The Front Page 8/26/14

Tuesday August 26, 2014

Volume 28, Issue 1

Building For The Future: A Brief Look At The Planning Proccess Of The Westminster Campus Renovations Written by Koa Avery

Photo by Robin OConnell

Originally built in 1977, the FRCC Westminster campus building, at the time, was the world’s largest solar heated educational facility utilizing an innovative system of over 4,000 flat-plate solar thermals panels. For programming the school offered primarily career, vocational and technical training. However, the passage of time has changed the needs of the student body attending Front Range and so too must the school itself change to meet those needs. Taking a walk around the campus today reveals just how much construction and renovation is taking place to improve the efficiencies of the utilized space and also make necessary replacements to the infrastructure.

Fast forward to 2009 in her first year on the job, Therese Brown, Campus Vice President Westminster/ North Metro, explained what got the ball rolling for the construction project. “You have to think about what happened with the economy.

When the economy crashed [in late 2008], the federal government threw a lot of money at community colleges to help the programming. We were able to take that money to use for

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In this edition...

HOT

WORD SEARCH

STUDENT SUCCESSS

CAREER CENTER

HEADLINES

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August 26, 2014

Building for the Future cont.

Written by Koa Avery

Photo by Robin OConnell

Photo by Robin OConnell

Photo by Robin OConnell

programming, and money in our general fund that we would spend we threw into the reserves. We were then able to take the money from our reserves and create construction project money.”

On July 14, 2009, President Obama also announced the American Graduation Initiative. President Obama’s bill would provide $12 billion for the nation’s community colleges over the ensuing 10 years with a goal from the President of an additional 5 million college graduates by 2020. Though the initiative was reportedly reduced to $2 billion, it was this additional capital that allowed the FRCC administration to move forward with the construction. That wasn’t the only funding for the project however.

A student bond was also instituted that generated just under $4.5 million for student specific aspects of the construction such as various improved and expanded lounge and gathering spaces, a new coffee cart, improved gym facilities, and renovations to student club space. An additional $1.1 million was later added for the renovations to the student center and parking lot improvements.

Though the funding had fallen into place, the work to plan out the project would take a considerably longer amount of time. “It was a very prolonged process that involved a lot of people. Nothing is done autocratically around here. The process that we had is we actually had a consultant, JBA Consultants, who worked us through the facilities master planning process which took two years. It involved student government, the employees, and the faculty. And prioritization was done in a very collaborative, iterative fashion. We would go back and forth and collect feedback, and revise the plan. At the end of the day the priorities were established as a group,” Brown said.

There were also several opportunities for the general student and faculty bodies to provide additional input. Brown elaborated, “We had campus forums where anybody was invited to come to provide feedback.

That is where that prioritized list came from. And that’s where, what we call the facilities master plan, came

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Building for the Future cont.

Written by Koa Avery from. There were multiple avenues for people to say, anonymous or publicly, that sucks or that’s great.

At this point, any decision making that’s being done is based on that framework.”

The next step would be to hire the company that would run the actual construction and renovations. Long time FRCC supporter Adolfson & Peterson was selected. Brown added, “They’re our general contractor and construction manager. They’ve been on site for almost five years; they thought they’d be here two. They run the construction project, they’re responsible for getting all the [sub contractors], and they answer to us.”

With an eye toward the future of not only the building, but also FRCC as an institution, Brown would sum it all up, “We’re now in the process of examining our career and technical programming, and doing a lot of market analysis and redirecting where we’re going with what the career and technical coursework and programs are that we offer to students.

We are making sure we’re staying up with the labor market. It’s about the students and doing what’s best for them. That’s my job.”

Special thanks to Adolfson & Peterson Construction for the guided tour.

Photo by Robin OConnell

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How Students May Be Successful In Math and English Written by Rachel Bruner

Photo by Rachel Bruner

Math and English classes, according to Front Page Managing Editor Kathy Bellis, are of the most prominent concerns many students must overcome at Front Range Community College in Westminster, Colorado. Math faculty member Monica Geist, expanded on this reasoning by stating “there are hundreds of reasons why people can’t do math or don’t understand math,” and that “these reasons cause people to feel frustrated, which complicates learning.” Students having difficulty in English courses, English Professor Carolyn Elliott explained, may experience such complications due to technology’s influence on informality of the English language. “Specifically, a fair number of students have difficulties with English composition classes in part because they have limited development with more formal vocabulary and vocabulary in general, so they have difficulties expressing ideas precisely and with detail,” Elliott said.

Yet, it seems even though complexity is one commonality

between the two subjects, another is that students can succeed, should the proper steps be taken.

Both Geist and Elliott voiced the importance of using outside resources.

Through making use of appropriate materials, seeking the help of teachers, tutors, or classmates, or by utilizing the Math Lab and Writing Center, and, particularly for math, practicing problem solving.

“If you wanted to successfully hike Long’s Peak, what would you do to prepare? If you have never done it before, you would talk to experts and others who have hiked it. You would get in shape before the hike. You would find out what equipment and attire you would need.

You might consider getting a guide or person who can help you navigate the climb. All of these things will help set you up for success,” Geist expressed.

For successfully tackling math courses, students should take a proactive approach by participating, especially being involved in and out of the classroom; “be an active learner, attend class, take notes,” Geist articulated. For those in need of some extra help, Geist’s advice for students is to write and grade their own practice tests in order to sufficiently learn their own test taking tactic, read the textbook before class, or even

to try making note cards to commit to memory essential terms or concepts.

According to Geist, the process of becoming a successful mathematics student, depends on “own your learning – make learning a goal and then go after that goal with everything inside of you.” And of course, students should communicate with their instructors about any difficulties experienced to figure out the best solution.

Students who are taking English courses will need to learn how to expand their critical thinking skills as well as their vocabulary; such can be done through reading subject matter that is literarily accredited for exemplary writing – for instance, the SAT preparation manual – as well as from other “intellectual topics, such as from National Geographic, even Time magazine and Newsweek magazine, The New York Times, the Denver Post, the Boulder Camera (with its many science topic articles), journal articles, research articles, and the like,” Elliott said. One of the main goals of English composition courses at Front Range Community College is to prepare students for writing both formally and professionally.

According to Elliott, “reading well written materials about intellectual ideas is one of the best ways to improve one’s writing because the styles and word choices integrate into

the reader’s style.”

Once a student has figured out how to increase vocabulary and critical thinking proficiency, another important way to improve writing is through proofreading one’s own draft out loud to hear for words or phrases that may seem vague or out of place.

“Finally,” Elliott stresses, “I urgently advise every student to use the Writing Center for every single paper, and at least twice per paper, and be ready to schedule time to concentrate on collecting information and writing and revising the paper.”

The Math Lab is located in room B0854 and is open on Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Writing Center is located in room B1051 and is open on Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Students may also access the online Writing Center by visiting a specific course on the Desire2Learn website, clicking on “Resources” in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and then scrolling down to “Writing Center.”

Front Range Community College offers free tutoring for students earning a C or lower. Contact your professor or visit the Tutoring Center in room C0160 in the Welcome Center for more information on how to apply.

Photo courtesy of thefunnyblog.org

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August 26, 2014

Shaping Your Future With The Career Success Center: Learning How To Develop A Career Written by Koa Avery Adjacent to the Welcome Center desk and tucked away just inside the Testing Center are the offices of the FRCC Westminster Career Success Center (CSC). The primary role of the newly reorganized CSC is to facilitate both job placements for students as well as hosting various workshops and job fairs. One such workshop is the Career Paths workshop that introduces attendees to the process of setting possible career goals and overall career development. A full listing of the workshops and job fairs put on by the CSC can be found here: http://www.frontrange.edu/ Current-Students/Career-Services/ Westminster/Job-Fairs/.

If you’re looking for more detailed or personalized information the Career Success Center is also fully available for students to meet with its two full-time employees, Teresa Stuart, Career Success Coordinator, and Colleen Toomey, Career Counselor. Getting in touch with Stuart and Toomey is the first step and can be accomplished through the CSC website at: http://www.frontrange. edu/Current-Students/Advising,Counseling,-Career-Services/CareerServices/Westminster/Contact-Form. aspx.

The CSC also uses Front Range Connect, a centralized part of the FRCC website where you can view jobs posted by employers looking to hire students: http://www. frontrange.edu/connect/.

Additionally, the CSC maintains a Facebook page with the latest information for its events: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ FRCC-Career-Success-Center-at-

Westminster/592452274135668.

There is no shortage of information on what’s available for work, workshops and job fairs being hosted, and communication with the CSC. However, the secret behind it all lies in the already mentioned two full-time employees of the Center, Stuart and Toomey. The duo bring a refreshing energy and enthusiasm to their work in assisting students not only to find a job, but also to develop a plan for the future and what kind of career or industry students might be interested in. The process of planning for a career is often daunting and arduous, and can be incredibly time consuming. Stuart and Toomey are here to make that process simpler and more efficient and do so with an infectious level of commitment.

Career Services is the more traditional name for Stuart’s and Toomey’s department. “Career services is kind of event oriented, [create] a resume or come in and you [can] learn how to do an interview,” Stuart had to say. “They can still do that. But we’re trying to get a program that runs along more with their education. I want to do more of a design of career development versus career services,” she added. Toomey expanded on some of the challenges facing their department in pursuit of that goal. “As you can see we have limited physical space so we really want to promote that we have all these resources online, starting from the moment students walk on campus, to help them navigate their years here.”

The CSC places students in jobs and internships on a regular basis, year round. “With internships it’s best to start that process the semester before

[you’d] like to do the internship,” Toomey remarked.

Stuart’s vision for the future of the CSC is more comprehensive and thorough than the traditional models. It’s about being involved right from the start to expose students to what’s available to them, and to explore what their interests are or might be. “[Students] get a career

goal going and then use the critical thinking model to see if their goal fits for their life. And then they can keep working on it as they go through their classes. We’ll help them with anything else. We’re here, we’re open all year, and we have full services. I want people to come in here and be inspired.”

Upcoming Events Written by Rachel Bruner

Friday, August 29th to Monday,

Tuesday, September 2nd – Last Day

September 1st – A Taste of Colorado

to Drop from 15 Week Classes

Festival is back in downtown Denver.

Enjoy food from over fifty different Colorado restaurants as well as music and arts and crafts. Visit www.

ATasteOfColorado.com for further details.

Saturday, September 6th – Browse Native American art, modern and contemporary art, photography, textile art, European art and more from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Denver Art Museum for

Saturday, August 30th –

free. Free admission is every first

Westminster Farmer’s Market is

Saturday of the month. Visit www.

running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on

DenverArtMuseum.org to learn more

88th and Sheridan every Saturday

details.

until September 27th. Locally harvested fruits, vegetables, meats, and eggs, as well as honey, breads, nuts, and other goods are being sold.

Go to www.ci.westminster.co.us for additional information.

Saturday, September 6th – Thornton Harvest Fest goes from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community Park and will feature food, beer, children’s games, a fishing derby, a skate competition,

Saturday, August 30th to Monday,

and live entertainment. Visit www.

September 1st – Labor Day Holiday

CityofThornton.net for more

(No School)

information.

Monday, September 1st – Louisville

Wednesday, September 10th –

Labor Day Fall Festival is in

College Hill Book Club will meet

operation from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

at the College Hill Library from

for a family friendly parade and fun.

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will

Included in this event will be a bocce

be discussing the book The Orphan

tournament, a children’s pet parade,

Train by Christina Baker Kline. Visit

a car show, a pie eating contest, food

the College Hill Library or go to

and more. Go to www.louisvilleco.

www.ci.westminster.co.us for further

gov for more details.

details.

August 26, 2014

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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 2:00-3:00pm in room C0204.

Written by Koa Avery Westminster, CO: The City of Westminster took 3rd in its category for the 2014 Metro Denver Healthiest Employers award, sponsored annually by the Denver

Workshops Dates: August 29

Business Journal.

Colorado: A plane headed from Boulder to Steamboat Springs crashed, killing both on board, in an area that has seen at least two other crashes in the last decade.

Wyoming: Scientists descending into a cave in northern Wyoming, intending to find the remains of Ice Age mammals, instead discovered the remains of hundreds of prehistoric mammals.

Japan: For a limited time this summer McDonald’s in Japan offered a twist on their much sought after chicken nuggets, replacing the traditional product with nuggets made of fish, tofu, and vegetables.

Iraq: Iraqi troops, security forces, and tanks continue marching into Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, as political turmoil has deepened over who should lead the country.

Fictitious: A local group of chickens recently spotted not crossing the road.

September 12 September 26 October 10 October 24 November 14 November 21

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August 26, 2014

Spotlight on Nicholas Morris

Written by Rachel Bruner

Photo by Kathy Bellis

Professor Nicholas Morris – instructor of English Composition I, Fiction Writing, and Introduction to Mass Media at Front Range Community College, Westminster – may be an excellent example to students of what could happen when you follow your professional goals.

Morris’ childhood passion of creative writing and journalism has guided him towards the career he has today.

The Arkansas-born instructor grew up with a fondness for reading from a very young age, “so English was naturally one of my favorite subjects in school,” Morris said. Growing up, Morris also avidly enjoyed reading and analyzing the news – a “fullblown news junkie,” as he stated – which is one reason why, when he attended college at Arkansas Tech

University, he actively participated in journalism through his work with editing and writing for the school newspaper. “Many of my literary heroes (Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway among them) started their careers in journalism, so it seemed like a natural fit, and writing news articles and features definitely helped me hone my writing craft,” Morris expressed.

Morris’s zeal for writing ultimately led him to Boulder, Colorado to attend Naropa University – a private, nonprofit liberal arts college – where he received a master’s degree in Creative Writing. The experience his college career gave has led Morris not only to teach the subjects he grew up loving, but has enhanced his abilities with the written art to become a

published author of his favorite genre, horror – most notably, a collection of short stories in Tapeworm, and most recently, a chapbook entitled The Boy in the Well.

When asked to explain his favorite type of writing, Morris replied, “I like writing horror because it allows one to deal with the unspoken fears of our lives, and often what we fear says more about us than anything else we show the world. Plus, it’s really quite fun to freak out your friends and family.”

Beyond the classes Professor Morris will be teaching this semester, he also assumes the role of Workshop Advisor for the Front Page newspaper. “The workshops, which I’ll be conducting every other Friday throughout the fall semester,”

Morris disclosed, “are open to any students interested in learning about journalism. I’ll be sharing stories of my own failures and mistakes, which can hopefully help others avoid those mistakes, or at least provide a few laughs. I’ll also answer as many questions as I can about the writing process as it relates to journalism.”

For students interested in writing or learning about journalism – how to properly conduct interviews, write articles, the diverse styles of journalism, and more – the workshop meetings will take place every other Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on August 29th, September 12th, September 26th, October 10th, October 24th, November 14th, and November 21st in Room C0204.

Photo by Kathy Bellis

Copy Editor

The entire content of The Front Page is Copyrighted by the FRCC Board of Publications. No part of the publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. The staff of The Front Page is encouraged to subscribe to the principles of the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.

Inquiries may be referred to the Office of Human Resources, 3645 W. 112th Avenue, Westminster CO 80031-2199, (303-466-8811); The Director of Affirmative Action for the Colorado College System, 9101 E. Lowry Blvd., Denver CO 80230-6011; or to the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 1961 Stout St., Denver CO 80204

303-404-5534 | Frontpage@frontrange.edu

Advisors Tino Gomez Julie Beggs Managing Editor Kathy Bellis

Robin OConnell

Staff Reporters Koa Avery Rachel Bruner Workshop Advisor Nick Morris