Issue 06 Volume 50

Feb.10.2016

www.thegrcurrent.com

issue06 volume50

FREE

50th Year

thecurrent the student newspaper of green river college

Turmoil Over Toilets It’s Just a Toilet ... Basically page 2

Alina Moss | The Current

currentcampus

currenta&e

currentopinion

Faculty Ratify New Contract After More than 600 Days

Students Schooled on Valentines Day Romance

A Hysterical Conversation Between the 2016 Presidential Candidates

Through deliberation and compromise, the faculty gain a raise with their new contract

page3

Learn all about what it takes to keep a relationship stable and afloat

page7

Read a satirical look at this year’s election and the people who are running

page10

campus

thecurrent

2 2015-2016

Intro to LGBTQ+ These terms can have many interpretations within the LGBTQ+ community and are only a few of the many LGBTQ+ terms.

Lesbian - (noun/adj) a term used to describe women attracted romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally to other women.

Gay - (adj) a term used to describe individuals who are primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same gender.

Bisexual - (adj) a term used to describe a person emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to men and women or someone outside of the gender bionary. Usually indicates an intresst in more than one gender.

Trans/Transgender - (adj) a term used to describe assigned at birth.

--Transman - man who was assigned female at birth.

--Transwoman - woman who was assigned male at birth.

Queer - (adj) an umbrella term sometimes used by LGBTQ+ people to refer to the entire community.

Also can be used as a sexual orientation.

Advocate - (noun) a person who actively works to end intolerance, educate others, and support social equity for a marginalized group.

Ally - (noun) a person who supports, without direct action and respects members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Sexual Orientation - (noun) the type of sexual, romantic, emotional/spiritual attraction one feels for others, often labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to (often mistakenly referred to as sexual preference) Sexual Preference - (noun) (1) the types of sexual to receive and participate in. (2) Generally when this term is used, it is being mistakenly interchanged with “sexual orientation,” creating an illusion that one has a choice in whom they are attracted to. (noun) indicates the gender with which a person is most likely to have a romantic relationship or fall in love.

Aro anti c - (noun) a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others.

Asexual - (adj) having a lack of (or low level of) sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest or desire for sex or sexual partners.

Pansexual - (adj) a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for members of all gender identities/expressions Gender Assigned at Birt - (noun) the gender assigned when a person is born, by looking for the presence or absence of what they consider to be a penis. isg ender - (adj pronounced “siss-jendur”) a person whose gender identity and gender assigned at birth align.

Gender x r ession - (noun) the external display of one sgender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on scales of masculinity and femininity. Also referred to as “gender presentation.”

Gender dentity - (noun) the internal perception of one sgender, and how they label themselves.

Gender ueer/ onbinary - (adj) an umbrella term for many gender non-conforming or non-binary identities and sometimes used as a gender identity.

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

It’s an Important Toilet By: Alina Moss Editor-in-Chief @amossytime

There are new restrooms in Green River College’s Mel Lindbloom Student Union building that opened on Feb. 1, 2016. Specifically, the new restrooms are gender inclusive restrooms.

This means that no matter what gender someone identifies themselves as, they can use this restroom.

Prior to the opening of the Lindbloom Student Union, in December 2015, Washington state established a law that allows everyone to use the public restroom that aligns with their gender identity. The new Washington state law, WAC 162-32-060, opens public restrooms to be used according to a person’s gender identity. More information on this law and the effects it has on Green River campus can be found on page 3 of The Current, issue 05 volume 50.

This law’s purpose is to create a safe environment for everyone to use the restroom without discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the transgender community. Legally this helps to keep public restrooms safe, but people can be cruel to anyone this law directly benefits if they disagree with it.

Even with the law in place many transgender people have still been bullied or felt uncomfortable using one of the gender assigned (male or female) restrooms.

“My gender is incredibly complex, as I think everyone’s truly is”, Kiegan Rosser, the vice president of the Queers and Allies club at GRC, said. “I’ve spent a lot of time trying to find a label that fits my internal gender perfectly, but I’m not sure one exists. What I do know is that I am neither male nor female, so I use the term nonbinary to indicate that.”

Rosser uses the pronouns they and them because they do not identify as either male or female, and they do not “belong” in one of the binary restrooms.

Rosser, just like many people who do not fit the stereotypes of their gender or does not fit into the male or female category at all, has faced the daily challenge of not being comfortable using a public restroom.

Even with the new law in place, Rosser avoided using the restrooms at school as much as possible unless they were near the unisex restrooms on the third floor of Salish Hall. The fear of being bullied while taking part in a daily human function separated Rosser, as a nonbinary person, from the rest of the population.

“For those of us who need gender neu-

tral bathrooms, we don’t want to change ‘predators’. the way bathrooms work, we just want The president of Queers and Allies, a place that we can use the bathroom in Victoria Pacho, said some people tend to public,” Rosser said. overlook a part of this issue. Predators The new restroom allows anyone in the are going to attack no matter what, and a trans community on campus to use the restroom sign is not going to stop them. restroom without fear. The gender neu“The gender neutral bathrooms are tral restrooms are not specifically for the only about creating a safe space for transgender community, yet it benefits everyone,” Rosser said. “Just because the them the most. doors are floor-to-ceiling doesn’t mean “The new bathrooms are incredibly they are sound proof, someone will hear important, but they’re also just bathyou if you’re in trouble.” rooms,” Rosser said. “Use them like you Many people disagree with the new would any bathroom. They are for everylaw to a point of quitting their jobs. one, and everyone should feel comfortThe YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap able using them.”

Counties, an organization which has The entrance of the restroom leads taken many steps to integrate the new straight to a wash station, just like many law into the daily gym procedures, had other public restrooms do. The only difpeople quit due to the measures taken ference is that the doors and stall walls to accommodate the new law. Accordare floor-toing to The ceiling. The Seattle Times, individual the YMCA “I don’t know why anyone restrooms are has also lost would be upset that this is secure from approximately happening. I feel like this would 300 household the outside, yet easy to only satisfy people that are upset memberships open from to the new about transgender people using due the inside and restroom and private to the locker room ‘their’ bathroom.” individual, rules which - Jackson David Smith yet open to are abiding the Interviewed by Videojournalism class the public. state law.

It is the Some equivalent of being in a single bathroom, students at Green River do not agree minus the shared sink area. with the new law or the gender neutral Physically, there is nothing special restrooms. about these new restrooms. It is just a One student who wished to remain room for toilets. However, these new anonymous was adamant that he/she gender inclusive restrooms are a huge did not like the new gender neutral restep for the LGBTQ+ community. This stroom. He/she feels anxious while using new restroom is a life changing developthe restroom at school and is always ment for the transgender community at looking of his/her shoulder.

Green River College.

Many people share these same conThere are concerns outside of the cerns and more while others simply don’t LGBTQ+ community about the new care.

Washington state law that lines up with This topic is still being debated and the new restroom because of the many fought over, however the gender neutral similar qualities. restroom is open and the law is in place.

The Daily Signal published an article Today in Washington state the public called “Sexual Assault Victims Speak restrooms designated by gender identity Out Against Washington’s Transgender and Green River has a gender neutral Bathroom Policies.” This article voiced restroom. the opinions of people who fear the worst to come from the new The Intro to Videojournalism class at Green law. The general fear is River conducted some interviews to see what that with transgender people thought about the new restrooms. The women being allowed students referenced The Current issue 05 to also into the women’s public get reactions on the article. restroom, what is to Here are some of the interviews. Find the links stop a man from just on thegrcurrent.com saying that he identifies as a woman when he - youtube.com/watch?v=BgnZrEfHsDg&featruly doesn’t. This creates ture=youtu.be easy access to ‘prey’ for

The terms and definitions with this article are to help readers un-

derstand the terminology used in association to the new restrooms and the new Washington law. The Queers and Allies club is happy to further help anyone who wishes to understand the new situation of the gender neutral restrooms, the new law, or just have questions to ask. Contact them at krosser@mail.greenriver.edu.

- youtube.com/watch?v=Ccy7vferxig&feature=youtu.be - youtu.be/UpcRHCqakIA - youtu.be/vvdepYpzlkw - youtube.com/watch?v=gkTOl3S2ZpY&feature=youtu.be - youtube.com/watch?v=QzfUruScSlU - youtube.com/watch?v=aYRqYbzVqxA

campus

thecurrent

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

GREEN RIVER COLLEGE

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT NO. 10

new cont THE GREEN RIVER UNITED FACULTY COALITION

ract

ratified!

Expires: June 30, 2018

Faculty’s New Contract Effective Feb 5, 2016 -----Changes to the Negotiated Agreement Fulltime: -3% COLA implemented, plus 1% across-the-board increase -$1000 advising stipend added -$350 summer advising stipend (with approval by dean) -Level F stipend: $1000 annual stipend at 17 years post-tenure in exchange for providing a three hour training Adjunct: -3% COLA impemented, plus 2.7% across-the-board increase -Adjunct Librarians and counselors: new pay system imle mented (negotiated prior)

This graphic is a representation of what full-time and part-time faculty received from the new contract.

It is not an exact copy of the new contract and the terms within it.

New Faculty Contract Ratified

a pretty “1 percent is swallow” o t l il p r e t it b - Janeney Hoene

By: James Ristig Managing Editor After over 600 days without an agreement, the faculty and administration have a new Green River United Faculty contract.

According to the new contract, full-time faculty members will be receiving a 1 percent raise, while part-time faculty members receive a 2.7 percent raise. All faculty members received a 3 percent cost of living increase.

English instructor and United Faculty Coalition President Jaeney Hoene said there was a finite amount of money put on the table by the college to negotiate with.

The full-time faculty wanted the larger wage increase, but instead gave it to the part-time faculty.

The salaries of part-time faculty at Green River have fallen behind other colleges, Hoene said.

According to the revised contract, full-time faculty are given a new advising stipend. A full-time faculty member gets $1,000 a year for helping to advise the students, which has become a mandatory practice at Green River.

All students after having taken 30 college-level credits need to meet with an adviser to register for any more classes, and the stipend will pay for faculty to act as those advisers. Some faculty are also teaching classes during the summer and will get a $350 a year stipend for advis-

dix A. Annual Salary Schedule (Fulltime) 3% COLA implemented, plus 1% across-the-board increase. $1000 Advising Stipend Added. $350 Summer Advising Stipend (with approval by dean) Level F Stipend -- $1100 annual stipend at 17 years post-tenure in exchange for providing a three-hour training.

dix B. Per Credit Salary Schedule (Adjunct) Courtesy | Allison Friedly Former 3% COLA implemented, plus 2.7% across-the-board increase.

President Mel Adjunct Librarians and Counselors – new payCourtesy system implemented | Allison Friedly (negotiated prior to these Lindbloom and negotiations).

President Eileen Ely (above).

Lindbloom giving a speech at the ceremony (Right).

Lindbloom and student Chelsea Fletcher cutting the ribbon, opening the building for all students (Far Right).

2015-2016

Over 600 Days Later, the Faculty have a Contract

AGREEMENT BETWEEN

AND

3

Alina Moss | The Current

ing professional technical students.

Hoene said though this will create more work for faculty members, it has become standard in college contracts, and the administration is willing to pay for extra work.

“This contract is the lesser of two evils,” Hoene said. The faculty were in an unstable position at Green River without a contract, and Hoene said it has been over 15 years since a negotiated increase to faculty salaries was agreed upon.

During the contract negotiations, the Washington state legislature passed a law that said colleges can use local dollars generated from various sources such as international students to pay faculty salaries.

“The legislature is experimenting with this,” Hoene said. It was a big deal for the faculty union that the bill was passed and Hoene hopes it does not get rejected when it sunsets. The bill will go up for review in 2017, at which time the legislature will decide whether to make it into a law or cancel the bill.

Before, the college could only use turnover savings to pay faculty salary increases. Turnover savings are when a faculty member leaves and a replacement is found, extra money is generated because the new faculty member is paid less.

The savings from hiring the new faculty member is spread amongst the faculty salaries. However, there were no turnover savings provided when part-time faculty members left the college. Hoene said there

was no source of funding for part-time salaries. During negotiations for the contract, the faculty proposed a new program to help part-time faculty members be more involved with their programs. The goal was to make part-time jobs more stable at Green River. Hoene said some part-time faculty members commute from Seattle and are paid higher wages in other colleges, and it has become a waste of time and money for part-time faculty to work at Green River.

These proposed programs were rejected by the administration because of money issues, though Hoene could not explain the exact reason they were shot down during the negotiations.

A bonus for the faculty that was not part of the contract was that the college promised to make salaries whole again using local dollars.

Hoene said the college stopped paying full-time faculty their full salaries since 2008.

According to the revised contract, full-time faculty members who have been working at Green River for 17 years or more will be getting a $1,100 annual stipend, but only if they provide training to other faculty members. Hoene said there are still some details to work out when it comes to the required training that must be provided.

“I’m disappointed overall in where we ended up,” Hoene said.

This new contract will expire in June of 2018.

The New Mel Lindbloom Student Union

The Mel Lindbloom Student Union was officially opened to students with a ceremony celebrating the people who made the building possible for the students of Green River College.

Chelsea Fletcher, a former student of Green River, helped make the building a reality through her efforts working with the college to make a new space for students.

“This is your space. This is yours,” Fletcher said.

Will Bill Jr., dean of the tribal school, and other members Muckleshoot Tribe blessed Green River with a ceremonial chant before the doors were opened to the public.

“I’m so proud of the decade of students that chose of their own accord to fund this new building,” Board of Trustees member Linda Cowen said.

Mel Lindbloom, the first president of Green River Community College and the man-of-honor, stood before the crowd to speak about how the college has changed.

“As I stand here and look around the campus, it’s really hard for me to believe this all happened. We had one building when we opened.

That was the Holman Library,” Lindbloom said.

Following the press conference was the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Lindbloom and Fletcher were given the honor of presenting, for the first time, the Mel Lindbloom Student Union to the public.

“This is gifting to the future,” President Eileen Ely said.

campus

thecurrent

4 2015-2016

Meet the New Security Director:

Campus Crime Blotter Campus Safety responded to the following incidents from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2, among others. All information is from Campus Safety incident reports.

1/23 1 a.m.

Off-campus Location Student Conduct Violation

A Campus Safety Officer had an altercation with a group of students while driving them home from Renton. The students began to horseplay in the back of the van. A group of the students were playing some sort of finger war game when one of them said, “oh f­— that hurt.” The safety officer told the students to “knock it off.” When they reached campus, the safety officer asked for the group’s student ID numbers to file the report. One of the student’s complied, but one of them did not remember his ID number and was not carrying any form of identification. Another of the students refused to give his ID number and said that it was illegal for the safety officer to ask. The safety officer received the student’s ID from Campus Safety.

1/24 5:32 p.m.

Gymnasium Informational

A Campus Safety officer saw a group of five teenage skateboarders and a horse outside of the gymnasium. The safety officer determined the horse did not belong to any of the skateboarders, who saw the horse when they rounded the corner.

Animal Control and the Auburn Police Department were called to deal with the horse. Auburn Police arrived and determined what the safety officers mistook as bags was actually a saddle. The officers were concerned that the rider could have been thrown off the horse and sustained an injury.

Auburn Police returned to the scene with a person familiar with horse riders in the area to determine who the horse belonged to. He identified the horse and called its owner who came to retrieve it shortly afterwards. Maintenance was called to the clean up the manure.

2/1 5:12 p.m.

Administration Building Suspicious Circumstance

A suspicious person entered the administration building looking visibly distressed. The suspect would not make eye contact, and was mumbling while rubbing his hands. Safety officers approached the suspect and asked how they could help him. The suspect said everyone was looking at him and making rude gestures. When asked what he needed, he said he was looking for an administrator to “fix the problem.” Safety officers directed him to Campus Safety Office and to talk to their boss. The suspect said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next couple of days.” It took the man a long time to leave the administration building. Safety officers obtained the suspect’s name and contact information before he left the building.

2/2 4 p.m.

Student Housing Harassment

Campus Safety was informed of a student in the Campus Corner Apartments receiving harassing phone calls. The victim said the first call he received was just heavy breathing. Approximately five minutes later, the victim received a similar call with the suspect breathing heavily into the phone.

A third call was also made, but the voice was muffled and the victim hung up the phone immediately afterwards. The victim then began received continuous calls from the suspect containing rude language and “sexual gestures.” The Auburn Police Department was informed of the incident.

Derek Ronnfeldt By: Riley Agnew Staff Writer @Fluffy2253 Derek Ronnfeldt will be taking over as the new Director of Security and Transportation at Green River College.

Ronnfeldt worked for 27 years as a police officer at Illinois State University, over 20 years as a firearms instructor, and then as the Detective Commander for the Criminal Investigations Division before coming to Green River College.

Along with working at Illinois State University, Ronnfeldt also coordinated the Crime Stoppers program.

Ronnfeldt also taught a class called “Verbal Judo” to police and non-police personnel alike. The class is about talking with people, resolving conflict, and dealing with verbal abuse.

“My first impression of Green River College has been extremely positive.” Ronnfeldt said in an email.

Ronnfeldt is eager to work at GRC. He was able to see the dedication of students, faculty, and staff on campus during the opening of the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union building.

“I walked away very impressed,” he said in an email. Ronnfeldt is happy to be at a campus as positive and welcoming as Green River. He looks forward to applying himself to various projects at GRC. Ronnfeldt said he has much to offer GRC with his many years of experience in the security field. He certainly brings a lot to the table for GRC and the Campus Safety Office.

“It gives me the opportunity to use my skill sets in a college setting,” Ronnfeldt said in an email.

The responsibilities that Ronnfeldt has as the Director of Security and Transportation are numerous and include managing the safety officers and programs on campus. He is also a member of the team that implements emergency operations planning, and helping the process that keeps the parking and transportation elements of the Green River campus up and running efficiently. Most importantly Ronnfeldt must keep campus safe and build relationships with students, staff, faculty, and visitors.

Ronnfeldt hopes he can use his wide range of skills to benefit GRC students, faculty, and staff with various issues and provide great customer service while doing it.

“I’ve only been here for three days and I can tell you that the main focus of our vision at the Campus Safety Office is customer service,” Ronnfeldt said in an email.

Ronnfeldt’s main goal at the moment is to change the way that the Campus Safety Office handles issues. Ronnfeldt said in an email, “How we handle our interactions with the community in terms of respect and openness is huge.”

Ronnfeldt said that not everyone will agree with their policies and procedures, so changing how customer service is handled is the right way to make the Campus Security Office the best it can be for everyone on campus.

“Over 80 percent of the complaints that organizations receive center around how they do something, not what they do.”

Ronnfeldt said in an email, making it very clear that customer service is important no matter what your organization does.

Ronnfeldt said that a police officer is more likely to get a complaint about treating a customer poorly than they are for writing a citation.

“It’s how you do something that can make a real difference in your organization.” Ronnfeldt said in an email. He wants to ensure that the Campus Safety Office is open and inclusive to students, staff, faculty, and visitors on campus.

Ronnfeldt believes that what he brings to the table for GRC is the ability to build a culture of respect and inclusiveness within his department and he is happy to apply his best effort to make that happen.

Ronnfeldt has almost 30 years of work experience as a police officer, detective commander, firearms trainer, and instructor making him is qualified for the Director of Security and Transportation position here at GRC. His goal to create better customer service within the Campus Safety Office and hopefully the amount of dedication he brings to GRC is enough to make the necessary changes to reach that goal.

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Potential Free College By: Marina Kokorovic Staff Writer The Washington Promise seeks to make two years of community college free for any Washington resident who does not currently have a college degree.

The program is estimated to cost around $100 million, depending on how many students enroll, and it is likely that a portion of it will be funded through taxpayer dollars.

Tennessee, the first state to offer tuition-free community college, funded the scholarships with money from the state’s lottery reserve.

According to a recent article in The Seattle Medium, student loan debt is averaging over $5,000 a year.

As students continue to enroll throughout the years, the $100 million to fund the program is estimated to increase. Washington State Rep. Gerry Pollet said there is a plan of closing certain tax exemptions to help fund the program.

“By 2017, unfulfilled job vacancies are expected to reach 50,000 positions in Washington,” Senator Pramila Jayapal said during a meeting on Jan 27.

Green River student Emily Lam said, “I understand the impact that an education has on getting a job.”

Students eligible for the “Washington Promise” will have the option of enrolling in part-time classes, meaning they can get their education while working a job at the same time.

Lam said this law would be beneficial for a variety of community members who need an education.

“Older people who just got the motivation, but it’s too late [to go to school] because they didn’t take advantage of it earlier in life,” Lam said.

The Running Start program offered at Green River allows students to obtain college credits while they are still enrolled in high school. Ben Pinnow, a former Running Start student, was able to get a head start, but he understands not everyone can participate in the program for various reasons.

“A slight raise in taxes would be worth the many young people that would benefit from this law.

Students that are serious about continuing into higher education should be able to get a head start,” Pinnow said.

Jayapal said it is important for everyone having an opportunity to participate in the economy, which is one of the main reasons this bill has her support. At a hearing on Jan 29, the majority of representatives approved the bill. The Washington Promise will go into effect during the 2018-2019 school year if it is passed into law.

James Ristig | Campus Editor campus@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

campus

5

thecurrent

2015-2016

Democracy in Action Students Voice Political Views Man on the Street is a random polling system that only receives a few random opinions from students on campus. It in no way represents the entire population of GRC. Everyone was asked the same question: “What qualities do

Emily Sok 19 registered to VOTE for 2016 No party

Current position:

No Vote

“They should have strategy and alway be looking ahead. They should be bold as they move towards the future.”

you look for in the next United States president and which candidate do you think represents that quality?”

Jessica Norlander 20 registered

Danny Ramirez 21

X

registered to VOTE for 2016

Democrat with Conservative views

Current position:

No Vote

“I usually don’t vote because they don’t stick to what they

promise. Individual votes don’t count because the house of representatives of each party are the deciding factor.”

Curtis Kovach 18 registered

X toforVOTE 2016 Conservative

Current position:

Ben Carson

“I don’t want someone who is

always politically correct and yet

X toforVOTE 2016 Conservative

Current position:

By: Eternity West Staff Writer This year the president of the United States will be elected to serve our government and armed forces.

With such a great deal of responsibility, who will be best for the job out of the many people running.

Hillary Clinton is currently in the lead for the Democratic Party, according to the Iowa caucus.

According to Clinton’s official website, she wants to raise wages. This means she would lower the taxes for Americans, and she would offer money incentives for companies who share their profits with employees and focus on clean energy.

According to the New Hampshire Republican Party (GOP) polls, Donald Trump is in the lead.

Trump said he will stop illegal immigration by tripling border security, building a wall that works, and putting in place a surveillance and biometric tracking system to secure the border.

A random selection of 38 Green River College students between the ages of 17 to 28 were asked a specific question to dig into their political views: What qualities do you look for in the next United States presidents, and which candidate do you think represents that quality the best?

Each student had an answer unique to their beliefs and values concerning the next president.

While 42 percent didn’t have an opinion on who to vote for, qualities such as trustworthiness, honesty, and faith were all common answers to the poll.

On the other hand, about 21 percent of said they would vote for Bernie Sanders for reasons such as free college, Medicaid for all, and flat taxes.

While most of the students did not have a political leaning towards a certain candidate, 18 percent of polled students made comments such as, “not Trump,” and, “anyone but Trump,” for reasons such as being skeptical of his many bankruptcies, apparent racism, and questionable motives. Only 15 percent of polled students said they’d vote for the other candidates such as Clinton, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Trump or Marco Rubio.

When it comes to having a voice in electing a candidate to be the president of our country, statistics show that high percentages of youth do not exercise their democratic right to vote. Only 45 percent of young people, ages 18 to 29, voted in the 2012 election, which is a 6 percent decrease in the number of votes since the 2008 election. This is the lowest youth turnout rate ever to be recorded in a federal election, according to civicyouth.org.

The random 38 Green River students all had a similar idea of a president who is honest, trustworthy, and sticks to the ideas that get candidates elected in the first place.

has Christian religious values.”

“For the most part I look for a

president who is level-headed, rather than looking to be on the headlines. None of the candidates really do that this term.”

Joel Sigrist 18 registered

X toforVOTE 2016 Republican

Current position:

Marco Rubio

“I want someone who knows

what they believe in and stands up for it.”

All photos: Alina Moss | The Current

Nate Blair 17

Alex Adams 21

registered

Antonio Sotelo 21

registered

registered

X toforVOTE 2016

X toforVOTE 2016

X toforVOTE 2016

Current position:

Current position:

Current position:

Conservative

Marco Rubio or Ben Carson

No Vote

Democrat

Bernie Sanders

Democrat Liberal

Undecided

Anderaliah Lee 19 registered

X toforVOTE 2016 Leans towards Democratic

Current position:

Undecided

“They should do what’s best for

“Someone who is honest and

“Trustful, like Bernie Sanders,

“They need to be a president of

us. And I don’t want Trump to

has balls (figuratively), they’re

he brings a lot of sincerity in

their word. If they say that they

be president! [I want to vote

not afraid to say what needs to

his debates. He cares for the US

will do something they need to

because] what if my one vote

be said.”

as a population.”

stick to it.”

could change the outcome?”

6

a&e

thecurrent

2015-2016

y d

By: Langston Thomas A&E Editor

u BREAK t S

Things You Never Knew You Wanted To Know

The Great Australian Emu War

In 1932, Australia was in the middle of a great depression due to the Wall Street crash a few years prior.

The year brought with it a dry springtime that succeeded in shortening water supply for the following months.

In November, around 20,000 Emus overtook countless wheat farms in the western regions of Australia.

It was reported that these birds, in large numbers, had fled the lands that they usually called home and invaded wheat paddocks where water was abundant.

They not only trampled or ate crops and drank water surplus supplies almost dry, but as emus are prone to run in direct, straight lines, which helped these multitudes succeed in knocking down kilometers of rabbit-proof fences.

The emus quickly acquired the label ‘pest’, and it was decided that something needed to be done.

Although numerous satires were created following these events, according to the Journal of Australian Studies and The Sunday Morning Herald, The Great Emu War went something like this: After countless complaints from farmers, Major G.W. Meredith, Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. O’Halloran were authorized by Sir George Pearce to rid the western Australia farmlands of these nuisances and were given mounted American light machine guns, Lewis guns, to do the job. Thus started the Great Emu War. As the first shots were fired on Nov. 2 at Campion, chaos ensued as the frightened birds scattered, shrieking and running in all directions.

One of the Lewis guns quickly jammed after killing around 20 birds, drawing the first battle to a close.

After that first encounter, the emu army split into countless small groups and scattered throughout western Australia.

The Australian army unit fixed the jammed gun and quickly moved south where they encountered another large group of birds. After extensive firing at the birds, only 300 more were killed.

In the days that followed, and after using about 10,000 rounds of ammunition, it was reported that only 986 emu had fallen.

After the cease fire had been issued and the war ended, Major Meredith was quoted as saying, “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds it would face any army in the world. ... They can face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks.”

Cosmic Collision Look up in the sky at night and there it is. A great white mass glowing among other tiny twinkles of light.

Known by the Greeks as Selene, by the Romans as Luna, and by us as, well, the moon. You may see it every night, shining big and bright, but where did it come from? Has it always been there? What is its function?

Well according to NASA, our moon was formed somewhere around 4.5 billion years ago, which is only about 30–50 million years after the origin of our solar system.

It was created from the debris of a collision between our early earth and another planetoid about the size of current-day Mars, which we now call Theia.

It has been estimated that around 40 percent of the material that makes up the moon was from Theia, but newer research done by geochemists at the University of Chicago suggests that the moon is made mostly of material from the earth instead.

These researchers, using mass spectrometry, measured ratios in numerous samples from the earth and the moon. They found that the ratio of the Moon is identical to that of the Earth within about four parts per million.

According to NASA, “Scientists still believe the general idea of having an impact-forming disk that coalesced into the moon is probably right,” but they also admit that, “scientists still don’t fully understand exactly what the mechanisms (of the moon’s formation) were. There is a lot of exciting research still to be done in this field!”

While the origin of the moon is still under question, the purpose it serves is well known.

Obviously the earths, which is pulled by the sun’s gravity, pulls the moon in its own gravity. But the moon pulls back at the earth as well. This causes rises and falls in sea level, what we call tides.

The moon also gives off light at night, but only because it’s reflective.

The light we see coming from the moon is the reflection of sunlight off of its surface. At any given time, the moons surface is only half exposed to the sun, which is why we see it in different phases. Each phase is a contrast between visible reflecting light, and the shadow that is created on the parts of the moon that are facing away from the sun.

Although it may be a little far away, the moon plays a huge role for us on earth.

Langston Thomas | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

‘No Escape’ Review Serious Owen Wilson is Seriously Good By: Josh Dragoo Staff Writer “No Escape” is a movie that caught my eye, not only because it was $10 for the DVD, but because of who was in the trailer.

The fact that it stars Owen Wilson caught me off guard mainly because he never seems to play a serious role.

Directed by John Erick Dowdle, No Escape was released to DVD and Blu-ray late in November of last year.

This is a movie that chronicles a family’s escape from an unnamed Asian country in the midst of a political overthrow.

I watched the movie without any expectations and was happily surprised with how intense and suspenseful it was. The movie stars Wilson, Lake Bell, and Pierce Brosnan. Both Wilson and Bell do a great job at capturing their roles as a married couple, desperately trying to protect their kids.

“No Escape” is a movie that is quite realistic in its scope. The main characters have no guns and just so happen to move to a foreign country at the wrong time. Many will view this film as xenophobic propaganda, but, for me, it was enjoyable because of its realism.

The action is fast-paced, and every scene flows together smoothly.

One aspect I really enjoy is the film’s music. The ambient sounds along with its subtle score composed by Marco Beltrami and Buck

Sanders aided the movie’s suspenseful nature. The score perfectly balanced the plot, scene by scene.

A part of the film I specifically enjoyed was the long take of Jack Dwyer (Wilson) finding a newspaper while standing between both the rebels and riot police. The silence really make this scene powerful and intense.

The amount of action and suspense is perfect with good acting all around. While Brosnan plays the mysterious secret agent, Hammond, he almost seems an like an unnecessary role in the movie.

There were a few problems concerning plot and character development, but this film (for the most part) gets the job done.

Overall “No Escape” is a great popcorn flick and provides a great experience for any fans of action-thriller movies.

Photo Courtesy | IMDB.com

Haywyre — ‘Two Fold Pt. 2‘

Photo Courtesy | haywyremusic.com

By: Langston Thomas A&E Editor On February 8, Haywyre, the contemporary electronic/ classical/jazz project started by Martin Vogt in 2009, released its fifth album.

Partnering again with the label Monstercat, Haywyre dropped “Two Fold Pt. 2” with a live perfor-

mance of its single “Endlessly.”

This nine track LP perfectly follows up on Vogts 2014 “Two Fold Pt. 1” (also released on Monstercat).

Filled with future bass, electro and deep house vibes, characterized by sound that is unique only to Haywyre — Pt. 2 is riddled with all of the acoustic sounds and deep affected vocals that Vogt has become known for.

Haywyre will begin a tour of his live show starting on Feb. 11 in San Francisco and will be making a stop in Seattle at The Crocodile on the Feb. 19 (see the Concert Calendar on page seven for more information).

Check out the live performance of Haywyre’s “Endlessly” up now on Monstercat’s YouTube channel and make sure to pick up a copy of “Two Fold Pt. 2,” available now on iTunes, Google Play Store ,and Bandcamp.

Langston Thomas | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

a&e

7

thecurrent

2015-2016

How to Make Romantic Relationships Last Concert By: Wolf MacDowell Guest Writer

can teach them to play your favorite sport with you. Similarly, consider trying something they are interested in.

Relationships are great to have but can be some work to keep.

Aside from learning new things together and There are disagreements, trust issues, self-doubt, and at times you sharing things you are interested in with can even begin to feel alone. them, you could also buy them flowers, or These circumstances may not show up that often, but they do occur. something else that’s nice.

Sometimes sooner rather than later, and vice-versa—it all depends on Small things always help, whether it is the circumstances. It depends on who you’re dating, what your goals for chocolates, flowers, or even just goodnight the relationship are, and how you feel about your significant other— and good morning texts to reassure them that you whether you continue to care about them after a while or not. care and are thinking about them even when you Now a relationship is a very complex thing—everybody defines can barely open your eyes. relationships differently—but at the end of the day, we all seem to agree Make sure to always keep them in mind and that you should put your special someone before your needs. listen to them. Remember what they say and That means making sure they don’t feel alone, trying not to get into surprise them with things they might like. If they too many arguments, and making sure that they don’t doubt how much have had a week filled with stress and schoolwork they mean to you as a person. then plan something special for them, give them a masWhether you’re in it for the long run, just trying to have some fun, or sage, get them some coffee, or just sit and watch a movie with if you are really unsure of where it may end up, your job is to make sure them. that your significant other is as happy as they can be.

Another thing you can do is talk with them! We’re only humans—we But how do you keep a relationship afloat and keep your significant can’t read minds. If something is troubling you, say something. other happy? Well there are many ways to keep things going, anywhere Communicate with them. Know what they expect from the relationfrom talking things out, to being spontaneous. ship and what they want from it. Know when to give the other person Every relationship is different, which means that not every relationthe space they need and know when to give them all of your attention. ship is going to be fixed and kept afloat the same way.

Discuss how things are going in the relationship.

A lot of different things can help. Some people just need something Sometimes things become complicated and your emotions get fuzzy new to do together. Sometimes just learning a new activity can help but you have to talk about it. Tell them how you feel and what is on strengthen a relationship. your mind so they can know.

You could go snowboarding together, paint together—you could even At the end of the day, for a truly long relationship, “Get real,” said Ian try singing together just for the fun of it. Heck, you could even get your Sherman-Youngblood, an English instructor at Green River College. special someone into something you’re into. Getting them to play the “Allow yourself to be the grossest, hardest to deal with parts of yourself, newest installation of a video game is something you can try. Or you and then you get disgusted that all that stuff is in you, and each time you do that, slowly you grow. If you don’t let the gross stuff out, it just festers and grows on its own, and you can’t hide it because your partner is always there.”

If you really want to keep a relationship going, don’t hide who you are, even the nastiest parts of yourself, because at the end of the day your significant other is there to help you to become a better person. If they are really worth keeping around, then they are worth showing your true self to.

Things often change from day to day, even in small amounts, so talk about it. Talk about your emotions, talk about how you feel. This may sometimes hurt, and even sometimes produce arguments, but at the end of the day it is best for everyone involved.

In addition to talking about your emotions, another great way of keeping a relationship going is by knowing how to handle arguments that may arise for whatever the reason may be.

Try understanding why your partner is upset—understand their side of the argument and where they are coming from. Be as calm as you can with each other, and try to compromise.

Even just being mad for a bit helps—you can’t help being upset or annoyed sometimes—but don’t let that get in the way of how you feel about them. Try even taking a time out and calming down, but never end a night on a bad note if you can help it.

Try to fix things as best you can and make sure they know you care about them before they go to sleep because, at the end of the day, you do care about them.

There are about a thousand different definioffering 45 undergraduate and graduate degrees! tions of relationship and about a thousand more types. However, when things are all said and Visit us online: www.uwb.edu/admissions/transfer done, you are in a relationship because you care for the other person. You want to make them happy. Whether it is a good day or bad, you want www.uwb.edu 425.352.5000 the best for them, which may mean losing an argument or two.

we > Me

Calendar Must Die!

Feb

10

Feb

12

Feb

12

Feb

15

Feb

17

Feb

18

Feb

18

Feb

19

Feb

20

Feb

23

Highdrops, Sir Kutz, Monte, Boeretta & ENDR

@ Foundation Nightclub (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $8

Penguin Prison Manics

@ The Crocodile Doors: 8 p.m. $15

Kevin Gates @ Showbox SoDo Doors: 8 p.m. $25 - 30

The Donkeys

Stereo Embers, Pale Noise

@ Sunset Tavern (21+) Doors: 8 p.m. $12

Netsky

Quadrant, Iris & Owleks

@ Foundation Nightclub (21+) Doors: 10 p.m. $15 - 28

BORGEOUS & MORGAN PAGE Delora

@ McDonald Theatre Doors: 8 p.m. $25 - 35

Tyga

Lee Haze, Bezzel, L Cizzle

@ Showbox SoDo Doors: 8 p.m. $35 - 40

HAYWYRE @ The Crocodile Doors: 8 p.m. $15

MIGOS @ The Showbox Doors: 8 p.m. $30 - 35

Melanie Martinez Alvarez Kings

@ Crystal Ballroom Doors: 6:30 p.m. $28 -75

a&e New and Improved: The Mel Lindbloom Student Union 8

thecurrent

Langston Thomas | A&E Editor a&e@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

2015-2016

By: Alyssa Guyer Staff Writer The new Mel Lindbloom Student Union building is an architectural masterpiece, complete with numerous nooks and crannies for studying, eating, or just hanging out.

The recently opened common area is different in every way from the old Student Affairs facility. It comes complete with new coffee stand, stage, bookstore, gym, cafeteria and menu.

The ground floor of this new building has many seating areas, which defeats the issue of taking up a full table by yourself.

There’s a sort of bleacher set up at the back of the stage that allows students to sit in solitude or in spread out groups and mingle. On these bleachers are huge oversized pillows that seem to be extremely popular for taking naps on.

Directly on the other side of the stage is a sunk-in auditorium-like space. Circular tables, couches and a bar-like arrangement are set up all around the perimeter this area.

As a seemingly large departure from its predecessor, the cafeteria is highly functional and flows rather nicely. The old cafeteria lacked organization and seemed like a jumble of people standing in a crowd rather than a coherent service system.

Upon entering the cafeteria,

students are greeted with a soda machine and condiment bar which then leads towards a quite large selection of hot entrées. In the middle, creating a palpable path around it, is a salad bar. Towards the exit, formed by retractable belt barriers, is an orderly line in front of the cashier counter.

Michael Enkerud, the general manager of the building, explained how the new cafeteria now offers much more than plain burgers, fries and chicken strips. Instead, this facility has the capability to create American, Asian, Mexican, and Mediterranean dishes.

Enkerud expressed how he wanted to offer different foods, “so people would have a choice.” He added that all these new selections are prepared fresh right there in front of the customer.

Enkerud also noted that the new cafeteria is much busier than it was at its previous location because of the diversity of food choices.

The coffee stand is located on the other side of the building from the stage. The stand now has more of a coffee shop like feeling to it. That vibe, paired with couches and a fireplace, is more of a lounge than anything and seems to be drawing many students in.

There are closed rooms as well near the stand to be used for group discussion, or better yet to just hang out and watch a movie on the TV included in each room.

Sara Swanson, a student at GRC, described the new coffee area as, “a place where we can study and hang out. It feels like our neighborhood coffee shop.”

Some good news for frequent coffee stand customers is that the baristas who brewed in the Student Affairs building have been relocated to the new space. So there’s no need to worry about the quality of drinks declining.

The first floor of the Student Affairs building is now almost completely barren. It’s truly amazing how quickly food services moved into their new space and the vacant coffee stand looks as if it was never there used in the first place.

While not much has changed in the way of coffee, pizza is now available only steps from a morning caffeine fix.

There is a wood burning oven behind the counter next to the coffee stand which is run by two chefs that were hired specifically to operate this new pizza stand.

Pizza options include pepperoni, cheese, veggie, sausage, supreme, and Hawaiian.

Costumers have a choice of a personal size pizza for $5, a personal pizza and a 24 oz. soda combo for $6.75, or a single slice for $3.

The hours of this new coffee/ pizza mixture are also new and improved. It will now be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will serve pizza from 10 a.m. to 7 .pm.

Enkerud said that the plan is to add more food options to the coffee stand including nachos and different sandwiches.

With these new services came new employees as well. Enkerud said that a total of seven new chefs were highered, including the aforementioned pizza chefs.

Directly down the hall from the cafeteria is the new bookstore.

Although the line system seems to have not been solidified, the new space allows for a larger capacity and has much more open floor space than the old location.

Green River student, Kendrick Cossey, said that the new building, “now feels like a real college.”

This building makes the campus feel more modern and welcoming.

This common area will definitely encourage students to eat, study and hang out on campus.

Students lounge on the oversize pillows (above) available outside the cafeteria while the fire (below) roars near the coffee stand in the new Mel Lindbloom Student Union building.

Top 5 Love Songs For Your Valentines Day Mixtape Chosen by Editors of thecurrent By: Langston Thomas A&E Editor

“Trumpets” by Jason Derulo was released in 2013. It instantly became a radio hit (as his songs usually do) and has been making its way onto mix tapes ever since. Consumers either love it or hate it, but theres no denying that it’s extremely catchy.

“What Is Love” by Haddaway was released in 1993. It was an instant hit that slowly lost popularity till 1998 when a scene from the movie A Night At The Roxbury skyrocketted its popularity once more.

Photo Courtesy | musicstack.com

Photo Courtesy | huffingtonpost.co.uk

Photo Courtesy | subscene.com

Photo Courtesy | jukebo.com

“Never Gonna Give You Up”

by Rick Astley was released in 1987. Although it is popularly known for the prank “rick roll”, it was a #1 worldwide hit. It may not be taken seriously as the love ballad it is, but the fact that it’s still played on the radio 29 years after its debut, solidifies it as a classic.

“Sweater Weather”

by The Neighbourhood was released in 2012. It didn’t take long for the song to become hugely popular. Listen to any top 40 radio station for a few hours and chances are you’ll hear it come on at least once. It’s the perfect theme for melancholy lovers.

“I Want To Be Your Man”

by Zapp and Roger was released in 1987. This funky love ballad was a huge hit because of its effected vocals and catchy chorus.

It’s the perfect slow jam for you and your valentine to “get down” to.

Photo Courtesy | audiomack.com

Kartik Sarda | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

opinion

thecurrent

9

2015-2016

Lessons Learned Through Compassion and Understanding

Editorial

We at The Current like to think we are open to any form of criticism. Our staff consists of students who put in their valuable time to successfully publish the news for campus. However, like every human, we are prone to mistakes.

Usually errors come in the form of a minor typo or a piece of information that is not entirely accurate. The corrections box serves that purpose. However, on Jan. 31, we received a unique email from a concerned reader.

Kiegan Rosser, vice-president of Queer and Allies, sent the editors at The Current a letter explaining how we used incorrect and offensive terminology in our articles on the gender neutral bathrooms. The opinion article was written with best intentions towards supporting the law by the editor, however he admitted of using incorrect use of the word “transgender”, and recognized his mistake. The bathroom article (in our campus section) contained numerous issues that Rosser wanted addressed. Rosser wanted more transgender people’s voices in the article about the issue that affected the specific group in the LGBTQ+ community.

Alina Moss, Editor-in-Chief of The Current, had a defensive reaction to the criticism. The letter was thorough about how the article hurt their sentiments, but The Current staff did not understand the gravity of word choices while writing about the gender neutral bathrooms.

When Moss read the email, this editorial started out as a piece about how you can’t please everyone. Her best intentions when writing about the new bathrooms were to show how they are going to help transgender students and staff to feel more comfortable on campus. Ironically, she was under fire by the very audience for

whom she was trying to advocate.

Moss was in the middle of a family gathering to celebrate her birthday when she received the critical letter from Rosser.

She left the party to access a computer and gave a thoght to what was happening.

Immediately after reading the letter, she called her managing editor to vent about the criticism against her article. Moss then contacted her other editors to see if they were also under fire, though they had not received the letter or any messages from readers. She was attempting to curb all the criticism onto herself, sparing her staff from the complications that arose from her article.

Concerned about why her article was taken so negatively, she sent an email to Rosser in hopes that they could discuss the article. The two set up a time to meet the following school day.

Moss had time to think about the article and was hurt contemplating how she tried too hard to write a piece that not only showed the effects that the new law would have on campus, but also to point out the effects on to the LGBTQ+ community.

James Ristig, managing editor for The Current, was concerned that Moss would only make the situation worse during the long weekend because of how proud she was of the article.

Moss sought advice from trusted friends both inside and outside of the LGBTQ+ community. Some of her friends said she did a good job on the article, while others asked her to see the issue from Rosser’s point of view. Moss consulted a bisexual friend who said she should try to see the fact that she wrote about a topic that was important to the transgender community without truly including their side of the story. He even hoped that Moss and Ross-

er would emerge through this uncomfortable situation as friends.

Although it did not happen right away, this is what started to help Moss see the situation with an open mind.

On Monday. the two parties met in the editor’s office to discuss the article.

Moss was upset. Rosser was upset. Tensions were high in the newsroom.

However, a dialogue soon began between Moss and Rosser. The two engaged in an intellectual argument about transgender representation on campus, what The Current could have done to improve the article, and what Rosser felt as a reader of the student newspaper and as a non-binary person.

Moss held her composure to the best of her ability as she listened to Rosser, but soon she began to explain her side of the story. She wrote the story from the perspective of campus law and safety.

A first time reporter was interested in writing the article, so Moss offered to help her with the process. Although the student took the right steps to complete the story, there was a lack of experience.

After the two were finished arguing about who was right and who was wrong, a real dialogue began and they found a common ground. Rosser gave an example of an article about journalism but the reporter only interviewed a blogger. Moss began to come around to Rosser’s point of view and the two came to a resolution.

The article on page 2 of this very newspaper was written in collaboration with Rosser about transgender people’s experiences on campus and the new bathroom.

Moss said the most important thing she came away with from this experience was to take a step back to see the other person’s point of view before reacting.

Alina Moss Editor-in-Chief Ads Manager 253-833-9111 x2376

James Ristig Managing Editor Campus Editor 253-833-9111 x2377 Langston Thomas A&E Editor

Kartik Sarda Opinion Editor

Ethan DuBoise Sports Editor

Logan Hoerth Copy Editor

Staff Writers: Valory Lovejoy, Joshua Dragoo, Alyssa Guyer, Avery Bain, Marina Kokorovic, Riley Agnew, Eternity West, Skip Lammon, Vanessa McMahan, Kurt Bruestle, Tessa Brooke.

Photographers: Alina Moss and Riley Agnew.

Editorials reflect the opinions of the entire editing staff of the Current.

Letter to the Editor: The Importance of the Gender Neutral Restrooms Editor of the Current,

I was pleased to see the headline on the cover of your most recent edition about gender inclusive bathrooms. The article inside was largely very good. I was also heartened by the op- ed preview on the cover, “Striding Toward Gender Equality.”

I must, however, share my concerns about the op-ed, authored

by Kartik Sarda. I believe that Mr. Sarda sees himself as an ally, but, as a trans woman, I was very unsettled by the op-ed. It was jarring when he repeatedly used his term, “the transgenders.” Let’s use terms such as the “trans community” and words that this community uses such as “transgender person,” “transmale,” etc.

While the news article correctly referred to the new “gender

Editorial Policy

thestaff

inclusive” restrooms in the new Student Union, Mr. Sarda, instead, incorrectly referenced “transgender restrooms,” the “specific ones constructed only for their use.”

Worse, he seemed to advocate the (mandatory?) segregation of men’s, women’s, and transgender restrooms. To me, this came across as, “normal, normal, and not-normal.” While Mr. Sarda argued that it would make transgendered people feel “secure,” it unfortunately evoked the Jim Crow restrooms for “white” and “colored.” I wondered, would he advocate separate restrooms for gays and lesbians to keep them secure from straights?

Might we set up separate restrooms for Muslims to keep them safe from Islamophobes?

Please understand that all of us experience our physical bodies and our gender identities on spectrums.

The Current is a public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without censorship or advanced approval. The opinions of the opinion stories are that of the writer and the writer alone. If you have an opposing viewpiont feel free to write The Current a Letter to the Editor at editor@thegrcurrent.com

Please know that most people have no idea when they are sharing space with most transgender persons. I know deep voiced, bald, and bearded trans men who have, appropriately, been using men’s rooms for decades. They are men, after all.

I know cisgendered (non-transgendered) women who sometimes get harassed in women’s rooms because they have a masculine appearance. They are not trans, but they might feel it easier at times to use a gender inclusive restroom.

There are many intersexed people among us, born with mixed genitalia. Some were assigned as one sex, but might have features of the other and who raise questions when they simply want to use a restroom to pee.

Some people blur the gender lines, indentifying as agender or

Theft Policy

two-spirit. Some trans people transition, but retain more of their former sex characteristics than other trans people. They might, indeed, feel more secure, in an all gender restroom. Some trans people present ambiguously, but temporarily, until hormone therapy (and perhaps surgery) help them transition more thoroughly.

Each stall in the new gender inclusive bathrooms is essentially a private restroom with a locking door. Anyone who finds them convenient can use them. People should choose the restroom that works for them and gender inclusive bathrooms give people more options.

In issue 05 volume 50, the articles Restrooms Now Gender Neutral pg 3 used biological sex instead of gender assigned at birth. Transgender Bathrooms: A Step Closer to Gender Equality pg 10 used ‘transgender’ as a noun instead of an adjective.

If you find a factual error or simply a name spelled incorrectly, please contact us at: - editor@thegrcurrent.com - 253-288-3457 - or find us OEB 17

Allison Jansen Faculty, Political Science and Gender studies at GRC

Each individual is permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Current. Newspaper theft is a crime.

Anyone who removes, discards or destroys more than one copy to prevent other individuals from reading that issue may be subject to civil, criminal and/or campus penalties.

Letters to the Editor

The Current encourages its readers to be involved and will accept letters of 400 words or less for publication. Anonymous letters are not accepted and the editors reserve the right to reject or edit letters for space, taste and legal concerns. All letters become property of The Current. Send letters to editor@ thegrcurrent.com.

opinion

thecurrent

10

2015-2016

Kartik Sarda | Opinion Editor opinion@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Mockery and Jaggery: Presidential Elections 2016

T- Trump By: Kartik Sarda Opinion Editor @Krysis_Kartik

This is a work of satire and should not be taken seriously.

It is the night before the election results are declared. Donald Trump, being over-confident and assured of his victory, threw a taunting party for those candidates he thought were ‘fairly competitive’ in the battle he will win the next day.

He also invites Barack Obama, in an attempt to humiliate him before he leaves his office for his foe. The attendees included Hillary Clinton, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, and Obama.

Bernie Sanders could not attend as he was struck by old-age illness after a hard campaign. Soon they get drunk (except Ben, of course, as he doesn’t want to embarrass God with any stupid activities), and relax on the couch, trying to conclude who will win the elections.

T: Everything is wrong! I will ban everything! We as a nation are not the best anymore! Our current president is probably the worst leader ever! He has made America a laughing stock in the world.

O (chuckles): Look who’s speaking…

H: You blokes can argue to your heart’s delight. Truth remains that only the hard-working women-power of the nation will bring back our lost glory. I carry the wind of change with me.

C: Your pessimism is pathetic!

We are, and will be, the world’s greatest nation. The United States needs to get rid of your negativity, and have optimism like mine.

B: In God I trust! While you waste your time, I utilized mine to chant a quick prayer for the future of this country. Jesus knows I will be taking my oath as America’s president very soon. After that, I will bring back the glorious days when my Christian brothers built

B- Ben

S- Sanders

O- Obama C- Cruz

the Great Pyramids.

O (continues laughing): Sure you will, Carson. What more, the Egyptians won’t know about your new Pyramids, as you will probably erase their memories with the extraordinary neurological knowledge you have.

H: Oh I doubt if he will be able to do that to women. I recently read that women have a better working memory than men.

C: Shut up your sexist mouth, Clinton. Ben can dream of stealing the Egyptians as long as he wants.

That won’t stop me from standing right next to the legal immigrants when they create a real monument in this amazing nation.

T: What are you talking about, Ted? No more immigrants, especially Muslims, will be allowed to pass our territories once I gain power; which is surely happening tomorrow.

B: Satan has its eyes on you, Trump. He might even have poured a demon inside you. Let me show you the path before you grieve over your own defeat.

T: Do you think I care? My supporters are so loyal that even if I shoot a person in a crowded street, I will not lose a single vote from my pocket.

O: Well… I don’t see that happening, dear friend, especially with the new gun control laws that I have proposed. However, we might soon see immigrant and Muslim souls haunting the streets where your supporters shoot people.

B: Amen…

H: And I will carry on with your gun-control acts, Mr. Obama. It is essential for the general public, especially my fellow women, as it will protect them from threats from the insane shooters.

C: Where is the democratic liberty you both stand for? American individuals need guns to protect themselves, especially when Trump is making such comments.

B: Hillary, you cannot even

protect your emails… How will you protect the people of this country?

Is that classified as well?

H: You keep worrying about evolution and pyramids, Ben. I am sure you have even drafted out new architecture for our granaries.

T (in drunken tone): Hahaha… I like this one.

O: Hey Ted, I heard you were targeted as well by our friend Trump on birther issues? I admire the important matters he finds for debate, like the faking of moon landing.

C: Oh yeah, he got that skill from his Scottish mother.

O: Really? I always thought he grew up with me in Kenya? (everyone laughs loudly) T: Don’t forget you sit on my expensive diamond-studded couch while you say that.

B: If Trump becomes president, he will turn the White House into a five-star hotel.

H: Who knows… you will turn it into a church.

C: Well… I am sure that Hillary will convert White House into a Women’s Rescue Centre…

T: To help the women who are ‘schlonged’ by Obama… (the Republicans laugh) H: Gentlemen, I think I will leave now.

T: Just like the other day? Please don’t say that. It’s disgusting. I do not want to talk about it… It’s just too disgusting. (All laugh in drunk voices as Hillary exits. Obama’s phone rings.)

O: Look… it’s Bernie. I will put the call on speaker.

S (on the call in sick voice): Hello losers, and formal President (coughs). I have been waiting for this moment for so long… just one more day before I kick your butts in the polls.

C: Currently it is your butt that needs care, Bernie. I hope Vermont is cozy enough for you.

O: I read the article you wrote back in the seventies… something about women.

H- Hillary B: God I wish Hillary had waited for this!

T: He must have written about the women feeling the ‘Bern’, even in 1970s.

S: Oh Trump… you can never improve. Before any more comments are made, let me clear that I was not being sexist at all while writing it. It talks about men fantasizing women and vice versa… something every ordinary American can relate to.

C: Now don’t you sound funny when you say that? Clearly it was more controversial than Hillary’s emails or Obama’s birthplace, or even Ben’s ‘evolved pyramids’.

S: Nice to hear you voice, Mr. Cruz. I see you have joined the gathering of the rivals who cannot stop loathing each other. Now, to answer your question, the article was to provide insights on the men and women’s psyches in that era.

T: May we ask from where you got the deep ‘desires’ of women?

I can guarantee you wrote some absurd words for men, but I cannot be sure about women… especially after knowing Clinton.

S: You know what, I do not want to disturb your last moments of solace before I am declared the president. Good night, fellas. Will wait for your warm wishes and congratulations in front of the media tomorrow.

O: Wow he just hung up on few of the most important personalities in U.S. politics. I like his attitude.

B: Talking about attitude, I am worried about the amount of renovation my government will have to carry out after your blind eye to ISIS. C: What can you do, Ben? Conduct brain surgeries to change their minds? I can bet your feeble approach towards such issues of importance will drown even the little progress that might have been made in the last eight years.

T: While you talk fantasies about ‘your governments’, I devise

my policies to eradicate these fiends from the face of earth. I will protect U.S. borders by banning all immigrants and Muslims, and then launch drones to destroy their bases. We have the best military in the world, which I will put to good use as Commander-in-Chief.

O: Just tell us you want to expand your hotels into the Middle-East, and we’ll believe you.

Anyways, it was nice meeting the possible persons who will keep my seat warm in future. Good luck, gentlemen. Although I can one-handedly retort your remarks, it would be an unfair debate with three Republicans losing against one Democrat. (He waves his hand and bids adieu) B: Now that it’s just us Republicans, and because we are probably the major candidates, lets decide who will get to be the Vice-President if one of three gets the position.

T: Huh! You already succumb to your defeat? Seeing your pessimistic attitude, I am choosing Cruz as my government’s VP. C: Thank you for consideration, Trump. You will receive the same from me tomorrow.

T: Oh no, no. You can condole Ben by at least offering him the position of the VP in your never-forming government. I will either lose with respect and go back to constructing buildings, funding your government, or I will become the President with you as my subordinate. Both ways, the Republicans need me.

B: I am done with his arrogance.

May God bless you, Trump. Thank you for the dinner.

C: Same here. And for the records, I will now have Ben as my Vice-President. Good luck.

T: I have already been blessed with four billion net worth. What more can I ask for? Nice to see you, gentlemen. It was a night full of pleasure, and it will be a pleasant day tomorrow.

sports

thecurrent

Ethan DuBoise | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

11 2015-2016

Event Gators Still Have a Chance for NWAC Calendar The Team Needs to Put Some Wins On the Board ASAP By: Riley Agnew Staff Writer @Fluffy2253 The Green River Gators’ Men’s Basketball Team has lost to Pierce Community College on Jan. 30, but the team morale’s is still high. Anthony Harper and Damon Cikanek, the Gators team captains said “What we need is a large, loud, and supportive crowd.”

“We’re doing our best to put on for Green River,” Said Harper “So come support us, be loud, be supportive.” Both captains are in complete agreement that it would help the Gators if at home games there was a bigger crowd cheering showing their support.

The Green River Gators lost to Pierce Community College in a close game with a score of 69-74.

But the Gators aren’t done yet, they still aim to make it to the North West Athletic Convention. Their current standings are at 7 wins to 13 losses, and though the standings are slim, the Gators are still optimistic about going to NWAC and making the playoffs.

Harper, who plays center, and Cikanek, who plays shooting guard, have both been playing organized basketball since sixth grade and brought their love for the sport to Green River College. As team captains their jobs take on many forms, but the most important is keeping up the team spirit. “We try and be vocal leaders, that’s what we need right now. Calm each other

down through hard times and after about the team and what they can games.” said Harper. “It’s nice to do to improve, “When we get leads see people aren’t giving up yet.” we gotta keep up, not give ‘em up, Cikanek added. pound down the other team.”

Cikanek has played for the Gators “We gave up some easy buckets for two years and this is Harper’s but we also played well at times, first year but they both have the we could see our potential.” Said same goal in mind, make it to the Cikanek in regards to the game playoffs. “We against Pierce want to finish Community Colstrong.” said lege. Harper agreed “When we get leads we Cikanek. “A lot and added “We just gotta keep up, not give of our players need to stop makare in their ing mistakes.” ‘em up, pound down the sophomore Cikanek and other team.” year, so this is Harper both spoke - Anthony Harper highly of the their last few Basketball Team Captain coaches with Harpgames here, hopefully we er stating “They’re can stick it out.”, opposites but they Harper added. work together” Cikanek went on to The team goal may be to finish add, “They are relaxed at times but strong, but starting a game strong also they’re always motivated, their is also important, “When we’re number one thing is winning and all in the locker room we like to we just gotta follow them. They’re blast music to get pumped up.” good.” As both captains agree, the said Cikanek. “We listen to a lot of the Gators are in great hands. hip-hop”, Harper added. They both Outside of basketball both Harphave also mentioned that some of er and Cikanek are active Green the artists that get played are Chris River students. Harper is working Brown and Dr. Dre. to get his AA degree and Cikanek “We can definitely make it to is working to get his degree in the playoffs if we win the rest our business. Cikanek is a lover of the games” said Harper. But when outdoors enjoying activities such asked what the team needs to imas four-wheeling, fly fishing and prove on to make it to the playoffs snow boarding. Harper is almost a both captains agreed that the team polar opposite stating “I just like, needs to learn from their mistakes sit at home and eat.” But aside from and not repeat them. Both also that joking statement Harper made agreed that the team’s greatest sure to say that recently he was strength is their shot accuracy and introduced to acting due to a GRC positive attitude. course and that he was enjoying Harper had some more to say being exposed to that.

“I just did this monologue about this boxer, Jack Jefferson”, Harper said in regards to his acting class and the work he had been doing.

Cikanek grew up in Alaska and has been fly fishing his whole life.

“I mostly fish for salmon”.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland but growing up in California, Harper has been playing basketball for almost his whole life. “I would go down to the park and play there.”

Harper said. He only started playing in organized games in the sixth grade and has continued to play ever since. Harper plays center for the Gators, blocking shots and catching rebounds when he can.

Cikanek, who also picked up organized basketball in the sixth grade said, “I’ve been playing basketball my whole life. It kinda runs in my family”, Cikanek plays shooting guard and his main goal is to score points whenever possible and facilitate the team’s ability to run the ball and score.

Both Cikanek and Harper were happy to say that the Gators team is filled with great people and that team morale is still high and that they are still hopeful to make the playoffs. With many of the members of the Green River gators in their sophomore year they are hoping to end the season on a high note. To make the best of the season’s last games Cikanek and Harper urge GRC students to come to home games and support the Gators. They hope to see a large crowd at the next home game, Feb 13 at 5 p.m.

Feb

13

Feb

13

Feb

17

Feb

17

Feb

20

Feb

20

Feb

24

Feb

24

Feb Riley Agnew | The Current

Green River men’s Basketbasketball with captains Anthony Harper (Middle) and Damon Cikanek (Middle Right) and 3 other members of the men’s Basketball team.

27

Men’s Basketball Green River vs Lower Columbia

@ Greenriver 6 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Green River vs Lower Columbia

@Greenriver 3 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Green River vs Tacoma

@ Green River 8 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Green River vs Tacoma

@ Green River 6 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Green River vs Highline

@ Des Moines 9 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Green River vs Highline

@ Des Moines 12 p.m.

Men’s Basketball Green River vs Centralia

@ Green River 8 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Green River vs Centralia

@ Green River 6 p.m.

Men’s Baseball

Green River vs Edmonds

@ Edmonds 12 p.m.

12 2015-2016

sports

thecurrent

Ethan DuBoise | Sports Editor sports@thegrcurrent.com www.thegrcurrent.com

Green River’s New Fitness Room By: Vanessa McMahon Staff Writer

The new Recreation and Athletic Center at Green River College makes exercise and staying healthy easier and more fun than ever before.

Since the official Grand Opening of the newly finished Mel Lindbloom Student Union on Monday, February 1, the Recreation and Athletic Center in particular has been a huge hit amongst Green River students.

The long-awaited new fitness center has already become one of the most popular spots on campus, with over 200 students visiting the RAC within two hours of its grand opening. “We’ve had a ton of people come through”, Said Janayla Scott, front desk attendant at the RAC. “Basketball is definitely the thing to do right now”.

Green River student, Owen Yeung, said that he likes the new RAC because it makes working out really fun and accessible. He especially enjoys the new Expresso Interactive exercise bikes, where he can race his friends in a virtual biking video game and get a great work out and the same time.

“I’m going to cancel my gym membership, and just come here now instead.” said Yeung.

Besides the fun, energetic atmosphere of the new RAC, it also offers more convenience than the old fitness room, and caters to college student’s busy schedules.

Logan Serenbetz, a Green River student, has always been into fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but like many students, is also balancing a demanding academic load.

He says that he is more likely to exercise more often with the new RAC on campus.

“After classes I have homework and stuff, so this is really nice for in between classes”, Said Serenbetz.

Not all students are avid gym-goers, but the new RAC has something for everyone.

Jarod Perko, a previously home-schooled Running Start student, enjoys the RAC for it’s social opportunities. Anywhere from meeting new people or bonding over a fun game of table tennis.

“Before, my social life was pretty minimal, but I like to come in here and play ping-pong now”, Said Perko.

Perko is also excited for intramural sports, which start up on Monday, February 8. Each day of the week, a different intramural sport will be held in the new gym from noon to 2 p.m. Intermurals will include basketball, badminton, soccer, table tennis, and more.

The new fitness center also allows more freedom for Green River athletes to train in the off season. Green River Volleyball and Track & Field athlete, Ashley Laukala, said that she plans to use the new fitness center to train and prepare for the upcoming Track and Field season.

“I think it’s really cool and awesome that our school considers what students want, or would enjoy”, Said Laukala on the new RAC. You can swing by the RAC Monday through Friday, noon to 9 p.m. to pick up a game of basketball with peers, take a free fitness class like Zumba or Yoga, or work out on one of the brand new cardio fitness or weight training machines provided inside the gym.

There are also extended weekend hours for the RAC, which will now be open on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Alina Moss | The Current

The new fitness center offers a multitude of activities like badminton to keep students active. This is a view from the dance floor down into the basketballcourt.