Richland
CHRONICLE Vol. XLII Issue 3 Sept 8, 2015
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2 DISTRICT
September 8, 2015
Celebrating DCCCD’s golden MARTA PLANELLS Editor-in-chief
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Current and former employees of the seven campuses in the Dallas County Community College District met Aug. 28 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the DCCCD. Around 3,000 people met in the Mesquite Convention Center. The morning was filled with encounters between employees, looks to the past but also to the future. A corridor with a DCCCD history line and a photo backdrop welcomed the guests, who were eager to capture the moment with their colleagues. Flashes and selfie sticks dominated the scene. After breakfast the ceremony began in the main hall. Chancellor Dr. Joe May gave an overview of the evolution of the institution and recalled that during these 50 years the district has had more than 3 million students. “We have touched almost every family, every business, and every organization in Dallas County,” he said. About what will happen in the future, May said in an interview with the Chronicle that 50 years later the challenge remains the same: there are still far too many people living in poverty because they do not have the skills to compete for jobs. On the other hand, there is a booming economy and employers can’t find all of the people they need. So those are two big challenges. What the district is really best designed to do is help bring those two together so the individuals gain the skills they need to land great jobs and employers have an educated work force that allows them to be successful. After lunch, the fun part of the celebration started. The district had prepared various activities for its employees, who did not hesitate to get involved in each of the varied activities. Bingo, dance and lip-syncing for those more active; round tables and a place to share experience in the district for those less outgoing.
Staff photos Blanca Reyes
Dr. Joe May, DCCCD chancellor, is excited about the district’s 50th anniversary. Dr. Kay Eggleston, Richland president, greets campus staff members during the celebration.
Richland voices
Dr. Kay Eggleston, Richland president: “We are growing, our enrollment is growing, we made a lot of campus improvements. We have Thunderduck Hall and Sabine Hall that we didn’t have when I first arrived at Richland. Many changes, many new faculty and staff, but the one part that always remains the same is our wonderful students. Now that there is the new semester, I would tell students to work hard, to get to know your professors and establish a relationship with them. They will be wonderful coaches and mentors.” Jeremy Haldeman, multimedia production manager: “I was a student before. I was a photographer at Richland. It gave me a strong basis in journalistic photography even though my field of study was portrait. It gave me early
District VIPs kick off the festivities at the DCCCD 50th anniversary celebration.
access to video technology by working with other departments.” Maria Solis Houg, associate registrar II: “Richland is the perfect place to work and live and expand and grow as a professional. The best thing about the campus is the way
of thinking. This is a different set of mind. They think in person first before the employee. They want their employees to be a whole, good human beings.” Matt Hinckley. History instructor at Eastfield and former assistant dean at Richland.
“I think there is a lot of talent in this district, from talent to teachers, talent to staff members and administrators. We can solve anything. It would be great if we could find a way to cut through some of the bureaucracy that keeps us from innovating.”
September 8, 2015
DISTRICT/COLUMN 3
anniversary: The first 50 years
Richland student ambassador Yusra Alhuraibi
Janet James, dean/executive assistant to the president at Richland
Matt Hinckley, Eastfield history instructor
DARLENE BRIMMAGE
far-sighted civic leaders for Dallas County’s first junior college district. Today, over 50 years later, the district has approximately 100,000 credit and continuing education students. I started at DCCCD in the late 60’s when El Centro was the only campus. As a full-time student the tuition was $50 for 12 hours, if my memory is correct. At El Centro, Eastfield and Richland, I have taken “have to” credit classes (English, history, science, etc.) and “for fun”continuing education courses– decorating, dance, cartography, etc. The most unusual courses I enrolled in were Psychology of Sex (psychology was one of several majors) and cartography. In the psychology class, we listed all the slang words for body parts on the blackboard. In cartography
we were shown how to read maps. With the combined hours from DCCCD and state universities, I earned a bachelor’s degree. With the bachelor’s degree, I was eligible for and eventually received a job promotion. At this stage in life, I have time to explore things of interest rather than take courses needed for a job or a degree. Richland’s emeritus program offers interesting and fun classes and volunteer opportunities geared to those over 50. I have attended classes on the visual arts, computers, Photoshop and politics. Through the various stages of my life and its changing needs, I have found interesting and useful classes at DCCCD. I am grateful this system is here. I am grateful for the opportunities it has to offer.
Staff photos Blanca Reyes
De’Aira Holloway, director, academic advising at North Lake
Emeritus student reminisces about her long DCCCD history Staff Writer
In August, the Dallas County Community College District celebrated its 50th anniversary. I have been a DCCCD student off and on for 46 of those 50 years. Several years ago when I returned to campus as a retiree, I thought of my mother, who rarely voted, telling me she would vote for the county junior college district. She wanted her children to have the opportunity of low cost and convenient higher education, whether for college classes or technical training. So, my mother and thousands of other county residents voted to implement plans made by
Richland College had one of the most signed canvases at the 50th Anniversary celebration.
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Employees in the dance class the district set up for the afternoon celebration learn some dance steps from a professional dancer.
4 ENTERTAINMENT
September 8, 2015
R.I.P.: Wes Craven
Book review
‘Ready Player One’ The perfect escape
RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor
In Ernest Cline’s first novel, “Ready Player One,” the year is 2044. A young boy named Wade Watts lives in a desolate, ugly reality. Wade’s only escape from the “real world” is through a virtual utopian world called OASIS. In this virtual reality, everything is perfect. Anyone can build or have anything they desire. Wade dedicates all of his time to unlocking different puzzles that are part of a contest. Whoever unlocks all of the puzzles in the game is promised great fame and fortune. Wade soon discovers, however, that there are players who would do anything virtually and in real life just to win the game, such as killing off other players. If Wade wants to survive af- Image courtesy themindreels.com ter being infected with a detrimental virus, he’ll have to win the game and face head-on the world he has been so desperately trying to escape this whole time. In this novel, Cline introduces a new and more “virtual” approach to readers. Some have called it a combination between “The Matrix” and “Willy Wonka.” “Ready Player One” is chock-full of 1980s pop culture references with an amazing story that will keep you reading for hours.
As most of you know, I am not a die-hard fan of the horror genre, but under the right conditions I will occasionally watch a fright flick. Wes Craven, the writer-director of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream,” died of brain cancer at 76 on Aug. 30. I met Craven at an interview for “Scream 2” at a junket in New York City. At the time, I was a student at the University of North Texas. Craven was very down-to-earth, honest, cordial, polite and elated at the chance to do another “Scream” entry. Listed below is a report card for Craven’s movies. “Scream 4” (2011) Grade: C “My Soul to Take” (2010) C“Red Eye” (2005) B“Cursed” (2005) C+ “Scream 3” (2000) B“Music of the Heart” (1999) B+ “Scream 2” (1997) B “Scream” (1996) A“Vampire in Brooklyn” (1995) C“New Nightmare” (1994) C“People Under the Stairs” (1991) C“Shocker” (1989) C“The Serpent and the Rainbow” (1988) B “Deadly Friend” (1986) C“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) C+ “The Hills Have Eyes Part II” (1984) C“Swamp Thing” (1982) C+ “The Hills Have Eyes” (1977) C“The Last House on the Left” (1972) C
— Vincent Leal
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Staff illustration Isai Diaz
SPORTS 5
September 8, 2015
Table tennis at Richland Intramurals are a regular part of school life at any college, and Richland is no exception. A full schedule of events have been run each semester since 1974 by the Intramural Sports Director John Stanson, ranging from basketball to tennis. Students and faculty will be competing in a table tennis tournament from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the gymnasium inside Guadalupe Hall. Included among them are Jane Huang, a Richland librarian, and Phillip Key, who insists everyone wears sneakers because he doesn’t want scuff marks on his floor. Seeding for the tournament was determined by a series of matches on Thursday. The bracket is posted on the bulletin board outside the gym. This event will be followed up by tennis on the courts past Guadalupe on Thursday. Sept. 15 marks the start of flag football season with a rules meeting which ends with team formation. Students may be allowed to join after, but teams must be formed by the deadline, which is to be determinated. Further information can be found on the bulletin board in Guadalupe, or at http://richlandcollege.edu/athletics/intramural-sports-program. — Ryan Derenbecker
Staff photo Blanca Reyes
Thunderducks ranked No. 1 BLANCA REYES Photography Editor
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ranked the Richland men’s soccer team the No. 1 in the nation for Division III last week. “This week we’re number one. Last week we were number two,” head coach Sean Worley said. Every week, the NJCAA ranks the teams according to the results of its polls. “It’s a great opportunity for our soccer players,” Students Programs and Resources Direc-
tor Carter Bedford said. “Based on that ranking, there is a good chance that they are going to be there this year also.” Worley said they are taking the recognition calmly because there is a long way to go this season. The team prefers to focus on next the game and avoid distraction. “We didn’t make a big deal about it,” Worley said. According to the webpage www.dcccd.edu/ weeklyupdates, Richland is the only Texas team in the Top 10. Despite the top ranking, the Thunderducks lost a close game to Johnson County Community College Thursday night, 2-1.
For more information about the team, result and games visit www.richlandcollege.edu/ athletics/mens-soccer or stop by Guadalupe Hall, Room G116.
Correction In the Sep. 1 issue, we ran two pictures that incorrectly identified two soccer players. The correct names were Daniel Nevarez and Jordan Shankle. The Chronicle regrets the error.
Staff photo Isai Diaz
Philip Key, top, and Ahanene Lucky practice for the table tennis intramurals at Richland.
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Richland’s Oscar Ocampo, right, tries to score during Thursday night’s game, but Jonhson County goalkeeper Caleb Cothrin catchs the ball. The ‘Ducks lost to the Cavs 2-1.
6 EDITORIAL/OPINION
September 8, 2015
Violence + journalists = a deadly mix As journalists, we are used to reality hitting us hard. Every so often, however, there is a story that hits us where it hurts the most: our profession. This time it was a fatal shooting where journalists Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, were killed, during a live TV remote, by a former employee of WDBJ, the Roanoke TV station where the victims worked. We won’t give the shooter’s name because we don’t want to give him any recognition. The incident was not a direct attack on journalism, as the reporters were not killed because they were journalists, but over personal matters between them and the shooter, according to The Associated Press. We need to take a moment and analyze the modus operandi of the shooter. He not only wanted revenge, but wanted to carry out his macabre plan in front of thousands of viewers who where sitting in front of their TVs at the time. It was not enough to shoot three people while they were doing a live interview, though. He also filmed the deed with his phone and posted it on Facebook and Twitter. So, the audience got two videos of the same moment; two angles of the story. The first is the video from the cameraman’s view, where the audience hears more than it sees. In the second, the shooter’s view was posted on social media. Television and newspaper websites showed both videos with an initial warning that the images might be hard to watch, to be responsible to their viewers so they could choose whether or not to watch.
Untrue Detective
Richland
CHRONICLE STUDENT MEDIA LEADERS Editor-in-Chief Online Editor Photography Editor Entertainment Editor Copy Editor
Marta Planells Joe Stumpo Blanca Reyes Ricky Miller Joyce Jackson
ON THE COVER Illustration by Quan Tran Images courtesy of Richland Marketing Communication department
COVER AND FONTS Certain cover fonts are provided by the following: www.nymfont.com - www.bvfonts.com
STUDENT MEDIA STAFF Images courtesy pixshdr.com / productionsvideomc.com Staff illustration Isai Diaz
In this kind of situation the same question always arises: Is it really necessary to show the video? Some critics were quick to point out that TV stations were broadcasting the video of the shooter. Is it news or is it not? Does that particular video add information for viewers or is it there to satisfy their curiosity to see gore? As journalists, it is our duty to offer our viewers, readers and listeners the facts, as they happened, although the facts in this case are reprehensible, even if they are difficult to observe. We would not be doing our job if we
omitted parts of the shooting to make it more viewable. Yes, the Chronicle staff believes it was necessary to post the video. The same freedom that protects us as reporters can also be exercised by the audience. They have the power to choose to view this type of violence or not. Parker and Ward were killed while practicing their profession. They are not the first journalists, nor will they be the last, to experience violence, yet we must continue to report the news as it happens. May they rest in peace. — The Chronicle
By Abraham Igene
Isai Diaz Abraham Igene Quan Tran Bertille Eya Maffo
Vincent Leal Diana Bonilla Melanie Brandow Ryan Derenbecker
STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS Erica Edwards Jack Fletcher David Goodloe
Steve Noviello Larry Ratliff Tim Jones
ISSUE DATES
September 8 September 15 September 22 September 29 October 6 October 13 October 20
October 27 November 10 November 17 November 24 December 8 December 15
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 170 Texas college journalism awards since 2000 CMA Newspaper of the Year Finalist, 2014 1st Place – TCCJA Overall General Excellence, 2014 2nd Place - Pinnacle College Media Award, 2014
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CONTACT INFORMATION
El Paso Hall, Room E020, 12800 Abrams Rd. Dallas, 75243 Newsroom: 972-238-6079 E-mail: richanchronicle@gmail.com Advertising: 972-238-6068 E-mail: advertise@dcccd.edu Fax: 972-238-6037 Staff meetings for fall semester: Monday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in E020 Letter Policy 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 2015
OPINION 7
I hate social media ... How about you? JOE STUMPO Online Editor
We won’t post that sickening video of these two getting shot. We WILL post this… a beautiful picture of both of them. Let’s remember them at their best. They deserve better from all of us. — The Comical Conservative That was the statement posted below the photo of smiling WDBJ news reporter Alison Parker, 24, and photojournalist Adam Ward, 27. I saw the photos on Facebook a day after the two were shot and killed during a live television interview the morning of Aug. 26. Vicki Gardner, executive director of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce in Moneta, Va., was wounded in the attack. Seeing the video, which the killer (whose name I will not mention), a former WDBJ reporter and disgruntled employee, filmed on his cellphone and immediately posted on his Facebook and Twitter accounts, just added one more reason why I believe social media does more harm than good. It shows just how sick most people really are if the first thing they can’t wait to see on the Internet is a snuff video showing innocent young people senselessly cut down in their prime. As I write this column, the viewing numbers on YouTube upon doing a search for “Alison Parker” or “reporters shot” range in the six and seven digits on several accounts that replay the barely two-minute interview and aftermath in its entirety.
“It will sound horribly callous, but I think that video needs to be out there so that people understand just how awful and real this was. And maybe – just maybe – that would help usher in meaningful discussions and laws on gun control,” said Grant Stewart, a friend who commented underneath my post of the picture. “Unless people are confronted with the horrible reality, it allows them to avoid the real issues at play here. I don’t like suggesting it because I know for the families it would be absolute torture, but perhaps if we all put ourselves in the victims’ shoes for a moment, it tilts the conversation,” Stewart said.
“I prefer the days of yesteryear when the Internet was not around.” Call me old fashioned or a grouch who believes 99 percent of change is not for the better and won’t embrace social media, but I prefer the days of yesteryear when the Internet was not around and such disturbing live-on-air events like President Reagan’s attempted assassination in 1981 and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster were only shown in their graphic entirety on the day they happened and a few days later. The only other times viewers were subjected to such replays were when the news networks ran special segments on the topic. Today, because of the technology we have
at our fingertips, all one has to do is point and shoot and minutes, if not hours later, a brief video appears on the Internet for the world to see. If Facebook and Twitter had been around in 1963, the Zapruder film showing President Kennedy’s assassination would have hit the online social networks hours after the killing, probably while the Secret Service and law enforcement were still investigating. I see no purpose in watching such macabre images like the 9/11 jumpers at the World Trade Center, which can still be seen on YouTube today, other than to make one more depressed than they might already be. I just know some of you will say I am being too hard on social media and that showing such real-life videos of people shot to death helps law enforcement not only in their investigations, but also in catching the killers. You may think I am the weird one who, being in my mid-40s now, still browses Star Wars toy collecting and Lego building websites, or, one who thinks it’s time for me to grow up and get up to date on the day’s current events. I think there is something seriously wrong with a person who asks me if I saw that unedited video on the Internet of the Jordanian pilot being burned to death by ISIS fighters and expresses excitement viewing it. So, pardon me if I don’t share your morbid curiosity and fascination with death and tragedy. I don’t need yet another disturbing video to remind me of the evil that exists in the world. Thanks to social media, we are getting way too much of it on a daily basis.
STUDENT VIEWPOINTS
SOCIAL MEDIA
What do you think about media playing hard-to-watch videos like the Virgina shooting? Is that actually — Interviews by Diana Bonilla harmful or do you think it is something that should be done?
“I feel it is necessary to play the video only because it brings the reality to people. You can hear a story but it really doesn’t touch people without the realness and showing a video, specially a violent video.” Adrian Valladarez Broadcast journalism
“I think it does both harm and it’s kind of useful. It does harm because little kids sometimes watch the news. But it is also good because it shows what is actually going on.”
Upcoming Events Tuesday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Back 2 School Bash East breezeway by Fannin Hall Free cookout, games and fun Noon to 1 p.m. Reception and artist talk by Leighton Autry, whose exhibit, “Urban Feast” is on display through Sept. 18. Brazos Gallery 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Music recital series begins Richland faculty jazz ensemble Fannin Performance Hall
Thursday 10 to 11:30 a.m. 2015 Suicide Prevention 3K Walk for Awareness Sabine Hall RSVP to participate at tminter@dcccd.edu 12:30 p. m., Sabine Hall Richland International Film Series “The Hundred-Foot Journey” (PG) A 2014 comedydrama, in English Free to students, faculty and employees
Thursday – Friday
Sam Henderson Computer Science
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Club Fair El Paso Hall
“I believe that it’s harmful but I think it’s OK for us to see it so that we know what is going on.” Cynnaron Addison Nursing
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September 8, 2015
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8 September 8, 2015