Tuesday Novemeber 11, 2014
Volume 28, Issue 6
Sitting Down With Jeff Wahl Written by Koa Avery Overseeing the College Hill Library, a dual use library that serves both the Front Range, Westminster Campus student body and the Westminster community, requires a mix of vision, flexibility, communication and persistence. Though FRCC students will often make use of only the second floor of the building that serves the students directly, the library’s leadership works in concert with both branches of the library to capitalize on the strengths that each community’s expertise provides. Jeff Wahl, newly appointed Lead Librarian at College Hill, brings with him a wealth of experience well suited to the position. Already an eight and a half year veteran of FRCC, Wahl grew up near Akron, Colorado, a small town in the northeastern part of the state, about 30 miles south of Sterling. “I grew up on a farm. And the town I grew up near, not in the town, ‘cause there are town kids and there are country kids, had less than 2,000 people. There’s possibly more cattle than people out there,” Wahl said. But farming never bit as Wahl’s calling. “I’m a musician. That’s what I’ve been the most passionate about all my life.” Attending CU-Denver and accepting a work study position at the library, a prophetic first step, Wahl would graduate in 1994 with a degree in music composition, being quickly introduced to the realities of striving to be a professional musician and its hit and miss nature. “When you’re a
Photo by Koa Avery
musician, you have to take every gig that’s offered to you, and teach every lesson,” Wahl explained. Regularly working birthday parties, weddings, and funerals, and having to learn the music specific not only to each category of events, but also the specific selections of the person footing the bill for each gig, the hours were considerable, yet making ends meet was proving difficult. Taking on a part time job at Denver Public Library as a shelver and circulation clerk, Wahl would spend about three years balancing the life of a musician and a part time librarian before realizing, “This is not what I got into music to do, and I no longer enjoy this.” Unhappy with the situation Wahl would enroll at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, with the intent of pursuing a degree in music therapy.
Eventually realizing, again, that the realities of the situation weren’t living up to the initial expectations as job prospects in the field of music therapy weren’t exactly a hot commodity, Wahl would switch degrees, transferring his credits and obtaining a music teaching license in 1999. “I still couldn’t let go of the idea that my career had to be music. That was all I could see,” Wahl said. Now working on the other side of the table teaching guitar lessons, Wahl would accept another position at a library, this time at the Fort Collins public library. “It just kept happening. Ever since I was in college, I always kept getting these jobs in libraries. I never considered it a real thing, it was my thing on the side to keep music afloat. I loved it, but I saw it as a survival job.” Though still set on music as his life’s work, finding a full time position in music was still proving difficult. Not, however, in Skagway, Alaska. “I heard they really needed teachers in rural Alaska. So I went for it, applied for the job, and they flew me up to Skagway. There’s one road in, and it’s almost always snowed over during the winter, so it’s mostly either by boat or by plane. I taught there for a year when I admitted I probably wasn’t cut out to be a public school music teacher, and probably not cut out to live in rural Alaska,” Wahl said. “I have failed at so many things. But that’s what life is. There’s what you think life is going to be, and then
there’s what it is,” Wahl would add. Returning to Colorado and, you can probably guess by now, upon almost immediately falling into a part time job at a library, seeing an advertising poster in the break room one day would provide the necessary perspective to shift gears. “The years of working in a library, all of a sudden it hit me. It was right in front of my face the entire time. This is what your career is going to be, and has been trying to be,” Wahl said. That poster was from Emporia State University, out of Emporia, Kansas, advertising their online master’s program in library science. At the time, the only school in Colorado that offered such a degree was the University of Denver. DU, however, had just lost their accreditation from the American Library Association, a key element when considering eventually needing to find a job, though the school would later regain their standing. Upon completing his master’s degree from Emporia State and embarking on his post-musician career, Wahl would work for two different law firms in downtown Denver, first Sherman & Howard, followed by Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, “which is now Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber & Shreck, but I don’t think it’s the green Shreck,” Wahl said. Downtown Denver is home to several of the biggest law firms in the area, and nearly all of them have their own libraries and librarians. “It’s like a
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In this edition... Identity Theft
Spotlight on Alana McCoy
Math Lab
Student Debt Reduced
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Page 7
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The Front Page
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Sitting Down With Jeff Identity Theft Wahl cont.
Novemeber 11, 2014
Written by Ben Allen
Written by Koa Avery hidden world of librarianship. It was great, and I learned a lot, but It wasn’t what I saw myself doing. When I saw an opening at Front Range, I jumped at it,” Wahl said. After eight and half years at the Boulder County Campus, Wahl now find himself here at College Hill not only looking to further bolster it’s history of effective collaboration, but also the trend towards more digital and online formats. “My first professional job was in a law firm that was pretty much all digital, and the next firm was the same thing. I’ve never felt that shock because as soon as I had professional jobs that’s what I was expected to do,” Wahl said. And as for the future of College
Hill, Wahl would explain, “It’s gotten really good in the last few years as far as the collaboration. For instance, when we have early childhood education classes, we have children’s librarians coming up to teach in those classes. We know about research and academic things, but really the children’s librarians know more about children’s literature than we do. We’re not going to trying to compete with them. My big vision for this library, being a dual use library, I would like as much as possible to strengthen that relationship, and for each of us to get as much out of that as we can.”
Upcoming Events Written by Rachel Bruner and premature death in the US, yet Tuesday, November 11th –
about 42 million Americans still
Veteran’s Day Program. Visit
smoke cigarettes — a bit under 1
Student Life for more information.
in every 5 adults. As of 2012, there
Saturday, November 18th to
were also 13.4 million cigar smokers
Sunday, November 19th – Diversity
in the US, and 2.3 million who
Symposium. See Student Life for
smoke tobacco in pipes — other
further details.
dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.
Friday, Nov. 14, 10:15 a.m. EST. The Last Quarter Moon rises around
Monday, December 1st – Friday,
11:00 p.m. and sets around 1:00
December 5th – Student Life at
p.m. It is most easily seen just after
FRCC Westminster Campus will
sunrise in the southern sky.
be hosting an event each day for finals week. Themes include Muffin
Thursday, November 20th - Great
Monday on Monday, December
American Smoke Out. The American
1st, Tunes @ Noon on Tuesday,
Cancer Society marks the Great
December 2nd, Build Your Own
American Smokeout on the third
Cocoa Bar on Wednesday, December
Thursday of November each year by
3rd, Finals Breakfast on Thursday,
encouraging smokers to use the date
December 4th, and Snack Cart on
to make a plan to quit, or to plan in
Friday, December 5th. See Student
advance and quit smoking that day.
Life for more information.
By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease
One serious issue that affects students is the risk of identity theft. Identity theft is sometimes not considered a serious issue by students, but once one has suffered the effects of an attack, the issue is never taken lightly again. Students are especially at risk over the average victim of identity theft because of the multiple e-mail and other student associated accounts students must maintain. The search for scholarships and financial aid can also prove to be dangerous if taken recklessly. This warning does not serve to incite paranoia among readers but as a gentle reminder of some of the simple steps that can be taken to avoid the disastrous results of having one’s identity stolen. Identity thieves operate by stealing information from personal accounts in which only the user should have access. Banking and routing numbers, e-mail log-ins, and social security numbers are the more dramatic examples of information, but even information acquired from a library card or Facebook can lead to more accessible information on the part of the thief. Identity thieves obtain this information through many different channels including false login pages on the internet, forged bank e-mails, and even physically obtaining information from discarded records and looking over shoulders. Prevention is the best way to avoid any trouble with identity theft in the first place. While these hints and tips are useful and will help prevent against most examples of conventional theft, identity thieves are infamous for inventing new and creative ways to pilfer information from their victims. The best prevention methods are not complicated and should become second nature to anyone using the internet or when handling sensitive documents. In the physical world, shredding documents instead of simply throwing them away or recycling will deter thieves who search through waste to obtain information. Old checkbooks, bank statements, and bills can be used to steal one’s identity. Being mindful of when and where you access important information electronically can prevent the identity thieves who look over shoulders and carefully watch key strokes to steal identities. Additionally, roommates and dorm mates can be identity thieves. Carelessly leaving documents out in the open even in your
personal living space leaves a chance for someone to steal the information. The anonymous nature of this crime means those in close proximity could be guilty without the victim ever knowing. The Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website provides a helpful page of guidelines for students to prevent identity loss. The first and perhaps most useful of these is if you did not attempt to contact an institution, generally they will never ask for personal information. E-mails from an institution such as your bank, school, or financial aid provider will almost never ask for your information. If you do receive an email requesting such it is best to call them directly and check that the e-mail is legitimate; chances are it will be a fake. Other tech-savvy ways identity thieves strike include unsecured Wi-Fi connections, Trojan smartphone apps that will steal information once they are installed, as well as false scholarship offerings that usually involve either a fee or ask for excessive personal information. If an attack is suffered, there are a few clear and simple steps in order to protect one from harm. An unfortunate part of this sort of crime is that in some cases the victim has no idea their identity has been stolen, at least not initially. Usually the first indicators are fraudulent charges to a bank account or errors on a credit score. The Federal Trade Commission has a detailed guide for defending yourself in the case of an identity theft attack, but the general outline involves alerting oneself of the three credit reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) of a fraud alert, receiving a current credit report to identify errors, and filing an identity theft claim. A line of credit is only one of the targets that thieves take advantage of after stealing information. For attacks on either a student’s FAFSA or bank accounts, the respective institutions should be contacted to remedy an identity theft problem. Identity theft can be a completely troublesome and devastating inconvenience. Some simple steps can be taken to prevent an identity attack but no one is completely safe. A little mindfulness can go a long way to prevent identity thieves from accruing new victims.
Novemeber 11, 2014
Written by Koa Avery
Westminster - Federal Heights
teenager Alex Sparks, after losing
Page 3
The Front Page
800,000 bees. Cambodia -Free the Bears, an
last rulers of the 18th dynasty,
his demise. Using CT scans to
has long been shrouded in mystery.
recreate the first life-size image
A new BBC One documentary,
of Tutankhamun, scientists and
however, is highlighting a “virtual
historians believe the boy was about
autopsy” recently performed on
19 years old at the time of his death
his mom in 2009, began a campaign
Australian non-profit organization,
the remains of the young king
and suffered from Kohler disease, a
to promote the benefits, and
has operated a regional office in
in an effort to better understand
rare bone disorder.
importance, of tissue and organ
Cambodia for nearly 17 years.
the circumstances surrounding
donation, by working with Donate
Having rescued 182 bears in
Life Colorado. Recipients as nearby
that time, an average of one a
as Boulder, and as far away as
month, current regional director
Pennsylvania, have benefitted from
Nev Broadis must act swiftly and
Sparks’ mother’s, Kelly, donations.
decisively when receiving a call to
Adams County - Adams County Board of Commissioners candidates Erik Hansen and Manuel Solano
rescue a bear cub as the locations are routinely nine or 10 hours away. Entertainment -TMZ recently
sparred during a recent County
reported that American television
Candidate meeting. While Solano
network TLC has decided to
would first claim that Hanse, while
end its production of the reality
serving as mayor of Thornton,
series “Here Comes Honey Boo
didn’t originally support FasTracks
Boo.” The decision comes after
or the Funding Advancements
information surfaced that June
of Surface Transportation and
Shannon, mother of Alana “Honey
Economy Recover (FASTER) Act,
Boo Boo” Thompson, the show’s
the two quickly resorted to name
eponymous main character, had
calling, with Hansen being quoted
allegedly begun dating Mark
as saying, “There’s a reason why
Anthony McDaniel, a man
they call lawyers liars.”
convicted on aggravated child
Arizona - After receiving a catalog from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Arizona’s 12 year old
molestation charges and a registered sex offender. Historical -72 years after
McKenna Peterson, unhappy with
sinking during the Battle of the
the selections presented, wrote
Atlantic, one of the longest running
a letter to the company detailing
military campaigns of World War
her concerns. It wasn’t the shoe
II, German U-boat 576 has recently
selection that left her uneasy, but
been discovered off the coast of
the choice of athletes to display the
North Carolina. Thirty miles off
crop of latest gear. There were no
Cape Hatteras and lying a mere 240
girls in the catalog. After Peterson’s
yards from the merchant tanker,
father tweeted a picture of the letter,
Bluefields, another ship lost during
Dick’s responded with both a “form
the skirmish; the discovery sheds
letter”, as well as a letter from CEO
additional light on the details of
Ed Stack apologizing personally
July 13-14th, 1942, when the
and promising to the fix the glaring
U-boat radioed that it was damaged
omission in future catalogs.
and heading back to Germany for
Arizona - At a residence in
repairs after a month-long patrol
Douglas, Arizona, in what is
against allied shipping that met
believed to be the community’s
with no success. Stumbling across
first ever recorded death by bee
convoy KS-520 on the journey
sting; a man died after being stung
home, the damaged submarine
an estimated 100 times. Upon
attacked anyway, settling in its final
discovering a three by eight foot
resting place with all hands lost.
hive on the eave of the house, an
Historical -The death of King
exterminator called in to remedy the
Tutankhamun, more commonly
situation had to cut through part of
known as King Tut, the boy king of
the ceiling of the house, apparently
Egypt from roughly 1333 B.C.E. to
causing the swarm of an estimated
1323 B.C.E. and one of the boy
A Closer Look at the Victims of Domestic Violence Written by Rachel Bruner
I remember a few years back when a friend of mine, a former Front Range Community College student, came to me and told me about how her relationship had turned toxic. She would explain to me how her boyfriend’s demeanor became controlling in a way where she was no longer allowed to look other men in the eye. Soon that turned into him telling her which of her friends she could see, then turned into him commenting on the types of clothing she chose to wear. Their frequent arguing seemed unfailing, almost always starting with him and his method of trying to hurt her with his words. In due course they began bloodying each other up. I felt sad and upset, continuously trying to reason with her that it wasn’t right that either of them were harming each other all of the time. Always in the back of my head I wondered how she could stay with such a person given her circumstances. It seems we tend to focus too much on blaming the victims for their actions of staying in an abusive relationship and less on cursing the person who has caused the harm. Sometimes there is no easy way out and sometimes they stay for reasons we don’t understand. Following the Ray Rice incident in September this fall – in which the 2013 footage was finally revealed of the former Baltimore Raven’s running back in an elevator knocking out his then-fiancé – many were outraged and offended that the woman he abused decided to stay by his side and then actually marry him. Of course, the conversation about the well-known duo carried on to the popular social media website, twitter.com, yet in a way that seemed to work in a more positive light: It gave the victims
of abuse around the world a chance to voice their reasons for being in their relationships. The campaign “#whyIstayed” and “#whyIleft” – created by a twitter.com user – has allowed those who have dealt with the emotional roller-coaster that goes with being in an abusive relationship their chance to reflect; it has also given those who have never experienced abuse a chance to delve into the minds of those who currently deal with it in their relationship or have dealt with it in the past. There is no success in talking down to a victim of domestic violence – how else can we learn how to fix our loved one’s situation if we do not allow ourselves to first understand the reason they are or were involved with that person? The Twitter.com campaign further helps us to try to resolve domestic violence, to understand the specific reasons why many have carried out those relationships. The website’s trending hashtag seems to be an ear for the victims of a moreoften-than-not quiet quandary, just as I was an ear to my friend who so bravely chose to encompass me in her dangerous dilemma. Eventually, my friend got herself out of her potentially poisonous relationship and with counseling is now in a much better place in life. Domestic violence doesn’t have to be a physical issue; usually the incidence stems from psychological abuse, and sometimes that’s all that it is. To learn more about domestic violence –including the signs and symptoms of it and how to seek help – visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline at thehotline.org, or call their 24 hours, seven days a week hotline service at 1-800-799-SAFE.
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A Brief Look at Health Information Technologies
Novemeber 11, 2014
Written by Koa Avery Health Information Technologies (HIT) is a 2-year degree offered at FRCC, Westminster that, combined with the HIT student club, prepares graduates to either enter the workplace with an associates degree focused more towards technician positions, or to transfer to a four-year school to obtain a bachelor’s degree. “It’s a broad field,” Debbie Charles, HIT program director and the student club advisor, said. “And it’s really geared towards being detailed oriented.” HIT is about the background of health care, the paperwork, according to Charles. In the digital world, we inhabit, and add new laws impacting data reporting and reimbursement, it is also about managing the data. The list of facilities utilizing such data is long and includes hospitals, doctor’s offices, surgery centers, insurance companies
and more. What this allows for is to be involved in health care without becoming a hands on clinician. And as health care is an essential element over the course of the lifespan, it also allows for a steady, and currently growing, employment industry. The HIT program here at Westminster covers everything from the Health Information Management Science, to Coding (the lexicon used to classify and report health information), to Practicum, and Basic Medical Sciences that includes anatomy and physiology. Additionally, upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Health Information Technologist certification exam. For those interested in a 4-year degree, Westminster has a standing agreement with Regis University that allows program graduates to transfer
Just a Thought
into the bachelor’s program at Regis. And of course there is the HIT student club. Under its current leadership, the club has positioned itself as an adjunct to the regular curriculum that allows HIT students a more in-depth look at the field they are studying to enter. Though the program does have a 60 hour practicum requirement as part of the final semester, the club is looking to bolster that experience. To that end the HIT club has taken it upon themselves to seek out opportunities such as hiring guest speakers for club members (everyone in the HIT is technically a member of the club) to get a first hand account of how they are learning fits in to the career of HIT employment. Just Associates, a Centennial based company and recognized leader in health information
Written by Philosophy Instructor Charlie Cummings When people ask me what the discipline of philosophy is all about, I unhesitatingly answer, “Relationships.” Relationships with self, others, wisdom, God, Gods, Reality—any of the above qualifies, and so this is My Two Cents about the amazing potential for relationships that exists here at FRCC. When I started my undergrad studies at the University of Texas, I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of people on the campus! There were 45,000 students back then, now up to around 50,000 or so (which is only 49,998 more than our total football victories this year!). So needless to say, it was a pleasant surprise when I began teaching here at FRCC Westminster. The smaller atmosphere is very conducive to meeting people, getting to know them and their stories, and making and maintaining quality friendships. My Two Cents is about being intentional to take the time, amidst schoolwork, vocation, and family commitments, to get to know someone next to you in class. A true friend could be there for the initiating! The roots of this idea come from Plato’s Symposium in which
Aristophanes explains the relational dilemma of life: “Mankind, he said, judging by their neglect of him, have never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love…Of all the gods he is the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which are the great impediment to the happiness of the race” (Jowett’s translation). One of the ills of our race in this respect is isolation; it’s so very easy in our busyness to pass one another by in the 6 X 1,320 hallways of FRCC. This problem, in Aristophanes’ allegory, arose when people, who were originally round with four arms and four legs, were cut in two by Zeus, leaving roaming half-people in search of reunification with their severed others. Now I’m not guaranteeing that FRCC student Kate will find FRCC student/significant other Leo on campus; FRCC is not a sinking ship nor a mega-hit movie. But I can propose that very important friendships await us on our campus, if we lift our eyes from our iPods long enough to look. An example: When I started my Master’s degree, I had no idea that those years would result in one of the best friends of my life as well as one
of the most influential mentors. In my very first Greek class, in walked the professor with hair and ‘stache that made him look like Saddam Hussein. (He taught like Saddam, too.) Later that day, a guy named Oscar asked around after class for a ride home. I was already heavily overloaded with homework from Saddam, but I offered Oscar a ride, and we’ve been fast friends ever since. Saddam (a.k.a. Dan) also opened my mind to the joys of reading Greek classics, and his academic intensity and love for cigars has not left me (and hopefully won’t). It’s mid-semester; we’re all carrying the load of reading, exams, papers, and grading. (This latter category belongs to your teachers). It’s easy (and sometimes familiar) to walk around in the half-state in which Zeus left us. (He later semi-corrected the problem, but that’s another story). My Two Cents is to by all means take care of your life commitments—family, school, work, etc. But along the way, we just might find a fellow FRCC friend who makes our classes that much more enjoyable, and who might come along with us into the next stage of life.
data integrity solutions, has also been invited to the club to provide a virtual practicum through hands on experience using some of the types of software employees of the HIT industry can expect to see. Charles, in her third year at Front Range, welcomed the accreditation of the program just a year prior and is no stranger to the unexpected realities of the workplace. Having previously spent 19 years working with her electrical engineering degree, a forced transition, in other words a layoff, wrought changes on the life of the mother of three. As such, she is dedicated to overseeing a program that excels at the preparedness of its graduates. “We’re all about preparing to go out and work,” Charles said.
You Should Just Quit! Written by Andrew Goad
Smoking that is. Seriously, it is 2014, why are you STILL smoking? Let’s ignore for a minute that 392,000 people die every year from lung disease, and let’s also ignore that another 50,000 die from second-hand exposure, and let’s completely forget that ALL this adds up to the leading cause of all preventable deaths. (American Heart Association) In fact, more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by ALL DEATHS from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders COMBINED. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Now that we’ve forgotten all that, let me ask you this, do you really have that much extra money? Do you really like standing outside by yourself in the rain, the snow, the heat? Do you really want this addiction. Speaking with Heidi Hosner, Respiratory Therapist and Lead
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Novemeber 11, 2014
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You Should Just Quit! cont
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Written by Andrew Goad Respiratory Educator at St. Anthony’s Hospital, North campus, she was adamant in her urge to get young people to quit smoking, “Young people don’t think about the risks [of smoking]. They should see the patients after they go through treatment for lung cancer and COPD. I have to teach them how to breathe just to do normal daily activities. They think it won’t happen to them, but there are a whole lot of people in the hospital right now that would disagree with them.” November is Lung Cancer awareness month, and that means there is no better time than now to quit. It will be hard. There is absolutely no denying that. But consider this for a moment, within 20 minutes of quitting your blood pressure, pulse rate and the temperature of your hands and feet have returned to normal. Within eight hours the remaining nicotine in your bloodstream has fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.75% reduction; within 12 hours your blood
oxygen level has increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels have dropped to normal; within 3 days your entire body will test 100% nicotinefree and breathing is becoming easier and your lung’s functional abilities are starting to increase. The long term effects get even better. After a year your excess risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke has dropped to less than half that of a smoker. After five years your risk of a subarachnoid hemorrhage (stroke) has declined to 59% of your risk while still smoking. After ten years your risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is between 30% and 50% of that for a continuing smoker and after 15 years your risk of coronary heart disease is now that of a person who has never smoked.(whyquit.com, from a study from US Department of Health and Human Services) So now you’re ready to quit. Where should you turn? There are plenty of resources out there to aid you in your
decision. One local program is the Colorado Quit Line sponsored by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. From their website, “The Colorado QuitLine is a FREE online service available to Colorado residents 15 years of age and over. When you become a member, you get special tools, a support team of coaches, research-based information, and a community of others working toward becoming tobacco free. Our expert coaches can talk to you about overcoming common barriers, such as dealing with stress, fighting cravings, coping with irritability, and controlling weight gain.” Information for the Colorado QuitLine can be found at coquitline.org or by calling 1-800-quitnow. Another option is the Freedom from Smoking program sponsored by the American Lung Association. According to the American Lung Association, “Each clinic session uses techniques based on pharmacological and psychological principles and
methods designed to help smokers gain control over their behavior.” Information for the ALA can be found at lung.org or by calling 1-800-lungusa. It matters not which you choose, or how intense and involved you want a program to be, it only matters that you are truly ready to quit smoking. If you would like to show your support campaigns against lung cancer such as, Beards for Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for Lung Cancer research will be holding their annual fundraiser starting November 1st. You can form a team, join a team or simply donate and grow your beard out. Beards for Hope even have a “Leg Beard” section for ladies. The time is now. Quit smoking yourself, encourage your friends to quit, do whatever it takes to ensure you are around for a long, healthy time. “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.” - Mark Twain
Larson from Manataka.org wrote. Most of us learn that the Native Americans and Pilgrims had a pleasant, happy feast together, encouraged by a tradition of the Pilgrims in giving thanks to the Native Americans with a bountiful harvest, though as we grow up and gain the knowledge that this story is not entirely true. Colonization and the political means behind early settlers with the Native Americans play a hefty role in the truth of Thanksgiving Day. What is called the “first” Thanksgiving, the motivations – politically or religiously influenced – on those few peaceful days between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation led to the history many of us come to understand later on – that Native Americans had been massacred, and those who have since been treated unjustly. Thanksgiving’s past is something important to understand, but the historical truth of what it represents can leave many of us emotionally conflicted. Yet, America being a country with so many different cultural viewpoints, the significant point that
should be stressed in this article of the holiday is that Thanksgiving is a tradition that was important to both sides of the dinner table, regardless of the motivation in the emphasized story; Thanksgiving was a tradition celebrated, separately, by both the European settlers and Native Americans in their different ways of life. According to plimoth.org, the current tradition of Thanksgiving is a mixture of New England and the Puritan Pilgrim’s tradition; New Englanders would celebrate each time there was a copious harvest, while in the Puritan Pilgrim tradition it was a religious feast to thank God. In many Native American traditions, especially for the Wampanoag, giving thanks to the Creator for the Earth and its amenities – including animals and plants for food – was a daily custom. Traditional ceremonies for the abundance of agriculture have been celebrated by cultures for as long as the farming lifestyle has been around, plimoth.org explains. It’s essential that we learn and
remember the true meaning of the emphasized story of Thanksgiving and what its history has caused for Native Americans; though perhaps in modern times, the holiday may be treated best if we can think of it as a day for all of us to connect to our loved ones peacefully. While the Native American’s struggle and the historical implications of Thanksgiving is real and will be on my mind this fourth Thursday in November, I will be thankful for what is on my plate, the amazingly good home-cooked meal that my family prepares, and for the opportunity to get to spend my time with family and friends through sharing a delicious meal. What will you be thankful for?
Thanksgiving Day: What Will You Be Thankful For? Written by Rachel Bruner
For most of us who celebrate Thanksgiving in the modern day, the thought of a delicious, extravagant home-cooked meal – usually a turkey full of stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and that freshly baked pumpkin or apple pie, among other foods – fills our minds, along with the comfort of sharing this moment with many friends and loved ones. Many of us may have our traditions; perhaps it may be going around the table and saying what each of us is thankful for; maybe it’s gathering the family and watching football, or it could be (for those of us with somewhat dysfunctional families) that the tradition re-makes itself each year. In current times, it’s usually an American holiday of gratefulness; a day of remembrance in our own lives of what we should be appreciative for that we might take for granted any other day. This idea is centered on what most Americans have been taught in elementary school – of the partial truth and partial myth of 1621 with the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the Wampanoag Nation, as Chuck
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The Front Page
International Collaboration at FRCC
Novemeber 11, 2014
Written by Robin OConnell On Thursday, October 9, 2014, FRCC English Faculty, Randy Russell spearheaded an intercultural collaboration between FRCC creative writing students and ELS Language Center students. With the intent of sharing classic published poetry, the students were treated to an opportunity, according to Russell, “... to be introduced to a new or different culture.” Students were grouped into
pairs and took to the halls of FRCC to share their chosen poetry with one another. “The poems we brought to discuss were extremely different topics but we discovered much of the same language and style the same throughout all four poems, which ironically happened to be our favorite parts of the poems.” FRCC Student, DeEtta Houghland
“There was a language barrier that slightly dampened our ability to communicate, I spent a lot of time trying to understand the form and themes of her Chinese poetry and she made sure I could understand it.” FRCC Student, James Gilboy “I don’t know Arabic language, but hearing the poetry it has a rhythm I can appreciate, the repeating ebb and flow of syllable is felt deep in the body.” -
FRCC Student, Harley Lehner “He explained to me that poetry is the meaning inside of a person. The poet does not feel a certain way or try explaining something; the poem is the poet more or less. I felt moved by this statement.” FRCC Student - Seleste Wilson “Famous musical artists from her country made both poems [Esposa and El Alma En Los Labios] into songs, which we listened to after she read me the poems. This lead us onto the topic of music and we each recommended music artists that we enjoy to each other.” - FRCC Student, James O’Hagan “I loved how our conversation tilted toward the idea of language itself, how translation affects poetry...We ended our conversation concluding that speaking a different language is like seeing the world through different eyes... I was reminded how much grey there is in language, not much black and white.” - FRCC Student, Zane Peiffer
Have you wanted to study Mars? Are you interested in space? Would you like to work with NASA? If you are a STEM student at Front Range Community College during Spring 2015, then you are eligible to apply for an internship with NASA at:
https://ncas.aerospacescholars.org/ Applications are due December 15 and require a letter of recommendation.
Novemeber 11, 2014
The Front Page
Spotlight on Academic Advisor Alana McCoy
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Written by Rachel Bruner Academic advisors at Front Range Community College, Westminster campus are here to “help explore educational opportunities, choose a certificate or degree program, select courses and create an educational plan,” according to the frontrange.edu website. Alana McCoy’s goals in life and as an academic advisor go above and beyond that expectation. Academic advising was not her first educational dream; however, the Westminster, Colorado native graduated from Regis University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts and Visual Arts. From there, McCoy was hired at Regis University for a student services position, would later move on to work at Colorado State University of Denver, and then finally made her way here, to FRCC, Westminster campus, starting in a position at the Welcome Desk. McCoy moved on from that position to Financial Aid and then came to her current title in the Academic Advising Center: “I do feel like this is an extension of my family. The people that I work with are awesome,” McCoy said of working for FRCC. McCoy emphasized that she particularly “… loves working with students,” and she maintains that image by not only helping students plan for their future academically, but
as sometimes they are required to meet with an advisor for their class; McCoy explained that students can “…expect to be heard” when making an appointment with an advisor, and that she allows students to lead the conversation of their visit whether that’s about academic planning or if they are just there hoping for a hug. On her free time, Photo by Rachel Bruner
by also helping them to grow in their personal life: “Mostly my goal in every advising session and in life is to just help somebody a little bit. … I want to take someone from a point of struggle and frustration and try to alleviate that. … I feel like sometimes students feel powerless in their situations and they feel powerless in the classroom, so I hope that I give them a sense of confidence and give them some tools to try and have conversations with folks that they might be frustrated with.” When in an advising session, not many students know what to do or “… why they are there,” McCoy said,
McCoy loves playing with her dogs – one of which she showed me was about to receive a new and adorable light-green hooded sweater – and spending time with family. She claims to be a student at heart and hopes to take more classes in the future. New students making an appointment with an advisor are required to “provide unofficial transcripts, ACT/SAT scores or Accuplacer scores from within the last 5 years,” according to the Front Range website, as this helps the advisor determine which classes
Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., the Math Lab is busiest from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. during the week and is available for students to receive help with to every level of math course offered. Located in B0854, the lab asks that students log in to the service’s computer upon entering the lab, as well as logging out when you’re ready to leave. This not only allows administrators to track usages to improve schedule staffing, it also allows students to become eligible for additional tutoring, should they desire, which first requires six hours of instruction in the Math Lab. Available at no additional cost to students the lab is headed up by Nadine Bluett, math faculty at Westminster, and someone who knows a thing or two about needing help with the subject matter.
“I wasn’t always good at math,” Bluett said. Having to repeat an algebra class upon arriving here from
Utilizing the Math Lab
are most suitable for students. Additional information every student is recommended to take with them to an advising meeting include “catalog or degree worksheets, academic plans, transfer guides, or recommended course suggestions … [as well as] specific transfer information from institutions you may be interested in transferring to,” frontrange.edu states. Students should also be aware of the program Degree Check, and should bring a copy of their Degree Check with them to an advising appointment: “Degree Check is a useful tool to help you track your progress so you understand how your courses and educational plan are meeting your degree requirements,” the Front Range website explains. Degree Check can be found by students on eWolf in the Student Tab, though students who may be unsure of how it works can consult their advisor about the program. If you would like to make an appointment with Alana McCoy or any of the other helpful advising staff at FRCC Westminster, call the Welcome Desk at 303-404-5000. Advisors are also available for short, 10 to 15-minute walk-in appointments from Monday through Friday.
Written by Koa Avery Students who have taken a math class here at FRCC, Westminster have likely heard the instructor mention their Math Lab as one of the available resources for additional help. It holds as its mission statement: To provide FRCC students in mathematics a low-stress study environment with access to appropriate technology and knowledgeable tutors. Computers line one wall with open seating tables filling out the main floor space, and of course it is staffed by any one of the 13 faculty/instructors of the math department, or the six work study students. The work study students are all enrolled in Calculus 2 or higher, and must have already passed Calculus 1 with a B or higher. Open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Fridays &
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Photo by Koa Avery
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Utilizing the Math Lab cont Written by Koa Avery
her native Germany, coupled with an understanding, high school instructor, “that year, all the repetition and just doing it over and over again, changed how I looked at math. After that it just became easier,” Bluett added. “And for the higher level courses, I was in my professor’s office all the time.” Taking a similar approach to the direction of the math lab, the service is designed to provide students with both the adequate space and computer access to complete their work, but also the flexibility to answer a vast array of questions, whether it be homework, or studying strategies, or preparing for an exam. As is common with college courses, time is critical here. Putting in the necessary hours to achieve success is a requisite first step. But so too is specificity. “The idea is that students have specific questions,” Bluett said. What the Lab is not designed to do is to reteach entire chapters or sections that students may have missed. “It’s free help, which is awesome,” Bluett said. “Yet [students] must still dedicate quality time. Not just time, but conscious time. It’s not necessarily just about finishing, but to spend the time to learn.” Originally established for just developmental math, the Lab has expanded over the years to handle the increased diversity of math courses offered. These days every course up to Math 121 can be readily handled by any of the staff. As courses proceed higher in difficulty, there are progressively less instructors as there are less students taking the highest levels of math, and so Bluett encourages anybody seeking help for such courses to consult the lab schedule to check the availability of instructors. The schedule is located in the Math Lab, just inside the doorway. Ultimately, “success depends on the student,” Bluett added. “Maybe you just want to come in and do your homework, in case you run into a question. Or maybe you just want to hear a different approach. Someone will be there to help you.”
The Front Page
Novemeber 11, 2014
Spotlight on National Society of Leadership and Success Written by Rachel Bruner Whether students are looking for a résumé booster or to boost their level of leadership skills through a commitment to goals, The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Front Range Community College provides eligible students with the tools to become successful not only in their pursuit of educational endeavors but in their life beyond school. Stated from societyleadership.org, the NSLS’s website, the organization’s purpose surfaced around its founder, Gary Tuerack, and his “… vision of creating a community where likeminded, success-oriented individuals could come together to learn from and support each other.” NSLS aims to develop and inspire the internal leadership possibilities that each person harbors so that they may become successful in their goals in life. The Society, according to FRCC student and NSLS FRCC, Westminster Chapter President, Serina Ojala, was introduced to Front Range Community College in the Fall 2012 semester and has since accrued 939 members as well as the organization’s nationwide title – Chapter of the Year – during the 2012-2013 school year. Since the organization’s premiere at FRCC, Westminster Campus, chapters have begun Fall 2013 at FRCC, Boulder Campus – in which 260 members have joined – and at FRCC, Larimer Campus Fall 2014 – in which 288 members have already joined. At any FRCC campus, those with a minimum 2.5 GPA and that are taking at least a one credit hour course may seek to join membership with the NSLS. Those curious about the association and/or those that may not currently be eligible members may get a glimpse into the ideology of the organization through attending a free speaker broadcast: a live, televised event in which one wellknown, successful speaker – such as a politician, a CEO, a celebrity, or other prominent figure – gives insight into how they came to be in the position they are today. Before pending members can become inducted members of the Society, they must attend one of
two orientation days and one of two leadership training days – a day in which pending members watch and listen to advice from experienced leaders, and participate in activities that teach them how to become an effective leader. Students must also attend three Success Networking Team (SNT) meetings with a group of other NSLS students on their own scheduled time. At each of these SNT meetings, each individual creates a new short term goal that is aimed at meeting that person’s chosen long term goal – through the SNT meetings, each person holds the other accountable in reaching their objectives by discussing everyone’s individual short term goal at every meeting, and then by lending advice or motivation on how to reach that objective. Finally, pending NSLS members must attend three of the speaker broadcasts before they can be considered an inducted member and, thus, be able to gain access to the Society’s special amenities. Once students meet the criteria for graduation, they are welcome to join in the graduation ceremony that takes place at the end of each semester. Once a student has become an inducted member, the résumé building begins. Not only do inducted members get bragging rights on their résumé that they were part of a merit-based association, but the Society also offers personalized recommendation letters, specified discount advantages, as well as “… access to exclusive national scholarships, access to [an] exclusive job bank for Society members, and access to previous speaker broadcasts,” Ojala added. Some members choose to take advantage of their membership by getting to play a role in their chapter’s advisory board, where students can get a sense of how to do specific job tasks – such as that of a secretary, a treasurer, a fundraising chair, a community service chair, or even as an organization’s president: “As an executive board member, there are [one to two] executive board meetings to attend each month where a variety of topics are discussed along with the preparation and hosting of society events throughout the semester. Each board member is selected for a specific
position that has certain responsibilities that pertain to that position. However, we all work together to fill any gaps there may be and make sure everyone has the help and resources they need in order to succeed,” Ojala explained. The impact the National Society of Leadership has on its members is up to them and their individual pursuits. For some, it may be there to show off their hard work and dedication to becoming a more successful leader, while for others it may be all about the experience and growing as an individual; yet one thing most definitely in common with the reasons behind joining the NSLS is that the Society enhances a student’s journey towards success. For those interested in learning more about the National Society of Leadership and Success and how you may get involved, visit their website at www.societyleadership.org or contact the FRCC Westminster Campus’s Student Activities Coordinator and NSLS’s Chapter Advisor, Dan Balski, through Student Life. For those interested in checking out what the NSLS is all about, three of the four remaining speaker broadcasts at FRCC Westminster campus will be held in the Rocky Mountain Room (S0148), right next to the cafeteria. Upcoming live broadcast events in the Rocky Mountain room include David Garibaldi – on Tuesday, October 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or rebroadcasted on Wednesday, October 29th from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – and Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn on Tuesday, November 4th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; the rebroadcasting of the Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn event will be held in the Timberline Room (S0118) on Wednesday, November 12th from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Picture from http://www.societyleadership.org/
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The Front Page
Serve the World or Your Community, and Have Your Student Loan Debt Reduced Written by Andrew Goad We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill Last week several federal agencies joined together to take the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) public service pledge on student debt. Together, Carrie Hessler-Radelet, Director of the Peace Corps, Wendy Spencer, CEO for the National and Community Services and U.S. Secretary of Education, with Arne Duncan joined Consumer Protection Bureau Director Richard Corday to pledge to help public servants and national service participants reduce their student loan debt. The Peace Corps has launched a new web portal, linked to their website, along with a public education campaign to help future, current and even returning volunteers understand what benefits may be available to them and how to manage their debt if they
choose public service. According to the Peace Corps website, “School loan deferments exist for several federal programs. Volunteers with Perkins loans may be eligible for a 15–70 percent cancellation benefit. Peace Corps volunteer service is considered ‘qualifying employment’ for the Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.” However, certain restrictions do apply. Peace Corps volunteers qualify for student loan forgiveness only after they have made 120 qualifying payments (10 years, of consecutive payments), and are employed full-time by certain public service employers. On the other hand, volunteers may have qualifying payments as low as $0 throughout their service. While the Peace Corps may not be a calling for all due to the lengthy contract of 27 months and the nature of dangerous work, there are other
options much closer and much shorter. AmeriCorps is another option for many seeking public service. AmeriCorps provides services to non-profits, schools community, faith-based and public agencies. From AmeriCorps, “After successful completion of their term of service, members are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to help pay college tuition or pay back student loans.” “I am delighted to sign this pledge to actively inform the employees at the U.S. Department of Education about Public Service Loan forgiveness as a way to reduce their student loan debt,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “This program can save thousands of dollars for government workers and non-profit employees who dedicate their lives to public service. It’s also a great recruiting tool for government agencies and tax exempt non-profits that want people to be able
to follow their heart and passion – and not just chase a big paycheck because they have to pay back loans. We can’t afford to lose that talent because of student debt.” It is suggested that the individual research these issues on their own to decide if public service is right for them and to speak with their specific lender to find out specifics of their personal student loan debt. More information about the Peace Corps can be found at www.peacecorps.gov. Information on AmeriCorps and other volunteer opportunities can be found at the Corporation for National and Community Service website at www. nationalservice.gov. Information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can be found at www. consumerfinace.gov.
How To Use the Library and Its Resources Written by Ben Allen Most students’ first experience with the library is one by way of an information literacy class taught during a semester of ENG 121/122. A student may also have attended an information literacy session with any number of the many classes that also take time to make sure their students understand the library’s resources. These oneperiod classes are not required, but the classes are the first step into taking full advantage of the databases Front Range Community College has to offer. If one of these instructional sessions are missed, simply visiting the reference desk and arranging a time to learn this information directly from a librarian can be arranged. These classes are staffed by one or more of the librarians who also staff the reference desk. The reference librarians are also quite helpful in pre-research, including narrowing down topics by student’s interest and the resources available. A student should not be intimidated if they have complex questions, the reference desk invites such questions. Even if an area of research is perhaps
too specific for the databases and stacks on campus, a student can be lead in the right direction to find exactly what they need. Librarians work closely with students throughout a student’s entire research project. It may be easier to think of the librarians at the reference desk as research assistants there to help the students, as they are very knowledgeable in the available resources and are willing to show students and patrons how to get to these resources. While librarians are very helpful and are experts on all the media in the library, physical or otherwise, they can lead a student to the research but will not do the research for the student. Additionally, librarians cannot provide legal advice, tax advice, or medical advice though they can certainly direct anyone to where they can receive such advice. The reference desk is not the circulation desk, for check-outs and information concerning fines, the circulation desk will take care of these such needs. The library provides other services like meeting and study rooms,
computer access and Wi-Fi. To get the most out of your library experience, one should contact the reference desk for quick and easy routes to the information required to perform the research essential to learning. The College Hill librarians that staff the reference help desk are one of the best resources on campus for students, especially students in need of research. Anytime the library is open, there will be at least one librarian staffed at the reference desk, which
is Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat & Sun 1 p.m.-5 p.m. The reference desk prides itself on accessibility, if a student is not physically able to visit the reference desk, research help is available by calling (303) 404-5143 during open hours or emailing ereference@ frontrange.edu at any time.
Interested in journalism and newspaper writing? Attend our free workshops taught by FRCC Journalism Instructor Nick Morris and sponsored by The Front Page Newspaper. Workshops are open to all FRCC students. Workshops are from 2:00-3:00 pm in room C0204. Workshops Dates: November 14 November 21
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Novemeber 11, 2014
Taking Advantage of the Writing and Academic Skills Center Written by Koa Avery
Located in B1051, the Writing and Academic Skills Center (WASC) is just one of the various resources available to FRCC students looking for assistance with their writing. Open to all students enrolled in a course with a reading, writing, or speaking component, the WASC is open from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m.-noon on Fridays, during the fall and spring semesters. Check the website for summer semester hours. Availability of instructors is limited to a walk-in basis as the center no longer offers scheduled appointment times due to backlogs and unfulfilled requests for consultation. Headed up by Aaron Leff, who joined FRCC in 2008 and is in his third year as director of the WASC, the center is driven by both a philosophical perspective on writing just as much as the mechanics of the process. “What we do is a lot more writing instruction. The motto I have is, We make better writers, not better papers,” Leff said.
The intent is not to just fix grammar and punctuation on a particular piece of writing, though there is some of that, but to gain a better understanding of the conceptual underpinnings and how those influence the mechanics on the page. “We like to use the paper to talk about and better recognize the pattern of error, whether it’s in rhetoric or generic conventions or citations. And we listen to students to help them clarify their ideas into what they want to get out there,” Leff explained. What students can expect from this is a 15 minute consultation with the available staff that is aimed at improving the student’s process of writing. Showing up an hour before a paper is due to ask for feedback isn’t going to offer enough time to correct possible missteps, nor create a plan for future writing that can avoid mistakes in the first place. “I think an unfortunate part is that we’re still viewed as an editing service,” Leff said. As previously stated, utilizing the
WASC is by walk-in only. Last minute efforts for feedback have no guarantee they can be heard. What can be done is a little bit of advance planning. Peak hours at the WASC tend to be 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; avoiding that timeframe improves the possibility of getting a consultation on the first try. “And they can expect to walk out with a plan, either for this particular draft or strategies to tackle future writing,” Leff added. Beyond the specifics of the scheduling, Leff also aims to address concerns of possible nervousness or trepidation as he’s had students show up with apprehension of having their work looked at. Generally speaking, the apprehension often revolves around the notion that students’ work will be unfairly judged or criticized. The WASC, however, has a much more productive vision of its purpose. “[This is] a place where someone is rooting for them to succeed,” Leff said. “We are all developing writers. We all need to have our work examined from
time to time. I’ve sent so many emails where I’ve had a colleague look at it before I send it.” Critical evaluation is no doubt necessary to facilitate improvement and is part of the process at the center. It is though the enthusiasm for writing at the WASC that can help energize students to get from writing that first page, to the second and the third, and beyond. Halfway through this fall semester the WASC has already documented over 400 student consultations. They have ranged widely in terms of instruction and subject matter, but they have all shared one common thread. “I think it’s about finding that in, that buy-in and that purpose, whether it be the physical aspects of how you’re composing or the environmental aspects. For me, part of my process now, I have to have on headphones,” Leff said. “And embrace the process. Embrace the fact that you’re not going to get it done the first time, with that first draft.”
Spotlight on Department: Reference Librarians Written by Ben Allen
The reference desk at the College Hill Westminster Library is staffed by friendly and knowledgeable individuals that are always ready to make time for students and their variety of research assignments. The Staff at the College Hill reference desk are; Lead librarian Jeff Wahl, Joe Grobelny, Cynthia Rain, and Anne Marie Obarski. Jeff Wahl is the new lead librarian at Front Range, Westminster, he has worked in law and medical libraries and is no stranger to Front Range coming from eight and a half years at the Longmont Campus. Wahl’s current projects at the library include teaching many information literacy sessions and re-working the library’s website to provide more helpful content about research methods to those who need help. His message to FRCC students? “You can always get one-on-one help.” Cynthia Rain stresses that “We are friendly people here in the library” and this inclusive and approachable attitude is clearly a theme throughout
the library staff. Rain received her Library and Information Science Master’s degree in 2011 from Indiana University. Rain’s bachelor’s degree is in the field of Art History. She worked as a librarian while working towards her degree as most librarians do, but she has also worked for the Museo de las Americas,a museum of art, history, and culture of Latino people of the Americas. Rain coordinates the reference desk and is responsible for the outreach program. She also serves as the information literacy voice in the Student Learning Outcome Project. When Rain is not hard at work in the library, she enjoys cooking and skiing, preferably at Winter Park! Joseph Grobelny is a reference librarian who has worked for many different academic and public libraries during his career; the combination of an academic and public library here at Front Range is a rarity among library systems but suits him perfectly. Grobelny completed his Library
Science degree at Denver University, achieving a bachelor’s degree in History before that. Grobelny’s previous library experience includes almost every different library at University of Colorado Boulder, time at Denver University Libraries while achieving his library degree along with a summer working for Newberry Library of Chicago. Grobelny currently works on a history of print journal, enjoys listening and creating music, and spending time with his wife and two year-old son. Grobelny makes it clear that “If you talk to a librarian you will get more out of school.” Even though each of these individuals has a different background they all share one common goal, helping students reach the information they need to succeed as scholars. The librarians are also prepared to spend time with students in their academic endeavors. The
reference librarians are a boon that all students have at their disposal and more students should take advantage of the friendly and helpful people at the reference desk.
Novemeber 11, 2014
Mind Matters
The Front Page
Written by Psychology Instructor Tracy Carreon The other day I was meeting a friend for lunch at the 29th Street Mall in Boulder. If you know the area you know how challenging parking is - it’s congested and busy to a degree that feels almost dangerous. As I was circling I admit that I was lost in thought, debating some point or another with myself, and in mere moments came upon a great spot. I pulled in, sent a quick text and began opening my door. Before I could step out a man was knocking on my window, harshly demanding, “Come on, move it. Back up and get out of the spot.” And before I could figure out who he was or what was happening, he walked away with one final statement I can’t, without being edited, share here, but we’ll just say he obviously wasn’t pleased with me. Somewhere in there I figured out that he must have been waiting for the spot, and I took it. I was still confused, but before I could say anything he was pulling his truck directly behind and within inches of my car. At first I thought he planned to block me in, but I finally noticed another car pulling out two spots down and he was waiting for it. At this point in the story I’d like to pause. Here’s the thing...these moments happen all the time in life. We find ourselves on one side or the other of this type of situation. Something happens and we feel either wronged, as he did, or misunderstood, as I did. When it was over, here’s what I was left with: everyday we’re living out our stories, for the most part blind to the stories of others, and when our story bumps up against someone else’s, we’re given a challenging and golden opportunity to decide who we’re going to be. I teach a lot about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and cultivating such qualities as empathy, resiliency, agency and self-awareness, and it’s in these daily, real-life moments that EQ becomes either a concept talked about, or one lived. Before I left my car I had to decide what road I would take. The man was angry, and had reacted in the heat of that anger. I had to decide what I would do in return. The truth was I hadn’t seen him. That was my mindlessness - I was not, as I was pulling in, fully aware of my surroundings. But I had not knowingly
wronged him, and would have been more than willing to pull out. Later, a bit stunned by the whole thing, I wondered at the tendency to jump straight to the belief in malicious intent - that people do things on purpose that are unfair or unkind. We’ve all been guilty of it; I know I have, but the truth is we don’t always know the “why” behind events. Perhaps he was having a truly horrible day. For all I know something terrible had just happened to him. And it didn’t seem to cross his mind that I might have made an innocent mistake. Our stories crossed, and we read them through our own lenses. Maybe his reaction was typical for him, or maybe he had been thrown off by something else beforehand. I have no idea, and never will. All we can ever have control over is our own choices. How will we react, or respond? Who will we be in a difficult moment? Habits and patterns of reaction will often rule. But we can, with mindfulness, become aware of ourselves in these times, and slowly learn to take control, and choose how we will show up, not from a position of defensiveness or with something to prove, but from a place of equanimity, with a bigger view of ourselves and others. So, what did I do? Before leaving my car I took a deep breath and became aware that this was a telling moment - a chance to choose. Yes, I was stirred up, hurt by the verbal assault and stunned by the whole situation. Still, I had to choose. So, I walked to his truck and knocked on the window. He wouldn’t look at me or roll it down, so I said through it, as calmly and honestly as I could, “I apologize if I took your spot. I didn’t see you.” That’s it. He still wasn’t in a space to change direction, and that’s okay. I can’t control his story. I can only write my own. So the next time you find yourself on one side or the other of such a moment...take a breath, become aware, and choose the story you want to write.
Midterm Mayhem: Ways to Stress Less
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Written by Rachel Bruner It’s that time of the semester again: you’re cramming for your midterm exams, you’re typing up those middleof-the-semester papers as best and as fast as you can, all the while trying to figure out how to keep your personal life, work life, and social life in check. To top it off, many of us layer on a thick coat of stress which may lead to break-outs, to want to eat more or to lose sleep; in addition to that, we often carry a psychological conflict that plagues us from within. All are negative associations with our daily pressures that have the potential to be seriously detrimental to health – so, how do we prevent it? By pushing aside that negative commentary in your head, by allowing yourself to take breaks, and by taking advantage of physical practices that help to ease your mind. While you’re in the middle of projects, papers, or studying for that important exam, it can be severely daunting; we are our own worse critics. Negative ideas start to fill our heads how we may never get through this particular time slot – that negative feedback in your brain is more than likely causing you to stress out even more. Instead, try mantra meditation, an exercise where you continuously repeat a phrase or words of encouragement to yourself. In an article from The Huffington Post, Kathleen Hall, a medical specialist who’s known for her expertise and business centers on managing stress, explains that “saying a mantra or affirmation first thing in the morning is a good idea because it ‘affects your decision-making for the day and you’ll also remember it.’” Your saying should be personal, special to you so that it has a meaning that will positively affect how you’re going to go about your day: examples of personal mantras from huffingtonpost. com include “This too shall pass,” “Tomorrow is another day,” or even, “Hakuna Matata.” Another way to keep pushing through the semester and the difficult weeks that may arise is to make sure to give yourself a break or two each day. According to an article on The
New York Times website, “John P. Trougakos, an assistant management professor at the University of Toronto, Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management …says that ‘Mental concentration is similar to a muscle … It becomes fatigued after sustained use and needs a rest period before it can recover … much as a weight lifter needs rest before doing a second round of repetitions at the gym.’ By giving yourself that 20 to 30 minute break in between studying for exams and writing those papers, you’re allowing your brain to recuperate so that it can build up its ‘productivity and creativity’. To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break,” says The New York Times. Within that time period of giving your brain a break, take advantage of deep breathing exercises. Webmd. com explains that “Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax.” During that thirty minute break, you might also find it helpful to simply go for a walk or jog, to watch one of your favorite television shows, or to create art – by drawing, doodling, painting, or coloring. Try to make your break time a moment where you are enjoying yourself, but always make sure that you get back to your goals of studying and finishing those papers or projects. There are thousands of ways to try and relax and de-stress. One of the most important components of your time at Front Range Community College is that you are healthy so that you may carry on down the road towards success. From one student to the next, I hope these techniques find you well as you continue to triumph over your current and future classes and the papers, exams, and projects they demand of you.
Efficiency in Action – It’s Economics The Front Page
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Novemeber 11, 2014
Written by Andrew Goad It is no crime to be ignorant of economics but it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance. – Murray Rothbard, American economist. Time and time again Front Range students look at their potential schedule for the upcoming semester and while some look forward to it, others dread having to take an economics class. Some figure it is too “business heavy” and others assume it will include outlandish, difficult math problems. Not true says Ayelet Zur-Nayberg, Lead Faculty at Front Range Economics department, “The most common mistake students make is confusing Economics with Business. Economics is part of Social and Behavioral Studies and as such it studies people – their choices as well as their behaviors.” Mrs. Zur-Nayberg, or Ayelet as she likes to be called, jokes, “I’m the only teacher students can yell at” and started as a full-time Economics faculty member at Front Range in January 2011. She understands that some students may have apprehensions
about taking their first, or higher level Economics class; however, she explains, much like any other higher level subject matter, “I would tell the students that if they show up for class and spend a few hours per week to read the text book, complete their online homework, and study for quizzes, they will succeed in the classes.” What is her first rule for being successful in Economics? “Don’t miss class!” she continues with other suggestions, “Sit in the front row, read the chapters before class, complete work on time, prepare your own ‘study guide’, and attend the Econ-Labs [which are offered at various times, meant to fit anybody’s schedule].” As noted in a recent study from the National Council on Economic Education, “Based on this quiz [NCEE yearly quiz], adults get a grade of 70(C) for their knowledge of economics, and students’ average score is 53 (F). Six in ten high school students and more than one-quarter of adults get a failing grade on the Economics Quiz.” This is exactly why Economics at Front Range is so important. Much like the quote above from Mr. Rothbard, Ayelet stresses, “In many ways, taking Economics will change the way a person looks at things. Moreover, it gives a person a lot of knowledge about what is happening around the world, helps them understand the news better and become a smart participant in conversations around many issues.” With a full-time, face-to-face staff of only two instructors, she and Matt Wilson, plus two to four parttime instructors each semester, Ayelet, who became the Lead Faculty member for the department a little over a year ago, is confident that the department
is reaching its goals of “Introducing students to Economics and helping them look at the world differently and considering pursuing further education in this field.” She goes on to explain, “I am very confident that our students are competitive [at four year schools and the job market] as we hold them to the same high standards as fouryear schools do.” Information from the department website tends to agree fully, “Our courses transfer to fouryear colleges because the coursework is the same. You will be taking the same classes as a student in the same major at a four-year school, but within a much smaller class size with direct interaction with your instructor.” Indeed, the future for the department looks bright, “There are a few
Name:
Autumn Complete the crossword below 1
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Created on TheTeachersCorner.net Crossword Maker
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5. Used by farmers to deter birds from crops. 8. Martinelli's infamous Thanksgiving drink. 9. A fruit typically carved this time of year. 10. The period of gathering crops planted in the spring.
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Economics classes that are offered online and/or on other campuses and I am working on reviewing these classes with the hope of offering them here,” Ayelet explained, “We also hope to be able to keep supporting our Econ-labs and increase student success in our classes.” Whether you are new to economics or wanting further knowledge, the department at Front Range is sure to have something for everybody. For more information on the department visit the Social and Behavior Science Link on the school webpage.
Advisors Tino Gomez Julie Beggs Nick Morris Managing Editor Kathy Bellis Copy Editor Robin OConnell
1. A pumpkin may also be called this, another term for crushing something. 2. These mark the season by their changing colors. 3. A holiday observed annually on the fourth Thursday in November. 4. A seasonal 3D game involving the crops of yellow vegetable which you must find your way out of. 6. A type of pie traditionally served on Thanksgiving. 7. This berry may be used as a sauce or glaze for the big November feast.
Assistant Editor Koa Avery Staff Reporter Rachel Bruner Student Reporters Andrew Goad Ben Allen