Volume 1 ISSUE 1
March 2008
For The Students, By The Students
LEADERS OF THE PACK; With No
Student Appreciation Governor’s Promise Deprives Students and Faculty March 2008
CSN: A Nomadic
|Review COLLEGIATE 1 Community For Students
College of Southern Nevada
EDITOR’S LETTER Collegiate Review For The Students, By The Students Editor in Chief Sara Bennett
Manager Editor Jazmin Brooks
Copy Editor
Renata Follmann
Editorial Dept. Olga Vizcarra Eduardo Buller Caitlin Saladino Marjorie Johnson Robby Keisic
Graphics Team Yomaira Sotelo Martin Legua Adrian Martinec
Photographer Mayela Arellano
Faculty Advisor A.B.
E-mail Comments To: Sara.bennett@students.csn.edu
ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS
TO OUR READERS
A
s you can see, our publication’s name has changed from Coyote Press to the Collegiate Review. It is a new name for a new start. This year everyone is new, with fresh vision, ideas, and skills. This is a paper by the students and for the students of the College of Southern Nevada. We are committed to bringing you timely news that affects you, as well as valuable information, recognition, food for thought and inspiration to be all that you can be. The team here at the Collegiate Review is committed to writing things that matter to you, the students and faculty of CSN. So please, send us your input and ideas. If you have a business or event to advertise, a club to tell us about, or even a response to an article or issue, let us know.
NEWS Jumping Forward: A High School Student’s Journey Student Files Suit Against Teacher
In this first issue, the Collegiate Review highlights the budget cuts, our baseball team, and the diversity of the College of Southern Nevada. Other articles to check out include the “Did You Know” section and the calendar of events. Let me leave you with this final thought. College is an experience and a time to enjoy. It is a chance to explore new ideas, ideas that are, perhaps, different from your own. Your college experience is a season for personal growth. Take this experience to enjoy learning, and don’t stress the details. Get involved and have fun – and remember we are a community at the College of Southern Nevada. Sara Bennett Editor in Chief
OPINIONS page 4 page 6
Letter From Student Body President CSN : A Nomadic Community For Students What does it mean to be disabled?
FEATURES The Leaders of the Pack Governor’s Promise Deprives Students and Faculty
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College of Southern Nevada
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page 18 page 20 page 22
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT page 10
The CSN Sports Center
page 24
The Hairy Ape
page 25
page 14 College of Southern Nevada
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NEWS Jumping Forward: by CAITLIN SALADINO Staff Writer
NEWS
A High School Student’s Journey
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leven years ago, the Clark County School District created a middle college consortium style program at CSN that very few are aware of. The College of Southern Nevada High School is a “school of choice” run by CCSD that gives high school students the opportunity to be college students. The program displays an excellent educational opportunity for students looking to earn dual-credit for their high school and college transcript. Open to high school juniors and seniors, the program allows students to take high school and college classes for free. The CCSD pays for up to 12 credits of CSN classes per semester for each student. Each campus (Charleston, Henderson, and Cheyenne) has its own population of high school students participating in the program. CSN High School provides students with the opportunity to prove themselves as responsible and educated individuals. They are high achieving, driven students who take their education and future seriously. The following is an interview with one of these amazingly spirited young students.
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Amanda Williams is a junior at the Henderson Campus of CSNHS.
a normal high school the counsel- CR: How would you rate the apors wouldn’t even know your name. plication process for CSNHS? You get to know everybody. AW: If you can prepare to get into CR: What were the pros the program by getand cons that you ting good grades weighed before in your classes, you left your you will get home school? good recommendaAW: I didn’t tions from know if it was your teachgoing to be ers. Try to challenging make your and if I wanted essays sound to leave an enintelligent so vironment that I the reader sees was comfortable in to that you really care. branch out into a new proDon’t act like you’re gogram. You are comfortable with ing to get in because you think that the people at your old school al- very few people apply. Get your ready so it was like the first day of application in early and don’t wait high school again. until the last minute.
AW: In normal high schools the students generally do not want to be there so they don’t care. At CSNHS they chose to be there so they are more enthusiastic.
CR:Compare and contrast the body of students at CSNHS compared to that of a traditional high school?
College of Southern Nevada
AW: I think you have to be able to be independent. You also have to be responsible because people won’t spoon feed you through the process. CR: What advice would you give to other students attending the program for the first time? AW: Don’t think you can just sail by when you get comfortable with the program. Keep track of your absences because they do add up quickly. Know ahead of time what path you are going on and what college classes you want to take. Have a goal so you can get the most out of the program.
Half page ad
CR:What do you enjoy most about the environment of your college CR: What opportunities does CSclasses compared to your high NHS give you that a traditional school classes? high school would not? AW: I like that you get to be more independent. It’s not like day care.
CR: What qualities do you feel are essential to being a successful CSNHS student?
AW: Instead of being a part of a huge student body, you get to be a part of a small school where the counselors and teachers can help you on a more individual basis. In March 2008
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NEWS
People Demand Freedom Of Speech As A Compensation For The Freedom Of Thought Which They Seldom Use
Student Files Suit Against Teacher by JAZMIN BROOKS Manager Editor
-Soren Kierkegaard
M
ary Ann Gabiana, a student at CSN, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing her former political science professor of forcing her to perform a sexual act for extra credit. According to the “Review-Journal,” the suit claims she asked her instructor, Douglas Pitts, if she could do extra work to avoid failing the class. The suit goes on to state Pitts “proposed a sexual liaison and sexual favors” in return for a passing grade. The lawsuit claims Gabiana was “forced” to perform oral sex on the teacher in a campus parking lot. Officials at CSN are not commenting on the lawsuit. 6
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First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speakout because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me. - Pastor Martin Niemoller The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. -Martin Luther King Jr.
Submit Your Timely Opinions to The Collegiate Review Newspaper! Is it ethical for a student or teacher to request sexual favors for a passing grade? TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS at
651-4336
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March 2008
March 2008
For More Information Call 702-651-4339 College of Southern Nevada
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Photos By: Maya Arellano
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Leaders Of The Pack;
With No Student Appreciation by ROBBY KEISIC Staff Writer
Chambers emphatically expressed, “I think if our student body knew we had sports, especially winning sports with the top-ranked team in the country, they would come root us on.” Photo By: Maya Arellano
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estled inconspicuously behind the CSN Henderson campus sits an impressive baseball stadium which houses one hell of a baseball team, a team that has been winning games, divisional titles and accolades since its inauguration nine years back. Today, the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes—perhaps the school’s best kept secret—is in their rarest form ever. This season’s roster is chock-full of players worthy of the big leagues. In fact, a few in particular have already received draft offers from major league baseball teams such as the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, and the L.A. Dodgers. It’s not every year that top prospects like these come around, and with the weather heating up; the Coyotes are only looking to elevate their game. But before you know it, many of these kids will be off to the pros, so the timing has never been better to take yourself out to a Coyotes ballgame. The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes have undoubtedly experienced both good and great seasons—along the way clinching the coveted NJCAA World Series in 2003. Now, starting off this year’s
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run at yet another National Championship title, our Coyotes have been named the #1 junior college team in the country by Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker alike. It’s not a question as to whom we owe their success, as the man at the helm of this tightly run ship is none other than Coach Tim Chambers. Chambers is well regarded in the world of baseball for his ability to construct quality baseball programs; he spent his past life transforming Bishop Gorman high school baseball from a team reminiscent of the Bad News Bears, into a well-oiled, winning machine.
College of Southern Nevada
Gorman hadn’t made the playoffs in decades prior to Chambers stepping in as head coach. He was offered the position at the ripe age of 25 and a winning team quickly emerged. Chambers then led Bishop Gorman to the playoffs seven straight years and racked up three Legion State titles, laying the foundation for what Bishop Gorman baseball has become today. Now, with Henderson’s Black Mountain as his backdrop and Morse Baseball Stadium his stage, Coach Chambers is directing a whole new cast of players. This time around, the baseball gods have graciously bestowed
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upon Chambers some of the most talented players he’s ever had the opportunity to coach. “This team here is as good as we’ve ever had! Ever!” exclaimed Chambers. With Baseball America, one of baseball’s biggest media voices, hailing the Coyotes as the #1 team in the league—naming four players pre-season All-Americans, one Pitcher of the Year, and one Player of the Year—from a talent standpoint, this roster is the best this school has ever seen. Our Coyotes are effectively putting the College of Southern Nevada on the map. Sports Information Specialist, Dan Cabrera, gives much of the glory to the coaches. “We have a great coaching staff who love to win and know they can win,” stated Cabrera in an impromptu press-box meeting. Cabrera went on to praise the coaches’ recruiting strategies saying, “The recruiting of players done by Chambers and the rest of the coaching staff has much to do with the [team’s] success.” In sitting with the nineteen year coaching veteran, there
was something infectious about his passion for the game of baseball. He unabashedly admitted winning is the driving force of the Coyotes’ success. “Winning! Winning! Winning is what makes this program tick!” It was quickly understood that coaching meant more to Chambers than catching a paycheck every couple of weeks. Coaching baseball is his existence. Adorning the walls of his office are countless Coach of the Year awards—and various other honors of the same vein—as if to serve as a reminder to his visitors that this is a man who’s mastered his craft. This team is so much his life, that despite all the success and media attention the program has generated, Chambers remains discontent with one thing. He’s discontent with the fact that the seats of Morse Stadium are sparse of student fans on game day. Chambers emphatically expressed, “I think if our student body knew we had sports, especially winning sports with the top-ranked
team in the country, they would come root us on.” He continues, “If someone who had never seen us play were to come to a game, I can almost guarantee they would come back—the baseball is that good. The players are that good!” Gracing the 2008 Coyote roster is Colby Shreve, a powerhouse pitcher who stands on the mound at 6’4”. Shreve, a sophomore wearing the #35, is one of the top scouted players in junior college baseball. Last year Shreve pitched 58 innings with 59 strikeouts, positioning himself as preseason Pitcher of the Year and All-American coming into the 2008 season, Shreve was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 8th round in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. He turned the offer down and, according to Chambers, it was the best move he’s ever made. “Now, Shreve has a chance at being drafted into the pros in the first or second round, which elevates the dollars and gives him a more secure future,” says Chambers. CONTINUES PAGE 12
Photo By: Maya Arellano
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“He’s a real smart kid, 3.9 G.P.A., extremely mature. He handles the pressure really well, both on and off the field,” adds Chambers. “There must’ve been 60 scouts in the stands last weekend to watch Shreve play. . . it gives you the chills when he winds up for his pitch, and in unison, 60 scouts raise their [radar] guns, then back down to their clipboards and begin writing . . . it’s an impressive sight.”
FEATURES the strongest outfielder arms in the country. Shephard currently ranks as the #1 junior college prospect in the country. Another Coyote who was faced with an early draft decision is Taylor Cole. Out of high school, the L.A. Dodgers drafted Cole, but he declined in hopes of being selected in higher rounds. Cole comes to the Coyotes as a freshman from Bishop Gorman high school where
catchers in the league, #23, Braeden Schlehuber. An extremely defensive catcher, Schlehuber holds an impressive track record of throwing base-stealers out. Along with Shreve, Schlehuber has signed a letter of intent to play with the University of Arkansas in the event he decides not to go pro this year. The talent does not stop there. Shortstop Easton Gust was drafted by the Cleveland Indi-
where he went 8-2 with 5 saves and an impressive 0.79 ERA. He took the conference Player of the Year title and is playing the 2008 season as a sophomore. Two other players to look out for are Kyle Bostick and Jeff Gonzales. Bostick is hyped up to be one of the top two hitters in the league and is not disappointing; he’s hitting runs and playing excellent on second base. And center fielder Gonzales led the league in stolen bases last year. It’s obvious this is a special team. The caliber of these players illustrates the level at which the Coyotes are playing. It’s a level that makes for an exciting afternoon at the ballpark. But where is the support? Once the secret gets out and fans begin packing the stands, the team’s performance will only reach further into the ranks of the elite, making for even better baseball. As if the superb baseball isn’t
enticing enough to draw a crowd, complimenting the Coyotes’ game is state-of-the-art Morse Stadium. This ballpark, located just behind the Henderson CSN campus, is nothing to sneeze at. Chambers says of the Coyotes home field, “It’s probably the #1 rated JUCO facility in the country.” Dan Cabrera then adds, “There’s no reason [for students] not come out to a game, especially when it’s in their backyard.” Tickets to a Coyote ballgame are free for CSN students and $5 for non-students ($5 and $8 respectively for a two-game double header). A trip to the concession stand won’t leave you broke either; you’ll pay no more than $3.50 for a hot dog and soda, a fraction of the price of a single “Dodger Dog.” In other words, for less than $10 you have the chance to watch top prospects and the #1 team in junior college baseball in pursuit of the 2008 NJCAA World Series title.
Games will be held at Morse Stadium just about every weekend throughout March and then again in late April. The complete spring 2008 schedule and roster can be found on the “Upcoming Events” side bar on the college website CSN.EDU, under “Coyote Baseball Season.” The direct URL link to the spring schedule is http:// www.csn.edu/pages/722.asp “We have the ability to roll off a ton of wins and get into the championships and win,” says Chambers. So come see baseball at its finest and watch future major leaguers in action—up close and personal. Enjoy a day at the ballpark, treat yourself to some crackerjacks, but most importantly, root for your Coyotes as they continue trouncing the competition on their way to another national championship victory.
Photo By: Maya Arellano
“If someone who had never seen us play were to come to a game, I can almost guarantee they would come back—the baseball is that good. The players are that good!” -Coach Chambers
Your 2008 Coyotes #
Among the other highly decorated players, the Coyotes boast Right Fielder Devin Shephard, another Baseball America preseason All-American. Before coming to CSN by way of Oklahoma University, Shephard was ranked the #1 incoming freshman in Division 1 baseball in 2007. Shephard was drafted out of high school in the 5th round and is said to have one of
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he secured the state-wide title Gatorade Player of the Year. Cole, yet another preseason All-American, proved his merit once again during his first season on the junior college diamond, and was subsequently named preseason Player of the Year in 2007. Rounding out Baseball America’s preseason All-American team is one of the more prominent
College of Southern Nevada
ans out of high school, but is back honing his game and making outs for the Coyotes this season. Drew Leary, on the mound and striking out batters with Shreve, will be pitching for San Diego State next year. Tyler Lavigne, also pitching for the Coyotes, has signed with San Diego State as well. Lavigne played an excellent 2007 season
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March 2008 Braeden Schlehuber
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|ReviewGust College of Southern Nevada 13 Colby Shreve Brandon TrodickCOLLEGIATEEaston
FEATURES
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Govenor’s Promise Deprives Students and Faculty “Regardless of excuses, education is not a priority to the current governor,” by RENATA FOLLMANN CR Copy Editor
- Professor John Ziebell, interim chair of the English Department at CSN
S
ince last October the education scenario has been very unstable and worrisome. Because of the lower amount in the state’s bank, Governor Jim Gibbons had to come up with a plan to solve the shortage. Once the Higher Education Institutions got the news to balance the state’s funds, there were cuts to be done and the target was, besides other agencies, Education and Health and Human Services. Jim Gibbons’plan for governing Nevada was clear: he was not going to raise taxes. And since January 1, 2007, when he was elected, until today, taxes stayed where they were. One might think not raising taxes is good—as long as the economy is good. Gibbons’ plans would have worked if that were the case. However, Nevada and the US in general have seen their economies suffer in the past year. So, to keep his promise, he had to choose who would have to adjust with less money. To everybody’s surprise, higher education was a major direction that the governor decided to look. The state’s eight institutions had a budget cut of 4.5% each, effective immediately in the current fiscal year. The cut was extended through all institutions equally, making faculty and administrative executives “look everywhere if there’s any change, anything,” says Patricia Dayar, Vice President of Finance and Budget of CSN. “It was very difficult,” adds Dayar. In consequence to the budget cut, there
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will be a small increase of $2.75 in the tuition for the fall semester of 2008, raising approximately $1.6 million. “It is just a temporary solution to alleviate the challenge,” adds the VP of finance. Her department seems to be working very hard on trying to find how to make this less damaging to students and faculty. The fiscal year started last July with an approved budget of $124.6 million. By the time the decision to cut the budget by 4.5% (or $8.67 million) was imposed, “most of the funds were either spent or committed,” says Dayar, and the college had to come up with a plan to cut the remaining amount of money. Therefore, a campus based
College of Southern Nevada
committee determined that a 40% cut was necessary to stay within the new budget.“We had to cut operating support to departments [by] 40%—which only partially met the requirement. This equaled $1.269 million,” adds Dayar. The state provides 77% of the community college’s budget, or almost 100 million dollars. The remaining comes from students’ tuition and fees. The first budget cut, announced last fall, had higher figures, and it would have gone as high as 8%. If that was the case, previsions were to cut classes, cut computer lab hours, and even close campus, to name a few. It is not necessary to say that this college would be close to
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desperation. The decision on changing the cut from 8% to 4.5% was in part due to the damage that it would cause, especially in the Health and Human Services Agency. Instead, the solution was to spread the damage into several agencies, sparing only child welfare and juvenile justice programs, according to The Review Journal. Governor Gibbons plan also included using the money from the Rainy Day Funds.
Prioritization “Regardless of excuses, education is not a priority to the current governor,” comments Professor John Ziebell, interim chair of the English Department at CSN. “My issue is the whole structure of taxation in this state,” says Professor Ziebell. “Education is not a priority.” This statement was repeated several times during each interview for this article. From CSN students to teachers, it seems that they all are questioning if the government—and not just the current one—has education at the top of the list. Perhaps because of the city’s style and pace, education falls aside. The casino industry is the main star, leaving the classrooms at their mercy. Another problem that involves
C A S HI E
the budget cut is the inequality that the cut presents. The idea of cutting the same amount of money from an institution like UNLV, which gets almost twice as much for tuition per student compared to CSN in the same period of time, is not fair. Melissa Subbotin, press secretary for the governor’s office, said that it is not up to the governor to decide how the cut is divided among the institutions. CSN is historically underfunded. In a recent article published by Carolyn Collins, CSN professor and Chair of Faculty Senate & Benefits Committee, and Mitzi Ware, CSN Professor and past Budget Officer, they state that the problems involving the CSN budget are fairly old. “Historically, (…) the funding mechanisms had not adequately supported the unprecedented growth,” says Collins and Ware. Because of previous cuts and its underfunded history, CSN has no extra places to cut without directly affecting the students and staff. From not having a syllabus on the first day of class to having to “put a hold” on merit pays, CSN faculty “have to be creative,” says Tammy Silver,
R
Good thing I only have One semester left!
New Tuition Arm & A leg
Director of the International Students Center. She says, “Without having the ability to hire more help in the Center, students will possibly experience delays on service.” Tom Meyers, Telecommunications Department Chair, says that with more cuts, the college operating hours will have to be reduced. Weekend and evening hours would be the first to go; however, a lot of the students have different working schedules. “This is a 24/7 city,” says Mr. Meyers, and the “college should follow the city’s pace.” Politics Governor Gibbons’ plan may cause more damage than he expects, and the biggest fear among CSN staff is that this is not a temporary measure. The tuition increase is supposed to solve the problem only for a while, coming back to its original price next year, according to Dayar. With operating costs reduced to 40% in each department, there is much to fear. If the cuts continue to grow, CSN students will see dramatic results in a very direct way. Classes will be cut, material will be reduced (even more) and staff will be decreased. Thus, with the enrollment growing, there will not be enough teachers, classes, and campuses for all these students. The governor’s office seems to have a different idea of the cut. Subbotin says that it is a “very modest decrease.” The upbeat side of this whole scenario is that all of Nevada’s institutions have proven to be capable of providing services, even under the current circumstances, and the governor’s office does not ignore this fact. Dr. Carlos Campo, Interim Vice President, says that “when the state does well, we do well,” referring to the fact that the budget is tight. Dr. Campo states that the governor probably did not have too many choices, but that the state may need to look at how the budget is divided for the future. Public education institutions rely on the state budget. CONTINUES PAGE 16...
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FEATURES CONTINUES FROM PAGE 15
Nevada’s state budget relies on state taxes. Because in the state of Nevada people do not pay income taxes—federal taxes—the state’s bank has to depend on fluctuating money. With the economy on the downside, and tourism slower, the state’s fund does not have enough money to cover all the debts. The solution to cut education shows a
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much bigger problem. However, it was not only the agencies that suffered the cut that Gibbons made angry. Rumors say that state officials were also hurt, and the decision was taken without the consultation of others. The governor does not want to raise taxes because of the promises he made in his campaign. He seems to be doing what is best for
College of Southern Nevada
his campaign and not what is best for his state. The budget cut has affected almost all agencies in Nevada: Higher Education, Health and Human Services, Department of Corrections, and K-12 are just some examples. The state’s debt has reached over 560 billion dollars. The damage had to be spread throughout the state. Even though no one wants to pay more taxes, maybe there should be another way to increase the state’s revenue. The press secretary for the governor’s office says “it is irresponsible to increase taxes,” but how irresponsible is it to deprive education? After talking to all of the above-mentioned people, I realized that even if the situation is not the best and we still have a lot to work on, at least the problem is not hidden. No one denied talking to me and giving me their input—from both sides. I feel very relieved that the problem is being addressed, and the information is out there for whoever wants to find it. The good thing is that the student’s voice is being heard—so speak up!
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OPINIONS An Open Letter From ASCSN Student Body President CSN has been traditionally under-funded by the State, so these budget cuts have a more adverse effect on us than they do to the other colleges in Nevada.
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byTAYLOR GRAY
hope that your spring semester is going well and that you are finding success in college. As your student body president I would like to take this opportunity in the first issue of the new Collegiate Review to brief you on the most pressing issue we are currently facing in Nevada, the budget shortfall. The latest numbers put the projected revenue shortfall at $565 million. In late November, Governor Gibbons asked the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to cut 8% from each institution, including CSN. Obviously asking for nearly 1/10 of our institutions halfway through an academic year would break the back of the System and be extremely detrimental to the education of the over 100,000 college students in Nevada. The Board of Regents and Chancellor Rogers immediately went into action to protect defend the System against such an extreme cut. Students at CSN and every other institution in the NSHE joined in this effort and began to raise awareness and voice their protest to the Governor by contacting his office as well as by holding rallies and circulating petitions. Collectively, our voices were heard and Governor Gibbons reduced the 8% cut to a 4.5% cut.
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Even at 4.5% the effect on CSN comes to more than $8 million, a number which has caused the college to make several cutbacks and sacrifices in order to reach. Over the winter break a college committee met regarding the budget, this committee was made up of Administration, Faculty, Staff, and Students, including myself. Our job was to find where cuts could be made without adversely affecting us students and our education. At the time the committee made the recommendation of a $4.50 surcharge to each credit and a 40% cut in operational budgets for each department in the school. The decision to implement a surcharge was extremely difficult and one that I am still very wary about having to make. During a special meeting of the Board of Regents in January, the Board approved the release of $10 million from the Integrate project to be applied to the colleges to help offset the effects of the budget cuts. CSN’s share of the funding was $1.5 million, which I fought to ensure was applied directly to the student surcharge, bringing it down to $2.75 per credit, the same amount being applied to every other community college in Nevada.
College of Southern Nevada
I also worked with Administration to make sure that certain services and tools that we use to achieve success as students were shielded from the effects of the cuts. Among these services include: computer labs, library services, tutorial services, writing centers, math and science labs, and others. These services will continue to operate as they always have and will not have to scale back their hours or utility. During the Regents meeting on February 7th & 8th the Board approved the budget proposal for CSN. This proposal approved the $2.75 surcharge, which contains a sunset clause of spring 2009, and the approval of the hold harmless funding of the previously mentioned services. Though this battle of the budget cut process has been determined, we are far from seeing the end of the war. CSN has been traditionally under-funded by the State, so these budget cuts have a more adverse effect on us than they do to the other colleges in Nevada. The Nevada State Legislature uses a complex funding formula to determine the amount of money each institution will receive. This formula does not
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OPINIONS recognize our multi campus structure, did not acknowledge an existing gap in funding when implemented, and has not scaled with the incredible enrollment increase at CSN and subsequently the disparity of funding between our institution and the others in the State has grown considerably. Below are the dollar amounts that each institution receives per full time equivalent student from the State, for the current year based on the total funding approved: College of Southern Nevada $6753 Truckee Meadows Community College $7806 Western Nevada College $9788 Great Basin College $11990 The sad story these numbers tell is that as a CSN student, you are worth about half as much as a Great Basin student, at least in the eyes of the State. Quite simply, this
is unacceptable. CSN has the most diverse student population in the State and is also the largest institution in the NSHE, with approximately 40,000 students. We provide the most comprehensive workforce preparation programs and we represent the future of Nevada. In other words, while demand at CSN has risen, the school has had to stretch itself thin due to less State resources. Couple this underfunding with a 4.5% budget cut and you put the institution in a position where it has to levy student fees and make significant departmental cuts school-wide in order to meet demands while maintaining our quality of education. To conclude I want to let you know what the next step is in order to address our funding issues. I have been working closely with CSN Administration and Faculty to create a funding equity proposal for CSN which we can take to the Board of Regents and to the Nevada State Legislature. What you can do while this proposal is being created is to
call or e-mail the members of the Board of Regents and let them know that, as a student, you want them to make CSN funding equity their top priority to bring to Carson City in the next Legislative session. In addition, please call or e-mail your district’s State Assembly and Senate members and inform them that you would like to see them create funding equity for CSN and fix the funding formula which has allowed such a disparity in State funding to occur. I assure you that your Student Government and myself will remain vigilant to ensure that our needs are met as students and that our budget issues will ultimately end with a positive resolution. Through this column I will provide you with updates in our fight for funding equity, and any other budget issues that may arise. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at taylor.gray@csn.edu if you have any questions, budget related or not. Thank you.
For additional info. about the budget cuts, please call: Board of Regents 5550 W. Flamingo Rd., Suite C-1 Las Vegas, NV 89103 (702) 889-8426 (702) 889-8492 fax 2601 Enterprise Rd. Reno, NV 89512 (775) 784-4905 (775) 327-5049 fax
Contact: Scott Wasserman
Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Regents
scott_wasserman@nshe.nevada.edu
State legislature contact info http://www.leg.state.nv.us/ March 2008
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OPINIONS
CSN: A Nomadic Community For Students I walk on campus here and all the wasted space makes me want to cry.
Attorney At Law Cliff W. Marcek
-Taylor Gray
by ROBBY KEISIC Staff Writer
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ith nearly 40,000 students spread across three campuses, it is no wonder CSN has long been regarded as a commuter college. Is it because the college is located in Las Vegas, one of the most transient cities in the nation, that we’re destined to lack culture and community? Could it be that we do not have places to congregate or the environment to live out the college life together, rather than just trudge through it? Or is the lack of emphasis on athletic intramural programs to blame? Student Body President Taylor Gray and the rest of the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada (ASCSN) Student Government would agree that any combination of these is the culprit. The good news, however, is that they have developed a task force and are committed to starting a new trend: putting the “Community” back in the College of Southern Nevada. “Our goal is to bring student life to the College of Southern Nevada,” says Gray. “We are a commuter college where students just show up, take classes, and go home. We want to change that.” To make the change, the ASCSN is geared to create a student union area on each of the three main campuses. Gray discloses that 20 COLLEGIATE|Review
the Student Government is in the process of drawing up a contract with a private vending company which would supply the student unions with pool tables, foosball, ping-pong, arcade games, and the like. “I walk on campus here and all the wasted space makes me want to cry,” expressed Gray during the Henderson “CSN Conversations” meeting. Much can be accomplished in transforming this wasted space into places where students can gather. First and foremost, students will feel connected and gain a certain degree of pride in their school. But also, and perhaps more importantly, they may begin to perform better academically. Gray claims, “Studies have shown the longer students stay on campus, the better grades they receive.” Student union areas can be the foundation in fostering a complete student life experience. A greater push for intramural sports is also underway. Intramural sports (the literal definition of intramural being “keeping within the confines of a building or institution”) will also aid in creating unity and bettering grades among the student body of CSN. And let’s face it, team sports bring people together—it is scientifically proven—and the myriad
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of intramural teams can attest to that. Sports such as flag football, indoor soccer, racquetball, and even badminton have found their way onto the intramural list. Even volleyball is slated to run its first season this coming spring; as diverse as the student body is, so too will be the activities in which they engage. From poker tournaments to movie nights, and everything in between, the ASCSN is pulling no punches on their quest to cultivate student life here at the College of Southern Nevada. In other words, the ASCSN gets it. They understand that cohesion will elevate morale, and an elevated morale will breed success. It is up to you, though, as a student to take advantage of the intramural sports and student unions. Hang out after class and make a new friend. Become involved and get your tuition’s worth. Join a club or two (we have more than 30 of them). Whatever you do, be sure to make your college experience a positive and memorable one. You never know, it just might boost your G.P.A. as well.
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says Gray.
March 2008
Nursing Home Negligence Medical Malpractice Insurance Disputes Assault & Battery
March 2008
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OPINIONS
What Does It Mean To Be Disabled? by TRISH HENDERSON
M. Ed.
Director, Disability Resource Center
W
hat do you think when you hear the word “disability”? Do you envision a person who sits in a wheelchair? Do you think about people who are blind and have guide dogs or people who are deaf and use sign language? Maybe you think that only old people have disabilities. Do you think about kids you went to elementary school who had to take special classes with a different teacher down the hall? Is that what having a disability means? Most of the students who get help at the Disability Resource Center look just like you. Most of the students do not have any outward sign of any kind of disability. DRC students are like everyone else. Some of the DRC students were born with disabling conditions. Some students have known since birth that the disability existed. Some students were born with the disability but did not learn until years had passed. Some of the students, unfortunately, have acquired their disabilities through accidents and illnesses. I have epilepsy. I was diagnosed with epilepsy almost 9 years ago. I was sitting at my desk eating lunch and minding my own business when I suddenly became ill. I had a terrible metallic taste in my mouth. I saw flashes of light and to me it looked like it was snowing inside the office. I heard a loud noise in my ears that sounded like a train was running by. I could not talk. I only know what happened next because my coworkers told me later. I lost consciousness. I vomited and urinated on myself. My body went into convulsions. I fell out of my desk chair,
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I lost friends who were mad that I was too tired to go out on weekends. I lost friends who were afraid to be near me. -Trish Henderson and slammed my head into the wall. My glasses were mangled. I was choking on the vomit and my face turned blue. I later found bruises on my face, my arms, my legs, and my back. Thanks to the very quick thinking of my colleagues, who rolled me on my side until the paramedics arrived, I am alive now. Despite the violent onset of the seizure, I was in complete denial. I kept thinking that maybe I just ate something bad, or maybe my blood sugar was low. When the doctor told me that there was something wrong with my brain, this was information I did not want to have. I refused to believe it, but I took the pills just in case. I stopped driving for 3 months, not just because that was the law, but I did not want to risk causing harm to another person by having a seizure while I was driving. The thought was too horrifying to even consider. I saw specialist after specialist. Finally it was determined that there was a lesion on my pituitary gland in my brain. This tiny, tiny, abnormality on my MRI changed my life. I had to take time off from work. I had to take the bus. It took 4 buses and 2 hours to get to work, and 4 more buses and 2 more hours to get home. I was exhausted by Friday. I lost friends who were mad that I was too tired to go out on weekends. I lost friends who were afraid to be near me. People did not want me in their carpools. I had to endure multiple medication changes to find a medication that would allow me to function and not have seizures. I had a roommate move in because the doctors did not want me living alone. I lost my independence,
College of Southern Nevada
and that hurt most of all. Life is a lot better now. I am lucky. My medication is stable. I have not had a seizure in 8 years. I am driving without any more restrictions to my license. I do have to pay attention to stress, flashing lights, fatigue, and other factors that I know can set off seizures. This experience has changed my life in ways that I could not have anticipated. If I had a choice to have epilepsy removed from my life, I don’t know that I would choose to do it. People who don’t have disabilities find this thought horrifying. People with disabilities may understand. I have learned that life will throw obstacles at you. You can give up, or you can choose to live. You can complain, or you can find a way to overcome. It doesn’t matter how healthy you are right now in your life. You may not have a disability right now, but life can last a long, long time. Your challenge with a disability may come as you get older. Your challenge with a disability may be in coping with a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or child that has a disability. If you are lucky enough to live long enough, disability will be part of your life too. Will you try to bear the weight of the struggle with disability alone? Will you suffer in denial? If you are a student with a disability, I would strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with a Disability Specialist at one of the Disability Resource Centers. The DRC cannot test you to see what kind of disability you have. You will need to bring your own documentation with you.
March 2008
But if you have documentation of your disability, we can help. We can provide academic accommodations for your classes. Note taking assistance and testing assistance are two accommodations many people have heard about. Did you know that we also can get books on CD and alternative formats? We also have sophisticated software programs to help students scan and read text aloud and programs that will type as a person talks. The Disability Resource Center can help you explore your options. If you are committed to your education, the Disability Resource Center is committed to supporting you. But if you want to complain about how school is hard and it takes too long to study and you just want to quit…you better be ready to listen to me tell you (again) about the time I had a grand mal seizure and peed on myself at work, and took the bus to work 4 hours each day, and I still make the effort to take graduate classes at UNLV to work on my doctorate. Life is hard, but you can do this.
Coca-Cola Scholarship $1,000 2.5 minimum G.P.A. CSN Deadline: April 25th, 2008 Must take at least two classes in fall of 2008 Further Information: http://www.csn.edu/pages/1816.asp
March 2008
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The CSN Sports Center Located at CSN’s Cheyenne Campus by EDUARDO BULLER Staff Writer
Y
ou’ve probably walked right by it, but never realized it was there. You probably heard about it, but you never paid attention. Now, you want to play a sport, but you’re not sure if CSN offers such a thing. Well, it does. Available for students for its second semester is the CSN Sports Center program at Cheyenne Campus, lead by Johnny Adams. Investments and grants have made it a successful program. Johnny says, “in a nutshell, there’s over 50,000 dollars in grants placed into the fitness center for better equipment for the use of students, faculty and staff. There are two weight rooms, a cardio room, and a steam room installed into the Sports Center complex.”
Also, as I learned, they have two racquetball courts and they even offer aerobics. When I asked him how much this sweet deal would cost, he said that it only costs 5 dollars a semester! Johnny says, “there are seasonal sports that are also taking place; we currently offer racquetball,volleyball,basketball, treadmill marathons, power lifting competitions, sports trivia and more.” There are a total of fifteen sports related events happening on campus this semester. In addition to the five dollar gym membership, if one decides to be part of a team in any of these sports, one would have to pay besides the five dollar gym membership, an extra five dollars. I was surprised that I
could do so much with so little. Not only did they take me on a tour before making up my mind to pay the ten bucks, but they were also helpful and answered all my questions regarding the Sports Center. “The more people get more into the programs, the more we’ll be offering them.”Johnny says. In conclusion, he adds, “Someone will gladly give you a tour of Sports center complex and help you be a part of this exciting new program!” For more information contact Johnny Adams at (702) 651-4447 or stop by the Student Government office.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words! “My Words Fly Up, My Thoughts Remain Below: Words Without Thoughts, Never To Heaven Go.” -William Shakespeare, Hamlet. Act III. Sc. 3
Submit Your Opinions to The Collegiate Review Cheyenne Campus
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College of Southern Nevada
March 2008
ARTS & ENT.
The Hairy Ape
by MARJORIE JOHNSON Staff Writer
E
ugene O’Neil’s “The Hairy Ape” is coming to CSN’s theater at Cheyenne Campus. “The Hairy Ape” is referred to as being abstract, brutal and brilliant. The play takes place during the industrial times and is about a stoker on a transatlantic ocean liner named Yank. In the beginning of the play Yank seems to deem himself as someone of importance in the world, someone who mattered and who was necessary. It wasn’t until a spoiled, rich young lady named Mildred characterized Yank as a beast, a hairy ape that Yank began to think about his place in society and in the world. Yank is taken to New York City by a fellow stoker named Long to see how the upper class lived. Upon his arrival, Yank finds upper class people had similar mind sets as Mildred. Yank finds himself surrounded by people that he loathed, rich people and women. The people in the play are shown through Yank’s vision, a distorted, gaudy, dark vision. Yank becomes more obsessed with the thought of belonging. He realizes that workers such as industrial workers, physical laborers like himself, are like machines. They are trapped in lower class, counted for nothing as individuals and not respected. The journey that Yank goes through in the play is one that many people have taken, even in today’s society. Eugene O’Neill’s “The Hairy Ape” was originally produced on March 9, 1922, by the Province town Players, a theatrical group that he cofounded. The work was staged in New York City at the company’s own Province town Theatre. Publication of the play occurred that same year. By this time O’Neill was an established playwright, having won two Pulitzer Prizes. “The Hairy Ape” represented something different for him; it was a more expressionistic style than his previous plays. “The Hairy Ape’s” strong views of the dehumanizing effects of industrialization made it appealing to many labor groups and unions. Alexander Woollcot reported in the New York Times that the Province town production was “a bitter, brutal, wildly fantastic play of nightmare hue and nightmare distortion,” in 1922. Many critics agreed. The play represented everyday people in the everyday world in an unusual light. CSN’s reproduction is directed by Aaron Tuttle, a Fine Arts Advisor at UNLV. Tuttle stated “ This play is not one that people will like, it is one that will make them think.” Furthermore, Tuttle compared the play to movies such as Crash and American History X. Tuttle said that he stayed true to the play’s theme but directed it through his vision. The play is a collaboration between CSN and UNLV. The main characters are played by Kris Pruett, Brenton Montgomery, Tyson Croft, Alana Payne, Tracy Blackwell and Geo Nikols. The play is already causing a buzz on CSN campuses and UNLV and seems to be well anticipated. Many professors are handing out grades to their students who go and see it. “The Hairy Ape” will begin its run on February 29, 2007 at 7:30 PM and it will end on March 9, 2007. It will run in the backstage theater on the Cheyenne campus. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
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March 2008
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March 2008
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College of Southern Nevada
March 2008
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