The Puyallup Post | Volume 12 | Issue 7 | April 2007

Household atrocities

See pages 8-9

VOLUME 12

ISSUE 7

Basketball wrap-up

How to organize

See page 10

APRIL 2007

See page 16

SERVING THE STUDENTS OF PIERCE COLLEGE PUYALLUP

Nursing: within perfecting the mission Svetlana Nozdrina Senior Reporter

Given that the nursing program at Pierce College is recently new, one might simply assume the program to be fresh and untried.

This is not at all the case.

Having been accredited a mere month ago, the program is setting new goals and higher program achievements.

The most recent news regarding the Pierce College Nursing Program is that the entrance GPA requirements have been lowered.

This decision was first made by the nursing committee in the first weeks of February. Word was getting out via teach-

ers, advisors and also flyers.

The general decision supports Pierce College’s Nursing Program mission to be a “community of learners open to all” which also means reducing barriers based strictly on academic achievement.

The change was made on many other factors which were summarized in an email sent to inform staff about the grade adjustment. It said: 1. The 2.7 GPA change would help hold consistency throughout the program for current students and prerequisites for prospective students alike.

2. There is no correlation between the national and state licensure exam that student nurses need to take pass rates and student GPAs.

3. The program’s mission is committed to “recruiting and retaining underrepresented populations,” for whom stern requirements such as GPA might be a frustrating obstacle.

4. Because the program at Pierce College is not the typical nursing program, other factors in applications are given a great depth of consideration when shifting through the applicant pool.

5. A new procedure to the application process that is being added - applicants will be interviewed - enforces the programs mission of diversifying the healthcare workforce and ensuring promising personnel.

A recently published book, written by Brian D. Smedley,

See Nursing on page 4

College officials address students Dear Students

Our thoughts are with the faculty, staff and students of Virginia Tech. This event is a tragic reminder of the responsibility we all share to ensure the safety and security of those who come to our campuses.

We want to assure the college community that we are committed to the safety and welfare of our employees and students.

There are several things we can do together to help fulfill that commitment: Be aware of what is going on around you. Immediately report suspicious behavior to the Campus Safety Department. At Fort Steilacoom dial 964-6751 or at Puyallup dial 8408481.

If you have concerns about a friend or colleague, and would like to discuss this behavior with someone, contact the College Counselor at either college.

If you witness an emergency or life-threatening situation, first call 911. Then call Campus Safety.

Please consider programming the following numbers into your cell phone, if you have one: n n

Puyallup Campus Safety Fort Steilacoom Campus Safety

840-8481 964-6751

In the weeks to follow, the Campus Safety Department will send out information on our emergency procedures. We will also work with local law enforcement to ensure our plans are complete, up-to-date, and work together on any necessary law enforcement response.

Photo courtesy of Student Programs

Pierce students got active during environmental week by planting shrubs that beautify the campus and promote a healthy planet.

Thank you for helping keep Pierce College safe!

Michele Johnson, Chancellor Denise Yochum, Fort Steilacoom President Tana Hasart, Puyallup President Bill McMeekin, Executive Vice President Extended Learning

Tutoring center’s budget can’t match demand Haley Lindsey

For The Puyallup Post

There have been a lot of rumors going around at the Tutoring Center lately.

The problem, says Tutoring Center Coordinator Carlos Chavez, is that some non-student tutors had to be let go in

order to stay within the allocated budget.

The center does not have enough money to keep all of the non-student and oneon-one tutors and still break even at the end of the fiscal year. Many of the student tutors had their hours cut. Other tutors were shifted to the Writing Center in order to keep within the allocated budget.

Naturally, this causes concern on the part of tutors working at the center. It also causes concern for the students who have come to depend on them.

The Tutoring Center is a resource available to any student at Pierce College Puyallup. Those who come in range from students struggling to pass their classes to students who need that last little push

to get their 4.0.

“I got 100 percent on my last two tests because of this place,” said Math 98 student Nick Merth.

“Our process is to help students with particular questions, not to help them achieve the 4.0. This would take away

See Tutoring on page 4

The Puyallup P O S T

2

Editor’s Corner

COMMENTARY Does security mean safety?

Rebecca Watkinson Editor

Greetings Pierce College Puyallup students! Welcome back to those of you who are returning from a previous quarter, and welcome to you newcomers!

It’s nice to be back for spring quarter. This is my, and many of my co-workers, last quarter here at Pierce as well as working for The Puyallup Post. We have had a great couple of years here, and we are going to do our very best to bring you three more fantastic issues.

I will spare you the sappy goodbye until June, so let’s kick off this new issue!

We’re feeling a bit eco-minded this month with all the Earth Day fanfare in the air, so we decided to touch upon a few earthy topics. For one, in our feature pages this month you’ll read The Puyallup Post’s latest expository on basic home products that can be harmful to your health, and the planet’s.

Next up, on our back page of this issue, we have some organizational tips for your yearly spring cleaning ritual. It’s never too late to get organized you know.

Lastly, we have some great guest articles from students around campus, so be sure to see what your classmates are talking about.

Before I sign out, I’d like to leave you with one last thought: I know that Earth Day has come and gone, but it is important to respect and care for our planet every day of the year. You can do something as simple as picking up some trash you see on the sidewalk or recycling your soda cans, and that will make a big difference in the long run. Remember that the choices we make today will impact the Earth in the future.

See you next month!

P.S. This letter was written prior to the Virginia Tech shootings, but I wanted to take the chance to offer solice to the families who are grieving at this time. This tragedy has affected all of us Americans, and the students who were lost last week are in our hearts and minds. Please join me in giving your condolences and prayers if you so choose.

Pierce College Puyallup’s student newspaper is accepting applications for the 2007-08 school year.

Information and applications are available in the student newspaper office, C218 or Student Programs, C210.

For more information, call Teresa Josten at (253) 840-8496.

Comic of the issue

Tim Guy

Managing Editor

In an age where the thoughts of Americans are constantly bombarded with threats of terrorism, one constantly questions their own security.

But when it comes to the students of Pierce College Puyallup, do they also conduct themselves in fear?

School shootings have become more rampant in America, which makes the false fire alarms and immature bomb threats seem like nothing. However, are we really safe, especially on campus?

Whether or not a question of that nature can be answered now, we should analyze the situation as it stands.

Pierce College’s Puyallup Campus is recognized for its security, especially regarding what many Fort Steilacoom students say in comparison to their own security.

Almost anyone and everyone who has attended classes at the Puyallup Campus for over a quarter is acquainted with campus security.

On top of that, the campus security has earned respect not only for the job they do, but for their friendly nature and the peaceful presence they provide.

In fact, comparable to what people tend to think of mainstream cops, high school security and other forms of local enforcement, the security here at the Puyallup Campus is very welcoming.

However, with the increasing number of crimes being committed, whether they are all “false alarms” in the end, and various incidents happening on other campuses such as shootings, how much of the good-naturedness that we find in our security will have to be sacrificed for our safety? Well, that depends on where our campus is at in comparison to others.

Although everyone has declined, no Fort Steilacoom student who has ever been a student of the Puyallup Campus can deny that the recognizably friendly nature of our security has put students more at ease than the other campus’ school-of-hard-knocks enforcement.

Furthermore, some have even stated that the lax enforcement of security, as they see it at times, has actually contributed to a more wholesome environment on our campus.

If this could even be validated, would that not place matters of “cracking down” on the list of things not to do? But this is only the beginning of a series of questions regarding whether increasing

security is, after all, a tactic that could be considered at all.

When looking into what students consider being criminal, the table tends to be turned.

Rumors of private investigators, or even “undercover cops,” have become more prevalent as of late, which leaves students to question if the campus is actually not as safe as they have been led to believe.

While few have pushed the issue of student privacy, students point to other problems they seem to have on campus when it comes to feeling insecure.

One of the most crucial is in regards to the capricious nature of fines and what one can be fined for. Few students can even recall the most common fine of all, the overdue book fine, and almost none scarcely remember ever having to pay it.

But I’m not talking about a parking violation or some other vehicular misdemeanor that could be easily warranted, I’m saying that students have been hit with some unusual fines on campus, some that can hardly be considered validated. I’m referring to petty things like plugging a laptop into an outlet or making use of the TV in the now abandoned Rec Room.

And when asked for a list of things students can be fined for, campus security could not provide students with a master list. It would be one thing if students were informed, but even the student handbook cannot prepare you for some of the unusual actions that are taken.

Although in the few cases where encountering security has been an issue, it was merely a case of explanation or an informative warning that said action was not okay. Of course, this does not dismiss the issue that real crime is not being committed.

Aside from the unpredictable fines, there are cases of car theft, car burglary, and even the fabled “bag theft” on campus; but all of this is rather minute compared to what happens outside our campus, especially in the nearby parking lots of South Hill.

There is no doubt that the campus is no stranger to criminal activity, but when students are more inclined to be upset over ambiguous fines and the immaturity of fake fire alarms, one must wonder if the overall openness of campus security is a blessing compared to the cold, steely, and sometimes shadowy, law enforcement you might find elsewhere.

The Puyallup Post

The Puyallup Post is produced by students attending Pierce College Puyallup. This publication is intended as a public forum. Published materials are the sole responsibility of the editors, reporters and photographers, and are not intended to represent the college’s policies.

For information on advertising rates, or how to submit letters to the editor or story ideas, call 840-8496 or email puypost@pierce.ctc.edu. The student newspaper office is in room 218 in the College Center.

Editorial staff: Rebecca Watkinson, Tim Guy and Cody Turk Reporters: Sharon Coward, Matthew Hartmann, Appriel Lance, Albert Latham, Svetlana Nozdrina and Erin Stockton

by Albert Latham

APRIL 2007

COMMENTARY

Earth Day is every day Appriel Lance Reporter

Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin created Earth Day on April 22, 1970, in order to promote his environmental agenda, but the popularity of Earth Day was reflective of a whole generation of eco-minded people.

In the 1960s, the environmental movement was characterized by a tremendous amount of change and progress. The idea that people had to be the voice for the Earth was so popular that the Wilderness Act swept Congress.

The first Earth Day event in the 1970s produced an outcome of twenty million Americans. Since then, it has gained the recognition of 175 countries and more than 500 million participants worldwide.

Thirty-seven years after the creation of Earth Day we are still celebrating and observing the tradition of getting out there and helping our planet.

Student Programs brought the issue to campus with Environmental Week, but somewhere between the shrubbery and speeches, I began to ask myself what the true message was or even if there was one.

I came to the easy conclusion that of course these events were about preservation and helping the community, but what about the actions you take on a personal level away from the crowd?

I am not sure that taking action once a year to stop pollution, waste reduction and littering is enough.

I know in an ideal world everyone would recycle and never waste, but this is America—the land of the free and the land of the consumer; which means that too often the old is tossed out carelessly for the new.

I think that this is largely due to the fact that

many don’t understand the true meaning of the holiday and what we are in fact celebrating.

The idea behind Earth Day is to take one day out of your normal habit of preservation of the Earth and come together with others to recognize the fact that you are capable of saving the planet.

I am sure that there are many students at Pierce who do everything they can to make sure they are doing their part, but the sad thing is most Americans lack the habit of preservation.

I am not denying the fact that there are other countries that contribute to pollution on a global scale, because in truth the health of the Earth is not a cultural or societal problem, but a problem that effects all humanity regardless of nationality, creed or political standing.

Gaylord Nelson once said, “the fate of the living planet is the most important issue facing mankind,” and we as inhabitants of this planet cannot afford to attempt to correct the damage in a single day.

Even if the effort is made with the utmost noble intentions, the likelihood of anyone repairing all the damage to the Earth on Earth Day is a little out of this world.

A better solution can only be summed up in the words of Mikhail Gorbachev, “We need a new environmental consciousness on a global basis... To do this we need to educate people,” and I couldn’t agree more.

The only way that the pattern of destruction and waste is going to change is if people learn about ways to correct it.

There is power in knowledge.

The more knowledgeable people are on a subject the more likely they are to make an educated decision in a practical manner.

3

U.S. is addicted to oil Appriel Lance Reporter

Oil is a commodity on which we as Americans have grown too dependent. Like any other commodity, the market and demand dictates the price of the product.

It is true that one day the wells will run dry and we as consumers will have to find another means to get around, but shortage is not what is directing current prices at the pump.

So what makes the gas prices so high?

Political and military conflict for starters. The United States has severed ties and relations recently with many oil producing countries which means that oil companies are going to have to import it from elsewhere and the farther they have to go to get it, the more expensive it is when it finely reaches the pump.

In addition to military conflict, mother nature has put a few stoppers in the oil and gas chain of supply with the Gulf of Mexico Hurricanes.

Gas prices are soaring and I know that it is difficult to look past the numbers that are continuously changing on your local gas station sign, but I think that our attention is being diverted and the real issue is being overlooked.

There is a solution to this problem. The problem is that we need alternative forms of energy, and often times that means that the oil companies are going to have to suffer a loss.

I know that the technological development for things like solar power cars and hydrological energy is a ways off, but the ideas should be explored and developed without worry that they will be destroyed or bought up by companies that have only their self-interest in mind.

The demand of the market should dictate the product corporations produce, but the sad sick truth is that the CEOs of these companies would rather see Americans fall flat on there faces in an oil crisis then ever use the money they receive to make a long term investment in the country and the planet.

What’s even sadder then that is that people are still out there purchasing Hummers and utility SUV’s instead of doing their part and supporting companies that are making the effort with Hybrid cars. And on top of that

See Oil on page 11

4

Tutoring Continued from page 1

from students who need help to ‘pass’ their classes,” Chavez said.

Kathy Pritchard, who has come in for help with math and chemistry, said that the instruction she has received in the tutoring center has not only improved her grades, but has given her the confidence she needs to take more advanced classes.

“They’re able to give you the tools you need to succeed,” she said of the tutors.

Any student can walk in for help; 80 percent of those who do are there for math. At least two math tutors are working at any one time and several are qualified to tutor through the calculus series.

The tutors, however, are often stretched paper-thin. According to Chavez, the popularity of the center means the ratio of students to tutors is, on average, 8-to-1.

The growth of the center has been so pronounced that the budget just can’t keep up.

Chavez broke down this year’s budget as follows. Most of the Tutoring Center’s budget comes from Services & Activities: $32,000 per year for all expenses, including tutor salaries and supplies. The math department gives the center $5,000 per fiscal year for math tutors only. In addition, $38,316 is allocated from the college’s budget.

This year, because of the Tutoring Center’s rapid growth, Chavez asked the

MAKING NEWS

school for additional funds. The Executive Team, which is made up of executive administrators from each area of the college, approved $3,000 for math tutors and $3,500 for the Writing Center.

However, there was apparently a misunderstanding among Pierce students regarding the amount of money approved.

With most of his experienced tutors leaving in the spring, Chavez had hired a number of tutors to be trained as a cohort group. This included biology and chemistry tutors, elevating the sciences from mostly arranged one-on-one sessions to drop-in.

When the budget misunderstanding was straightened out, Chavez soon realized he couldn’t afford to keep everyone.

Hours were cut and some tutors were let go. The non-math tutors were the most affected by these actions.

Seeking to understand the restructuring, many tutors and students came to the conclusion that the Tutoring Center’s budget had been cut. In all the miscommunication, rumors started.

Could it be that these rumors are getting so much attention because of the marked change in the growth and status of the center from the early days?

The Tutoring Center had its humble beginnings in a little room in the A building. At the time, only math tutoring was offered and almost no one came in for any course above Math 98.

Former instructor Linda Rogers has

See Tutoring on page 13

Pierce College Puyallup’s student newspaper is accepting applications for the 2007-08 school year.

Applications are due M A Y 25.

PAID POSITIONS INCLUDE:

lEditor lManaging Editor l Reporters l Page Designer l Photographer l Advertising Manager Information and applications are available in the student newspaper office, C218 or Student Programs, C210. For more information, call Teresa Josten at (253) 840-8496 or email at tapjosten@aol.com or tjosten@pierce.ctc.edu

The Puyallup P O S T

Aiding financial aid Matthew Hartmann Senior Reporter

Paying for college is a difficult task for many students, so some have come to rely upon financial aid.

“If I weren’t getting financial aid, I wouldn’t be able to continue my education,” student Jason Chester said.

Luckily, for such students, the Washington State Legislature is working on improving the financial aid system by increasing its funding.

Representative Joyce McDonald is a Pierce Alum and one of two representatives in the House for the 25th Legislative District. McDonald sits on the committee that deals with where money is allocated for the budget.

The House has recently added $33 million to the State-Need Fund of which

financial aid is a portion of.

“A college education is very important, especially in a world where competition for jobs becomes more global,” McDonald said.

Another important reason for increasing the budget for financial aid is that there aren’t enough college educated people in the local job market.

According to an article written by Sen. James Kastama, only eight percent of people at Microsoft were educated in Washington state.

Many people view higher education as something that you must pay for if you really need it, and that if you can’t pay for it then your not worthwhile, but according to Kastama that’s incorrect.

“The truth is that higher education helps all of society in the long run,” Kastama wrote.

Pierce College’s All-Washington Academic Team includes New Century Scholar Matthew Roberson, a Pierce College student who scored highest in the state on the All-USA Academic Team application, and three other Pierce College District students are among members of the AllWashington Academic Team were honored at a recognition ceremony in Olympia.

This year, 62 students from community and technical colleges around the state will be recognized for their academic achievement and contributions to their college and community during the ceremony at South Puget Sound Community College.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society sponsors the state and national academic team competition.

As the top scorer in the state competition, Roberson, president of the Associated Student Body at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, has been named a 2007 New Century Scholar. Roberson will receive a $2,000 scholarship and will represent Washington state at the AACC’s annual convention April 12-14 in Miami, Fla. The New Century program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation, the American Association of Community Col-

Nursing

Continued from page 1

Adrienne Stith Butler, and Lonnie R. Bristow, In the Nation’s Compelling Interest: Ensuring Diversity in the Health-Care Workforce, addresses the reasoning behind ensuring that the healthcare professional field is well diversified.

An excerpt from the book better explains this: “Majority opinion found there is substantial evidence that the quality of the educational experience in a university that has achieved a ‘critical mass’ of diversity is significantly greater than what is experienced without said diversity.”

The issue with achieving this “critical mass” is to “assess whether current institutional processes, policy-level factors are, at times unintentionally creating barriers” for underrepresented minority groups. This is the heart of Pierce’s Nursing mission statement.

The decision regarding the grade requirement change was a continuing dialogue between members of the state nursing commission, the nursing department, and pro-

leges and PTK. Besides Roberson, other Pierce College District All-Washington Academic Team members are Nicole Webster, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom; and Haley Lindsey and Joel Kady, Pierce College Puyallup.

Each All-Washington Academic Team member will receive a $500 scholarship from Key Bank, a $250 scholarship from the Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) and medallions which will be presented by their college presidents at the ceremony.

Two students from the state team will be selected for the All-USA Academic Team.

Roberson decided to attend Pierce College to, “do something with my life.”

As ASB president, he led a successful lobbying effort to gain support for state legislation requiring bookstores to sell “unbundled” versions of textbooks normally sold with compact disks and other supplementary materials.

A campus and community leader and volunteer, Roberson’s goals include becoming a U.S. Army officer, obtaining a

See Academic on page 5

gram graduates.

It is understood that given that admission is already highly competitive, more weight should be given to applicants’ qualitative attributes such as “leadership, commitment to service, community orientation, experience with diverse groups and other factors.”

Community colleges such as Pierce tend to have a higher attendance of full-time working students, single or working parents and structurally unemployed students.

Some of these underrespresented minorities had attended elementary institutions without program funding, barely qualified teachers or were even from families in which education is not highly valued.

These students are the ones who try to overcome quantitative barriers such as GPA requirements.

It is without a doubt that student input, support and constructive criticism would all be welcomed as feedback for the nursing committee.

Though this decision is on a current plateau, it is being pursued with great zeal, passion and commitment by those who are trying to better the future for someone other than themselves.

5

APRIL 2007

Academic continued from page 4

doctorate in political science and, perhaps, entering politics.

Roberson was named a New Century Scholar as the highest scoring student from the State of Washington in the 2007 All Washington Scholar competition sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

In 2005, Nicole Webster received the second highest award the U.S. Army can

bestow on a civilian for her volunteer contributions to military families and children.

The mother of three also is a scholarship recipient and a leader in campus groups and organizations which she serves as a specialLindsey events coordinator.

Nicole hopes to further her education to become an attorney and, eventually, a judge.

Combining academic success with creativity, Running Start student Joel Kady serves on the editorial board of Pierce College’s Student Literary and Arts Magazine (SLAM). A guitarist, Joel also dediKady cates a great deal of time and energy to his band, The Jury. In addition, Joel writes original music and lyrics for the band and serves as its promoter.

Also a guitar teacher, Joel plans to compliment his skills as a professional musician with a degree in international business.

Described by her instructors as a “highly intelligent natural leader and scholar,” Haley Lindsey has served as president of the Pierce College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa academic honorary. She also is a volunteer tutor who considers herself as a “resource” for fellow students struggling with assignments and test preparations.

Passionate about science and learning, Haley’s goal is to obtain a doctorate in evolutionary biology.

The Puyallup P O S T

6

Laptops in the Classroom

What the instructor might not know Brittany Bushnell For The Puyallup Post

Laptops might seem like a useful tool for a student in the classroom, but for some at Pierce, laptops are a devious way for students to entertain themselves through an otherwise boring lecture.

“Laptops are the worst thing that ever happened to Pierce,” said student April Moore, who sees laptops as a distraction to students.

Cell phones, iPods and Gameboys have become a problem in the classroom. Are laptops a part of this problem as well?

So far, instructors say no. Colleges today are integrating laptops into the classroom—some colleges even require students to have them. After all, with laptops, students can write cleaner notes that are digitally organized into their computer, taking away the possibility of lost notes and disorganization. If the student types fast, they also can have more time to listen to the lecture instead of worrying about the timeconsuming nature of writing notes.

However, instructors may forget that laptops have many entertaining programs available to the user that are inappropriate for the classroom.

Popular non-academic laptop activities include instant messaging, surfing the Internet (especially MySpace and email) or even other class homework.

Laptops are also used for a variety of games including solitaire, Tetris and Minesweeper.

The more sneaky students can even get away with listening to music through headphones on their laptop, while others are creative with their laptop options; one student checks his stocks.

Do the instructors know some students do this?

Cynthia Cowan-Grewe, a psychology and sociology instructor at Pierce for 10 years, doesn’t think students mess around on their laptops in class. She likes the idea of laptops, if it fits students’ learning style and the volume is off. She says it can enhance the learning experience for students through having the Internet available. Just recently in class a

Photo by Cody Turk

Students might be checking their email or playing games on their laptops during class. student pulled up an interesting study about high school graduation rates in different states, and it added to the class discussion.

However, there is still the issue that the instructor can’t see the screen. John Lucas, who teaches political science at Pierce, admits it is hard to monitor. He lets students use laptops, assuming they are doing their work or writing notes.

Sometimes he has worried if they are playing games. However, because there are only a few students with laptops and because he teaches in front of the class, he doesn’t check on them and has never caught anyone.

“If I was checking more maybe I would,” said Lucas. If he knew it was a problem, he would put restrictions on them.

In the computer center, Lucas will check students’ screens. He has sat in the back of computer lab classes and seen a third to a half of the students messing around instead of doing what they were supposed to.

In the future, when he assumes everybody will have laptops in a classroom setting, he said something will have to be done, like monitoring or using mirrors.

Some students only mess around on their laptop when

there is a break in the lecture, while some goof off whenever they get bored (which just may be the whole class period).

They just don’t have enough willpower.

“I know I would get distracted,” said Andy Monson, a student at Pierce, who has seen a fellow classmate constantly play “World of Warcraft” on his laptop.

Most students agree laptops can be helpful or hurtful to your grades depending on how you use it.

“You have to use them responsibly,” student Mike Allerton said. “Or they could adversely affect your grades.”

Allerton finds his laptop helpful in statistics, psychology and especially in his online class, as his laptop is his class.

Some students have laptops, but choose not to use them in class. One student, Kathryn Slaybaugh, likes taking notes by hand because she is more involved. Still, she understands the positive aspects of being able to take quicker notes, especially for those who have a hard time writing. Once, in a speech class she wished she had her laptop because of the overwhelming amount of information.

Still, some can’t help themselves. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, plays old Super Nintendo games like Zelda and Lemmings on his laptop during class. He also surfs the Internet and looks at guitars. Whether the lesson is boring or unimportant isn’t the issue.

“I still get good grades,” he said.

He actually feels he works better on his laptop in class because he is multi-tasking. He says it helps him concentrate by taking away the fidgetiness.

“The days I mess around on my computer I seem to retain more information,” he said.

He said he pays attention the same whether he’s goofing off on his laptop or not because he would be zoning out or daydreaming anyway.

So far instructors haven’t said anything to him about it, and he has never had a problem with them asking him a question when he’s not listening and is preoccupied with his laptop. With the help of his magic F11 key, he has never been caught.

See Laptops on page 14

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Excuses, excuses, excuses

7

APRIL 2007

Nathaniel Anderson and Tim Walt For The Puyallup Post

My computer crashed and ate my homework.

I did my assignment, but I can’t open it in the lab.

The weather forecaster said it might snow, so I couldn’t come to class.

I did my homework at home on a version of the software I downloaded off the Internet and can’t seem to open it here at school so I can print it for you.

These are some of the excuses that students have told Kathleen Beaumont, program manager/developer for Pierce College Continuing Education.

Who knows which of these excuses are true?

Excuses and student dishonesty at the Puyallup campus seem to be an increasing problem, and it’s the students who are turning to these elaborate and brilliant excuses.

Instructor Cynthia Wilson said that one time a student told her they couldn’t get to class because the door handle fell off the student’s door.

“My question was, ‘How many doors does the car have?’ Any chance you can use another door to get in?”

Instructors often remember some of the most amazing yet true excuses.

“The very best one I’ve encountered though was two girlfriends who had birthdays at the end of the quarter and wanted to know if they needed to take the final because they were going to celebrate turning 18 in Disneyland,” computer information systems instructor Jeffrey Weiss said. “They already had plane tickets.”

The excuse that really stunned business instructor Rick Hogan was when a student said, “My cat peed on my book bag and my paper was inside. It got ruined.”

While some excuses may be unbelievable, some can’t be challenged because they might be true.

“There is the category of personal tragedy that is impossible to contest or dispute for fear of deepening the suffering,” Weiss said. “Death in the family, attack, domestic violence, etc.”

Some instructors explain that if they don’t accept a student’s excuse, it makes them seem uncaring, but it’s hard to believe the excuse is true.

“Years ago I actually had a student tell me that she had been raped by ‘some friends’ and this is why she missed an exam,” Spanish instructor Chanda Castillo said. “I was appalled because I was pretty sure that she was not telling me the truth. She was more worried about the fact that she had missed the test and was asking for a make-up exam.”

Castillo said it was awkward. She didn’t feel she could accuse the student of lying because what if it really did happen?

“I remember not believing her because of her demeanor.

She was not emotionally upset. She told me this story in the same way students would say that they had a flat tire or their alarm did not go off,” Castillo said. “I will never know if that was a true story or not.”

Military training or deployment is another reason students explain they can’t be in class.

In this day of elaborate excuses, the cases of death-in-thefamily could be believable, but it’s hard to determine.

“Most times I hear, ‘My grandmother died and I have to go to the funeral,’” Castillo said. “I’m pretty sure that many of those stories were bogus too.”

Apparently a lot of grandmothers die during the school year.

Students commonly claim that their bookbag was stolen so they can’t turn in the research paper due that day. Most instructors believe these stories but because of the plethora of lies that they have been told, they can’t accept the late work. These students may have lost not only their research paper or homework in the bookbag, but their textbooks as well.

In one case last quarter, a student’s car was stolen from the campus parking lot while the student was on an all-day field trip.

“I’ve been hearing, ‘My car was broken into’ a lot more often, myself,” said English instructor Tara King, who teaches on campus and online. “I also get a lot of sob stories because students are trying to make up work and they know I can’t see them.”

However, despite these claims of stolen bookbags, bag theft on campus seems to be nearly non-existent.

“I’ve never heard any reports of someone’s bag being stolen here,” said Sgt. Maureen Rickertsen, head of campus security on the Puyallup campus. “We’ve got two bags in the lost and found, but no one has ever come looking for them.”

Faking a bag theft seems to be an extreme excuse, but it’s not beyond some desperate students.

For the less desperate student, computer classes are prime opportunities for easy excuses.

These classes involve saving or sending homework via the Internet, and therein lies the excuse. Computer crashes, power failures and loss of external devices are all effective delays that can’t be proven wrong.

Some excuses are unbelievable for a whole other reason.

Hogan said some students would say in the last week of the quarter, “I didn’t know we had a paper due for this class. Can I get an extension?”

Hogan explained this happens after the paper was described in the syllabus and he discussed paper’s requirements and format in three different class sessions.

Tom Bush, instructor and coordinator for Earth and Space Sciences department, got an email from a student late winter quarter. The assignment name is changed to protect the privacy of the person who submitted this via email: “I cannot get the (assignment) to you tonight due to my cat getting sick on the (assignment) and made it unacceptable to turn in. I might be able to get it to you tomorrow but its not easy to write out the (assignment). I will try though.”

Those darn cats.

Instructors say they’ve heard some outlandish excuses while teaching at other colleges.

Kathryn Keith, an anthropology instructor, recalled an excuse a student told her at Boise State University. A student said his dad had died and been cremated. He couldn’t attend class because he needed to go to California where the ashes would be launched into space.

Instructor Phyllis Fikar heard her favorite excuse when she taught in Florida.

A student explained why he might miss the final.

“The student said, ‘If the judge finds me guilty next week I will be incarcerated during the final. Can I make it up after I serve my time?’ Fortunately the student was acquitted,” Fikar said.

Although student excuses seem to be rampant, sociology instructor Kathy Mannelly may have a solution.

“It’s amazing how the excuses go away when the instructor makes it clear on the syllabus that one of the core abilities of Pierce College is responsibility,” she said.

Mannelly tells her students that she doesn’t accept late work. She also tells them of students who have had major life issues and still managed to do their work.

“This doesn’t necessarily ‘drive’ students to class,” Mannelly said. “But, the excuses disappear and work gets done on time.”

Other instructors also plan for the eventual excuse of late or missing work. They feel that if they make it clear that no excuses are acceptable, students are forced to take responsibility for their actions.

“The thing is, part-time students have full-time lives in which decisions tend to favor loyalties and family priorities and often fall away from educational commitments. I don’t like to let the excuse get in the way of understanding consequences for missing assignments or of making plans to remediate the problem,” Weiss said. “So I try to keep it from being about accepting excuses but more about explaining consequences.”

Instructors are understandably suspicious about many excuses, but they can’t just accuse the student of lying, no matter how unlikely the story may be. Some instructors compensate for this by refusing any late work, while others try to sift through the jargon and allow for legitimate problems.

On the other side of things, however, students say it’s the instructors who break their own rules that causes the confusion.

Students argue that if they are nice or apologetic enough, the instructor will probably crack and let them turn the paper in late.

Sometimes the instructors claim that they will take as much as a letter grade off the for late work, but students say they don’t.

SHOUTOUT

“What was your all-time favorite prank on April Fool’s Day?”

“I usually tell people that their items are stolen. Like, I told by brother that his car was stolen once.”

—Annette Bleich

“I forgot to pull a prank this year…(but I would have told) a friend that there’s a test (next week).”

—Brent Lessley

“I was on (an) airplane and the pilot said we had to turn around…then he said, ‘Got you!’”

—Aaron Jones

“I used to work at Wells Fargo, (and on April Fool’s)…my cubical was taped, and someone put Styrofoam popcorn in my cubical.”

—Jared Gavid “Mine’s switching the salt and sugar shakers. That’s so mean!”

—Sarah Schwagerl

“I convinced my sister (that) she was adopted and born with a tail!”

—Marissa Jordan

“I (haven’t) pulled too many April Fool’s tricks…if I were to pull one, it’d probably be the old whoopee cushion.”

—Eliza York

“I called my mom one time at work—she sets up events—and I called her and set up this huge event and gave her fake information, and she didn’t even realize it was me until I got home.”

—Stevan Harris —by Sharon Coward and Cody Turk

The Puyallup P O S T

8

A

Erin Stockton Reporter

mericans have become increasingly aware of the toxins we use in our every day lives, and several have seemed to become paranoid about even the most miniscule side effect of a bottle of laundry detergent or food that might contain deadly additives.

Though many of the chemicals used in cleaning supplies or the coating on a frying pan can lead to serious problems, people need to get themselves educated about how you end up with cleaner rashes and why.

The Puyallup Post has gathered up some toxic cleaner myths and is here to get you informed about various unhealthy items in your house and how to be safe with and around them.

One item no American could possibly be without is an air freshener. One in the bathroom, garage, little brother’s bedroom, closet or car—you name it. Air fresheners work by releasing nervedeadening agents or coating the nasal passage with an oil film which is usually a chemical called methoxychlor.

This chemical is actually a pesticide which accumulates in fat cells.

“More than 60 percent of homes in the United States have carpeting. Carpets cover the floors of business and schools.

Children play for hours on them, infants crawl on them and breathe in the fumes, home owners inhale that ‘new-carpet smell,’ and all the while we are being poisoned by chemicals, allergens, and toxic dust that lurks in our carpets.” http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/abscarpet.htm

Because many of you surely can’t go without air freshener, a good idea would be to not stick your nose over the Glade Plug-in when you need a better smell. You should keep air fresheners like the Glade Plug-in to a more open room such as the living room where the scent isn’t as concentrated as it would be in a small room. If you use a spray air freshener, it would be a good idea to limit yourself to one short spray. It might not work as fast, but it’s better for your own health.

Antibacterial cleaners contain a product called Triclosan that is absorbed into the skin. They work by preventing the growth of bacteria.

Though some bacteria are bad, antibacterials have become overused.

Antibacterials have actually been linked to allergies. Studies have found that there has been an increase in the frequency of allergies, asthma and eczema in people who have been raised in ultraclean homes. By living in such a sterile environment the immune system is not challenged, and is prevented from developing.

One study found that children who grew up on farms had fewer allergies than those who lived in a cleaner environment.

Some of your not-so-clean dishes may have been left with residue from the dish soap you used.

Many dishwasher detergents contain a concentrated form of chlorine in both liquid and powder products. Food used on such plates or bowls could also pick up some of that residue.

Chlorine, as you probably already know is a type of bleach which can be harmful when ingested.

One way to avoid inadvertently consuming the chlorine is to make sure you rinse your dishes thoroughly before loading them into the dishwasher and it’s possible that giving your plates a second rinse off before you put them away would help.

Many laundry room products contain chemicals such as phosphorous ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, sodium nitilotriacetate and others. Though you will more than likely be able to find these names on the ingredient section of the laundry detergent label, I highly doubt you will be able to pronounce them.

These chemicals can cause rashes, itches, allergies, sinus problems and more.

A couple of ways to make sure your body does not get irritated with these chemicals is to make sure you put just

enough laundry detergent or softener into your load of laundry so that the clothes do not absorb a harmful amount, and make sure that you are careful to not get large amounts of products containing these chemicals on your skin.

One product that has a necessary kick to it is toilet cleaner. Many toilet cleaners contain chemicals such as hydrochloric acid and hypochlorite bleach.

According to their names, which contain “acid” and “bleach” and “chlori-,” just the smell of these chemicals can be harmful, not only to the nose, but also the skin, eyes and lungs.

It is always good to make sure that you have some kind of fresh air-flow when cleaning with such harmful products so you aren’t overpowered by the chemicals.

Triclosan is used in everything from personal hygiene items to hot tubs to trash bags.

This product is relatively non—toxic to humans and other mammals, but has been reported to have caused contact dermatitis, skin irritation and possibly photoallergic contact dermatitis when the part of the skin previously exposed to Triclosan is also exposed to sunlight.

This chemical has also caused some contamination to aquatic ecosystems.

Here are some products that Triclosan is most common in: Soap (Dial, Softsoap, Clearasil, Dawn, Ajax), Dental care (Colgate Total, Reach), Cosmetics (Revlon Color Stay, Supre, Movate), Deodorant (Old spice, Epoch), First aid (Solarcaine, Nexcare), Kitchenware (Farberware, Chix, Web Foot), Computer equipment (cordless keyboards and mice), Clothes (Teva, Merrell, Dickies, Biofresh), Kid’s toys (Playskool), and other name brands such as Gillette, Diabet-x, Bionare, Microban, QVC, DuPont, Durelle and Thomasville.

Because you may feel uncomfortable using these products as a result of this list, here is some information on alternatives: although Triclosan is a great health tool in hospitals for keeping things sanitary, its use in homes is unnecessary. Regular old soap and water work just fine for at home. You should wash your hands frequently for 10 to 15 seconds, wash any surfaces that come into contact with food and wash children’s toys regularly.

Sodium hydroxide is a chemical used in manufacturing soaps, rayon, paper, drain cleaner and oven cleaner.

This chemical is very damaging to the eyes, and some form of eye protection should be used when handling some liquid forms of cleaner containing this chemical.

There have been reports of drain cleaners, specifically, splashing out of the drain when too much is poured in.

Mr. Yuk is a trademarked cartoon graphic image, created by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Penn., that is widely employed in the United States to indicate substances that are poisonous if ingested. The Washington Poison Center can be reached at 1-800-222-1222

9

APRIL 2007 Drain cleaners should be used in small amounts because sodium hydroxide has erosive properties used for disintegrating clogs, but has also eroded pipes, and this chemical also disintegrates eyes (as reported by the person who discovered the splashing tendency of drain cleaner).

FD&C Yellow Number 5.

People who are allergic to this food dye obtain symptoms which include itchiness and hives.

Teflon, though not deathly toxic to humans, is highly toxic to any kind of bird.

Although teflon was originally used in wire insulation and other tools of the chemDisodium Edetate ical industry, today it is used (EDTA) is a stabilizer in some primarily to keep things from cosmetics which prevents the sticking, and can be found as ingredients from combining a coat on many cooking pans, with each other. This preserves pots and utensils. It can be the smell and texture of the found in Silverstone, Fluron, product. EDTA provides a Supra, Excalibur, Greblon, more stable product that lasts Xylon, Duracote and other longer. brand name products.

The compound is harmful if Teflon can remain in caryou eat or inhale it, and may Toxic ingredients such as Sodium Hydroxide cause eye, skin and respiratory can be found in everyday products around peting and draperies for lengths of time after its use. irritation. You should always the home, including baby lotion.

If humans are affected, read the label of makeup before purchasing it to make sure there are not ingre- their symptoms are flu-like. One material used in Teflon did cause cancer in test animals, but more dients such as this which you are sensitive to. research is needed for sturdier conclusions.

As far as food and what Americans consume, there Some man-made chemicals such as pesticides, are various additives which many have become paraflame retardants, non-stick elements and artificial noid about.

Being well-informed about the environment around musks can be found in low levels in foods such as you, especially with the growing amount of preserva- brown bread, butter, and milk. These elements comtives and additives going into your body, is something bined may be a factor in various medical conditions, but there is still a significant amount of research to be important to your health and well-being.

We’ve done some research and found a few things done on this subject. going into the food Americans eat that you may, or One way that the FDA makes sure that the additives may not be concerned about. in the food we eat are not toxic is by making manufacFirst, a food additive is any substance that becomes turers petition the FDA before using any new food part of a food product either directly or indirectly dur- color or additive for approval. The manufacturer must ing processing, storing or packaging. They are used as prove that the additive does what it is supposed to do, preservatives, nutrients, processing aids, flavors and without causing harm to humans.

Also, agriculturists have come up with a way to colors. cleanse food without altering it—this is called irridaIf you are on a diet, but still drink that dry tasteless tion. This procedure rids food of unwanted pests and soda… you might want to think again. Many diet foods microorganisms that could cause food-born illness or and drinks use an artificial sweetener called aspar- present a biosecurity risk. tame.

Remember to always wear rubber gloves and surgiThough it is not an allergen, and is literally harmless to most people, it should not be consumed by people cal masks when using any type of cleaning chemical in with the genetic disease PKU, or by pregnant women. order to prevent damage to your lungs or skin. If there Symptoms include pain in limbs, headaches, lack of are young children in the house, you should teach them what a “Mr. Yuck” sticker looks like and what it means concentration and insomnia.

Sulfites are commonly used on light colored fruits and stick it on all your cleaning supplies. Make sure and vegetables to prevent the discoloration, and inhib- you keep toxic and dangerous cleaners out of the it the growth of harmful microorganisms in fermented reach of young children, regardless. foods such as wine. These preservatives should be fine for most, except for individuals with asthma.

Before you make your next yellow cake, make sure you aren’t allergic to

SHOUTOUT

“What is the scariest cleaning product you can think of?”

“Ammonia! I actually mixed it with bleach and my eyes started to water and I couldn’t breath, and everything became foggy.”

—Yelena Ivantsov “Methyl Ethyl Ketone, an industrial cleanser. Very flammable, and it would melt latex gloves.”

—John Turner

“Probably a plunger…I’m scared of stuff coming out on me!”

—Courtney Thompson

“I don’t find cleaning products to be scary. Why would a cleaning product scare someone?”

—Paul Santisi

“Stinky bleach.”

—Martha

“Bleach…it stinks.”

—Erin Vigil

“I use whatever is in the house. Windex, Comet, stuff like that.”

—Leisha Lambrecht Teflon can remain in carpeting and draperies for lengths of time after its use.

If humans are affected, their symptoms are flulike. One material used in Teflon did cause cancer in test animals, but more research is needed for sturdier conclusions.

“Lye, it’s caustic. But it does have a lot of useful purposes.”

—Dustin Fortsch

—by Svetlana Nozdrina

10

The Puyallup P O S T

SPORTS

Men’s basketball team celebrates a great season Sharon Coward Reporter

The Pierce College men’s basketball team gathered at the Fort Steilacoom campus for an evening of celebration and reflection on March 15.

While the Raiders didn’t take first place in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWCCAA) tournament as they’d hoped, they had a lot to celebrate and reflect on.

“This has been a year of trials and tribulations,” recalled Pierce College Athletic Coordinator Duncan Stevenson, speaking to the assembled team and their families.

“For the men’s basketball team, it was a fun ride.”

The Raiders closed their 12-4 season by placing third in the NWCCAA tournament.

In addition, several key players were awarded individually for their contributions to the team.

Pierce College Chancellor Michele Johnson, present at the Winter Awards Banquet, briefly spoke at the event by recounting her own experiences as an athlete and imparting this advice to the team: “Take the lessons you learn on the court and apply it to life.”

She also applauded the team for their achievements this year.

“You have represented Pierce College very well,” she said.

Coach Bill Mendelson, together with his assistants Jeff Drinkwine and Kaelen Moore, reminisced on the season and tournament, emphasizing the uniqueness of this year’s team.

“We have not had one argument all year,” he stated, as the applause of the crowd gathered.

“It’s unbelievable… I’ve been coaching for 33 years (and) I’ve never… had a group that got along so well… (and) it’s the reason why (we) were so successful.”

“It grew into something special,” added Drinkwine. “Usually you hear ‘nice guys finish last,’ (but) I don’t think that’s the case anymore, because nice guys finished first in the Western Division this year.”

“They’re a great group of guys,” said Moore. “I had a lot of fun, and I thank them for that.”

Coach Drinkwine handed out the individual certificates of participation to the players, while Coach Mendy spoke briefly about each young man. The crowd quieted as he praised each player for their contributions to the team, and recounted how certain players became Pierce College Raiders.

Coach Mendy drew a few laughs when he recalled recruiting international players like Kersten Ho and Harmeet Mahal.

“We reach out globally,” said Mendy.

“There is no place we don’t go to find (our players).”

Besides certificates of participation, some players also received awards for extraordinary achievement.

The Coach’s award went to freshman Alex Oliver for his unwavering, inspirational support of the team.

Defensive Player of the Year went to Noble’D Shelton, whose parents were in attendance at the banquet.

Coach Mendy said he’s still waiting to hear from Shelton’s mom on the ‘D’ apostrophe. Shelton’s mother shouted her reply from the crowd.

“It stands for defense!”

Shelton was also selected as the Western Division’s 1st Team All Star and placed in the NWAACC All Tournament 2nd Team.

Most Inspirational awards went to freshmen Brandon Kelley and Norman Brown. Coach Mendy spoke of the time and effort Kelley put into excelling in basketball, and humorously recalled the day he went to California to recruit Brown.

The Most Improved distinction was awarded to freshman Andrew Boykin, who had two words to say upon receiving his award: “Thank you.”

Finally, Coach Mendy announced the winner of the Raider’s MVP award, the one the team votes for. This feature makes it especially meaningful, as it is awarded by peers. For all assembled that night, there was no doubt whom the award belonged to.

“There’s no question this is Michael

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Crewshaw

John Hanson (44) scores one for the team during March’s NWAACC Tournament.

Noble’D Shelton (5) observes. ished his final year at Pierce by leading the Raiders in scoring and rebounding. He will be remembered in Pierce athletic history as the basketball program’s all-time leading rebounder.

Following the informal ceremony, players gathered in circles to chat with family and friends. Some reflected on the season and tournament, and others recalled their favorite memories of the year.

There was boisterous laughter and good-natured joking, and it was easy to see what prompted Coach Mendy to declare: “This is the best group of basketball players I’ve had the privilege to coach in all my 33 years of coaching. And talk about diverse— we’ve got guys from all different backgrounds, experiences, and regions.

But here, they are a family, a team in the truest sense of the word.”

“These guys are Pierce College to me, and if they’re Pierce College, then Photo courtesy of Sabrina Crewshaw Pierce College is in pretty good shape.”

Wright’s team,” said Mendy as Wright humbly ducked his head and stepped forward to receive his prize.

“Speech!” an observer yelled, and Wright spoke a few words of thanks to his parents.

Wright was also named Western Division co-MVP, and made the first team NWAACC all-tournament team. He fin-

The Raiders closed their 12-4 season by placing third in the NWCCAA tournament.

APRIL 2007

Twinkie Destructed

BOOKS

Appriel Lance Reporter

The Twinkie has long been an American icon.

Developed during the Depression, the Twinkie’s golden exterior and creamy innards have transformed into a symbol for American ingenuity and indulgence.

The Twinkie has even inspired pop-culture by making mention in such shows as Family Guy and the comic strip Doonesbury.

Similar to most Americans, Steve Ettlinger consumes processed foods. And, like most of us out there who consume processed foods, he often reads the list of ingredients—without an understanding of what they are.

When he was asked by his daughter, “Daddy, what’s polysorbate 60?”, while eating ice cream at the beach on a hot summer day, he realized he had no explanation and embarked on a pop-science journey to discover what these ingredients really boiled down to.

Polysorbate 60 is an “emulsifier” that basically does the work of cream and eggs at a much lower cost, and is created through a complicated chemical process involving corn syrup, palm oil and petroleum–it has its own section in Twinkie, Deconstructed.

In fact, each of the 26 chapters in Ettlinger’s book is devoted to a single Twinkie component.

Ettlinger also takes the time to review some of the urban myths that surround this American Icon. As it turns out Twinkies don’t last forever.

According to Theresa Cogswell, the vice president for research and development at Interstate Bakeries Corp., the parent company of Hostess, “In reality, Twinkies’ shelf life is more like 25 days… You can eat older Twinkies, but they’re just not as good as when they’re fresh.”

The longevity of the Twinkie is due to the

large amount of preservatives it contains as well as the fact that it is dairy free.

In this interesting journey into the mysterious world of packaged foods, Twinkie, Deconstructed takes us from phosphate mines in Idaho to corn fields in Iowa, from gypsum mines in Oklahoma to oil fields in China, to analyze some of America’s most common processed food ingredients—where they come from, how they are made, how they are used—and why.

Ettlinger starts at the source, a source that is more connected to rocks and petroleum then it is to the five food groups. He discovers how every Twinkie ingredient goes through the process of being crushed, baked, refined, fermented, and chemically altered into unrecognizable goop or powdery substance with a weird name—all for the sake of making a simple snack cake.

In the course of five years of research, Ettlinger sometimes had to remind himself that he was writing about something you eat and not, say, the mineral, petrochemical or wood pulp industries.

The realization of that tasty tidbit of information would be disturbing to any consumer.

In the course of his exploration of the Twinkie, Ettlinger raises a much larger question: what are we consuming as Americans that is not a natural food product and at what point is the public’s health effected?

Twinkie, Deconstructed is an entertaining and insightful look into the American food industry.

If you often find yourself reading the labels on the back of your food products and wondering what it is you are really consuming when you read ingredients such as mono and diglycerides or calcium sulfate, which is the food-grade equivalent to plaster, then pick up a copy of Twinkie, Deconstructed and chew on the facts.

MOVIES

Hungry! For entertainment

Starring: Matt Maiellaro, Dana Snyder, Dave Willis, Carey Means, Bruce Campbell, George Lowe and Neil Peart Directed By: Matt Maiellaro, Dave Willis Rating: Rated R for crude and sexual humor, violent images and language.

What it’s about: Meatwad, Frylock, and Master Shake team up for their biggest adventure yet in this animated feature that finds the popular Adult Swim trio pursued by an immortal piece of exercise equipment that poses a severe threat to the balance of galactic peace.

Cody Turk Photo Editor

This weekend I saw a movie that had intricate and well written plot. deep character development and had a lot have serious political commentary.

Then I went to see Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters.

This is not a “good” movie in the strictest sense of the word. It was, however, amazingly entertaining.

REVIEWS

I was literally laughing throughout the whole movie.

Despite the movie’s lack of a cohesive plot, or any semblance of continuity, it created a… unique… experience that left me (as well as the other three people in the theater) feeling strangely fulfilled.

The main selling point of the movie is that it is a movie about the Aqua Teen Hunger Force, a group of mystery-solving fast-food from the popular TV series of the same name.

The “team” consists of a talking milkshake with an attitude, aptly named Master Shake; Frylock, a floating box of french-fries with laserbeam eyes and Meatwad. Guess what he is.

They live in a run-down house next to a man named Carl whose only pastime is balding and trying (in vain) to pick up chicks.

Other than that, even avid viewers of the series don’t know exactly who or what they are.

But fear not, this movie answers many questions, including, most importantly, the origin of the Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Maybe.

So if you’ve got nothing better to do, waste some time with Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters. You’ll barely regret it.

Matthew Hartmann

11

MUSIC

Senior Reporter

Music is the way to the heart of Michael Rabb—a Pierce College student and a talented musician.

Rabb composes his own music which tends to be a fusion of Folk Rock and Christian Worship styles.

He also enjoys playing various instruments such as the piano, guitar and drums.

He has enjoyed his musical experiences since he was a small boy.

“I’ve liked music since as long as I can remember. My first piano CD was created when I was only ten years old,” Rabb said.

His musical inspirations include Dave Matthews, Paul Simon and

Chris Steely, but ultimately he has created his own style as he works on his new CD. All of the music was written by Rabb himself and he did all of the recording with a few special guests including Derek and Drew Konzelman who are his fellow members in The Acclaim.

Rabb’s advice for aspiring musicians is to listen to a lot of diverse music and study different song writers techniques.

“Too many people just play the latest pop culture and not their own style. That is why they often fail,” Rabb said.

His album will be released hopefully by next fall.

To check out Rabb and his band go to www.theacclaimband.com.

FOOD

Selection: you want it, we got it Cody Turk Photo Editor

The college Dinery now boasts some new beverage selections that should help give students the variety they deserve.

The three most popular new drinks are IZZE fruit drinks, Jones Soda and Life Water.

Each of these thirst quenchers is preferred by students for different reasons, ranging from being a healthy choice to having cool labels on their bottles. And let’s not forget, the all-important aspect of flavor.

IZZE fruit drinks, or IZZE for short, consists of natural fruit juices with sparkling water. No sweeteners added.

Currently there are four flavors available in the Dinery: Blackberry, Pomegranate, Apple and Clementine.

IZZE’s are delicious and healthy and what’s best is that they count as a serving of fruit. For more info go to IZZE.com.

Jones Soda is best known for their unique flavors and interesting labels.

Unlike most soda companies whose labels have differed very lit-

Oil

Continued from page 3

they whine about the cost of the gas it takes to haul that monster around with a single passenger.

We as people have the power to shape the market, but if the money keeps flowing in, change isn’t likely.

Transportation is a must in the modern world. It is the force that drives our economy and moves our life. The oil companies need to tap into a major idea that this country was based on—the idea of ingenuity and new frontier.

Fossil fuels are not a fast paced

tle over the years, Jones soda takes pride in constantly changing its look by having people submit photos that may appear on the bottles.

Anyone can submit a photo at the Jones soda website, jonessoda.com.

The flavors that appear in the dinery are Strawberry Lime, Cream, FuFuberry, Berry Lemonade, and Green apple.

Life Water is a naturally flavored water brought to you by SoBe. It’s a healthy alternative for people who want a drink that is healthy, but flavorful.

It contains several antioxidants and is sweetened by crystalline fructose (a natural sweetener).

All together there are five flavors of Life Water; Blackberry Grape, Orange Tangerine, Pomegranate Cherry, Strawberry Kiwi and Passionfruit Citrus.

More information, including nutritional facts about these drinks, can be found at Sobelifewater.com.

With the hot summer on its way, students are going to want something cool and refreshing to drink, and thanks to the Dinery, we now have a lot more choices about what we gulp down in order to beat the heat.

renewable resource and they produce waste products that have a damaging effect on the planet.

Replacing fossil fuel shouldn’t be the question; the question should be when, and action should be taken now.

Cars will come and go out of style.

Gas prices will rise and fall as long is there is gas to market, but we only get one world and one life to live on it.

America is a world power. We have the ambition to lead the world in a new trend of cleaner burning, ecofriendly energy sources. If we lose sight of the economic and political reasons behind gas prices then we surrender the right to complain.

The Puyallup P O S T

12

Body language: Lost in translation Leela Dzyk

W

For The Puyallup Post

hat is body language? It’s nonverbal communication by means of facial expressions, eye behavior, gestures and posture.

Body language expresses emotions, feelings and attitudes, sometimes even contradicting the messages conveyed by spoken language.

Some nonverbal expressions are understood by people in all cultures; other expressions are particular to specific cultures. The use of body language is one of the most variable forms of expression in the world, just as spoken and written languages are.

Body language is seen everywhere in society and across the world.

Frequently people use the word “body language” when they talk about the messages and signals that bodies are sending out to other people.

The body and face are consciously and unconsciously sending signals to other people, and other people constantly learn to realize the signals that are sent to them.

However, the use of body language is inconsistent globally, only locally—such as to a certain country, continent or region. Here are some examples of the diverse understanding of non-verbal communication in different cultures.

In Japan, this means currency.

In France, it has the denotation of zero or useless.

Americans wave their hands with the palm facing outward to greet someone.

In Europe, waving the hand back and forth can mean refusal or just “no.”

To wave “good-bye,” in Nigeria one must raise the palm outward and wag the fingers in unison, this is also a serious offense in Nigeria if the hand is excessively close to another person’s face.

To pass an object to an individual with one hand in Japan is discourteous. Even a small object such as a pen must be passed with both hands.

In many Middle and Far Eastern countries it is inapt to pass something with the left hand, which is thought to be “impure.”

To sit with the soles of shoes showing in many cultures, sends a vulgar message.

In Thailand, Japan and France as well as countries of the Middle and Near East, showing the soles of the feet exhibits disrespect. People are revealing the lowest and filthiest part of their bodies, so this is insolent.

Gesture with index finger. This means “Come here” in the United States, but to gesture with the index finger to call someone is rude, or even obscene, in many cultures.

Anticipate a retort when you beckon to a student from: Portugal, Spain, Latin America, Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

It is more suitable to beckon with the palm downward, with fingers or whole hand waving.

In the U.S., nodding the head up and down means “yes,” but in Bulgaria and Greece, this gesture means “no.”

It is bad-mannered to point with the index finger in the Middle and Far East. Use an open hand or your thumb (in Indonesia).

Handshakes in the U.S. and Canada: Solid handshake.

In France: Soft, swift handshake.

In Japan: Handshake with arm fully extended, accompanied by a bow.

In Germany: Firm handshake.

In the Middle East: Handshake with the free hand placed on the forearm of the other person.

Make a “peace” sign. This means “Victory” in most of Europe when you make this symbol with your palm facing away from you.

In other countries, if you face your palm in, the identical gesture means “shut it.”

Shape a circle with your thumb and your index finger. This indicates “O.K.” in the United States and in many countries in the world, but there are some exceptions: In Brazil and Germany, this gesture is offensive.

To pat a student’s head is disturbing to students from Asia. The head is the repository of the soul in the Buddhist religion. A child from societies that are influenced by Buddhism will feel aggravated if his or her head is touched.

Bowing: Many people from Asian cultures bow in greeting.

In Japan, people bow with their hands at their sides, and the depth of the bow is associated with the level of respect due to the other person.

Thai people bow with their palms together and fingers extended, while people from Cambodia and Laos bow

with their hands folded in front of their chests.

Pakistanis say “salaam” as a greeting, and bow with the palm of the right hand on their foreheads.

Hugging and Kissing: Native Hawaiians hug and swap breaths in a ritual called “Aha”.

Mexicans will typically hug upon greeting.

Men in countless parts of the world exchange kisses on the cheek, and places where this is a common custom include Cuba, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Kissing is unpopular in Japan and unknown among some cultures in Africa and South America.

For the Maori of New Zealand, a traditional greeting includes the pressing together of noses, and a cry of welcome.

Personal Space: The amount of private space North Americans entail is about the length of an arm.

The French, Latin Americans, and Arabs call for less personal space, while Germans and Japanese need more.

The extent of one’s personal space may also be influenced by social status, gender, age, as well as other factors.

Eye Contact: In Western cultures, people make intermittent eye contact while speaking to demonstrate attention and honesty.

People in the Middle East use very concentrated and prolonged eye contact to determine someone else’s intents, and will move at closer proximity to see the other person’s eyes better.

A man from an Arabic ethnicity is being earnest, not aggressive, when he looks at someone intently and speaks with exaggerated gestures.

However, in Japan, direct eye contact is interpreted as an invasion of a person’s privacy and an act of rudeness.

Smile. This gesture is generally comprehended. Nevertheless, in various cultures there are different reasons for smiling.

Asian people smile less than Westerners, and in Korea it is considered inappropriate for adults to smile in public.

For Koreans, a smile usually indicates embarrassment, and not pleasure.

The Japanese may smile when they are puzzled or annoyed.

In other parts of Asia, people may smile when they are uncomfortable.

People in other cultures may not smile at everyone to indicate a pleasant greeting as people do in the United States. A smile may be reserved for friends.

It is important not to judge students or their parents because they do not smile, or smile at what we would believe “unsuitable” times.

13

APRIL 2007

Tutoring Continued from page 4

been with the Tutoring Center for almost four years. She said she started working in the center after she sent her statistics students in for help and there was no one there who could tutor the subject.

But a little more than two years ago, the school made a commitment to having a real, operational tutoring center. The center was given a larger designated space in the Library Building. Also around that time, the school hired Chavez as the full-time Tutoring Center coordinator.

The center was given computers and equipment via student technology fees and a budget increase to hire more tutors. Word spread and the center grew.

The atmosphere of the center also changed, Rogers said. Before, the center was so empty and quiet. Students were uncomfortable even coming in, much less asking questions.

Simranjit Kaur remembers the one occasion she came into the Tutoring Center before Chavez.

“There were two people in there and it was dead quiet,” Kaur said. “Nobody looked up when I came in. It was so intimidating, I turned right back around and walked out again.”

Now the place is full of tutors who are friendly and chatty, said Kaur. Some students come in almost every day just to do their homework.

Kaur said that the real improvements came with Chavez. Rogers agreed.

“I think (Chavez) built a fun community to learn in and then students found out about it and enjoy coming here,” Rogers said.

The new, more relaxed environment

also resulted in higher retention of quality tutors who want to come back quarter after quarter because of it. Kaur is now a tutor herself and has been for almost a year.

Now the problem is that the center is growing too fast.

“Some days we’re so busy it takes 40 minutes to make my way across the room to put my bag down; I stop to answer so many questions,” Rogers said.

Except for putting out the occasional brochure, the center barely advertises.

Most of this increase is from word of mouth only. This means a large portion of the student population that could benefit from the center’s services are not even aware of its existence.

“We are still not even close to being able to serve everyone who needs us,” Rogers said.

The center’s budget has been greatly increased from what it was four years ago, but the old budget was next to nothing.

“There wasn’t much of a tutoring center before,” said Rogers.

She and many of her co-workers say that now that the school has committed to the idea of having a full-service tutoring center, the school is obligated to fund it.

And as it goes, the Tutoring Center has been funded by a significant amount.

Rogers envisions the Tutoring Center having a larger space and more tutors to cover a wider range of levels and subjects. Given that money is tight at the college, her vision seems improbable, but she remains insistent.

“I would hope that the school would find a way to support our continued growth,” she said, “the Tutoring Center is one of the most valuable services we offer.”

The Puyallup P O S T

14

Laptops

Continued from page 6

The F11 key on his computer exits out all of the windows in one push of the button.

He uses it when instructors walk past.

Students aren’t distracted by his laptop

activities because he sits in the back. He feels that other students with laptops sometimes bother him though, if they are in front of everybody goofing off, typing too loud, or if they have the sound on.

Other students at Pierce agree that students with laptops who are goofing off can be distracting, but only if they are sitting

right in front of you and being disruptive.

Most students find the typing and sound are more bothersome.

Some find it more distracting than others.

“I just look at the game and get really excited and want to play it, and then I say, ‘Crap I have to listen,’” said student Kylie Yeager about a fellow student’s game play-

ing.

Although laptops can be a distraction, most feel there shouldn’t be total banning of them in classrooms at Pierce unless they become a major problem.

Students feel that because they are paying for their classes it is their own choice to pay attention or not.

15

United States in Iraq: another four years?

APRIL 2007

Sharon Coward Reporter

“My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.”

Four years after President Bush uttered these words, the United States remains in a deadlock over the war in Iraq, with many Americans viewing the war a failure and calling for military withdrawal. Indeed, as American causalities continue to rise and no end appears in sight, the issue has become a popular one for discussion.

Here at the Pierce College Puyallup campus, there is a wide variety of thoughts and views concerning the ongoing commitment in Iraq.

A prevailing sentiment is regret that America became entangled in Iraq at all.

“We should never have gotten into it in the first place,” states Bob Mohrbacher, division chair of the Business and Humanities Division.

Political science and history professors John Lucas and Chris Vanneson agree, calling the war “a mistake.”

“There was an expectation that once Saddam was gone… the desire of the Iraqi people to govern themselves would overwhelm any sectarian divisions that would come in, and that hasn’t proven to be the case,” says Chip Churchill, history and international studies instructor.

“They’ve chosen to… fight (and) resist the Americans… (rather) then creating a viable Iraq.”

“It’s really a political problem,” says Lucas. “Political research on most civil wars shows most… usually go on for about ten, fifteen years, and they stop… usually when one of the sides completely dominates the other side. Basically when one side wins, which is not… the outcome we’re trying to achieve right now.”

Concern was also expressed regarding the motives for the war.

“When the war started, I was getting kind of skeptical about the case that was being made (for going to war),” recalls Lucas. “It seemed like… the reasons for war kept… shifting and changing.”

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) were cited as a primary reason for entering Iraq.

“I expected that there would be WMDs found,” says Churchill, “(but) Saddam did an exceptionally good job of fooling virtually all of the world (and) all of the major intelligence services… (into believing) there was WMDs. And that turned out to be wrong.”

ASPCP Sean Cooke, who served in the United States Army and arrived in Iraq a month after the war started, recalls the impact of WMDs on the case for war.

“I thought that the reasons we’d been given for going to Iraq… were pretty good,” he says. “(They) had the WMDs, and that’s what I remember as being the main reason, and I thought it was a good reason.”

Fellow student David Rieland, who also served in Iraq from 2004-2005, agrees, believing the threat Iraq posed was an urgent one.

“I think, compared to some of the other conflicts we’ve been in, this (war) was just as pressing,” he says. “I saw things there, while they weren’t an immediate threat, like, (at) a nuclear bomb level, but they were just as deadly.”

Regardless of reasons why, most realize that what’s done is done, no matter how much we regret doing it.

“We’re already there, we started a war,

(and) we’re in Iraq,” says Vanneson.

“The really important discussion ought to be focused on what do we do now,” notes Churchill.

Indeed, many are in agreement that something must be done about the war, but are unsure what course of action is best for both America and Iraq.

“We’ll have to do something, obviously, because we’re there… but I don’t think any of the options are good,” says Mohrbacher.

Some view withdrawal as the best option for America.

“We have no purpose now, in my opinion,” says student Sarah Schwagerl, who has several friends who are joining the military. “We got Saddam out, we’re starting the first steps towards democracy, (and) its now just a civil war.”

“They should fight their own battles.”

Others agree with withdrawal, but not immediately.

“My ideal situation would be a gradual withdrawal, leaving power in control of the Iraqi leaders,” says student Taylor Dabb, whose uncle served in Iraq. “(We should) give them the means to take control of their own government, but still not leave them hanging with the threat of insurgencies.”

Vanneson also approves of gradual withdrawal.

“If we’re to withdraw our troops— one, two, three now—I don’t think that would be a very wise decision,” he says.

“I’m in favor of withdrawing our troops, but gradually… otherwise, we’ll (make) a bad situation worse for everybody.”

Then there are those who disagree that withdrawal is the best option at this time.

“I think we shouldn’t (withdraw), because… what I’ve seen that we did was support a lot of people,” says Rieland.

“We helped people who were being persecuted… So I think what we’re doing is right.”

“I think it’s a worthy cause,” agrees student Josh McCoy. “I think that (it’s)…

not only going to help America, it’s going to help the Middle East too if they follow through with it.”

Churchill, who spent many years as a soldier in the military, reminds us that the troops shouldn’t be withdrawn until they complete their mission.

“A part of the military sub-culture (and) ingrained in every soldier is (the drive to) accomplish the mission,” he says. “The mission is what they are about, and while no soldier wants to lose their life… implicit in that is that they are willing to do so.”

“I’ve been there, I’ve done that, (and) that’s what these young men and women serving today are doing.”

Yet some question the length of time it will take the military to complete the mission.

“I do not feel that we should pull out at this point,” says student Remy Buzzard, a political science major. “However, I would not like to see it become an indefinite commitment.”

Indeed, most realize that the issue is not as clear-cut as it seems.

“Staying isn’t helping, and getting out is not gonna help (either), because we’ve had that problem before where we went in and pulled out too quickly in Afghanistan and other places,” says Mohrbacher. “I don’t think there are any good options (for solving the problem).”

America is truly, as the saying goes, caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Eventually, I think there will be an end to it, but if you pull out that’s going to cause problems… and if we continue on the war, it’s going to cause more problems,” says Schwagerl. “There’s just no easy way, in my opinion, to pull out.”

Some, though, believe America should remain in Iraq until a stable government is in place.

“Since we have already engaged ourselves there… we should remain until there is some sort of minutely stable (government),” says Buzzard.

Is it possible to leave a stable government in Iraq? One belief is that it is in the hands of the Iraqis to pull things together.

“The Iraqis are going to have to make some hard decisions, which is not historically or culturally something that… the Arab culture likes to do. They don’t tend to be compromisers or finders of middle ground, or empathetic with other groups,” explains Churchill. “(They) are going to have to step up and make some hard decisions, and they are. They’re in the process of doing those things… but it (takes) time.”

And what of American involvement?

“A lot of people (think that) the situation will be resolved when there’s a political settlement… most importantly between the Sunni and Shiite populations in Iraq,” says Lucas. “(But) I think that’s something that… is (mostly) outside of the power of the United States.”

Vanneson believes that there is only one option left to America and the Iraqis.

“From my perspective, the least bad alternative for us now…is for the country to be divided… into three,” he says. “A Shia Arab section in the south, a Sunni Arab section in the central part and the west, and a Kurdish section in the north.

Convert Iraq into a federation, a federation consisting of… three autonomous regions within the same federated state.”

“Or, if that doesn’t work, divide the country into three independent regions.”

Whatever course of action is taken in the near future, it is clear that something must be done. “(The war is) already a done deal,” says Cooke. “If I could roll back the clock, I would say no, we shouldn’t have gone there. But it’s already happened. Since it’s happened, I think it needs to be continued correctly.”

“Whether you agree with why we (are) there or not, the fact is we are there,” says Churchill. “Now the choice is: what’s the end game going to be?”

The Puyallup P O S T

16

A

Rebecca Watkinson Editor

pril is here, and it’s a time for more than just spring showers and taxes – it’s time for Spring Cleaning!

This is the time of year to go through your closets, empty out those cluttered desk drawers and sweep out the garage. It’s pretty simple, really, and you feel so proud when the house is sparkling clean.

Everybody knows, however, that the toughest part of spring cleaning is keeping everything organized for more than a week. Life is hectic, and before you know it, you’re filling up the junk drawer and piling papers again. Short of hiring a daily maid, it doesn’t seem like there’s much you can do to stay on top of things. But now, there is hope.

HGTV.com (The Home and Garden network) has a free online four week program called “get organized! spring 2007” that teaches you how to tackle the clutter in each room of your house. If a month-long program is a bit too structured for your taste, they also offer basic organizational tips that can be applied to any room in your house.

Here’s a condensed list of their tips to get you started:

n The first step is to understand the space you’re trying to create. Sit down and think about what the room is If your work space looks like this, it’s time to organize! We can help. Just follow these easy steps used for, what storage is available and if the furniture suits are important papers that need to be readily available such the purpose of the room. This process will help you later habit of setting your keys there when you walk in.

Since most of us have too much paper cluttering up as bills, papers to sign and return or cards/invitations. when you are trying to decide what should stay in the our homes and lives, HGTV also offers tips about organ- You can organize such papers into folders or cubbies by room, and what things don’t belong there. their purpose, or by each family member. Reference n Start with one section of the room, beginning in a izing those pesky piles: n First, as always, analyze the problem. What kinds papers are things that can be stored in a desk or file foldcorner and working your way out. Sort things into four basic piles (or bins, if you prefer): Keep (things that you of paper are disorganizing the room (mail, magazines, er such as tax forms, auto and education records or insuruse on a regular basis), Donate/Sell (items that are still in receipts, work or school papers)? Then decide whether ance information. Keep these divided by purpose so they good shape, but are no longer of use to you), Store you actually have too much paper, or not enough storage. are easier to find later. n Lastly, make sure to keep a regular “de-cluttering” (things that you’d like to hang on to, maybe for sentimen- Also figure out what kind of storage systems you have routine for your papers. Sort the mail daily, create a space tal reasons, but do not need to be displayed or used in the available for the paper. n Now it’s time to sort. Gather the papers into one for paying bills and the like, keep a family calendar to help room) and Trash/Recycle (items that are no longer of use area, preferably a smooth, flat surface. Start with two cat- with scheduling and set aside time for filing once a week. to anyone).

It’s tough to get started when you first decide to organn Now that you have only regularly used items left egories: Keep and Recycle/Shred. Papers that stay need ize, but if you stick with it, it makes life a little less stressin the room, set up “homes” or “zones” for them, and to be grouped into like piles. n Now you need to classify the papers you have kept ful, and a lot more enjoyable. To get more tips on cleanstick to it! For example, keep a decorative bowl or a row of hooks near the front door for key rings, and get in the into two categories: Active and Reference. Active papers ing up the clutter visit www.HGTV.com.

To start the process, separate all your stuff into three piles. The “keep” pile should be things that you want to hang onto, while the donate pile is for things you don't want or need anymore, and the trash pile is for garbage.

After you do that make sure to sort your papers.

Paper make up the majority of clutter, and going through it to see what's important and what's just taking up space is important to keeping a clutter free space.

Finally, after all the hard work is done, you should have a neat work space free of unnecessary clutter. Remember keeping it tidy takes work also, and the easiest way to avoid large cleaning projects is to not let it get out of control in the first place.