Eastfield Et Cetera October 12, 2016 by The Et Cetera

Etera

Eastfield College

ENOUGH TIME FOR

MOM Many colleges lack a maternity leave program, putting new mothers in a difficult position. See page 3 â&#x17E;¤

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Volume 48, Issue 4

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Donald Trump has come under fire for his recent comments that some say promote sexual assult.

Trump’s comments raise gender issues again By TAYLOR ROBERTS Contributor @TheEtCetera

The recent release of a 2005 video showing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump bragging to “Today” show host Billy Bush about groping women has once again brought the discussion of gender to the forefront of the presidential race. Trump told Bush in the video that he “moved on [‘Entertainment Tonight’ host Nancy O’Dell] like a b*tch,” but she turned down his advances. He later said that he enjoyed kissing beautiful women and doesn’t wait to do so. “When you’re a star, they let you do it,” he said. “You can do anything. Grab ’em by the p***y.” Trump has defended his words as “locker room talk” while critics have said they promote sexual assault. Trump apologized on his official Facebook page and again when confronted Oct. 9 during the second presidential debate. Bush has since been suspended from NBC’s “The Today Show.” Civil engineering student Alejandro Salazar said Trump “doesn’t know how to control his mouth” and may have lost votes with this latest controversy. “I would say he would lose more female supporters,” he said. “But it’s going to bring out all those men that have that mentality. too. If people have the same mentality as he does, then they’re going to support him.” Ubaldisi Guadarrama, who is studying law, said Trump’s comments were “inappropriate and disrespectful.”

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Donald Trump has accused Hillary Clinton of playing the “woman card” to get elected as president.

“He thinks he’s special,” she said. “People think that if they are high up they can start doing things that aren’t right because they think they can get away with it.” This isn’t the first time that Trump has been accused of sexist behavior. During a GOP debate in August 2015, moderator Megyn Kelly of Fox News called out Trump for referring to women as “fat pigs,” “dogs,” “slobs” and “disgusting animals,” when he doesn’t find them attractive. He responded by laughing and saying he does not have “time for total political correctness.” He later called Kelly a “bimbo.” Trump also posted a tweet in April 2015 asking, “If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?” Trump later blamed a staffer for

the tweet, which was deleted. Earlier this year, Trump accused Clinton of playing the “woman’s card” to get where she is in the political world. He questioned her qualifications as well as her “stamina” and “strength.” “If Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she’d get 5 percent of the vote,” he said. After winning the Democratic Primary in Pennsylvania, Clinton responded to Trump’s attack. “Well, if fighting for women’s health care and paid family leave and equal pay is playing the ‘woman card,’ then deal me in,” she said. Judith Dumont, executive dean of workforce and continuing education, believes Clinton is sometimes criticized because of the stereotype of women being soft-spoken.

“I really think it’s because of this Barbie doll box we are supposed to be sitting within as a woman in American culture,” Dumont said. “Women have always been taught to be poised, to look pretty and to have a certain look.” Dr. Tracy Everbach, associate professor of journalism at the University of North Texas, said she believes media coverage and stereotypes about women are part of the reason it took so long for a woman to have a chance to become president. “I think there is still a very strong belief that men and women have their place in society and that the men’s place is to run things, to be in charge of things, and a woman’s place is to take care of everything at home, to take care of the family,” Everbach said. “I know the beliefs have changed on this over the years, but I still don’t think they changed enough that we consider men and women equal.” According to the Center for American Women in Politics, women make up about 19.3 percent of the House of Representatives and 20 percent of the Senate. That is a total of 104 women out of 535 members of Congress. Everbach said female politicians like Geraldine Ferraro have been criticized for their appearance rather than their policy. Ferraro’s dress size was mentioned on air by news anchor Tom Brokaw in 1984 when she was running for vice president. “Who cares?” Everbach said. “No one would ever mention what a man’s [pants] size was.” Everbach compared an incident when former President George H.W.

Bush vomited on then-Prime Minister of Japan Kiichi Miyazawa in 1992 to Clinton’s bout with pneumonia. “People started all these rumors that she’s definitely ill and cannot handle the presidency,” Everbach said. Sarah Palin, a Republican candidate for vice president in the 2008 election, also faced scrutiny for the cost of her wardrobe and haircut. “She wasn’t really taken very seriously as a candidate to a lot of people,” Everbach said. “A lot of what the public thought about her was, ‘Oh, she is so attractive. Women would want to vote for her because she is pretty.’ … She [was seen as] more an entertainer than a candidate.” In 2014, former Republican Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann told columnist Cal Thomas that a lot of Americans are not ready for a female president. “I don’t think there is a lot of pentup desire for a woman to be president,” she said. Rachel Wolf, associate vice president of academic affairs and student success, disagrees. “I’m ready, because I think that there is something greatly missing when the majority of people becoming educated are women,” she said. “I think it’s taken a long time because we have an oppressive system.” Everbach said students should end stereotypes surrounding women in politics by doing their own research. “Look critically at anything that is presented to you, the way it is being presented to you,” she said. “Is it fair? If it’s not fair, speak up, say something about it. … Tell other people, ‘Look at this.’”

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Current maternity leave policies draw scrutiny By CRISTHIAN HERRERA and JAMES HARTLEY Contributor and Managing Editor @JamesHartleyETC

Under current policy, Eastfield and other Dallas County community colleges offer only one day of paid leave to new parents. Employees must then tap into their accrued sick days and vacation time — if they have any available. While administrators and staff are eligible for vacation days year-round, faculty are only eligible during the summer months, but many teach classes then as well. Associate Dean of Arts and Communications Sheneika Hathaway said one day of maternity leave does not allow the time a new mother needs. The policy is “antiquated” and needs to change, she said. “It’s impossible for me to give birth in one day and come back to work, so that was out of the question,” said Hathaway, who gave birth to her first child in January. “There’s no way for us to come back in 24 hours. Some people’s labor lasts longer than 24 hours.” It’s not uncommon for public colleges and universities to require new mothers to use their vacation and sick leave after childbirth. Tarrant County College, Tyler Junior College, the Lone Star College System and fouryear institutions like the University of Texas, University of Texas in Arlington, University of North Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M do not offer any paid maternity leave. Susan Hall, executive director of Talent Central for the Dallas County Community College District, said in an email that the district is considering changes to district leave policies in general. “While there is no specific plan to change this [maternity leave] policy, one of our research efforts this year will be related to review of our leave policies, consideration of other best practices and recommendations to the chancellor for board consideration,” Hall wrote. Cynthia Hunt, assistant director of marketing at Eastfield, said she had to decide between using her paid leave or taking unpaid time off under the Family Medical Leave Act. The FMLA guarantees that an employee who has worked for the same employer for 12 months can receive 12 weeks of job-protected, unpaid maternity leave. Hunt had a cesarean section and

ALEJANDRA ROSAS/ THE ET CETERA

Clockwise from top: English professor Katawna Caldwell-Warren and her daughter Kensley. Kensley plays with a toy as her mother holds her up. Kensley chews on a teething toy.

said it is impossible to return to work so soon after the surgery. “Recovery sucks,” Hunt said. “The first week is the worst because you’ve just been cut open and sewed back together again. The second week is a little less painful. … Probably about the third or fourth week you’re like, ‘OK, I can move around.’ ” Hunt said that between recovery and worrying about her newborn, returning to work before her paid leave ran out was unrealistic. “I like to say that a C-section is the only major surgery you will have in life where you are now responsible for taking care of another human being,” Hunt said. “You don’t have open

heart surgery and then they give you a child and say, ‘Now take care of all their needs.’ ” Hunt applied for short-term disability benefits during her last pregnancy, granting her partial pay for eight weeks after her C-section. Beneficiaries get six weeks of short-term disability for natural delivery. According to Hathaway, the financial woes that follow childbirth only add to the stress and the need for a longer paid leave period. “More than likely, you’re going to use all of your vacation and sick leave,” she said. “Then if your child gets sick, you don’t have vacation or sick leave to take care of your child.”

Although the Family Medical Leave Act offers new mothers 12 weeks of unpaid leave to recover without having to worry about losing their job, Hathaway said it isn’t enough. “How do you have income for 12 weeks to stay home and take care of family?” Hathaway said. “I can take 12 weeks off and not have pay or use my vacation time or sick leave. So, that’s a hard decision when you have to pay your bills and you have a newborn to take care of and you have medical expenses.” Katawna Caldwell-Warren, who teaches English, said if a professor is out for an extended period they have

to pay for a substitute on top of the other expenses. "You have to pay for that, so it’s money out of your pocket," CaldwellWarren said. New parents already spend about $12,000 on child-related expenses in the first year, according to an annual report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because United States law does not require paid maternity leave, only about 12 percent of private-sector employers offer it. The United States and Lesotho, a small, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa, are the only developed nations that do not require paid maternity leave. The United Kingdom offers 39 weeks of paid maternity leave, and Canada offers 15 weeks of paid maternity leave, then allows either the mother or father to take up to 35 weeks of paid parental leave. Both presidential candidates advocate requiring some paid maternity leave. Hillary Clinton’s platform includes offering 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, with at least two-thirds of regular wages being paid. She said she would tax the upper class to fund that paid leave. Donald Trump wants to offer six weeks of paid leave to new mothers, incentivizing employers to provide childcare in the workplace and encouraging community-based solutions, though he hasn't explained his plan for putting it in action. Hunt said having to return to work so quickly can have negative effects on a mother’s psyche and possibly cause her work to suffer as well. She said worrying about her baby’s wellbeing can be distracting. “Had I needed to drop my baby off at day care, I probably would’ve been a mess coming back to work,” she said. She said she was fortunate to have her mother take care of her child. Caldwell-Warren believes an appropriate amount of paid leave is anywhere from two to three months. “Your body may be here, but your mind is back at home with your baby,” she said. Before she became pregnant, Caldwell said she was not aware of the single-day leave policy. Neither was Hathaway. “I asked how long I would get off, and when I got my answer, I had to deal with it,” Caldwell said. — David Silva contributed to this report

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Early planning aids to make transferring smooth Many said they did the research themselves because they did not know where to go, and that often resulted in headaches rather than answers. “I didn’t know where to even start, so I just decided to work full-time with the associate degree I got,” said former Eastfield student Jose Ruiz, who earned an Associate of Science degree. Ruiz is working as a pharmacy technician and plans to return to school in the near future to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science in order to make more money. Ruiz said he only visited his adviser a few times because of his busy schedule, and most of the information he received was from his sister. He said students should make time to schedule advising meetings to learn about their academic standing and the transfer process. Eastfield is working on easing the stress and confusion of the transfer process through programs such as new student orientation and the Transfer Academy, offered by the Office of Student Engagement and Retention. A “Planning for University Transfer” list is also offered on the college’s website with a breakdown of resources. Most four-year institutions offer orientation to provide new students with more information about the road ahead. “I came to the orientation, so that answered all of my questions,” said UTA student Nathalie James, who transferred from Tarrant County College with her adviser’s help. “I knew what to expect.” Eastfield students can visit OSER’s Completion Center in C-237 for more information on graduation requirements, career information and employment services. Students can schedule an appointment with an adviser by phone or on the Eastfield website.

By JACQUELINE ESTRADA Contributor @TheEtCetera

The “lack of early, personalized and knowledgeable advising for students interested in transfer” to a four-year university is a major reason for degree program credit loss, according to a recent 10-state study by the non-profit organization Education Northwest Michelle Hodara, lead author of the study, said students are losing credits due to the uncertainty of their career paths. Four-year schools might refuse credit altogether or assign elective credit instead of degree-plan credit for some courses. “The long-term consequences of both types of credit loss, however, are the same,” the study says. “They extend students’ time-to-degree, increase their expenses, lead to more debt if students are funding their college education with loans and lower the likelihood of bachelor’s degree attainment.” Areli Ramirez is one of many who enrolled at a two-year college without a clear understanding of transferring. “I don’t know what I want to major in,” she said. “I just came to community college for my basics. Maybe when I decide my career, I will see into the transferring process.” University of Texas at Arlington adviser Barrie Hill said she sees many confused students making the transition from a two-year to a four-year school. Those students often take too long to graduate because they are not prepared. Hill’s first piece of advice for transfer students is to take advantage of all the resources available. Ask for help from advisers and seek out information online and from peers. She said students must be their own best advisers, assessing themselves, defining their goals and investigating before beginning the transfer process. While she thinks it is important to get advice from an adviser, she said students are responsible for their own success. However, some students feel lost when making the transition from community college to a four-year university. “It was kind of confusing,” said Brandon Zamudio, a former Eastfield student who transferred to UTA. “I didn’t know who to go to.” Hill said students should do their research and schedule tours before choosing an institution. It’s important to know the application deadlines because all universities differ. “We have students here all the time who wait until the last minute to bring in their transcripts, and it is usually too late,” she said. She suggested writing down questions to ask during college tours to get the feel for what the school has to offer. Students often have their heart set on a par-

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ticular school, but it might not offer their preferred program of study. Know where you are going, when you are going, and what you are going for Hill said. Ideally, she said students should begin the transfer process at least a couple of semesters to a year prior to finishing their degree plan at a community college. While meeting their adviser, Hill said that students should ask about transferable credits, where to find class information and ways to maximize time. They should also avoid taking unnecessary courses. The Education Northwest study found that many students are receiving too many elective credits that do not apply to a major degree plan. This results in more credits than are required to graduate.

Graphic by David Silva

Hill said students should be selective about their electives and take courses that interest them in order to more easily boost their GPAs. Making friends can also be important, she said. Fellow students often have the best advice because they have been through similar experiences. Find a study buddy and set times to study, share notes and catch up on days you miss class, Hill said. Hill said some students might find it helpful to take difficult courses at a community college since university courses are sometimes more rigorous. “If you are not a math wiz but need to take statistics for your degree plan, take it at a community college,” she said. Several students said their transfer process was time-consuming and difficult.

Columbia College’s administrative offices move

The administrative offices for Columbia College are moving from the Eastfield main campus to the Pleasant Grove campus. The offices will be at 802 South Buckner Blvd., Dallas, but classes will still be offered at the main campus. The offices can now be reached at 972-8605332.

New art gallery now open

“Materials Lab,” the newest art gallery at Eastfield, opened Oct. 10. The gallery features artwork displaying the materials and processes used by artists. The gallery is located in L-219. – Compiled by James Hartley

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Calendar National Night Out event starting point for PUT IT ON YOUR October

Wed

Healthy Living Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Pit Coffee with the Chief, 11 a.m., the Pit Recital series: Melinda Imthurn, 12:30 p.m., F-117

Thu

Common Book lecture: HeLa Cells and the Ethics of Human Research, 10:10 a.m., S-100 Zumba in the Yard, 11:15 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Lower Courtyard Gallery opening: Panorama: Revisions of Landscape, reception, 6-8 p.m., artist talk 6 p.m., H Gallery

Fri

Stress management solutions talk, 11:15 a.m.-12:20 p.m., C-237

Tue

Free Speech Week panel: Voices of the Presidential Election, 11 a.m., Location to be determined

14 18

FAFSA help, 1-3 p.m, L-108D

Wed

STEMinar: engineering fireworks, 12:30-1:30 p.m., S-100 Recital series: 4 Brothers in Bb, 12:30 p.m., F-117

Thu

FAFSA help, 1-3 p.m, L-108D

Fri

Student Government Association, 12:30-2 p.m., C-295

Tue

Hispanic Heritage Month speaker: author Juan Terrazas, 11 a.m., Performance Hall

20 21 25

ABOUT THE COVER PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA ROSAS KATAWNA CALDWELL HOLDS HER DAUGHTER KENSLEY

communication between community, police By DAVID SILVA Editor-in-Chief @DavidSilvaETC

Eastfield police hosted their second annual National Night Out event Oct. 4 in an effort to connect police officers and community members. The event included a helicopter takeoff, a dunk contest, a performance by Poteet High School’s marching band and food and activities provided by the various campus and community organizations. Due to the current rift between police and minority groups, caused by events like the fatal shooting of five Dallas police officers and perceived racial bias in shootings by police, the event was seen as especially relevant by the community members in attendance. “It’s really a great thing that the police department put on for the community” said event emcee Patrick Morgan of the Office of Student Engagement and Retention’s outreach and recruitment program. “You have people from all ages, from all parts of the community, having a good time.” The Eastfield Police Department has a strong connection with its community, Lt. Jose Hernandez said. “There has been a strong support … from faculty and staff and from

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Community members pose for photos with the helicopter pilots.

the students,” he said. “We value the trust that the community puts into the [Eastfield] Police Department.” However, some find it hard to ignore the divisive perceptions between minorities and police officers, especially with the recent spotlight on the shooting of unarmed black men. According to a Washington PostABC News poll conducted in July, 63 percent of Americans view race relations in the United States as “generally bad.” The National Night Out event is a way for community members to get to know officers in situation that don’t involve a law violation or an arrest, Hernandez said. “It’s a night where [we] invite the community into the police depart-

ment to share an evening so that we can open some lines of communication with the community,” he said. Police Chief Michael Horak has also been holding monthly Coffee with the Chief sessions in the Pit to promote interaction. Human relations and business major Dennis Napier, a former police officer from Wichita, Kansas, said that unprosecuted shootings of unarmed black men is a problem rooted in individual biases and the lack of justice within the police system. “These guys are cowards, and any good officer would say the same thing,” Napier said. “You don’t pull a weapon on an unarmed person. So there’s an individual who committed the wrong that’s [then] protected by the group itself. So the department,

the badge itself, it falls, it loses its shine.” Napier said that there are benefits to events like National Night Out. However, he also said that it only represents a small amount of progress for a bigger problem. “When it comes to events like this, then that community is probably going to have more of a positive view,” he said. “[But] these events are more so of a way to pacify the community. People come in, hug and take pictures, but that’s about as far as it goes. The officers never change.” Napier said communities must come together to bring about justice within the police system. “The only way that the changes will occur is when the community themselves start harmonizing together,” he said. “Not just taking actions to protest, but start exerting their economic influence and political influence to start changing the law.” The National Night Out event is not a direct response to the apparent “us against them” mentality, Hernandez said. “It’s a tool that is definitely available to invite the community to participate to get to know the police officers on a one-on-one basis,” he said. “This is a good tool, a good starting point, for communication.”

THE HOT TOPIC

How do we resolve relations between the community and police?

Cheryl Vines Nursing Major

Peiton Brown Kinesiology Major

Shelby Bullock Science Major

“I think we put too much on officers. We expect them to be the superhero. They’re not. They’re human just like us.”

“They only have, like, six months to train before they hit the streets. If they train longer, I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to do their job.”

“Instead of making it ‘whites versus blacks,’ focus on police brutality and better police training.”

Murry Gans Microscope Lab Coordinator

“The first thing we need to do is be more kind to each other, make eye contact with each other and speak to each other.”

Michael Horak Eastfield Chief of Police

“Police departments reflect our community. We know our community. We’re developing programs where people can come out and talk to us.”

Life &Arts

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Ibsen’s ‘Doll’s House’ directed by acclaimed artist By RODRIGO MENDOZA Reporter @TheEtCetera

Guest director Akin Babatunde — an actor and writer who teaches theater and humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas and Mountain View College — will be leading the Eastfield Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” “He investigates subtext throughout the directing process,” said Dusty Reasons Thomas, head of the drama department. “He is not only directing. He is teaching and coaching. He’s worked with students of all sorts of levels, and he’s intense so the actors want to impress him.” Babatunde, a Brooklyn native, has been a member of prominent theatrical institutions throughout the country and has acted, written and directed for film, television and Broadway. Babatunde was also the first African-American to direct the Dallas Shakespeare Festival and win a Dal-

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From left, Iris Hernandez plays Helene and Caitlin Duree stars as Nora in Eastfield’s performance of “A Doll’s House.”

las Observer Best Actor Award. Continuing education student Caitlin Duree, who plays the lead character Nora, has acting experience in the Dallas area, including several prominent non-equity the-

ater houses. She sees working with Babatunde as a great opportunity. “It is beneficial and educational for the students here that you do have an outside director come in,”

she said. “Usually you only have very specific directors.” “A Doll’s House” is a late-1800s period play centered around the “perfect family.” However, a crime from Nora’s past threatens to disrupt the perception of an ideal home. The play is significant for its critical stance on women’s roles in society during the 19th century. The play further explores themes of purpose, perception and individuality. “When you are first seeing the play, you’re seeing a woman that at first is a piece of the household, and by the end she wants to be independent,” Duree said. Ibsen wrote the play based on the life of his close friend Laura Kieler. Kieler went through much of the trials and tribulations that Nora goes through in the play. At some point, she asked Ibsen for help. Ibsen refused, and when her husband discovered Kieler’s crime, she was committed to an asylum.

During her time in the asylum, Ibsen was shaken by guilt, and wrote the play with an alternate ending of the real-life situation. Many of the actors find the intensity of the play, labeled a modern tragedy, and the experience of Badatunde to be a rare and intense learning experience. “It’s exciting. He doesn’t hold back and there are no small characters,” art major Iris Hernandez, who plays supporting character Helene, said. “He makes you feel like you hold a lot of weight. I want to learn how to direct movies, and I feel like the intensity of this director is helping me learn the process and how to do it. ” “A Doll’s House” runs Oct. 20-22 with evening performances each day and a free matinee at 11:20 a.m. Oct. 21. “I think the one thing I want people to get out of this play is that people get a better appreciation for the arts, so that people who have never been to a play or aren’t accustomed to seeing plays, they can get a good experience,” Thomas said.

Find a-maze-ing treasures at Paperbacks Plus By MACKS PREWITT Reporter @TheEtCetera

The outside view of Paperbacks Plus would discourage most window shoppers: A towering bookshelf 8 feet into the store blocks the view. Bookshelves form tunnels through the shop, lining the walls and creating halls of novels. A chiming bell and a cheerful hello from the person behind the counter greets every customer who walks through the door. I walked around the shop and glanced over the titles and genres. Anyone looking for a copy of J.K. Rowling’s new “Harry Potter” play would be disappointed. Paperbacks Plus is a used bookstore. Therefore, they do not stock up on the newest novels. However, this is where the beauty of the store comes into play. For the reader who has time to hunt and is in need of a new read, the store is a goldmine. Half Price Books and Barnes &

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Paperbacks Plus, located in Old Town Mesquite, has a variety of books, comic books, old movie posters and records.

Noble are great places to go to if you are looking for something recent or popular. However, if you are looking for something you haven’t seen before, drop by for a minute or 60. I was extremely satisfied when I found the next four books in a “Star Wars” series I am reading. It wasn’t because I had to hunt

for the books myself — the staff are very knowledgeable and can lead you through the twisting shelves to what you seek — but because I couldn’t find those books anywhere else. They sell books on art, cooking, fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, math, music and gardening. They have everything from new to

old and classic to rare. I saw a book on how to read Spanish next to “Don Quixote” in Spanish. Paperbacks Plus will buy your used books, providing they’re in good condition, in return for store credit. Because of this, they also have a rather large collection of romance novels, which I’m pretty sure are there because everyone who reads them realizes that they aren’t worth keeping. Kind of like textbooks after the class is over. Besides selling books, the store also sells comic books, plays, magazines, sheet music, DVDs, CDs, VHS movies, old movie posters, vinyl records, cassettes, laser disks, beta tapes and 8-tracks. They have a wall in the very back of the store with cubby holes full to bursting with records. The rest of those non-book offerings are littered throughout the store in their own little nooks and crannies. It’s like a treasure hunt inside of a maze.

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Paperback Plus spotlights Lee Harvey Oswald on a Time Magazine cover.

Paperbacks Plus is located at 108 E. Davis St. in Mesquite. If you want to discover a new read, search for a title you can’t find elsewhere or just want to walk through the towering shelves and smell the books, then you should check it out.

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Buck helps students overcome insecurities By JASMINE OLIVA Contributor @TheEtCetera

When English professor Kassi Buck is on campus, you can find her in her office, surrounded by “Star Wars” memorabilia, Native American art, lots of books and a fake graduation certificate. Buck is fully qualified to be an English professor. The fake certificate, she said, is to keep her focused on her next goal: her doctorate. When Buck is finished teaching classes and grading papers, she goes home and works on her own homework and readings for her coursework at the University of Texas at Arlington. “One of the things I was raised on is that learning is fun,” she said. “That’s why I’ve always liked to keep learning.” Buck said that after establishing her career at Eastfield, it was the “natural” next step to pursue her doctorate. Buck stays goal-oriented by keeping the certificate she made in her office and on her refrigerator. The doctorate, she said, would be for both herself and her family. Buck comes from a family of educators and was taught that obtaining a good education is very important. “[My father] has three masters and a doctorate,” she said. “Well, everything but the dissertation.” Buck’s father, professor Anthony Ramirez, has played an instrumental role in her career, from instilling in her a love for classic novels to inspiring her to become an English professor. At age 19, after two years at Angelina College in Lufkin, Buck decided to quit school and move to Austin. She became the manager of a financial corporation where she supervised employees 20 years her senior. This experience was difficult. “I would cry every day,” she said. “My dad was so angry with me.” Over the phone one night, Buck’s father delivered what she considered the “verbal slap in the face” that encouraged her to go back to school. She decided to return to where she was raised in the Rio Grande Valley to attend classes at South Texas College, where her father taught. An undeclared major, she attended classes to build her GPA. As she observed her father engaging with his students, Buck decided she wanted to pursue teaching and chose to major in English with a mi-

Kassandra Buck, English professor, sits in her office decorated with “Star Wars” posters and other memorabilia.

nor in science, focusing on education. She transferred to the University of Texas at Pan American, where she obtained her bachelors degree in English. After college, Buck decided she needed a change of scenery. She was brought to Dallas by chance and found work as a middle school English teacher. Buck spent 10 years teaching in Plano, then decided to pursue a career as a corporate trainer for an oil and gas company. She traveled the world to train employees to use software created by the company. Although this job was similar to teaching, Buck was unsatisfied. “I hated it,” she said. “Every Sunday, I would be miserable because I didn’t want to go to work. … That’s when I realized I needed to go back to teaching because that is my love.” She earned her masters degree in literature from the University of Texas at Dallas and started working as an adjunct professor for North Lake College. Without funds to hire any fulltime employees, the dean of the English department at North Lake called

Eastfield’s Rachel Wolf and suggested that Eastfield hire her, Buck said. Buck started her career at Eastfield in 2011 as a visiting scholar and became a full-time faculty member in 2013. Since coming to Eastfield, Buck said she is in the “happiest” place in her career. English professor Andrew Tolle was mentored by Buck after he was hired as a full-time educator a year ago. He said Buck gave him confidence and taught him not to secondguess himself. “She really is very approachable and accessible as a human being in all aspects,” he said. “She is someone you know you can go to with a question and you’re not going to feel silly for asking it.” Buck teaches six online courses and 15 lecture courses, including one contextualized English course for the automotive technology learning community. In the course, automotive students gather in the T building computer lab to write documents that will help them in their future workplace. “A lot of what we teach so often is

foundational,” Tolle said. “You end up using it, but you sometimes end up using it a few years down the road and you don’t even realize you’re using it. “The good thing about her class is that is going to happen, but also everything that they do in that class can be used immediately.” Students have to wear uniforms to enforce the automotive workplace mentality, so Buck requested one for herself. “I’m not going to go in there not feeling like I’m part of them,” she said. “I don’t want them to think I’m coming in there and just lecturing to them. I want to be with them.” The ability to relate to students is important to Buck, she said. She begins each course by letting her students know that she is dyslexic. “I want them to know that I’m human, she said. “We all have our weaknesses.” However, Buck said she doesn’t want her students to use their weaknesses as a “crutch.” She wants students to take the opportunity to learn from their insecurities. “If I can do it, you can do it,” she

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said. “If you don’t have the support at home like I did, I will be your support.” Healthcare management major Rory Garrett appreciates Buck’s efforts. Garrett said he was not sure what he could gain from reading a poem. He felt “lost” in his American literature class until he reached out to Buck for help. After turning in his final paper, Garrett said he felt confident that he passed the class. “I think I pulled off an A,” he said. “That’s only because of her.” Psychology major Valerie Rodriguez said that over the course of her American literature class, Buck was a caring professor who “really conditioned your brain to think in different ways.” Tolle said having an instructor like Buck on campus “boosts Eastfield’s credibility” and “helps Eastfield College seem like the community-engaging institution that it wants to be.” “It’s responding to the needs of the community,” he said, “which is exactly what a community college is supposed to do.”

LIFE&ARTS

New year, same old Big Tex Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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With State Fair of Texas in full swing, visitors enjoy old favorites Clockwise from right, a family poses for a photo in front of Big Tex. Competitors race to the win during one of the many games the fair has to offer. The Texas Star remains one of the fairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most inconic attractions. A fair attendee takes a large bite out of the famous turkey legs. The State Fair ends Oct. 23.

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LIFE&ARTS

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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Do-it-yourself Halloween costumes that will scream creativity Halloween is my favorite time of the year because it’s the one day where everyone gets to be a kid again and dress up. Whether you’re trickor-treating or going to Halloween parties, everyone wants to have the coolest, most popular costumes. But if you’re in college, you may not have extra cash to spend on those fancy costumes from the party store. No worries. With minimal cash and a little bit of time, you can put together your own sensational costume. Who knows, you may even be the most unique costume of the night with all the girls wanting to be Harley Quinn and all the guys some superhero. Here are a few ideas to get you started: — Compiled by Tanya Uhrich

→ Cotton Candy

Supplies needed: Polyester fiber fill Spray-on temporary hair dye T-shirt to match hair dye Hot glue gun and glue sticks Fabric glue White poster board Headband Roll the poster board into a cone shape. Hot glue it together and attach it larger side down to the headband.

Use the fabric glue to attach fiber fill to the surface of the T-shirt and around the headband and cone. Make sure you do this in clumps close together to give it that cotton candy look. Next, hang the T-shirt outside on a coat hanger and spray the temporary hair dye all over the shirt and headband. Once you put the shirt and headband on, you will look like an upside down cone of cotton candy.

→ Gumball Machine

Supplies needed: Headband Double-sided tape White tank top Red skirt Multicolor pom-poms, about the size of a quarter Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Gray felt Black marker This may sound like it takes a long time to make, but it really doesn’t. First use the hot glue gun to glue your pom-poms all over your tank top, including the straps. Make sure you try not to leave any large gaps between them. Next, glue some to the top of your headband. Cut a mediumsized square out of the felt and use the black marker to drawer a small square “door” toward the bottom of it. Then, write “25¢” above it. Use the double-sided tape to attach the felt to the skirt toward the middle of the waistband. You could use the hot glue instead, but the tape allows the “door” to be removed easily without damaging the skirt.

→ Pokeball

Supplies needed: Velcro Red shirt White pants Black belt White circle With Pokemon Go being such a huge hit, who doesn’t need pokeballs? This is super cheap and super simple.

Cut out a white circle from a light material such as cardboard, felt or paper. Use the Velcro to attach it to the middle of the belt. Now put on the shirt, pants and belt, and in no time at all, you’re ready to go. Just make people aren’t chasing you around with their cellphones.

→ Glow-in-the-dark stick man

Supplies needed: Black long-sleeved shirt Black pants Clear packing tape Glow-in-the-dark bracelets or necklaces (all the same color and enough to cover yourself) This works well if you are going out in the dark. I suggest making it an hour or less before you go out to keep the glow sticks fresh. First put on the shirt and pants. Then snap the glow sticks to activate them. Now use the packing tape to attach a single line of sticks from your neck down to your torso, making sure to get your arms and legs. Next, form a large circle and pin it around your face with bobby pins to create your “head.” You can also do the back of your outfit to add depth

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and visibility. → Lego Man Supplies needed: 1 large rectangular cardboard box running the from your shoulders to your mid-calf 1 medium-sized square box Hot glue gun and glue sticks 7 white Styrofoam bowls Black marker Glossy red and yellow spray paint If your boxes have text or designs printed on them, cover them with spray paint. Then glue six of the bowls face down on the large rectangular box. You want to do three on each side of the box so that you have two next to each other in three rows from top to bottom. Measure out holes in the rectangular box for your arms and head. Place the small square box on your head so you have an idea of where to cut out the “mouth,” which also acts as an eye hole. Glue your last bowl upside down to the top of the head. Spray paint the large rectangular box red and the square box yellow. Finally, draw eyes and eyebrows for whatever expression you want your Lego man to have.

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LIFE&ARTS

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

PREVIEW DAY

COURTESY OF EQUAL VISION RECORDS

Set It Off includes Cody Carson, Dan Clermont, Zach DeWall and Maxx Danziger.

MUSIC REVIEW

‘Upside Down’ takes Set It Off in new musical direction By LANDON WILLIAMS Reporter @TheEtCetera

As a band grows in experience, their sound tends to grow with them. If you study the history of any band, you can see a drastic difference between their first and latest albums. There is a constant debate among listeners about whether these changes are an improvement or a detriment to the band’s sound. Is the band obligated to stay the same, or should they be free to evolve? Orlando-based Set It Off is no different. Their roots are laid in the pop-punk genre – a style of music focused on guitar, catchy melodies and a rebellious attitude. In the past eight years they have made a total of seven CDs and EPs. A natural progression can be seen with each new, exciting release. I listen to their music regularly, and I go to all of the shows they play locally. So when I first heard their newest album, “Upside Down,” I was taken aback. I was not expecting to hear the large amount of change that took place in it. The music was good and the attitude was still there, but some songs were different. In many of the songs, you can hear layers of instruments being used that have not been prominently featured in some of their older works. One example is in “Life Afraid,” where synthesizers and some brass instruments take the stage while guitars are downplayed overall. In “Uncontainable,” you can hear more of the classic Set It Off sound in a vocally powerful, guitar-driven track about taking your problems head-on and not letting anything stand between you and your dreams. “Something New” is the perfect hybrid between their new and old sound. It showcases the type of music they used to make, but lets you know that they are not going to stay the same.

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“Upside Down” is Set It Off’s third studio album. The band’s musical style and image has shifted away from pop punk.

Some listeners have realized they do not like the direction the band is moving in. They believe the music should revolve around a specific style. I believe that if you try to put someone’s creative work in a box and keep them from being freely imaginative, you are never going to like what the product is. The most inspiring music is sincere and genuine. An artist always needs to be proud of what they make in order for the creative process to continue. Over all, I believe the blend of new and old makes this album interesting. Set It Off has taken the freedom to grow and has implemented new ways to express themselves musically. “Upside Down” shows yet another side of them we listeners can enjoy. I support them in every change that they have made, and I am excited to see where they are going. Set It Off has turned their sound upside down, but they have also kept their roots intact.

Explore the opportunities and discover the difference at A&M-Commerce. At Mane Event, learn about admissions for freshmen and transfer students, residential living & learning, financial aid and scholarships. But that’s not all! You’ll meet with professors and other students to get a well-rounded picture of what we have to offer. Hispanic Outreach & Retention will be there as well as academic and support programs. Tour our residence halls, eat lunch with us and have an opportunity to win a scholarship!

October 15, 2016 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

opinion Etera

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Wednesday October 12, 2016

Skip Joker, Harley Quinn costumes

Award-winning member of: • Texas Intercollegiate Press Association • Associated Collegiate Press • Texas Community College Journalism Association

Eastfield College 3737 Motley Drive Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: 972-860-7130 Fax: 972-860-7646 Email: etc4640@dcccd.edu Editor in Chief David Silva Managing Editor/Sports & Features Brianna Harmon Managing Editor/News & Opinion James Hartley Copy Editor Caitlin Piper Presentation Editor Jonathan Wences Photo Editor David Sanchez Staff Writers Jon Aguirre Staff Photographers Ahmad Ashor Alejandra Rosas Jesus Ayala Timothy Nicholas Designers & Artists Emylee Lucas

Winston Easy Jasmin Jimenez Chi Juong Andrew Gonzales BY JONATHAN WENCES Alec Ogle

Editorial Assistant Martha Especulta Reporters Rodrigo Mendoza Landon Williams Kaci Gonzalez Contributors Tanya Uhrich Cristhian Herrera

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Taylor Roberts Jaqueline Estrada

Jasmine Oliva Advertising & Marketing Keturah Hill Student Publications Manager Elizabeth Langton Faculty Adviser Lori Dann Editorial Policy The views expressed on the opinion pages and other opinion pieces and cartoons in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Et Cetera, Eastfield College or the Dallas County Community College District. The Et Cetera is published every two weeks—except December, January and summer months—by a student staff. Each member of the college community is entitled to one free copy of The Et Cetera. Additional copies are available in Room N-240. Letters to the Editor Letters must be typed, signed and include a phone number. Letters will be edited for profanity and vulgarity, Associated Press style, grammar, libel and space when needed. The content will remain that of the author. Letters considered for publication must be 250 words or fewer. Letters may be delivered to Room N-240 or sent to etc4640@dcccd. edu. First Amendment Right Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

OUR VIEW

Slants, Redskins deserve legal protection despite controversy The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case by the Asian-American rock group The Slants against the painfully unconstitutional provision of the 1946 Lanham Act, which governs trademarks. The Washington Redskins NFL team is fighting a similar battle. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied the band a trademark and canceled trademarks for the team on the grounds that their name was offensive. While we consider both names inappropriate and prefer that they be changed, it would be hypocritical to say the government should be allowed to place restrictions on these trademarks when we stand as staunch supporters of the First Amendment. That’s not to say the law directly violates freedom of speech. Potential trademark holders are still perfectly capable of using an unregistered trademark. But it does deprive them of legal protection for something that is entirely subjective and does not treat all holders equally like it should. How can we regulate a law banning “disparaging” language when the definition changes every day? Yes, “Redskins” is undeniably a racial slur, and we think it is well past due for a change, but it shouldn’t be made at the federal level. Questionable morals or not, everyone should have the same legal protection.

Such a lack of legal protection leaves a company open to counterfeits and duplicates, depriving them of the chance to thrive as a unique, protected business. Still, the larger issue at hand is the unconstitutional state of the Lanham Act and the indefensible disregard of the spirit of the First Amendment. We take grievance with the idea that any government officials, elected or otherwise, have the authority to censor any organization or individual in the way they brand themselves, their products or their services. The idea that such an authority can exist is a blatant violation of the First Amendment. A company or individual working outside the government has every right to craft their brand however they see fit, even if it may be considered offensive. The public should be able to define offensive language for itself, not be force-fed the definition by the very same people who are supposed to ensure that the law is objective. Just as a trademark holder has the right to use whatever language they want, consumers have the right to deny that holder their business. Agreeing to allow trademarks for offensive names and language does not mean you have to support the ideology behind them. Let your money talk and refuse to let the law discriminate.

It’s safe to say that couples might piece toCat gether Joker and Dyson Harley Quinn costumes this Halloween. Even before the release of the DC movie, however, the Internet was full of people who are sold on the idea that the Joker and Harley Quinn are what a couple should strive to be. Anyone who’s done any research would know that this should be the furthest thing from an ideal relationship. Since the introduction of Harley’s character in the DC Universe, her relationship with the Joker has been one of turbulence. For the sake of avoiding the glorification of abuse toward women, the production team of “Suicide Squad” made it a point to water down the Joker’s gruesome treatment of Harley so often expressed in the comics. Most unsettling is that there are millions of partnerships around the world parallel to this one. Domestic abuse in any form isn’t an unspoken issue like it was in the 20th century. However, in a survey put together by Knowledge Networks in 2011, 43 percent of women and 28 percent of men entered abusive relationships in college. There are shelters for abuse victims everywhere. There are hotlines set up. Yet victims still live in fear of their abusers, sometimes for years, before they do something about it. In extreme cases, some don’t even survive their relationships. About three women a day are murdered by their current or former partners. Many obstacles prevent people from escaping abusive relationships: lack of finances, nowhere to go, the fear of being found once they leave and many others. I was involved in an abusive relationship. A lot of it was emotional, and I thought that was the norm for a long-term relationship until my friends and family told me otherwise. I felt like it wouldn’t be justified if my reason for leaving the relationship was based on the opinions of other people, so I stayed. After three months, those opinions quickly turned into solid facts. I was interrogated about what I was doing throughout the day, my phone was searched and I was threatened and berated with profanity. And then it turned physical. After 14 months of feeling like I couldn’t just leave, I gained the courage to stand up for myself and put a stop to what I was going through. Looking back, I always ask myself why I didn’t put an end to it so much sooner. It taught me a lot about what potential signs to look for, and I urge anyone who reads this to do the same. You’re perfectly capable. And skip the Joker and Harley Quinn get-ups this Halloween. They are not a couple to emulate.

OPINION The Et Cetera

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Working at the zoo is a dream come true Growing up, I always wanted to work around animals. Now I’m living that reality at the Dallas Zoo. The magic of the zoo seems to fade as you get older. You start to resent the zoo because it seems ridiculous to go to stare at caged animals. I know this because I was one of those people. For me, the magic of seeing animals never faded, but I resented the fact that all these animals were being locked up. But I’ve learned that zoos are more than display cages for wild creatures. To me, the Dallas Zoo’s conservation efforts are the best in the nation. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International mission is to conserve and protect gorillas and their habitats in Africa. The fund has established multiple education, health and economic projects with local government agencies, universities, nongovernmental organizations and communities that will share the ecosystems. The fund’s goal is to protect gorillas and empower Africans to conserve their natural resources. We have a cheetah named Winspear who is an ambassador for his species.

Brianna Harmon

The catch is that he lives with his “brother,” a black lab named Armani, 24/7. Winspear and Armani travel all over North Texas to spread the word about how to help cheetahs in the wild. Cheetahs are naturally shy, and labs not so much. I feel like labs have the “everyday is the best day in the world” attitude. With Armani having that attitude it makes Winspear feel safe. I have always gotten a “Night at the Museum” feel when thinking about the zoo, the whole idea that once the zoo closes, all the animals were set free to explore. The Dallas Zoo makes that a reality. The Giants of the Savannah exhibit, which opened in 2010, provides a interactive experience with the animals. The Savanna is home to the elephants, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, lions, warthogs, red

river hogs, guinea fowls and cheetahs. The exhibit was named a top 10 zoo exhibit by USA today in 2015. When money became an issue for me over the summer, I began searching for a second job. One day on campus, I saw a recruitment table for the Dallas Zoo. I applied even though I thought it would be a long shot. The day I got hired, I felt like all my childhood dreams came true. I work guest services at the zoo, and we handle the ticket booths, carousel, lorikeets, bird’s landing and the giraffe feeding platform. I have now been working at the zoo for four months, and it’s been a crazy adventure. I will never forget the first day I got to work with giraffes. Being my favorite animal, it was so cool to get to work hands-on with them at the feeding platform. When the day was over and we were waiting for the keepers to come shift the giraffes back to the barn, I grabbed my phone and a bucket of lettuce and FaceTimed my mom. I spent the next 20 minutes on the phone with my mom as I fed the giraffe. Everytime I have a moment that I can call my mom while I’m working at the zoo I call

her. My first “dollar day,” I had never faced more disrespect. Some guests were willing to do whatever it took to get a closer look at the animals or, in some cases, were just blatantly rude. But like with every job, there are ups and downs, and working at the zoo, the ups are always greater than the downs. Seeing the personal interactions guests can have with the animals is amazing. The guests’ faces just glow when a giraffe walks right up to them for food. The keepers clearly love the animals. Even though I’m not a keeper, I have opportunities to work with the animals firsthand as well. The Dallas Zoo is a family-oriented place for visitors, but it’s also a very family-oriented place for employees. I have grown as a person in my short time there and met some unique people. The zoo broke their attendance record for the seventh year in a row, There was a 4.4 percent increase over last year’s record. Key factors to the increase in guests is the overwhelming public support of a airlift rescue of elephants from Swaziland that were to be killed. Also the birth of a new calf, Ajabu, in May to rescued elephant Mlilo.

Women are advancing in areas society did not deem appropriate for them in the past. We are coming out of the stereotypical shell, and creating a social stance that women can do anything we set ourselves to. More than 200,000 women serve in active-duty military roles, according to the Pentagon. Women could serve as conventional nurses, until 1948, when President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act that allowed them to enlist as soldiers. Just 68 years later, we can reflect on the history, pride, and servitude that all ladies are equipped with. Though women may have conquered many battles, there are a lot of individuals who would disclaim their success and integrity. We need to maintain the fact that we are not less than anyone else. We need to take a stand, and present ourselves as equals to those who want to discredit our capabilities. A sex-based wage gap still exists. Recent updates to the International Labor Organization calculated that in the United States, “Women’s participation in the U.S. labor force climbed during the 1970s and 1980s, reaching 60 percent in 2000. However, in 2010 this figure has declined to 46.7 percent and is not expected to increase by

2018.” To this day, men in the U.S. are being hired more than females not by just a small 3 or 5 percent margin, but by 13.3 percent. We have the tools, and most importantly, the numerous female leaders who can bring us to a better period for everyone. We should not see gender, much as we should not don’t see race, as a source of incompetence. Our nation has seen turmoil, but the outcome has made us truly the greatest country in the world. All of us have skin, bones, hearts and brains that makes us the same. We are all equals. Women are built with the same components, and the same livelihood as any man. Women are continuously gaining a reputation for our hard work. I am proud to stand with my fellow ladies and represent the positive change that has happened and what will continue to follow. I embrace my womanhood, and I give my honor and respect to those women who have paved the way to the diversified nation I call home. The women before me have made mountains out of mole hills. Women are making the change. We are the change.

Traditional gender stereotypes should be broken In just the past century, women have altered the stereotype that they cannot do a man’s work. We can think of the obvious and suggest that women are not built with the same strength, nor stamina, nor capacity to have free thoughts and ideas as a man would. But through the years, this has been proved otherwise. In the 2016 Rio Olympics, we had women making history in every event, breaking and setting new records. Women have been launched into space and have been awarded for their monumental discoveries. Women are now involved in politics when only 96 years ago, we could not even vote. Women needless to say, have crossed milestones. Being a woman myself, I feel a sense of pride and I do not accept the thought that I may be second choice to a male in any circumstance. We are evolving to an equal-opportunity society. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan named Sandra Day O’Connor the first female Supreme Court justice. Today three out of the nine justices are women. In 1996, Madeline Albright was appointed the first female secretary of state, since then two more women have held that position, one of them being African-American. In less than a moth, we might elect our first

Kaci Gonzalez

female president. We are a growing democracy, we are elevating our standards and pushing the so called prejudice aside. Female police officers, are not only appreciated by the majority, but are also redefining a man’s work. Women in some ways bring a unique character and persona to difficult situations unlike any other male could. Woman are tough, yet agile and sensitive that could help diffuse a scenario such as this one. We are everything in one package. I spoke with a male Dallas police officer who said that women are absolutely able to do the job as well or better than men. From 1910 to 1968 female police officers “were often viewed as mothers with badges.” I am grateful that they are now valued and make up 13 percent of the police force with growing numbers. Ladies are going for gold and no size, law or person will stop them.

Sports

The Et Cetera

Oct. 13 Oct. 14 Oct. 17 Oct. 18

Volleyball vs. Cedar Valley Soccer vs. Brookhaven Volleyball at Richland Soccer at Mountain View

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7 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 4 p.m.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Disc golf course welcomed by avid players By BRIANNA HARMON Managing Editor @BHarmonETC

Conditions are not be ideal. The wind is blowing so hard that the disc flies off the track once it’s thrown. But the moment you hear the chains cling as the disc flies through them into the hole is the most satisfying feeling, said Upward Bound’s Jonathan Estrada. Disc golf is just like regular golf, but instead of using a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc or a Frisbee. Ed Headrick created the sport in the 1976. The goal of disc golf is to start at the tee and throw the disc to the hole. The hole isn’t like ball golf ’s hole; it is a metal basket with chains on it. The scoring is the same as regular golf. The course has a certain amount of throws to complete the hole. A stroke is counted every time the disc is thrown toward the hole. “I have been playing for eight years, and this past two years, disc golf has had an astronomical growth,” Estrada said. “Some of the courses you used to go to, there would be no one there. Now you go and there is a little bit of a wait to play.” The Board of Trustees has approved a disc golf course for the main Eastfield campus. Facilities are considering possibilities for where to put the course. The popular opinion

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Jonathan Estrada throws a disc toward the hole while practicingw at Debusk Park in Mesquite.

is to place the course around the entire campus. “We want the course to be

enjoyable and have some degree of difficulty,” Director of Facilities Michael Brantley said. “We would

like to look at the entire outskirting campus.” Brantley is still in the early stages of creating the disc golf course. He will hire a specialized contractor to design the course and decide where it will be placed. “Potentially, the course could be ready as early as next November,” Brantley said. “That is all contingent on if we have all the resources in place and the design is approved.” Brantley wants the course to get students and members of the community more involved on campus. “We want to continue to have students and the campus community enjoy all of our athletic fields,” he said. “Adding disc golf will give them another way of enjoying the campus while they are here.” Estrada loves to share the game with his students. He took early college high school student Leo Hernandez to a local park to teach him how to play. Hernandez had never played the sport before. “It looks easy, but it really isn’t,” Hernandez said. “It’s a very difficult sport to play. Disc golf is not about strength. It’s about technique.” Estrada has played the sport individually and on a team and has even won tournaments. He said he has competition in his blood from growing up playing a variety of sports

including football and soccer. “Competing on a team in disc golf is different because it is primarily an individual sport,” he said. “But coming from a team sports background, it feels at home. I enjoy playing alongside my friends.” Estrada said that the coolest place he has played disc golf at was AT&T Stadium. Dynamic Disc, a disc golf company, hosted an event inside AT&T Stadium. Holes were placed throughout the tunnels and in the stands, and the last hole forced players to throw from the top of the stadium seats to the star in the middle of the field. Throwing discs in a park has been Estrada’s way of escaping from reality, but that was recently taken from him. Earlier this year, Estrada was in a car accident that left him unable to walk for two weeks. Once he regained use of his legs, it caused him tremendous pain. He ended up not being able to play for four months after the accident. The thought of being back on a course playing the game he loved is what kept him motivated. “For me, disc golf is freedom,” he said. “I just wanted to be outside and out of pain. It was the idea of playing again and being back on the course that helped keep me focused and not get depressed.”

Volleyball leads conference, soccer struggles By BRIANNA HARMON Managing Editor @BHarmonETC

The Eastfield volleyball team is in full control of conference after a huge win Oct. 3 over Brookhaven, whom they lost to in the Metro Athletic Conference tournament championship last year. The Harvesters remain No. 4 in the nation. Middle blocker Payton Costlow was named Metro Athletic Conference Player of the Week for the second time. Costlow had a .423 attack percentage and a total of 5.5 blocks. She also scored 21.5 points.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I beat out a bunch of sophomores,” Costlow said. “It’s a great feeling to win Player of the Week. The Harvesters volleyball team will host Cedar Valley on Oct. 13. Eastfield soccer is sitting in third place in conference with a 3-3 record 9-6 overall. Although they are sitting third in conference, the Harvesters have fallen out of the national rankings. The Harvesters picked up big wins against Mountain View and North Lake but fell to Richland for the second time this season. Eastfield will host Brookhaven on Oct. 14. The Harvesters fell to Brookhaven in their first meeting this season, 2-0 on the road.

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Sammie Thoma spikes the ball against Richland on Sept. 26.

ANDREW GONZALES/THE ETCETERA

Torri Sayman avoids a defender in the Harvesters’ 4-0 loss against Richland on Oct. 7.

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ExtrEmylee By Emylee Lucas

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Students interact in campus events

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From top: Kay Ellingson, Jeff Robbins and Mark Wilson perform during the Kent Ellingson Jazz Quintet on Sept. 28 in the performance hall. Albert Coderre focuses on his next move during the intramural chess tournament on Oct. 4. Left, Carlos Rengito performs during the Latin Ansemble on Oct. 5 in the performance hall.

n Fast, real-time updates kdul n Links to local and national articles

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Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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The Et Cetera

Brown redefines ‘Atrocity’ in latest album By JON AGUIRRE Staff Writer @TheEtCetera

When you listen to the very first track of “Atrocity Exhibition,” you become aware that this isn’t your average hip-hop album. You realize you’re about to embark on a journey, a ride full of terror, pain and hilarity through the mind of Danny Brown. Brown is not your everyday artist. The Detroit-born rapper challenges his audience with every album, constantly pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. His newest release is no exception. In fact, it’s his most challenging release yet. Brown uses interesting production techniques alongside unique song concepts to make a boundarypushing album. Brown has already proven he is not one for the conventional, specifically with his 2011 album “XXX,” though he did make a return to something more accessible with the following release of “Old.” Last year, he promised his latest album would be even more experimental than anything he has ever

done. And boy, did he deliver. I have not heard an album with such raw energy this entire year. “Ain’t It Funny,” the sixth track, is a perfect example. Heavy bass and hard-hitting horns envelope the listener. Brown’s frantic flow further adds to the wild sound. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard something so crazy. “Atrocity Exhibition” is schizophrenia in audio form. Like “XXX,” the track list emulates a drug-induced high. It builds up to the climax and then has a chill comedown. This is displayed by the three acts that make up the album, each consisting of five songs: a build-up, climax and comedown, respectively. There is a reoccurring motif of horror on the album. Nearly every song is dark in tone, but songs like “Tell Me What I Don’t Know,” “Really Doe” and “White Lines” show Brown’s mind as a place full of fear. He uses funny lines and a goofy voice to distance himself from the personal messages in his songs. Not many artists have such deeply per-

COURTESY OF FOOLS GOLD

Danny Brown’s “Atrocity Exhibition” is the rapper’s fourth album.

sonal songs like Brown. However, Brown incorporates concepts that may be relatable to

some people. Instead of just telling his personal struggle, he tells the problems of liv-

ing in an impoverished community. This concept is definitely nothing new to the genre, and he admits this in “When It Rain,” repeating, “You ain’t heard it like this before. They don’t do it like this no more.” This seems like a contradiction, but it is fully intentional. Brown uses oldschool song concepts with a completely new sound. If you are new to Brown, I suggest listening to his earlier stuff before diving into this album. However, if you are familiar with his work, then I definitely suggest giving this a listen. I think we’re on the verge of an emerging subgenre. There are more and more artists coming out into the mainstream light with less conventional methods. Rap artists are pulling influences from other genres to make something wholly original. Like postpunk, this subgenre might come out to be called post-rap. There aren’t many artists quite like Brown. No one writes such funny, dark and intensely personal music. He is an artist that excels at his craft and pushes the boundaries of his genre.

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