SAN JACINTO TIMES MADD puts on powerful display at South campus e student publication of the San Jacinto College District
Vol. 24, No. 4
Jessica Warren Staff Writer
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) organized a chilling display called Horrors of Crash on San Jacinto College South Campus Oct. 22 featuring wreckage extracted from deadly drunken driving crashes. GUST and INRW classes assisted in coordinating the event aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving among college students. Carol Levin, a MADD volunteer and a victim’s mother, said a drunken male driving 85 mph hit her son’s vehicle head on. He died instantly while his fiancé died on the way to the hospital. “…Never one time did he show remorse, and that’s the part that’s the hardest for me. If I ever heard an ‘I’m sorry,’ it would sure help,” Levin said. “Over 1,000 people were killed in the last month,” Levin said. “We are trying to pass laws to help with drunk driving,
November 11, 2013
but it’s difficult because Texas is the big boy state.” Parents of drunken driving victims attended the event to share their stories about the car crash that changed their lives forever. La Porte Police Officer Benny Boles said paying attention to time of the day is essential in keeping the public safe from drunk drivers. “Between 11 a.m. and 3 a.m., I want to stop as many cars as possible. Because statistically, between that time period, about half of the vehicles out on the roadway are impaired drivers,” Boles said. Drivers get irritated when pulled over for minor infractions, but these stops deliberately check for drunkenness, Boles said. Meanwhile, he said a DUI arrest is followed by an expensive process including a $5,000 minimum fine, at least one night in jail, three or four court appearances, and a yearly fee to maintain a driver’s license.
See Crash on Page 4
The wreckage featured in Horrors of Crash highlights the tragedy of drunken driving.
Students sharpen research skills for Expo Carolina Rodriguez Staff Writer
San Jacinto College students showcased their research and creative skills during the twelfth Psychology Exposition on North Campus. The Exposition took place Oct. 23 and 24 in the Monument Room of the student center. Department Chairperson of Behavior Science Dana Rocha said the exposition is a relatively new event for San Jac. “It started in the spring of 2007, and we hold the expo every Fall and Spring semester,” Rocha said. “I got the idea from attending something similar.” According to Rocha, the psychology exposition faculty’s hard work and dedicated collaboration have made the event a success over the past years, and it continues to grow. Furthermore, she said, the exposition offers students important learning opportunities, and “strengthens a sense of community when people come in here and learn about topics that are relevant to everyday life.” Professor Tammy Miller said the research projects displayed at the Expo are assigned in students’ psychology classes and require a multi-step process. “First, they have to find a scientific journal arti-
cle and write a summary paper that is two to three pages, and they have to take that topic and explain it as fully as they can on the poster for this expo. And then, the third component is that they have to create something original that is placed in front of their poster,” Miller said. Meanwhile, Rocha said students are able to understand their topic, be as inventive as they like, and create a visual object to make their presentation stand out. “It a really good process…,” Rocha said. “They get to be as creative as they want to, and it tests them in multiple areas which are great. It’s writing, it is a presentation, and then a lot of them have very original ideas on what they can add to their poster. So, I think it is an overall benefit for their education,” Rocha said. Professor Rachel Chapa has worked with students for two semesters on their psychology posters and said the learning outcomes of the students’ projects are different. “A lot of students will say, ‘Oh wow, I didn’t know that,’ with their topic they don’t know what they are going to be finding, and a lot of times it takes them in a different direction, sometimes they are surprised by what they find,” Chapa said.
Jessica Warren San Jacinto Times
Event spotlights domestic violence
Christopher Rodriguez Editor-in-chief
Scary things happen on Halloween. Ghouls and monsters linger in the darkness, but a scarier threat lurking in the shadows is domestic violence. The Educational Planning and Counseling Department at San Jacinto College Central Campus hosted a Halloween-themed Domestic Violence Awareness event Oct. 31 in the student center. Counselor Eitandria Gatlin said the event aimed to bring attention to the issue, but also meant to highlight the resources available to victims. "In honor of Domestic Violence Month, which is every October, we wanted to just put a spotlight on domestic violence and how it affects everyone on campus," Gatlin said. "The event is an informational event, and since it's on Halloween, we also thought of handing out candy and informational booklets and things like that.” Dean of Student Development Dr. Deborah McGinty said she noticed a void existed at Central campus concerning this type of abuse when she assumed her position as dean. "When I was a counselor at another campus, North Campus, I hosted an event with domestic violence awareness," McGinty said. "That was a couple of
years back, and I saw that there was a need for it, and it was something I wanted to do when I came here." "It exists. So, there is a need for awareness," she said. McGinty said she discussed launching the event with Gatlin, and they agreed it would benefit the Central campus community. "I met with Eitandria and said this was something that was really great; bringing awareness to not just females, but males too," Gatlin said. "I gave her some information, and she just ran with it; and it just so happened that it ties in with the whole month of October and Halloween theme. So, we tossed some ideas, and she came up with a great theme." However, Gatlin said talking to students about possible abuse is a difficult process that often makes them uncomfortable. "We're trying to have it as a non-intimidating event,” Gatlin said. “So, we're not going to have police officers or anything like that. But, we do have resources from the Pasadena Police Department and brochures with free information in English and Spanish; so that students can feel comfortable coming and getting information not only for themselves, but for their friends and family members."
Walk showcases natural diversity of San Jac North See Expo on Page 4
Professor Stephen Lorenz holds (from left) a Common Buckeye, a Monarch butterfly, a Red Wasp and a Blue Dasher for students to see.
Efren Diosdado Staff Writer
Nature lovers were in for a treat Oct. 25 when San Jacinto College Biology Professor Stephan Lorenz led students and faculty on a nature walk around
North Campus to survey trees, butterflies, insects, birds and, depending on the weather, possibly amphibians. The one-hour walk started at 8 a.m. in the science building and followed the regular loop around the campus.
Lorenz said the purpose of the walks is to help students become familiar with science while becoming acquainted with North campus. “The campus has a nice diversity, and it’s a good way to introduce biology,” Lorenz said. He said he introduced the nature walks when he
See Violence on Page 4
Efren Diosdado San Jacinto Times
started working at San Jac 2 ½ years ago. “It’s my passion. I do this on my spare time,” Lorenz said, “It’s a good way to learn. It’s relaxing and you’d be surprised what you find here.”
See Nature on Page 4