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Febuary 24, 2014
Volume 20, Issue 14
The student publication of Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, Michigan
College mulls modest tuition rate increase But hourly cost for online classes may rise
A discussion of rate increases was a prime topic among several when the college’s board of trustees gathered for By MARIA RIGOU their annual winter retreat on Feb. 8. Editor Chief Financial Officer Bill And NATALIE WRIGHT Johnson led the tuition rate increase Managing Editor discussion that was based on comparisons of WCC to other community Tuition might rise modestly next colleges in the state and also on interfall, but Washtenaw Community nal factors, such as the resources that College’s rates will likely remain students need to support their college among the lowest in the state, offi- experience. cials said. “We have, historically, and continue
to, trend at a tuition rate below the averages,” Johnson said. “And the institution is very, very proud of that.” Michigan’s 28 community colleges provide more than 440,000 students access to affordable post-secondary education. Gov. Rick Snyder’s Executive Budget recommendation for fiscal years 2015-16 makes an increase in the TUITION CONTINUED A5
Going Places
Sulaiman Shaikh, 32, moved from California to Michigan and is his first semester at WCC. Already looking for a college to transfer to, Shaikh spoke to Daniel Medrow, a senior adviser for Eastern Michigan University during the WCC Transfer Fair, an event that hosts representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities in the Student Center. It’s an opportunity for students to collect information on prospective college’s and ask questions about their transcripts. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
Trustees zero in on student success By NATALIE WRIGHT Managing Editor
And MARIA RIGOU Editor
The rate of success among students is among the most important issues facing colleges and universities. Defining it, however, remains one of their most difficult challenges. This is why the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees put so much focus on it at their annual winter retreat on Feb. 8. The discussion, led by Trustee Stephen Gill, served as a reminder of the indicators that the college has identified to define student success and how it is, as he described it, “a backdrop for what we do.” “We identified 16 possible indicators of success,” Gill explained. “There is no one indicator. In community colleges, it is not fair to say that completion in three years is the only indicator of success (because we serve a variety of students) ... and in our policymaking we are keeping our sight on all
of these.” Even though state and federal administrations pay close attention to completion rates and time frames for completion, Gill said that the college and the board will continue to look at those indicators and the host of indicators the college has identified, such as student goals, transfer rates, student satisfaction, employment rate and employment retention rate, among others, to define success. Student success is what drives everything at the college, Julie Morrison, executive director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Accreditation said. Improving student success through both Instruction and Student Services led the force behind WCC’s strategic plan, a document that was introduced in 2011, she said. The strategic plan is made up of eight priorities that involve professional development, institutional agility, visibility and branding, workforce development, partnerships with K-12 institutions, funding and community development and, of course,
student success. “As we evolved with the priorities (student success) is the one that not only involved the most people, but also kind of imbued every other priority,” Morrison said. At the retreat, each of Wa s h t e n a w ’s vice presidents presented a report on where they stand with their strategic plan goals and what they’re prioritizing, Wendy Wendy Lawson Lawson. vice president of Advancement said. And the discussion inevitably focused on the student success goals, and there are many. A list of 13 faculty department initiatives was presented to the trustees at the retreat. The school is funding STUDENT SUCCESS CONTINUED A6
College requests extension on SOQ request Wa s h t e n a w C o m m u n i t y College’s General Counsel Larry Barkoff filed a request for a 10-day extension regarding a Freedom of Information Act request by The
Washtenaw Voice seeking Student Opinion Questionnaires. The request for an extension, in accordance with the FOIA, was made on Feb. 19. On Feb. 10, The Voice filed its
appeal of the college’s denial of the FOIA request for the last five years of SOQs. The college said it would make a decision on whether or not to release the SOQs, by March 5.
The little campus squirrel stood stoically near the GM building unaware of his increasing popularity with the students walking by. See page A5 KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
College’s ‘best practices’ tied to state funding Education funds distributed among colleges based on performance By MARIA RIGOU Editor
Washtenaw Community College scored the highest of all community colleges in the state in best practices, and as a result, state appropriation revenue increased. Since Gov. Rick Snyder took office in 2011, combined operations and retirement funding for community colleges have increased by more than $72 million, according to the Executive Budget recommendation released by the state of Michigan. Snyder’s proposed budget recommends an increase in funding of $371.5 million, of which $173.9 million is general fund for 2015, as well as $390.2 million, of which $192.6 million is general fund for 2016. Increase in state funding is distributed to colleges in two parts:
the first half of the new funding is an across-the-board increase; the second half is distributed based on performance metrics, such as weighted degree and certificate completions, enrollment, administrative costs as a percentage of core expenditures and best practices that enhance local strategic value. The best practices, outlined by Snyder, are a key component in the governor’s goal of ensuring that at least 60 percent of Michigan’s residents have high-quality skills training, a degree or any other credential by 2025. “It’s really what the governor has identified as the matrix for success in the perfecting of community colleges,” Wendy Lawson, vice president of Advancement, said. “We scored the highest of all community colleges.” In accordance with the Education Omnibus Appropriation Act for fiscal year 2014, the college is required to certify that it meets certain minimum requirements in order to qualify for state appropriations. FUNDING CONTINUED A6
For over 90 years, Walsh College has been inspiring accounting students to excel. We’ve built our reputation on our rigorous, well-respected degree programs. Choose from Bachelor of Accountancy, BBA-Accounting Processes, or Master of Science in Accountancy, now with specializations in tax and finance. Spring registration now in progress. walshcollege.edu/Accounting ®The yellow notebook design is a registered trademark of Walsh College. And the campaign is a creation of Perich Advertising + Design. Thanks to the fine folks at Walsh for letting us say so.
Shamrock Shakes Join Student Activities for a delicious green treat! Date: March, 17th Time: 12pm-1pm Location: SC Community Room Price: FREE!
Student Design Contest Digitally illustrate WCC’s mascot, Alpha! If your art is chosen, you will win a Pro Wacom tablet! Current WCC students sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/createalpha Art work must be submitted no later than Monday, March 3rd
Ticket: Bowling Bash
Only $15 March 13 7p.m.-9p.m. Colonial Lanes Ticket includes bowling, shoe rental, and buffet Dinner!
Purchase tickets at the Cashier’s Office
Ticket: Beauty and the Beast Friday, March 28 7:30p.m. Fisher Theatre
th
Tickets Coming Soon!
Ticket: Ice Skate at Yost!
Bring your friends and family for a night of fun at Yost Ice Arena! Ticket includes: Pizza or hotdogs/pop. Optional skate rental $1 Only $5 th March 8 Yost Ice Arena
Purchase tickets at the Cashier’s Office
Upcoming Sports Opportunities!
Men’s Club Baseball Tryouts Dates: Monday through Thursday, March 10th through March 13th Time: 4:30pm-7:00pm Where: WCC Baseball Diamond located next to the WCC Health and Fitness Center Please bring your WCC Student ID and your own mitt. You must pre-register for this tryout in the WCC Sports Office prior to participating in tryouts. Women’s Club Softball First Practices Dates: Monday March 31st and Thursday April 3rd Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm Where: WCC Softball Diamond located next to the WCC Health and Fitness Center Please bring your WCC Student ID and your own mitt (if you have one). Please pre-register for this tryout in the WCC Sports Office prior to the first practice. Intramural Bowling Registration: Now through March 5th or until all spots are filled Dates: Fridays, March 7th through March 28th Time: 5:30pm Where: Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor (1950 S. Industrial Hwy.) Please bring your WCC Student ID with you to the event. You must register for this event in the WCC Sports Office prior to participating. No one will be allowed to participate that hasn’t already registered. Intramural March Madness Brackets Date: Brackets are due on March 20th Time: Brackets due before halftime of the first game. Where: SC 116 We will have both a Women’s and a Men’s bracket. If you have any questions about any opportunities or other sports opportunities don’t hesitate to ask! Contact elemm@wccnet.edu, 734-973-3720 or stop by WCC Sports on SC 116!
Keep in Touch! Instagram: WCCSDA, Facebook: Washtenaw CC and http://tinyw.cc/sda
News
The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2014
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SMART Act? Students aren’t so sure interest-free loans. “When you look at the state appropriations in the 1970s, the state Democratic lawmakers are attack- accounted for 75 percent of the uniing higher education with a recent versity’s budget and tuition accountproposal to help Michigan students. ed for 25 percent. Here we are in 2014, State Rep. David Knezek, the numbers have flipped; we increasD-Dearborn Heights, and Sen. Jim ingly place the burden of higher eduAnanich, D -Flint, proposed the cation on students,” said Rep. Knezek. $2 million SMART Act or Smarter The proposal would give students Michigan and Retaining Talent Act, interest-free loans for up to five years. which would establish a pilot program Students who decide to participate in removing financial barriers for 200 the program would be committed to Michigan students. paying back 4 percent of their income But students aren’t sold on the for five years for every one year that idea. they choose to borrow. This part of The plan would give 100 commu- the proposed legislation has raised a nity college students and 100 four- lot of criticism from students. year university students access to “I’m unimpressed. I mean, it’s a higher education by offering them commendable idea but not realistic By ADRIANNA VELAZQUEZ Staff Writer
New job training program allows WCC to create new partnerships By MARIA RIGOU Editor
Washtenaw has the opportunity to build new and stronger relationships with businesses and industries with the Michigan New Jobs Training Program. The MNJTP was designed as an economic development tool that allows community colleges the opportunity to provide free training for employers creating new jobs in the state, in addition to the positions that they already have. This local program is funded by the state and “is paid by capturing the state income tax associated with the new employees’ wages,” according to the Michigan Community College Association’s webpage. Michelle Mueller, associate vice president of Economic and Community Development at WCC, said that this local program helps both employers and educational institutions because it captures dollars. The program puts a $50 million cap on contracts that are managed by colleges at one time. “There is a revolving amount of money (at all times),” Mueller said, explaining that community colleges interested in this program have to apply and are put in a queue system. Once money becomes available, the college is alerted. Washtenaw received notice in November 2013 that $500,000 was
available to start a training program for businesses and industries in the area. “The training program does not restrict in industry,” Mueller said, explaining that the college needs to start looking for possible prospective businesses and tailor training programs to their needs. “This gives the community college all kinds of opportunities,” Mueller said. “We can use dollars from the program to buy equipment that we will later keep.” The program is being implemented in a number of colleges, but Mueller said that Oakland Community College has used $8 million-$9 million in training for businesses and industries in its area. “We have executed contracts with 10 companies in the area,” Sandra Bachert, Business Services Manager at Oakland Community College said. “It has become a popular program because income taxes are diverted to repay training expenses, and it gives smaller companies an opportunity to train their employees.” Mueller also highlighted the importance of this program for students at Washtenaw. If a business is coming to the college for training, it is probably because of what the college has to offer, thus giving more chances to students who are studying in that specific area to be in the lookout for job opportunities. “In a community, talent is a number one driver,” Mueller said.
Advantages of the Michigan New Jobs Training Program: •Tool to support economic de•WCC relationship-building with velopment growth in Washtenaw local employers County. •WCC workforce training coor•Employer funding stream to dination and delivery train workers for new jobs •New revenue stream for the college
for our already fragile economy,” said Amanda Severino, 24, of Melvindale. “If people are already finding it hard to make ends meet, with or without a college education, requiring them to forgo a percentage of their income right off the top, assuming they can even find worthy employment following graduation.” Unlike the six-month grace period for students borrowing loans to pay for their education, the “Pay it Forward” plan doesn’t require students to immediately pay back the money borrowed. “The students don’t start paying back until they have a job that pays above the federal poverty limit,” said Knezek, “and so, we didn’t want students to, like they currently
are, graduating and then immediately having to pay hundreds of dollars in loans in the period of months right after graduating without having the job to do it. “It is as an opportunity to introduce an interest-free program that has the potential to remove every financial barrier to higher education and then allows students who pay back into the program to have those funds as we say, ‘Pay It Forward’ for the next generation of students to attend college and achieve a degree as well.” So what are the criteria to be a part of the pilot program if it gets the green light from the legislature? It’s simple. “You have to be a Michigan student, you have to be attending a Michigan
public university or community college, you have to pass a means test, you have to be maintaining a 2.5 GPA throughout your time in the program,” Knezek explained. “We want to make sure that we can test this program for a number of years. If and when it’s proven successful, we want to be able to roll it out to every Michigan student.” Even so, students aren’t buying it. “If this plan was personally offered to me I wouldn’t take it,” said Natasha Brausser, 19, of Owosso. “I don’t like anything about this proposal because if you looked into it, you would see that you really don’t gain anything from it. You actually lose. I feel like the SMART Act is actually a step in the wrong direction for reforming higher education.”
Automotive Technologies: Creating jobs of the future? By JON PRICE
Staff Writer
Washtenaw Community College may be offering a new, cutting-edge automotive program next fall, said instructor Michael Duff. If Duff ’s proposal to WCC’s Board of Trustees is approved, it would mean a $150,000 renovation for the Larry L. Whitworth Occupational Education Building. The automotive service lab would be equipped with state-of-the-art automotive-engineering technology. The program would be specifically tailored to meet industry needs, ensuring that students who finish the program will be entering into a promising job market. So promising, in fact, that the U.S. Department of Labor has projected a 30 percent increase of jobs in the automotive repair and maintenance industry by the year 2020. The program, Duff explained, would offer a career pathway to a new hybrid job as a research and design engineer technician. These are positions developed specifically for companies like Detroit Diesel and Toyota to bridge the gap between engineers and automotive technicians. “The demand is huge,” Duff said, adding that working in this field would also offer a unique set of working conditions.
“A lot of them would be doing emissions testing, fuel economy testing, component testing,” Duff said, noting that students would be working with the latest technologies. “We have a lot of the skills already taught here. Problem is we need $150,000 in equipment to even pull it off.” If WCC does pull it off, auto services students would have a leg up on the field. “No one is really turning them out.” Duff said. “I wish they started this program a long time ago,” Henry McAuley said. “It probably would have helped me out a lot, and I probably would have started out higher up in the company.” McAuley, 21, is an automotive service technology student at Washtenaw, and, according to Duff, he is a perfect candidate for this program. McAuley works as a chassis and dyno technician for Toyota and sees this program as a ticket to the jobs of tomorrow. “Hopefully the new program will help young techs enter the workforce more prepared than I was,” McAuley said. “This program has the potential to make many desirable technicians for the very near future, especially here in Ann Arbor,” he said. In September, Toyota announced it would spend more than $28 million to expand operations at its Technical Center in Ann Arbor “to develop additional engines and automatic transmissions for vehicles designed and
built in North America,” according to The Automotive News. Paul Krutko is the president of Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit group that plays matchmaker for local business owners and educational institutions like Washtenaw so students can graduate with specific skills that make them desirable in the local and national job markets. “Toyota chose to relocate and take root here because of local resources,” Krutko said. “Specifically the deep pool of engineering and technical talent.” “There are hundreds of companies that have contacted us” looking for the new breed of automotive technician, Duff said. “They need a student with welding, fabrication and drafting skills.” In the same time it would take a person to become a standard mechanic, a motivated student could graduate as a research and design engineer technician. By pursuing the latter, students could expect a $40,000 rookie year, plus benefits and tuition reimbursement, according to Duff. “This high-performance class is pretty much one of the last classes they can take here,” said Justin Morningstar, a lab assistant in the OE building. The class is an upperlevel automotive class with some of the very same students who would become prime candidates for the new technician program.
New course to capture the classroom experience online By JAMES SAOUD Staff Writer
Cassandra George- Sturges wants to hear students’ opinions on what it means to be an American. George-Sturges, a Washtenaw Community College behavioral science instructor, will be moderating a series of discussions about race and ethnicity in America on March 5-7. The discussions will be videotaped and used in the new distancelearning course Sociology 205. Though the class is taught traditionally on campus at WCC, GeorgeSturges wants to open up the course
CALENDAR FRIDAY, FEB. 28 project a positive image. For more informa- contact Arista Metler at 734-677-5155. Your Story Training will be held in tion contact Arista Metler at 734-677-5155. TI 246 from 10-11:30 a.m. Tell your inCOLLEGE VISITATIONS spiring story and become part of WCC’s THURSDAY, MARCH 6 Eastern Michigan University: Feb. 26 new student panel. More information Interview skills workshop will be from 1-5 p.m., Feb. 27 from noon-4 p.m., in SC 112. held in ML 120 from 1-2:30 p.m. Learn how March 5 in from 1-5 p.m. and March 6 from Five Star Leadership Training will to prepare for an interview, how to research noon-4 p.m. in SC 206. be held in TI 246 from 3-4 p.m. Become companies and how to successfully interUniversity of Michigan-Flint: March a student leader by gaining leadership view. For more information contact Arista 4 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the first floor of skills. For more information visit http:// Metler at 734-677-5155. the Student Center. tinyurl.com/leaderw14 . Western Michigan University: March FRIDAY, MARCH 7 4 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the first floor WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 Job search techniques workshop will of the Student Center. Resume development workshop be held in ML 120 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Concordia University: March 5 from will be held in ML 120 from noon-1:30 These sessions provide information in the 1-4 p.m. in the first floor of the Student p.m. This hands-on workshop will help job search process and how to go about Center. students develop their resume that will finding the right job. For more information
to a broader group of students who can’t make it to campus. However, taking the course online has raised some issues within the department in the past. “The concern is, can we capture the richness of a classroom experience?” she said. This is where the students come in. George-Sturges wants to tape her discussions with student volunteers to share with her class as a way to create a classroom atmosphere. “I want people to talk about their experiences here in America,” GeorgeSturges said. “I want people to see
people and to be a part of something that is real, not just some textbook.” The class and discussions are a way for the department to become more technologically active and give students a way to interact through distance-learning courses. George-Sturges also thinks this will bring a new opportunity for students to grow culturally. “In order for people to evolve, you need to talk to somebody about this,” George-Sturges said, “I want us to put something together that represents our college, our students and our students’ voices”
SECURITY NOTES From redacted incident reports provided by Campus Safety and Security, and interviews with Director Jacques Desrosiers.
slid to the other side of the SC dividing wall separating the walkway and tables. When the student went to retrieve the phone a while later, it was no longer there.
Larceny A student left his backpack unattend- Hit and Run ed for 40 minutes in the Math Resource A 2011 Nissan station wagon was Center. Upon his return, he discovered struck on the front driver side while that his backpack was missing and re- parked on the fourth floor of the parkported it stolen to Campus Security on ing structure on Feb. 12 at 8:40 p.m. Feb. 10 at 1:35 p.m. The case has been turned over to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department. Larceny While lounging in the Student Center on Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m., a student dropped a cell phone, which then
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Voices
Febuary 24, 2014
The Washtenaw Voice
Honest mistakes should make us all better
EDITORIAL In journalism, we have a saying: “If your mom tells you she loves you, find a second source.” For the past year or so, we have been doing things the way that Washtenaw Community College wanted them. We have a primary point of contact to get interviews and meetings with administration and staff and other relevant information like press releases or important documents, and, so far, everything has been fairly smooth sailing. However, at the beginning of the month, the college’s board of trustees, together with the administration, had their annual winter retreat, where they discussed topics like student
success, tuition rates and the state of the budget, especially in relation to state and federal funding. Because of miscommunication, The Voice was not there to cover it as it usually is. And so, in this issue, you will find second-hand accounts of what happened. We vow to give our readers the best we can, and, unfortunately, what you are reading in this paper right now is the best we can. We know that we can do better. The college’s administration has given us only one way to access to all this information, especially when it comes to board meetings and board content. We can say that we have a
“Were it left to me to decide whether to have government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
Corrections and Clarifications A teaser on Page One of the Feb. 10 edition incorrectly directed readers to the wrong page. The correct page should have been A5. Both illustrations in Page One of the Feb. 10 edition should have been attributed to Voice staff members. “What is the wage worth?” was done by EJ Stout. “Telling Oscar’s fortune” was done by Erik Morris. On page B1 of the Feb. 10 issue, accompanying the article titled “Slum Tourism,” the center photo illustration omitted the name of the location, Eastown Theatre.
VOICE A NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD NEWSPAPER
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good, working relationship with our contact, and that things have been working out for both parties, the administration and the newspaper it supports through funding. However, it comes as a surprise to us as the staff that some members of the administration think that we want everything handed to us on a silver platter. The editorial team at The Voice checks, almost religiously, the trustees’ website so that when a meeting gets cancelled or postponed, we know immediately. We also check for minutes, for agendas and for other documents, so that we can go to all meetings prepared and ready to tackle stories.
The retreat’s agenda was posted on the website on Feb. 6, and it only contained the front page and no other details. On Feb. 5, The Voice checked the trustees’ website to see if there was any announcement regarding the retreat, but the only thing that we could find was the schedule of upcoming meetings, and the next meeting programmed for Feb. 11, just three days after the retreat was supposed to happen. Finding it odd, The Voice contacted the appropriate person and was informed that both the retreat and the meeting were cancelled. It came as a huge surprise when we found out, by our own means, that
the retreat had indeed happened and that something as big as tuition was discussed at the time. Of course, that news didn’t come to us on a silver platter either. In fact, over the past several years, this newspaper can count on a few fingers the number of times it has received a news release, or even a heads-up phone call, about news the college would share with an audience of 15,000 or so Voice readers. So next time, we will be at the retreat because now we know better. Honest mistakes happen, and we acknowledge that we were at fault, too, because,after all, even mothers stray from the truth from time to time.
Olympics were must-viewing But it’s not about the gossip. It’s about tradition and the human race. It’s an event that happens only every four years, per season Olympics. The sheer magnitude of the event alone is staggering. In Sochi, nearly 88 nations with an estimated 2,800 athletes are competing in 15 disciplines, all in the span of 16 days. I still can’t wrap my head around it. It really hits me during the opening ceremony, seeing every nation march together, waving their flag, all gathered By KELLY BRACHA in the same place. For a moment, you Staff Writer forget that some of these countries just absolutely hate each other, that I never understood the people some of them are at war, even. who don’t care about the Olympic When the games finally begin, you Games. I can accept apathy toward can’t help but cheer for your country; politics, big celebrity news and oth- it can turn anyone into a patriot. er events the media deems “breakThis celebration of physical skill ing news,” but the Olympics? How and dominance makes celebrities out can you not love it? of those who truly deserve it. These Friends, family members and athletes have dedicated their entire colleagues just don’t care. It’s hard lives to become the best of the best to find a person to gush with on the at this one thing. All have their own amazing performances of Michigan amazing stories of sacrifice, discipline, ice dancers Charlie White and victory or heartbreak – it’s overwhelmMeryl Davis, or how disappoint- ingly motivating and inspiring. ing it was when Shaun White just Behind these athletes are the couldn’t achieve a gold medal in towns they came from and the counthe half-pipe competition. try they represent and within that, an
overwhelming sense of community. Walking into the Arctic Edge Ice Skating Arena in Canton, where White and Davis trained nearly their entire lives, there’s an air of pride. On the ice, little future dancers, undoubtedly having watched the gold-medal performance and now dreaming big for themselves. They are the real role models. It’s so easy to become irrationally invested in sports you don’t understand. I’m still confused about curling, but I can’t help but smile when there’s a good stone thrown. I might be cheering for the United States, but I still cringe when an ice skater from Russia takes a nasty fall. These events create memories that can tug on your heartstrings and give you a sense of awe. For two weeks every two years as the Winter and Summer Games appear, I feel inexorably connected to humanity. I’m reminded what humanity is capable of when we can come together and celebrate each other. I’m reminded that there is hope for us still. The Olympic Games are far from just a sporting competition. They are a celebration of all humanity.
Some things just need to change
The student publication of Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, Michigan
Volume 20, Issue 14
4800 E. Huron River Dr. TI 106 Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734) 677-5125 thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com The Washtenaw Voice is produced fortnightly by students of Washtenaw Community College and the views expressed herein will not imply endorsement or approval by the faculty, administration or Board of Trustees of WCC. Student publications are important in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and in bringing matters of concern and importance to the attention of the campus community. Editorial responsibility for The Voice lies with the students, who will strive for balance, fairness and integrity in their coverage of issues and events while employing the best habits and practices of free inquiry and expression. The Washtenaw Voice does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the information or content in advertisements contained in the newspaper or its website, www.washtenawvoice.com, nor the quality of any products, information or other materials displayed or obtained as a result of an advertisement or any other information or offer in or in connection with the services or products advertised. The Voice welcomes letters to the editor from its readers and will make every effort to publish them. We reserve the right to edit letters for space considerations, and ask that writers limit their comments to no more than 400 words. All letters must include a name and contact information, such as an email address or phone number, so the letters can be verified before they are printed. The Voice is committed to correcting all errors that appear in the newspaper and on its website, just as it is committed to the kind of careful journalism that will minimize the number of errors printed. To report an error of fact that should be corrected, phone 734-677-5405 or email thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com. A copy of each edition of The Washtenaw Voice is free to everyone. Additional copies are available at The Voice newsroom, TI 106, for 25 cents each. EDITOR Maria Rigou drigou@wccnet.edu MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Wright nkwright@wccnet.edu PHOTO EDITOR Kelly Bracha kbracha@wccnet.edu DESIGNERS Brian Auten bgauten@wccnet.edu George O’Donovan godonovan@wccnet.edu ONLINE EDITOR Christina Fleming cfleming@wccnet.edu VIDEO EDITOR James Saoud jsaoud@wccnet.edu
ADVERTISING MANAGER Becky Alliston ealliston@wccnet.edu STAFF WRITERS M. M. Donaldson David Fitch Jon Price EJ Stout Adrianna Velazquez CORRESPONDENTS Marko Delic Erik Morris Cindy Samoray Brandon Shelton Karly Stanislovaitis COPY EDITOR Nina Di Mauro ADVISER Keith Gave kgave@wccnet.edu
those with disabilities. By this time, women’s suffrage was 71 years old, prohibition had come and gone and we witnessed the first man on the moon 21 years prior. So why did it take 23 years for those with disabilities to be able to garner the same protection and freedom while we passed countless other laws that had changed our foundation KARLY STANISLOVAITIS years before? As a person who has grown up with Tell someone you were born in cerebral palsy, I can say with absolute 1990; they might become reminis- certainty that I would not have the cent about VHS tapes, Surge and freedom to be a regular college student Mp3 players. working to secure a future if not for Tell someone with a disability those who gave voice and new sense about 1990, and they might recall a of freedom to those with disabilities. very important milestone, which,in Awareness and stigmas surroundpart, is why I have the freedom to ing those with physical or mental be a regular college student writing disabilities are still far behind 21st for The Voice. century ways of thinking. The ignoThe Americans with Disabilities rance and invisible social barrier that Act (ADA) was founded in 1990 by exists among those with disabilities President George H. W. Bush. It and those without them is still alive prohibits discriminating against and well.
In my opinion, everyone should be educated about disabilities. And that can start by not treating those who have them as if they are outsiders. Talk to them about common interests; pop culture, family or pets are always a good start. The goal is not for things to feel awkward, but rather to attempt to break down barriers. Start by discussing anything you choose, but if you are curious about someone’s disability you should remember to be tactful and respectful. I once had someone ask me, “What’s wrong with you?” instead of simply asking, “Why are you here? What kind of disability do you have?” Overall, we need to change the way we interact with those with disabilities, and it starts with each person who is willing to make that change. Be respectful, and don’t treat someone with a disability as if they’re five years old. We want to be treated like everyone else. We all need to get with the times and realize this needs to change.
Letter to the editor
Let’s publish students grades, too As a part-time instructor at WCC, as you can imagine, I have a great deal of interest in the SOQ process and its outcome. That’s why I was so interested in the recent cover story on SOQs, and the benefits/ drawbacks of making the results available to students and, thereby, to the public in general. Many of those quoted seemed to think that the results should be made available to help students determine who might or might not be a “good” instructor according to the SOQ scores. There was also mention that students are customers, and teachers are the providers of services, like store owners. I suggest that to make the process truly communicative and by doing so, transparent, that we consider the following:
Make the results of all SOQs available to the public by publishing them on a website; after all, it is the residents of Washtenaw County who, through property taxes, help to keep the college open. Shouldn’t they be part of a transparent process? Have the student filling out an SOQ sign his or her name. This would serve two purposes. First, it would support the transparency of the process and enhance communication between student and instructor. Second, it could serve to identify those students who may find it amusing to give every instructor a poor evaluation, just for the sheer fun of it. Eliminating this possible messing with system (and I’m not saying at all that this is happening) by having students sign the evaluation would only make the SOQs that much more valid, and, thereby, more
beneficial to other students. Make the results of all students’ grades public on the same website as the SOQs. This would, again, increase the prospects for transparency. Publishing student grades might also be a way for future students to know if an SOQ was filled out accurately or just to fool around and/or create trouble for an instructor. As indicated above, surely those taxpayers who support WCC would be interested to know how students are progressing. After all, as a service provider, I surely would like to know as much about my customers as possible. Just a proposal to keep the conversation going. David Horowitz
English Department
News
The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2014
TAKE
Judith Hommel loses fight with cancer Judith Hommel, artist and educator who brought class and culture to Washtenaw Community College during more than 25 years of service to the school, died at her home on Feb. 11. She was 70. Hommel had been fighting ovarian cancer for four years, during which she became an advocate for all women fighting the disease. She retired from Washtenaw in 2011 after serving as a special assistant to then-President Larry Whitworth.
Judith Hommel
She is survived by her husband, Mike Hommel, daughters, Erika Boehnke (Chris Boehnke), and Leslie Dobos (Erik Dobos), and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 608 E. Williams St., Ann Arbor. To read more about a career dedicated to WCC, visit: http://www. washtenawvoice.com/2014/02/ amazing-grace/
KATHY STADTFELD | COURTESY PHOTO
SNIPS College to award honorary degrees Washtenaw Community College hopes to bestow an honorary degree on Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President Joe Biden. The college’s board of trustees and made the decision at the board’s winter retreat on Feb. 8. “Her office has let us know that she’s not making the decision until the president makes a decision about where he’s going for commencement,” Wendy Lawson, vice president of Advancement,
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said. “So the board made a decision that Jury’s out for students we wanted to make an additional offer Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill on Feb. as well.” 20 excusing full-time college students And that went to Sen. Carl Levin, from jury duty. D-Mich., when some of the board memHouse Bill 4570, introduced by Rep. bers and WCC President Dr. Rose Bellanca Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, allows stuwere in Washington D.C., recently. dents to postpone jury duty to a time “We had our first student do an intern- when it’s more convenient, such as sumship in D.C. this summer, and it was in mer or winter breaks. Sen. Levin’s office,” Lawson said. “So that’s The students must prove that jury an important relationship, and we thought duty will interfere with classes, exams it would be great to honor that. or study schedules. “And he has been a champion for education.”
Interview and photo by NATALIE WRIGHT Managing Editor
Surrounded by boisterous groups of students that packed the first floor of the Student Center on a recent Monday afternoon, Eileen Meier, 26, sat quietly in the alcove under the stairs with friends who passed the time playing card games. Meier, a digital video production student from Ypsilanti, stuck out in the crowd with her puff-balltopped TARDIS hat. So The Voice pulled her aside and asked her to take five minutes for a chat. Washtenaw Voice: What’s your favorite event at the Olympics? Eileen Meier: Well, for the Winter Games it’s always the figure skating. It’s fun to watch. I like watching the skaters from Michigan a lot. That was really cool watching them and knowing that they’re from here. WV: How are you coping in this year’s harsh winter weather?
EM: The winter weather’s OK. Of course, I gotta wear my geeky hats. I have a “Nightmare Before Christmas” hat, and this TARDIS hat. I have some others, too. Every day that I wear one people come up to me and say, “I really like your hat.” WV: Winter break is coming up. What are your plans for the time off? EM: Hopefully it means I get to go to an anime convention and see my future boyfriend. It’s in New Jersey and we’re thinking about doing a road trip. I really hope we can make it happen. That would be awesome. WV: Where do you get your news? EM: Well, usually from different people. When I’m at my mom’s I watch channel 7 because that’s what she watches. I don’t exactly have TV or newspapers or anything, but I do have Internet. I read about famous people dying or new movies that are coming out.
Fearless squirrel captures hearts of students, eats well By DAVID FITCH Staff Writer
Step aside, Wolf Pack, Washtenaw Community College may just have a new mascot. An unusually friendly and fearless squirrel, who some students are calling “JJ,” has taken to hanging around just outside of the Gunder Myran building, happily accepting food donations from curious and affectionate students. The squirrel has done this for several days recently, students said. “He’s been here since I was here on
Tuesday (Feb. 11),” said Jessica Skillin, an 18-year-old ultrasound technology major. While happy to sit only a few feet from the creature, Skillin, of Howell, had qualms when the curious rodent reached for her coffee. She quickly moved it out of reach. James Halling, 19, a math major from Canton, was less squeamish and even petted the squirrel. “I heard people were petting him, so why not?” he said. The squirrel didn’t seem to mind. It just kept munching on handouts while the hand stroked its back.
The squirrel approached students that were attempting to take photos of the wild creature. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
This little unnamed squirrel became the most popular guy on campus during his excursion between the GM and LA buildings. The squirrel was fearless as students approached it to give it some food and gentle pets. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
TUITION FROM A1
total funding to be awarded to community colleges in the state. In order to receive this funding, community colleges will be required to limit any tuition increases to 3.2 percent or less, double the rate of inflation, according to a report from Snyder’s office. “In the last couple of years our rate increases, as approved by the board, have not increased beyond that 3.2 percent cap,” Johnson said. “We’re pleased to say that the administration’s recommended increases for next year also would have not increased that cap.” Pamela Horiszny, board treasurer, said at the retreat that if the college were to rank all colleges based on tuition for 2013, WCC would be in the bottom 25 percent. “There’ are only six or seven that have a lower (tuition) cost than ours,”
Horiszny said. “To me, that was a very compelling statistic.” Currently, WCC is below average at $91 per credit hour for in-district students. The state average is $95. WCC’s full-time student semester cost, which includes tuition rates and fees, is $136 below the state average for 2013 at $1,620. Since 2011, this gap has consistently increased. “(This) shows that historically the college – the board and the administration – has taken to heart its goal to provide excellent education at low cost,” Johnson said. “That’s something that I think drives us.” Statistics show that more and more students are taking distance learning courses, with an increase in enrollment of distance learning credits hours of 300 percent from 2008 to 2013, Johnson said, adding that there
is a significant resource requirement that is needed to support the learning environment. Today, students pay $303 for a three-credit online class. The average tuition rate for online courses in the state is $373. “We need to increase the rate and the administration’s going to make a recommendation to the board at their upcoming meeting to increase that rate a few more dollars than we would otherwise do,” Johnson said. “Just to get the alignment of the resources with enrollment.” The increase in distance learning tuition rates will be effective next fall. The office of the CFO will present at the Feb. 25 board meeting the tuition increase recommendation range. “We are still working on final deliberations on that,” Johnson said.
CFO to recommend an international student tuition rate Washtenaw Community College CFO Bill Johnson plans to recommend the establishment of a separate international student tuition rate so that the rate is aligned with the resources required to support the college’s international student population. “Those students have beyond the average on-campus student need, and the college needs to have the proper alignment of our resources and revenues to be able to support that,” Johnson said. The proposed rate per credit
hour is of $225, compared to $193 that international students currently pay, as they are considered the same as out-of-state students. The average tuition rate for international students in the state is $223. Johnson said that he would also recommend that international students already enrolled at WCC are grandfathered in “so that they continued to pay that out-of-state rate and not have to pay that new international rate. “We think that should respect the basis of why they decided to come here originally.”
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News
Febuary 24, 2014
Students satisfied with WCC? College hires firm to find out represent the demographics of the school, Mourad said. The goal is to get 500 students to respond. After students have responded, Soon after the mid-winter break, some Washtenaw Community College Noel-Levitz will present the college students will receive an email from with a report that compares WCC’s Noel-Levitz, a higher-education con- averages in each category with the sulting firm, asking them to complete a averages of the other schools. The satisfaction survey about their college. college will only receive this aggreStudents who follow the message’s gated report and not the individual link will find a 100-question survey surveys, Mourad said, so the identithat asks them to rate their satisfac- ties of students taking the survey will tion with various areas of the college, be protected. The survey will cover the generas well as a how important these areas al: “campus culture and climate” and are to them. These surveys are usually done the specific: “how helpful is Career internally, Director of Institutional Services,” Mourad said, and will span Research Roger Mourad said, but the areas including Student Services, goal in using the Noel-Levitz survey Instruction, Facilities and Student is to compare WCC to the 190 other Activities. “We would really like students to community colleges that have used the same survey in the last three years. take the time to complete it,” Mourad WCC will provide Noel-Levitz said. “We can see where we are strong with the email addresses of an un- and where we are coming up short and determined number of students that follow up to improve things.” By NATALIE WRIGHT Managing Editor
The Washtenaw Voice
WCC students Shand Kirk, Amy Swope, Brittany Honos, Andressa Da Silva, Jessica Schempf and Carolly Souza float in water off the coast of Tortuga Island during their study abroad trip to Costa Rica. SUSAN GODDARD | COURTESY PHOTO
Study abroad interest booming By DAVID FITCH Staff Writer
The chance for students to travel beyond the halls of Washtenaw Community College and continue their education in other countries is not exactly new, but Nancy Ferrario, WCC Spanish instructor and point person for the school’s study abroad programs, says that interest has increased greatly this year. Last year’s study abroad meeting attracted three participants. This year, 35 students attended. Last year, nine students embarked on study abroad programs with seven traveling to Costa Rica, one to Spain and the other to France. The experience, they say, was not one to be easily forgotten. “You learn a lot about yourself,”
said Adrian Miller, now an instructor at Washtenaw, who went to Costa Rica when he was a student at WCC. “You face a lot of challenges that are unique. And I think you become a stronger person for it … It’s just really fun.” Now, trips are offered to many other locations, including Argentina, China, Ghana, Greece and Morocco through study-abroad organizations AHA International and Modern Language Studies Abroad. Community college students typically don’t believe they can study abroad, Ferrario said, adding that this is a perception she is trying to change. The logistics of such an endeavor, especially paying for it, are not as daunting as some may assume, said Susan Goddard, 59, who also studied for a month last year in Costa Rica. Goddard, a liberal arts major from
Ann Arbor, said that the month-long trip cost $1,985, plus airfare. This included tuition at the University of Costa Rica, housing, two meals per day and laundry. “You might pay more if you stayed home for a month,” said Goddard. The WCC Foundation also donated generously toward each student’s trip costs. And while language barriers proved challenging, they were not insurmountable, said Goddard. “Professors are very accommodating, very helpful,” she said. “They really go out of the way to make it a very special experience.” For more information on studyabroad opportunities, contact nferrario@wccnet.edu.
TheRide millage on ballot for May 6 By M. M. Donaldson Staff Writer
This custom 1951 Ford F-1 Series pickup, designed and built by the Custom Cars and Concepts class at Washtenaw, will be on display at this year’s Autorama, this weekend at the Detroit Cobo Center. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
Auto Services students showcase work at ‘Autorama’ Annual “Autorama,” next weekend at Detroit’s Cobo Center. By JON PRICE “We normally have one of the bigger Staff Writer booths at ‘Autorama’.” Ortiz said. “It’s really good PR for the school.” Joe Ortiz waved toward a classic The truck, he said, was built a 1951 Ford F-1 Series pickup truck with couple of years ago, “but we’re bringa supercharged 4.3-liter engine and ing it back for ‘Autorama’,” said Scott custom body and paint job ready for Malner, who teaches a custom autothe showroom. body class and is excited to show off “This one will be in our booth,” said his students’ work. The truck is a complete remodel: Ortiz, an instructional lab assistant who worked on the truck with other the frame had been altered, fenders Washtenaw instructors and students, were sectioned and widened and the preparing it for the Meguiar’s 62nd bed was completely modified.
STUDENT SUCCESS FROM A1
each of these initiatives, which cost a total of $64,983, through the strategic initiative funding for 2014. The initiatives vary from an instructor who is creating an iPad app to teach students about cellular biology, to implementing a texting option in Blackboard. “There’s seed money for initiatives,” Morrison said, “if they’re strategic, onetime, innovative initiatives.” Interim Vice President of Instruction Bill Bill Abernethy Abernethy also recommended five new programs that would begin Fall 2014. An honors in the Liberal Arts degree aims to attract top-tier high school students who want to transfer
to a four-year institution. “We have tried honors programs before that have not really stuck,” Morrison said. “But this came directly out of the strategic plan ... to meet the need to be recognized at the high schools.” Three new Advanced Technologies certificates were also recommended: a Facility and Energy Management Certificate; an HVAC Energy Management Technician Advanced Certificate; and an Engineering Design Technology Certificate. Abernethy also recommended a certificate that corresponds with the Michigan Transfer Agreement that will replace the MACRAO agreement. The MTA has not been officially signed yet, so as Lawson said, WCC is “way ahead of the curve on this one.” In addition to these plans for the remainder of 2014, the board also received an update of the goals for 2015, so they can start looking ahead, Morrison said.
“It was donated by Ford Motor Company for the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” Malner said. His students are looking forward to the event. “It’s cool seeing our stuff on display,” said Wyatt Knick, 21, of Bradford, Ohio. “But the best part is getting to see other people’s ideas and concepts. To me, seeing a custom car is better than something brand new off the lot.” The motorcycle-service technicians will have a presence at ‘Autorama’ as well. “We’ll take the big truck with our smaller trailer,” said Deron Shawn, an
instructor in the Motorcycle Service Technician program, adding they’re taking two custom bikes to the show. “One of them is a 2005 XB-12R, which is a 1200cc Buell, which is an American-made sports bike. The yellow one is a 2007 XB-9R,” Shawn said. “They’re both pretty much ground-up builds from the engine to the new powder-coat paint, the whole nine yards.” Tickets to the event are available at the discounted rate of $5 per students at the Cashier’s Office beginning March 4.
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority board voted unanimously to place a millage proposal on the May 6 ballot. The proposal would expand TheRide service in Ann Arbor, the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, according to the Five-Year Transit Improvement Program. Strategic planner with TheRide, Michael Benh Am, gave summary to the board before the vote. The .7-mill tax would generate $4.3 million in revenue and provide for a 2-1 ratio of securing state and federal funds. This is the first time for the authority to levy a millage. With voter approval in May, the AAATA would be able to increase service by 44 percent. Expansion of service could happen as early as August. Former Washtenaw Community College instructor Larry Krieg, a newly appointed Ypsilanti Township AAATA board member, noted how dependable public transportation directly affected student success in the classroom and in the work world in a positive way.
FUNDING FROM A1
Each category is worth one-third of the total amount that WCC has available. The college must meet four out of five best practices in a category to receive funding in that category. The Appropriation Act is made up of three categories: economic development and business or industry partnerships, educational partnerships and community services. “We have really even made tremendous enhancements, just since this came out, from one year to the next, in the adherence to these best practices,” said Pamela Horiszny, board treasurer. “So that was really exciting for me to see, as a trustee, how much progress we’ve made even in one year.” One of the examples is the newly created Entrepreneurship Center that will cater to the community and current and former students,
and help those who need guidance in the creation of small businesses in the area. “We really have pushed that forward,” Lawson said. “(It is) something that we have just completely prioritized.” Julie Morrison, executive director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and A ccreditation, said that WCC is creating its own dashboard so that the college has all this information on different metrics and Julie Morrison that these best practices that are ranking the college so highly are clear for the community. The college’s strategic plan will be
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compiled into one dashboard to “condense (the information) in a way that is meaningful for the general public,” Lawson said. “I think that certainly, the governor’s priorities are something that we take very seriously,” she added. “But we have additional areas that we look at and that’s what we want to make sure are on the dashboard … things that tie directly to our strategic plan and how Washtenaw Community College specifically is moving forward.” WCC’s strategic plan was devised in the fall of 2011 and outlines eight strategic priorities that will drive the college in the future, including, but not limited to: student success, visibility and branding, workforce development and academic partnerships. Additional reporting by Natalie Wright, managing editor
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Febuary 24, 2014
The Washtenaw Voice
Student artists and faculty combine visual arts and music By DAVID FITCH Staff Writer
John E. Lawrence could put down his guitar. The band was jamming and they were doing just fine without the Washtenaw Community College music instructor. Not bad for their first time playing together, Lawrence said with a smile. Surrounding the musicians from Lawrence’s Self-Management for Working Artists class, a group of about 20 artists busily sketched on easels or on a huge piece of newsprint on a table. The artists were hard at work, some crafting art out of sound, others out of pastels, charcoal or graphite. Musicians, visual artists and observers all gathered in the Community Room of the Student Center on Feb. 12 in a rare show of creativity and
community spirit for the second annual “Drawing on Jazz” event. This year’s event was sponsored by the WCC Academic Drawing Club. Drawing Club President Lorena Ganser, 24, a design major from Ann Arbor, said that she was inspired in a new way by the scene. She sat on a bench close to a djembe player and sketched a portrait, using color for the first time in her drawings. Not using color today didn’t seem right, she said. Jesse Gilbert, 29, of Ann Arbor, worked on a charcoal sketch, focusing on the nearest musician to him, a keyboardist. Also an art major, Gilbert said that the event presented some unique creative challenges. “They’re not here for a product. They’re here for the process,” said Nick Reszetar, WCC art instructor and adviser to the Academic Drawing
Club. Reszetar was in his element as he strode around the room, greeting newcomers, then pausing to deftly draw a sketch as the inspiration hit him. Rafael Freitas, a 29-year-old music production major from Ypsilanti, took the lead on his bass, creating variations to the classic jazz tune “Chameleon.” The tight jazz was punctuated by bouts of freestyle rap by other students of John Lawrence’s class. The creativity of the group seemed fluid, allowing new additions or discoveries in the song to take it in new directions. At times, bass would take the lead, then flow seamlessly back in to the main groove. Then a drum solo would take over, giving the already entranced crowd another reason to cheer. The event was one marked by “controlled chaos,” said music production
Art instructor Nick Reszetar and Drawing Club President Lorena Ganser, 24, of Ann Arbor, draw together using charcoal. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
major Justin Anderson, 29, of Ann Arbor, noting that the energies of the group fed off each other. Reszetar was pleased with the outcome. Last year, he helped put on the event as part of his Life Drawing course. Such events are helpful because they spread the word
about WCC’s art program, one that can use students filling classroom seats. The program, he said, can be a powerfully positive experience for students, adding that that it “can enrich their lives and change the way they see the world.”
(clockwise) Retired engineer Hugh Kennedy, 68, of Ypsilanti, is taking a drawing class for fun this semester. John E. Lawrence, music performance instructor, jams out with his students during the Drawing Club’s second annual ‘Drawing on Jazz’ event. A student drummer is drawn as he plays. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
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The Washtenaw Voice • B Section • Febuary 24, 2014
WOMEN CELEBRATE PROGRESS What is the biggest breakthrough for women’s rights in your lifetime?
Jenni Iverson, 16, Wixom, business management
Hava Levitt-Phillips WCC English instructor
Dalia Ali, 16, Ann Arbor, culinary arts
Photos By KELLY BRACHA Words By MARKO DELIC Voice Correspondent
Feeling oppressed by the power of men a century ago, women took initiative and more than 15,000 of them headed to the streets of New York. They fought for shorter work hours, better pay, voting rights and more equality in general, and according to organizers of the International Women’s Day website, it has been a long, hard battle that continues today as women around the globe celebrate their progress. The women’s march in New York in 1908 is widely considered to be the genesis of International Women’s Day. First commemorated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19, in 1914, the celebration date was changed to March 8. Jan Barker, CEO of the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, is proudly looking forward to this date, celebrating the progress women have made in only a century. “Experience is all that a girl or a woman needs,” Barker said, adding that women have come a long way, with more and more women leading companies and various organizations. “There is still a long way to go to reach equality,” she noted. “We are dealing with major equity issues still. “Women have the same potential as men, and we need experience support, and proper education to embrace it. In 100 years, we are finally achieving that.” Girl Scouts is celebrating the day with the Girl Developers Summit, at Washtenaw’s Morris Lawrence building. The day features workshops for everyone interested in improving the education of young girls to become strong leaders.
What do you consider is the biggest challenge that women face today?
Carissa Sturdivant, 19, Ypsilanti, nursing
Debby Sanda, 17, Ann Arbor, nursing
Trina Kurkewicz, 24, radiology, Pinckney
GIRL POWER
Andrea Lawson, 46, left, Ypsilanti, nursing and Andrea Ford, 44, Ann Arbor, radiology
Emily Freeland, 20, Blissfield, global studies
Karissa Bosquez, 21, Manchester, business
WHAT: Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan’s 9th Annual Girl Developers Summit WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: ML building, WCC TICKETS/REGISTRATION FEES: All girls, K-12, $40; adult non-Girl Scout member, $50; adult Girl Scout member, $40; college students, $30. FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.gshom.org
Julie Kissel, English faculty
Minette Perigard, 25, Ann Arbor, journalism
Andrea Nervier, 28, Ypsilanti, engineering
Julie Morrison, executive director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Accreditation
B2
Flip Side
The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2014
Songwriting instructor inspires through experience By David Fitch Staff Writer
“Rose yellow moon” was the songwriting phase for last week. Songwriting instructor Spencer Michaud admitted that it was a hard week for him as well in the songwriting department. Only a handful of students had risen to the challenge. After all, songwriting isn’t child’s play. He was on a level with his students. They were dialed in, interested, attentive. The bearded, long-haired, lean Michaud sat in a chair before the class, looking around at his students. These were his students. He was excited to share his craft, and he cared about them. They could tell. Anyone could tell after spending five minutes with him. He was a man of passion and commitment. Michaud, 33, has been performing, writing and teaching for years. For the last five years, he has taught the songwriting course at Washtenaw Community College. And students love it. Demetrius Adams, 17, a music production major, admitted that coming into class, he was in a bad mood. When he got to class, though, something switched, he told the class. “I actually love being here,” he said. Music instructor John E. Lawrence said that hiring Michaud was a good decision. “I hear nothing but rave reviews about Spencer,” said Lawrence. After taking music classes at WCC beginning in winter of 2005, two of them with Lawrence, Michaud devised his songwriting class, incorporating his own perspective. Michaud pulled out his guitar and began coming up with lyrics on the spot to the interest and occasional chuckles of the students, not to mention Michaud himself. “Now I see your picture on the wall,” he began singing. “I don’t want it to
fall… You did this and you did that, and I did that, and I did this,” he trailed off. His lyrics set the class giggling. More importantly, they were getting the point: using various perspectives in songs. They listened as he continued. There was something solemn, something desperately passionate and excitable about this instructor. He had something that they wanted: a focus, a professionalism, a down-toearth wisdom that earned their undivided attention. Though he spoke from authority, he did not speak as though he was above his students. One student belted out a tune he had written previously using the assigned “rose moon yellow” phrase. He seemed without fear, spilling his deeply emotional lyrics into the classroom with his baritone register. “That’s progress!” said Michaud excitedly when he had finished. “Do you see how you took the baby step last week?” He referred to the singer’s timidity towards singing the previous week, which was nowhere to be seen now. He was not the only one. Another student was more bashful about her creation. But Michaud was just as ready to aid her in her vice. “Everybody, I want you to look at her and scowl judgmentally,” Michaud kiddingly said to the class. The student laughed and found her courage to sing. When she was done and the applause from the audience has subsided, Michaud gently and supportively critiqued her work. “It’s helping me get unblocked,” said Mckenzi Edwards, 20, of South Lyon. “We do a lot in here that helps inspire me with him going through songs and showing us examples. It’s not like a boring lecture class.” “Even if it’s not finished you can perform and people will support you. So it’s helped, I think, a lot of people in the class get over their nerves in performing,” said Natalie Sharpe, 19,
WCC songwriting instructor Spencer Michaud brings his experience and passion to his class. “At the beginning of the class, I tell them, ‘We’re going to basically go on a journey this semester and we are going to become a creative family and we are going to be supportive of one another.’” DAVID FITCH | WASHTENAW VOICE
a liberal arts major from Plymouth. Michaud said that he strives to make the classroom a place where inspiration can be freer than is typically allowed in the often inhibiting or shaming outside world. “We are kind of trying to make that a safe place for that (creative) muse to play again. As children we play all the time, and as adults, we lose touch with that. And being an artist is very much about learning how to play again.” Michaud has a daughter, Sophie, 10, and is engaged to local artist Tanya Andrews. He lives in Ypsilanti. He will soon release an EP titled “Tightrope Walker.” The release date has yet to be determined.
the book on spencer michaud AGE: 33 HOMETOWN: Chicago CALLS HOME: Ypsilanti WHERE YOU CAN FIND HIM: WCC class, Songwriting, MUS 146 MUSICAL INSPIRATION: Jeff Buckley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder TWITTER: @SpencerMichaud www.spencermichaud.com
B3
Flip Side
The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2014
Accordion-style artist book by Julie Fremuth using mixed-media collage. It reads, “I don’t know if anyone makes him cookies anymore.” EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
Local artist preserves ‘pages’ of humanity paper from other people’s lives is a lead them in a new direction. Creating applied to the covers and interiors of treasured way to maintain strong art is an honest conversation between small, intimate artist books – ones she Staff Writer connections. the creator and the materials. bound herself. She has studied numerGraphic design student Ben ous traditional binding techniques, While her pieces are founded in Julie Fremuth always judges a book raw emotion and teeming with passion, Ellsworth, 18, of Saline, said he was adapting and combining styles to fit by its cover. It’s her job. Fremuth has the ability to step back impressed by how approachable her aesthetic needs. Like everyone, she has seen the and offer great insight for those look- Fremuth’s work is to a digital artist. She admits to wondering if today’s attics filled with bits of fabric, old ing to improve their own artistic path. “She’s able to show the more tra- kids are losing touch with reality – litphotos and a box of weathered let“Making art is like going to the gym,” ditional side of creating art,” said erally – and worries that society may ters. Invaluable links to a past rich she explained. “If you don’t work on Ellsworth, who hopes to apply real be breeding out one of the five vital with emotion are often mistaken for it every day, you get rusty.” world texture to his own work before senses. In a world dominated by techclutter and tossed to the side. She encourages artists to step back digitization and manipulation. nology and screens, Fremuth “doesn’t Fremuth has dedicated her life’s from their work and allow the piece to Many of Fremuth’s collages are want to see us lose our humanness.” work to preserving these important links through the maintenance and elevation of seemingly simple materials. And she was on campus on a recent Saturday, when she provided in-depth presentation of her artwork, courtesy of the Graphic Design Club. A graduate in history and fine arts from the University of Michigan, Fremuth applied her passion for old papers as a conservator at the William L. Clements Library, where she continues the preservation of matured manuscripts and books. But what she creates outside of the library shows just how passionate and thoughtful she is about the capacity for human connections with the past. Fremuth creates intricate collages and mixed-media art, many of which use vintage accounting ledgers or letters as a base and often feature human portraits. “I want to share in the human ex(Above) Julie Fremuth’s mixed-media work from her recent presentation at WCC. (Top right) Fremuth discusses her artistic process perience with other people,” said with design student Ben Ellsworth. (Bottom right) ‘I want to give you something’ collage piece by Fremuth. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE Fremuth, who finds that using old By EJ STOUT
Graphic Design Club links classroom to real world By EJ STOUT Staff Writer
Graphic Design Club President Frahmarz Bagherpour. TIM GRALEWSKI | COURTESY ILLUSTRATION
Having multiple skills makes you more marketable. All students have heard this sentiment throughout their schooling, regardless of degree or industry. In a marketplace saturated by college graduates, it is important to stand out to potential employers and increase your chances of career success – both through technical “hard” skills as well as interpersonal “soft” skills. Frahmarz Bagherpour, 21, president of the Graphic Design Club, intends to tackle this necessity head-on. Frahmi, as his friends call him, of Ypsilanti, has already received his associate degree in graphic design from Washtenaw Community College and is working on a second degree in animation. Club officer Jaime Blaksley, 26, has also diversified her studies, with focuses in photography as well as graphic design.
“The industry is expanding,” the Washtenaw County resident said, adding that she finds having multiple skills within the design world is vital as the landscapes continue to integrate and overlap. So how do students and professionals translate these hard skills into marketable gold? The goal of the Graphic Design Club is to be a link from the classroom to the real world, Bagherpour said. Courses and instructors offer invaluable lessons in technical and conceptual areas, but the club strives to provide real-world knowledge that extends beyond standard curriculum. Club events look to broaden members’ horizons through speakers, demonstrations and presentations. Faculty adviser Kristine Willimann has been instrumental in facilitating connections with many of the upcoming speakers, and is motivated to find new relationships within the community. On a Feb, 15, the club hosted
‘Your Story’ helps students find identity By JON PRICE
Staff Writer
Got a good story? Tell it, and perhaps inspire others through a new program sponsored by Student Development and Activities. “Your Story” is a series of training modules designed to teach students how to craft their own stories and use that skill to help other students who
may be struggling with identity. Similar seminars were first held at Eastern Michigan University and the University of Michigan, so students who had been through the training could be used as a resource by faculty to reach out to other students. Though the program was initially started to reach out to LGBT students, Washtenaw’s SDA department says its modules are open to anyone who may have
an inspiring story. Everyone who would like to take part is encouraged to come. “At the other universities, it was designed mostly around LGBT students,” said Rachel Barsch, SDA events coordinator. “But it doesn’t have to be just those issues; it can be psychological or religious.” Barsch believes that teaching students to craft their stories enables them to break down stereotypes and
mixed-media artist and bookbinding specialist Julie Fremuth, who presented her work and her passion for preserving traditional techniques. Printmaker and artist Amanda Lilleston will present a full demonstration of her woodblock printmaking process on Saturday, March 22. Future events include demonstrations of letterpress and screen-printing techniques as well as potential discussions of copyright law and application. Apart from looking great on your resume, involvement in the club is “a great way to learn, network and know how the outside world works,” Bagherpour explained. In addition to presentations, members have the opportunity to network with other students interested in sharing design knowledge and inspiration. For more information about the club, visit: http://wccgdc.wordpress.com or request to join the WCC Graphic Design Club group on Facebook.
help those who may be having issues with their identity. “Everybody has a story to tell,” Lexi Judkins, 24, a business student who works in Student Activities, said. “Through those stories you can help change other peoples’ lives and influence them in a positive way.” Judkins has completed the training and feels it will be beneficial to have a panel like this on a diverse campus such as Washtenaw’s. The program has found success elsewhere.
“Apparently U-M and Eastern get calls from professors who want them to send down panel members to talk to other students,” Barsch said. “So we would like to be able train students to be able to talk to other students.” The training is presented in five separate modules. The next module will be Friday, Feb. 28, in TI 246, at 11:30 a.m. Students who attend all five will be presented with a certificate from Student Activities and signed by WCC President Rose Bellanca.
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The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2013
‘House of Cards’ Season Two is bloody good By KELLY BRACHA Staff Writer
“House of C ards” is the wrong metaphor for the Netflix series that has thrown our nation’s capital into a tizzy – and the rest of the country with it. This is an insanely puzzling game of high-stakes chess between several players, each struggling to keep their pieces on the board – and Season Two, which was released on Valentine’s Day, has left us with a new crowned king and queen. Francis Underwood, now the incoming Vice President, takes no prisoners in the return of the groundbreaking series. Francis (Kevin Spacey) and his unrelenting wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), have only gotten more cruel since we left them. With an even higher caliber of writing, directing and acting, what has left
audiences captivated by Season One has increased tenfold. The cast takes on some major changes – some very shocking. But we’ll be nice and keep this spoiler-free. Francis has selected his replacement for House Majority Whip in the form of Jacqueline Sharp (Molly Parker). In typical Francis fashion, every move is a calculated advantage for his own meticulous agenda, including the appointing of Sharp. Many of last season’s smaller characters have been given much bigger storylines, among them industry giant and billionaire Raymond Tusk, who plays into a sort of manipulation three-way between Francis and President Garrett Walker (Michael Gill). Even Francis’ main bodyguard, Edward Meechum (Nathan Darrow) is more present in the Underwood household. Frank’s number one, Doug Stamper, has become increasingly obsessed
with former call-girl Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan). She is Doug’s most harmful vice – to the point of distraction. Doug loses focus on the detail-oriented schemes he’s aiding Francis in, alGrade: A lowing for a few proGenre: Drama vocative slip-ups. Episodes: All 13 on Netflix We really see Rating: R the Underwoods at their worst this season. They have reached their lowest point with no return in sight, but in typical close attention will catch brilliant fashion they manage to exert control foreshadowing scenes. over each situation, no matter how Besides the thick plot, “House of bleak. They show extreme resilience Cards” is one of the most beautifully in the face of losing everything they photographed shows I have had the have worked for. The couple is more pleasure to watch. Every scene is so ruthless than ever, both at their own perfectly lit; each frame is like a drawgames. ing and often times presents a beautiThere are no accidents in this show. ful symmetry. Nothing is by chance, everything is exIt is a technically gorgeous show – tremely calculated and viewers paying a feat that deserves as much attention
MOVIES.NETFLIX.COM
as its incredible drama. To put it bluntly, there’s more sex, more murder, more scandal, more plot. “House of Cards,” Season Two, has truly outdone itself. It pushed all boundaries left from last season, and there’s no doubt that the wait for Season Three will be agonizing for fans of the show who binged and watched the entire second season on a leisurely Saturday in February.
‘Lego Movie’ is a perfect blockbuster Ferrell, it is obvious the amount of fun they are all having. Thankfully, they make the film just as much fun Sometimes a film can capture what for the audience. it means and how it feels to be a certain “The Lego Movie” was written age: “The Breakfast Club” is reminis- and directed by Phil Lord and Chris cent of the angst-filled years of high Miller, who could’ve easily produced school; “Animal House” did the same a third-rate animated kid-flick with for the drunken college students; and this Lego adventure. Instead, they cre“Clerks” catered to those facing their ated a script with gut-busting laughs mid-20s crisis. and enough heart to engage viewers “The Lego Movie” can be added of any age. to this list of classic comedies as it The first two acts build a hilarious, transports viewers not only directly yet frighteningly accurate Lego set out to their childhood, but into the imagi- of our modern culture. Poking fun at nary, Lego-filled fantasies many of us everything from modern pop music to had at that age. the sitcoms we crowd around to watch. Within the first moments of “The With the third act, the last halfLego Movie,” it is evident the anima- hour or so, “The Lego Movie” transtion is absolutely breathtaking. The forms from a smart and fun animated artists create one of the most visu- movie into something very memoally pleasing animated movies of all rable. The film manages to convey a time, combining a stop-motion look powerful message about being yourwith 3-D animation and technology. self and learning when it’s time to take The constant lights, colors and Lego- apart and rebuild the pieces you’ve created landscape is worth the ticket been given. price alone. It is a message that will mean much The voice cast is one of the best ever more to adults and parents than it heard, featuring Chris Pratt, will for the little ones. “The Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Lego Movie” is a smart, Banks, Morgan Freeman, fun and unique movWill Arnett and Jonah ie that children will Grade: A Hill. Through the charflock to – and it Genre: Comedy acters these actors porproves to be a great Runtime: 100 minutes tray, particularly Will time for everybody. Rating: PG By JAMES SAOUD Staff Writer
BRIAN AUTEN, BRANDON SHELTON | WASHTENAW VOICE
Facebook’s ‘Paper’ delivers news to limited readership By BRANDON SHELTON
Voice Correspondent
Facebook’s new app, “Paper,” is everything the original Facebook app should have been. While it is intended to serve as a news aggregator, it does almost everything the original Facebook app does – with better navigation and a much sleeker design. Just like the original Facebook app, you can comment, like and share posts, as well as upload photos, message friends and manage various account settings. When starting “Paper” for the first time, users are given a tour of how features work and how to navigate the app, though it doesn’t force it all at once. Enter areas of the app not viewed before, and it provides a brief explanation of how to use them.
Users are able to edit their Paper mimicking a traditional paper. by adding sections such as Headlines, Of all the new features, the one Tech, Flavor, Ideas and many more. that might garner the most attention The sections pull content from vari- among those who aren’t interested in ous sources like CNN, BuzzFeed and using the app as a source for news is TechCrunch. photo panning. Instead of dragging a Most of the navigation finger across the screen to view parts done in “Paper” is of a full-sized photo that are off through swiping gesscreen, users need only to tilt tures as opposed their phone to the left and Grade: Ato simply clickright. ing icons. The top Unlike the original Cost: Free half of the screen Facebook app, posting Platform: iOS7 and is used as a slidea status update isn’t the optimized for iPhone 5 show to display primary focus of “Paper.” Size: 54 MB recent posts deUsers must access the pullpending on the secdown menu to reveal the tion being browsed. post creation button. The bottom half of the “Paper” is only available for iOS screen shows posts from the section devices in the United States; there is browsed that can be made into a full no iPad or Android version yet, and screen by swiping them upward. When there is no information on whether an article goes full screen, it unfolds, such a release will even happen.
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Sports
The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2013
Dodge, duck, dip, dive and ... dodge! WCC intramural teams have ball-smacking good time
We l c o m e t o Wa s h t e n a w Community College’s intramural By JAMES SAOUD dodgeball playoffs, won by a team callStaff Writer ing itself “The Purple Parrots.” In the end, the “Parrots” bested Sneakers squeaked against the two other finalists: “Got ‘Em” and “The basketball court, the crowd cheered Rough Cuts.” their favorite teams on and rubber “‘The Purple Parrots’ consist of balls smacked against decked-out mostly art students, and ‘Got ‘Em’ is student-athletes at the Health and a team of free agents, so if they didn’t Fitness Center on a recent have a team and just wanted to play, Sunday evening. we put them there,” said Veronica Boissoneau, 19, of Ann Arbor, a clerk for WCC’s Club Sports. The set-up for the game is fairly simple to grasp. The teams can be made up of both students and faculty members. Two teams, consisting of six players on the court at a time, get 45 minutes to dodge, duck, dip, dive and ... dodge until a team loses all its players. The team that wins the most rounds at the end of that time period emerges victorious. The first game of the night saw “The Rough Cuts,” a team of all Digital Video Production students, facing off Nick Martin, 27, a computed tomography major from Ann Arbor, shows his throwing stance. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
against “Got ‘Em,” playing with the disadvantage of only five, instead of the usual complement of six players. Didn’t matter to the shorthanded team, though. It prevailed 5-2. “I do think we had a good game,” said Scot Campbell, 24, of Belleville, a member of “The Rough Cuts.” Its biggest problem, Campbell acknowledged, was that his team was lacking some of the essential components of a great dodgeball team: “youth and fitness.” “Rough Cuts” team captain Eddie Fritz, a Digital Video lab assistant and only faculty member on the team, was not at all discouraged by the loss. However, he was disappointed by the lack of participation in the sport. “I wish more departments could put teams together,” Fritz said. “We could have a much bigger tournament.” As Fritz took a seat on the sideline with his teammates, “The Purple Parrots” dressed up in their regalia, which included masks and face paint, before they stepped on to the court to take on “Got ‘Em.” After an intense 45-minutes of Technicolor brutality, “The Purple Parrots” came out on top. “‘The Purple Parrots’ won because they had more fun,” said Adrian Rodriguez, sports assistant for WCC’s Club Sports department. “They say it’s a cliché in sports to say whoever wants it the most wins, but it’s not really a cliché when it’s a truth. It isn’t professional sports, so it really is just about who wants to win in the end.” Rodriguez, like Fritz, also
Big plans for the Big House? European soccer stars to perform in AA, according to hot rumors With only seven home games per year, Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon has found creative ways to Everyone knows about Michigan continue using the stadium during Stadium hosting high-volume foot- the rest of the year. ball games each fall. But how is it used On the first day of the New Year, the during the offseason? National Hockey League’s 2014 Winter Rather uniquely, according to some Classic was played in front of 105,491 recent scheduling. frozen fans and generated roughly $3 Originally constructed in 1927, the million for the university. On Saturday stadium currently boasts 109,901 seats. Feb. 22, a large pool sat on the field for The record attendance, however, was the 2014 Polar Plunge, which supportset at the 2013 football victory against ed the Special Olympics of Michigan Notre Dame to the tune of 115,109. and featured celebrity judges Brady By EJ STOUT
Voice Correspondent
Hoke and Denard Robinson. And lately rumors have been circulating regarding the stadium being selected as a venue for the International Champions Cup – a preseason tournament showcasing eight top-level European soccer clubs. The Cup offers a rare chance to see international talent on American soil; what better stage than the Big House? BIG HOUSE CONTINUED B6
Team ‘The Purple Parrots’ huddle up before their first match against team ‘Got ‘em’. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
encourages students to participate in dodgeball, as well as other club and intramural sports, in upcoming seasons. “People make friends here,” Rodriguez said. “When students first come to college, they don’t have as many friends here. A lot of people who play our sports make friendships.” “Got ‘Em” team captain, Ryan Mull, 20, of Ypsilanti, can vouch for that. Mull, who started playing dodge ball at WCC three years ago, said, “I gained not only respect, but confidence in myself playing.” Before his first game three years ago, Mull confessed, “the other team was making fun of me for the way I acted.” However, he managed to prove
himself through the sport. “We were down two games to three, and it so happened that I was the last person in on my team against five other players. I was able to hit them all out, which tied us up 3-3,” he said. “Then, with a few minutes left, we won the whole thing.” After that game, players from both teams congratulated Mull. While “The Purple Parrots” may have got to walk away with bragging rights in this tournament, along with a new T-shirt, the truth is most players aren’t playing the game for wins, just for fun, friendship and a kind of inner-confidence that Mull discovered in an intramural sport.
College gears up for Relay for Life By JON PRICE
Staff Writer
About 57,000 Michigan residents were diagnosed with cancer last year, and Washtenaw’s Club Sports Office is in a race for the cure, literally. The office will be organizing volunteers, community members, students and staff to participate in the 2014 Ann Arbor Relay for Life. The series of relays takes place in more than 20 countries with about 4 million participants annually.
Washtenaw Community College’s campus will be hosting the Ann Arbor relay this summer and an informational kickoff event will take place on March 11 in the Morris Lawrence building, Room 105. Registration for the relay starts at 6:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m. Speakers will include cancer survivors and representatives from Relay for Life. “The kickoff is an event where we RELAY CONTINUED B6
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Who’s got your back at dinner time? M. M. DONALDSON If you are responsible for feeding your family dinner tonight, thoughts of how to make a convenient, healthy and tasty meal while stretching a budget can be daunting. And don’t forget your job also includes handling and preparing food properly to keep you and your family healthy. We should all know cutting fresh produce on a cutting board that was just used to cut up uncooked chicken breasts could possibly spread bacteria. But there is no need to feel overwhelmed. You are not alone. There are many people who are responsible for our food safety. It is amazing how many are responsible for keeping our fresh produce or uncooked chicken safe before we even bring it home. As advanced as the U.S. food safety rules and regulations are, contamination still occurs. But many other
EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
Profile white over black and lose the green Voice Correspondent
To believe, unfairly, that all people or things with a particular characteristic are the same, according to Merriam-Webster, is the definition of a stereotype. Racial profiling is typically defined as a practice of law enforcement or private security officials. Stereotype, racial profiling and personal bias not only perpetuates negative opinions and fear on a personal level, they also affect local and personal economy. Auto salespeople, for example, count on commission to earn their income. They watch, they wait for customers to enter the lot and walk through the showroom door, eager to strike a deal and make the sale. The business of sales and commission-based income can be tough. Salespeople hear a lot of “no,” “not today,” and “let me get back with you after thinking about it” before they get a customer to say yes and sign a contract. To intentionally ignore that one person who might be the only “yes” of the day or week is a mistake. A big mistake. Jan. 18, a bone chilling cold and snowy Saturday, was the day three people traveled together to a dealership on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor. They were two middle-aged women and one young man. Two were in the market to lease a brand new car, and one was along for the ride. The trio pulled into the Suburban Chevrolet dealership and stopped at the far end of a row of snow-covered Malibus, waiting for the salesman to pounce.
Febuary 24, 2014
countries do not have as many rules and regulations for consumables and have a higher incidence of food-borne illnesses and deaths related to contaminants in their food system. A 2005 report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest complied information from the World Health Organization, which estimates that 1 million children under the age of five die each year in Southeast Asia. In comparison, the Centers for Disease Control estimates a mere 3,000 deaths related to food-borne illnesses in the United States. Our food starts out at farms, ranches and even lakes and oceans. From there it goes to food processers, whether it is a slaughterhouse, industrial rendering plant or cannery, to name a few. Wholesalers or retailers, such as grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and schools re-sell or further prepare the food we eat. With each group, there are rules and regulations enforced by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and county health departments. In the event of food contamination, the Centers for Disease Control and even Homeland Security can get involved. There are no governmental regulations controlling us, the consumer, when we purchase food to take home and prepare meals. When we do get sick from a possible food-borne contaminant, it is up to us to contact our local health department. By alerting the government, it is able to investigate the food system, keeping us all healthy.
black history month essay
By CINDY SAMORAY
The Washtenaw Voice
“Here he comes,” the women chimed in unison as the guy made a beeline toward them from the showroom more than 50 yards away. The young man, already perusing the cars, was heading to the showroom. The women watched as the salesman gave only a casual nod of recognition to him as he passed by, instead of stopping to ask if he needed any help. “Wow, I can’t believe he just did that,” said the young man’s mother as she witnessed first-hand an all-too-common stereotypical profiling practice. “He’s the one here to buy a car, not us,” said the driver, embarrassed and disgusted by the scene, as she rolled down the window. “He’s interested in any 2013 models you have left.” Rather than apologize, the salesman coldly continued to speak with the women until the young man approached the salesman. The excitement he had felt moments earlier in his hunt for a new car had fizzled out. And any hope that salesman had for a commission from this customer was gone – because of his attitude. Of course, mother and son had been around that block before and were ready to move on and the next stop, Varsity Ford. Perhaps this time, they would experience better customer service – and the young man would drive off in his new car. All the parking spots were taken when they pulled in, so mother and son went inside while the driver parked the car. Several minutes passed before the driver entered the building and was immediately met by a salesman. “Oh, I’m not interested in a car,” she said. “My friends are.” The driver spent several minutes browsing, even sitting briefly in a new Mustang, and
dreaming. More time passed before she finally caught up with her friends. Were they sitting in one of the many cubicles talking to a salesperson? Were they walking the lot with someone trying to earn a fat commission? No. They were standing alone, next to a massive wooden brochure display, looking like hopeful customers. Just then another salesman walked straight toward the driver, who, once again pointed out the real customers in need of attention. Nearly 20 more minutes passed before the trio left Varsity Ford. Did the young man have a car? No. There might have been a deal that day, but negative energy and discrimination got in the way. The only difference between the driver, mother and son in this story was skin color. The driver is white and her friends are not. All things considered – age, socioeconomics, style of dress, personality and friendliness – there is no difference between those two women and their sons. Yet one woman and her son can attest that unfair and unjust racial bias still exist. Opportunities to greet and serve all members of the world community are available every day. When not taken on a personal level, the loss is limited to the individual. When opportunity is not taken on a professional level – what happened that snowy Saturday – the loss is multiplied. The customer who was not serviced, the reputation of the business, the business owners and, in this case, the salespeople who profiled black at the expense of their wallets. Everyone loses.
BIG HOUSE FROM B5
Bill Austin, events assistant with the U-M Athletic Department, said that no announcements had been
made. He confirmed, however, that if there was to be a soccer event scheduled, “it would definitely be on Aug. 2.” An announcement was expected by late February.
Here’s a look at some upcoming events at the Big House: WHAT: 2014 Spring Football Game WHEN: Saturday, April 5, time TBA ADMISSION: Free – Scrimmage showcasing active members of the football team. WHAT: Big House 5K: Trail to the Victors WHEN: Sunday, April 6 ADMISSION: $35 registration fee (includes T-shirt and medal) EVENTS: 5K and 1-mile options, both finishing on the 50-yard line PROCEEDS: Support six local charities, including: Food Gatherers; Humane Society of Huron Valley; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County; Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley; Team Red, White and Blue of Ann Arbor; University Musical Society, K-12 Education Programs FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.mgoblue.com/bighouse5k
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invite the community,” said Erica Lemm, Club Sports coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for us to tell people who are interested more about it and just try to get them in the spirit.” When it comes to Relay for Life, Lemm is no rookie. Not only has she hosted three RFL events at Washtenaw, she also was involved in organizing events in Mt. Pleasant, where she attended Central Michigan University. “I ran the event at CMU when I went to school there,” she said. “I basically facilitated a relationship between them and the relay.” Her years of volunteering for the relay seem to be paying off, especially
for cancer patients. Last year, Lemm’s office raised about $2,050. “This year, we have already raised $2,401,” Lemm said. “We raised over $2,000 at a softball tournament this year.” “I know we raised a lot of money at the hockey game the other night, too – and penny wars,” said Heather Currie, 24, a WCC graduate and Student Activities employee. Penny wars was a fundraising event at the college in which coins were donated by staff and students. It all adds up. According to the American Cancer Society’s website, fundraisers like Relay for Life help save more than 400 lives a day.
help wanted
Febuary 24, 2014
TIFFANY GOODMAN | WASHTENAW VOICE
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Across 1 To-do list item 5 Short-lived crazes 9 Destroy beyond repair 14 Yodeler’s feedback 15 Landed 16 “Laughing” critter 17 Teensy bit 18 A hop, skip and jump away 19 Savanna antelope 20 *Powerful stratum of society 23 In high spirits 24 Spread out, as one’s fingers 25 __ New Guinea 27 Large seaweed 30 Mixed in a glass 33 Travel book inserts 36 Bard’s nightfall 38 Take care of 39 Game with Wild Draw Four cards 40 Continue with the fun, and a hint to each part of the answers to starred clues 42 Keebler cookie character 43 Stone-faced 45 Side with green eggs 46 Part of MIT: Abbr. 47 Unit of explosive force 49 Anjou, e.g. 51 Memorable labor leader Jimmy 52 Rinsed the soap from, as a car 56 GI R&R provider 58 *When brandy may be served 62 __ and crossbones 64 Innovator’s spark 65 Additional 66 Studio stand 67 Line in blue cheese 68 Diva’s solo 69 Rose parts 70 Comes to a close 71 Require
Down 1 Glum drops 2 Behave poorly 3 “I __ return”: MacArthur 4 Large Alaskan bears 5 Vampire tooth 6 Baldwin in Capital One ads 7 Call on a retro phone 8 Bra parts 9 Many an Actors Studio member 10 Popeye’s Olive 11 *Picturesque spot for a warm drink 12 Actress Paquin of “True Blood” 13 British noblewoman 21 TV educator Bill in a lab coat 22 Didn’t go out 26 Vessel on a mantel 28 Bat first 29 Each 31 Angled pipes 32 Adept 33 Cologne scent 34 Not pro 35 *Place for changing out of a wet suit 37 To the __ degree 40 Traps for the unwary 41 Big mouth, informally 44 John of London? 46 Armored superhero 48 One who was born there 50 Yellowfin tuna 53 Noise from a sleeper 54 Otherworldly 55 Deep anxiety 56 Capitalizes on 57 Three-handed card game 59 Blissful place 60 Senator Harry of Nevada 61 Aykroyd and Quayle 63 Moon lander, for short
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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Students and WCC employees: Classified ads in The Voice are free. Local business owners: Looking for help? Post your free help wanted ads in The Voice. Send ads to thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com. Note: Deadline for the March 10, 2014 issue is Tuesday, March 4, at 5 p.m. camp staff, special events coordinators, park laborers, Pheasant Run Golf Course staff, SERVICES Canton Sports Center staff and more. If VOLUNTEER TUTORS: Washtenaw you enjoy a fast-paced, exciting work enLiteracy needs volunteers to tutor adults vironment, don’t miss this opportunity to in basic reading, writing, math and join a great team this summer! Students, English as a Second Language. If in here’s your chance to gain valuable work Help change lives – one word at a time! experience in your field of study. Apply Contact info@washtenawliteracy.org or today at www.canton-mi.org/humanrecall 734-879-1320. sources/jobs.asp. For more information, NEED HEALTH CARE? Are you be- call 734-394-5260 tween the ages of 12-22? Contact the Below is a sample of recent emCorner Health Center at 734-484.3600 ployment want ads which have been or visit online at: www.cornerhealth.org posted with WCC Career Services. Students are invited to read these HELP WANTED ads and to contact Career Services SEASONAL PART-TIME POSITIONS to find out how to apply for the AVAILABLE: Canton Leisure Services is openings. Career Services is locatnow hiring for seasonal part-time positions ed in ML 104. For more information, that start in April-June 2014. Positions may phone 734-677-5155, email careers@ include: lifeguards, summer camp counsel- wccnet.edu, or visit www.wccnet. ors and supervisors, therapeutic recreation edu/careerconnection/.
Security Officer. Valor Security Services at the Briarwood Mall is seeking applicants for a part-time security officer position. The position would be anywhere from 16-32 hours weekly with a starting pay of $10 per hour. Guest Services Representative. Briarwood Mall is seeking a part-time representative responsible for product sales, responding to guest-service inquiries, providing exceptional level of service, and supporting mall promotions and marketing events. Sales experience is recommended. Lifeguard. The Howell Area Aquatic Center is seeking certified lifeguards for part time employment. Competitive pay and flexible hours, Monday-Sunday. Premium pay for early mornings and daytime shifts Cashiers. Retail and restaurant cashiers to provide customers with fast and friendly service in foodservice or at the sales counter. Other responsibilities include
managing shelves and inventory, operating the cash registers and maintaining the overall appearance and cleanliness in the store. Seeking motivated individuals with great customer focus. Office Staff. Infinity Gymnastics Academy in Brighton is looking for office staff to support its front-desk operations. Applicants must be reliable, have basic computer skills and be able to work with a diverse customer base. Must be available evenings and weekends. Catering Assistant. Serve customers from our vintage ice cream truck or carts at special events such as weddings and graduation parties. Tasks involve organizing and packing, travel to site, set up, serving, and break down. Employer may be willing to train the right person to assist with making gelato and preparing other frozen treats. Auto Body Restoration Tech. Developing restoration shop is seeking an enthusiastic, self-motivated, hard-working, respectful combination body man with experience in tear-down and assembly. Skills needed for metal patch, welding as well as, preparing up to the second block of primer. State certification is necessary. Must have own tools. Compensation to be determined. After School Classroom Caregiver. M & M Extra Care, a school-age program
located within elementary schools, is looking for several qualified and motivated classroom caregivers. Applicants must be at least 18, have experience working with groups of children, such as in a childcare setting, church youth groups, summer camps or coaching sports teams. Our caregivers work 20 hours per week (2:306:30 p.m.), at one of four different locations, and earn $9-$10/hour or more, depending on experience. Office/Sales position. For small wedding/banquet operation. Includes working with brides and grooms in planning their events, conducting Saturday tours of the wedding facility, simple accounting and data entry for events. Must have computer skills, including Word, Excel etc. Line Cook. Mark’s Midtown Coney Island is seeking a professional line cook to prepare food to the specifications on the menu and set up own food station. Responsibilities include setting up and stoking stations with all necessary supplies, preparing food for service (such as chopping vegetables), cooking menu items in cooperation with the rest of the kitchen staff, cleaning and stocking up station, following nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards and having a positive attitude among others.
Rock-cut buildings located in Petra, located in southern Jordan, were eye candy for Zacharias. MATT ZACHARIAS | COURTESY PHOTO
People in town selling pottery and statues were not hard to come by. MATT ZACHARIAS | COURTESY PHOTO
doing to integrate entrepreneurship into our classrooms,” Wilson said. She added that although the initiative was aimed primarily at developing Al Quds, WCC has benefitted greatly from aiding in the endeavor. The visit ran from Feb. 6-16. The U.S. Agency for International Development is funding the partnership through a grant from Higher Education for Development. The William Davidson Institute, named for the last Detroit Pistons owner and philanthropist and created through the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, oversaw the initiative.
Flip Side
A group of instructors and an administrator from Al Quds College in Amman, Jordan visited Washtenaw Community College last week. This visit comes several weeks after a similar trip taken by a team of Washtenaw instructors and Dean of Business and Computer Technology Rosemary Wilson. Al Quds representatives toured WCC, getting an up-close look at various departments, including Digital Media Arts, Computer Information Systems, Culinary Arts, Business, Advanced Manufacturing and Web Design and Development. The visits are the product of a partnership between the two colleges, with the goal of developing entrepreneurially minded curriculum elements as well as business incubators. “It was an opportunity to work with our Al Quds partners and enable them to see in action what our faculty are
Staff Writer
By DAVID FITCH
Jordan college delegation visits Washtenaw
new beginnings.” By JAMES SAOUD engaged extremely successfully with his and taking that into himself,” Wilson said, over there,” Zacharias said. Zacharias is hoping in the future the Almost every night when he arrived Staff Writer counterpart. One of the staff from Al Quds “allowing those experiences to change him colleges will do a student exchange proback at the hotel, he put the photos he had wanted to know if we could leave Matt as a person and a teacher.” gram. One concept he has is of taken that day onto his comBeing the visual enthusiast that he is, While traveling through the desert land- behind.” a student video project, where puter and into Apple’s iPhoto The goal of the trip was to encourage Zacharias took in the landscape and atscapes in the country of Jordan, a group students from Jordan could prosoftware, where Zacharias creof Washtenaw Community College staff both Al Quds College and WCC to incorpo- mosphere of Jordan through photography. duce a documentary of life in the ated his art-piece: an iBook members wound up with two flat tires – rate business and entrepreneurship into the He put together a project he describes as U.S. and students from the U.S. filled with pictures and cola tourist’s art and it was the best thing that could have classroom. produce one on life in Jordan. lages of Jordanian landscape. piece. “I’ve always happened to one of them. “When we were moving “All you do is upload this “Jordan is a As the group awaited help, digital media conducted exthrough the hallways at Al to them, and they’ll print it,” beautiful counarts instructor Matt Zacharias wandered ercises like Quds, those kids could’ve been Zacharias said. He is working try,” Zacharias off with his iPhone to observe the unfa- that, but bein our hallways,” Zacharias said. on getting physical copies of said. “These fore it was more miliar territory. “There are huge misconceptions his book to all of the staff who Matt Zacharias pictures can ex“While we were waiting to get the tires just dabbling,” about the Middle East because plain much bet- traveled along with him. fixed, I just took off, I mean I just saw all Zacharias said. of what the media does to us all the time “I have hundreds and hundreds of picter than I can Now he can kinds of stuff,” Zacharias said. ... I think that there is more sameness betures, and it was really fun to kind of, like, with words.” But the pictures Zacharias took while see the bentween us and them than differences.” take those shots and build this book beWhile on the the tires were getting fixed were just a drop efits, and he’s Between getting stuck with flat tires cause it helps me trigger the chronology trip, Zacharias of water in the ocean of photographs he putting these and sitting in on college courses in the of the events.” was snapping took during their two-week stay in Jordan practices into Middle East, Zacharias’ recent trip to The future of WCC’s relationship with photo after phoaction. He is last month. Jordan taught him much – both personthe Al Quds College seems very bright to to of the sights Zacharias and several others from WCC bringing proally and professionally. Zacharias. and people of traveled to the Al Quds College in Amman, fessionals, both A merchant gazes through his window which He calls it a life-changing experience. “This is just the beginning,” Zacharias Jordan. He took Jordan, a trip funded by a grant from the recent WCC is situated at the foot of the Dead Sea. And he’s got the pictures to prove it. MATT ZACHARIAS | COURTESY PHOTO said. “What came of it are all of these nearly all the U.S. Agency of International Development. graduates who photos with his “Matt’s role was that of all the faculty, are working in which was to engage the Jordanian faculty the industry and retired professionals from iPhone because of the convenience comcounterpart,” said Rosemary Wilson, dean the field, into his classes to speak and help pared to his Canon dSLR camera. “I brought my 6D and I had my phone. of Business and Computer Technologies, engage students with the business side of I didn’t have the patience to be fumbling who was among the group. “I have to say video production and filmmaking. “Matt is just so open to new experiences around with lenses and my 6D when I was from observing Matt over there that he
DMA instructor Zacharias has the book on a beautiful country
Jordan through the eyes of an artist
B8 The Washtenaw Voice
Febuary 24, 2014