The Valley Forge - vol. 55, no. 1 - 28 Sept. 2015

Volume 56, Issue 1 NEWS 1-3 FEATURES 4-7 OPINION 8-10 SPORTS 12

theValleyForge

The Award-Winning Student Newspaper of Rock Valley College

9.28.15

RVC Faculty Strike: 50 years of respect ends

by Ross Enderle Editor-in-chief

Not in fifty years, the entire history of Rock Valley College, has there been a strike until now. On September 15, 2015, the RVC Faculty Association’s bargaining team announced their intent to strike beginning on the following day, September 16. The decision came at the end of a five hour bargaining meeting, one of an accumulated 100 hours of discussions over the summer and into the fall attempting to create a fair and equitable contract for the faculty to work under for the next five years. The faculty voted on August 24 to authorize the bargaining team to strike if the negotiations became fu-

tile.

The primary reason for this strike over the contract negotiations, excluding wider implications of future problems and the feeling of insult common throughout the faculty, regards medical care and insurance. The new contract would no longer cover the spouses of Rock Valley faculty, and counter the raises given with a larger health care contributions from the faculty, with a net loss in money referred to by the faculty as “take-backs”. No member of the Board of Trustees was present at the September 15th meeting, nor at any bargaining meetings prior. There is no mandate for Trustee attendance at contract negotiation,

but many faculty feel that a quicker and better agreement would have been reached if the Board were present and active. There have been negotiations in the more distant past with Board involvement, but neither this nor the last negotiation process have seen a Board member present.The Board’s interests and demands were expressed through their attorney, Joseph Perkoski, of Robbins Schwartz.

The faculty of RVC have been working sans contract since July 1st, 2015. The Faculty voted to authorize a strike on September 11, but refrained from striking immediately in order to allow the college’s 50th anniversary on September 12 to go by

Kiss your ash goodbye: smoking banned at RVC even the electronic age struggles with this move;

by J.A. George Staff writer

A recent decision on campus has caused something of a stir amongst students, and perhaps faculty.

All things considered, it would be erroneous to postulate that the prohibition of smoking on RVC grounds was not imposed for the benefits of others. Studies have repeatedly shown that there is a myriad of different health risks associated with smoking. Similar research indicated that even those in close or lasting proximity to smokers can be at risk from lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and others.

That being said, there is still some ongoing debate over this case—not over the health issues and probability of correcting them, but over how this ban on smoking operates and what it entails.

Rock Valley College is among over 1,500 colleges and universities throughout the country that have taken up arms against the health hazards resulting from smoking—and thus, smoking itself. Evidently, the presence of tobacco is not a part of the issue, as the ban extends to various electronic products that serve similar purposes, including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers.

According to the new law, the campus ban does not apply to moving vehicles not owned by the state; this appears to imply that the ban applies to non-moving vehicles. However, smaller issues such as what is classified as a “vehicle”, are still up for debate.

On the whole, this can be seen as a good move on the part of the school and the state government (Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed the bill calling for such a ban last year).

With the aforementioned health issues plaguing smokers and non-smokers alike, the growing trend of a “smoke-free America” has its benefits. However, even an act as well-intentioned as this has its difficulties. For example,

despite the differences in function and makeup, many vaporizer devices still have one thing in common with traditional cigarettes: the addiction agent, nicotine. While this is not the cause of many health problems in smokers, it is the chemical necessary to keep a smoker coming back for years, often decades. It doesn’t seem as though this small factor was strong enough to bar electronic cigarettes from the discussion altogether.

While details about smoking in vehicles are somewhat indistinct at this juncture, as parking lots are covered by the campus-wide ban, the only sure detail thus far is that all vehicles moving through the parking lots (that are not stateowned) are off limits to the ban. This does not, however, include parked cars, which itself begs a number of questions: firstly, whether activity occurring inside a privately-owned vehicle really make a difference even on campus grounds.

If so, where do the rights of the vehicle’s owner end and the state mandates begin? As use of a phone while driving has become a risk in recent years as well, smoking while operating a moving vehicle may present a similar road risk.

Furthermore, a four-door sedan may or may not be under the same restrictions as a Harley-Davidson, or a run-of-the-mill bicycle, for that matter.

It seems as though there is no clear-cut case of who is in the right, or whether actions taken are appropriate. In this case, more focus should be made on fleshing out the boundaries of this new law before its implementation and enforcement.

With this law being in its infancy, there is still a chance to present these questions and help refine the scope of its intentions and effects.

Without asking questions and considering the variables, people are that much closer to angrily addressing the freedoms they feel cheated out of. In the case of an issue regarding health, and considering the scale of the effects thus far, it is of no real concern just yet.

without disruption. The faculty made a decision to refrain from striking, and the decision held until four days later, when at the close of a meeting by the Board and faculty,

the Board announced impasse, and the Faculty Association decided to strike. continued on page 2

Day at RVC a hit

by Inez Kaja Staff writer

The 50th anniversary of RVC’s founding was called Day at RVC, and it took place on September 12 and celebrated half a century of education.

Filled to the brim with sports, games, music and of course, beer. A Golden Future 5K was held and all the proceeds went towards general scholarships. There was robotics demonstrations and fun activities for children, and food vendors as far as the eye could see. A popular attraction was the “celebrity” dunk tank, which allowed for all eventgoers to immerse their public figures in water, continuing the glorious tradition of the bourgeois being made subject to the whims of their constituency. Alumni volleyball, baseball, softball and soccer were played through the day, and walking tours were offered of the campus. But

the best part of the day for those not in the beer tent may have been the bands.

The music drew the crowd in as well. The Final Degree a band made up of RVC alumni, including Mike Youngblood, made an appearance. Towards the end of the night the Screw City Swingers jazzed it up with a collection of Django hits like Djangology, Honeysuckle Rose, Minor Swing, and grabbed everyone’s attention when they blasted the famous Cantina Swing from Star Wars. Just before the Screw City Swingers began their set, the beer tent closed, and the new audience members appeared briefly afterward. While the band was great, most of the crowd missed their vivacious tunes because they couldn’t stop talking.

Continued on page 3

The Last Degree playing at the Day at RVC, includes faculty member Mike Youngblood, Inez Kaja

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NEWS

THE VALLEY FORGE

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ROCK VALLEY STRIKE: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Picketing began the following Wednesday 9/16, with faculty lining the Mulford and Spring Brook entrances to the college.

The strike continued through the weekend and into Monday, when the Faculty Association voted favorably on the federal mediator’s proposal. Credit classes resumed on Tuesday, September 22.

“

My biggest fear is that 5 years from now, this will happen again.”

-Dan Blumlo

The facts and figures used by both sides were skewed to portray the best interest of the party which put it into the public eye.

The Board of Trustees used deceitful methods of reporting numbers to misrepresent the situation of pay and salary among the faculty. The faculty, in the graphs displayed specifically showing Rock Valley Educators as being bottom rung are withholding information, and fabricating charts by combining census data with generalized degree information to portray the faculty as being vastly underpaid and overqualified.

Faculty have also expressed a concern for the future viability of the college as a place of employment if it cannot offer competitive wages and benefits to other colleges in the region, and according to the

2015 Fiscal Report of the Illinois Community College Board, of the 39 districts reported, Rock Valley is situated in the center by contractual base salary.

The Board, for their part, have responded by using aggressively deceitful language through the medium of the Rock Valley College website announcement board. The blatantly inflammatory words used painted a picture of a rabid faculty clamoring to strike, intimidation attempts and threats made by an unreasonable and greedy faculty. This was coupled with an insistence, by the usage of repetition of words like fair and best efforts to portray the Board as the ever-patient parent of an unreasonable child in the form of faculty.

In a September 20 post on the Rock Valley website written by Joe Perkoski, the faculty were described as intentionally harming students by striking, in order to force the capitulation of the college.

The faculty has invested the majority of its time in displaying its concern for, and ultimate defense of the student body. While a very valid reason for the faculty’s focus on students is a genuine caring for the student body, another strong possibility is simply a survival technique. The Board of Trustees does not need student support in the same way that the faculty do.

Another major focus of the faculty’s media outlets has

been the absence of the Board of Trustees from the negotiation process. Alexander Day, the Student Trustee for Rock Valley College, explained that when he asked about attending some of the negotiation sessions he was told it was not “common practice”, amounting to discouragement of the idea, and representing the Board’s feeling on the matter.

“It’s a choice that they madethey didn’t want to sit across the table from the faculty,” said English professor Molly Sides in reference to the Board’s conspicuous absence.

Despite this, there was outspoken support for the faculty, in the form of words of support on the media outlets which related to the strike or faculty, and honks, waves and thumbs up on the picket lines. The faculty rallied during the strike, and Dan Blumlo, the Treasurer for the Faculty Association and a professor of History at Rock Valley, recalled that there was a strong feeling of solidarity on the picket line.

“I hope that the faculty will remember the unity and energy that we all felt on the picket line,” said Blumlo The energy professor Blumlo spoke of was evident. This energy carried over after the resolution of the strike on Monday, September 21 and was still visible in the classrooms of RVC Tuesday. The main concern of the faculty, and a majority of the students, is for the future.

While Mike Youngblood, the

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

President of the Faculty AssociaThis law firm is not in tion, expressed opthe business of comprotimism, referencing mise, it seems. It is in the the new programs business of defeating, and facilities coming to Rock Valley, acheiving victory, engagnot all faculty were ing in battle with a winso hopeful. ner and loser,” “My biggest fear -Chris Kramer is that 5 years from now, this will hapner and loser, and to the expen again.” Blumlo said. Despite the assertions tent that the Board was enof a few faculty members, the gaged in battle with us, I’d missing days from the strike have to say that they won.”

Philosophy professor Chris Kramer said of the tactics by the Board.

They didn’t want to used Joe Perkoski, the lawyer repsit across the table resenting the firm of Robbins Schwartz, was a specific tarfrom the faculty,” get of the faculty’s media outlets. Graphs regarding his pay, -Molly Sides in reference to tax money’s will not push the semester un- misuse, have been circulated by faculty supporters and til December 23, as rumored.

In reference to the future, spe- members. During the final cifically of the relationship of decision regarding the strike, the Board of Trustees and the the scheduled September RVC Faculty, there is a vast 22 meeting of the Board of gulf to cross. Few faculty can Trustees, Perkoski was hissed see an easy way to rebuild trust at when his name was menbetween the Board and Facul- tioned during the meeting. ty, and most simply don’t see it “He was following a playbook designed to break the happening.

A massive contribution to union, it’s publicly accessible, the ill feeling between the two and one of the strategies is to groups is the Board’s usage of a draw out the negotiations as lawyer to represent their inter- long as possible to wear peoests, while the Faculty Associ- ple down,” Molly Sides ation used faculty. to negotiate. The September 22 meeting “This law firm is not in the represented the end of the business of compromise, it contractual disputes, and a seems. It is in the business of new contract for the faculty defeating, achieving victory, of Rock Valley College is now engaging in battle with a win- in effect.

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Zander Day, Student Trustee

Interview conducted

by Ross Enderle Editor-in-chief

After the September 22 meeting of the Board of Trustees, I sat down with Alexander Day, the Student Trustee for Rock Valley, making this the first interview granted by a Board Member about the proceedings of this semester’s negotiation problems.

“I would do whatever it takes to keep students in class,” said Day in his opening statement.

He went on to explain that he pictured himself as two distinct persons, Zander the Trustee and Zander the human. Day mentioned that he considers his Facebook profile to be solely his personal opinion, and that the views expressed therein did not necessarily reflect the views of Zander the Trustee. Despite, or perhaps because of this position, many people messaged Zander with questions and opinions regarding the contract negotiations, his role as Student Trustee, and other topics.

He gave his email as the best way to contact him in an official capacity, because it is available through public mediums and has been proliferated specifically with his Trustee position in mind.

In referencing the personal Zander, the topic of student rights to an uninterrupted product of

education arose. Zander mentioned that he understands the desire to get what is paid for, particularly as he pays his entire course load out of pocket, with money earned by working as a CNA in the cancer unit of OSF St. Anthony’s hospital.

Zander expressed regret that the negotiations were unsuccessful.

“I don’t think that either side believed it would come to a strike. No one was planning this,” Day said in response to a question regarding preparations for a strike or campus shutdown.

When the subject of the signs on faculty doors regarding the contract issues was raised, Zander expressed that he felt the signs were lacking in context, but that they were spread information and encourage both sides to dig into the conversation.

Zander’s bottom line is students first, no matter what.

He requested that students reach out to him, and let him know what the student body thinks.

“I always try to exhaustively research student opinion before making official decisions as Student Trustee,” Day concluded.

Student Trustee Alexander Day smiles for the camera after his interview on September 22.

Photo credit: Alexander Day, selfie contributor

NEWS

THE VALLEY FORGE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

Career Fair: Opportunities for all at PEC event

Roy Rodriguez Photo editor

At 1 p.m. September 23, 2015, the annual RVC Career Fair began in earnest, with booths and tables filling the entirety of the open gym area of the Physical Education Center. Representatives from companies and organizations across the nation were there to meet promising young men and women. The noise and hubbub of networking

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and making contacts filled the space of the basketball courts, and imbued the PEC with an exiting energy.

Rockford University had a table promoting its appeal as a follow-up step to Rock Valley.

The table for Woodward Governor was also attended by a large group of interested people. Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor

Handshakes were a common sight at the event, like this one between Mickey Zeng (right and below) and Eric Le (left), as collegiate student met with professional to discuss the future.

Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor

Front-line interviews with RVC faculty

Interviews gathered by Inez Kaja, Staff writer and Hannah Boonzaayer, Opinions editor From Wednesday, September 16 until Monday, September 21, the Rock Valley College Faculty Association picketed around Rock Valley’s Mulford Road Campus. The professors were joined by community members and students to hold signs demanding a fair and equitable contract.

Chris Kramer, philosophy professor and strike captain, agreed that all the strikers want is a fair contract. He also expressed a very popular opinion regarding the usage of a law firm by the Board of Trustees. “[the lawyer] has no interests in Rockford, and no interests in RVC, and therefore has no interest in faculty, and therefore has no interest in students. He’s interested in dragging this out, as he gets paid by the hour in exorbitant fees.

And that’s where the money is coming from, our school,” Kramer said of Joe Perkoski, the lawyer representing the Board’s interests.

“I have a hundred percent trust in the negotiation team.

I have complete faith in them, I think they’re doing a fantastic job,” Kramer said of the efforts of the Faculty Association’s negotiation team.

“We are for the students, want to make sure the students get the best education they deserve. We hope the strike lasts a very short time,” said Brian Wagner, a philosophy professor at RVC.

This sentiment was reinforced by the words of English professor Jennifer Welch, who said that “We love our students, we believe in the power of edu- Day at RVC: Continued from Page 1 cation, we believe in the powThankfully their songs can be found online and on their Facebook page. er of this school to transform The night ended with an impressive firework display and a well planned shuttle to take intoxiRockford,” professor Welch cated visitors home. went on to say “we also believe that as teachers we deserve fair pay, and we are going to stand up for what we believe.”

The faculty present on the line were all very plainly committed to the cause, as evidenced by the words of En-

“

The strike is a necessary move that we had to make in order to ensure the educational quality of our classes at Rock Valley for years to come,” -Molly Sides

glish professor Molly Sides.

The faculty all hoped for an early end to the strike, but were determined to secure a good future for themselves, the student body, and Rock Valley College.

Photo credit: Inez Kaja, Staff writer

We are seeking journalists!

Skilled writers with a good head for facts and dates are asked to email us at valleyforge@gmail.com, or come down to G09 in the WTC.

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THE VALLEY FORGE

F E AT U R E S

FILM REVIEW

Ant-Man: A must see for all

by Inez Kaja Staff writer

Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is pushed out of his company and faces a new threat to his Ant-Man suit in the form of his former student Darren Cross.

At the same time Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a Robin Hood wannabe, has just been released from prison and needs money to fight his way back into his daughter’s life. Their paths cross when Lang snatches Pym’s suit and is shoved into an impossible world where the smallest thing is the greatest weapon. Filled with drama, suspense, humor, and action-packed fun, this movie is everything you would expect from Marvel and more.

Both Douglas and Rudd command the screen throughout the film. While portraying an older Hank Pym than most would expect, Douglas doesn’t let his character seem feeble. The former hero still has bite and always knows what to say to make you feel like a complete moron. His mental prowess hasn’t faded either, and, like all Marvel heros, he isn’t without his internal demons. Rudd on the other end does a great job portraying the next generation Ant-Man who is struggling to face the demons in front of him.

Witty and sarcastic in the most lovable way, Rudd

FILM REVIEW

Staff writer

Based on the classic novel by Harper Lee, the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird” continues to be a very relevant movie. Some of the language may be dated but the overall themes are not lost on the modern day.

This movie very powerfully brings forth issues of race and passing judgment in lesson not lost on a modern audience.

Actor Gregory Peck dons the role of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the small town of Macon, Georgia. He has taken on a very controversial case. The case involves a supposed rape of a white woman by a black man named Tom Robinson, played by Brock Peters.

Atticus takes on Tom’s case as his defense attorney.

Atticus must defend a man who is being accused because of the color of his skin.

At the same time, his children Scout (Mary Badham) and Jem (Phillip Alford) lead another storyline.

With their friend Dill, played by John Megna, they watch the house of a supposed madman. This man named Arthur “Boo” Radley, played by Robert Duvall, is presumed to be a very dangerous and insane man. However, as the kids try getting closer to his house, it seems like he does favors for them by leaving them things in a tree. So it is by no means certain or obvious whether Boo really is a bad man or if he is just misunderstood.

“To Kill a Mockingbird”is a classic movie that deals with hard topics. In order to more adequately convey the power of this film, a scene will now be described which contains spoilers. The best known part of the movie is the courtroom scene where Atticus defends Tom Robinson. It is clear by the evidence that Tom is innocent. If anything the woman he supposedly raped in fact tried to seduce him against his will. Yet the jury still gave the guilty verdict. Throughout the movie, the theme of racism runs deep. Atticus is often insulted for his defending Tom by others who use racially charged language against him. Frequent uses of derogatory terms toward the African American community are used by people. It paints a very graphic and real picture of racism in the south during the 40s.

Despite the power and visceral impact of Tom Robinson’s trial, it isn’t the only story in the movie. Most of the movie is told from Scout’s perspective, detailing Jem and Scout’s investigation of the Radley house. This, and the fear that Jem and Scout express at the presence of Boo Radley is a major plot device.

LITERATURE REVIEW

VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

The Girl on the Train: A new take on mystery novels

expertly forces the audience to fall for him. If that isn’t enough, he pulls heartstrings by emphasising the need for Lang to be with his daughter, adorning his character with maximum paternal instincts that make by Becca Russell you cheer for him throughout the film.

Features editor The movie starts at the beginning of a new British author Paula Hawkins provides a newer and generation. Pym has already had his days as Ant- fresher take on mystery novels with her novel, The Girl Man, and it is now time for Rudd to take the wheel. on the Train, published January 13, 2015. Though at We see flashbacks of Pym’s life and glimpses of the first glance the title may seem to be vague or boring, demons that plague him and his daughter Hope it actually gives vital exposition. Indeed, the novel fol(played by Evangeline Lilly), but the focal point is lows an ordinary woman on a banal daily commute to work; however, the reader learns a lot about the charthe setup for Scott Lang’s tale.

The amount of work that went into creating the ant acter of Rachel Watson among the first few pages. Orarmies Pym and Lang controlled is nothing to sneeze dinary does not even begin to cover the lifestyle that at. Each little creature was flawless from antenna to Rachel Watson leads. Her thoughts and memories of different times highlight to the reader that people are leg, with amazing detail that makes obscure. We never really know what goes on in anothyou forget that they’re computer er person’s head, especially a stranger. The reader will be animated. hard-pressed to resist becoming a part of Rachel’s story.

Likewise the shrinking ability She is the type of character that is bland on the surface, of the suit is fluidly handled, but once revealed is hard to ignore. along with the suit itself.

Rachel’s daily routine involves her traveling by train Every detail of this movie from her London suburb home to work and finishes is enhanced and brought the day with an ice cold gin and tonic. Actually, any to the forefront, and is alcoholic beverage will suffice due to the fact that she worth the extra money battles with alcoholism. She continuously states that to see in Imax. she is able to stop at any time, but chooses not to. Her addiction helps her deal with the pain she feels from passing her former home every day, which now is inhabited by her ex-husband and his new wife and baby.

Nevertheless, Rachel is able to on some level control her feelings towards the “happy” couple, but finds it hard to move on from that point in her life. Despite her flaws, she tries not to focus on her past, but on a more posYet, when a man tries to kill them, they are saved itive interest in her life. In her old neighborhood lives by none other than Boo Radley. This is perhaps the the perfect couple that she has coined “Jess” and “Jason”, most understated part of the movie. It goes into the two random individuals that she has never actually met. message behind the movie; the message about race Although she knows nothing about their lives, Rachel and not judging people. feels like she is connected to them. She has created a life The movie is largely driven on the concept of be- for these people within her mind and she watches them ing a social outcast. Whether it be the character of from her window seat on the train almost every day. RaTom Robinson or that of Boo Radley, it hinges on chel is comfortable with these strangers and wishes that the idea of “the other”. People who are in truth just she knew them on a personal level. Soon, she will. as moral, if not more so, than the majority. In the After the reader is introduced to the majority of the case of Boo Radley, the movie sets up an idea about characters, Rachel is observed during another normal him. He is set up as some sort of boogey man for day. However, this particular day is anything but northe kids to be afraid of. Then when he saves them mal in her schedule. Rachel Watson witnesses an act from death, it is shown that he is tender and lov- of betrayal of Jess to Jason and she is left haunted by ing toward children. A character that we assume is what she has seen. Upon waking the next morning, she evil is actually a defender of children. So the movie feels the after effects of her late night bender and has teaches that we shouldn’t judge other people wheth- no memory of the previous night. But Rachel has an er by race or perception. They may be just as decent aching feeling that something happened and she has of people, if not more so, than any of us. This is por- done something very wrong. Then, when she sees Jess’s face plastered on a missing person’s flyer, Rachel comes trayed brilliantly by the actors.

So far as the acting went, it’s hard to conceive alive. She learns the true names of the mystery couple, Megan and Scott Hipwell, and begins to conduct anyone other than Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. her own investigation into the disappearance of Megan.

The role is iconically his and rightfully so. He disRachel injects herself into the official police inquiry in plays an authentic conviction and passion. The enorder to learn anything and everything about the Hiptire courtroom scene was a pinnacle of the consid- wells. She doesn’t realize that jumping into the spoterable acting talents in the film. Everyone portrayed light makes her look like a suspect to the police. While their roles with passion and conviction. The child she deals with finding the truth, Rachel runs up against actors deserve special mention as well, for holding her ex-husband Tom and his wife, Anna. To them, she their own in a cast of adult actors. is an unstable and dangerous adversary that could cause On the topic of children, the whole setting of the harm to their family. Rachel continues to see Tom and movie is unique because of it’s childlike perspective. Anna as she visits with Scott more and more, but refusIt’s a very dark setting in some ways because of the es to relinquish her duty to find the truth. conviction, and eventual death, of Tom Robinson. The Girl on the Train is one of the most interesting Yet despite the frankly disheartening depiction of reads of the year. It has all the makings of a bestsellracism in the South, there’s a certain ineffable opti- ing crime novel, but provides a deeper look into the mism brought about by the innocent perspective of lives of everyday people. It includes the points of view the children through whom the audience views the of the three major women characters, Rachel, Anna, story. So the setting combines itself very interest- and Megan and evokes feelings of solidarity with each ingly. The plot is character focused and this makes one. These women have different personalities, but they for superb acting and a sense of depth about the are definitively drawn together by a singular mysterious figure. An opaque lynchpin that is revealed in one whole movie.

Overall, “To Kill a Mockingbird”is a movie that of the best twists I’ve read this year. This novel pushes the reader to turn one more page, to find out what haprighteously deserves its place in the list of all time pened the night Rachel blacked out and why she is so classics. It is a must watch for anyone who loves a attached to Megan and Scott. I highly recommend this good drama. It is also the sort of timeless movie that to any type of reader, especially those who yearn for a has a message for all the generations. It reminds us alluring plot line. As a reader with particular interests, that racism exists in every facet of life and yet it also The Girl on the Train left me pining for another book encourages us to fight it like Atticus. In a large way, to be written by Paula Hawkins, and soon.

“To Kill a Mockingbird”is still one of the greatest movies ever made.

Keep killing mockingbirds

by Noah Neiber

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

F E AT U R E S

THE VALLEY FORGE

CULINARY REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

5

A Taste of Culture:

by Becca Russell Features editor

Within the city of Rockford, there are many opportunities to taste wonderful and authentic cuisines.

While Rockford may not be the most diverse city when it comes to culture, these dining offers are worth the trip. One of the best examples of a talented restaurant is the India House. Upon entering, visitors will be greeted with a myriad of smells permeating the air, such as chicken and spices.

The atmosphere is calm and soothing with background sounds of popular Hindi music along with the melodious noise of food preparation in the kitchen. Those who dine at India House will have all previous expectations of remarkable tasting foods exceeded.

The owners, Bijender and Savitri Bisht, have operated the India House since the year 2000. Before opening, the family worked in Chicago for many years but wanted

to accomplish their own company, thus they purchased the restaurant. Among the classic choices of Indian food that outline their menu, they serve a lunch buffet every day.

This buffet each day of the week includes something new from the menu, but is accompanied by either their famous chicken tikka masala or some form of curry as the main entree. These two dishes are by far my favorite. The chicken tikka masala is simmered in a creamy mixture of yogurt and a tomato sauce, giving it a rich flavor. The chicken or vegetable curry is another popular dish at the India House. Like the tikka masala, the curry is made with a creamy yogurt sauce, but it has a completely different flavor and texture.

The only way to properly eat the curry and to experience the full effect of its flavor is at a high heat level. While I am not accustomed to eating spicy foods, I love the curry: with each bite, an exhalatory “yum” is obligatory. Pairing these delicious entrees with Basmati

rice and naan bread is the perfect way to spend a meal.

During my most recent trip to the India House, I was able to sample from the Sunday buffet. The selections included Tandoori chicken, Pakora, Chicken Tikka Masala, Jaipuri Aloo, naan bread, basmati rice, and a delicious Indian dessert called Gulab Jamun.

Each dish has a unique and memorable flavor that will ensure the customer’s return.

The tandoori chicken dish is chicken marinated with Indian herbs and spices and it is presented on a flat plate with various vegetables. Some pieces do appear to have a charred exterior, but the interior is very tender and tasty. Most of the dishes that have chicken are cooked in their clay oven. The naan bread is always fresh and warm, but the best possible time to snatch a piece is when the owners replenish the bowls of food available. Then you are guaranteed the best possible tastes of India House. The dish called pakora is a deep fried piece of a vegetable, such as

spinach. It is a small, crunchy food and could be seen as an appetizer, or beginning part of the meal. It precedes the Tandoori chicken and the naan in the line up of the buffet.

After the naan, the basmati rice is available. It is an Indian rice seasoned with specific spices and it accompanies most of the items on the menu.

I also tried the Jaipuri Aloo which is potatoes in a cream and tomato sauce. This was my first time eating this specific item, but I enjoyed it. It had a soft texture, similar to mashed potatoes, but it was cooked with vegetables and had a savory taste. The final course that I sampled at the India House was the Gulab Jamun.

It is a type of Indian milksolids dessert ball; it tasted almost akin to a pancake, but the syrup that accompanied the Gulab Jamun was not as sweet. While it may have an interesting appearance, it is a particularly good dessert to try.

My trip ended with the palate cleanser portion of the meal.

This process is completed

by drinking the masala chai tea that is offered. It is a rich flavored tea, the perfect end to a delectable meal.

The India House restaurant is a perfect example of culturally authentic food that is available to the population of Rockford and its surrounding cities.

I highly recommend eating from the buffet because it only costs $10 per person and the customer then has the opportunity to sample many different dishes of Indian cuisine. However, if you wish to only try the chicken tikka masala or the chicken curry, then ordering straight from the menu is another alternative.

The order comes with basmati rice, but you must order the naan separate. For me, the naan bread completes the meal (who doesn’t love carbs?) and is worth the extra price. The next time you are wondering what to do for dinner time, stop into the India House on 6430 East Riverside Boulevard, for either dining-in or carryout, and experience the magic.

COMMUNITY INTEREST

The Men Who Made Rockford: Lewis Lake

by Noah Neiber

Staff writer Sometimes in Rockford we think that we don’t have history. We think of our city as a boring place, not worth anything.

Yet there is so much history in Rockford that interconnects with the larger picture of American history. This city has men who have struggled in the heat of war to serve our city, our state, and our country. This is the story of a man named Lewis Lake, who gave greatly for the United States and lived most of his life around Rockford.

Lewis F. Lake was born in a small Illinois town called Owen in 1846. He turned sixteen in 1863, in the heat of the US Civil War. Around this time, Abraham Lincoln called for 300,000 more troops to join the war effort. To serve his country, Lake and a few men from his city enlisted. Lake was a recruit in Company B of the 1st Illinois Light Artillery.

This group was famously

known as Taylor’s Battery.

Taylor’s Battery had served in such famous battles as Shiloh and Vicksburg. They were a favored group of General William Sherman and had also served under Ulysses Grant.

Lake would join the battery in Alabama in the winter of 1863.

He was a part of the group guarding the vital Chattanooga and Huntsville railroads. His battery consisted of four heavy Napoleon guns and two light Parrott guns. Lake manned one of the Napoleon guns and began training on it. This continued until May 1864.

Around the first of May it was decided that the Union had to push further south to win the war. General William Sherman was to go down into Georgia, through Atlanta and make it to the sea in the famous Atlanta Campaign. The sixteen year old Lake was part of this famed march. On this way, he participated in many battles. A battle at a place called Mission Ridge cost the lives of many

young men from Winnebago County. Another battle at Kennesaw Mountain also cost a lot of lives from Winnebago county. Lake noted in a later speech that the 55th Illinois infantry came by his battery and stopped to rest. During that time, a Confederate

Words fail to express the thoughts that passed through the mind,

-Lewis Lake, 1888

shell landed near them and exploded, killing them.

None though would impact his life as much as the siege of Atlanta itself. It was July 22, 1864 and Taylor’s battery was hard-pressed. The Confederate army charged fiercely, flanked the cannons and demanded surrender. Lake’s lieutenant surrendered to the Confederates but was then shot. Lake was among the twenty-one prisoners taken,

all the rest were casualties.

The seventeen or so year old Lake was now a prisoner of his enemies.

They were taken to the infamous prisoner of war camp, Andersonville, a camp in Georgia that had deplorable conditions. Around thirteen thousand people died at Andersonville, mainly from disease. Those who didn’t die from disease were often in such a bad condition that they looked more like skeletons than men. Lake arrived at the camp on July 27th. In a speech he would later give in his life he said of the camp, “I can not give a description of the surroundings as they really were. Words fail to express the thoughts that passed through the mind of the newcomer...”

The conditions began to affect Lake who got barely any food.

The rations at Andersonville were gritty cornbread, a small piece of bacon and a half pint of black beans. These meager rations went to feed an entire

camp of men. At that time there were nearly 35,000 Union soldiers held captive in the camp. Of course due to the poor conditions many died. In August and September, death wrought its hand heavily on the camp with Lake recording 150 dead per day. But the food was not safe at Andersonville.

The wagon which carried out the dead each evening was the very same that brought food each morning. This caused far more infections.

In September of 1864, Lake was part of a prisoner exchange. He continued to fight until the war was over with the remnants of Taylor’s Battery. He would go on to be the county circuit clerk over Winnebago County. Then he worked on a commission that built a monument at Andersonville for Illinois soldiers. He lived in Rockford for all that time and would eventually die there in 1933.

In his life he had served his country nobly.

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THE VALLEY FORGE

F E AT U R E S

CULINARY REVIEW

Meg’s Daily Grind of my wallet

by Becca Russell and Ross Enderle F.e. & E.i.c.

Meg’s Daily Grind, a Rockford original, is the only available source of caffeine for students and teachers amongst the Rock Valley College campus. It is where one can pay exorbitant amounts for what can only be described as saddening results. Meg’s is the coffeehouse of choice for all those who don’t wish to walk or drive off campus for a bit of study fuel. It is an unfortunate aspect to the campus due to its location and menu.

Since this establishment is a part of a college campus, shouldn’t there be a student discount available? Paying about $5 for one cup of tall coffee is exorbitant pricing for college students. In fact the only redeeming quality is that if one chooses to return to Meg’s a refill can be purchased for a quarter. This applies only to the coffees displayed in a row on the counter opposite the register, and there is technically only one refill allowed before another full price coffee must be paid for. The punch card reward system is also laughably thin.

One must buy 10 drinks, receiving ten punches in a card, before the outstanding reward of a single dollar off is given. This is almost uniquely useless, even

among coffee shops. Caffeine is vital to the student of higher education, both as a trademark of those who value knowledge above sleep, and as an effective chemical enhancement to collegiate activities. A student can only gain knowledge during class if they are highly caffeinated and Meg’s is the only close opportunity to achieve a level of alertness akin to running a marathon.

While they may offer pre-brewed coffees for the student with specific caffeine obsessions, these choices are still limited and pricey. Some of their simpler drinks cost about $3 (depending on size) and while this may appear to be a good deal, that does not include a tax. It is a wonder as to whether this company strives to cater to its customer base or churn a great profit.

The only redeeming quality of the Meg’s installed in the ERC of RVC is the baristas. Whether standup comedians or simply sweethearts, the staff are the shining pinnacle of all Meg’s services. Banter, rapport, and no small amount of joking can be expected from the coffee cookers of Meg’s Daily Grind at RVC. A bit of mental resilience is ideal when approaching the counter to order.

Since Meg’s Daily Grind is meant to supply great service to students and teachers on campus, then they should implement a delivery system. It would be a smart way to earn gratuity for a few enterprising workers and those in desperate need of an energy boost would not have to make time to walk to the ERC in order to acquire their fix. Honestly, all the available food options at Rock Valley College should have a delivery system for the busy individual. There would be restrictions to this type of delivery system, but the establishments located on campus would have great benefits. For new students working on campus jobs, this system would allow them to become more comfortable with the campus layout. Another advantage would be meeting new people whilst delivering their orders. Even though these examples may seem obvious, they could potentially work in the long run.

City market continues to grow

by Becca Russell

example, on there was a new artist present to display her craft. Jordan Knoup’s company is called Botny, which is an online company that sells jewelry. This company originated in North Dakota and came to the current owner’s possession after she learned that the first owner was selling it. She visited the owner in North Dakota, purchased the company,

City Market is the Cheese People of Beloit. Their display involves a table of packaged cheeses of all types and certain hand selected beverages to accompany their farmstead cheese. Up until recently, they had a storefront in Beloit, but they have sold this location. Now, the Cheese People of Beloit frequent multiple farmer’s markets each week,

Features editor The local Rockford City Market has been in operation since June 11, 2010. When it first came to life, this market was a small scale endeavour, but it has grown immensely.

Just last year, the location underwent a tremendous construction in order to allow more vendors and visitors. The Rockford City Market is held in downtown Rockford, at the intersection of Water Street and Market Street, from May 22 to October 2 each year.

During the Friday, September 18th Market, the horrendous weather of Rockford hailed upon the patrons. Although the venue was not as full with its many vendors, it was still a successful outing.

This market is full of vendors from within a 150 mile radius. The booth choices include Soap of the Earth displays their lathery wares at the City Market local food establishments, al- in Rockford on Friday, September 18th. Inez Kaja coholic beverages, desserts, jewelry, flower and produce and began to make and sell her especially during the summer growers, and artisans of all own jewelry through her new months, and they have a waretypes. It also features live mu- organization. The jewelry is all house in Chicago, Illinois.

While attending this week’s sic from local and visiting art- hand-crafted and sold mostly through the online busiCity Market, visitors were able ists, whether it be a cover band ness. Each piece is unique and to meet Farmer Nick, who or their own compositions.

While the City Market fea- a perfect gift for those who has been selling his packaged tures returning vendors every love wearing handmade acces- meats since the second year of the market. He sells pasweek, there are booths that ro- sories.

Another rotating vendor that ture-raised meat, dairy, and tate and allow for outside artparticipates in the Rockford egg products to customers ists to display their work. For

throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. He is a regular vendor and besides frequenting the City Market, he also attends many different farmer’s markets in the Wisconsin and Illinois area.

The Rockford City Market provides different beverage types to refresh the palates of customers. These options range from beer, wine, soda, coffee, teas and smoothies. The Rockford Brewing Company is one of the booths that sells their own handcrafted lagers.

The actual business location is along the Rock River, in the old Prairie Street Brewhouse building. The Rockford Brewing Company equips customers with an old industrial feel and last year, they implemented a menu to accompany their homemade beers. This brewery is just one local sample of Rockford history and it is a wonderful place to visit.

The Rockford City Market has thrived since its start in June 2010 and it will continue to grow every year. Each Friday from May until October, citizens have an opportunity to get to know local artisans and sample some great food and drinks. This market is a fun experience and location to meet friends and relax after a long week.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

Get to know RVC campus

by Ross Enderle

Editor-in-chief For all those students still getting accustomed to the layout of RVC’s campus, or perhaps those who simply have not explored, and even those who have explored somewhat, this piece will prove an invaluable reference material. This focuses on the Mulford Road RVC Campus.

If one is to truly understand the complex tapestry that is the combination of icy sidewalks, blistering parking lots, and inexplicably cordoned off stairs which make up this campus, then dedication, focus, and no small measure of physical durability is required.

To begin with exploration, there is, just north of parking lot seven, a stand of trees.

As it is one of the few places with any substantial tree cover left on campus, the reader is advised and requested to take care while exploring. This stand of trees, while appearing to be a small forest, is actually more of a perimeter wall, with the interior portions being hollow, so to speak, and the ground bare. Called the Moot, this clearing is home to stumps which serve as chairs, creating an unofficial nature area for student use. This area may only exist for a short time, as the ultimate fate of those woods is unknown. For this reason if no other, find the Moot while it lasts, and look out over the campus, see the JCSM, and the SSB, and the fields beyond.

We want to hear your voice!

Guest submissions are always welcome at the Forge. Email us at valleyforge@ gmail.com, or come down to G09 in the WTC.

THE VALLEY FORGE

F E AT U R E S

FILM REVIEW

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

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Funniest murder spree in Boston’s history: Boondock Saints

by Becca Russell and Ross Enderle

F.e. & E.i.c Released in 1999, The Boondock Saints, starring Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus, remains a fantastic film to this day. As all true classic films of timeless humor and meaning, it is inevitably rediscovered time and again, passed from those who love it to those who don’t yet know that they love it, this movie will never stop being played. From the MacManus family prayer, to the antics of the lovable brothers Murph and Connor, this film highlights the true meaning of family and tradition. While it may be a bit shocking to the less adventurous movie viewer, it is worth the watch.

The Boondock Saints focuses on the MacManus brothers, two highly intelligent individuals working in a meat packing plant in Boston. On St. Patrick’s Day, the brothers run afoul of the Russian Mafiya, who are buying up property around Boston, including the favored establishment of the McManus brothers.

A bar fight commences between the Russian enforcers and the bar’s patrons. The victorious McManus brothers and their friends celebrate by humiliating the defeated Mafiya thugs. The following day, the brothers are surprised by the thugs, who have returned to take vengeance on them. Connor and Murph manage to kill the thugs and escape. The bizarre crime scene left behind by this calls in Agent Smecker, played by Willem Da-

foe. The brothers turn themselves in, and are subsequently released after being questioned by Smecker, who knew the brothers were innocent from his analysis of the crime scene. Hailed by the Boston community as heroes, the brothers then take up the mantle of holy warriors, inflicting the wrath of God upon the wicked and evil of Boston.

Although this movie was made 16 years ago, it still carries themes that are supported and talked about today. Vigilantism is one of the most common thematic developments that TV shows and movies use. The movie is compelling because it shows a minority (either the good or the devout, depending on one’s reading of the film) confronting majorities (either the wicked, the apathetic to the wicked, or the irreligious) in society, and the viewer sympathizes with the minority. The MacManus brothers come from a poor background, as evidenced by the low level jobs they hold, and the illegal loft housing they live in, but they use their skills in order to take action to

better the community in which they live.

Connor and Murph are devout Catholics who understand the limitations of the law and believe that the laws of God are higher than the laws of men.

We relate to their story because they are doing what many wish they could do. It evokes feelings of solidarity with its familial and traditional ties to their ancestors.

The brothers are strong in their faith, attending daily Mass despite being fugitives, and they use it to bolster their resolve to be the vengeful ministers of God’s will, exempt from the restrictive laws which protect evil. Each character may be different from the next, but in the end they all strive for a common goal: to extract fairness from those who abuse power. The ones who wish to preserve the Boston Irish community and extinguish the flame of organized crime team up to exact this vigilante justice. In-

cluded in this group are Rocco, a runner for the Italian mafia, and Agent Smecker, who inevitably finds a place with the MacManus brothers. This is a brilliant company of actors working together to create the masterpiece that is The Boondock Saints.

The Boondock Saints continues to gain notoriety as it is passed down from viewer to viewer. It doesn’t highlight flashy plot scenes, but provides humor to accept the violent deaths and profane language.

At times, there may seem to be unnecessary profanity or violence, the characters inevitably reel the viewer in once again with their rapport and personality. Like all movies, there will be those who love it for all it’s worth, enjoy certain aspects of it, or hate it entirely.

If the viewer agrees with the first category, then experience more of the MacManus brothers in the sequel, The Boondock Saints II. Although it isn’t quite as satisfying to watch as the first one is, this continuation contains humorous jokes and new characters. The Boondock Saints will live on as a classic film and should be watched at least once a year, preferably on St. Patrick’s Day.

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OPINION

THE VALLEY FORGE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 47, ISSUE 2

STAFF SHOWDOWN

September Edition

Topic

Since time immemorial, there have been certain rites within cultures.

Traditions that are considered central to the way of life. In America, one such rite of passage is the application for and attainment of a driver’s license. Typically considered to be around the age of 16, this is a long-standing tradition of about 50 years. Another, much older traditional rite of passage is the ability to imbibe various forms of alcohol.

The legal age of this activity is 21.

The rationale behind the 21st birthday being the boozy one is popularly believed to be to do with the brain’s development, and that imbibing alcohol prior to one’s 21st birthday will damage one, as humans are unfinished until the magical age of 21.

This has now been proven largely incorrect by a wealth of scientific data, which states overwhelmingly that, at least for males, cranial development does not cease until the mid 20’s.

by J.A. George It is common knowledge that the general legal age for alcohol consumption in the United States is twenty-one. Another well-known fact about the country we live in is that driver’s licenses are frequently given to teenagers at the tender age of sixteen.

This suggests a slight rift in priorities, in that a high school student—the kind of people most likely to have emotional and identity problems that come with the shaky development of the endocrine system—can be given full rights to the operation of an object over twenty-five times her size and fully capable of hurting or killing people if improperly handled. It’s certainly a relief that alcohol is legally out of the equation for five years afterwards. But even then, it might not be enough.

It has been proven by many different studies that both alcohol and reckless driving have yielded a fair number of victims (even without combining the two, a decision that no one should ever make). According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 30,000 people died in car accidents in the United States in

by Becca Russell According to the above statement, minors would be able to handle their liquor better than operating a steel machine.

While this opinion piece may have good arguments, I firmly believe that the age requirements that are in effect today are reliable. Adults that scientifically have their brain functions fully developed are

2013 alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that, in the same year, 29,000 people suffered alcohol-induced death. It is not only likely, but almost certain, that a good number of these unfortunate people were teenagers. In some way or another, both auto collisions and alcohol are responsible for much senseless death in this country. As such, the only solution is to take more responsibility for the car and for the bottle. And frankly, it seems as though allowing such responsibility to come into the hands of such young people only contributes to these numbers every year.

It has been asserted that the legal ages of alcohol consumption and driving ability ought to be switched for the greater good. This is not an entirely unsound proposition. In fact, waiting for teenagers to gain more experience behind the wheel, then giving them access to the roads at twenty-one, would seem to be the safest, most logical, and most effective decision. However, allowing people to drink at sixteen brings us back to square one—irresponsible drinkers, who could even potentially get behind the wheel. Another problem relates to health: specifically, that of the brain. A

So having determined that the 21st birthday is arbitrarily alcoholic, and the cranial development is incomplete until much later, what is to be done about the 16th birthday?

If legal adults are not allowed to drink a depressant, which makes them sluggish and erratic, out of concern for their brains, how is it logical to allow barely pubescent teenagers to operate thousands of pounds of steel, with the speed and weight to cause numerous deaths and millions in damages.

Should not the rules be reversed? Since evidently no one is concerned with alcohol damage to the brain, perhaps someone will be concerned with cranial hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and other deadly injuries caused daily by operation of vehicles.

The age of alcoholic consumption should become 16, whereas the age of driving should be 21.

study by the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta suggests that human brain development does not completely stop until roughly the age of twenty-five.

With this in mind, it would make no sense to allow teens (with underdeveloped brains due to age) to consume alcohol, a substance that has been

without saying that the safest answer to this question is to have teens wait until they are more mature to be able to handle both drinking and driving (separately, of course). On the one hand, driving is a necessity for most people, and cannot be put off so easily or for so long. As such, 21would be a much better age to grant this freedom to people, as it would be a five-year increase in skill, maturity, and decision-making skills. On the other hand, alcohol is not only not a necessary evil, but not a necessary benefit, -J.A George, staff writer either. A frivolous product that is clearly capaknown to degrade brain activi- ble of killing the consumer is ty. A compilation of studies on to be avoided whenever possian article of PsychologyToday. ble. To that end, a better solucom all suggest that alcohol- tion for the legal drinking age ics tend to suffer more prob- would be to raise the boundlems with learning, planning, ary a bit higher, to twenty-five remembering, and following (the approximate age where directions than non-alcohol- brain development is said to ics. With that, the question stop). This will reduce the risk should be this: would you trust of early addictions, which will a teenager, an already-toxic itself reduce the likelihood playground of hormones, with of liver and heart problems, a beverage that could impair drunk driving, and reduction their ability to think, plan and of brain capability. As human remember in the long term beings, our brains set us apart when she needs those men- from the rest of the world, and tal skills to finish school, han- it would be a shame to do away dle their job and relationships, with something so rare in naand study to get that driver’s ture as higher brain functions. license they’ve been wanting It’s true what they say: a mind for years? really is a terrible thing to By now, I believe it goes waste.

“

Both auto collisions and alcohol are responsible for much senseless death.

still prone to cause vehicular accidents, sober or under the influence of alcohol. The same goes for teenagers; vehicular accidents and the effects of these disturbances can occur

“

for an infinite amount of reasons. Consider the recent tragic death of the Stillman Valley student and the other citizen. There may have been foul play within the car that caused the disaster or the driver simply may have not been paying attention to her -Becca Russell, features editor

The laws that are in motion today are strong ones.

surroundings. Laws that answer debates like age requirements are put into effect after long discussion and passing through tedious trials.

The laws that are in motion today are strong ones and they were decided upon following extensive research and I support them. They may not always make complete sense to the citizens required to uphold them, but they preserve the community in the long run.

by Inez Kaja Did you k n o w that--according to ProCon. org--only five states have no exceptions to their underaged drinking laws? The remaining forty-five allow drinking to eighteen year olds under certain circumstances. And what’s wrong with that? At eighteen an American is allowed to sign up for the military, their parents can kick them out whenever they want, and they become legal adults in their country’s eyes.

So it makes sense for them to be able to drink alcohol. Most people drink before this age anyway. Being allowed into bars may not be a good idea, but a restaurant--or their own homes--is much safer to drink at than fraternity houses, where most underage drinking occurs.If supervised drinking is allowed to take place parents can teach their children safe drinking habits. According to madd.org, “in fatal car crashes in 2011, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21-24 (32%), followed by ages 25 to 34 (30%), and 35 to 44 (24%).” Most would expect teens to be among the highest, but because many take their 21st birthday to the extreme, it only makes sense that most accidents happen when the driver is 21. If the age was dropped, there would be less anticipation for the day, and more supervision for the new adult.

OPINION

THE VALLEY FORGE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

EDITORIAL BOARD

The State of the College The year is 2015. CLI sits abandoned while a fence surrounds empty dirt where a new building was promised. The creek alternates between shag carpet of algae, and a fluorescent green puddle. A little over a month has passed since the beginning of the fall semester at Rock Valley College, and in that time, the Rock Valley College Faculty Association has gone on strike for the first time in the history of the college, sparking reactions across the community. After nine months of negotiation, and hundreds of hours of meetings, we have seen a more bitter conflict than anyone expected. From inflammatory language and disinformation to roaring silences in the place of vocal support, the community has been kept in rapt attention as the Rock Valley College Faculty and Board of Trustees have struggled through what can only be described as a battle for the present and future of the college and community.

We as students were caught in the crossfire as Board and faculty pushed for what they each

believed to be the best options for the college. In the place of transparency and cooperation, we have seen subterfuge and gridlock. In place of open dialogue and mutual respect, we have seen legalese and dismissive commentary prevail.

The students of RVC have made their voices heard, both in support of the actions taken, “Sickening that it took so much work by the faculty to reach this agreement. We

take pay cuts, when money has been wasted elsewhere,” said Jerry G. “The Trustees are on the board to serve their own political agendas, not to represent the interests of RVC,” said Ryan M. and in criticism, “Inconvenient,” said Michael M. “Neither side cared about the students. I felt like a kid in a divorce,” said James B. and as we look forward, we know we can expect Neither side cared about the that more conflict to students. I felt like a kid in come.

This publication is a divorce.

-James B, student operated entirely

by RVC students of varying age and should inherently value our areas of study, and I myself can teachers,” said Brandon E. say that I am surprised by the “The Board of Trustees forced recent events. I have seen RVC the teachers into a strike, faculty, members of an organiwhich affected only the facul- zation in which I have the utty and students with lost time,” most respect for, hiss en masse said Alex P. at the mere mention of Joe “It’s not fair to ask people who Perkoski, the lawyer who hanare enriching the communi- dled the Board’s negotiations. ty by providing an atmosphere I have seen and heard astonfor learning to work cheaply or ishing displays of disrespect

“

from members of a Board who should hold the college’s best interest above all else. I fear for the future of this college, which now has relationships which are incredibly damaged, and yet must carry on. It falls upon you, reader, to determine if anyone is to blame, and why.

I can only say that I am saddened by this conflict, and that I expected much higher levels of professional behavior from those in the college administration and Board.

How are we to trust our President, Mike Mastroianni, when he has expressed “strong disappointment” in the RVC Faculty in his September 21st statement, and in response to the best efforts of the Faculty Association’s Negotiation Committee, simply requested that the faculty return to work?

What am I to make of the stories of disgusting comments made by Board members to faculty members on a personal basis?

How am I to expect uninterrupted education, when only one Board member has any experience in the field of ed-

ucation?

The Student Trustee, Alexander Day, has given a strong example of what I believe to be an ideal Board member, but he is only one out of eight Board members entrusted with the guardianship of this institution.

In the course of researching and interviewing for this issue, I have encountered countless faculty who feel insulted and demeaned by the events of the last nine months.

As a student, I have a right to receive the product I pay for, but as a member of the community, I have an obligation to see that future generations of students can have the same pride for Rock Valley as I do.

I see a college divided. We must all decide how best to move forward.

This article represents the opinion of the Valley Forge editorial board. The vote was unanimously in favor. Written by Ross Enderle.

Weaponizing RVC students

by Johnny Montville Guest writer

The strike was primarily a conflict between the faculty and the administration, yet through a bit of slick emotive rhetoric from both sides, much of the student body was mobilized for what was to become, at least metaphorically, a war.

In the span of a few days, we were introduced to a 9-month old dispute between two jaded groups who desired our support. This mentality led to what I now call the ‘Weaponization of the Student’: we became a sword used by both the faculty and the administration to attack each-other with.

Recall common phrases used by both groups: “they don’t have the student’s interests in mind”, “they don’t really care about the students”; or one of my favorites, “the students are

2015-2016

the real victims here.” By doing this, we’re dragged into the conflict and used to attack the other side and, at the same time, evoke sympathy from the readers. We became instruments for a struggle that many of us never asked to be a part of. The crime of this is that we students got no say in how we were represented - they simply assumed that we were all powerless victims. Even those who voluntarily took sides were influenced inappropriately.

Because most of us knew almost nothing about their dispute to begin with, we relied primarily on whichever side we instinctively preferred for information, and since the sides were so heavily polarized in their presentation, we became polarized as well. Most of us began our thought process by finding out that there

Valley Forge staff

The Valley Forge is an open forum for student expression with the purpose of informing and entertaining the audience of Rock Valley students and staff. All content decisions are made by the students of the Valley Forge staff. Letters to the editor and other guest submissions are welcomed and should be sent to room G09 in the WTC, or emailed to Valleyforge@gmail.com. The Valley Forge staff reserves the right to edit all submissions.

existed a board of trustees and, depending on where you learned of this, you might have been informed that they are either greedy, incompetent bureaucrats or that they are virtuous people who are defending the sanctity of the school from greedy teachers. In a dispute where compromise was the highest value, everyone too easily allowed it to become an ‘us or them’ affair, with no recognition of the legitimacy of the other side’s position.

the absolute rightness of one side. The result of this excessive polarity forced on us is that, depending on which side we took, a portion of us are now triumphant over an apparent ‘win’, because there can only be winners and losers. Or some of us are bitter and disillusioned concerning the entire institution. And others who preferred to stay neutral are suspicious of both sides, thinking that they are just trying to be recruited by either.

The irony here is that through their referencing of us as victims, we actually became victims. Whether the student was a passive or active participant in the overall debate, we were taken advantage of, either as a conceptual instrument for their closed argument, or as a participant made to believe in

Regardless of who was actually right, we the students deserve to be taken seriously as people with our own individual feelings and ideas, not as a faceless category that can be used arbitrarily for the purposes of a dispute that’s not ours.

9

We want to hear your voice!

Guest submissions are always welcome at the Forge. Email us at valleyforge@ gmail.com, or come down to G09 in the WTC.

establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an

Editor-in-chief

Ross Enderle Features editor

Becca Russell General staff

Managing editor

Stephanie Nold

Opinions editor

Photo editor

Hannah Boonzaayer

Inez Kaja, James George, Noah Neiber, and Aaron Swanlund

Roy rodriguez

Adviser

Frank Coffman

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Opinion

THE VALLEY FORGE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

Saving lives, one death We are Generation Z at a time

by Becca Russell Features editor

Each and every eighteen year old faces the same question once they reach the dreaded adulthood age: in the event of a tragedy or death, will you be willing to donate your organs?

Organ donation is necessary in science and the survival of human life.

While there are some who oppose it, organ donation aids in preserving life, it can be performed by a living human, and the process is entirely dependent on the consent of a donor.

The system of organ donation gives another chance to those in need of healthy organs to continue living fulfilling lives. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are over 100,000 people awaiting organ transplantation. Once a patient obtains an organ, their quality of life drastically improves. Despite the constant need for organs, the process is an arduous one: in order to properly receive an organ, patients are affixed to an existing list of other patients in demand of the same organ.

Once an organ presents itself, the patient at the top of the list must be eligible to receive said organ. They must have a blood type match, where the antibodies and the antigens in the donor’s and patient’s blood are equivalent to one another. Doctors also consider the severity of a patient compared to others on the transplant list. For instance, a patient experiencing Stage Four kidney failure may be more likely to receive an available healthy kidney than a patient in Stage One of the same disease. Another consideration is how long an organ will last before deteriorating once harvested from a body. Some organs are able to last up to thirty-six hours while others simply stay fresh for only about twelve. Although all these requirements are important, an opportunity for organ harvesting must present itself.

The shortage of available organs grows daily, but it only takes one person to change this dynamic by signing up to become a donor. Organ donation can include the harvesting of the following: skin and tissue; internal organs, such as the kidneys, liver, heart, or lungs; bone and bone marrow; or even the cornea, a structure located in the eye. For organ harvesting to occur, an individual does not necessarily have to be pronounced dead to be capable of donating. In other words, a person can donate their blood, plasma, bone marrow (an excruciatingly painful procedure), and a even kidney if necessary. There are also multiple ways to become familiar with the process of becoming an organ donator. It may be explained during a driver’s education course, a television program, and also through a religious-affiliated group.

The seriousness of organ donation most likely comes to light when a relative or friend is in need of an healthy organ.

However, organ donation will only occur with the donor’s signed consent, whether it be on a driver’s license, medical information, or parental consent. If a tragedy were to occur and an individual was pronounced dead, those related to the deceased would have the ability to decide whether or not organ donation were to occur. Despite a tragic ending, another person’s life can change simply by signing up to donate.

This process can be a difficult and painful decision, but it is crucial to sustain life. Each individual is entitled to their own opinion, but organ donation is one of the most sincere acts a person can commit. Why deny a person the right to continue living? A major step in the fight for life is to become an organ donor. This is a system that improves the lives of ailing patients, allows different ways to donate such as giving blood, and it can only occur after full donor or parental consent. Become an organ donor today and tomorrow a life could be saved.

God’s not alone

by Ross Enderle

Editor-in-chief Many people are aware of the various similarities between the three main Abrahamic tradition, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And while there is undoubtedly aspects true of all three faiths, the most obvious difference is also the least well-known. None of these religions started out as monotheism, with the exception of Islam. The other two religions display a belief structure far more congruous with henotheism.

Monotheism asserts that there is only one deity, indivisible by nature. No lesser deities or pantheons are allowed in a monotheistic tradition. Alternatively, henotheism is a much more common faith, despite the largely unknown name. Religions such as Christianity are not a monotheistic tradition. Nor were the early believers in Judaism.

The first commandment of the ten received by Moses from Yahweh/Elohim on Mount Sinai can confirm this statement. To be henotheistic means that one is at the very least aware of the existence of other deific beings. It is to know of multiple gods, but to worship one, to the exclusion of all others. Now we come to the first commandment.

“I am the Lord, thy God; you shall have no Gods before Me.” This very plainly states that the god of Moses does not claim exclusivity as a deity, merely primacy. Regardless of the date of Jewish or Christian doctrinal shift from

by Stephanie Nold Managing editor

Our “just text me” generation is under constant scrutiny for being self-centered. The participation medal generation, the iGeneration, the now generation, Generation laZy, the Silent Generation… but what about the Next Great Generation?

We are digital natives. We have always had access to the internet, and we were the first generation to have cell phones in middle school.Opposed to the previous generation, Generation Y, who has seen the biggest development and advancement in technology, we will be the ones to take it even further.

I was born in January of 1997. This puts me pretty close to the start of Gen Z. I’ve really gotten a glimpse of how Generation X, especially, views us. Whenever I do something my parents agree with, it’s because I’m “pretty much” a Gen Y, so selfless and caring. But when I do something wrong, I’m Gen Z: so self-centered and stuck with my eyes glued to my phone. This double standard is ridiculous.

We want to change the world. We want to invent iPhone 7’s, 8’s and 9’s that eventually pop out holographic images of your loved ones who are long distances away. We want to create cars that have vibrating seats if you begin to change lanes without looking. We want to make the world a more convenient and easier place to live. And why not? Why do something the hard way when we can invent something to make it easier for everyone? Gen Z is resourceful.

We have waited and helped to pave the way toward equality. We will be the generation to put a stop to rape culture, to call our children by their desired pronouns, to not shame our child for being gay and teach our daughters they have the exact same

henotheism to monotheism, all of the other beliefs and doctrinal additions made prior to the monotheistic specification have the implicit assumption, or the outright acknowledgement, of a henotheistic universe. Thus, of the sum total mixture of dogma and kerygma which can be said to equal a religion, the majority of beliefs and doctrine are henotheistic.

Now comes Islam, which has a similar set of core tenets to Christianity and Judaism, with the advantage of brevity. As the recipient of divine revelation, the actions and words of Mohammad were followed very closely throughout the remainder of his life. One of the most important hadiths, or sayings attributed to the prophet, contains what would later come to be known as the five “pillars” of Islam. The first of the five, the Shahada, or profession of faith, follows thus.

“There is no god but God, and Mohammad is the messenger of God.” This very plainly exhibits the initial differences between Islam and the other Abrahamic faiths. Islam has from the time of its inception, been a doctrinally monotheistic religion. The end result has not been, as a pantheon has developed around Islam’s monotheism in the same way that a pantheon has grown around Christianity. Judaism began with a pantheon, and slowly lessened its number of deific figures, nearly reaching the point of functional deism, which is to say that Jewish faith has less to do with the desires of an active God as it does with maintaining traditions. Christianity, in the case of Roman Catholicism has one of the largest organized pantheons existing,

potential as men.

We are called spoiled and overprivileged, but most of us are being set up for failure through uncontrollable circumstances such as the national debt. We are really trying to scramble to find a job in our field,and we are not handed loans anymore because of the carelessness of our parents. Between the lack of help through the record high medical, education, and living costs, we are just trying to survive after college; if we can even afford college.

We are getting smarter and smarter. Medical research is constantly advancing, and when Gen Z brains enter the the medical fields, those are hundreds of thousands of new minds and ideas to find cures for horrible diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

Older Generations, especially Gen X, think we are all greedy, because, “back in my day, we didn’t have electronics to entertain us.” Good for you!

We do. We are developing and aren’t going to ignore what we have available to us.

Baby boomers steadily criticize us for being lax. They are especially critical about our graduate records. They accuse us of being increasingly lazy because we are unemployed or working only part-time. They ignore and fail to understand the economic climate we are living in created by them.

Those who heavily criticize our generation seem to forget they were the ones who raised it. Baby boomers give themselves a pat on the back for passing an interview and working a nine to five job. We are more innovative.

We work longer and harder on flexible terms. Just because we won’t work a “normal” 40 hour week does not mean we are not working. The world will change at the will of Generation Z.

nearly comparable to Hinduism. Despite the protestations of Roman Catholics, the sum total of saints, angels, demons, and deities makes it very difficult for any outside observer to consider the religion monotheistic.

Islam also has its share of angels and demons, despite its initially strong assertion of monotheism. These are a cultural addition, however. The local tribes inserted their tales into Islamic teaching wherever possible, and this, coupled with Mohammad’s cultural belief in djinns, or active spirits, results in a pantheon of sorts as well. But even if the lower classes of supernatural creatures, i.e. prophets, saints, angels, and demons, are eliminated; removing Judaism and Islam from the list of polytheisms masquerading as monotheisms, there still remains Christianity.

The subjects here are not powers descended from the singular divinity, nor entities raised to similar states of grandeur, but the highest of the high, the top of the food chain. Three there are, named Patrii, Filii, and Spiritus Sanctii. These are Latin names which translate to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

There is either a flaw inherent with the concept of a trinity of divine bodies, meaning that there is no trinity, and that a different number of gods must be chosen, or that there really are three distinct Gods, which means very little in terms of applications to the faith, but does require the admission of believers in a polytheism in order to avoid contradiction.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT THE VALLEY FORGE

12 Athletics on RVC 50th anniversary Spor ts

THE VALLEY FORGE

SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 VOLUME 56, ISSUE 1

An masked catcher prepares for a catch at the alumni softball game of RVC’s 50th year.

Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor

Pictured below is Olivia Fluehr pitching to Hannah Long in an alumni softball game at the RVC 50th anniversary Day at RVC event.

Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor

Two teams of Rock Valley graduates square off to the right in an alumni volleyball match at the Day at RVC 50th anniversary event.

Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor

Student Life Staff Manager Rick Daniels braces right for a wet impact in the dunk tank. Other favored dunk tank targets included board member Mike Dunn and faculty member Rodger Hergert.

Photo credit: Roy Rodriguez, Photo editor