CHRONICLE Richland
Vol. XL Issue 3 September 2, 2014
r: pg. 3 to ec ir d y er ll a g s a s rn tu re Former employee
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Staff Writer
Even for “seasoned” students at Richland, learning the ropes can sometimes be a challenge. For example, finding the ideal section of a course you may want to take is not a simple task. Of course, you can check out the listed instructor on Rate My Professor, but those evaluations are naturally skewed by the fact that they are voluntary and often overly glowing or grossly negative. Mostly the extreme cases seem to get reported, and there’s no reliable comprehensive class rating. But there is another way to get a heads up about a specific course. You can go to the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) website at www.dcccd.edu and read the class syllabus and the instructor’s curricullum vitae (CV) as posted from a prior semester if it has been taught before. Since 2009, Texas law has required public universities and colleges to post this information online for every class every semester within seven days of the beginning of the term and then to keep it online for two more years. To see this information, go to DCCCD’s website and click Schedules, then Find Credit
Classes, and then Browse Class Schedules. Nine prior semesters are listed at the bottom of the screen and you can choose a recent one, click on it, and find the course you want. Then click its syllabus or CV to read that semester’s syllabus and the instructor’s credentials. Of course, you have to assume that the prior syllabus and CV are still accurate and that not much has changed, but that’s usually a pretty safe bet. The 2009 law also contained a provision calling for public colleges and universities to develop a plan for posting the results of the mandatory student class evaluations that get passed out near the end of every term. This hasn’t been done yet at DCCCD but, according to Associate District Director, Information Technology J.D. Haight, it’s only waiting for programming resources and should be in place soon. When completed, students should be able to get a much better feel for exactly what will be taught in almost any class they are contemplating, what past students thought about it (in general), and the credentials of the instructor. The good news is that this same information is also available online at all other Texas public colleges, so students can learn a lot in advance about their courses, too, before they transfer. It may be too late to do this kind of research for the fall semester, but it’s never too late to begin it for next term.
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CAMPUS
JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor
John Spriggins is the new coordinator for both the Brazos and Lago Vista Galleries. He is responsible for scheduling exhibitions, making sure the Brazos Gallery is open, that the art work is secure and managing the art around campus. Spriggins, 40, said he first became interested in art as a child – by copying comic books. It wasn’t until he reached college that he took any formal classes in art. “I taught myself how to draw,” Spriggins said. Since then, he has achieved a fruitful art career. In addition to the galleries, other art work is displayed outside the buildings as well – on the lake, the labyrinth, the other side of campus and some molecules in front of Sabine Hall. Spriggins formerly worked at Richland as a coordinator in Continuing Education. “I managed a course load … several courses in graphic design and computer programming,” Spriggins said. “So, I was here for three years and I left.” After 10 years, Spriggins returned this semester because he was very familiar with Richland. And, he said it made it that much easier to accept the position of gallery director. “The job is something I wanted to do,” he said. Spriggins has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas A&M UniversityCommerce and a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Dallas. He doesn’t teach art courses, just manages the galleries and the art collections. “I also work part time at the AfricanAmerican Museum as curator in Fair Park,” Spriggins said.
Spriggins is an artist himself, mostly doing works in mixed media, painting and collage. He doesn’t have an art studio, but had one at the Southside on Lamar, a refurbished building that has been turned into lofts in downtown Dallas. “I’ve been a part of a few exhibitions,” he said. “I’ve won Best of Show in an exhibition, a competition called Art in the Metroplex. It was a painting/collage held at Texas Christian University. I was also part of the Texas Biennial several years ago.” Spriggins said he selects artists for the Brazos Gallery whose work interests him in a variety of ways. “I also take recommendations from art faculty and other colleagues from around the district,” Spriggins said. “I see if they are going to fit for what our mission is. We look at art work in relation to the mission and vision of the gallery.” Spriggins had some advice for aspiring student artists: “Study your craft. By that I mean don’t just learn about the materials you’re working with. Also, learn about the artists who have done what you are trying to do.” When Spriggins isn’t working, he said he’s a “big movie watcher,” and enjoys doing anything outdoors. “It could be anything from gardening, from building something, running, biking or hiking,” he said. Spriggins said there will be an art contest for students and a student show next semester that consists of photography. The mission of the Brazos Gallery is to provide a quality professional exhibition space for our students, faculty, staff and local community and visiting artists. The Gallery is a teaching gallery that provides exhibitions to support and enrich college curriculum, events and programs.
Campus
Image courtesy army.mil
Student Government Association: Student Government Association elections are coming up on Sept. 24-25. Students who would like to apply for the positions of historian or senator may pick up an application in the Office of Student Life (OSL) in El Paso Hall, Room E-040. All applications must be turned in by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 in the OSL, Room E-040. Elections will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 24-25 in the El Paso Student Lounge. For more information contact Jason Barr at 972-238-6915 or at jbarr@dcccd.edu. The Richland Library: Librarians are available to help students find resources or for homework assignments and research papers. There are more than 70,000 books in the circulating collection. Current students, faculty and staff may check out up to 10 books for three weeks. They can also request them online and have them delivered to their preferred DCCCD library. Students can get a free TexShare card to use at other libraries. Or, they can go through interlibrary loan to access books from other libraries.
John Spriggins is the new gallery coordinator at Richland.
Staff photo Joyce Jackson
The library hours for fall and spring are: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday they’re open from noon to 4 p. m. The library is closed on Sundays. For other information call 972-238-6081 or 6082 or go to http://www.richlandcollege.edu/library.
Students can attend in person or view online information literary classes on how to successfully demonstrate research skills. The library awards digital badges if students work in three research sessions: Information Pursuer, Information Searcher and Information Evaluator. They will receive a Certificate of Information Literary badge. For more information go to: http://libguides.richlandcollege.edu/libraryclasses, or call 972-238-6082. The Richland Health Center: A mobile unit for Services on Site (S.O.S.) will provide free sonograms, pregnancy tests, sexual health counseling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) screening and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and others to female students. All services are confidential. The van offers a counseling area where women can discuss their concerns and request services. Women will be referred to one of the Dallas Resource Centers for Sexually Transmitted Infections for treatment and further support regarding their pregnancy, including prenatal classes, material support, counseling and mentoring after the baby is born. The services will be available the second Tuesday of every month starting Sept. 9. The Mobile unit will be parked on the east side of the campus, East Circle Drive, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information call Martha Burgess, RN at the Richland Health Center at 972-2386135 or email her at marthaburgess@dcccd.edu. — Joyce Jackson
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
Former T-Duck back as gallery director
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Prosecute him DORIS BROGAN
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
Editor-in-Chief
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Rick Perry is the most dangerous kind of politician; one who takes himself seriously. And he’s considering another bid for the country to take him seriously as well. Perry has been busy scurrying around the nation in an effort to drum up support for another presidential run in 2016. After a laughingly embarrassing attempt to become a contender in the 2012 presidential race, his fledgling attempt at a 2016 run may fall before it flies. On Aug. 15, a grand jury in Travis County indicted Perry on two counts of felony misconduct; coercion of a public servant and abuse of official capacity. The indictment stemmed from Perry using his legal veto power to threaten and subsequently attempt to coerce the resignation of elected Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, following her arrest for drunk driving last year. Citing the loss of public trust, Perry vetoed funding for the state of Texas’ Public Integrity Unit, headed by Lehmberg, when she refused to resign. Two other county district attorneys, both Republicans, were arrested for drunk driving, one for a second offense. Perry took no action on either case. The Public Integrity Unit is investigating Perry in connection with misappropriated funds donated for cancer research that allegedly went to Perry supporters. Hmmm. Perry and his team of high-powered, highpriced attorneys determined no defense is needed for these charges because he was acting within the power of his office. Instead, they’re trying, or more accurately, retrying Lehmberg in the court of public opinion. She’s already been tried, convicted and sentenced in a court of law. She’s paid her fine and served her time, but repeatedly rerunning the video of Lehmberg’s belligerent behavior is an effective guilt deflector. If guilt deflection isn’t enough, Perry’s legal team could attempt to bury the indictment in an avalanche of paper, with its attendant costs, effectively resulting in an avalanche of complaints pertaining to said costs. Attorneys filed a writ of habeas corpus on Aug. 25, in an effort to ban Perry’s prosecution. Next, according to the Austin American-Statesman, they filed a 60-page motion to dismiss the case due to unconstitutionally vague language. Perry and his backers are determined to make political hay while the sun shines. The normally solemn process of being booked on felony charges was anything but solemn for Perry. His smiling mug was put on T-shirts and handed out to the faithful in New Hampshire and RickPAC is selling mug shot T-shirts on its website for a $25 donation. At this point, it’s a he said/she said mess of finger-pointing. Each side is screaming dirty politics. Political pundits are having a field day with the fallout. Call it job security, if you will, but don’t call it truth.
OPINION
Governor Perry
Take him or leave him Image courtesy thomz.com
Drop charges JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor
On Aug. 15, Texas Governor Rick Perry was indicted by a Travis County grand jury for abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant. Both are felonies. Perry could serve up to 109 years, if convicted on both counts. As of Aug. 25, his lawyers have asked to have the case dismissed because they say it’s unconstitutional – it limits the governor’s powers. My bet is that Perry won’t serve a single day – let alone any part of 109 years. I believe this is just another brawl between a strong Republican governor who has stood firm against the Obama Administration and Democratic adversaries. The assault includes Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg, who serves a Democratic county, one of the most liberal areas in Texas. In April 2013, Lehmberg was arrested on a drunk driving charge. The incident was videotaped and showed her extreme belligerence. She pleaded guilty, served 45 days in jail and then went right back to her job. Perry asked Lehmberg to resign or he would cut state funding of $7.5 million for her Public Integrity Unit. She didn’t and he did. This case is just another example of the hypocrisy going on in this country led by the Obama Administration. Lehmberg, while driving drunk, posed a deadly threat to herself and others on the road, but where was the outrage from the public – or voters? Why should someone who holds office and demonstrates this disgusting behavior keep her job? Instead, the governor is attacked. This hypocrisy has been getting worse since Obama was re-elected. If you haven’t noticed, any liberal woman, such as Lehmberg, can do no wrong. But conservative women and conservative African-American men are always attacked in the media because they pose a threat to liberals. I think the American people are fed up with this hypocrisy, as well as the ongoing conflict between the president and Congress, and attacks on our freedoms and religious liberties. The Dallas Morning News said in an Aug. 21 editorial that a jury should decide if Perry violated state law by withholding state funding. Perry says he was within his rights as governor to do so and that he has the authority to cut spending in the state budget. I don’t think a judge or jury should decide this case because it doesn’t have merit in the first place. Since this supposedly is a question of abuse of power, if Perry does get convicted for wrongdoing, I think it would be an injustice. If anyone is guilty of abusing his powers, it’s Barack Obama. That’s what Congress and Americans should be focusing on.
Ready for the game BLANCA REYES Sports Editor
Although the semester just began, the sports teams have been very active and demonstrating what good training and hard work can bring. Coaches and players are trying to get the most from the pre-season in order to be stronger and better prepared for conference games. The women’s soccer team was scheduled to have their fourth game last Friday against Texas A&M University-Commerce. At that time, the team had won two of its three games and it looks a good beginning of the season. “It is a good team. They have a lot of fun,” head coach Scott Toups said. However, they were aware that the TAMU’s team is one of the strongest opponents of the conference. “They should be stronger than we are, and that’s expected with their scholarships,” Toups said about Friday’s game.
“We are playing against a strong team tonight, but I think, we can handle it,” Judith Lemus said. Lemus is playing her first season for the T-Ducks. “Our next five games are against very, very good opponents,” Toups said. “It’s going to be tough.”
“We are playing against one of the best teams in [the] nation.” -Coach Sean Worley Despite powerful opponents, coaches and players are mentally and physically prepared to fight them and get better and stronger. “That’s why I like to play against teams like Navarro College [NJCAA 2013 champion], Tyler and Commerce,” Toups said. At the same time, the men’s soccer team was scheduled to play their second match at Richland’s fields against San Jacinto College.
Men’s Soccer
San Jacinto’s team is very competitive, but Richland’s team is ready for the challenge. “We are playing against one of the best teams in [the] nation,” head coach Sean Worley said. “It should be a fun, skillful and competitive game.” Although the Thunderducks won their first match against Hill College, 2-1, the team is aware that expectations are high because last year San Jacinto was a top team nationally. “We are trying to be competitive whoever we play,” Worley said. According to Worley, this year the team is special because it has players from different cultures and backgrounds. It is a plus when coaches and players mix all those different styles in order to get a great team and results. “The beauty of the soccer is that it is a worldwide sport,” Worley said. For more information about the teams, schedules and results visit www.richlandcollege. edu/sport or stop by Guadalupe Hall, rooms G-116 or G-137.
Aug. 31 Sunday Johnson County CC 11 a.m. Sept. 2 Tuesday Tyler Junior College 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Thursday Northeast Texas CC 7 p.m. Sept. 16 Tuesday Paris Junior College 7 p.m. Sept. 19 Friday Western Texas College 7 p.m. Sept. 24 Wednesday Mt. View College 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Friday Paul Quinn College 4 p.m. Sept. 27 Saturday Murray State College 7 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Aug. 31 Sunday Johnson County CC 11 a.m. Sept. 2 Tuesday Tyler Junior College 5 p.m. Sept. 11 Thursday Navarro 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 Tuesday Brookhaven 4 p.m. Sept. 26 Friday Cedar Valley 4 p.m. Sept. 27 Saturday Murray State College 4 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball
Sept. 9 Tuesday Cisco College 4 p.m. Sept. 15 Monday Mountain View College 7 p.m. Sept. 25 Thursday Northlake College 7 p.m. Sept. 27 Saturday Howard Community College 11 a.m. Southwester Chrisitian College 1 p.m. Ranger College 2:30 p.m. Staff photo Blanca Reyes
Jose Hernandes fights for the ball in Friday night’s game against San Jacinto. At press time, the Thunderducks were winning, 2-0.
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
Thunderducks:
SPORTS
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MOVIES
Go and ‘Sin’ no more RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor
Image courtesy thevipconcierge.com/Image illustration Melanie Brandow
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
The characters of Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.”
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With the end of the summer already upon us, the movie studios just had to squeeze in one more disappointment, namely “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” To quote Kevin Kline, the mumbling screw-up in “A Fish Called Wanda,” when referring to his bounty (or lack thereof) “I’m disappointed!” That is how I feel about the summer movie season this year. There were some bright spots like “Chef,” “The Hundred-Foot Journey,” “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and my No. 1 movie of the year so far, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” “A Dame to Kill For” is another tale about the denizens of “Sin City” on an alternate plane, since Mickey Rourke’s Marv is still alive in this one. Remember, in the original version he was executed. In lieu of Clive Owen, Josh Brolin for all intents and purposes is the crisis-of-conscience
Dwight, who always gets the short end of the stick, despite his well-mannered ways and desire to do what is right and just. Another addition to the shenanigans is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joey, a gambler with a lucky streak that will or won’t cause his downfall. Also new to the cavalcade in the somber and eclectic “Sin City” cast is Eva Green’s Ava, a girl who just puts her hold on men and their plights. She has a boomerang effect on Dwight, who always returns despite his better judgment. Jessica Alba also returns as exotic dancer Nancy, who all the locals go to see on Friday night. In an obvious twist, the writers have her tackling alcoholism as her new plight at the club. I think directors Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez are too late and too short for returning to the denizens of “Sin City” nine years after the original. The final result is one that just delivers monotony because, in the end, I didn’t really care what happened to these asinine people. Grade: C
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Image illustration Melanie Brandow
Talk about an easygoing fun ride. Be warned that all gauges of logic and reality should find their way to the recycle bin. When it comes to “Guardians of the Galaxy,” you are there just to have fun leaving your brain at the door. Not to say you won’t enjoy it because it has some substance and depth to the characters and their predicaments. The characters include Vin Diesel’s talking tree, Groot, a genetically altered raccoon named Rocket (Bradley Cooper), a bitter man seeking revenge (Dave Bautista), a shrewd green alien assassin named Gameroa (Zoe Saldana) and a screw up who likes to be called by another name (Chris Pratt). His
name is Peter Quill, but he prefers Star-Lord. It is amusing to hear Diesel mutter “I am Groot” about a dozen times during the flick. His muscle and sidekick is Rocket, the raccoon in question, voiced to perfection by Cooper. An added bonus to the soundtrack are songs from the 1970s during which songs from Cherie Currie reigned over the airwaves. “Guardians” instills a mood and vibe through the song selection and general vibe, pre-CD days of yesteryear. Pratt has risen through the ranks one step at a time. He’s played the dimwitted Andy Dwyer on TV’s “Parks and Recreation” for many a year.
He also showed promise in “Moneyball,” “Delivery Man” and the Oscar-winning “Zero Dark Thirty.” After Quill goes off on a tangent reprimanding Rocket, under his breath Rocket states, “You suck the joy out of everything.” It’s also amusing to hear Quill mention Kevin Bacon and John Stamos as heroes of the world. The supporting cast members all amuse, especially Michael Rooker’s blue baddie of a villain named Yondu Udonta, who likes to kill his prey with a poison dart. When someone tries to explain his predicament to him, he just mumbles gibberish under his breath.
John C. Reilly and Glenn Close portray high-ranking authority figures for the good guys of the storyline. Reilly is Corpsman Day, who works on the positive side of the world involving day-to-day life. Close is Nova Prime Rael, a woman in charge of the Nova Corps operations throughout the galaxy. I would compare this to either Steven Spielberg’s “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or Irbin Kirshner and George Lucas’s “Star Wars:Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” where action and adventure take center stage. Grade: A — Ricky Miller
CAMPUS
Picture-perfect first day of school Now that the first week of school has come to pass, the Chronicle staff takes a look around campus. Clockwise from top right: On the first day of classes, students head back and forth between classes near Sabine Hall; a line builds in front of the ID room for “mug shots” for students IDs; the ducks make their usual rounds in Lake Thunderduck; students pull out their wallets at Sabine Hall for las-minute supplies new and returning students alike eat, talk and play games in a crowded cafeteria.
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
— Staff photos Isai Diaz
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SPORTS/COLUMN
NFL: The good, the bad and the ugly
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
sekuritaci.cz
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Photo illustration Isai Diaz
GABRIEL FLORES Staff Writer
Coming into this NFL season there are some intriguing storylines. Can Seattle and its stellar defense repeat? Is this the 49ers’ year? Richland boasts a diverse group of football fans, but all seem to have an opinion on the Cowboys, famously known as “America’s Team,” although the better part of the last two decades says differently. Trell Boldene, a 19-year-old business major, says “7-9.” Boldene is not a Cowboys fan but cannot say the same for his father. As a New Orleans native, Boldene is a diehard Saints fan. Proudly saying that his Saints boast “the No. 1 offense in the league” and, with an improved defense, have a shot to run the table come playoff time and “win another ring.”
I only see New Orleans winning their respective division. Now that I’ve given away my NFC South pick, let me elaborate. With Super Bowl champion quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints are poised for a solid 12-4 record with key games coming week 14 vs. the Carolina Panthers and week 16 vs. Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. With Brees being able to toss for 400-plus yards at any given time, I don’t see a defense, at least in their division, that could slow their high-powered pass attack. The NFC North may have been my toughest division pick with three Pro Bowl caliber quarterbacks, including 2011 Super Bowl-winning Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. I’d like to apologize to all the “cheeseheads” but I have Green Bay going 12-4 and finishing second in the division to the Detroit Lions, yes, the Lions at an impressive but long overdue 13-3.
Aaron Rodgers will miss games again this season and, with a subpar defense that spells a tough go, even with a healthy Rodgers, week 17 vs. Detroit. But not all hope is lost. They are my wildcard pick. That brings me to the NFC West where I believe the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will dominate and finish 13-3, edging San Francisco who is my second wildcard pick. This brings me, finally, to the NFC East or what I like to call the NFC “least.” A division filled with mediocrity, false hope and questionable owners, i.e. Dan Snyder (Redskins) and, of course, Jerry Jones (Cowboys). “Defense is horrible,” 18-year-old journalism major Ryan Fort said when talking Cowboys. Blerim Selimi, a 19-year-old freshman majoring in kinesiology thinks we will go
“6-10,” adding that the “Eagles are only getting better.” I personally have the Cowboys finishing 6-10, no better than 7-9. The biggest reason is their severely depleted defense with the biggest loss being potential cornerstone Sean Lee, who when healthy is one of the best middle linebackers in the league. History major Phillip Robb, 21, said “Our defense isn’t enough to keep us in games,” and the offense “needs to run the ball more.” I completely agree. Ultimately we will fall short and Philadelphia will go 10-6 to take the division crown. The NFC crown will come down to a dog fight between the Seahawks and 49ers where I believe Collin Kaepernick’s inability to pass within the pocket will cost them against a ravaging Madden NFL 15 cover boy Richard Sherman.
CAMPUS
Richland: An international perspective Staff Writer
When asked to define college, most of us would say it’s a place where we get our education, better our understanding of the world, earn a degree to move to higher positions and give back to society. But for the immigrant students of Richland College, the definition takes on extra meaning. For example, Kiflu Kenso, a 44-year-old science major from Ethiopia, who says Richland is not just a place to learn, it’s a place where you get real-life experience about work, society and people. “In Ethiopia, college is an institution that only serves young people,” he said. “Seeing someone my age on campus is something that would never happen.” “I love the fact that younger students don’t think it’s odd for someone my age to attend college. Everyone deserves a second chance in life and I’m doing my best to take an advantage of that. “I’m amazed with the advanced technology here. College professors use touch-screen boards, use projectors and students have access to free computers. In Ethiopia, our
Nusaib Al-Ani, 25, medical assistant major, likes college here better.
diverse student body, something colleges in Vietnam lack.” All the students interviewed for this article agreed. “At Richland, there are courses in many languages available to all students. This is something you wouldn’t find at a college in Vietnam,” Quynh said. But for Maria Acosta, an 18-yearold nursing major from Mexico, the story is different. “We study too hard and we never have time for ourselves. Students in Mexico don’t have to study this hard and they have a lot of down time for themselves. Richland can learn from the Mexican model,” Acosta said. “Professors expect us to read four chapters in a very short time period, without giving consideration to the fact we have other classes; our professors need to slow down,” she said. “My friend in Mexico is also a nursing student, but he finished school in three years and didn’t have to study as hard as I do. He already graduated and is working in the medical industry, but I have to take many more classes before I meet the requirements. This
is something that Richland needs to work on. Professors need to come up with better ways to make learning less stressful. They need to be more considerate of students’ schedules,” Acosta added. All students agreed on Richland’s tremendous diversity, not only by race and ethnicity, but also by age and religion. The students interviewed all love the fact that a 40-year-old student can be sitting next to a 16-year-old Richland colligiate high school student and learning the same material. They also appreciate that people from all religious backgrounds are welcome and not discriminated against. Al-Ani said that in Iraq, her Christian and minority classmates stopped attending college, fearing for their lives. “As a Muslim, I don’t think school should be a place to discriminate against people of a certain religion. I would feel very sad if I was rejected for admission because of my Muslim faith. I love the fact that I have classmates from all walks of life, both racially and religiously.”
“I love the fact that younger students don’t think it’s odd for someone my age to attend college.” -Nusaibah Al-Ani
Flags from all over the world.
Image courtesy 4.bp.blogspot.com
Staff photo Muneer Washah
Richlandchronicle.com September 2,, 2014
MUNEER WASHAH
professors still use chalk boards, and computers are unheard of. When I told my friends back home that I took a class online, they thought I made up a fairy tale,” he added. For Nusibah Al-Ani, a 24-year-old medicalassistant major from Iraq, Richland is like a dreamland. “I can’t believe the fact that professors here treat us like friends and people of equal value. My professors in Iraq weren’t like that,” Ani said. “My professors in Iraq were authoritative, biased and weren’t easily approachable like my professors at Richland,” Al-Ani said. “I love the fact I’m not required to wear a uniform. In my college in Iraq, jeans for women were not allowed and females couldn’t hang out with male students. We were required to wear long dark skirts and with weather like Iraq’s, it was really hot, especially when the power went out. I’m glad I never have to worry about that at Richland.” Quynh Pham, a 19-year-old biochemistry major and immigrant from Vietnam, compared Richland to Vietnamese colleges. “Richland is affordable and within walking distance from my residence, something Richland shares in common with colleges in Vietnam, but Richland represents a much larger,
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COLUMN/CAMPUS
Busted by a big, yellow bus JOYCE JACKSON Copy Editor
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
I never thought my husband and I could be busted by a school bus, but I was wrong. Last semester, we got an unpleasant surprise in the mail. It was a citation in connection with the School Bus Stop Arm Program. A warning! Watch out for those big, yellow school buses while driving to Richland from any direction. They have a little “Stop” sign that darts out on the left side by the driver when kids are loading or unloading. A small camera is near it. If you get a citation, you’ll have the joy of seeing your car where it shouldn’t be in three color pictures. We got our citation going west on Abrams Road toward LBJ after leaving Richland around 3 p.m. Can you guess what the fine is for this monumental offense? It’s $300 – outrageous for a student budget. The City of Dallas gives you the option of contesting your citation, but my husband and I thought it was useless because of the pictures. We were at the light, which was red and so was the bus on the corner near some apartments. The pictures made it look like we were slightly ahead of the bus when its stop sign was out. We paid the fine because we thought it wasn’t worth the hassle of fighting it. Then we found out the real story in David Lieber’s column this summer in The Dallas Morning News titled, “Bus cam tickets not working.” Lieber said he spent a day at the Oak Cliff Municipal Center in June “watching drivers
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who received Image courtesy blogspot.com $300 tickets for passing school buses appeal their tickets.” He said his goal was to learn more about how the school bus programs really works. Lieber said, “What I learned was that the program has troubles far greater than a $300 ticket.” Here’s the scoop, according to Lieber. Dallas City Manager A. C. Gonzales and council members Dwaine Caraway and Scott Griggs come in. The complaints weren’t from drivers but from Dallas County Schools (DCS), which runs the program. Lieber said, “DCS is a school district without any actual schools, but it runs administrative programs for other districts, including a huge bus system.” A couple of years ago, DCS and the City of Dallas partnered to hear appeals to their school bus stop arm camera program, Lieber said.
The really funny part is that the hearing officers are compassionate to the ticketed drivers. Get this: “They have in the past two years dismissed five out of every seven tickets that come their way on appeal.” As Lieber states, “that’s almost 5,000 dismissals out of about 7,200 appeals that they’ve heard.” Apparently, the hearing officers believe that some aspects of the program are unfair to drivers. Lieber said he saw tickets being dismissed for several reasons, among them the hearing officers have created a three-second rule in favor of drivers after the arm swings out, giving drivers a chance to see it and stop. So, drivers are avoiding fines if the photographs started sooner than that. Other reasons include a wrong address where the violation took place and a requirement that the bus has to display flashing lights. Also, should the same driver get more than one ticket at $300 each, only one is upheld. Isn’t that generous? My husband and I got a real kick out of reading this article. It was too late for us, but it’s why I wanted to write this column – to warn the Richland community about the buses driving near Richland. If it will help someone not get a $300 citation, then it was worth the warning. Take heed, especially if you’re running late.
Richland’s new print shop offers high-quality services BLANCA REYES Staff Writer
This semester Richland’s faculty, staff and students will have the convenience of premium printing services and an updated mail center on campus. Although the renovated print shop has been open since April, the official open house was held Aug. 20, and included a raffle, snacks and product samples in the official Print Shop open house. BeLinda Benson from the District Service Center said that Richland’s faculty and students are going to have the same or better quality of the best print shops for just a fraction of the cost. Also, the print shop has a mailing center, where faculty can drop and receive mail and students can drop off their personal mail to be delivered. For safety reasons at the moment, only
faculty members have access to all services. Students only have access to fax service. Benson said that if necessary in the future, students may have access to full services.
them. In the long run it will save money for the district by reducing, for example, the cost of making copies and lamination.
“Our job is serving you guys” — BeLinda Benson “Our job is serving you guys,” Benson said. The reason for not offering all services to the students is that the print shop does not handle cash in order to avoid theft. Richland is one of the few campuses in the district that has a print shop. Benson said that North Lake College recently opened its own print shop as well. Benson said that although the machines at the print shop are top quality, high tech and of course, expensive, Richland decided to buy
Richland
CHRONICLE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Sports Editor Entertainment Editor Copy Editor
Melanie Brandow Doris Brogan Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Joyce Jackson
ON THE COVER Artist Marcello Pope,left, and John Spriggins, gallery director
COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following: http://www.nymfont.com - http://www.bvfonts.com
STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Joyce Liu Ben Roach Isai Diaz Muneer Washah
Raymond Thomas Pronk Pete Shannon Ashling Han Gabriel Flores
STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Terry Blend Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher David Goodloe
Tim Jones Steve Noviello Larry Ratliff Marshall Siegel
August 19 August 26 September 2 September 9 September 16 September 23 September 30 October 7
October 14 October 21 October 28 November 4 November 11 November 18 November 25 December 9
AWARDS ACP Pacemaker Winner, 2000, 2001, 2007 ACP Pacemaker Finalist, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 ACP Online Pacemaker Finalist, 2007, 2008 1st Place - TIPA Sweepstakes, 2005 3rd Place - TIPA Online, 2005 & 2006 Over 150 Texas college journalism awards since 2000
CONTACT INFORMATION El Paso Hall, Room E-020, 12800 Abrams Rd. Dallas, 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079 E-mail: richlandchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 E-mail: advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037
Staff meetings: Monday and Wednesday 2 p.m. in E-020 Beginining in August Letter Policy
Staff photo Blanca Reyes
Administrative staff and faculty join in the print shop official open house at Wichita Hall.
Letters to the editor may be edited for space. They will be edited for spelling, grammar and malicious or libelous statements. Letters must be the work of the writer and must be signed. For identification and verification purposes, letters also must include the writer’s classification (grade level), full name, address and telephone number, although address and telephone number will not be published. Editorial Policy The Chronicle is the official student-produced newspaper of Richland College. Editorials, cartoons, columns and letters are the opinions of individual students and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of other individual student writers, editors, advisers or the college administration. © Richland Chronicle 2014
CAMPUS
Upcoming events TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Fannin Performance Hall Room F 102. RLC facutly Jazz ensemble Free, open to public.
Richland Chronicle newspaper fourth edition on 8 newsstands
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THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Noon to 2 p.m. Outdoors East Breezeway RLC “Welcome Celebration” Free food and fun
SATURDAY
12 p.m. to 3 pm. Dance auditions The studio, Guadalupe Hall, G-027. Auditions for variety of styles
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Student spotlight Meeting new people in our daily lives can be a challenge for some. But at Richland College it may not be as hard as we think. The Chronicle would like to introduce different students every week. This week we spoke with Mahdi Aosanunah. Aosanunah is 19 and from the Middle East. He wants to work toward a major in biomedical engineering, “I like biology.” Though biomedical engineering is a nice career to pursue, this isn’t Aosanunah’s dream job. He really likes the media; “I’m a writer in my country.” He mentioned that he isn’t a professional writer yet, but someday he would like to be. His goals for this academic year are to finish his ESOL classes and prepare to transfer to the University of Tennesse in Knoxville. He says he doesn’t like sports but loves to read. He likes reading poetry, “I like to make new things in this way,” he said. When approached, Aosanunah was texting his mother back home. To help him relax
or stay clear minded he listens to the singer Fairuz. He said he likes how she talks about the citizens in his country, love and how someone misses their country. American food is not Aosanunah’s favorite, but if he had no choice he would eat tacos. He said he saw “Taco Bell in my city” and didn’t know what it was. His friends encouraged him to have some and ever since he thinks tacos are “the best.” We asked what Aosanunah liked about Richland so far. He said “The trees, the weather, that’s a good thing. In my country, I can’t see this.” Back in his country he didn’t have the luxury of being able to look outside windows, like some of the classrooms are on campus. All they would do is sit, open their books and just listen to the teacher. “You can’t talk. You can’t speak. But at Richland College you can do anything. Everyone speaks to everyone.” — Melanie Brandow
Mahdi Aosanunah wants to major in biomedical engineering.
Staff photo Isai Diaz
Did you know: 1. Richland College opened in 1972. 6. The Wrestling team was originally 2. The new basketball coach is Jon Havens.
3.
Bill Neal a member of the faculty came up with the Thunderduck.
called the “Thunderducks,”
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The Fine ArtsDeparment is housed in Fannin Ha ll.
8.
Famous actor, Tom Cruise, practiced a scene in the movie, “Born on the Fourth of July” at Richland
A plaque telling about the original farm property purchased by the college is next to the Labrynth.
4.
The Labryinth is located north of Fannin Hall.
5. The buildings on campus
Streaking, an unacceptable activity was popular with students during the mid 70’s.
are named after Texas rivers.
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Richlandchronicle.com September 2,, 2014
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Richland Chronicle ad. Size 10.125 x 11.5 – black and white
Richlandchronicle.com September 2, 2014
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