The Courier - Jan. 28, 2015

COD PRESIDENT SET TO RETIRE IN 2016

COURIER

THE

IN NEWS | PAGE 4>

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER \\ 28 JANUARY 2015 \\ VOLUME 48, ISSUE 16

#FreeCommunityCollege President’s proposal puts college affordability in the spotlight PAGE 5 > EDITORIAL Good in theory, but questions remain PAGE 11 >

FEATURES

FEATURES

Club reaches for the stars and hopes for astronomical turnout

Cleve Carney exhibits new modern Indian artwork PAGE 8 >

PAGE 9>

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE Recognized nationally as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report.

Ranked among Forbes magazine’s “America’s Top Colleges.”

Join us for our TRANSFER VISIT DAY Saturday, January 31, 2015, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Here’s what we have planned for you: Presentation topics include: s

Transfer Admission

s

Financial Aid

s

Student Life

NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE WILL BE AT COLLEGE OF DUPAGE ON: January 28, 10-1 February 3, 10-1 February 11, 10-1 February 19, 10-1

You will also have the opportunity to meet our faculty and student life staff and take a walking tour of our beautiful 65-acre campus.

These visits are located on the second floor of the SRC near Campus Central.

To register, just call us at 630-637-5800 or register online at northcentralcollege.edu

To learn more about how you, too, can be central, call us to set up an individual appointment at 630-637-5800 or visit us at northcentralcollege.edu/transfer-visit.

Now It Comes With A Listof Ingredients.

Courier TV What’s in your tap water besides water? A short new report from your water supplier will tell you where your water comes from, what's in it, and how safe it is. Look for the report in your mail, and read it. Because when it comes to understanding your drinking water, the most important ingredient is you.

Drinking Water. Know What’s In It For You. Call your water supplier or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Or visit www.epa.gov/safewater/

2 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

A new partnership with MPTV. Coming soon.

THE

COURIER

EDITOR IN CHIEF Joash Mencias NEWS EDITOR Taira Alabi OPINION EDITOR Maggie Curran FEATURES EDITOR Kelly Wynne COPY & DESIGN EDITOR Ashlee Berner PHOTO EDITOR Lucas Koprowski

INDEX NEWS

OPINION

4 President Breuder set to retire early

11 Free community college proposal sparks questions

FEATURES

7 Astronomy Club reaches for stars

SPORTS

8 Indian art in Cleve Carney art gallery

COFFEE BREAK

12 X Games recap 14 Comics and more

SPORTS REPORTER Ben Grote

C O R R E C T I O N S & C L A R I F I C AT I O N S NEWSROOM 630-942-2683 ADVISER Jim Fuller fullerj103@cod.edu ADVERTISING Christina Payton paytonc359@cod.edu

The Courier is published every Wednesday when classes are in session during the fall and spring semester, except for the first and last Wednesday of each semester and the week of and the week after spring break as a public forum with content chosen by student editors. One copy free, additional copies available upon request.

The Courier does not knowingly accept advertisement that discriminate on the basis of sex, creed, religion, color, handicapped status, veteran or sexual orientation, nor does it knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws.

Deliver all correspondence to SSC 1220 between regular office hours or mail to the Courier, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137.

Online 24/7 at www.codcourier.org

ON THE COVER

Above: Community college graphic by Lucas Koprowski. Left: Club photo courtesy of COD News Bureau. Right: Artwork photo by Lucas Koprowski.

In the Jan. 21, 2015 issue, the story entitled “Fourteen candidates to fight for three trustee seats” incorrectly stated that voters in community college district 501 will elect College of DuPage’s trustees. College of DuPage’s trustees will be elected by residents of community college district 502.

Catch an error we didn’t see? Tell us about it. Send an email to editor@cod.edu.

Get quick access to our mobile-friendly website.

Using an Android or iOS device, visit www.codcourier.org on your mobile browser. Then, access your browser settings and add a shortcut to the home screen.

For breaking news and campus updates, follow us on Twitter: @CODCourier

Like us on Facebook for links to our stories and more: www.facebook.com/CODCourier

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 3

NEWS

A buyout for Breuder Trustees grant $762,000 as part of retirement package COD president to retire March 2016 TAIRA ALABI NEWS EDITOR JOASH MENCIAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

College of DuPage President Robert Breuder will be seeing the end of his presidency soon.

COD’s board of trustees voted 6-1 on Jan. 22 to grant Breuder a severance package to the tune of $762,000.

Breuder will retire March 31, 2016, as opposed to sometime in 2019 as originally stipulated in his contract. As part of the buyout package, Breuder would get the Homeland Security Education Center building named after him and help choose his successor.

Before the trustees voted for Breuder’s contract addendum, several individuals spoke out against the severance package.

Adam Andrzejewski, founder of the OpenTheBooks watchdog group, told the board their sur-

reptitious moves over the payout package was an example of “corruption unfolding before our very eyes.”

Vice Chair Kathy Hamilton, the lone “no” vote, also criticized the payout.

“To award a golden parachute to Dr. Breuder is nothing more than a wanton betrayal of our students,” Hamilton said.

“Instead we should show Dr. Breuder the door.”

Glenn Hansen, president of the faculty association that expressed no confidence in Breuder in September, said the whole process of Breuder’s buyout lacks transparency.

“The college community is in the dark,” Hansen told The Courier.

The college president’s tenure has been plagued by criticism of overspending and lack of transparency over the past few months.

In an email sent in May, Breuder pushed to secure a $20 million grant by identifying “a project

COURIER FILE PHOTO

President Robert Breuder announced he will retire March 31, 2016. As part of his retirement package, Breuder will receive roughly $762,000.

that would help release our state funding,” coinciding with Gov. Pat Quinn’s commencement speech. Watchdog groups also questioned the use of school money for expenses

2009 Robert L. Breuder

Highlights of President Breuder’s Tenure

becomes president of College of DuPage

Voters approve $168 million referendum for new campus construction 2010

4 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

such as Breuder’s membership for a private shooting club.

In a letter sent to the board of trustees on Jan. 20, Breuder wrote he had been exploring his retire-

2011

Homeland Security Center and Culinary & Hospitality Center completed

COD implements tobacco-free campus policy 2012

ment options for at least 6 months. Breuder made his final decision over the holiday break.

“With age comes the inevitable reality that time is precious,” Breuder wrote.

“I concluded the time was at hand to make a life decision.”

“I feel privileged to have been a part of the current family that made educational opportunity available to students and served our community with excellence,” Breuder continued.

Several other trustees members expressed solidarity with Breuder and appeared sad to see the president leave.

“I and others are of course saddened that Dr. Breuder will be leaving the college next year,” Chair Erin Birt said in a statement. “His list of accomplishments is staggering.

COD will benefit from his foresight and guidance for generations to come. We are pleased to have come to an agreement that best

serves the college while recognizing the incredible leadership Dr. Breuder has shown.”

Student Trustee Omar Escamilla, saying “yes” to the payout, remarked on Breuder’s impact on the college.

“Dr. Breuder has been a great president in this institution,” Escamilla told The Courier. “Although it’s sad to see him leave, I see this as another step for our college to move forward.”

Read the contract addendum and President Breuder’s letter online at codcourier.org.

2014 Full-time faculty vote no confidence in Breuder

Breuder announces retirement; trustees approve $762,000 payout 2015

NEWS

FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Presidential proposal puts higher ed accessibility in spotlight

Achieve More.

Together.

President Barack Obama delivered the State of the Union on Jan. 20, 2015.

TAIRA ALABI NEWS EDITOR

President Barack Obama announced a potential initiative to make community college tuition-free has thrust community colleges like College of DuPage into the spotlight. The proposal has gotten everyone from school administrators to famous actors focusing on the importance of community college.

In his most recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said he hopes “two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today.�

Earl Dowling, vice president of student affairs at COD, doesn’t see why anyone should not be excited. “Why wouldn’t you, especially if you work for a community college,� Dowling said.

While Dowling believes the U.S. may not completely see free community college for some time, he

does believe the attention that community colleges are getting is a good thing. “It really shows the importance and role of community college that we have been seeing at COD [with the increases in enrollment] for over five years,� Dowling said.

When it comes to community college, Dowling feels COD has served as a model of what community college should be. “Families can look to us for an area of affordable career growth and route to the baccalaureate degree�

Dowling said.

Dowling cites programs like the college’s 3+1 program as well as its expansion and vast resources as setting COD a step ahead in providing an affordable education. “I can say, tongue in cheek, we were a little ahead of the president,�

Dowling said.

Brennen McKim, a business management ma-

jor at COD, agrees with this sentiment. “Community college has had such a great impact on my life,� McKim said. “Being able to attend classes while working has been such a great help.�

President Obama mentioned in his speech that more than 40 percent of college students choose community colleges like COD for reasons ranging from affordability to the ability to go to school close to home.

For McKim, it was a mixture of all of these factors that made him choose COD. “I decided to go [to COD] because it was close to home, could balance work and school, and because it wouldn’t be too expensive.�

Helping students figure out their major and steering them in the right direction is something that COD strives to do, according to Dowling.

PETE SOUZA/WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

“When we bring a student to this campus, we want to do our best to steer them in the right direction and see what we can do to help,� Dowling said.

Dowling believes that COD students are more than able to compete with other students at four-year institutions and in the workforce. “Students who attend community college get good jobs equal to or better than their counterparts who didn’t. We are proud of our students,� Dowling says.

Tom Hanks, an Oscar-winning actor, attended a community college in California. In a recent New York Times opinion editorial, he stated community college “made me what I am today.�

While many people don’t believe the U.S. can ever completely afford to make community college free, Obama aims to strive to make his initiative a reality. continued on page 6

΄ d]QRaUaMQdMcR \MX^ab ΄ 2QdZc MPPRZRaMcRQ QRUaRR P^\_ZRcW^] _a^UaM\b ΄ 4^d]bRZ^ab ^]͚bWcR c^ \MYR cVR caM]bSRa _a^PRbb RMbh We seek to develop strong, capable graduates who build successful careers.

Our most popular transfer majors include aviation, criminal/ social justice, education, nursing, healthcare leadership, and business.

College of DuPage transfer credit is pre-approved through existing agreements

Learn more about our on-site undergraduate program: Î&#x201E; ÎŽ 4^\_dcRa EPWR]PR QRUaRR Î&#x201E; ÎŽ 4aW\W]MZΧE^PWMZ <dbcWPR QRUaRR Î&#x201E; 6]VM]PRQ ÎŽ FRMPVRa 6QdPMcW^] QRUaRRb Í&#x2C6;6MaZh 4VWZQV^^Q 6QdPMcW^]Í&#x153; 6ZR\R]cMahÍ&#x153; E_RPWMZÍ&#x153; M]Q 4^\OW]RQ 6ZR\R]cMahΧE_RPWMZ 6QdPMcW^]Í&#x2030;

lewisu.edu/transfers (815) 836-5250

Scheduled On-Site 3+1 Advising Sessions: www.cod.edu/academics/transfer_ programs/3plus1_advising_sessions.aspx

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 5

NEWS

continued from page 5

PHOTO POLL

“I want to work with this Congress, to make sure Americans already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments, so that student debt doesn’t derail anyone’s dreams,” Obama said in his State of the Union.

With relatively lower tuition than universities, student debt is already less of an obstacle for most attending community college.

“When I’m paying back my loan in a few years, I’m sure I’ll be even more thankful I attended community college,” McKim said.

How has College of DuPage affected you?

R.J. Herman Second Year, Music Production/Business ““I would be doing something completely different. It has really impacted me.”

Email: news@cod.edu

Tana Stieve Second Year, Nursing ““It has really affected my life, at this point in my life. I wouldn’t have been able to go to a major university so coming here makes it simpler and cost-effective.”

Meganne Suess First Year, Graphic Design ““I didn’t learn a lot in high school but I am learning a lot at COD.”

INTERVIEWS BY TAIRA ALABI | PHOTOS BY LUCAS KOPROWSKI

TRADITION / INNOVATION THIS IS WHERE THEY MEET

ker? n i h t l ritica c a u Are yo st learner?

Fa list? a n r u o gj Aspirin

ed qualifi a r o f g lookin porter. s i r e i s re our The C tudent new .edu. d o c s @ tor to edi l i a m ne end a S ? d ste Intere

X is the intersection.

It's the fusion of scholarly tradition and innovative spirit fostering a community of academic inquiry, discussion and debate.

www.sxu.edu

6 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

NEWS BRIEFS Study skills workshop

Immigration reform session

Free faculty recital

African-American Read-In

The Learning Commons will host a workshop on textbook reading from 1 to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 in SRC 2102.

Student participants will learn different strategies for proper textbook reading and comprehension.

College of DuPage will host a free session on immigration reform from 6 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 28 in SSC 2201.

Immigration lawyer Rocio S. Becerril will provide basic information about President Barack Obama’s recent executive actions on illegal immigration. Attendees can learn who is affected under the president’s order and more The event is sponsored by COD’s Latino Outreach Center.

Figuring out what to do on your lunch break? Listen to a free faculty piano recital at 12 p.m. Jan. 30 at MAC 140. Instructor Svetlana Krasnova will perform the classic “Seasons” composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The COD Africa and African Diaspora Committee will sponsor the African-American ReadIn, taking place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2 in SSC 2201. The annual event will feature various readings of essays, novel excerpts and poetry from selected works of significance in African-American literature.

This year’s theme, “We the People,” aims to explore issues of diversity and race.

LEARN BY DOING

and give back

Put your education into action and connect with local community partners. Discover volunteer opportunities that give you the hands-on edge to prepare you for your future.

SERVICE LEARNING AND VOLUNTEER FAIR Wednesday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Student Services Center (SSC) Atrium

QUESTIONS?

Career Services, (630) 942-2230 www.cod.edu/servicelearning

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 7

F E AT U R E S

Club reaches for the stars, hopes for astronomical turnout KELLY WYNNE FEATURES EDITOR

When Ray Schlosser began his stars and galaxies course last semester, he was unaware that it would shape his, as well as College of DuPage’s future.

In the class, Schlosser fostered his love for astronomy, and found all necessary parts to establish COD’s very own Astronomy Club.

Schlosser has always held a fascination with astronomy. When others in his class began to voice their own interests, Schlosser recruited enough participants to start a club under the college’s regulations.

Within a few weeks, the club was ready to welcome members to its observation nights and weekly meetings.

Barely a full semester old in its existence, the club aims to cover topics from every interest area related to astronomy, giving all attendees a variety of knowledge covering Earth and universe around them.

“Our overall goal is to

promote awareness of astronomy throughout COD and the community around,” Schlosser said.

As many astronomy students have come to find, math and physics are a large part of the study. Succeeding in these categories may be important for one who hopes to make astronomy a career, but Schlosser feels students who do not feel drawn to these areas should not be turned off by the club.

“The beautiful thing about astronomy is that it’s really this perfect mixture of math, science and art,” said Schlosser. “It’s geared towards everybody. Who, at one point, hasn’t looked up at the stars? In a way, it’s like a scientific philosophy.”

As the United States gets ready for a new wave of space exploration, Schlosser feels the club will continue to grow.

“Right now, we’re at a pivotal point where

astronomy is starting to get back into being cool,” said Schlosser. “I think it has a lot to do with technology; at this point in time we can do things that we couldn’t do 10 or 20 years ago.”

COD’s astronomy department has the technology to support the club and give students opportunities they would not have with their own home telescopes.

At the club’s observation nights, attendees will have a chance to use the department’s telescopes, and even capture their own pictures of that night’s universe phenomena.

As Schlosser gears up for the observation season ahead, he is also thinking big in regards to the club’s future. He hopes to see the club gain ground as a wellknown part of student life on campus.

“I’d like to see some kind of prestige,” said Schlosser.

“I don’t want this to be a secret. I’d like to get to a

COD NEWS BUREAU

The College of DuPage Astronomy Club with instructor Joe DalSanto captured the Oct. 23 partial solar eclipse and total lunar eclipse on Oct. 8.

point where people look forward to going to astronomy club and going to the events even if they aren’t an officer. I want to get to the point where it’s bigger than COD and we interact with other astronomy clubs in an intercollegiate way.”

Schlosser’s dream may not be far out of reach, as has watched the club gain recognition week by week.

“We don’t have any members that drop out, but we keep getting new ones,” said Schlosser. “Now we’re starting to need a bigger room.”

The next event held by the club will be a bake sale on Feb. 10. Students who are interested in the club, or would like more information, will have a chance to meet Schlosser

and other members at the Valentine’s Day themed celebration.

Once the weather gets warmer, the club will host a number of observation nights, open to all.

The club also hopes to take more trips to the Adler Planetarium this semester, as well as continue weekly meetings.

Email: features@cod.edu Twitter: @kellywynne23

ASTRONOMY CLUB The club meets 1 p.m. on Fridays in BIC 3617. All are welcome to attend. For more information on club events, email schlosserr@dupage.edu.

“I want to get to the point where it’s bigger than COD and we interact with other astronomy clubs in an intercollegiate way.”

COD NEWS BUREAU

8 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

F E AT U R E S

Cleve Carney displays modern Indian artwork KELLY WYNNE FEATURES EDITOR

The Cleve Carney Art Gallery unveiled “Traditions in Transition: Contemporary Art of India” on Jan. 22. The exhibit features pieces by 10 artists, all focused on preserving Indian tradition while conforming to fit a modern-day environment.

The artwork varies by regional inspiration, including the Indian areas of Gond, Madhubani, Warlis and Bengal Parachitra.

Each portrays a slightly different style centered on the artist’s respective community.

Many of the pieces relay Indian folklore to a contemporary audience, aiming to preserve tradition while incorporating contemporary issues.

Although the paintings may differ in style, similar themes can be found throughout.

A variety of mediums can be found in the collection. Many pieces were created using acrylic paints and ink, while two pieces

used cow dung. Designs Peacock and a Goat can be found on canvas, paper and even chairs, showing the exhibit’s sizeable range of composition.

Manvee Vaid, the exhibit's curator, will visit the gallery Jan. 29 and Feb. 4 to speak about the exhibit as a whole and the inspiration behind each style.

This exhibit will also host a special reception, featuring a traditional Indian fire LUCAS KOPROWSKI/COURIER ceremony on Feb. 8.

Gallery visitors can pur- A piece by Durga Bai on display at the Cleve Carney Art Gallery. chase any work found in the exhibit, excluding two paintings by Bhua Devi.

Herd of Deer Prices range from $450 to $2,750.

“Traditions in Transition” will be on display until Feb. 21. Gallery visitors can access the collection between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Email: features@cod.edu Twitter: @kellywynne23

Respect Women

LUCAS KOPROWSKI/COURIER

A piece by Anvil Vangad on show at the Cleve Carney Art Gallery. This piece is made of primarily cow dung and water-based color.

Untitled

LUCAS KOPROWSKI/COURIER

LUCAS KOPROWSKI/COURIER

A piece by Durga Bai made with Acrylic paint and ink on a canvas on display at the Cleve Carney Art Gallery.

An arrangement of English and a variety of different wall of the Cleve Carney Art Gallery.

INDIAN ART SPECIAL EVENTS Visit from Exhibit Curator Manvee Vaid When: 11 a.m. Jan. 29 and 1 p.m. Feb. 4 Where: Cleve Carney Gallery, first floor of the MAC

Reception Featuring Indian Fire Ceremony 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 8 Where: Cleve Carney Gallery, first floor of the MAC For more information on the Cleve Carney Gallery, including upcoming exhibits, visit www.cod.edu/gallery or call 630-942-2321.

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 9

Meet with area employers who have jobs available.

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE CAREER FAIR

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Physical Education Center (PEC), Arena 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for your first job, aiming for a better job, changing careers or returning to the workforce, the Career Fair gives you tips, tools, training and real opportunitites to get ahead.

cod.edu/careerfair Sponsored by:

THIS WAY UP.

10 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

OPINION

Land of the free tuition

Free community college proposal good in theory, but questions remain On Jan. 20, Americans gathered around their televisions and tuned in to watch President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. Among a variety of the usual bullet points—taxes, minimum wage, and job creation—an issue that stood out as one of the most highly anticipated was the proposal of free community college tuition.

Earlier this month, Obama announced his plan to put an end to the inaccessibility of higher education as a result of financial insufficiency. He proposed that any student that earned a 2.5 GPA in high school and maintains such in college could attend community college at no cost. Well, at no cost to them.

The federal government would be expected to cover 75 percent of the expense, with state governments providing the other 25 percent. This led to many questions surrounding the plan during the weeks leading up to the State of the Union: Where will this money come from? How will this affect funding for individual schools?

Can the federal government manage to pay their

required contribution? Can the states do it? And most importantly, will the plan even work?

Unfortunately, those who watched the address to receive answers to these questions fell short of their goal. On the other hand, those hoping to find an uplifting speech about the American dream and the power of a “tight knit family” in “tough times” got just what they were looking for. While Obama did mention the proposal in his speech, citing it as a “chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt,” he only spoke on the matter for about 2 minutes. And so, we are left to more speculation as to how exactly this plan is meant to be implemented and how it will affect us.

This issue, particularly for students at COD, should be a big deal. While on the surface it may seem like this plan will only impact future community college

students, depending on when it is put into effect, many of us could be saving some serious cash. It’s already been proven to work in Tennessee and Chicago; Obama based his proposal on their free community college initiatives.

Yet despite the benefits, those vital unanswered questions won’t go away.

The issue of attaining the funding for this process won’t be easy on either a state or federal level, and with such a large number of government-paid tuitions and the possibility of higher enrollment rates, community colleges will have to find the means of housing more students at less cost. These aren’t exactly the kinds of feats we can afford to take lightly, especially at COD, where lack of parking and classroom space is already an issue.

Not only that, but it essentially lowers the threshold for the full tuition scholarship that already exists at COD: the

LUCAS KOPROWSKI/COURIER

Presidential Scholarship.

Presidential Scholars must meet the criteria of a 3.8 GPA (or a 27 or higher composite ACT score), submit a 250 word essay and complete 20 hours of service learning by the end of their first year at the college. Even after meeting all of the aforementioned requirements, only a select number of students receive the scholarship.

Needless to say, this is a much more rigorous standard for students to achieve in comparison to a 2.5 GPA. Depending on how one looks at it, this is either a huge opportunity

for thousands of more students or a slap in the face to those that worked to meet the scholarship requirements for the same benefits. Then again, the scholarship could be removed altogether, considering that if the proposal is put into action it will be rendered useless.

In the end, it seems as though we can’t win either way. Implement the proposal, and state and federal governments are left paying the tab on a bill they just simply can’t afford, potentially by raising taxes.

Yet without it, the US remains without the means

The issue of attaining the funding for this process won’t be easy on either a state or federal level, and with such a large number of government-paid tuitions and the possibility of higher enrollment rates, community colleges will have to find the means of housing more students at less cost.

THE

COURIER EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR IN CHIEF Joash Mencias OPINION EDITOR Maggie Curran DESIGN EDITOR Ashlee Berner

for its entire people to receive the higher education that today’s workforce demands. Depending on where you stand economically, the better option differs.

As for our attitude, we lie somewhere between the shades of gray. It’s quite the plan on paper, but put it into action and the logistics get too muddled.

There’s still the possibility of a miracle; every question could find an answer and every hardworking student could get the education they deserve. In the meantime, however, it’s important to see this proposal for what it is: an idea, still only half-baked, with the potential of becoming something bigger after a little more time on the drawing board. Still, it never hurts to remain hopeful.

Views expressed in The Courier represent opinions of majority of editorial board. The Courier encourages all students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members to voice their opinions on all the topics concerning them both in and out of school.

Writers can express their views in a “Letter to the Editor”.” All correspondence and letters for publication must be typed and signed with the author’s contact information and full name.

Letters can be sent via e-mail to editor@cod.edu. The subject heading to the message must read “Letter to the Editor.” The writer’s first and last names, major (if student) or occupation title, street address, city, state and complete phone number with area code must be included for identity verification by the Courier. Deadline for letters meant for publication is noon on Fridays. Letters are subject to editing for grammar, style, language, length and libel. All letters represent the views of the author, not the editorial board.

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 11

OPINION

COLUMN

Parking pass a good premium during winter MAGGIE CURRAN OPINION EDITOR

We’ve all heard the horror stories from College of DuPage’s parking lots, and most of us live through them everyday.

To say there is parking problem is an understatement; in order to get a good spot, students have to leave their house well before their class time and scan the parking lots up and down. If they still are unable to find a parking space, they can end up walking quite the distance

in the freezing cold, only to arrive to class late. But the very worst part of the entire endeavor comes just before reaching the building that was once so far off in the distance. The very worst part is passing by empty space after empty space, all reserved for those lucky enough to have a parking pass.

These next few weeks are by far the most difficult to not have a parking pass. Long walks in the summer heat now seem more like a stroll through

the park. However, parking passes and those who have them are not evil, and believe it or not, they weren’t made for the sole purpose of annoying those that go without. The idea is actually pretty smart; pay a small fortune and avoid the daily struggle of finding parking. And while it does seem as though the spaces reserved for parking pass holders are so often empty, it’s important to remember that those people paid the price—literally—to have

that spot for a semester.

Whether or not they use it is their own problem.

In the meantime, the issue for everyone else is clear: there are simply not enough parking spaces. The solution, on the other hand, isn’t quite as easy. Expanding parking, either with more lots or a parking deck, would be an enormously expensive, difficult and inconvenient task. There is the Chaparral Express, newly implemented shuttles that take students from the

SRC to the west parking lots to save them a walk, but even those aren’t an ideal solution. So what more can be done?

This is when the parking passes come in to play. We as students have to make the decision of either paying $85 for a parking pass or enduring long distance walks while our faces turn numb from the cold and our skin cracks from the dry air. It’s our own personal “Sophie’s Choice” of the semester, but if you’re currently regretting your

decision of not buying a parking pass before the “Sold Out” signs were hung, today might be your lucky day. A very limited supply of parking passes is now available once again for this semester. It’s first come first serve, so make your way down to the cashier’s office in the BIC before it’s too late and spare yourself from a parking nightmare for the remainder of the year.

Email: opinion@cod.edu

Contribute to the conversation.

Write a letter to the editor via email at editor@cod.edu.

Undergraduate Admission On-the-Spot Transfer Thursdays. A big step made easy.

At GSU that’s the day you start on the road to a bachelor’s degree and bigger opportunities.

In one day you can: Meet with an admission counselor and get an on-the-spot admission decision Learn what you need to know about financing your education See our campus – including our new 80,000 sq. ft. Science/Health Professions Wing All you have to do is bring your transcript.

It’s that easy.

For dates and information, www.govst.edu/transferthursday or 708.534.4490 facebook.com/govstate

Big Ideas Live Here

SM

12 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

@Governors_State

SPORTS WEEKEND RECAP

What you missed during the Winter X Games BEN GROTE SPORTS REPORTER

The Winter X Games took place on Jan. 22 to Jan. 25 in Aspen, Colo.

The annual event featured three different sports: snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling. Each sport contained separate events and competitors were scored based on their performance and the top scorers earned medals for their competition. The four days of competition hosted 19 events in which athletes can win a medal and had a grand total of 28 total events. Over the course of the four days of competition, the world’s greatest winter sport athletes competed for their shot at the prestigious opportunity of achieving a gold medal. On top of the competitions, the event hosted multiple music acts such as Snoop Dogg and Skrillex. Here’s a recap of the event.

Thursday, Jan. 22 - The first day of the X Games included three medal-qualifying competitions. Out of the three gold-medal winners, a very notable one was 53-year old Chris Devlin-Young, who won with a huge lead over his younger competitors in the mono skier event. The other events hosted on the first day also included the popular ski slopestyle competitions and had eliminations set up to get the best competitors to compete in the finals for later in the week.

Friday, Jan. 23 - Out of the seven events that took

place on Friday, there were a total of five medal-qualifying events. However, one of the most exciting events to watch was the snowmobile long jump event, in which Heath Frisby won gold for a long jump of 164’11’’. The rules to the snowmobile longjump truly reflect those rules of the ordinary long-jump event that track-and-field athletes would compete with. Each competitor is given a certain distance as a run-up, and the athletes need to give themselves somewhat of a boost in order to get the farthest distance.

Saturday, Jan. 24 - Saturday was a very interesting day due to the fact that it had medal-ranked events for both men’s and women’s slopestyle events. With slopestyle being a huge part of the winter action sport scene, this was not an event that you should not have missed. Nick Goepper took gold for the mens division with an incredible run that featured much of his skiing in a switch-position, meaning he rode down the slope backwards as he approached each feature on the hill. As for the women’s ski slopestyle, Emma Dahlstrom won gold in her division, with a run that included some extremely advanced freestyle skiing. Part of her impressive routine included quick spin-maneuvers onto the hand-rails on the hill. Also, Dahlstrom

GABRIEL CHRISTUS/ESPN PHOTO

Snowboarder Hannah Teter during practice for women’s snowboard superpipe at X Games 2015 in Aspen, Colo.

finished her run with huge 540’s and also implemented grabs along with her spin maneuvers off of the large jumps at the end of the run.

Sunday, Jan. 25 - The last day of the X Games included the men’s and women’s snowboard slopestyle competition, both medal-ranked events.

There were a grand total of five medal-ranked events on this day. Along with the snowboard slopestyle

events, two events that were very exciting to watch was the snowmobile snocross event, and also the snowmobile adaptive snocross event. One of the most notable winners of the entire X Games event, was Tucker Hibbert who won his eighth gold medal in snowcross at the X Games. Hibbert amazed the crowds with his controlled handling of his snowmobile and his incredible talent of making

tight turns while maintaining a high speed. Just as exciting to watch was the performance of Mark McMorris, who won gold in men’s slopestyle. The X Games veteran’s run was significantly better than his competitors. A very exciting part of his run was a very fast backside 270 onto the handrail just before performing a very hard spin-maneuver off of one of the large jumps. McMorris had an

excellent run and left the viewers very satisfied with ending the last day of the X Games on such a good note.

The Summer X Games will be taking place in Austin, Texas from June 4-7. The summer games will also include a variety of action sport competitions and anyone who had interest in the Winter X Games will also enjoy the summer event.

Email: sports@cod.edu

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 13

COFFEE BREAK

5 TIPS FOR MANAGING LIFE Get ahead in your life with these five super helpful tips.

ASHLEE BERNER DESIGN EDITOR

1 Confidence is Key

This past week I had to take a quiz online for my math class. I hpad three attemts to take it and after the first time I took it, I didn’t do so well. So my confidence went down a little bit on my knowledge of what I was being tested on. So I took it again, and again I didn’t do so well.

After the second time, I took a break, reviewed and then took it for the final time. But what changed the last time was I went into the quiz with confidence. My advice would be is to go into tests/quizzes with confidence and you will do so much better.

Since I went into the quiz with confidence, I got a way better score. The key to good grades is to have confidence in yourself.

2 Active Reading

Something that I found to be helpful while reading material for class is to also take notes while doing it.

This is called active reading. Even if you highlight while you read or make marks of where to come back to, it’s a good way to read. While you actively read, you are picking out important things to remember about the chapters. Writing down notes on what you just read will also help you remember the material better when it comes time to take exams.

Another benefit is if you take notes on assigned reading, you will be better prepared for class discussion. You can engage in class and learn in this way.

3 Early Risers

I know this means less sleep, but get to school earlier than when your class starts. I’m not talking an hour before class, but fifteen to twenty minutes.

That way you can relax when you get there. You can come to school early enough to not worry about getting a parking spot or running to class. Also, if you get to school early you have time to stand in the line at Starbucks to get some coffee, or a beverage of your choice. Finally, you could also review your notes from your previous lecture. It is always important to review notes to remember where you left off from last class and of course its a good study tool.

4 Be Patient

OK, I’m not sure if this annoys anyone else, but when I’m leaving my class, it annoys me so much when the kids for the next class just storm in before we can get out. Just wait 5 seconds for the previous class to get out and then walk in. That way you don’t bump into each other trying to get into the door.

Don’t worry, your seat will still be there once we leave.

So please be courteous of those students and wait for them to leave before you rush into the room.

5 Zip Up

I’ve been noticing a lot now that it is winter that people are not wearing coats. There is snow on the ground, meaning that it is cold out. Put a coat on. I know I sound like a mother, but you can get sick that way. I know they are annoying to carry around campus. But is it really worth it? For some it is a long and cold walk to your car, and your car has been sitting out there for a couple hours in the cold. So now you are in your freezing car with no coat. To save yourself from frostbite, blue lips and shivering, wear a coat. It is not summer yet.

Email: graphics@cod.edu Twitter: @doubleEE14

COMICS

Randall Enos, Cagle Cartoons

14 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015

Daryl Cagle, CagleCartoons.com

COFFEE BREAK

PUZZLES AND MORE

Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News

SUDOKU

No. 214

Medium

3

Previous solution - Easy

8 7 2 5 7 9 8 4 7 6 8 9 8 9 6 7 5 7 8 3 2 4 6 2 1 3 4 4 3 6 5 2 6 2 3 1

6 3

9 7 1

9 3 7 8 4 3

9 5 2

1 9 5 www.str8ts.com

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

6

4 3 2 1 6 5 7 8 9

6 2 5 6 3 4 5 5 3 4 3 4 8 9 9 6 8 7 9 8 7

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These

No. 214

9 3 7

Very Hard

3

9 1 4 7 3 8 2 5 6

2

2 4 1 2

Previous solution - Tough

5 4 9

9

2 4 3

7 4 6 2 9

complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

5

6

1

3 7

© 2011 Syndicated Puzzles, Inc.

STR8TS

Bill Day, Cagle Cartoons

3 2 6 9 1 5 4 7 8

7 8 5 2 6 4 3 9 1

5 4 9 8 7 3 1 6 2

8 6 3 1 9 2 5 4 7

1 7 2 5 4 6 9 8 3

4 3 8 6 5 1 7 2 9

2 5 7 3 8 9 6 1 4

6 9 1 4 2 7 8 3 5

board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

CLASSIFIEDS JOBS

JOBS

ADVERTISE

COD students earn $9.30 per hour tutoring fellow students. Stop by the Learning Commons, SRC 2102, for application information or call 630.942.3686 or email tutoring@cod.edu.

Interested in sales or advertising? The Courier is looking for a part time advertising assistant to call upon local businesses. Contact Christina if you are intereste at paytonc359@cod.edu

Print your classified ad for $12.50 a week for 25 words or less. If you are a COD student, staff, or faculty member, you may run a FREE classified ad on our website, using your college email address.

ON CAMPUS

28 January 2015 // codcourier.org // 15

Celebrating a Century of Black Life, History, and Culture

BLACK HISTORY MONTH A Celebration of a Century of Black Life, History and Culture

FEBRUARY 2015 COLLEGE OF DUPAGE

To honor the 100-year anniversary of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), College of DuPage will recognize A Century of Black Life, History and Culture. This will be a time of celebration, reflection and learning!

Opening Day Program 11:30am to 1:30pm Tuesday, February 3rd SSC Atrium

Scheduled events:

COME CELEBRATE!

FEBRUARY 2015

• The Annual African American Read-In, hosted by Prof. Cheryl P. Jackson*

• BHM Community-Wide Opening Day Celebration • A Taste of History

• African American Film Festival

• Intercollegiate Panel on African American Awareness • African American Student Art Exhibit

• BHM Gala of African American Culture

This will be a time to honor and celebrate the important contributions that African Americans have made to American history!

To view our calendar of events, visit cod.edu/csdi.

For more information, contact the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion at (630) 942-2565.

CSDI-14-17881(1/15)

Plus the MAC will host Faculty Spotlight and Night at the MAC featuring African American musical artists

Free Film Festival 3:30pm to 6pm February 12th and 19th MAC 153 Free Student Art Exhibit February 23rd – 27th For more info, visit http://cod.edu/student_life/csdi/events.aspx

FREE FOOD MUSIC AND FESTIVITIES! 16 // codcourier.org // 28 January 2015