SCENE THE
Spring Issue 5
Mountain woman see page 3
May 5, 2017
www.thescenefp.com
Embarrasing moments See page 6
white house gassing See page 7
St. Louis Community College at Forest Park
Architects to design new building
By Niki Best The Scene Staff Forest Park is getting a new Allied Health Center, its first new building in nearly two decades. The four-story, 65,000-square-foot structure will be built on the north side of campus, between A, B and C towers and Oakland Avenue. It will house nursing, dental hygiene and eight other health-related programs. “It will serve two purposes,” said Vincent Featherson, dean of natural science education and physical education, which includes allied health. “It will really give Forest Park a beautiful ‘front door’ appearance and make it more attractive. “The second (purpose is that) technology is always changing. We need to stay up-to-date on our programs, and this building will give us that opportunity.” STLCC officials have discussed the need for a new Allied Health Center for years. Its programs are among the most popular at Forest Park, and its classrooms and labs are scattered throughout campus. The St. Louis Community College board of trustees voted on Feb. 23 to hire KAI Design & Build architectural firm to design the new building. It’s expected to be completed by August of 2019. “KAI presents an experienced, diverse project team that has done
By Chris Cunningham The Scene staff
Photo by Garrieth Crockett
Respiratory care program director Lindsay Fox going over the use of equipment in pulmonary function test class offered through the allied health program considerable design work for the college,” said STLCC Chancellor Jeff Pittman. “They demonstrated a clear vision for the transformative nature of the new building, as well as a creative preliminary solution to the site development, acoustic concerns and future campus space requirements.” Allied health is “a vast community of occupations that strive to better the health of others,” according to
Webster’s dictionary STLCC has offered allied health classes since 1967. Most have been on the Forest Park campus. “The new Allied Health Center will be a significant addition and improvement to the Forest Park campus,” said Provost Larry Johnson. “Replacing a more than 50-year-old structure, the new building will really reintroduce the
See Building page 2
When police approach: What to say, do
By Jeffrey Wallace Richman The Scene Staff Did you know that you should keep your hands on the steering wheel during a traffic stop so a police officer won’t think that you’re reaching for a weapon? Are you aware that you can say “no” when a police officer asks to search your car because of your Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and Kenner seizures? Those tips were among many offered by Forest Park police officer James Kenner in a recent presentation called “Ethical Interaction upon Police Contact.” “I give this ethical interaction class just to teach the students how to positively interact with the police upon contact,” he said. And to help avoid tragedies like the one in Ferguson. On Aug. 9, 2014, the St. Louis suburb was turned upside-down when police officer Darren Wilson, 28, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Protests led to rioting and looting and
Employees work hard to keep accreditation
intensified after a grand jury elected not movements while retrieving wallets or to indict Wilson, deciding he acted in cellphones during traffic stops. Kenner emphasized that negative self-defense. “There are some officers who act out responses or disrespectful behavior and racially profile,” Kenner said. “To toward a police officer could result prevent another Ferguson, we need to in additional charges, such as failure teach the community how to act when an to comply or disturbing the peace. Touching a police officer can be assault. officer approaches.” “I learned that I need to be cooperaKenner has worked in law enforcement for more than 25 years in the tive and have positive manners because you don’t U.S. and overseas, “If the officer asks you for your name want a situation to get includworse,” ing Russia, and you tell him your name said theKosovo and G e r m a n y respectfully, then the officer will treat ater major Derrick during miliyou with respect. If you respond with Owens, 28. tary serBaking vice. He an attitude, that officer will respond and pastry joined the arts major St. Louis with an attitude.” Wi l l n e l l e Community – Student Willnelle Warren Warren, 18, College also attendstaff six ed the presentation. One of the things years ago. About 15 students attended Kenner’s he learned was how a traffic stop can go presentation on April 11 in the one way or another based on the way a Highlander Lounge at Forest Park. It driver answers questions. “If the officer asks you for your name was sponsored by Campus Life. Kenner advised students to always and you tell him your name respectmake sure their vehicles are properly fully, then the officer will treat you with registered and that they are carrying respect,” he said. “If you respond with proof of insurance; and to avoid sudden See Police page 2
It’s easy to write off the accreditation process as a bunch of bureaucratic red tape, but the stakes are high. If St. Louis Community College wasn’t accredited, students wouldn’t be able to get financial aid or have their credits transferred to fouryear universities. “The accreditation process might seem a big dry, but this is really important,” said Brenda French, Forest French Park accreditation liaison. The entire STLCC district is preparing for an evaluation next year by the Higher Learning Commission, which accred- Johnson its colleges and universities in 19 states, including Missouri. The process takes place every 10 years. “I can’t say it is stressful,” Roach said Forest Park Provost Larry Johnson. “I have served in the role of evaluating a college before, so I already have prior experience.” At this stage, administrators, faculty and staff are updating records and compiling information on the Forest Park, Meramec, Florissant Valley and Wildwood campuses. Commission representatives will visit in February. “It is a big event that they are coming for – the 10-year accreditation – but the work is every day,” said Ame Mead Roach, dean of humanities and social science. “We need to operate in a way that makes the student the focus. What we have been doing in the last 10 years is what they are looking for.” If standards aren’t met, colleges are given probationary periods to make improvements.
See Accreditation page 7