University of Guam Triton's Call April 2016, Vol 40, Issue 3

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Spring 2016, Vol. 40, Issue 3, April

New Sexual Misconduct training in place

Students required to complete training before registering for Fall courses

By Anton Rosario Triton’s Call Staff

The University of Guam has implemented a new requirement for registration. It is an online training program under the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

The Sexual Misconduct Policy was revamped to ensure the safety of the university’s students and employees.

The mandatory online training program serves to reinforce the policy among all students registering for the next Fall semester.

The online training for students is one component to the Sexual Misconduct Policy.

INSIDE Page 3 Anthropology students visit Yap Page 5 Student activity fee and SGA budget Page 7 Student loan debt Page 10 The Zika threat

A UOG student above prepares to complete the Sexual Misconduct training before registering for the Fall 2016 semester. Photo by Anton Rosario/Triton’s Call Staff

Students must read the policy statement and correctly complete a survey online before registering for the following semester.

The second component of the policy en-

compasses training for the university’s faculty, staff, and administrators. All UOG employees will go through live training with an instructor before the following semester starts.

This will equally enforce the policy with the whole university community.

UOG President Robert Underwood said he trusts that this required training would lead to

better results.

“We want to make sure that everyone understands what the policy is now moving forward. This is our comprehensive effort to make sure that everyone is starting from the same page,” Underwood said.

Underwood states that sexual misbehavior is a general social problem across the country, and he would like to diminish this misbehavior on campus.

“We are a safe and secure campus and we want to continue that, and we want people to feel safe and secure,” Underwood said.

A committee formed with students and faculty members worked on revamping the Sexual Misconduct Policy. For Continued on page 2

Palmer hired as UOG’s new athletic director

By Elizabeth Wells For Triton’s Call

The University of Guam has hired an athletic director tasked to revitalize the athletic program.

Doug Palmer, originally from South Carolina, said he was looking for something interesting and challenging, which led him to applying for this position.

program will His first bring positive initiative will changes for be to develop the university both a men by teaching and women’s student athsoccer team by letes real-life this fall.

Palmer values such He said his as teamwork and long-term goal would responsibility and be to eventually have creating more student somewhere from 7 to 10 student teams at the activity.

“If a student can University. become a team leader Palmer believes the renewal of the athletic on the basketball team,

then he can take those into later in life and become, say, a business leader,” Palmer said.

Palmer received his undergraduate degree in physical education at Winthrop University in South Carolina, and completed his Master’s in Athletic Administration at Florida State University. *Photo courtesy of UOG Integrated Marketing Communications Office

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

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“Reflections” exhibit showcases art students’ works

By Alissa Eclavea Triton’s Call Staff The University of Guam’s Isla Center for the Arts showcased the undergraduate exhibition, “Reflections” on April 7.

The exhibition featured seniors John Barber, Neill Catangay, Chelsea Cruz, Snyder Macaraeg, Virginia Mendiola, and Lee San Nicolas.

Students and local residents were invited to attend the opening reception to enjoy snacks and refreshments. With a valid ID to prove that they were 21 years of age, vistors were also able to enjoy some wine while touring the exhibition.

The different mediums the art department offers to teach were showcased. Every art piece showcased var-

ied from old pieces and recent pieces.

Visitors could find ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography.

Macaraeg, a student, had his work displayed, and his strongest medium was acrylic.

The inspiration for Macaraeg’s artwork is his muse better known as his girlfriend. “She is my greatest source of happiness and madness, strength and weakness,” Macaraeg said.

When informed about various art shows to exhibit for, Macaraeg strives to create new pieces alongside his current projects to always have something new to showcase.

Macaraeg was inspired to pursue a career in art at fourteen when he was exposed to classic cartoons and

Katlyn Sutherland (right) tours the exhibit with her sister Alyssa Sutherland at the recent exhibit at the Isla Center for the Arts. Photo by Alissa Eclavea/ Triton’s Call Staff anime such Mobile Suit: Gundam Wing, Dragon Ball-Z and Transformers: “After almost every new episode I watched, all I wanted to do was

draw and recreate it.”

Every student expecting to graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Art should prepare to share their work during their

senior showcase.

“It’s refreshing to see talented artists coming from every generation,” said Rifkowitz, art professor at UOG.

Cont’d: Training intended to reduce incidences of sexual misconduct Continued from page 1 months the committee researched policies from other universities around the country to find out the best way to deal with this social issue.

“This wasn’t done overnight. We looked at federal law, local law. So we’re very proud of that,

because we think that if everyone followed this we would reduce the level of sexual misconduct across the board,” Underwood said.

Technology Along with the required online training, there will be a mobile device application and a provided private email for individual students to stay updated and in

contact with the committee. The email provided would grant access to Microsoft Office 365 that includes Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, One Drive, and 50 gigabytes of email.

Jonas Macapinlac, Director of Integrated Marketing Communication, explains that these new internet technological tools will help with

the awareness of the new policies.

“With the way that we can store information there, we can share documents with all students all the time with this powerful email service. And now, students that did not have access to these components can now access them for free,” Macapinlac said.

Publisher Francis Dalisay, Ph.D.

Contributors Kreeshia Aquino Blaze Hubbard Yvonne Manglona Marlon Molinos Rianne Peredo Ashley Sablan Kevin Tano Kyle Twardowski Elizabeth Wells

Copy editors Jenika Ballesta Jeff Bautista Marlon Molinos Rianne Peredo Ashley Quintanilla Ari Santos Kevin Tano Kyle Twardowski Elizabeth Wells

Editor-in-chief Alissa Eclavea Staff writers Swetha Kotwal Anton Rosario Dray Thompson

This will ensure that the policy goes across to the whole community in the University of Guam. All new features included with the online training will be available fall semester 2016.

Any additional information about the Sexual Misconduct Training or online features is available on the UOG website.

Email us: tritonscalluog@ gmail.com tritonscall.com facebook.com/tritonscall twitter.com/tritonscalluog

By Swetha Kotwal Triton’s Call Staff

The University of Guam’s suicide prevention program, I Pinangon, hosted its annual suicide prevention forum on Wednesday, March 30 at the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Lecture Hall.

I Pinangon translates to “awakening” in Chamoru. I Pinangon strives to bring awareness on the subject of suicide. The theme of the forum was Reaching Out and Saving Lives. Guam

and our sister islands in Micronesia have the highest rates of suicide among the world. Guam loses one person every two weeks to suicide.

Panel members of the evening included Father Mike Crisostomo; Raycia Charfauros, a UOG psychology alumna; Michelle Sasamoto, a certified prevention specialist and program coordinator with the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center; and Marlijo Serineo, a UOG student and intern at Guam’s Alternative

Anthropology students visit Yap

By Swetha Kotwal Triton’s Call Staff Over spring break, six students from AN462-advanced field methods and archeology class traveled to Yap to conduct archeological surveys of Yapese stone money, canoes, and fish weirs. The class traveled to Yap’s archeological sites.

Yap is being nominated as a world heritage site because of the stone money banks. To be nominated for a world heritage site, a country must possess an outstanding universal value, which for Yap is its stone money. Stone money was used for special occasions like paying someone for their services or buying land.

“Stone money is not worth $5 or $10 according to its size.

It’s according to the cultural history associated with it,” said Jeffery, Ph. D., UOG anthropology professor.

“If there was a hardship or some sort of

event that happened that particular piece has that value. Yap is the only country that still uses this kind of currency,” Jeffrey added.

Jeffery has conducted numerous field work in Yap. He thought it would be great place for students to travel to to conduct archeological research and learn about Yapese culture.

Yap has no traffic lights, no fast food, and pink rice as opposed to the famous red rice Guam is known for. “To be culturally aware, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Know that if your question makes them feel uncomfortable, don’t impose it,” Toves said.

“Every time we would go out in the field we would have to be in a single line and the males are always first followed by the females,” said Brittany Toves, anthropology major and secretary of the newly charted anthropology club, Anthro Tribe.

Lifestyle Association.

Guam Senator Dennis G. Rodriguez, Jr., gave the keynote address.

Crisostomo focused on the teachings of biblical figure, Jesus Christ offering help for people to cope with suicidal thoughts and suicide.

He emphasized the importance of responding to someone when they might be going through tribulations.

“Listen to what we’re saying to one another,” Crisostomo said.

Throughout the night, Sasamoto focused on

the word courage. She stressed three aids to cope with suicidal thoughts and losing a loved one to suicide: availability, accessibility, and approachability.

According to Sasamoto, individuals should seek places that are available to help, for accessibility, know the schedule and services charges that a program offers, and to seek help or be a helper when it comes to approachability. Be open and receptive. Senator Rodriguez shared a true story about

a son and father talking over the phone. The son explained that he and his longtime girlfriend broke up and his father asked him whether he had suicidal thoughts.

Rodriguez told the audience that the community needs to be more open about suicide. He referenced Kevin Hines, survivor of attempted suicide off of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Rodriguez plans to bring Hines out August of this year to share his story of a suicide attempt.

students to excel in all academic subjects and develop citizenship and leadership characteristics. “We want to promote life skills, cultural awareness and unity to our students in the program,” Bassett said.

The Chain of Knowledge tutoring program will share aspects of culture from all the Micronesian islands.

Oreng Ngemaes, 2nd Masters in Public Administration and tutor in the Chain of Knowledge, believes that raising cultural awareness is important, and teaching aspects of culture will improve character development.

The program will have guess speakers from the different islands and activities that will help spread cultural awareness. “One of our goals is to get leaders from the different Micronesian islands to come to interact and build relationships with our students,” said Ngmemaes. This will provide better opportunities and encour-

age more students to engage in the tutoring program.

Clifford Kyota, 4-H state program leader, organized the Chain of Knowledge program.

Kyota is looking to apply the same principles and values from the 4-H program into tutoring. Implementing principles and values will help form attitudes that will enable students to become self-directing and contributing members of society. The Chain of Knowledge tutoring program aims to impact the island community by educating young Micronesians with these values and principles.

Since the tutoring program was established in February, it has received an increasing number of students.

The Chain of Knowledge has four tutors in each academic subject to work with each student. The tutoring sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6p.m. in room 104 at the Agricultural and Life Sciences Building.

Chain of Knowledge offers tutoring for Micronesian students

By Anton Rosario Triton’s Call Staff

The Chain of Knowledge is a tutoring program that concentrates its teachings on Micronesian youths.

The program consists of UOG students from the Micronesian islands who volunteer to help younger students excel in all school curriculums. Jasmine Bessett, current student at the university and tutor assistant in the Chain of Knowledge program, thinks that younger students perform better academically when they can relate to another.

“Sometimes Micronesian students struggle with school and won’t tell their teachers they’re having problems. Providing a Micronesian tutor will help these students get comfortable and understand their studies,” she said.

According to Bassett, the main purpose of the program is to provide a learning environment for Micronesian

3 University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

Suicide prevention program hosts annual forum

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

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UOG ensures accessibility for individuals with disabilities

By Marlon Molinos For Triton’s Call In the Fall of 2015, a broken elevator at the English and Communications Building prevented Francis Dadufalza, a wheelchair-bound student at UOG, from attending classes located on the building’s second floor.

Dadufalza was accommodated by his instructor. He was given additional time to complete and submit assignments, and was not marked absent.

The University of Guam has had incidences of rooms being inaccesibile on the second floors of the Fine Arts, English and Communications, and Nursing buildings.

David Okada, UOG chief planning officer and acting institutional compliance officer, said “In regards to the English and Communications building, the concerns about elevators going down have to do with power fluctuations, which may cause burn outs within the elevator systems.”

According to Okada, this is what had happened on both occa-

sions when the elevator was not working at the EC Building.

Okada said at times replacement parts for the elevators must be obtained from off-island and this causes a delay in repair.

“In such cases of elevator unavailability over a certain time, there are alternate considerations to re-locate classrooms to accommodate students with ADA needs,” Okada said.

The law According to the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) public areas and existing buildings and public places have to be renovated to ensure the buildings and public places can be accessed by individuals with disabilities.

Some issues that must be addressed include making accessible approach/entrances such as the routes of travel, ramps, parking, entrances, and access to goods and services, etc.

All of these areas have to be in compliance with ADAAG as mandated by federal law ADA Section 504 of

the ADA. As stated in the ADA guidelines, “All areas of newly designed or newly constructed buildings and facilities and altered portions of existing buildings and facilities shall comply with section 4, unless otherwise provided in this section or as modified in a special application section.”

In new construction, a person or entity is not required to meet fully the requirements of these guidelines where that person or entity can demonstrate that it is structurally impracticable to do so. Full compliance will be considered structurally impracticable only in those rare circumstances when the unique characteristics of terrain prevent the incorporation of accessibility features.

If full compliance with the requirements of these guidelines is structurally impracticable, a person or entity shall comply with the requirements to the extent it is not structurally impracticable. Any portion of the building or facility which can be made accessible shall comply to the extent

that it is not structurally impracticable.

According to Elaine Faculo-Gogue, former institutional compliance officer, due to the inaccessibility of the second floor at the Fine Arts Building, a building at the Dean’s Circle was converted to accommodate the class until the chairlift was fixed.

Renovations and future plans As far as renovations and upgrades are concerned according to Okada “a lot of these buildings are “grandfathered”, “which means that until such time that a certain level of renovation occurs, which triggers requirements to upgrade.

For the Nursing and Fine Arts buildings, as well as the rest of the facilities on campus, the Physical Master Plan, called Vision 2025, calls for a significant movement to upgrade and improve the campus and services related to student success for the 21st Century. Among those “upgrades” include systems like elevators which will be brought up to current laws and codes specifications.”

“Truncated domes were placed in areas where there was a change in elevation to help individuals with visual impairments navigate around campus.

They help the students to create a mental map of the facility,” Faculo-Gogue said.

A partial walk-through was done around campus to help determine what improvements had to be done to help with accessibility issues on the campus.

Okada elaborated on the three phases of accommodations.

Phase 1 includes truncated domes (Yellow rubber pads) in selected areas of campus as well as Braille signs within selected buildings to meet immediate needs.

Phase 2 involves expanding these areas for students who continue to have these needs and expand their classroom travels to take upper level division courses by allowing the student to leave class early.

Phase 3 is a longer term initiative that will involve the completion of the campus’ full compliance with the ADA by 2025.

Fine Arts Building shows signs of aging, renovations planned First of a two-part report on the building’s condition and plans to fix it

By Dray Thompson Triton’s Call Staff

While the University of Guam has been making efforts to improve the conditions of its facilities, one facility is long overdue for a complete makeover.

The Fine Arts Build-

ing, which is home to UOG’s music, theater and fine arts programs, has doors that are out of place and restrooms that are run down due to broken stalls and toilets. The building’s paint has also faded or peeled off.

Michelle Blas, M.F.A, UOG assistant professor of theater, suggested that the Fine Arts Building should be rebuilt with feedback from

the programs’ faculty.

“The professors of the fine arts music, theater and art should be consulted in regards to how we want it to look or the needs for our individual programs and how the building can serve the needs of the programs and students,” Blas said.

The Fine Arts theater itself has gone through some renovations.

The main front doors

were replaced, and the bathrooms were renovated about five years ago.

The little renovations are just a calling for the whole Fine Arts Building to be renovated into an entirely new facility from scratch.

“It’s being viewed by the public. I think that the University needs to take more pride in the arts and providing a place where we can do

our work show off and also looks like that the university cares about the arts,” Blas said.

James Sellman, Ph.D., dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, said the Fine Arts building is in definite need of repairs, and it is on the priority on the renovation list for the UOG Physical Master Plan, which will be completed in 2025.

By Yvonne Manglona For Triton’s Call

budget is reserved for contractual services, supplies, equipment, uniforms, and utilities.

According to the According to JeriUOG 2015-2016 catcho Tobias, UOG SGA alog, each student is assessed a $24 student president, “Sponsored activities include the activity fee per semesWelcome Back event ter. and Spring and Fall With an estimated assemblies. Our main 4,100 students paying goal was to enrich stufor student fees each dent activities.” semester, the Tobias further UOG Student addressed that Government EMSS received Association reabout $45,000 cently proposed last year but their fiscal 2017 was greatly auxiliary budget, reduced to estimating that $35,000 this Tobias UOG SGA auxilary budget. Infographic by Yvonne Manglona/For Triton’s Call $198,000 would year. be available EMSS Dean Mifrom student activity tions?” sponded that approxchael Gunn, Ph.D., “We are very transparfees.

“Currently, we have imately $15,000 goes stated that EMSS will ent. If you have any Where does all the funds available to to recruiting materials, be evaluating next questions, come by the money from the $24 support student office supplies, comyear’s budget Hall. All of our docustudent fee go? organizations puters, printers, and to determine if Part of SGA’s proas well as to associated automation, ments are always free money is being to see,” Tobias said. posed 2017 academic support signifiroughly $5,000 goes used to support Elected SGA officials year budget includes cant university into student support students in the and members of the initiatives of $60,000 wide events activities such as select most efficient student election comfor sponsored activifor students,” student travel, and manner. mittee receive $50 for ties, $35,000 for EnGunn said. other student activity Gunn posed each session or meetrollment Management Gunn further opportunities are about a question for ing attended and no Gunn and Student Services noted that the $7,000. the upcoming more than two regular (EMSS) Division supSGA budget SGA President Tobistudent government: port, $20,000 for Charserves three main as encourages students sessions per month.

“Are we really getting Tobias also elaboter Day and Blue Night, purposes: supporting to join UOG’s events, the right bang for the rated that the stipend $20,000 for stipends, student organizations, especially Charter Day buck or could we get $20,000 toward clubs, university wide student and Blue Night because account of $20,000 is the same amount of split equally between theatre, and HR transactivities, and SGA. they are UOG’s two input for $40,000 or Triton’s Call and UOG fers, and $15,000 for When asked how largest events and stu$50,000 and provide leadership developEMSS is supporting dents help to fund them Fine Arts Theater. a little more money to ment.

SGA with the proposed through student activity The remainder of the clubs and organizaContinued on page 10 $35,000, Gunn refees.

Austin Terlaje elected as new student regent

By Alissa Eclavea Triton’s Call Staff

Austin Terlaje has been elected as UOG student regent.

Terlaje is a sophomore at the University of Guam majoring in business administration with an emphasis in finance economics and organizational behavior.

In the eight months he has served as a senator in the Stuent Government Association, Terlaje has hosted a leadership conference, went to Washington D.C. to represent UOG at a student leadership conference, and chaired the 2015 fall assembly.

Terlaje plans to

have a stronger voice for the University Of Guam when writing bills with the Board of Regents. Terlaje plans on hosting quarterly updates for the students to attend to actively voice their concerns.

Terlaje’s swearing in will be on May 5 at the governors complex. Additional

information will be announced later.

Terlaje was the youngest senator to be a member of the Student Government Association.

While still being in the transition period, Terlaje is a member of the Student Success Innovation Team headed by Dr.Enriquez. “Cul-

tivating a sense of belonging and Triton Pride.”

“I hope to see our students at our Spring Assembly, please remember that everything SGA does is for the students, and I plan on continuing that practice strongly during my term as Student Regent.”

5 University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

A look into how funds from the $24 Student Fee are spent

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

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Campus enforces policy against unallowed alcohol consumption

By Kyle Twardowski For Triton’s Call While some people choose to live a healthy lifestyle and run along the walkways lining the border of the campus, others choose to use the grounds as a place to consume alcohol.

These individuals often leave their trash behind for the students to observe throughout the week before it is picked up by one of the many grounds keepers monitoring the university grounds.

“I think it’s kind of scary and it brings safety because you don’t know who is doing these things most of the time,” said Frederick Rondilla a senior at UOG. Rondilla said during the previous semester, he would leave his class around 8 p.m. and while he would be waiting for his ride, he wouldn’t see any trash

on the ground. When he would return the following day, he would see beer bottles covering the ground, bringing him to question some of the activities that overrule the campus at night.

All types of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on campus per policy, which is stated clear in the student handbook, with the exception of dorm residents age 21 or over, who can consume alcohol within the dormitory.

However, despite the policy on drinking, the campus is home to prohibited types of alcohol consumption.

Felix Mansapit, safety administrator at UOG and his team of G4S employees collaborate with the Guam Police Department (GPD) to enforce the policy against unallowed alcohol consumption on campus as much as possible

People leave trash related to the consumption of alcohol scattered around campus.

Photo by Kyle Twardowski/For Triton’s Call

for the safety of the students and others.

According to Mansapit, however, students are not the only ones consuming alcohol on campus.

Based on data that Mansapit has collected over a four-year period, there have been multiple incidents of non-students being involved in accidents in and out of vehicles and

also in buildings around campus. Most of these incidents have also been recorded to be in the early mornings and on weekends.

If non-students are caught consuming alcohol on campus, Mansapit said his team immediately report the incident to GPD. Mansapit said for students who are caught, not only is GPD

informed, the student will be reported to the dean of EMSS and the Students Discipline committee for further action.

Some of the areas that are frequently used as drinking grounds include the Marine Lab parking lot, the area overlooking Marine Lab, the roof of the Science Building, and the rear of the Student Center.

Student loan debt could pose a problem for UOG graduates

By Kevin Tano For Triton’s Call Among the close to 4,000 students who attend the University of Guam, about 600 to 700 of them in an academic year take out a student loan. Student loan debt could pose a problem to those just graduating from the university.

Mark Duarte, director of UOG’s Financial Aid Office, said the national average a graduate has to pay is about $29,000, for a graduate at UOG it is estimated to be about $17,000 to $18,000.

The average amount of interest changes every year, and currently it’s

at 4.8 percent but it could change once you do get your loan.

“I have seen [students] graduate from the university with upwards of $25,000 to $26,000 in debt,” Duarte said.

Part of the problem is that students are advised to borrow what they need, but usually ask for the maximum amount that they could borrow even though a lower amount would suffice, says Duarte. In addition, Financial Aid cannot deny a student of borrowing the maximum amount that they are offered.

“We encourage students to take all the

loans that they need to get through their education,” said Michael Gunn, Ph.D., dean of UOG Enrollment Management and Student Services. “But we certainly don’t encourage them to borrow enough money to go buy a car.”

Gunn added that the less money students borrow from loans, the easier it is for them to pay it back. Nationally, however, the government is drowning in student debt, and more students are defaulting on their loans every year.

In addition to student loan debt, tuition cost will be increasing in the following years.

According to Gunn, the increase in tuition should not be a cause for concern.

“It could cause the student debt to go up just a little bit over time,” Gunn explained.

Gunn added that generally, UOG’s tuition is modest that even just a slight increase in tuition is not going to put a huge strain on students and cause them to take out that more loans,.

Similarly, Duarte explained that UOG tuition has only increased about $10 more than last year and that another possible cause of student loan debt is that students are taking longer in getting their

four-year degree.

“It’s a four-year degree, but the average is now approaching five and half, even six years,” Duarte said. “That’s not only UOG, that’s a national issue.”

According to Gunn, UOG does not have that great of a graduation rate and that almost a third of graduating students will graduate after six years.

“The longer it takes to get your degrees, the more student debts you incur and the harder it is to pay that back over the long term,” Gunn said.

Continued on page 10

By Kreeshia Aquino For Triton’s Call

Last semester, Ruby Palmes, a UOG student majoring in linguistics, found out that she was no longer able to reserve a conference room at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Library ahead of time.

“I couldn’t reserve a conference room a few hours before my classmates and I scheduled to meet,” Palmes said.

Palmes and her classmates were accustomed to reserving a conference room just a few hours before having to meet.

According to Palmes, she has observed students waiting at the RFK Library lobby and hoping to get a room. To Palmes and others, not being able to reserve a room in advance is inconvenient because there is no room guaranteed upon arrival.

“I didn’t raise any questions right away, but after ‘competing’ for conference rooms, it started to feel like an inconvenience,” Palmes said.

The conference room policy has been tempo-

rarily changed due to current revision of the Library’s policies.

Carmen Crisostomo, a library technician, pointed out that a number of people have been reserving rooms ahead of time lately, but are either late or do not arrive at all.

Joey Guzman, library technician, stated that a group could reserve conference rooms up to four hours maximum.

There is no room reservation. The conference rooms are a first come, first serve basis.

Daniel D. McKay, JD, assistant professor of Library Sciences at UOG, mentioned a few other issues regarding the conference rooms.

Some groups would reserve a room for more than four hours, and sometimes those groups will barely be in the room, but still have that room reserved under one of the member’s name.

“We only have nine conference rooms available. We used to have six. We increased the capacity to accommodate more students,” McKay said.

According to McKay,

Individuals may no longer be able to request and reserve a conference room in advance. Rooms are now a first come, first serve basis. Photo by Kreeshia Aquino/For Triton’s Call the RFK Library is in the process of revising its policies.

If there are students who really need to reserve the rooms in advance, the Library offers to work with these students.

“Students are our priority. We are open to students’ concerns and inputs, especially with redrafting the new policies,” McKay stated.

The RFK Library is the central library

facility of the University of Guam, and is located at the Tan Siu Lin Building.

It is also considered the largest library in the Micronesian region.

The RFK Library collections include over 98,059 print titles and 124,977 print holdings; 925,650 microfilm/ microfiche units, 1527 print serial titles; 5289 audiovisual items and software; and a wealth of subscriptions to elec-

tronic full text academic periodicals.

The library also provides a Web-interfaced Online Catalog that includes an electronic database resource accessible by cardholders.

The library hours for spring semester are as follows: Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.

- 4 p.m., and Sunday/ holidays closed.

“Dress for Success” workshop gives tips for interviews

By Alissa Eclavea Triton’s Call Staff The UOG Student Center was the site of a “Dress for Success” workshop on March 30.

Rochella Perez, an administrative assistant, opened the workshop at with tips about how to make a great first impression at a job interview.

Perez advised that interviewees never look down toward the ground. This gives off

the impression that one is shy. Keeping one’s chin parallel to the floor also gives the impression that one is alert and confident.

Perez demonstrated a proper web handshake with attending students. This is when the webbed skin between the pointer and thumb meet the webbed skin of the interviewer. The interviewee then can give a firm handshake making sure to not squeeze too hard or too lightly.

7 University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

RFK Library changes conference room policies

“Maintain eye contact through out the interview and wait for them to sit you down.”Remember to smile and have a good posture while being interviewed.

To make a good first impression, men and women should come into an interview with natural hair color that is nice and neat with groomed nails.

Perez advised that interviewees should not use any perfume or cologne because it would not be known if the

employer is allergic to any strong smells and sometimes, too much perfume or cologne can seem overwhelming.

Every person has his or her personal preference to smell. What might smell good to you can sometimes not seem appealing to others. To be on the safe side and not give any unintended bad impressions, just do not wear any perfume.

“First thing is impression, you have less than 10 seconds

to make a great first impression before you even open your mouth,” said Belta Perez, Director of John Robert Powers.

She encourages to not show any sort of negativity. Perez also suggested to be sure to speak with a confident voice. One can check this by making sure that you speak loud enough for the interviewer to hear you. At the end of the interview, make sure to ask about their dress codes.

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

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Sanchez High School getting by despite limited bathrooms

By Ashley Sablan For Triton’s Call All but two restrooms have been closed off to students at Simon Sanchez High School due to the inability to monitor every facility.

This has been the case since a slew of more than 30 bomb threats were made against Guam public schools between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28.

The high school received a total of five threats—the second highest number of threats made to a single school during that period—with at least one having been written on a bathroom wall, according to Pacific Daily News archives.

Because of this, two months later, the school still insists that all bathrooms used by students be monitored by an aide. However, because of apparent staffing issues, this has resulted in barring students from the restrooms that they cannot effectively monitor—even in spite of the newly implemented Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) that was developed by the Department of Education in conjunction with first responders in January to more effectively assess and respond to threats.

The first open set of restrooms being controlled for access is located indoors, upstairs next to the choir classroom. The school also has a second set located outside, just off the main hallway in the Butler Building. The gym locker rooms are also open, but all remaining restrooms have been closed, leaving

Restrooms at Simon Sanchez High School are still being controlled for access two months after the implementation of the Risk Assessment Matrix. Photo courtesy of Tanisha San Nicolas

12 stalls and 11 urinals to service about 1,832 students. This brings the toilet to student ratio to approximately one stall for every 152 students.

According to Section 13 of the Department of Public Health and Social Services Rules and Regulations Pertaining to School Sanitation, this seems to far exceed the minimum number of toilet fixtures for secondary schools, which should have one water closet for every 45 females, one water closet for every 100 males, and one urinal for every 30 males.

In October 2015, the school received a demerit score of 72 points during an inspection by the DPHSS Division of Environmental Health.

A multitude of problems were found, including leaks, flooding, signs of rats, ill-maintained and aging facilities, and a lack of windows.

This, in combination with the school’s cur-

rent restroom policy, has brought about student concerns regarding—not only staffing—but sanitation as well.

“A lot of the time, the toilets flood and get backed up because they go from hardly being used during class to being used nonstop during break and lunch,” said Tanisha San Nicolas, a senior at Simon Sanchez.

San Nicolas also shared that students are not allowed to use facilities inside the building during lunch leaving just one set of restrooms outside to service the entire student population and essentially doubling the student to toilet ratio throughout that period.

“It’s been hard to get permission to use the restroom during class [since the bomb threats], so majority of us have to use it during lunch; but then the lines are super long because we all have to share the

one restroom outside,” she told Triton’s Call.

The long lines have also caused her to be late to class on numerous occasions.

“I don’t think it’s fair.

I don’t think it should be a privilege to [use the restroom]. I didn’t write the threats,” San Nicolas said.

As it appears, none of the remaining six GDOE high schools have felt it necessary to take this route.

Even Southern High School—which received the most threats—said it has not closed any restrooms for security purposes.

DOE Administrator for Student Support Services Division Christopher J. Anderson said he was under the impression that all schools would stop controlling restrooms for access after the implementation of the RAM. “Since we developed the matrix, most schools—almost 99

percent of the time— have been able to quickly get their shelter in place, go around and do their effective search of the campus to see if anything may be a risk for their kids, and then, if all clear, go back to normal operations. Prior to it, that was not the case, so I think it was an appropriate response given the circumstances,” he said.

He also pointed out that because of budgetary shortfalls, many school aides and support staff often pull double duties, which would further explain why most schools cannot have an aide posted at every restroom.

“The ideal is for young adults in high schools to police themselves,” said Anderson. “Ultimately it is up to the principal to decide what they want to do in these situations, however, DPHSS regulations do need to be followed.”

F irst of a two-part report on sexual education in Guam’s public school system

By Elizabeth Wells For Triton’s Call The 2014 National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy report estimates that on Guam are there 48 births for every 1,000 girls age 15-19. This is double the U.S. national average of 24 births, giving Guam one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country.

Other statistics from the 2013 Guam High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) suggest that nearly 60 percent of sexually active teens reported that they did not use a condom during the last time they had sexual intercourse, 92 percent did not use any form of birth control, and 98 percent reported that they did not use both a condom and birth control.

Despite these alarming numbers, sexual health education being provided to students in the public school system is limited.

According to the

Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Health Standards and Performance Indicators provided by Paul Nededog, project director of Curriculum and Instructional Improvement, indicator 1.4 for middle schools describes ways to reduce and prevent injuries and other adolescent health problems. The example given for this is to “know that abstinence from sexual behaviors can prevent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV.” However, the YRBS revealed that 24 percent of students claimed they were never taught about HIV/ AIDS in school.

Kyla Aquino, a local advocate for comprehensive sexual education in schools and founder of the GuamSexEd.org campaign, said she got the idea for her campaign when she attended George Washington High School back in 2004, where she received very limited information regarding sexual health during one week of her health class.

“The instructor appeared to have felt

awkward about the subject as the lessons were limited to keywords on the chalk board like ‘vagina’ and ‘penis,’” Aquino explained. “The lessons and information from the book was limited to anatomy and the negative possibilities of sexual intercourse.”

Over a decade later, it appears that not much has changed.

Kritstian Salvilla, a freshman at the University of Guam, who graduated from Southern High School just last year, said he had a similar experience.

“I actually don’t remember anyone coming in and teaching us about it,” Salvilla said, referring to sexual education. “I only had one health class and it was never taught anything about condoms or contraceptives.

On the other hand, Maria Gardeleza, who also graduated from Southern High School last year, said she did receive adequate sexual education that made her fully aware of the risk factors of sex and how to protect herself. However, this was during a parenting class she took her junior year, which she

took as an elective and is not required for all students.

According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), Guam applied for, and received both the Title V Abstinence Only Program fund and the Comprehensive Personal Responsibility Education Program (CPREP) fund for the Fiscal Year 2014.

Together these totaled $447,505.

The CPREP calls for teaching both abstinence and the use of contraceptives. While the GDOE performance indicators call for instruction on mental and physical health related to sexual behaviors, contraceptive use is not mentioned in any of the indicators.

Efforts were made to contact Joe Sanchez, deputy superintendent, as to how these funds were used, but messages were not returned.

Aquino, who has done her own extensive research on teen sexual behavior, also blames culture for the high numbers of unwanted teen pregnancies.

“We allow our teenagers to become teen mothers.” Aquino said.

“For example, a high school student gets pregnant at fifteen and are still allotted a baby shower, or still allowed to live at home and their parents treat them as a child. How can teenagers understand the impact of teen pregnancy and the risks associated with sexual intercourse, if after, the results are celebrated.”

This mentality appears to be reflected in the public school system.

On the Guam Education Board (GEB) Official Website, the site lists its board policies that “detail the operations and procedures that govern the function of the GEB and the GDOE students, teachers, staff, and administrators.” While no policies are listed regarding HIV/AIDS and STD education or pregnancy prevention, a policy does exist for when studentsbecome pregnant.

The policy states that the GEB recognizes its responsibility to support pregnant students and encourage them to stay in school.

Concerns mount over panhandling among island’s homeless FIrst of a two-part report on panhandling

By Rianne Peredo For Triton’s Call Oftentimes, people who panhandle in Guam claim it is their last resort.

Panhandling is a pervasive social issue

on Guam that prompted government officials to pass Bill 75-32, also known as the Aggressive Panhandling Act of 2013. The bill ensures the safety of drivers and pedestrians in and along public roads in Guam.

According to the bill, panhandling refers to spoken, written, or

printed word as well as usage of bodily gestures and signs with the purpose of obtaining an immediate donation of money or thing of value.

Some examples of aggressive panhandling are engaging in physical contact or intentional touching without a person’s consent during

the act as well as intimidation.

Amor Say, lead coordinator of the Guam Homeless Coalition (GHC) and planner/ grant administrator of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority (GHURA), agreed that the general public believes some people who panhandle are

homeless.

However, she knows of only two people who panhandled that were actually homeless. These individuals have been provided housing through GHURA. In regard to panhandling and the AggresContinued on page 11

9 University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

Sex education in Guam’s public schools falling short

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

10

Guam takes preventive steps against Zika virus

By Blaze Hubbard For Triton’s Call

The Zika virus is a disease that is transmitted through one of Guam’s most common pests - mosquitos.

The disease can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse, and symptoms include fever, rash, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle and joint pain, and headache. Researchers have linked the virus to miscarriages and microcephaly in pregnant women. Microcephaly is a serious birth defect in which a baby’s head is too small, resulting in incomplete brain development.

While there have been no deaths linked to Zika, and no known confirmed cases on

Guam, there is currently no effective vaccine against the disease.

The newly erected mosquito lab of the Division of Environmental Health of the Department of Public Health and Social Services may be Guam’s chance against the Zika threat.

The lab was constructed under the consultation of the Center for Disease Control. The CDC had a say in terms of design and equipment deemed necessary for the facility.

Rosanna Rabago and Claire Baradi, both alums of the University of Guam and officers at the island’s Department of Environmental Health and Department of Public Health and Social Services, shared

the lab’s mission and goals for the future.

“We are not at full capacity, so we are doing operations we are capable of,” Rabago said.

The primary objective of the new lab is to carry out preventative measures, such as surveillance, sorting and identifying mosquito species, pesticide resistance, and PCR, which is a polymerase chain reaction - a way of identifying pathogens through genomes.

“Our main focus is surveying and identifying mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses, such as Zika,” Baradi said. “We aim to be the sentinel lab for the region, but that will take years.”

The main way to

Cont’d: Avoiding student loan debt Continued from page 6 Gunn added that they are looking into the reasons why it does take UOG students longer to graduate and ways to assist students in getting their degree sooner.

Gunn said there are ways a student can prepare to pay off their student loans once they graduate.

Part of the reason why student debt may be a growing problem is because applying for a student loan at UOG is a simple process.

First a student has to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be to be eligible for a loan. Once the FAFSA is filed, it is then evaluated by Financial Aid in accordance to Federal

Rules.

Students will then be notified as to which type of loan they are qualified for.

There a number a ways a student can get assistance through the federal program, such as Pell Grants, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study, and the three types of loans: Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal direct Unsubsidized loan, and the Federal Direct Parent Loan.

According to Gunn, it’s possible for a student to could get enough support from Pell Grants and Scholarships that they don’t have to take out any student loans.

“Loans are the last step in the process,” says Gunn.

“Generally a student who doesn’t have some kind of money set aside to pay for college will end up taking student loans, and it just depends on how much the student needs and what their qualified for.”

The first is that students who are approaching their graduation should be working with UOG’s Career Development Office, which helps prepare them for internships, practicing interviews, or writing job resumes.

The second is the UOG Alumni Association, which has a strong network of graduates and business that they partner with that could assist a student get matched up with an employer in the area that fits their degree.

combat the threat is through prevention and source reduction. This can be done by destroying larvae, clearing and maintaining clean waterways, and eliminating standing water.

“We’re glad someone is doing an article like this because educating the public about this kind of thing is difficult,” Rabago said.

Since Guam can only do so much with the resources and facilities available, it is forced to look to prevention efforts in the mainland.

Recently, the Obama Administration requested $1.9 billion from Congress to aid in combating the Zika outbreak.

However, since it is an election year, Congress is not likely to

make a hasty decision.

In response to Congress’s slow response, the White House as relocated $500 million from funding to fight Ebola to efforts against Zika.

The Zika virus has left a trail starting from Brazil in April of 2015 and making its way through South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The World Health Organization estimates that the virus is going to spread through most of the Americas by the end of 2016.

Travel warnings have been implemented in multiple countries, and several of those countries have warned their citizens to avoid getting pregnant until the virus is analyzed.

Cont’d: SGA budget Continued from page 5 Student reactions Mariah Ramos, a senior in communications and President of UOG’s Lamda Pi Eta said, “I think more money should go into student organizations since they help promote Triton spirit.”

Because part of the student activity fees g oes to the Theater department, Athena Meno, a senior double majoring in Theatre and English Literature, says that the money is very beneficial because theatre admission is free for students and help to cover costs for copyright fees and show supplies.

“I think they are doing a pretty good job. I’ve attended their Triton’s Got Talent, which I thought was phenomenally successful. They

are doing a lot of work to bring in more students but I feel like there is just a little more outreach that needs to be done,” said Meno. “I know that they encourage the different clubs to attend their meetings but it would be nice if we had certain SGA members coming out to the actual meetings for the other clubs so that everyone is on the same table.”

Meno believes that SGA members who attend student organization meetings would create a more interconnectedness between the clubs.

Katherine Campbell, an undeclared freshman, further said she will be more likely to attend UOG events knowing that $24 of UOG tuition money goes toward those student activities from SGA and clubs.

By Dray Thompson Triton’s Call Staff For over two decades, UOG alumnus Ernest Ochoco has played the roles of actor, director and producer.

Ochoco, who majored in fine arts at UOG, has been involved in over 350 events ranging from a number of variety shows to grand operas.

One of his most notable works includes directing and co-producing the highly awarded musical “Rent.”

He also portrayed the Angel for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which was another work he directed and co-produced.

Ochoco explained that

he started in fine arts at the age of five, after singing the Christmas carol “Angels We Have heard on High” on TV. “It was fun singing the music and seeing the angel clothes on my friends, and I remember wanting to be one,” Ochoco said.

Ochoco explained that organizing a production on Guam can be challenging because there are only a few people on the island who are theatrically trained.

“I find that I have to do a lot of other work in order to put a show on. I wear different hats…from producer, to performing, to training people how to act and sing and dance, to designing technical

support for the show, designing hair and makeup,” Ochoco said.

Ochoco enjoys the moments when his productions come together.

He said he’s blessed that he has some people to support him, including Jeff Sanchez from Jamz Media, who works on lights and sound, and Chito Santos, who helps with set design.

Ochoco’s favorite play is Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” and he is aiming to bring the production of “Wicked” to Guam, and serve as an actor and as a director for it.

Ochoco is currently getting ready for another production, the Disney classic, “The

Ochoco

Little Mermaid,” which will be playing at the Father Duenas Phoenix Center, April 7, 8 and 10.

“The original story is my favorite, so this is an homage to that great story of true love,” Ochoco said.

Cont’d: Addressing panhandling among homeless on the island Continued from page 9 sive Panhandling Act, Say said, “I do not condone it. There are programs available to assist these people who say it is their last resort.”

According to Say, it is difficult to confirm if people who panhandle are truly homeless unless a social worker verifies them.

After a social worker determines their residential status, it is still the individual’s choice if they want to assistance or not.

There is the possibility of individuals refusing assistance such as housing due to a lack of trust in others.

In order to engage the local homeless population and gain

trust, there are many community outreach events held regularly.

The annual Passport to Services event provides direct services such as immunizations, information and housing referrals, medical and mental healthcare.

Additionally, the event is an opportunity for outreach to people experiencing homelessness for the first time or homeless people not surveyed during the annual Guam Homeless Point-In-Time Count Report for reasons unknown.

The programs provided are referred to as support services.

The Continuum of Care Program grant funds are allocated to government agencies and local nonprofit organizations. By doing

this, GHURA and GHC aim to prevent homelessness and re-house individuals and families.

Both organizations also have a goal to increase self-sufficiency among homeless individuals and families.

The 2015 Guam Homeless Point-InTime Count Report conducted by the GHC and GHURA annually concludes that many people who panhandle are not homeless, contrary to popular belief.

Student commentary on panhandling Maria Tenorio, a UOG senior majoring in psychology, does not view panhandling as a social issue as long as it is not the individual’s main source of income.

She also said it is important that there are

11 University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016

UOG alumnus expresses passion in theatrical arts

good intentions behind the cause, but it is difficult to determine.

She compared panhandling to online crowdfunding through GoFundMe. GoFundMe is an organization that allows people to create fundraising campaigns for donations via check or bank transfer. In addition to a website, the organization has a mobile application and boasts that there are no deadlines and goal requirements.

GoFundMe stated that individuals are allowed to keep every donation they receive via their campaign(s).

Although Tenorio has not given money to local panhandlers, she has considered it.

“I am usually cautious about it because I am

worried about giving money to a fake cause,” Tenorio said.

Tenorio agreed that there should be a screening process to regulate panhandling because it is currently legal in Guam. She acknowledged the potential for people to garner sympathy for illegitimate purposes as a downside of panhandling.

She said it is unfortunate that some people consider panhandling as their last resort, especially if they are homeless.

When asked about the programs she knew of that provide assistance to the local homeless population, Tenorio said she knew of Catholic Social Services, Sanctuary, Inc., and GHURA.

University of Guam Triton’s Call, April 2016 12