Pennon - November 2011

NOVEMBER 2011

THE PENNON IS ONLINE AT: northshore.edu/pennon

Yellowstone

Oppose, Propose

• A Monthly Publication For The Students of North Shore Community College, Danvers, Lynn & Beverly, Massachusetts •

BY NICK LOVASCO

and Innovate

During the month of October, the Student Government Association has made incredible progress as a group.

Participation and representation

executive board would divide up, attend different workshops, and then share the information with each other to place it into the context of our own college.

Of the many workshops they participated in, there

Members of the Student Government Association

Nicholas Lovasco, John Hruska, Hudson Henriques, Konstantine Papageorgiou, & Ryan Nolan

has been spread evenly amongst all members and our membership base as a whole has continued to steadily grow.

On October 20, seven new Senators and one executive board member were sworn in.

As elected officials and advocates, members of the SGA have the right to vote in standing committees as well as the Board of Trustees at our college, but they are also in a position to oppose standing and pending initiatives, propose new legislation, and innovate with fresh programs designed to inspire and engage students.

Over the weekend our SGA executive board was fortunate enough to attend the American Student Government Association Conference in Washington D.C with their advisor. Each day, multiple workshops were held during various one-hour blocks. Our

INSIDE:

were three that resonated deeply with them. The information projected in each of the three workshops highlights why and how we should all formally oppose, propose, and innovate on the Danvers and Lynn Campuses.

Effective organizing on and beyond campus was led by the founding members of Generation Opportunity, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization dedicated to motivating the millennial generation to become engaged. The speaker urged those in the workshop to find, analyze, and take a stance on college, local, state, and federal issues. It is imperative to build networks of community leaders, elected officials, and government agencies to work through issues to find resolutions and common ground without becoming radioactive, or too radical, where we could be avoided by CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

The Myth of “El Cuco” Page 3

Volunteer Service Project

BY PAUL A. HORTON CHAPTER SERVICE OFFICER DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

It has been a great experience to be part of something that has brought together people from around the country/world, to accomplish so much in such a short time.

When we first arrived and saw what needed to be done, it did not look like we would even come close to finishing. We were not only going to build one corral, we also needed to build two smaller corrals and a round training pen.

Then the most amazing thing happened. Everyone just started moving posts and rails and did whatever else needed to be done, from digging the post holes, to hanging the last rail, things seemed to fall right into place. No one had to be asked to do anything. With Brett's know-

BY NELSON BAKER

Yellowstone National Park - Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon Wounded Warriors," "The ledge, and Orlando’s leadership, Yellowstone Park Foundation," we all learned a lot about each other as well as ourselves.

"The Yellowstone Park Rangers," Never before have we and "Disabled Sports USA." It worked with such a great group was a team that we were all of people, from the "ARCH proud to be a part of. As the Yellowstone Volunteers," "The CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Travel Course Coming to NSCC

An exciting new travel-related course is in development at North Shore Community College. Created by Chairperson of the History, Government, and Economics departments, Professor Lawrence Davis, the 3-credit History course, which may be called “Study and Travel Institute,” will be in partnership with Salem State University.

In the works for the past three years, the course should have a start date in 2014, which is also the 100th anniversary of WWI. Trips will be two weeks in length to start, many of which having themes such as the WWI Battlefield Tour and a WWII trip that will include rel-

Dexter Page 8

Professor Lawrence Davis and Salem State University Professor Chris Mauriello at Aushwitz in Poland evant Holocaust sites in Berlin, As Davis organizes and Poland and Budapest. Courses constructs, he will also be lookwill consist of both classroom ing into fundraising possibilities and travel time.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Hunger Games Page 9

New Faces in the Hall Page 16

PAGE 2 – NSCC PENNON

Dean’s Corner

BY STEPHEN CREAMER DEAN OF STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

This month the Dean of Retention and Student Success, Dr. Martha Brine and the Dean of Student Financial Services, Mr. Stephen Creamer provide some important information about the Winter/Spring 2012 Early Registration process for all current students.

Winter/Spring 2012 Semester – Coming Soon!

Check out the upcoming important dates for the Winter/Spring 2012 Semester: October 31 – Enrollment Office turns on Winter/Spring 2012 credit course schedule can for viewing by students via Pipeline.

November 7 – Registration for Winter/Spring 2012 begins December 7 – Winter/Spring 2012 Payment Due Date – to review your payment options, please go to http://www.northshore.edu/financial _aid/ and choose “Semester Payment Options” from the featured links.

January 23 – Classes begin, Day & Evening As a current student here at the College, you can get a jump on picking next semester’s courses now at the days and times that will be most convenient for you. Don’t miss the opportunity to get assistance

from your Academic Advisor in choosing the appropriate courses for your program of study.

In early October you received an email from Dan O’Neill and Betsy Mariere telling you the name of your advisor and that person’s contact information. Please go into your Pipeline e-mail account, find that email and use the contact information given there to make an appointment with your advisor. If your advisor is the Student Support and Advising Center, that office is conveniently located on both the Lynn (W114) and Danvers (DS101) campuses and provides walk-in service.

If you deleted the email and can’t remember who your advisor is, you can find this information online by going to www.northshore.edu and logging into your NSCC Pipeline account and then select the following: School Services Student Services and Registration Student Records Student Information—see information beside Primary Advisor Remember, your advisor is there not only to help you choose the correct courses, but also to answer questions regarding career and/or transfer possibilities in your program and provide advice and support to help you be successful in your current semester courses. Please take the time to connect with this person. It will make a difference for you!

Once you have con-

sulted with your advisor about your program/course requirements, you can register for these courses on Pipeline, beginning November 7. The last day to add/drop courses for Winter/Spring 2012 is January 29, 2012.

The next date to be mindful of is December 7, 2011.

Students must choose a payment option by 5 p.m. on December 7th or their class schedule will be dropped for non-payment. Those students who register after December 7th must have a payment option in place at the time of registration.

We urge you to register early and to be certain to have acted on a payment option. We recommend you do this, to lock in the best course selections and times to meet your busy schedule. To review your payment op t i o n s , p l e a s e g o t o http://www.northshore.edu/fina ncial_aid/ and choose “Semester Payment Options” from the featured links.

Our doors are open for any and all questions. You can reach Dean Brine at mbrine@northshore.edu or drop into the Student Support and Advising Centers on either campus. You can contact Dean Creamer at screamer@north shore.edu or drop into Student Financial Services which is also located on both campuses.

Good luck with the remainder of your Fall semester.

Alumni Corner

Recognizing an NSCC Veteran Alum

BY SANDRA ROCHON ALUMNI COORDINATOR Kevin James served in the military directly after high school, and it was during an infantry training class that he first had the thought of attending college. When he enlisted, he did not think that he would do well in college. However, his time in the military gave him confidence and maturity, as well as a different perspective to rethink his previous assumptions. Following his military service, he enrolled in NSCC’s Criminal Justice program.

Among his fond memories are the legal discussions in Attorney James Dragon’s classes. He recalls the professor as being “less concerned about how an issue was decided and more concerned about how the students arrived at the conclusion,” and the way students were encouraged to discuss and ana-

Kevin James ‘86 lyze the legal issues.

Kevin James graduated from NSCC with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice in 1986, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Political Science with

a minor in Black History from UMASS Boston. He then completed his Juris Doctorate at Suffolk Law School, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1997. Since then, Kevin has practiced criminal defense and personal injury litigation through his own practice in Danvers, MA. “North Shore Community College was the first educational institution that I actually wanted to attend and I believe the staff really enjoyed having me there. NSCC served as a welcoming gateway to the start of my education after high school and led me to further my education.” Kevin is grateful for being in a profession with unlimited potential, and enjoys having his own practice and the ability to alter his schedule to spend time with his family.

Wishing Kevin and all Veterans a Happy Veteran’s Day- thank you for your service!

No Labels:

Seeking Unity in an Age of Discord

BY ANTHONY HARRIS

To say the last few years have been difficult times for America would be a fairly large understatement. Ever since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 and the ensuing financial meltdown, the U.S. has weathered a seemingly endless stream of bad news. 14 million Americans are out of a job, many more have given up looking, and fears of a double-dip recession abound.

The gargantuan national debt – $14.86 trillion and counting – is a constant albatross around our necks and an ominous burden for future generations. In August, the nation’s credit rating was downgraded for the first time ever, and we are constantly reminded of China’s rising power and our diminished standing in the world. In short, Americans are deeply troubled

about our current situation and even more concerned about our country’s future.

Ideally, our elected officials would be hard at work trying to solve these very serious problems. But one look at the headlines will tell you why Congress’s approval rating is in the single digits. The dysfunction and hyper-partisanship in Washington has reached truly pathetic levels. This year alone, our politicians’ incompetence took us to the brink of both a government shutdown and a first-ever default on the nation’s financial obligations. From Republicans who automatically reject every proposal President Obama puts forward to Democrats who refuse to touch the urgent issue of entitlement reform, both major parties are utterly failing to work together and meet today’s challenges, and Americans are rightly frustrated.

This frustration was the catalyst for the creation of No Labels, a nonprofit political organization launched in December 2010. Led by former politicians and entrepreneurs from across the political spectrum, the group seeks to inject a much-needed dose of civility, camaraderie, and common sense back into the public dialogue. Its Statement of Purpose offers an astute assessment of where we stand as a country: “While our people are as

dynamic, hard-working, and ingenious as ever, our political system is clearly broken, just when we need it the most.” At a time when the left-right divide seems sharper than ever, No Labels encourages people to set aside their ideology and “work together to find practical solutions to our nation’s problems.”

Such cooperation is desperately needed when Washington is paralyzed by gridlock even as our national predicament grows increasingly dire.

In an age where politicians and pundits alike routinely trample over facts in their rush to score political points, No Labels serves as a valuable public watchdog. In weekly press releases, the group awards “high fives” to who demonstrate bipartisan cooperation and tosses “yellow flags” at those who perpetuate hyper-partisanship.

Another welcome feature is a code of conduct for members of Congress. To respectable citizens everywhere, the items on this list – “Treat respectfully those with whom you differ,” “Take evidence seriously,” “Put country before party” – should seem like no-brainers. The fact that these qualities are so rarely exhibited by our representatives is a sad commentary on today’s political climate and another reason why the status quo needs to change.

I urge each and every on e o f y o u t o v i s i t www.nolabels.org, read more about what they stand for, and judge for yourself if it is a cause worth supporting. I firmly believe that this movement is exactly what we need in America at this crucial moment in our history. No Labels is a place for everyone who is fed up with partisan bickering, tired of the same old divisive rhetoric distracting us from real problems, and who wants to work together to put our country back on track. For too long, the loudest voices have dominated the airwaves and town halls, and the vast majority of citizens in the middle have been left out in the cold. It’s time for us to come together as Americans, find common ground, figure out sensible solutions to the challenges facing us, and support candidates who will eschew petty partisanship and do what’s best for the country. Changing how our government operates will not be quick or easy, but we owe it to ourselves, our kids, and our grandkids to make it happen.

As Abraham Lincoln famously said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

In typical fashion, Congress averted crisis at the last minute with stopgap measures that do nothing to address the long-term problems of debt, stagnant wages, and runaway spending.

PAGE 3 – NSCC PENNON

Slice of Culture

The Myth of “El Cuco”

BY SHANNON O’BRIEN

As young children, we’ve all grown up hearing (and fearing) the story of The Boogeyman, the old American tale about a monster living

“skull.” The myth was spread to Spain and Latin America by the Portuguese and Spanish colonizers, and in Mexico the creature is known as “El Cucuy.” El Cuco has been widely told by parents from generation to gen-

El Cuco, or The Coco

under children’s beds that attacks those who refuse to fall asleep. I thought it would be interesting to explain a similar story that is told to youngsters in many Hispanic countries, the Latin equivalent to The Boogeyman, El Cuco.

The myth of El Cuco,

eration throughout many Latin American countries to frighten their children into obeying rules. If a child were to misbehave or disobey, such as by refusing to eat or sleep, or wandering into mischief, then parents would use the story of El Cuco before bedtime as a way

or “The Coco,” originated in Portugal and referred to a ghostmonster with a pumpkin head.

Coconuts, or “coco” in Spanish, were given that name because of their brownish hairy surface that reminded Portuguese explorers of El Cuco, and coconuts being in comparison to pumpkins. The word “coco” can also mean

of scaring their children into being good.

As the myth was altered over the years in Latin America, the appearance of a ghostly figure with a pumpkin head no longer remained the physical description of El Cuco.

Soon it was described as having no form or shape at all, but as

glowing red eyes in the dark or moving shadows in the night.

Even today, young Latin children are unaware of any real physical appearance of El Cuco, but are more afraid of what El Cuco does to young children who act bad more than what El Cuco looks like.

Legend says El Cuco is a child-eater and a kidnapper attracted by wrongdoing. When praying on the disobedient, it will either immediately devour a child and leave no trace of him or her, or it will take the child away to a horrifying place with no return. El Cuco is said to search for misbehavior by lurking upon rooftops or by taking the shape of any dark shadow and continuing to watch.

Frequently, El Cuco is most compared to the devil.

Often, lullabies or rhymes are told to children, warning them that if they don't sleep, El Cuco will come and get them. The oldest known rhyme, which originated in the 17th century, has evolved over the years but still retains its original meaning: “Duérmete niño, duérmete ya...

Que viene el Cuco y te comerá,” which translates as: “Sleep child, sleep now... or else The Coco will come and eat you.”

Just like the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth

Fairy, and the Boogeyman, as you get older, belief in these mythical characters come to an end. But adults who themselves have grown up with the story of El Cuco still to use it to teach obedience to their children and will continue to do so for years to come.

Mal de Ojo

BY NALDA GUERREO

“The Evil Eye”

In each culture the meaning of Mal de Ojo is slightly different. Growing up in a Dominican family, it was known as a look of envy from

another person.

Mal de Ojo means “the evil eye.” It is a long, strong stare from a baby, child or a woman, and is considered a hex.

Symptoms may include high fever, diarrhea, headaches, restless nights, fussiness and weeping.

There are two ways that someone can prevent the Mal de Ojo hex. The first is by tying a red ribbon around the child’s wrist or ankle. The red ribbon can be a distraction to the person who is staring at the child, and holding the child closest to the energy flow.

The evil eye is strongest in the Middle East, West Africa, Central America, South Asia, Central Asia, Europe and in the Medit-erranean region. It has spread to the Celtic region and the Americas where it has been brought over by immigrants. It is rare in The Aegean regions, where people tend to have light colored eyes. People with green eyes are believed to be immune to the curse.

In Armenia, they wear an eye charm to protect themselves from the evil eye. The Assyrians believe strongly in wearing blue turquoise beads around their neck to protect them. In Bangladesh, the children have a black dot on the

side of their forehead, and the girls have it behind the earlobes.

In Egypt, the right eye represents a peregrine falcon’s eye, Islamic charms and amulets such as Hasma are used. In Islam, when someone gives you

a compliment, they are custom to say “Masha Allah,” which means “what good wills to keep the evil hex’s of the evil eye.”

In Latin America, Mexico and Central America infants are the most vulnerable to el Mal de Ojo. The infants are given a bracelet for protection, keeping it from being touched by admirers.

In Mexican tradition, a folk healer sweeps a raw chicken egg over the body of a person who has been cursed to absorb the power of the person who has given the evil eye. In South America, the act of ojear means to give someone the evil eye. It is believed that illness, discomfort, and even death can occur, along with failure to succeed and progress in life.

In my culture, which is Dominican, the first piece of jewelry worn is believed to protect you from Mal de Ojo. Los Ojos de Santa Lucia, also believed to ward off the evil of Mal de Ojo is an eye watching over you. The Latin culture believes strongly in the evil eye.

The beliefs in the evil eye during antiquity change from region to region, but for those who believe in it, it is not just a myth. It is real.

PAGE 4 – NSCC PENNON

World AIDS Day Event

Join us for the third annual World AIDS Day event on Thursday, December 1st in the Lynn gym in collaboration with Lynn Community Health Center, Health Services and Program Council.

From 11 AM -12 PM, our renowned speaker, Sarah Rial, who is a native of Sudan, will discuss AIDS and gender as it relates to the African community. The co-founder of the African Women Empowerment Group, Sarah is the Program Director for My Sister’s Keeper, a grassroots humanitarian org-

anization focused on education in southern Sudan. In December of 2010, Hillary Clinton presented Sarah with the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights for her important advocacy work with the underserved.

From 12 – 1 PM, honor World AIDS day by designing a free t-shirt to take home with you. Also, free and confidential HIV testing will be offered throughout our event.

We look forward to seeing you there. ~ Health Services

#1: Avoid

Strategies For Stress Management

unnecessary stress

Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.

Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.

Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.

Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion. #2: Alter the situation If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future.

Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.

Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If some-

thing or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.

Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.

#3: Adapt to the stressor If you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude.

Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective.

Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen

to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.

Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run.

Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.

Adjust your standards.

Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”

Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.

This information was found at http://helpguide.org/mental/stre ss_management_relief_coping. htm

Oppose, Propose...

Continued From Page 1

such people. Eventually we want these leaders to reach out to us for support in their own endeavors. If the Student Government Association attaches itself to positive and meaningful movements that carve out a set of specific core values and ideals, they will become a more valuable asset to our students, community, and government.

Those who have a foundation on which to stand, and know what they stand for, are the strongest in the eyes of the world.

Developing signature programs are focused on taking the Student Government Association brand and attaching it to innovative programs designed to engage and entertain while either saving or making money for our students. Their name must be on everything that will give them greater exposure to the student body, faculty/staff, administration, and press.

Successful programs have an edge and an angle to them.

Events and fundraisers are great, but SGA members are public servants who must provide a service in addition to representing and advocating for students in the governance structure of the college.

Proper use of Parliamentary Procedure, and using it to move meetings along

quickly and effectively was the topic of the last workshop the group attended. Parliamentary Procedure is the vehicle used to oppose, propose, and innovate.

Robert's Rules (the model SGA uses for Parliamentary Procedure) can make for a dry and boring meeting; however, a balance must be found. Discussion should be facilitated and encouraged but curved before it gets out of hand and people begin dominating the conversation.

The association is growing in terms of membership and the projects they are taking on are significantly larger and more complex; therefore, they must ensure that meetings provide a place where the business can get done. Subcommittees should act as the home for concepts and large scale discussions pertaining to proposed initiatives. Robert's Rules can help guide meetings by providing tools for our members to use to respectfully move through the business while retaining their individual voice. There are several worksheets and power point presentations explaining Parliamentary Procedure that were obtained at the conference which will soon be distributed to all of our Student Govrnment Association members

for reference.

I have urged all of our members to propose and work to develop one new initiative or project this year. I am asking the same of students as well. Take hold of your education by discovering something you are passionate about, and reach out to your fellow students, SGA members, NSCC club leaders, and the administration to bring your idea to reality.

Thank you all for your continued support of the SGA. Each member feels fortunate to be part of this group, and we hope that you will be inspired to join us.

A special thanks and warm welcome go out to Carlo Lovasco, Kathleen Gaffney, Nick Waiswilos, Corey Cahill, Ben Lithgow, Christina Siebertz, and Ryan Griffis who were elected and sworn in to serve as Student Government Senators. Asa Seeley has been elected and sworn in to serve as Treasurer of the Student Government Association.

With much appreciation, Nick Lovasco SGA President

Yellowstone Continued From Page 1

week progressed we accomplished more and more. It was as if we had all been working together for years.

With Brett sharing his knowledge of ranching, we all were able to learn what needed to be done. From setting posts to the amazing Main Gate, he was the Foreman and we were all glad he was there. I was amazed at all we learned not only about fence building, but about people on this trip.

The Park Rangers were also a great group and were instrumental in all we accomplished, all we learned about Yellowstone, and the Park Rangers themselves. They are truly a special group of people. I hope to take my wife to Yellowstone in the future, and will definitely take her to meet them, and see what we all accomplished.

The people from ARCH were wonderful, and a really special group of people.

They took such good care of us for the whole trip it was amazing. It was a pleasure to work beside them for the week, and the trip they arranged for us to see the park was wonderful and more informative than I could have imagined. We were taken to dinner at the finest restaurants, and spent hours talking

and getting to know each other.

They gave us something that is hard to come by in the civilian world, a chance to be part of Team, that can accomplish any goal that is asked of us.

was also a very special part of the trip, and working with him, and learning a little of his heritage is something I will never forget.

I especially want to

Paul A. Horton

The group from The Yellowstone Park Foundation are another wonderful group of people, and the day they spent with us digging holes and explaining the Yellowstone Park Foundation helped give us even more motivation to reach our final goal of finishing the project. It was wonderful to see what their fund raising has provided for the Park.

Getting to know Nori

thank Orlando and Disabled Sports USA for putting together and leading a group of Disabled Veterans, and giving us the opportunity to get together and show we are still willing and able to accomplish for our Country anything that is asked of us.

I learned so many things form this group and experienced a bond of brotherhood that I will never forget.

PAGE 5 – NSCC PENNON

North Shore Uncensored

The North Shore Uncensored column in the North Shore Community College Pennon Newspaper provides educated harm reduction responses and alternative options to students who have any questions related to sex, drugs, alcohol or any other health concerns sent anonymously to (NSUncensored @hotmail.com). All responses concerning harm reduction, health, and safety follows NSCC’s commitment to their students and their well being. If you have any questions please send them to the column address. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone and you have the choice as to whether or not your question will be published.

Question:

In my sociology class some students were discussing the Boston SlutWalk and how they have been happening in different areas around the country. Can you please explain the purpose of the SlutWalks and the message behind them?

Thanks so much.

Answer:

Thank you for bringing up this really important topic for North Shore Community College Pennon readers. In May 2,000 protesters marched around the Boston Common as the city officially joined an international series of protests known as SlutWalks. Previously in January, a Toronto police

officer told a group of university students that women should avoid dressing like “sluts” to avoid being raped. He had later apologized and was disciplined but remained on duty.

Advocates in Toronto held a “SlutWalk” to protest the officer’s remarks and to highlight what they saw as problems in blaming sexual assault victims. Some women and men who protest dress in nothing more remarkable than jeans and T-shirts, while others wear provocative or revealing outfits to bring attention to "slut-shaming," or shaming women for being sexual, and the treatment of sexual assault victims.

Slut-shaming is a huge part of being a young girl in today's society. As is rape culture, the walk is to protest both slut-shaming and rape culture.

It's a walk to take back the word slut in order to show that the nature of your being is not determined by how many sexual partners you have.

The SlutWalk rallies usually end with speakers and workshops on stopping sexual violence and calling on law enforcement agencies not to blame victims after sexual assaults.

If you of someone you know has been sexually assaulted please contact the North Shore Rape Crisis Center 800922-8772. The North Shore Rape Crisis Center serves 27 cities and towns within Essex County, providing individual and group counseling, medical and legal advocacy, educational outreach, and a 24-hour toll-free hotline. All services are confidential & free of charge.

PAGE 6 – NSCC PENNON

Spotlight Corner NSCC Staff

BY NELSON BAKER

Since its opening in 1965, well over 30,000 students have graduated from North Shore Community College.

Many of these graduates continue to live and work in the area,

Psychology at Salem State College, with a minor in Business. Rochon spoke of the first psychology class she ever took, saying, “It sparked this love of learning,” and that “you never know when one class will set you on a completely differ-

Sandra Rochon

and most have a story to tell.

One of the things Alumni Coordinator Sandra Rochon loves most about her position is that she gets to hear about the positive impact NSCC has had in people’s lives and share these stories with the community.

Rochon graduated from Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts with an Associate’s in Business. She later received a Bachelor’s of Science in

ent course.”

As Coordinator, Rochon’s role is to maintain the college’s connection with alumni, keeping them engaged with NSCC. While many may not know about some of the benefits NSCC has to offer, those who stay connected through the Alumni Association or in other ways, know not only what is available, but that they can even throw their own ideas into the mix. Aside from home and auto

insurance discounts, and non credit course discounts, there are regular events, socials, news of charities, developing courses and buildings, and of course, scholarships.

Graduates or soon-tobe graduates can apply for the Alumni Scholarship, while returning students can apply for the Foundation Scholarship.

You can read some of the stories Rochon writes about in the Alumni Newsletter and the Alumni Corner in the Pennon. Every story is unique, whether it highlights a career, life experience, culture, or other kinds of accomplishments and future aspirations.

Rochon used the words “personal and educational transformations.” This is at the heart of the stories she writes of, and serves as an inspiration to current students who are choosing their own paths in life.

Besides spending as much time as she can with her daughter Samantha, Rochon remains healthy and active by running, cycling, and skiing.

She points out that striving for “personal growth is a healthy and satisfying way to live your life.”

Two quotes Rochon tries to live by are as follows:

"We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

- Aristotle "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be."

- Lao Tzu

Travel Course

Continued From Page 1

so that trips will be accessible to more students. He plans to first, as Davis puts it, “break the ice” with trips to New York and Washington DC. These are trips that will be meaningful as well as fun.

“Students will be able to broaden their horizons by experiencing the world first-hand, discover new cultures and learn about the unique elements of diversity,” Davis said. “It will teach them to be better citizens as well as valuable employees in a global economy.”

Having taught for ten years at Salem State University, Davis has made quite a few connections. He was first intrigued by a Geography course at the University in which they travel abroad, and hopes to create something similar.

Davis wants to have 15 students from NSCC and 15 students from SSU come together in one class, one trip.

In a trip to Poland through SSU as a guest and observer, Davis experienced

what few have in visiting the sites that were active during the Holocaust. "I was able to see how visiting these infamous sites of death and suffering impacted the students intellectually and emotionally. In many cases, the experience challenged many of their preconceived notions of World War II and the plight of Poland's Jewish community before, during, and after

the Holocaust. I would like to bring the same opportunity to NSCC students,” Davis said.

For further inquiry in the course or for anything travel-related, you can reach Professor Davis at 978-7624000 ext. 6265, or at ldavis@northshore.edu.

Main Monument in Krakow, Poland

Paws Picks of the Month

BY TANYA GREEN

November, the official beginning of the holiday season.

Wouldn’t it be nice to start your holidays right by opening your home and your heart to two cats in need of a family? Just thinktwo new family members and you won’t even have to set places at the table for them.

This month I am featuring two cats who must be adopted together. They are a brother and sister who have been together since they were kittens and have been through it all together. Without further ado, I present to you Mr. Bigglesworth (Biggie) and Angel Muse (Angel).

Mr. Bigglesworth

pair as our bond is that strong.

Family is as important to me as finding a forever love. While not as extroverted as my sister, I will still definitely stake my claim by your side on the sofa.

If you have room in your heart for two, give me a call.

Angel Muse

- Rescue ID: C110002 - General Color: Tortoiseshell - Color: black/orange w/white medallion / Tortie - Current Size: 11 pounds - Current Age: 13 years (best estimate) - Microchipped: yes - Declawed: no - Housetrained: yes - Good with dogs, good with cats, good with kids More about Angel Muse:

- Rescue ID: C110 - General Color: orange - Color: swirly orange tiger w/white paws & chest / Tabby - Current Size: 9 Pounds - Current Age: 13 years (best estimate) - Microchipped: yes - Declawed: no - Housetrained: yes - Good with dogs, good with cats, good with kids More about Mr. Bigglesworth:

It’s always better when we are together One handsome dude, full of charm and manners, at your service. My full name is Mr. Bigglesworth, but not being one to stand on formality, you can just call me Biggie. I am a mature male with lots of zest and love for life. The best part of being my age is I am not a crazy kitten but get to act like one from time to time just the same. You will not find me hanging off the drapes or anything like that – how undignified. However, if you put a box anywhere near me, watch out. I will find a way to climb right on in. Same thing goes for a string.

If it is there, beware! It may just become my most favorite toy.

Another pastime of mine is bird watching. I enjoy wiling away a lazy afternoon with my sister, Angel, watching the birds fly by.

Angel and I are tight, having been brought up together since we were little kittens.

We do need to be adopted as a

Pretty Feline Dreams of A Permanent Home Mature gal who still dreams, believes in happy endings and looking toward tomorrow, seeks love and a warm home-life. Having outgrown my kitten years does not make me stodgy and boring – quite the contrary. I never met a box that did not tempt me to crawl right on in or a string that did not whisper to my pouncing instinct. I have a built-in playmate with my brother, Mr. Bigglesworth, aka Biggie, who is the love of my life and hopefully will be yours as well. As family is important to us, we need to be adopted as a pair.

I am balanced and comfortable in my own fur.

Drama is not in my repertoire of daily life. You will find me to be companionable and happy, content to watch the birds and squirrels outside the window, to sun in the warmth of a summer’s day, and to be your favorite sidekick. Where you are is where I will be. I am a gal for all seasons who still dreams of a forever home for Biggie and me.

Mr. Bigglesworth and Angel Muse are lucky enough to have a foster family who has taken the time to create videos of them in action and put them on their PAWS web pages.

To fund out more about these and the other wonderful pet PAWS currently has for adoption please go to http://pawswakefield.rescuegro ups.org PAWS is also on Facebook

PAGE 7 – NSCC PENNON

Momentum

Toward Becoming a Better Writer

Writing many papers, of course, will improve writing ability. Professors often give valuable written feedback, and you have the opportunity to learn from your mistakes. But what makes you learn? What makes you remember those mistakes? I have written many papers, but I have made many of the same mistakes over and over. I know that I continue to grow as a writer, but only by looking deeper into these issues have I been able to make lasting progress.

It is up to the student to speak with a professor about writing concerns, grades, or paper comments. Many times, such as in my case, I received a B or better, and chose not to purposefully look into any feedback given by a professor. But my papers have always had some mistakes. Often, I have been told that my focus is too vague, whether with college papers or with short stories. I

in my vocabulary. Only this past year have I found that my writing can improve much faster, by meticulously talking out issues.

Of course, I have had several challenging English courses that have made an impact, specifically by Professors Colleen Shaugh-nessyZeena (English Lit II) and Rod Kessler (Advanced Writing), but I never really spoke to them about the particulars of my work. Since I was doing well in those classes, they also did not make it a point to speak with me, though like I said before, I always had some issues. I suspect we all do.

A few months ago, I joined a North Shore writing group with a friend. I’ve been itching to get some feedback on my latest fictional novel that I’m writing. I figured that I would at the very least get an idea if people seemed to be interested in my story, and if it had any obvious problems.

It was difficult to have people analyze my writing so

back but never wrote, and I wrote short stories and a novel. I don’t think any of us were experts, but we were readers, and we were writers. We each gave useful feedback for each other, and talked it out, making sure that all was understood.

I learned to look at their work with a critical eye, even if I didn’t like someone’s work or style. We all had our own original ideas and suggestions, and we agreed on some too. I don’t know how valuable my help was for them, but I did, at times, point out things that made a difference.

Clarity is an important feature of good writing. If the writing is unclear, vague, or choppy then the story itself is no longer the focus of the reader’s mind. Grammatical oddities will then take precedence. Sometimes, what is happening in the story can be completely lost.

Whether it is knowing who the speaker is, knowing who is doing what, or knowing the bigger picture, the point of it all,

felt I knew what that meant, so I simply tried to keep it at the back of my mind as I wrote, though it usually became lost somewhere in the mix of things.

Over time, I realize my writing seems to come easier, flow better, and I can find the right words to use with greater ease. But this has taken many years, and I know that there is a ridiculous amount of room to still improve in my writing, and

closely. After the second meeting, I felt like I was the worst writer in the group, but everything soon changed.

Five people made up the group, and each of us had a completely different writing style. Diane wrote essays that she hoped would eventually be published, Todd was working on a co-written novel, Debbie wrote poetry and short stories, Mary provided articulate feed-

clarity is vital.

When I first submitted to the group, it was pretty exciting. My fictional work was finally getting out there – something I felt I needed to happen.

Writing means very little without avid readers. By the end of every meeting, the copies I got back of my work were usually covered in red marks, sometimes with comments I didn’t necessarily agree with. I felt like

BY NELSON BAKER

a failure at first, but then after understanding what I had done wrong, and later making the changes, I knew I was lucky to be a part of the group. I know there will always be something I

strengths if we look into them, if we make it so that we fully understand what we are dealing with. To become a better writer, fixing the little things can be very important.

can improve in my writing.

The interesting part of all of this is that, with some of my mistakes – one in particular – I was blind to it until I talked it out with a writer during the meeting. I can be too wordy. I sometimes use words that are just not needed, or the same word multiple times. After only a couple of meetings, I began to stop myself during the initial writing process. I later went back to my previously written chapters and, oddly, I could now see these same mistakes in plain sight.

My “wordiness” may very well have been written as a comment on some of my college papers in one way or another, but because I never made the effort to speak to an instructor, it never stuck in my head. I never fully understood my mistakes.

With many examples pointed out to me in the group, and explained as to why they did not belong, I realized what I was doing wrong.

This may not seem like a big deal, but after I had made the changes and compared my work to the way I had been writing, I felt like I was suddenly a far better writer than I had ever been. It made a huge difference in making my writing more tight, more clear and concise.

Every little thing counts. We all have a weakness, but these weaknesses can become

Since I have been told my writing is sometimes vague, this is something I will need to look into as well. It is a major issue, so improving in this area will be more of a challenge. It is something I have never talked out with anyone to any extent.

My mind works in a funny way.

I think “all over the place,” though I feel this is what makes me able to be involved with many things at the same time. It keeps my mind “open,” which, I believe, is significant for a fiction writer, or any writer, for that matter. It gives me strengths beyond comprehension, but it can also create problems with focus. I often want to say too much, too soon. Because my mind can grasp what I am writing, even if it is an eruption of ideas or emotions, I have a tendency to assume others know what I’m thinking.

It can be difficult for me to taper down my thinking and transfer it to paper, producing a level of writing that is conformed and clear. With so many racing thoughts – some, I admit, that are somewhat unrelated to the subject – it can feel like I’m holding back a train from its initial point of acceleration. But it is an exciing challenge, and I know that I will eventually figure it out, because, if I want to maintain some sort of progressive momentum, this is what I need to do.

We need your written

opinions to fill up this page!

Send us your opinion about anything! Up to 500 words. Preferably in MS Word Document.

Send to pennon@northshore.edu It will be edited for spelling and grammar. Opinions and editorials are not necessarily those of The Pennon.

PAGE 8 – NSCC PENNON

Dexter

BY KRYSTINA TEJEDA

Series Review

America’s favorite TV serial killer is back! Dexter, currently airing season 6, is a wellwritten television program focusing on a man who works by day as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami Police Department. When night falls, Dexter is transformed into a serial killer, hungry to feed his

season was Last Dexter’s most disappointing. It had seemed to have lost its edge. Dexter was mourning his wife. He was now a single father. The story line dragged on throughout the season. Still, I had hope that the show, which had me glued to Showtime on Sunday nights, would return to glory. This season has just started and I have to say, it is gearing

Michael C. Hall up to be the best one yet. So far, urge to murder. Dexter is not Miami has a new serial killer your ordinary murderer; he only who is acting out the book of kills those who deserve to dieRevelations.

Dexter is strugother murderers. He is clever gling to understand religion and and was taught how to get away why people are believers in it. I with his crimes by his adoptive am left at the edge of my seat father, a police detective, who after every episode.

This season realized that Dexter had a “Dark also has a list of all-star special Passenger.” guest stars such as Mos Def, This is a program that I Edward James Olmos, and have watched since it began airColin Hanks. ing in 2006. It is cleverly writIf you have never ten with amazing plots and watched the show, I suggest you attention-grabbing headlines. rent all of the previous seasons Over the years, we have seen and have yourself a marathon. I Dexter fall in love, get married, even got my 75-year-old grandhave a child, see his wife murmother to watch the show and dered by another serial killer,

The cast of Dexter and much more. Michael C. love it. The show is unlike anyHall, who plays Dexter, makes thing on television. It will blow us love the character. We always your mind. want Dexter to win. It is as Dexter is on Showtime though we forget that he is in on Sundays at 9pm EST. fact a serial killer.

Lose Your Blues.

Everybody Cut Footloose!

BY SHANNON HORGAN

“Wait, wait, wait.

Jump back. Are you kidding me? *Dancing* is against the law?” Ren MacCormack is shocked to find this out after he just moved into the small town of Beaumont that seems like a world away from the bustling urban city of his native Boston.

While Ren is made out

to seem like a tough, slick, city kid, he is really just trying to move on to the next chapter in his life after his mother’s death.

His uncle tries his best to keep Ren out of trouble, but trouble seems to seek out the new kid.

First, he has a run-in with Beaumont’s police after playing “Quiet Riot” too loud. Then, the town’s preacher’s daughter shows an interest in Ren, which in turn makes her boyfriend very interested in Ren as well.

Ariel, the preacher’s daughter, seems like a lot more than that to Ren. She also car-

tions, and to make everyone face their demons in Beaumont.

He starts a petition to do away with the no-dancing law in the town. His goal is to have a real prom for Beaumont High, dancing and all. He gains a lot of followers but butts heads with Ariel’s father, who has a personal reason for the dance restriction. His son was one of the kids who died coming home

Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough from a party one night. The accident killed five kids and left the town shaken enough to blame dancing for this horrible event.

Ren might seem like the type of kid who wouldn’t be fazed by this, but it poses a problem because Ren plans on asking Ariel to the prom, with her father’s blessing. Even though most of the town stands behind him, the city officials and, of course, the preacher, stand against him. Ren finds a loophole and decides to hold the prom over the city line in the town of Basin. This is one prom

Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, from the original “Footloose” ries a lot of baggage that he that none of these kids will take might not be ready for. What he for granted or ever forget. “Let’s is ready for is to question the Dance!” rules of this small town, to dig This remake is not deep into the painful past that much more than that.. a remake. lurks behinds all these restric-

While fans of the original will not find much surprise, this version of the classic did throw in a few kicks along the way. Ren’s trademark crap box for a car did stay true to the original.

However, the music coming from it was not true to the original version. I think the tweaks made from the original were fitting because it blended the original charm of the movie and a

modern edge into one. Instead of some 80’s band playing out of Ren’s car when he arrives for his first day of school, Wiz Khalifa’s, Black and Yellow is blaring. In the original, Ren moves to Beaumont from Chicago, not Boston. In this remake, the iPod made its debut, which obviously was not included in the 1980’s original.

I grew up watching the original version of Footloose with Kevin Bacon. It is just something I will always remember watching with my older sister as a child. Naturally, I got excited when I heard about the remake. I think people who have not seen the original might seem a little lost with the plot, because it moves slow. I, having seen the original, noticed this, but was not affected by it because I was curious to see the finished product of this remake.

The remake stayed true where it counted; especially in the prom scene at the end when Ren shows up to prom wearing the maroon blazer and black bow tie. Ariel wore the same dress from the first version and the scene almost lived up to the original. Not quite, though, but that is what a remake will always be. Not quite as good as the original.

PAGE 9 – NSCC PENNON

White Irish Drinkers

BY JESSIE PAIVA

Movie Review

Writer/Director: John Gray

“White Irish Drinkers” is a gritty coming–of-age drama set in Brooklyn in the 1970s.

This independent film features two brothers who, at the hands

of their alcoholic father, have suffered a life of abuse. Danny, the elder brother, prides himself that his father has never knocked him down during a beating to which Pa retorts, “So what? My father hit me 10 ten times harder and I never went down neither.”

A petty criminal, he tries to enlist younger Brian in his scheme-of-the-day. Brian is the typical dreamer. He spends his days working at the neigh-

The Hunger Games Book Review

that everyone is attempting to force upon him. What’s wrong with staying in Brooklyn?

Suddenly, the owner of the theater, Whitey, gets the chance of a lifetime. The Rolling Stones are coming to Brooklyn for an once-in-a-lifetime, one-night-only concert to

The book, written by Suzanne Collins, is set in a futuristic North America that has been renamed Pannem Plot: What if you lived in a

rock the ages. Danny sees a different chance of a lifetime and plans to rob Whitey of the some $30,000 expected revenue from ticket sales. Brian must make a decision to be loyal to his brother who criticizes him or to Whitey who calls him his son.

An emotionally charged film, “White Irish Drinkers” received poor reviews from the film critique site www.RottenTomatoes.com.

Sure, the flick may be cliché,

future where our democracy is all but a memory? Where our country has been separated into 12 districts and abondoned the idea of a president and has been taken over by a new form of government known as the “Capitol?” What if your leaders forced two children ages 12-16 to participate each year in a horrible game, “The Hunger Games,” where winning means an easy life, and losing means death? Every year a representative from the Capitol is sent to each district for a ceremony called a “reeping.” During this ceremony two children ages 12 to 16 are chosen from each district, one boy and one girl, to fight to the death on live television. The Hunger Games is about a girl from distrct 12, and how she comes to participate in these games, as well as the hor-

BY JACK RAUBACH Setting:

walked into the bakery. A few moments later, Katniss heard loud screaming from his mother.

Peeta came outside and posed in front of a pig pen holding burt rolls and motitoned as if he was going to throw the rolls into the pen, after checking to see if his mother was not watching, he

Katniss is the main character, and the story is told from her eyes. She is 16, the daughter of a coal miner father (who is deceased) and a nurse, She has one sibiling, Primrose (Prim), whom she holds very dear and will do anything to protect. During the reeping, Primrose is actually chosen amoung hundreds of names. Not wanting to have her sister enter into the dangers of the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers to participate in the games instead of her sister.

Peeta Mellark: Peeta, the son of the baker and his wife, is a shy, but physically strong 16-year-old boy. He and Katniss had a few years before the reeping, when he and his mother found Katniss pawing through the bakery trash for food. His mother had yelled at her to go away, and then they

threw the rolls to Katniss, then left.

When Petta’s name is chosen, Katniss could see the fear and utter horror in his eyes.

We later find out that the reason for this is a secret he hides deep inside.

Other information - I found this book very interesting and entertaining. It will hook the reader and make them want to keep reading, right into the second book of the series when the actual Hunger Games begin.

- The Hunger Games is currently being made into a movie which is scheduled to hit theatures March 23, 2012.

- Katniss is to be played by actress Jennifer Lawrence, and Peeta by actor Josh Hutcherson.

- The book is the first of a trilogy, followed by the books Catching fire, and Mocking Jay.

Celebrity Birthdays

BY NICK STILIANOS

Birth Date

Nick Thurston and Geoffrey Wigdor borhood faltering movie theater, and you have an idea of what’s waiting for patrons. In secret, he going to happen, but what paints. Using watercolors, charmakes this movie special is that coal, pencil, Brian is a private it is easy to relate to, regardless prodigy, a skill that promises to of your background. We all get him beat up. have trouble with family at Brian’s parents want times, friends who choose difhim to get a real job, a career, ferent life paths, loves that don’t something that offers benefits come to fruition. However, if and paid vacations. His friends you allow yourself to feel what are in the same predicament. these characters are feeling and Some choose public service, see life and loss through their one choose college. However, eyes this film promises to make Brian doesn’t want the change you laugh, cry, and yes, drink.

rific turmoils and challenges she faces along the way.

Characters: There are two major characters in the book, both of which are the District 12 competitors: Katniss Everdeen and Peta Mallark.

Katniss Everdeen:

November 3, 1959 November 6, 1988 November 9, 1951 November 11, 1974 November 12, 1982 November 18, 1968 November 22, 1958 November 22, 1984 November 30, 1965 November 30, 1982

Facts:

Name

Dolph Lundgren (The Expendables) Emma Stone (The Amazing Spider-Man) Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk) Leonardo Dicaprio (Inception) Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises) Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers) Jamie Lee Curtis (You Again) Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers) Ben Stiller (Tower Heist) Elisha Cuthbert (24)

Age 52 23 60 37 29 43 53 27 46 29

- Starting out, bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno bench-pressed 560 lbs at the age of 25, and now over the age of 50, he still benches approximately 400 lbs.

- Jamie Lee Curtis has her legs insured for $2 million dollars.

- The new Looney Tunes show created the character Starlet Johansson in the episode Casa De Calma that is an exact resembles to Scarlett Johansson.

- Thus far, both Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson collaborated on 10 films.

PAGE 10– NSCC PENNON

CREATIVE

WRITING

In the Veteran’s Death

BY ROZI THEOHARI

The flag finished fluttering The ocean refrains from waving The wind ceases blowing Birds stop migrating Flowers stop blooming People quit moving The nation continues honoring The monuments are echoing The invalid’s wound begins remembering The friend’s tear lies freezing The candles dim shining Children no longer smiling When the veteran is dying

Imagination Take Me Away

BY ALMA HOXHAJ

Imagination; take me away, so I can see the moon.

Imagination; take me away and let me see the bottom of the ocean.

Imagination; take me away and let me see the richest life.

Imagination; take me away and let me see the poorest life.

Imagination; take me away and teach me how to fly.

Imagination; take me away and let me see how it is after I die.

Imagination; take me away and let me be proud of who I am.

Imagination; take me away and let me believe in my dreams and who I want to be.

Imagination; take me away and let me see the most beautiful things in the world.

Imagination; take me away and let me see the ugliest truth.

Imagination; take me away and let me remember the yesterday.

Imagination; take me away and let me value what I have today.

Imagination; take me away and let me hear every song.

Imagination; take me away and let me see with my eyes every war.

Imagination; take me away and let me see every child happy.

Imagination; take me away and let me see every place in harmony.

Imagination; take me away and let me dream for a better world.

Even though; I can't change it, today, or tomorrow.

Please let me dream.

An Exhibit of Landscapes

BY MARY ANN HONAKER

The landscapes didn't do it for me.

I liked the fallen tree in the rocky glen, the massed weeds with sun-nicked leaves, the startled winter trees black against bleached light and snow, the pale sunless sunset mirrored in frozen rivulet.

But I wanted to walk into a fresh world. The rain just ceased; colors bright, clean.

Pearled petals and leaves bowing to let slip tears then trembling up again. Instead my eyes left

the same as my eyes before.

I can haze the distant hills on my own, can peer off and lose any definite horizon.

I can step back and cast it all in golden glow.

This I know, painters, this I know so teach me instead the love of one leaf.

One leaf bitten through by bug. One leaf the light loves so, and frankly spines with shine. Teach me how lovely the shaded underside.

Inner Rythm

BY DEB SCARFO

It occurs instinctively; the mind introduces intuitive movements to sensory channels, enticing memories of practiced creations, an essence of aligned visions and inner melody, consummated. Body buoyed by steady arms as thighs extend, slowly stretched taut, then back again, easing forward to commanded form, plunging into fluid rhythm. Breaths deepen, consumed by the intoxication of indulged endorphins drawn from their release, driven by the mounting moment of crescendo; distance desired—the other side. Immersed in flow, impelled by an urgency synchronized with heady labor, breaking its barrier at last; released euphoria.

The body yields, heart beat reins, legs tremble slightly, as slick flesh exudes purified teardrops. You stretch, sated, 5k run.

A Monk of the Order of Saint Daniels

BY MARY ANN HONAKER

Practically Franciscan, the monks of Saint Daniels are given to poverty. You may find one, unwashed and unshod, lifting his paper cup for alms.

Know this: what coin you give him, he gives again to honor the saint.

Like Franciscans, too, the monks may sermonize to birds, orpheate trees until they dance.

The song a monk hears you do not hear: mark how sways and leans one ear into the breeze, smiling crookedly.

The burning he has taken into him dries his lips and gathers thirst.

He does a strange ecstatic dance; he loves with open arms and gives many an unwanted kiss,

for his love consumes him.

He is a zealot: do not provoke him.

The violence of all the Crusades still rolls and broils within him.

All night he worships, his golden god's madman. In the first pale of morning you will find him kneeling as if in prayer, a retching wretch, eyes abloom with tears.

What he suffers to absolve himself!

Abused liver, choking on gall.

Yet tonight to his god he will return; with humble cheeks reddened not in shame and glistening eye, he will watch humming halos shimmer out of streetlamps; he too will burn and burn into the darkness with that harsh lovely secret aflame on his tongue.

PAGE 11 – NSCC PENNON

Where Am I?

BY DARGUIN FORTUNA I am here at my job mixing reality with fiction, the present with the past and the future. I do not need to be on a huge mountain in order to feel the soft breeze caressing my face. I just need to be, think, and live inside myself, and inside the depth of my thoughts.

I am somewhere in the middle of a quiet, empty city. I am here inside a rectangular case, inside a colorful and warm

restaurant. My body is working here, but I am not. While I am cleaning what seems like a mountain of dirty, old trays, I wonder if the soft musical whisper that I am hearing is in my head or if it is coming from this fast-food restaurant. I am here dreaming while awake at work.

I can hear the soft beating of my heart, and I slowly look around me. I look at the clean, white line of tables that seem straighter than ever. The ninety-nine cent menu is almost on top of me and the fluorescent lights are strongly focused on it as though it is more important than me.

I am another immigrant cleaning the sticky ketchup, the

thick mayonnaise, and the smelly onions off the brown trays. I can hear the two or three couple`s murmur while they enjoy the fast food. While I clean, I can see and feel the frozen but soft rain fall through the gleaming window glass. I am here, but I am not here.

I am thinking about the night that she magically came to me as an angel and imperceptibly bewitched me with a look. I wonder what could be better:

this rainy, dark night with a few customers, or a long line of hungry faces.

I choose this. I choose this memory. I choose this soft, quiet and slow night. This night that makes free to fly far away and deeper inside my memories.

Deeper inside something that was real and unreal. I do not know if I am working or dreaming. I just know that I pick this romantic, rainy night in the middle of this city. In this city, in this restaurant and at this moment, my mind, my thoughts, my soul, and my body disappear while the sweet, musical rain falls softly on the ground.

BY RYAN OSGOOD

A Hero at Rest

Donald Osgood. Who is he? He was a father, a grandfather, a soldier, a veteran. He is a hero. Don was killed by cancer in February of 2010.

I remember thinking back to when I was a little, and I would always ask, “Daddy why is Grampy always so grumpy.” But now I would pay anything to have that grumpy old man back. I love him more than anything else, and he is the only family member that I have ever had to watch pass.

I remember a few days a week for a few weeks my family and I would go and visit him at the hospital just to check in on him and see how he was doing. The doctor said that he might have a lot longer to live, but she was so wrong.

About a week later they moved him to hospice where they tried to make him as comfortable as possible. At first it was great, but then his condition started to get worse. Slowly his muscles started to deteriorate, and his skin started to become more and more pale. A few days later my mom wouldn’t let me visit him because he had been vomiting black blood.

Then a few more days past.

I was playing a game

late one night in my room when I got the message. I became speechless. My mind started to drift, and the room began to darken. I thought to myself, “What is happening and why me, why now?” I thought to myself, I have never done anything, and he has done so much good for our country and town.

He has survived so much, including war and even electrocution. So why now? Why my family?

After I mourned, it became time for the church ceremony. It was as if there was a storm around the church.

People flooded in as if there were nowhere else to be. Man, after woman, after child, would come in. I thought it wouldn’t stop. It was as if the entire town was there. But it made me happy that he had so many people that cared about him.

Every man and woman that walked through that door either hugged me, shook my hand, or said sorry. But deep inside I didn’t care what they had to say or how they felt. Yes, it made me cry, but all I wanted was silence. All the talking, hugging, and crying didn’t help the pain. It only made it worse. I wanted then to just come in and sit down. I didn’t want to hear anything they had to say.

About an hour after getting to the church, we went to the graveyard for the final part of the ceremony. The people rushed there as if there was a celebrity waiting for them, but for me there was.

After everything settled down, it started. A group of soldiers, side by side, slowly marched into position. Bagpipes played as the pastor talked. It reminded my family and I about who we lost and how special he was to all of us.

The flag was folded and given to my grandmother.

Some people began to talk about him, saying who he was to them, how they met, and what he had done for us all. Others just said a few things to put their minds at rest. Then everyone said their finals goodbyes. We all believed he left this world for a place much more peaceful than our own.

To this day, I think about him all the time. I’m always looking at the things I was given that used to belong to him. A great man was lost in February of 2010.

A Father, a Grandfather, a Soldier, a Veteran, a Hero.

Donald Osgood R.I.P.

PAGE 12 – NSCC PENNON

Fall Basket Raffle The SOTA Club will be raffling off beautiful fall baskets from October 31 through November 4. They will be located at the entrance to the cafeteria. For more information about the raffle or about The SOTA Club, you can contact Club President Kim Madden at kmadden01@northshore.edu.

Queer Straight Alliance National Coming Out Month Speaker Events

On Monday October 17th and Wednesday October 19th The Queer Straight Alliance hosted a Speaker Panel for National Coming Out Month in the Danvers Student Life Lounge and the Lynn Lecture Hall. National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day on October 11th for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The purpose of the Queer Straight Alliance speaker panels were to raise awareness about the coming out process and to foster a sense of community and acceptance within LGBTQIA students, their loved ones, and potential allies. Several LGBT students- Kristin Bornstein, Victoria Love, Stephanie Robinson, and Katie LaChapelle shared their experiences of “coming out” and related stories about sexual orientation and gender identity experiences.

In between speakers there was a special showing of several videos from the I AM: Trans People Speak Campaign by the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. The Speaker Session concluded with a question & answer session where many North Shore Community College students, faculty, and staff thanked them for sharing their stories. The Event was sponsored and promoted by the Diversity Farah Ahmad Leadership Council.

Michael Nguyen Sara Barrientos Michael Carouso Anthony Cintron Benjamin Lithgow Caroline Nguk Jessica Paiva-Soares Doreen Pegoraro Joycelyn Perez The Grand Opening of the zero-net energy efficient “state-of-the-art” facility, took place on Lourdes Reynoso October 17. Its modernized “green” features are expected to reduce energy costs substantially, while pro- Christina Siebert viding spacious and noteworthy teacher/student adequacies for those in the fields of nursing, physical Lisa Milso therapy, occupational therapy, medical assisting, and animal science.

Gerard Sullivan Congressman John Tierney was at the event, speaking with pride and respect for all those Cate Kalunzy involved in the creation of the building that is expected to lead by example so that soon, buildings every- Ralph Tufo where will follow suit. “We think it’ll be contagious,” Tierney said. He foresees that what comes from having such a building will provide “ a great return for students too, as well as for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Making good on a promise he made not too long ago, President Burton was excited to see this vision, shared by so many valued collaborators and supporters, become reality. He explained that “it takes a village to bring a new building to life.” “We all feel a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment to open the doors to this very impressive, first of its kind facility.”

2011-2012 NOLA Team Leaders, Members, Trainers, Alternates

Health and Student Services Building Now Open

President Burton, students, and staff stand in front of the new Health and Student Services Building for its Grand Opening

Lynn, MA Student Team Leader Revere, MA Student Team Leader Lynn, MA Student Team Leader Alternate Melrose, MA Team Member Lynn, MA Team Member Ipswich, MA Team Member Reading, MA Team Member Wakefield, MA Team Member Danvers, MA Team Member Chelsea, MA Team Member Salem, MA Team Member Ipswich, MA Team Member Alternate Lexington, MA Staff Team Leader Lynn, MA Faculty Team Leader Team Training/Fundraiser Assistant Winthrop, MA Training/Fundraiser Assistant

Club News Club Directory

A F R I C A N S O C I E T Y : LOVE MAYA A V I A T I O N : JOHN BOSCO B G L A D : TIFFANY MAGNOLIA B I O L O G I C A L S C I E N C E C L U B : SCOTT STIMPSON C H R I S T O N C A M P U S : TIM WHITMAN C I V I C E N G A G E M E N T : LAURIE MESSINA C R I M I N A L J U S T I C E : CONSTANTINE SOURIS & ANN KOSHIVAS E C O N O M I C S & F I N A N C E : MOONSU HAN E N G I N E E R I N G : MARY BETH STEIGERWALD F O O D S C I E N C E & S A F E T Y : GREG REPPUCCI F R E N C H & S P A N I S H C L U B : IRENE FERNANDEZ M A R K E T I N G : PATRICIA MANNINEN M EDI A C LU B : J IM H A RR ING T O N M U L T I - C U L T U R A L S O C I E T Y : ESPY HERRERA ANKANA BARUA M U S L I M A S S O C I A T I O N : YUSEF HAYES N U R S I N G C L A S S F R E S H M A N : LINDA GOODALE N U R S I N G C L A S S S O P H M O R E : LORINDA LATVA P H I T H E T A K A P P A : FRED ALTIERI P H I L O S O P H Y C L U B : FRED ALTIERI P O E T S & W R I T E R S : JOE BOYD P R E - M E D C L U B : RAY PARKER P S Y C H E D F O R P S Y C H : KRISTIN ERBETTA Q U E E R S T R A I G H T A L L I A N C E : ANNE TABET AND VICTORIA PASCIUTO R E S P I R A T O R Y C A R E : LEN LEBLANC S O T A : PATRICIA BANKS RUTH DELISIO S T U D E N T A R T C L U B : JAMES CHISHOLM S U R F C L U B : SEAN HANLON V E T E R A N S C L U B : MIKE SMITH W O M E N I N T R A N S I T I O N : MARGARET FIGGINS-HILL Y O U T H G R O U P U N I T E D : ALEXANDER GUZMAN

LE219 X.6693 DB366 X.5592 LW229 X.6622 LW288 X.6288 ...................................

LW366 X.5512 DB366 X.5419 DB367C X.5418 DB367 X.5456 X.6650 LW321 DH216 X.4375 DB367A X.5442 LE306 X.6665 LE307 X.2159 X.6274 LW113 LW113 X.6274 DB367B X.5414 DH206 X.4438 DH206 X.4427 X.5556 DB267H DB267H X.5556 LE232 X.6238 LW112 X.6683 DB367E X.5580 DH106 X.4051 DB125 X.5471 DH203 X.4170 DH 203 X.4174 DH 223 X.4168 DB366A X.5548 DB367E X.5467 DH106 X.4368 DB366B X.5515 LW157 X.6601

P E N N O N : VICTORIA PASCIUTO P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C O U N C I L : MATTHEW WOODS P R O G R A M C O U N C I L : VICTORIA PASCIUTO S T U D E N T G O V E R N M E N T : VICTORIA PASCIUTO W O M E N ’ S C E N T E R : VICTORIA PASCIUTO

DB125 LW172 DB125 LW125 DB125

Organizations

X.5471 X.6228 X.5471 X.5471 X.5471

Attention Club Advisors and Members!

Information about your club can be featured here!

This is your page and if you want other people to know about your club or what your club is doing, then contact us!

PENNON@NORTHSHORE.EDU

Join Program Council!

THIS GROUP PLANS AND COORDINATES A VARIETY OF SOCIAL, CULTURAL, AND ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE ENTIRE COLLEGE COMMUNITY. PAST ACTIVITIES HAVE INCLUDED AIR BRUSH T-SHIRTS, PSYCHIC READINGS, AND MASSAGE THERAPY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT VICTORIA PASCIUTO AT (978) 762-4000 X5471 OR VPASCIUT@NORTHSHORE.EDU.

PAGE 13 – NSCC PENNON

Money Smart Event at NSCC

BY KRISTIN LUSSIER

On Tuesday, September 27th, Sovereign Bank visited North Shore Community College to host the Money Smart Event. This Program Council sponsored event shed light on essential money management topics. Representatives from Sovereign Bank graciously answered students’ financial questions as well as provided insightful tips on how to better manage money. In addition, they provided students with an informational booklet outlining basic money management skills.

As college students, many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to financial topics such as money management and banking. Representatives from Sovereign Bank enlightened students about these and many other topics. The Money Smart Event recommended that everyone have both a savings and checking account. They explained how online banking provides a fast, safe, and easy way to transfer money between different accounts. Students were advised on how to avoid fees by regularly monitoring their account and keeping up-to-date records of all of their transactions. By following these steps, the risk of an overdraft is significantly reduced. Students learned that overdrafting occurs when there are insufficient funds in an account. Therefore, it is crucial for people to make sure they have enough money in their account before making any purchases.

The Money Smart Event also provided students with information regarding ATM and debit cards.

In addition, representatives from Sovereign Bank spoke to students about the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards. Credit cards provide a means of quick and convenient payments, but they also pose some potential dangers if they are not used responsibly. Credit cards are used for purchases that will be paid back at a later date. Although making small payments over a period of time may seem like a good idea, you are actually being charged interest based on the amount of time it takes for you to pay off your balance. You can avoid paying interest by paying the balance in full before your next billing cycle. By paying your balance in full and using your credit card wisely, you can help build credit. Having a good credit score is beneficial when it comes time for financing a car or home.

Representatives from Sovereign Bank also discussed the dangers of online shopping. When making a purchase online, it is imperative to make sure that you are buying from a reputable website that is both safe and secure. Without taking these necessary precautions, you may fall victim of identity theft.

Representatives thus reiterated the importance of carefully monitoring your account(s) on a regular basis to avoid these and other problems.

Program Council Update:

Program Council will host residents of Northeast Arc for an annual event at North Shore Community College on November 15, 2011 from 10/11AM-2PM in the Danvers (Math and Science Building). The purpose of this event is to bring individuals with developmental disabilities onto our Danvers campus and provide them with enjoyable activities in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and fun. This event will also give our students the chance to interact with, and learn from, persons with developmental disabilities.

Program Council hopes that this event will raise awareness about Northeast Arc and the services it offers to the community as well as autistic awareness. Our student body, as well as our community as a whole, is comprised of many individuals with developmental disabilities and Program Council believes that this event is important if awareness, understanding, and a true sense of community are to be fostered.

LPN Progam Election The LPN Program Class of 2012

would like to congratulate their class officers.

President: Sheryl-Ann Carolan Vice President: Kate Walsh

Secretary: Kaitlyn Crane Treasurer: Jillian DeFrancesco

Food Drive for St. Joseph's Pantry (Salem, MA.)

Nursing Club 2012 is sponsoring a food drive for St. Joseph's Pantry. Non-perishable food items may be dropped off at the nursing skills lab between October 31 and November 14, 2011. Thank you for your generosity!

NSCC Queer Straight Alliance: One Year Strong

The Queer Straight Alliance has contributed to the mission of the college and Student Association by providing meeting and activities that are more culturally inclusive to North Shore Community College students, faculty, and staff. We have completed our first year as a club and are very happy with the outcome.

The Queer Straight Alliance was formed in November of 2010 and has already covered such topics as Trans Awareness, Multiculturalism, Drag, Sex Positivity, Partner Respect and Recognizing Dating Violence, Community and School Organizing, Telling Your Story Session, and Safe Zone Training. These topics are covered fully by having discussions, resources, activities, and educational materials found throughout the Massachusetts gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

The Queer Straight Alliance has also been contributing to North Shore Community College by designing and participating in diverse events, such as Trans Awareness Week and Trans Day of Awareness, the Seasonal Treats Fundraiser, the Queer Straight Alliance Holiday Drag Party, Transgender Equal Rights Action Day, No Name Calling Week, Sex and Excess Lecture, the Forum on Tolerance, Day of Silence, Family & Friends Dinner Event, Fall Fest and National Coming Out Month Speaker Event.

The Queer Straight Alliance has been recognized by their mission statement, feature Pennon articles, and their fliers that have been consistently present throughout both campuses. This Special Interest Club has no intention of stopping their efforts to create social change throughout North Shore Community College and to show that there is a strong GLBTQ representation and that North Shore Community College can provide education and resources that serves the needs of all of their students.

Everyone is always welcome to participate in all Queer Straight Alliance meetings, activities, and events. Our information can be found on pipeline, Facebook, and through our email addressqsa.facebook@northshore.edu. Please help us continue our work at North Shore Community College to make the next years just as important.

PAGE 14 – NSCC PENNON

10/6/2011 5:57pm DANVERS CAMPUS: Student reported that his vehicle was damaged on roof due to possible vandalism.

10/6/2011 6:39pm DANVERS CAMPUS: Off dute officer reported a vehicle was on the road in a ditch near the main gate. Sgt. thomas and Ofc. Bryson responded along with Danvers Fure and Rescue and Danvers Police. Sgt. Thomas reported that there were no personal injuries. The driver and passenger were checked out

by Lyons Ambulance. The vehicle was towed and there was minor damge to the grass from vehicle tire marks.

10/3/2011 9:13pm LYNN CAMPUS: Officer Lopes reports that a party came up to him and reported a male party jumped onto the commuter rail tracks.

Transit Police was notified to stop the MBTA train coming inbound. Lynn Police and Lynn Fire was also notified. The party came off the tracks and will be transported to Union Hospital.

10/5/2011 9:35pm DANVERS CAMPUS: A student called and reported for the 2nd week in a row someone has left a candy wrapper

under her windshield wiper. She would like a report made and is concerned for her safety. She was advised to return to campus and Ofc. Bryson will investigate and file a report.

10/6/2011 11:55am LYNN CAMPUS: A female student walked up to the desk to report that when she left class on October 5, 2011 around 4:00pm, she discovered a disturbing note on the windshield of her motor vehicle. Cpl. Gaudenzi will investigate

10/6/2011 9:39pm LYNN CAMPUS: A student reported past vandalism done to her vehicle. This incident happened at the MBTA garage. Cpl. Eam and Ofc. Scouten, and Transit Police were notified. Pictures and a report was filed.

10/7/2011 11:01am DANVERS CAMPUS: Chief Puska investigated a complaint for suspicious activity in the smoking area main entrance to the Berry building. He reported the student was using Hooka Smoking Tabacco. Students were advised to remove the item. Students complied.

10/8/2011 12:47pm LYNN CAMPUS:

Lynn Fire reported over the radio a man down at the bus station by the MBTA on Market Street. Cpl. Gaudenzi to check on the individual. Lynn Fire was on scene.

10/8/2011 4:23pm LYNN CAMPUS: Reports of graffiti inside the mens restroom. Officer dispatch to investigate.

10/8/2011 6:13pm LYNN CAMPUS: Officer reports that a car is on fire at the Sandbar. Lynn Fire was notifed.

10/8/2011 9:50pm DANVERS CAMPUS: A Topsfield Police officer requested someone to meet him at our gate. Another party missed the bus from the fair and needs to pick up her car.

10/9/2011 9:05pm DANVERS CAMPUS: Ofc. Lopes reports the new Allied Health building fire alarm going off. Danvers Fire has been dispatched. Dust and light smoke on site. The department believes it is the computer system overheating. The Fire Department advised we shut the system down. The power supply transformer blew, which set off the alarm.

10/11/2011 6:56pm LYNN CAMPUS: A student reported to Cpl. Eam that her vehicle may have been

hit in the main parking lot. Ofc. Matton was dispatched to investigate. Ofc. Matton reported the driver side mirror was smashed and there were scratched down the length of the vehicle.

10/13/2011 8:12pm LYNN CAMPUS: A female student reported that one of the cigarette ashtrays by the smoking area was smoking a lot. Sgt. Vaccaro was dispatched to the area and he put water into the cigarette ashtray and the problem was solved.

10/17/2011 1:15pm LYNN CAMPUS: A female student reported her vehicle was struck by another vehicle while parked in the student parking area of Lot 1.

10/18/2011 8:54pm LYNN CAMPUS: A male party came to the desk.

He was looking to make contact with another student because he was locked out of the house and she had a key. They were advised that we had no way of paging her but we would see what we could do. Parties started getting loud while waiting in the waiting room, yelling at each other and creating a disturbance as students were exiting the building from class. The requested party showed up. The party’s friend left the building in a quick manner, slamming the door. He was met by Ofc. Salvo, who advised him to leave the property.

November 2011

SUN

6

13

20

27

MON

TUES

1 Community Service Project (several times and locations) contact Student Life for more information

7 Program Council Meeting DB208 & LW307 2:30PM-4:00PM Free HIV Testing LW126 11-1PM

8 QSA Meeting DB130 1:303:30PM Ping Pong Tournament DB129 10-2PM

Intramural Soccer Lynn Gym

Neighborhood Health Plan Outside Lynn Cafeteria 10:00AM-12:00PM

14

21

Program Council Meeting DB208 & LW307 2:30PM-4:00PM 28

15

22 QSA Meeting DB208 & LW307 1:30PM-3:30PM Volleyball Tournament Lynn Gym 10:00AM-2:00PM 29

Important Numbers

CONNECTING ALL DEPARTMENTS: Lynn: (781) 593-6722 Danvers: (978) 762-4000 Beverly Cummings Center (978) 236-1200

Math & Writing Lab Lynn x6254 Danvers x5417 Hawthorne x1544 Computer Lab Lynn x6296 Danvers x5569

Library

Lynn (781) 477-2133 Danvers (978) 762-4000 x.5526

Book Store

Lynn (781) 477-2127 Danvers (978) 762-4046

Weather Hotline (978) 762-4200

PC = PROGRAM COUCIL WC = WOMEN’S CENTER PTK= PHI THETA KAPPA SGA = STUDENT GOVERNMENT

PAC = PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL

Events are Subject to Change

WED

2 Billiards Tournament Lynn Gym 10-2PM College Fair Danvers Berry Bldg Cafe 10AM-1PM

9 Phi Theta Kappa Ceremony Lynn Gym 6:00PM Manage Your Stress...

DB130 2:00PM-3:00PM

Lynn Health Quarters-Family Planning Outside Lynn Cafeteria 11-1PM Intramural Soccer 16

Billiards Tournament DB129 10:00AM-1:00PM Thanksgiving Recess 23-27 No Evening/ Weekend classes 23

THURS

3 Forum on Tolerance Lynn Gym 812:30PM SGA Meeting DB208 & LW307 2-4PM 10

17

NOLA Prince Pizza Fundraiser Saugus Rte 1 6:30PM-10:00PM 24

Thanksgiving Recess No Day Classes 24-27

4

PAGE 15 – NSCC PENNON

FRI

5

11

SAT

12

Veterans’ Day Holiday No Classes Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous Outside Lynn Cafeteria 11-1PM Intramural Soccer Lynn Gym Playoffs 12:00PM-4:00PM 18

19

25

26

30

Volleyball Tournament Lynn Gym 10:00AM-2:00PM

NSCC Fall 2011 Schedule Veteran's Day - 2011 no classes Deadline for IP Nov 11, 2011 Contracts for and Final Exam Spring schedule posted Summer 2011 under Pipeline Nov 29, 2011 Annoucements Last day to drop Nov 21, 2011 a credit course withdraw T h a n k s g i v i n g or college recess, evening from and weekend with a "W" N o v classes N o v grade 23, 2011 to Nov 29, 2011 27, 2011 T h a n k s g i v i n g Day classes end recess, day class- Dec 16, 2011 es Nov 24, 2011 to Nov 27, Evening classes

end Dec 2011

19,

Final Exam period, day classes only Dec 19, 2011 to Dec 21, 2011

Grades due by noon Jan 3, 2012 Grades posted Jan 6, 2012

PAGE 16 – NSCC PENNON

BY JESSIE PAIVA

Faces in the Hall

Question: How do you feel about the smoking ban that will be implemented January 1, 2012?

Marissa

Bill Haskell

“I don’t like going out and walking by all the people smoking. I think the smokers will be upset but most people will be ok with it.”

“I don’t really know how I feel. I think the [the reaction by students] will be mixed. If people are only allowed to smoke in their cars it will make the wait for parking so much longer.”

Anthony Cintron “I’m a smoker and I don’t think smoking should be banned on campus. It was a good idea to consolidate smokers to one section. It’s not necessary to ban it. I think it’s rude to smoke in front of the door, anyway. I wouldn’t do it. Everyone should have their own rights, even smokers. Even though I smoke, I know it’s a bad habit. If it’s banned, I would smoke in my car anyway. I think people will always try to find ways around [the ban], like loopholes.”

Farah Ahmad

“I’m a non-smoker but I agree that it should not be banned on campus. The ban will be inconvenient for smokers.

Why have them walk to the end of the property if they’re already smoking outside? It’s not hurting anyone. It’s not like it’s inside, that would bother me.”