International Students - Pg.

THE

Presidential candidate visits MCCC

David Topolewski
Agora Staff

gora A
Aug. 26,28, 2012 Vol. 55, Issue 71 February 2010 Vol. 56, Issue

MCCC student groups visiting landmarks around U.S. Pg. 3

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A presidential candidate visited MCCC on February 23, but few may have noticed. Jerry White does not have hair like Mitt Romney and is not as well known as Newt Gingrich, but nonetheless is running for president. White, 52, is the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) candidate. He does not support conventional political views and finds fault in the two major political parties. This government is hostile to the working class, Republican or Democrat, he said. The presidential candidate has attacked both President Obama and Republican leadership, saying they want starvation wages. He also does not view President Obama as any different than the previous photo by Miles Lark administration. They all agree, defending the elite against the Jerry White, the presidential candidate for the Socialist Equality Party, spoke to members of the International working class, he said. Students for Social Equality club on Thursday, Feb. 23. White slammed the president, saying he was elect-

ed to repeal legislation such as Homeland Security and the Patriot Act, but has not fulfilled his promises. It is an absolute continuation of Bush, he said. He argues that America is made up of two classes, the working class and the capitalist elite. He also wants people to know there is an alternative to this system and attacks the current state of politics. I appeal to ignorance backwardness politics dominated by billionaires, he said. Socialism is the alternative he offers; the SEP website describes socialism as genuine social equality, on a world scale. As a reference for this model White highlights the Russian Revolution and calls it the greatest historical event. He also attacked President Obama and the people he has appointed to work in his administration. Obama has filled the White House with corporate heads, he said. Running as a strong anti-war candidate, he supports an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of

all U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as disbanding of the standing army. Recognizing foreign threats, he does understand the working class would have the right to defend themselves. White, as president, would end support for Israel. He criticized Israels possession of certain weapons, saying they illegally have scores of nuclear bombs. White is critical of the wars in the Middle East and believes they have hurt the image of America. Bushs wars discredited the United States, he said, adding that Obama has not changed this and has only used troop redistribution. The only way to stop war is if the working class takes political control, according to White. Wars have to do with elites, he said. As for the current uprisings in the Middle East, he said he supports the working class of those countries, but would not intervene. He also warned of an imminent threat of a new war with Syria and Iran.

See JERRY WHITE, Page 2

Should professors friend students?

Kaitlyn Durocher
Agora Staff

With the world of social media growing, there are new methods and concerns that come along with it. When it comes to relationships between students and their professors, social media sites, such as Facebook, can be a controversial issue. Social media sites allow people to communicate with and get to know others more freely than the more traditional options, such as emails. However, is a professor adding a student on a social media site appropriate? Or is it crossing a barrier in student-professor relationships? This question has been raised by people in colleges around the globe. When it comes to MCCC, the opinions on this issue are divided. Numerous people support professors and students connecting via social media sites, while

Culinary program begins annual Winter buffet season

Michelle Dangler
Agora Staff

others are against it. I dont really see a problem with it, if the student allows it, then its their responsibility to conduct themselves in an adult-like manner, said MCCC student Kyle Corollo. Multiple students, including Ally Williams and Angelique Bedee, agree that it is a good method of communication, as long as the relationship is kept professional and mature. Facebook is a public website, so who is to say whom a person is allowed to friend or not? Jamie Newcomber, another MCCC student, said. Professors also hold opinions about this method. David Reiman, professor of business, is one of the professors who has a strong opinion on the matter. This is a decision that should be left with each faculty member, Reiman said. I do believe that if a professor chooses to friend students, they should not be exclusive. If he or she accepts an invitation

Rachel Wehner I would say adding a student or professor is wrong because if a professor sees a students Facebook page, they might judge them.

from one student, they should accept any student. Personally, Reiman has a Facebook account, but has not friended any students on it. He suggests using LinkedIn, another social media site that is more professional for students and teachers to communicate. Also, Reiman believes the relationship between a student and professor should start in the classroom, but social media sites can strengthen and maintain that relationship once formed. While some people believe adding students or professors on social media sites improves communication and relationships, others think it is inappropriate. I would say adding a student or professor is wrong because if a professor sees a students Facebook page they might judge them, positively or negatively, based on their page and be inclined to give them a grade based on their judgment rather than their academic scores, Rachel Wehner said.

David Reinman This is a decision that should be left with each faculty member. I do believe that if a professor chooses to friend students, they should not be exclusive.

We have blackboard and student email for a reason; I like to keep my social media out of professors hands if I can help it, Dylan Miracle said. I think theyre professional people and they shouldnt be adding their students because that could lead to trouble within the relationship, Marissa Kitts said. Clearly, not everyone is supportive of professors and students building relationships or communicating through social media sites. Other alternatives to Facebook include LinkedIn, which is less personal. Or people could always use email or face to face contact to prevent problems from arising. Issues with this subject include exclusiveness, inappropriateness, and judgment, while the positives that come from it include such things as better communication and staying in contact outside of the college years.

Chicken, beef, veal, oh my! Culinary delicacies abound as MCCCs secondyear culinary students and their professors are outdoing themselves again. Last semester, many at MCCC were fortunate enough to try delicious new foods at Cuisine 1300. This semester, the community is welcomed to join in a sampling of foods from all over the world regional American, Mediterranean, and more. Employing new cooking techniques, the students will be able to make meals that are beter than ever before. One such technique, Sous Vide, makes even the toughest meat as delicate and yummy as choice cuts like filet mignon. Students can take the meat; put it into the package (a vacuum pack that sucks and seals out air) with seasonings and butter. They then put it in the vacuum, and cook it at a low temperature around 150

degrees over night, explains Chef Vicki LaValle. Then they cook the meat on the grill to sesar it. The flavors of the seasonings permeate the food totally, she adds. The meat that is cooked Sous Vide is made to near perfection if it is cooked medium-rare, it is light pink all the way through, not just in the middle. The first buffet of the season, Mediterranean, was a mix of foods from Italy, Spain, Greece, Morocco, and others, many of which are gluten free. It was on Friday, Feb. 24. From cous-cous with lemon, cranberries and almonds, veal and beef, there was considerable variety. The next buffet, on Friday, March 2, will be a Global buffet, offering foods from all over. Dishes from Australia, Germany, Italy, Greece, Hawaii, and many others will be available to tantalize the palate. The third buffet, on March 16, is Ethnic Celebrations. All the old family recipes from Germany, Poland, Jewish meals, traiditional Italian, etc., will be showcased.

photo by Michelle Dangler

See WINTER BUFFETS, Page 2

Culinary students prepared various desserts, such as colorful tarts, mini eclairs, cream puffs and other confections.

Campus News......................2, 3 Opinion...............................4 Features..............................5 A&E......................................6,7 Sports......................................8

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Serving Monroe County Community College since 1968

Faculty contracts extended - Page 4

THE

BBQ wows students

gora A
Aug. 26, 2010 Vol. 55, Issue 1 September 23, 2011 Vol. 56, Issue 3

Injured NFL player Kevin Everett shares his story

pg. 6

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Learning Bank may close its doors; grant funding ends

Tyler Eagle
Staff Reporter

Agora photo by Michelle Dangler

Students randomly burst into dance at the Fall 2011 Welcome Back BBQ. The students pictured above were doing the Cupid shuffle. For more photos of students dancing and of the BBQ, check out page 8.

Students burst into dance, do the Cupid shuffle

Mandi Davis
Staff Reporter

Tunes could be heard across campus Tuesday, Sept 13, at the Welcome Back BBQ. The event, which is the first of the year sponsored by Student Government, was a huge success, according to Tom Ryder, Student Government adviser. It was hard to tell how many people actually came, because people were coming and going, Ryder said. He estimated about 600 attended, with more than 400 hot dogs and 36 veggie burgers consumed by the crowd. Midas, which provided deep fried food, actually

Cost of gas affecting students

Survey shows MCCC students are adjusting budgets to compensate
Lorrie Mayzlin
Staff Reporter

ran out before the event concluded. I enjoyed the barbecue. Weather was nice, food was great, music was a nice variety, and many different clubs were there, student Victoria BushawBichot said. Christine Keshney, another student, found the event to be a good way to kick off the school year. Student Government did a great job. It is nice to have events like these because it brings a sense of belonging, she said. Robert Brent, another MCCC student, was divided on how he felt on the random bouts of dancing. The people dancing were simultaneously hilarious and repulsive, he said.

MCCC Student Government will be hold an organizational meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27, at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Government room in The Cellar in basement of the A building. Students who are interested in participating in Student Government are encouraged to attend the meeting. Nominations for officers and committee chairs will be taken at the meeting. Elections will be held at the following meeting, on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Tom Ryder at 734384-4201.

The Learning Bank Network, a center that provides basic adult education, may close its doors when its funding grant runs out at the end of September. Created to help community members receive post-secondary education, The Learning Bank has helped many individuals. MCCC is one of the partners that operate the center. Vuncia Council, director of The Learning Bank, said several of the students enrolled at The Learning Bank are people whove recently been laid-off. There are so many students out of work, she said. They need access to higher education. Council also said there has been a demonstrated need for the network. The current class of 70 is the largest enrolled so far, with 20 more waiting to be admitted to the program. Were getting far more students than we thought we would, she said. With new policies requiring minimum COMPASS scores for entry into several MCCC classes, John Joy, director of Lifelong Learning, expects to see an increased need for classes that help students prepare for college-level work. We would pick up a significant number of folks, he said. Council also said the cutoff scores will increase the need for programs like the Learning Bank. She also mentioned the Learning Banks convenient times. Were the only day-time program in the area, she said. I think we will see even more students in the winter term. Several students from the college attend classes at The Learning Bank to better prepare for classes and specific programs, she added. This is not the first time that The Learning Banks funding has run out. It previously operated on a $300,000 grant for the 2009-2010 year. After the grant expired, another grant was secured for the 2010-2011 year, but was less, totaling $200,000. According to Joy, thats the minimum amount required to keep the program going. We applied to a couple grants out there, he said. With state funding the way it is, we just dont know.

MCCC students were polled at the Back To School BBQ regarding how they afford gasoline with todays prices. Sixty-two percent of the students responded that they cut into their food budget to afford gasoline, while an additional 53 percent indicated they spend less on entertainment. Thirty-five percent of the students said they use public transportation, 20 percent work longer hours, 15 percent cut from their utility budgets, and smaller percentages indicated that gasoline prices do not affect them due to their parents paying for gasoline or simply not caring what gasoline costs. In ten years time, the price at the pump has more than doubled. According to gaspricewatch.com, ten years ago, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $1.53 per gallon. On average, the United States Energy Information Agency (USEIA) es-

First of three parts

Agora reporter Lorrie Mayzlin will be analyzing the results of the survey and offering tips for saving money in a three -part series. Check out page 5 to read about ways to beat gasoline prices.
timates that the cost of crude oil makes up about 50 percent of the pump price, with the other half determined by federal and state taxes (10-20 percent), refining costs and profits (5-10 percent), and finally distribution and marketing (10-20 percent). Gasoline prices in the Monroe area have peaked above the $4 mark and also have fallen below $3 on a rollercoaster ride over the last several years. The shifting prices have made it almost impossible for residents to budget for these fluctuations, forcing them to cut elsewhere in their family budgets.

The Agora Gasoline Survey

MCCC students were asked what theyre cutting from their budgets to buy gas.
Food budget - 62% Entertainment budget - 53% Public Transportation - 35% Work longer - 20% Utility budget- 15% Gas prices dont matter - 9% Someone else pays - 6%

200 MCCC students were selected at the Welcome Back BBQ to take part in the survey. Participants were entered into a drawing for a prize of a $10 McDonalds gift card. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Inside:

Opinion...............................2 Campus News......................3,4 Features...............................5 A&E......................................6,7 Photos......................................8

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New faculty members - Page 7

THE

gora A
Aug. 13, 2011 Vol. 56, 55, Issue 1 June 26, 2010 Vol. Issue 1

Student speakers, alumnus of the year praise MCCC at graduation

pages 4, 5

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Enrollment declines as work plan concludes

Taylor Pinson
Agora Reporter

Digging for the past

MCCC students take part in archaeological dig
Morgan Hofbauer
Agora Reporter

Theres one class at MCCC that isnt afraid to get dirty. An archeheological field study course offered at MCCC over the spring semester has brought students out of the classroom and into the dirt of two archeological dig sites, where students have discovered hundreds of artifacts as well as the possible footprint of a prehistoric animal. The students investigated two sites located in Maybee, containing artifacts from as far as 12,000 years ago. Two possible footprints of a mastodon, a prehistoric creature similar to the wooly mam-

moth, got the students excited. Dr. Scott Beld of the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology has visited the site to review the footprint. Students also have discovered a possible dig site dating to the last ice age, buried beneath the surface and sealed from disturbance. If they can confirm the site, it will be the first of its kind in Michigan said the instructor of the course Ken Mohney. In addition, students have found fragments of ancient pottery and tools, as well as possible ancient house posts and fire or storage pits some from thousands of years ago, from the first occupants of

Michigan. Not all the material looks that exciting, but its the fact that theyre finding something thats relevant, Mohney said. With this class its an experiment thats never been done before. I have no way of knowing what theyre going to find. The first occupants of Michigan came roughly 11,000 years ago after the ice age, Mohney said. They most likely were hunting caribou and extinct game like mammoths and mastodons. Mohney called the location ideal for ancient peoples. They were hunter-gatherers during the archaic period and

Mastodons, weighing 4-6 tons, once roamed across Michigan until the last ice age. The field class students have found two possible footprints from these animals that are now extinct.

they wouldve been here basically going through a grocery store, because theres so much material here in terms of

food, he said. It really drew folks here.

See FIELD CLASS, Page 3

Business manager Dan Schwab to retire

Jeff Papworth
Agora Reporter

The end of Michigans No Worker Left Behind program apparently is causing enrollment in spring and summer classes to drop to 2007 levels. Our spring/summer enrollment has declined, predominately due to the ending of No Worker Left Behind, said Mark Hall, the director of admissions and guidance services at MCCC. The program, sponsored by the State of Michigan, required students to enroll full-time during the spring and summer semesters, Hall said. We are continuing to get the same number of students who enroll from fouryear schools coming home for the summer, he said. Next years level should be comparable to this current year. JoblessThe No Worker Left Behind pro- ness is still gram was signed into law by Michi- driving engans former Gov. rollment. Jennifer Granholm in 2007. Dr. David Nixon The program MCCC provided unemPresident ployed and displaced workers with two free years of training or community college. The program launched in August 2007. Spring enrollment for 2007 was 1,429 students. It reached its peak in 2009 with 1,624 and began to decline in 2010 when only 1,592 signed up. This year had 1,494 students. MCCCs President Dr. David Nixon was not concerned with the decline from last years numbers, calling it statistically insignificant. Joblessness is still driving enrollment, Nixon said. Where will students go to seek skill sets for becoming lawyers, teachers, nurses, welders, nuclear technicians, and electric car manufacturers? And at a price they can afford? Monroe County Community College and other postsecondary institutions provide those answers.

Daniel Schwab described his role at MCCC as a puzzle solver with a dedicated mindset. Putting things together and figuring out issues as they come up, is how Schwab explained it. Suzanne Wetzel agrees with Schwabs assessment. Its a tremendous skill to have those analytical skills and to be able to look at something and kind of dissect it, and put it back together, so you can then explain it to someone, Wetzel said. After working at MCCC for 27 years, Schwab decided to retire July 1 from his position as the colleges top financial officer.. College President Dr. David Nixon said Schwabs retirement leaves a vacancy in a position that is crucial to the colleges administration; the search for a replacement will begin immediately.

The role of Controller and Business Manager is critical to any large organization with a multi-million dollar budget, Nixon said. Fortunately, Dan has agreed to help train his replacement, he said. Last year, Schwab was promoted to Business Manager and Treasurer, after spending 26 years as College Controller. I enjoyed the challenge. I worked with the board more closely than I did before, Schwab said. Wetzel and Schwab split the duties of retired Vice President of Business Affairs, Tim Bennett. Wetzel was okay with sharing the role. She has worked with Schwab for 24 years. In fact, he was one of the first people she came in contact with at MCCC. Hes a tremendous colleague and I think weve had a very productive and successful working relationship, Wetzel said. Schwabs 26 years as college controller entailed payroll reporting, student ac-

counting, auditing, and budgeting. Ten years ago, developing the colleges Datatel system and teaching colleagues how to use it was another role that Schwab accepted. Datatel is MCCCs financial software package. There are a number of different modules in Data Tel that apply to the general ledger, finances, payroll, billing students and class information. MCCC payroll clerk Tammy Foster said she though he took on all the roles well. I cant say enough about his patience, his kindness, his leadership, I mean hes a great supervisor, Foster said. Schwabs has a bachelors degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from the University of Toledo. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Right out of school, he accepted a job at a Monroe CPA Firm. While at the firm, he did audits for MCCC, so it was

photo by Mandi Davis

See SCHWAB, Page 2

Dan Schwab is retiring from his position as controller and business manager. He has been a part of MCCC for 27 years.

Inside:
Editorial...............................2 Campus News..................3,6,7 Graduation Special..............4,5 A&E........................................8

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2012 Michigan Community College Press Association Judging Form

Place of award: Nothing Category: Front Page Design Headline/title of entry: June 13, Sept. 28, Feb. 28 Contestants name: Staff College name: Monroe Community College (The Agora)

Judges comments: Well thought out layout, nice design and great balance. This is a very traditional presentation that I liked. Unfortunately, it came very, very close to placing, but ultimately lacked just enough to keep it out of the awards. Keep working, youre oh so close