AMA promotes
Men win
organ donation
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Feb 21 - March 6, 2011 Volume 52, Issue 11 www.lcc.edu/lookout
last five
games
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Endgame
opens
at LCC
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thelookout Lansing Community College’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1959
Every in limbo following suspension Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor
Lansing Community College placed longtime Softball Coach Bob Every on paid administrative leave the week of Feb. 7. Details are scarce and there had been little public comment from any college official as of Friday, Feb. 18 about Every’s situation. However, Rashid Robinson, director of institutional and aca-
Uncertain future: Veteran softball coach Bob Every, left, has been suspended with pay pending an investigation. The college has not released the reason for his suspension. File photo by Michael Caterina
demic studies at LCC, said the incident involves issue brought forth by LCC studentathletes. Every, 63, said he could not comment on his status, but hopes he can return as LCC’s softball coach for his 12th season. “I think I’ve got five years (left) in me,” Every said Feb. 18. “I’m in pretty decent shape and I have the energy. … Over those five years you start prepar-
ing yourself to retire so when you get to the point where you’re in your fifth year you have all your ducks in a row. “What’s happened here is somebody’s jumped into the shooting gallery and just popped off a bunch of ducks and now you’re left thinking ‘My God, what’s going to happen?What if I don’t get my job back.’ … See Every, page 7
Guns debated at Cooley Nathan Wilson News Editor Thomas M. Cooley Law School hosted a gun debate entitled “To Bear or Not To Bear: Guns in Educational Institutions” Feb. 4 in the school’s Temple Building Auditorium. Lynnette Hill, a member of the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law, organized the conference. She said the debate was designed to further practical solutions to legal issues that arise specifically over gun control. Prominent speakers included Joshua Horwitz, executive director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; John Lott, author of More Guns, Less Crime; and Dennis Henigan, vice president for Law and Policy
Photo by Michael Caterina Photo by Nathan Wilson
Gun control: A panel of consisting of gun control activists discuss guns on campus during the debate at Thomas M. Cooley Law School Feb. 4.
at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Opening statements were presented by speakers who either argued for guns on campus or more restrictions on firearms. Lott stressed that gun bans do not lower murder rates. He used statistics from Chicago, Washington, D.C., Ireland, Jamaica
and the United Kingdom to show just the opposite. “And it’s primarily lawabiding, good citizens who obey the law (gun bans), and not criminals,” Lott said. “Rather than making it safe for potential victims, you actually make it easier and safer for criminals See Debate, page 2
Seeing clearly: Wal-mart Vision Center Associate David Garrett tests Shaneta Johson’s eyes for free at LCC’s Health Fair Feb. 9.
Health Fair educates LCC Sarah Sanders Editor in Chief
The LCC Health Fair Feb. 9 filled the Gannon Building lobby with several booths that featured ways for students and the community to get involved and get healthy. The event generated
a lot of traffic, a good sign for those who are concerned with public health. One booth featured workers from the Ingham Health Care Clinic. This clinic is open to all Ingham County residents and features rates based on income for those with-
out insurance. Some may already be familiar with the clinic. Nonetheless, the workers were out in full force to inform students at LCC who may not have been aware there were places that are See Health, page 2
2 NEWS
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Health
Continued from page 1
affordable with or without insurance. The department offers dental care, which can be difficult for students to find insurance coverage for. A separate branch of the Ingham Health Department is the Women’s Health Services Ingham County Health Department. There, services include complete prenatal care, nutrition services, counseling services and more. This clinic also accepts self-pay without insurance – where the rates are configured based on the person’s wages. Wal-Mart also brought in vision testing equipment for students and employees who were interested in a free vision test. “We are here for Health and Wellness and we are
representing the three Lansing Wal-Marts. We’ve got the vision center and pharmacy and associates from all the stores,” Wal-mart associate Marne L. Darby said. “We are just trying help make sure that the people that are coming up are getting as much information as possible; make sure they are maintaining healthy eyes as we have $4 prescriptions.” Their tables were filled with gift bags including life water, recyclable bags, Special K bars and more information about their vision and prescription services. “We did get support from our vendors, so we were able to offer healthy snacks,” Darby added. The HR Department at LCC featured a table with a hand-waxing machine. Workers informed visi-
tors of the Body Spirit and Mind, Striking a Balance Celebrating Wellness campaign. Valerie Moles of the LCC human resources department said of their new campaign: “We do several events, all centered around LCC walks this year — helping give employees more opportunities to get out and walk and support their general wellness.” This campaign is designed to help teachers and other employees find ways to keep healthy while at work. A campaign booklet includes maps of walking routes to help get employees to see the options available to them on the job. A local women’s exercise facility, Ladies Fitness, also had tables at the event. The business is located in DeWitt and offers 35 classes
a week, focused on physical fitness for those with memberships. Ladies Fitness also features on-site childcare for mothers who are concerned with physical health. “A lot of the students that come here are actually outside the city of Lansing, so there are students that could benefit from this,” said Ladies Fitness Manager Nicki McCastle. “(We're) not just talking to them about our fitness center, but also getting them educated about fitness, why they need it and nutrition, so it is a good thing for students.” Another booth featured Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. The organization helps connect refugees and domestic children in need of foster homes with potential foster parents.
“We need foster care for both refugees and domestic children,” said Jamie Bristor, who works with the organization in their Lansing office. For more info, visit www. lutheranfostercare.org. LCC's Gay-Straight Alliance had a booth with condoms, Laffy Taffy candies and informative booklets filled with information about STDs and sexual health. This table also contained information about the Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN). For more information visit their website: www.laanonline.org. The LCC Counseling and Advising Center also featured tables at the event, trying to create awareness of eating disorders among college students. One student paused at the booth
and began crying after receiving information about how to get help for her disorder. She plans to begin counseling soon. As this is a very sensitive yet pertinent health issue, the organization listed several places where students can find help on campus, privately. For more info contact the LCC Counseling and Advising Center at 517-483-1904. The Health Fair generated a lot of traffic, with students and teachers pausing on their breaks to check out the booths. The inclusion of this event as a part of Black History Month was pertinent to those involved with the organization of the month’s events as there has been a national focus on health and wellness, according to Dr. Willie Davis, a professor at LCC.
at the scene after the crime has been committed. John Johnson, co-director of the Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus, argued when guns are introduced into the environment, it translates into more homi-
cides and suicides. Henigan said the shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Jan. 7 has “occasioned the much needed conversation about guns and violence in our country.” He added that reason-
able restrictions such as magazines with less rounds (e.g. 10 rounds of ammunition) would reduce violence. The debate was shortened by opening statements. Henigan accused Lott of misleading the au-
dience at times and said his research between crime rates and Shall-Issue Law states has been discredited by economists and major universities. “Even a cursory look in state violent crime rates provides very little
evidence that criminals in these Shall-Issue states are cowering in fear of lawabiding citizens carrying guns,” he said. Lott maintained the accuracy of his research. The debate ended with no clear winner.
Debate Continued from page 1
to engage in their crimes.” He added allowing faculty to carry guns on campus could also reduce shootings similar to the Virginia Tech massacre. While police are instrumental in reducing crime, Lott said, they often arrive
3 NEWS
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Phi Theta Kappa rewards inductees’ excellence Nathan Wilson News Editor
LCC’s Mu Tau Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society hosted its orientation on Feb. 5 in Dart Auditorium. The reception for the ceremony was so overwhelming that the location was changed from the Board Room in the Administration Building to the Dart Auditorium. Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and rewards high-achieving students who maintain a GPA over 3.5. The organization also offers $37 million in transfer scholarships and $130,000 in annual scholarships. Kirbay Preuss, president of the Mu Tau
Photo by Nathan Wilson
Smarts: Newly inducted members of the Phi Theta Kappa stand on stage at Dart Auditorium Feb. 5.
Chapter, greeted the audience and introduced the current officers, Elizabeth Whaley, director
of scholarships; Timothy Edwards director of fellowship; Melody Teodoro-Kurtis, director
of leadership and honor society and former officer Nanette Marquardt. Whaley announced
this year’s honor study topic is “power, peril and promise.” “This year, Phi Theta Kappa will make a promise to use our power to help those in peril by doing service around our communities,” Whaley said. “I welcome you to a new beginning of using the four Phi Theta Kappa hallmarks of leadership, scholarship, service and fellowship to help uphold a standard of success throughout your life in academics,” said Preuss. Marquardt said Phi Theta Kappa has rewarded her with friendship and life experience. “And I held out my hand to lift up those who needed it. And in lifting up others, you lift
up yourself.” Jack Bergeron, associate vice president of academic affairs at LCC, spoke at the event, “Today, you’re joining a 48year old legacy of academic excellence. You have much to be proud of in achieving this milestone.” He encouraged new members to continue their education and help advance Michigan’s economy. The induction ceremony began at 12:45, during which new members gathered on stage to the applause of the audience. Teodoro-Kurtis presented each inductee with a temporary certificate and Whaley offered each member a carnation symbolizing purity.
LCC ranks in top 5 in nation for AMA Saves Lives Nathan Wilson News Editor LCC’s American Marketing Association (AMA) and the federal government are sponsoring a nonprofit campaign called AMA Saves Lives as part of a year-long process until May 2011. AMA Saves Lives is designed to increase awareness of the need for organ donation through social media and events and to inspire others to become registered donors. LCC’s AMA chapter will compete against other chapters nationwide during AMA Saves Lives. “Out of all of the schools in the nation, LCC has been in the top five for every category every month,” said Krista Jo Potter of AMA. LCC’s chapter can be awarded grant money for their involvement in the compe-
tition. “Last month we were the top for Facebook, Twitter, blogs. … We were No. 2 for video views,” Potter said. The LCC chapter will also be judged for quality of events, number of social media posts, videos submitted and organ donor registrations. As of February, LCC’s AMA has won $1,450 of grant money to help advance its campaign. The chapter also won in the following categories: number of video views, videos submitted, most social media posts, most impactful/creative event (I Have Heart Booth) and number of donor registrations. It has also been nominated for November Best Video (The Perfect Match Series) and January Best Video (How to Save a Life) by LCC’s Digital
Media, Audio and Cinema Program (DMAC). “Every day that I am involved with AMA Saves Lives, I am saving someone else’s life,” Potter said. “So every day I have that feeling of pride and accomplishment in my heart.” On Valentine’s Day, AMA held a Spread the Love event requesting student organizations to help register organ donors. AMA is also participating in the Gift of Life Campus Challenge, during which LCC competes against 18 other schools in Michigan to register donors. “The reward for being the Chair for AMA Saves Lives is I am building my marketing skills and networking with amazing individuals,” Potter said. Currently, 60 organ donors are registered
through the Campus Challenge with Gift of Life and 220 donors are registered through AMA Saves Lives. “My I HAVE HEART campaign success in AMA Saves Lives would not be possible without Faith Handcock, Matt Denny and Jody DeBeau,” said Potter. According to Gift of Life, as of Feb. 10, 2011, 110,366 people in America are waiting for an organ for transplant. One organ donor alone can save up to eight lives. Transplants in Michigan in 2011 total 62, and 2,955 patients are currently awaiting an organ for transplant as of Feb. 1. For people interested in registering as an organ donor, lccama.com will guide participants through a process that can ultimately change another person’s life.
Photo by Michael Caterina
Giving life: Tyrone Liggons, vice president of the American Marketing Association’s Entrepreneurship Division, speaks with a guest about the AMA Organ Donation event at LCC’s Health Fair Feb. 9 in the Gannon Building lobby.
4 NEWS
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout — Infallible Rhetoric —
Egyptian revolution inspires world I want to highlight a moment in history that has dominated the airwaves. The Egyptian people successfully toppled a 30-year dictatorship, not through violence, but through peaceful demonstration. I am impressed by the fact that hundreds of thousands of people have put an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s regime of corruption over the course of 18 days. The majority of violence can be attributed to pro-Mubarak thugs, some of whom actually bribed ordinary people to attack protestors. Besides using Molotov cocktails and firebombs on protestors, pro-Mubarak supporters set upon American journalists and tried to beat them to death. I suppose I should not surprised by people who support a man connected to
the imprisonment of political figures without trial, torture and an emergency law. I urge the Egyptian government to amend its constitution and put term limits on the presidency so a dictatorship never happens again. I hope the leadership that fills in the power vacuum continues to maintain peace with Israel. God knows America doesn’t need to be involved in another war. The Egyptian people have been an inspiration to me, using their force in numbers to overpower the vitriolic
pro-Mubarak forces and defying their president’s absurd tactics to suppress them. The idea that he believed he could stay in office until September not only demonstrates his lack of rationale but his bloated arrogance. If only the same principle used in Egypt can be applied in Iran without the Revolutionary Guard firing upon protestors. But in a country where children can be executed, I imagine the authorities won’t have any qualms about filling the streets with blood. That being said, the Egyptian people performed admirably in the face of danger from Mubarak and violent fanatics. My column is dedicated to the Egyptian protestors, especially the approximately 300 people who lost their lives.
A day to discover Darwin David Vanlerberghe Staff Writer Darwin Discovery Day was held this year on Feb. 13 in MSU Museum, presented by Herpetology Club, MSU Anthropology Club and Graduate Women in Science to honor the legacy of Charles Darwin. Live animals, fossils and several vocal recreations of Darwin’s writings illustrated this celebration of biological science. There were hands-on exhibits for children and in-depth knowledge provided by attentive volunteers. “I think it’s really valuable to have people of all ages come out and experience science, in so many forms and branches, all in the name of celebrating Darwin, the man that has set us so firmly down the path of inquiry and learning,” said Rebecca Sobanski, secretary of the MSU Undergraduate Anthropology Club. “I love Darwin Discovery Day.” Throughout history, organisms flourished only to be wiped out by major change or cataclysms. “Animals were unable to adapt and survive,” Dr. Richard Bellon reasoned. Darwin Discovery Day gave people the chance to ask scientific questions that were significant to them personally. “Yes, animals all came from unicellular organisms … Life is a great tree,” Bellon explained when asked about original organisms and the interrelation of all living things. If only one species were to survive a
Photo by David Vanlerberghe
Evolving: Guests to the Darwin Discovery at the MSU Museum view exhibits Feb. 13.
cataclysm, eventually life would once more diversify. “(It) may take millennia, but it will come back. Bellon portrayed Darwin with great pageantry as he shared some of Darwin’s quotes. As an agnostic, Darwin believed if there is a God, he doesn’t intervene; rather, he created the mechanisms of creation. “Not to overthrow God, but to explain him,” Darwin explained to an apprehensive colleague. There are multiple theories behind human evolution. “One theory of why we evolved bipedal is that humans needed to free up their hands for food gathering,” said Shannon Leary, treasurer of the MSU Undergraduate Anthropology Club. “Food gathering made up a large percentage of their (early humans) time.” Roughly 500 individuals celebrated science in honor of Darwin. For those interested in learning more about Darwin Discovery Day and MSU Museum, head over to http://museum.msu.edu/.
IN BRIEF NEWS
AMA features Etiquette Dinner The LCC American Marketing Association (AMA) will host a Business Network Mixer and Etiquette Dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West Campus. The annual event is designed for students to improve their business skills and prepare them for interviews. The networking mixer runs from 5 to 6 p.m. and the dinner runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The dinner consists of appetizers, salad, meal and dessert. The event will host three speakers including Vickie Blattner, Shelly Meilock-Davis and Malinda Barr. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at Hole in the Hall in the Gannon Building.
Diversity Plan developed for different cultures LCC’s Board of Trustees has requested the Executive Office to develop a Diversity Plan. The initiative is designed to enhance a culture of diversity and inclusion on campus and promote the understanding of different cultures. Its goals include recruiting and enrolling an increasing number of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and first-generation students, increasing the retention of these students, enhancing the diversity of staff and creating a campus environment for diversity.
LCC seeks nominations for distinguished alumni LCC is seeking nominees for the 2011 Lansing Community College Distinguished Alumni Award. Nominees are selected based on achievement in their professions and community service. Nominees must have either received an associate degree from LCC or completed a minimum of 30 credits at the college. The nominee must also be willing to participate in the Distinguished Alumnus Award Dinner in May and the LCC graduation ceremony on Friday, May 20, 2011. Nomination forms are available at www.lcc.edu/alumni/da11 or at the LCC Alumni Association Office at 528 N. Capitol Ave. The deadline for submission is March 25, 2011.
LCC competes in Gift of Life Campus Challenge LCC is competing against 18 other universities to register the most organ donors. Participants can text ORGANS to 42660, visit www. giftoflifemichigan.org/go/lcc or visit www.amasaveslives.com.
5 FEATURES
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
AMA offers networking for LCC students Shauna Stocken Staff Writer
E
very Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. on LCC’s main campus in 115 GB, the American Marketing Association (AMA) gathers for its weekly meeting. The AMA is a club designed to provide professional development and networking to real-world businesses through networking events and social interactions. Wednesday, Feb. 23, the AMA will not hold its scheduled meeting; they will host an Etiquette Dinner to aid members in networking. Anyone interested in the Etiquette Dinner can attend from 5 to 8 p.m. at LCC’s West Campus Conference Center. Members will meet on West Campus at 3 p.m. to help set up the event. Tickets for this annual event cost $20 per person and can be purchased from the Hole in the Hall on the first floor of the Gannon Building. “In the association world the more you know, the better you’ll be. Never
give up on learning,” said President Cheryl Ronk, the chief executive of Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE). Ronk was the guest speaker for AMA’s meeting on the Wednesday, Feb. 16. “At the beginning of the semester we get (members’) majors and try to accompany them with the meetings. We try to keep all speakers and businesses local,” said AMA President Kylie Rogers. According to Vice President Dusty Price, the AMA has been around for roughly 30 years. Price was a member of the Dis-
File photo by Michael Caterina
Putting it all together: Bands perform at the American Marketing Association Battle of the Bands at The Loft on Nov. 18, 2010. The AMA puts on events like this to offer practice in organizing events and real-world experience.
tributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) club in high school; DECA holds many of the same elements as the LCC’s AMA. “I was looking for a club in college and found the AMA to help with professional development,”
Lookout staff attends conference
Photos by Larry Hook
Weekend learning: At top (l to r) Michael Caterina, Sarah Sanders, Lee Rumler, Kaitlin Lutz, Dominick Mastrangelo, Shauna Stocken and Nathan Wilson pose for a picture in the lobby of the Detroit Renaissance Center’s Marriott Hotel during the Michigan Press Association annual conference Jan. 28. The students learned valuable journalism tips from newspaper professionals during various seminars. Below left, Mastrangelo meets Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, a former Detroit Pistons’ basketball player, after Bing addressed conference attendees. Below right, The Lookout’s photo editor, Michael Caterina, shows off a second-place award for a feature photo he won in the 2010 MPA College Newspaper Contest.
Price said. While the AMA at LCC has listed 95 members, the average turnout is 30 people per meeting according to Rogers. To become a member of the AMA, not only having a passion for the business
world is necessary, but being enrolled in at least one LCC credit course and paying the yearly fee of $46 are requirements. Not a full-time LCC student? Dual-enrolled students from the area are welcome to become mem-
bers. For more information about upcoming events and getting involved with the AMA, check out the LCC American Marketing Association group on facebook or contact the club by email at lccama.com
6 SPORTS
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
Winning streak gives cagers playoff hopes Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor
The LCC men’s basketball team began the month of February with five straight victories. With the NJCAA Region XII Tournament less than two weeks away, the Stars have been looking to grab as much momentum as they can. A five-game winning streak has made things in Lansing look very optimistic heading into tournament time. After losing to Kellogg Communtiy College 8371 on Jan. 29, the Stars came roaring back on Feb. 5 with a one-point victory over Muskegon Community College, 75-74. The Stars trailed for all but the last 27 seconds of the game until sophomore guard Alvino Ashley tipped back a Michael Martin miss that gave the Stars their first lead. That turned out to be the play of the game. Ashley scored 17 points in the Lansing victory.
The Stars were right back at it two days later on Feb. 7, as they came home to defeat Ancilla College, 79-58. Ashley put the cagers on his back once again, shooting 13 of 17 from the floor on his way to scoring 29 points. He improved his season average to 15.3 points per game. “I don’t know what to say,” a seemingly flabbergasted Ashley said after the game. “I’ve just found my groove, I guess.” Ashley and the Stars took to the road once again Feb. 9 to face Jackson Community College in a rematch of their 76-68 loss Jan. 12. The Stars got their revenge. LCC beat Jackson 86-57. They were led by freshman guard Nate Duhon, who had a seasonhigh four steals as well as making seven field goals. “Nate helped us out big-time against Jackson,” Head Coach Mike Ingram said. “Our point guard play has improved immensely.”
Snatch it up: Michael Martin grabs a loose ball during the Stars 92-58 victory over Glen Oaks CC Feb. 14.
Photos by Michael Caterina
Jam: Freshman Marcus Cain slams in a one-handed alley-oop during the Stars’ 92-58 victory over Glen Oaks CC Feb. 14.
Next it was time to make up for some bad weather. Valentine’s Day featured a rescheduled home game versus Glen
Women face tough teams as tournament draws near Erik Stiem Staff Writer
Playing three of the top four teams in the conference consecutively is no easy task, especially when all three games take place on the road. This task proved daunting for the Lady Stars, who came up on the short end of all three. On Feb. 5, the Lady Stars traveled to Muskegon and suffered an 89-64 loss at the hands of Muskegon CC. Denay Kelley put up an impressive 20 points and 18 rebounds for LCC. On Feb. 9, LCC traveled to Jackson Community College, losing again, this time by a score of 106-82. “They just lit the gym up,” LCC Coach Ervin Brunson said. Being able to play 19 girls doesn’t hurt a highpowered offense either. Brunson currently has eight players due to injuries, and that number will not change as the tournament draws near. On Feb. 16, LCC headed to Lake Michigan for its final real road test of the season. Lake Michigan sat in third place in the conference with a 10-3 record. The Lady Stars fought hard, but Lake Michigan prevailed, 60-57. Tornisha Jones scored 15
Photo by Michael Caterina
Around the horn: Freshman Kristian Hines passes the ball during LCC’s 57-54 loss to Lake Michigan College.
points and Brenda Thomas pitched in 18 in the effort for LCC. Looking ahead, the final four games will determine the fate of the LCC women’s basketball team. They sit in fifth place (48) in the conference, and only one and a half games separate them from eighth place and missing the playoffs. Three of the final four games will take place on LCC’s home court, which will certainly help in their pursuit of a playoff berth,
which the team is confident they will achieve. “I feel like we have good potential to win the rest of our games if we keep working hard and continue to play together,” LCC point guard Kristian Hines said. Only one of these four teams have a better conference record than the Stars; the top team in the conference, Kalamazoo Valley, which visited LCC Feb. 16. Results for the final four games will be in the next issue of The Lookout.
Oaks Community College. The Stars grabbed their fourth straight victory, 92-58. Colin Ward came up
big for the Stars this time, shooting 12 of 18 from the floor as well as recording eight assists in LCC’s annihilation of GOCC. “Colin is on fire right now,” Ingram said after the game. Finally LCC took to the road again to face Lake Michigan College on Feb. 16 with a confidence and swagger that had not been seen all season long. The Stars defeated Lake Michigan 79-70 to improve to 10-3 in conference play so far this year. Two LCC players had double-doubles. Ward was fantastic again, hitting seven threepointers and recording 10
assists. Sophomore guard Michael Martin also got in on the action, scoring 22 points of his own, as well as, pulling in 10 rebounds. “Everything just feels right, right now,” Ward said after arguably the best game of his career. “Marty (Michael Martin) came up big for us. We’re just out there having fun.” The Stars were scheduled to play Kalamazoo Valley Feb. 19 before heading to Grand Rapids Monday, Feb. 21. The Stars have a home game against Kellogg Community College Wednesday, Feb. 23, before the NJCAA Region XII Tournament begins.
— A New York state of mind —
Baseball has been very, very good to me I cannot wait for March 31: opening day for Major League Baseball. There is something very different about America’s pastime than any other sport we play, watch and look forward to every year. There is a certain sense of feeling and emotion that is captured in baseball, which is unmatched in any other major sport. There is truly nothing like it. On opening day this year, the Detroit Tigers travel to 161st and River Avenue in Bronx New York, home of the New York Yankees. My New York Yankees. It is much too early to know the probable pitching matchup, the gametime, weather conditions or how many people will show up to the game. But one thing is certain: The energy in Yankee Stadium will be unlike any other, for this game against the Tigers symbolizes the start of one of the most emotional times for us sports fans: baseball season. It’s a really long season, 162 games to be exact. As the long, hot summer months drag on, we will watch teams ride the roll-
ercoaster that is the divisional standings, up and down on their way into the pennant race. There will be shutouts, long win streaks, no-hitters, milestones met and surpassed, controversy, tradition and, of course, that one really, unmistakably, embarrassingly bad team. It never fails. Now the question becomes, who is going to make it into October and eventually play in the World Series? While baseball is seen as a marathon rather than a sprint, the same basic concept of “only the strongest survive” still applies here. In this sport, the “strongest” of the bunch can pitch. Enter the Philadelphia Phillies. Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay AND Cliff Lee? You’ve got to be kidding me. The Mets, Braves, Mar-
lins and Nationals all might as well take trips to Europe this summer. If anyone will give the fighting Phils a run for their money this season (They spent a lot of it, by the way), I am very pleased to say it will be the Bronx Bombers. While the Yanks have taken much criticism for their less than stellar performance at the winter meetings and throughout all of free agency, there is one thing I do not think these critics consider or appreciate: Pinstripe Pride. The Yankees are in hot pursuit of their 28th World Series title (That’s, that tradition thing I was talking about earlier.) The Rangers are first on the Bombers’ hit list, just a formality on the way to the big dance. And then it will come time to put Philadelphia in their place. We went through two years ago with them. Now Lee has made the move back to the National League, so a World Series victory will be even sweeter for the Yankees, given the way he made the Yankee bats look in Texas last year. Paybacks are … well, you know.
7SPORTS
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Every
Continued from page 1
It’s unsettling.” Every said despite the recent controversy, he hasn’t lost his passion for Lansing Community College. “I love this college almost as much as I love my family,” he said. A closed hearing was held Feb. 18 to discuss Every’s future. After almost six hours of closed session, still no decision had been made. “The meeting went well,” Every told The Lookout around 2:20 p.m. as he walked out of the Administrative Building holding a large storage bin in his arms. “I’m sure we’ll reach a resolution soon, whatever it is.” While the meeting was in session several past and present LCC softball players gathered in the lobby of the administrative building to show their support. Some players brought colorful signs with phrases such as “Free Bob” and “We
love you Coach” written on them. Several parents, former coaches and friends also were seen dropping in to support their beloved coach. “I came to LCC to play for Bob,” freshman infielder Katelyn Hahn said as she waited outside the board room. “I never thought this would have happened in a million years.” LCC Athletic Director Scott Latham, who was a candidate along with Every for the vacant athletic director position last summer, would not comment on Every’s future. He said interim softball coaches are in place at this time, though he declined to name them. “I have taken over the business aspect of the team,” Latham said Feb. 17. Latham referred further questions to Ellen Jones, director of public relations for LCC. Jones said the college follows a strict policy that states it does not
Photo by Michael Caterina
Support: Current and former softball players gather in the LCC Administration Building while coach Bob Every’s hearing takes place Friday, Feb. 18. Every was suspended with pay pending an investigation. LCC had not released the reason for suspension as of Feb. 18.
discuss personnel matters. “I can confirm that Bob is on paid administrative leave,” Jones said Feb. 17. “It’s premature to even discuss looking for a new coach.” Every has spent 38
years working at LCC. His duties over the years have included being a part-time instructor, boxing coach, intramural director and full-time staff member. He is currently a full-time administrator.
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9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Lansing comic troupe comes to Dart Lee Rumler A&E Editor The Lansing comedy troupe known as the Public Offenders visited LCC’s Dart Auditorium Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. for a hilarious night of stand-up comedy. The event, titled “Pro Bono,” raised funds for the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund. It featured Michigan comics Tom Slovinski, Denny Green, Ivan Wolfgang, Matt Clark, Zak Engeland, Jacob Zamonski, Mike Evitts and Dan Currie. The night opened with a mysterious voice thanking the audience for coming and supporting local comics. The voice told the audience that if it weren’t for people like them, the Public Offenders wouldn’t be able to follow their dreams and that they, too, should follow their dreams. After this awe-inspiring message, Dan Currie and Tom Slovinski danced onto the stage to the uplifting, emotional lyrics of “Never Say Never,” as performed by Justin Bieber. And just when the audience thought the routine couldn’t get any
REVIEW better, Wolfgang ran out wearing only pants and sunglasses. It was pretty hot. Next, the comics did their routines. Now, I can’t repeat any of their jokes because I’m pretty sure I’d be arrested for violating copyright infringement and Miller v. California. However, I will say the acts covered every topic from the trials of being a straight white male in modern America to “unusual sexual acts” to grandmothers with Alzheimer’s to Pokemon. They were offensive to all races, creeds and genders. And they were hilarious. Midway through the comics, Slavinski and Green sang a song compilation comprised of offensive lyrics set against inspiring chord progressions. The effect was melodically and criminally inspiring. After the musical interlude, the comics continued performing until Slovinski ended the night with a profusion of oneliners. Before the show, Currie expressed he hoped Pro
Photo by Courtney Baker
Just joking: Comedian Jake Zamonski is shown on stage during the Public Offenders’ “Pro Bono,” the proceeds of which benefit the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund.
Bono would not only help the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund, but also give LCC students a taste of what Michigan’s comedy scene has to offer. He said he hoped it would draw them to one of the many comedy shows taking place all around Michi-
gan. The Public Offenders perform in comedy clubs and bars throughout Michigan. Most notably, they perform and run open mic nights at Connxtions Comedy Club in Lansing on a weekly basis.
Photo by Courtney Baker
Offensively funny: Public Offenders Comedian Matthew Clark questions the audience during his set. The Public Offenders comedy troupe’s performance was a fund-raiser for the LCC Theatre Scholarship Fund.
10 A&E
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
DeathSpank deals justice No Talent Attached Lee Rumler A&E Editor DeathSpank is one of those games that everyone should play. And by everyone, I mean anyone with an extra $15 and time to kill playing a comedic action/arcade role-playing game. Though the game was released on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade half a year ago, I didn’t personally discover the game until last week when I was browsing through Steam. “A video game with Spank in the title?” I thought. “I must play it.” The game follows the tale of DeathSpank, hero to the downtrodden, vanquisher of evil and dispenser of justice, and his quest to find a powerful artifact, mysteriously named “The Artifact.”
Not much is known of this “Artifact,” other than mysterious tales of its power. Even the great hero, DeathSpank, the man destined to find the artifact, is completely perplexed by its origins. Then again, DeathSpank is perplexed by a great many things; in fact, according to the game’s website, “He doesn’t stab first and ask questions later. He doesn’t realize there are questions.” However, this handicap does not keep him from heroism: His brawn and righteousness can overcome any foe (although filling the justice meter helps too). Honestly, though, the game is one of the funniest I’ve played. Maybe I only like it so much because DeathSpank reminds me of Captain Qwark from Ratchet and Clank, which was my favorite game as a
King Crossword
Puzzle solution can be found at www.lcc.edu./lookout
This week’s puzzle is sponsored by:
Shauna Stocken Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of hotheadgames.com
kid, but even if that is the case, it’s packed with even more humor than Ratchet and Clank. The game has been repeatedly described by other reviewers as Monkey Island meets Diablo. Seeing as I haven’t played either of these games, I can’t comment either way. What I can say, though, is DeathSpank is overflowing with hilarious comedy and hack and slash fun. Being easy to pick up and play, the game is obviously made for casual gamers, but even hardcore gamers will find the quaint, funny game entertaining for the eight to 12 hours it takes to complete.
Going to a movie gives viewers a vacation, if only for a couple of hours. Movies captivate audiences giving hope, an occasional belly laugh and a rush of emotions. The new comedic love film No Strings Attached does not deliver any of those elements. With a predictable love at first sight plot, offensive material and stale comedy, I do not recommend this movie to anyone. No Strings Attached stars Natalie Portman as Emma and Ashton Kutcher as Adam. The couple first meet as campers while at summer camp in their youth. Portman, a medical school graduate, reunites with camping pal Kutcher at a frat party at the University Of Michigan while visiting with a friend. After separating and reuniting yet again af-
Photo courtesy of daemonsmovies.com
ter college, Kutcher and Portman begin their “no strings attached” relationship. This purely physical relationship begins as a wall to separate real emotions from forming. The busy and dominant Portman offers the idea of “friends with benefits” to accompany her busy lifestyle, as a resident at the local hospital. No Strings Attached has a run time of one hour and 48 minutes and is rated R for drug use, sexual content and language. While some rated R films hold different aspects that enlighten a film, watching Kutcher’s father, 63-year-old Kevin Kline, first appear by a pool side sporting a Speedo and
smoking weed is less then satisfying. The idea of friends turned into lovers is overdone in movies such as Maid of Honor, Whatever It Takes and an upcoming film actually titled Friends with Benefits. This style in movies is nothing more than the norm to many younger couples and their take on the dating world. While romance, marrying a soul mate and only having one partner seems dead to most people, the appeal for a “no strings attached” relationship as developed in movies coincides with the trends of viewers. The casting for the movie gave redemption to the redundancy of the plot. Along with Portman, Kutcher, Kline and Mindy Kaling, Kelly Kapoor from the television show The Office, appears as a friend and roommate to Portman in No Strings Attached.
— Shouting a Nuance —
I don’t remember too much real television before sixth grade. When I was little, my parents always watched the X-Files as I was going to bed but other than that and The Simpsons, I hadn’t the slightest clue what real television was. When I talk about “real television,” I mean any show that has a plot and is written for an adult audience. I make this distinction because shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy, although they don’t have “real” actors, are much closer to adult sitcoms than children’s cartoons, which I classify simply as “cartoons.” Somewhere around sixth grade, when I started watching Toonami with my dad, I also started watching Stargate SG1. I loved Stargate, and until the summer of eighth grade, my
Keepin’ it real
weekdays consisted simply of going to school and watching TV. The former climaxed when the final bell rang, the latter climaxed when Stargate came on and I could go to bed. During the summer of seventh grade, my parents started watching NCIS, which quickly became my favorite show. Every Tuesday at 8 p.m., I would sit on the couch, freshly bathroomed, with a soda and plate of nachos so that I wouldn’t have to risk missing even the smallest portion of show by running out
during a commercial break. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, Grace Lutheran Church decided it needed to hold its Youth Group Tuesday nights. So after my friends convinced me I had to meet this girl there and after Jim Keat, the man who changed my life, subsequently convinced me I had to continue attending, I didn’t get the chance to watch it anymore. The loss of my favorite TV show seemed hard at the time, but eighth grade was also where I learned that life should consist of more than ritualistically ignoring reality while keeping myself entertained. Eighth grade was when I got a life. So for the next five years, I didn’t watch TV on a schedule, but I still snuck in a few episodes whenever I could. I love catching an episode of Two and a
Half Men. It was one of the last shows I watched with my family (awkward, right?), along with House M.D., which was, and probably still is, my favorite show. As far as the adult cartoons go, I’m one of the few people I know who still doesn’t hate Family Guy; in fact, I still think it’s funny. Futurama is another favorite, and American Dad is pretty good. But surprisingly, I’ve never gotten into The Simpsons. Hulu was probably the best invention of the decade for me. Because of it, I’ve been able to semi- keep up on shows. I watched a whole lot of Burn Notice, The Mentalist, The Daily Show and White Collar last year. Television’s been a huge part of my life – definitely more than I’d like to admit. When I was a kid, it was my refuge. Now that I’m a pseudoadult, it’s my retreat.
11 A&E
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
LCC to perform Beckett at Dart Auditorium Lee Rumler A&E Editor From the LCC Theatre Department comes Endgame, a Samuel Beckett play directed by Andy Callis. Though the first two shows have already taken place, the final presentations will happen Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26. “The title Endgame comes from the endgame in chess, where there’s a winner and a loser, but the game might go on for a long time after that,” Callis said. “Beckett uses this as a metaphor for life.” The two main characters, Hamm and Clov, master and servant, respectively, argue and bicker throughout the entire play. “The rhythm of the dialogue, it mirrors kind of an old vaudeville routine – sort of a ping-pong rhythm back and forth – which is very funny, and I think very entertaining,” Callis said. “And then you stop laughing because, as with a lot of Beckett plays it sort of dawns on you, ‘Oh, that’s me.’” According to Callis, Hamm makes moves throughout the play to emphasize the futility of his situation. He tells Clov to move him to the window, though apparently nothing is outside, only to go back to the middle of the room. The setting of Endgame is simple, stark. In Callis’ words, Endgame takes place in a room with a door, two win-
dows, a chair and two trash cans.” Hamm’s parents live in those trash cans. “Hamm has a story he’s trying to tell, but he encounters writer’s block. He eventually does tell his story, though,” Callis said. “It’s very grim, but at least he finishes it, and to him, that is enough. “There are some wonderful monologues in it, which are sort of like Shakespeare, very beautifully written.” But according to Callis, the beautiful language doesn’t guarantee that everyone will like it. “The play might drive some people crazy. A friend of his said Sam was always disappointed if nobody walked out,” Callis said. “Hopefully nobody will walk out of this, but it might drive some people crazy because they’re checkmated: There’s no more moves
Photo by Courtney Baker
Acting out: From left, Alec Nagy, Mary Wardell and Jonas Greenberg perform a scene from Samuel Beckett’s Endgame showing Feb. 25 and Feb 26 at 8 p.m.
In the Kitchen with
S us h i
Directions: Peel an avocado and cut it into strips. Put imitation crab in a bowl and mix with salt and mayonnaise. Cover a bamboo mat with plastic wrap. Put a sheet of dried seaweed on top of the mat. Spread about one cup of sushi rice on top of the seaweed and press firmly. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the sushi rice. Turn the sushi layer over so that the seaweed is on top. Place avocado, cucumber, pineapple
Chef Nick
Ingredients: 4 cups sushi rice 4 sheets of nori (dried seaweed) 1 avocado 1 oz. pineapple 2 oz. thin sliced cucumber 3/4 cup crab meat 2 tbsp mayonnaise 1/2 tsp salt Soy sauce to taste
and crab horizontally on the seaweed. Roll the bamboo mat forward, pressing the ingredients inside the cylinder-shaped sushi. Press firmly the bamboo mat with hands, then remove the rolled sushi. Cut the sushi roll into bite-size pieces. Top with soy sauce. *Photo by Michael Caterina, Recipe provided by HMFS 263 Gourmet American Cooking.
to make.” For others, Callis said, “It might be the most riveting, unforgettable thing they’ll ever see, and they might remember it for the rest of their lives. “The characters and the language really burrow their way into your consciousness. In some place I saw Endgame 25 years ago, and I still think about that production.” However, according to Callis, peo-
ple don’t need to share Beckett’s perspective to enjoy the play. “There’s something very human and vulnerable about the endgame situation, where possibilities become impossibilities and options no longer become options,” he said. “It might expand certain insights. And if nothing else, you might find some lines that are the funniest things that you think you’ve ever heard.”
IN BRIEF Arts & Entertainment
Jazz it up, LCC
Percussionists strike Dart
The LCC Jazz Band directed by Jon Gewirtz and the LanSwingers Vocal Pop & Jazz Ensemble directed by Lara Wagner will put on a concert titled “An Evening of Jazz!” in Dart Auditorium Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Entrance is free.
LCC will host the La Batterie Drum Concert, directed by LCC’s Mike Daniels, at Dart Auditorium Sunday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. Entrance is free.
Hairspray comes to Riverwalk
While Samuel Beckett’s comic masterpiece Endgame, directed by LCC’s Andy Callis, premiered Feb. 18 and 19, it will finish Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. The performance will take place in the Black Box Theatre, 168 GB. It will cost $5 for LCC faculty, staff, alumni and students and $10 for the general public.
Riverwalk Theatre in downtown Lansing is putting on the Broadway hit Hairspray. The production will run Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 24 27. Thursday opens at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $18 for seniors, students and military.
LCC performs Beckett
12 FEATURES Volunteer opportunities are plenty Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
Shauna Stocken Staff Writer
Diving into the second month of the New Year, many people feel they have the passion to make positive changes in 2011, but they can’t find the time to be a volunteer. However, donating time doesn’t mean an obligation to donate large amounts of cash or give up the majority of spare time. There are many organizations and programs in the Lansing area that allow volunteers to work every week or every few months. The Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) is committed to helping neighborhoods on Lansing’s east side. To help the ANC, people can donate money that will help sustain the multiple operations the center runs, or they may donate with a more hands on approach. The ANC holds standards of making the city a healthy and livable place, a goal that depends on the support of volunteers.
Volunteer coordinator Heather Hymes can be contacted at (517) 367-2468. She assigns volunteers to upcoming events or helps find events that work with certain personal skills. The Bread Basket is an event held from 1-5 p.m. every Tuesday. The Bread Basket distributes free bread to local residents in need. For more information, check out allenneighborhoodcenter.org/volunteering for upcoming events
and to register to be a volunteer. Interested in helping people around the world? Volunteering at the American Red Cross (ARC) helps do just that. Volunteering efforts at Red Cross can help victims of house fires and illness within the community, or aid support to far away military personal. The ARC is not only in need of blood, plasma and bone marrow donations, but is also seeking volunteers to teach classes to the community. Classes are offered by the ARC to learn first aid, CPR, basic swimming technique and other health and safety skills that volunteers can further use to teach others. To become an ARC volunteer visit the website redcross.org/en/volunteertime to find locations, interest areas, skills and more that fit student needs. “I scooped cereal into gallon bags for people in need. It was an inexpensive way to help,” said Andrew Woodruff, an LCC market-
Snyder speaks at MPA
Photo by Michael Caterina
Political ponderings: Governor Rick Snyder speaks at The Legislative luncheon during the MPA Conference Jan. 28. Snyder answered questions from attending journalists about government issues, including the state budget and creating jobs for Michigan residents.
ing student. Volunteering at the Greater Lansing Food Bank allows volunteers to work in multiple areas, such as in the office, with the food movers program or with the garden project. Individuals can show their support by donating
spare canned food items or organizing food drives through businesses and schools. The Greater Lansing Food Bank is helping feed the hungry in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton County. “I liked working there (The Greater Lansing Food Bank) over other
places because you can call ahead and work with a group of your friends, so it’s more fun,” Woodruff said. The Greater Lansing Food Bank also accepts money. Donations up to $10,000 can result in a 50 percent tax write-off to businesses.
MPA Conference expands knowledge
Photo by Michael Caterina
Journalism transitions: Eight members of The Lookout staff attended the Annual Michigan Press Association Conference in Detroit Jan. 28-29. The staff heard the MPA panel of journalism experts discuss the ongoing changes and evolution of journalism and its distribution.
13 DISTRACTIONS
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011
www.lcc.edu/lookout
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An Ordinary Life
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14 OPINION
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout
— The Collected Klutz—
—Everyone should read George Orwell—
Omg, txting is out of control The Diversity of Wormology If you were to ask anyone if they had a cell phone, the answer would most definitely be yes. Who doesn’t have a cell phone? If you were to then ask them if they had texting, they would probably answer yes again. Over the past few years texting has become a major form of communication. I have, believe it or not, only had texting on my phone less than a year, and I remember thinking it would be so much easier to get a hold of people if I had texting. As it turns out, this is true in most cases. But sometimes I find it would be so much easier to just pick up the phone and call someone (and I will admit I hate talking to people over the phone). A conversation that could only take about three minutes over the phone turns into a conversation probably
about 10 minutes or longer through texting. For instance, you text someone, “Hey, what’s up?” They reply with how they’re doing and then ask the same question. This exchange in and of itself could take a few minutes, depending on how fast the person responds. If you were to call someone, this exchange would be over in a matter of seconds and the rest of your conversation would already have started. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I have texting because sometimes it is more convenient than
calling someone. For example, if you’re in class, you can’t really call someone (I’m not saying that I do this, however.) While the ability to text is grand and all, I believe it is ruining our capability to communicate verbally. It is easier to confront someone via texting than to call or even talk to them face-to-face. For instance, there are people who break up with someone via texting. That’s just lame. Texting can be a convenient way to get a hold of somebody, but I am afraid of what it is doing to our communication. The fact that professors have to tell us not to use text lingo in formal writing assignments is sad. And if this is any indication to where our communication is going, teens and young adults are going to grow up not being able to integrate into society.
One of my favorite things to check out is nature documentaries, the best of which are usually produced by National Geographic or PBS. Various documentaries are available to me instantly by Netflix – the best adaptation of entertainment currently available – which I watch on a daily basis. Not too long ago, I was watching a documentary on the largest park in America, Denali National Park. Within this park I learned about the most peculiar creature I’ve heard of yet: The ice worm. This crazy little worm behaves just as worms do in the soils of Michigan, in the ice in Denali National Park and other northern gla-
cial regions. It slowly eats its way through the ice, digesting the matter for water as it travels. What is most crazy about this creature (besides its unique niche) is the fact that the ice worm, when taken out of its ice environment, will melt at a higher temperature. This worm has adapted so well to its own environment that it cannot live when it’s not in it. I thought it would be awesome, in light
of Charles Darwin’s birthday on Feb. 13, to compare a creature who cannot live without its environment, to the human, a creature who cannot seem to let its environment live. According to my environmental science textbook, it takes one ton of raw material to support the average American for one day. Every leading environmental scientist will tell you that this is incredibly unsustainable. But you already knew this, and so now I am boring you and insulting your intelligence – two things that must be avoided at all costs. In short, let us learn from the ice worm: should our environment become so misshapen from our abuse, we too will melt.
15 Opinion
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout In our own words | Staff Editorial
Change in the Middle East takes time er unyielding involvement, in yet another, country’s affairs. When President Obama spoke at Northern Michigan University Feb. 10, he touched on the situation in Egypt, which escalated the same day resulting in the full and immediate resignation of President Mubarak and consequent hand over of power to Vice President Omar Suleiman, who had said in the past that democracy was far from near for the Egyptian people. Obama claimed our country would help Egypt by any means necessary to ensure a smooth transition to de-
Americans who watch the news have heard of the civil unrest in Cairo, Egypt. News images depicted Cairo covered with protesters who had joined in mass consensus for change. While their desire for democracy appears to us as something the U.S. government would have no reluctance in applauding, as they have been bombing countries into democracy for over 40 years, it would seem that government officials have been tip-toeing around the situation with grace and caution. Grace and caution is, we believe, imperative in protecting our own country from yet anoth-
mocracy. Exactly what this means is yet to be determined. It is no secret our country and Mubarak have worked together in the past to make peace in the Middle East, a struggle that has yet to be resolved completely. However, this presidential “we got your back” shout-out is a decision that we believe all Americans should be in support of. It has been our mission as a country to assist other countries in overturning governmental systems in which the people are not properly attended to. On Feb. 11, the protesters were out in full form, resulting in power
being handed over to the military. This moment in history is unparalleled in this day in age. The protestors demands were met and subsequently the streets were cleared. Some talk has come up of the Muslim Brotherhood – a group that has been linked to Al Qaeda in various news articles. It is true that they joined the side of the protestors; however, their ideologies and pretenses are not something one would think the protesters desire to hold power in their country. Egypt already has a secular government system and an implementation of the Muslim Broth-
Given the Muslim Brotherhood is nothing if not extremely organized, if elections were to be held within the next six months, it would be hard to imagine they would not gain power of some accord due solely to their organized agenda in a chaotic time. The protesters are united under one cause, to rid their country of President Mubarak and implement a democratic government for their people. What is imperative for this to take place is to maintain a secular government system and consequently not allow the Muslim Brotherhood to take power.
erhood ideologies could deeply damage Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel. Given that one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s plans includes an eventual destruction of Israel, if put into power, the result could wreak havoc all over the Middle East. In order for a truly smooth transition to democracy for the Egyptian people, the change cannot be immediate. Though the institution of an interim government is the plea of the protestors, they must understand that in order for democracy to be implemented properly, an immediate election could be devastating to their fragile state.
Part-time staff speaks out
Write a Letter to the
Editor
Policies: all letters should be 200 words or less and signed with a name, address (email or otherwise) and phone number. The Lookout reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, length and clarity. Mail: 1000 – The Lookout Lansing Community College P.O. box 40010 Lansing, MI 489401-7210 Email: sande43@mail.lcc.edu Fax: (517) 483-1290 The Lookout is the independent, biweekly student newspaper of Lansing Community College. All opinion/editorial articles are the sole opinion of the writer and may not reflect the views of the staff, students, faculty and college as a whole. Opinion/editorial articles may or may not be located exclusively on editorial pages and may appear on news, sports and arts & entertainment pages.
Letter to the Editor: The Michigan Association of Higher Education reports 90 percent of the faculty here is now adjunct, 1,235 of them, and their number is growing. They teach part-time for little more than a third of the proportional pay of full-timers, without benefits. LCC has cut faculty pay two-thirds by converting to part-time. Any student who has worked part-time staff knows how little part-time pay here is. What’s more remarkable was that they teach 85 percent of the classes, meaning their loads are virtually full-time. Many spend as much time here as full-timers and seek part-time employment elsewhere to supplement their small income here. Many are distinguished scholars and former executives who love to teach and have no other options in a part-time economy. Other schools in Lansing have already gone 100 percent part-time. All are moving in that direction. One such national school pays its teachers only a thousand a class. The part-time market is cut-throat and brutal. It is the wave of the future, our system of delivery. Dr. Daniel R. Campbell History and Communications
- The Lookout Staff
the lookout Sarah Sanders
Editor in Chief sande43@mail.lcc.edu
Kaitlin Lutz
Associate Editor lutzk3@mail.lcc.edu
Nathan Wilson
News Editor wilso162@mail.lcc.edu
Michael Caterina
Photo Editor cater2@mail.lcc.edu
Shauna Stocken
Staff Writer stockens@mail.lcc.edu
Dominick Mastrangelo Sports Editor mastrand@mail.lcc.edu
Kelly Lehtonen
Advertising Manager lehtonk@mail.lcc.edu
Lee Rumler
A&E Editor rumlel@mail.lcc.edu
Larry Hook
Adviser hookl@lcc.edu
16
Feb. 21 - March 6, 2011 www.lcc.edu/lookout