The Independent Student Voice of Mt. Hood Community College
May 1, 2015
Volume 50, Issue 26
the
advocate STUDENTS PELTED BY PROPOSED BUDGET Page 2
Prez candidates voice opinions PAGE 4
Othello to take center stage PAGE 6
Baseball’s ace in the hole PAGE 11
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You Tube
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OPINION
May 1, 2015
Editorial | Students deserve answers on the new budget proposals The Advocate editorial staff has attempted to elicit answers from MHCC District board members and President Debbie Derr regarding several proposed changes to the school’s operating budget for 2015-16. The final review and approval process will launch in no time; the board of directors – acting as the school’s budget committee – is scheduled to hold an initial public hearing on the budget plan this Tuesday, May 6. Without clear answers, we feel a decision will be agreed upon before we even have the chance to speak. It should be a given that students are aware of what changes are being made, and most importantly, why. Indeed, we are the ones most affected by the budget modifications, no matter how minuscule those changes are. From what we know, there is a proposed $3.50 per-credit hour tuition increase, an $85,000 decrease in the student tuition waiver program, and significant compensation increases for top Mt. Hood managers and administrators and the human resources department.
Many of our questions generated by the proposed budget continue to beg answers. If student enrollment is declining already, is increasing the financial burden on current and future students really the best way of solving that issue? What about those who don’t qualify for federal student aid because their parents make “too much” money? Should we really decrease the amount of tuition waivers available to offset those increases, rather than better publicizing and utilizing that money? What are those students going to have available to them? Are we going to further punish students who already have limitations and requirements posed on them by FAFSA and other Financial Aid organizations? It’s not like students can change the fact they must double their credit-hour load, attend summer classes and do what they need to graduate in a ‘timely’ manner. We know this is out of the college’s control, but shouldn’t administrators bring this plight into consideration? Why do the administrators and managers and HR need the pay increase? Is there so
Graphic by Shawnie Fortune - the advocate
the advocate Editor-in-Chief Greg Leonov
Sports Editor Brandon Raleigh
Reporters
Sam Krause Omar Morante
Ad Manager David Ahlson
Copy Editor Hayden Hunter
Photo Editor Beka Haugen
Aurora Angeles
Nicky NicholsonKlingerman
News Editor Hayden Hunter
Video Editors Aurora Angeles Thomas Stewart
Advisers Howard Buck, Dan Ernst Bob Watkins
Opinion Editor Emily Wintringham Lifestyle Editor Adam Elwell
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much dissatisfaction with the conditions at MHCC that turnover is a problem? There seems to be little concrete evidence of a huge turnover rate, at least any information shared publicly. The Aquatic Center has been given its own account. That is supposed to help the facility become more profitable by allowing more freedom to generate revenue. So, is there a reason we are trying to pinch pockets of students rather than trying to generate money from other sources? Are there legitimate reasons why this idea of “shared sacrifice” is being stressed into all aspects of finances regarding the college? Though there are many staff, board and service members, etc., taking a blow, the appointed lamb to slaughter in this case is the student body. Of course this premise is harsh, and possibly unfounded in evidence. However, these speculations cannot be proven wrong unless the direct reasons behind tough decisions are communicated to us. If it’s a simple answer, such as generic inflation of the dollar - which naturally pushes up tuition - why can’t that be communicated? Need we remind everyone what the third letter stands for in the acronym, MHCC? For the record, we are not Stanford. We are not Princeton. A vital component to what makes a COMMUNITY college unique is the fact that there is substantial communication – a fundamental aspect of a community in general. In our case of trying to reach out to board officials, we sensed a somewhat strategic avoidance on their part. If communication, especially when not instigated by those who are in command, is severed or downplayed, then expect a retaliation of posed questions. Now, we would like to make it clear: The Advocate has noticed how increasingly open the administration under Derr has become. Communication has noticeably improved from years past, which makes this situation all the more eerie and all the more confusing. We hope that Mt. Hood administrators will reach out to us and explain. If there is no need for an explanation and we’ve naively blown this out of proportion, we’d like to know!
Graphic Designers Heather Golan Shawnie Fortune
David Ahlson Gustavo Bulderas Will Darkins Ivy Davis Jon Fuccillo Isaiah Ishman
Steve Olson Alex Seymour Antonio Pineda
E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 www.advocate-online.net #mhccadvocate
Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030
Chat with Barney Which is better: being single or being in a relationship?
“It doesn’t matter if you’re in a relationship; it matters if it’s a good relationship. It depends on what stage in life you’re in.” Anonymous Student, Photography “I like being single. I can hang out with my cat when I want, look at everyone’s butt, and I get to do stuff that I like.” Anonymous Student, Business degree “I’ve never been in a relationship, but from any point of view relationships are expensive!” Tristan Student, Criminal Lab Sciences
chatwithbarney@gmail.com
Are we going to further punish students who already have limitations and requirements posed on them by FAFSA...
The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC. Cover graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
the advocate
OPINION
May 1, 2015
Column | The flirtatious freedom of being single “Single Life!ofIt friends helps are “Ourfor group keep focus on schoolbut pretty diverse.” being single or not, bot have their benefits, I guess I’m stuck Alexbetween Garcia the both. Being in a relationship with someone who hates themself sucks because it can drag you down, then you hate yourself.” Kamrin Murahashi Student, Music Production “Single in my opinion. If you are trying to succeed, they hold you back from your goals.” Derek LaPointe Student, General Studies
“When you’re single you have freedom. You don’t have arguments but you get lonely so you want to be in a relationship.” Maria Santos High-School credit recovery.
“Dating can be great. ‘Can’ is the key word because dating can also be awful. Clingy people are like leeches sucking the life and fun out of everything.”
Ivy Davis
the advocate
I have all this free time to eat Pringles and watch Hannibal on my Kindle while laying in bed next to my cat. I don’t care what my parents say – “You’re going to turn into a single old lady with 15 cats!” – I feel on top of the world. I’m saying I am not going to turn into a cat lady, or a potato-eating monster, for that matter. I’m saying being single is amazing. Sure, it’s nice having someone to cuddle with and watch movies with, and to hike and take cute selfies with. Dating can be great. “Can” is the key word because dating can also be awful. Clingy people are like leeches sucking the life and fun out of everything. Remem-
ber those friends you used to have? Because I don’t. Controlling relationships are just no bueno. If someone tells me what to do, I do the opposite. Then there are those people who are hardly ever around. It’s nice being able to still have your own time but when it gets to the point when your partner is blowing you off, the relationship is probably over. Now, back to being single, and it being awesome: Being single doesn’t mean being single. There are so many opportunities. Flirting and looking at cute dudes is just one of the options. In a relationship it would be heartbreakingly rude to look at other men and complement their well-toned butt - out of a relationship, there are no rules. Dating a new person every week isn’t a terrible thing, unless
you’re a hussy. It’s great to meet new people without getting into the messiness of a relationship. Plus, dudes just buy you food. Just kidding! As soon as someone offers to buy you food, fall back. The payment of food is like a warning call that an emotional bomb is about to be dropped. The key to having a good dating rotation is that your dates don’t know each other, no one develops feelings for each other, and you just have a fun time. Food is the symbol for feelings; it’s a bomb. Once the bomb is deployed you either break one person’s heart by not reciprocating feeling, or fall in love and break the hearts of everyone in your dating rotation. Another great thing about the single life: you reconnect with friends. Unfortunately, not all relationships can work on seeing each other once a week. Slowly, your free time turns into boy/girlfriend time. Honestly, friends and cats are cooler. When with friends and cats, one doesn’t have to look nice: Crocs and socks, yoga pants, and ugly sweaters are welcome outfit choices. Side note: Boys need to stop saying “I like you without your makeup, you’re beautiful enough.” B*tch please, this makeup is for myself. The last wonderful thing about being single is doing whatever you want. Sometimes you get those opposite relationships. Having similar likes and dislikes is great. It means hanging out is easier to do and more enjoyable for both parties. Having hardly anything in common just makes your soul wither and die. Having activities, likes, dislikes, and sports is what makes a person unique. Without those things you love doing, you lose yourself. It is more important to do what you love and be yourself, whether that be a potato chip-eating monster or a hiking fiend, then to have someone hold you back from being you. So dump your boyfriends and girlfriends and join this amazing life of being single, because it’s great.
Graphics by Heather Golan and Ivy Davis- the advocate
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the advocate
NEWS
May 1, 2015
ASG Prez debates:
Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
first-hand look at candidates
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Presidential candidates Jhoselyn Hernandez and Seth Albert go head-to-head during Tuesday’s debate.
Sam Krause the advocate
Safety, tuition, and communication took center stage as candidates for the positions of MHCC Associated Student Government (ASG) president and vice president took part in debates earlier this week. Seth Albert and Lindsay Patiño are running on a ticket with the slogan “Strength in Unity.” Albert’s leadership experience comes from his time as the Student Activities Board wellness programs coordinator this school year, and serving as the ASG senator for health, physical education and athletics in 2013-14. Patiño has experience founding Mt. Hood’s chapter of the American Association of University Women and as a Portland Rose Festival Ambassador (Princess) while at Madison High School. They will compete with Jhoselyn Hernandez and Jewel Denney, also campaigning for president and vice president. Hernandez has been the ASG community affairs director this year. She has worked closely with Denney, currently the ASG senator of legislation. “A little bit of our platform: Our main goals are safety and connecting diversity and culture around campus,” Hernandez said at the presidential debate on Tuesday. “Safety is tackled head on. Jewel was actually a personal victim of getting her car broken into.” Denney said the incident inspired her to find solutions. “I want to work with Public
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Safety and see if we can get more security cameras because where my stuff was stolen is in the back parking lot and they don’t have any cameras out there,” she said. Last year, Albert said that he had tried to work with safety staff, while serving on the MHCC facilities council, to install cameras in the Aquatic Center parking lot and around campus. Hernandez and Denney also want to put first aid kits around campus. “Just ensuring if someone falls down, if someone gets hurt, they have the necessary things they need to be able to get better,” said Hernandez. As to whether or not supplies would be taken from the kits by people who don’t need them, Albert suggested implementing the idea on a trial basis. “Maybe see how those went, keep an eye on them and see if students are actually using them before we really expand those and put those out,” he said. The issue of a proposed $3.50 per-credit hour tuition increase for next school year was brought up, and all candidates agreed that any raise in tuition would be a detriment to student education and success. “I think that we have a lot of debt and that we have a lot of students who find it very intimidating,’ said Patiño. “I would like to know why that’s happening, I want to know if it’s going to be beneficial to the students.” Denney shared her own difficulties she said she goes through paying for school. “I am working pretty much two jobs here
just to pay for my current tuition, on top of getting scholarships, too, and I’m struggling,” she said. She offered two alternatives to a tuition increase: One is to increase recruitment so that Mt. Hood’s enrollment can stay level or increase. The other is to work with the board of education to put a bond to a vote by the community, she said. For his part, Albert said that he has already been championing the cause. “I went down to Salem a couple of weeks ago, and advocated (at the Oregon Legislature) for freezing tuition and making sure tuition didn’t get [any] higher from the state cutting our funding,” he said. As part of the tuition fight, Hernandez also said she would work towards tuition equity for students who were brought to the United States by their parents illegally, often called “Dreamers.” These students are protected under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act of 2013, which provides Dreamers pathways to citizenship and protection from deportation. Hernandez said that students in that situation now have only three years to obtain a degree. After that, Dreamers must pay outof-state tuition, which adds to the burden of education costs. “A lot of people don’t know (about the DACA rule). I didn’t know until this year and this is my second year in college,” said Hernandez. “I’m an undocumented person, and I know the struggles.” In terms of communicating information such as that to DACA students, improved marketing of club and athletic events on campus,
and getting the word out about financial assistance, both tickets emphasized communication. In order to promote unity on campus, Albert wants to bring campus organizations together to increase awareness on campus. “I want to see all the student leadership on campus under one open line of communication,” he said. “Programs like ASG, clubs, co-curricular and athletics should be connected somehow, because we are all meant to benefit the students.” Albert says he would “compile all of the things that ASG has done that week and then the president would send out an email on Friday so that everybody can know what each branch is doing,” and then expand that practice to clubs and leadership organizations. His plan came out of an experience he had organizing an event for the Ultimate Frisbee Club earlier this year. He didn’t find out until it was too late that multiple events conflicted with each other and impacted the turnout. Many other topics were covered at the debate, such as the status of the Oohlala app introduced to students last fall; current ASG President Alma Pacheco’s plan to bring a medical van on campus; the students’ use of WiFi and lack of Internet access; the cost of food in the cafeterias on campus; reorganizing and restructuring ASG and much more. Audio and video of the president and vice president debates may be found online at www.advocate-online.net/. Student voting for the ASG positions starts at 12:01 a.m. Monday, and polls close at 11:59 p.m. Friday. Ballots may be cast in the Student Union, or online at mhcc.edu/vote.
Voting is open May 4 - 8. Results announced May 11.
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Vice Presidential candidates Lindsay Patiño and Jewel Denney play rock-paper-scissors to decide who goes first in their debate.
the advocate
NEWS Affordable health care offered out of an RV May 1, 2015
Graphic by Shawnie Foutune - the advocate
Hayden Hunter the advocate
Affordable health care could be coming soon to MHCC, in the form of an RV. ASG President Alma Pacheco has been working with Wallace Medical Concern to
bring its portable medical facility on campus several times a month. Service could begin by the end of May. “Wallace Medical Concern started off as an emergency medical service, but pretty much turned into a primary care clinic,” said Pacheco. Wallace’s mobile medical van service was designed to serve low-income families on their own turf. “They go wherever their services are needed,” said Pacheco, who has been a Wallace patient since 2008. “My father volunteers and is part of the board. My whole family is involved” with Wallace, she said. Pacheco said she thought it made sense to partner and engage with Wallace at Mt. Hood. “I feel like our community is in need of the mobile clinics. We don’t have a nurse on
campus,” she said. The van would be available to both students and community members. “Wallace is meant for anyone, insured or uninsured.” Pacheco said walk-in customers are asked several questions when they arrive. “Your copay is based on those answers,” she said. Wallace is required by law to ask for a co-pay; she said she believes the minimum is $20. However, “Wallace does focus on giving their service to anyone who needs it, so (the co-pay) isn’t enforced,” she added. Pacheco’s goal is to bring the van to both the main Academic Campus in Gresham and the Maywood Campus “once a week.” To get the mobile van on campus, Pacheco had to talk Al Sigala, MHCC’s Foundation & Alumni Relations executive director. She learned no funding was available, but said that
fact soon became a non-issue. “It didn’t cost (the college) anything,” she said. One hurdle ASG did face was that Wallace officials wanted to be sure that the service was legitimately needed on campus. “So they asked us, ‘Why is Mt. Hood the best place for a mobile van?’ ” Pacheco said. I said, ‘There are a lot of minority communities on campus, and a lot of them need help.’ ” Currently ASG is working with Mt. Hood’s ESL, ENL, GED, and ABE programs on the service. They have already put out a survey asking when would be the best days and times for Wallace to serve the campus. The survey will close on Friday, May 8. The information will be used to produce a schedule that suits both MHCC community members and Wallace’s mobile medical van.
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the advocate
LIFESTYLE
TP 5 SONGS
May 1, 2015
PART 1 OF A 5 PART SERIES
MHCC’s Theater presents:
Each week the advocate supplies you with our top five songs for your playlist. Since money seems to be on everyone’s mind with the MHCC board and student Executive Cabinet just settling their budgets, here are five songs about money.
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MONEY | PINK FLOYD
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EAT THE RICH | AEROSMITH Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
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Ivy Davis
the advocate
MONEY FOR NOTHING | DIRE STRAITS
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CAN’T BUY ME LOVE | THE BEATLES
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MONEY MONEY MONEY | ABBA
“I’m the best!” shouted Hunter McAndrew, playfully discussing his role as Roderigo in the MHCC Theater department’s spring quarter rendition of “Othello.” McAndrews’ character, Roderigo, is a Venetian nobleman madly in love with Desdemona, played by Melanie Steere. The actor describes his role as being “very youthful, outspoken, outward, and outgoing. McAndrew explained that the play starts “hot.” Act 1 is a chain reaction of events: It reveals that Othello – played by Ian Booth – and Desdemona have eloped, then shows the information reaching Desdemona’s father, followed by the Duke. Smith shared her thoughts on McAndrew playing Roderigo. “I think that Roderigo is the one that really gets the play started,” she said. Without Roderigo in Act 1 going to Desdemona’s father with Iago (played by London Bauman) the play wouldn’t have happened, she said. “I think I bring a lot of energy to Roderigo,” McAndrew said. He came into “Othello” not really knowing what to expect but found
himself having a lot of fun playing his part. “I wouldn’t see this show (cast) any other way. I think all of our ensemble does a really great job,” said McAndrew, speaking highly of the group and Mace Archer, MHCC theater artistic director. Smith explained that “it’s always a challenge to get a bunch of young new actors to do Shakespeare well.” Both she and McAndrew commend Archer for the direction he’s taking the play. “It’s risky anytime you’re directing a show,” said McAndrew. Almost always Othello is cast as darker-skinned, plus masked acting – the technique used in this production – is more difficult, Smith said. “Mace’s direction is definitely speeding up the process,” said McAndrew. With the introduction of masks each character gets a sense of having two identities. “The mask is what the characters want to be seen as, outwardly; without it you (the audience) see the true character,” he explained. “Iago is a really good example of what happens when there’s a smart villain.” Iago especially uses the masks well, taking his mask off for monologues and telling the audience his true plans, said Archer.
There is even a “part that isn’t actually written into the (original) scripts, it’s like a little taste of what the play is about,” said McAndrew. “The technique is amazing. It’s a very interesting process learning how to act with a mask,” he said. “It’s something you really don’t get to experience in basic acting classes.” Usually the use of masks would be taught further down the road, but with Archer directing the play, everyone is thankful for the learning experience of masked acting, the actor said. “Using his mask, Iago, kind of just uses everybody in the show to get what he wants and it doesn’t really end well for them,” said McAndrew. Roderigo pays the ultimate price late in the play, but more characters also experience Iago’s self-benefiting plans. In Smith’s words, “Act 1 is when a little bit of shit hits the fan, but by Act 5, the whole fan is covered in shit.” The play starts hot, ends hot, and opens May 21 in the Studio Theater. Advance tickets are $5. At the door, tickets are $10 for adults, and $7 for students, seniors and MHCC staff.
the advocate
LIFESTYLE
May 1, 2015
P R I O R Y
The duo talks the new album, noon whiskey breaks, and much more
Portland natives and Priory members, Kyle Sears (left) and Brandon Rush just dropped their first major label album, “Need To Know,” with Warner Brother Records on April 7.
Web Photo
No surprise here, Priory pieces together a masterpiece Jon Fuccillo the advocate
I
t’s not surprising in the least that Warner Brothers Records and other major record labels wanted to sign Portland’s very own electro-pop-alt duo, Priory. “We literally had the pick of our litter,” Priory’s Brandon Rush says. “But Warner Brothers let us write down our own contract, which was huge! It’s nice because we can put our own foot down and we’re guaranteed a second album.” Speaking of album... Priory just released their first major record label album: “Need To Know,” which dropped on April 7. Bandmates, best buds and former housemates, Rush and Kyle Sears sure know how to make you dance through out this 10-song, 35-minute masterpiece. “Need To Know” is one catchy tune after another. It doesn’t hurt any that Rush and
Sears are also guitar gurus and tech nerds that expect perfection and weren’t going to finish this album until they were completely comfortable with it. “We didn’t have a deadline” on finishing the album, Rush says. “We gave ourself that space and time,” adds Sears. The group recorded and produced the album in their own home studio in Vancouver, Wash. – the same studio that Willie Nelson got his start in during the 1960s. They were both pretty stoked on the Willie Nelson factor. Rush and Sears had help “mixing” the album between a couple of sessions in London with legendary producer/mixer Mark “Spike” Stent, who has worked with the best-of-thebest in the business, including U2, Bjork, Lady Gaga, Oasis, and Coldplay. That’s quite the track record. “He’s a sound legend,” Sears says of his experience working with Stent. “He really liked the new album. And he doesn’t just work with anybody. It was quite the honor.” No shit! This was a nice follow up from their foursong EP that dropped last year, which featured their hit single, “Weekend,” that became a fan and charts favorite. They even performed “Weekend” on the ABC late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Rush and Sears offer that they’re their own worst critics, just like many in their craft. However, the two were quite satisfied with the end result this time. “When we first started recording the album we would lock ourselves in our studio for 12-to-15-hour days,” Sears says, with a half-ass chuckle, emphasizing the hard work that went into the project. “We weren’t sure what people would think; we knew that both of us were going Two Key Tracks: to like our record. “Put Em’ Up” And we don’t give “Big Love” a shit about (becoming) famous. We just want our music to become (famous) and inspire,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re a Christian/Or a Hare Krishna/Who gave you the right to/ judge another’s lover?” Rush and Sears sing on the first track, “Put Em Up.” Talk about a pretty message of “acceptance of sexuality” in a not-so-accepting world. Through research, I found out that the song was inspired by Rush’s brother’s experience in the military, where he was harassed for being gay. Most of the album is quite diverse and the lyrics can be simple at times, which makes it easier to sing along with the duo. Trust me,
you won’t be able to help yourself. What’s most compelling about Priory is how humble these two are and how excited they are for their future. They seem to be living in the moment quite nicely. During a 45-minute-plus interview, the two talked about anything and everything. And what most stood out was how “surreal” this journey has felt for the pair, who quit their day jobs five years ago. “No one gets this opportunity,” Rush says of their early success. “And we aren’t going to start becoming ungrateful dicks. It’s a pretty big dream come true.” “It’s a ridiculous life!” Sears said. “Sometimes you’re really tired, sometimes you’re really happy and sometimes you just want to cry. But in the end, we like to work and we choose to roll with it.” Best part of their job? Especially when they’re at the studio? “If we want to drink whiskey at noon… we will do that,” Sears says. “We love our freedom.” Nothing wrong with a little liquid courage. Check out the album, definitely – and catch the guys live in action this summer at their July 18 performance at the Project Pabst Festival at Portland’s Waterfront District, which features headline acts Weezer and Blondie.
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the advocate
LIFESTYLE
May 1, 2015
Weakly Horoscopes* Free Comic Book DayTaurus (April 20 - May 20) - Cardiovascular exercise is one of the best things you can do for your body. Driving at suggested traffic speeds actually saves you gas, and time. The hour of ascension is at hand, hail Zaltac. Saving for retirement is exponentially easier the earlier you start. Gemini - (May 21 - June 20 ) - Burying yourself in hot sand would be greatly beneficial, the sooner the better, but since you also definitely shouldn’t stray beyond a two-mile radius of your home, I think you’re going to have to settle for microwaved dirt. Cancer (June 21 - July 22) - There is a brief window on Wednesday night where Venus and Neptune align to make you invisible for one hour. Plan accordingly. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Look at that Virgo, with their smug, yet ignorant, face. You know they’re a Virgo just by that slightly too-slow gait and half-vacant stare. I’m pretty sure it’s a safe bet they’re the source of 95 percent of your problems this week. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - What the hell is with all the Leos this week? You don’t need this unwarranted aggression. Stand up for yourself! You need to speak your mind, and that means discouraging bad ideas wherever they come from, and if the majority of those ideas are from Leos, let them know. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - There’s no wound time won’t heal, but just in case, you should pick up some latex gloves and lime (calcium oxide). You hung on to that shovel when you moved, right? Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - What is the future? I mean, really? Live in the now: If dipping fish sticks in custard sounds right, who am I to get in your way? But also you’re an animal for even considering that; have some damn standards for yourself. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Saturn’s alignment will create an unbalance in your life. Lay in a forest facing north and rub moss on your left side to regain equilibrium. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)- Under no circumstance should you bottle up your emotions this week. If that means swearing at an instructor, then go ahead – odds are they’re gonna thank you for it after you’re done. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Well, you’re reading a fake horoscope, so I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess that you don’t have too much happening for you the rest of this week. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - The people in your next class will treat you a little too nicely at first. Then they become briefly intrigued, followed with looks of shock, and a lingering countenance of disgust they can’t quite disguise for the rest of the term. Aires (March 21 - April 19) - Mercury moves into its second phase, which means you have to start next Monday morning by staring into a mirror after a cold shower. Play “Wind of Change” in the background for maximum effect. * Just for fun and not to be taken seriously, seriously.
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coming to a shop near you Adam Elwell the advocate
National Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) is Saturday – tomorrow, May 2. Grab your capes and masks, comic enthusiasts. FCBD is a promotion by the comic book industry. It is basically exactly what it sounds like: You can walk into any specialty comic book shop in America and get free comic books – although you’re more than welcome to try it at your friendly neighborhood superstore. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you. There is one caveat, of course: You can’t just stroll into a store and pick out whichever vintage Superman comics look best to you. Companies select certain issues to give away. Don’t worry, though: I know what you’re thinking, and believe it or not, there is stuff you would actually want to read. This year’s free comic books include “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Simpsons,” “Pokemon,” “Doctor Who,” “Divergence,” and “Fight Club 2.” The amount of comics you may grab is set by the store, typically based on
the number of comics available and the number of people present, but you’re definitely going to get at least one free comic book, which is infinitely better than zero free comic books. You read it right – “Fight Club 2,” an original comic written by Chuck Pahlaniuk (just in case you had a bad flashback of “Watchmen”) – and it’s free. Like, totally free. So free, you might even feel guilty. I know it definitely doesn’t feel right to me. If you’re not familiar with your local comic book scene, www.FreeComicBookDay.com offers a shop locater service to help you find participating stores in our area. Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
the advocate
NEWS
May 1, 2015
Proposed budget to be presented for approval David Ahlson the advocate
As early as May 13, the Mt. Hood budget committee – consisting of the MHCC District board of education – will vote on the budget proposed by President Debbie Derr. Facing increasing challenges in meeting the financial demands placed on the college, the budget, like any good compromise, is not likely to leave everyone happy, however. Many reductions were made, according to Derr’s formal budget presentation to the board members on April 8. They include: $260,000 savings by choosing to hold three administrative staff positions open; $91,000 savings through departmental “optimizations” (reductions); a $39,000 reduction in staff travel expenses; and reducing the part-time staff allotment, to the tune of $127,000.
A few additions proposed, according to the the budget are a proposed $3.50 per-credit same budget document: addition of an Assis- hour tuition increase, an $85,000 decrease in tive Technologies Technician and captioning the student tuition waiver program, and new contract funds for Online Learning, along salary and compensation schedule increases with $118,000 to address federal disabilities for top campus managers and administrators compliance concerns, and earmarking $84,000 and for the human resources department. One of the most noteworthy points in the to support Mt. Hood’s planned general obligation bond initiative campaign in the next proposed budget is the continued, large jump in the amount of student loan and grant 12 months. There are also departmental money. This money represents the increases for Instruction and Instructionf o n amount of debt support available al Support (1.9 percent above 2014-15 o i t Reduc ivers to students to pay for their eduspending), Student Development (1.1 wa cation, from both the federal percent), College Support Services and Oregon state govern(1.1 percent), Facilities (2 percent), n o i t ments. During the 2013and Information Technology lida Conso staff Student 2014 year, $42.1 (1.5 percent). f o s Debt ion posit million in loans Among the and grants were more controFunding bond Administrative Increased Salary increase Campaign available. This versial issues Student fees year, that number contained in
jumped to $84.2 million, a 100-percent increase in the amount of debt financing being offered to students – a somewhat unsettling trend. To date, MHCC’s board members will not comment on the budget issues, besides providing the hard facts from the public documents available. Higher-level administrators have declined the opportunity to answer questions on the budget, including reasoning behind the changes, posed both by The Advocate and Associated Student Government leaders. Derr postponed a scheduled interview with The Advocate on Wednesday. According to members of the ASG Executive Cabinet, she also was “unable to meet” with student leaders until the day prior to a scheduled May 6 public hearing on the proposed budget, citing scheduling conflicts.
Graphic by Heather Golan - the advocate
Clinton conference gives leadership opportunities Hayden Hunter the advocate
The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) conference is “an opportunity full of opportunities,” said Keyla Souza, a Honduran SEED student at Mt. Hood Community College. On Wednesday, the six MHCC students who attended the CGI U shared with their Mount Hood peers the numerous opportunities that they gained during the March event in Miami, Fla. The SEED students told the audience the reason their projects – efforts to address urgent issues of education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty and public health in their home countries – were so successful was because of social media and word of mouth. “You talk with your friend, your friend talks with another friend. That’s why this (funding gained for their projects through the CGI) was possible,” said Ana Blandon, one of the SEED students who traveled to Miami, and whose own proposed project made it to the fifth round of the conference’s competitive format. At the conference, they had “many different opportunities,” according to Blandon. One
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
SEED students present personal CGI U experiences to their peers.
such opportunity was office hours spent with experts, where Blandon got to talk with another philanthropic-oriented individual. This expert sat for an hour explaining the success of her project - helping to fight poverty around the world. “She started in the beginning by going to Guatemala, and then she moved to Africa, helping people with clothes and food teaching them how to grow (food).” The SEED students agreed, though, that
the biggest opportunity offered to them through the CGI U were the potential networking options. “Everything isn’t about the money,” said Souza, commenting on advice from a mentor. “You can find money everywhere. You need to know where to go to ask for money, (who) you are going to ask for money, and (how to) be strategic to ask for money. “If you want to do something, just do it.
And try to do it, not just because you benefit, try to do it because you want to benefit the community,” she said. Souza said networking was important because although people might not always give out donations, they might have an idea to share with you on how to better that project. Blandon discussed her project to add recycling bins in her hometown of Estilé, Nicaragua, where garbage has polluted the river and contributed to mosquito and disease problems. Her project made it to the final round of the conference, where she finished second overall - which allowed Blandon to meet former President Bill Clinton, founder of the CGI. “What I said to him was, ‘I really want to thank you, because what you have done (and) this foundation which has given me the opportunity to make a difference in my country and to help my community,” Blandon said. Blandon’s project earned $3,970 through new donations she got at the CGI U. “With that money, I will buy the material” to make the recycling bins for her project, she said. Blandon said she tells other students thinking about applying for the CGI U to “remember that every single one of us can make a change.”
Executive Cabinet decides that sacrifice is shared Emily Wintringham the advocate
“A big sigh of relief,” is how Lizzy Babicz, Associated Student Government communications director, of th the final ASG Executive Cabinet approval of the MHCC Student Activities Budget for the 2015-16 academic year. The budget was approved by the ASG EC
on Tuesday, after nearly two months of debate and dispute over how to settle on a balanced budget for Mt. Hood’s co-curricular and athletics programs. “We really emphasized a shared sacrifice,” said Ashley Gass, ASG finance director. “Once we got past what a ‘shared sacrifice’ entailed, we were able to come to an agreement with the new representatives.”
At its last meeting on April 8, the executive cabinet had to enter an “executive session” which meant there was a lengthy, closed-door discussion on the proposed budget. The original plan was questioned by Student Finance Council members who felt the budget did not fit their expectation of a “shared sacrifice.” MHCC faculty and staff advisers were politely asked to withdraw from the meeting.
Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting went much more smoothly: The budget was approved unanimously in a matter of only two minutes. “The budget was easier to approve the second time because everyone made a cut – making it a fair sacrifice for everyone,” said Jhoselyn Hernandez, ASG director of community affairs. Next in the process: The budget must be approved by the ASG Senate.
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the advocate
News
May 1, 2015
Saints atop South Region following split with Everett Steve Olson the advocate
Mt. Hood split a doubleheader with the Everett Community College Trojans on April 24. Both baseball games played in Lacey, Wash., ended with 2-1 scores. The split allowed Lane Community College to edge closer to the Saints in the South Region: The first-place Saints are 13-3 in NWAC South Region play (24-11 overall), with Lane currently three games back. That makes a four-game end-of-season series with Lane – a doubleheader in Gresham on May 8 and another in Eugene on May 9 – the Saints’ most important series of the season. It probably will determine which team wins the South. In a seven-inning Game 1, the Trojans took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the sec-
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ond inning. The Saints answered back in the bottom of the fifth, with a Tommy Lane solo home run. It was the eighth homer of the year for Mt. Hood’s first baseman. After that, Mt. Hood couldn’t find any offense as the Saints were held to just two hits total in the game, the other coming from Jay Rogers. Seth Rayburn, who pitched five innings for the Saints, gave up only four hits and two runs but dropped to 3-2 on the season with the loss. Game 2 saw the script flip for the Saints, with a 2-1 win of their own. Both teams scored in the third inning for a 1-1 tie, the Saints scoring first on a Kody Matthews double that drove in Taylor Travess. The Trojans’ Tanner Arrington reached first on a fielder’s choice that scored Nathan Baughman, in the bottom of the inning.
The Saints took the lead in the fifth inning, that saw Travess score on a Louis Wolf out to give the Saints the lead. The two sides were scoreless for the rest of the game. Saint batters finished with six hits. Wolf and Matthews finished with one RBI apiece. Starting pitcher Joe Balfour got the win. In six innings, he gave up five hits and one run, to improve to a 7-1 record on the season, leading the team. Chase Wiger pitched the final inning for his first save of the year. Before the showdown with Lane CC, Mt. Hood will play a four-game series with Linn-Benton. It begins at home on Oslund Field with a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. today. Another two games come Saturday in Albany, starting at 1 p.m. With just eight games left, the Saints hope to stay focused, with Lane right on their heels.
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Saints Aaron Clift pitches in 9-3 victory over George Fox JV on April 22.
the advocate
SPORTS
May 1, 2015
Photos by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Joe Balfour pitches in 5-0 victory over Clark College back on April 6. Balfour holds a record of 7-1 and boasts an ERA of 1.09 with a total of 52 strikeouts.
Saints star pitcher Joe Balfour excels on and off mound Steve Olson the advocate
Joe Balfour is nothing short of humble. He also happens to be the ace of the Saints’ baseball staff this season, in a program that has a rich tradition throughout the NWAC. Balfour, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore, would rather credit his teammates than take any individual praise for his success on the bump. Balfour has tossed four complete games and has a spectacular record of 7-1, to go along with a 1.09 ERA. He also has 52 strikeouts in 66.0 innings of action. And his control has been amazing, having walked only six batters. The Sherwood native took an unusual path in becoming the Saints’ most reliable arm this year. Balfour, who attended Sherwood High School was able to capture two OSAA 5A state baseball titles for the Bowmen, along with two championships on the football gridiron. He then enrolled at Saint Martin’s College in Lacey, Wash., where he played his freshman baseball season. But, according to Balfour, he wasn’t seeing much playing time. Between the unhappiness from not being able to showcase his skills on the diamond and being homesick,
Balfour decided he might need a change going forward in his collegiate career. After his one lonely season at Saint Martin’s, Balfour decided to transfer to Mt. Hood after spending this past summer playing for head coach Bryan Donohue in the Northwest Collegiate Baseball League (NCBL). Balfour impressed the Saints’ coaching staff and was able to make a smooth transition. Balfour said he enjoys playing for his new skipper (Donohue) and enjoys the relationships he’s making on and off the field. This year for the South Region-leading Saints, he has been quite the utility player. When not pitching, he has started at third base and left field, along with some games as designated hitter. He’s batting .245 (12-for-49) and his driven in five runs on the year. Balfour has been quite pleased with the attention to detail that Donohue and his staff demand, and feels confident he’s mastered “the basics” on the diamond. While growing up, Balfour idolized baseball greats and likely Hall-of-Famers Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey, Jr. He said Jeter showed him how to play the game the right way and that hard work can bring big rewards. His favorite professional baseball team is the Seattle Mariners, as they’re the closest MLB team to
Oregon, he added. Balfour, a business major, says one of his favorite classes at Mt. Hood has been math, though he had stuggles with the subject in years past. He credits his instructor, Seth Eikrem, for helping him connect the dots and making it “fun,” he said. When not dominating on the mound, Balfour enjoys duck hunting, a hobby he picked up within the last few years. This past fall, he and a few Saints teammates joined Donohue and went duck hunting on the Oregon coast, which allowed some true bonding experiences with his new ball club, he said. Balfour also enjoys his downtime by spending quality time with family and friends, an important part of his life. Like most young pitchers, Balfour favors his fastball and throws it close to 50 percent of the time, he said. He likes to keep batters off-balance with a mix of “four-seam” and “two-seam” fastballs, explaining the different grips on the ball. The Saints are in good position right now, with an overall record of 24-11 and 13-3 in South Region play, thanks in large part to Balfour, who has won more than one-fourth of the team’s games. But he doesn’t flaunt it. Though the Saints are atop their division,
he still has one big goal for him and his teammates: “It’s about winning the South and going for the big one (NWAC championship),” he said. When the season ends, the Saints will surely miss Balfour, who has signed a letter-of-intent to play at NCAA Division I San Jose State next year. He will look to make an immediate impact in his next chapter of baseball, playing at three collegiate levels in three years. At this rate, he might get a chance to play in the MLB someday – maybe even for his beloved Mariners.
PITCHING STATS
as of April 30
W 7
SO
52
ERA 1.09
BATTING STATS H
12
RBI
5
as of April 30
BA
.245 11
the advocate
SPORTS
May 1, 2015
Saints split doubleheader with Southwestern Oregon
Photo by Beka Haugen - the advocate
Saints sophomore Kasidee Lemberger swings in Game 1 loss to Southwestern CC in Wednesday’s doubleheader at Saints Field. Mt. Hood bounced back to take the second game of the doubleheader, 4-1.
Brandon Raleigh the advocate
On Wednesday, the Saints softball team split a tight doubleheader in Gresham with Southwestern Oregon CC, picking up its ninth win in 12 games. In Game 1, the Lakers (8-4 in the South Region and 25-7 overall in the NWAC) were able to shut out Mt. Hood to pick up a 2-0 victory. The second game of the day proved an exciting battle. The Saints got on the board early, scoring a run in the first inning following two hits and a couple of Laker errors. The contest, much like the first game, continued as a low-scoring affair. That was until the sixth inning. In the top of the sixth, SWOCC drove in a tying run, with a timely two-out base hit. The Saints were able to rob a home-run bid by the next Laker batter with a catch at the fence to get to the bottom of the inning, still tied. At this point the Lakers decided to put in their pitching ace, who picked up the Game 1 victory, to finish the game.
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However, Saints two-sport sophomore SheaLee Lindsey led off with a single, reaching second base on a throwing error. On the next pitch, sophomore Kasidee Lemberger bunted for a single, advancing Lindsey to third base. Lemberger then stole second and was now in scoring position. With runners on second and third, sophomore Chelsea Spanier stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly ball to score Lindsey and Lemberger tagged up and advanced to third base. Saints sophomore Mercedes Green then delivered another sac fly to score Lemberger. Following a Rachel Rutledge single, she would score on a Megan Marcy single, making it 4-1 Saints. In the top of the seventh, the Saints were able to retire the Lakers in order, three up and three down, to seal the victory. Saints freshman pitcher Kelly Scott picked up the victory, her 12th of the season. Saints head coach Meadow McWhorter analyzed the low-scoring double header. “Both games were pitching duels. Several of the runs scored by both teams were unearned. “Our bats did not wake up until the bottom
of the sixth of the second game. Shea Lindsey had an unbelievable game – robbing three potential home runs and (making) an outstanding diving catch.” The doubleheader split came on the heels of another split, this one with Clackamas CC in Oregon City on April 25. In the first game, the first place Cougars (11-3 in the South and 27-7 overall in the NWAC) got the best of the Saints in a dominating 12-0 victory. Following the lopsided loss, the Saints responded admirably, finding themselves up 6-1 through three innings of action in Game 2. They were able to hold off the Cougars and pick up an 8-5 win. “In the first game, everything that could go wrong, did. It wasn’t us,” McWhorter said. “I am proud of the way the team responded to adversity. We left it behind us and focused on the task at hand – taking Game 2.” On Saturday, the Saints (23-9 overall, 8-6 in conference play) host Lower Columbia College (20-12 overall, 8-6 conference) on Sophomore Day. Currently tied for third place in the South Region, the Saints and the Red Devils will look for the advantage in the South
Region ladder. McWhorter talked about her team’s focus heading into the weekend: “Timely hitting, solid defense and no mistakes in the circle. “It is our Sophomore Day, which means it is the last home games for seven of our players. It’s a special day and an emotional one,” she said. The doubleheader is slated for noon at Saints Field.
UPCOMING
GAMES
Sat. noon vs. LCC @ MHCC Tue. 3 p.m. vs. Clark @ Clark Wallace
Fri. 2 p.m. vs. CHCC @ Marine