the plastic that might be on the bottom of the CPU. Then, gently place the cooler on top of the CPU, line up arrows, making sure you do not touch the top of the CPU with your finger, as the oil from your body can ruin the cooling connections between them. Then, screw in the CPU cooler into the appropriate slots in the MOBO. Then, plug in the CPU cooler fan cable into the CPU fan header You can reach the author at on the motherboard. alexander.lewis99@yahoo.com After this you will want to install the RAM into the DIMM slots on the MOBO, making sure to check the manual as to which slots to use first if there are 4 slots and you’re using only 2 RAM sticks. Typically, it is the slot closer to the CPU. Make sure you first pull down the side latches for the slots, then make sure the notch on the bottom of the RAM stick matches the notch in the slot on the MOBO. Then, install with equal pressure, downward on both sides until the latches click and lock in place.

After this you will want to install the actual MOBO into your case.

First, you will want to install the I/O shield that came with your MOBO into the back of the case. Then, you want to match the holes in the MOBO with the MOBO standoffs in your case. If you do not and the MOBO makes contact with the actual steel back of your case it may lead to static electricity frying your system. You also want to connect the front panel & USB connectors to the front panel & USB headers on our MOBO. Now, you will want to install the Video Card by first taking off the expansion slots on the back of the case that will line up with it. Then, lower the latch at The Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) is how you install new hard drives and change hardware settings.

Photo Courtesy of Alexander Lewis

By Humberto Marmolejo Staff Writer

Opinion & Culture Has “Call of Duty” Lost Its Spark?

Page 5

Later games in the franchise such as “Advanced Warfare” and “Black Ops 3” (pictured above) have adopted a near-future setting that has been off-putting to some fans of the franchise.

The “Call of Duty” series is one of the most influential and best-selling video game series in the history of the video game industry. A first-person-shooter in which its installments are set in various eras of warfare (from WWII to futuristic settings), the series is known for its action-packed storylines, engaging main charac-

ters and its addictive multiplayer features. “ “Call of Duty” was first released back in 2003, developed

by Infinity Ward. The series quickly became the epicenter for addictive 6v6 competitive battles. The formula used in this game fueled the success the series has become known for. Various studios have worked on the series, releasing games on a yearly basis: each year plenty of features were added to

The Real Reason Why Authors Write

By Adam Homza Social Media Editor

Good morning everyone! It has been a very interesting semester with every little detail that has caught our attention and has also simultaneously flown past our ever-watchful community.

I’m going to be entirely honest here with you all… not that I ever lied to any of you in these opinion articles that I wrote. This has always been the real me no matter what.

Anyway, as I wrote some of these articles, on my end, I showed my original story called: Our Code. Our Code to me… it is many things from it’s subject matter to the way how I present the characters and the lore.

When I sit or lay down to write or think about the series, I become happy and excited with what I can create that could make others happy. Each line, each sentence, paragraph, scene, camera shot, detailed descriptions of fun things like at the beginning of Our Code: Sheen; which is not even in the works right now but here’s a fun idea that I came up with: the beginning of the film has a switch blade hanging on the wall while at the end of the film, the blade is missing and is replaced with a banana! As I was typing that, I could not contain the joy that I have for my series.

I realized that I created something not only important to me but it is something special to me. Over the past two years that I have worked on Our Code,

I would share what I have created with my friends and family to see what I can improve grammar-wise because me and grammar are not good friends to be honest and I really am grateful for all the corrections that they gave me with my grammar because it helped tremendously with the lore that I have created.

But that is just the tip of what I really want to tell everyone that wants to become an original story writer or whatever you want to do in life.

Ultimately, it is not about the story or what you do in the next 30 seconds. It is about the way you feel about your work andow you perceive a problem.

Do you do what I do when I look at Our Code and tackle the problem with a smile or do you look at it and say, “Maybe later?” It has always been that attitude that allows me to keep writing for the series. It is what I will keep doing when I create another line, another scene, another story for everyone to enjoy. And with that possible feeling of making people happy with my series is what drives me with writing Our Code.

Alex, Sheen, Sky, Sam, Rouge, Max, everyone in Our Code couldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for the most important piece of this amazing series; you! Hope you guys enjoyed and I’ll see you soon! And if you see me on campus, say “Hi!” I really would love to talk with you all even if it was just a short conversation. Have a good one!

You can reach the author at ashomza@gmail.com

make the game even more engaging for the player. Many of its competitors competed to surpass it, and in many cases failed.

The “Call of duty” series reigned supreme as the go-to online multiplayer game, surpassing “Halo” and the “Battlefield” series without batting an eye. However, in the past few years the series has seen its supremacy dethroned by other games that are critically acclaimed. Games like “Grand Theft Auto V,” “Overwatch” and even it most fearsome competitor “Battlefield” have taken their fare share of the online competitive multiplayer arena. How could this happen to a series that just a couple years ago could sell over 500 million dollars in less than 24 hours? The answer is threefold.

Firstly, the simple answer can be franchise fatigue. “Call of Duty” is a series that has had a yearly release since 2005: people have been accustomed to yearly releases since “Call of Duty 2.” This problem leads to our second problem, and that is that “Call of Duty” has lost its identity in the past four years.

After the disappointment that was “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” companies that developed games for the series believed that focusing on the future was the way of innovation.

Although it worked at first, many fans of series became bored of the concept of jetpacks and futuristic weapons. Newcomers to the series had a hard time adjusting to the frantic fast-paced gameplay, while veterans became bored of the concept after the second futuristic installment. This could explain why “Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare” received such a

attack helicopters, to EMP blasts, to nuclear detonations. These features that “Call of Duty” introduced challenged competitors to come up with fresh new ideas. It is ironic, however, that in our present “Call of Duty” is the one copying from other franchises for the past three years. The jet-pack styled gameplay is borrowed from the “Crysis” and “Titanfall” series, while the “War Mode” of “Call of Duty: WW2” is a copy of the “Battlefield” series’ ever successful “rush mode”. The Headquarters community hangout is almost identical to the Hub areas seen in “Destiny” and its sequel.

It is disappointing to see this once proud franchise’s inability to innovate like it once did. Even its “Zombie mode,” which was once a highlight of the series, is showing its age and fatigue. Although the series itself continues to be of a very high caliber and quality, and

During “Call Of Duty’s” peak sales, most fo the games being released in the franchise were modern-military shooters. line character “dab”, the series has failed to implement anything new to the FPS genre, something it was universally known for. “Call of Duty” was the series that introduced the “Create a Class” system and the players’ option to customize the weapons and abilities they would like to use in the matches.

“Call of Duty” also introduced the “Killstreak” ability, which rewarded players with new abilities with the amount of kills they could get in a single life. Abilities ranged from

its gameplay just as addictive as ever, the series is slowly showing its weaknesses and faults, something its competitors are taking advantage of. It would be fantastic to someday see this once unconquerable franchise once again innovate, and become the leader of the FPS genre it once was all those years ago.

You can reach the author at Humberto.Marmalejo0728 @gmail.com

Photo Courtesy of Activision Publishing, Inc.

By Humberto Marmolejo Staff Writer

negative response once it was announced. The announcement trailer received the second most dislikes in the history of YouTube.

Although the game sold well, it was way below the pedigree of what a “Call of Duty” game should sell. This would explain Activision’s decision to refocus the series back to a World War II setting, which has been beneficial as sales have also surpassed the sales of its predecessor. However, reviews of the game haven’t been as outstanding as they once were. “Call of Duty: WW2” has an average of 81% on Metacritic, compared to the 94% “Modern Warfare 2” (a game from eight years ago) holds.

This leads to the third and final observation I would like to make, and that is the series’ lack of innovation in the past couple of years. Aside from adding jetpacks, and the ability to make your on-

Photo Courtesy of Activision Publishing, Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Activision Publishing, Inc.

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

“Call of Duty” popularized RPG-like progression systems in multiplayer FPS games but with the current market being saturated with games with similar systems, this no longer helps the franchise stand out.

Editorial Policy:

The views expressed in the Quo Vadis publication are those of the individual and are not necessarily those of Middlesex County College, the editor or any other staff member.

The editor reserves the right to edit any article to fit the format of this publication without altering the motive, intent, or direction of an article.

Alterations may include, but are not limited to, alterations in style, grammar, spelling and length. No article will be published with demeaning or insulting content.

Anonymous or content with pseudonyms will not be published.

Submissions do not guarantee publication. Judgements are made in the sole interest of libel exposure and common sense.

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

QUO VADIS

Page 6

Volume: 54 Issue: 15

Brain Boosters

Sudoku

Page 7

Escape The Maze

“To win is simple: place numbers from 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains the same number only once.�

Word Search Christmas Edition

Winter Edition

Caroling Candy Cane Eggnog Presents Snowman Cookies

ANSWERS

Games Courtesy of Sergio Rivera

Santa Tree Lights Jolly Wreath Reindeer Mistletoe

Crossword

6) Snowman 8) Blizzard 9) Thermal 10) Hot Chocolate Sudoku

Escape The Maze

Word Search

ACROSS

Crossword

1) Snow 2) Gingerbread 3) Holidays 4) Jacket 5) Fireplace 7) Mitten DOWN

Ars Poetica

Page 8

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE READERS OF ARS POETICA

YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO ME, BUT UNREACHABLE: TO VIRTUALANNIVERSARY Jane Jiang April is a charming season like a flower, you are blooming, blowing on my face Freshness, sweetness and with sunshine together Pouring all over my sky Filled in me like a stardust dream

Soon it is icy cold winter time However, I cannot feel any coldness in the wind Inside my heart, I am a little disappointed I am wondering if the petals also lost their fragrance.

Anyway, I’ve tasted and smelled them. hiding very deeply, I still believe I believe I knew your passion.

And now, everything resumes to the origin. So calm and tranquil Waiting, is the only thing I can do.

I’ll wait for being old, wait for my fate with a sigh after we touch each other in the soul--You are so close to me, but, you are unreachable Still, you can melt one day and turn green in a spring.

Photo Courtesy of Roi Abraham Saint-Vil

August, I made wine with summer flowers Drink it at night with moonlight.

Several insects companying me, with sleepless eyes, widely open.

What are they thinking? Only me understand.

EXCERPT FROM “ODE TO CONSOLATION” Sergio Rivera I knew this other girl who was good with her hands, A little dirty in the head but no one understands; The sound from her music is what made me stay, The sound of that blue guitar she would play.

She was also good with written word, Writing rhymes I had never heard.

Writing of loneliness and of pain, Writing of blue, immortalizing rain.

A kind and caring loyal friend, She carried pressure, but her will did not bend.

With an ear to listen and eyes that pop, You could tell her your woes and she would never say stop.

I remember the day I asked for her name; She said it was Carolin, I was never the same.

Poetry is an interesting concept, isn’t it? Being able to cultivate meaning behind the words we use in our daily lives, and the ability to mold and craft our language into something worthy of art is truly remarkable. Each week we get so many poems to look through, and to be able to read through the passages that we have is definitely an experience that make all of the week’s troubles worth enduring. This has become a real pleasure to put up this page every week, and it is certainly something that inspires me to continue my own writing. I am approached by so many of you during the week, whether in class or in the halls, and to hear the great reception I’ve received from you has shown me just how important having this page in the newspaper is. Hidden within the stories and the events and the conflicts this world can bring it’s refreshing to see that the you, the readers of this fine newspaper, can find comfort in the poetry that we provide you every week, that our art can bring solace and tranquility into the stark world, one issue of the paper at a time.

From all of us here on the Ars Poetica team, we hope you all have an incredible winter break, and we will see you in the Spring!

Sergio Rivera

EXCERPT FROM “INTROSPECTION” SAFETY FIRST Sergio Rivera Yesenia Rivera Make today great, go out there and sing a song, Tell the whole world how we can all get along.

Make today great, they have it within themselves, They store their peace, forgotten like dusty old bookshelves.

Make today great, although the world is of hate, The first step in changing it is accepting your fate.

Make today great, but you need to change your speech, People listen when they know it’s them you try to reach.

You’re already better, but problems don’t just go away, And the longer you run from them, the longer they will stay.

You’re already better, you are fed with what you need, Expel that need for more, expel that selfish greed.

You’re already better, but you need to let people inside, No one will ever find you when all you do is hide.

You’re already better, stand tall with your shoulders back, And fight off all of those who meet you with attack.

RATION Craig Boone

Your lips On my lips That’s where I’m most safe.

TRYST Caitlin David In the heart of the forest in twilight mist, where secret lovers have their tryst, concealed conversations locked with lips, passionate urges cannot resist.

Before jumping into love, remember the pain felt when you land; When covering a puddle, remember the drop under your jacket.

If you still want to risk your limbs, remember you will lose a part of you And then, and only after you watch your every step and focus only on not failing, you will realize you haven’t made a step.

DEPARTURE Yesenia Rivera

STEVEN Craig Boone

And she slowly shut her eyes What seemed to be only a moment Was an eternal sleep Never to wake up Or to walk this earth again.

Steven you have my heart and all of my fond memories; Your touch warmed my skeleton to burn with flames of passion.

My heart would beat and beat until it would burst like an explosion And after that bomb dropped, you were a ghost.

Left only in my thoughts, a haunt of the past I can’t forget.

I WANT THIS LOVE Yesenia Rivera The reason to wake up The reason to smile before bed The aroma of fresh brewed coffee as you enter our bedroom The way you brush your fingers through my hair Being able to look at you and just knowing that everything’s going to be okay

Do YOU want to be in next week’s edition of Ars Poetica?

Send your submissions to quovadis_newspaper @hotmail.com

DYING LEAVES Caitlin David Walks alone in twilight mist, haunting thoughts of our last kiss, sighing trees like your whisper, soft, a love foregone, a love long lost, like dying leaves in autumn frost.

Photo Courtesy of Roi Abraham Saint-Vil

Volume: 54 Issue: 15