Independent Student Voice of MHCC
Volume 52, Issue 2 SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 advocate-online.net
Facebook commoditizes you PAGE 2
Relive the solar eclipse PAGE 5
DREAMERS
‘Mother!’ nightmare of a film PAGE 6
FACE VULNERABLE FUTURE
PAGE 8
Alumnus’s adventures with the GreyWolves PAGE 5
2016 FIRST PLACE
General excellence Oregon Newspaper Publisher Association
OPINION EDITORIAL
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
SOCIAL MEDIA REDISTRIBUTES YOUR DATA TO THE FEDS
S
tarting on Oct. 18, the U.S. government will start collecting a larger amount of information from immigrant and naturalized American citizens. These new bits of information include social media handles, aliases, associated identifiable information, and search results among the list of 12 new data points the Department of Homeland Security will be collecting. This has left a lot of people unsure about what they can do to keep themselves and their information safe, especially when it comes to social media outlets. So, with their interest in mind, we will share some things that you may not be aware of, and that you might want to do differently if you are someone who
is afraid these changes may be a bad thing. First thing to keep in mind: If you post something on Facebook, it’s not just yours anymore. We’ve all done it – bought some new software or technology, or joined some new site or service and before we can try our brand-new thing, we have to read through 200 pages and agree to the terms and conditions. Take Facebook, for example. The content you’ve posted, like your name, pictures, posts etc., are available for Facebook to use at its discretion, such as for advertising, and even redistributing. That could include something like using your face, your name and your posted
content to endorse services and products you don’t use, without any approval or compensation. So, the company could put your name and a picture of your face along with that post you made about having a “hard day” on an advertisement for erectile dysfunction medication. Twitter is about the same. You retain ownership for your pictures and comments, but the company can take your pictures and posts and reuse them at any point without your consent, or without paying you a dime. This means these social media companies can basically do anything they want to with your information once you’ve posted it on their site. And this includes handing it over to the government. Don’t count
on Facebook, Twitter, or the like to withhold information from the government when its agents come and ask, because those entities don’t have to ask your permission, and they are a lot less likely to care about being on your bad side than on the government’s. Some good news? When it comes to personal security online, there are tips and tricks you can use to keep yourself safe. Never post your address, and don’t post your phone number or contact information on your social media site. There also are security settings you can use to limit who can access your information, and while that doesn’t, for example, stop Mark Zuckerberg from viewing all of
your Facebook information, it will stop the average person, and law enforcement from effortlessly accessing your information unless they have a warrant. Still, the best way to keep the government from getting your information is by not posting it to begin with. If you are an immigrant who’s not legal, or someone who for any reason doesn’t want the government to look at your online postings, then don’t use Facebook or other social media.
To view the full, unabridged version, visit: advocate-online.net
SOMEONE HAS TO PAY; SHOULD IT BE THE TEEN? Antonio Edwards the advocate
“I saw this boy lob a smoke bomb down into the ravine,” hiker Liz FitzGerald told the Willamette Week newspaper. “I saw his friend, or a guy that was there with him videotaping it with his phone. I looked over and I
asked, ‘Do you realize how dangerous that is?’ ” Did they? The Eagle Creek Fire has claimed 48,000 acres and counting, since it started the afternoon of Sept. 2. More than 140 hikers on the highly popular Eagle Creek Trail were left stranded overnight. Level 3 evacuations forced people out of their homes. Smoke 3 miles high caused ash to sprinkle over the Portland metropolitan area. Picture that. Now, picture that as if you were 15 years old. Was this a malicious act? What should the punishment be for starting the nation’s No. 1-priority wildfire? It’s hard not to question the judgment of someone lobbing a
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smoke bomb in a dry forest in the middle of the hot summer. But honestly, how ignorant could you possibly be? At the age of 15, I vividly remember being an idiot and doing idiotic things. Nothing of this nature, but taking a step back, I can say I never had an ill mindset or a bad heart about the idiotic things I did. Unfortunately, because of the scant information released we don’t know if that was the case for these teenagers. I would assume not. Even so, in a perfectly sensible attempt to prevent accidents and mistakes such as these, there’s an old saying i learned from my mother, a very brilliant theory giving the idea
that ‘If you play with fire, there’s a possibility you may get burned, or worse.” I think it’s fair to say the “or worse” has happened, and it’s a really big deal. No doubt people are fired up about Eagle Creek, but should we be so quick to punish a 15-year-old for something I am sure he is struggling to deal with, and will continue to deal with for the rest of his life? Some say yes; some say no. In my opinion, I believe maximum hours of community service and participation in the help of restoring the forest should be mandatory. Fines should also be in order; after all, someone has to pay for this. I would like to see a written
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Staff Writers Antonio Edwards Cassie Wilson Hanna Benson Summer Frickey Maddy Sanstrum Bethany McCurley Kyle Vanooker Clay Vitale
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apology to the firefighters, evacuees, hikers, and everyone else affected by the Eagle Creek Fire. I believe these deeds are a suitable, yet positive, way of steering this boy’s life into a better direction. Despite what we think a punishment of this magnitude entails, according to OregonLive.com the accused 15-year-old Vancouver boy is already facing major charges, including paying millions of dollars for the disaster , and could spend time in prison. None of which I believe is totally necessary, but unfortunately for the still-unidentified teenager, the law gets the last say, and we just won’t know until the judge drops the hammer.
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.
OPINION
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
JUGGALOS MAY BE ODD BUT NOT MUSICAL MAFIA Donovan Sargent the advocate
“Whoop-whoop!” The call of the Juggalo (or Juggalette, if she’s female) echoes across parking lots, music venues, and campuses across the nation. This is a Juggalo greeting, in the way that many of us would say “Hello” or “How’s it going?”
For those who don’t know, ‘Juggalo’ is the moniker of a fan of the horrorcore rap group Insane Clown Posse or “ICP,” made up of Joseph “Violent J” Bruce and Joseph “Shaggy 2 Dope” Utsler. “What is a Juggalo? Let me think for a second; Oh, he gets butt-naked then he walks through the streets winking at freaks, with a two-liter stuck in his butt cheeks.” That’s from ICP’s popular song, “What is a Juggalo.” Juggalos are that small percentage of social groups – the one outlier whenever some group conducts a survey and 9 out of 10 people do something. Juggalo are fat, skinny, really tall, really short, overly hairy (or they have hair dyed pink and green, with
half shaved off and the other half in corn rows), or socially awkward, with an unconventional appearance. Members usually come from a working middle-class or lower-class family, and feel like a complete ‘loner’ everywhere else including around their own family, except when with their Juggalo brethren where they feel completely accepted, and don’t feel pressure to conform or hide traits of their personality. Across the nation, this group is often targeted by the media as trouble-makers, anarchists, and even gang members, a title not always deserved. In fact, in 2011, the U.S. Justice Department’s National Gang Intelligence Center identified
Juggalos as a loosely organized hybrid gang, in the vein of the Crips, Bloods and MS-13. And Justice lists Oregon as a home to this “gang.” This causes a problem for people who are fans of ICP and are completely law-abiding citizens, like myself. I used to work as a musician in the horrorcore rap genre, I did shows up and down the West Coast, and a lot of my fans were Juggalos, but never did I suggest they break the law. I’ve met Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, seen their shows, and heard them talk to people. They aren’t advocating people hurt or rob others, at least not in a real sense. They put on a show, an act, in the same way Eminem asked audiences if they
“want to see me put nine-inch-nails through each one of my eyelids” in the ’90s. ICP does what they do to create a sense of shock and awe for their audience, to show they can make music that people will like and will travel to see. So, next time you see one of these painted-up freaks winking at you, think twice before you assume they are a criminal. Because just like with most types of music, they are probably just using it as a way to express themselves, and like you are simply trying to find their way in life. To view the full, unabridged version, visit: advocate-online.net
ADVERTISING
National Teacher Shortage Casts Shadow Over Oregon: Creates Premier Job Opportunities
Press Release For young people wanting a secure, well-paying, satisfying career, a job in education definitely represents a possibility worth considering. For the last several years there has been a growing shortage of elementary and secondary school teachers nationally, a trend that seems likely to continue as Baby Boomers reach retirement age. And, Oregon has not escaped the impacts of this trend. There is a looming shortage of teachers and therein jobs to be had. Within the Greater Portland area, somewhere between 900 and 1000 teachers reach retirement age every year. And while those individuals will not necessarily automatically retire, the shortage of teachers in the state of Oregon is expected to become acute over the next 5-10 years. According to Federal Title II reports, 4,203 Oregon students were enrolled in teacher preparation programs with 2,221 completing the program in 2008-09. The most recent report from 2012-13 showed only 1,891 students enrolled with 1,672 completing the program. Of particular demand will be teachers credentialed to teach science, math, Spanish, special education, and English as a second language and bilingual education, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, Oregon schools also will experience a shortage of speech pathologists and nurses, the federal agency said. Of the small number of programs in Oregon preparing teachers, the most intimate and cost effective is likely Eastern
Oregon University at the Mount Hood Community College campus in Gresham. Students can finish 90 of the 180 credits required to become a teacher at MHCC and finish the remaining 60 at the EOU onsite operation in just 6 terms. Students from Washington and Idaho do not have to pay out-of-state tuition. “Our students are well prepared for assimilation into this market,” said Dr. Brandon Monroe, who leads the program for Eastern Oregon University on the Mount Hood Community College campus. “Our cohort program is very popular with students,” Monroe added. “Our students leave feeling they were part of a family effort.” For more information about the EOU at MHCC program, please contact Dr. Brandon Monroe at 503-491-7445 and bmonroe@eou.edu. Sources: http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/TchHires1.asp?RptYear=2015-16&TheRpt=TchHires&Submit=1 http://komonews.com/news/local/ in-oregon-teacher-shortage-schools-recruit-professionals-to-teach-11-21-2015 http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2014/01/oregon_schools_ short_on_teache.html https://www.nytimes. com/2015/08/10/us/teacher-shortages-spur-a-nationwide-hiring-scramble-credentials-optional.html?_r=0
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
MUSIC DEPARTMENT GAINS NEW PIANOS Updated pianos and a new instructor expected to draw more students Cassie Wilson the advocate
From brand-new pianos and a new faculty member, to the huge potential for student success, there’s a lot for the Mt. Hood music department to be excited about going into the 2017-18 school year. In their first meeting of the year, music majors learned that the school has acquired 10 brand-new upright pianos for the practice rooms in the performing arts department, as well as a new Yamaha 7-and-a-half-foot grand piano for the College Theater stage. MHCC had been using a 9-foot concert grand “from the late 1970s and it was battered and worn, torn and tested, and was not serving its purpose anymore,” said Choir Director Kevin Lambert. The college eventually had to stop bringing professional musicians to perform here because it was a subpar instrument, he said. The new grand piano came as a
result of a partnership with Classic Pianos, a company located near downtown Portland that is owned by a former MHCC student. “They worked out some special pricing between their company and Yamaha, in terms of the builder of that piano, to sell us this grand piano at a steep, steep discount,” Lambert said. “So, we finally have this beautiful, brand new instrument on our stage and we cannot wait to have concerts in our own space here at home.” The music meeting also served as a chance to build community at the beginning of the school year. “A lot of our students will be spending the majority of their Mt. Hood time here in these couple of hallways,” said Lambert. “We want to make sure that it’s a comfortable, productive space for them to do their work, and to have people around them who care about what progress they’re making, and just kind of make this our own little music community inside a much,
much larger school.” The department has also welcomed Danielle Davey, who will be the symphonic band director and also teach some of the academic core music courses on campus. Davey, the wife of MHCC Jazz Band Director Dan Davey, comes from Beaverton’s Westview High School, one of the biggest high schools in the state. “She was their band director for two years and did a phenomenal job at revamping their symphonic band program, and boosting the numbers and the quality of music coming out of there,” Lambert said. Students will also be learning how to successfully complete Mt. Hood’s music program in two years. Lambert stressed the importance of prospective students talking to someone in the music department as soon as possible if they want to major in music: “If somebody comes to us right away, we’re able to help steer them in a direction that allows them to complete in two
years, rather than having to tack on a third year.” For any new Mt. Hood students who played in band or sang in a choir in high school, but don’t want to major in music, there are still opportunities to continue to be involved in those activities, he noted. Anyone who can play an instrument or has experience in a choir can join an ensemble.
“Approximately 15 percent of the singers in these two (MHCC) choirs are actual music majors, and that means that 85 percent are not, and that’s totally fine,” said Lambert. “There’s not reason to lose out on some activity that you loved at the high school level just because you’re not turning that into your job.”
Photo by Matana McIntire
MHCC President Debbie Derr introducing Choir Instructor Kevin Lambert and Mt. Hood's new grand piano at convocation last Friday.
PIE VS PIE PROVIDES PIES FOR THE PIE-HOLE
Tell your hunger 'goodbye' with scrumptious, mouth-watering pies Maddy Sanstrum the advocate
Among new restaurants popping up on Main Avenue in downtown Gresham, for those diners with a sweet tooth and taste for savory foods, there’s one that might be the apple of your eye. Apple pie that is – or, cherry or blueberry. Pie vs Pie, which replaced Mark’s Northwest Table, may be small, but the flavor inside is big and delicious for those who want a hot meal, a slice of pie, or both. The selection may be narrow for the food, but the list of pies available makes up for it – ranging from fruit pies, such as cherry and apple, to cream pies such as their chocolate and banana pies. If I had to name one downside to PA G E 4
the cream pies, though – specifically, the chocolate cream pie – is that they’re incredibly thick and filling. The crust, filling, and topping of it, however, make it worth every bite even after you’ve hit your limit. The fruit pies, including the blueberry and apple pies, are just as good, and even better. In terms of crust, filling, and topping, the three blend together harmoniously. The crust is well-made, not too firm but not too soft, and the fruit filling inside tastes fresh with every bite. With bread crumbs to boot, the overall air these pies give out is light, filling, and fresh. Add a scoop of ice cream, and the experience just keeps getting better. Apart from the fresh-baked pies, Pie vs Pie also has a small selection of savory pies, such as pot
pie, Italian pie, and shepherd’s pie. It also serves minestrone soup with a small croissant, both of which are good – the soup filled with fresh vegetables and beans, and the croissant just as fresh and delicious. The pot pie here has consistently been good the last few times I’ve come over to sit down and eat, with a soft, flaky crust and fresh filling containing vegetables and chicken. This dish reminds me a lot of home-style cooking. The same goes for PvP’s Italian Pie; composed of marinara sauce, red bell pepper, Italian sausage, mozzarella crust, and a special crust. The best way this can be described, in the words of one of my friends, is “lasagna made better by adding a pie crust.” Cheesy, spicy, and overall, scrumptious. A few other perks about the
place is the courtyard that was originally owned by Billy Bob’s, offering the perks of eating outside – such as shade, comfortable seating, and quiet – without the hassles of street noise and foot traffic. The main downside to all this fresh-baked goodness, however, is that its food is fresh-baked daily, so certain pies and dinners can run out fast, depending on the time or day you come to eat. Even with all those factors, the food is good no matter when you come or what you eat. The eatery also does takeouts and special orders in advance for those who want a pie but don’t have the time to sit. No matter how you eat or dine, Pie vs Pie is a winner every time.
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SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
RUNNING WITH THE WOLVES: MY STRIVING SUMMER Clay Vitale
for the advocate
I moved from Southern California to Oregon two years ago, chasing my dreams by registering at MHCC for its Integrated Media Broadcasting program, which offered an opportunity I couldn’t find anywhere in the Golden State. After completing the two-year program this past spring, I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions of my life. I loved the coursework, the instructors, and my peers. And, oh, yes, my time with The Advocate, where I wrote and edited the sports section in 2015-16. Classroom and studio experience wasn’t all I gained. I snagged an internship at 102.9 FM The Game, an Alpha Media affiliate, working on The Bald-Faced Truth sports talk show with host John Canzano twice a week last autumn. I met minor celebrities, helped write and edit show segments, and had access
to a sports lovers’ dream Rolodex, featuring the likes of Joe Montana and Steve Young. I thought this could be it, just what I was seeking in my broadcasting endeavors. But Alpha is a business like any other, and over a few months working in-studio, I noticed steady employee churn and a struggle with show direction by the programming heads. I had a chance to stay with Alpha doing on-air sports updates, and I mulled the decision to interview for, but ultimately decided against, the parttime position. Instead, I wanted to be more hands-on within a sports franchise, namely a baseball team (okay: I’m a St. Louis native, and so a lover of all things Cardinals, and the MLB). And it just so happened the Gresham GreyWolves were searching for a new media team for the upcoming season. BUILDING THE BRAND If you didn’t know that Gresham even had a baseball team besides our own Saints, the GreyWolves are an expansion franchise in the West Coast League that calls Mt. Hood’s Oslund Field its home. The collegiate, wooden-bat teams in the WCL play for roughly nine weeks during the summer months, inviting student-athletes from all over the country to fill out their rosters. Gresham’s inaugural season was in
2016. Soon after, first-time sports owner Scott Barchus purchased the team from the previous owners, and sought to build the GreyWolves brand. He began his search for a new staff in March of this year, which was brought to my attention by JD Kiggins, head of the IM program at MHCC and my full-time broadcasting instructor. I eagerly reached out to Scott, interviewed with him at the local Starbucks, and was hired that afternoon as the Media Relations Manager for 2017. I was elated, and couldn’t wait to dive into my new gig. I worked with the team’s full-time play-by-play broadcaster on game-day notes and post-game write-ups, and my position included working with our sponsors on advertising and all social media networking. FULL PLATE It soon grew clear that Scott was being stretched thin. The organization was behind in many areas with the new season looming. I gladly offered to help where I could with some projects outside of my responsibilities, which meant I became the lead website builder, team photographer and 2017 Media Guide designer (all 24 pages of it), all needing to meet specific deadlines. My plate was stacked high, and at the same time Spring Term finals
were approaching. Did I mention, I bartend four nights a week, as well? I was quickly buried, but did everything I could to survive. I hustled to complete the website on time, albeit with some glitches that constantly needed patching. I shot and edited player photos and finished
Photo provided by Clay Vitale
design changes to the media guide, and worked closely with a printer that did the job for one-third of last year’s cost, and on time. I attended every game possible to shoot video, capture still photos, post on social media and advertise our sponsors while promoting daily specials. But I couldn’t be around as much as I wanted to be, or as Scott needed me. And my responsibilities shrunk to handling the social media accounts on the nights I could be at the games – many of which were on weekends, when I usually bartend.
INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Scott encouraged me to keep working because the GreyWolves couldn’t afford to pay my position a full-time living wage; he understood. I still felt like I was letting down the front office, though. I often worked off-the-clock, designing, planning and posting. I conducted phone interviews and wrote about our lone player representative’s time at the WCL All-Star Game. But it never seemed like enough. A friend of mine planned a much-needed Vegas trip for a few of us, which happened to overlap the last two home games of the season, and I knew my time was up. It was that week I received a call from Scott thanking me for everything I’d done for him and the franchise, and offered a great recommendation to give any future potential employer. My role had taken on so much at the beginning and was left so thin at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed the job. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I wouldn’t give up the experience for anything. It will help guide me down the path I want to follow: one that allows me to make a living doing what I love, for an established professional organization. One that I can fully dedicate to and immerse myself in. I now know what it takes, and I have MHCC and the GreyWolves to thank for that.
SAINTS WIN 3-1
Photos by Fletcher Wold
Mt. Hood Saints volleyball defeated Clackamas Community College in 4 sets (25-16, 23-15, 25-15, 25-17) Wednesday in the Yoshida Event Center. The Saints were led by Ashlyn Huntington (right) with 16 kills and Hannah Spears with 22 digs. The Saints play tonight in Salem versus Chemeketa Community College. The next home game is Friday, Oct. 13 vs Southwestern Oregon Community College at 6:30 p.m. PA G E 5
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
ASTRONOMY INSTRUCTOR BRINGS ECLIPSE HOME October planetarium show reflects on solar eclipse Ryan Moore the advocate
Over the summer most of the state and many parts of the nation prepared to witness a truly historical event – the
Aug. 21 total solar eclipse. The spectacular moment will be the focus of a special look back at the MHCC Planetarium, in an upcoming show titled “Remembering the Eclipse: An Amazing Event,” hosted by Will
Blackmore, astronomy instructor at Mt. Hood. There will be showings on Tuesday and Friday (Oct. 3 and 6) with showtimes at 6 and 7:15 p.m., respectively. Admission is $2 for MHCC students with ID and children, and $5 for other adults. For Oregonians, it seemed that no matter where you were during the weeks and days leading up to the event, there were people both strategically planning their trip to find the best viewing spot, while others wanted nothing to do with it and decided to stay far away from any highways or potential traffic jams. In either case, it was difficult to ignore the sheer rarity of this particular phenomena. For Blackmore in particular, it was a prime opportunity to take some of his students to see the eclipse in its entirety. Since the eclipse reached totality only in select parts of the
Photo provided by Pat Hanrahan
Web Photo
The Planetarium will feature the eclipse, captured by MHCC astronomy instructor Will Blackmore and his students. Showings will be at 6 and 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 3, and Friday, Oct. 6. Admission is $2 for MHCC students, $5 for other adults.
state – all south of the Portland area, Blackmore invited dozens of his students and their friends and family to join him at Discovery Park in McMinnville to watch the event. About two dozen students joined the gathering, that he knew of. There were hundreds of other local residents and visitors at the park, many of who got the chance to look through the solar viewing telescope Blackmore had brought along with him. He said his Mt. Hood students enjoyed the unifying feel of gathering with the whole community for the event. After all the anticipation that had led up to the day of the eclipse, the most exciting part was when
totality was reached: The moment the sun was completely blocked by the moon, Blackmore said, “people were screaming and howling as they experienced it.” Thankfully for everyone who attended, there was very little concern for the weather as the sky in McMinnville was clear as could be that morning. As far as actually making the road trip to McMinnville, Blackmore said that the traffic was some of the best that he’d seen in years. On the other hand, the return trip from within the path of totality took several hours for those people who left for home the same day.
HOLY ‘MOTHER!’ OF @$$! Noah Guillen the advocate
4 out of 5 stas
Seldom can a movie be brilliant, effective, moving, and simultaneously horrendous. Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!” is a reminder that a movie doesn’t have to comfort or satisfy its audience in order to be a quality film. From beginning to end, the (literally) madhouse psychological horror is disturbing and unsettling, with help from compelling performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, and nauseating cinematography by Matthew Libatique. The film plays out not unlike a nightmare. There are long tracking shots that follow protagonist MothPA G E 6
er (Lawrence) room-to-room with an air of unfamiliarity, sometimes seemingly through leaps of time. The ever-changing and psychotic characteristics of the house and the company it keeps play out frantically. There is an unknowing that plagues the film. Much, again, like a nightmare, the bizarre occurrences are accepted with a familiarity to some characters; contrarily, the title character stumbles through the mess as baffled as the audience. Lawrence herself delivers an incredible and often moving performance. From the start of the film, her discomfort and feeling of intrusion to events that unfold are made known through mere looks and moments. She is loved and empathized with immediately, which consequently results in an excruciating couple of hours. Excruciating.
It is very apparent why the sharp divide among moviegoers over this one: The brilliance is buried under grotesque shock-value imagery, as the audience is beaten by anxiety. The film feels like a burden that begs a question that can’t be answered in a cycle that can’t be broken. As for me, Mother! is another powerful stroke of genius from an acclaimed director, Aronofsky, that delivers thought-provoking disaster laced with beauty and is also a movie I never care to see again. Here is the reality of reviewing Mother!: The film’s effect hinges on one chief “Aha!” moment that may or may not come to its audience at any given moment. To view a complete version, including spoilers, visit: advocate-online.net
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 29, 2017
WORKING TO CLOSE THE SKILLED WORKERS GAP Greg Leonov the advocate
Mt. Hood’s career technical and engineering (CTE) programs present opportunities for students to gain skills in high demand by the manufacturing and engineering industries in Oregon. According to a report by the PBS network in 2016, about 30,000 positions in the metal manufacturing industry will need to be filled in the next 10 years as current workers retire and businesses grow. In March, the Los Angeles Times newspaper reported that 38 percent of jobs in the United States will be automated within 15 years. With advances in automation and artificial intelligence in manufacturing fields looming, Mt. Hood looks to businesses and industry leaders to signal what types of jobs will be
required for the future. In order for students to be ready for future jobs, coursework in Mt. Hood’s CTE programs needs to be aligned with either a trade or an occupation, said Jarrod Hogue, the college’s executive dean of workforce/CTE and partnerships. One new program that has really been a big deal for MHCC is mechatronics, a series of classes in which students learn how to maintain automated manufacturing equipment. Programs like mechatronics appear at Mt. Hood after careful deliberation with the college and advisory committees that consist of individuals from various businesses in industries that need employees with certain skills, according to Hogue. “What they will do is typically provide a curriculum – a program
“We don’t just look at what job postings are out there today, we look at trends and new technologies.” Jarrod Hogue Executive Dean of CTE outcome piece,” said Hogue. “Sometimes that involves making sure that (students) get some of that experience and practicum opportunities, (and) internship opportunities. Advisory committees are formed through the expertise of faculty “to
identify where are your students going to work,” said Hogue. With mechatronics, Hogue said that floor managers and operations managers were called to the committee because they “could see those skillsets that they really needed on a day-to-day basis – they’re a little bit more connected with some of the skills and challenges, so (it) just depends on what your need is.” Other methods used to determine what types of jobs will be in demand within the decade include “labor market tools and employment outlooks,” said Hogue. “We don’t just look at what job postings are out there today, we look at trends and new technologies.” An example of work that exists today, but didn’t before a decade ago is the way medical records are handled, Hogue explained. “We have been hearing for years
that things were going to go to (digital) medical records,” he said. “It took some time for education to catch up, but when (electronic) medical recording came around, it came really quick – now it’s hard to get a job in the healthcare industry if you don’t have some experience with electronic records.” Regardless of the technologies and rapid industrial advancements, Hogue said the most valuable skills employers look for are ‘soft skills,’ those things like “leadership skills, being able to show up to work on time, being coachable, teachable,” he said. Other emerging fields that Hogue expects Mt. Hood to build curriculum/programs for at Mt. Hood include artificial intelligence, automated logistics, and data analytics.
CAMPUS FOOD GETS REVAMPED
Summer Frickey the advocate
This year, the Vista Dining room, library coffee shop, and St. Helens cafe have new management at MHCC. The former food contract has been taken on by the business arm of Junki Yoshida, a prominent local entrepreneur and well-known contributor to Mt. Hood. Among his many operations is a local Italian restaurant on Stark Street near the Sandy River known as Riverview, which is how the Mt. Hood cafeteria will gain its new name, as the Riverview Café. The general flow of the Café space is the same as in years prior – tables and chairs filling most of the room, with a small grab-and-go food station towards the back. However, the menus, hours, and prices have all seen some change. The Café is now open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, serving pre-packaged food such as sea salt Kettle Chips, muffins, croissants,
cookies, bagels, and so on. For those seeking a full meal, there is cheese and pepperoni pizza is available by the slice, hamburgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and Cubanos made to order, each of which are under $10. There is also a salad bar ranging from $3 to about $7, depending on mix-ins. The first step is to choose greens, which starts at a base price of $3, then add cheeses and proteins that bump up the price. There also are healthier alternatives including Bento bowls made with “an original gourmet sauce,” said Ryan Hampton, food service general manager for MHCC. Fresh fruit and Naked juice are also options. Cold refreshments such as Gatorade and sodas line the walls of the cafeteria, along with Starbucks mochas. NEW COFFEE SHOP Starbucks isn’t the only popular coffee shop making an appearance at Mt. Hood, however.
The former Reader’s Cup cafe adjacent to the MHCC library is currently being redone into a Black Rock coffee bar. The chain restaurant offers flavored energy drinks, blended coffee, and an array of your go-to latte and espresso favorites. No firm date has been set for when the shop will be up and running, but construction has already begun. Yoshida is certainly no stranger on campus. In fall 2014, he and his wife, Linda, donated $1 million to the college, spread over 10 years. In return, the Mt. Hood gymnasium was renamed as the Yoshida Event Center. Junki Yoshida started off in America as a karate chief instructor, earning money to continue taking community college classes in Seattle. He would later gain credibility in the culinary field in an unconventional way, after making batches of his family’s secret teriyaki sauce and gifting it to his students for Christmas. PA G E 7
NEWS
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
AMERICA: TURNING ITS BACK ON DACA RECIPIENTS
Graphic by Prisma Flores
Bethany McCurley the advocate
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients fear for their future, say Mt. Hood officials who offer support for affected students. On Sept. 5, U.S. President Donald Trump announced through Attorney General Jeff Sessions that he would be rescinding the DACA program by early 2018. This decision prompted new uncertainty for previously protected families and students. The DACA program allows undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. at a young age (basically, as children) to obtain legal identification cards and work in the country. However, starting Oct. 5, no new applications or renewals will be accepted, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Under DACA rules, anyone who receives protection has two years until the expiration of their status. After two years, the lack of ID results in fewer protections and makes the possibility of deportation a reality. Everyday privileges such as jobs, driver’s licenses, or plane flights can make individuals vulnerable and forced to rely on their community of friends and family. Recipients will be forced back into the shadows, and many live in PA G E 8
MHCC ENSURES SANCTUARY • Approximately 11,000 DACA individuals live in the greater Portland area • Last day to submit application is Oct. 5 • DACA application costs $495 • Mission Asset Fund (MAF) provides scholarships to 5,000+ Dreamers fear of their undocumented identity being exposed, advocates say. Trump’s decision “validates that fear,” said Felisciana Peralta, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for MHCC. “It’s like a hidden backpack on your back at all times, full of rocks. It is beyond heart-wrenching.” The fear is not just for oneself, but also for families and friends in similar situations. “Even when you walk down a street you are careful because you think you can get arrested at any second,” said an undocumented current Mt. Hood Community College student, previously active in student government.
Throughout the uncertainty, MHCC continues to formally be a sanctuary institution, providing a safe, welcoming community through resources, clubs, and privacy. No matter their status, “all students have rights,” said MHCC President Debra Derr, who has emphasized the college’s sanctuary policy in emails to students and staff. Resources are available on the MHCC website, as well assistance from staff and administrators such as Peralta, who has worked with DREAMers – the name adopted for undocumented immigrants sheltered by DACA under the
DREAM Act launched by the Obama administration – for 18 years. Student clubs such as M.E.C.H.A. host workshops and discussions to educate students on self-defense methods and privacy rights. College staff are dedicated to ensuring strict privacy practices under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). No student information is given to organizations such as the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency without a warrant. “Actions are illegal, never people,” said Peralta. Welcoming
environments for these students are created at Mt. Hood by people being educated, avoiding terms like “illegal alien” and listening and validating their experiences, she said. By comparing traditional information requirements versus essential information, MHCC’s admission application requires minimal information to promote safety, whether students have been victims of domestic violence, stalking, or if they lack a social security number. The application process allows students to receive an education despite their status. However, postcollege careers may be threatened by the expiration date of ID for DACA recipients. The number of MHCC DREAMers at Mt. Hood is unclear – the college doesn’t track them – but approximately 12,500 DACA recipients live in Oregon, and 11,000 of them live in the greater Portland area, according to the Portland Tribune. Following Trump’s announcement, DREAMer supporters rallied and protested in major cities across the U.S. According to ABC News protesters said they would “stand up and fight.” For more information and resources, visit: mhcc.edu/ResourcesforUndocumentedStudents/