Watch the video at
Raider Smarts
C
The
ollegiate
Aid not
for all
Financial aid suspen-
sion causes problems
for Dean’s List student
By Jacqueline Prins
A&E Editor
O
ver two decades ago, Renee Willey
stepped into elementary algebra,
her first course at GRCC.
In that time she has
managed to raise a family, work full time
outside her home, be in the National Honors
Society, on the Dean’s List, and also be put
on financial aid suspension.
Willey applied for financial aid for the
first time in 2008 and was told she had too
many credits for the time she was in school.
“Because I have a lot of credits, my
financial aid for 2008-2009 was denied,”
Willey said.
Willey wrote a letter to appeal the
decision based on the fact she had been
working full-time and raising a family.
“They asked for copies of birth
certificates,” Willey said. “My financial
aid was then reinstated until after winter
2009.”
Willey has changed her major three
times during her academic career at GRCC.
She began in the nursing program, switched
to general studies, and then added business
administration.
“I went to school intermittently
between 1982 and 1991 with several gaps,”
Willey said. “While I periodically would
sign up for a class, it just didn’t work well
with my work schedule and the needs of
my four children.”
She returned to GRCC in the summer of
2007 at 53 years old.
“I had been denied a promotion
because I didn’t have an associates degree,”
Willey said. “When I returned to school,
I only needed two courses to complete an
associates degree in General Studies and at
that point I just wanted the piece of paper.”
According to GRCC executive director
of financial aid, Jill Nutt, if a student
has attempted 150 percent of the credits
required to receive his or her degree, but
has not yet received that degree, he or she
can be placed on financial aid suspension.
“For example, nursing programs take a
little longer than 62 credits to earn a degree,
but in general the maximum amount of
credits a student can accumulate before
suspension is 93,” Nutt said.
See Willey, Page 3
Opinion
6 Man’s inhumanity
towards man
INSIDE: News 1-5 Opinion 6-7 A&E 8-11 Diversions 12-13 Sports 14-16
Regular season
thecollegiatelive.com basketball Page 14
March 24, 2010
Vol. 54, No. 10
Grand Rapids Community College
thecollegiatelive.com
Ryan Tyrell/Collegiate
The butterflies A Postman butterfly, Heliconius melpomene,
sits on a flower in Frederik Meijer Gardens and
Sculpture Park. The Butterflies are Blooming
are back exhibit will be featured through the end of April.
More butterflies, Page 8
GRCC professor visits Iran
By Dave Westra as the ruins of Persepolis of the ancient
News Editor Persian empire.
S
A Brief History
ocial Sciences professor Keith St.
Clair has been to almost as many
According to St. Clair, Iran has a much
countries as there are states.
more familiar name to many people.
Last October, St. Clair spent two
“For a long time Europeans called it
weeks traveling around the country of Iran.
Persia,” St. Clair said. “The people that lived
“I got a professional development grant
there typically always called it Iran. These
to go in the hopes of incorporating what I
are the descendants of the great Persian
learned in my comparative government class
Empire, the ones that fought the Greeks, the
because in my comparative government Keith
ones that Alexander the great conquered.
class I cover Iran,” St. Clair said. “In fact, St. Clair
“They’re quite proud of it and this all
of all the countries I cover, it was the one
factors into Iranian nationalism, as it exists
country I hadn’t actually been to.” Social Sciences
today. Iranians are quite a proud people.”
According to St. Clair, the grant was Professor
According to St. Clair, the Iranian
through the Grand Rapids Community
monarchy was overthrown in 1979 with the
College Foundation. Wold traveler
Iranian Revolution.
“I felt I had an obligation to go there,” St.
“After the Iranian revolution, religious
Clair said. “If I teach about these countries, Received GRCC
theocracy was put in place with religious
I think it provides a lot more legitimacy to Foundation grant
law enforcing Muslim law,” St. Clair said.
the students to say that I’ve been there. Iran for professional
“Those laws are still in place and the regime
was one of the countries on the top of my development to
is certainly a theocracy, but I was surprised,
list to go to for that reason.” travel to Iran
amongst the average person, how secular
While St. Clair was in Iran, he had the
they actually are.”
opportunity to visit the cities of Tehran,
Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz and Esfahan as well
See Iran, Page 4
A&E Sports
8 Butterflies bloom at
Frederik Meijer
Gardens
14
A look back at the
basketball team’s
regualr season
Next Issue: April 7
2 News March 24, 2010

News
in the
Campus Police
Reports Parking can be
payed for via cell
phone
Cellphone and cash stolen
Park Mobile Services
2/22
is now available to GRCC
Students left their belongings in an unlocked
students who use
locker in the ford field house. Some cash and a
the parking meters
cellphone was reported stolen. No suspects.
instead of the school
parking ramp.
Argument in classroom MCT Campus This service allows
2/22 Peter French has switched from smoking regular cigarettes to students to add time to
An argument between students and a professor electronic cigarettes. their parking meter with
began over whether or not the instructor had their cell phone.

E-cigs allowed
properly taught the class. Campus Police was In an e-mail interview
called to help calm down the situation. with Sara Engel, Marketing
Manager for Park
Mobile Services,
Car Accident By Ashley Eerdmans provided more information.
2/24 Collegiate Writer Park Mobile Services
A student was driving through the parking launched their Pay by
ramp when a car reversed out of a parking spot Instructor decision is all that stands between students smoking Phone parking services
and t-boned him. electronic cigarettes in classrooms while classes are in session. Grand Rapids,
“To my knowledge there is no policy about electronic cigarettes Michigan on November 2,
and it’s up to the instructors if they want the electronic cigarettes 2009.
Trespassing
in the classroom,” Lieutenant Harold Woolworth with the GRCC For 35 cents per call,
2/24 Police said in last month’s issue. Instructors now hold the decision of the user can add more
A man was given was given a warning for whether the e-cig is or is not permitted. money to the meters using
panhandling on campus. This was his second “As far as me allowing students to use e-cigs in class, I would their credit card number.
warning for trespassing and his first for probably have to say no,” said Science department Professor Robert Drivers can sign up
panhandling. Demmink. “Even though it doesn’t go against school policy, I would by calling their toll free
think that just the novelty of these things would probably take some number at 1-877-PARK-714
Money stolen of the concentration away from what is being taught.”  or visit their web site at
2/25 Aerobic Conditioning Instructor, Bethany DeBlaay also says www. parkmobileapp.com.
A Student left his backpack in a locker at the “no” to allowing e-cigs in her classes. “I wouldn’t allow electronic
ford field house. He returned and grabbed his cigarettes because it wouldn’t make any sense in a cardiovascular -Allen Wegener
stuff after a while. When he returned home he class,” DeBlaay said. “It is contradictory, it’s like giving students the
noticed his wallet was in a different pocket and test and the answers.”
the money was missing from it. No suspects. Communications Professor Juan Carlos Heredia takes a Biodiversity student
reoccurring approach on the topic. “I personally would say no, don’t
have a cigarette in your mouth,” Heredia said. “It may not harm me,
wins grant for
Stole headphones
2/25 but the mere fact that it’s there is distracting. The spirit and the letter research
A student reported that her headphones had of the law is no smoking, I mean, I guess it’s okay if one professor
been stolen. She said she recognized the girl says okay, but for me it is distractive.” Ricki Oldenkamp
that had taken them. When the police talked “As far as teachers being the one’s to determine whether or not received an undergraduate
to her, she said she was only joking and gave these e-cigs should be allowed, I believe is wrong,” Demmink said. research grant from Pierce
them back. “The GRCC Board of Education (i.e. the President) should make that Cedar Creek Institute.
decision , not us.” The grant awarded
Instructors will have the personal choice to allow the electronic Oldenkamp $3,500 for
Hole in wall cigarettes or not. Although the campus is tobacco free, it is not 12 weeks of study at the
3/3 nicotine free. The fact that the e-cig may be a distraction is the institute.
A fist size hole in the wall was found in Cook problem showing up the most amongst these instructors. “It’s very good for
Hall out side of room 526. No suspects. the program,” said GRCC
Person sleeping in racquet ball courts C chrisdkimeic@yahoo.com Professor Matt Douglas. “It’s
a huge accomplishment.”
3/5 Oldenkamp will be
During spring break a student was found Should e-cigs be traveling to Peru with
sleeping at a desk outside a racqet ball court.
vote at
Douglas and other students
He was escorted off campus. He was found allowed on campus? thecollegiatelive.com to study.
several more times in campus sleeping in -Jacqueline Prins
various places.
March Madness for
Shattered window Corrections Student Life
3/8
A green cord hanging from a coca-cola truck With your help we will report errors of fact in this space
hit the rear window of car in the administration According to
every issue. If you notice an error, please call 616-234-4157 and
building parking lot and shattered the window. GRCC Communication
ask for an editor, visit us online at www.thecollegiatelive.com or Services, Student Life
e-mail us at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com set up a March Madness
bracket competition on
Blackboard.

New courses added for fall semester Students who wanted

to participate could sign up
through their blackboard
account.
By Eric Curtis Abid said. “An instructor will video, audio and pictures. -Christina Kim
New Collegiate Staff Writer then propose an idea to their McNabb said he has already
Courses at department head.” pitched the seminar to another
GRCC Seven proposed courses were Future classes set to be journalism class with success.
approved, and are now currently offered in later semesters include “There was a fair amount of We want to hear
being offered to students this Journalism 293, Seminar in interest,” McNabb said. “There
CA 121:
Culinary semester. Multimedia Journalism, and were several questions asked from you!
Competition According to Steve Abid, “Pain Management” as part of about this kind of work.”
the dental program. McNabb said that he is The Collegiate is
CA 251: GRCC’s New Course Committee always looking for letters
Personal/ Coach and Social Science “New courses usually start hopeful that people will sign up
as a seminar,” said Journalism for the class. and comments from their
Private Chef professor, new course approval, readers.
like the one Dobberstein Professor Dr. Scott McNabb. “If
JR 293: proposed, goes through a series they are successful they turn into Dave Westra contributed
Seminar in to this article Please contact us at:
of steps. courses.”
Multimedia
Journalism “The first step of drafting a According to McNabb, the grcc_collegiate@yahoo.
course will focus more on telling
new course starts with a specific
department identifying a need,” news stories with media such as C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com com
March 24, 2010
Willey: Tired of struggle
Continued from page 1
Nutt said the GRCC Financial Aid
Department uses the Satisfactory Academic
Progress Policy (SAPP) to determine
if a student will be put on financial aid
suspension.
SAPP requires that students complete,
with a passing grade, a minimum of 65
percent of all credit hours attempted at
GRCC, whether or not financial aid was
received for those attempted credits.
Willey’s financial aid was denied
again for the 2009-2010 school year.
Although she filed an appeal, she still
would not be awarded the financial aid in
time to pay for her fall semester.
“They were going to deny my financial
aid until after summer session grades were
in,” Willey said.
The problem was, tuition was due
Aug. 5 and Willey’s last summer class
wasn’t finished until Aug. 4.
“That meant I would lose my classes,”
Willey said. “Being nearly finished with
the program, I couldn’t afford not to get
into those classes.”
Willey wrote another letter. It seemed
the copies of Dean’s List certificates and
letters from her
boss and academic
counselor that she
had attached to her
appeal were not
enough to make the
appeals committee
change its mind.
In her letter,
Willey said, “Since
I returned to school
in 2007, I have
gotten one B and
Renee Willey all the rest of my
grades have been
GRCC Student an A or A-.
“If I had the
money to pay
tuition by Aug. 5,
I wouldn’t need financial aid. I will lose
two of the three business classes I need
to complete my degree and it will put me
further behind in graduation.”
She also offered to send testimonial
letters from her instructors, to back up her
story.
After this letter, she was able to get an
appointment with a financial aid official
to discuss her situation. Her financial aid
was reinstated.
The number of credits that count on
Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Success
Students must maintain a
cumulative GPA of not less
than the following:
Information courtesy GRCC Financail Aid Office
March Salute to Women Reception
30 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The reception honor GRCC women who stand out
and encourage young women to higher achiev-
ments. Located in the Applied Technology Center.
April Coffee and Conversation with Dr.
7
Ender
4:15 p.m.
Students and staff have the opportunity to
converse with the President Ender. Located in the
Multi-purpose room of the Student Center.
News 3
Editors Wanted
a student’s transcript include credits from Wanted: Collegiate Editors for fall
other institutions. Nutt said that transfer
credits have to be counted as well as GRCC
credits. Paid positions (for school year):
“If a student transfers in credits that Editor-in-chief: $4,000
do not apply to their degree, these could
count against them,” Nutt said. Sports: $2,000
Although Willey’s credits were not Arts & Entertainment: $2,000
transfer credits, she did switch her major
Opinion: $2,000
“
three times. Not all the credits counted
News: $2,000
I am tired of the Photo: $2,000
Web: $2,000
struggle with the Business Manager: 20% of ads sold
financial aid office.
Editors are required to have taken, or are
”
Renee Willey taking, JR 251 and JR 252.
GRCC Student
For more info, or if JR 251 is full, contact Dr.
toward every major, and in this way Scott McNabb at smcnabb@grcc.edu
counted against her degree.
Nutt said that financial aid suspension
isn’t always permanent and a student
always has the option to appeal the
decision or make satisfactory progress.
“If you have no option of paying for
classes, then yes, it is permanent,” Nutt
said. “For most colleges, your financial
aid doesn’t follow you. A student could
go to another college to finish classes with
financial aid.”
Nutt also said all students have the
right to appeal their suspension.
“Things happen, life gets in the way of
school,” Nutt said.
For Willey, GRCC will be a stepping-
stone. She will be transferring to Aquinas
College in the fall to finish a Bachelors
Degree in Communications.
“Since I will be changing majors, I
would have loved to do one more semester
at GRCC for some core classes, but I am
tired of the struggle with the financial aid
office,” Willey said.
April Fool’s Day will mark the thirty-
fourth wedding anniversary for Willey
and her husband. She has worked at a
local hospital for 25 years, and has seven
grandchildren between the ages of 11
months and 14 years old.
“I plan on retiring from the hospital
in the next year so I can concentrate more
on school and prepare for a new career,”
Willey said.
C
AEwithJackieP@yahoo.com
Credit hours attempted Minimum GPA
1-14 1.50
15-28 1.75
29+ 2.00
Campus Events
March 30 - April 17
April Blood Drive April Script and Screenwriting
5 12 p.m. –6 p.m.
16 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
GRCC Nursing will compete against Baker College Develop screenwriting skills. Located in the Tassell
and Muskegon CC to see who can get more blood M-Tec Building.
donations. Located in the Multi-purpose room of
the Student Center
April Diversity Lecture Series
17 7p.m.
Morris Dees will present is lecture en-
titled “With Justice for All.” Located in the Foun-
tain Street Church.
4 News
Iran: Exploring professor’s perspective
Continued from page 1
Despite common misconceptions, the Iranian
are not Arabic.
“They’re Indo-European in that they’re
language is much more similar to German and
other European languages than say Arabic,” St.
Clair said. “The Persians will be the first ones to tell
you that they’re not Arabs; they don’t speak Arabic.
Their language is not even related to it, theirs is a
semantic language.”
Soon after the revolution, Iraq, then led by
Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran.
“It wasn’t that long ago that Iran and
horrendous war against Iraq from 1980 to 1988
when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran,” St. Clair said.
“This was shortly after Iranian revolution at a time
Saddam Hussein thought that Iran was weak, that
this would be an opportunity for him to aggrieve
ancient rivalries between Persians and Arabs and
actually take more Iranian land.
“It ended up as a stalemate only after eight
horrendous years and millions of deaths on both
sides,” St. Clair said.
Women in Iran
According to St. Clair, half of the group he
traveled to Iran with were women, and they all had
to observe the Islamic dress code.
“The women all had to wear the hijab, which
is required under the law in Iran today, which is
just simply a hair covering,” St. Clair said. “This
is because the hair, the female hair especially, is
considered incredibly provocative, apparently too
sexy for the men of Iran to handle.”
But the women of Iran are not too accepting of
this rule.
“You got the sense that the Iranian women
would prefer not too,” St. Clair said. “Certainly
there were some conservative women who were
more covered up than others. But many of the
Iranian women, especially the younger ones, were
definitely pushing the envelope on this rule of
March 24, 2010
having the hair covered where they were wearing
the scarf high and back on the head, showing as
much hair as possible.”
According to St. Clair, the women in his group
had to wear the covering almost all the time.
“When they were in the privacy of their own
hotel room that was the only time that they could
actually take the hijab off,” St. Clair said. “The
American women in our group knew that was
going to be the case when they agreed to travel. But
knowing it’s going to happen and actually doing it
are really two different things.
“I also found that the women in Iran were
much more assertive than I experience in many of Photo courtesy Kieth St. Claire
the Arab countries I have traveled to,” St. Clair said.
GRCC professor Kieth St. Claire hangs out with
“I was even told by Iranian men, that women were
Iranian conscripts during his travels in October.
more of equals in the household. And even though
Sharia law allows, like in many Muslim countries,
wearing their Yamakas; they were not hiding the
men to have up to four wives, none of the men I
fact that they were Jews in the market place. There
talked to knew anybody who had more than one
didn’t seem to be any fear amongst the Jewish
wife for fear of what their wife might do if they
population by their fellow Muslim neighbors.”
actually married another one.”
St Clair even visited a couple of Christian
churches while in Iran.
Religious Diversity
“Christianity has a long history in Iran,” St
Clair said. “Christianity was very prevalent before
According to St. Clair, even though the official
Islam came.”
religion of Iran is Islam, Iran is home to many
According to St. Clair, the Iranian government
religious minorities.
recognizes these minorities in their parliament by
Zoroastrianism has the longest historical roots
offering them seats.
in Iran according to St. Clair.
Overall, St Clair felt a connection to the people
“It was the faith of Iran before Islam came,”
of Iran.
St. Clair said. “It’s considered to be one of the first
“I felt like I could relate to these people,” St
monotheistic faiths. Certainly Christianity and
Clair said. “I felt like if it wasn’t for everyone
other monotheistic faiths have borrowed from
wearing the hijab, I could have been in downtown
it. For example in Christianity a lot symbolism is
Grand Rapids when I was in Tehran.”
borrowed from Zoroastrianism, light representing
St. Clair recommends traveling to Iran to
good, dark representing evil. Fire is a very sacred
anyone who is Interested.
symbol in Zoroastrianism. “
“I would encourage you to go,” St Clair said.
St. Clair mentioned that he even visited a
“Iran is very friendly to the United States, more so
Jewish Synagogue. He was surprised how openly
than I really imagined. There were a lot of tourist
and freely the Jewish population and the Muslim
groups there, both from Europe and other tourist
population interacted.
groups from the United States, which was not what
“I saw Muslims visiting Jewish shops in the
I anticipated when I got there.”
market place,” St. Clair said. “The Jews were
March 24, 2010
News 5
6 Opinion March 24, 2010

Editorial Spring Fever to be enjoyed

Satisfactory Academic Progress March Madness may
have originally been coined
about college basketball

Policy is unfair to some students (actually it originated

In the “Aid not
for all” article on the
front page of this issue,
Renee Willey talked
about her struggle with
her financial aid being
suspended even though
she is a strong student on
the Dean’s list.
Financial Aid’s
Standards of Satisfactory
Academic Progress seems
at first glance to be
reasonable.
If a student is
not meeting certain
minimum standards
in their classes, their
financial aid will be
suspended.
However, it does not
make sense that students
who are achieving
satisfactory grades, like
Willey, are being put on
financial aid suspension
because they have taken
too many credits.
Willey has been
going to GRCC on and off
for twenty years because
she had family and work
obligations. Basically,
she was living her
life. She also changed
majors a number of
times, something many
students do. She has
over a 3.5 GPA.
Yet every year,
she must appeal her
suspension and struggle
with the financial aid
office. As a result of
this, she is leaving GRCC
to finish her degree at
Aquinas sooner than she
had hoped.
Something is wrong
with this picture.
It is doubtful that the
policy for Satisfactory
Academic Progress (SAP)
was meant to hinder
strong students like
Willey.
While it is
understandable that
students should be
working towards
finishing their degree, if
they have to take time
off or decide to switch
majors, they should not
be punished for this.
GRCC should be
an institution that
encourages taking
whatever path necessary
to continue in higher
education.
While an appeals
process is present,
it’s not a guarantee
and sometimes comes
through too late.
GRCC is a transitional
school, where students
are encouraged to figure
out which path they
want to chose. This can
take time and electives
are a necessity in
figuring out which major
is right for the student.
However according
to the SAP, if a student
takes too many electives,
or any classes for that
matter, then financial
aid may be suspended.
This is added pressure to
chose the correct major,
and chose it quickly.
GRCC should be
about taking your time to
make the right choice.
If the SAP was only
measured by GPA, as
opposed to including the
attempted credits towards
finishing a degree, it
would be both effective
and fair.
about an Illinois High
School team), but with
warm weather approaching
the madness seems to be
spreading beyond sports.
All it takes in Michigan
is 45-degree weather to
see the flip-flops, tank tops
and all sorts of interesting
combinations. Where else
can you see someone in
short shorts, sandals and a
sweater?
Runners and bicyclists
come out in droves to line
the streets, and children
that have been inside since
October fill neighborhoods.
It seems as though the
whole world is in the grips
of spring fever, but especially weather, that the next day
in northern states such as
Michigan.
After months of snow,
blowing winds and ice,
Michiganders know how
to appreciate sunshine and
green grass. It’s easy to
appreciate these things in
a state that has four full
seasons.
Now is the time to get
out there and explore Grand
Rapids, and Michigan, for all
it is worth! It won’t be long
before summer hits and the
tourists begin arriving.
But for now Michigan
belongs to the Michiganders.
The butterflies are at the
Frederik Meijer Gardens, Art
StephanieSicard
Prize is making its return
and robins are filling the
trees.
Maybe I’ve got spring
fever worse than anyone,
seeing as this is my first
spring in Michigan in four
years, but spring is such a
fresh start.
Even the recent brief
snow could not dampen my
spirits about spring. I knew,
as is common with Michigan
will bring something new,
something unexpected.
Mother Nature has
permanent residence in
Michigan, her summer home
as well as winter. We are all
too familiar with her wrath
in the harsh winter months,
and the summer storms.
Spring is one of the only
times in the year when we
can see her gentler side.
The weather is just nice
enough to go for walks, and
enjoy the sounds of nature
without worrying about
overheating or freezing.
I for one will be trying
to find new activities to do,
and cities to visit within
the Great Lakes. Why go
away for a vacation when
there is so much to see and
experience right here?

Man’s Inhumanity towards Man

I’ve listened to the
wishes of a prince trying to
connect the world’s youth.
I’ve noted a retired marine
fighting for gay people’s
rights in the military. I’ve
heard Angela Davis tell
me about the horrors of
shackling imprisoned women
into sex trafficking each
year, according to the CIA.
Approximately 50,000 of
these girls are brought into
America each year. It isn’t
the same million girls each
year: how many years will it
be before it’s someone you
know?
The Bottom Line:
by them who say otherwise. Living in such a
However, I’m a college wonderful state, it would be
student, no different than a shame to waste this time
most who read this paper. indoors. Enjoy the sunshine
There’s only so much I can and sounds of nature.
do, but I’m going to do it.
Instead of drinking a couple
beers with my meal, I’ll have
water and send the money I
C
Graphic by MCT Campus
StephanieOpinion@yahoo.com

while they give birth. But
what Brigitte Cazalis-Collins
and her husband Joseph
Collins told me on March 10
TimNellett
needs more attention than a
news story can provide.
“Please tell the world
about my girls,” said
Anuradha Koirala, founder
and director of Maiti Nepal,
to Cazalis-Collins when she
asked Koirala what she could
do to help. Koirala shouldn’t
need to tell the world; the
world should already be
outraged.
Here’s something to
ponder: approximately
1,000,000 women and girls
are kidnapped and sold
The fact that this has
been allowed to become
such a huge problem in the
first place is just wrong.
Unfortunately, things are
slightly more complicated
than just calling up the
United Nations to come
down on anyone who even
looks like they’re part of
this deplorable business.
I don’t consider
myself an activist. Maybe
if I were wealthy I would
become a philanthropist.
To me, this isn’t a cause;
this is a sickness. This is
an infection that should’ve
been eradicated the moment
people became aware of it
happening. Again, I know
it’s never that easy, but it
seems to me this kind of
violation is morally, ethically,
and naturally wrong, no
matter who you are. Find
me a slaveholder (lets not
mince words; these girls are
slaves) who doesn’t feel like
what they’re doing is wrong,
and I’ll find the girls being
beaten, burned, stabbed,
tortured, and forced into sex
would’ve spent on alcohol to
Maiti Nepal instead. Ten or
twenty bucks may not seem
The Collegiate
Associated Collegiate Press National Pacemaker Award Finalist
like much: but if it helps
1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2008
those girls being rescued to
have a chance at having a Editor in Chief
normal life again, I’ll sleep a Christina Kim
little easier. Writing and Production Staff:
This isn’t a call to arms,
or an attempt to spur readers News Editor Aaron Barber, Ashley Crabb, Eric Curtis, Ashley
into action. No, I’m just Dave Westra Eerdmans, Dana Finkler, Douglas Halbeisen,
telling you that right now, Abbey Palmer, Mike Peterson, Michele Smith, Al-
len Wegener, Corbett Yost, Brittany Zender
something horrible is being Opinion Editor
done, and it has been going Stephanie Sicard
on for years and years. It’s
not the only horrible thing, A&E Editor
but I feel it’s one of the Contents of the editorials reflect the opinions
Jackie Prins
worst. But if a man burning of the respective writers and not necessarily those
holes into a 12-year-old girl’s of the entire staff, students, or GRCC.
neck with a cigarette because Photo Editor Advertisements reflect the view of the ad-
she won’t have sex with him Ryan Tyrell vertiser, not necessarily those of the college,
students, or staff.
doesn’t infuriate you, let me Advertisements in the Collegiate do not
know what does. I’ll write Web Editor imply an endorsement by the paper.
about that next. Theo Davis
143 Bostwick Ave
The Bottom Line:
Copy Editor Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Any help one can give to Tim Nellett
a cause such as this is a step grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
in the right direction towards Advisor
saving lives. Phone: 234-4157
Scott McNabb,
Fax: 234-4158
C
Ph.D.
grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
March 24, 2010
Letters
to the
editors
An open forum
The Collegiate is very
interested in your opin-
ions, so send your letters
in. The basic premise of
journalism centers on the
long-standing tradition of
providing an open forum
and a free press. Please
write to the Collegiate with
your opinion.
You can drop off your
letters in room 339 Main
building, or you can e-mail
them to
grcc_collegiate@yahoo.
com
Please include your name
and phone number for
proper verification.
Letters are subject to edit-
ing for spelling, grammar,
and length.
www.thecollegiatelive.com
Student Soapbox
What are your views on the new Health Care Plan?
Kipchumba
Chelilim
“I think it’s a “I don’t want to pay
good thing that it people who don’t
passed. When it have the motiva-
comes down to tion to get up and
health care it’s a do something for
good thing.”
Should GRCC have a Student Activity Fee?
Yes, we all have to pitch
in 62%
No 24%
Opinion 7
Letters
Letter concerning the Student Activity Fee awaiting approval by the Board of Trustees
To whom it may concern, and even more so unprofessional to tax others without their
consent simply based on what minuscule needs the campus
I am writing in regards to a few things, mostly about
the new poll on rather there should be club fees on campus.
I would first like to introduce myself a little further as James
may have.
So when the poll comes out, I would very much
like to have my voice heard on why it is this pseudo-
Wisner; I am a sophomore at GRCC and am interested in
what stand The Collegiate takes on this new taxation of the
communist -- anti-American filth is allowed and even debated
over on this campus.
students. I am casting my vote for the poll as a solid no. I
refuse to pay for groups I would not support. I find it unjust James Wisner
GRCC student writes in about clubs on campus and proposed $10 fee
Dear Editors, Now, and StandOut.
In the Feb. 10 issue of The Collegiate BSU president Chaz
The proposed activity fee of $10 has been passed by the Rodriguez wrote in a letter “there have always been programs
Student Congress and awaits approval from the Board of on campus that focus on European culture. The Irish Studies
Trustees. program, for instance, or the German Club.”
In the Feb. 24 issue of The Collegiate’s Editorial the These groups don’t represent the white students however,
question was asked “Does $10 really make that much of a because we are not from Europe.
difference?” To put it in context, does it make a difference to With the denial of the White Culture Club by Student
students that don’t participate in a student organization? Life Director Eric Mullen, it appears white students are
Yes it does. discouraged from having any racial or cultural pride while
I look at the list of groups GRCC has to offer and I’m not other students are encouraged to do so.
represented anywhere. The activity fee shouldn’t be passed because the money
Other racial groups are represented through the Black isn’t going for everyone on campus. White students are
Student Union (BSU), African Student Organization, excluded.
Hispanic Student Organization, and Native American
Organization,Muslim Student Association, Women Issues Mike Peterson
Whale should not be available even to the elite diners
By MCT Campus After receiving a served. The restaurant kill large numbers of marine
tip, the film’s associate apparently didn’t bother mammals.
director helped organize an with code words, either. On Despite the International
When sea-urchin gonads
become boring, jaded palates undercover video operation, both occasions, the server Whaling Commission’s ban
yearn for something more with animal activists playing wrote “whale” on the receipt, on commercial whaling,
exotic such as the $60 diners. According to an according to the affidavit. Japan continues to hunt
morsels of endangered whale affidavit by an agent with In ways, the makers of whales under the cloak
allegedly served up at a the National Oceanic and “The Cove” have delivered a of permitted “scientific
pricey Santa Monica, Calif., Atmospheric Administration, uniquely Southern California research,” though evidence
sushi joint recently. the activists slipped the meat script, set in a seaside has emerged over the
The Hump restaurant into plastic bags and shipped town known for its social years that the meat is used
is having trouble avoiding it to a marine mammalogist, consciousness. commercially in that country.
the spotlight after the New who confirmed that the flesh But though it tells us a
York Times reported on the was that of the endangered little bit about decadence
investigative exploits of sei whale. in the L.A. area, it actually The Bottom Line:
the team that made “The Federal agents joined the reveals far more about Japan, It is the world’s failure
Cove,” a documentary about team last week for another which almost certainly to stop this charade that
the annual slaughter of visit to the restaurant would have been the source brought the butchered flesh
thousands of dolphins by a during which whale meat of any whale meat, and the of an endangered animal to
Japanese village. was ordered and allegedly license it has been given to our shore.
Tyler Moses Lindsi Lily Tricia
Ledeboer Hernadez Russo Glavon Wilson
“It’s good for “I saw how ev- “That’s great for “I didn’t know it
people who can’t eryone was upset the little person, passed, that’s
afford it.” about it. I’m not but I can under- good to know.”
really for it, it’s just stand the other
more money away side. Somebody
themselves.” from us. ” has to pay for it.”
Vote on this issue’s online poll:
Yes, but only to those par- Should GRCC have a Student Activity Fee?
ticipating in activities. 14%
Undecided 0% Visit www.thecollegiatelive.com to vote and comment!
8 A&E March 24, 2010
A&E 9

Butterfly “ It’s the only animal in

the world that does this.

”
Flutter
Facts

Effect
The life history of the
monarch is amazing.
From Frederik Meijer Gar-
Matt Douglas dens “Butterflies Are Bloom-
GRCC Professor ing” Exhibit

Heliconius butterflies, common-

ly known as Longwings, have
elongated forewings and deli-
cate, fluttering flight patterns.
These butterflies taste terrible
to predators and warn them with
bright colors and distinctive pat-
terns.

Monarchs migrate
Swallowtails are named for the
“tails” on many, but not all, spe-
cies. They are powerful fliers
and use their tails for gliding.

to John Ball in May Brush-footed butterflies have

short front legs called “brush-
es.” This species has some of
the most brilliantly-colored and

Monarch exhibit construction is underway at patterned butterflies. Many have

iridescent colors that seem to
e
iat
eg

change as they fly.

John Ball Zoo.
oll
s/C
rin

Like fingerprints, each butter-

eP

The monarch butterfly is fly is unique. Tiny, overlapping

lin

By Jacqueline Prins Douglas’ point of specialization

ue

scales cover the wings of butter-

cq

within the field. Particularly, he flies. Pigments in the scales cre-

A&E Editor
Ja

looks at their migration habits. ate blacks, browns, reds, orang-

G
RCC Professor, Matt Douglas’
monarch exhibit will take flight
at John Ball Zoo in May.
“We’re going to have
a monarch butterfly greenhouse type
thing,” Douglas said. “Klaas Kwant and I
went down to Mexico to look at the roost
one year and did all this filming.”
The biology professor,
along with GRCC Media
Production Manager
K l a a s
Kwant
is putting together
a video that will run
continuously during the
exhibit.
“We’ll have periodical releases
of butterflies because I know we’ll have too many in
the cage,” Douglas said.
He says one mass release will take place around
August or September.
“Everybody likes monarchs,” Douglas said.
He’s hopeful that his GRCC zoology students will be
there to volunteer over the course of the summer. The
details of the exhibit, such as the exact start date have
not yet been finalized.
Douglas is a lepidopterist.
“All it means is we study butterflies and moths, which
are in the order Lepidoptera,” Douglas said.
“They go down to these roosts es and yellows of some wings.
in Mexico, which they have Iridescent blues and greens are
never seen before, and every created when light is scattered,
year they go to the exact same much like a prism disperses
one,” Douglas said. “They light into visible bands of color.
stay down there for five or six
months, and they start to fly Central and South America have
back, but they don’t make it Matt Douglas more species of butterflies than
back. There’s no way they can GRCC Professor any other place on earth. The
train young ones to fly down Amazon basin, the largest tropi-
there like birds do.” cal rainforest in the world, is
Douglas finds the study of monarchs fascinating. particularly rich in the butterfly
According to him, the monarch’s migration is one of species. In Africa, the great-
the most unique in the animal kingdom. est variety is found in the low
“It’s the only animal in the world that does altitude rainforests, especially
this,” Douglas said. “The life history of the along the western coast of the
monarch is amazing.” continent. Asia is home to some
Douglas said his main point of of the world’s largest and showi- Ryan Tyrell/Collegiate
interest is butterflies. It was est butterflies. Warm, moist This clearwing butterfly is a member of the brush-footed family. These butterflies are native to Central
this interest that led him to the peninsulas, dense forests and and South America, and are on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens “Butterflies Are Blooming” exhibit.
University of Kansas, where he lush rainforests provide the per-
received his Ph.D. and majored fect habitat.
in entomology.
This is not the first butterfly exhibit Color and pattern serve as a de-
Frederik
Douglas will be involved in. He is a consultant for fense mechanism. In the chrysa- An example from each family of butterfly Meijer
the Frederik Meijer Gardens (FMG) “Butterflies Are lis stage, colors vary from me- Gardens
Blooming” exhibit.
“When the ‘Butterflies Are Blooming’ exhibit started,
tallic gold to sparkling silver, found at “Butterflies Are Blooming”
emerald green to cinnamon and
they needed a consultant,” Douglas said. “They knew brown They’re virtually impossi-
Hours of
about me because I was an editor at the University of ble to spot in the tropical forest. operation
Michigan Press and I had a book called ‘The Lies of A chrysalis attaches to a plant March 1-April 30
Butterflies’ out.” and may resemble a leaf, a bud, Monday,
Douglas feels the exhibit has been wildly successful. or a drop of dew - almost invis-
“It’s like their football season,” Douglas said. Wednesday-Sun-
ible to hungry predators. In the
Amy Sawade, Public Relations Specialist for adult butterfly stage, some have day 9 a.m. - 5
FMG, said, “The exhibit attracts over 150,000 visitors more muted colors on the lower p.m.
annually.” surface of the wing, providing Tuesday 9 a.m.-
Sawade said approximately 800 chrysalides are camouflage. Eyespots on the un- 9 p.m.
delivered FMG weekly for the exhibit. The tropical derside of wings, as on the Blue
butterflies are from Asia, Africa, South America, and Morpho, divert predators away
Admission
Central America. from the butterfly’s head, or Adults $12
Black Malay Postman
“Butterflies Are Blooming” is on exhibit in the Lena possibly cause predators to ap- Students,
Meijer Tropical Conservatory until April 30. proach from the wrong end. Swallowtail Lacewing Longwing Seniors $9
C AEwithJackieP@yahoo.com Swallowtail Brush-footed Children
Prices Vary
10 A&E March 24, 2010

GRCC students taste the world

Global Festival

Graphic by MCT Campus

allows students
to taste food
from four areas
of the globe.
By Stephanie Sicard
Opinion Editor

S
tudents are bringing
a taste of the world to
GRCC campus.
The second
annual Global Experience
Festival is March 26 in the
Ford Fieldhouse beginning at
6 p.m.
Hosted by the
International Student
Organization (ISO), the
African Student Organization
(ASO) and the Hispanic
Student Organization (HSO),
the Global Experience
Festival showcases food, art experiencing GRCC’s Creative Dining staff
and dance from around the their food and that not only creates the food
world. Countries included arts.” but also the table decorations.
this year are Africa, Asia, This may The Global Experience
France and Haiti. be the second year Festival is open to the public
In an email from Katie for the Global Experience completely planned by with tickets for $5. For more
Geeseman, a GRCC counselor, Festival, however there has students.” information contact the
Geeseman said, “The festival been a similar festival create The festival includes a Student Life Office.
is a food and entertainment organized by the ISO since a bigger two-hour show that includes
event created to introduce 1999. u n i t e d singing, poetry and dancing.
the GRCC student body and
the greater Grand Rapids area
“Last year we asked the
Hispanic and African Student
event,” Geeseman
said. “It is the largest event
Afterwards will be a dance
lesson for guests to participate
C StephanieOpinion@yahoo.com

to other cultures, through Organizations to join us to of its kind on campus, in. The food is created by
March 24, 2010
Using hypnosis to heal
Going
Under
Opinion Editor
Stephanie Sicard gets a
first hand taste of
hypnosis.
After interviewing Michael
Kivinen, I was asked if I
would like to experience
hypnosis. Never having tried
it, I thought it would be a fun
way to tell people what it is
like.
Kivinen had me sit back in a chair,
close my eyes and breathe deeply. Through
a series of relaxation techniques, such as
counting backwards from 100 and relaxing
certain parts of my body at a time, I entered
a deep relaxation state. I can only describe
this feeling as being both awake as well as
asleep. I would have normal thoughts or even
the urge to smile or laugh. However, I was so
deeply relaxed that the thought of opening my
eyes or smiling seemed far too much work.
I was told to think of a peaceful scene,
imagine a beautiful place where I could go
whenever I wanted. Although I could feel
my eyes darting back and forth, I never once
opened them.
After awhile Kivinen had me slowly come
out of the relaxation and open my eyes. It was
the most relaxed I’ve been in years. While
under hypnosis I honestly forgot I had hands,
it was as if they just weren’t there anymore.
I may have gone into this a bit skeptic,
or at least unsure of whether or not I could
even be hypnotized, but I definitely left
rejuvenated. I have now become a fan of
hypnosis and can only imagine how helpful
this tool would be to someone suffering from
addictions or PTSD.
What are you looking forward to for spring?
Rodney
Ambrose
“Just being able to “Being able to go
play football.” outside and to the
beach.”
By Stephanie Sicard
Opinion Editor
R
elax and count
backwards from 100…
Michael Kivinen is a
counseling psychologist
who specializes in therapeutic
hypnotherapy. Kivinen gave a
lecture entitled “Hypnosis: It’s
Not Just a Stage Act” on March
18 at GRCC.
Kivinen spoke about how
hypnosis can be used for
therapeutic and relaxation
values. In an interview prior to
his lecture, Kivinen emphasized
that stage acts that showcase
hypnosis are a mixed bag.
Although these are real effects,
they are being used purely for
entertainment purposes.
“I haven’t found it
particularly therapeutic to make
a person cluck like a chicken,”
Kivinen said. “Stage hypnosis is
very funny and fun, but can leave
people thinking hypnosis is at
best silly, and at worse sinister.”
Kivinen is a therapist at West
Brook Recovery Center, and has
his own at home business Holistic
Hypnosis. As a hypnotherapist
Kivinen works with people who
have addictions, or suffer from
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) as well as other issues
they’d like to work on.
“There are any number of
things you can use hypnosis for,”
Kivinen said. “In my work one of
the most basic applications of it
is relaxation and stress control.
It can be used as a powerful
and rapid way to induce what is
called relaxation response.
“For most people with
addictions, whatever it is they’re
addicted to has become their
main way to deal with stress.
So when you take the drugs
of choice away, often they’re
left very tense and anxious and
this is a way for them to relax
without using drugs or alcohol.
One of the ways I use hypnosis
Brecken Cassandra
Hendrick Neff
“I can go without
wearing my coat.”
A&E
here at West Brook Recovery
Center, is to expose people to
that natural ability they posses to
relax themselves.”
Kivinen spoke about how
anytime a person’s attention is
fully absorbed by an activity,
such as reading a book or
daydreaming, this is considered
a functional hypnotic or trance
state.
“Have you ever had it happen
that you drove someplace, and
you arrived safely but you realize
that you didn’t remember a
portion of your trip?” Kivinen
asked. “If we wanted a technical
term to describe this we’d call it a
transient associative experience.
It is more commonly referred to
as highway hypnosis.”
As far as the history of
hypnosis, Kivinen understands
that it has come in and out of
fashion over the last 150 years.
Hypnosis may not have ever
truly gone away, but at times it
has been more unpopular for the
masses. Not everybody agrees on
the definition of hypnosis, which
according to Kivinen makes it
difficult to even talk about.
For Kivinen, therapeutic
hypnosis is a way for someone
to recognize the spontaneous
occurring trances that already
exist in their lives, and use
them to their benefit. This can
be especially helpful for people
suffering from PTSD.
“If someone has PTSD,
hypnosis can be a very helpful
tool for releasing blocked
emotions,” Kivinen said.
“Hypnosis can be a tool for the
person to experience relief from
the emotional triggers.”
Kivinen works with people
suffering from addictions at West
Brook Recovery Center, but offers
a variety of services at Holistic
Hypnotherapy, and encourages
people to ask questions about
hypnotherapy and how it can
help you.
Mikhaila
Hart Lindeman
“Just being “The rugby
outside, long season that is
boarding and starting up right
gardening.”
11
Gallery
from the
Visual Arts
Student Exhibition
Reception
The GRCC Collins Art
Gallery will host a student
exhibition from March 29 to
April 23. On March 31, from
6-8 p.m. a reception will be
held with the student artists
and faculty. The gallery is
located on the fourth floor
of the main building.
“The Little Dog
Laughed”
The Actors’ Theater
will perform ‘The Little Dog
Laughed’ by Douglas Carter
Beane. The play is a comedy
about an agent, matinee idol,
prostitute and a girlfriend.
The show contains adult
situations, graphic language
and nudity. The play is
scheduled March 25 – 27
from 8 - 10 p.m.
Global Experience
Festival
GRCC will put on its
eleventh annual Global
Experience Festival. It will
have international food
song and dance featured
from Africa, Asia, France
and Haiti. The festival is
hosted by the International,
Hispanic and African
Student Organizations. It
will take place on March
26 from 6 -10 p.m. A two
hour show will start at 7
p.m. followed by free dance
lessons.
Student Shoutout
Mike Amber
Slaktoski
“Getting to lay out
in the sun.”
now.”
12 Diversions March 24, 2010

Horoscopes

io
orp
Aquarius
ius
Sc
t t a r
i
Libra Sag Capricorn Pisces
Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23-Nov. 21 Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb. 19-March 20
Consider saving Rock a bumpit Remember, only five Buy some new flip Try not to lose your A cute umbrella
money for that road tomorrow! weeks left! flops! keys again. brings sunshine to a
trip. rainy day!
Taurus

Gemini

Virgo
s
rie

Cancer Leo
A

March 21-April 19 April 20-May 20 May 21-June 20 June 21-July 22 July 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Patience may be a Stock up now on Start looking now Take advantage of Never look a gift Strive for consisten-
virtue, but who has sun block and aloe for that summer job Advising Day! horse in the mouth, cy, unlike Michigan
time for that? vera. before they’re all or any horse for that weather.
gone. matter.

Solutions
Puzzles on page 13

Courtesy MCT Campus

March 24, 2010
Diversions 13
American Gothic
By Ryan Barnes
Comics
Collegiate staff

Across
1 Noun followers, often
6 Marinara sauce brand
11 Was introduced to
14 Tusk material
15 “The Ant and the Grasshopper”
author
16 Lennon’s widow
17 Hockey attempt that only the
goalie is allowed to try to stop
19 Eerie
20 Ancient Athens foe
21 On the ocean
22 Windpipe
25 Stormy day topper
28 __-Rooter
29 Overall perspective
31 Punk rock offshoot
32 Firefighter’s tool
33 Hannah Montana’s channel, in TV
listings
Puzzles
34 Buzzing instrument
36 Aliens, briefly
38 Stretchy synthetic
42 Rise and fall
44 __-bitsy
46 Trendy
47 Crisp cookie
51 Five-time A.L. batting champ
Boggs
52 1955 Platters hit
53 Waterproof fabric
55 Daybreak
56 Become extinct
58 Have a balance
59 Narrow victory, or a feature of
17-, 29- and 47-Across
64 “That __ close!”
65 Like some barrels
66 Gymnast Comaneci
67 Manhattan-based paper: Abbr.
68 Feather
69 Involuntary contraction

Courtesy MCT Campus

Down
1 Celebrity, briefly
2 Adam’s partner
3 Harry’s pal Weasley
4 “Donnie ___”: Johnny Depp
film
5 Graceful woman
Answers on page 12
6 Worker’s reward 12 Win the love of
7 Take it easy 13 So far
8 F’s musical equivalent 18 Workout regimen
9 Sticky stuff 21 Nervous
10 Choose (to) 22 Wearying journey
11 __ pork: Chinese dish served 23 Italia’s capital
with thin pancakes 24 From __: completely
26 Lend a hand
27 How a persona non
grata might be greeted
30 Arrive
32 Balderdash
35 Delivery doc
37 Beginning phase
39 Online dialogue
40 Perform in a rodeo,
e.g.
41 High point
43 62-Down sib
45 Mad magazine spe-
cialty
47 Drop
48 Kind of
49 L.A. Dodgers’ division
50 Puzzle with number
squares
51 Moist towelette
54 Dig sites
57 Discussion point
59 Rice Krispies sound
60 Holbrook of “Into the
Wild”
61 Nev. neighbor
62 43-Down sib
63 Cast party braggart,
perhaps
14 Sports March 24, 2010

PressBox
from the
Jump
Mens Basketball

March 24
shot:
@Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI
3:30 p.m.
The mens
March 25
basketball
vs. Owens Community College
Belknap Park
3:00 p.m.
team has
March 30
vs. Muskegon Community
a winning
College
Belknap Park
2:00 p.m.
season
Commentary by Victoria Fanning
Men’s Golf Collegiate Staff Photographer

Sixteen wins and eight loss-

April 5 es during the regular season is
Ancilla Invitational something the mens basketball
Swan Lake Resort team can be proud of.
Plymouth, IN Anyone watching a Raider
basketball game can not only cel-
ebrate a victory, but also witness
April 7 some pretty sweet shots.
Furniture City Classic Plenty of air can be found
Stonewater Country Club between floor and foot when a
Caledonia, MI Raider shoots for two.
The GRCC’s mens basketball
team clinched the NJCAA District
April 8 VIII title March 6 in Flint, MI.
Early Bird Invitational The next stop for the team
Pilgrim’s Run was the NJCAA Champion-
Pierson, MI Victoria Fanning/Collegiate ship Tournament in Danville, IL
March 17-20.
GRCC’s James Thomas goes up for a shot against the Lake Michigan Indians on
Feb. 3. The Raiders won 84-58.
Men’s Tennis

March 26
@Central Michigan University
Club
Mount Pleasant, MI
3:00 p.m.

March 31
@Alma College
Alma, MI
3:00 p.m.

April 3
@Grand Valley State University
Club
Allendale, MI

Women’s Softball

March 26 Victoria Fanning/Collegiate

@Glen Oaks Community
Above: GRCC’s James Tap
College
scores over Ancilla College’s
Centreville, MI
defense.
3:00 p.m. Left: Quinntrai Lampkins
scores for the Raiders
against Ancilla College on
March 27-28 Feb. 24.
@Kankakee Community
College Tournament Left: GRCC’s
Kankakee, IL Victoria Fanning/Collegiate
James Thom-
3:00 p.m. on March 27 James Tap jumps high above defenders to help as goes up for
the Raiders beat the Chargers of Ancilla Col- a shot against
lege in a 100-72 victory on Feb. 24. This was the Lake
March 30 the Raider’s final regular season game at the Michigan In-
vs. Macomb Community Ford Fieldhouse. dains on Feb.
College 3. The Raid-
Belknap Park ers won 84-
3:30 p.m. Victoria Fanning/ 58.
Collegiate
March 24, 2010
Sports 15
 Sports Collegiate
The
March 24, 2010
Next issue: Biking around
Vol. 54 No.10
Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Community College

Tennis team
returns from
FL tournament
GRCC’s mens ten- tournament the year before.”

nis team begins

Not only is winning
tournaments important to

their season with a

Victoria Fanning/Collegiate
Team continues GRCC’s James Tap makes a layup
against Ancilla College at the Ford
winning season
Fieldhouse on Feb. 24. The Raid-
ers beat the Chargers 100-72.
See Jump, Page 14
spring break tour-
nament.
By Eric Curtis
Collegiate Staff Writer
The GRCC tennis team is
back from their trip to Hilton
Head Island and looking ahead
to the rest of their season.
“Spring Break was the
highlight of the season so far,”
said Head Coach Bill Goodspeed.
Leading the team during
the tournament were Steve
Carter with 7 match wins, Aaron
Michaud with 6, Cullen Malloy,
Jesse VanDellen and Connor
Gossett with 5, according to
Goodspeed.
All but Gossett are returning
players who have experience
playing under Goodspeed.
“The team gelled really well,”
Goodspeed said. “Our doubles
teams showed improvement
throughout the trip and we came
back with a lot of experience.”
The team’s next out-of-state
trip is to Angola, IN for the
Thunder Doubles tournament.
“We have high expectations
for the doubles tournament,”
Goodspeed said. “We finished
second last year and won the
Goodspeed, but so are academics.
“Academics are important
when you consider transfer
requirements,” Goodspeed said.
“Our players have not missed
any class time for tennis related
events which can only help.
“Our current players have
both a historical and current
GPA of 3.25 led by sophomores
and Forest Hills Northern grads
Aaron, Cullen and Pejman
Kordbacheh.”
Goodspeed is also looking
forward to next year’s tennis
season.
“Along with three returning
starters in Keaton Briggs,
Freddie Carlson and Gossett,
we have verbal commitments
from East Kentwood’s top
player, South Christian’s top
doubles player, and one of St.
Claire’s top players,” Goodspeed
said. Additional players from
Coopersville and Marshall also
expressed interest.”
The team heads to Angola,
IN for the Thunder Doubles
tournament on March 20.
Following the doubles
tournament will be trips to
Mt. Pleasant to take on Central
Michigan and a trip to Alma to
face Alma College.
The team will also be playing
Central Michigan University on
March 26.

How the US tripled its Winter Games medals

Commentary By Brian Gomez
MCT Campus
The longer Billy Demong stares at the gold medal he won last
month at the Olympics, the more he thinks about how he felt at his
first Winter Games, in 1998 in Nagano, Japan.
“We still felt like kind of one of the outsiders,” said Demong, a
Nordic combined skier.
Twelve years later, he’s one of the pacesetters, a key cog in the
high-powered American machine that cranked out a Winter Games-
record 37 medals in Vancouver and shows no signs of losing steam
thanks to a proven model for success with strong financial backing.
The U.S. didn’t simply flip the switch in nearly tripling its
medal haul of 13 in Nagano. It prevailed in the total-medal count
for the first time since 1932 through a long-term focus, designed
to build depth in typically strong sports, such as Alpine skiing and
short-track speedskating, and drum up contenders in weak sports,
like luge and cross-country skiing.
“We all recognize in the United States that these are not just
four-year programs,” United State Olympic Comittee (USOC) board
member Mike Plant said, “It’s a long-term strategy.”
That explains how Demong jumped from being a nobody in
Nagano to an Olympic gold medalist in the individual large hill in
Vancouver, how Alpine skier Bode Miller still had gas in the tank
for a gold, a silver and a bronze, how ice hockey player Angela
Ruggiero stood beside teammate Jenny Potter in grabbing her fourth
Olympic medal, a silver.
The USOC thinks its approach is working, evidenced by
breakthroughs in Nordic, where Johnny Spillane joined Demong
on the podium with three medals, the first for the U.S. in the sport
mixing cross-country skiing and ski jumping; and in bobsled,
where Colorado Springs resident Steven Holcomb propelled the U.S.
to its first four-man gold in 62 years.
Demong pointed to his friend, Tim Burke, a biathlete who
struggled in Vancouver but led the World Cup overall standings
prior to the Olympics.
“That kind of a result wasn’t even dreamed of before this
season,” Demong said. “We’re here to win, and there are a lot of
guys and girls from the United States that feel very comfortable in Bill
their sports among their competitors. We’re doing the right things Demong
to bring the right athletes with the right expectations to continue
this kind of success.” Nordic
The USOC plans to start sending leadership teams this year Combined
to Sochi, Russia where the big time-zone change, the language Skier
barrier, the unfamiliarity with food and the cultural differences are
undeniable obstacles, similar to what it faced in 2008 in Beijing. A 4-time
scouting report is needed, Plant said, “so that when we do get to Olympian
the Games, we’re the best-prepared team.”
USOC chief executive officer Scott Blackmun said ideas already Won gold in
are being tossed around about how to develop “customized Vancouver
partnerships” with the NGBs based on their individual demands. in the 10 km
The design was tested before Vancouver, as USOC sport science large hill
folks worked with coaches to analyze video of the sliding track that event, silver
Holcomb mastered. in the 4x5
“It’s really, really competitive,” Blackmun said. “We need to km team
continue to be better than we are and continue to focus our efforts event
on providing the resources that the NBGs and the athletes need to
be their best.”

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