The Montage Student Newspaper

The Montage SUMMER 2010

The student voice of Meramec

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

The Good, The Bad and The Magic

The little black book of Meramec

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The Montage

Little Black Book of Meramec Montage

Back-to-School issue

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Shannon Philpott, Faculty Adviser sphilpott@stlcc.edu Joseph Douglas, Editor-in-Chief Carlos Restrepo, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Stephanie Stough, Managing Editor Collin Reischman, Managing Editor Emeritus Jeanetta Roberts, Online Editor Joe Ray, Multimedia Editor Jacob Hight, Graphics Editor Courtney Stark, Photo Editor Andrea Royals, News Editor Emeritus Shane Rice, Asst. News Editor Kavahn Mansouri, Art & Life Editor Anna Nowotny, In-Depth Editor Emeritus Patrick Olds, Opinions Editor Spencer Gleason, Sports Editor Kelly Davis, Copy Editor Tim Doty, Copy Editor Julie Wells, Sr. Copy Editor Emeritus Luelana Bustamante, Staff Writer Clinton Borror, Staff Writer Alex Ferrario, Staff Writer Meagan Roth-Roffy, Staff Writer Amanda Keefe, Contributing Writer James Carroll, Staff Photographer Nate Corley, Staff Photographer Dan Handing, Staff Photographer Jennifer Roberts, Staff Photographer Nick Schnelle, Contributing Photographer Richard Rhodes, Staff Designer Laura Spenke, Staff Designer 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.

To place an advertisement, contact the advertising manager for rates, sample issues, etc., (314)984-7955.

Proud member of

INDEX

First Things First M3-M12

The most difficult aspect of college for many students is getting started. Whether they’re coming from high school, a full-time job or absolutely nothing, there is a lot to learn in a short period of time. “First Things First” discusses processes and services of the college that, by knowing them ahead of time, will make the transition into Meramec easier. From a step-by-step guide of the admissions and registration process to the best way to buy books, it will be difficult to get lost with this Meramec road map in hand.

Now That You’re Here M13-M26

“Now That You’re Here” covers topics all Meramec students should know. As you enter this new chapter of your life at STLCC-Meramec, you may opt to borrow a laptop or book in the library, grab a quick bite to eat in the student commons or participate in Cinco De Mayo and Earth Day festivities. You’ll read about Meramec’s services to needy families and students with academic and physical disabilities. In “Now That You’re Here,” you will read all about what Meramec has to offer for you while you’re a student.

Before You Leave M27-M37

Intended as a guide for STLCC-Meramec students nearing the end of their tenure on campus, “Before You Leave,” is the place to find a convenient list of contact information for 4-year universities and a map of in-state schools. “Before You Leave” also provides motivating alumni success stories graduating students can relate to and incoming students can look to for inspiration. More information such as graphics which link degrees to earning potential also provides guidance and direction for students at all points of their educational journey.

Things You Missed M38-M49

There is plenty of action new students missed during the 09-10 academic year.

Budget cuts, department closings and bans changed the lives of the Meramec students, faculty and staff. “Things you Missed” was created so that you, the student, can realize the things that so quickly banished in the last academic year. Sports such as wrestling, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball are no longer offered at Meramec.

Also, services such as health services and the childcare center closed indefinitely. Find out about the reasons, the culprits and the hopes to bring these back.

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Letter from the Editor

“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” – Napoleon Hill, American author of personal-success literature.

The Montage is a partner to the people, whether or not they read it. We support the five fundamental freedoms granted to us by the First Amendment: freedom of speech, press, religion, petition and assembly. When peoples’ freedoms are challenged, we are challenged to deliver the message to the reader.

In fact, we are challenged by every move we make. Locating expert sources, performing in-depth research, talking to everyday students, and capturing video, audio and photos is what The Montage does on a regular basis. And on a regular basis, we are pressed to back down, pushed around by the very news we report on, and made scared by the antagonists.

My name is Joe Douglas, and I’m the new sheriff in town. Well, the editor-in-chief. When I first joined The Montage in January 2009, I was scared to interview people. I didn’t like writing and wasn’t very familiar with a camera. I was working 30 hours per week and taking 16 credit hours.

I often questioned what I was doing there, and many times throughout the semester I seriously considered resigning.

The pressure to back down, the fear of making enemies, and confronting challenging interviews is also what

convinced me not to quit. Every time I chose to stick around for one more issue, opportunities and wonderful experiences always followed. After three semesters of pushing onward, I am now doing more than I could have ever thought.

For the 2010-2011 academic year, The Montage will have a new team to report the news, highlight campus events, and tell the fantastic stories of everyday people. We will be faced with new challenges, new stories, new controversies, and new students, faculty and staff. We may be pressured, pushed around and scared, but we won’t quit. We will tell the story and say what must be said.

We hope others join us in not backing down. Say what needs to be said. Do what must be done. Don’t give up.

Stand up for speech, press, religion, petition and assembly.

Stand up for what’s right and what’s fair, whatever it may be. Send in a letter to the editor in person or by e-mail. Effort only fully releases its reward after we refuse to quit.

We hope you enjoy this back-to-school issue, a tool for

Meramec Counseling Department Career Information Center/ Clark Hall-Admin. Building, Room 218

We Can Help You: - Explore careers - Identify transfer schools - Choose a major - Decide upon a major You Can Find: - Computer Assisted Career & “Helping You Meet College Search Your Goals” - Academic & Personal Resources - Career Books to Check Out Let us help you find - College Transfer Info your way to a better future!

- Four-year College Catalogs - Job Trends - Career Info - Free Handouts

FREE CONSULTATIONS!

Schedule an appointment today with a Counselor, call 314-984-7575

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Why Would You Want To Join SAC? Looks Great On Transfer Applications Build Your Resume

Go On Cool Trips

Grow As A Person

Meet Famous People

Plan Activities

Learn to Network

Become More Organized Learn Leadership Skills

The Student Activities Council (SAC) Meets every Monday At 2p.m. In the Student Center Room 201 To Plan & Organize Activities On Campus.

GET INVOLVED

For More Info Visit Our Facebook Page http://tiny.cc/fbsac

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levels of the campus...

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Network with people at all

Learn critical life skills...

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Take part in

leadership conferences in Washington D.C. and Jefferson City ...

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in issues that affect fellow students...

Learn Job Skills

It Really Is A Lot of Fun!!!

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Make a difference

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Make Friends

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GE E OL L

Find us online at studentgovernancecouncil.groups.live.com/

Problem solving

Decision making

Following up on a task Working as a team And more...

For more

information contact the Campus Life office, SC 221 or call (314) 984-7641

STLCC-Meramec benefits students Tim Doty

- Copy Editor As the NBC comedy series “Community” shows its viewers, community colleges are not always as prestigious as the universities. While attending universities may be the desire of many students during and after high school, some may not achieve this goal due to grades, financial difficulties, etc. These individuals may still want to explore other options, but some choose to attend a community college. One of the more popular choices for students in the St. Louis area is STLCC-Meramec.

Though ridiculed by those who are not in attendance, sometimes called KU (Kirkwood University) or USC (University of South County), this institution of higher learning is a legitimate establishment catering higher educational needs to students from all backgrounds.

“People try to describe colleges and universities by the buildings, but it’s more than that. Meramec provides a learning opportunity to its students,” said George Wasson, vice president of academic affairs, and acting president until August 2010.

Meramec has many benefits that some universities can’t always offer its students.

“Some of the great benefits of Meramec are location, small classes and the ability to take classes from faculty committed to the student,” said Wasson. “There’s also the cost benefit in this economy.”

According to Paul Nygard, Ph.D., American history professor at Meramec and St. Louis University, motivation and diligence from the pupils are just as high at Meramec as at universities.

“In terms of the students at Meramec, the motivation is remarkably similar,” said Nygard.

“You see 100 students in the history lecture at Meramec. I never saw that at SLU. The enthusiasm is similar between the Meramec students and university students.”

Wasson said that students can earn a variety of degrees from STLCC-Meramec that transfer to most four-year universities in Missouri and across the U.S. Students looking to simply find a better career may want to earn a Certificate of Proficiency.

Students who have already earned a master’s or bachelor’s degree in one field may want to attend Meramec to obtain an associate degree in a wide array of other subjects.

“About 3500 students per year at Meramec come from four-year univer-

sities because they change their educational goals. Students come here after earning a four-year degree to upgrade or update their skills,” said Wasson.

For students interested in transferring, Wasson said that students have the ability to transfer general education to not just other colleges and universities in Missouri but all over the country.

In order to succeed at Meramec, Wasson said, “There are a number of services for the student, such as the Academic Support Center and the writing and math labs.”

Wasson previously taught economics at Meramec for 20 years. Before that, he was a part-time instructor at the University of Indiana. He said that the experience helped him “relate to students and faculty.”

“Read your syllabus, listen to your instructor, and find out what’s expected of you,” said Wasson.

Students may be recent high school graduates, previously stay-at-home moms looking to earn a Certificate of Proficiency, or a recently laid-off worker who wants a new start in life.

“Meramec is a learning community made up of many diverse neighborhoods. Learning opportunities here meet the needs of many students from different walks of life,” said Wasson.

PHOTO BY: COURTNEY STARK

The 78-acre campus of STLCC-Meramec, located at 11333 Big Bend Road in Kirkwood, Mo., was founded in 1963 as part of the Junior College District of St. Louis. Meramec is now attended by nearly 11,000 students.

First Things First

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First Things First

STLCC-MERAMEC

Steps for Registration at Joe Douglas

- Editor-in-Chief -

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Buy books and supplies for class at the bookstore, but some may be cheaper online

For students new and old, they must apply for school and register for classes. Colleges like Fontbonne, Webster and WashU require a minimum ACT or SAT score, a high grade point average, a specific number of courses taken, and of course, tens of thousands of dollars. STLCC requires none of the above for someone to belong. It accepts people Get an ID Card, parking of all academic backgrounds with its open admissions policy, in permit, and activate stuwhich “admission to the college is not based on minimum acadent e-mail, at the student demic qualifications,” according to STLCC’s web site, http:// life office (SC 221). stlcc.edu.

Last semester, approximately 11,000 student attended STLCC-Meramec. That means approximately 11,000 stuPay for classes. At Meramec, dents marched through the admissions and registration this is done via the cashiers in process. That also means 11,000 students competed for a Clark Hall or online. limited number of classes.

“Signing up early is the key,” said Kim FitzgerApply for financial aid (if applicaald, coordinator of enrollment management. “Early registration helps everybody. It helps us plan adble). Apply as early as possible to be ditional sections and re-allocate some of the reconsidered for all forms of financial sources we have.” aid.

Before registering for classes or even applying to Meramec, students may want to Register for classes. Seasonal course take a tour of the school to see if they are interested in attending. Tours must be catalogues are available in all admission scheduled via admissions. They are centers on each campus. An online course generally given by student ambascatalogue is available through Banner Selfsadors, current Meramec students Service. working with admissions to perform admissions-related servicComplete the Accuplacer test. The Accuplacer es. test is required for most new students. DependThere are eight steps, which makes it easy to mix ing on the scores, students may need to take spethese steps up or skip cific pre-college-level courses before signing up for steps without knowing. college-level classes. There are exceptions to taking Prospective, incoming the test, which come from minimum ACT or SAT and current students scores or from receiving a “C” or better on college-levcan visit admissions and registration in el courses.

Clark Hall any time if they have quesSee that official transcripts from your high school or previtions about ous college or institution are mailed to the STLCC campus the process to which you are applying. or any of its steps.

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Complete an application. Non-traditional students, those who haven’t completed a traditional high school program, must first meet with an adviser before applying to Meramec.

Need money?

STLCC-Meramec

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HELP!

ILLUSTRATION BY: DAN HANDING

Qualifying for financial aid may be easier than it seems Stephanie Stough - Managing Editor -

For students, traditional or not, it’s easy to realize that saving a buck or two off education can be very helpful to those in need. To keep it affordable, STLCC-Meramec offers financial aid to every single student.

Meramec’s Financial Aid Office is located on the first floor of Clark Hall. This is the starting point for people interested in saving money. Here, students will meet with someone about their individual financial needs, potential grants, and scholarships.

Michael Smith, manager of student financial aid, said that the first and most important step in ensuring that students receive the most accurate amount of grant money is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) cor-

rectly.

“It’s needed to receive federal and/or state financial aid/grants or loans,” Smith said.

Smith said once the FAFSA is filed, the financial aid office will lead students through the process.

“People think the process is more confusing than it is,” Smith said. ”It is very straightforward. It is all based on financial need and the income of the household.”

“People try to second-guess it when there is no need to. Fill out the form and complete it. We’ll help from there.”

Meramec offers financial assistance in three different categories based on the needs of individuals.

Federal grants, such as Pell Grants, are given to students based on needs and do not require repayment.

Federal student loans are loans paid by students when they take less than 12 credit hours.

Missouri Access Awards from the Missouri Department of Higher Education are also available, but are offered to Missouri residents only.

“Everyone is eligible for financial aid,” Smith said, “It just depends on financial need and academic abilities.”

STLCC also offers hundreds of scholarships that are available to students, ranging from GPA scholarships to degree scholarships.

To see all scholarship opportunities, visit http://stlcc.edu.

Smith said that because every student qualifies for financial assistance, his advice to them would be to ask questions when looking for it.

“Look for scholarships. File FAFSA early. Respond to every announcement regarding a scholarship. Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Smith said. “The only stupid question is a question that isn’t asked.”

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First Things First

Textbooks: What is your purchasing preference?

Julie Wells

- Sr. Copy Editor Emeritus -

Though the transition from high school to college feels, and is, monumental, many things remain the same. First, mapping out a course “plan,” then registering and getting familiar with a new campus are relatively comparable to those first few weeks of high school. Heading out to purchase notebooks, pens and a thumb drive also feel vaguely familiar. However, unlike high

school, there are rarely shopping splurges for new clothes courtesy of Mom and Dad, and books aren’t picked up from a storage room free of charge.

One of the many surprises of collegiate life is the book-buying ballet. Veteran students may wait until after the first day to purchase every book on their list because some teachers never assign one reading out of the text which can cost hundreds. However, new students, or those who have trouble resting easy unless 100 percent prepared, scurry off to stand in line in the campus bookstore. Convenient as that may be, it is not always the most efficient way to collect textbooks.

Oftentimes, students can find every book needed online. There are websites such as Abebooks, Textbooks, Half, and Amazon that offer simple ordering and palatable pricing. By simply entering ISBN codes, which can be found through the campus bookstore’s website, a purchase of the correct text in the correct volume by the correct

author is almost certifiable.

Websites, however, have drawbacks that a campus bookstore would not. New editions which have not been used in previous semesters are often priced comparably to the bookstore because no used editions are available. There is no way to ensure that the correct edition of the text will be shipped until it has arrived. Kate Schlaman, a Meramec summer student, shops in-store for just this reason.

“It’s convenient. I know I’m going to be getting the right book in the right edition,” Schulman said.

Also, without the convenience of being able to see the text, the quality of a used book is certainly of some concern. What the website may deem as “light highlighting” could mean important sentences within a chapter are marked through with orange or blue and may be nearly illegible.

Shipping is often a problem with websites, especially if a student waits until the semester begins. Book availability can be an issue, but also distance of the site from which the book is being shipped can cause delays.

Campus bookstores are not without drawbacks. Long lines, limited used book options, and high prices are often enough to push some students to alternative options, be it online or second-hand textbook shops. “[I buy from] the MIZZOU bookstore,” said first-time Meramec student Taylore Johnson. “It probably costs more, but you can just go in and out.”

Cost-saving options are especially important to students who already struggle with the cost of tuition, transportation and child care, or those who simply want to be moneyconscience.

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Join the Honors Program

“There’s really no reason not to.”

Patrick Olds

- Opinions Editor -

A few thousand dollars in cash isn’t anything to shake a stick at.

With that mindset, think about a $2000 scholarship for the entire year at Meramec. This way, the students can spend their own money on whatever they might want. There is such a scholarship available for maintaining good grades at STLCC- Meramec: the Honors Program Scholarship.

Most students don’t know about the Meramec Honors Program, but its scholarship offers to pay for 12 credit hours a semester if the student maintains at least a 3.5 GPA. Approximately 1500 students qualify each year for this money and approximately 300 take advantage.

The honors program is coordinated by Assistant English Professor Eric Meyer. The honors program promotes scholastic excellence in academically prepared and highly motivated students.

“Meramec’s Honors Program hopes to provide a smaller structure within the larger college where students may enhance their education,” Meyer said. “It will challenge both recent high school graduates and nontraditional students so that they can more fully develop their potentials and abilities.”

Meyer said this is an opportunity for high school students to start over and re-create themselves into scholars.

“I like to say that we are in the business of creating honors students,” Meyer said. He said this is a place for students to come and wipe their academic slate clean. Students are able to shed old habits and create new ones for suc-

cess. Meyer said he arrived at Meramec and wasn’t a good student. He ended up becoming an Honors Program scholar and said Meramec helped him start over.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher after 12 STLCC college-level credits to begin taking honors classes. Students may also join with acceptable grades from high school. Meyer said he is open to talking with anyone who may qualify.

Most recent graduates were awarded near- to full-ride scholarships to Pierre Laclede’s Honors College at University of Missouri-St. Louis. More specifically, one scholar, Doug Larson, is getting paid to attend Washington University. He was awarded full tuition and $12,000 in addition to that.

The level of academic excellence has risen due to those who commit themselves to tougher classes and, in turn, have been rewarded almost across the board. For those interested in joining the program, visit Meyer in CN 215.

“I tell the honors students that they should treat Meramec as their job. Universities, when they are giving big money away, want students who are engaged on their campus and in the larger community. The best evidence they have of how engaged you might be in their campus is how engaged you were at your twoyear campus,” said Meyer. “That’s a mistake many Meramec students make—they think of this as only Meramec and do not get involved.

Well, good luck getting big money from a university; they will likely see your apathy as a habit, one they don’t want to support. There’s really no reason not to [join the Honors Program].”

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transfer to Rockhurst. transform your life.

A great education paves the way for tremendous opportunities, and Rockhurst University offers the knowledge you’ll need to find them. So if you’re ready for a degree that will do more for you, transfer to Rockhurst.

To learn more about transferring to Rockhurst, join us for Transfer Day on Thursday, July 22, or Friday, August 6, or call (800) 842-6776.

We’ll be there to answer questions about a Rockhurst education, transfer credits, financial aid and your major. Bring your transcripts to apply for on-the-spot admission and scholarships.

www.rockhurst.edu/transfer

“I came to Rockhurst for its smaller campus and class sizes.”

Melissa Harris, marketing major Kansas City, Mo.

Rockhurst University admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

A degree for every angle

Meramec Advising Center helps students choose area of study Meagan Roth-Roffy - Staff Writer -

Whether a student is looking to transfer to a four-year college, achieve a degree, or get back into school, there are classes for everyone.

“Our most popular degree is the general transfer studies AA. Our allied health degrees are also very popular. Nursing has had a waitlist for years, but now both our PTA and OTA programs have a waitlist,” said Julie Massey, manager of Academic Advising.

STLCC-Meramec offers five associate degrees: arts, science, applied science, fine arts and arts in teaching.

The associate in arts degree prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university. According to the STLCC website, general transfer studies are the most popular discipline. The associate in science degree prepares students in a specific area to attend a four-year college. The associate in applied science prepares students for entry-level jobs. The associate in fine arts is more for students in an art program who are looking to further their education at a four-year school. The Associate of Arts in Teaching prepares students for a teaching career in early education and provides a foundation to achieve a bachelor’s in education.

Meramec also offers a Certificate of Proficiency and a Certificate of Specialization. The Certificate of Proficiency usually requires a full year of full-time classes and is for those seeking jobs that do not require a degree.

The Certificate of Specialization is for those who are looking to add skills to further themselves in an existing job.

Carol Dury, Meramec and UMSL alumnus with a degree in education, said the program at Meramec was great. “This specific program has a lot of practicum hours required… There were not a lot of tests but several involved projects in different areas such as child psychology, school logs and research papers.”

After graduating from Meramec, Dury then went on to UMSL to get a Bachelor’s of Science in early childhood education.

“Since I was an early childhood major, I had to complete hours in a preschool or kindergarten classroom and in an elementary classroom since I would be certified from birth through third grade. Another requirement in order to graduate was to pass the Praxis test and my portfolio.,” said Dury.

Dury has some advice for incoming students who want to join the teaching program. “Study hard and get to know your teachers and advisors,” Dury said. “Also, study for the CBASE well in advance and begin taking it early on so that you will have time to pass all sections of the CBASE.” The CBASE has five sections: math, science, social studies, reading and writing. In order to receive an associate and bachelor’s degree, students need to pass every section of the test.

“And remember to have fun,” Dury said.

FINE ARTS

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TEACHING

SCIENCE

APPLIED SCIENCE

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Don’t Let Your Education Go Up In Smoke

While smoking will not be permitted anywhere in the interior of the campus and some parking lots of the Meramec campus and South County Education & University Center (SCEUC), smoking is allowed on the east and west parking lots of the Meramec campus and designated areas at SCEUC. Park your ‘butts’ in the urns/receptacles that have been placed throughout the parking lots and at major entry points at each location.

Citations Will Be Issued to Violators NO ‘BUTTS’ ABOUT IT! For more information, please contact the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs at 314-984-7609.

Campus security aims to keep Meramec safe HELP!!

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ILLUSTRATION BY: JACOB HIGHT

Shane Rice

- Assistant News Editor It is a dark and frightening night; the clouds block out light from the moon and the thought of walking alone is not appealing. Whether it is the threat of a domestic partner or a fellow student, STLCC-Meramec Campus Security may be the answer.

“It’s our goal to provide a safe and secure environment that’s conducive to students’ education,” said Meramec Chief of Security Paul Banta.

Banta has maintained his position since 2007 and with several other officers, there is a 24-hour watch on campus property. “We are a police department, we have all the same rights and authority as any other officer you come across,” said Banta.

All officers at Meramec are state certified. According to Banta, there are three patrolling officers on days and evenings, one on weekends and one patrolling after midnight. Banta said, “There is always someone available and/or patrolling the campus 24/7.”

Unlike other police departments, Meramec officers do not have quotas to meet. However, they belong to a Missouri patrol agency because STLCC Meramec is a state school. For this reason, Meramec’s security team can and are able to provide the same authority as any other municipality or state agency in Missouri.

According to Banta, there are sev-

eral areas with which students should make themselves familiar, includingemergency blue boxes located throughout the Meramec campus.

“These boxes are designed for students, faculty and staff to use in the event of any kind of disturbance such as domestic disputes, theft or as simply helping people access keys locked in one’s vehicle,” said Banta.

Blue boxes are linked directly to the police dispatcher on campus and will allow officers to respond quickly.

“There are about 12 boxes located within the campus,” said Banta.

Along with the emergency boxes Meramec security also has strategically placed video cameras around campus.

“We can monitor all parking lots at any time and are looking into adding interior cameras for public gathering areas on campus like the cafeteria or book store,” said Banta.

Banta said it’s not the job of campus officers to invade anyone’s privacy, nor do they intend to. “We just want to insure safety among all personnel on campus and for our students,” Banta said.

Officers on campus also assure safety by providing an escort service that allows officers to walk students and faculty to either their vehicles or building locations in the event one questions their safety.

“All in all, we just want to secure that students are getting their needs met in a safe environment,” said Banta.

Helpful Reminders Alert System An outdoor public address system will warn of any outside hazards, such as violent weather or public dangers on campus.

For example, anything that could put one’s life in jeopardy.

This system will allow people to either seek refuge or return home in the rare event something dangerous would happen.

Parking Tickets Officers can write parking tickets for such things as fire lane violations or parking in spots designated for staff and visitors. If need be, they may have vehicles towed.

No Smoking Officers can write citations for smoking on undesginated areas, but these do not hold a fine.

However, students could go through a student discipline procedure for those that don’t comply or have multiple offenses.

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The Montage asks, what do you wish you had known about Meramec earlier?

Student Kristen Huyett answers.

One thing I wish I would have known sooner as a Meramec student is that STLCC is one of the top community colleges in the nation.

It is something to be proud of. But what that means for students is even more important. It means access to top professors, classes, programs, facilities and extracurricular activities which translate into opportunities. There are opportunities to be involved in leadership, intellectual pursuit, community service, free concerts, speakers and plays, athletics and campus clubs. So how do you get involved, what might make some students hesitant, and why would someone want to get involved? Here are a few suggestions.

To get involved, I’ve learned that even though Meramec has a plethora of opportunities, they must be sought out. For example, growing up, I could be a shy kid who waited for someone to ask me to play four square and my feelings were hurt when I was left out. Then, in fifth grade, my friend, Kate, told me I would never have any friends if I didn’t go out and ask to be included. I have to admit her comment stung, but over time I realized she was right. I had to pursue friends; people were not always going to ask me to join in. Opportunities are the same. Sometimes good opportunities find you, but most of the time you have to initiate.

Come on though, let’s be honest. It’s not easy to initiate, put yourself out there, or step outside the box. Leaving your comfort zone can be one of the hardest things to do sometimes. I was nervous just going to the Club Days event on campus my first semester. I’ll admit the free food is what persuaded me to attend. I was unsure of the unknown and I didn’t know anyone on campus either.

One of my favorite authors, Donald Miller, wrote, “Fear isn’t only a guide to keep us safe; it’s also a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.” I don’t want to live a boring life, but fear of failure, my lack of confidence, or feeling I’m not smart enough can sometimes keep me from taking advantage of opportunities in my day- to- day life. What is great about Meramec is that it has been a safe place for me to make mistakes, learn and grow. There are also excellent professors and fellow students willing to help on that journey.

Furthermore, taking advantage of opportunities on campus does not require previous preparation and is not designated for certain individuals. Meramec is the training ground- a place to get started, a large lake to dip your big toe into at the very least. What is unique about a two-year versus a four-year institution is that they tend to be smaller and therefore allow for more access to a wide range of opportunities.

There are not as many students competing for the same resources. Take advantage of this. My best suggestion for getting involved is to start small by beginning to ask questions. Ask until you find your answer.

One thing you can gain through the opportunities available on campus is life experience which can also help you learn about yourself.

Learning about your strengths, weaknesses, likes or dislikes can help you figure out what you want to do in life and in which area you might want to major . If you are lucky enough to be someone with little commitments at this point in your life, take advantage of a valuable resource, time, and seize the day. Carpe Diem!

PHOTOS BY: JOE RAY AND DAN HANDING

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PHOTO BY: JAMES CARROLL

Adam Stehlin, singer of the band, Sack Lunch, performs in the 2010 Battle of the Bands. Each year, Battle of the Bands is held by SGC and attracts students and community members.

Profits from the event this year were donated to Meramec scholarships.

Andrea Royals

- News Editor Emeritus -

While some students at STLCCMeramec go to class every day only to go home the moment a lecture is over, several students choose to engage in campus life through the Student Governance Council (SGC). Meeting every other Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Student Center, SGC executive officers, representatives at large, and club spokespeople come together to discuss important events and issues on campus.

SGC President Kristen Huyett said she loves being a part of campus life and working with administrators and other students. Her involvement with SGC over the past two-and-half years has encouraged her to become more active in the college community.

“I have been enjoying having that sense of community on campus,” Huyett said. “I learn about leadership on a more nuanced level, and I cannot walk from one side of the campus to the other without seeing someone I know.”

Members of SGC, which include representatives from various student clubs and organizations, as well as members of the Student Activities

Council (SAC), serve not only the Meramec campus, but also the community, in several ways.

Some clubs choose to sponsor Friday night movies by passing out popcorn and soda to students and families for an inexpensive evening in the Student Center. Others may choose to manage the concession stand or count ticket stubs at Battle of the Bands, organized each year through SAC. Several clubs participate in holiday parties for community children, such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, where children can take a picture with the infamous Easter Bunny, or the haunted house that spooks youngsters during Halloween in the Student Center.

Members of campus organizations are also called to serve their community through various service projects in not only the surrounding area, but globally as well. Each year club members participate in the cleaning of Simpson Lake Park, located a few miles from the campus, by picking up trash and removing honeysuckle. In spring 2010, the Pre-Med Club held a fundraiser for peanut butter nutrition supplements for malnourished children in Haiti.

Members of SGC have also promoted several political issues on both

the Meramec campus and the St. Louis area.

“The reason I became involved with a club was because I cared about the same issues the club cared about,” said Huyett who was interested in social injustices and joined the Global Justice Club when she first arrived at Meramec. “I looked for something I cared about and pursued that,” she said.

Huyett said she was impressed with how active students had been during the last academic school year, especially with the increase in voter turnout for the MoPIRG reaffirmation election, promotion of Proposition A through the Transit Alliance and the petition to reinstate the former Vice President of Student Affairs, Stephen Petersen, Ph.D. “We had a large body of students saying ‘yes’ for the same thing,” Huyett said. “That is what I think is incredible and something that I have not seen at all in my two-and-a-half years here.”

Huyett said she appreciates her involvement with campus life and her decision to serve her community through SGC. “Between loving the community, being involved and taking on leadership roles, it was an easy choice for me.”

PHOTO BY: JENNIFER ROBERTS

A student signs up for more information regarding the Mathematics Club during Club Days. Club Days are held each semester by Student Governance Council (SGC) for students to get acquainted with clubs that STLCC-Meramec offers.

Now that You’re Here

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“Counselors offer students the opportunity to adjust their academic plans and strategies so that they will be able to achieve their stated goals.”

Helping pave the path to success...

Counselors available for academic, career guidance Patrick Olds

- Opinions Editor -

Counselors are readily available on every STLCC campus to assist with a wide array of situations that students face. From academic advising to career planning to personal problems, the counselors throughout STLCC-Meramec are a resource to utilize.

Lin Crawford is the department chairwoman of counseling. She helped give some insight into her area of expertise. “Often, students are unaware that counseling provides personal counseling services for all of our students free of charge. Often students experience job stress, academic difficulties, substance abuse, relationship problems, financial problems, etc. Counselors are available to discuss these issues as well as academic and career related issues,” said Crawford.

Academic counseling is the asset that most students should check out if unsure about setting academic goals, deciding which courses to take, adjusting to the difference between high school and college life and time management.

Counselors are able to help students learn different ways to achieve, deal with test anxieties, plan their future to a four-year school, and make students aware of the resources available to them as an STLCC student.

Academic counseling is also available to help struggling students on academic probation during school. If a student falls below a 2.0 GPA during their time at Meramec, then they forfeit their right to self-advising which means that course selections and planning is only done with a counselor.

Crawford said, “Counselors offer students the opportunity to adjust their academic plans and strategies so that they will be

able to achieve their stated goals.”

Career counseling is a valuable resource that can put students on a path to a career of their interest and abilities. This will help if a student is somewhat lost or does not have a clearly defined plan for his or her future. This service can be extremely valuable.

Students don't necessarily have to take classes that don’t interest or benefit their future and can save money in the process.

There are plenty of services that counselors have at their disposal that help to decipher different interests of each individual student, such as discussions and assessment tests, as well as personality and interest inventories. These tools help to find the strengths and weaknesses of each student while gauging their interest in certain relatable careers.

“Sometimes, students can be encouraged to seek help with the assistance of a friend or trusted fac-

ulty member. This can help build trust and confidence in the counselor.

Also, knowing that all counseling sessions are confidential is an important factor in deciding to seek help," said Crawford.

Issues may arise from family problems, to depression, drug and alcohol abuse, or many others that are difficult to control without help.

Crawford alluded to the fact that knowing resources are available is half the battle most students face when in college, whether it be from academic, career, or personal issues, it is difficult to improve the situation if there is no one to talk to. There are always counselors available for any situation, and they would be more than happy to help or point students in the right direction. Meramec counselors are located in Clark Hall Ad, 202. Their website is http://stlcc.edu/Student_ Resources/Counseling.

Now that You’re Here

-Lin Crawford

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Books, films, encyclopedias. Oh my!

Now that You’re Here

PHOTO BY: NATE CORLEY

The library at STLCC-Meramec offers books, textbooks, films on demand, study rooms, academic databases and comfortable seating for students and faculty. The library is open every day during the spring and fall semesters and serves approximately 9,000 students a week. and the magazine section. for their classes. by the circulation desk.

Nate Corley The second floor includes The online databases Sanquinet said students - Staff Writer the quiet study area, where give the students access to with disabilities will have students can go to look over hundreds of subjects , some access to equipment that Beyond the Humani- notes or read a book. The with links to specific and may enhance their library ties East building and across second floor is also home to controversial topics in both experience. the sunbathed library quad various multimedia, includ- written and film format. In “The library prides itself lies the center of knowledge ing the Hollywood film col- addition to the databases, with its adaptive equipment at STLCC-Meramec: the li- lection and a collection of the library offers students to assist the disabled with brary. books on CD. to use a new feature called sight and hearing equipIn the past year, the liSanquinet said, “The li- “films on demand” which ment for the computers and brary has undergone nu- brary has more than 120,000 gives students the chance to TV monitors,” said Sanquimerous changes and reno- volumes with an expansion see hundreds of biographinet. vations including adding a created by the Mobius sys- cal films and documentaries For class study groups, new research and study lab. tem that allows students to from the comfort of their the library offers a quiet The library has also taken order from a collection of computers. place to converse with six steps to tie it to the every- more than 22 million books The library is equipped study rooms on the second day lives of its patrons with from other campuses in the with 17 wireless laptops floor. posters of students who fre- area.” which students are able to Sanquinet said, “The quently use its resources.

The library uses its bud- check out and use within the library is one of the most Bonnie Sanquinet, Mer- get to further its role in in- library. Located on the first comfortable places to be on amec library manager, said, formation and knowledge floor of the library is a media campus with its quiet setting “The library boasts a patron- by purchasing proprietary section where students can and comfortable seating arage of around 9,000 students databases (databases pur- use one of 40 desktop comrangements.” a week.” chased by the library from puters for academic use, and According to Sanquinet The library consists of different information corpo- the second floor offers 22 the library tries to make the two floors. The first floor rations) that are available to additional computers. The students’ experience at colis organized into five sec- all Meramec students. These library also gives students lege more fruitful and less tions: the main checkout, databases allow students the chance to copy and print stressful, while still open the printing station, the to access information from their work with the use of a main resources search desk, various media to help with “print card” which can be to suggestions by the stuthe main computer section research papers and projects purchased on the first floor dents to make it even better.

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Joe Ray

- Multimedia Editor -

Student Life helps get students away from the everyday school work that happens at STLCC-Meramec. There are plenty of clubs around campus where students can get involved in their favorite hobby or activity.

The Musician Club is one way students can get active with the music scene or learn an instrument that they have always wanted to play.

Gary Gackstatter, who is the coordinator of music at Meramec, leads the Musician Club.

“To be a college music department, we need people from the college be involved in it. A lot of students here and community members need to get involved too,” Gackstatter said.

“They don’t know we have a really fun choir, a

great orchestra, an outstanding symphonic band and a great jazz band that perform twice a semester here on campus.”

Gackstatter also said through the members of the music club, he believes the concerts can create a bigger audience and may help get the community involved.

Anyone can join, even if someone just has a love for music. People that are interested in joining can contact Gackstatter or Jerry Myers.

One club that is heavily involved on the Meramec campus is the International Club, which is known for their fundraising and performances on campus. The International Club is one way to discover the different cultures that are part of the campus.

Vidyullata Waghulde, Ph.D., associate professor for the physical science department, is one of the moderators for the International

Club.

“We have students from all different cultures and from all over the world,” Waghulde said. The goal of the International Club, according to Waghulde, is to increase the cultural diversity and get everyone involved to understand different cultures and be more humane to people.

“The International Club is also part of service learning. Many of our students are ESL (English as Second Language) students.

We have an international banquet, where we bring in food from the different countries and usually bring in 300 people from the community,” Waghulde said.

Anyone can join the International Club, which meets every other Friday in room SC 201, during the fall and spring semesters.

The Theatre Club is another club on campus that tries to get everyone

involved. It is a club that coincides with the Theater Program.

Michelle Rebello, theatre professor at Meramec, leads the Theatre Club.

“The club works as an extracurricular program, that helps to prepare for any plays that are going on at Meramec. It is important for the theatre to also have a club that supports our program,” Rebello said.

The clubs also support services to the community as well as provide a social function, according to Rebello.

The Theater Club meets in either the Green Room or studio in TH 112 on Friday afternoons. People interested in joining Theatre Club should contact Rebello.

There are many more clubs that are a part of Student Life. For a full list of clubs, visit, http://stlcc.edu/ MC/Campus_Life.html or visit Campus Life in room 220 in the Student Center.

PHOTO BY: DAN HANDING

The Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the STLCC-Meramec theatre. The Meramec music department sponsored this event, along with sponsoring the Music Club. The Music Club on campus invites all students and community members who have a love for music.

Now that You’re Here

Clubs to fit every body and every hobby

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GEEK ALERT

Now that You’re Here

Thousands of wires, countless machines and a large staff populate several floors of the Joseph P. Cosand Community College Center. What are they doing there?

They comprise the hub that operates the widespread telecommunications for all STLCC campuses. A full explanation of the software, hardware and services that they oversee wouldn’t even begin to fit in just a few pages. Suffice it to say that students, faculty and staff are connected to a massive infrastructure. From installing Adobe Creative Suite 5 in graphic design classrooms, to providing automated registration kiosks, find out what what’s new in technology for the Fall 2010 semester at STLCCMeramec.

Anna Nowotny

- In-Depth Editor Emeritus -

When Joseph Craig Klimczak, Ph.D., was a student at University of Missouri-Columbia, he had to scroll through microfiche or microfilm in the library to find information for research papers. Today, Klimczak, STLCC vice chancellor for Technology and Educational Support Services (TESS), loves to talk about the latest technology that helps STLCC campuses run smoothly. TESS ensures that students are just a few clicks away from registering for classes, viewing their grades on Banner, or taking a test on Blackboard.

“Education is primarily an information business.

Technology is how we deliver it,” Klimczak said.

Klimczak looks for ways to deliver information to an expanding student body with the best technology STLCC can afford. If the 52-page self-assessment that outlines TESS’s goals for each year is any indication, this is no easy task.

According to Klimczak, STLCC stores more records than University of MissouriColumbia. To do this and more, TESS maintains 148 servers on the 3rd floor of the Cosand Center downtown.

In response to budget constraints, increased security challenges, and increased user traffic, TESS has made

many changes to telecommunications in the seven years since Klimczak has been vice chancellor.

“Since I’ve been here we no longer print grades,” said Klimczak. “So much of what we do now is being produced electronically.”

Changes like this one aid efficiency and free up money to spend on upgrading or adding new technology like the STLCC student email (my.stlcc.edu).

“My most favorite memory is the student e-mail project,” said Klimczak. “So many people worked together, got excited, got engaged.”

Not every change comes without hurdles. Students enrolled for 2010 spring semester at STLCC-Meramec may remember when Blackboard failed one week before finals.

“We had a particularly tough spring,” Klimczak said.

Blackboard was upgraded in January. When the number of people logging on tripled during peak times to 360 people within a fiveminute period, the drives and control links couldn’t handle the volume.

TESS and its STLCCMeramec counterpart, Campus Technology and Support (CTSS), work together to manage crises such as this one. TESS got Blackboard up and running again after one hour.

“We are constantly mea-

“Education is primarily an information business.

Technology is how we deliver it.”

-Joseph Craig Klimczak

PHOTO BY: JOE RAY

TESS employees Greg Atwood and Michael Petz reconnect a server to be used for the STLCC telephone system. This particular server provides lists of telephone users throughout the district. suring, assessing and troubleshooting,” Klimczak said.

TESS is in the process of implementing a second Blackboard in case the one being used fails.

Other changes that will directly affect students will make Banner and Blackboard more accessible.

At this time, logging into Banner and Blackboard requires two different sets of login names and passwords.

In the near future, students will only need use their my.stlcc.edu to login to both.

“We’re going to get that done this year,” Klimczak said.

Klimczak not only understands the intricacies of technology, he also sees the big picture.

“The problems we are solving are bigger, more complex and more global.

So, solutions have to be bigger, more complex and more

global,” Klimczak said. He stresses the importance of collaboration in today’s increasingly complex world.

According to Klimczak, Microsoft’s Sharepoint management software makes collaboration possible. Members of STLCC-Meramec’s Student Governance Council use it when they log in to groups.stlcc.edu and access their group’s documents and discussions.

According to Klimczak, telecommunications systems on campus and beyond are constantly changing. As soon as one mechanism is updated, another is obsolete. For some, this may be daunting, but for Klimczak, it is one of the hallmarks of success.

“The greatest thing about my job is nothing is ever the same. If it is, you are not making any progress,” Klimczak said.

Now that You’re Here

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STLCC-Meramec students spend free time in the Student Commons. The Student Commons houses a cafeteria and several areas to sit down and relax.

HOT SPOTS on and off campus

STLCC-Meramec students may find lounge time during their school day. There are mulitple places on or close to campus that students may find relaxing, fun or a nice place to study.

Kavahn Mansouri - Art & Life Editor -

The Quad

Where? In front of the Library.

Why? Meramec’s quad is nothing short of a perfect place to spend time on campus.

With plenty of space for sports and quiet for reading, the quad offers a unique parklike area for students to kick back and enjoy the fair-weather days of the year.

Student Commons

Where? Inside the Student Center.

Why? With a bountiful selection of meals, the cafeteria, or the Student Commons, is a convenient place to read, eat, spend some free time with friends, or study in-between classes.

Not to mention the staff in the cafeteria are all friendly and happy to be of service. The commons also provides four flat screen TVs to watch the news, sports, and if students are lucky they will catch “The Price is Right.”

Culpeppers

Where? 312 S. Kirkwood Road Why? Culpeppers has friendly staff, delicious food and a great location in a historic part of St. Louis. Culpepper’s is a delicious restaurant to grab a quick a bite to eat.

Whether it be for their renowned wings or their spacious patio, Culpeppers provides a affordable hang out. This spot is a fun hang out for family and/or friends.

Bar Louie Where? 110 S. Kirkwood Road Why? Located in downtown Kirkwood across from the Kirkwood Courthouse, Bar Louie is a locally renowned place to kick back and get something to eat. Providing multiple plasma screen televisions, it’s a perfect location to watch the game or get together with friends. Happy hour deals are plentiful and the bar is a good spot to enjoy drinks.

PHOTO BY: LIZ RULE

Kaldi’s Coffeehouse is located in the downtown Kirkwood area.

Kaldi’s Coffeehouse

Where? 120 S. Kirkwood Road Why? A perfect, quick, cheap stop for any student, Kaldi’s Coffeehouse is in downtown Kirkwood. With a large patio that doesn't regularly get crowded, it’s easy to see why this spot became so popular to Meramec students.

Providing soups, sandwiches, pastries, beer, wine and needless to say, coffee, Kaldi’s has established itself as a great spot to relax and study for an hour or two.

Now that You’re Here

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Students find solace in TANF program

Now that You’re Here

PHOTO BY: JOE RAY

Student Advocate Doris Durgins-Johnson meets with a Meramec student. TANF is a state-run program that was created to address the needs of students who are receiving public assistance.

Shane M. Rice

- Asst. News Editor -

Latreecia Wade, a former student at STLCC-Meramec, said she had limited direction and no certainties on the direction she wanted to take her life. Wade was a victim of domestic abuse and had little-to-no support from family in this pursuit. Not sure of where to turn or what to do, Wade found solace in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) advocacy program.

Student Advocate Doris Durgins-Johnson for TANF at Meramec said, “Something as big as your education is going to be difficult to do all by yourself. There are people here on campus that are eager to help and will do all they can to help you become a success.”

With a struggling economy, there are students that need additional help in or-

der to maintain school and family necessities. TANF is a state-run program and was created to help address the needs of students that are receiving public assistance.

The goal of TANF on campus is to help students in need achieve their educational goals. Any STLCC students in need of TANF services are eligible to apply, regardless of receipt of public assistance.

Durgins-Johnson said the main thing with TANF at STLCC-Meramec is to help

students remove barriers in their education or anything that may distract them from being successful in their goals and/or admirations.

TANF provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states, territories, and tribes the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. The assistance is time-limited and promotes work, responsibility and selfsufficiency.

“Whatever the problem

“My door is open to everyone; don’t feel embarrassed. We are here to help.”

-Doris Durgins-Johnson

may be, we get involved.

There’s nothing that makes me raise an eye brow anymore, and I’ve seen and heard it all,” said DurginsJohnson.

Durgins-Johnson said another positive aspect of TANF, exclusively at Meramec, is a community educator. This educator works with the Parent as Educators program (PAE) throughout the high schools by assisting young women who may be expecting a child with parenting classes, preparation for birth, and anything else that may be relevant to their needs.

Though TANF is dominantly fitted for women, men/fathers may also benefit.

“My door is open to everyone; don’t feel embarrassed.

We are here to help and there’s nothing wrong with asking for it,” said DurginsJohnson.

According to the TANF Office, 80 percent of the students involved with TANF are victims of either domestic violence or some form of abuse. “All they need to do is step toward our Office and let us guide them back towards the road of success and healing,” said DurginsJohnson.

TANF offers several opportunities for students.

Among them are IDAs (Individual Development Accounts), where women who have been involved with some form of domestic violence can use their cash allowance to save money and not have it counted against their food stamps or other assistant benefits.

“I want them to have a second wind to keep going, to be an inspiration,” said DurginsJohnson. Let the TANF Office help turn the opportunity for education into success.

www.meramecmontage.com

Helping Hands

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Shane Rice

- Assistant News Editor -

STLCC-Meramec thirdyear student Matt Hasheider was diagnosed with a behavior disorder, learning disorder, and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). During Hasheider’s third year of college, he was placed on academic probation because of his grades.

“I thought I could do it on my own,” said Hasheider.

He said because of the support and services of the Access Office, he was able to bring his grades up.

One in 5 Americans are affected by some form of disability according to a report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. With help from the rehabilitation act of 1973,

colleges have been able to provide reasonable accommodations that promote the development of disability support like the Access Office at STLCC-Meramec located in Clark Hall Room 120.

Linda D. Nissenbaum, manager of the Access Office, said, “The Access Office is where students with disabilities can come to receive accommodations that will provide equal access to the college’s activities, programs and services.” The Access Office also works with faculty/staff to help them better understand how to educate students with disabilities.

There are several forms of disability the Access Office provides assistance with, such as learning disorders,

ADHD, and or physical disabilities like blindness and/ or deafness/hard of hearing, just to name a few.

Second-year Meramec student Kristen Huyett said, “I don’t think my experience at Meramec would be as successful as it has been without the services and support of the Access Office.” Huyett was diagnosed with a learning disorder and said that sometimes teachers don’t understand how a disability can affect learning or the ranges of disabilities.

“The Access Office advocates for students and tries to better educate those that may have limited knowledge when it comes to disabilities,” said Huyett.

According to Nissenbaum, there are steps that students must take in order

PHOTO BY: COURTNEY STARK

Amy Bird, employee of the Access Office, assists two students. The Access Office provides services to students who need academic assistance.

to receive accommodation.

The first step students seeking help must take is going to the Access Office and applying for services. A student must also meet with one of the professional staff members for an intake.

“The intake is so we can get an understanding of what kind of disability a student may have and what accommodations or help they may need for their disability,” said Nissenbaum.

The Access Office also requires a student to provide documentation of their disability. However, if a student does not have documentation, then the Access Office can refer them to someone off campus to receive documentation.

“We cannot provide documentation on campus or diagnose a disability, but if the disability is quite obvious we can start working on accommodations,” said Nissenbaum.

The goal of the Access Office is to help students be as independent as possible.

Huyett said, “The counselors really listen and understand what students with disabilities go through.”

Hasheider said it wasn’t until he started looking into transferring to another school that he got serious and got the help he needed.

“I regret not seeking help sooner,” said Hasheider.

According to Hasheider, the Access Office cares about students and their future.

Hasheider said, “The best thing in my opinion about the Access Office is knowing they’re there for you. They help keep you focused, and they really care about your future.”

Now that You’re Here

Access Office provides academic assistance

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There is more to the school cafeteria than food The STLCC-Meramec cafeteria is often surrounded by controversy regarding prices and the quality of the food. However, when students encounter cashier Faye Bryant, they are always greeted with a smile and a welcoming laugh.

Now that You’re Here ARCHIVE PHOTO: NICK SCHENELE

Faye Bryant, STLCC-Meramec cafeteria cashier.

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Faye Bryant is known by students, faculty and staff at Meramec for her laugh and positive attitude.

Amanda Keefe

- Contributing Writer -

She begins her job at 10 a.m. every morning. She starts her day off on a positive note, thankful for the cheap bus commute to and from the school.

After putting her apron on, she makes her way to her cashier stand where she collects students’ money for food in the cafeteria.

Faye Bryant says she enjoys working in the STLCC-Meramec cafeteria as a cashier, and some students enjoy her company just as much.

“I don’t know. I guess it’s the people and the students,” said Bryant about what makes her happy at her job. “Ya’ll keep me going.”

After working at Meramec for two years, she’s become a popular figure around campus for some.

As students come through the line one by one, nearly each has a new story to tell her and almost everyone makes her laugh.

“The students make me like this,” Bryant said as she donned a beaming grin.

“They’re just a really nice

bunch of kids.”

Dressed in her apron, comfy shoes and a smile, Bryant sits at the register, eagerly awaiting students.

Recently she styled her hair differently and she’s gotten a few comments on it from students and staff alike.

“You like it?” she said, touching her new hairdo.

“It’s my Tina Turner look.

I thought I’d do something different.”

Bryant raised four children of her own and was known around her community in South St. Louis City for helping “raise” a lot of kids in the neighborhood as well. Perhaps this contributes to her rapport with students and her love for being around them. Bryant is also a grandmother and she said she has a close relationship with her grandchildren.

“If I’m ever having a rough day, I’ll call my granddaughter,” Bryant said. “I know she’s always good for a laugh.”

Bryant said that throughout her time working in the cafeteria, she has only had one bad day.

“I had to work over the

weekend once, and Monday rolled around and I was exhausted,” she said. “I thought, ‘Lord please help me!’” she said, chuckling.

Often what keeps Bryant going throughout her day is the music playing in the cafeteria.

“We keep it on the oldies station,” she said. “I love listening to my music. It’s the last thing I turn off before I leave for the day.”

It’s obvious, too. If a song comes on that Bryant enjoys, she usually sings it aloud and comments on it to students.

Most of the time, Bryant is great at making a positive impression on students. She can also give positive support. For example, a student came through the line stressing about a tough test she had just taken.

“Oh, baby. Don’t worry.

You did great. I’m sure you did,” said Bryant to the student.

Although Bryant is responsible for working the register, she has other duties as well. Consistently throughout her shift, she makes sure all the food stands are stocked and or-

ARCHIVE PHOTO: NICK SCHENELE

ganized. She cleans and straightens all items so it “always looks nice for the kids,” she said.

Always friendly with co-workers, Bryant is willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed. She said that the staff in the cafeteria is another positive aspect of the work environment.

“The people I work with are great,” she said. “They’re a real support team.”

She was hired under Chef Jeff, another known figure on campus. Bryant had a lot of good things to say about our head chef here at Meramec.

“If you can’t work for Chef Jeff, you can’t work for nobody,” she said.

Almost always cheery, Bryant can touch students’ lives, and for those few minutes she’s checking out their items, she can help to remind us of the simple joys in life. She sometimes adds that little something extra in our day.

“Sometimes this job can be boring as hell,” she said, putting her hand to her hip.

“But ya’ll spice it up for me.”

She laughs.

Now that You’re Here

Faye Bryant, spicing up lunch with a smile

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Now that You’re Here

PHOTO BY: JEANETTA ROBERTS

Meramec’s baseball team, Meramec Magic, played a game in Busch stadium, against the Forest Park Highlanders. More than 20 players from the Meramec Magic participated in this event.

And then there were five...

Alex Ferrario - Staff Writer -

Joe Ray

- Mulitmedia Editor -

After losing men’s soccer, men’s wrestling and women’s volleyball, due to the lowering of the college’s operating budget, STLCC-Meramec athletics will be limited to five sports. Coming out of the 2009-2010 athletic year, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s softball and men’s baseball look to come together to bring the magic back to Meramec.

Women’s Soccer

Meramec’s women’s soccer team is led by coach Jeff Karl. This was coach Karl’s 27 season as head coach of the Meramec women’s soccer team. The team finished the 2009 season with a record of 7-6 and a conference record of 2-0. The season starts in the fall.

Women’s Basketball Meramec has a women’s basketball team led by coach Michelle Ethridge. The 2009-2010 season was Ethridge’s first with the Meramec team.

“Although this was my first year at Meramec, I have 16 years of coaching under my belt. I’ve coached at SWIC, UMSL, and now currently at Meramec,” said Ethridge.

Ethridge said that although they ended with a

season they had not intended, they are more prepared for the next season.

“Our record last season was 11-15, certainly not our goal, however, we did play a lot of D1 schools to gain the necessary experience that should prove to be beneficial for our upcoming season,” said Ethridge.

The upcoming season starts in November.

“Anyone can try out all you have to do is attend on August 24 through the 26 at 2 p.m., in the gym,” said Ethridge.

Men’s Basketball The men’s basketball team, headed by coach Randall Albrecht. This will be Albrecht’s 34 season coaching men’s basketball, and prior to coaching at Meramec, Albrecht coached 11 years for St. Louis University. After the 2009-2010 sea-

son, the team finished 21-11 season along with being 11-3 at home. The 2010-2011 season starts in October, and according to Albrecht, anyone interested in joining the team should enroll in Advanced Basketball class this fall, a five-week class that Albrecht teaches.

Women’s Softball The women’s softball team is led by coach Kimberly McCall. This was McCall’s second season as head coach. The team finished the 2010 spring season with a 17-42 record.

McCall said that most players don’t need to try out, but those that are new to the sport are more-thanwelcome to tryout.

“Most of the time, I do not need to do tryouts because I have recruited the players I want already. My tryouts would consist of seeing all

of the player’s skills and conditioning levels,” McCall said.

Those interested in women’s soccer,

Men’s Baseball

The Meramec Men’s Baseball team is led by Coach Anthony Dattoli, who has been coaching men’s baseball for 17 years at the collegiate level with eight of them at Meramec.

Coach Dattoli had defined a record of 30-29 and a 1014 record in their conference last season.

“Last baseball season, was a year that we underachieved drastically. We were definitely capable of qualifying for a national championship,” said Coach Dattoli. “Baseball tryouts will begin in July and any student, with specific questions can send me an e-mail” said Coach Dattoli.

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CA AP and Gown

Taking the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency test is the prospective graduates’ last hurdle before receiving a degree

Andrea Royals

- News Editor Emeritus -

After spending several semesters studying for quizzes, collaborating in group projects, writing essays and listening to lecture after lecture, the tasks of a student seeking an associate degree at STLCC-Meramec are not quite finished. Students are required to take the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) Test, an exam given to all prospective graduates.

However future graduates may fear not! The exam is an evaluation of the General Education Program at Meramec and does not affect student grade point averages, said Ray EberleMayse, manager of the Assessment Center.

Through the CAAP test, areas of general education requirements, including writing, reading, science, math, and critical thinking are evaluated. According to the Assessment Center, the test allows the college to measure what future graduates have learned in areas critical to professional success.

“We look at the results of the test as a whole by subject area,” said EberleMayse.

If a student was tested on the critical thinking part of the exam, the

assessment center would be concerned with the critical thinking scores of all the students who took the test in a particular academic year, he said, explaining that the CAAP Test does not reflect the abilities of a certain student over another.

Rather, the test scores from students at Meramec are collected and evaluated based upon national scores from similar colleges and universities across the country over a period of five years.

This assessment is one of several resources that help general education faculty to determine the effectiveness of the current curriculum. “This is one of a number of pieces of information faculty might utilize to determine what, if anything, they might do differently or better,” Eberle-Mayse said. Professors may also evaluate assignments and activities done in class to measure the effectiveness of the curriculum.

“In all cases, Meramec students score at or above the national average,” Eberle-Mayse said, praising mathematics as the strongest area in which Meramec students test.

“Students who don’t take it seriously sometimes don’t do it very well. While it doesn’t affect their grade point average, we just ask students to give it an honest effort.”

Students are not tested in each of the five areas of general education but given a section of the test through a random sample. “It is kind of luck of the draw,” Eberle-Mayse said. “The test is not based upon strength or program of study.”

If a student refuses to take the exam, he or she may not graduate with an associate degree. Students seeking certificates in a particular area are not required to take the exam, EberleMayse said, since certificate programs do not always incorporate the core components of the General Education Program.

After registering for graduation, students in their last semester at Meramec will receive a notification from the Assessment Center asking them to choose one of several allotted time slots to complete the test throughout the semester.

The multiple choice assessment takes an hour to complete and students are asked to bring photo identification and student identification number to the allotted testing hour. The Meramec curriculum does not require that students complete the essay portion of the assessment. Students wishing to view sample questions of the exam prior to the testing date may visit http://act.org/caap.

Before You Leave

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY COURTNEY STARK

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MUSIC

at

Meramec

The Music Department at Meramec offers courses and ensembles for all students.

You may take courses for general education credit or pursue the Associate of Arts in Music degree to prepare for transfer into a Bachelor of Music or Music Education program. ** SC H O LA R SH IPS A V A ILA B L E **

COURSES

MUS 101,102,201,202 MUS 103 MUS 113 MUS 114 MUS 115,116 MUS 121,122,221,222 MUS 128 MUS 130 MUS 138,139,216 MUS 141,142,241,242 MUS 143 MUS 211,212

Music Theory I,II,III,IV Basic Music The History of Jazz The Enjoyment of Music Class Voice I,II Class Piano I,II,III,IV Survey of Rock Music Beginning Guitar Jazz Improvisation I,II,III Applied Music (Lessons) I,II,III,IV Introduction to Desktop Publishing Music History I,II

Interested in performing in an ensemble?

All Meramec students may participate. No audition is required!

ENSEMBLES

Music 132 – Orchestra Music 133 – Jazz Lab Band Music 134 – Symphonic Band Music 135 – Concert Choir & Chamber Choir All ensembles hold a seat/part assignment hearing during the first rehearsal.

Members of the Concert Choir may audition for the Chamber Choir.

For more information, contact the Meramec Music Department Gary Gackstatter, Director of Instrumental Music, ggackstatter@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7636 Dr. Jerry Myers, Director of Choral Activities & Music Theory, gmyers34@stlcc.edu, (314) 984-7638

Art

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Looking Back

Alumni reflect on successes and obstacles - Staff Writer -

K

erry Myers owned his own construction business before beginning his current career as an architectural designer. He attended STLCC-Meramec in order to make the career transition.

“I grew up in construction. I worked at it during summers in high school,” said Myers.

After 10 years of working with architect clients as a construction worker, Myers decided to become an architectural designer. To increase his knowledge of the industry and learn how to work more effectively with architects, Myers enrolled in degree programs at Meramec and Longview College.

“College helped me in dealing with architect clients. It gave me knowledge to put together designs to propose to potential clients,” said Myers.

Completing the degree requirements for an associate degree from Meramec helped Myers build on his foundation of experience and reach new heights in his career.

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CARLOS RESTREPO

or some students, Meramec plays a small but essential supporting role in their education.

Timothy Nowak graduated from Benedictine College with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish. On his way to this achievement, Nowak completed a biology and Spanish course at the Meramec campus. As a student with a learning disability, Nowak found the assistance he needed to succeed at Meramec.

“I overcame this [disability] by

working with my professors and the student tutors to get extra [support and tools] needed to maximize my testing performance,” said Nowak.

The challenge of overcoming a disability did not slow Nowak down; he graduated from Benedictine College in three years.

Nowak was able to accelerate his graduation because he took advantage of the summertime to earn college credit by taking classes at Meramec.

“I feel the key to academic success is hard work and perseverance,” said Nowak.

He is scheduled to receive a Master’s in International Business after the summer 2010.

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any students benefit from the opportunity to complete a degree program at Meramec that will fulfill all prerequisites in the degree program at their chosen transfer school. Leah Miklovic was one of those students.

An environmental science and chemistry major, Miklovic earned an Associate in Arts degree from Meramec in spring 2009.

“Since I received my associate degree, I have attended two universities, and both universities accepted all my courses from the community college,” said Miklovic.

Miklovic was impressed with the low cost of taking courses at St. Louis Community College.

“I am very happy with the decision I made to take my general education courses at St. Louis Community College because I saved myself a lot of money,” said Miklovic.

A full-time student at Southeast Missouri State University, Miklovic intends to graduate May 2011.

Before You Leave

Clinton Borror

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GRAPH YOUR FUTURE STLCC provides traditional students with the opportunity to earn a degree and fulfill credits required to transfer to a four-year college or university. The following data is based on the 2009 academic year and was provided by The Institutional Research Department.

INFOGRAPHICS BY ANNA NOWOTNY

Top Ten

TRANSFER SCHOOLS

Before You Leave

1 University of Missouri - St. Louis 571 2 Webster University 153 3 Maryville University 114 4 Lindenwood University 110 5 Fontbonne University 106 6 Saint Louis University 101 7 Harris-Stowe State University 100 8 University of Missouri - Columbia 97 9 Southeast Missouri State University 59 10 Columbia College - Columbia 51

4

10 8 Columbia

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1 5 2

270

St. Louis

6 7

44

9 Springfield

Top Ten

MAJORS 13,394

General Transfer Studies Selected Courses

3,371 1,530

Business Administration 976

Teaching 581

Early Care & Education Nursing Accounting Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement

472

AA

419

AS

400

Human Services

362

Graphic Communications

356

AFA AAT

5 Degrees

OF MERAMEC AA - 5,785 Associate of Applied Science AAS - 1,586 Associate of Arts and Teaching AAT - 413 Associate of Fine Arts AFA - 292 Associate of Science AS - 150 Associate of Arts

AAS

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Top Ten Most Common Transfer Schools:

1 University of Missouri - St. Louis One University Blvd.

St. Louis, Mo. 63121 http://umsl.edu

2 Webster University

470 E. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63119 http://webster.edu

3 Maryville University

650 Maryville University Drive St. Louis, Mo. 63141 http://maryville.edu

4 Lindenwood University 209 S. Kingshighway St. Charles, Mo. 63301 http://lindenwood.edu

5 Fontbonne University 6800 Wydown Blvd.

St. Louis, Mo. 63105 http://fontbonne.edu

6 Saint Louis University

One Grand Blvd.

St. Louis, Mo. 63103 http://imagine.slu.edu

7 Harris - Stowe University 3026 Laclede Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63103 http://hssu.edu

8 University of Missouri - Columbia 105 Jesse Hall Columbia, Mo. 65211 http://missouri.edu

9 Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701 http://semo.edu

10 Columbia College - Columbia 1001 Rogers St. Columbia, Mo. 65203-4193 http://ccis.edu

General Information:

Financial Aid Office:

Admissions Office:

(314) 516 - 5000

(314) 516 - 5526

(314) 516 - 5451

(314) 961 - 2660

(314) 968 - 6992

(314) 968 - 6991

(800) 627 - 9855

(800) 627 - 9360

(800) 627 - 9350

(636) 949 - 2000

(636) 949 - 4923

(636) 949 - 4949

(314) 862 - 3456

(314) 889 - 1414

(314) 889 - 1400

(314) 977 - 2222

(314) 977 - 2350

(314) 977 - 2500

(314) 340 - 3366

(314) 340 - 3500

(314) 340 - 3300

(573) 882 - 2121

(573) 882 - 7506

(573) 882 - 7786

(573) 651 - 2000

(573) 651 - 2253

(573) 651 - 2590

(573) 875-7300

(573) 875-7390

(573) 875-7352

Before You Leave

NEXT STOP: A four-year university

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Donate a Dream

If you’re a healthy female between ages 21 and 32, you can help give the gift of life to an infertile woman by becoming an egg donor.

You’ll be compensated $5,000 per completed cycle. Call the Washington University Infertility and Reproductive Medicine Center at 314-286-2425 or visit BarnesJewish.org to learn more.

BJH3751_IVFdonor1.75wx4t_ad_Rev1.indd 1/14/09 1

9:57:01 AM

How much will your career pay back?

ess Busin vices l Ser Socia Law

Co

ion

Educat

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Bohemian poet or business man? Students may face this question at the time of picking a career and The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a glimpse at how much occupations pay on average. This is based on the major occupational groups and the estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas in every state and the District of Columbia.

Management Mean Hourly $49.47

Mean Annual $102,900

Mean Hourly $31.68

Architecture and Engineering

Life, Physical and Social Science

Community and Social Services

Mean Hourly $31.57

Legal Occupations Mean Hourly $46.07

Mean Annual $76,290 Mean Annual $65,660 Mean Annual $95,820

geme

Business and Financial Operations

Computer and Mathematical Science Mean Hourly $36.68

Mean Hourly $35.38

Mean Hourly $20.55

Education, Training and Library Mean Hourly $23.81

nt Medicine

Mean Annual $65,900 Mean Annual $73,590 Mean Annual $42,750 Mean Annual $49,530

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media

Healthcare Practitioner and Technical

Protective Service

Food Preparation and Serving-Related

Mean Hourly $24.87

Mean Hourly $20.07

Mean Annual $51,720 Mean Annual $41,740

Mean Hourly $33.51

Mean Hourly $10.04

Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance

Personal Care and Service

Sales and Related

Office and Administrative Support

Mean Hourly $12.00 Mean Hourly $17.32

Farming, Fishing and Forestry Mean Hourly $11.53

Mean Annual $24,970 Mean Annual $36,020

Mean Annual $23,990

Installation, Maintenance & Repair Mean Hourly $20.30

Mean Annual $42,210

Mean Hourly $11.87

Mean Hourly $15.86

Construction and Extraction Mean Hourly $20.84

Production

Mean Hourly $16.01

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Mean Annual $69,690 Mean Annual $20,880 Mean Annual $24,680 Mean Annual $32,990 Mean Annual $43,350 Mean Annual $33,290

Before You Leave

Money Crossroads

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To get you where you need to go, one organization offers you vast opportunities to help you develop and discover your personal, academic and professional potential.

Phi Theta Kappa - Xi Lambda International honor society of the two-year college Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of the two-year college.

Its mission is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students, and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programs.

The mission, however, is just a small part of who we are.

To be eligible to join Phi Theta Kappa - Xi Lambda, Meramec’s local chapter, students must have a GPA of at least 3.5 and have taken 12 or more credit hours at Meramec.

If you are interested, pick up an application in SC 220 and return it to Dr. Jody E. Martin de Camilo in SS 116 with a non-refundable one-time fee of $85 (checks made payable to STLCC-Meamec).

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ALUMNUS SCOTT RICE Rebel with a degree Carlos Restrepo

Some experts cite 1951 as the birth of rock and roll music A.rtists such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Ray Charles began making their mark following this year. However, it was in 1950 that full-time rocker and STLCCMeramec alumnus Scott Rice was born.

“I was a drummer then. I am a drummer now,” said Rice.

But this 57-year-old man is much more than a drummer. Rice is working on a master’s degree in world percusion pedagogy from Webster University. Before attending Webster, Rice attended Meramec, but before that, he enrolled full time in the school of life.

“I have been a professional drummer for a long time. I started playing when I was 4 years old. I dropped out of high school and went on the road when I was 18 years old,” Rice said.

Rice briefly worked in music retail in ‘82 but, “burnt out on that and went back on the road,” Rice said.

“I was actually homeless at that point. We had no address; we didn’t live anywhere; my wife and I were full-time on the road,” Rice said.

From 1991 until beginning of 2004, Rice’s life was “heading on the highway and looking for adventures.” In the fall of 2004, however, he decided to go back to school.

“In 2004 is when I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to go back to school and I’m going to get a nice, neat, little two-year music degree.’ So I went

Before You Leave

-Editor-in-Chief Emeritus-

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Rice: You learn from failure, not from success

Before You Leave

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOTT RICE

(ABOVE) Scott Rice, Meramec alumnus, in a promo pic for one of his albums with his wife Janet Rice. (BELOW) Rice and his son, Shane Rice, in 1981.

Continued from page 35 to Meramec to do that,” Rice said. “I realized I was going to die soon so I wanted a little more credibility.”

Rice said that coming back to school was a bit difficult, but that learning is not done without some stress and failure.

“You learn from failure, not from success,” Rice said.

All the years on the road, however, contributed to his education.

“You can sit down and learn about chord functions and music theory, which is wonderful, but there is no training in what happens when it comes down to get music gigs, dealing with club owners, and there is not even a good ethics course on music,” Rice said.

Rice said he hopes to go on to get a doctorate degree in ethnomusicology, the study of social and cultural aspects of music and dance in local and global contexts.

After years of doing what he loves, and now finishing his educational career, Rice said he feels accomplished.

“In my age, the only thing left in my plate, the only thing I have to do, is die. So in the meantime I am going to do what’s important to me,” Rice said.

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“I just kept my eyes on the prize.” - Michael Cooper

PHOTO BY JAMES CARROLL

Michael Cooper talks about the long path that lead him from his first semester at STLCC-Meramec to his graduation from UMSL. He is currently working on attaining a medical degree from Kansas City University School of Medicine and Biosciences.

How Michael Cooper got his cookie Luelana Bustamante -Staff Writer-

Students can be compared to children wanting a cookie before supper, according to Linda Copeland, assistant professor in the English department at STLCC-Meramec. “They want it now.

But part of growing up is to learn how to wait. The successful students know that all the rewards for what they do are way down the road,” Copeland said.

Michael Cooper, 39, is one of these students who knew that he had to be patient and study a lot to get his cookie.

“I just kept my eyes on the prize,” said Cooper, who decided to come back to school four years ago 20 years after he had finished high school, married with a baby son to take care of.

Cooper started at Meramec with the basics, studying English 030 (Introduction to College Writing).

After only two years, he completed general education requirements and graduated from the honors program.

He was accepted into the University of Missouri-Saint Louis with a full scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, class 2010.

After years of dedication, Michael Cooper will finally get his cookie.

In August, he will start his first year

of medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

“I was really scared; there is no doubt. I had a lot of fear about coming back to school because of just not knowing what to expect,” Cooper noted seriously.

According to Cooper, he was not a good student in high school. But the difference now is his motivation, his commitment and his working hard.

“I have a goal; I have a purpose. I know what I want to achieve,” Cooper said. In Cooper’s opinion, when students put in the time, they can be successful at school.

According to Eric Meyer, assistant professor of English and honors program coordinator at Meramec, Cooper put in more than time: he was a hard worker, persistent and had good ambitions.

“Cooper was fully engaged at Meramec and intellectually curious,” Meyer said.

Professor Linda Copeland, Cooper’s first teacher at Meramec, attributes Cooper’s success to his level of commitment. According to Copeland, Cooper didn’t want somebody to just pat him on the head and tell him everything he did was wonderful; he wanted the critical comments. He wanted to know how he could improve.

“Michael didn’t want it easy. He wanted to be challenged so he could do the best he could do,” Copeland said.

Cooper did his best with a lot of work and little sleep. Sometimes he had to study after putting his baby to bed. When he was finished studying and ready to sleep, he would only be able to sleep for a little while because he had to wake up in the middle of the night to take care of his baby. Cooper thought it wasn’t fair for his wife to take care of the baby and to work all day to sustain the house.

“But it all worked out. I mean, I just had a lot less hours to sleep, and I still don’t remember when it was the last time I saw a movie,” Cooper said while laughing.

As Meyer pointed out, it was a worthwhile effort. “Mike is an example that the hard work, the giving up some of your social life and dedicating yourself to Meramec and to academic studies fairly pays off,” Meyer said.

All the work that Cooper is doing is gradually getting him closer to his goal.

According to Copeland, students like Cooper who know that it takes time to reach big goals, make good students.

“Michael knows that he doesn’t have to have his cookie right away. And to me, that’s what makes a good student,” Copeland said.

Before You Leave

An STLCC-Meramec alumnus finally reaps the rewards of his education

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ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN

Things You Missed

Paul Pai

Zerrie Campbell

Zelema Harris

George Wasson

Stephen Petersen

In the fall of 2010, STLCC-Meramec went through a controversy surrounding the dismissal of the Vice President of Student Affairs Stephen Petersen - a decision made by then campus President Paul Pai. Shortly after Petersen’s contract wasn’t renewed, some students, faculty and staff protested this decision en masse at the district board of trustees meetings. A few weeks later, Pai announced his resignation.

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www.meramecmontage.com Carlos Restrepo

- Editor in Chief Emeritus -

It all started on the morning of March 2, when Paul Pai, then president of the Meramec campus, held a meeting with all

“I think most students should voice their opinion at the board of trustees meeting,” said student Vincent Hayden, shortly after finding out about Petersen. “Our support should be behind Dr. Petersen and in making sure that this is a transparent process of what is going on between the board of trustees, the chancellor and the college president. “ Petersen was well-known and supported by many students because of his direct involvement as vice president of student affairs. This became evident when students attended the March 25 board of trustees meeting pleading to the chancellor and the board to reverse Pai’s decision.

“We cannot sit here and let a temporary administrator run the college into the ground, doing damage that will take years and years to repair.

We all have to live with the long-term consequences of terrible decisions,” said Meramec Assistant Professor Eric Meyer at the meeting.

“The deciders will be long gone.

Remember this: We hire administrators collectively; we give them the power to lead us, not to boss us around and create a climate of fear. I am not scared anymore. They have a power through our collective consent, and we have to make it very clearly be known that when that power has been abused, we suffer, our students suffer, and our future students suffer. We then, the faculty and staff, have not just a right, but a responsibility - a duty to speak up and take action to ensure that the administration is doing what is right, not for the short term, but what is right for the long term of the college.”

Both Chancellor Harris and President Pai took heat for not revealing the reasons as to why Petersen was let go.

This outraged the Meramec community further.

“Legally, I cannot discuss anyone’s performance publicly,” Harris said to faculty at an open meeting held to discuss the issue. “I am not hiding behind it. It is a fact. Those are the conditions that I have to operate with. It is unfortunate, but that is the case.”

On March 31, less than a month after Pai’s announcement that Petersen was no longer working at the college, Pai announced his resignation via email as campus president.

“This morning, I tendered my resignation as campus president to Chancellor Zelema Harris effective July 1, 2010,” Pai wrote in his e-mail. “I have let my campus leadership team members that were available this afternoon know before this announcement was made.”

Pai, however, did not say in his email the resignation was a result of the Petersen issue, stating he wanted to leave because “my destination is somewhere else.”

Due to Pai’s resignation, Vice President of Academic Affairs George Wasson had to fulfill the duties of the president until the board named a new interim president.

At the time, Wasson said it was difficult for him to have the top two of the three administrators on campus no longer in their positions. He said, however, that the college was working hard to move forward from this situation.

“My main concern at this point is providing some stability and to make sure that we continue to provide educational opportunities,” Wasson said.

“This is a team effort; this is not based on an individual. This is not one person, or two, or three. This is a team effort, and it is our strong faculty that

make all of this possible, and it’s going to take all of us working together.”

Meramec history professor Robert Lee, Ph.D., said he believed this situation was a result of the secrecy of the administration when making decisions that affected the campus.

“We, as faculty, generally found out about decisions that were made basically at the same time students found out and the general public found out,” Lee said.

To solve this problem in the future, Lee led the process of creating a faculty forum where monthly meetings will be held between faculty leaders and the administration.

“There is a misconception about history, and we are witnessing it right now in this campus, in that in many ways the most dangerous thing isn’t a revolution: It’s deafening silence. It’s apathy, and I just didn’t want to deal with it,” Lee said about his reasons for creating the forum.

In spite of all the changes that took place at the Meramec campus during that spring semester, Petersen was never reinstated as vice president of student affairs, and still no reasons were given to students as to why he was let go in first place.

At the May 19 board of trustees meeting, the board approved Zerrie Campbell as new interim president of Meramec until a permanent president is found.

Campbell previously served as interim president of the Forest Park campus and said she was aware of the issues the Meramec campus had during the spring semester.

“I’m excited at the prospect and the challenge to be part of the healing process that Meramec needs,” Campbell said following the board meeting.

Things You Missed

the managers who worked under Stephen Petersen, Ed.D., then vice president of student affairs.

At this meeting, Pai announced to his staff that Petersen was gone. Pai had told Petersen his contract had not been renewed and he was not to perform his duties as vice president any longer. Since Petersen was in a probationary period, no explanation had to be given to students or faculty as to why he was let go.

What Pai could not have anticipated was the faculty, student and staff reaction that came out in support of Petersen.

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Make the Most of Your Educational Investment!

No Appointments Necessary!

Fall and Spring Hours:

Mon. 9a.m. - 4:30p.m., Tues.-Thurs. 9a.m. - 8p.m., Fri. 9a.m. - 3p.m.

Consult our professional learning specialists to improve your performance in one or more of the following areas:

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1. Time management and procrastination

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2. Taking powerful, relevant notes

3. Reading with deeper comprehension 4. Improving test performance

5. Evaluating your best learning strategies

Developmental Courses Studies

RDG 021: Reading Improvement Lab RDG 031: Intro to College Reading Lab RDG 053: Vocabulary Improvement Lab

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RDG 054: Study Skills and Notetaking RDG 055: Study Skills and Notetaking Lab (advanced)

Make the most of your educational investment!

Become a more strategic and successful learner.

Supplemental Instruction Targeting high-risk courses Open to all students

Supplemental Instruction consists of weekly group study/review sessions for traditionally difficult courses and is aimed at success through collaborative learning.

Session are guided by trained SI Leaders, who have successfully completed the course for credit with the instructor you now have.

Each Semester SI is offered in approximately 40 classes, for various sections.

Check in the Academic Support Office, CN 222 to see if your class has a section of Supplemental instruction.

Peer Tutors

Students helping Students

Currently peer tutors are available in: French, German, Spanish, Advanced Imaging, Architectural Graphics, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Earth Science, and History.

For tutor schedules or a class not listed, contact Margaret McLellan: (314) 984-7877.

Nationally and internationally, students who participate in SI earn higher course grades and withdraw less often than non-SI participants.

COL 020: College Orientation and Study Skills COL 020 assists students in the transition and acclimation to St. Louis Community College- Meramec campus. It is recommended that students taking any developmental course also enroll in COL 020.

College Writing Center

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Serving students since 1965

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ces We are happy to help you s with writing for any class, as well as transfer essays!

Constructive feedback

Comfortable environment

Find or narrow a topic Focus and support a thesis

Organize your thoughts on paper

Professional Writing Specialists to help you:

Correct grammar error patterns

Fine-tune scholarship and transfer essays or applications

One credit, self-directed courses:

ENG 003: Sentence Combining, ENG 004: Grammar Review ENG 006: Writing Effective Paragraphs, ENG 007: Business Writing Review

Meramec: Communications North 122 Fall/ Spring Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8a.m. - 8p.m., Fri. 8a.m. - 3p.m.

Summer Hours available.

South County Education & University Center: please call (314) 984-7226

Math Tutoring at Meramec

“I loved having such a warm environment to study. [The tutors] never made me feel that a question was stupid and really helped me understand the problems.� ~ Student

Our Mission is to facilitate the mastery and understanding of mathematical techniques and problem solving.

Our experienced staff is happy to help students with algebra, trigonometry and calculus.

Please come and see us!

Summer hours: SW 211: M - Th: 7a.m. - 9p.m. Fri. closed.

SCEUC: M - Th: 9a.m. - 1p.m. ; 5p.m. 9p.m. ; Fri. closed.

Fall 2010 hours: SW 211: M - Th: 7a.m. - 9p.m. ; Fri. 7a.m. - 4: 30p.m.

SCEUC: M - Th: 9a.m. - 1p.m. ; 5p.m. - 9p.m. ; Fri. 9a.m. - 12p.m.

CN 102: M - TH 8a.m. - 3:30p.m.; 5 p.m.

Fri. 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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Books and Smokes Don’t Mix

Collin Reischman

- Managing Editor Emeritus -

Put out those cigarettes, boys and girls. Your friendly, neighborhood STLCC-Meramec campus is a nonsmoking campus, as of August 17, 2009. New students, or old students returning, will no doubt be confounded by the “No Smoking” signs posted at all of the normal smoke spots.

“I think we’ve come up with something very good here. Impressions will be better, the campus will be cleaner and greener,” said Bonnie Sanguinet, former chairwoman of the Meramec Institutional Affairs Council.

The decision, which was a collaboration of representatives from the Meramec Academic Governance Council, Meramec Institutional Affairs Council, and Student Government Council, reached what was officially labeled as a “compromise” on the issue.

“I think [the three governance chairs] just did a really nice job in trying to find a compromise that gets us to an ultimate position, but also addresses some sort of short-term immediate needs in terms of freeing up the areas around the entrances of buildings,” said Stephen Petersen, Ed.d, then-vice president of student affairs.

This compromise was simple; the campus wouldn’t ban smoking entirely, but simply restrict any and all smoking to the parking lots on each end of

the campus. All other smoking would be against school policy, and repeat offenses would garner “some kind of disciplinary procedures,” according to Campus Police Chief Paul Banta.

While faculty and staff members can occasionally be spotted politely requesting that students snub out their smokes, no long-term repercussions seem to exist. Campus police do not officially ticket an individual smoking on campus.

“Currently, we are treating it as a disciplinary matter, not a criminal matter,” said Banta.

Instead, the offender will be asked to leave the area or put out the cigarette, at which time they will resentfully obey.

The ban, which was largely championed by Margaret Hvatum of the Wellness Committee, is a response to health concerns of students with respiratory issues.

“Last year, I had three rounds of bronchitis and I ended up in the emergency room a couple of times with asthma. So I’m looking forward to having that not happen anymore,” said Hvatum.

According to a Montage article in March 2009, a major issue involved the air-intake systems of the Business and Social Science buildings “pulling in all of that smoke” into their ventilation systems, according to Stephen Petersen.

Those supporting the ban cited a survey circulated on campus in 20082009. This survey had more than 800 respondents, approximately half of which were students. The survey indicated that around half the respondents wanted to seem some kind of increased restriction on smoking.

“Had there not been any consensus, then that would have been the end of it,” said Hvatum.

While health-plagued individuals have argued that this shows “consensus of opinion” on the issue of smoking, the numbers don’t support that claim. According to STLCC enrollment numbers, approximately 10,000 students were enrolled at the Meramec campus in 2009. This means that the estimated 400-plus students responding to the survey represented less than 5 percent of the Meramec student body.

Whether a two-pack-a-day smoker or an asthma-riddled student, the smoking ban has been met with subdued campus reaction. Students can be seen attempting to slip to secluded alleys and corners for a quick smoke, but campus police have asked them to “take it to the parking lot.”

Small, circular cigarette burns in the No Smoking signs, and weak enforcement of the new ban make it a rule in name only. Smokers will be hassled a little more, and administrators get the “public health” victory they were looking for.

Things You Missed

No Smoking Policy at Meramec

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STLCC-Meramec and Forest Park child care centers officially close Shane Rice

- Assistant News Editor -

Things You Missed

The loss of award winning athletic teams, changes in administration and the closing of the day care centers at STLCC-Meramec and Forest Park, brought controversy among the board of trustees, the students, and faculty/ staff during the 2009-2010 academic year.

On Nov. 19, 2009, the STLCC board of trustees voted 4-2 that the closing of the day care centers was necessary for the growth of STLCC. Joann Ordinachev, Denise Chachere, Melissa Hattman, and Robert Nelson all voted in favor of closing the centers, while Libby Fitzgerald and Margo McNeil voted to keep them open.

“Is it the responsibility of the community college to provide day care service?” asked former board of trustees member Robert Nelson prior to the

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vote.

The early education center, at Meramec and Forest Park serving children 3 - 7 years old while students attended classes, officially closed on July 1, 2010.

“We were losing $1,000 per student each year by providing that much service and by closing those child care centers, it saved us $500,000 a year,” said board of trustees member Margo McNeil.

McNeil, who voted to keep the center open, said even though STLCC was providing wonderful facilities and excellent teachers, the college could no longer afford to pay the subsidy of the child care center.

Since the vote, every board of trustees meeting has been swamped with questions and pleas from students asking the board to reverse their decision.

The board responded to the complaints

on May 19, 2010.

“It is our primary responsibility as board members to ensure that the college is fiscally responsible and healthy,” board Chairwoman Ordinachev said.

“While eliminating or reducing programs or services of the college is not an easy decision, it is, nonetheless, a responsibility we as board members take most seriously.”

Ordinachev said that the cost for subsidizing both facilities was nearly $600,000 annually, which was disproportionate to other instructional costs absorbed by colleges.

According to reports from the vice presidents of academic affairs at Forest

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dents because without day care service they cannot attend school,” said Powell.

According to Powell, the idea behind these centers was not to make money but to provide a student service.

However, arguments between students and board members have been exactly that, the inability to afford and maintain these facilities.

Another concern raised by students at board meetings is that the day care center at STLCC-Florissant Valley will remain open. Vice Chancellor Carla Chance said, “Flo Valley is a labschool and takes public enrollment.”

Chance said the public will pay anywhere from $100-$150 a week, depending on the age of the child, and this assists with the revenue needed to maintain that facility. Even though Meramec does have certain labs that

assist with the day care center, it is not considered a lab school.

“Parents, children, and the faculty of the center are all just devastated,” said Powell.

The final awards ceremony for the children brought tears, she said.

“One child asked me if I was closing the center because I didn’t like them anymore; all I could do was cry,” said Powell.

On June 30, 2010, faculty and staff of the Meramec Center packed the last of their belongings and said goodbye.

According to Powell and other faculty, the day care brought hope and inspiration to young growing minds and adults looking for a chance, a future.

“I just wish the board had kept the children in mind because I believe what affects children will affect our future,” said Powell.

Things You Missed

Park and Meramec, “Only 209 students out of a total of over 19,000 attending Meramec and Forest Park use the day care services.”

Earline Powell, campus manager for the day care center at Meramec, painted a different picture. According to Powell, approximately 280 students and 300 children used the day care facility at Meramec throughout the year.

“We were more than just a day care center,” said Powell. “We provided support for the parents with counseling, and more than that, we gave parents the opportunity to better their future not only for themselves but for their children.”

Powell said that she believes one of the hardest problems students are going to face is finding quality child care that is affordable and accessible.

“There has been a loss of some stu-

ARCHIVE PHOTOS

Archive photos of a day in the child care center at Meramec before it’s closing.

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www.meramecmontage.com

BUDGET DEFEAT

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Magic sports you won’t be cheering for anymore

Spencer Gleason - Sports Editor -

The endpoint in a long line of history in the STLCC athletic programs has become reality for six sports between three of the four STLCC campuses.

Effective July 1, 2010, STLCCMeramec lost women’s volleyball, men’s soccer and men’s wrestling. The STLCC-Forest Park and STLCC-Florissant Valley campuses each lost their baseball programs, as well as men’s and women’s track and field at Florissant Valley.

These athletic cuts were made because the college must lower its operating budget by more than $1 million for the next fiscal year, according to a press release. The drop in athletics will save the college approximately $200,000.

“There were several plans that were considered,” said Stephen Petersen, Ed.D., former vice president of student affairs at Meramec in a Nov. 2009 interview. “The two proposals that were left at the end of the conversation went on to the chancellor and she chose between the two. To her credit, she chose the more generous one, retaining five teams [per campus] as opposed to something less than that.”

Meramec’s remaining five athletic programs are men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s soccer.

“The other proposal would have saved a few more dollars,” said Peters-

en, “because it would have eliminated a few more teams, but she chose the more generous one, in keeping the five teams per campus. We all thank her for that.”

Of the three sports Meramec has lost, nearly 60 percent of those student athletes will be entering their second year at Meramec in the fall of 2010. For student athletes who had scholarships, the school will still recognize them, even if their sport is no longer offered at any STLCC campus. However, if their sport is offered at a sister campus of Meramec, they may still participate at either Forest Park or Florissant Valley.

Alicia Eubanks, who just finished her sophomore year at Meramec as part of the volleyball team will be transferring to Central Methodist University.

“I know several of the girls who were in their first year at Meramec will be transferring to Central Methodist, too,” said Eubanks. “Another girl moved back home. She had transferred from another school, but was at Meramec to play volleyball.”

According to Eubanks, only a couple of the former volleyball players are staying at Meramec.

“One girl transferred sports and is going to play women’s soccer for Coach Karl. Another girl will be staying at Meramec because of their stenographer program.”

The Meramec Magic, Forest Park Highlanders and Florissant Valley

Norseman will continue to support their five remaining athletic programs.

Although, the future of returning the lost sports back to their campuses does not look promising.

“My guess is that it’s unlikely that any of the sports being eliminated now will ever be reconstituted,” said Petersen in 2009. “That’s not to say we wouldn’t like to, but I don’t think that’s likely to happen within the next five to seven years. Beyond that it’s anybody’s guess, because the environment of the college, the environment of the economy and everything changes dramatically.”

As if by magic, student athletes and coaches have the ability to rise above a disheartening scenario and turn it into a positive experience for everyone and for the past several years, every sport at Meramec has had a winning record.

In the athletic years of 2009-2010, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer and men’s wrestling did just that—they went out on top.

Women’s volleyball finished the year with a 22-16 record. The men’s soccer team finished at 16-4-1 and captured their second Regions XVI Championship this decade. Coach Brian Smugala was named Regions XVI Coach of the Year for the 2009 season.

The wrestling Magic sent eight wrestlers to the national championships in Des Moines, Iowa. Deron Winn stood with a gold medal in hand.

He was the last champ.

Things You Missed

Archive photos of the 2009-2010 athletic teams at STLCC-Meramec

ARCHIVE PHOTOS

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NoPIRG

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Andrea Royals

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- News Editor Emeritus -

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aving the world one step at a time may be difficult for a college student to do alone, but with the assistance of a public interest research group (PIRG), students can tackle social issues like global warming, public transit, affordable education and health care head on. PIRGs offer students an opportunity to work together toward a goal to produce effective results. Whether or not those goals are reached vary from PIRG to PIRG. “Our goal is to increase awareness and pressure legislative action,” said former MoPIRG campus organizer Katie Thomas at Meramec. MoPIRG members and interns work together to modify public well-being through extensive campaigning by promoting the awareness of topical issues among the community.

However, last spring, MoPIRG efforts were curtailed.

For the last 25 years, STLCC-Meramec has been home to a chapter of MoPIRG, the last remaining PIRG chapter in Missouri. In March 2010, Meramec students voted to remove funding for the non-profit organization, thus removing the last presence of MoPIRG chapters from the entire state.

The results of the election did not reflect the opinions Meramec students may have had about the goals of MoPIRG campaigns, but rather the opposition to the method the organization utilized to obtain funding from the college.

Every two years, students are called to reaffirm the presence of the MoPIRG chapter at Meramec. Last spring, the chapter met opposition from NOpirg, a club on campus that sought to abolish the removable $7 optional fee students paid at the time of class registration.

Students who registered for classes through the online Banner Self-Service did not have the option of removing the fee unless they paid a visit to the registration center following their payment. To the benefit of MoPIRG, the task proved to be an inconvenience for some students.

“The fee is a sneaky way to steal money from unsuspecting students who think this money goes to student activities here on campus,” said NOpirg President Steven Vollenweider, who initially paid the fee because he said he thought it directly benefited the college.

MoPIRG collected an estimated $70,000 from Meramec students during the 2009 2010 academic year.

According to former MoPIRG member Andrew Shapiro, the money collected from the fee at Meramec is then submitted to a national fund for PIRGs across the country, thus producing little documentation of the direct effectiveness the funds from Meramec students

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Things You Missed

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MOPIRG: For the students and (kicked out) by the students

ARCHIVED ILLUSTRATION

have at the college.

“MoPIRG will bring their mobilizing efforts to your campus,” Shapiro said, “but for a price.”

NOpirg argued in a debate forum prior to the reaffirmation election that the management of MoPIRG was inadequate because campus organizers frequently change each semester and that the organization’s results on the Meramec campus were not evident.

A total of 548 students voted in the reaffirmation election, resulting in a 328 percent increase in voter turnout since the last reaffirmation election in 2008. Former Student Governance Council (SGC) President Michael Roman said that the increase was a result of the extensive canvassing efforts led by both MoPIRG and NOpirg in the weeks prior to the election.

Members promoted both sides of the election through tabling, debates and poster promotions. However, according to members of SGC, MoPIRG campaign efforts were in direct violation of ethical election procedures that prohibit faculty from endorsing orga-

nizations on campus, as several professors from various departments at the college defended the organization.

“Engaging students into real political action, mobilizing citizens to fight for what is needed and refusing to accept the same old tired excuses is what organizations like MoPIRG are all about,” said political science professor John Messmer, Ph.D. Messmer said that the removal of MoPIRG from the college would be a blow to student life on the Meramec campus.

Others disagree.

Roman said that the removal of MoPIRG from the campus allows organizations approved by SGC to directly address issues of public importance for STLCC, including preventative health care services on each campus and an increase in public transit through the recently passed legislation Proposition A. While MoPIRG claims to have had an influence in the passage of Proposition A, its overall contribution to the legislation, as well as to other cam-

paigns, is debatable.

Recent newsletters from MoPIRG have called students to encourage pell grants for financial aid, ban offshore drilling in the United States and mobilize to change privacy settings on the social networking site Facebook.

Whether or not MoPIRG is directly contributing to these efforts is uncertain.

While Midwest Region MoPIRG organizing director Stacey Hafner continues to send e-mailed updates to members periodically, she has not confirmed with The Montage that the organization is seeking another campus at which to operate.

MoPIRG has remained relatively inactive since the last remaining chapter was removed from the Meramec campus last March and the future of a chapter at any college campus in Missouri is unknown.

The Meramec campus may still serve as a home for MoPIRG, but the chapter must provide its own funding.

The allowance from the college is cut off.

Things You Missed

This illustration was published in a 1986 issue of The Montage while MoPIRG was seeking to create a chapter at the Meramec campus. After 25 years, students voted to defeat the non-profit organization in the reaffirmation election by removing the optional $7 fee from registration forms.

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MAKE THE MOST OF

YOUR EDUCATION.

Transfer to Fontbonne University.

With more than 60 majors and minors, you’re sure to find a program that will make the most of your credits – and help you reach your career goals.

Whether it’s traditional undergraduate programs or our accelerated OPTIONS program designed for busy adults, we’ll help you make the most of your time.

Connect with an admissions counselor: 314.889.1400 or 314.863.2220 (OPTIONS)

www.fontbonne.edu Class locations include a beautiful Clayton campus, and learning centers in Brentwood and South County devoted to adult learners. A variety of daytime, evening, weekend and online courses are available.

Fontbonne University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

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A MERAMEC SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS

by Richard Rhodes

Come on, Billy. You’ll love Meramec’s child care center. It has lots of kids and cool stuff. I’ll drop you off before my class!!

Hey, Lady, I’m not doing cool stuff! You said I was going to be doing cool stuff - this ain’t cool stuff!!

I’m hungry, woman!!

Things just ain’t working out for me.

Oh, my Gawd! Binky-Boo, are you ok?

Don’t worry!

Mommy will take you to the nurses’

What are you doing? No smoking on Meramec Campus, or planet Earth!

Hellooo! You people need to get me a doctor and a bag of M+M’s!!!

NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD WINNER · 2009 · ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS

THE MONTAGE A NEWSPAPER BY MERAMEC STUDENTS

Non-fiction is better than “Pulp Fiction”

Model Amanda Keefe

What critics are saying:

“The staff members work diligently to produce a solid newspaper that is creative, fair, balanced and accurate.”

-Shannon Philpott, faculty advisor

Join The Montage staff in producing Meramecʼs finest source of news. The Montage is hiring yearround for photographers, writers, designers and anyone interested in the art of journalism. Apply online at www.meramecmontage.com, call 314 984 7857 or stop by the Newsroom (SSC 220)