The Campus Ledger - Vol. 36, Issue 3

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL. 36

ISS. 3

CAMPUSLEDGER

the

OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN PUBLICATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OVERLAND PARK, KS

INTERACTING INVOLVEMENT THROUGH

STUDENT SENATE WORKS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES P. 10-11

SURVIVING CULTURE SHOCK: FOREIGN STUDENTS ON CAMPUS

A LOOK AT THE COLLEGE’S ON-CAMPUS POLICE ACADEMY PROGRAM

BASEBALL TEAM PREPARES DURING THE OFF-SEASON

P. 7

P. 9

P. 17

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NEWS

NEWSBRIEFS GALILEO’S PAVILION RECEIVES PLATINUM LEED CERTIFICATION Galileo’s Pavilion, built last year, recently received the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) with a platinum certificate, a nationally renowned environmentally-friendly building certification program. For the program, buildings are rated on energy-saving and environmentally-friendly construction.

This building is equipped with photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, living green walls, LED lighting, glass windows, repurposed chalkboards, flush valves in the restrooms as well as a rain garden. Galileo’s Pavilion is the college’s second building to receive the LEED rating; the first was the Olathe Health Education Center in 2011, which received the gold certificate.

artifacts and souvenirs, authentic Japanese food, movies, anime, manga and live entertainment, such as musicians, presentations, demonstrations, and workshops. The college will hold the festival on Saturday, Oct. 5 in the Carlsen Center from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from free to $10, depending on the age group. For more information, go to www.kcjapanfestival.org.

“PLUNDER ME, BABY” SCULPTURE EXHIBITION

JAPAN FESTIVAL

Kukuli Velarde, Peruvian artist, will showcase her ceramic sculptures at the college in the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art’s Oppenheimer Gallery. The exhibition, titled “Plunder Me, Baby,” will last from Sept. 27 to Dec. 22. The college will hold a free and open reception on the opening day at 6 p.m. in the atrium. Velarde will also give a free lecture on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Hudson Auditorium.

This year’s 16th annual Japan Festival will include new Japanese

Compiled by Farhin Lilywala, news editor, at flilywal@jccc.edu.

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

POLICE BRIEFS

ISSUE 3

COMPUTER THEFT

THEFT OF MEDIA EQUIPMENT

A computer was reported stolen on Sept. 11, with the incident having occurred between 9:30 p.m. and 8:50 a.m., Sept. 10-11. The incident took place in COM 252. The status of the case is currently unfounded.

TVs and cameras were reported stolen, with the incident having taken place between 5:00 p.m. and 10:15 a.m., Sept. 20-21. The incident was reported Sept. 21 and took place at the Warehouse on campus. The status of the case is currently open.

ATTEMPTED AUTO THEFT An attempt to steal a motor vehicle was reported Sept. 21, with the crime having occurred between 4:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., Sept 20-21. The incident took place at the Warehouse on campus.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-inchief, scook35@jccc.edu.

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Preventing thefts

Protecting your belongings on campus

By Jessica Skaggs The college gym is taking new preventive measures in response to recent thefts and with the intent of deterring more thefts from taking place in the future.

In the spring of last year, the college experienced multiple reports of gym thefts in both the lifetime fitness center and locker rooms. Over the summer and this semester, the men’s locker room has been the primary area of reported thefts.

Thefts are not only allegedly taking place with unlocked items. Items are reportedly being taken from locked lockers as well, as they are being broken into with the use of bolt cutters.

Cameras monitoring the hallways and entryways are to be installed as soon as possible. However cameras alone are not going to solve the ongoing problem.

“With a camera, you just get a picture,” Dan Robles, crime prevention officer said. “What we are also wanting to do is increase our presence.”

A major element to the college’s response to the thefts includes training gym staff on what they can do to pre-

vent and deter thefts. Gym employees will now wear name tags to distinguish their presence.

Additionally, the fitness center has placed large new signs in the hallways, locker-room doors and above the wall of cubby-holes, reminding students not to leave valuables behind.

“My recommendation to anybody would be to either leave valuables at home or leave them in the trunk of their car,” Joe Weis, director of Health and Physical Education (HPR).

The gym staff as well as the campus police, have worked together to try to create a safe environment for everyone using the facility. Encouraging students and faculty alike to take their own preventive measures is a key aspect in their attempts to reduce thefts.

“What we’re doing to prevent some of it is teaching the students who put stuff in locker rooms, what they have to do to prevent or deter thefts,” Jim Dice, HPR and clinic coordinator said.

Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

Photos by Julia Larberg

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NEWS 3

College president explains plans to reduce budget, increase tuition Q&A with President Joe Sopcich

By Stephen Cook Why was the amount of $3 million chosen as the minimum budget reduction amount?

Q. A.

The $3 million was arrived at because it was the amount that we’re able to make the adjustments that we need to the other parts of the budget to accomplish what we set out to do; and that was to, one, reinforce the capital line of the budget and two, to get the reserves back to where they need to be. So, by looking at that $3 million number, that’s the number that allows us to do that. A component of that, which you should be interested in would be the tuition.

Historically, I think if you look back, you had tuition increases at two dollars a year, three dollars a year, four dollars a year, five dollars a year, six dollars a year, which is relatively inconsistent. So our objective was to provide some type of tuition schedule, a recommended tuition schedule over the next five years and that would include, I believe the increase was three dollars a credit hour a year for those five years. So all those different variables come together to help us accomplish what we need to do.

You’ve talked about evaluating the programs at the college; could you talk about how those would be affected? Will the scope of certain programs be reduced or would some programs be cut altogether?

You should evaluate what you do every year and it’s not that unusual, academic institutions do that and they look at their enrollments, they look whether those enrollments are trending up or down, they look at the cost involved to put on those classes and then from there they make decisions with regard to do they sustain that program? Do they invest more in it, or do they reduce it or do they eliminate it?

So those are all the types of options that we’ll be looking at when we go through the evaluation process. We started doing something to that effect, I think it was several years ago when we introduced the PBS [Prioritizing the Budget Strategically] process for the budget, the objective was to review the programs.

In your email message to staff, you mentioned that, regarding evaluations, there needs to be consistency between areas, but also enough

State of the College presentation

Scan the QR code above or visit youtube.com/ watch?v=_95p_M27oMI

flexibility between areas, could you talk about what that means?

Well, because not everybody’s the same.

Teaching an English class is a little bit different than teaching a nursing class with regard to the requirements. One program, with regard to what student service could be doing, could be different than what’s going on in the museum. We’re a very diverse campus with regard to the services that we offer, to the classes that we teach.

So there needs to be some type of consistency when you evaluate, but you also have to give some flexibility to allow for the diversity in the programming.

Who is making these evaluations?

Those evaluations will hopefully be made by within the areas who are responsible for them and then that will filter upward to the cabinet; and we’ll be working with other constituencies throughout the campus to talk about this to collect information.

What kind of constituencies?

We’re hoping to get some involvement from faculty; we’re hoping to get some involvement from members of staff. Quite

honestly, we haven’t really ironed that out yet. It’s still a work in progress.

At this time are there any specific programs that might be affected?

No, we haven’t even started that process.

We’ve moved everything up, normally this would start, late October or November so we wanted to get an early start because we know that you need to give it as much time as you can to collect all the information.

Regarding employees, how will

it be decided who stays and who goes during this time?

Well, there are so many variables that we have to look at in those programs.

The challenge is [we have to evaluate positions, not individuals]. Does it really contribute to student success and does it merit the cost of investment in that and, it’s hard to do, but you try to evaluate the function and the position rather than the personality that’s involved.

SEE ‘SOPCICH’ ON PAGE 19

The Campus Ledger’s 35th birthday celebration continues!

For more vintage photos of the college as well as exclusive interviews with previous Ledger staffers, visit CampusLedger.com/?s=35years

4

NEWS

Ongoing change in food court

By Josh Bull

The food court was first put in by the college in 2000 and while Sushi with Gusto is still relatively new, Pizza Hut and Chick-Fil-A have been there from the beginning.

Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut and Sushi with Gusto are licensed by the college to sell their products under a five year contract.

“We buy the products from them and then we pay a royalty back to them,” said dining services manager, Jay Glatz.

When the food court was installed, the college surveyed students and based on the results of the survey, product quality, and the conditions of their contracts, Chick-Fil-A and Pizza Hut were

chosen. AFC Sushi, which was replaced

by Sushi with Gusto last year, was chosen in 2005. But even AFC Sushi was not the first thing to use that space.

“Back in that sushi area, we had a yogurt machine and some deserts and that area was only doing something like three, four percent of the total business in the food court, so I said ‘we probably need to look at something, you know, different there.’” Glatz said.

The college makes its choice based on what it feels the best fit for the college and the students.

“We thought it would be popular, we thought the students would want it and by that, we certainly considered what was going on other campuses,” said

Don Perkins, associate vice president of finance services. “Financially, of course, there is the contract arrangement, but also quality of product.”

The college also considers other factors.

“It’s going to be quality,” said Mitch Borchers, Associate Vice President of Business Services. “It’s going to be customer service, price, it varies from one thing to the next.”

However, Pizza Hut, Chick-Fil-A and Sushi with Gusto are not the only options in the food court. There are also Boulevard Burgers and Ariba.

“With food courts, you usually look at national brands to anchor your food court, and then you surround them with

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SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

ISSUE 3

your own brands,” said Glatz.

The college chose to put in Boulevard Burgers, because it felt that it could operate its own burger concept over a third party concept.

But how did Pizza Hut, Chick-Fil-A and Sushi with Gusto get there in the first place? The college has a bidding process where it invites national franchises to send contract proposals. The decisions are made based on student wants, product quality and cost of sales.

The bidding process is also advertised, so the bid is still public.

The college’s food court earned $1,322,698 during the 2012-2013 school year.

Contact Josh Bull, reporting correspondent, at jbull3@jccc.edu

Photo by Laura Cobb

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NEWS 5

College exit exams

By Lindsay Sax

Students at certain colleges and universities have potentially one more test after graduation to take. It’s called the Collegiate Learning Assessment Plus (CLA+), a college exit exam.

CLA+ is given through the Council for Aid to Education (CAE), a national nonprofit founded in 1953 and located in New York City.

“The shortcoming of all of those standardized national tests like that, you are making the assumption it is geared toward the learning that happened in your classroom,” said Sheri Barrett, director, Office of Outcomes Assessment.

CAE said the standardized test is designed to measure critical thinking, problem solving, scientific and quantitative reasoning, writing and the ability to critique and make arguments. The post-college exam is used to provide employers with evidence of work readiness skills for applicants, according to the CAE website.

“It’s another set of information that employers can use to review the applicant,” said Robert Keeley, director of assessment services at CAE, in an article on nbcnews.com. “We’re looking to equip

students to share their scores more readily than they have in the past.”

Barrett said a standardized test cannot tell how an applicant interacts with people and their depth of ability.

Some people say that the test will address the problem of grade inflation, which some schools may use to award higher grades resulting in attracting and retaining students.

There are 700 institutions both in the United States and internationally that use the test, according to the CAE website. Some schools closer to home include Fort Hays State University, Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and Wichita State University.

At Emporia State the test is not mandatory, said JoLanna I. Kord, interim assistant provost, Institutional Research & Assessment at Emporia State. It is used to report to the Kansas Board of Regents performance indicator goals.

Chris Roitz, student, believes the exams will have a negative effect on students.

“It’s just another road block that people are going to see while getting an education, and they lose motivation,” said Roitz.

Exit exams are not new, according to Barrett. While she does not think it works for all areas there are some where a standardized test will work.

“I think that it worked best in those fields where the faculty, the department chair had taken the time and the opportunity,” said Barrett. “You can get a sample and they had read through it and mapped their own curriculum to the test to see, does this in fact address the areas of learn-

Illustration by Brit Humbert ing that we want from our students?”

Can a national standardized test made for everyone actually tell your personality and abilities?

“No, because I’m not like anyone else,” said Riotz.

Contact Lindsay Sax, copy editor, at lsax@ jccc.edu.

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6 FEATURES

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36 ISSUE 3

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Lend a hand to people in need of blood transfusions by donating blood to the Community Blood Center.

Cost: Free.

Photo courtesy of the college

where

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CARA FILLER 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 in Polsky Theatre.

meets

Filler is a youth motivational speaker who will be delivering a presentation on how parents can communicate effectively with their teens in an open and honest manner.

affordable tuition

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Photo courtesy of the college

Discover the Ottawa University Transfer Advantage

LAUDAS AND FUGUES 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Polsky Theatre

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Students and faculty of the music department are hosting a joint performance featuring the JCCC Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble.

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EXQUISITE WORLD OF MOROCCO 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in Hudson Auditorium in the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.

913.266.8661 or 913.469.3809

Why You Need to Be There: Interested in learning more about Morocco?

“Exquisite World of Morocco” will include a brief presentation and three short films about the culture of the country.

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Cost: Free.

Photo courtesy of the college

Compiled by David Hurtado, dhurtado@jccc.edu.

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FEATURES 7

International culture shock

By Katelyn Larson

When an international student comes to the college, not only does it mean they come from a different country, it means they come from a different culture. By its definition, culture is learned and shared human patterns for living. Simply put, the way we live our lives day-to-day.

As one of the many JCCC 2 the MAX programs offered on campus, “Surviving Culture Shock,” gave insight to the anxiety produced when a person moves to a completely new environment. Its symptoms include sadness, depression, anger, vulnerability and low self-esteem to name a few. It comes in five stages: the honeymoon stage, the distress stage, the re-integration stage, the autonomy stage and the independence stage.

The honeymoon stage is marked by the initial excitement of being in a new place. The distress stage is when the person experiences withdrawal and irritability. The re-integration stage is when the person begins to adjust to their new environment. The autonomy stage is when the person begins to master their newly acquired culture.

Finally, the independence stage is when the person experiences what is known as reverse culture shock. Reverse culture shock is when the person has become completely comfortable with their new lifestyle and their new culture has become their only culture.

There are a number of international students who study on campus through the college’s foreign exchange program, as well as students who move here from

other countries.

Leslye Moraes, lead student assistant, International and Immigrant Student Services, said one way to cope with culture shock is to be physically active, like joining a sports team. Another is through relaxation or meditation. Joining any social group or club can help create a sense of belonging.

Bruce Harvey, counselor, said the important thing to remember as someone experiencing culture shock, is that your ability to speak the new language is not equal to your intelligence.

“The things that seem so common to one culture can appear so out of the ordinary in another,” Harvey said.

This is why culture shock can cause increasing amounts of stress on those who experience it, according to Harvey.

Ani Mamisashvili, a student who is originally from the Republic of Georgia, experienced culture shock first hand upon arriving in the U.S. “The first thing I remember when I arrived at the airport was thinking, ‘Why is everyone wearing flip flops?’” said Mamisashvili.

Mei-Wen Wang, a student who came to the United States from Taiwan six years ago, says culture shock affected her in a way that caused her to become different from her usual self. In high school, she came off as shy.

“I spoke five sentences a day at most,” said Wang, “I was afraid I’d say something wrong and I didn’t want anyone to laugh at me.”

Foreign students discuss their experiences with culture shock at the JCCC 2 the MAX program meeting on September 18, 2013.

Photos by Julia Larberg.

Wang said the college has changed all of that for her and she feels much more like herself again.

If you are experiencing culture shock, or know someone who is, the International and Immigrant Student Services, located in COM 306, are available and

prepared to help.

For more information about other JCCC 2 the MAX programs, visit jccc.edu/ campus-center.

Contact Katelyn Larson, reporting correspondent, at klarso27@jccc.edu.

“Upperclass meets Underground”: CEO club to hold fundraiser

By Lindsay Sax The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) is holding a fundraiser event Friday, Oct. 4 at the college.

The goal of the event, “Upperclass meets Underground,” is to raise money to send members of CEO to Chicago to attend the national CEO conference to network, learn and be inspired to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors.

“The energy level is phenomenal and the exposure to speakers,” said Barbara Millard, CEO faculty advisor. “Last year Chris Keurig of Keurig Coffee was there. It was fascinating to hear. They get exposure to wonderful national speakers.”

Another goal of the event is to raise awareness. The organization’s mission is to encourage all students who are interested in professionalizing and promoting entrepreneurial

pursuits by providing opportunities outside the classroom. They also want to raise awareness to those who may not come from a suburban situation, that all young adults should get a fair shot at an education.

“You’ve got the city urban style in Johnson County,” said David Isaac Moore, CEO vice president. “Usually those don’t coincide, they’re their own entities, but we’re bringing them together one night for the betterment of both parties.”

CEO club is not just for students interested in entrepreneurship. All students are encouraged to attend meetings every Wednesday in Regnier Center 244 at 1 p.m. Also, students can connect with the club on Facebook.

“Even if you’re an art major or a graphic designer you still have to know how to market yourself,” said Rae Hatfield, CEO President. “And

when you are freelancing you are basically an entrepreneur. So I think that sometimes people think that it’s only for entrepreneur students, only for people who want to start Apple or whatever, but it’s not, it really applies to all majors. You really learn how to sell yourself.”

The event will feature various hip hop and R&B performances. Artists scheduled to perform are Niccolette Paige, Low Keezy, Brail Watson, CuddyMac, Dutch Newman, Bayou Boss, Drew Cobain and the Traq Five Crew, Ryan Murff and DJ Frankie Jay. The event will be hosted by Joe Rhea and Sarah Robinson.

“It’s the two lifestyles,” said Moore. “This is Johnson County, statistically one of the richest suburbs in the country. And it is underground, these guys are all independent performers who represent that aspect of life on the street or in the city. The

outcast or the underdog. So we’re bringing them all together to celebrate life, and to celebrate education, celebrate business.”

The event kicks off at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door in COM 155. A ticket gets you in the door and entered into the raffle. There will be numerous prizes, including the potential to win tickets to see Drake at the Sprint Center on Sunday, Oct. 6.

“If you like house parties, if you like the club, definitely, you’re going to have a good time,” said Moore.

“You’ve got a professional DJ spinning records, good music, good live performances. You can get your dance on. Do whatever you have to do, kick it, chill. I can’t stress that enough, it’s gonna be big.”

Contact Lindsay Sax, copy editor, at lsax@jccc.edu.

8 FEATURES

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

ISSUE 3

FAST FRIDAYS AT KC TRENDS

Every other Friday night, starting in April and running through October, automotive enthusiasts gather for a cruise night, put on by KC Trends in Overland Park, KS. The event, titled Fast Fridays, is hosted by the car customization shop at 133rd Street and Grandview Street. Vehicles range from classic muscle cars to modern exotics to sport bikes. For more photos of the Sept. 20 event, visit CampusLedger. com/?s=KC+Trends.

Photos by Stephen Cook

Cavalier:Q&A Sulaimon Lasisi Student “I think we should just stay away from the situation developing, and let the United Nations handle it. I just think they’re not [...] the worlds governing council, thats what the UN does, and the UN is in a better position to do it.”

Tyler Gray Student “Just kind of let them be but keep an eye on them still. Make sure they don’t hide any other warheads or anything like that I guess. Just keep an eye on them I guess. I really don’t feel like we should go to war again...and there’s no point in sending more troops...it’s just going to add more debt and money loss into our society...”

What do you think the U.S. should do in regards to the developing situation in Syria?

Anna Cline Student

Sara Blakely Student

“Honestly with the information I’ve been given by the media I don’t know what to do, I mean what my opinion is on that because everything I’ve heard is so conflicting that I just don’t know.”

“I think they should just leave it alone [...] because we’re always I guess putting our noses where they don’t belong and they weren’t here when we had our civil war so why should we go against theirs?”

Jenny Stronstead Student “Just do what’s best for both parties involved not just what the United States thinks but what’s best for the Syrians as well.”

Photos by Laura Cobb. Compiled by Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

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IN FOCUS 9

Training the boys in blue

Campus Police Academy about discipline, professionalism

Officer Nick Stein speaks to students about his police dog Hatto.

Jonathan Daniels shakes hands with a police academy representative after Hunter Niederschulte stands to the left of Matt Wurm who gets the feel of police weaponry as Clayton Jenison watches next to him. speaking with him. Photos by Laura Cobb.

By David Hurtado

The image of law enforcement presented through Hollywood films like “21 Jump Street” are mostly fantasy and far removed from the real-life men and women who keep the peace.

Police officers are expected to be highly motivated and trained, serving as both mediators and peacekeepers when necessary. The Johnson County Regional Police Academy is one of three regional academies in the metropolitan area that provides basic law enforcement training for officers.

Jerry Wolfskill, associate vice president, Public Safety, said the Campus Police Academy was devised after a number of local sheriff and police chiefs became displeased with the number of credit hours offered at the state academy in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The building itself was completed in 1972 in response to a lack of space on campus for the program. Funding for the academy at the college comes from tickets, rather than taxpayers.

“This building is not paid for by the taxpayers,” Wolfskill said. “It’s paid for by tickets that are written statewide and that ticket money comes

back to the Police Academy. The Police Academy, through the college, purchased certificate of participation bonds and that built this building. If you’ve ever had a ticket, some of the money you paid for a ticket went in to building this building.”

The Campus Police Academy requires more than 640 credit hours to graduate, compared to 500 hours by most other academies, according to Wolfskill.

Unlike other law enforcement programs, officers must already be serving with a police or sheriff’s department before they can be admitted into the academy. Kansas requires such classes within one year after employment. While at the academy, officers are considered on vacation and paid full time.

“In Missouri, you can actually pay your way through Metropolitan Community College in Blue Springs and then your certifiable if somebody hires you,” Wolfskill said. “[...] That’s the difference between Kansas and Missouri. In Kansas, they pay the officers to go through. In Missouri, you have to pay your own way to go

through and there’s no guarantee of employment unless somebody hires you.”

During the 16-week program, students are taught firearms training, report writing, search and seizure as well as other skills. In addition to classroom instruction, students participate in simulated scenarios dealing property crimes and patrol stops, involving real officers acting as the perpetrators.

Although T.V. shows like “CSI: Las Vegas” are loosely based on real world cases, more often than not they are closer to fantasy than reality.

Criminal Justice Day, which is sponsored by the Administration of Justice, allows students a chance to learn about the functions of the different law enforcement agencies. This year’s annual event took place on Sept. 18.

Ken Sissom, associate professor, Administration of Justice, said the Administration of Justice program was formed around 1970, but only started hosting Criminal Justice Day 10 years ago. Booths and displays this year included SWAT vehicles, crime analysis, a mobile command center

and K-9 units.

“It’s the same reason we do it today,” Sissom said. “Ten years ago they decided to put on an event that would raise awareness of what our program is and what it’s about. This helps us to recruit students who may not have a major or decided what they wanted to do.”

Jason Hudson, officer, Olathe Police Department, spent 16 years working in the education profession, teaching one year at Hickman Hills, three years in Galena, Kansas and 12 years in the Belton, Missouri School District. Hudson is a student at the academy and will be graduating with the 108th class.

“I’ve always had an interest in law enforcement,” Hudson said. “Down home when I was in college I was a reserve officer. Now that I’m settled a little bit more, I decided to take the plunge and go from the backlines to the frontlines.”

The 108th class of the police academy will graduate Oct. 18.

Contact David Hurtado, features editor, at dhurtado@jccc.edu.

10 IN FOCUS

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36 ISSUE 3

Both students and senators participate in a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 16.

Photos by Julia Larberg

By Stephen Cook

With students on campus settling in to a new semester, the college’s Student Senate continues to assemble its group of senators.

Student Senate is made up of 30 elected students that work to involve students in various campus issues and problems students may be facing. Five executive board members and 25 senators at large comprise the group.

As of press time, 19 of the 25 senator positions are filled. Before their Sept. 23 general assembly meeting, 17 seats were filled.

Elliot Rogers, Student Senate president, said one of the biggest challenges that Student Senate faces is getting involvement and getting a representation of the whole student body.

“There’s no such thing as a captive audience [at the college],” Rogers said.

“If they come here for classes they want to just leave; they don’t understand that we are a living part of this campus. They don’t understand the dynamics of it so they don’t want to be part of it.”

The response during the most recent senator-at-large election wasn’t the greatest, both in regards to people running and voting, according to Mindy Kinnaman, adviser for Student Senate.

Total, less than 100 votes were cast.

“It was unfortunate because we felt like we were interacting with a lot of people,” Kinnaman said. “We’ve tried to even change how we do that information like we’ve started putting QR codes

Upcoming Student Senate Events

out, we put links on things so that students are taking that information with them, it’s just how do we get them to make that commitment to go on and actually do it.”

However, in addition to a well-attended first town hall meeting, Kinnaman said more students have since come to express their interest in joining Senate.

When she started working at the college in 2010, Kinnaman was told about 12 percent of students are engaged on this campus. Engagement can mean participating in athletics, working an oncampus job, getting involved with extracurricular projects such as study abroad or through clubs and organizations, she said.

In regards to the Student Senate, Kinnaman believes the biggest challenge they face is “getting their name out there”. Many students don’t know there is a Student Senate on campus, while others are just coming for class and going home, she said.

“It’s not just how can we get senate’s name out to those students who are looking for ways to get involved; how do we get it out to those who may not be looking for it but may not realize they need this in their lives?” Kinnaman said.

Both historically and during her time at the college, Kinnaman has seen the group impact the campus. Although some things take longer than others to accomplish, she said it is important for students to contribute ideas and issues that may be of concern.

“We really just need them to bring us

If you’d like to get involved with the Student Senate, here are some of the events taking place this semester:

those ideas so that we know they’re there in the first place, because each student is only aware of what they experience or what they hear,” Kinnaman said. “They may see something that we don’t, and so if somebody can just bring those ideas to the Student Senate […] we’re going to take it seriously and we’re going to see what we can do to help make it better.”

The majority of students on campus aren’t aware of Student Senate and what they do at the college, according to Rogers. During this past election, he spent time talking to students, asking students if they knew about Senate and what they do on campus.

“I don’t think I ever got a response that said I know about Student Senate, I’ve done that before or I researched that, I looked into it or I’ve heard about it,” Rogers said.

One of the misconceptions about the group is that some students perceive it is a political club, according to Rogers.

“Quite often people hear about Student Senate and they really think of a political club,” Rogers said. “There are clubs that deal very strictly with politics, but mostly, we’re an involvement club.”

Rogers said a look at the Senate’s calendar of upcoming events gives students a better understanding of what the group is.

“We try to be that outreach to students, outreach to clubs and promoting academic excellence,” Rogers said.

“Those [events] aren’t political style events, those are fun things, those are trying to make this campus what we

want it to be, not governing the campus, those are enhancing the campus.”

Jeffery Redmond, who was recently elected vice president of Student Senate, believes the group plays an important part in affecting the campus.

“The role of student senate is kind of like a guiding light to those who still [are] kind of trying to find their position,” Redmond said. “We need to be a focused group of leaders for the future, that’s what we are; we’re working towards the future to be the leaders of our community.”

Although the influx of new senators may be a challenge, Redmond said the college’s environment does offer advantages.

“Right now, I think the structural limitations are not as imposing as I’ve seen in other schools,” Redmond said.

“We have a lot more upward mobility than I’ve seen [in] a lot of other organizations; ability to restructure is an ongoing thing.”

As leaders in Student Senate, Rogers said it is important that they maintain the correct attitude, filtering it out across campus and being leaders by example.

“The student life here, once you see student life, it’s really contagious, it draws you in,” Rogers said. “So if we can make the attitude with our goals as part of that contagiousness, then that’s really going to help.”

Town Hall Meetings

These Hands Don’t Hurt (violence awareness)

- Every Monday from noon to 1 p.m.

- CC 107

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

- Oct. 14-18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Commons tables

the CAMPUSLEDGER

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IN FOCUS 11

Student Senate Student leaders work to make campus life contagious

Jeffery Redmond Vice President

Jessica Fiona Treasurer

Elliot Rogers President

Osama Al-Saleh Secretary

Brendan Brower-Freeman

Parliamentarian

What led you to run for Student Senate?

"As an international student, I want to make the best out of my stay here in America. I don't want to go to school, class, do homework for two years then go back to my country.

What do I get from that? I want to engage myself more in the school.”

"The ever presence of wanting to participate. I wanted to participate more; I wanted to get as deep in my community as possible. I want to change the world and the best place I can do it is right here in my own back yard."

“I’ve always loved to lead. Before I came to Johnson County Community College, I taught fencing for a few years and was a sergeant in my local Civil Air Patrol squadron; air force cadets basically. I really had a passion for leading, I liked knowing that I was only as strong as those people I could inspire and those people I had building me up.”

"The way I look at it is, if you're going to be in a community, you should give something back to the best of your ability. Me, majoring in biology with a minor in journalism, I feel like using my skill to enhance the Senate is one of the biggest endeavors I've done at this college. It's probably the best thing I've done for myself."

"When I first came to Johnson County a little more than a year ago, I was looking for a way to get involved on campus. I was already doing debate here, but I saw some signs up for Student Senate and I thought it sounded kind of interesting. After I asked some questions up at the Center for Student Involvement, I was like 'you know, I'm going to give this a shot.'"

How do you plan to represent the interests of the student body?

"As the student treasurer in the Student Senate, I want to reach out to those clubs and new clubs that don't know we provide funding for them.

Organizations like Model U.N. and International Club go to a lot of great conferences at other cities that can really benefit the school and make the school look good. I just want them to come to me for funds for them to carry out any of their activities that they think would benefit the school and student body."

"Well, that involves generous and gracious listening. Finding out more about what they want as well as pairing that with what we are capable of doing. Right now is about restructuring and finding that focus."

Scan to view footage of the Sept. 16 Student Senate Town Hall meeting:

JCCC Gives - Nominations run from Oct. 14 Nov. 8 - Adoptions run from Nov. 11 Dec. 5 - Holiday gifts are given Dec. 9 - 13

“For this year, we have three main motifs, if you will. We are planning on making more outreach to students and providing a voice for students; we want to have that communication between the faculty and the student body. […] Our second motif for the year is outreach to clubs. We have, I think, 82 current clubs and organizations here on campus and we want to give them the representation they deserve. […] Our last motif for the year is promoting academic excellence. We want to do our best to keep representing the faculty to the students as ‘we’re here to learn, we’re here to get good grades, represent ourselves well, make a living; do well in class. Keeping that kind of a focus is something Student Senate really wants to achieve.”

Trick-or-Treat for Kids

- Friday, Oct. 25 from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

- COM 319 and COM 322

"I'm in charge of the public relations committee, so I'm the one who sends out the e-mails to the student body; I'm in charge of the poster boards, advertising and publicizing. I feel like my job, along with my committee, is the most important for keeping an interaction between students and Senate. When you have that interaction, the students actually feel like the Senate is there. That's my job, to make the students feel like there are people who are willing to listen to them and make their voice heard."

"My job is the more internal functions of Senate, but what we've been doing as an executive board is working towards these goals we've come up with. First off, finding out what students would like Senate to do; we hosted a town hall meeting on it last week. Also, we're looking at getting more integrated with some faculty committees that are going on like educational affairs, where we can get a finger on the pulse of what's going on at the college."

Compiled by David Hurtado Photos and cover photo by Stephen Cook

Photos with Santa - Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- COM 322

For more information, you can “Like” Student Senate on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JCCCStudentSenate), follow Senate on Twitter (@ JCCC_Senate) or visit www.jccc.edu/ studentsenate/.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu.

12

ETC

SEPT. 26 2013 VOL 36

ISSUE 3

CAMPUSLEDGER

the

STAFF

OFFICIAL STUDENT-RUN PUBLICATION OF JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, OVERLAND PARK, KS

EDITORIAL BOARD Stephen Cook Editor-in-chief scook35@jccc.edu 913-469-8500 ext.

4297

Farhin Lilywala News editor flilywal@jccc.edu

Mac Moore Sports editor mmoore82@jccc. edu

Courtney Holliday Production designer chollid3@jccc.edu

Jessica Skaggs Managing editor jskaggs4@jccc.edu

David Hurtado Features editor dhurtado@jccc.edu

Mike Abell Photo editor mabell@jccc.edu

Lindsay Sax Copy editor lsax@jccc.edu

Andrea Thomas Design assistant athoma26@jccc. edu

Lauren Rutledge Illustrator correspondent lrutled2@jccc.edu

Kristen Fairbanks Web manager kfairba3@jccc.edu

Brit Humbert Illustrator correspondent bhumber1@jccc. edu

PRODUCTION Gabrielle Fitzgerald Sales manager gfitzge1@jccc.edu 913-469-8500 ext.

3193

Kristen Fairbanks Marketing manager kfairba3@jccc.edu

Aaron Fitzgerald Circulation manager afitzg10@jccc.edu Ricardo AristiguietaPulgar Circulation assistant raristig@jccc.edu

Alyssa Jolitz Staff illustrator ajolitz@jccc.edu

REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Katelyn Larson Reporting correspondent klarso27@jccc.edu

Josh Bull Reporting correspondent jbull3@jccc.edu

Julia Larberg Staff photojournalist jlarberg@jccc.edu

Laura Cobb Staff photojournalist lcobb2@jccc.edu

ADVISER

Corbin Crable Faculty adviser ccrable@jccc.edu

Copyright © 2013 The Campus Ledger and/or its freelance contributors. All rights reserved. Content appearing in The Ledger’s print or electronic media may not be reproduced, published, broadcasted or redistributed without The Ledger’s prior written permission.

The Ledger publishes biweekly during the fall and spring semesters. Issues are free and available campus-wide. Additional copies, including back issues, can be obtained from the Student News Center (COM 260) while supplies last. Online-exclusive content is published at http://www.campusledger.com.

The Campus Ledger welcomes all readers to submit letters to the editor, which can be sent via email to Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu. Letters for print publication may not exceed 250 words. Guest columns for print publication may not exceed 450 words. Letters are selected for print publication at the discretion of the editorial board. The Ledger reserves the right to request revisions or clarifications. Contributors may not submit more than two letters or one guest column per academic semester and must include the writer’s name, title and contact information with each submission. Valid photo ID must be presented upon request in COM 260. No libelous content will be accepted, and letters are not edited for length or grammar.

The Ledger accepts advertisements suitable for its student body. Contact Gabrielle Fitzgerald, advertising manager, at gfitzge1@jccc.edu.

The Campus Ledger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers, the Kansas Press Association and the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press. The Ledger endorses the Associated Press Stylebook.

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PHOTOS

13

On-campus Renaissance Festival Students participate in festivities in the Student Lounge on Sept. 24.

Lizzy Locke aims with her bow on the Wii. Photos by Mike Abell.

Students Triston Barker and Juan Piedrahcta duel on the PS3.

Scan the QR code to view a JCAV-produced video of the mini Renaissance Fest

Connor Rice works on his coat of arms during the Renaissance Festival in the student lounge.

Triston Parker draws his flag at the Renaissance Festival in the student lounge.

14 OPINION

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

Student apathy attempts to diminish senate value

Voting is important. Voting is important? It changes from a statement to a question depending on what you are voting on. Capital punishment, important. MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, not important. Student Senate elections, now that’s a tough question.

The Student Senate has 30 positions, five members of the executive board and 25 at large senators. Senate President Elliot Rogers feels the Senate is a tool for facilitating learning.

On the other hand, it has control of $38,000 each year allotted for funding clubs on campus. When that kind of money is involved, the position of student senator wields actual power.

This makes the election of Student Senate important. The fall 2013 election originally had seven total candidates — to fill up 25 positions. That means a voter can stop in to vote, but those seven candidates are getting a spot in this group. After the election, the Student Senate is going to look to continue to add members until they reach the desired 30 total senators.

This means, at least with the number of Senators qualified for the ballot, the election is effectively meaningless, so not important. This could be confused with the Senate not being necessary. That isn’t the case.

COLUMN

Deciding how the money is allotted to clubs is extremely important. It can and has been argued, that a faculty member could just as easily divvy up the funds. People wonder why the amount of money was controlled by a group that earned their position simply by signing up. In the years prior to the Student Senate taking the reins of the activities budget, clubs would simply ask Pam Vassar, assistant dean of Student Life, for funds to throw club events.

The likely scenario was that the Student Life would decide the validity of the event and if it met the specifications, it would get the money.

There was no specific cap that would be met. On the exterior this looks like a better plan for clubs that might hope to spend more money than the allotted amount. The problem is that if the Student Life department decides a club could not receive the funds for a certain event, there was no formal process to rectify or even clarify a decision.

The Student Senate works in a different manner. When the Senate is asked for funds from a club for an event, they require a handful of things. The club must accumulate a percentage of the funds before they will be given the remainder to fund

an event.

Past the proof that the club completed its own fundraising in a sufficient manner, the Senate takes into account how much the club has been given in comparison to other clubs.

Clubs must be active for two years to be eligible for funds. The Senate has to figure out if the event even needs funding.

The process of the Senate allows clubs asking for funds to be involved in the decision on spending. A club isn’t just given a yes or no response, they are able to reason on the club’s behalf and senators are able to explain the decisions they make.

The bureaucracy of the Student Senate creates a documented and regimented format for dispersing a limited number of funds. The years prior to their involvement, there was no clear avenue for figuring out where the funds were going and what the limit on the funds would be.

If only for limiting the funds dispersed, it is worth having the Senate control the funds rather than a selected Student Life faculty member.

At a time when the budget is under scrutiny, it is refreshing that a group of students are successfully demonstrating financial restraint.

Rogers said that if the Student Sen-

A persisting passion for dance

Every now and then, when I allow myself to, I can remember my arms and legs anxiously attempting to complete a sequence of movements awkwardly, yet determinedly. I remember the fast combinations and the uncertain steps finding their way from my head to my body, miraculously arranged in graceful movements. I can also remember how passionate I felt dancing at what was going to be my first recital.

These flashbacks are like dreams, silent whispers of the past written through the filter of untouched ideas that only fresh minds can encompass.

Yet, every time I step on to a stage, every feeling of excitement and doubt rushes back and compels me to give

everything I have into every performance. This makes each as equally rewarding as the first, even my most trying performance.

I have always been a dancer, but dancing for me extended only from my head to my toes. Two years ago, I was basically demanded to compose a dance for a group of people for Valentine’s Day. I had composed many a dance for my friends and myself; I thought it would be a similar ordeal, just with more people. Little did I know, I was in for a rude awakening.

I was faced with a mirage of challenges: the individual temperaments of a large group of people, varying dance skill sets, conflicting schedules, and the overall commitment to the dance. I was challenged first as an individual, second as a dancer, and most importantly, third as a leader.

My frustration reached the penultimate the night before our performance at our last rehearsal when certain members of the group con-

tinued belittling the choreography.

I finally spoke up and gave them an ultimatum: they could either continue complaining about the existing routine and create a new one or they could stop talking and start rehearsing properly. Faster than I thought, all eyes were on me and everyone in their starting positions. At that moment, I learned that as a leader it is impossible to please everybody and as a dancer I could only compromise to a point.

I did my best to listen to and to help everybody. Why? Because I am a leader and whether it is my tenacious persona to rise and drag everybody up with me or my need to finish a job that I start, I will accomplish what I set out to do. However, this situation removed a veil from before my eyes; everyone could not be helped.

My spirit was broken, but then I remembered the reason why I accepted this role, something much more powerful than the egos of my group

ISSUE 3

STAFF EDITORIAL

Illustration by Lauren Rutledge ate gave out every request brought to them, they would spend the $38,000 during the first semester. Using their best judgment, the Senate turns down or decreases funding based on the request. This allows the $38,000 to be given out efficiently during the school year.

Some years they have not given out all of the funds, but they have never gone over the original budget.

That’s the type of fiscal responsibility that the other governing bodies might want to emulate.

By Farhin Lilywala members: my appreciation for the art of dance. Dance was the only thing that kept me grounded when every other part of me was screaming to quit. It was and always will be dance that brings me back to reality. Dance allows my mind and body to transcend the realm of the physical into the metaphysical and beyond.

Keep in mind: what and if are two ordinary words, but put them together and they have the power to haunt for the rest of your life. What if? What if? What if I refused this dance performance? What if I gave up on the group members? In my situation, like in many situations, there are many of these questions. However, your job is to never let these questions go unanswered. I don’t know about you, but I would rather I regret doing something than not doing anything at all.

Contact Farhin Lilywala, news editor, at flilywal@jccc.edu.

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COLUMN

By Stephen Cook

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Realizing our opportunities

T h i s college, although t h i n g s may seem constant and steady on the outside, is facing a very difficult dilemma. Enrollment numbers are down, money is tight and the future is unclear. Not to mention the levels of student involvement – or lack thereof – on campus.

President Sopcich has recently made a number of important announcements, one of which was his plan to further trim the college’s budget by $3 million. This means change is inevitable, and it must be something we grow to expect.

Now, I am extremely happy to attend this college. It has provided me with many opportunities and has al-

COLUMN

By Jessica Skaggs

lowed me to grow immensely as both a journalist and as an individual.

Though the price of tuition may be on the rise, I still consider the cost a great value compared to that of major four-year universities.

My good experience here means that both as a reporter and a student, I want to see responsible actions carried out from leaders who are being held accountable.

Students should be the main concern at the college; and for the most part, I feel they are. There will always be distractions though: a new program, a new building, a new innovative technology or whatever else may seem appealing at the time, but the money may not be there. It may be better to wait.

On both an individual level and a campus-wide level, we will need to prepare to make do with a little less. I applaud Sopcich’s decision to reduce the college’s budget to prepare for the future. However, I hope once we

are in that future, we are still where we want to be as a college.

I don’t want us to be six months down the road and realize what could have been.

I know there is a lack of involvement at this campus – but for once, if something matters to you as a student, now is the time to speak up. If you are a part of a club, department or program that means a lot to you, let everyone know. Talk to those around you; by starting discussions you will find that other students care and have opinions as well.

In addition to directly talking to others, you can share your thoughts through the Campus Ledger. After all, we are here to be the mouthpiece for students. Sending us a letter for publication does not only reach the campus community, but the countywide community as well. If you let things change without trying to make a difference, then you are missing out on a huge opportunity in and of itself.

OPINION 15

If you have a message you would like to share, you can send it to us at scook35@jccc.edu. Please keep it under 250 words and appropriate (for details about letters and guest columns, see page 12).

We publish the letters that we receive, passing them on to our vast variety of readers, including everyone from college administrators to visitors on campus.

Remember, your idea may spark a thought in somebody else’s mind, creating a chain reaction of change across campus.

Ultimately, everything comes back to the student. Through this studentrun newspaper, you are able to voice your opinions before decisions are made.

Don’t waste your opportunity to be heard by sitting on the sidelines.

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

Finding community Letter to the editor

While walking around campus on the first day, searching earnestly for my classes, I was struck by how little school spirit is present around here.

Perhaps, I thought to myself, it’s just because I was new and hadn’t made any friends yet.

However, as the weeks have passed, it began to sink in that the little socialization and lack of campus involvement really is like this all the time. Except for that one day when there were tons of tables set up and a truck full of pizza.

So my question is, “Where is the school pride?”

I realized I was just as big of a part of the problem as everyone else.

Initially, I came to the college just to finish up my basics and save my parents a few bucks. I was just planning on finding a parking spot each day, going to my classes, keeping my head down, avoiding all eye-contact in the hallways, maybe getting a job and then going home.

But after a day of living “college life” like that, I found myself beyond discouraged.

As I was walking to my 8 a.m. class the next day, a fellow student did the most remarkable thing. She looked up and smiled at me. That was it. To this day I still have no idea who she is, but that was a turning point. It was then I knew that if I looked for it, I could find community here at the college.

I decided to make my college experience something more. I got involved.

I sought out friendships.

Fellow Cavs, I urge you to do the same.

As the new managing editor of the Ledger, I not only look forward to writing the stories you have to tell, but also being in community with a fantastic group of staff members. I now am eager to continually make new friends both in and out of my classes.

Community can exist at this college for you too.

So don’t get stuck in a rut. Join a club. Go to a game. Throw a smile to a stranger, and maybe even say “hi.”

You just may be surprised at the opportunities and friendships that you’ll find.

Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

I am amazed that JCCC has added some new buildings but have not provided sidewalks for the students and staff to walk on safely. The new culinary building is a good sample. I have dropped off and picked up a staff member on the library side of the campus and came close to hitting a couple of students as they walked toward

the east parking lots. I wonder what would happen if a student was hit by a driver because they were wearing dark clothes in the dark. I think the campus superiors better consider the safety of the students and the staff members. I am a taxpayer and a former student of JCCC. My name is Frederick Banks of Olathe, Kansas.

SEND US A LETTER! EMAIL SCOOK35@JCCC.EDU SEE PAGE 12 FOR DETAILS

16 SPORTS

Men’s Soccer (6-4) After starting out the season 1-4, the Cavaliers soccer team has thundered back winning five straight games. The team has also seen a scoring uptick with five goals in each of the last two contests. Five goals is the top mark for the team this season.

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

FALL SPORTS REPORTS Women’s Soccer (8-1)

Volleyball (13-4)

The Lady Cavs soccer team continues its streak of dominance with their eight wins by a combined 43-1 goal differential. Cowley College on Sept. 14 is the only nonshutout victory for the squad.

Cowley tied it up early 1-1 before the Lady Cavs ripped off five more goals.

Women’s volleyball has rounded off six straight victories dating back to a four set loss to number three ranked Parkland back on Sept. 6. So far the team has won 11 of their 12 matches in straight sets.

ISSUE 3

Golf

Cross Country

The Cavalier Golf team finished second at the KJCCC number one event at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield, KS. The team finished 11 shots off the lead. Sophomore Parker Miller finished first at the tournament with a two under par.

Men’s finished third at the Mule Run at University of Central Missouri while the Women’s team finished fifth.

Sophomore Tyler Roberts finished a team best 15th for the Men. Freshman Katie Nelson finished a team best 26th for the women.

Anthony Miller prepares to swing at the incoming pitch. During a scrimmage game, Jacob Scribner runs back to third base. The game Photo by Mike Abell. was against 68's Inside Sport's club team. Photo by Mike Abell.

Featuring Head Volleyball Coach Jennifer Ei

Featuring Volleyball Player Bethany Farres Cavalier Sports Report hosted by Mackenzie Moore

SPORTS CALENDAR Men’s Soccer

3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 v. Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa

Baseball

6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 v. Hutchinson Community College

Women’s Soccer

3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 v. Garden City Community College 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 v. Hutchinson Community College

Vollyball

3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 v. North Platte College & Central Community College-Columbus 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 v. Coffeyville Community College & Kirkwood Community College 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 v. Labette Community College

Cross Country

Saturday, Sept. 28 Emporia State University Invitational in Emporia, KS Saturday, Oct. 5 Chili Pepper Cross Country Festival in Fayetteville, AR

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SPORTS 17

A game of constant adjustments Baseball uses fall scrimmages to prepare for spring season

By Mac Moore

The lights are on over the pristine turf. The ping of the baseball connecting with aluminum fills the field. Athletes are rounding the bases, at first jetting from first, and then jogging back after the outfielder cuts them off at second. This is normally the scene of an average spring day at JCCC. It’s also the scene during the fall semester.

Fall baseball is a little unfamiliar to the Kansas City area. The Royals are almost always out of contention before October. The college’s baseball team has a fall baseball schedule that is made entirely of scrimmage games that the team only loosely keeps track of. Although the scores are not official, the team does take these games seriously.

“Other coaches take different approaches to fall,” Kent Shelley, head baseball coach said. “It’s important for our kids that come from programs that aren’t used to winning, it’s important for them to learn how to win.”

Shelley believes the fall is vital to preparing his squad for the spring season when the games really count.

If he did not think so before, he definitely believes so after the tough road the team had last year. His team gets to play on a state of the art turf field that was finished in time for the 2013

SPORTS COLUMN

By Mac

Kansas City Moore is finally excited for football.

Three games down and the Chiefs are undefeated with even the “we’re not football fans” cheering on the team. With an average winning margin of over 10

spring season. The fall of 2012 was another story.

“We didn’t have a place to play when the fall season started.” Shelley said. “Granted we have one of the top indoor facilities in the country, with what we are trying to accomplish in the fall, it is imperative that we have a field.”

The team switched between playing two days a week at the “3 and 2 Baseball Club of Johnson County” and in the school’s indoor facility.

Shelley admits this was a factor in the team’s 21-29 record in the spring.

The lack of real looks on the field became extrapolated when the terrible weather caused many cancellations and reschedules. The cold spring was not a suitable environment to a team that was struggling at the plate.

“The spring weather did not favor us making a comeback in terms of offensive production.” Shelley said.

“Our coldest game was at Highland.

Actual temperature was something like 18 degrees with a 6 wind chill.

That’s not baseball weather. When you’re forced to play under those conditions it is a game of survival.”

Sophomore pitcher Connor Miller agreed that the cold weather was a factor but felt like it was something that each player had to focus on working through.

“We can get a lot done inside even

though it’s not the same as it is out here,” Miller said. “We gotta keep our swings down. Pitching wise, we have to work on throwing at bullpens, hitting our spots and keeping our arms loose.”

The fall is important to gaining team chemistry before the official season starts. Sophomore Aaron Schnurbusch feels like this team has improved on this front over what they accomplished a season ago.

“It’s crazy, this year is a little bit different than last year.” Schnurbusch said. “We got a bunch of dudes that hang out. We have family dinners on Sunday. We try not to leave anybody out, especially sophomores.

From the experience of last year, it is a lot closer of a team.”

Miller felt like the team had more “cliques” last year and the team has done a great job of avoiding that in an attempt to boost team camaraderie. The improvement of team chemistry should be huge to this squad as the talent laden group goes forward.

Shelley is pleased with the team on most fronts, including the intangibles that the recruits have brought with them.

“We have several freshman that I consider baseball guys.” Shelley said.

“They understand the game of baseball. They understand what it takes to grind out a long season.”

Photo by Mike Abell

The one area that Shelley views as needing work is the fielding and team defense. Currently the squad is not at the level the team expects for a Cavaliers baseball team. Shelley said he has total confidence that the team will shore up their fielding and will put an outstanding defense on the field this spring.

“We are working hard to get that corrected,” Shelley said. “We teach fundamentals and we recruit the types of kids that will be able to field on all types of terrain. That’s what baseball is all about, adjusting. Baseball is a game of total adjustment, whether it’s a pitcher to an umpire’s strike zone, a hitter to a pitcher. Baseball is a game of constant change.

The great teams make those adjustments.”

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc.edu.

Put the brakes on the bandwagon points per game, the football futility in the barbeque borrow has finally ended. You know, just like it did in 2010.

A 3-0 start to the season doesn’t mean the team has turned. It takes a lot to put together a winning club in the NFL and keep it there. That 2010 team had the same upturn in support before the subsequent seasons showed the wins to be a red herring.

Matt Cassel wasn’t the right quar-

The Chiefs are the first team to start 3-0 after winning two games or fewer the previous season since the 2002 Panthers. That team didn’t make the playoffs, but made it to the Superbowl the following season. Source: ESPN Stats.

terback and the talent on the team would be for not.

Now I’m not saying Alex Smith is the second coming of the false messiah that was Matt Cassel. I’m not even saying that the Chiefs aren’t on the right track. All I’m saying is that we need to hold out on writing the season off as a success so early into the year.

The Chiefs are the fifth team to start 3-0 after losing at least 14 games

the previous season, according to ESPN. None have made the playoffs.

If they do make the playoffs, we will overestimate the level this team is at, much like the 2010 season and the 2008 Miami Dolphins that went from 1-15 to 11-5. The playoff berth alleviated criticism for those squads that faded into mediocrity during subsequent seasons.

SEE “MOORE” CONT. ON PAGE 18

Quick points Since the 1990 season, teams starting the season 3-0 in the NFL make the playoffs 75 percent of the time. (2-1 make it 54 percent, 1-2 24 percent, 0-3 3 percent). Source: ESPN Stats.

Kansas City and St. Joseph McDonald’s restaurants have signed a four-year sponsorship with the Chiefs.

After every game that the Chiefs record a sack on the quarterback, the next day will be buy one get one free Big Macs. Even in last year’s dreadful 2-14 campaign, the Chiefs earned a sack in 13 games. Source: Kansas City Star.

18 SPORTS

SEPT. 26, 2013 VOL 36

ISSUE 3

Freshman named one of KJCCC’s Players of the week

By Mac Moore

Q&A with Freshman Jorge Rivero

Freshman Jorge Rivero was named one of the men’s KJCCC/ Verizon Wireless Soccer Players for week four. Rivero scored a goal and earned an assist in a 4-1 home win against Independence CC on Sept. 10. During a trip to Cowley CC on Sept. 14, Rivero added two goals and assist in a 3-1 victory. Those two games were in the middle of a four game winning streak that got the team above a .500 record.

From the end of August through the first two weeks of September, the team lost three straight then won three straight. Is the losing streak or the winning streak more indicative of what this team is capable of?

I believe that the winning streak is more significant than the losing.

How have you handled the transition from high school soccer to college soccer?

During the summer I prepared my-

CONT. FROM PAGE 17 While I heed warning to all those casual fans that believe three straight wins warrants unbridled cheers, I am filled with anticipation for how this team develops over the season.

Luckily the Cassel era has made a lot of spectators hold judgment on Smith despite the strong early season performance. We see his limitations and we wonder how that will affect the Chiefs down the road. Despite Smith’s lack of downfield play, he is head and shoulders above Matt Cassel physically and in terms of decision-making.

In my article at the end of last season, I indicated an approval of the hiring of Andy Reid. I also stated a support of the trade for Alex Smith.

Anybody that knows me knows I never wanted Matt Cassel in the offseason of 2009, which was a similar trade.

The difference is Matt Cassel re-

self for my season in college, therefore the transition from high school to college was not difficult.

What will it take for this team to stay above their current .500 winning percentage and make a run in the postseason?

You are one of four teammates from Olathe North High School. Was the decision to attend JCCC in any way related to the other players or was it just coincidence that you guys all chose this school?

We have gotten this far so all that we need to do now is keep on winning and keep working hard to keep the momentum up.

The decision had to do somewhat with my teammates and friends from high school. They talked me in to keep pursuing my goal and to attend JCCC. What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses? What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie would be Goal.

Who is your favorite recording artist?

I don’t have a favorite recording artist. I listen to everything.

What would be your dream job?

The strength would be that we were able to get along with each other since pre-season started. The weaknesses of our team have been the lack of communication once on the field, but we are getting better at it every game.

My dream job would be to be a professional soccer player or a professional coach.

Compiled by Mac Moore, sports editor, mmoore82@jccc.edu.

Photo by Mike Abell

ceived top end money from the start.

Mostly unproven, Cassel was a 27 year old quarterback that was going to helm the Chiefs for at least three seasons. The 2010 playoff appearance gained Cassel an extra year. During that time, names like Russell Wilson, RG3, Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford, Andy Dalton, Matt Stafford, Josh Freeman and Ryan Tannehill came off the draft board.

Of course some of them went before the Chiefs pick in the draft and only hindsight makes the others seem like such sure picks. I still argue that Chiefs management ignored a wealth of quarterback prospects because of a mistaken faith in Matt Cassel as a franchise quarterback.

Alex Smith was already labeled a game manager in San Francisco. His departure because of the strong arm and wild athleticism of Colin Kaepernick only made this image of Smith

hold a tighter grip on the minds of football fans.

If another prospect comes along, Dorsey will draft him and Andy Reid will groom him. Alex Smith is not locked in if he doesn’t play up to his contract. He has two years with middle level money and outstanding performance over the last two seasons.

At the very least, his bang is worth the buck.

Honestly, I think many decisions by former GM Scott Pioli have actually benefitted this team and his choice of quarterback is what really held this team back over the last couple years.

With the additional changes the new GM John Dorsey made, the coaching of new coach Andy Reid and the play of a stable Alex Smith; this team has an upward trajectory.

But we are not there yet. Jamaal Charles has not looked liked the running back that carried this team for four years, even with his 172 total

yards against the Eagles last Thursday night. The passing game has only looked productive in spurts, and the careful Alex Smith has made the downfield passing non-existent.

The faults actually make for a better narrative than the perfect turnaround of winning more games in three weeks than they did all last season. Remaining undefeated with three solid wins even though the team hasn’t reached full steam yet makes one ponder the potential of this team if they continue to improve.

Now that’s the kind of thing a diehard fan like me wants to see.

Writer’s note: I have watched all but six Chiefs games since 2000. Their record was 89-119 with an additional 0-3 in the playoffs during that time frame. My life is sad, but I know Chiefs football.

Contact Mac Moore, sports editor, at mmoore82@jccc.edu.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR NEW, REDESIGNED WEBSITE: CAMPUSLEDGER.COM

the CAMPUSLEDGER ‘SOPCICH’ CONT. FROM PAGE 3 For employees that might be concerned about what the future holds, what do you think they need to know?

Well, I think they should just be attentive to the process and to work toward collecting the information and the data to help evaluate their areas.

Regarding the tuition increase, how was the decision made for it to be implemented at this time?

Well, the way it works is that the administration would recommend it to the trustees, but right now I think we’re the second lowest tuition rate in the region. At the end of five years, the plan is, that per credit hour would be 100 dollars, so that’s over a five year period. I think if you start looking at other opportunities at other schools, it might already be in that neighborhood or about more. So, but the process is the administration, what they do every year, identifies what the tuition would be and then proposes that to the trustees.

WWW.CAMPUSLEDGER.COM The objective is to do this now so we’ll be fine down the road, that’s why we’re trying to do this now and then we can start working on other things, but this is the first step in kind of making some adjustments and then hopefully we’ll never have to make adjustments down the road, but you can never say never, right? But that’s the goal.

Adjustments in regards to shrinking the budget again?

Right, but now it’s important to note that we’re not talking about shrinking the overall budget, we’re talking about focusing just on the salaries and benefits line of the budget. We’ve got three basic lines of the budget, you’ve got the salaries and benefits, you’ve got capital expenditures and you have operating expenditures. Those three comprise your operating budget. It’s a very complicated issue.

Was there anything else you’d like to add?

Haven’t received anything, yet.

The budget is a very complex deal, it’s a lot of money, you’re talking about $137, $138 million so that’s a lot. There are a lot of other things that are connected to it as well and so what we’re trying to do is address the future – and we’re fine.

Are there any reductions planned for the years after?

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

What kind of feedback have you received about the proposal to increase tuition?

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