A bountiful A8 harvest VOL. 21, NO. 5 The student publication of Washtenaw Community College
A NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD NEWSPAPER
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2014 www.washtenawvoice.com
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN
Elizabeth Patten and Jonnie Terry, of Ann Arbor, were the first samesex couple to marry in Washtenaw County. In March, they were wed in the basement of the County Clerk’s office, during a short window when it was legal. Today, they wait with their family, for the day when their marriage will finally be recognized by the state of Michigan.
WCC hopes to invest $19 mil in intelligent transportation
College to ask state for $12.5 mil, and pledges to match another half by SOFIA LYNCH
Staff Writer
A team of faculty and administrators in a variety of departments – automotive, welding, motorcycle and business and computer technologies – are joining forces to bring Washtenaw to the forefront of educating and training in the transportation industry. Brandon Tucker, interim dean of Advanced Technologies and Public Service Careers, led the team, which presented a proposal for the construction of an Advanced Transportation Center to the board of trustees at their Oct. 14 meeting. When the college presents the capital outlay plan to the state on Nov. 1, it will ask the state for $12.5 million to fund the project, with the college matching half of that amount. The state will decide by the end of the year whether or not to fund it, Tucker said. See TRANSPORTATION, Page A5
As Elizabeth Patten hugged and kissed her soon-to-be wife, Jonnie Terry, on their wedding day, she held up the number she received last October that maintained the couple’s first-in-line status until Michigan’s same-sex marriage ban was struck down in March. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
by NATALIE WRIGHT
Editor
and JAMES SAOUD
Managing Editor
Last fall, when the DeBoer v. Snyder trial began in Detroit, Elizabeth Patten and Jonnie Terry decided it was something their children should witness. “We had them come down to the hearing because we knew that this is a part of their history,” Patten said. But seeing their teenage children react to the courtroom testimonies was difficult, Terry admitted. On the day of closing arguments, Andrew Terry, 17, and his sister, Ryan Patten, 15, were the only children in the courtroom. People in the front rows would crane and twist their necks to stare at them, Elizabeth said,
as the defense argued that children of same-sex couples are destined to be unintelligent and ill-tempered. “You know it had to hurt,” she said. But the children scoffed at the testimonies. “The level of ignorance was through the roof,” Andrew said. “I actually kind of found it funny, ‘cause I couldn’t take it seriously,” Ryan said. “It wasn’t hard for me, because it’s not like I was a naïve little kid. Like, I know people think that. I don’t have to agree with them.” Andrew and Ryan are anything but naïve. They wear their knowledge about the gay-marriage controversy and gay rights history proudly on their sleeves. They’ve had a lot of practice in defending their parents, and standing by their sides, in the face of discrimination and hatred.
They hold their moms’ hands – not exactly typical behavior for teenagers – but they also roll their eyes and grumble under their breath – usual teenager stuff. Andrew and Ryan are different than normal teenagers, but not in the ways they heard in that courtroom.
facing discrimination
While Elizabeth and Jonnie were happy to have brought their children to be witnesses to history, it was hard to watch them face the insults their parents have faced their whole lives, Elizabeth said. “We’ve been out at about,” she said. “So we’re used to the protesters. It still hurts, but we’re used to the discriminatory comments.” See LOVE Page A5
Trustee candidates to speak to students of these eight people will have an impact on (stu- election. It’s a small group of hardworking, dents’) college careers. dedicated students.” “It gives students the opportunity, at least After the question portion of the forum, Seven of the eight candidates for Washtenaw’s the ones that want to hear from them, just to at there will be a meet-and-greet, when students board of trustees will visit campus on Wednesday least get a couple of questions answered, hear can speak with candidates one-on-one. to introduce themselves to students and answer their voices and what their thought processes student questions. are,” Kwasny said. What: Trustee candidate forum The college’s Political Science Club has been “I really applaud and appreciate the planning and pushing for the forum since spring, hard work that students have been doing,” When: Oct.22, from 7-9 p.m. said club President Steve Kwasny, 27, of Ann Arbor. Wasserman said. “The club has been very acWhere: ML building “It was put together by students, for students,” tive and intentional about getting politicians club Adviser Donna Wasserman said. on campus this fall, leading up to the Nov. 4 Kwasny and Wasserman would not reveal which one of the eight candidates had not yet confirmed. The club is asking for students’ input on the questions that will be posed to the candidates. The results of a survey on the club’s Facebook page will determine the discussion topics at the forum. Club members hope students will appreciate this opportunity and turn out in big numbers. There will be seating for 300, Kwasny said. “It’s a real struggle to get students involved,” Wasserman admitted, because they are busy and disinterested in local politics. “But it’s the local politics and local politicians that are having a direct effect on student lives,” she said. “The board is responsible for college policies that affect every aspect of student life at WCC.” WCC trustee candidates, clockwise from top left, Eric Borregard, William Campbell, Tony Derezinski, “Most people don’t like politics nowadays,” David DeVarti, Alex Milshteyn, Ruth Hatcher, Mark Freeman and Christina Fleming. COURTESY PHOTOS Kwasny, a political science major, said. “But three by NATALIE WRIGHT
Editor
Lack of trust, communication at the heart of budget cut fears by NATALIE WRIGHT
Editor
With her recent, public announcement insisting that “no one’s budget has been cut,” Washtenaw Community College President Rose Bellanca surprised a lot of people. With much talk about years of declining enrollment, cuts seemed inevitable, and faculty were expecting them, photography instructor Jennifer Baker said. And when department chairs received their budgets in late June, two days before they went into effect, many found that their operating budgets were, in fact, significantly smaller. They had been lied to, they thought. And as they reviewed the new budgets with their deans, it became clear that administrators were not acknowledging the changes as “cuts,” said Michelle Garey, Foreign Language department chair. Kim Hurns, interim dean of business and computer technologies, acknowledged that administrators are trying to stay away from using the term “budget cuts.” “That caused a lot of discomfort,” said Kris Brandemuehl, interim dean of Math, Science and Health. “I think the huge, fatal flaw in this process was the college should have been more upfront. Instead of saying budgets wouldn’t be cut, they should have said budgets would be adjusted to reflect spending.” Chief Financial Officer Bill Johnson maintains that these adjustments were not “budget cuts.” “We had an increase in the total budget of the college, about $1.2 million,” he said in a wideranging interview with The Washtenaw Voice, and instruction, as a whole, actually received an increase of about $1.4 million. The purpose of changes in budgets and the budgeting process was to move unused or unnecessary resources to areas where they could be put to better use, Johnson said. Therefore, See BUDGET, Page A6
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The Washtenaw Voice
October 20, 2014
Eric Borregard for WCC Board A WASTED VOTE IS BETTER
Endorsed by The Green Party of Michigan
THAN A BOUGHT & SOLD VOTE
WCC REVOLT!
WE ARE THE 95%
that are not graduating in 2 years.
Passionately Pink Event
Wednesday, October 22nd 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. LA 369 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Join the discussion lead by guest speakers from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Lunch will be provided to the first 30 participants that RSVP! *Show your support by wearing pink!* To RSVP, call the SWRC at 734-677-5105.
Food, Diet, and Genes: Is What You’re Eating What’s Eating You?
Thursday, October 23rd 6 p.m. ML 105 Join Emily Thompson, Ph.D., for a talk on the popular topic of how food and diet work with your genes to affect your health. This event is free and open to the public. Contact: ethompso@wccnet.edu for more information. Sponsored by the Sustainability Literacy Task Force (SLTF).
Miss the Talent Show Auditions?
If you missed the auditions don’t worry, there’s still time! Email Rachel Barsch with your talent! rbarsch@wccnet.edu
COMING SOON:
“Wicked” Tickets & Piston’s Tickets! Sign up for Hub Alerts to receive ticket-sales date notifications. Sign-up today! http://tinyw.cc/sda
WCC Sports
Veterans Day Event: Details TBA soon!
Do you know a Veteran? We’d like to post pictures of Veterans and those in active service on our “Wall of Fame.” Please submit pictures to Rachel Barsch at rbarsch@wccnet.edu. Veteran’s pictures can be of yourself, your grandparent, parent, sibling, or a friend.
GREEN PARTY
Vote the New Deal, Free Tuition
Paid for by Eric Bor r e gar d for WCC Jobs Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WCCeducationtr evolt
Business of Sustainable Foods Workshop
Thursday, October 23rd 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. ML 103/123 Learn more on the business of sustainable foods with speakers Jane Bush, Grazing Fields Cooperative & Apple Shram Orchard; Jesse Raudenbush, Starr Valley Farms; Mary WesselWalker, Harvest Kitchen; and Mary Ann Nisley from Whole Foods. This event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Sustainability Literacy Task Force (SLTF).
ANN ARBOR
Breast-Feeding Matters!
Thursday, November 20th 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ML 150 Human milk provides a healthy start that lasts a lifetime. This workshop is for any healthcare student or person who is curious about this amazing process. This event is run by Theresa Dubiel, MSN, RN and her students and is free and open to the public. Sign up by November 17 and get a light lunch! Sign up here (limit 50): http://tinyurl.com/WCCBreastfeedingMatters For further questions, contact: ethompso@wccnet.edu
Lunch with the President
The winners of this contest will enjoy a FREE lunch with WCC’s President, Dr. Rose Bellanca! Lunches will take place at various times throughout the semester. Sign-up today! http://tinyurl.com/wcclunchcontest
Join us for Intramural Sports! You must pre-register through the Sports office in SC 116
during the registration dates. Requirements: 2.0 cumulative GPA, be registered in at least three credits at WCC. This is a great opportunity for students, as well as employees to participate in a sport without the time commitment that Club Sports require. Intramural Dodgeball: Sunday’s beginning October 26th through December 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. @ the WCC Health and Fitness Center. Registration begins October 2nd through October 26th. Intramural Flag Football: Wednesday, October 15th; October 22nd; October 29th; and November 5th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. @ the WCC Softball Outfield. Registration begins on October 1st and lasts until October 15th. Questions or concerns? Contact our office at (734) 973-3720 or mflucas@wccnet.edu
Come Join the Concordia Family! • Growing Undergraduate Population • New Science Labs • Renovated Residence Halls • Updated Student Union • Upgraded Kreft Center for the Fine Arts • Three Schools to Choose from: • HAAB School of Business Administration • School of Arts and Sciences • School of Education
.edu 734.995.7505 4090 GEDDES RD. ANN ARBOR 48105
NEWS
The Washtenaw Voice
October 20, 2014
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DTE charging WCC for energy it’s no longer using DTE is a regulated monopoly, meaning the service it controls is considered a human necessity and is thus Washtenaw has always been a con- regulated by the government. So the servation-conscious school, some- company must supply energy to all of times even inadvertently. Last August, its customers and in order to do this it GEM energy installed a combined has to build the necessary infrastruccooling, heating and power (CCHP) tures – things like power plants – to system, which consists of two mi- deliver all the energy customers recro-turbines, as a teaching tool for quire. UA workers and for HVAC courses at the school. But that isn’t the only thing the college gained from the CCHP system. These micro-turbines, when they’re finally operational, will run 365 days a year, 24/7, and accumulate about $60,000 in energy savings for the college. But $60,000 in energy savings for Washtenaw means a $60,000 avoidance of product from the school’s energy provider, DTE energy. So Washtenaw Community College is faced with a “demand charge” from “They always point out that by DTE, for the energy the school won’t Michigan Public Service Commission be requiring any longer. regulations, if they are the territory So how is it possible that the owner of this region we fall in, they college has to pay for energy it’s are obligated to always supply to the not using? customers in their territory,” said by SOFIA LYNCH
Staff Writer
Bill Ghrist, manager of Energy and Systems Integration. WCC received 18 megawatts from DTE, prior to the installation of the new micro-turbines. So DTE built the infrastructure to supply the school with those 18 megawatts. Although the turbines only generate approximately 125 kilowatts, enough for a small portion of one building on campus, by no longer needing those 125 KW, the college is still putting
college with the 125 KW it said was no longer needed To cover itself, more than a decade ago, DTE petitioned through the MPSC for a Rider 3 agreement. Essentially, it is a calculated rate of delivering energy based on how much is being self-produced to make up for the loss the company faces when entities become
SANAA NAEEM | WASHTENAW VOICE
some of the infrastructure to waste, in a way, said Damon Flowers, associate vice president of facilities. Not only that, but if WCC’s turbines were to fail, it would need DTE to still be capable of supplying the
partially self-generating. “Obviously we’d like to have no surcharge for self-generating, but I guess I sort of understand DTE’s position,” Flowers said. The $60,000 that the turbines will save the school is taking into
WCC celebrates student and alumni entrepreneurs this job, I thought it was just perfect for me because it fits in so well with my background.” With a mission to help students, community members and alumni in the beginning stages, the center will provide a variety of resources. Physically, it will be a place The newly opened Entrepreneurship Center aims to bring departments together to to share and exsupport students in their entrepreneurial goals. BECKY LOUGH | WASHTENAW VOICE change ideas. by VIVIAN ZAGO “The center really required somebody who Staff Writer can be focused on building relationships around campus,” said Kimberly Hurns, dean of Business Kristin Gapske owned her own business for and Computer Technology. “Engaging students almost 15 years. She’s experienced all the cycles and other aspects of the college, we really want of starting a new business, from taking some- the Entrepreneurship Center to become part of thing very small to seeing it grow into something the culture of WCC.” substantial. She knows what it is like to have the The newly opened center was still in the proexcitement of seeing a new opportunity coming. cess of developing a programing schedule for the Gapske is the new Entrepreneurship Center academic year. But twice a month it plans to have manager at Washtenaw Community College. And a research librarian do business research for peoshe’s thrilled to have this opportunity. ple who need help exploring an idea. And once a “I just started a few weeks ago,” she said in week over coffee, starting in November, experts a recent interview. “It’s so new, and I’m really will come in and talk about their business ideas. excited to get the center going. When I found On Oct. 30, from 3-6 p.m., the
Entrepreneurship Center will celebrate its opening. “It’s sort of an open house, but also a way to celebrate students and alumni entrepreneurs,” Gapske said. “We will have a pin board with bios of the successful entrepreneurs.” The greater goal is not only having a programming calendar, but having entrepreneurship infused into the whole campus, and binding all the departments together, according to Gapske. Workshops will be held on how to start a business, she said, and over the long term she hopes the center will give students momentum as they are going through the program and thinking about what they are going to do when they leave. “Or if they already left, become a solid base for them to come back and get all the support they need,” Gapske said. “We want students to understand that the skills they gain here at college could be used in a future business,” Hurns said. What: Entrepreneurship Center Open House When: Oct. 30, from 3-6 p.m. Where: WCC Main Campus, Plant Operations Building, Room 120 For more info: 734-249-5880, or entrepreneurship@wccnet.edu
account the fuel it takes to run the turbines, but not the demand charge. Based on discussions with DTE, the demand charge is going to come out to be approximately $10,000-$13,000, Flower said. “When we first (calculated) it without DTE’s help, it was even worse. It looked like we’re going to almost end up paying all our savings back to DTE, but it’s not that bad,” said Flowers. The school has come to terms with the fact that the surcharge is inevitable. Flowers said it’s not something it can appeal since it’s already part of DTE’s rate case, approved some time ago. “We’re kind of starting a consortium of other higher-ed institutions to sort of lobby that these rates need to be adjusted,” Flowers said. “They’re a disincentive to install self-generation devices and quite often there’s nobody on the other side.” Ghrist said WCC has sat down with MPSC to vocalize its concerns, and there are talks of a committee to review the Rider 3 agreement.
Crime Blotter Crimes reported Oct. 1-14 Information from incident reports provided to The Voice by Campus Safety and Security Director Jacques Desrosiers.
Larceny
A purse, containing a cell phone, wallet and keys, was stolen from one of the restrooms in the LA building on Oct. 2, and reported to Campus Security shortly after noon. The disposition of the crime was unknown.
Larceny
On Oct. 3, at 3 p.m., a backpack was stolen from a restroom in the LA building. It was later recovered, but with headphones missing. The disposition of the crime was unknown.
Larceny
On Oct. 9, at 2 p.m., an iPad was stolen from a classroom in the OE building. On the same day, at 1:30 p.m., photography equipment was taken from a room in the GM building. The dispositions of both crimes were unknown.
Larceny
An unknown individual walked away from one of the restaurants located in the Student Center Building without paying for food. The incident occurred on Oct. 14, at 1:05 p.m. and the disposition of the crime was unknown.
Fears in Ferguson shared in Washtenaw County by MYISHA KINBERG
Contributor
Nearly three months after an unarmed 18-year-old black man was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, citizens still gather and demonstrate there to raise awareness about how authorities treat people of color. And their message is reverberating nationwide, including Washtenaw County. “Nowadays, getting pulled over by
the police means more, especially if you’re black,” said Andre Franklin, 18, of Ann Arbor, a civil engineering student at Washtenaw Community College. “I don’t just have to worry about getting a ticket anymore; I have to worry about getting shot and dying.” Americans have been taught to depend heavily upon the police for safety. But Franklin, among many others, worries that some police officers are beginning to think they are above the law and thus ignore many rules and
regulations they’ve sworn to follow. “I don’t trust the police at all,” said Wan’ya Williams, 18, an automotive technology major from Ann Arbor. “In my opinion, they always profile African-American people. I can’t just do anything, like go out at night, without thinking about what might happen if I run into the police. “And when I am around them, I feel like I always have to watch my back.” While Williams hasn’t been personally affected by Brown’s death,
he appreciates the message coming from Ferguson. “I understand why the Black community is so upset,” he said. “It’s disturbing to realize that even though the police are supposed to be there to protect us, we really might not be able to trust them.” Brown was shot by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, who 11 weeks after the Aug. 9 shooting remained uncharged for his actions, sparking anger in the black community, and among activists of all ethnicities.
“Not all black people feel the same about this situation,” said 21-year-old Tre Marion, from the Ann Arbor area, who is majoring in criminal justice. “I think Darren Wilson acted more out of fear than racism when he killed Michael Brown, and there is definitely still a need for the police, even though they are doing things like this. “Putting Darren Wilson in jail won’t bring justice to Michael because there is no real justice for this situation.” Jasmine Cofield, 19, a literature major from Ann Arbor, suggested the goal of protesting should be centered around change in the way society thinks. “I try to solve most of my problems by myself instead of involving the police. And instead of trying to focus all of our energy on putting Darren Wilson in jail, we should try to change the mindset of the police. Equality won’t come until we change.” That said, she was quick to add: “I don’t trust the police, and I never have.”
RALLY HIGHLIGHTS ABUSE BY POLICE
Police quickly converge on a group of people along West Florissant Avenue on Aug. 19 in Ferguson, Missouri. MCT CAMPUS | COURTESY PHOTO
Washtenaw Community College alum Anthony Morgan is organizing an informational demonstration highlighting the issues involving minorities being mistreated by authorities. It will include a reenactment of the shooting death of a Missouri teenager that sparked months of protests. Morgan, 36, said the event will take place on Oct. 25 at 10 a.m., behind the Key Bank in downtown Ypsilanti, 301 W. Michigan Ave. It will begin with a rally followed by a discussion and a demonstration of what could happen when a person of color is confronted by a police officer.
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VOICES
October 20, 2014
The Washtenaw Voice
editorial
Faculty, administrators, it’s time to find some empathy With every contentious story we cover on this campus, we get closer to the heart of the conflict between Washtenaw’s faculty and administration. After interviewing numerous department chairs, deans and other administrators about the new budgeting process and its results, we see the issues more clearly than ever. We hear whispers and rumors every day on this campus, and we chase them – trying to hunt down the sources, to get a grasp on the underlying truth, or truths. So much misinformation is allowed to thrive, perpetuating paranoia and anger. The lack of honest discussion between administrators and faculty only serves to escalate the conflict. The party-line rhetoric from
administrators, and the instant assumptions from the faculty that nearly everything said by administrators is dishonest, are both to blame. This bitter, cold-shouldered approach on both sides only prevents problems from being solved and creates issues out of non-issues. Faculty members feel isolated from decisions and discussions, so when decisions are presented to them, any flaw or misunderstanding in the presentation plants a seed – a seed that grows into the worst possible assumptions. And often those assumptions turn into “truths,” as they spread through the grapevine. Never is there a better chance for confusion than when dealing with the budget of a $100 million institution.
After diving into the faculty’s concerns over their departmental operating budgets – some of which have been drastically reduced, some of which have been drastically increased, and everything in between – and the administration’s responses to those concerns, it is clear that the problem, in most cases, is an astounding lack of communication. Both parties are to blame. The faculty is completely shut down to hearing what the administration has to say. And the administration is so focused on the semantics to control perception – calling the changes “adjustments” rather than “cuts” – that seemingly no time was spent explaining to faculty, or deans, exactly what
that distinction means. Some faculty members have genuine concerns about their budgets being too small to get them through the year, and about this impacting their students. But administrators assure them that if they need more, they will get it when the time comes. Trust us, they say. But the faculty doesn’t trust. And who can blame them? Every presentation and public “discussion” at every meeting of the board of trustees feels orchestrated. How can instructors have faith in the system when they are barely recognized as a part of it? Yes, they had a hand in the budget process, aligning line items to the strategic plan, but
How will today’s ‘unbiased’ reporting sound in 20 years? NATALIE WRIGHT nkwright@wccnet.edu
Journalists often need to emotionally separate themselves from stories, for the sake of fairness. Many say they need to be “unbiased.” I hate that phrase. It’s impossible to remove one’s biases. A more appropriate charge is to be “balanced,” to present the best argument from each perspective – and let the reader decide. But what’s a journalist to do when one argument in a contentious issue seems like common sense? How does one present the opposing argument when it feels completely and utterly wrong? I’ve never felt this struggle more than after leaving the house of Elizabeth Patten and Jonnie Terry – the first same sex couple to be married in Washtenaw County last March. After almost two hours with the couple, their two teenagers and Patten’s parents, discussing discrimination, civil rights and the status of their marriage, I left wanting to stand up for this family, to tell the world how unfair it was being to them. I asked myself and my co-workers, “How can a reporter be unbiased in a story like this? And to what degree does one have to?” It feels like I’m in the middle of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. It feels like history will remember this time as one of ignorance in regards to this issue. It feels like no journalist will need to be “unbiased” about this in 20 years. Perhaps living in Ann Arbor, a “bubble” of gay rights support, as Patten called it, makes it hard to recognize the opposition. But rest assured, it’s there. The good news: it’s dwindling. In March, when U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman
SOFIA LYNCH snlynch@wccnet.edu
As a cynical 18-year-old who has had the unfiltered imagination faded out of her, seeing the gleam in the eyes of a child – arm stretched to the ceiling with so much might his shoulder could pop, and an idea pushing against his teeth only held in by the polite policy ingrained in young students to speak when called on – and hearing what out-of-this-world idea his young brain could have possibly conjured is what makes it for me. “You’re a lawyer, trapped in a hot chocolate ocean!!” “The board of scary monsters and their accountant, Bob!” “He gets on his boat, the Mona Lisa!”
The creativity is copious. The result: “The Lawyer Who Just Couldn’t But He Did.” A title a young boy suggested for the “create-your-own-adventure” book the students of Jim Weindorf’s fifth-grade class from Haisley Elementary put together and the volunteers, me included, facilitated. Among the many wonderful programs offered at 826Michigan are these inventive field trips available to elementary school classes. I got started with 826 because I reported on the Volunteer Fair Washtenaw Community College holds in its Student Center. Walking away without a single sign-up to my name, I felt guilty knowing I was headed back to the newsroom to write a story about the importance of volunteering when I had done none myself. I reviewed the photos I had taken of the different organizations sprawled throughout the lobby and the gear logo
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.
TAKE
was hearing arguments for why Michigan’s constitutional ban on gay marriage should or should not be overturned, we wrote about the acceleration of acceptance of gay marriage and gay rights in this country. It took nine years after Massachusetts legalized gay marriage for five states to follow suit and only two years after that for 12 more states. Little did we know, the country was on the brink of a massive shift in the next few months. Friedman ruled that Michigan’s ban was unconstitutional, overturning it, late on Friday, March 21. He wrote, “Today’s decision … affirms the enduring principle that regardless of whoever finds favor in the eyes of the most recent majority, the guarantee of equal protection must prevail.” On the following Saturday morning, four of 83 county clerk’s offices around the state opened, including Washtenaw County’s, with city workers volunteering their time to marry about 300 couples, before the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay, making samesex marriage illegal again, indefinitely, pending the appeal process. In the seven months since then, judges in 16 states have struck down their bans, but for most a stay was issued, just like in Michigan. Pressure was mounting, but the revolution was still on hold. And then, on Oct. 6, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld appeals court decisions that struck down bans in Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah. Today, 31 states have legalized same-sex marriage and eight states are awaiting further action following pro-marriage rulings. Twelve states have bans in place, but lawsuits challenging the bans have been filed in seven, and the other five are next in line to legalize same-sex marriage after pro-marriage rulings at the appellate level. As Patten said, “The dominoes are falling.” One day, we will reflect on this time and think about how silly it was to try to be “unbiased.”
Journalism’s greatest reward
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Volume 21, No. 5 4800 E. Huron River Dr. TI 106 Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734) 677-5125 thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com
in many cases, it seems their contributions were disregarded. Budgets were simply adjusted to historical spending levels, regardless of what they asked for. On the other hand, it’s hard to blame administrators for circling the wagons and keeping any information tight to their collective chest. Discussions and talking points are rehearsed and party lines are written because any hint of a flaw is seen as weakness and attacked. As this conflict escalates, any sense of human empathy disappears. If productive solutions are ever going to be reached, both parties need to let down their guards and find a hint grace for each other.
BRENT FAIMAN WORDS AND PHOTO BY CONTRIBUTOR TAYLOR ROBINSON
During the early afternoon hours when most students are eating lunch and buzzing around the Student Center, 22-year-old business student, Brent Faiman was enjoying the peace and quiet of the Business Education building. When asked about fall fun and a few current events, he broke the silence and shared his thoughts with The Voice. Washtenaw Voice: How do you feel about haunted houses? Brent Faiman: “I feel like they are good for scaring people, but they aren’t really my thing. I know it isn’t real, but even knowing that I’d probably still punch someone in the face.”
professional sports. If you don’t have to pay interns, then you shouldn’t have to pay athletes.”
WV: How can the NFL take a stronger stance on the issue of domestic violence? BF: “By actually banning people. By WV: What do you think about the actually holding down their footDeath with Dignity Act? ing and not just say, ‘Ehh you can BF: “I think it’s right; it’s your de- just come back later.’ No indefinite cision about your life, usually. You suspensions, it should be one way shouldn’t have your life prolonged or the other.” if you don’t want it to be.” WV: Do you think the issue with WV: Do you think college athletes police brutality is a big problem in should be given any monetary local areas? compensation? BF: “I don’t think I see it happenBF: “They are already given a free ing in Washtenaw County, but maydegree from whatever college they be Wayne County, around Detroit go to. For a higher-end college, and Flint. I guess it could happen that’s about $100,000 right there. around here, but my perspective is It’s basically their internship for that it wouldn’t.”
of 826 caught my eye. reinforce the idea that anything is An organization centered around possible. However, these stores endwriting and its importance in learn- ed up being a huge percentage of the ing for young students? non-profit’s revenue. Bingo. Walking into a robot repair shop What is so gratifying about news – or a spy gear shop like that of 826 reporting is that I am frequently ex- Chicago – while going to be tutored posed to new information and op- makes what is a stressful ordeal for portunities like this. It doesn’t feel most children, a fun adventure for all. right to cover an issue and send out a As anyone who has had the privcall-to-action if I have no intention ilege of working with kids would of taking some action myself. This know, there are few things more reprivilege of exposure, and the expe- warding than seeing that light bulb riences that can stem from it, are a go on in their heads and seeing how reporter’s greatest reward. much more they understand than one If you’ve ever passed by that would expect. funky robot repair shop on East Much like reporting, volunteerism Liberty Street in Ann Arbor, you’ve gave me that familiar bug; I walk away seen 826Michigan. It is intriguing feeling like I can’t wait to get back at in its programs and in its history. it again. It was started as 826 Valencia in So if you’re looking for more ways San Fransisco in 2002 by edu- to be an active volunteer or would love cator Nínive Calegari and au- to get the chance to spend time helpthor Dave Eggers. ing out young students, 826 is the place What really struck a chord for you. From the environment to the with me about this nationwide or- employees, 115 E. Liberty St. is a warm ganization was the fact that each of and welcoming atmosphere not only its eight branches have a themed conducive to learning, but also to adstorefront that Eggars wanted to venture and gratifying experiences.
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The Washtenaw Voice
LOVE, From A1 What they weren’t used to was seeing the disappointment in their family’s faces when the lined up on Oct. 16, 2013, after hearing that the judge was going to strike down Michigan’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, only to find out that the trial was to be put on hold until February.
kept just running through my head.” “They were taking so long with us at the counter, and I’m looking at a whole room behind us out there,” Elizabeth said. “Twelve couples didn’t make it that day. How many did we bump out? That’s something that I remember. That sticks with me.” When they were finished at the counter, Elizabeth and Jonnie were
October 20, 2014
“So we had a very impromptu reElizabeth and Jonnie were stuck ception,” Elizabeth said. asking that same question they asked About 30 people showed up, they on that cold morning in Ann Arbor: estimated, including family, friends “What do we do now?” and three other couples that were married that day. looking ahead Since that day, many states have the long wait followed Michigan’s course. Elizabeth, an Ann Arbor police ofOn Oct. 6, the Supreme Court finalficer for 17 years, and Jonnie, a phys- ly took action on some of these pending cases when it upheld appeals court decisions that struck down marriage bans in Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Utah. Today, 31 states have legalized same-sex marriage. It has been a joy to see couples in these states on the news, Elizabeth and Jonnie said, though they admitted it can be hard at times. “To think that they get to do what we got to do is just a gift,” Jonnie said. The couple described seeing two elderly women on TV, both in their 90s, living in a nursing home together. They had been together since they were in their 20s. “All of a sudden, that just put our wait into perspective,” Elizabeth said. The couple is confident that Michigan, or the nation as a whole, is
tell them how you reacted?” “As I walked up to the front of the room, first off, there was this gasp, and then dead silence,” Richard said. “And I looked over at the kid who had made the remark about the island, and he had is head down.” And Richard made sure the lesson sunk in. “We did have to talk about, the next day in class, that when you say things like that in a group, you have no clue who you’re hurting,” he said. “You have no idea how many people in that group are being hurt by the stupidity that has fallen out of your mouth.” Just looking at the attitudes of school children, there’s been a major evolution in the 25 years since Elizabeth made that classroom visit, the family agreed. “What you do see is a lot more kids in high school … where kids are openly identifying, early on, and bringing their girlfriend/boyfriend/ whoever to proms,” Elizabeth said. “ We have openly gay counselors, openly gay teachers, the gaystraight alliance, where kids openly identify with one, other, both, some
ical education teacher for 23, were together for 27 years before they were married last spring, but if they had the option, they would have done it much sooner, they said. “We would have, I think, the first year. Maybe the second year,” Jonnie said. “We would have gotten married very early on.” The couple has considered going to Canada to get married in the past, because Jonnie’s parents were growing old. But, they opted to wait it out at home, unsure whether the day would ever come. If the ban hadn’t been struck down this year, though, Elizabeth said, they were ready to go somewhere else. “Because at this point, we’re talking federal benefits and other things that we’re attaching it to,” she said. “Five years ago, that wasn’t necessarily the case … I think that made it easier to wait and hope that Michigan came along.” And it did come along, sort of. While Friedman overturned Michigan’s ban, the U.S. 6th Circuit Appeals Court issued a stay the next
have even come up with terms I’ve never even heard before. “I mean, it’s just such a different day in age. And then, you go back even further, to when I was I high school – you didn’t say it; you didn’t think it. I mean, you were so afraid … When I look at the transition from there, to
“They were taking so long with us at the counter, and I’m looking at a whole room behind us out there,” Elizabeth said. “Twelve couples didn’t make it that day. How many did we bump out? That’s something that I remember. That sticks with me.” “That was the first time they’d really dealt with it,” Jonnie said of the disappointment. “That was a life-altering moment.” After seeing protesters on the streets in Detroit, and hearing them testify in the courtroom, Andrew has little respect for the opposing side’s arguments. “Whenever people are asked why they don’t like gay marriage, they give the exact same answer: ‘Because it’s not right,’” Andrew said. “They have no reasons; they have no proper research; they have nothing that could possibly ever give them a reason to think that, other than they think it. “I’m just embarrassed for society in general for being that ignorant.”
the wedding
Despite the skin-piercing cold and fog the morning of March 22, 2014, the atmosphere was warm outside of the Washtenaw County Clerk’s Office. Bundled and huddled under blankets, hundreds of same-sex couples lined up on the corner of Ann Street and Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor. Friends, family and strangers brought steaming coffee and flowers for the couples. Reporters and photographers flitted around the line. Honks blared frequently from passing cars, giving cadence to the hum of the eager crowd. When the doors opened at 9 a.m., the crowd flooded the lobby, and one couple – Elizabeth and Jonnie – were allowed to move into the next room where they stood at a counter, accompanied by reporters and photographers, to fill out paperwork. The women could feel the weight of the crowd behind them, they said, despite at least 10 feet of separation and a glass wall. “I was very aware that the longer we took, the fewer people that were going to get married,” Jonnie said. “That
ushered through the crowd, and down the stairs, to a room with dull gray walls. An un-wiped whiteboard served as the backdrop for their ceremony. Their wedding photographers and videographers carried press passes and smartphones. It was difficult to shut out all of the flashes and shuffling of the crowd, Elizabeth said. “The nerves weren’t about getting married, after 28 years,” she said, “but just about everything all around. And then you’re supposed to be there in the moment.” They even lost one of their witnesses, Jonnie’s brother, to the crowd, they said, and had to have a stranger sign their marriage license. As soon as the ceremony was over, Elizabeth’s mom, Pat Ballard, tried to hurry them out, so that other couples could get in and get married. “Being the first, there was so much attention on them, so many reporters asking questions, that we couldn’t clear out to make room for other people,” Ballard said. They made their way outside, and after more interviews and photos and hugs, they retreated from the spotlight. “We got in the van, and we were like ‘What do we do now?’” Jonnie said. “You go from this whirlwind of activity, from the cameras, to the interviews and whatever, and you stand outside and it’s all over now,” Elizabeth recalled. “The Broken Egg just didn’t seem appropriate across the street.” So they called Weber’s and got them to open the bar early, and called friends and family, and posted invitations on Facebook, to come celebrate.
However, Washtenaw will push forward with the plan even if the state chooses not to appropriate the funds, President Rose Bellanca insisted. “My philosophy is, don’t start something you’re not going to finish,” she said. Washtenaw Community College would be unrivaled in training workers for this innovative field, according to Bellanca. And the school’s location and programs make it uniquely suited to become a leader in the industry. Michigan is still the dominant force in automotive research and development in the country, said Mike Duff, chair of the Automotive Services Technology department, and that’s not isolated to Detroit. Ann Arbor is quickly becoming the nation’s leader in research and development around
Patten and Terry exchanged rings in the basement of the County Clerk’s office in March, surrounded by family and reporters. Terry said that she never could have imagined how much a ring would mean to her. ‘I just can’t stop looking at it,’ she said. KELLY BRACHA | WASHTENAW VOICE
soon to follow. “Right now, I don’t feel we’re in danger of not being recognized in Michigan,” Elizabeth said. “I think, actually, that it will soon play out in the Supreme Court, somewhere, and this will come through, and it will be OK. “When I see the other states, or the
“You have no clue who you’re hurting,” he said. “You have no idea how many people in that group are being hurt by the stupidity that has fallen out of your mouth.” day. Since then, around 300 couples, who were married in March, have no choice but to wait again, for an indefinite amount of time, to find out if the state will recognize the marriages that are already recognized by the federal government.
Surrounded by family, Elizabeth Patten and Jonnie Terry spoke about the difficulties they’ve faced in their 28-year relationship and the excitement of knowing the fight for marriage equality may soon be over. From left, Patten’s stepfather Rich Ballard, Patten’s mother Pat Ballard, Jonnie Terry, the couple’s children Ryan Patten, 15, and Andrew Terry, 17, and Elizabeth Patten. JAMES SAOUD | WASHTENAW VOICE
TRANSPORTATION, From A1
A5
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Tucker said. ITS applies advanced communications technology and information, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, to modes of transportation, to improve safety and mobility, while reducing the environmental impact. With V2V communications, vehicles anonymously exchange information, such as speed or position, with other cars on the road to calculate risk and issue warnings to drivers. Vehicle-toInfrastructure (V2I) communications are also being developed, Tucker said. WCC’s proximity to major automotive engineering facilities, such as the U.S. EPA National Fuel and Emissions Laboratory, the Center for Automotive Research and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
(UMTRI), gives the college an advantage in the industry. The infrastructure of UMTRI Safety Pilot Project is being extended to the entire area of Ann Arbor, according to Neil Gudsen, program manager of WCC’s Business and Computer Technologies division. ITS is the latest and largest development in the automotive industry, the presenters said, and people are throwing money into research and development worldwide. By bringing ITS training to WCC, a college already strong in the areas it entails, the school will set students up to be ahead of the game for future employment. Projections suggest that 19,430 jobs will be created in this industry, said Shawn Deron, motorcycle instructor, adding that there are many jobs available right now. There are two paths for students
other court rulings coming down, I think, well, the dominoes are falling, and eventually, this will come around. This is the time for it.”
a change of heart
All members of the family said they can see a change of attitude happening around them. Pat’s husband and Elizabeth’s stepfather, Richard Ballard, used to be a teacher at Huron High School. One day, about 25 years ago, in his class, the topic of homosexuality had come up, and one student said, “We oughta take all the homosexuals and put them on an island and burn them.” So Richard said, “How would you guys like to meet one?” choosing not to explain that she was his step-daughter. He had to send a permission slip home with his students. Elizabeth, 25 at the time, came into the classroom and answered the students’ questions. One asked, “How did your parents react?” and she turned to Richard and said, “Do you want to that the college should focus on, Tucker said. He hopes to form a “pipeline for transfers” to universities investing in ITS research and development and to train technicians. “That’s where we want to rest our hat,” Tucker said. “We have a unique opportunity here,” said Glenn Kay, a welding and fabrication instructor. “We have the capability to not only heed the call of the technological advances in welding and manufacturing, but our programs – which already produce nationally recognized welders – would be further renowned for the advanced skill sets they can attain.” Cross-department collaboration is imperative to make this work, Kay said. “Only through this combined effort, can we go beyond developing skilled welders and bridge, not one, but two very vital, high-demand gaps
Richard’s class, to these guys here, each bit, each generation sort of opens it a little further.” Elizabeth said that she thinks progress will be slow and steady from here, in terms of general acceptance, much like it was with interracial marriage. “And eventually, give it 20 or 30 years down the line and it will be totally obsolete,” she said. Ryan doesn’t think it will take quite so long. “I think that the generation that’s coming up now, like kids that are being born now, when they’re in high school, like 13 years from now, this is just not even going to be a thing,” she said. Pat is more skeptical. “I’m not as optimistic, in 25 years, as that. I think that it’s going to be a whole lot better,” she said. “But, I think it’s, for the majority of the country, it’s still going to take longer than that, to get to where it’s just not even thought about, or it’s not even an issue.” But until that day comes, the family waits together, hand in hand. that reside in the welding and manufacturing industry today.” This industry needs workers who are multi-faceted, Kay said, and that’s what this training will produce. The Computer Information Systems department has been hard at work forming relationships with the local and federal departments of transportation and many of the key players involved in ITS, according to Gudsen. They have also begun the process of identifying faculty, equipment and software resources for an ITSbased curriculum, he said. “This has been brewing for a very long time,” Gudsen said. And if WCC acts now, the college can lead the way into the future of transportation. Additional reporting by Natalie Wright
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The Washtenaw Voice
WCC gives back to supportive community with free classes
experience taught her to deal with the pressure and demand of serving many people at the same time. “It was a lot of work,” Thomas said, “but worth it.” Fellow WCC baking and pastry student from Ann Arbor, Amanda Sturges, 22, felt a sense of accomplishment. “When things get hectic, stay calm,” Sturges said, explaining how she got through the day that lasted 11 hours for some of the culinary students. “It’s almost like seeing my kids grow up,” Groce said, surveying the dining room full of music, food and people. “I couldn’t be happier.” The CORE dinner will surely be an ongoing event, Groce declared.
Despite being the first growing season, with only one-third of the hoop house’s capacity used, the network of dedicated individuals and groups present left a strong impression that the project would be nurtured from many directions. “I never thought it would be this grand,” Groce said. “When you talk about food, people get excited.”
faculty who aren’t able to meet students’ needs.” budgets were adjusted to reflect his“I think that 99 percent of the time, torical spending over the last 3-5 years. when the dust settled, and we sent out “So, from my vantage point, the workbooks, the feedback that we we’re not cutting anybody’s budget,” got was, ‘This is fine; this is what I’ve Johnson said. “What’s a budget? A been spending,’” Johnson said. budget is what is needed to accomAnd for the few department chairs plish the goals of the college.” who were not confident in their budgets, adjustments have been made, adjustments make he said. sense, for most Deans and department chairs will For many department chairs meet quarterly, and then the deans will and deans, the changes are not meet with Johnson and Vice President unreasonable. of Instruction Bill Abernethy, so if any Many departments always had adjustments need to be made as the money left over at the end of the year, year plays out, that can happen. said Johnson, so that is what was cut. “What we’re trying to do different In some cases, department chairs used than we’ve done in the past, is have a that money to prepare for the next level of engagement and ownership year, Johnson said, and in many cases, of the budget,” Johnson said. “And that money went unused. we want to make that, not a once-aJohnson recently reported a $4.7 year process, but throughout the year. million surplus for fiscal year 2014, “The college is a living, breathing and $393,000 of that was from unused thing.” instructional operating budgets, the surplus report said. relying on trust “In a way, we had pretty sloppy Despite most chairs and deans accounting before,” Brandemuehl agreeing that the new budgets are said. “People like that little batch functional, faculty apprehension has of money, because they could spend not been put to rest. as much as they needed to. (The ad“This discussion seems to persist,” ministration) is just asking us to be Hurns said, “even now when the most a little more thoughtful.” common eyes see that it makes sense.” Department chairs liked that cushThe problem is, without that cushion, Brandemuehl said, because it ion in the budget, department chairs made them feel secure. need to trust that if they go to the ad“But that’s not necessarily the best ministration later in the year and say, use of the college’s resources,” she said. “I need more money,” they will get it. “That pool of money could be going Right now, that trust is not there, said somewhere else to help students.” Carrie Krantz, English and Writing “The majority of the budgets are department chair. lower than they were before,” Hurns “Now we have to go hat-in-hand to said, of her division, but the cuts our deans, and beg for money that we seem to fit the average spending in might need,” Krantz said. “It’s just so past years. paternalistic. It says that department “No one is in a situation where the chairs aren’t trustworthy of maintainbudgets are less than a degree of what ing their own budgets.” they need,” she said. “There aren’t any “It feels like all of the power is being
taken from us,” Garey said, “like we’re being micro-managed.” While Johnson maintains that these quarterly meetings are a great way to improve communication and understanding of the budgets, some department chairs they’re not worth the time. “It’s a time-intensive process,” said Allied Health department chair Connie Foster. “My concern, if I’m putting all this time in, is, is there going to be any value from it.” The Social Sciences department was one that actually saw an increase in its operating budget of $6,384, nearly 40 percent above last year. But department chair Randy Lahote said he is still worried. “That doesn’t mean I’m OK with what’s happening,” Lahote said. “I hear other chairs talking, and I’m quite concerned.” Department chairs are wary of trusting the administration. Recently, they said, Johnson agreed to come to a department chairs meeting to answer questions about the budgets. When he didn’t show up, they felt betrayed, they said. Johnson explained that he was asked by chairs to attend the meeting, and he said would – if the academic leadership team (the deans and Abernethy) wanted him to. “I didn’t know if I should be at that meeting or not; it wasn’t my call,” he said. It is important to respect the chain of command, Johnson said. “I’m always glad to go to any meeting,” he said, “but here’s what I’m aware of: The trust needs to be, in the case of the academic units, between the chairs and the deans and the vice president of instruction. “What I don’t want to do is work directly with the chairs except to support them, as they work with their leadership team.”
and aged gouda over a bed of sage and walnut pesto. The grand finale provided a parsnip and rosemary cake with creamy vanilla “rice cream” and poached Honeycrisp apples surrounded by a salted whiskey caramel sauce. The dinner guests gave the culinary students a standing ovation at the end of the meal. “They did well with a little more ambitious menu,” Anders said, “But this student group is high energy.” Tired but enthusiastic, Shameka Thomas, 36, a WCC culinary arts student from Belleville, said the
BUDGET, From A1
Nina Davidson, a 26-year-old radiography major at Washtenaw Community College, came in first place in the Michigan Society of Radiologic Technology student quiz bowl recently in Bay City. Davidson commutes from Westland and is studying to become a nurse. She joined fellow radiography students to the MSRT annual conference, where she won the award for the college. “We rubbed it in the face of the other schools and played ‘We Are the Champions’ when we won,” said Eric Lonnquist, a 42-year-old radiography major who also participated in the event, held Sept. 17-19. “The MRST event is an annual meeting,” radiography instructor William Nelson said. “What we do is we meet and have educational courses.”
Health career fair links students with employers by VIVIAN ZAGO
Staff Writer
Washtenaw Community College Career Services hosted a free career fair for those preparing for jobs in the healthcare industry, and Christina Clement made the most of it. “It’s really great to get all different employees together at one spot,” said Clement, 46, a former nursing major from Willis. “It makes job searching less complicated.” She and other jobseekers were able to meet in person with hiring managers from a wide variety of companies. Jennifer Griewahn, a corporate recruiter from Rainbow Rehabilitation Centers, was thrilled with the event. “We get our hands on the students or candidates and they can learn more about the position so they don’t have to apply blind,” Griewahn said. “Talking to them face-to-face benefits us both.” Which was precisely the purpose, said Marilyn Donham, interim dean of Career Services. “It’s really valuable, the contact between employers and students,” she said. “At a time when many employment applications are only taken online, a career fair allows
For more information on the CORE Garden, visit: http://sites.wccnet.edu/fpd/ wccs-core-garden/
Marilyn Donham, interim dean of Career Services shakes hands with Jennifer Griewahn, Rainbow’s corporate recruiter, at the career fair on Oct. 15. VIVIAN ZAGO | WASHTENAW VOICE
employers and students to actually meet and make an important face-toface connection. “It also allows students to research the specific skills that employers may want.” WCC’s Allied Health department has a long tradition of preparing students for healthcare careers, including: medical assistants, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, registered nurses, nursing assistants, diagnostic radiologists, physical therapy assistants and surgical technologists. For more information about the department, visit http://www4. wccnet.edu/departments/health/.
Percent change in operational budgets from 2014-15 40 20 0 -20 -40
Automotive Body Repair Automotive Services HVAC Industrial Technology Motorcycle Public Service Careers Residential Construction Welding/ Fabrication Public Service Training-Instruction
HARVEST DINNER, From A8
working with, the more of my own research,” Beam said. dishes I can make,” Coves said. “When Debra Golden, a WCC instrucI understand what I’m working with, I tor in continuing education, was incan change the recipe. Everyone has vited to come to teach a class named their own taste.” “Wonderful Watercolors.” She showBarbara Snow teaches non-credit cased many of her own watercolor classes about genealogy at WCC. Her creations. class, called “Finding Your Family “It was nice to show off what I do History Online,” was an explanation to a different audience,” Golden said. on how to track down ancestors and generational history by searching specific websites. “ W C C does a lot for the community, and it’s a wonderful event,” Snow said. “I love to teach genealogy, and I want more people be able to do that too.” M a r y Beam, of Ypsilanti, was at the campus mainly to attend this class, and was thrilled about the event. “I’m enjoying it and learning a lot about how to get some resources and things Michele Montour showcases felt pieces used in her course on handI can use made craft items, ‘A Dyeing Art: Silk Dyeing and Felt Collage.’ in my own NATALIE WRIGHT | WASHTENAW VOICE
Nelson also said the MRST loves to hold competitions for the students. This event was a knowledge-based student bee. “It’s like a spelling bee,” Nelson said. “The difference is the students are being asked questions about radiologic science instead of being asked how to spell words. Davidson acknowledged that the award would be a good line on her resume, but was also excited that it awarded the department more funding from the MRST. Students at WCC began practicing for the competition over the summer, on their own time. “A lot of the questions we’re practicing are things we’re learning in class,” Nelson said. “It’s a huge advantage for students. We’re reviewing things that are going to be on the national registry, which is the exam they have to take to be registered in the country. “It keeps it fresh in their mind, so it’s a huge advantage.”
Dental Life Sciences Mathematics Nursing/ Health Science Physical Sciences
Taxpayers have generously supported Washtenaw Community College for a half-century, and on a beautiful October Saturday, the college was able to pay it forward with its second annual Free College Day. Offering a diversity of classes open to the public, and with more than 20 volunteers working at the event, including students and faculty, the day was an opportunity to represent school departments and showcase different areas of the college curriculum. “It is a wonderful representation of what WCC is all about in one day,” said Janet Hawkins, the coordinator of the event. “It’s so nice to see students and instructors in such a great team effort.” Alyssa Camp, 24, of Ypsilanti, is a nursing student at WCC and the volunteer coordinator of the event for the second time. “I love it,” she said. “It’s great, because it gives back to the community what they have been giving to us for more than 50 years. It’s a way to invite them to see what we have to offer at WCC.” Chef Derek Anders, a WCC culinary arts instructor, presented the world of spices with his lecture called “Spice: A Flavor for All Seasons,” giving students some expert advice for the kitchen. “This is the best opportunity for us to give back to the community,” Anders said. “We begin to showcase the different kinds of skills and talents. It’s open to everyone, and it’s a great chance to have a solid educational experience.” LeNeile Coves, of Ann Arbor, a former WCC student, attended the class not just because she enjoys cooking, but she always wanted to be a chef. “The more I know about what I’m
by JAMES SAOUD
Managing Editor
English/Writing Social Sciences Foreign Languages Performing Arts Behavorial Sciences Humanities Academic Skills
by VIVIAN ZAGO
Staff Writer
WCC students win big at radiography conference
Radiography Physical Therapy Pharmacy Technology
October 20, 2014
Business Business Office Computer Instruction Culinary/ Hospitality Management Digital Media Arts Computer Lab
A6
Editor’s Note: This graph does not include information for Surgical Technologies which started in 2014 and had a 236 percent increase between 2014-15.
BEN ELLSWORTH | WASHTENAW VOICE
communication issues
But somewhere along this chain of command, information is not being passed on accurately, if at all. Many faculty and administrators were under the impression that, because enrollment is down, the college needed to cut costs. “The adjustments are extremely reasonable, based on the reality we’re in,” Hurns said. “For me, it just seems fairly simple, with regard to where we’re at with enrollment.” Everyone understands the effect declining enrollment has and expects belt-tightening, Baker said. But, declining tuition dollars were not what led to the cuts. While the decrease in enrollment was expected to generate a nearly $1 million loss in revenue, according to the budget presentation, the tuition hike more than offset that by generating an extra $1.2 million. The cuts were not due to a lack of funds for instruction, which received
a $1.4 million increase, as a whole, Johnson said. The new budget process was created to eliminate wasted resources and increase efficiency, so that in a time of relatively flat revenue growth, the college can find funds to continue adding and improving resources. The hope is that with these new resources, such as the new programs this fall, enrollment will start to climb again, Johnson said. Faculty, department chairs and even deans did not have a clear understanding of this, so when administrators avoided saying “budget cuts,” it made everyone suspicious. “All that communication snafu, coupled with the rhetoric that feels so Orwellian, so ‘1984,’ that’s the sort of thing that makes people crazy and hopeless,” faculty union President Maryam Barrie said. “It’s maddening and makes people feel hopeless and defensive and suspicious.” Barrie added that the “much more densely populated upper tier” leads to these communication issues.
The Washtenaw Voice
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October 20, 2014
A7
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Get where the world is going
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October 20, 2014
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A cornucopia of benefits
The Washtenaw Voice
Garrett’s serves up feast with harvest from CORE Garden
footprint and were accommodating to glutenfree and vegetarian diets. The first course of the meal offered buffetstyle small platters that included ingredients such as garden-fresh tomatoes, Swiss chard, and roasted pepper chutney. Then, the culinary display kicked off in full gear. Students quickly presented the first course in neat choreography with the upbeat music provided by WCC Music Performance faculty member John E. Lawrence and his jazz band. Working on assignments in the Writing Center, Tony Klee, 38, a WCC liberal arts student from Ann Arbor had just found out about the dinner late that afternoon and decided to attend. A self-proclaimed foodie working as a sommelier consultant, Klee was particularly intrigued by the contrasting flavors of the first plated course: a hearty pumpkin soup topped with sweetened crème fraiche and peppered with bitter coffee dust. The recent Sustainable Dinner was presented at Garrett’s by, from left, Chefs Alice Gannon-Boss, Derek Anders Next, guests were treated to a simple but and Alex Young. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE robust salad, highlighting the natural flavors of delicate baby greens and plump tomatoes by M.M. DONALDSON culinary students and a handful of faculty and that served to whet appetites for the upcoming Staff Writer community members. Young’s work in educa- entree. The main course featured a duo split and EJ STOUT tion regarding sustainable farming practices on one plate: a pan-seared quinoa cake with Managing Editor has earned him national recognition, and he roasted yams drizzled in honey next to a spaet- Dishes served at the Sustainable Dinner included a continues to serve on the WCC Culinary Arts zel with oyster mushrooms, roasted celery root puree of pumpkin soup with coffee dust, baby green and spinach salad with roasted tomatoes and a roseA short walk from Garrett’s to the CORE and Hospitality Advisory Committee. mary and parsnip cake with salted caramel sauce. Garden provided a bounty of fresh herbs and Young encouraged the students to push themSee HARVEST DINNER, Page A5 EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE vegetables for a five-course dinner served by the selves to be part of the change to create food student-run restaurant. But a network of dedi- that is healthy for both personal nutrition and cated volunteers and supporters is responsible society as a whole. He explained that “not all farms are created equal,” and consumers must for the success of that short route. Less than a year and a half since Kim Groce make tough decisions that will shape future inhad the idea of growing vegetables on WCC’s dustry practices. grounds, the campus and surrounding communiA brisk field trip to the garden before dinner ties combined efforts to celebrate the fruits – or stimulated appetites, not only from the exercise rather vegetables – of her labor. Key leaders and but also from the vivid descriptions and visuals volunteers in the creation of the CORE Garden of each planted item. and those interested in good food crowded the “Collards … tomatoes … peppers … Oh, taste restaurant to celebrate the garden’s first annual this!” could be heard as people call out various harvest on Friday, Oct. 10 with the Sustainable flora like an impromptu game of “I Spy.” Dinner at Garrett’s. WCC biology student and CORE Garden volWithin the sustainable food movement, “lo- unteer Kady Maser, 25, was just leaving when cally sourced food” is a dominant buzz phrase the assorted group arrived at the hoop house. traditionally defined as food collected from within Despite a car full of freshly harvested tomaa 100-mile radius. The restaurant and garden at toes, Ann Arbor native Maser stayed and gave Washtenaw Community College, however, sit just an enthusiastic tour of the garden’s features, two-tenths of a mile from each other. pointing out unique vegetables and eagerly Roughly 50 guests enjoyed the recent Sustainable Dinner held at Garrett’s in honor of the CORE Garden’s first annual harvest. Both the garden and the dinner represent the collaboration of many different groups on WCC’s “The vision was even bigger than I imagined,” answering questions. campus. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE Groce said. The WCC humanities, social and beThe mojito mint received a lot of attention havioral sciences counselor wanted to give stu- during the garden tour. dents access to fresh vegetables and give them a “It’s better than chewing gum,” said Melissa chance to grow the food themselves. Moffatt, 22, from Howell, after tasting the parGroce secured a spot on campus for a garden, ticularly sweet variety of mint. A WCC biology including a temperature-controlled hoop house student, Moffatt decided to attend the dinner and raised beds for herbs. Expert horticultural after knowing a classmate who was involved in advice and marketing strategies paired with the CORE Garden project. countless volunteer hours led to an edible disNearly 50 guests attended the dinner that play of heirloom and rare vegetables prime to followed and were welcomed by Kim Hurns, be transformed into gourmet meals. interim dean of Business and Computer The evening opened with Zingerman’s Technologies, whose own students took the Roadhouse managing partner and Chef Alex challenge to create several marketing and Young, speaking to an audience of mostly WCC social media proposals for the project. Upon entering Garrett’s, attendees received a “mocktail,” featuring the mojito mint with simple syrup and club soda. The guests made their way to tables already decorated with tendrils of tomato plants, pumpkins and colorful hot peppers. “This is all a synergy of really, really good work on campus,” Hurns said, introducing Groce at the head table as the special guest of the evening. Chefs Alice Gannon-Boss, Derek Anders and Alex Young were recognized for their contributions in helping the Garrett’s culinary arts and hospitality management students showcase the CORE Garden bounty in full glory. “This is to honor you, Kim, for everything,” Gannon-Boss, a WCC culinary arts instructor said about Groce’s efforts. The dinner was just one way for those involved to learn more about food sustainability and the importance of numerous groups collaborating to build a strong resource. Kim Hurns, left, interim dean of Business and Anders, also a WCC culinary arts and hospiComputer Technologies, congratulates CORE Garden founder Kim Groce at the recent Sustainable Dinner. tality instructor, described the menu and its conEJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE sideration of ingredients that had a low-carbon
Explore our campus, advisors, programs, faculty and more.
Explore Eastern. October 18 and Nov 1.
October 20, 2014
B Section
by TAYLOR ROBINSON
stumbled on their grand new location, Ed Terebus discovered,
Contributor
and SOFIA LYNCH Staff Writer
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in a vampire novel, the word Erebus: the darkness beneath the earth that the dead must pass through to reach Hades. It was a coincidence that the word
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Shelton Martin, the 36-year-old queen of Erebus, snarls for the camera. SOFIA LYNCH | WASHTENAW VOICE
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‘Terrifying isn’t it?’ makeup artist Ann Grimmett commented as she propped up a finished clown mask. SOFIA LYNCH | WASHTENAW VOICE
PONTIAC – For some, fall is about candy apples, pumpkin spice lattes and changing leaves, but for the Terebus Brothers, Ed and Jim, and the fans of their work, it’s a time for bloodthirsty brides, asylum escapees and tormenting clowns. The elder brother, Jim, had experience working in the haunted house industry. At the age of 28, he decided to build one of his own. With the help of his younger brother Ed, then 18, they turned their dream into a haunting reality. They began setting up an area in their own backyard, and by moving it to a shopping center parking lot, popularity grew. The house was 1,200 square feet and tickets went for only $1.50. However, the unrelenting rain and wind was often not on their side, repeatedly causing destruction. Trailers had become the next ideal destination. From there, the brothers began to make a name for themselves and called the attraction “The Haunted Galleries.” Within the first few years, even more additions were made. The house progressed from 3,400 to 9,800 square feet. After 20 years, their ideas started to become too ambitious for the trailers. Their father didn’t want them to part with the name they had branded themselves with over the past two decades, but Ed Terebus thought they needed a strong, one-word name. Just before the brothers
corresponded so perfectly with theirlast name, he said. The brothers found a four-story building in Pontiac, and everything was coming together. A new location and a perfect, oneword title, Erebus. Southeast Michigan fashions itself as the haunted house capital of the world. So many of these creators get together, share ideas, and even go to trade shows where most houses buy their attractions. But at Erebus, 95 percent of everything you see – and don’t see for that matter – is created in house. The owners of Erebus are also responsible for the publication, “Fear Finder,” which includes all of Michigan’s must-see spooky attractions – some that wouldn’t get much publicity otherwise. They started in a parking lot so they look out for the little guys. Ed Terebus was looking at his competition in the field of haunting in a Guinness Book of World Records he had bought for a family member when he discovered they were only 100 feet short of the record. “Doesn’t sound like a lot but that’s 100 feet of electrical, displays, costuming...” Ed Terebus said. “My measurements were off, though, and we actually beat it by quite a bit.” This half-mile of horror held the Guinness world record for largest walk-through haunted house from the 2005 season through 2009. “When we got that record, I thought we’d have it for hours. For us to hold it for five years is pretty cool,” Ed Terebus said. “Nobody can ever take that away from me. They can be bigger, but I’ll be the world record holder during that time.”
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to fear, and I know these attractions are my quickest route to an anxiety attack. slynch@wccnet.edu “You just let your imagination get the best of you,” my father insists. And that’s exactly right. PONTIAC – I have always been the definiAs Taylor and I approached this fortress of tion of a wimp. fear on the streets of downtown Pontiac, eerie Knowing this, my colleagues in the newsmusic played from overhead while we strolled room found it quite amusing when I volunbeneath a hanging (and fake) cadaver. Already teered to be the photographer who tagged along I felt the familiar feeling of fear pulling at with Taylor Robinson, a fellow reporter, to go the back of my brain, and my instincts were behind the scenes at Erebus, one of the most screaming for me to just go sit in the car. popular and scary haunted attractions in the reEd Terebus, the creator – and yes, that is gion, an attraction I vowed I’d never experience. his real last name – welcomed us at the door But I’m drawn to scary things; I love the and led us up an aged staircase. At the back mechanics of them. On long cross-country of the group, I continually stared over my runs, I used to have my friends describe in shoulder as we went up the flights, assuming detail the haunted houses they had been to be- someone in costume might try to get a reaccause they fascinate me. But I am no stranger tion from me. I was on edge from the moment I walked in the building, expecting that a warehouse full of people who live for screams would pick me out as a weak link immediately – even just walking through the back rooms. After getting to stick my camera in the face of actors in the make-up chair, preparing Voice reporters Sofia Lynch and Taylor Robinson stand with Erebus owner Ed Terebus themselves for after an inside look into the haunted attraction. SOFIA LYNCH | WASHTENAW VOICE SOFIA LYNCH
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the scares and screams that awaited them in the rooms around us, we sat down to talk with Terebus. I mentioned that getting a professional make-up job had always been a dream of mine, and he said after our interview, we could go back upstairs to don our own gruesome makeovers. I expected the creator of Erebus would have zero sympathy to fear, especially since he and his young children live in the Erebus building. But Terebus turned out to be quite the opposite. I was adamant that if I could barely handle the haunted hayride I attended, a half mile full of 90 actors and all sorts of mind tricks was not a force I could reckon with. Terebus is a man who is proud of his work – rightfully so – and he and Taylor insisted I give the house a shot. I refused a few times, but cracked when he offered to come with us. We wandered back up the stairs and down a dark hall and I tried to talk myself out of the panic-fueled mindset.
security guard of sorts – with a baseball bat. He slammed the bat against the wall, blocking my escape. My heart was in my throat. Terebus chuckled heartily and grabbed my hand to pull me along in encouragement. Panic welled up in my eyes. Usually I’m a See WIMP, Page B4
But with no knowledge of what was before me, my anxiety was rising with each step. I whimpered that I couldn’t do it and turned to run out full force. Instead, I turned to meet a
ERIK MORRIS | WASHTENAW VOICE
B2
FLIPSIDE
October 20, 2014
The Washtenaw Voice
What is the best Halloween costume you’ve ever seen? interviews and photos by Staff Writer Sofia Lynch “I helped my friend become a mummy once by buying burlap from Michael’s and wrapping him up in it. It was cooler than my $250 costume.” Grace Faulhaber, 23, Ypsilanti, journalism
“Last year for Halloween, me and my girlfriend were the zombie prom king and queen. I bought dress pants, a vest, and a fedora hat at the Salvation Army and then we cut sashes out of my old T-shirts.”
“I saw this guy that 3-D printed an iron man costume.”
Matt Hogan, 25, Garden City, psychology
Jacob Shreve, 20, Fowlerville, computer science
“Last year, my boyfriend went as Sonic. He grew out his mohawk and dyed it and clipped a tail on.”
“This one time I saw a Naruto costume and it was the sickest costume ever. He really looked like him. I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s really him!’”
Laura Fisher, 19, Ann Arbor, undecided
Karolina Kocovska, 19, Garden City, photography
“I saw one, a couple of years ago, that was a pirate-zombie hybrid, with incredibly gory makeup, and the rest of the costume looked sort of like Jack Sparrow.”
“I dressed up when I was about 35, and went out with my kid, and my neighbors thought I was actually an old man.”
Brendan Killaly, 22, Ann Arbor, academics
Scott Falconberry, 62, Dearborn Heights, mathematics teacher
“I did a really cool goth one time. I dyed my hair black and got white contacts. I had black pants and a spiky belt. And then I had a spiky bracelet and a bunch of fake piercings.”
“I saw somebody dressed up as a Roman once. They had a metal chest plate that looked handmade and well done. And the hat didn’t just look like some broom, it looked handmade and professional.”
Graham Rigby, 17, Ypsilanti, WTMC
“There was a family here at WCC, and they did a demon family costume. The mother was like a demon sorceress queen, and the baby was on a leash since it was supposed to be like a scaly creature.”
Tyler Ramsdell, 18, Ann Arbor, graphic design
BEN ELLSWORTH | WASHTENAW VOICE
“Headless horseman. They were shorter so they had the top part stop at their head. He could see through his shirt and he was holding a lantern.”
Liz Jenkins, 20, Canton, anthropology
Kyle Hargrove, 22, Dexter, history
by M. M. DONALDSON
Staff Writer
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Beverly Fish wants to be a normal person. The Washtenaw Community College instructor has tried, but an enlightening experience changed her mind and she decided to be more public about being a psychic. Dangly earrings, brightly colored clothes and other flamboyant flair might be the conjured look for the psychic stereotype, but Fish is an unassuming petite blonde who looks like she would let you cut in line at the grocery store with your two items while she has a full shopping cart. Growing up, Fish knew that her whole family was psychic as they would sent thoughts to each other, she said. She laughed at the irony that there are no secrets in a psychic family. The knowledge was kept within the family as other people who would find out considered them weird and strange. At a point in her life, she was ready to be done with her psychic abilities, but for her it was a characteristic she could not change. Several experiences changed her mind, ending with an email she received from the WCC Community
Enrichment department looking for instructors to teach paranormal classes. “We are always looking for new and innovative classes that are unique,” CE Director Monique James said. With the interest in the paranormal and time of year before Halloween, James said CE is always looking for classes that are fun and different. While CE has offered a ghost-hunting class with Fish several times in the last four years, the psychic abilities class has been popular and offered three times this year. “Some classes we put out there and give it a try,” James said. Fish said she starts her classes with participants sharing their paranormal experience. The stories are really interesting, but she tries to help people understand why those experiences happen. She said people can become more aware of these experiences through meditation, visualization and relaxation. The hardest part of being a psychic is when she gets a name in her head and wonders why she is thinking about it and what it might mean. The worst part of being a psychic, Fish said, is having a vision where pain and suffering may be happening, and she can’t do anything about it.
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FLIPSIDE
The Washtenaw Voice
October 20, 2014
B3
Arabic instructor and family find freedom, pride in Ann Arbor by VIVIAN ZAGO
Staff Writer
America is a free country that accepts and embraces people from different parts of the world every day. With that in mind, and because of the perils of life in Iraq, amid fights between religious groups, Sabri Hummadi Alhussein sought a safer and more stable life in the United States. He brought his family to freedom and a better life in America five years ago. Four years ago, he began teaching Arabic at Washtenaw Community College. And during a recent visit with the WCC President Rose Bellanca, when she invited faculty to meet her over coffee, Alhussein expressed his joy in his work at the college by bringing his entire family. “I thought it might be a good opportunity for me to introduce my family to president of the school,” Alhussein said. “She was very nice, very humble.” “Some Arabic students are born here, but they want to have this connection with their families, or some can’t speak a different dialect,” Alhussein said. It can be a challenge, acknowledged Michelle Garey, chair of the Foreign Language department. “Professor Hummadi is very respected by both his students and colleagues for his impeccable professionalism,” Garey said. “He does a remarkable job working with the diverse student population that enrolls in our Arabic courses. “Our Arabic instructors, Professor Hummadi and Professor (Salah) Alabbasi, must perform a balancing act to meet the educational needs of both native Arabic speakers that are studying the ‘high form’ of the language for the first
Sabri Hummadi Alhussein and his students enjoy practicing Arabic pronunciations during a recent classroom quiz. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
time, as well as our American students that had never heard a word of Arabic before enrolling in class. It’s a very tall order.” His students appreciate Alhussein’s commitment in the classroom, too. “He’s a good teacher and really patient,” said Mary Abraham, 28, of Ann Arbor, who hasn’t declared a major. “He’s not biased. He is really good
Alhussein moved with his family to the United States five years ago. The family has embraced life in America and at WCC, where Alhussein taught Arabic for four years. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
at explaining the complexities of what is going on in the Middle East, without picking a side.” Bassel Jafar, 20, a business major from Ann Arbor, agreed. “He’s an excellent teacher, he’s really nice and he helps students as much as he can,” Jafar said. “He teaches us about the culture and life in general, and is always in touch with us.” Alhussein is encouraging the college to open another Arabic course that he insists “would benefit a lot of students.” His suggestion seems to be gaining some traction in his department. “Hopefully, we will be able to offer the second year sequence of Arabic in the near future,” Garey said. “At this time, we offer four semesters of Spanish, but only the first two of French, Arabic and German. My goal would be to offer all four semesters of every language that we offer at WCC. “However, the enrollment numbers would need to support this. I’d be happy to discuss the possibility and timeline for a third semester Arabic course with our Arabic instructors as well as our dean.” Born in Iraq in 1949, Alhussein grew up in a village in the Babil province. He graduated from the Department of Arabic Language Faculty of Arts at Mustansiriya University in Baghdad in 1973, then earned a master’s degree from Cairo
University in 1978 and a doctorate from the University of Baghdad in 1984. Alhussein taught diverse literary courses for both undergraduate and graduate students in various programs, including Modern Arabic Literature (Poetry and Prose) and Modern Literary Criticism. He has published 12 books about the impact of folklore on the Iraqi novel. Married to Widjan Alsayegh for 25 years, the couple has three children: a son, Qais, a WCC student; and two daughters, Shams, an Eastern Michigan University student, and Lilac, the youngest. His wife teaches poetry at University of Michigan, and she’s also a writer. But living in Iraq, it was very dangerous for her to write about what she really wanted. “We had to be careful about our writings,” Alhussein said. “It was dangerous, and we suffered discrimination.” America gave them liberty and an opportunity to write about what they like, he said, and they have developed a good relationship with publishers of newspaper and magazines. Meantime, Alhussein and his family have no plans to return to Iraq, except for family visits. “Things here are great, especially compared to Iraq,” he said. “The life quality here is at another level.”
Learn a second language, go to the head of the class by VIVIAN ZAGO
Staff Writer
Language is the gateway to culture. Numerous studies have found that being bilingual helps to prevent dementia, develops thinking and communication skills and help people become better listeners. Speaking a foreign language enables people to communicate with others they may never have been able to communicate with. Learning another language will change travel experiences, enabling people to immerse themselves into culture in a different way. “It’s vitally important to start to learn a
foreign language,” said Michelle Garey, chair of students’ goals are and what they plan to do with the foreign language department at Washtenaw the language. Community College, and also a Spanish teacher. “Students that are planning to transfer to “Some of the jobs right now, available in the U.S. U-M, they have a four-semester foreign language are created as a result of a foreign trade, so to requirement, and so Spanish would be better have the ability to speak another language does for them, because they can get it done here at help getting a better paying job.” WCC,” Garey said. “Students that may want to Washtenaw offers four options for students go into international business might want to who want to learn a foreign language: Spanish, take Arabic or German.” German, French and Arabic. The idea is to help According to Garey, Spanish is by far the most prepare students not just to be competitive in popular language WCC offers, because it’s a very the market place, but also to provide them with practical and marketable language. The majority the awareness of global diversity and cultural of the students that are taking French or German competence, according to Garey. are American students, and most of them either The choice of the language depends on what studied those languages in high school, or they
COuntries with ARABIC Palestine AS A NATIONAL LANGUAGE
Tunisia
Morocco Algeria
Lebanon Jordan
Israel
Libya
Egypt
Syria
Kuwait
Bahrain Qatar
Iraq Saudi Arabia
Mauritania
Oman Chad
Sudan
United Arab Emirates
Yemen Dijibouti Somalia
Maldives
have some kind of passion or interest in learning those languages. “Arabic has a different population than most of our languages classes,” Garey said. “It’s a very interesting language, where there’s a vernacular form of the language that’s spoken; there is a written form for academics, and it’s a very different form from the spoken form.” Some of the students taking the Arabic class are American, one of them is from China, and some went to Iraq and had to learn the language, according to Sabri Alhussein Hummadi, the Arabic instructor at WCC for four years. But most of Arabic students are of Middle Eastern descendent. Many know how to speak, but they might not know how to read and write. “Some of them know dialect form, but here I teach standard Arabic,” Hummadi said. “And also, most of them couldn’t write in Arabic, so here they have the opportunity.” “My husband speaks Arabic from the Army, and we’ve both been to Iraq,” said Megan Taylor, 25, a liberal arts major from Ann Arbor. “I have some skills, but I want to improve so we can talk to each other better.” Arabic has a number of different dialects. Lebanon, Syria and Jordan might have a similar vernacular, but in Iraq the language can be very different. They couldn’t speak with each other and understand, but they all have the same written form, Garey said. Abdollaah Irfan, 18, is originally from Missouri, and he is taking Arabic classes to improve his communication with his family. “I went to Yemen when I was 1, and after I came back to America, I kind of lost the way we pronounce some words,” Irfan said. “Since my sister speaks Arabic fine, I want to learn to speak fluently with my mother.” Hummadi is hoping to teach Arabic III for the Winter semester, a demand that many students are requesting. “All of my life I was a teacher,” Hummadi said. “I’m really expecting that the department of Foreign Languages will give the continuity to the Arabic course.”
Number of students enrolled in foreign languages, Fall 2014: Arabic: 53 students German: 53 students French: 80 students Spanish: 340 students
Comoros EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
B4
October 20, 2014
FLIPSIDE
Many options available for transfer students by PAULETTE PARKER
Contributor
An array of tables covered in pamphlets, flyers and free pens filled the second floor of the Student Center as Washtenaw Community College hosted its Fall Transfer Fair. Transfer representatives from more than 50 colleges and universities were on hand to answer questions and pass out freebies. Students weaved their way through the crowd seeking answers to a variety of inquiries. Special Education major Kimberly Cotton, 30, of Ypsilanti, was looking for schools that could accommodate her specific set of needs. “I asked schools if they have programs for special education students, because most schools don’t,” Cotton said. She found a few schools that provide services for students with special education needs, including Michigan State University. “Michigan State is the top school for people with disabilities,” Cotton said. Bill Sieners, 58, a 3-D Animation and video production major from Adrian, visited the fair on his way to class. He gathered information on Columbia University’s prestigious film school. “I used to do this full-time in the ’80s,” Sieners said. “But I don’t know any of the digital stuff.” Daniel Medrow, senior adviser in the Office of Admissions at Eastern Michigan University, had no shortage of students interested in the transfer process to EMU. “Students are asking things like what would transfer, when I should transfer,” Medrow said. A common concern seemed to be shared among many of the fair attendees: making the most of transfer credits. The process of transferring to a four-year institution will now be simplified due to the implementation of the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). The MTA is an agreement between Michigan community colleges and four-year institutions that guarantees the transferability of a block of general education credits. To fulfill the MTA, students must successfully complete at least 30 credits of coursework in six defined areas with at least a grade of 2.0 in each course. The MTA replaces the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) agreement. Unlike the MACRAO, which was only accepted by a handful of colleges and universities, every two- and four-year institution in Michigan has agreed to sign on to the MTA. “The completion of the MACRAO and the MTA simply verifies to the transfer institution that accepts MTA and/or MACRAO that the student has met the general education requirements and they can’t make them take more, more math, more science,” said John Rinke, director of support services in Counseling and Career Planning at WCC. Students who started at WCC prior to fall of 2014 have the option to complete a MACRAO transfer until the end of summer of 2019. “If you are a brand new student this fall, you only have one choice, that’s MTA,” Rinke said. The best transfer option depends entirely
The Washtenaw Voice
College provides free instruction by M. M. DONALDSON
Staff Writer
Everyone loves a free gift with purchase. Yet, many students at Washtenaw Community College don’t take advantage of the one student service that costs nothing to access, but could increase the money they make or affect the college they transfer to. Any WCC student has the benefit of free tutoring services, whether or not tuition costs are out of pocket or covered by scholarships or grants. Vanessa D’Souza, 19, WCC general studies student from Ann Arbor, is one of more than 1,300 students who uses the tutoring through Learning Support Services. “I go there a lot,” D’Souza said. Her goals are to become an elementary teacher. She uses the biology and math tutoring at least two times a week because, “it helps a lot more when they explain it.” Bill Sieners, right, a 58-year-old 3-D animation and filmmaking student from Adrian, talks with a representative from Columbia College in Chicago regarding the school’s prestigious film program. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
on the individual. “The student can run their own unofficial audit of both the MACRAO and MTA, it all depends on what they’ve taken,” Rinke said. This process is done using the DegreeWorks database on the WCC website. There is assistance available to those who need it. “You can go to the Student Connections or meet with a counselor to learn how to use DegreeWorks,” Rinke said. Students must apply for either agreement. Applications can be obtained through Counseling and Career Planning, the Student Connections or WCC’s website. “That will generate an official evaluation, and you’ll get an official response,” Rinke said. This can be done concurrently with a graduation application. “Several months before you plan to finish, apply for all those things,” Rinke said. It is possible to transfer at any time before fulfilling the MTA or MACRAO requirements. However, the advantage to transferring utilizing an agreement? “Money,” Rinke said. Earning as many useable credits as possible from a twoyear institution is a huge money saver. College counselors and academic advisers can assist you with career information, four-year college options, transfer plans and application deadlines. “We pull up your WCC unofficial transcript, tell you what you can still take, when to transfer, things like that,” Medrow said. He is available to assist prospective EMU transfer students every Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. in the Counseling and Career Planning department.
MARC PARDO | WASHTENAW VOICE
In the GM 201 Tutoring Center, on a Wednesday awarded LSS the funding for these and other afternoon, D’Souza and nearly 20 students can workshops on time management, test-taking be found studying cell membrane permeability, strategies and test anxiety. working with the Pythagorean Theorem and takLSS has about 16 tutors each semester, with ing tests while anatomy dummies, with various many who are retired from education or curlayers of their viscera exposed, grin at nothing rent University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan from the perimeter of the room. University or WCC students, Guerrero said. The math and science tutoring are most There tends to be a core group of tutors from used, according to Debra Guerrero, director year to year. of Leaning Support Services. They are treatTutor Carolyn Getz has been with WCC for ed more like study groups, along with nursing, eight years, providing help with biology, chemchemistry and computers. Most other subjects istry and math. are covered under general studies tutoring, and “We can help all students. Whether they are can offer one-on-one help. Students using the struggling in class or doing well. They can do tutoring services must be in a class to access the better,” Getz said, taking a brief break while appropriate tutoring. more students checked in at the front desk. She “We try not to turn anyone away,” Guerrero works with a variety of students, some who will said, noting that LSS cannot cover every class come once and others who will come every day. offered at WCC, but there is usually something Occasionally, she will have a student who just the student can be helped with. The needs of any wants the answers but does not want to learn the enrolled WCC student, WTMC and even those concept, and she finds the experience frustratdually enrolled can range from brushing up on ing when the point of tutoring services is to help note-taking skills or raising reading levels to students understand the concepts. qualify for college credit courses that require a The one-on-one work is rewarding, she said, minimum reading level. when students tell her they have a better grasp of Only about one-tenth of the WCC student the material. She may not get the feedback until population uses the tutoring services, despite days or weeks later, but sometimes a student will attempts made to make students aware of the tell her before leaving that session. LSS services. “We are here to help them to be successful in While new students are informed of the tu- their classes,” Getz said. toring services during orientation, Guerrero Some concepts can be so difficult that they said LSS also makes the rounds to various de- can make the tutoring sessions disappointing partment meetings to remind and update the for Sarah Khan, 19, WCC liberal arts major from faculty of services, in addition to periodic emails Ann Arbor who uses the tutoring centers once sent to instructors and information tables at or twice a week. various college events. Some instructors identify “For math tutoring, I don’t like that they won’t the tutoring center on the syllabus and actively sit with you at the computer,” Khan said, explainrefer students. ing that the tutors are instructed to only help As the needs of students change, LSS tries with specific math problems. She expressed a find ways to accommodate them. With more desire for more feedback on a subject she doesn’t students taking notes on various mobile devices, feel confident about. “I need help getting the the staff realized that there might be a way to gist of it.”
Study skills workshops
Daniel Medrow, left, provides students interested in attending EMU with important transfer information. Medrow serves as a senior adviser in the Office of Admissions at EMU and is available on WCC’s campus every Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
WIMP, From B1 prideful girl, but I had given up all ties to my integrity as I cried against the man whose brainchild we were walking through. Curiosity and my lifeline, Terebus, were the only things causing my legs to allow each forward step. I cowered in the neck of my sweater and somewhere in the rational part of my mind I knew it was all fake – as I watched one of the actors we interviewed run around the side of the room – but alarm had taken me over. When the first room had run its course, I was a headless sweater, crying against a man I barely knew. Ed never poked fun, which meant more than he knew, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t aware he immensely enjoyed getting to witness the horror his work can bring first-hand. He gave me a personal peek – the scaredycat version – of what was going on inside some of the haunts I refused to step foot in, and even
help students maximize the use of technology, Guerrero said. LSS is using Strategic Initiative funding to provide workshops in which students can learn about the various mobile device apps that can be used for studying and note-taking. The WCC Strategic Plan priorities for student success
APPS AND SKILLS SESSION: See the apps in action let me check out the outskirts of one room, The Swamp, so that I wouldn’t have to encounter any of the actors. I’m grateful that he didn’t point at me and laugh like he had full right to do and tried to share as much of his masterpiece with me as he could. So I can’t vouch for the inside of the attraction, but the owner is one hell of a guy. I don’t know if you can count this experience as me facing my fears. More accurately, I was dragged to look them right in the eye, but it was my favorite field experience as a reporter to date. At the end of my tour, Terebus escorted me to the board as sirens rang out, signifying that Erebus had claimed its 100th “wimp” for the season. And I wear that title with pride. Now I can proudly say, I am truly a wimp by definition.
Monday, Oct. 20 Noon-1 p.m. OE 129
HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Try out the latest devices
Wednesday, Oct. 22 Noon-1 p.m. OE 101
FOR MORE INFO ON LSS TUTORING SERVICES: LA 104 or GM 201/203 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 734-973-3342 http://www4.wccnet.edu/resources/learningassistance/learningsupport/
SPORTS
The Washtenaw Voice
October 20, 2014
B5
New Wolfpack leader at WCC by M. M. DONALDSON
Staff Writer
Passion and loyalty are two qualities Washtenaw Community College can never have enough of. As the new director of WCC Sports, Matt Lucas intends on using his passion for sports to make changes across the campus. He has set goals to use WCC Sports as a tool to increase enrollment – and not just in sports. He feels he can do this by getting students more
involved in campus life, whether the students are new or returning. Lucas becomes very animated and starts talking faster as he explains what sports are capable of doing for the college, especially building relationships. Lucas started coaching after graduating from Dundee High School in 2002, where he played football. Having an interest in law, he pursued and received a bachelor’s degree in political science
from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He continued coaching during that time and was exposed to the administrative side of sports, which led him to complete a master’s degree in sports management from Eastern Michigan University in 2010. Taking the position of assistant athletic supervisor at Ann Arbor Public Schools, Lucas decided to learn as much as he could with the various aspects of sports. He really wanted to see how athletics are run and spent time
Matt Lucas, new director of WCC Club Sports, overlooks the recent men’s basketball tryouts at the Health and Fitness Center. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
working behind the scenes, from announcing to ticket taking. “We are so excited for him,” Huron High School Athletic Director Dottie Davis said, regarding his new position with WCC Sports. She identifies his love of kids and his love of sports to fit perfectly with being in charge of an athletic department. Lucas is co-president of the Huron Booster Club and still works closely with Davis. “He is a great people person,” Davis said. “Being a people person is an important skill to have, working in athletics.” Davis complimented Lucas as being a great organizer and bringing leadership to WCC. She said he has learned a great deal from several mentors and he loves to learn. The relationships developed through sports are important, Lucas said. Having had several supportive relationships with coaches himself, he wants to model his influence that way. To do this requires developing an atmosphere that is inclusive, from him as director, to the coaches and the student players, or a sports family as he describes. Meantime, Lucas is looking at creating more sports opportunities in which students and staff are able to interact. Lucas’ other passion, Relay for Life, familiarized him with WCC. Through his participation at WCC Relay for Life hosted events, he met Erica Lemm, the former WCC Sports coordinator, and learned more about WCC Sports and what it offered. Less of a uniform, Lucas wears his Wolfpack green WCC Sports shirt often, understanding the branding that goes along with sports. His loyalty also extends to the Michigan Wolverines, and he openly admits to being a Lions fan, too.
WCC men’s hoops club braces for toughest schedule by BRANDON SMITH
Contributor
Fourth-year men’s basketball coach Michael Mosley has put together one of the most rigorous schedules in Washtenaw Community College’s club sports history – 11 games, all against collegiate competition. No city-rec (beer league) games for this team, anymore. And Mosely had no trouble finding players to put a competitive Wolfpack team on the floor. When he put out the call for interested students to register, 74 signed up. When he held the first tryouts recently, 52 showed up – 20 more than last season. But if the attrition rate is anything like last year, the strength in numbers should be a good thing. By the end of last season, his 22-man roster was down to nine. “There were certain guys that wanted to participate, but not make the commitment,” Mosely said, explaining how he’s spending a lot of time these days talking about commitment that he is unwilling to negotiate, the kind he saw from his players at the end of the season. “Those nine guys, they were the core,” Mosley said. “They never missed games or practices.” Returning guard Brandon Thompson, 23, an exercise science major from Flint, and forward Jamal Humble, 25, an occupational studies major from Detroit, were among them. “We didn’t have much of a bench anymore,” Thompson said. “We just had to be ready to play hard.” They did, and Humble saw the results. “Towards the end of last season, we started playing as a unit,” he said. Mosley loved what he saw in those players – and he’s looking for more of them. That’s why when he interviews new players trying out for the team, he makes a point to ask, “Can you represent Washtenaw?” It’s a question that he requires all of his players to answer, through their commitment, time and hard work. “You just have to be dedicated,” said Thompson. Mosley wants team-oriented players who are willing to sacrifice with an ultimate goal to not only enhance themselves as athletes, but as students too. Their reward: 11 games against other college athletes, starting with an Oct. 25 tip-off against Henry Ford College in Dearborn, and ending with the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Tournament in mid-February in Indianapolis. “Students have set an interest to play against those schools,” said Mosley, who has been coaching for 18 years since his playing days at Adrian College. Previously, he coached at Swanton High School in Ohio, and he served as an assistant at his alma mater in Adrian. Mosley is confident that an all-college schedule will play a significant role in the development of the WCC club basketball program, especially with four of those nine core players returning. Their experience, leadership, and understanding of Mosley’s coaching concepts will be of great importance over the course of this season. “He’s definitely a good person to learn from,” Humble said. Among the newcomers is guard Kyle Van Dusen, 18, a general studies student from Dexter. “I want to help the team get better,” he said. Many players expressed excitement and anticipation about the competition this year. “There’s a lot of teams on the schedule that we didn’t play last year that I can’t wait to play,” Humble said. “The experience,” Thompson said, of playing other college teams will be valuable, “being able to travel and play different types of competition.” “I actually have friends that are on some of the college teams we’re facing, so I’m excited,” Van Dusen added.
WCC men’s basketball coach Mike Mosley directs drills during basketball tryouts at the HFC on Wednesday, Oct. 8. EJ STOUT | WASHTENAW VOICE
B6
VERDICT
October 20, 2014
The Washtenaw Voice
A review of autumn-inspired beers from local and national breweries by EJ STOUT
Managing Editor
Throughout the year, breweries across America work to capture and bottle the essence of each season. Crisp, citrus-forward wheat ales provide a refreshing companion to hot summer evenings while thick, malty stouts are distributed during the long winter frost. In Michigan, however, no season produces more varietal brewing styles than fall. Brewmasters have latched onto the season’s potential and have worked hard to create recipes that go hand-in-hand with the state’s colorful and cozy autumn atmosphere. The Voice staff rated a selection of these autumn-inspired beers to see what all the hype was about. We chose seasonal beers that represented a range of regions, price points and flavor profiles. Samuel Adams, in Boston, Massachusetts, serves as a gateway to the craft beer industry with generic and safe offerings, while Dogfish Head’s unconventional brewing styles target a much smaller audience from its headquarters in Milton, Delaware. Our goal was to use most of our taste buds evaluating Michigan breweries, so we sampled varieties from Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire, New Holland Brewing in Holland, and local Ann Arbor spot, Arbor Brewing Company. Some breweries focus on the crisp flavors of early fall, while others draw attention to the season’s darker, more powerful profiles. We found that one stood out among the competition.
Natalie Wright Editor
EJ Stout Managing Editor
Erin Fedeson Contributor
Taylor Robinson Contributor
Seeker of the Hops
Craft Beer Enthusiast
Amateur Lightweight Taster
Dark Brew Babe
Overall, the craft beer industry has done pretty well. Any of these five styles will undoubtedly suit you better than the
mass-produced and uninspired offerings of the corporate breweries. Our favorite? The hometown howler: Violin Monster.
OctoberFest Samuel Adams
Ichabod New Holland Brewing
Violin Monster Arbor Brewing Company
Autumn Ale Short’s Brewing Company
Punkin Ale Dogfish Head
5.3% ABV 16 IBUs $10 per 6-pk
5.2% ABV 26 IBUs $18 per 6-pk
9.3% ABV 35 IBUs $13 per 6-pk
6.5% ABV 45 IBUs $12 per 6-pk
7.0% ABV 28 IBUs $10 per 4-pk
Natalie: This smells and tastes like fall leaves, but is also pretty bland. EJ: Woodsy with slight citrus overtones. Nothing exaggerated – this beer lacks distinguishing flavor. Erin: I got a strong sense of fumes in my mouth. Taylor: Medium-heavy classic Sam Adams; however, no prominent flavors.
Natalie: Smells like nutmeg with a sour pumpkin finish. EJ: Strong spice throughout with a sour finish. Overwhelming nutmeg. Erin: This is some kind of gland attack – not a big fan. Taylor: Lighter-bodied. The burp offers a shower of fall flavors.
Natalie: Sour, hoppy and refreshing. EJ: Very citrusy and bright flavors. More “late summer” than autumn. Erin: Bitter attack. Taylor: Tastes like (Sam Adams) OctoberFest, but better. More flavorful.
Natalie: Not overly flavored or sweet. How a pumpkin beer should be. EJ: Very balanced use of pumpkin, considering how wary I am of flavored beers. Erin: A cool slice of drink. Taylor: Hops take over the overall flavor and structure of the brew. Underlying pumpkin flavor.
Natalie: Sweet caramel smell, cinnamon flavor with a roasted finish. EJ: Chocolate aroma. Smooth caramel texture rolls over tongue. Erin: Very, very, very tart. Taylor: Mmm, love that dark beer! Chocolaty and smooth, balanced with a bitter finish.
ABV: Alcohol by volume, IBU: International Bittering Units, Prices are average
Don’t just imagine it. New Weezer album is ‘alright’ by JAMES SAOUD
Managing Editor
My earliest memories of Weezer are playing street hockey with my neighborhood friends when I was 10 or 11 years old. The band struck a chord with me, and thousands of people like me, around the world. Unlike most musicians, these guys were nerds, and we related. We sang along to songs like “The Good Life” and “In the Garage,” and we sang along like we meant it. When the group’s second self-titled record came out (known best as “the green album” or simply “green”) the band launched itself into the mainstream, while still keeping their nerdrock origins. However, once Weezer hit the mainstream, it became harder to relate to. We were still nerds and suddenly, the worst thing that could ever happen to a band that we praised for writing songs about playing Dungeons and Dragons happened. It became cool. Weezer’s new album, “Everything Will Be Alright in the End,” doesn’t suck. Which is high praise considering the band’s last few records. Since 2001, Weezer has become more or less irrelevant in the rock world with releases like 2005’s “Make Believe” and 2009’s “Ratitude.” The band had regressed from the emo-pop masterminds that released its first self-titled album in 1994 (known to the band’s fans as “the blue album” or simply “blue”) and 1996’s
genre-defining “Pinkerton.” With “Everything Will Be Alright in the End,” Weezer tries to return to its roots and write music that sounds more like its earlier music. Unfortunately, it’s only somewhat successful with this effort. “Ain’t Got Nobody,” the album’s opening track, starts off with a massive nostalgic bang. The song is loud, fun and has a melody similar to those of the earlier records. But things get a little messy with the next track, the album’s first single, “Back to the Shack.” The song is little more than an apology to Weezer fans, acknowledging its musical shortcomings in the last decade. It would be a much better apology to just get back to writing good music, rather than writing lyrics about how bad the last three albums were. However, while many of the album’s songs are forgettable, tracks like “Eulogy for a Band” and “Foolish Father” really are interesting songs – and I’m giving Weezer the credit for trying so hard please fans, even if it shows a little too much. Though a few songs really stand out and “EWBAITE” is, by a long-shot, their best album in years, it’s obvious here, more than ever, that Weezer has truly lost its magic. It’s sad to realize that this is probably the best it will ever be again. I’d love to think otherwise, but the band has let us down far too many times to trust. But fear not, Weezer fans, everything really will be alright in the end. So long as we still have those first few records.
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PLAY PAGE
The Washtenaw Voice
BARK
October 20, 2014
BLAZE, CALM DOWN.
WOW, GREAT SOUND EFFECTS!
NO DUDE, THE HUMANS DO IT EVERY YEAR. I’M NOT SURE WHY, BUT THEY START MAKING YOU WEAR WEIRD THINGS TOO.
ZABOO! IS THAT YOU? EVERYONE’S COMING TO MURDER US! HELP ME LOCK DOWN THE HOUSE!
BARK
B7
BARK
WWW.PUZZLES.CA
ACROSS 1 Toast spreads 5 Head-and-shoulders statuette 9 Charitable sort 14 Cain’s victim 15 Lotion additive 16 “Drab” color 17 Ashram authority 18 Agent Scully on “The X-Files” 19 Rubber tree product used in paint 20 “What is our flatware made of, Lone Ranger?” 23 Pea container 24 “Sonic the Hedgehog” developer 25 NFL scores 28 Red, White or Black 30 Reddish-yellow 35 Toward the ship’s rear 36 “What does it take to succeed in Hollywood, Tonto?” 39 Quahog, for one 41 In the past 42 Write with acid 43 “What makes up my mane, Roy Rogers?” 48 Environmental prefix 49 Meryl who played Julia Child 50 Nine-digit-number issuing org. 51 Bad-mouth 52 Rock concert gear 55 CBS forensic drama 57 Start of the “Mister Ed” theme song, and hint to who is asking 20-, 36- and 43-Across 64 North Carolina fort 65 “It’s a __!”: “Easy!” 66 Abound 67 Quotable Yogi 68 “Canterbury” story 69 Eve’s mate 70 Bakery array 71 Google find 72 VAIO PC maker
VISIT US ONLINE. WWW. WASHTENAWVOICE.COM
DO IT.
CLASSIFIEDS
Send ads to thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com Note: Deadline for the Nov. 3 issue is Thursday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m.
FO R SA LE DENTAL KIT, for Dental Assisting students. Very Special Deal to save you hundreds. 734 717-7105 or strager@wccnet.edu
SE RV I C E S VOLUNTEER TUTORS: Washtenaw Literacy needs volunteers to tutor adults in basic reading, writing, math and English as a Second Language. Help change lives – one word at a time! Contact info@washtenawliteracy.org or call 734-879-1320. NEED HEALTH CARE? Are you between the ages of 12-22? Contact the Corner Health Center at 734-484.3600 or visit online at: www. cornerhealth.org.
H E LP WA NT E D CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIANS. Speedy Auto Service and Novi Firestone are accepting applications. Competitive pay, medical /dental benefits and 401K. Immediate openings available. Apply online at www.speedyautoservice.com DIRECT SUPPORT STAFF. Seeking caring compassionate individuals for all shifts to provide services for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses in their own homes in the Ann Arbor/Dexter area. Services
include, but are not limited to, passing medications, providing personal care, socializing, transporting, cooking, and cleaning. Must be available to work weekends and holidays, have a valid Michigan driver’s license, reliable transportation and pass a criminal history check. No experience required. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and make a major difference in someone’s life. Phone Lindsay at 734-485-1722 weekdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., or FAX resume to 734-485-4230. Below is a sample of recent employment want ads which have been posted with WCC Career Services. Students are invited to read these ads and to contact Career Services to find out how to apply for the openings. Career Services is located in ML 104. For more information, phone 734-677-5155, email careers@wccnet.edu, or visit www.wccnet. edu/careerconnection/ CUSTOMER LENDING SALES REPRESENTATIVE. Consult with customers about their financial and personal objectives and offer loan solutions to help them achieve their goals. Effectively identify customer credit needs and provide appropriate loan solutions. Build strong, trusting relationships with new and existing customer. Provide exceptional service to ensure customer satisfaction and a continued relationship with financial firm. Work as an individual contributor and as part of a team to achieve business/organizational goals.
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. Work directly with customers through the entire lending cycle from loan application to loan closing. Ensure that all lending documents and processes are completed per internal policies /processes. Manage collection activities including processing payments and consulting with customers on loan payments for past due accounts HOME HEALTH AID. Seeking caregivers that have a desire for excellence and to make a true difference in the life of a senior. Must be able to pass a drug test, driving record check and background check. Have reliable transportation. Be dependable, reliable, and responsible. Be willing to attend extensive home care and dementia training. Prior training/experience a plus, but if we feel you have the compassion and willingness to learn we will train. WEB DEVELOPER. Help design, create, and maintain responsive website and e-commerce applications. Web developers must follow good Webdesign principles and Web-development practices. Must also actively participate in design discussions and promote quality design before writing code. Telecommuting may be an option for this position. AFTER SCHOOL CLASSROOM CAREGIVER. Seeking several qualified and motivated classroom caregivers responsible for working directly with students, planning daily activities, monitoring homework hour and working with the site director and other staff to foster a safe and effective
WWW.MCTCAMPUS.COM
DOWN
1 Sporty English autos 2 Lie against 3 Nothing more than 4 Drink inelegantly 5 “I wouldn’t do that if I were you” 6 __ Bator 7 Top 40 numbers 8 Poke fun at 9 Cents partner 10 One of five Norwegian kings 11 Evening, in ads 12 Above 13 Tyrannosaurus __ 21 ABC drama about a missing plane 22 “__ Rhythm” 25 Dials next to speedometers, for short 26 C sharp equivalent 27 Step in a flight 29 Jai __ 31 Blackjack half 32 Pre-eminent 33 Designer Aldo 34 Spirit of a culture 37 With 38-Down, yuletide quaffs 38 See 37-Down 40 G.I. field ration 44 Riot squad’s supply 45 Readings on 25-Down: Abbr. 46 Bloodhound’s quarry 47 Unthinking 53 Orkin targets 54 Mount in Exodus 56 Greek i’s 57 Field of expertise 58 Quaint “Listen!” 59 Fairy tale baddie 60 Crystals in a shaker 61 Change the decor of 62 Actor Connery 63 Television award 64 “Doctor Who” network
environment for children in 5 through the eighth grade. 20 hours per week (M-F, 2:30-6:30 p.m.), at one of five different regional locations. MACHINIST. 2nd and 3rd shift full-time employees. Set-up and operate Bridgeport mills (Prototrak and Accurite controls), lathes, surface grinders and horizontal mills. Excellent benefits package. AUTO TECHNICIANS/MECHANICS ENTRYLEVEL. Work with cutting edge technology, on experimental vehicles built with brand new parts in a large, multi-hoist garage in a clean indoor shop environment. Build a car from the ground up working as part of a growing team. Seeking entrylevel automotive technicians/mechanics for day and afternoon shifts available in Allen Park facility. SERVER, COOKS, HOST STAFF. Prepare food for guests in a clean safe environment. Maintain company standards of operation with a guestcentric attitude. Fast-paced and able to stand on feet for 5-8 hours at a time. HELP DESK SPECIALIST. Provide entry level IT technical support for both hardware and software issues for Windows-based PC and notebook users. INSURANCE AGENT/INSIDE INSURANCE SALES. Consult with prospective clients about their current and future insurance needs to help them find the right policy at an affordable rate. Use state-of-the-art technologies to quote and run insurance underwriting reports and process insurance applications. No cold-calling. Work 4555 hours per week, which can include some weekends. Come as you are. We consider candidates with various work backgrounds and experiences. No insurance experience necessary. Four weeks of intense, industry-leading insurance-sales training. Opportunities for other incentives, rewards and
contests including trips, event tickets, cash prizes and more. SEASONAL R E TA I L STOCK MERCHANDISER. Be an integral part of bringing the magic to shoppers during the fast-paced holiday season. While all seasonal positions require working as part of a team to meet department and store objectives, your individual responsibilities may include placement of new merchandise receipts on the selling floor, moving merchandise to prepare for sales events, pulling merchandise for shipping to customers, and completing price changes. Work hours are early morning between 5 a.m.-2 p.m. MATH INSTRUCTOR. A math-only learning center in the Ann Arbor/Dexter area has an opening for a math instructor to work with students in grades 2-12. Curriculum and materials are pre-determined for each student, and instructor will apply the teaching methods presented during training. Exceptional math skills through Algebra II, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus required. Hours may vary, but could include mid-afternoon through early evening, M-Th and Sunday mornings, approximately 8-16 hours per week (flexible). Starting compensation is $10/hour. LABORATORY TECHNICIAN. 1st or 2nd shift needed to provide chemical and/or mechanical testing support for material, product/ system development, validation and quality activities. Work closely with engineering and other technicians to provide testing support in a timely manner to provide analysis and test results so that projects are completed as scheduled and objectives are achieved. Monitor testing in progress, collect data and report results using hand-held instruments for precision measuring.
B8
October 20, 2014
HAUNTED, From B1
FLIPSIDE received a punch to the face and a stiletto smack to the head. Despite the injuries, she still said, “I think everyone should do it at least once; it’s a blast!” Longtime friend of Eden, Misty King is the personnel manager at Erebus. She has worked for Erebus for 15 years and doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. She started out as a customer and landed a job after running into Edward Terebus. She really enjoys the connection she has with all of the actors, especially the clowns who she said are “the core” of the haunted attraction. Otto Ghee, 25, is one of the actors who loves his job the most. He and his brother work together in the mirror maze room. What’s worse than a killer
Ed Terebus is extremely proud of his work, so proud that he and his family have made Erebus their home. Living on the third floor, they walk past skeletons, caskets and bloody body parts. While visiting his best friend in Thailand, Ed Terebus met his wife. She worked at a beach apparel store and was also his tour guide and translator. “She’s a pretty strong woman,” said Ed. She comes from a country where they don’t know much about haunted houses, and now she’s living in one of the world’s largest. Not only do they feel right at home, but so do the 90-plus employees. Erebus may be a house of horror for some, but it’s a fun house for SOFI A LYN CH | W the actors. ASHT ENAW Jessica Eden, 25, spent five VOIC E years working for Erebus. Her job on clown? Two her first night was to stick her head through a killer clowns. With the advancircular window and frighten passersby. The tage of working at Erebus for six years, he has more she worked, the more she began to dehad time to evolve his costume to generate velop her own main character. ultimate fear. She was an asylum escapee yelling, “Come Jermaine Price,27, said his job is at Erebus and play!” to anyone who dared to cross her is, “to scare everybody and anybody I can, path. Eden knew she had made a lasting and that’s my job. You’ve got to feel it. If you don’t, fright-instilling impression when she you aren’t going to do a good job,” Price said,
The Washtenaw Voice
The make-up artists’ works are displayed at their stations. SOFIA LYNCH | WASHTENAW VOICE
“The fact that we all love it makes it that much better.” The Queen of Erebus is represented by 36-year-old Shelton Martin. Crawling on hands and knees, covered in blood, begging visitors to stay within the walls of Erebus. However, outside of the bride’s dungeon, he said, “Everyone here is like a family; this place saved me.” This is his fifth year working at the attraction and mentions how much he loves his bosses. “Every night, Ed walks downstairs and shakes everyone’s hands, thanking them for being there.” The behind-the-scenes makeup artists bring the terror to life. Tamara Martin, 46, and Zoie Hill, 23, have worked together before. Martin has been at Erebus for three years and this is Hill’s first year. They enjoy working together and contributing their gory talents. They agree that they love the pressure of doing the make-up for 80 people a night, including latex work, airbrushing, face-painting, and more. Besides being the largest walk-through haunted house in the nation, Erebus employees focus on more than just giving people nightmares; they also help kids escape their own. Being a victim of bullying at a young age, Ed Terebus wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. The Terebus brothers have paired up with another haunted house owner in Denver who created an anti-bullying campaign called, “Don’t Be a Monster.” Ed and Jim Terebus have helped spread the message to numerous haunted attractions. “By the end of this year we will have been in front of over 10,000 kids,”Ed said. Although they agree that scaring people can be fun, bullying is never the answer.
18 S. Perry, Pontiac Refer to http://www. hauntedpontiac.com $23 weekdays, $25 Sunday, $28 weekends, group rates do apply You’ll see
W iard’s Orchard6 haunted attractions 5565 Merrit Road, Ypsilanti Refer to http://www.hauntedhousemichigan.com
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Brandywine Cemetery 2727 Brandywine St., Ann Arbor Refer to http://www. brandywinecemetery.com
Jackson’s Underworld 1318 Wildwood Ave., Jackson Refer to http://www.jxunderworld.com
A mask made by one of the make-up artists sits proudly on the counter while the artists work away in the background. SOFIA LYNCH | WASHTENAW VOICE
Competence is knowing when to make a change for the better.
TRANSFER STUDENT OPEN HOUSE This is your chance to: Discuss your transfer credits with an academic advisor Learn more about athletic scholarship opportunities, and meet our athletic director, coaches and players Speak with an admissions representative regarding the admissions process
Thursday, November 13, 2014 • 5:00-7:30 p.m. Madame Cadillac Building, Marygrove College
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