The Advocate, March 5, 2010, Issue 20

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Jazz Band gets rock star treatment in Taiwan

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Music p. 6

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march 5, 2010

Volume 45, Issue 20

Outside negotiator to bargain with faculty on new contract 'until the job is done'

Tobacco-free policy implementation a success or failure?

Ron J. Rambo Jr. The Advocate

Page 11

MHCC President John Sygielski said Wednesday the college has hired an outside negotiator for fulltime faculty contract talks to acquire “expertise to negotiate” despite opposition from the full-time faculty association.

Sygielski said he understands his decision will not be viewed favorably from the faculty’s perspective.

“I believe some faculty members will view this expense as a waste of money,” Sygielski said. “However, faculty and staff association contracts help to drive the single largest expense the college has each year in terms of personnel and related expenses of the college. Therefore, spending funds for the expertise to negotiate these contracts is warranted. We also find that it is the best practice of successful colleges across the country to use expertise such as this.”

The college has hired Randy Stedman of Workplace Practices Group LLC to negotiate for the administration.

Stedman will be paid $75 per hour, and Sygielski said there is no cap to his contract – he will be paid until the job is done.

Faculty member George Hicks, one of three faculty members who pleaded with the district board last month to not hire an outside negotiator, said the college cannot afford to bring in an outside negotiator.

“I do feel that the board and Dr. Sygielski do have the right to hire a lawyer just as the association does,” Hicks said Wednesday. “What I do not support is the cost and what an outsider may cause. The last outside lawyer cost the college more than $100,000 (confirmed by Dave Shields, who was a faculty member at the time and now a board member) and caused considerable chaos as a result of not totally understand-

ing what current practices are and insisting on being the only one to speak at the table for the college. This resulted in a lot of time wasted and ultimately in a strike vote because of an inability to advise the board to better reach consensus with us.”

In 1998-99, MHCC’s President Joel Vela hired a lawyer, whom the board ultimately fired, which cost the college more than $100,000, a price Hicks said was wasteful then and will be again.

“At this time and given the situation with the college reserves as the president has reported, this can only result in less money going for instruction and/or repairs,” said Hicks. “If it is coming from some other source, then they have not reported that.”

Shields said at last month’s board meeting that he would prefer Sygielski not be involved in the negotiation process — as he was in 2008 — because he should be busy taking care of college matters.

“You know as well as I do that presidents involved (in negotiations) is a rarity,” said Shields, directing his comments towards Hicks, faculty member Dave Garlington and faculty association president Pam Shields. “I, for one, do not want to see Dr. Ski at the bargaining table. He’s got too much to do.”

Hicks agrees with Shields’ perspective, saying, “I do agree with board member Dave Shields, the president does not need to be at the negotiating table throughout the process. He can enter if things need his attention. This is what he did about a year ago.

Currently, the college has 47 full-time administrators and managers. It seems to me that the college has enough smart administrators to make the points that need to be made and to negotiate the contract. The long history here has shown this to be the cases for

Negotiator continued on page 12

ASG Senate reprimands Best, resolution calls for increased 'commitment' Chelsea Van Baalen The Advocate

The ASMHCC Senate reprimanded Associate Student Government President Bradley Best Wednesday for violations of conduct and mandated a series of actions Best must complete.

The Senate, the legislative branch of the Associated Student Government, approved a resolution (with 10 in favor, three opposed and two abstaining) to reprimand Best. It was compiled from information collected by an investigation committee through interviews with “roughly 20 to 25 people,” according to Investigative Committee chair Verity Bishop. She said, “The Investigative Committee talked together and took out the main points.”

Senator Raul Reyes, a member of the Investigation Committee, said the committee had a script of questions they asked. “We’re sticking to it to avoid any bias or leading questions. We don’t want to have any impact on how they’re going to answer.”

Best said he had “someone tell me the bullet parts” of the resolution and that “Bethany (Vice President Bethany Peterman) did inform me that there was a resolution.” Best

said that he was notified of the action in the early part of this week.

“I knew there was a close to the investigative piece but I didn’t know that recommendations were passed on for further action,” Best said.

According to the resolution, Best will be required to Bradley Best “maintain posted office hours and be available to staff, colleagues, and students.” Best said that this portion of the resolution was a shock and that he has put in office time on weekends and after hours.

“He comes in and closes the door. They wanted more availability,” Peterman said of the first part of the resolution.

The resolution calls for Best to “make a personal commitment to refine his leadership and communication style so as to be a more inclusive, respectful and professional leader.

As per the resolution, Best must also “successfully pass

College to move graduation day next year, EOU grads separated

the mastery test of ‘preventing sexual harassment’ training program provided by the MHCC HR link . . . After completion he will provide a copy of the results to the Student Events Coordinator (Meadow McWhorter)” by March 29.

“The whole thing is kind of shocking, (I’ll) just work through it, listen to the advice of your peers, it will all work out,” Best said.

With approval of the resolution, Peterman said it went well. “People felt things were really investigated (and) they could vote in a more informed way,” she said.

The only amendment made to the resolution was in adding a date by which Best must complete his “preventing sexual harassment” test.

McWhorter, who Best already meets with once per week, will act as the adviser monitoring whether Best follows the resolution.

“Meadow is certainly my direct adviser on many things, so she, along with David Sussman (manager of College Center Service and Grant Sponsored Programs) will be the direct contact for progress on the resolution,” Best said.

Best continued on page 12 Index

News p. 11

Opinion

MHCC basketball prepares for NWAACCs tomorrow Sports p. 9

Spring break runs from March 22-26; spring term starts March 29

'King Lear' lead taps into years of experience to tackle role

News

A&E p. 5

p. 2 p. 3, 11-12

A&E

p. 4-5

Music

p. 6-7

Sports

p. 8-10

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OPINION

The Advocate

march 5, 2010

Editorials

Actions against Bradley Best poorly executed

A resolution was passed reprimanding Associated Student Government President Bradley Best at Wednesday’s Senate meeting.

Hurrah for . . . justice?

Three letters of complaint were submitted to the Senate at a Dec. 2 meeting by ASG Director of Finance Rae Nichelle-Peres, President of the Queer Straight Alliance Heather Nichelle-Peres and Senate Administrative Assistant Priscilla Pitts. It looked as though some bitterness simmering between select members of ASG finally came to a boil.

The issues date back to the ASG elections from last spring, when Best and his candidate for vice president, L. John King, beat Danielle Pannell and Rae Nichelle-Peres for the positions of president and vice president. While no formal complaints were lodged, there were several informal complaints made by supporters of Pannell and Rae Nichelle-Peres. Apparently, these feelings of ill-will have not died down.

The complaints were broad, ranging from ac-

cusing Best of unprofessional behavior to power trips to outright sexual harassment.

While The Advocate cannot attest to whether Best is guilty, the incident at hand echoes that of an internal struggle that is best resolved internally with the personality complaints never coming to Senate.

The signatures brought to the Senate and presented at the meeting were garnered from ASG and SAB members, and with little to no outside parties, we’re left to wonder if the students had an issue with Best or if it was two vocal members of the student government (as well as a club member.) Some of Best’s behavior might not be professional (i.e., not showing up to the reading of the resolution.) However, given that the complaints are so subjective, who is to judge that the issues really happened?

Nevertheless, the complaints prompted a term-long investigation by a section of ASG entitled the Investigation Committee. The committee met with 20 to 25 people who have worked

with Best in a variety of capacities. Afterward, the findings were turned into the resolution that were approved Wednesday.

When Best said the actions taken were done in an ill sequence of events, he isn’t that far off.

Though it is great that the Senate took it upon itself to investigate the claims before voting on a resolution, was it necessary to do it in such a way?

While it is often beneficial to the student body when issues were addressed in public, it feels as though the complaints weren’t actually complaints, but just grievances based on differences.

How far did those lodging the complaint go to make Best aware of their issues? What the entire issue felt like, from the initial filing of complaints to the bitter end, was nothing more than internal squabbling by people who have never, and apparently may never, get along.

How can our student leaders focus on leading the student body if they are not above bickering with each other over personality differences?

Online class schedule is clunky and inconvenient The MHCC quarterly class schedule is shrinking in size and content. It soon will only be available online, but in the meantime we are stuck with what we have.

This year’s iteration of the Spring Schedule of Classes comes with an ominous warning just inside the front cover: in coming terms the college will no longer offer a paper copy of the Schedule of Classes, instead opting for listings of classes to appear exclusively online. While the reasoning behind this has some merit, conservation of environment and budget mainly, what we are left to deal with in the meantime is rather awkward.

In more recent versions of the paper copy of the schedule, we have seen the listings of class times and dates eliminated, a decision that has marginalized the usefulness of the paper copy.

It used to be that a student could easily use the listed class dates and times to figure out a few

options for their schedule; now, while this is still possible, a student must use the class catalogue listed in the MyMHCC Portal page for date and time information.

The drawback of this modernization of the schedule is that the portal page requires quite a bit of window navigation to get to the class information.

This makes comparing available class times an annoying chore that requires jumping between open windows and menus.

While it is not a deficient web list by any means, it is simply not as convenient as the paper copy used to be. Turning from page to page to compare available course times is, in all honesty, much simpler than clicking through link after link on the web page.

While it may seem odd to hear this, the lowtech, paper version of the schedule is more portable, too. The reality of the situation is that the

old-fashioned version of the schedule was much more convenient. One thing that may help in the future is a streamlining of the design on the web-listed schedule of classes.

Unfortunately, for now we are stuck with an uncomfortable middle ground: A half-complete paper copy of the schedule and a digital version which feels more like an alternative than a necessity.

Students will, of course, adapt and make do with what is available to them on the web page, but the current state of the paper copy of the class schedule poses the question of why do we even have a paper copy?

Although it does contain information on the courses offered at MHCC and how many credits each class is worth, the section listings and class times are not listed, making this an informative document for prospective students and a waste of paper and time for current students.

Life advice: Don't let illnesses defeat you, stay positive Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

Never in a million years did I imagine at age 23 I would be diagnosed with crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract also known as the “GI.” There are many forms of crohn’s.

In my case, it was a true “pain in the ass,” something I occasionally joke about these days to make light of the situation. That’s what we humans do best — make a joke out of a serious matter. I have found that to be a

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Sanne Godfrey Editor-in-Chief Ron J. Rambo Jr. Executive Editor, Design Jake Fray Sports Editor Brett Stanley Photo Editor Chelsea Van Baalen A&E, Web Editor M. Michael Rose Advertising Manager Jen Ashenberner Music Editor Jordan Tichenor Opinion Editor

form of healing and comfort.

From experience, I can assure you that anal abscesses coming and going at a rapid rate are nothing to take lightly. But what are you going to do?

I was stuck in a downward spiral of pain, stress, anxiety and sometimes, at my lowest point, depression.

Try having a disease that is uncomfortable to talk about and that doesn’t make sense to most, including your primary doctor. It’s a hard card to play.

The symptoms weren’t easy to determine nor were they expected since I was clueless in the matter. Random fevers of 102-plus degrees from the infections and lack of sleep.

Many people share a common bond of insecurities. Guilty as charged. But for crohn’s patients, insecurities intensify and Mt. Hood Community College 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham, Oregon 97030 www.advocate-online.net

Ollie Barker Reporter Ben Brady Reporter Nicholas Buell Reporter Devin Courtright Reporter Jon Fuccillo Reporter Riley Hinds Reporter L. John King Reporter Thelma M. Lucas Reporter Mario Rubio Reporter Corin Salnavé Reporter Reed Shackelford Reporter

can alter the way you think and act, which can affect sexual health and well-being.

The constant questions are asked. What is crohn’s? How does one get crohn’s? How do you cure crohn’s? In my case, I was left with uncertainty and did a lot of soul searching.

As a result, I started to make lifestyle changes, something I still struggle with on a daily basis. But as in any story of motivation, it is important to never give up and to stay positive. This isn’t a matter of life and death. This is a story of treating the problem before it takes off to a point of no return.

I had no clue what the hell was going on and what any of this meant. Then after months of physical and mental pain, four anal surgeries, constant medical attention (nurses, doctors and good old fashion ma and pa care), mounds of pills, quitting my E-mail advocatt@mhcc.edu 503-491-7250 (Main) 503-491-7413 (Office) 503-591-6064 (Fax)

job and taking a term off from school. I decided enough is enough.

Autoimmunity plays a role in more than 80 diseases worldwide.

Most people with crohn’s disease suffer from constant fear and issues of abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, skin rashes, arthritis and other inflammation distractions.

According to current statistics, 500,000 Americans suffer from crohn’s disease and who knows how many more who don’t even know that they do. That means possibly one in every 500 people.

Don’t wait. Don’t be scared.

Life goes on as it always does.

If there is ever a question or concern in your personal well-being and overall health, remember that help is just around the corner. Take advantage of your resources.

Adviser

Bob Watkins Assistant Adviser

Dan Ernst

Submissions 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.

news

march 5, 2010

College re-accredited, but needs help on advising

The Advocate 3

Grammy-nominated artist performs at 'Women's Herstory' event

Sanne Godfrey The Advocate

MHCC received four commendations in its re-accreditation report from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and will work on its advising systems, the lone area taregeted for improvement.

The college received a letter in January confirming its re-accreditation and asking for an interim report by fall 2010 to describe its progress.

In an all-staff e-mail sent Feb. 17 by MHCC President John Sygielski, there were four commendations listed — leadership, strategic planning, facilities maintenance and educational assessment — as well as the one recommendation that the college focus on advising.

According to Nancy Szofran, director of the department of research and planning, the report brought no surprises.

Sygielski said, “Mt. Hood Community College fully recognizes that it has not yet met the intent of Recommendation 4 of the 2007 report regarding academic advising.

Despite its best efforts and commitment, the college still needs to establish strategies and structures that encourage the meaningful participation of faculty and staff in a collaborative, coordinated effort to offer advising support to students.

“MHCC is now hiring a vice president of student success and enrollment management who, along with faculty and staff, must address the fundamental issues that persist related to advising, and develop a comprehensive set of strategies to offer a systematic program of academic advisement,” Sygielski wrote.

Szofran said, “David Minger, vice president of student success and enrollment management, will be working with advising staff and others to address the recommendation.” Minger did not return e-mails and phone calls for comment.

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

Janice Scroggins sings Wednesday in the College Center for the ‘Herstory’ event celebrating Women’s History Month. Scroggins was accompanied by Marilyn Keller and their hour-long performance focused on significant female innovators in music. Also part of ‘Herstory’ is The Quadraphonnes, an all-female saxophone quartet who will perform March 31.

Safety of pedestrians enhanced by public safety Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

An issue with pedestrian safety is persisting regardless of how pro-active Mt. Hood Community College has been, according to Wayne Feagle, lead Public Safety officer.

“The primary problem areas are the 29th Street and North Kane entrances,” said Feagle. The entrance located at 29th Street has been an issue since before he was employed at MHCC, said Feagle.

According to Feagle, the college was concerned with students walking down 29th street because there are no stop signs for drivers. There are no stop signs because that would cause a variety of traffic issues when turning into the campus from Kane.

Currently, the entrance at 29th Street has no sidewalks or walkways for pedestrians but

instead the sides of the street are decorated with bushes and boulders. According to Feagle, this was also done to discourage pedestrians from using the area as a path.

A walkway that cuts through the grass was created in order to give students a safe place to walk to the college, according to Feagle and officer Cherilyn Nederhiser. But Nederhiser said even with a large ‘Pedestrian Walkway This Way’ sign posted very visibly, people still are not using the correct walkway.

“We have done everything we can,” said Nederhiser. “From putting up signs that point to the appropriate pedestrian walkway, to putting in rocks and boulders.”

“People walk where they want to walk,” she said.

According to Karen Reynolds, MHCC

manager for Environmental Safety, the college has put down barkdust and plants in order to deter people from walking down 29th.

The Kane Street entrances pose another problem and, according to Feagle, it’s because of students being “in a rush to find a parking spot before class.”

“It’s because sometimes they are running late and maybe it’s finals week and they’re distracted,” said Feagle.

The speed limit throughout campus is 15 miles per hour, according to roadway signs.

Feagle said, “There is that one spot where it is a blind corner and drivers still whip around those corners going 35 miles per hour and can’t see.”

Reynolds said, “Extreme caution is necessary.”

According to Reynolds, since the North

Kane entrance has been blocked with a gate and people can only exit there, the college has seen fewer problems.

“Since students are not able to enter at North Kane, we have seen a decrease in the number of near collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians.”

However, she still expressed concern about campus safety for both drivers and pedestrians. “It takes caution on the part of drivers and caution on the part of pedestrians in order to prevent injuries,” she said.

“The campus parking lot is just one big parking lot, but we have roads going through our parking lot,” said Feagle.

Feagle said his message to the campus community is this: “Follow the signs, obey the speed limits, and use the appropriate walkways.”

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A&E

MARCH 5, 2010

'A Great Opportunity' High school students display their work in MHCC Visual Arts Gallery Ron J. Rambo Jr. The Advocate

The Mt. Hood Community College Visual Arts Gallery is hosting its annual regional high school exhibit.

Nathan Orosco, sculpture instructor, said the college sends out a call to all local high school students to gather their best work to put on display.

“High school students and instructors decide what pieces of work they’d like to put on display, and we put it up for a month,” said Orosco. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get their work out there and possibly get it sold.”

Orosco said some pieces, which have price tags, do get

sold but wasn’t sure historically how often people buy them. This is his second year in charge of the event since the college hired him.

Orosco said some of the pieces were very well done.

“We had some really good work from Sandy, among other schools,” said Orosco. “Some good drawing skills there. I was impressed overall with the expression of the students.

There is some really good use of mediums on display.”

The gallery reception was held Thursday at 6 p.m., and the work will be on display until early April, when the next exhibit will be put up.

High schools that participated in the exhibit: Gresham High School, Parkrose High School, Reynolds High School, Sandy High School and St. Mary’s Academy.

Photos by Ron J. Rambo Jr./The Advocate

High school students are displaying their work in the Visual Arts Gallery until early April. The pieces consist of a variety of mediums.

Academy Awards: Chelsea Van Baalen and Jordan Tichenor The Advocate

With the Academy Awards broadcast scheduled for Sunday, critics are buzzing and gossiping like never before. With some of the strongest and most controversial line-ups in recent years, it’s easy to see that this will be an awards show to watch, even if you still want to fastforward through the acceptance speeches. Here’s our picks (in select categories) for who will go home with Oscar and who got robbed: Supporting Actor: Of the five nominees, two choices stood out the most: Stanley Tucci for “The Lovely Bones” and Christopher Waltz for “Inglourious Basterds.” While both certainly deserve to win for taking roles way outside their acting spectrum, Waltz deserves the gold for his dynamic portrayal of Col. Hans “The Jew Hunter” Landa.

Supporting Actress: With a diverse selection of actresses, Anna Kendrick is by far the most deserving. As a young, uptight busybody in “Up in the Air,” she tests her strengths as an actress and gives the most honest portrayal of the Oscar bunch. However, because she’s so green, it could also cost Kendrick the award. Mo’Nique will most likely take the Oscar for her role as an abusive mother in “Precious.”

Lead Actor: After his performance in “Up in the Air,” we have hope that the Academy won’t snub George Clooney for doing a dramatic comedy. Clooney is nothing but relatable in his portrayal as a corporate downsizer. However, the favorite for this award by far is Jeff Bridges as an aging country singer in “Crazy Heart,” a role that got him the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) award and the Golden Globe.

Lead Actress: When Sandra Bullock came out with “The Blindside,” it looked like nothing more than a level nine on “The Weeping Scale.” However, when it was actually good, it boosted the queen of romantic-comedies to the top in both the SAG awards and the Golden Globes. Though she may take home the Oscar, Gabourey Sidibe from “Precious” (she played the title role) is more deserving and by far more original than a

Who is primed to win and who is primed to get robbed at the biggest award show of the year southern Samaritan.

Visual Effects: If there’s one area where “Avatar” actually deserves to win, it is this category. Anyone who watched the movie in 3D can attest to the beauty of Director James Cameron’s Pandora and it’s citizens. However, it is a shame that “Avatar“ probably pushed “District 9” out of the Academy’s mind, as it probably deserves more credit for doing just as much with computer imagery on a much tighter budget. It is nominated, but it does not really stand a chance against “Avatar.”

Writing (Adapted Screenplay): It was tough picking a favorite for this category, especially when you have “Precious,” “Up in the Air,” “In the Loop,” “An Education,” and “District 9” to choose from.

However, sacrifices must be made. “Up in the Air” is the most deserving, however, because it is real but not heavy, dramatic but funny, and can develop each character to fulfill their potential. Still, “Precious” has the ability to sweep this award. This flick delivers a side of reality that doesn’t easily slide down. Based on the novel “Push,” “Precious” delivers one of most memorable characters of 2009 and makes you a part of her story.

Writing (Original Screenplay): While the previous category of adapted screenplays was hard to pick, original adaption was an easy one. The standout script this year was Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.” With wit, plot and action, there is nothing about this story that one can’t love. Set in an alternate-timeline during WWII, this movie is by far one of the most original screenings of 2009. No one else should stand a chance.

Directing (Best Director): We love an underdog story: a cult-favorite director going up against an Oscar-baiter is a story for the ages. And with Quentin Tarantino facing off against James Cameron, this is going to be one of the most interesting categories of the night.

Let’s just say it: Cameron doesn’t deserve it, but he’ll snatch it anyway. What makes this unfortunate is that Cameron doesn’t direct, he creates. He created a huge boat (Ti-

tanic), he created an alternate universe (Avatar), and he always creates a blockbuster. And what makes his movies classic are the weight they carry in the box office. Tarantino is an original, he makes the movie he wants and takes no prisoners, and he does so yet again with “Inglorious Basterds.”

Remember: A good director directs, and lets his movie tell the story; he doesn’t become the story.

Best Picture: Here it is, the one everyone waits for and the one that always gets announced last: Best Picture. This is easily the most talked about award and can skyrocket DVD sales and even put a movie back in theaters (a’la “Gladiator.”)

For 2009, this is also the most diverse selection of all the categories. You have sci-fi, drama, dramatic comedy, animated, action and more subgenres than we can count.

No matter how upset James Cameron will be, “Avatar” just doesn’t deserve to take home the gold on this one. Considering the fact that his movie combined major plot points from “Pocahontas,” “Fern Gully,” “The Last Samurai” and “Dances with Wolves,” the only thing Cameron’s movie brings to the mix are effects.

However, it must be said that Cameron had millions of movie-goers clamoring to jump into the alternate universe he created for them. “Avatar” is a movie that tends to sweep audiences away, which is most likely what landed the film in this category in the first place.

The real winner, however, is “Inglourious Basterds,” just on originality alone. It’s not every day someone can make a spaghetti-western out of WWII, but Quentin Tarantino does this in spades. With the acting, the directing, the writing and the cinematography, “Inglourious Basterds” rises above the rest and has the potential to push Tarantino into cinema sainthood.

However, the Academy isn’t always the one to pick the saints. And with a sleeper-wartime hit on the horizon with “The Hurt Locker,” it seems like it could be anyone’s show.

Not to mention the fact that we can’t underestimate the little-movie-that-could, “Precious.”

Best Picture is always the wild card, but with selections like these, who needs choices? Though if the movie ticket was primed to paper cut us, we would have to say “The Hurt Locker” will take the biggest award of the night.

A&E

march 5, 2010

The Advocate

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Sam Mowry takes on the role of King Lear and shares the stage with his son Atticus Mowry for the first time during MHCC's production of 'King Lear' Sanne Godfrey The Advocate

The first weekend of the MHCC theater production of “King Lear” is over and Sam Mowry, who plays the title role, said it’s been a great experience.

“All the elements fit together for the first time,” said Mowry. “The audience added a sense of excitement and expectation you miss when just rehearsing.”

Director Rick Zimmer said, “It all worked beautifully. The concept, the cast, the technical aspects of light, scenery and costumes, and the original music score combined with a fantastic sound design all came together to support a powerful production led by Sam A. Mowry professionally steering the helm.”

This is the first time Mowry has played the king, but he played the role of Edmund in a different “King Lear” production.

Mowry said he has performed in several Shakespearean plays and has loved Shakespeare from very early on, adding it was one of the reasons he became a professional actor.

Mowry said Shakespeare plays are difficult because they require a bigger cast, they use an older version of the English language and, he emphasized, it is an exciting, yet daunting, style of theater.

Mowry was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and moved across the country before settling in Portland in 1979.

Mowry is married to Cynthia McGean, a teacher, director and playwright with whom he has collaborated on numerous occasions.

Mowry is the founder and director of the Willamette Radio Workshop, an award-winning audio theater company, and does professional voiceover work for several different companies, including Intel, OMSI and Nike.

He has played in approximately 140 productions and said he has been the lead in about 100 of them. Zimmer contacted Mowry about playing King Lear because the role calls for someone old enough to play Lear, but young enough to carry the show for three hours.

Mowry said he worked with Zimmer 25 years ago in a Portland theater production, adding that “he’s a wonderful guy.”

In a Feb. 23 article in the Gresham Outlook, Zimmer said, “It’s such a generational play, you need older, seasoned actors to play against younger student actors.

It’s about fathers, children. I really wanted to get that age difference, so it became necessary to reach out to the older actors.”

The older actors in the MHCC production include: Peter Armetta, who has acted with Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre and plays The Fool in the production; Jeffrey Gilpin, who plays the role of Edgar and is the artistic director for Oregon Repertory Theatre and Portland Public Schools; and Tom Beckett, a stage actor and drama teacher at da Vinci Arts Middle School who plays the role of Earl of Kent.

Mowry also gets to share the stage with his 24-yearold son, Atticus Mowry, who plays the Duke of Cornwall in “King Lear.”

“He’s been going to rehearsals since he was six weeks old, but this is the first time we have been in the same production,” said Mowry. “He is very talented.”

Mowry said he is honored to be a part of the production and “I’m glad that (Atticus and his father) didn’t have a lot of interaction on stage” so that during rehearsals Mowry was able to closely watch his son.

“He’s been running lines with me since he was 10. At 10, he was better than most adults,” said Mowry.

Mowry said all the MHCC students he worked with were talented, enthusiastic, open to suggestions and “the story we have been telling for the last two months, came alive.”

Mowry said every actor needs help and that the setting at MHCC was perfect for this, because everyone was open to suggestions and students asked him for a lot of information to help them with their acting.

“Every performance is going to get better,” said Mowry. “My son gets to blind someone in a swordfight.

It’s not something you see every day.”

“King Lear” will be performed in the MHCC College Theater tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 per person.

Contributed photos by Matt Houck

Top: Sam Mowry as King Lear during dress rehearsal for the MHCC Theater Department’s prodution of “King Lear.

Left: Mowry as King Lear, as the Duke of Gloucester (Michael Streeter) and Edgar (Jeffery Gilpin, top left) look on.

Above: Mowry as King Lear during one of the scenes of “King Lear.

Singing, acting auditions for 'Godspell' to be held next week Chelsea Van Baalen The Advocate

Auditions for “Godspell” begin next week, with singing auditions March 9 in the choir room from 4 to 7 p.m. and acting auditions at 4 p.m. March 10 in the Studio Theater.

Director Rick Zimmer said all parts are open. “It will be an ensemble cast of 12 actors who act, sing and dance a series of lessons and parables loosely based on the gospel of St. Matthew,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer said people auditioning need to prepare 32 bars of music to perform at the singing audition.

For the acting audition, Zimmer said people will do a cold reading from the play and that nothing needs to be memorized.

Zimmer chose “Godspell” because it will be appropriate for the Studio Theater space where productions will be held.

“Since we are in the smaller Studio Theater, we needed a musical that would be better suited for the intimate setting that the Studio Theater allows. ‘Godspell’ fits this to a T,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer is excited about the ensemble cast for “Godspell.”

“This ensemble style allows for the performers to show off not only their acting and singing, but also special skills such as improvisation, puppetry, impersonations, musical instruments, and pantomime,” Zimmer said. “It is cleverly written and challenges the actors to push their creative limits.”

For more information on auditioning, contact Zimmer at rick.zimmer@mhcc.edu.

MUSIC

6 The Advocate

MARCH 5, 2010

Percussionist prepares for Symphonic Band Festival Devin Courtright The Advocate

Symphonic band percussionist Marshall Nystrom said the upcoming MHCC Symphonic Band Festival will be his first festival and he’s not nervous about it.

“I don’t have any phobias, especially stage fright,” said Nystrom. “I have an amazing lack of nerves. I’m generally not afraid, not nervous.”

The Symphonic Band Festival will take place Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the College Theater.

Susie Jones, music instructor and co-Symphonic Band director, said MHCC has hosted the festival for nine years, being mainly a “high school festival” for all the local high school bands to perform.

“The routine is this: The high school band comes in, they do their warm-up, they perform on stage, and then after that, they go

to another room where they receive a clinic from a clinician, who works with them after he’s heard them perform,” said Jones. “It’s a festival, not a competition, for educational purposes.”

“The high schools that are going to be performing are very high quality groups,” said Jones.

MHCC’s Symphonic Band will perform at 12:30 p.m., playing such classics as “Arabian Dances,” “Sevens” and “An American Fantasy.”

Nystrom joined MHCC’s Symphonic Band this term, specializing in playing different kinds of percussion instruments. He said, “Currently I’m playing timpani, mallets and other percussion — gong and crash symbols. It’s fun.”

Nystrom says he joined the Symphonic Band because he played in the Corbett High School Symphonic Band and said he has “always played in a symphonic set-

Photo by Devin Courtright/The Advocate

ting.”

“The high school band that I played in was a symphonic high school band and it seemed natural to get into because it was something I was already familiar with,” said Nystrom.

Asked about this year’s band, Nystrom said, “We have a competent brass section in general.

We have five really good trumpet (players), three good trombonists, at least two good French horn (players), and three good tuba players; a very strong brass (section), it’s pretty nice.”

LeRoy Anderson, part-time music instructor and co-Symphonic Band director, said the Symphonic Band plays classical music such as “old big band music, and (music from) major composers.”

Jones said, “It’s like symphony music without the string instruments.”

Anderson said the Symphonic

Band has been around at MHCC since the beginning, saying it “has always had a symphonic band” and says it’s common for jazz musicians to play in the symphonic band.

Besides astronomy being his focus and passion, Nystrom, 18 years old and interested in pursuing an astrophysics degree, has played music as a hobby for nine years.

He’s played percussion for two and a half years.

“It’s always been something I do for fun,” said Nystrom.

Within his nine-year music career, Nystrom has played multiple instruments, such as tuba, piano, trumpet, trombone, and many percussion instruments like timpani (also known as kettle drums), mallet instruments, snare drum, gong and crash symbols.

“I’ve been very multi-instrumental throughout my musical career. I have a history of switch-

ing instruments, when the song requires it,” said Nystrom.

However, he said the downside to playing multiple instruments is that he’s “much less focused.”

“Whenever I pick up a new instrument or start looking at a new song, I can’t sight read it as easily,” said Nystrom. “It’s easiest when I’m playing snare (drum) because I’m good at reading rhythms or timpani because I’m fairly practiced at reading it now. But for mallets, I need to take it home to practice a lot before I get it down.”

Nystrom will graduate from MHCC in spring 2011 and he said his musical plans are to stay in the Symphonic Band “for as long as I am here,” and continue playing and writing original music.

Learning music “became a driving force to do my best in the music program, where my competence is looked well upon,” said Nystrom.

MHCC End of Term concert to highlight two bands and two choirs Jen Ashenberner & Thelma M. Lucas The Advocate

The Music department will host an “End of Term” concert on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Susie Jones, Jazz/Symphonic band director said to expect very high quality music.

According to Jones the Symphonic band will be performing but the Jazz bands will not.

“This week is packed,” said Jones. “There is the Jazz

Night concert on Monday, then the End of Term concert Wednesday, and the Symphonic Festival on Thursday.”

Marshall Tuttle, orchestra director said, “The MHCC orchestra will participate and there are two choruses, the chamber choir and the symphonic choir.”

According to Tuttle the orchestra is performing Beethoven’s 4th piano concerto with a soloist from New York named Stanley Sisskin.

Tuttle said, “It’s a really high quality of music making,

and people will really enjoy it if they come."

Jones explained that the motivation behind having an end of term performance is to evaluate how much students have learned.

“They have to be there as a group to present what they’ve been working on throughout the term,” said Jones.

“It’s like a final,” she said. “Performers perform so this acts as a final exam.”

MHCC 'rockstars' return from Taiwan

Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

First-year music major David Miller, accompanied by 16 other MHCC Jazz Band students, returned home last week after “being treated like rockstars” in Portland's sister city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Miller said one thing he won't forget was when the group performed spontaneously on the street of Kaohsiung.

“We didn't know anything about it and then they told us what they wanted us to do and we were excited,” he said. “We even made some money.”

According to Susie Jones, director of the Jazz Band, the group's daily itinerary was organized by the city government who had plenty for the group to do.

“We were on the go from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. doing the things they needed us to do,” said Jones. “Outside of that we had free time and students could go explore the city.”

Kaohsiung is in the southwestern region and is the second largest city of Taiwan.

A sister city partnership with Portland exists in order to promote cultural exchanges between the cities.

An important motivation behind traveling to Taiwan is to expose the students to different cultures as well as allowing them the opportunity to gain professional experience performing in front of large crowds, Jones said.

“It's good for all students to be exposed to different cultures,” she said. “Sometimes students are trying to establish careers performing music so the experience is invaluable to them.”

Miller said, “One of the band’s best performances was at the Lantern Festival. There was an electrical problem that caused adjustments to the schedule, so we went on a little bit later,” he said. “But it was still great.”

The Lantern Festival is a celebration of the Chinese New

Jazz Night serves as final

Contributed photo by Susie Jones

Year in Taiwan and, according to both Jones and Miller, was the scene of the band's largest audience while in Kaohsiung.

“There were between 20,000 and 30,000 people at that performance,” said Jones.

Miller said performing in front of so many people was the most memorable part of the trip.

Jones said the Lantern Festival was also her favorite part of the trip. “It's an absolutely grand stage set on the harbor,” she said. “There was the most amazing fireworks display, too.”

Jones has accompanied the Jazz Band to Taiwan five times and has always been impressed by the people-to-people contact she's experienced in Taiwan.

Asked if he would like to return to Taiwan next year, Miller said, “Oh yeah definitely.”

The MHCC Jazz band will hold a concert Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the College Theater and according to band director Susie Jones, the group will play music you can tap your toes to.

According to Jones the concert titled “Jazz Night” is used as a tool for instructors to gauge what students have learned throughout the year.

“It’s basically a final exam,” said Jones.

First-year jazz band student Corbin Wescott said, ”We have a really solid jazz band this year. We all come together and work like a family.”

For jazz night preparation he said, “We are polishing up the tunes, it should be a really good concert.”

Wescott will be playing the bass for Jazz Night.

Jones said, “Jazz Night is a little more party oriented. There will be very lively music.”

According to Jones, in addition to the MHCC Jazz Band 1 and 2 performances there will also be a performance by the Justin Lugo Trombone Ensemble, a 10 trombone with rhythm section.

John Moak and Stan Bock will make an appearance to do a piece of music specially arranged for 10 trombones that Jones said should be an interesting piece.

MUSIC

MARCH 5, 2010

The Advocate 7

C-DUBB LOOKS TO TAKE OVER P-TOWN Jen Ashenberner The Advocate

MHCC basketball player Chris Williams has considerable skills on the basketball court to offer the world but he is nurturing another talent he hopes will pay off in the long run.

“I've always played basketball, but I just started rapping,” said Williams. “I'm good at basketball, but I think I'm better at rapping.”

Williams started out as an onlooker while his brother Lee and their friends wrote and spit freestyle lyrics in their living rooms.

After a while, just watching the group wasn't good enough for Williams so he picked up the flow and started jumping in with his own freestyle.

“My brother was always writing and studying lyrics,” Williams said. “He started telling me about the message in the lyrics, so I started rapping too.” The message, he said, is why rapping got started.

Jamar Johnson, a fellow MHCC basketball player, has known Williams for six years and said, “Everybody starts out shaky but he developed his own style and has come a long way.”

It wasn't until after a couple of months of rapping that he picked up a pen and started writing his own lyrics. He realized he had a passion for writing as well as spitting lyrics. It was then that Williams decided he wanted a future in the music industry.

Williams said the goal he has for his music is to always “put out a positive message because positivity is always a good thing.”

“It's a God-given gift that I want to use right,” said Williams.

Johnson said, “He keeps it real and talks about what we (as young black men) go through.”

Williams said it's a struggle to find time to pursue his other passion because right now, with the upcoming NWAACC basketball tournament this weekend and being a full-time student, he doesn't have a lot of extra time.

“Right now with basketball taking up so much of my time, I write lyrics in class and when I have free time,” Williams said.

Contributed photo by Chris Williams

Chris "C-Dubb" Williams Williams is part of a group of six young men, including Williams and Johnson, who are trying to establish themselves on the Portland music scene. They have not come up with a group name but stage names for Williams and Johnson are “C-Dubb” and “J.A.” and Williams said they are performing.

“We just had our first show on Dec. 27 at the Hawthorne Theater” in Portland, said Williams. “It was crazy stuff. It was my first time doing something like that besides basketball.”

According to Williams, the turnout was big for a new group. “There were about 100 people but you couldn't see the floor,” he said.

Asked how he felt performing in front of a crowd that size, Williams said with a big smile, “It was crazy. All eyes

Want your name in headlines?

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on me crazy.”

Williams has created a sample CD that includes five tracks of songs he and/or his friends have written.

“Blackman” is track number three on the CD and features Martin Luther King Jr. speaking in the background.

The beat that sets the tone is not his own but Williams said Jay-Z's “Thank You” composition gives the track good flow.

“I needed a powerful voice to really get the message through to people,” said Williams. “His voice is so recognizable that anyone who hears it will know its Martin Luther King.”

The lyrics that really hit home for Williams: “His skin is dark like 10 o'clock, or it’s high yellow like sunrise, either way everyone loves a black guy.”

“Everyone always second guesses what we as black men do. If we get an A, they're surprised,” explained Williams.

“People think were only good at sports or entertainment.”

While Williams is good at both basketball (he’s a small forward) and rapping, he can see his future in rapping. “I can see our group being established within the next year or two,” said Williams.

The challenge has been getting people to listen to their music and finding the money to fund recording. “Some people just won't listen and we have to hand out free music,” Williams said.

Right now he is working on getting the word out about his group by passing out the sample CD to as many people Go to The Advocate as possible and tryonline at www.advocateing to get more online.net to hear this shows scheduled. music.

To anyone who thinks they might NOW PLAYING want to try rapChris Williams ping, Williams said, “BLACKMAN” “Just write it, spit it out, and go from there.”

Up-and-coming artist works toward hitting the big time Jen Ashenberner

Are you in a local band operated outside of school?

Then we want to talk to you!

E-mail the music editor with your name, your band’s name, type of music you play, and a phone number you can be reached at to advocatt@mhcc.edu.

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The Advocate

Marcus “MacEm” Hadnot’s dream of having his music get noticed is about to come true — and then some.

People might know Hadnot from the Vista Dining Center where he works behind the counter.

He’s the one who builds the burritos. But Hadnot also started writing and producing rap/R&B songs in winter of 2008 while he was snowed in.

A few months ago, Hadnot learned about a website called Hitlab.com. “My mom actually told me about it,” said Hadnot. “At first I wasn’t into it, then I thought, why not?”

Hitlab is a site that allows musicians to upload their music so that it can be evaluated and scored according to its potential to be a hit and offers the possibility of getting signed by Akon or other major record labels.

According to information found at the site, it uses a dynamic hit scoring system (DHS) by looking at the patterns of a song and comparing them to the patterns of songs that have successfully made it on the Billboard charts over the past six years.

“It scores your song on a scale from zero to 100 and the higher your score, the more potential it has to be a hit,” said a smiling Hadnot. “My DHS score is 91.”

Hadnot’s song “Chemistry” wasn’t even finished when he first uploaded the track to Hitlab.com.

“I had been working on getting my recording studio, MacEm Productions, started up and getting that down, so I put finishing the song on hold,” he said.

Another feature of the site is it allows fans to vote for their favorite song and, based on how many votes an artist gets, they move up the chart. According to the site, once an artist gets to the top eight, the “bigwigs” start paying attention.

“I set out to make it to the top 100, which I did,” said Hadnot. “My new goal is to make it to the top 30 and get as many people as possible to vote for me.”

Hadnot has a lot of family and friends supporting him. His friends “Solo” and “Philliest” also help him write and produce Marcus "MacEm" Hadnot music.

To vote for “Chemistry,” go to the Hitlab.com website, register as a FAN (not an artist) and search for MacEm in the artist search bar, and click vote.

“Chemistry” has been uploaded to the site for about three weeks and, according to Hadnot, has moved up the charts quickly.

“It started out in the thousands and then within about a Go to The Advocate week it moved up,” Hadnot said. online at www.advocateOn Monday, “Chemistry” was ranked at 94 and when online.net to hear this checked again on Wednesday, it had moved and was ranked at music.

90.

“I felt very excited,” said Hadnot. “I was moving 100 miles NOW PLAYING per hour because I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to tell people Marcus Hadnot to start voting for me.”

“CHEMISTRY”

Note: For more information about Marcus Hadnot and MacEm Productions, readers can refer to an article titled “MHCC member turns entrepreneur” published in The Advocate, Issue 13, page 8 (also available at the paper’s website).

8

The Advocate

SPORTS

MARCH 5, 2010

Key returners look to propel MHCC to NWAACC title Tanner Hodges

Coach Bryan Donohue

Corey Davis

Taylor Ard

Key incoming freshmen Nic Fowler- pitcher Alex Keenan- pitcher Matt Pechmann- pitcher Michael Seifert- pitcher

Jon Yearout- pitcher Grant Fink- infield Matt Nylen- outfield Griffin Boyd- third base

Key returners Taylor Ard- first base Michael Blake- utility Corey Davis- catcher Tanner Hodges- short stop Derrick Hough- right field Tom Jaworski- second base

Saints look to solidify first-place rank versus Columbia Basin Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

The top-ranked Saints open up the baseball season with a doubleheader at 11 a.m. Saturday against the Columbia Basin Hawks in Pasco, Wash.

In the preseason Horizon Air NWAACCs poll, the Saints are tied for first place with the Lower Columbia Red Devils. Columbia Basin is in third place in the poll.

The Saints finished last season with an overall record of 35-8, and in first place in the Southern Region with a 26-4 record.

Columbia Basin finished 48-9, and 23-5 and in first place in the East.

Sophomore Michael Blake will take the hill in game one of the doubleheader. In game two, freshman Nic Fowler will make his college debut.

On Sunday, the Saints travel to Pendleton to battle the Blue Mountain Timberwolves in a doubleheader at 11 a.m. Donohue said freshman pitcher Alex Keenan, a Jesuit High School graduate, will start on the mound in game one and 6’7’’ Jon Yearout will start in game two.

“We haven’t proven anything yet,” said sophomore Derrick Hough on the preseason poll. “Trust me, we are ready for the challenge. We have a lot to prove. But honestly, being ranked first doesn’t do anything for us. All of our coaches have been really pushing us every day in practice and making sure we give it our all.”

Hough, who will be starting in right field, is replacing former standout and now Oregon State utility player Dylan Jones. Hough admits those are some “huge shoes” to fill.

He finished his freshman campaign in 2009 with 31 at bats and hit .258 with four RBIs. The Saints only return three starters from a season ago: NWAACC Player of the Year and ABCA/Rawlings All-American first baseman Taylor Ard, shortstop Tanner Hodges and catcher Corey Davis.

According to Baseball America, Ard is ranked the fifth best prospect in junior colleges in the country. Ard has committed to play for Washington State next season after originally signing a letter of intent with OSU. “I made my decision too quickly,” said Ard on originally choosing OSU. “If I re-

ally wanted to I could have made it work (at OSU). I wanted to come back (to MHCC). I am real comfortable with this program. Plus I haven’t been able to be a part of a championship team. If we win it all this season, it would make my experience at MHCC complete.

Ard finished last season with a batting average of .490, 12 homeruns and 49 RBIs. Ard is ready to take on the challenge of his new reputation as one of the top-ranked players in the country at the junior college level.

He understands the hard work that is needed to back up a season like he had last year.

“I thought it was an honor,” said Ard on his junior college rank by Baseball America.

“I don’t look at it as pressure. At the same time, I still have to go out and play and be able to produce. I always set my expectations high. But we will see what happens.”

Head Coach Bryan Donohue is ready for the challenge after losing five starting position players and their top three pitchers.

“It’s been a bigger challenge this season,” said Donohue. “It’s not a bad thing at all. The nice thing about baseball is whoever

competes harder has the most success. Talent is a part of it. And trust me, based on talent alone we have what it takes.”

The biggest thing for Donohue and his young team was “finding arms” after losing Nick Struck (Chicago Cubs), Nick Opitz (Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne) and Jones (OSU).

“The main thing was pitching,” he said on building this team. “We have a lot of young arms who haven’t played a day of college (baseball) in their lives. Work with what God gave you and go out and compete. The emphasis is put on these young pitchers.

Donohue said starting jobs are still wide open for a majority of positions. He said he wants his players to continue to work hard and battle for playing time.

“It’s going to be a fun pre-season,” said Donohue. “We don’t have many players with a lot of experience.

Note: Ard is a game-time decision for Saturday after spraining his left wrist in practice two weeks ago. Ard said that he wants to return at 100 percent instead of coming back and giving a subpar effort.

Saints softball gears up for back-to-back doubleheaders at home Chelsea Van Baalen The Advocate

File photo by Brett Stanley/ The Advocate

Softball Head Coach Meadow McWhorter, pictured receiving an award from NWAACC Chairman Dick McClain for leading the Saints to its first NWAACC title in school history, looks to rekindle the magic and win another NWAACC title. The Saints are ranked number one in NWAACCs in the preseason poll over the Lower Columba Red Devils.

With their first game scheduled Saturday, MHCC’s softball team is looking forward to a doubleheader against Concordia University at Mt. Hood Community College at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“It’s all the girls have been talking about,” Head Coach Meadow McWhorter said. She said that after playing fall ball and winter practice, “There’s so much anticipation to play.”

When it comes to Concordia’s team, McWhorter said, “They have a really good club this year. They have several former NWAACC players.”

Among the Concordia players are a few familiar faces, according to McWhorter.

“A lot of their transfers are members of the Southern Region, so a lot of kids we’ve played for the last two years,” she said.

Prior to the game, McWhorter said the team will be working on “all the strategy parts of our game. Anytime we’re outside we’ve been trying to do defensive drives with live runners,” she said.

Sophomore infielder Nicole Colpron said the team “will be working on our defense and covering bunts.”

Aside from practices, the team also held inter-squad scrimmages.

McWhorter said that during the scrimmages, the program tries to create more of a game- like atmosphere to prepare themselves for regular season games. Freshman Chelsea Schriber, a pitcher and infielder, said it’s this “intensity” that has made the scrimmages exciting.

“When we are scrimmaging, we act like it’s a real game,” Schriber said. “It was good to get the hands-on feeling again. It’s good to get back into that game feeling.”

Schriber said the scrimmages have been beneficial in preparing the team for league play. “Getting together on the field shows you what kind of person they are on the field,” she said.

McWhorter said, “One thing I’ve been impressed with is their energy and focus” in practice and scrimmages.

The team is ranked number one in the NWAACC preseason followed by the Lower Columbia Red Devils who sit second.

“It’s an honor to be voted by the coaches,” McWhorter said.

However, she added, “They (the MHCC team) have to understand that anytime anyone plays Mt. Hood, they’re going to bring their A-game.”

The Saints will play another doubleheader at 1 p.m. Sunday at home against Grays Harbor.

SPORTS

MARCH 5, 2010

The Advocate 9

Men look to improve on last season's eighth-place finish Jon Fuccillo The Advocate

Photo by Brett Stanley/ The Advocate

Sophomore Jamar Johnson, shown earlier this season, was selected to the Southern Region first team. Johnson looks to lead the Saints against Big Bend in the first round of the NWAACC tournament at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Women get second chance against Yakima Valley CC Jake Fray

The Advocate

The Lady Saints went to Albany Saturday for the last regular season game against Linn-Benton Community College and win 6152 in what head coach Larry Davis called a “lackluster” performance.

“You know we didn’t play our best,” said Davis. “It happens. You get a place in the tournament and you go into a game not caring as much because you have your spot already locked up.”

The Saints came out slow but toward the end of the first half picked up their game and never looked back. Sophomore guard Brooklyn Bahme was the leading scorer with 17 points, two assists and two steals. Guard Brittany Yates finished with the game with 11 points while center Katie Smith chipped in 10 points.

Davis said that even though the Lady Saints didn’t play their best, they still finished strong in the regular season, winning seven of their last eight Southern Region games.

“We finished the season strong just like we wanted to,” he said.

“Even though we didn’t play our best that game, we took a lot from the game. We had to come back after being down, which prepared us for the tournament this weekend. I am happy with how we ended the season.”

The Saints finished the season with a 10-4 record in the Southern Region and 18-8 overall.

The Saints head into this weekend’s NWAACC basketball tournament as the fourth seed from the Southern Region and will face Yakima Valley at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Toyota Center in Kennewick,

"You can't tell who you will play but we just need to play our game and leave it all on the floor...."

Larry Davis Women's head coach Wash., in the first round.

Yakima Valley finished the season as the number one seed from the East with a 13-1 Eastern Region record and 21-5 overall. Most notably, the Saints have faced off against the Yaks earlier in the season, losing on Jan. 2.

“I knew we would face someone from the East,” said Davis.

“That is why I made our preseason schedule to face off against Walla Walla and Yakima because I thought it would come down to facing one of those teams in the first round — and it ended up being YVCC.” As for preparing to take on the Yaks, Davis said he has a trick up his sleeve.

“I had the coach from La Salle High School put together a team and they will run Yakima Valley’s plays on us,” said Davis. “To beat Yakima Valley, we just need to slow the tempo down and play our game.”

Davis also said being placed in the top half of the bracket does not affect how his team looks at the tournament.

“It makes no difference who we play,” said Davis. “You can’t tell who you will play but we just need to play our game and leave it all on the floor and we will be okay.”

The Saints men’s basketball team Saturday traveled to Albany for their regular season finale and came home with a 15-point victory 84-69 over the Linn-Benton Community College Roadrunners Forward Jamar Johnson led all scorers with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Garrett Strasburg chipped in 11 points and Dustin Jones added 10 points.

Jamar Johnson ended the season as the Saints leading scorer and was ranked seventeenth in NWAACCs with 17.61 points per game.

The Saints ended the season with an overall record of 18-6 and 10-4 record in the Southern Region. ***** The Saints are riding a fourgame win streak headed into the NWAACC Championship tournament Saturday as they face off against the Eastern Region’s two seed Big Bend Community College Vikings (co-champions with Walla Walla and Spokane) at 10 a.m. at the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash.

The Vikings finished the regular season with an overall record of 16-6 and 11-3 in conference. The team has been in the tournament nine out of the last 10 seasons but failed to make it last season.

The Saints beat the Vikings 7564 on Dec. 5, holding the Vikings to almost 30 points below their season average of 92.5 points per game. That was the Vikings lowest-scoring game of the season.

Head Coach Geoff Gibor said he is as excited as “a little kid in a candy shop” and feels his sophomore leadership should prevail in

"These guys want this so badly. We have worked so hard all season."

Geoff Gibor

Men's head coach the first-round game against the Vikings.

“Having six guys with experience and who played in the tournament last season is huge for us,” he said. “It’s a matter of execution.

I try to text my guys (sophomores) periodically and let them know that they’re doing a good job.

These guys really know what they are doing.”

The six sophomores for the Saints are Earl Jones (second team Southern Region), Jeremy Jones, Jamar Johnson (first team Southern Region), Garrett Strasburg, Chris Weitzel and Chris Williams.

Gibor expects point guard Earl Jones will rise to the occasion and come up big for the Saints as he did in the Dec. 5, game when he scored 26 points and dished out 10 assists in the 11-point victory.

“I’ve been pumping him (Earl) up full of positives,” said Gibor.

“He is a huge part of what we’re doing. When Earl goes, we go (as a team). He needs to create some confidence right away.”

Vikings head coach Mark Roth agrees that Earl Jones plays a significant role in the Saints offense and gave credit to the young point guard.

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“I think Mt. Hood has one of the best point guards in the NWAACC,” said Roth. “He is a real special player. We have to try to contain him right away.”

Both coaches agree that it’s going to be an exciting first-round matchup and that anything can happen in these first-round games.

“We look forward to a real battle on Saturday morning,” said Roth. “I feel like both teams are real solid. It’s a pretty equal battle.

As long as we stay within our (playing style), we will be fine.”

Gibor said, “Not a lot of teams come out and play bad in their first games,” “We just want to orchestrate some momentum right away and get after it.”

The Vikings had five players end the season scoring in double figures, led by forward Jeff Ranstrom (first team Eastern Region) at 16.57 points per game. Dominick Brumfield (second team Eastern Region) chipped in 13.50 points per game. Three others averaged in double figures.

“We really feel like we have some things that will hurt these guys,” said Gibor on his team’s chances of winning the first-round game. “These guys want this so badly. We have worked so hard all season.”

If the Saints win, they face the winner of Saturday’s 4 p.m. game between the Western Region’s number one seed Tacoma Community College Titans and the Northern Region’s fourth seed Peninsula Community College Pirates. This second-round game would be played at 4 p.m. Sunday. If the Saints lose, they will play Sunday at 10 a.m. in the losers bracket against the loser of the Titans-Pirates game.

SPORTS

10 The Advocate

MARCH 5, 2010

Saints look to build on history in NWAACC tournament B STORY BY JON FUCCILLO

oth the Saints men and women’s basketball teams are headed this weekend to the promised land of Kennewick, Wash., home of the NWAACC championship tournament since 2002.

The MHCC men have made 14 visits to the “big dance” and the women have qualified six times.

NWAACC (Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges) was established in 1970 to combine colleges from both Oregon and Pierre Callow Washington to comay-200 pete against one another.

8 team Prior to joining the NWAACC, the Saints were a part of the OCCAA (The Oregon Community College Athletic Association) during the 19681969 sports year.

Men’s basketball didn’t start an NWAACC tournament until 1972 and the women got going in 1979. The tournament rotated throughout the four regions (MHCC is in the Southern Region) and the men and women never played on the same court until 2002 when the championship moved to the Toyota Center in Kennewick, Wash., as a central location.

The Toyota Center is home of the Tri-City Americans hockey team, which is part of the Western Hockey League that includes the Portland Winter Hawks.

Thirty-four teams make up the NWAACC. The top four basketball teams from each conference advance to tournament play.

In 38 years (1972-2009), the MHCC men have won two NWAACC titles in their 14 visits and have been to the championship game four times. They won in 1973 and 1975 and took second place in 1994 and 2004. The men are 29-17 all time at NWAACCs. Geoff Gibor is leading the men’s team into the tournament in his first year as men’s head coach, but he participated in seven tournaments in 10 years as assistant coach to Rob Nielson.

Nielson was head coach for 10 years (1999-2009) and took his teams to the tournament seven times. His best finish was second place in 2004.

The MHCC women have never won a title and their best finish was 1998 when they lost 71-63 to the Skagit Valley Cardinals in the championship game. In five years under current head coach Larry Davis, the team has appeared in the tournament once, which was last year when they finished fifth.

The women are 7-8 all time at NWAACCs. Former men’s head coach and athletic director and current instructor Fred Schnell has been with MHCC since 1990 has served as the chair of the men’s NWAACC committee for the past three years. Schnell was head coach from 1990 to 1997 and his teams posted one second-place finish in two appearances. Cliff Wegner (assistant to Schnell from 1994 to 1996) served as interim head coach during the 1997-98 season and Schnell came back to coach one final season 1998-99 before Nielson took over for 10 seasons. Wegner has served as head coach for the Clackamas Community College Cougars since

1998.

The Cougars won last year’s N WA AC C Championship.

Schnell said he has shared a many special moments during the NWAACC tournament. One that stands out was his team’s run in Moses Lake, Wash., in 1994.

“In 1994 when I ardHow was head coach, we s e Jam 1 team came in second place,” 199 said Schnell with a bright big smile on his “A lot of teams and fans have been out face. “We had a great team of town in the past,” said Schnell. “This will give that could run and score.” us an opportunity to get more local and school That’s exactly what (colleges represented in the tournament) fans to Schnell’s team did. They come out along with better officiating.”

Sherry Short-1991 team beat Bellevue in the first Schnell said the players will get a better round 110-90. They followed that with a win over Walla Wal- chance of exposure and recruiting will be at a higher level. la 109-99 and then lost in the championship game to ClackaOnly four colleges have won both the men’s and women’s mas 107-95 in a clash of the Southern Region. tournament in the same year: Wenatchee Valley Knights in Tournament play used to consist of eight teams instead of 1980, Tacoma Titans in 1986, Skagit Valley Cardinals in the current format of 16 teams from the four regions.

1988 and Chemeketa Storm in 1999.

This year’s tournament is using a different schedule (Saturday through Tuesday rather than Thursday through Sunday) so the tournament wouldn’t conflict with high school state tournaments. Schnell said that’s been the problem in years past and hopes the change in schedule will increase the attendance.

MHCC NWAACC History

Men’s basketball team joins NWAACC in 1972.

Women’s basketball team joins NWAACC in 1979.

Men’s basketball program has won NWAACC titles in 1973 and 1975. Saints also finished second in 1994 and 2004.

Women’s best finish was second place in 1998.

Men’s basketball program is 29-17 all time in NWAACC history Women’s basketball program is 7-8 all time in NWAACC history The Advocate staff file photos

Sammie Clark-2008 team

From top left clockwise: Pierre Calloway, Sherry Short, James Howard and Sammie Clark have all been at one point part of the Saints basketball program. All played big roles for their respective teams.

The MHCC basketball all-stars by the decade

With the MHCC men’s team joining the NWAACC in 1972, followed by the women in 1979, Mt. Hood is one of the most successful programs in recent NWAACC history. Athletic Director Daryle Broadsword, along with former men’s coach Fred Schnell and current men’s coach Geoff Gibor and women’s coach Larry Davis, compiled an MHCC all-star team for both men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Broadsword joined the Saints basketball teams in 1983 as the assistant men’s coach and took over the women’s team in 1987. Broadsword left the team in 1994 and came back in 1999 to coach the women for five more years.

Men’s Basketball All-Stars

Women’s Basketball All-Stars

1970s Perry Campbell Tony Hopson Thomas Channel Keith Rice

1990s David Harrison Antwine Williams Drake Hudgins

1970s Nan Weatherbee Cheryl Mariani Gina Jaha

1990s Jennifer Gordon Stephanie Carroll Tara Gunderson Wendi Welch

1980s Rob Otis Scott McKie Jack Ryan

2000s Larry Graves Marquese Jingles Corey Nielson Greg Barlow

1980s Serene Jefferson Sabrina Slusser Lani Hill

2000s Terri Lee Sammie Clark Alexandra Melonson

Be sure to check out our website for continuous coverage of the NWAACC tournament with updates after every game at www.advocate-online.net

MARCH 5, 2010

Changes made to graduation ceremonies Sanne Godfrey The Advocate

The MHCC President’s Council has approved changing the commencement date for June 2011.

Associated Student Government President Bradley Best said he thinks the ceremonies will be on the Saturday after finals week, but that could still be changed, adding “it was stated

by Robert Cox the days were going to change.”

Dean of Student Services Robert Cox said, “It started with a discussion about possibly saving costs but then quickly turned to a discussion about what is best for students. The feedback we got from the (Associated Student Government) representatives on the committee is that a Saturday commencement would be easier for families to attend and also easier for celebrations after the ceremony.”

Best said, “’I don’t think it’s going to affect attendance very much.”

Vice President for College Advancement Cassie McVeety said, “I can share with you that we are NOT moving the dates/ times for commencement this year.”

Best confirmed this, saying it’s “too much of a time crunch” to change the days this academic year.

GED and Adult High School Graduation commencement ceremonies are currently held the Thursday before the college graduation commencement ceremonies. Cox said, “GED graduation would be held on Friday night” starting in 2011.

Best said, “They were going to break it up into different sections” referring to the GED, Eastern Oregon University and MHCC graduation commencement ceremonies. The suggested times for GED graduation is Friday evening at 7 p.m. and full commencement at 10 a.m. on Saturday while EOU will assume coordination of its own graduation ceremony.

Commencement for MHCC this year will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, June 11. The GED graduation ceremony will be Thursday, June 10.

According to an Student Success and Enrollment Management update on MyMHCC, EOU will use the College Theater for their ceremony this year, separating it from the main MHCC ceremony.

Marylhurst University’s English Literature & Writing department is hosting a

Writing Contest open to community college students

CATEGORIES 1. Poetry: Poetry submissions may include up to 3 poems.

2. Short Fiction 3. Creative Non-Fiction 4. Literary Analysis

First Place in each category:

$100 cash prize one free three-credit English literature or writing course at Marylhurst

Second Place in each category:

$100 cash prize

Third Place in each category:

$50 cash prize

Deadline for submission is April 1, 2010.

For more information on submissions visit

www.marylhurst.edu/english/writingcontest.php or call 503.699.8141, ext. 3336.

MARYLHURST

U N I V E R S I T Y Academic excellence since 1893 www.mar ylhurst.edu 17600 Pacific Highway (Hwy. 43), One mile south of Lake Oswego

NEWS Smoking remains problem at MHCC

The Advocate

Calendar FRIDAY, March 5

The Advocate

The no-smoking policy on the MHCC campus has been in effect for more than two months now, and the assessment of its impact varies depending on who you ask.

“It seems to be going real well.

We’re getting a great response from the staff and students,” said Wayne Feagle, head public safety officer.

On Tuesday, Feagle said no citations had been issued, but only verbal warnings. “The only time we would issue a citation is if we told someone once and we come back and they’re still continuing to smoke,” said Feagle.

Feagle said the only problem the Public Safety Office has had to deal with is with off-campus visitors who don’t know about the policy, which took effect Jan. 2.

On Saturday during a forensics competition, Feagle said he probably issued 15 verbal warnings. He said most of these people were not from MHCC and did not know about the policy, and were quick to comply once informed.

However, some students seen smoking Wednesday near the bus stop on Kane Road at the 29th Street entrance said they thought the policy was making things worse, for smokers and non-smokers alike. “(The policy) is not stopping people from smoking,” said Nathan, a student who asked that his last name not be used. He also said he felt bad for non-smokers who have to walk through groups of smokers on the way to the bus stop.

“I think if the school wants to stop people from smoking, they should provide the necessary tools.

I don’t want to smoke now, but I have to. I’m addicted,” said Ramon, another MHCC student.

Nathan also commented on the litter that has surfaced due to the absence of smoking receptacles on campus.

“The butts are everywhere. It’s making the school look trashy,” said Nathan.

Some non-smoking students also said smokers are not taking the policy seriously.

Student Andrew Hoffman said that while he “think(s) it’s better,” he has seen people smoking next to the tobacco-free signs on campus, and that it mostly “seems like a joke” to smokers.

MHCC student Joseph Johnston said, “I don’t think it’s being enforced enough. I mean, I’m not sure if you could enforce it better, but the concept itself is good” While the issue of smokers going to the Metro property in the back 40 has not come up recently, according to Feagle, Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives and Board Relations June Jacobs has said Metro is considering a proposal to make all of their outdoor properties no smoking.

“When the weather gets hot, (Metro) will put up no-smoking signs for the fire hazard, so there will be signs up no matter what,” said Jacobs.

Thursday, March 11

Men's Forum from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 1152.

Symphonic Band Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. campus wide

"King Lear" starts at 7:30 p.m. in the College Theater

"Understanding Test Anxiety" Student Success Seminar from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 2307

SATURDAY, March 6

Jordan Tichenor

11

Electrathon Electric Car Race from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Parking Lot J "King Lear" starts at 7:30 p.m. in the College Theater

Sunday, March 7 Softball vs. Greys Harbor from 1 to 4 p.m. on the softball field "King Lear" starts at 2 p.m. in the College Theater

Monday, March 8 Jazz Night starts at 7:30 p.m. in the College Theater

Tuesday, March 9 "Steps to Successful Test Taking" Student Success Seminar from noon to 1 p.m. in room 2307 "Coping with Stress" Student Success Seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. in room 2307 Godspell Auditions start at 4 p.m. in the Studio Theater

Wednesday, March 10 Alcoholic Anonymous Meeting from noon to 12:50 p.m. in Room 1775 "Understanding Test Anxiety" Student Success Seminar from 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 2307 "Steps to Successful Test Taking" Student Success Seminar from 3 to 4 p.m. in Room 2307 Godspell Auditions starts at 4 p.m. in Studio Theater MHCCD Board Meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Town & Gown Room

Godspell Auditions starts at 4 p.m. in the Studio Theater

Friday, March 12 The Advocate at newstands around campus NW Orchestra Festival from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. campus wide Men's Forum from noon to 1 p.m. in the Career, Planning and Counseling Center

News Briefs Forensics team successful at competition at home The MHCC forensics team hosted the PKD Province of the Great West Regional Championships last weekend.

Twenty-three colleges and universities from five states attended.

MHCC won numerous awards and adviser Shannon Valdivia said it was a great tournament for the squad.

Car race to take place Saturday The Ford ASSET and Metal Manufacturing programs will be sponsor an electric car race Saturday in parking lot J. There will be high school and adult divisions and all cars were built by participants and required to run on a single 12-volt battery.

For more information, visit www.electrathonamerica.org.

Industrial Tech hosts Career Day On Wednesday and Thursday, MHCC will be host a career day from 9 a.m. to noon for select programs. The Wednesday tour will inform the students on the details of the drafting and integrated media programs. Day two of the tours will showcase the automotive technology and integrated metals programs. More than 200 students will be split into three groups and shown around the campus, as well as the appropriate Industrial Technology facilities, for the final day of MHCC tours.

Barney’s Pantry holds fundraiser Corin Salnavé The Advocate

A competitive fundraising contest is in progress to help stock the shelves of Barney’s Pantry.

The fundraising contest began Monday and runs through March 12, with the participants including several clubs on campus, including Imagemakers, MEChA, Mental

Health, QSA, Rho Theta, SSTAT, Students for Environmental Justice and Wildside.

In addition to the contest, students from ASG have been roaming the campus with small bins, collecting money for the cause.

Read the full length story on www.advocate-online.net

12

The Advocate

Best continued from page 1:

President won't let resolution faze spring term goals He said he already meets with McWhorter once a week.

“I think if there’s enough clarity in what he needs to do, there shouldn’t be any more issues,” Rae Nichelle-Peres, ASG director of finance, said.

Best said, “Do I respect my senate? Absolutely. Will I adhere to the words of the ASMHCC Senate? Absolutely.” He said of the resolution, “It’s not my impeachment. It’s just a formalized conclusion agreed upon by the ASMHCC Senate.”

Nichelle-Peres presented one of three letters of complaint to the Senate at a Dec. 2 meeting, prompting the Investigation Committee and subsequent resolution. Heather Nichelle-Peres, president of the Queer Straight Alliance, and Priscilla Pitts, ASG Senate admin, presented the other two. Sayoko Sasao, president of the Remarkable Islander Causing Excitement Club (RICE), presented a letter of support in regard to the complaint made by Heather Nichelle-Peres.

Rae Nichelle-Peres said, “People who haven’t witnessed his behavior in the past witnessed it later on,” she said.

However, she added she did see a slight change in Best.

“Bradley was nothing short of understanding when I ran into some personal issues and had to be absent for a week,” she said. “It told me he’s acknowledged his room for improvement. He took advantage of the opportunity to improve himself and for me, on a personal level, that means a lot.”

Heather Nichelle-Peres said, “I haven’t really seen any changes, but I haven’t really, as far as QSA is concerned, gone to Bradley with anything. I haven’t found it necessary to go to him for anything.” She added, “There hasn’t been any opportunity for interaction but the interaction we have had hasn’t gotten any better.”

With the resolution, Heather Nichelle-Peres said, “I’m just glad they found him responsible for his actions. I hope this will be a wake-up call.”

Pitts said prior to the passing of the resolution, “I think that there has been changes in how he treats individuals. He’s more reserved in how he approaches tasks.”

Best said he will be moving forward with the upcoming spring term.

“I’m not going to let any of this hold me down or keep me from any of the objectives I’ve set.”

As for the decision to bring the issue to the Senate rather going by the bylaws, Pitts said, “There’s no middle ground for the president and vice president. We had no other means to file a complaint.”

Best said that when he met with the Investigation Committee, he talked to them and told them there would be no retaliation against anyone.

He told them he felt the actions taken in filing the complaints were “Ergo hoc post propter hoc.” Best said this is Latin for “events out of sequence.”

“How this was initiated, started, conversed in the beginning stages, was incorrect,” Best said.

The bylaws, as written in Section 3A of Article 11, say, “The President and Vice President shall not be disciplined in the same manner as appointed officials. Instead they shall be recalled by a special recall election.” This calls for a collection, via petition, of 200 signatures, and make their request known to the Election Committee. Afterward, a recall election would take place.

Peterman said an alteration to the bylaws in this regard is in the works.

“There will be a process to go through if you have complaints specifically for elected positions,” she said. Peterman added that the bill is still in the rough draft phase and “they’re still working on the process and how to refine it.”

Pitts said, “I’m interested to see how it (the bylaw) progresses.”

NEWS

MARCH 5, 2010

MHCC hosts summer job fair

Photo by Corin Salnave´/The Advocate

Network operating systems major Kyle Morris talks to a representative from ON Semiconductors during Thursday’s summer job fair. There were approximately 16 businesses attending the fair.

Budget, tenured faculty on board meeting agenda Ron J. Rambo Jr. The Advocate

Budget information will be shared at Wednesday’s MHCC District board meeting as the college’s new budget consultant, Heidi Franklin, is expected to present an outlook of MHCC’s 2010-2011 numbers.

The college is also expected to postpone its budget committee meeting again, moving it from April 21 to a date in May as yet to be determined.

The board will also consider a policy on senior tuition discounts, something the college previously had.

In 2002, senior discounts were discontinued due to state level budget cuts. If the board approves this policy, seniors will be able to audit higher education courses for free.

Eight faculty members will also be considered for tenure. They are: Mary Aebi, Bryan Anaclerio, Linda Fleshman, Dawn Forrester,

OSU Degrees Online

Negotiator continued from page 1:

Faculty say they may feel pressure to finish contract quickly due to mediator cost many years. Why they suddenly need to hire a lawyer and spend precious taxpayer money this way is a bit baffling.”

Sygielski said he will be involved when possible, hoping to be able to mediate when his schedule allows it.

“I will be involved in the process, including meeting with the management team regularly, attending negotiation sessions when possible and will continue to remain open to meeting faculty to understand their issues and concerns, whether or not they are representing the association,” said Sygielski.

“My goal is to be of service to the faculty association and management team and remain grounded in the issues that I can mediate and negotiate to ensure our employees (faculty) are understood, honored and celebrated, our service to the communities we serve continues to exceed their expectations and our students are not disrupted by the process.”

Considering the cost and current resources the college has at hand, Hicks admits he and the rest of the faculty will feel some pressure to get a new contract done quickly. The last faculty contract was not finished and ratified until approximately five months after the state-imposed deadline.

“The faculty are very aware of the financial problems here and are worried about it,” said Hicks. “That is why the faculty have a budget committee to watch how the college spends money and to make recommendations. That is why we have given up pay for four days this academic year. That is also why I have spoken out.”

Hicks said he wonders why the college can’t save money by negotiating the contract themselves, saying the last time a lawyer was hired to negotiate, it was a “disaster.”

“Many faculty are disturbed by this need for an outside lawyer,” said Hicks. “We wonder why the current administrators cannot do this work and save the college considerable money. I’m hoping that this goes smoothly, that the lawyer is used modestly and that contention is minimal.”

The faculty has formally given the college their intent to bargain, but have not set any dates yet.

Anna Johnson, J.D. Kiggins, Kathy Mauser and Robert McDonald.

The current recommendation is to grant approval of tenure for those staff, effective with their 2010-11 employment contracts.

There will also be a facilities master plan presentation by Deb France, a consultant from OH planning+design.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Town & Gown Room.

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