The Advocate, Issue 22, April 1, 2011

Volume 46, Issue 22

AprIl 1, 2011

Board taps insider for interim president

By Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

MHCC president John Sygielski said Tuesday he will work closely with his interim successor Michael Hay in May and June to prepare him to take over July 1.

“I will be spending the month of May with Michael to get him connected into the community,” said Sygielski.

He said Hay already is a member of “the president’s cabinet so there’s not a lot he has to learn,” he said.

After an internal search, the MHCC District board interviewed four candidates for the interim position and decided Monday that Hay, vice president of information technology and chief information officer, offered the opportunity for the smoothest transition when Sygielski leaves June 30.

“Michael has been with the college for several years and that gives us a running start,” said board member Brian Freeman.

“He has one of the broadest backgrounds of anyone you will ever meet,” Freeman said.

Hay’s professional experience includes leadership roles at private industry companies such as Pacific Bell, SBC Datacomm, Kaiser Permanente, and Gap Inc. Freeman said Hay’s experience working in large companies and with large groups of people as well as large budgets gave him the upper hand over the other three candidates.

“They were all outstanding candidates,” Freeman said. “It was not an easy choice.”

Information about the other three candidates could not be released due to confi-

dentiality, according Pamela Polito, human resources recruitment specialist.

Sygielski said, “Michael was my first hire when I came here in 2008. He is very capable, respectable and will make a great leader.”

Asked what Hay’s goals are as interim president, Sygielski said, “I know he wants to keep the momentum going and what we’ve been able to do here the last couple of years.”

A community college graduate, Hay has an associate of art degree from Santa Barbara City College. He also earned a doctorate in education from University of Southern California, a master’s degree in communications from San Diego State University and a bachelor of arts degree in speech communication from University of Kansas.

Hay said in an interview Wednesday that his focus will Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate be on MHCC’s organizaInterim president Hay during the 10 a.m.

Thursday IT deptartment meeting with a guest speaker who was giving strategies to tional health and how to offer improve the department in the future. students the best teaching and learning experience possible. issues, the district board facing four seats up the Harrisburg (Pa.) Area Community ColRegarding the challenges he faces com- for election as well as doing his part to make lege system ing in as the interim president, Hay said he a smooth transition when Sygielski leaves Asked what his feelings are about the is paying attention to what’s happening and MHCC. current full-time faculty contract negotiais aware he will need to handle the budget Sygielski will become president July 1 of See Hay on page 7

Mediation fruitless in faculty talks; next step is uncertain

By Jordan Tichenor The Advocate

Despite some progress made during full-time faculty contract bargaining on March 16 during finals week, subsequent bargaining sessions March 22 and Tuesday made no progress and further talks have been halted.

Asked if the MHCC District board would move to impose a contract, Randy Stedman, the labor relations consultant hired by the board to bargain the contract for the administration, said in a Wednesday email, “The 30-cooling off period has ended. The board has not yet decided its next step yet.”

The cooling off period ended March 24, meaning that with a five-day notice, the board may impose their last best offer — which would unilaterally establish new working conditions — and the faculty, with a 10-day notice, could go on strike.

Sara Williams, the faculty’s chief negotiator, said Wednesday there have been no talks of taking a strike vote on the faculty side.

“We’re still hoping for a solution,” she said.

While both sides agree the faculty indicated a willingness to move in the areas of health benefits and salary, no agreements were reached, and there has been no movement from either side on the issues of retiree health benefits, summer teach and extra teach.

Williams said, “The faculty continued to move dramatically toward the board on benefits and salary, and the board

4

Baseball Team heads to Eugene Saturday

insisted movement on everything.

But Williams said, “When the "When the faculty are That’s not going to happen.” faculty are offering concessions, Stedman said, “The association offering concessions, negotiations seem to be going well. has refused since the beginning of When the faculty stop and wait for negotiations to consider extra and negotiations seem to the board to respond, they break summer teach pay that is closer down. The faculty aren’t going to be going well. When to what comparator colleges pay. offer anything else until the board Also, the faculty continues to de- the faculty stop and responds.” mand a retiree health benefit that Some members of the faculty asis more than we settled at with the wait for the board to sociation have questioned how the classified association. The college respond, they break board has determined the college sees no reason why the faculty dehas a $5.5 million shortfall, an issue serves a better retiree health benefit down." addressed in a Wednesday budget than the classified employees.”

by MHCC President Sara Williams presentation The faculty’s proposal on health John Sygielski. benefits consisted of a 13 percent Sygielski attributed the shortfall Full-time faculty employee contribution, while the to an increase in the PERS rate (acchief negotiator counting for an extra expense of salary proposal entailed freezing the first year COLA (cost of liv$1.8 million), an increase in health ing adjustment), with a 1 percent insurance premiums of 12 percent COLA the following year. Williams said the faculty was and an increase in debt service, or payments on money boralso willing to accept the board’s arrangement of the salary rowed by the college. Sygielski said the college is also proschedule. jecting enrollment to be flat for the 2011-2012 school year.

Stedman said, “They talked about being willing to acWilliams said of the enrollment projections, “We’ve had cept the same salary and benefits package as the Classified 20 percent enrollment growth in the last two years. That’s Association accepted. Had they made such a proposal, we not a reasonable assumption.” likely would have signed a tentative agreement on those isAs of Thursday morning, no more bargaining sessions sues. We could at least get those issues off the table.” had been scheduled.

6

Forensics Finish 14th in national tournament

7

Budget Sygielski presents plans

2 OPINION Editors-in-Chief

THE ADVOCATE

APRIL 1, 2011

Editorial A lot can happen in just one week

E-mail advocatt@mhcc.edu 503-491-7250 (Main) 503-491-7413 (Office) 503-591-6064 (Fax)

Spring is in the air and stuff is happening all over MHCC, as it should be. A week may not seem like a long time for so much to happen but The Advocate would like to fill readers in on what’s been going on.

First, we are no longer in such a bind that we are looking at summer with no college president.

That’s right, the MHCC District board has selected an interim college president.

MHCC’s vice-president of information technology and chief information officer, Dr. Michael Hay has been chosen as the space filler when Dr. John Sygielski flies the coop. Although Hay has not been a very visible face on campus, hasn’t been closely involved with faculty and students and many observers believe there weren’t many options for obvious selections in an internal search, he does have extensive organizational experience and deserves the cooperation to make the most of his time as president.

While the search for a new, if temporary, president is over, contract negotiations continue to drag on. Although there was some progress made initially during finals week of winter term, additional bargaining over the last two weeks produced no results in any direction.

The board and the faculty association cannot find common ground on extra teach, summer teach and retiree health benefits. We’re past the 30-day cooling off period, meaning that with a five-day notice, the administration may impose their last best offer and, with 10 days notice, a strike is a possibility on the faculty’s side. However, neither side has made a decision. No more meetings have been set. The board insists it will not move on its positions, and the faculty says the same.

So where does that leave us?

Apparently, the same place we’ve been in for the entirety of these negotiations. Nowhere. Ex-

Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030

News

Jen ashenberner & Jordan tichenor

Sports Editor Jon Fuccillo

Living Arts Editor David Gambill

Assistant Living Arts Editor Anevay Torrez

Photo Editor

Devin Courtright

Advertising Manager David Guida

Assistant News Editor John Tkebuchava

Reporters Jill-Marie Gavin Chanel Hill Riley Hinds Laura Knudson Yuca Kosugi Mike Mata Kylie Rogers Mario Rubio Shelby Schwartz Jessica Winters

Adviser

Bob Watkins

Assistant Adviser Dan Ernst

www.advocate-online.net

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cept now there’s an explosion of emotion waiting to rock MHCC, and there’s a possibility that the smallest spark will set it off.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: something needs to happen to avoid a strike. No one on either side can honestly believe that a strike will be better or more reasonable than trying to make concessions. Both parties need to keep in mind that a strike at this point will be a major disruption and cause a ripple effect that will not bode well for MHCC. Much of the negotiation talking points have been based on the board’s projections of next year’s budget, which is nearing the deadline of when it needs to be balanced (June 30). MHCC President John Sygielski addressed the budget in a presentation Wednesday where subtle remarks were made by faculty about the “confusion” surrounding the $5.5 million shortfall and proposed faculty layoffs. Hats off to full-time math instructor Jack Green for posing a question regarding the college’s plan to install a new telephone system.

He said, “With the old phone you could pick it up and call me, with the new phone I’m assuming you can pick it up and call me.” However, we also have to give credit to our newly selected interim college president for his response, “A telephone system is critical to the operation of the college.”

Well, duh.

We said stuff is happening. We didn’t say things were resolved. We have a temporary college president to fill the position of a permanent college president. The administration and faculty have still gotten nowhere in contract negotiations and we are still facing the possibility that a strike might disrupt spring quarter. Last, but not least, although the budget is nowhere ready we encourage the administration to continue to look under every rock to find solutions to the problem.

Budget cuts to shut down Steps to Success Program

By Yuca Kosugi The Advocate

Steps to Success, an MHCC welfare-to-work program, will end in June after 23 years because of budget cuts by the Department of Human Services that fund the program.

There is a “likely layoff of approximately 50 college employees,” MHCC President John Sygielski said March 21 in an email informing the college staff of the news.

Steps to Success is a regional workforce developing program run through MHCC as a part of the grant-funded program called JOBS (Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) by the Oregon Department of Human Services that helps people get back into the workforce.

The program, with offices located on Stark Street and 122nd Avenue, is scheduled to close its doors June 30.

“I am very proud of our MHCC

STS staff,” said Carol Foster, the director of the Steps to Success program.

“We continue to perform our highest level and quality of work, achieving outstanding results and we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the families we serve and to our partners.”

Sygielski also pointed out that MHCC had routinely exceeded the targeted 109 job placements per month with the latest month being 133.

Due to Gov. John Kitzhaber’s budget proposal for the next biennium, the Department of Human Services is planning to cut 60 percent of funding to the JOBS program.

“In the governor’s proposal, he is recommending that the amount of time that clients can be on TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) be reduced from five years to 18 months,” said Foster. She also said that many clients take two years or more of help and training to become ready for work.

On March 14, Foster learned that local Department of Human Services district manager Jerry Burns decided that if the JOBS program is funded sufficiently in the Multnomah County, the department will give the contract to PCC Steps to Success. PCC may not work with MHCC but things are not yet official.

Sygielski said the department may choose to make PCC the prime provider of the JOBS program around Multnomah and Washington counties. The Department of Human Services will make final decisions in mid-April.

Since Steps to Success is funded through federal money from TANF, location of residence determines the branch an individual may participate in instead of enrollment in a school, said Foster. She said there are employment training programs funded

by WIA (Workforce Investment Act) that students may rely on as well those that MHCC offers.

LIVING ARTS 3

APRIL 1, 2011

Genesis to host and participate in two events next weekend

By Shelby Schwartz The Advocate

Genesis will host a concert featuring vocal jazz artist and Genesis alumnus Emily Braden April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Theater.

“Last spring was the first time we’d had her (perform on campus). This year we brought her back for something else. Last year it was for a high school vocal jazz festival in May; this year it is for an MHCC vocal jazz festival,” Genesis director Dave Barduhn said.

Braden graduated from MHCC in 2002 and is a jazz singer in New York City. The concert will feature Genesis, who will open for Braden.

Other musicians in attendance include drummer Todd Strait and Genesis alumnus pianist Dan Gaynor and bass-

ist Will Amend. All will back up Braden.

“She’s becoming a very successful performer and we like to show off our alums but I want to take advantage of her before I can’t afford her anymore,” Barduhn said.

Genesis member Kanda Mbenza-Ngoma said, “I’m excited because Emily Braden is very inspirational, I really respect that the music she writes is very personal and she’s able to do that with great musical intergrity.”

On Saturday, April 9, Genesis will host a Vocal Jazz Summit featuring vocal jazz groups from 10 Oregon and Washington colleges.

The colleges include Central Oregon Community College, Green River CC, Clackamas CC, Eastern Washington University, Bellevue CC, Clark

CC, Edmonds CC, Columbia Basin College and Central Washington University “Just in Oregon and Washington to have these great vocal jazz programs is amazing.” Barduhn said.

The summit is not a competition but a chance for jazz groups to perform together and for each other.

Mbenza-Ngoma said, “I’m excited to see what other groups are bringing to the table. It’s interesting to see young people dive into jazz and see what things they are learning and how they interpret it.”

Friday’s event is $10 for students and $15 for the general public.

Photo contributed by Emily Braden

Emily Braden will show off her vocal talents next Friday at the Visual Arts Gallery.

First-time student directors will put on spring plays

By Shelby Schwartz The Advocate

Student directors have been honing their skills in class for “Beyond Therapy” and “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” both which open later this spring.

Part-time theater instructor Valory Lawrence teaches Theories of Directing.

“The class has been working on the plays all winter, on analysis and directing styles and they are going to spread their wings and fly next term,” Lawrence said. “None of them have directed before. They are doing the whole process from beginning to end.” “ ‘Beyond Therapy’ is a play by Christopher Durang. A satirical look at therapy, the story line is that Bruce and Prudence meet on a blind date, each is in therapy and they try to act according to their therapists’ recommendations. The therapists’ are really horrible therapists’, scatterbrained.” Lawrence said.

Because the plays are student-directed this year, there will be two; both are full-length plays.

In the play “Dead Man’s Cell Phone,” “Jean picks up a cell phone belonging to a dead man in a café. He becomes involved in the life the dead man left behind.” Lawrence said.

She said the college made the play selections prior to this year.

“I’m there as an adviser, to make sure they do well the first time out of the gate.” Lawrence said, “If they run into any problems, I’m their safety net.” she said.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be directed by two students, Lawrence said the play has been split into two parts and each student will direct half the play.

Three students will direct “Beyond Therapy.” Each will direct one-third of the play.

“Dead Man” will run slightly under two hours while “Beyond Therapy” will run slightly over two hours. Both plays will have a cast of six people.

“There is a chance there will be double casting.” Lawrence said of the possibility of students performing in both plays.

“They are all theater majors and a variety of ages and experience.” Lawrence said, “We have a professional actress in the class, somebody who’s done community theater for 30 years and some are fresh out of high school,” she said.

“We have light designers, stage managers and actors trying to understand the art form of directing better.” Lawrence said.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” will be performed April 28-30 at 7:30 p.m. “Beyond Therapy” will be performed May 12,13,14 at 7:30 p.m. and May 15 at 2 p.m.

Both productions will be performed in the Studio Theater.

C a l e n d a r Monday, April 4

Planetarium Sky Theater to show 'Guide to the Spring Sky' 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Gart Swanson exhibit in the Fireplace Gallery 8 a.m. -7 p.m.

Tuesday, April 5

Billy Elliot the Musical 7:30 p.m. Keller Auditorium 222 SW Clay St., Portland Baseball game v.s Chemeketa 1 p.m. (2)

Wednesday, April 6

Kit Garoutte on guitar O'Connors Vault 7850 SW Capitol Highway, Portland Softball game v.s Chemeketa 3 p.m. (2)

Thursday, April 7

Soul'd Out Music Festival 7 p.m. Crystal Ballroom 1332 W Burnside, Portland

Friday, April 8

Annual high school exhibit culture shapers contest 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Visual Arts Gallery

High school art to hang in the MHCC gallery

By Jessica Winters The Advocate

The selected artwork of high school students will be displayed at the annual Culture Shapers Contest in the Visual Arts Gallery from April 7 to April 28.

The contest is held to encourage high school students in their artwork and allow them to meet with other artists.

The categories of artwork entered in the contest are drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, photography and printmaking.

The art will be judged by Kip Caswell, Kathy Allegri and Angela Passalacqua on originality, technical skill, composition and use of elements, emergence of a personal vision and voice.

A reception is April 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with awards presented at 7 p.m at the Visual Arts Gallery.

4 SPORTS

APRIL 1, 2011

Saints rely on pitching in preseason

By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

Fourth-year head coach Bryan Donohue continues to cross his fingers that the Saints baseball team will have better luck with Mother Nature sooner rather than later.

The Saints were the last of 28 teams in the NWAACC to take the diamond during a preseason where they only played eight of their 13 scheduled games.

The Saints (4-3-1) finished the preseason on a high note, picking up back-to-back road victories March 26 and 27, beating the Blue Mountain Timberwolves 3-2 and Columbia Basin Hawks 3-2.

“That was frustrating in the first week because we just wanted to play,” Donohue said Tuesday after their doubleheader with the Linn-Benton Roadrunners was rained out.

“But now that we have got some games under our belt, it has been fine.”

Sophomore starting pitcher Matt Pechmann said, “Every time we have a game, I swear it rains. If this continues, we could end up playing every few days and that will take a toll on our pitchers’ arms.”

Pechmann is 0-1 for the Saints in three appearances including two starts. He has a teambest 0.00 ERA in 11 innings of action with 14 strikeouts.

In the Saints eight games, Donohue is still waiting for his young bats to get going. The Saints are only batting .215 as a team. The offense has only averaged three runs per contest. Donohue believes those offensive numbers will rise and that his pitchers will continue to handle their business, as the pitching staff has carried its weight with a team ERA of 1.90 Thus far, the Saints starters and bullpen deserve all of the credit for the wins. Freshman relief pitcher and closer Christian Bannister has picked up three saves in three opportunities. The Saints saves record is held by former all-star closer Brookes Lindsley, who recorded 10 in 2006.

“Since I have been here (2008), if we score five runs (or more) we win 98 percent of our games,” Donohue said. “The magic number

in NCAA with metal bats is seven (runs). We haven’t come up with the big hits yet. I’m not concerned with our team batting average. It takes time.”

Donohue said his pitchers are right where he expected them to be with so many returners and some fresh arms among the freshman class.

“We knew from the first day of fall we would pitch well,” Donohue said. “The biggest telling numbers are 15 walks in eight games.

That’s incredible. The change from last year has been night and day. Last year we walked too many guys.”

In 71 innings, the Saints have given up 28 runs, but only 15 were earned. Sophomore Nate Dolman has dominated the competition on the hill and is 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA. “All I know is that I am in the rotation and that all of the guys in the rotation are capable of being the No. 1,” Dolman said Tuesday. “We have complete faith that every guy on the staff can go out and put us in a position to win.

“It’s important for me and the sophomore (pitchers) to get off to solid starts to help take the pressure off of the young guys and the rest of the ballclub since (our) hitters generally know that we will hold the other team to a low score. Not to say that they can just relax and be satisfied with getting two runs, but knowing they don’t need to score 20 to win.”

Pechmann said, “Dolman (is) doing his thing, pounding the zone, challenging hitters and coming out on top at the end of the game.

He isn’t an overpowering lefty, but a guy who knows how to work the hitters and keep them off balance.”

Overall, Donohue likes where his team is and their willingness to learn and move on as a unit with Southern Region games about to start.

“All of the mistakes we have made, we address them after the game,” Donohue said.

“It’s not like we’re trying to reinvent the wheel here. There is no doubt in my mind these guys will learn from their mistakes.”

The Saints travel to Eugene Saturday for a doubleheader with the Lane Titans (5-7). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

photo By Jon fuccillo/the advocate

Sophomore starting pitcher Nate Dolman leads the Saints with a 2-0 record to go along with his 0.82 ERA in 11 innings.w

“Dolman (is) doing his thing, pounding the zone, challenging hitters and coming out on top at the end of the game. He isn't an overpowering lefty, but a guy that that knows how to work the hitters and keep them off balance. Dolman (is) doing his thing, pounding the zone, challenging hitters and coming out on top at the end of the game.”

Matt Pechmann

After slow start, Saints hope to rebound in South action Sophomore ace Chelsea Schriber pitches during last season’s NWAACC Championship run at Delta Park.

The Saints are off to a 2-4 start after being selected as the early favorite in the NWAACC preseason poll.

Schriber is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA.

file photo

By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

The MHCC women’s softball team has started its pre-season with a 2-4 record.

The Saints, which over the break played in the Preseason Tournament March 18, 19 and 20, relied on returning sophomore pitcher Chelsea Schriber in game one of a double-header March 18 against the Walla Walla Warriors. Schriber, is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA, had nine strikeouts leading the Saints to a 3-2 victory over the Warriors.

Game two saw freshman pitcher Kendra Groom in her first outing on the mound for the Saints, but the team failed to sweep the day, falling 10-5 to the Warriors, who are 10-4.

“We need to get comfortable with our new line-up,” said head coach Meadow McWhorter.

“We are continually working on being aggressive.

They have prepared, every single one of them are better ball players than they were in the fall.

Now it’s time to put the pieces together and make things happen,” On March 19, the Saints faced the Columbia Basin Hawks, who are off to a strong 10-6 start

on the season with a second seed position in the Eastern Region. The Saints fell 8-6 to the Hawks.

The Saints, who due to weather have not seen much time on the field during practices, picked up steam in game two of the doubleheader and rallied to a 7-2 victory over the Everett Trojans who are 5-9 on the season so far.

The Saints have back-to-back NWAACC championships under their belts and other teams in the NWAACC seem to be gunning for them. “Every year is a new start,” McWhorter said. “The past is the past. Our only focus is the task before us. One pitch at a time, one game at a time.”

On March 20, the Warriors defeated the Saints 10-8, putting the Warriors 2-1 over the Saints in the tournament. The Saints closed the tournament with a 9-1 loss against the Wenatchee Valley Community College Knights, who are 10-2 on the season.

The Saints were scheduled to play in the West Inter-Region Tournament March 26 and 27, but it rained out. The Saints will play the first double-header of the regular season at home April 6 against Chemeketa Community College at 3 p.m.

SPORTS 5

APRIL 1, 2011

Hurdler snags top NWAACC honor

By Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

By John Tkebuchava web photo

From left: Virginia Commonwealth's Jamie Skeen, Kentucky Wildcats' Josh Harrellson . Ronald Nored of the Butler Bulldogs and Connecticut Huskies' Kemba Walker.

Pure madness when breaking down the Final Four Shocking. Bizarre. Unheard of. Impossible.

These phrases come to mind when reflecting on the “madness” of this year’s men’s NCAA basketball tournament, also known as the Big Dance.

It’s boiled down to two Cinderella teams (underdogs) and two top-notch programs battling it out for one common goal – a national championship trophy and bragging rights.

To think, just two people in the entire country that filled out Final Four predictions on espn.com actually got it right in their guesses and non-logical thinking process., That’s two out of more than three million fan votes prior to the beginning of the tournament.

Plain and simple, this has been the wildest tournament in recent memory. Not a single No. 1 or No. 2 seed remains after the games over spring break.

While some were partying it up in hot spot spring break joints such as Mexico and other resorts, along with beach and camping trips, my eyes were glued to the television. The HD added an even better element to the buzz-beater games and bigtime victories.

In one semifinal matchup, No. 3 Connecticut and Kemba Walker will square off against No. 4 Kentucky and Portland’s freshman phenom Terrence Jones. In the other semifinal game, No. 8 Butler returns to the final four for the second consecutive year. They will depend on the leadership of senior forward Matt Howard along with big-shot junior and Kentucky native Shelvin Mack, as they square off against a hungry and very unfamiliar No. 11 Virginia Commonwealth, who have been the biggest surprise of the tournament.

Am I surprised that No. 8 and No. 11 seeded teams are still around? Not really. It all makes sense and it’s starting to become a trend as these big-time programs keep recruiting players who are one-and-done type of players. These top high school recruits play their freshman campaign and then depart for their chance to earn millions in the National Basketball Association, while the Cinderella teams have four-year players who gain maturity and a sense of chemistry. It’s not a slap in the face to the North Carolinas of the world, but it’s plain and simple: recruit kids who are going to stick around and receive an education. That doesn’t sound too crazy, does it?

The NCAA will have to get together with the NBA for the millionth time and find a fair and reasonable system that will make things right. I’m sick and tired of the debates and seeing young, talented kids wasting their time making poor decisions.

One thing is for sure: Either a No. 8 or No. 11 seeded team will play for the national championship come Monday in Houston.

The Advocate

Sophomore Zach Young won the NWAACC athlete of the week after posting a 53.05 time in the 400-meter hurdles.

Young was honored after placing second at the Oregon Preview meet March 19 and is the third Saints male to be so honored in the first three weeks of the season. Young was also honored back in week one.

The meet, hosted by the University of Oregon at Hayward Field, was for qualifying athletes who met the minimum standards of the meet.

Young, one of the several MHCC athletes at the meet, narrowly missed first to a University of Oregon runner by 0.01 of a second.

“Young, he monstered,” said head coach Matt Hart. “An unbelievable performance. He’s leading the NWAACC in both hurdles races.”

Other standout Saint performances included sophomore Whitney Swenson’s eighth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.82 secMatt Hart onds, sophomore Chris Zeller’s fourth-place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.35 seconds, and the men’s 4x100-meter team, which consisted of Young, Zeller and freshmen Nick Mulick and Justin Oliveri, placing second with a time of 42.48 seconds. Sophomore Spencer Marr placed sixth in the long jump with a jump of 6.37 meters and sophomore Tyler Callahan finished third in the javelin with a throw of 60.94 meters.

“Both 4x100 meter teams did well and we still have tons of room for improvement,” said Hart.

“I liked the experience since it was such a big field with lots of (athletes competing). It was different than the old high school meets but after being there for a little while, I felt more comfort-

photo contributed by matt hart

Saints sophomore Zach Young prepares to hand the baton to freshman Nick Mulick during the 4x100-meter relay at the Oregon Preview meet March 19 at Hayward Field in Eugene.

able,” said Marr on the meet.

“I did not accomplish what I was going for by scratching all my jumps but one in the long jump. But I have to move on to the next meet.”

Swenson said, “I felt really good. I placed so much better in hurdles that I thought I would.

I ended up getting fifth overall in the 100-meter hurdles, which was a huge success for me personally. And personally, it wasn’t overwhelming for me. I just knew I had to do my thing and I would be fine.

“I was very honored as a freshman to be able to go and compete there in multiple events and still do well. I can’t wait to go back.”

Hart said both conditions and competition for the meet were tough.

“The weather, believe it or not, wasn’t really great. Psychologically, it was challenging for some. They were over stimulated and over excited,” he said.

“It’s good because we get this nervous meet (feeling) out of our system,” he said, adding it will help “calm them down” for future big meets with tough competition.

Next up, the Saints will compete in Saturday’s Shotwell Classic meet at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

“We’ve got some people eligible now that weren’t eligible before. We have our team now,”

said Hart.

“We had a handful of individuals join during spring,” he said, adding that every new team member showed promise.

“I’m excited how they will compete in uniform,” he said, calling the Shotwell Classic their “first full team meet.”

Asked whether the team had progressed as he expected, Hart said, “We really don’t look at it that way. I was a little worried coming out of winter break, but we’re about where we need to be.”

Hart also mentioned that injuries, something that has been an issue for the team since the beginning of the season, have gotten better overall.

“The aches and pains are going away. The quality of training is going up pretty high,” he said.

“Some individuals, like Young, exceeded my expectations.”

Though the Saints track team has had its successes, Hart said there are still things to work on. “You need to compete as if it’s a self-expression and have fun,” he said.

Saints Track and Field Next up: The Saints compete in Saturday's Shotwell Classic meet at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

For meet results, go to www.advocate-online.net

6 NEWS

APRIL 1, 2011 Pi Kappa Delta Results Persuasive Speaking: Dalton Hellman won the “Excellent” award and Jeff Lewis won the “Good” award.

Programmed Oral: Interpretation, Zach Nicholas and Jordan Bradford won the “Good” awards.

Editorial Impromptu: Lewis, a runner-up for the National Championship, won the “Superior” award, while Rob Sepich, Hellman, and Nicholas won the “Good” awards.

Extemporaneous Speaking: Lewis, a runner-up for the National Championship and the “Showcase Participant,” won the “Superior” award, while Hellman and Sepich won the “Excellent” awards and Nicholas and Ryan Rhoads won the “Good” awards.

Informative Speaking: Hellman, the “showcase participant, won the National Championship and Lewis won the “Good” award.

Prose Interpretation: Nicholas won the “Good” award.

Impromptu: Hellman won the “Superior” award and Nicholas won the “Excellent” award. Gabriella Guerrero, Lewis, Kevin Craig, and Rhoads won the “Good” awards.

IPDA Debate Open Division: Lewis won the “Excellent” award and Sepich won the “Good” award.

Novice Division: Guerrero, a semi-finalist, won the “Superior” award.

She was also noted as the “Top Speaker” of the whole tournament.

Bradford won the “Excellent” award.

World/British Parliamentary Style: Hellman and Kevin Craig, semifinalists, won the “Excellent” award.

Partners Kevin Craig (left) and Dalton Hellman prep for the semi-finals in World/British Parliamentary event.

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

NPDA: Lewis and Nicholas won the “Good” award.

Forensics places 3rd in nationals among community colleges

By Devin Courtright The Advocate

The MHCC forensics team finished 14 out of 84 community colleges and universities — and third out of the community colleges, earning an “excellent” award —in the 2011 Pi Kappa Delta National tournament that concluded Saturday at the MHCC campus.

Shannon Valdivia, coach of the MHCC forensics team, said the team won “over 25 awards,” including four “Superior,” 10 “Excellent” and 13 “Good” awards. The team also earned second place in the “Individual Events Sweepstakes Race” and third in the “Debate Sweepstakes.”

Valdivia said she was “thrilled” with her team’s performance.

“I knew we had the potential to do well and they came through. It was a complete team effort,” said Valdivia. “Fourteenth in the country out of 84. Not too shabby for a tiny community college in Gresham, Oregon. I’m not complaining.”

Valdivia said two MHCC forensics students, Dalton Hellman and Jeff Lewis, were “honored” to participate in one of the eight event showcases for being “superior” in their events. Hellman participated in the informative showcase and was named the top superior (national champion) in the event. Lewis was in the extemporaneous speaking showcase and finished as the national runner-up in the event.

Asked how he felt about winning six awards, one a national championship, freshman Dalton Hellman said, “It was cool; it was wonderful to have that experience and do that well. It was fun.”

Valdivia said four student competitors who are considered “superior” performers were allowed to

participate in the following eight event showcases: persuasive speaking, programmed oral, editorial impromptu, extemporaneous speaking, informative speaking, prose interpretation, impromptu and the IPDA Debate.

The debates took place in 90 classrooms throughout the MHCC campus. Some rounds were based on elimination, while others were accumulative.

The semifinals, for example, consisted of two teams of four students with a three-judge panel. The judges did not know of the topics until presented by the tournament director. The tournament director handed off topics to the teams by asking them to pick a side of the coin flipped by the director.

Hellman and Kevin Craig were partners in the World/British Parliamentary semifinal round but “narrowly missed” getting into the final round, said Valdivia. The duo, however, did receive an “Excellent” award for their efforts, she said.

“Those guys busted their butts,” said Valdivia. “I am so proud of them for getting into the top eight.

That’s just fantastic.”

Valdivia also said former MHCC forensics student Sam Pagano competed in the tournament as the captain of the Boise State University squad, which finished first and won the national championship out of the 84 schools. She said Pagano personally earned showcase/superior honors in poetry, superiors in programmed oral, interpretation, informative speaking, open IDPA debate, and excellent in impromptu, extemporaneous speaking, and legislative debate.

“Boise overwhelmingly won first place,” said Valdivia. “It was the Boise show.”

Valdivia said other schools known for their foren-

sics programs that participated in the tournament included the University of Michigan, Texas A&M, the College of Western Idaho and Webster University. Valdivia said there were 760 competitors from 27 states and 850 awards were given out at the awards ceremony at the Red Lion Hotel in Janzen Beach. The College of Western Idaho and Clark College shared first place among community colleges, earning “superior” awards.

Valdivia said Chartwells, the college food service provider, stayed open later than usual to feed the competitors and created special menus for the tournament. She said MHCC facilities employees, administrators, faculty members, and student volunteers helped out in the event, but added that her staff (three work-study students and assistant couch Elizabeth Kinnaman) mostly administered the tournament. The MHCC forensics team and Boise State helped clean up the campus on Sunday, she said.

“We are proud to represent an institution that can come together and put on an event this size,” said Valdivia. “It took a village and we did it.”

Valdivia said the next major forensics tournament is going to be the regional tournament, April 28 through May 1, at Columbia Basin College in TriCities, Washington. In addition, Hellman, Craig, Zach Nicholas and Jeff Lewis will leave next week for the community college nationals at the Hilton Hotel in Stamford, Conn.

Valdivia said the forensics team has a tradition where there’s no team captain because their motto is, “We’re all in it together, we support each other, and we back each other up. We go up as a team and we go down as a team.”

Power outage at end of finals week due to old electrical system

By Mario Rubio The Advocate

The power outage that closed the Gresham campus on Friday of finals week was due to a faulty cable splice, MHCC Director of Communication Maggie Huffman said this week.

The March 18 outage was the third of this school year and Huffman says there could be more.

“Since the electrical system is more than 40 years old, it has outlived its life expectancy twice,” Huff-

man said in an e-mail.

Northwest Natural Gas Co. inspected the faulty lines to assure there were no gas leaks, Huffman said. Electrical crews repaired the service and power was restored to the entire campus on 5:51 p.m. that same day, including the Industry Technology and Visual Arts buildings, which had been without power for one week at that time.

“It is unclear how much these outages are costing the college or how long till the next one will occur,”

said Huffman.

MHCC President John Sygielski said in a budget meeting Wednesday the district board had approved the college to take a $6 million loan to be used on the electrical system and the roof.

In a March 4 article of The Advocate, Director of Facilities Management Dick Byers said, “The process of trying to figure out the root of the power outage could cause the campus to lose power again.”

Byers could not be reached for an interview this week.

NEWS 7

APRIL 1, 2011

Contract questions arise during president's budget meeting

By Jordan Tichenor & Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

Questions about contract negotiations and the budget shortfall became the main focus after a budget presentation Wednesday by MHCC President John Sygielski.

“Maybe before we leave (today), we’ll have the budget taken care of,” said Sygielski. “We have between now and April 20 to propose a budget to the board.”

During the question and answer portion of the meeting, one person asked why Sygielski has not been involved in the current full-time faculty contract negotiations, considering his involvement in previous negotiations.

“You said, ‘the next time we do this, we can do it in an hour,” said the audience member.

Sygielski said, “It’s highly unusual for a president to be at the bargaining table.” He said he and the board decided prior to the beginning of bargaining it would be better if he wasn’t involved.

In his opening, Sygielski advised that nothing he would propose at the meeting was final and that he understands there is always going to be “suspicion and emotion” about things said in the proposal. He said he will be engaging in discussions the next couple weeks with the board, faculty and holding budget forums.

One questioner asked how the board determined the $5.5 million shortfall, considering increased enrollment numbers.

Heidi Franklin, vice president of ad-

ministrative services, explained that although MHCC has increased enrollment, projected state funding has been cut.

“As a result, total revenue stays about the same,” she said.

In his address, Sygielski offered several reasons the college is facing a $5.5 million shortfall. A combination of cut state funding, projection of flat enrollment, a $1.8 million increase in expenses for P.E.R.S. (the state retirement system), a 12 percent increase in health benefits, and an increase in debt services are behind the projected shortfall, he said.

Questions also arose about the reserve fund when one audience member pointed out they didn’t understand how the college could be facing a $5.5 million shortfall when there is $4.2 million in savings available. He said it “looks like smoke and mirrors.”

Franklin said the college could spend the money in the reserve fund to pay the expenses, but that would leave no funds available in the reserve for “rainy days.”

Sygielski said several full-time faculty members will receive layoff notices Thursday, but that he is very confident the college will not have to honor those notices.

Another audience member asked if there were plans to cut faculty members, and how many administrative positions were being cut as well.

The president responded stating cutting administrative positions was still being discussed but reiterated he was looking forward to making sure the faculty cuts do not happen.

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

MHCC President John Sygielski discusses the college bugdet and other financial issues at the Visual Arts Theater Wednesday.

Hay: Search for permanent president expected to resume in the next 60 days Continued from page 1

i wonder ...

current full-time faculty contract nego- Hay said. “Being in an education leader as tiations, Hay said, “It’s a challenging time chief information officer is an executive levright now. I’m not a fan of compromise el position, but being the college president where one side is losing something. We’re is the top.” looking for a win-win for both sides.”

The search for a permanent college presJack Schommer, full-time faculty as- ident is expected to begin within the next sociation president, 60 days and will be expandsaid Thursday he had ed externally, according to no comment regarding Freeman. selection of Hay as in“We are doing things one terim president. step at a time,” said FreeAssociated Student man. “Right now we must Government President have an interim president Larry Collins-Morgan who knows how the college said, “We’ve worked on works and can handle big some policies together. budget issues.”

-Michael Hay He’s always been supHe said the search will Appointed to be not exclude anyone who is portive and encouraging as well.” interim president qualified and all of the canHay said, “I believe didates that applied for the I have the background interim position will be able and experience to handle large budgets.” to apply for the permanent one, including “How are we able to invest in our stu- Hay. dents, which are also our customers? I’m in It has not been decided if the college will a position to recognize this,” said Hay. use a search firm, said Freeman. “We will “I have always aspired to be at the top of be meeting in the next 30-60 days to diswhatever business or organization I’m in,” cuss.”

"I believe I have the background and experience to handle large budgets."

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8 THE FLIPSIDE 7 Day

Friday Partly Cloudy 63o F

Saturday Sunday Showers Mostly Cloudy 48o F 51o F

THE ADVOCATE

APRIL 1, 2011

Monday Few Showers 46o F

Tuesday Showers 52o F

Wednesday Thursday Few Partly Showers Cloudy 51o F 52o F

Forecast Forecast gathered from www.weather.com

NewPlanetariumShow "Guide to the Spring Sky" starts on Monday, April 4 with show times at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

MHCC students are free with I.D. while other admission is $2.

Contact Pat Hanrahan at pat.hanrahan@mhcc.edu for more information.

Student's petition drive supports faculty

Jenni Simonis, a second-year student, is organizing a petition drive in support of the faculty during the contract negotiations.

There will be two tables at the College Center Thursday where students can sign the petition.

For more information, see Simonis on facebook, the MHCC Faculty Association on facebook or email at jenni@ simonisformhcc.com.

By John Tkebuchava The Advocate

Kimberly Freeman, the MHCC dean of corporate and government relations, will be leaving April 8 to take the new area director position at the Oregon Employment Department.

Freeman was originally hired at MHCC in the fall of 1995 as the assistant director for the Steps for Success program.

After working at MHCC for more than 15 years, Freeman held numerous positions at the college including in industrial technology and Steps for Success and held the position of dean of Economic and Workforce Development several times throughout the years.

“I am very excited about this new opportunity. As you know, MHCC has a long-term partnership with the Oregon Employment Department now,” said Freeman.

Note: A longer story about Freeman will appear on www. advocate-online.net beginning tonight.

Run for ASG President or Vice President. The benefits include tuition waivers and $400 a month.

For more information and to request a packet, see Meadow McWhorter in the College Center or send an email to ASG. elections@mhcc.edu

Web Exclusives

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Video Footage of the March 30 budget meeting



Read the review on The Strokes new album "Angles" www.advocate.online. net

Freeman to leave MHCC

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