THE
M O N TA G E
Nutritional facts: A slice of tuition Illustration by Marissa Diercks
Toni Roberson Staff Writer
E
very fall, spring and summer, students stand in line at the Business Office and pay their tuition before moving along to purchasing textbooks and attending classes. Tuition is a necessary element of attending school, but what many students may not know is that they can provide input on how tuition is determined. The cost of tuition is determined by several factors and any changes in fees must filter
through an extensive process, said Jill Houghton, STLCC coordinator of the college budget. “Changes in maintenance, technology and college activity fees from students, staff and faculty are collected in two ways,” Houghton said. “First, changes in these fees are brought before the college’s governance councils. The governance councils consist of an institutional affairs council and an academic council.” These councils exist on a district level as well as a campus level. Institutional affairs council include students as active members who have a say in how tuition is determined.
“Second, students (who are not part of the councils), staff, faculty and the public have an opportunity to provide input on maintenance and other fees at monthly Board of Trustees meetings,” Houghton said. During the monthly Board of Trustees meeting, there is a period at the beginning of each meeting where the public is allowed to comment on topics that are on the agenda. The public is also allowed to make comments on topics that are not part of the agenda after the meeting. Having a time when the public can make comments on tuition cost gives the Board of Trustees a better sense of localism,
said Houghton. This allows the board members to hear firsthand ideas from community members. The Board of Trustees take account of economic factors when determining costs of tuition. These factors change over the years but some of them include the overall wealth of the college, regional and national economy and competition with other community colleges. At STLCC, tuition is separated into four categories: district residents, other Missouri residents, out-of-state residents and international students. To be considered a district student, one has to live in an area that
VOLUME 51, ISSUE 3 | THURSDAY OCT. 1, 2015 | www.meramecmontage.com
includes the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and portions of Franklin and Jefferson counties. Each of these categories have different price ranges. For 2015 fall semester, district resident students receive the lowest price of $103 per credit hour and other Missouri residents have the second lowest cost of $149 per credit hour. out-of-state residents can attend classes for $205 per credit hour. International students who attend classes pay $215 per credit hour. Senior citizens who are district residents receive a 50 percent discount plus any additional course fees.
NEWS
2
To promote and preserve
Cathy Casteel takes on role of Marketing and Communications Coordinator Tyler Fuson Staff Writer
STLCC Campus Marketing and Communications Coordinator Cathy Casteel’s role is to promote the college campus, and preserve the college’s image to attract new students. “What I’m here to do is help out with marketing, communications, local advertising, and PR for Meramec. The better the college looks, the more people want to come here,” Casteel said. After graduating from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in mass
communications and print journalism, Casteel began her career with Meramec in 2000, where she initially worked in the Community Relations Office. She has worked part-time as the marketing and communications coordinator at the Cosand Center and now is at Meramec. “The position opened up here and I wanted to come back to campus,” Casteel said. Being back on campus has been an enjoyable experience, especially when it comes to her co-workers, with whom she feels comfortable with on many levels, Casteel said. “It’s like any team. You’re working together for a common
goal, to show what a great resource STLCC is not just to students but the public at large,” Casteel said. In addition, Casteel said she does not feel as if she needs to be in charge of them, that they work with one another rather than butt heads. “I think we motivate each other. We’re trying to promote that positive awareness of the college, and that’s the big picture,” Casteel said. Casteel said she is now happier than ever to be working for Meramec. “Everybody at the college has been so kind and welcoming and helpful. It’s already a great thing to be back here.” Casteel said.
Photo By Alex White
Cathy Casteel works in her office in Clark Hall.
Career & Employment Services sponsors on-campus recruiting event fair Sept. 15 On left, Matt Schutte, assistant director of transfer recruitment at St. Louis University, prepares for visits from Meramec students at the Sept. 15 on-campus recruiting event sponsored by the Career and Employment Services Department in the Student Center lobby. On right, a representative from Labor Ready speaks with student Konner Kloster about job opportunities.
Photos By Ashley Biundo
TRANSFER YOUR POTENTIAL You’ve worked hard. And Southern Illinois University Carbondale has all the resources, faculty and support you need to take your initiative further. Our admissions counselors will help make the transfer process as easy as possible. You can even visit our transfer page to see exactly which of your classes transfer, so there’s no confusion about where you stand – or our support. Start here:
Oct. 1, 2015
siu.edu/transfer
NEWS
3
Coordinator for Student Orientation and Transition brings new life to campus life Phillip Campbell plans to make Meramec Campus more lively
I really love the fact that I get to work S T L C C - M e r a m e c with students multiple Coordinator for Student at Orientation and Transition s t a g e s – Phillip Campbell has been when they’re working with Meramec for two e n t e r i n g months now, helping students S T L C C , and bringing life to the campus. helping them Campbell attended t r a n s i t i o n high school at Hazelwood and engage their West and was photo editor with for their newspaper and e d u c a t i o n yearbook. In college, he did a little bit work as a staff designer. f u r t h e r Campbell received a th rou g h Bachelor of Arts in sociology/ clubs, student anthropology from Truman government State University with minors in and student journalism and psychology. He a c t i v i t i e s , then also attended graduate school and at the University of Wisconsin helping them - La Crosse where he got prepare for his masters in science and what’s after time education. Putting his education their to use, he worked as a first year at STLCC,” adviser for three years at Miami C a m p b e l l University in Ohio and two and said. Photo By Dalila Kahvedzic a half years at Southern Illinois The recent Carbondale as the Director c a m p u s Phillip Campbell, coordinator for student orientation and transition, in his Campus Life Office located on the second floor of of New Student Programs. expo was a the Student Center. “I’ve loved working around combination campus was what campus expo I’ve worked but really jumping of opportunity for the future, the Midwest and having a of what was was all bout, Campbell said. in and helping with what they Campbell said. To start in the past called Club Days range of experience; different To build STLCC pride is had planned,” Campbell said. using social media more to institutions, different levels of and Passport to Success, and it “Our focus is to really engage and connect with experience but really always highlighted the students clubs as the main goal in the campus connect with other campus students is in the books. focused on students and working organizations, other offices, Campbell loves helping with students,” Campbell said. other clubs and make students with anything “Helping them be successful them educational and they may need help with, is what I’m passionate about.” entertaining,” Campbell said. especially when they come in Having been born and “Student Activities Council to ask him for any guidance. raised in St. Louis, it is nice to (SAC) plans those so they’re “My colleagues across be back and be close to friends working on upcoming movies campus and across the district and family, Campbell said. for the future. We also have and the students that come into “I think it [experience] Oktoberfest tomorrow and my office and ask for input or helps me advertise and market Thursday night on the library tell me how they’re doing in a things in creative ways. I try to quad which is going to be a fun class or what they’re dealing stay up to speed with design and being creative and being able to well as the student services that life office, Campbell said. time to celebrate some of the with at home or ask for help “There was a committee St. Louis traditions like Fitz’s on a paper,” Campbell said. explore that side while I work are on campus, Campbell said. that started working with Root Beer and Gus’s pretzels He said Moments like The location of the event with students,” Campbell said. Campbell works with was previously located in welcome weeks and retention and also do some alcohol those are what he really and appreciates. the campus on connecting the cafeteria or the student and student engagement in awareness,” Campbell said. values the campus life office and the SAC and Students “In my two months I center quad, but it was moved students with its marketing and enrollment so keeping this year to the library quad staff in the campus life office Governance Council have have been really lucky to work meetings each with some amazing student the creative side helps him to be a little more centrally have been wonderful, I was just regular lucky to come in at the right week. They definitely try leaders and campus colleagues, located, Campbell said. to work with students and time two months ago and dive to promote events using I feel very welcomed and To try to engage with the empower them to do the same. “I love working with the high traffic population but in, bringing some experience posters and A-Frames and supported, I feel empowered range of students and the also showcase the amount of and background that I had social media, Campbell said. to bring new ideas to the Social media is an area table,” Campbell said. diversity that’s on campus and service and support that is on from other institutions where Dalila Kahvedzic Editor - In - Chief
“Helping them [students] be successful is what I’m passionate about.”
EDITORS
MONTAGE STAFF
Mike Alivernia Dalila Kahvedzic Editor-in-Chief Jason Waters Production Manager James Claiborne Jonah Durbin Katie Leicht Art & Life Editor Katelyn Ericson Brittney Farrow Opinions Editor Tyler Fuson Christian Hargas Sports Editor Daren Hembrador Marissa Diercks Graphics Editor Jason Jamison Alex White Photo Editor Link Johnson Katie Hayes Copy Editor Patrick Niehaus Shannon Philpott Faculty Adviser Toni Roberson Proud member of
Redwan Saeed Staff Writer Ashley Biundo Staff Writer Ashley Fulks Staff Writer Darren Grant Staff Writer Ashley Biundo Staff Writer Judge Williams Staff Writer Staff Writer Noreen D’Souza Lexi Keller Staff Writer Staff Writer Austin Schumann Staff Writer
Staff Writer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Designer Staff Designer Staff Multimedia Specialist
THE MONTAGE To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., 314-9847955. Editorial views expressed or content contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of St. Louis Community College, the board of trustees or the administration. The Montage is a student publication produced seven times per semester at St. Louis Community College - Meramec, 11333 Big Bend Blvd., Kirkwood, Mo., 63122. 314-984-7655. One copy of The Montage is
free of charge. Up to 10 additional copies available, $1 each, at the office of The Montage, SC 220. Bulk purchases may be arranged with circulation manager. Editorial policy: All letters should be no longer than 500 words and must include identification as a student or faculty member, phone number and address for verification purposes. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for content and length. All letters submitted will be published in print and online.
www.meramecmontage.com Oct. 1, 2015
OPINIONS
4
Bipolar is not a dirty word Toni Roberson Staff Writer
The Refugee Crisis The civil war in Syria began four years ago, but it seems that the western world has only recently become aware of the toll it is taking on so many of its citizens. I too was misinformed about what was going on overseas due to the media’s lack of coverage, and did not understand the situation fully until doing my research. The United States is a country confident in its military power. We live in a nation where we can sleep soundly at night knowing that an extremist group is not marching down our streets and tearing people away from their homes. No one is forcing everyday Americans to join militia groups to fight against their own families. In fact, the whole idea sounds like the beginning of a bad action movie where the hero bursts in and saves the victims. While that is a nice thought, this is not a cheesy action movie. In reality, Syrian people have been forced to abandon their homes and their country, fleeing ISIS in blind hopes that another country will take them in. To most of us, this sounds unbelievable; in Syria, people are forced to leave their home or risk being killed — that’s right, killed. Really think about that. After further investigation, I wondered what America was doing to aid the displaced. After all, that is something that we do — we help other nations. What I found disappointed me. In the last four years, America has given asylum to only 1,400 Syrian refugees. Germany, on the other hand, has welcomed 98,700. Turkey has taken in 1.9 million — nearly 10 percent of the Syrian population. Of course this is partially because Syria is closer to Germany and Turkey than the United States; however, geography does not explain why the United States has given asylum to only 1,400 Syrian refugees when it was able to take in 132,000 Jewish refugees during The Holocaust. In the information age, it is inexcusable that Americans seem to have less empathy for foreign suffering now than they did 70 years ago. All of this information is useless if nothing changes. You don’t have to wait for Congress to pass bills to help the displaced. Organizations like The UN Refugee Agency welcome those who want to help Syrian refugees. Donate to the UN Refugee Agency; volunteer through Relief & Reconciliation for Syria. Even contacting local senators such as Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt can help Syrian refugees. From donations to volunteer work, everyone has the ability to make a change in Syria. I believe that we should consider doing so, and lend a hand where we can. It has the ability to make a huge impact.. Oct. 1, 2015
Why there should not be negative connotations associated with bipolar disorder MIke Alivernia Staff Writer
In today’s politically correct world, it is astounding to encounter so much open hostility toward those suffering from mental and emotional disorders. Being bipolar makes an individual no more or less dangerous than your average, stressed-out American in any state of this gun-carrying union on any especially bad day. It makes them no less deserving of love and compassion, either. It seems to be perfectly acceptable in normal conversation, however, for one to proudly proclaim disorders like ADHD and bipolar disorder were invented and designed to appease crybabies and lazy parents, while selling billions of pills for trillions of dollars — implying that they are not disorders at all. This is the equivalence in ignorance of referring to an asthmatic athlete as being a wuss when they are in need of an inhaler. Unabated ignorance seems to carry the day when it is embraced by the masses, and disdain for disorders like bipolar remains one of the last perfectly acceptable havens for misguided malice. The newest phase of misplaced mania about manic/depressed people rears its ugly head when a gun-toting murderer goes on a
rampage through a mall or a school, killing several innocent civilians. The everyday folks feel comfortable in knowing that the killer is crazy, nuts or insane — a lunatic without empathy; a psychopath. Who would disagree with these labels? The problem becomes evident when some of these horrific murders are committed by individuals previously diagnosed with a disorder like bipolar. All of a sudden, bipolar disorder is not only real, but a killer disorder more dangerous than the gun. This attitude that oozes out of so many “news” reports about these incidents just adds another layer of stigma, burying and bullying the bipolar community back into the closet. Bipolar disorder can be one of the most difficult disorders to diagnose for many reasons. Being misdiagnosed with clinical depression is extremely common, and can be fatal for a person with bipolar when they are improperly given antidepressants alone. At last, there is finally a product in the last phases of testing now, which they hope will be able to detect bipolar disorder. As of right now, one is at the mercy of whichever physician, psychologist or psychiatrist one may land in front of. That is a dicey proposition. A 60-year-old psychiatrist may not be as current as they think they are in the fairly new field of
bipolar disorder, and the 60-yearold physician may know less about mood disorders than a plumber knows about carpentry. The point here is that the vast majority of suicides and intolerable acts committed by a person with bipolar disorder happen when they are not on their medication, have never been prescribed medication or most frequently — and rarely talked about — are on the incorrect medication. The most interesting thing to realize about this “disorder of the brain” known as bipolar, and its even “scarier” cousin schizophrenia is that the same elements of one’s personality so feared — and seen as intolerable for the person with bipolar disorder — are the personality traits that produce extremely important and special individuals. What correlates Albert Einstein to Robin Williams, Nikola Tesla to Jimi Hendrix, Steve Jobs to Michael Jordan? They were all very different from your average human. They, and literally every other individual who was able to achieve exceptional heights of greatness in any one field — especially artistic endeavors, could probably receive a diagnosis of one mood disorder or another. They were just somehow able to harness and hone their special abilities — such as the ability to focus for extended amounts of time on one task, an insatiable
need to become perfect at that task and an incredible fear of failure. In other words, we as a society should teach methods of using and focusing the abilities that somewhere between three and 10 percent of humans are born with instead of medicating and shunning them. In tribal communities, as far back as oral tradition goes, these were the children chosen at an early age to be taught in the ways of shamanism — not given Ritalin. They were the special individuals sought out and revered as spiritual and community leaders — not viewed as disabled. They were also those special enough to go out into the desert for a month and come back with tales of visions and conversations with angels and burning bushes. How sad it is that our society views individuals who do not act like they are supposed to act and who do not care about what they are supposed to care about. It is so intolerable that it has gone from the greatest honor one could be born with to being viewed as a disgraceful disorder. Being a little bit different is hard enough. For anyone suffering from bipolar disorder or depression/ anxiety, I urge you to seek help and support. Counseling is as crucial as medication. For assistance, consider contacting reputable databases such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the St. Louis Wellness Center.
I stand with Ahmed
Remembering America as a melting pot Dalila Kahvedzic Editor-in-Chief
Fourteen-year-old Ahmed Muhamed, a student in Texas, was recently arrested for bringing a clock to school because it was suspected of being a bomb. When the story hit the national news it stirred up two essential questions: is this a situation where a physical bomb was endangering the lives of other students and faculty, or do race and religion play a part? In my opinion, it might just be the latter. Ahmed was excited to go to school and impress his teachers with a handmade clock he worked on, but was appalled when sudden action was taken by his teacher to escort him with all of his belongings into a school resource room, or as he calls it - an interrogation room. It is disgusting to me that any 14-year-old should ever have to refer to a single room in his school as an interrogation room. In this room, Ahmed was greeted by his school principal as well as five police officers. He had asked to call his parents but was denied the right to do so. Ahmed was told that he could not call them; he was in the middle of an interrogation. Officers proceeded to ask him questions, and the process lasted about 25 minutes. He was asked questions such as, “Is this a
Illustration By Dalila Kahvedzic
bomb?” numerous times, to which Ahmed responded, “It’s a clock.” But here are a few questions that I myself, as someone with a pretty good grip on common sense, have. So, what if it was a bomb? Why was the building not evacuated to keep other students and faculty safe? Why was the bomb squad not called? Why did they move the bomb? Better yet, why did they even touch it? They put Ahmed and the so called “bomb” in the same room while they waited for authorities to arrive. Even more appalling, they put the bomb in the same car with the authorities. A bomb should be reported and, only until after investigation and knowing for certain that it was safe, should not – under any circumstances – be touched, moved or tampered with in any way. Why was standard bomb threat procedure not taken?
Why was this 14-year-old boy treated like a criminal? Why did this situation bring back to his memory instances of bullying when he was younger – name calling, being called a terrorist and a bomb maker. A 14-year-old boy was denied a simple phone call to his parents, interrogated and handcuffed; erroneously sickening. According to census. gov, one in four children under the age of 18 have at least one foreign-born parent. Being foreign-born and Muslim, if I brought a clock to class, would I have the same repercussions as Ahmed? I was welcomed to America with open arms. I live in a country that gives me many more opportunities than I would have ever dreamt to have and I am extraordinarily thankful for that. But why is it so rigorous for America – the land of the free – a land that is supposed
to welcome all kinds of cultures, religions and ethnicities, to not generalize and stereotype certain people? America is referred to as the “melting pot” for a reason. The truth is, nothing has been the same since 9/11, which is absolutely understandable, but it is time to take a good look at what is happening around us and who it is happening to. If we start to treat young children like this – like they are doing something wrong, like their ambition and hard work can be turned into something so horrific – how will they begin to perceive authority? How will they begin to perceive the world? Having an imagination is one of the best parts about being a kid, and kids should feel more than comfortable in being able to express it. Perhaps the clock did look like a bomb, but why was it not treated like one? For me, one thing is certain: I stand with Ahmed.
OPINIONS
5
Illustration By Brittney Farrow
Dear fat people
Why body-shaming in the form of good intentions does more harm than good Brittney Farrow Opinions Editor
For those who do not use social media, or for those who simply have not seen the video, the best way to sum up selftitled Youtube “comedian” Nicole Arbour’s “Dear Fat People” video would be to say the following: crass, mean-spirited adult wearing hair chalk takes inspiration from the comedic efforts of middle school boys to shame fat people for their weight under the guise of being “concerned for their health”. In said video thin, conventionally attractive Arbour recalls the “horror” of being forced to sit next to an overweight person on a plane; the atrocity of being cut in line by a heavy family at the airport. She states that overweight people have an aroma of sausages, and that they ooze Crisco from their pores like Play-Doh. Arbor also says that when fat people complain about discrimination, they are essentially playing a race card. “Fat shaming is not a thing,” Arbor says confidently, “Fat people made that up.” I normally use my space in this newspaper to address important topics circulating through mainstream news. With that being said, I firmly believe that the ignorance of one person on the internet can be just as important to discuss, because at the heart of videos like “Dear Fat People” lies a much deeper problem, and that problem is universal. It’s called body-shaming, and it sparks a nasty side effect called self-hatred. For whatever reason, there seems to be a widespread belief that any hurtful insult or comment thrown at overweight people can be justified by claiming a concern for their health. While there is no scientific equation for the amount of weight a person has to gain or carry to start hearing these mock-up anxieties, it can be incredibly dehumanizing for people to receive these comments from so many people – especially
so frequently from people they barely know on such a regular basis. In fact, it can completely decimate one’s self-esteem before they have even been given the chance to let their self-confidence grow. Of that, I am 100 percent certain. How would I know? Simple – because it happened to me. The problem with people judging a person’s health by their outward appearance is that it is impossible to determine what kind of illnesses they have (if any) by just looking at them. Because of that simple fact, saying awful things to someone for the sake of wanting to express concern for them and their health (which is, quite honestly, none of their business anyway) is actually disgusting and infuriating. A person’s jean size does not reveal how well they take care of themselves. Furthermore, it does not make any indications about what kind of medical issues they struggle with; it does not tell someone else if they have thyroid disease, heart problems, diabetes or a slew of other symptoms which could cause them to hold on to weight. It says literally nothing in terms of health. The only thing a person’s body size tells us is that they are existing in that form. If people really were concerned with the health of others – even the health of complete strangers – they would consider mental health, and the damage that being insensitive and spiteful can do to a person’s brain. According to the Walden Center for education and research, 91 percent of female college students have used dieting in an attempt to control their weight and 40 percent of female college students suffer from an eating disorder. Contrary to some of the things we have heard, eating disorders are very much a mental illness, and the toll they take on a person’s life can be devastating. Not only can eating disorders cause medical issues like intestinal failure, but they can even lead
to infertility and death. Who cares about that though, right? So long as their body is tight and they do not have to shop in the plus size department. I have never suffered from an eating disorder, but I personally have let my poor body image control my life. Even before puberty, I was never as thin as my friends. My body type is borderline; some people would consider me to be standard and “normal”, while others might say that I am overweight. At the young age of 11, I started to realize that some people treated me differently because of that. Before I had even stopped playing with Barbies I was putting myself on a diet, and while I no longer view myself as harshly as I did then, the issues that came from being subjected to a childhood of weight pressures have never left me. I have had a lot of diseases and I suffer from a lot of conditions, but none of them have been so hard to treat as my own personal vendetta against my body. What people like Arbour and those who agree with her views do not realize is that overweight people do not need to be told they might be hurting themselves because they carry hurt with them every day. The consequences of low selfesteem induced by body-shaming might as well be open wounds. It is the pain I feel every time my mother calls another girl beautiful, knowing that I can count the amount of times she has said that about me on one hand; it is the guilt I feel toward my romantic partners for not looking like the girls in magazines or on television; it is the voice in the back of my head telling me that I, being newly-single, will never find love again because my aesthetic appeal is up for debate. Since the beginning of my college career, I have learned so much about how to love
myself and I have made great strides. With that being said, it is a constant, unrelenting uphill battle. In her video, Arbour likely was not talking about me. I do not fit into the mold of the type of fat person that so many people seem to feel just in criticizing; however, I have not been spared the shame of looking at my body like it is flawed and undesirable. I do not take pictures of myself because I hate the way my fleshy cheeks look in photographs; I haven’t bought a pair of denim jeans in a year because I know I have put on some weight, and I do not want to be labelled as a girl who has to wear double-digit pant sizes. I have been subjected to my friends finding me annoying for not wanting to be tagged in our
for seconds even though she was starving. It is a little boy at the pool sitting at the edge of the water in a tee shirt, refusing to dive in. Our bodies do not define us. They are not indicators of our intelligence, our beauty or our potential. They are merely the vehicles we use to carry on with our lives. Whether we have size two petite frames or hearty stomach rolls, we should never feel ashamed of the skin we live in. Furthermore, we should never let our perception of other people’s outward appearances affect the way they view themselves. Why people cannot understand that concept is a mystery to me. In writing this piece, I recalled the obstacles I have suffered through due to being made to feel inadequate and I cannot understand why anyone would wish those kinds of feelings on another person. It just does not make sense to me. It is a sick and twisted punishment for not looking the way society says I need to. So I will conclude by asking that we all take a step back from the things we say and recognize the grotesque nature of bodyshaming. That we will stop finding amusement in taking photos of heavy people out in public, and laughing at them despite the discomfort they might be feeling. That we will remind our friends and family members that their body is their own, and they should love it in any shape. That making Youtube videos comparing fat people to Frankenstein when they walk is vile and cowardly. Lastly, that supporting the career of someone with cruel intentions is shameful and disappointing, and that it should not be condoned. Dear fat people: You are worthy. You are brilliant and deserving. You are capable of more love than what you have been given.
“Our bodies do not define us.” group photos, and having to listen to them tell me my harshest critic is myself – as if I did not know that. As if I did not wish I could look at myself from a different perspective. It is standing there completely helpless while men around me decide if my hips and bust make up for the few pounds extra I carry in my midsection. As much hurt as I have suffered from body-shaming and as personally as it has affected me, it is not a personal issue. From the beginning of my adolescence until this current date, I have seen people tear themselves down because of comments made by people like Arbour more times than I could possibly hope to count. It is something I see all the time. It is my best friend from college dealing with the aftermath of her eating disorder; it is a girl I worked with at a summer camp refusing to go back to the cafeteria
Oct. 1, 2015
INDEPTH
6
Nickel & Dimed
Oct. 1, 2015
INDEPTH
Daren Hembrador Staff Writer
S
T L C C - M e r a m e c ’s theater program will premiere their new production — Nickel & Dimed — Sept. 30-Oct. 4. The play is an adaption of the novel by Joan Holden, which explores the average person surviving by working low-income and minimum wage jobs. The plot of Nickel & Dimed revolves around Barbara Ehrenreich, an undercover writer. She scatters between working as a hotel maid to a waitress, struggling to make ends meet with rent and bills. Throughout the rugged journey, Barbara befriends coworkers that become indelible portraits of low-income
society. Gail — a star waitress approaching 50 — attempts to outrun her struggles. Carlie — a hotel maid with a reputable temper — disgusts those around her. Pete — a nursing home cook who retreats to his own fantasies. And Holly — the Team Leader of Magic Maids — whose pregnancy leaves her panicking about job security. Barbara’s journey tackles the United State’s social issues on poverty, worker rights and homelessness. The director, Michelle Rebollo, describes the show as a “docu-drama” based on Ehrenreich research and the struggle of the American lower class. The play questions whether “a person can survive only working minimum wage jobs,” Rebollo said. Donna Werner, the lead actress who portrays Barbara Ehrenreich, comments on how
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the play reflects American society’s views on low-income jobs. “These are people that keep the world running and we don’t see them,” Werner said. “We get busy and take them for granted. The play reminds us to see them and treat them with respect. All work is honorable work.” The play creates a self-reflection on the audience’s view of lowwage and intense labor jobs. With the subject of homelessness and poverty, STLCC-Meramec theater program will also host a canned food drive for Operation Hunger and the STLCCMeramec Brown Bag Café during the play’s performance. Both charity organizations help bring awareness to the struggles of low-income workers and reach out toward impoverished Americans.
Show Times September 30 - October 3 7:30 PM October 4 2:00 PM Located in the Meramec Theater
Photos By Ashley Biundo and James Claiborne Page layout by Jason Waters Oct. 1, 2015
ART & LIFE
8
BIWEEKLY INSPIRATION
“No one is dumb who is curious. The people who don’t ask questions remain clueless throughout their lives.” -Neil Degrasse Tyson Art comparisons
Looking at student art from a new perspective Brittney Farrow Opinions Editor
St. Louis Community College – Meramec features a variety of artwork around campus that showcases a broad range of different techniques, subjects and mediums. Humanities East is home to many visually-appealing statues and sculptures created by art students, and while many of these students are just starting their art careers their pieces are highly impressionable, and can be compared to art installations seen around the world. Madyson Winn’s piece for Sculpture I (right) compared to “The Atelier” by Ofer Lellouche (left) featured in Tel Aviv. Museum of Art
Above: “Throne of Weapons” by Cristórão Canhavato (left) compared to “Recliner” by Tracy Lindedel. Canhavato is an artist from Mozambique who made the piece out of recycled weapons. It can be found in the British Museum as part of their “Swords into Ploughshares, Transforming Arms into Art” exhibit.
“The Awakening” by J. Seward Johnson Jr. (top) next to “Consumed” by Sculpture II student Amanda Attarian (bottom)
“The Awakening” is a 70 ft. statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself. Located at National Harbor in Prince George’s county in Maryland, the piece conatains five large aluminum parts. It was originally installed at Hains Point in East Potomac Park in Washington D.C. until it was purchased for $750,000 in 2008 and removed. The artist created a copy in Chesterfield, Mo. which was unveiled in October of 2009. It is adjacent to Chesterfield Central Central Park. It was comissioned by Chesterfield Arts, a nonprofit that aims to support the visual, performing and literary arts in West County.
Oct. 1, 2015
“Man of Steel” by Steve Mehdi (left) next to “Nuturing Accumulation” by Sculpture I student Emily Bolego (right). Mehdi’s piece will serve as inspiration for a vistor center which will be built in Rotherham, England. Inspiration came from his experience in the steel industry and the region’s rich industrial history.
ART & LIFE
9
From Brazil to the United States
Student Angela Rosenhen reflects on her journey “I am a foreigner from Dalila Kahvedzic South America, Editor - in - Chief so your mind Angela Rosenhen was born in goes spinning Brazil and lived there until the age – what are people of 28 and has now found herself those like? And I as a part-time Meramec student was so well studying interior design with an emphasis on kitchen and bath. treated. I never Leaving her life behind and had any kind living in the United States as well of prejudice,” as Canada was something she had Rosenhen said. Angela and never planned, Rosenhen said. her husband Traveling from Brazil to were welcomed the United States was an easy baskets adjustment for Rosenhen, but with of cookies, there are many differences between where she grew up wine and pool and where she now lives. parties, she said. “I really Something she really misses is say it’s a matter as simple as plants, Rosenhen said. “There are too many plants of choice. I am that don’t grow here and that gives the odd ball in me a sense of origin, when I go to the street and I the botanical gardens or something could never feel – all those tropical plants. I wish different. In any so much I could have those here,” other situation, Photo By Dalila Kahvedzic Rosenhen said. “I like to plant I have never Rosenhen picks out fabric and looks at materials for a project in her Interior Design I class. treated things that remind me of home.” been as a foreigner,” Between Brazil and said. since I taught something that stage, literally, but it’s the chance too strong for her, Rosenhen said. the United States – cultural Rosenhen wasn’t mandatory, students would to experiment with different “Yeah, so I have to control my differences also vary greatly. In Living a double life go there because they wanted to emotions, things that maybe fear,” Rosenhen said. “Turbulence the U.S., there is a sense of safety learn English. They were grateful you just inside yourself then you is the worst part of flying.” and community while in Brazil, During her time in Brazil, and they had cooperation so it was just let it out,” Rosenhen said. Flying is scary from beginning people are more reserved because she studied acting for two and really, really nice,” Rosenhen said. She taught full time as an to end, Rosenhen said. of violence, Rosenhen said. a half years and acquired a Rosenhen was an English English teacher, took acting “But sometimes there are Although there is violence bachelor’s degree in English; teacher for eight years. She taught classes and soon after found some fun things depending on in Brazil, events in Ferguson do both of which did not have too age groups varying from second out she was pregnant. Her who you have on the flight. Once not remind Rosenhen of home because in Brazil, there was no many differences, Rosenhen said. graders to high executives of husband’s job then called for I got a flight that was the most “With teaching, you have international companies, who a move to the United States. unpleasant thing for some people division by race. Something that “A few months into pregnancy - it was teenagers going to Disney caught Rosenhen’s attention my husband comes and throws a from Brazil - so you can imagine about Ferguson is the immediate bomb – how would you like moving everyone is crazy,” Rosenhen said. blame based off of race. to the U.S.?” Rosenhen said. Rosenhen’s daughter was “He stole because he’s of “You have choices. In whatever The job offer, at the time, 1 at the time and the girls African American decent, he was supposed to only be for on the flight took care of her. stole because he is Caucasian. circumstance, you have a choice to two years, Rosenhen said. “They would play No, he stole because he’s a be good or to be bad.” with her and keep her bad person,” Rosenhen said. The trials of traveling entertained,” Rosenhen said. Everybody has mixed blood. This was a relief and Rosenhen is white and not the They spent their time in St. Rosenhen said she received average Brazilian but her mother‘s your stage. When you’re in front were very nice to work with. Louis and in 2010, moved to nine hours of peaceful rest. skin is very dark. So everything and you are talking to people, you “They were my favorite Toronto, Canada before moving When they arrived to the is very mixed, Rosenhen said. get to know people. You know because they would become back to St. Louis in 2013. U.S., Rosenhen and her husband She said she never experienced your role; I could be funny and I kids again,” Rosenhen said. Canada and Missouri were lived in a rented apartment, they any sense of hatred when she could do whatever I wanted, and “Acting – you are on the very different and Rosenhen sold everything they had and moved to the U.S. with her family. said she prefers living in St. came to the U.S. with only six Louis versus Toronto. She was suitcases full of their belongings. relieved when her husband’s Soon after having to move job called for them to move many times, Rosenhen and her back to St. Louis. husband decided that building One thing that stuck out to houses instead of buying or Rosenhen was the cleanliness renovating was the choice for them. of St. Louis as a city. Canada “You get to choose was much less clean, she said. everything and you have no Moving to and from surprises,” Rosenhen said. and getting used to lifestyle She said she has no changes was not too much plans to move back to Brazil. trouble, Rosenhen said. “Corruption is taking over The funniest memory the country, the politically Rosenhen said she has from correctedness is exasperating, you traveling was going to a doctor to can’t open your mouth without get sleep medication to control somebody threatening to sue you for her fear of flying. anything and you can’t have a sense Between having slept the of humor,” Rosenhan said. “It’s whole ride to the U.S., being just not a place where I grew up.” carried off the plane by her The constant moving husband, and not remembering around to different areas has if she paid the lady she had a not taken a toll on the family, scheduled manicure with – especially including her daughter. Rosenhen realized she needed “She’s very adaptable – I guess to get over her fear of flying. she got this from us,” Rosenhen Although she did the right said. “She’s open to change thing and went to the doctor, and this is something good. Submitted photo Rosenhen canoes at Park Alonquin in Ontario, Canada. the medication was just way Here, all of her needs are met.” Oct. 1, 2015
BLACK AND BLUE T H E AT R E P E R F O R M A N C E
Friday October 9 at 7pm
&BLUE
St. Louis Community College, Meramec Theatre
FREE
Presented by Gitana Productions
BLACK The relationship between the police and many in the black community is a “black and blue“ bruise. Join us as we explore the causes and pathways to healing. The performance includes professional actors and Ferguson, Missouri, residents.
St. Louis Community College the Theatre at theMeramec Campus 11333 Big Bend Rd., Kirkwood, MO 314-984-7564
2015 PROGR AMS/E VENTS
Non-Discrimination/Accommodations Statement: St. Louis Community College is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action necessary to ensure non-discrimination. For information or concerns relating to discrimination or sexual harassment, contact William Woodard, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 314-539-5374. If you have accommodation needs, please contact the Meramec Theatre: 314-984-7594
ART & LIFE
11
Clouds cover ‘Supermoon’ Lunar Eclipse Sky Club meets at Meramec to watch eclipse Katie Leicht Art and Life Editor
On Sunday Sept. 27, 2015, Meramec’s Sky Club held a special viewing event for the supermoon lunar eclipse held in parking lot H. Astronomy and Meteorology Professor Joe Schneider and Astronomy Professor Rick Menendez helped host the event, equipped with a large‑scale telescope for the viewing of the moon along with Saturn and various constellations. The type of lunar eclipse displayed Sunday had not lit up our night sky since 1982 and will not return until 2033. A supermoon is when the moon is in its closest orbit to earth, making the moon look larger in the night sky. A lunar eclipse is when the earth is directly between the sun and the moon. The moon stays partially lit, and the sunrays pass
around the curve of the earth, giving the moon a reddish glow. This reddish glow is also referred to as a blood moon. The view of the red supermoon was unfortunately blocked by thick cloud coverage. At around 8 p.m., the clouds broke for a mere moment to display a glow, which was most certainly from the eclipse. For a brief time, the audience shielded their eyes from the glow of the parking lot lights to get a better view, but still, no such luck of seeing the moon. Although the view wasn’t spectacular, the Sky Club along with some of Meramec’s students still seemed to enjoy the atmosphere by laughing and attempting to see the eclipse through the scarce break in the clouds. The view in the St. Louis area cleared up at about 10:30 p.m. Although the reddish color was not apparent anymore, the moon still looked beautiful going through it’s different stages of the eclipse.
Submtted photo
Rick Menendez along with Sky Club members and Meramec students waiting on a break in the clouds.
Discounts for STLCC Students As an STLCC Student, special discounts are provided by specific vendors. Some of those vendors include: • •
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• • •
bookstore and Apple website discount $100-$200 AT&T: Wireless service contracts up to 10 percent discount and various phone discounts Dell: computers through the STLCC bookstore 12 percent dicount Microsoft: DreaamSpark, academic
• •
savings and The Ultimate Steal with valid student email, dicount varies Nationwide:Insurance discount starting at 5 percent Sprint: 10 percent discount for monthly service and credit for old trade in phones, waived activation fees for students
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The Montage is a student-run, written and produced campus newspaper that strives to bring the community comprehensive coverage of the news and events affecting the St. Louis Community College at Meramec campus. The Montage staff structure models that of professional newspapers across the world. The role of a student journalist, one that Montage staffers take seriously, is to produce accurate and balanced reporting while serving as the campus watchdog. https://twitter.com/themontage Although the news surrounding the campus community may not always shed a favorable light on the college’s image, it is the right and obligation of student journalists to report the truth. @TheMontage http://www.youtube.com/user/Meramecmontage https://www.facebook.com/Meramecmontage
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Oct. 1, 2015
SPORTS
12
Christian’s Corner Christian Hargas Sports Editor
Bandwagon Fans: Irritating and why
Bandwagon sports fans are real. They have existed since the dawning of the industry and will continue to remain relevant for the rest of its existence. The insidious desire to glob onto a team just because they are the ‘coolest thing in town’ is irritating. In technical terms, a bandwagon fan is a fan of a team that only supports them because they are either really popular or really successful over a specific period of time. There have been plenty of examples of a team gaining an enormous amount of fair-weather fans. The Miami Heat are one of the better examples. When LeBron James decided to ‘take his talents to South Beach’ to join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in 2010, the Heat fan base quickly grew into the NBA’s largest. The Heat enjoyed four years of success by reaching four consecutive NBA Finals and winning two championships. In 2014, James decided to take his talents back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Heat struggled the next season. Now, with the recent rumors of Wade leaving town and only Bosh remaining, it is surprising how many Heat ‘fans’ are not there anymore. The Seattle Seahawks are another good example. The Seahawks have become one of the National Football League’s most popular teams over the last three years, but they were quite possibly the most irrelevant team 10 years ago. Now, since they have appeared in two consecutive Super Bowls, it is amazing to see how much larger the ‘12th man’ has grown. I have been a Seahawks fan since I was eight years old. I have seen the evolution of this team with my very own eyes, but I have also noticed the wagon filling up with more and more people. Major League Baseball’s franchises have their fair share of bandwagon fans. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were never one of the more popular teams, but their relevancy skyrocketed once they acquired Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in 2012. The Kansas City Royals are another team that saw their fan base dramatically increase over the last 12 months. I understand the Royals have not had much success over the last 30 years, but the way they are currently treated by the masses and the media portrays them to be at the level of the New York Yankees, which the are not. Bandwagon fans are the worst type of fans in the sports industry. Their loyalty is fake, they have no concept of the term ‘support’, and they will most likely bail when their ‘favorite team’ falls from grace. Oct. 1, 2015
Heavy Lifting
Weight training student shares inspiration and motivation with others Jonah Durbin Staff Writer
When students sign up to take a weight training class, they don’t expect to see a 60-year-old man pumping the iron just as much as the next guy, but that’s exactly what Joop Arends does. Arends said he has been weight training since 2012. “Weight training forces you to do stuff that you might not necessarily like to do initially, but that is potentially good for you,” Arends said. “In my case, I was looking for something that I hadn’t done before to be active.” Arends began weight training when a neighbor suggested it, he said. “The idea was to use the buddy system, because when you have somebody with you, you are more likely to do it,” Arends said. Over the past year, Arends said he has added volleyball along with weight training to
Photo by Darren Grant
Joop Arends uses the leg machine in his weight lifting class.
stay in shape while taking classes. “I walk because I’m an asthmatic and I bike and do yard work,” he said. Arends can be found in the Meramec weight room offering words of
encouragement to fellow students. “I try to help them when I have an idea; I’m not just talking bologna,” Arends said. “Someone can be helped especially if it’s primarily related to a potential risk of someone injuring themselves.”
Arends said students have to pay attention to avoid injury and need to find their passion to enjoy life. “If you want to live out the rest of your life in a halfway pleasant manner, you have to do something about it,” Arends said.
Active learning: Student PE options for Spring 2016 Meramec students seeking an associate’s degree are required to take two credits in physical education. The options for the spring 2016 semester offer a unique variety from sports to fitness to meditation to outdoors. For the Sporty Type PE 111 Basketball PE 116 Bowling I PE 133 Golf PE 136 Ice Skating PE 158 Soccer and Hoc-Soc PE 167 Team Sports PE 162 Swimming I PE 169 Tennis I PE 171 Volleyball I PE 172 Volleyball II
For the Outdoor Enthusiast PE 106 Backpacking and Hiking PE 118 Camping and Floating For the Fantasy Fanatics PE 104 Archery PE 126 Fencing I PE 127 Fencing II PE 128 Fencing III For the Stress - Free Student PE 135 Health and Personal Hygiene PE 161 Stress Management PE 165 Tai Chi I PE 181 Yoga I PE 182 Yoga II
For the Fitness Guru PE 105 Deep Water Exercise PE 109 Basic Fitness PE 122 Dance Aerobics PE 130 Fitness Center 1 PE 131 Fitness Center PE 132 Total Fitness PE 173 Walking for Fitness PE 174 Water Aerobics PE 191 Body Contouring
For the Fighter PE 137 Judo I PE 138 Judo II PE 139 Karate I PE 145 Personal Defense For the Rescuer PE 120 Community Red Cross CPR PE 129 First Aid PE 142 Lifeguard Training
Archers Women’s Soccer: Get on the Wagon Pat Niehaus Staff Writer
I have just one word to describe the Saint Louis Community College Women’s Soccer Team; Wow. That is a hell of a defense Coach Erin Hesselbach has put together, all things considered. They have a line of injuries on the roster that is longer than I-270 southbound at rush hour, but they still make it look easy. As a soccer lover with a defensive bias, I have to say I am impressed. They might have amassed a record of 4-6-1 so far, but that record does not show how
good this team is when they are healthy. Yes, there have been some games where they have lost convincingly but that number in comparison to the games decided by a goal or two is the real story. With so many injuries, these ladies had to play out of position and did so admirably. Imagine for a second what it would be like if those injured players were healthy for the whole season. If instead of having to rule out a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 and hoping the back line continues to keep them in games, you have attacking threats that can be used not only to counter teams like IHCC, who’s back line made a left tackle look fast, but to be able to go for the jugular after taking a lead and not absorb wave after wave of opposing
attacks. I never liked watching strikers gloat. They are a bunch of puffed whiners to be honest, but being able to see ours do that more often using a 4-3-3 would be nice. Those days are not far off either. Switching gears for a second though, if defense wins championships, which it does, then being able to see those kind of tough displays with a team that is far from being 100 percent healthy is going to be a blast to see when they finally get there. So, if you are not already on the STLCC Women’s Soccer bandwagon, you should be. Jump on while there is still enough room. That 4-6-1 record is not going to stay that way. Let us do the math here: a healthy roster equals fresh
legs. Fresh legs equal a better performance and more depth off the bench. And that, ladies and gentleman, equals goals. Lots and lots of goals. No more need to have a back line play like their lives depend on it or have a keeper play lights out every game. The talent ability is there. It is all about getting healthy and when the women’s team finally gets that breathing room up front, it will be a beautifully terrifying thing to see, from touch line to touch line. Once again the bandwagon still has room, but the space on it is limited. Get on now because it is leaving soon and it would be a shame if STLCC missed out on the turnaround that is brewing at Meramec.