Issue 07 Volume 52

thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

Feb.21.2018

www.thegrcurrent.com

issue07 volume52

The Question Of The Sanctuary Petition page 2

Annamarie Graver | The Current

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currenta&e

currentopinion

Librarian Stresses The Importance Of Spotting False Information

February Artist Spotlight: Blake Filley

Stricter Gun Laws: Possible Solution To Gun Vionlence

Workshop held in the library to educate students about credible websites.

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Aspires to start his own photography business in the future.

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Student shares opinion about regulating the sale of guns.

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Melanie Bell | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Reignition Of The Sanctuary College Petition By: Mariya Mubeen Editor-In-Chief editor@thegrcurrent.com

Almost one year ago, Spanish professor Marisela Fleites-Lear, along with students and other faculty members, presented a petition to a monthly Board of Trustees meeting.

The petition was brought to the board in hopes to make the college a safe space for all students, documented or otherwise. This would be done by designating the college a sanctuary. However, the board never released an official statement related to this petition even after reaching a conclusion. Fleites-Lear also never heard back from the board. The conclusion basically declined Fleites-Lear’s proposal.

“After waiting for months and months and months, I asked the secretary of the president whatever happened. She sent me a resolution the board had taken,” said FleitesLear, one of the original creators of the petition.

The petition caught traction amongst the turmoil caused by President Trump’s claim to remove the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the possible deportation of undocumented immigrants. Via the petition, Fleites-Lear wanted to make sure it was clear that the college protected its students and there was no room for hate on campus.

Fleites-Lear did whatever was in her power to make the petition as

appealing as possible to the Board. and documentation to authorities She spent hours reworking the until they were provided by a subprimary petition, with the guidance poena or court order, making sure of the then administration led by that thes students would not be Interim President Scott Morgan, taken off campus forcefully without into a watered down version to any reason. make it more likely that the Board During the spark of removing the would approve of the proposal.

DACA program, there was also talk One of the more important key about creating a Muslim registry. points of the petition was to make The petition provided protection sure students to these that were students as protected well, in case “What occurred is exactly what under the the federal DACA would administraI was afraid of. They created continue to tion seriousthe resolution that is absolutely pay in-state ly decided to meaningless. The fact that no one tuition, even implement a if the law registry. knows means it’s meaningless.” was changed, One - Marisela Fleites-Lear, making it thousand Spanish professor easier for and twenty Dreamers nine people to continue from the their education. DACA was a govcommunity signed this petition. ernment program created in 2012 Of these, 55 percent were students under the Obama administration. and alumni, 15 percent were staff, “We knew that given the current 20 percent faculty members, and political climate the adopting the 10 percent were from the commutitle of Sanctuary College would nity. She finds it very upsetting have been politically problematic and disrespectful that the board and we knew that, so we put in the never bothered to inform her, nor proposal an alternative proposal, the 1,029 people who signed the we attached to our name somepetition, about their decision. thing like… a social justice commit“…I find it very disrespectful that ted campus,” Fleites-Lear said. “It’s the board has not communicated a motto that will let anyone know, with me, the college, and the mejust by looking at the title of our dia,” said Fleites-Lear. college,” said Fleites-Lear.

Fleites-Lear said that it is particThe petition also promised to ularly disheartening because while protect the students’ privacy by not she attended training sessions disclosing important information organized by the Green River

Diversity & Equity Council, she encountered many questions that were addressed by the petition, and yet the college doesn’t have many policies in place to deal with them.

“I do know from the communication of the secretary of the president, it seems like that request was not even taken into consideration …

What occurred is exactly what I was afraid of.” Fleites-Lear said. “They created the resolution that is absolutely meaningless. The fact that no one knows means it’s meaningless,” said Fleites-Lear.

However, she feels that the process of making the petition itself was not unyielding. She believes it was important to start a conversation on campus, and the creation of the petition was a good ignition.

Fleites-Lear is very thankful for the encouraging response and guidance that she received from then Interim President Morgan during the creation of the petition.

The college has introduced new templates in their hiring process which brings diversity, equity, and inclusion further into the light.

She feels encouraged by the swift responses of the administration when dealing with hateful remarks and symbolism.

Fleites-Lear hopes to restart the conversation and maybe with the help of President Suzanne Johnson, there could be future plans to push for the petition again, or at least bring in some administraive changes to the college concerning these students and their safety.

Facts by factslides.com By: Melanie Bell Campus Editor * Rapper Post Malone came up with his name by using a rap name generator. * Warner Music collected over US$2 million in royalties in 2008 for public usage of the “Happy Birthday” song. * None of The Beatles could read music. * Your heartbeat changes and mimics the music you listen to. * Flowers can grow faster by listening to music. * Elvis Presley didn’t write any of his songs. * The type of music you listen to affects the way you perceive the world. *Barry Manilow didn’t write his song called “I write the songs”. *Leo Fender, inventor of the Telecaster and Stratocaster, could not play guitar.

Workshop Helps Determine Website Credibility In The Age Of Fake News By: Mario Garcia Staff Writer Determining credibility of a website is an often difficult task in today’s political climate.

Merisa Petrich is a librarian at Holman Library and a former reporter for various news outlets around the state.

Petrich spent a career as a reporter for the Tacoma Komo, Peninsula Gateway, and the Joint Base Lewis McChord Guardian. She knows the ins and outs of how to delve into a pile of information and come out the other end with reliable intel.

There was a workshop held by Petrich on Feb. 15 to help students determine the credibility of a website when doing research.

Petrich wanted to stress the importance of knowing how to spot false information, and although she understands that people now have a good sense that there is bad information on the Internet, many are quick to take the first piece of information they see.

“A lot of the time it’s quicker to take the first information and not do the digging to get the best information,” Petrich said.

A few examples of things one can do to determine reliability of the websites they use are to evaluate the credentials of a website, who wrote it, why they wrote it, biases that could have influenced the information, where the author got their information, the appearance of a website and a quick background search about the website, and the actual information given.

A lot of the times, websites that have sub-par information will try to be vague about who wrote the information and their expertise on the subject.

For example, there was a prime example of this with a website titled MartinLutherKing.org, which ended up being run and operated by a Neo-Nazi organization.

Students, in their education, are often encouraged to trust .gov, .org, or .edu, but according to Petrich, this information was better in the past, and that now there exist many more shortcuts anyone can take to access these websites and take away the immediate authority of them.

The author of a website and their motive behind creating it are also a factor in determining credibility.

For example, a website written by

an accredited organization or member of the community is going to be more reliable than a website written by someone with no credentials.

This can also help establish biases toward a certain topic.

The author themselves must have a credible source or documentation for the information they are providing on their site. A doctor with outstanding credentials who writes a website but cites his only source as Wikipedia may be questionable, even though the doctor may be well accredited. They are not strongly supported by their sources, which means a student must rely on someone’s ability to relay information on their site.

Petrich recommends to always do a quick Google about the sites credibility, the author, and to delve a little into the sources the author used when creating the website.

“This isn’t groundbreaking shocking information,” Petrich said.

“What’s important is forming that habit, even when it’s not convenient, even when you’re in a hurry, doing that extra bit of checking is very useful.”

Reliable information is important. Being informed prevents

Mario Garcia | The Current

One of the websites Petrich pointed out in her workshop on credible website. students from becoming part of the problem of unreliable information on the Internet. A lot of people are misinformed and therefore fall victim to a lot of issues such as scams and false information, which lurk around every corner of the web.

A great example of this is is the DHMO.org hoax. There is a website about DHMO, or dihydrogen monoxide, which raves about the lethal effects and the thousands of DHMO-related deaths that occur every year.

It turns out, however, that dihydrogen monoxide is an uncommon

name for water. People actually donated money to help fight Dihydrogen monoxide and its “lethal effects” because the .org website instructed them and convinced readers that it was a deadly chemical compound.

Petrich would like students and faculty to understand the vital importance of staying informed about this topic because staying informed, even if it’s not as quick as taking the first information available, is vital to functioning in a society that is riddled with unreliable sources.

Melanie Bell | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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New Classes Offered In Coming Quarters

Campus Crime Blotter Campus Safety responded to the following incidents from Jan. 12 to Jan. 18, among others. All information is from Campus Safety incident reports.

1/12 10:44 a.m.

Parking Lot P1 Hit and Run

A student reported their gray Honda Accord was hit and their bumper was hanging off, but they had no idea who hit their car. There was no other vehicle around that had damage. The student had to call a tow truck to move their vehicle away from the parking lot. The student filed a report with the Auburn Police Department (APD).

1/14 9:50 p.m.

CCA Drug Law Violation

An RA of the Campus Corner Apartments contacted campus safety with a complaint about the smell of marijuana. The RA knocked on the door several times but there was no response. They produced a key to the unit and upon entry, there was a definite smell of marijuana. The RA knocked on the bedroom door and the student hesitantly answered, but was initially cooperative. They handed over a small amount of marijuana. However, the RA began a search to which the student aggressively began questioning the and started to refuse the seach. The search produced more paraphernalia.

1/15 11:30 p.m.

Parking Lot P13 Robbery

A student met with someone on Parking Lot P13 to sell some items from OfferUp. The student agreed to meet at the north east corner of P13.

The suspect arrived in a 90’s green Saturn. There were 4 suspects in total, 3 white males and 1 white female. WM1 looked to be in his 20s, around 6 feet tall, and wearing a black hoodie, WM2 also looked to be about 6 feet tall and had on a white shirt and camo shorts, WM3 had no descriptors, and the female looked to be about 5’9”, had long brown hair, and was wearing a black shirt and jeans. The victim put the items in the car and received an empty envelope from the female. After, the victim attempted to take their items from the vehicle but was pepper sprayed by WM2 and hit in the face

by WM3. The only thing that the victim retrieved from the car was a jacket, but the suspects took off with shoes and a hat.

1/18 10:05 a.m.

Student Union Theft

1/18 10:40 a.m.

Parking Lot P11 Hit and Run

A student reported their ORCA card and multiple gift card stolen from their wallet. It contained their ORCA card and two Subway gift cards that were missing. The student stated that the last time he had seen his wallet was Jan. 17 in Salish Hall building at 11 a.m. He went to the Student Union building and hung out on the couches in the SU lounge near the main entrance. The student’s wallet was given to the front desk assistant. The student went to the front desk before the assistant could turn the wallet into the lost and found. The student declined to make a report to the police.

A staff member reported witnessing a young lady in a beige GMC truck hit a green Kia Spectra while attempting to back their vehicle into park. The staff member waited to see if the GMC owner would leave a note. The staff member left and found their own parking spot. When they came back, they found that the GMC owner had not left a note.

By: Nahrawend Gheribi Staff Writer

CHEM&110

Chemical Concepts with Lab

TIME AND LOCATION: Spring Quarter - MTTH 1-2:50 p.m.

INSTRUCTOR: Sara Lucas DESCRIPTION: An introduction to chemistry for the non-science student with less mathematical rigor than CHEM& 121. Presents general ideas about how models of atoms, bonding, and the structures of materials help in understanding chemical processes and reactions.

PHIL160

CHEM&121

Introduction to Chemistry

TIME AND LOCATION: Main Campus - 1-1:50 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. lab.

INSTRUCTOR: Sara Lucas DESCRIPTION: Beginning course for the non-science student interested in chemistry with less mathematical rigor than CHEM& 140.

Together with CHEM& 131, it satisfies the chemistry requirement for many students in the allied health sciences.

ENGL190

Intro to Philosophy of Science

Adolescent Literature

TIME AND LOCATION: Daily from 11-11:50 a.m., IVA 109.

INSTRUCTOR: Anthony Ferrucci DESCRIPTION: Introduces students to some major components of scientific reasoning including the distinction between science and pseudoscience, falsification, laws of nature, whether we should treat the entities postulated by our best scientific theories as real, and other issues.

TIME AND LOCATION: M&W 5:30-7:30 p.m. - SH 252 INSTRUCTOR: Richard Potsubay DESCRIPTION: This course will seek to explore and analyze the literary phenomenon of Young Adult Literature and its exponential growth of the years. This course focuses on its cultural, sociological, and psychological aspects through many different literary lenses.

SOCIAL SCIENCE 100 Truth. Lies, and Social Statistics

TIME AND LOCATION: SCI 100, 10 a.m. daily, Spring Quarter INSTRUCTOR: Tim Scharks DESCRIPTION: The short course name is “Social Statistics” but the full name is more interesting because it emphasizes that social statistics like crime rates and opinion polls are socially created and may be subject to biases and inaccuracies. This course is currently offered in the spring.

ENGL127 “Garbology”

TIME AND LOCATION: Kent Campus - 8 a.m. - M&W INSTRUCTOR: Callae Frazier DESCRIPTION: Research-writing course will use David Hume’s book, Garbology, to examine what ancient garbage dumps reveal about past societies, explore how our current production of waste shapes social and economic issues, and consider the sustainiablity of waste-management.

Amenities For Staying Safe On Campus By: Maria Arciniega Staff Writer

Green River College is committed to keeping its campus and students safe by providing on-campus security services and keeping its students informed.

With school shootings and natural disasters at an all-time high, knowing where to go and what to do in all cases could mean the difference between life and death.

Green Rivers number one priority is keeping its students safe by notifying them of any criminal activity, emergencies, or weather-related issues through a system called the GatorAlerts.

The college provides students the opportunity to stay up to date and in touch with campus news throughout the school year. Located on the school website, students can sign up to get notifications of new information occurring on campus via texts and emails.

With unpredictable Washington weather and on-campus crime, campus safety keeps students up to date with current information regarding closures, thefts, and other crimes.

The Campus Safety Department uses a comprehensive approach in which they provide a safe and inclusive community where students, faculty, staff, and visitors may experience a sense of security and belonging. Its security team is comprised of trained individuals that are contracted through Pierce

greenriver.edu

County Security and are licensed by the State of Washington. They can be contacted via phone 253-2883350 extension 3350. Crime reports can be made in the AD Building during normal business hours, 7 a.m -7 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Campus safety investigates all reports of criminal activity or suspicious activity that has been brought to their attention. Campus safety and its team members are partnered with law enforcement, emergency services as well as other community partners to keep crime at a minimum. One of the services they offer is the Gator Safety Walk.

The Gator walk is available to all students, faculty and staff members who would like to be escorted to and from campus locations.

Campus safety also provides vehicular issue services such as getting a jumpstart, flat tire, or retrieving keys from a vehicle. Which the students are very appreciative of, “My sister always leaves her car lights on and, even though it is embarrassing to ask for a jumpstart, campus safety is always there

to help and has a great sense of humor,” Lucy Arciniega, a student on the main campus, said.

Students can also request safety rides. This is transportation for all students to and from CCA, nearby apartments, home shares, Holman Library, and local stores. Students must have their college student I.D card with them.

The college has also created a system called enhanced 911 allows a person to dial 911 and directly reach the jurisdictional emergency services for the campus.

One of the main details campus security deals with is RED FLAGS. This is a reporting system where students can report anything they witness or observe.

To report a crime or crimes, students can fill out a CSA (campus security authority) form on the college website. Submissions are reviewed by Campus Safety and investigated.

Safety on campus is taken seriously and thanks to our campus security, we are gifted with peace of mind.

campus New Sustained Dialogue Meetings Provide Safe Space

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Melanie Bell| Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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Facilitated Discussions On Challenging Topics In Current Political Climate By: Maria Asomo Staff Writer Green River College is offering a Sustained Dialogue meeting every Friday at SH building, Room 355 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Some topics that this dialogue covers is: sexism, racial tension, transphobia, mental health, stereotypes, and others. These topics are relevant because they are familiar problems that afflict societies around the world.

The idea of a Sustained Dialogue comes from a national organization which the main purpose is to “transform conflictual relationships and design change processes around the world by an effective communication,” according to the sustained dialogue website, sustaineddialogue.org/.

The college linked to the Sustained Dialogue Institute in March of last year with two days training.

For 16 hours, 22 students were trained in facilitation skills and inclusive leadership skills, said Andaiye Qaasim, a leader of the sustained dialogue group and international student advisor manager at the college.

During training, students facilitated three groups of a topic which were: Immigration and American Identity, gender binary (sexism and transphobia), and mental health.

The training cost, hence why the training isn’t happening again this year, but they hope students who were trained can try to teach other students what they learned.

The college’s primary goal is to have in-depth conversations with the international and domestic student and keep the same people continuously so they can know each other rather than different people participating in every meeting.

This helps participators to analyze different opinions and lived experiences to develop a profound understanding of the topics, give confidence, and to help feel comfortable when speaking in public.

“Before I wasn’t confident when speaking in public, but since I joined the Sustained Dialogue I’ve gained determination, now I am comfortable when comes to communicate in public,” said Kim Siang Yew, a student at Green River College and one of the leaders in the sustained dialogue.

Each month they have a broad topic which in every meeting they try to narrow by subtopics. For example, in Jan, the central focus was cultural differences.

In Feb, they discussed social justice issues, and in March, they will focus on women’s rights and gender cultural. The main student leaders that guide the Sustained Dialogue every Friday are Tim Yew, Sun Kang, Patricia Kusumaningtyas, and Chandani Manandhar.

Unlike many other groups conversation, the Sustained Dialogue gives a speaking opportunity to every participator to tell their own experience and talk freely without any judgment. There is no a leader

The logo for the Sustained Dialogue website. standing in front of the students and talking, rather, everybody is sitting and eating while speaking.

This creates a comfortable atmosphere for students when discussing difficult topics.

At the beginning of the meeting on Feb. 2, there were only six participators, but after 15 minutes, more people joined.

The main topic of the meeting was gender role as a general topic, then they discussed other topics related to the general topic such as arrange marriage and marriage for love, divorce, and LGBT relationships. Participators were from different countries and each of them gave a different point of view.

For example, arrange marriage is still common in many countries in Asia such as Nepal, and some

countries such as Indonesia there is certain last name someone cannot marry. In Japan, gay marriage is not legal as it is here in the states.

The group was invited to an event by the King County Library, where seven students helped lead three facilitated conversations at Teen Summit at the Redmond Library.

All students are welcome and it is best for those who want to improve their conversation and facilitation skills, those who are interested in diversity issues, and those who want the ability to connect genuinely and authentically with their peers.

In today’s poltical climate, there is often a need for discussion and the college has provided that in the form of these meetings, which meet every Friday.

sustaineddialogue.org

Sustained Dialogue Meetings Salish Hall Room 355 Every Friday 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Past Topics: Cultural differences, social justice, gender roles

Carlos Adams, A Statistical Anomaly Among Campus Faculty By: Maria Arciniega Staff Writer Carlos Adams is an adjunct instructor who teaches American Minority and Ethnic Studies as well as Sociology courses at Green River College.

Adams’ career began with the college nine years ago.

Adams initially set out to teach special education classes for students K-12. However, this changed over the years to things such as English composition and English literacy, but none ever stuck.

Adams took what he was passionate about, ethnic studies, and made a career of it while still implementing his original plan of teaching.

He found that he could take all the things that he liked from various disciplines and bring them together in one. He drew from things such as disabilities studies, class studies, gender studies, sexuality studies, literary history, sociology, and anthropology. Adams has eight

Kasanita Vaea | ODEI Office

Carlos Adams, an adjunct instructor that teaches Sociology and Ethnic Studies to nine different disciplines within his dissertation.

“Ethnic studies has not only been the center of my occupation and at the center of my research, but at the center of my life. Ethnic studies became so valuable to me because it started to help me come to terms with who I was as a Chicano,” Ad-

ams said. He began working with an ethnic curriculum in 1994.

Adams has overcome many adversities in life and achieved his greatest accomplishment by becoming a teacher. He studied at Whatcom Community college where he was awarded the Laidlaw award for the most outstanding

graduate in his class. ed many students’ lives for the “In terms of professionally being better. Although he is thanked for a teacher has been my biggest his work, his admiration for his accomplishment. I was a high students is so much greater. “I learn school dropout, more from I dropped out my students, “When you look at it my senior year of more than statistically it’s like .0001% high school. I did they could of people who get a doctorate ever learn not start college in their 50’s, let alone until I was 36, nofrom me. a Chicano high school body believed in My students me nobody gave inspire me dropout,” me a chance.” more than - Carlos Adams, Sociology Faculty Adams then I could ever later attended hope to Western Washington University to inspire them. My students not only continue his studies. He graduated help me to become a better teacher with two degrees, a masters and a but a better person. I am so thankdoctorate in American and Ameriful for that opportunity.” can Cultural Studies.

“If you want to take a class that’s Adams’ achievements are a statis- going to bring in different truths, if tical anomaly in life, according to you want to take a class that taught him. “When you look at it statisin an unconventional way, and if tically it’s like .0001% of people you want to take a class that’s going who get a doctorate in their 50’s, to lead you to understand what it let alone a Chicano high school takes to be a better person, then dropout,” he said. you should take my class,” Adams Adams’s teachings have affectsaid.

Melanie Bell| Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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New Voices Act Update: Passes In Senate In A 43-5 Vote By: Jefferson Bolin Staff Writer

Annamarie Graver | The Current

A bipartisan group of legislators in Olympia intend to pass a law expanding the freedom of student journalists.

Senate Bill 5064, co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 14 senators, including Andy Billig, the majority deputy leader, and Joe Fain, the Republican floor leader, would make it illegal for schools to censor the content of student-run newspapers. While the First Amendment guarantees freedom of the press, the Supreme Court has ruled that student newspapers are not afforded the same level of protection as independent newspapers.

In 1984, the American Civil Liberties Union and the staff of a student newspaper in Missouri sued Hazelwood School District following the censorship of two articles regarding teenage pregnancy and divorce.

The case worked its way through the courts before finally reaching

the Supreme Court in 1987. Three months later, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision that schools could censor student publications.

This ruling was somewhat controversial and currently, 18 states have passed the “New Voices Act” which extends First Amendment rights to student journalists. The Washington State Legislature has unsuccessfully attempted to pass this law multiple times in previous legislative sessions, but it is expected to pass this time.

Under the proposed law, student journalists would still be held to a certain standard and would have to comply with previously existing state and federal laws, but would be able to cover controversial subjects and safely express their opinions in school newspapers.

SB 5064 was passed in the Washington State Senate in 43-5 vote on Jan. 19 and has been sent to the Washington House of Representatives. After a public hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on

Feb. 14, the bill was scheduled for an executive session in the same committee on Feb. 22.

Should SB 5064 pass in the Judiciary Committee, it will be scheduled for debate in the full chamber of the House.

If it passes in the House, it will be sent to Jay Inslee’s desk for him to sign.

SB 5064 seems almost certain to pass. While the bill has failed in previous sessions of the legislature, there is very little opposition to the bill in Olympia. The bill enjoys a large bipartisan group of supporters in both houses, including significant leadership figures in both parties and the overwhelming number of “yea” votes in the Senate seems indicative of its success in the House. The governor will almost assuredly sign the bill into law and even in the unlikely event of a gubernatorial veto, there are already enough votes in the Senate to override one and there will be in the House.

Strategically Buying Textbooks: A Guide For Students In Need By: Macy Erickson Staff Writer

As spring quarter rolls around, so do the expenses that come with it.

On top of tuition, students must purchase textbooks for courses, which takes up a large chunk of money and is often out of pocket for students. According to the Huffington Post and The College Board, the annual cost of books and materials at $1,168.

Instead of buying brand new books each quarter, there are other options that students can utilize to avoid breaking the bank.

One of the first options is renting an online copy of a textbook from Amazon. The Paper Tree Bookstore site gives the exact titles of the books you need and their ISBN numbers, an identifying feat of the book. This is a great option

because most quarters last around 3 months. This way, students won’t be stuck that won’t be touched after the class has been completed. It is also usually much cheaper than buying the book.

A second option is buying used books rather than brand new.

Most used books are still in good condition, although they may have fading or some notes written in them. Most teachers do not care what shape the book is in as long as it is current.

Libraries are also an option, as they have certain textbooks on reserve. Holman Library often has some textbooks on reserve in the case that a student cannot afford the textbook. Typically these books are available to students for 2 hours at a time. They allow you to copy a certain amount of pages for reading but keep tight restrictions under

wokandapix | pixabay.com

A student and their multiple textbooks that they’ve paid for.

copyright laws.

There is also a Facebook group called the GRC Textbook Exchange.

It is a group of students that post their used textbooks. This allows the student to make sure that it is the correct book and see pictures of what they are planning on purchasing. The books are usually priced well and are often in good condition. In a craigslist-like exchange, students can meet up and exchange cash for books. Never go to these exchanges alone, always bring a friend, parent, or sibling along.

Overall, there are many different ways to find books in other places than just your college bookstore which will usually be the most expensive. Each of these options are a cheaper alternative for the original prices that the Paper Tree Bookstore opens and some professors encourage these options.

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Taylor Yamamoto | A&E Editor ae@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Artist Spotlight: Blake Filley Capturing Beauty With Every Picture By: Kinsey Miller Staff Writer

Photo Department | Arts Faculty

Featured photographer Blake Filley.

Blake Filley, 30, was chosen by the Fine Arts faculty as this month’s artist spotlight.

Filley is a photographer that is finishing up his Associates in Fine Arts this quarter as well as an Associates in Business.

He grew up in Olathe, Kansas, a small town just outside of Kansas City and joined the US Army upon graduating High school.

After completing basic training, he was stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2006. He lived in Washington for seven years and

was moved to Hawaii for his eighth. Adam’s emphasis on his work. “I’ve always been a big fan of his black Filley was deployed three times and white photography” said Filley. to Iraq and Afghanistan where he Adams photographed the Ameriworked as a generator mechanic. can West, especially Yosemite Park.

“It was a great job to have considFilley uses that inspiration to go out ering everyone loves the guy who and capture his art. keeps the lights on,” said Filley.

After he made his decision to purAfter leaving the army in 2015, Filley started attending Green River sue a fine arts degree his perspective on life had changed. “Many College. He originally planned on of us blaze through life heads pursuing an Associates of Science down, and path in electrical already set with engineering. a specific goal However, once “Photography to me, is a or destination he started taking way of capturing the little in mind” said higher-level beautiful moments in life as Filley. math courses, he With his lost steam and they flow around me,” photography, started question- Blake Filley, he gets shots ing if it was what Photographer that are natural he really wanted and different to do. from other phoHe didn’t “distographers. “I only started doing cover his affinity for photography” photography seriously three years until after he took Photography 101 ago after I started taking classes at with Gary Oliveira. He learned that Green River,” said Filley. he has a natural eye when it comes Filley now shoots with a Cannon to art. It is easy for him to tell when Rebel T6I. He always has his camand what will make a good photo. era with him, because it’s better to He then decided that he needed to change his career and education- have camera and not need it than to need one and not have one. al path from science to fine arts.

“Photography to me, is a way of Finding inspiration in Ansel Adcapturing the little beautiful moams, a 20th Century photographer ments in life as they flow around and environmentalist, you can see

me,” said Filley, when explaining why he loves to take pictures.

With his fine arts and business degrees, Filley plans on starting his own photography business.

“I really don’t see too much of a change in my photography in ten years, but I can see my business up and going,” said Filley.

Though he doesn’t have a favorite type, Filley does admit that there are parts of photography that are unpleasant. He says that the toughest part of photography is working with film photography in a dark room and the time it takes to edit.

“The time that you spend touching up the images with Photoshop to get them how you want them is

probably the toughest,” Filley said.

“Once, you finally get the pictures to look the way they’re supposed to, the work pays off.”

Filley’s advice to those just starting out in photography is to always have your camera on you, take pictures all the time, and to remember that every photo is a learning experience.

Photography can be hard especially when you just start out.

Filley’s advice to everyone would be don’t get discouraged when taking photos, just stay at it and eventually the final image will turn out fine.

Just keep spirits high and don’t follow a set pathway, always leave new pathways open.

Photo Credit:Blake Filley

A breath taking photo of the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls taken by Blake Filley.

Music Monday Showcases An Incredible Talent: Naomi Wachria By: Nina Meas Staff Writer

folk singer, songwriter and vocal artist from Kijabe, Kenya. Wachria is an artist of formidable talent and heart who has an incredible presence on stage. Her music & songEvery Monday till March 5, writing brings together harmonies there will live musical perforthat speak across continents and mance for free from 12-1 p.m. in cultures. the Student Union building at One of the songs she performed Green River College. called, “Song of Lament” from The colleges Student Activities her album “Where is God?”, is a board has created an event invited stark and heartfelt reflection on local and national artists to do the contemporary world and the performances at our college, this is human experience. Throughout the a great opportunity for all students eleven-track collection, Wachira to enjoy different types of music poignantly articulates the pain and for free. Students do not have to chaos of modern times, while also waste time travelling all the way to lifting up her enduring and hopeful Seattle or Tacoma and spend extra belief in the fundamental goodness money to buy a ticket to see their performances because it is available of humanity.

From the for everyone on mournful quescampus. tioning of “Up in Last week’s “I can see that everyone Flames” to the performer Paris who are sitting right here tender encourWilliam, who are enjoying her, singagement of goes by the stage ing as much as I do too”.

“Run, Run, Run,” name Paris Alexa, - Dylan, student Wachira strikes is a Seattle-based a thoughtful R&B, soul and balance between pop singer despair and optimism, with the songwriter. She performed at latter ultimately prevailing. “The Green River for the Music Monday recording was born out of the many event and had the crowd swaying tragic losses we’ve witnessed globand nodding their heads with her ally–ranging from cases of police music.

The college’s performer this week, brutality to the refugee crisis–that made me grieve about who we’ve Naomi Wachira, is a Seattle-based

become, but also burned a desire in me to create art that would serve society at large and hopefully lessen the chaos around us,” said Wachira.

Dylan, one of the International students who sat with a few of his friends on the stairs in the SU building said, “This is my first quarter and my first time listening to folk music which is really amazing.

I used to only listen to Pop, Alternative and R&B music. Especially, this artist has a very beautiful voice.

I can see that everyone who are sitting right here are enjoying her, singing as much as I do too”.

He also added that” This is a really good opportunity to hear a good artist performing free for students.

Normally, if I wanted to go see a live performance, I have to pay to enter each events and it is cost a lot because the tickets are very expensive and difficult to purchase them.”

Music Monday is a great event that provides free, quality entertainment to college students who are getting their education. And is a great way to relax or hang out with friends during a lunch break or free time and listen to music. It’s also a great opportunity for artists to showcase their talent and music.

The next performance will be on Feb 26, in the Student Union building. The featured group will be the singing duo X Lover.

Mariya Mubeen| The Current

Naomi Wachria captivating the audience with her incredible voice.

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Taylor Yamamoto | A&E Editor ae@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

2017-2018

Helen S. Smith Art Gallery: A Great Place To Check Out Student Art By: Lucy Arciniega Staff Writer The Helen S. Smith Gallery showcases the great talent that our students and local community have to offer.

The gallery is located in the Holman Library on the Green River Campus. It serves as an academic resource for our campus community, highlighting the media of the Fine Arts Division, and providing a catalyst twice per year for art students to engage with their first audience. The gallery also functions to culturally enrich our students, staff, faculty, alumni and surrounding community.

The gallery is a community resource tool, used not only to provide cultural enrichment through curated exhibitions and associated events but also as a gateway for new students to be exposed to the program and welcomed to the campus.

Art galleries on college campuses also serve and engage the local and regional arts community in a little different way than a commercial gallery might. “A professional art gallery is a bit more complex than just coming and speaking with the director about using the space or hanging up any ol’ art,” said Sarah

D. Gilmartin, the Gallery Director. specific animals that hold a personThe shows are often curated al connection to him or otherwise challenging the viewer to think stand for a greater conservation or critically and creatively about any environmental cause, animals are number of possible topics from easy doppelgängers for people. how a work was created or its “This connection was made more conceptual intent and context in real for me after I started teachcontemporary culture. ing Human Life Drawing at Lake College galleries are a way to inWashington Institute of Technoloteract with and challenge students’ gy.” Working with human anatomy global perspective and thinking greatly informed his animal studies about what art is and reinvigoor what art can be. rated Sobottka’s “A professional art gallery The artists find commitment to is a bit more complex than just both the human interaction with the students quite and animal figure. coming and speaking with the rewarding when in- director about using the space “My mother vited thy’re to speak jokes I was born or hanging up any ol’ art,” about their work. with a pencil in - Sarah D. Gilmartian, Director The schedule my hand.” he currently supports taught myself 2 exhibitions per to draw dinoquarter. There can be any number saurs and jet planes when he was of artists participating in a given a toddler. Sobottka studied art his exhibition. A call for art goes out entire life and other than a brief annually. Exhibitions are usually stint in commercial art and design, planned around 2 years in advance he has been working towards being of a show in our space. The current a visual artist his entire life. “I hold show is a solo exhibition featuring an Associate’s Degree in Fine Art, a the work of Jason Sobottka.

BFA (Bachelor of Fine Art) and my Sobattka always focuses on aniMaster of Fine Art.” mal imagery, primarily because the Sobottka’s current work is concerns of flora and fauna are of inspired by the Anthopocene: The utmost interest to him. In addition Nobel Prize-winning meteoroloto celebrating animals, typically gist, Paul Crutzen, first mentioned

the Anthropocene in 2000. This proposed geological period marks the conclusion of the Holocene epoch and begins when humankind dramatically shapes the natural systems of the planet.

Sobottka’s work asks how could nature evolve in that environment?

What if the flora and fauna flourished? What could that look like?

“The long legacy of the Helen S. Smith Gallery (nearly 50 years!) is really a source of pride in helping these early career artists find their footing, especially as we look back over time at how many have been very successful.” Basically, they tend to show Northwest artists keeping a spotlight on the creative dialogue of our home region.

Taylor Yamamoto| The Current

Captivating, student made, art hanging in the Helen S. Smith gallery.

Gor Gai Thai Provides Quality Service To Hungry Auburn Residents By: Isabel Barni Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com

Service: 3/5 Gor Gai Thai, considering the restaurant was so small, seated people remarkably quickly. There are only six tables available, and each was filled with additional people standing to the side and waiting.

Initially, the amount of people is concerning, as it is natural to wonder when people will be seated.

Upon being seated, it becomes clear that the people standing to the side are ordering takeout. It seemed that half of the customers that came into the restaurant planned on bringing dinner home rather than sitting down.

It seemed that Gor Gai Thai also took phone calls, accepting take out orders in advance. If in a hurry, someone could order dinner without having to wait in the building until it finished. It was overheard that the approximate time to make the takeout food is 10 minutes.

Getting in and out of Gor Gai Thai, at that point, was extremely fast. It is necessary to cycle people

in and out of the restaurant quickly with so few tables available, especially on a Friday night.

The servers themselves were friendly. They brought out water and checked in at regular intervals in regularly, but they did not have the chance to be personable.But, this can be expected because of the natural pace of the experience.

Atmosphere: 3.5/5 The interior of Gor Gai Thai, while small, was extremely clean and fashionable. The main downside to the actual appearance of the restaurant is the lack of parking.

There is a small lot just outside of the area, however on a Friday evening it is completely full.

The menu was fairly large, about two pages, and almost completely made up of rice and noodle dishes.

They varied slightly; enough to differentiate between the options.

There were no real alternative meals to satisfy those who dislike Thai food, so going to Gor Gai Thai if outing multiple different people may be risky if people are unsure of what every person likes. That can be expected because it’s labeled as a

Thai restaurant, and by sticking to what they claim to be, Gor Gai Thai has a respectable selection.

Price vs. Quality: 5/5 For two people to get a meal and a single drink, the cost without tip was approximately $20. This just exceeds the prices that are paid at Green River College’s Gator Grille.

The amount of food that is given is large; enough to expect to box some and bring home as leftovers.

Everything smelled amazing, which was especially clear when entering the restaurant. This raised the expectations of how the food would taste, and even with elevated

Isabel Barni | The Current

assumptions, the dishes themselves were extremely satisfying.

Without knowing the price before tasting the food, it was expected that the price of the dishes would rage between $15 to $20.

Because the actual prices halved this inference, the food is worth the low price that it comes at.

Distance from Campus: 4/5 Gor Gai Thai is only a short 3.8 miles from Green River, or an 11 minute drive. While, not being within walking distance, it is a fairly comfortable drive from campus. Student’s going during traffic hour, being 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., may run into issues arriving in a timely manner.

Overall: 4/5 For those who love or just appreciate Thai cuisine, Gor Gai Thai would be a great option. With low prices, large servings, and great tasting food, there is little reason to not grab takeout to satisfy Thai cravings.

However, the restaurant wouldn’t work as a place for friends to meet up for a long, calming dinner out together. The small space of the restaurant, tied with its popularity, makes for a short, but delicious, experience. Instead of planning a night out here, it would be best to order takeout and head home to rest with friends there.

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2017-2018

Taylor Yamamoto | A&E Editor ae@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

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Isabel Barni | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

opinion

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2017-2018

The Impact Of The Influenza Shot In This Flu Season

Editorial

The flu season of 2018 has been said “There are some people who can’t severe, with sometimes thousands of take vaccines. Because of this, it’s importAmericans dying in a single week. ant for all of us to [vaccinate.]”

According to one of Fortune’s online Annamarie Graver, the new graphic dearticles, the disease has reached the same signer at The Current, is one of the many impact as 2009’s memorable swine flu.

American citizens unable to vaccinate due The number that died nearly a decade ago to health complications. from this illness totaled 12,469 citizens.

“I sometimes worry if I could get sick At The Current, the importance of and be a victim of the flu,” Graver said. “I preventing any illness was universally really hope that other people vaccinate so accepted. However, the methods behind that my risks are lower, along with theirs.” disease prevention varied slightly.

While those who actually die from “Vaccines as a whole are important, but the flu tend to be children or the elderly, this year the flu shot [hasn’t been] effecthe risks of the sickness could harmfully tive,” said Melanie Bell, campus editor. impact those in between infancy and “The one time I got a shot, I got the flu.” seniority, such as students like Graver.

Having a similar For those worried opinion, Mollie Clemabout their children, ents, managing editor, they are more “I really hope that other as ads manager, and copy susceptible to extreme people vaccinate so that symptoms, there is editor, said “The flu shot is important, but my risks are lower, along good news about this I’ve never gotten the flu year’s vaccination. with theirs.” or a shot. Until I [evenAccording to The New -Anna Graver, Graphic Designer York Times, while tually get sick], it won’t feel important.” the vaccine is 25% The success rate of effective in adults, “the this year’s flu shot, according to multiple vaccine is 51% effective in children.” sources, has been fairly low. According to This dramatic difference in results, USA Today, the flu vaccine is only “25% being about two times more successful in effective against the worst strain this year.” children, suggests that younger American While this opinion was similar between citizens should receive their flu shot to some of The Current editors, there were prevent potentially severe illness. still differences among the staff members.

While the rapid spreading of a particMariya Mubeen, editor-in-chief and phoularly nasty flu captures the attention of tographer, advocated for the importance American citizens, it is important to keep of receiving the flu vaccine despite this solutions to the situation in mind. year’s notably lower success rate.

The risk of the flu itself can be greatly In reference to her personal beliefs of reduced with proper sanitation and health the importance of vaccination, Mubeen choices. Everyone in The Current office,

many of which have continued to not be impacted by the flu virus, credited their health to personal cleanliness.

“I work in a very public place and I deal with a lot of people. Every time before I touch my face, I make sure I have clean hands. [By doing this, I believe that] I’ve managed to avoid the flu,” said Bell.

Bell’s thoughts on this matter have been backed up by official information. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while the most standardly effective method of preventing the flu is getting vaccinated, personal sanitation helps prevent both attracting the disease and spreading it further to other people.

Spreading disease can be worrying because it is unable to be killed with traditional weapons. However, by researching the illness and preparing oneself accordingly, the threat imposed by the influenza virus can be more easily avoided.

Opinion Editor Isabel Barni believes that those who are unable to vaccinate need to follow the guidelines set up by official health sources. The importance of staying healthy is crucial for everyone.

The 2017-18 flu has been severe and people should try to protect themselves.

A New Member Of The Current: The Current newspaper staff would like to welcome Annamarie Graver to the workplace.

She is the Graphic Designer and her work will be present in future issues.

Editorials reflect the opinions of the entire editing staff of the Current.

Students Remain Fearful Of The Future Gun Violence In America By: Mollie Clements Managing Editor In order to stop mass shootings in America, lawmakers need to start a public conversation with the American people.

In Parkland, FL on Feb. 14, there was a school shooting with a death toll of 17 students and staff.

Many authoratative voices are giving their condolences in light of these horrific events. However, many students that are the surviving victims of this violence have called for lawmakers and representatives to keep their thoughts and prayers to themselves.

These children, which the Washington Post so eloquently called “a post-Columbine generation,” have been calling for change in how America treats guns and gun violence. They believe that the government has let them down.

Many teachers and students have

Editorial Policy

spoken out against representatives.

They have also stated that the school faculty could not have been any more prepared for this tragic event. The students go through multiple drills to prepare them for the possibility of an event like what took place in Parkland.

However, nothing can prepare someone for this act of violence.

The overwhelming amount of videos of the event surged on social media. Many of these videos were posted on the day of the shooting and were shown on the news.

I was at a Valentine’s dinner with my significant other when I heard about the event on my cell phone.

I immediately began to read and watch what had happened. The first video that had appeared was a student’s posted Snapchat video.

It showed a classroom full of students huddling together crying when all of the sudden shots rang out. The terror that unfolded was

The Current is a public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without censorship or advanced approval. The opinions of the opinion stories are that of the writer and the writer alone. If you have an opposing viewpiont feel free to write The Current a Letter to the Editor at editor@thegrcurrent.com

enough to make anyone squirm.

While I was watching the events, my heart began to race. I was overcome with intense emotions that I can not even begin to describe.

Seeing the actual horror that unfolded that day through my phone had brought a new face to shootings. Social media has created a realm in which one does not have to imagine the pain, but can see it for themselves through a screen.

For many Americans, this was their first time ever seeing the events unfold and it shook many.

Growing up in a family of responsible gun owners who constantly taught me the correct way to handle a weapon, I can understand why many Americans feel that they should not be punished for someone else’s bad behavior.

However, I feel that Americans need to understand that the want for military grade weapons is insane. When has someone ever

Theft Policy

needed a weapon like the one used in the Parkland shooting in order to protect their home?

Weapons that can cause such destruction need to be regulated. I am in no way calling for the government to take the American peoples’ guns away. I, and many others, are calling for some kind of regulation so that people like the individual who murdered those students in Parkland can never obtain a weapon of that grade ever again.

Since this tragic event, I have felt fearful of the future. Students should not have to check behind them at all times. They should be able to come to school, work, or anywhere else and feel perfectly safe in that public environment.

A conversation between lawmakers and the people needs to happen before another event like Parkland takes place. No person should be able to destroy or end the life of another citizen so easily.

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Anyone who removes, discards or destroys more than one copy to prevent other individuals from reading that issue may be subject to civil, criminal and/or campus penalties.

Letters to the Editor

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Mariya Mubeen Editor-in-Chief Photographer 253-833-9111 x2376

Mollie Clements Managing Editor Ads Manager Copy Editor Melanie Bell Campus Editor

Isabel Barni Opinion Editor

Annamarie Graver Graphic Designer

Taylor Yamamoto A&E Editor

Alex Markovich Web Editor

Dee Senaga Layout Designer

Staff Writers: Kenneth Wilson, Luis

Cervantes, Mohamed Mohamud, Macy Erickson, Kinsey Miller, Anthony Greenlee, Lucy Arciniega, Jefferson Bolin, Nahrawend Gheribi, Juanita Vann, Maria Arciniega, Chloe Johnson, Mario Garcia, Maria Asomo, Blake Latta, Sun Nina Meas, MaeLee Morey

Photographers: Mariya Mubeen

If you find a factual error or simply a name spelled incorrectly, please contact us at: - editor@thegrcurrent.com 253-833-9111 ext. 2377 - or find us at SA 218

The Current encourages its readers to be involved and will accept letters of 400 words or less for publication. Anonymous letters are not accepted and the editors reserve the right to reject or edit letters for space, taste and legal concerns. All letters become property of The Current. Send letters to editor@ thegrcurrent.com.

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2017-2018

opinion

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Isabel Barni | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Potential Impacts Of Cryptocurrency On The Modern World By: Anthony Greenlee Staff Writer

Anyone keeping track on social media platforms has heard of Bitcoin, also known as BTC. However, despite BTC being a commonly recognized idea, a lot of people still do not understand how something with no physical form could be counted as a currency.

Cryptocurrencies are starting to gain more exposure because of the security and other possibilities that come with them. A cryptocurrency is a digital currency that comes encrypted for safety; it is transferable to anyone in any place at any time.

BTC was the first decentralized probably will not be going anywhere in the near future. cryptocurrency, meaning it wasn’t regulated by any government.

Ripplem, or XRP, is a cryptocurThere are now a whole group of rency created in 2012 that aimed to cryptocurrencies get rid of finanthat provide cial networks, credit cards, different soluInvesting in tions to different banks, PayPal, problems. cryptocurrencies could and other instiAlthough they tutions that curbe safer than having are being used to rently restrict money in a bank. user access. make money by investors at the Some of these moment, when restrictions conducting reinclude fees and search on some of them, it becomes charges for currency exchanges. apparent that cryptocurrency will Eliminating these drawbacks of

other currencies would create huge competition between the largest banking institutions in the world.

Many of them profit off of fees and money transfers; the same potential profits that XRP and other currencies are working to eliminate.

Every coin has their own purpose and goal in mind to somehow better the overall flow of money.

Many people have chosen to invest and use cryptocurrencies for security reasons. Depending on how the coins are stored, investing in cryptocurrencies could be safer than having money in a bank.

Investing in cryptocurrency is

becoming more of a part of our daily lives. There are BTC exchange machines as close to home as the South Center mall in Tukwila.

Some companies are starting to accept Bitcoin for the down payment on a home, or to pay for the entirity of their mortgage.

The more the world grows accustomed to cryptocurrencies, the more it will be seen being used for everyday purchases from groceries, cars, and even for college tuition.

The swiping of a credit card may become an act of the past as cryptocurrencies are introduced more commonly into modern society.

Developing Reliable Study Habits For Finals Week By: MaeLee Morey Staff Writer Nobody can be too old or advanced in school to start developing good study habits.

Whether in high school, beginning community college, or advancing into a bachelor’s degree, there are many routines to practice in order to become a better student.

Develop Good Habits’ website states multiple systems in order to improve an individual’s studying.

Many of these can be implemented immediately to start a person on the path to becoming a studying master. These tips can be found in detail at the graphic to the right.

Juanita Vann, a current GRC student, said “[When I have to study, what I do is] just drink coffee or red bull, put on a hoodie, and blast music alone in my room.”

Another GRC student who pre-

ferred not to give their name stated that in order to study, “I have to be somewhere that I can be comfortable. If where I am is comfortable, then I go on to look at whatever assignment or tests are due...[then I work on finishing] them.”

The methods that people use to study are varied, resulting in there being no wrong method. Anyone is free to study how they please. Any method can be effective as long as the student is productive.

Even with the tips and tricks provided, some may struggle with studying. However, it is important to stay persistent. According to an article written by Maria Popova from Brain Picking’s website, “‘On average, across the participants who provided enough data, it took 66 days until a habit was formed.”

As long as a student sticks with their studying practice, it should feel more natural as time goes on.

Graphic Credit: Annamarie Graver

Top Study Locations On Campus By: Juanita Vann Staff Writer

Photo Credit: Juanita Vann

Photo Credit: Juanita Vann

Top: The Silent Study area located at Holman Library.

Bottom: A location on the third floor of the Science Center building.

There are many unique areas on campus that are optimal for studying as finals approach.

For some, studying at home can be tedious due to the many household distractions. For those who need to study elsewhere, there are multiple places on campus that are made for a student to study at.

Recommended by Green River student Anthony Greenlee, the Student Union is the easiest spot to access. “There’s the cafeteria for food, and you’ve got the book store right at your feet,” Greenlee said.

The Student Union, while a good central area to study, is a spot for those who are comfortable working with lots of background noise and potential visual distractions.

The book store provides sources of snacks and textbooks for those who need to take a quick break and rejuvenate from studying. One

could either study with a rather large group at the provided circle tables, or even study upstairs in the Diversity Office for a secluded area.

If the Student Union doesn’t suit a student’s tastes, then the third floor of the Science Center is also available. There is a large window that casts a wonderful view directly beside the building’s study area.

Another GRC student, Nawal Ahmed, gave their personal opinion on this location by saying, “I used to have a class [in the Science Center] and there’s a study area with a window. It’s so beautiful.”

This location is very relaxing, especially because it is in a quieter environment than other areas.

Another great location available to the student body is the library near the Student Union. There, many quiet locations and an abundance of information is accessible.

There are cubicles for those who study at a different personal pace.

There are also a series of computers for students who need to use them.

Study rooms that don’t require reservations are also available to the GRC student body to use.

When coming up the stairs, the right side of the library provides a quiet environment with tables scattered along the walls and grouped together. This could be a great place for different people to study as well.

The library also provides a tutoring and information center to students who seek help in their studies.

Both floors of the library provide a closed off room meant to be completely silent. This could be helpful for research. Inside are computers that students are allowed to use.

With such a great amount of resources and areas available right on campus, anyone has the ability to be successful in their courses. As finals are nearly a month away, now would be the time to take advantage of these resources.

Mollie Clements | Managing Editor mollie.w.clements@gmail.com www.thegrcurrent.com

sports

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11 2017-2018

Incredible Athlete Choosen For February Spotlight Sports By: Blake Latta Staff Writer The athlete spotlight for the month of February is a talented basketball player by the name, Alex Sommerfield.

Last month he had a National Basketball Association (NBA) quality game with 26 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

Sommerfield is a 20-year-old from Federal Way, WA. This is his first year at Green River College. He left Washington State University last year to play basketball at GRC. “I left Wazzu because I wanted to play basketball again, and I didn’t play for them because I’m not that good” said Sommerfield.

On the court his position is wing.

His goals for the season are to change the culture of the basketball program. He and his team don’t want to be like the past teams. He stated that the past teams were disrespectful and did poor in classes.

“We aim to be positive members of the GRC community. As far as on the court, we just want to play a different brand of basketball than past teams. We want to play faster and put more pressure on the other team” said Sommerfield.

He says that he plans on getting his Associate’s Degree from Green River, then transfer to a four-year school, to continue playing basketball and pursuing a degree in journalism.

“It’s hard to have another school in mind; you can’t really lock in on a school right now. So I’m not really sure about that one” said Sommerfield about where he’d like to transfer.

Sommerfield says that despite leading such a busy life with basketball, he is still able to find a few hours each night for his homework and assignments and is also able to find some leisure time each day.

Sommerfield’s parents are very understanding of his busy schedule and always attend his games to show their support.

His hobbies include playing video games, collecting baseball and basketball cards, as well as camping.

Other than playing basketball, he used to play baseball.

His favorite athlete is Ben Simmons. Sommerfield thought it was cool that Simmons is a six foot ten point guard.

Sommerfield says that he’d rather be playing basketball than anything playing anything else.

Calendar Feb

Men’s Basketball

Feb

Women’s Basketball

Feb

Men’s Basketball

Feb

Women’s Basketball

Feb

Men’s Basketball

Feb

Women’s Basketball

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Nick Dobkins | Green River

Alex Sommerfield, number 34, getting ready to shoot the basketball through the hoop.

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“You come against me with hatred, and violence; I come against you in the name of God. This flag comes down today!”

June 25, 2015 Columbia, South Carolina

Thursday, FEBRUARY 22, 2018

6:00–8:00 p.m. • Mel Lindbloom Student Union—Grand Hall

FREE EVENT

Green River College, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn, WA

For more details go to Facebook@greenrivercollegestudentlife

Email Joy Chang: yjchang@greenriver.edu

If you need disability accommodations to make this event accessible, please contact Disability Support Services at 253-833-911, ext. 2631; TTY 253-288-3359; or by email at dss@greenriver.edu. Green River College is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Learn more at www.greenriver.edu/accessibility.