September 17, 2003 - Dallas County Community College

Transcription

September 17, 2003 - Dallas County Community College
September 17, 2003
Volume 34, Issue 1
***ACP National Pacemaker Finalist***
Construction continues on college’s new science building
by Abel Sanchez
Assistant editor
Perhaps you might be one of several
students wondering why the campus is
under construction. Over the summer
construction of a state-of-the-art
Science ‘S’ building and renovations to
the ‘P’ and ‘C’ buildings began.
The $5 million ‘S’ building will be
located in front of the ‘N’ building and
scheduled for completion in May 2004.
The building will have three floors, four
new classrooms, two new chemlabs,
and the first floor will be used as a conference center. The physics and geology division will relocate to the building
as well.
The construction of the building is
actually the final step of several years of
planning. A long term planning committee evaluated the campus years ago. The
group recognized that new facilities
were needed.
The architect’s office for the entire
district receives, evaluates, and
approves proposed building projects.
The district office takes approved projects from all colleges and places them in
a bond package for voters to vote on.
The individual colleges work on finding an architect.
A bidding process is established for
architects to place competitive bids. A
committee visits architects and works
with them to design labs and classrooms
that will fit the campus’ needs. “There
was a lot of planning, a lot of input, and
a lot of chances for expression,” Dr.
Mark Presley, dean of Science and
Physical Education, said. “We had to
equip this building with current technology, but design it generic enough to fit
new emerging technology.”
The architects received a great deal
of input from the chemical program
coordinator and chemistry professor
Tina Mewhinney. Plans for classrooms
and labs were constructed from her
drawings and she helped design all storage areas. The new labs now allow for
students to take a seat while they work.
The labs are designed for teaching and
for the traditional atmosphere of group
experience.
The building will be equipped with
better handicap access (ADA) and will
have available the fastest wireless connection
in
school.
Perhaps
Mewhinney’s proudest accomplishment
will be her efficient design of fume
hoods which allows for 16 stations in
half the space normally required. “I
wanted to save money, but I wanted to
have the best facility possible,”
Mewhinney said. As a safety precaution
two rows of parking will be closed off
until construction is complete.
The older labs will be turned into
classrooms and the ‘P’ building will
receive gym and locker room renovations.
photo by Stephanie Moreno
The foundation is being laid on the science building,
which is scheduled for completion May 2004. Two rows
of parking have been blocked off in parking lot W-3.
Finally Mars: 50,000 years later
MARS
FACTS
Over 50,000 years ago the red
planet last orbited closest to
earth. Mars is the most earthlike planet.
•Life – It’s unknown whether
there is life on Mars.
photo by Liz Foster
Ashley Moore is among patrons
of Subway, the new sandwich and
deli cafeteria vendor at Eastfield.
•Diameter – It’s roughly 4,222
miles or 53 percent the size of
earth.
Subway
whets the
appetite
•Most striking feature – Mars
looks ruddy from outer space,
due to being covered in oxidized
rust.
•Temperature – Ridiculously
cold most of the time. Freezing
in most places. Planet-wide: 67
degrees F. Can be shirt sleeve
during fleeting moments of daytime summer.
by Quinton Young
Reporter
Subway, the new cafeteria vendor, opened Sept. 3 to students and
staff at the Eastfield cafeteria in C107.
The ‘eat fresh’ sandwich chain
received the contract to service
Eastfield as well as North Lake college, the only two colleges to be
picked up by the nationwide vendor.
Subway was brought to the campus by franchise owner Stephen
Chapital. “I started off with my own
franchise and purchased an existing
Subway in East Dallas,” Chapital
said. “The franchise came with a
thank-you-for-your-purchase andgood-luck.”
Don Mathus, the fitness instructor at Eastfield, said “I think it’s
great...Subway’s healthy; they have
good low-fat sandwiches.”
Subway is open M-Th, 7 a.m. to
7 p.m. and Friday, 7 a.m. to 1:30
p.m.
•Day – 24 hours 37 minutes
•Year – 687 Earth-days, or about
670 Mars days
photo by Stephanie Moreno
Eastfield astronomy professor Bill Riley looks on as students and
community members wait turns to catch a glimpse of Mars. Hopeful
stargazers gathered in campus parking lot W-4 for the late night plan-
etary viewing. The college hosted two viewings Aug. 27 and Aug. 30.
Eastfield was one of five local community colleges to host the viewings.
Red planet looms closest to earth for first time, making history
by Sean McNamara
Staff writer
Eastfield along with the Texas
Astronomical Society (TAS) gave
students and the general public a
once in a lifetime opportunity to
catch a glimpse of Mars during the
first week of class.
Mars has not been this close in
over 50,000 years. On August 27 at
precisely 4:51 a.m. Mars got closer
to Earth than ever before in recorded history, being a mere 34.6 million miles away. At its farthest
caps, which are
areas of frozen carbon dioxide, located on both the
north and south
pole. It also has a
volcanic mountain
that is twice the
size of Mt. Everest
named Olympus
Mons as well as a
canyon that is 3,000 miles long and
five miles deep. “It is big enough to
engulf the United States,” Hafey
said.
point, Mars can be
over 61 million
miles away from
planet Earth during
its yearly rotation.
“Now the next
time it will be this
close or closer will
be on Aug. 28,
2287. So everybody
mark their calendars
for the event!” said Chaz Hafey,
director of the Science Place and
astronomy instructor at Eastfield.
Sister planet Mars has polar ice
Storm causes blackout in ‘T’ building
Investigators reveal trees land on structure, hit power lines
by Seketha Wonzer
Reporter
The ‘T‘ building lost electricity on
Aug. 26, and cancelled all evening
classes after trees hit the power lines. It
was first reported as lightning striking
the ‘T’ building, but further investigation proved that was not the case.
Denny Norris, senior technology
operator, received the report of the
blackout at 3:18 p.m. Norris’ department called Oncor Energy, the electricity provider to the Dallas side of the
campus.
Gerald Kozlowski, dean of
Communication Arts and Technologies
division, located in the ‘T’ building,
decided to cancel classes for the
evening at 6 p.m. “This was a very
unfortunate mishap for the first day of
classes for Tuesday and Thursday students, which I would like to personally
apologize for,” Kozlowski said.
Oncor Energy did not arrive until 9
p.m. to correct the problem. Oncor
reports that the blackout occurred when
two trees hit the electric lines, causing
them to touch together, and resulting in
a power surge that blew fuses in the
transformer systems.
It took approximately thirty minutes
to change the fuses in the transmitters
and have the power reinstalled.
Students where able to return to
classes the following day to a well-lit
building. “That was not the first time
this has happened due to the trees on
that side of the campus,” Norris said.
He and his staff have trimmed the trees
since then to prevent a recurrence of
this event.
Blackouts on
campus
Bldg.
Date
Cause
Campus
Wide
July 31/
Aug. 1
Oncor
C&N
Aug. 12
Damaged
line
C&N
Aug. 23
Repair
T
Aug. 26
Damaged
line
Source: Art Sykes, Facility Director
A wide variety of telescopes
were available for viewers to see the
Red Planet, ranging from a 20-yearold homemade scope to some costing upwards of $2,000 and $3,000.
“Some of these telescopes are
equipped with a Global Positioning
Satellite, which is available on some
of the newer Cadillacs,” said Linda
McCalla, a member of the TAS.
“It was the coolest view of Mars
I’ve ever seen,” said one stargazer,
who read about the event in a
see RED PLANET, page 10
•Air – Not much. Less than 1
percent the density of Earth’s air
at the surface, and mostly carbon dioxide (95.3 percent).
Trace of oxygen (.15 percent).
•Water – Not a drop that we
know of for sure yet. But possibly a lot long ago and maybe
some today, under the surface.
•Snow – Yes, surprisingly, but
you wouldn’t want to ski on it.
And it’s melting, perhaps due to
global warming.
Source: www.space.com
Information compiled by
George Cherucheril
Eastfield student contact hours
among fall semester district leaders
by Steven J. King
In-depth/Investigative editor
Classes resumed Aug. 25, and students
rolled in with a head full of steam. Enrollment
at Eastfield has surged, and so have the student contact hours.
Eastfield’s current student enrollment is
11,577. The number of contact hours is
1,732,272. That figure includes 176,648 telecollege hours.
Every two years known as a base year, the
Texas legislature meets and allocates funding
to all the state funded colleges and universities. Funding is based on the school’s student
contact hours.
The funding each school receives is for the
next two years, or four semesters, until the
state legislature meets again. In the event there
is an increase in student contact hours before
the next session, funding is not increased.
“If there is a low base year and the [contact
hours] increased the next year, the state does
not give additional funding,” said Connie
Howells, assistant dean of Institutional
Research and Planning.
Contact hours are comprised by multiplying the number of students enrolled in a course
and section, and the number of required classroom hours. “Contact hours are the reflection
of time students spend in class,” Howells
said.
For example, one section of Accounting
2301 has 26 students enrolled. The course
requires 48 classroom hours.
The two numbers multiplied equal 1,248
which are the contact hours.
“The funding received from the contact
hours helps Eastfield afford additional
resources for its students,” added Howells.
September 17, 2003 • Page 3
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
HEALTH & POLITICS
Send in more manpower, finish the job, get out
O
ne would presume that wartime casualties
would exceed those occurring after the war,
right? Well, not necessarily. In case some of you
haven’t heard, the number of U.S. soldiers killed in
post-Saddam Iraq recently surpassed the number lost
during actual wartime.
The war on Iraq began
March 19. On May 1st, when
president Bush declared the
war ended, the death toll of
American soldiers was at
139. As of September 16th
we have lost an additional
155, totaling 294 American
soldiers lost in Iraq. How
many more will we lose
today? Tomorrow?
According to an article
from the Washington Post “To ensure our
website, http://www.wash- troops’ safety,
ingtonpost.com/ac2/wpwe need to send
dyn/A14499-2003Jun19,
Bush and his top military and more manpowforeign policy officials er, finish the job
believe that casualties are
necessary in a successful mil- and get out of
itary operation.
there.”
One official said “Are we
-Amanda Dunn
not better off today than we
were a month ago? Yes.”
Okay, so I understand that war will always yield fatalities, but I thought the war was over.
How do we know that we are better off today? What
important information are we missing? What is the government keeping from us? Enlighten me, please! Thank
God for the media, otherwise we wouldn’t have a clue
about what goes on in Iraq. We still do not even know if
the reasoning to declare war on Iraq was legitimate.
Isn’t the goal of war to be quick and effective in the
operation and attempt to lose little or no soldiers? There
is no evidence that we did any post-war planning. Sure,
we didn’t expect this and thought the Iraqi people would
simply accept us trying to organize and stabilize their
government and country.
Regardless, we should have been prepared for the
worst. Our troops face daily attacks from countless
forces. Iraqis are being paid by anti-American troops to
kill U.S. soldiers.They also encounter terrorist organizations and other groups contending for power. Rep.
Neil Abercrombie said in an interview with the
Washington Post, that our current situation reminds him
of the time when he first began to have doubts about the
Vietnam War.
The total number of U.S. fatalities for the Vietnam
War equaled 58,198. What could this mean for the
United States today? Another Vietnam? We do not want
to witness the same result. To ensure our troops’ safety
we need to send more manpower, finish the job and get
out of there.
Donald Rumsfeld, the secretary of defense, main-
Church and state must
separate; chief justice
defies U.S. constitution
he
recent
Ten ordered the removal; he still
Commandment controversy refused.
Chief Justice Moore was susin Alabama is shocking to
me. The Constitution guarantees pended with pay. I know if the comthat the United States Government mon citizen refused a federal court
(in any form) shall not promote, order to do anything, more than a
endorse, or push religion of any paid suspension would follow. An
kind onto the citizens of the United Alabama Supreme Court Justice
should be held to
States.
higher standards than
Our judges are
the ordinary man.
sworn to protect
With all the relifairness, justice, and
gious conflict in the
the
Constitution.
world and in our
This is supposed to
country today, what
be the sole purpose
if Roy Moore was a
of a judge.
Muslim or Buddhist?
If we, as a
Would the State of
nation, have judges
Alabama
rally
going around proaround Moore then?
moting their own
“An Alabama
Probably not. To
personal beliefs on
Supreme Court
be fair and just to
religion or other topevery citizen of our
ics then there is a
Justice should
great and diverse
conflict of interest.
be held to highnation, government
The separation of
and religion should
church and state is
er standards
never be mixed,
imperative to the
than the ordiespecially in the
United States exisnary man.”
courtroom. That
tence as a free
includes swearing in
nation. Our founding
- James Steele II
on the Christian
fathers knew this, as
bible.
this was one of the
According to some recent polls
many reasons for breaking free of
English rule. America is a melting by religious organizations and the
pot full of different ideas, religions, United States government, there are
about 24 percent of Americans who
races, cultures, and beliefs.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy do not consider themselves
Moore needs to learn that. He Christian.
Should we not hold these people
should have already known that and
kept his beliefs at home or in his accountable for lying on the witness
own church. Certain basic princi- stand because they swore on a
ples of the Constitution are taught in Christian bible, after all they are not
elementary school. How was Chief Christian?
If we do not put a firm lid on this
Justice Moore appointed without
basic knowledge of the Costitution? problem, then we have many more
Chief Justice Moore was ordered problems that will arise.
Respect the Constitution, church
to remove the monument containing
the Ten Commandments and and state must separate.
refused. Then, a federal court
T
U.S. troops continue to die in Iraq
after Bush declares end to combat
by Brandon Stovall
Reporter
Since May 1, when President
Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq over 150 U.S. soldiers have died. A total of at least
294 U.S. soldiers have died since
major combat operations began on
March 20.
“The Americans [in Iraq] now
seem as an infestation that the
Iraqis need to exterminate,” said
William Bryant, a student. He
added, “...this police action is not
working.”
According to cnn.com Bush
stated that the “major conflict”
was over, but the Iraqi citizens and
an ongoing guerrilla war are still
keeping soldiers there.
“We’re slowly but surely bring-
tains that Americans will be patient and will tolerate
U.S. casualties. I do not personally have any family
members enlisted in the military but I have recently witnessed a family’s fear as their loved one was called to
combat in Iraq, not knowing if or when they will see
him again. The next soldier we lose may or may not be
of any tie to you, but they are a part of our country, they
are a part of someone’s life. How patient will we be?
How long will we tolerate it?
ing stability to Iraq,” said Bush
illustrating the imperative to win
the war on terrorism.
Not only are Americans dying;
British and Dutch troops have also
lost their lives for the cause in
Iraq. Though there is a rising death
toll in Iraq, U.S. officials dismiss
the death of American soldiers as
“militarily insignificant” as the
Guardian reports.
Previous war casualties
Korean war
Vietnam conflict
Persian Gulf War
165,637
213,377
863
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
WestNileVirus
Practicing the four D’s keeps one free of this diseasezzzzzz;
Texas Department of Health gives West Nile advice
by Kyle Spencer
Health & Politics editor
BUZZ!!! Who can ignore such
an irritating noise during hot summer days? You and your family
are sitting down to a nice picnic
when all of a sudden swarms of
uninvited guests decide to pay
a little visit, and this
time they are carrying some
excess baggage.
The West Nile Virus, which
started in Africa, rocked the
nation last year with 1,856 infections and 37 deaths. The first
human death in Texas was Aug.
16, 2002. So what is this mysterious disease caused by?
West Nile is a mosquito-borne
virus that can cause encephalitis,
an inflammation of the brain or of
the lining of the brain and spinal
cord. It is spread to humans
through the bite of an infected
mosquito.
When asked about the virus’
affect
to
Mesquite,
The
Environmental
Protection
Agency was unavailable for
comment. However, five
dead bird cases were
reported within a five
mile radius. The Texas
Department of Health
offered
some
information on the
summer time
illness.
Dr. Joe Garrett,
an epidemiologist
with
t h e
Zoonosis Control Division at
the Texas Department of Health,
says health departments around
the state began surveillance of
dead jays, crows and hawks in
May. They collect these birds,
send them in to the laboratory and try to isolate the
virus from the birds.
In addition to birds, public
health officials around the state
collect and analyze mosquitoes
and record reports from veterinarians about West Nile in horses.
Vaccinations are available to protect
horses.
Vaccines
and
boosters should
be given in the
early
spring.
Garrett says people
can protect themselves
by controlling mosquitoes.
Texas Commissioner of
Health
Eduardo
Sanchez is
urg-
ing Texans
to reduce their risk of getting the mosquito-borne
West Nile virus by
“remembering the four D’s:
drain, dress, DEET and
dusk/dawn.”
Sanchez, head of the Texas
Department of Health, said residents should:
•Drain standing water around
their homes to reduce mosquitohatching grounds.
•Dress in pants and long sleeves
when outside in mosquito-infested areas, but avoid becoming too
hot.
•Apply an insect repellent that
contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-mtoluamide) to exposed skin and to
clothing when outdoors.
•Stay indoors at dusk and dawn,
when mosquitoes are most active.
Make sure that when you are out
-doors you use a non-scented
lotion, Mosquitoes are attracted to
sweet fragrances. Lastly, avoid
activities
in
wet
areas.
Mosquitoes thrive in warm damp
areas.
If you have any questions or
concerns about the West Nile in
your area please call this number
1-888-883-9997 or visit The
Texas Department of Health at
www.tdh.state.tx.us/.
Dallas Area West Nile Virus Facts:
•Hardest hit areas in last two weeks:
South Dallas, Pleasant Grove, East Dallas and Oak
Cliff
•Dallas is spraying areas in Northeast Dallas, Old East
Dallas, South Dallas and Far East Dallas: An area west
of Eastfield College, bounded by La Prada Drive, John
West and Peavy roads, and Oates Drive.
•Reported cases: 3,541
•Reported deaths: 66
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/surv&controlCaseCount03.htm
Mosquito graphic by Loni Warden
Texas Constitutional Amendments
Last Saturday Texans went to the polls to cast votes on 22 amendments to the state constitution.
current lump sum home equity loans now available.
For 65.43%
Against 34.57%
With voter turnout at about 12 percent, it represented one of the
largest turnouts for a statewide election with no offices at stake,
according to voting officials.
PROPOSITION 11
This would allow the state to regulate the operation of wineries,
regardless of whether a winery is in an area where alcohol sales
have been authorized by local election.
For 62.42%
Against 37.58%
Following are results for some of the higher profile amendments.
PROPOSITION 12
The constitutional amendment capping lawsuits against doctors
and health care providers, and other actions, authorizing the legislature to determine limitations on non-economic damages.
For 51.12%
Against 48.88%
PROPOSITION 16
The constitutional amendment authorizing home owners the right
to take advantage of a home equity line of credit rather than the
PROPOSITION 2
Expands the length of time to two years for a former owner of mineral rights to buy back rights that were sold because of unpaid
taxes.
For 62.42%
Against 37.58%
PROPOSITION 3
Authorizes the legislature to exempt from ad velorum taxation
property owned by a religious organization that is leased for use as
a school or that is owned with the intent of expanding or constructing a religious facility.
For 52.88%
Against 47.12%
PROPOSITION 7
Permits a six-person jury in a district court misdemeanor trial.
For 74.69%
Against 25.33%
PROPOSITION 8
Authorizes the legislature to permit a person to take office without
an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office.
For 56.38%
Against 43.62%
PROPOSITION 6
Permits the refinancing of a home equity loan with a reverse mortgage.
For 70.92%
Against 29.08%
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
Page 4 • September 17, 2003
NEWS & EVENTS
Home school students take
advantage of college courses
by Sean McNamara
Staff writer
photo courtesy of EFC Marketing and Communications
The home school program is three years old and
accepts students between the ages of 13 and 18.
guage and spanish. “We
offer a wide variety of graded classes and even plenty
of non-graded classes in the
summer months,” said
Mary Ann Fitzsimmons,
program
director,
Workforce and Economic
Eastfield College offers
a variety of classes for
home schooled students.
This program is not brand
new either. It has been
going on for three
years.
“We offer a wide
The program startvariety of graded
ed when the Texas
Home
School
classes and even
Coalition Association
plenty of non graded
(THSC) asked Dr.
Rodger A. Pool, presi- classes in the summer
dent, about Eastfield
months.”
offering classes for
–Mary Ann
home schooled stuFitzsimmons
dents to prepare them
for college and the
Development.
work force.
The tuition for these
The program is open to
home schooled students classes ranges from $60 to
between the ages of 13 and $150 per semester. “The
18. The courses offered are: chemistry courses carry
music and history, govern- higher tuition because they
use
the
lab,”
ment for teens, sign lan- do
Fitzsimmons said.
Students who take these
classes are also granted
access to almost all of
Eastfield’s facilities, such as
the library, the computer
lab, and the learning assistance center.
They may also benefit
from student clubs and
organizations, much like
typical college students.
Fellowship of Christian
Athletes and Phi Theta
Kappa International Honor
Society are two of them.
This program is taught
by high school teachers and
is designed to open up more
choices for home schooled
students. Choices that were
once unavailable.
For more information
contact
Mary
Ann
Fitzsimmons at 972-8607113, or e-mail her at
[email protected].
College ups price of vending machine snacks
Students voice complaints, consider campus-wide boycott
by David Ross
Reporter
It will cost 12 cents more for a candy bar,
pastry, or chips at Eastfield. This is the first
increase in three years.
Students and faculty already feeling the
sting of a recent up in soda drinks returned to
school in August and found that along with a
price hike in tuition and book costs, it would
also be more expensive to stop and snack
before and after class.
Reports of a student led semester boycott of
all snack and soda machines were reason for
concern with top Eastfield officials.
Jim Jones, vice president of Business
Services said, “A boycott would have a definite impact and would be detrimental to both
the staff and students.”
Eastfield reportedly made an estimated
$90,000 in sales last semester with 70 percent
being used to fund student programs.
Jones was unsure as to the remaining years
left on the district wide contract with Custom
Foods, the snack and soda vendor for the
DCCCD. When asked whether a boycott
would force Custom Foods to lower prices,
Jones said, “It would depend on the duration.
As it would have an impact on sales. Custom
Foods would have to offer less commission to
renew and that would ultimately have a negative impact on everyone involved. If I thought
the boycott was fair and would work, it would
be out of Eastfield's control,” Jones said, “A
vendor is expected to increase prices, otherwise
we would be in a bad position to renew.”
Jones said that the price increase was fair
“because of the convenience.” He was also
surprised to learn of talk about a possible student led boycott.
Chris Samons, an engineering major said,
“Is a price increase ever fair? I would support
the boycott if it meant the possibility of a lowering of prices.” Professor Philip Ortez said
that the price increase “was kinda high” and
that he would support a boycott.
A survey of 50 students, both male and
female, revealed that the price increase has had
an impact on their monthly food allowance as
well as their decision to buy snacks and sodas
at the college.
Although the majority agreed to support a
semester boycott on all snack and soda
machines, most also admitted that if they were
photo by Stephanie Moreno
Students returned to classes Aug. 25 to find
vending machine prices had increased 12
cents.
real thirsty or hungry they would buy from the
machines anyway. Jones, who has been with
the district 22 years and with Eastfield since
1999, said it was “surprising” that the students
would consider a boycott. Students and faculty could have another three years to consider it.
photo courtesy of EFC Marketing and Communications division
The Criminal Justice Academy of Continuing Education is one of the
most successful in the state of Texas. Participants must be at least 21
years of age at the time of graduation.
Continuing education fill
today and future careers
by Kathleen Arellano
Reporter
high school students from ages 13
to 17. Parents decide academic
credits.
If you have a friend or family
Other popular courses and promember who is seeking new job grams include AutoCAD fast track
skills or you would like to boost training, a program to become an
your career, then
Emergency
enroll in one of the “Our courses can go M e d i c a l
W o r k f o r c e
Te c h n i c i a n ,
Development
or into as much depth English
as
Continuing Education as
a
student S e c o n d
courses.
requires, based on Language, physiWo r k f o r c e
cal development
Development
and the courses sequen- courses, and Air
Continuing Education tial nature.”
Conditioning
have many programs
training.
and courses. Ages
“Our courses
may vary from course
can go into as
to course, but the aver–John Emery much depth as a
age student’s age is
student requires,
37.
based on the courses sequential
One of the biggest programs nature,” Emery said.
this semester is the Criminal
Many Dallas community colJustice Academy. To enroll in the
leges, including Eastfield, North
Criminal Justice Academy, one
Lake, Richland, Bill J. Priest,
must be 21 years of age at the time
Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, El
of graduation, and cannot have
been convicted of any offense Centro, and Mountain View, offer
above the grade of Class ‘C’ mis- non-credit courses to succeed perdemeanor within the last ten years. sonally and professionally.
According to the district office
“The Criminal Justice Academy
of
research,
one of the main goals
is one of the most successful in the
state of Texas, they are placed in of the department is for students to
police departments throughout the obtain quality continuing educametroplex and surrounding cities,” tion to enrich their lives personalsaid John Emery, assistant dean of ly, socially, culturally and to
Continuing Education.
upgrade occupational and job
Emeritus classes, which are skills.
specifically for adults 55 and
For more information; pick up a
older, are designed to meet the Workforce/Continuing Education
needs of a mature learner and the Schedule or simply log onto
Home School Connection caters to www.eastfieldcollege.com
Former North Lake College president receives probation
by Steven J. King
In-depth/Investigative editor
“I made a big mistake,” said former North Lake
College president Dr. David England when asked
about his March 12 drug possession arrest. The arrest
cost England his job, and the many rewards that came
along with it.
Dr. England expressed remorse for his actions in a
telephone interview Sept. 3. “I am deeply sorry and
regret what happened,” England said. “I thank my
wife and kids for their continued support.”
The England family has received support from
friends and strangers alike. Unlikely sources such as
the Oak County Iowa Mothers Against Drunk Driving
have been supportive of Dr. England since the ordeal.
Longtime friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Aguero
said of his friend Dr. England, “he is a really bright
guy, and capable administrator.”
England’s use of the drug “was absolutely not evident,” according to DMACC colleague David Palmer
in an August interview with the ‘Des Moines City
View’, an alternative newspaper in Des Moines,
Iowa.
Dr. England spoke briefly of his plans for the future
during the Sept. 3 interview. “I currently have 8 to 10
jobs in the education field I have applied for,”
England added. “I will also explore executive business opportunities because that is my area of expertise.” Dr. England declined to reveal the names of the
schools or businesses he has contacted seeking
employment.
England and his family, along with their attorney
William Kutmus appeared before a Des Moines, Iowa
judge, June 19, to receive their sentencing. England
was facing a sentence ranging from probation to ten
DCCCD students will no longer
receive grade reports by mail
by Amanda Dunn
Staff writer
As of this semester, Eastfield
students, along with the rest of the
Dallas
County
Community
College District, will no longer be
receiving grade reports via mail in
an attempt to cut budget costs.
Charles Helton, director of
Admissions at Eastfield said he
supported the proposal to eliminate grade mailers. “The proposal
went to the district office, through
the hands of Richard McCrary, the
assistant vice chancellor of educational affairs, and was approved all
the way through the district,” said
Helton. The proposal spawned
from the fact the district had a
budget deficit. Grade mailers, as
they are called, were costing the
district even more money.
The average cost to print and
send out grade mailers for the district equaled $69,000 per semester.
The fall semester of 2002,
Eastfield alone totaled $3,666 in
grade report printouts.
Students will now either have
to go online, go though econnect,
or call with the proper information
in order to receive their grades at
the end of the semester. Helton
said, “students should not have
any problems getting their grades.
Most students have emails set up,
plus there are several other ways
they can go about getting them.
They can get an advisement report
or get their transcript. Transcripts
are free, we do not charge for
those.” Helton believes that the
change is for the better. Grades
will be available for students to
obtain the same day they are
entered into the records.
“If we mailed them out it would
take two to three days,” he said.
“This change helps students get
their grades quicker and gives
them more ways to go about getting them.”
“I am deeply sorry and regret what
happened. I thank my wife and kids for
their continued support.”
–Dr. David England
years in prison. England’s prior criminal record
includes a 1971 arrest for marijuana possession.
Judge Douglas Stiskal handed down the lightest
sentence possible. Dr. England, his wife, and daughter all pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking. Their
son pled guilty to misdemeanor possession.
Accepting a plea bargain, they all received probation,
100 hours of community service, and deferred judgements. The deferred judgement offers the possibility
of having the arrest and conviction expunged after
two years.
Last March, narcotics agents stormed the Des
Moines, Iowa, home of Dr. David England, and
served he and his family with a search warrant for
drugs. The narcotics agents confiscated 2.5 pounds of
marijuana, along with 72 marijuana plants. Each plant
could produce up to a pound of marijuana. England,
his wife, 22 -year-old daughter, and 16-year-old son
were all arrested and charged with felony drug possession and felony drug trafficking.
Dr. England served as president of North Lake
College from 1996-2001. He then accepted a job as
President/CEO of Des Moines Area Community
College in August 2001.
This is a follow-up to a previous article in our April
23, issue of the Et Cetera.
Story Ideas Needed!
•Submit your ideas and suggestions to:
•[email protected]
•972-860-7130 or
•Eastfield College, N-238 (suggestion box,
outside door)
September 17, 2003 • Page 5
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
ART & ENTERTAINMENT
Film reviews
‘American
Splendor’ a blue
American hero
Say goodbye to bad guy;
Pacino’s ‘Scarface’ returns
by Joe Stumpo
Entertainment writer
Scarface: A Universal Pictures release starring Al
Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert
Loggia, Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio, F. Murray
Abraham, Harris Yulin and Paul Shenar. Rated R.
Directed by Brian DePalma. Opening in limited theatrical release Sept. 19. Available on DVD Sept. 30.
Quality rating: **** (4.0 out of 4)
Scarface is an explosive rags to riches story that
combines powerful, sometimes shockingly brutal
moments of action, drama, suspense, tragedy and even
comedy.
Based on a 1932 mobster classic of the same name,
the film traces the meteoric rise and immediate fall of
Tony Montana, a Cuban exile and criminal, unforgettably portrayed by Al Pacino, who bloodily lives out
his American dream on the sun-soaked shores of
Miami reigning over a vast criminal empire built on
cocaine.
You’ll note that I mentioned this notoriously violent,
foul-mouthed, blood orgy has moments of comedy.
Well, it is humorous in parts even if scriptwriter turned
director Oliver Stone (JFK, Any Given Sunday) and
director Brian DePalma (Mission to Mars, Snake
Eyes) did not intend for it to be.
Take, for example, the odd way Montana spends his
hard earned money buying a convertible with leopard
skin interior, calling it a “creampuff” and develops a
new found infatuation for tigers so much that he vows
to one day buy one.
"You buy a tiger you won't have any friends left, not
that you have any now," says Tony's best friend,
Manny, played by Steven Bauer who provides some
of the epic's offbeat moments of comic relief.
Pacino’s character is a concoction of every raw emotion you can think of except happiness. You never
know what his reaction is going to be when under a
certain situation. When immigration officials doubt
his answers, the Cuban immigrant goes off on a tirade
talking about communism and why he left Castro’s
country.
Put him in the same nightclub where it just happens
his kid sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrontonio) is
dancing with another guy and Tony becomes a jealous
ticking time bomb ready to go off.
Most pathetic are those moments like the nightclub
scene where the much-feared hitman sits in a booth all
alone, brooding, lazily smoking a cigar while everyone else is beside themselves laughing as comedian
Richard Belzer tells jokes on stage.
“You ought to smile more,” a corrupt DEA agent
tells Tony at one point. “Remember every day above
ground is a good day.”
Its scenes like that and numerous others that bring
to mind the one quote never once uttered in the film,
"It's lonely at the top."
The film’s message is here is a guy who gets everything he wants, albeit illegally, but never once takes
the time out to enjoy it.
Like Blade Runner and The Rocky Horror Picture
Show, two pictures that were greeted with little fan-
“The business the characters are a
member of in Scarface is the kind
Marlon Brando’s Mafia Don Corleone
wanted no part of in the first
Godfather film.
–Joe Stumpo
fare when they debuted at theaters but have since risen
to cult status over the years thanks to video, Scarface
has also generated a faithful following as well since its
premiere twenty years ago. Rap groups have written
songs about the film while others quote memorable
dialogue like "Don't get high on your own supply,"
"Nothing exceeds like excess" and "Say goodnight to
the bad guy."
And as a result of its apparent cultural impact, the
film's studio, Universal Pictures and Focus Features,
are giving the three-hour crime drama the red carpet
treatment. The pic will be re-released theatrically in
limited cities that includes the Dallas area Sept. 19
with an all new digitally remastered print and soundtrack according to a recent article by the Associated
Press. A two-disc special edition on DVD will follow
on Sept. 30.
In the two decades since its theatrical debut, much
by Tony Wynn
Entertainment writer
Scarface, Al Pacino’s second most popular gangster film since The Godfather trilogy, returns to
theaters in celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary. ®1983 Universal Pictures/Focus Features.
has been made about the picture’s violence that
notably includes the infamous chainsaw sequence as
well as the chronic use of the four letter “F” word
which, according to IMDB.com, was uttered 206
times.
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
threatened the film with an X rating unless DePalma
make cuts to certain scenes back in ‘83. It was finally
awarded an R upon release. (Note: The MPAA
changed the X rating to NC-17 in 1990 according to
an article on notcoming.com.)
The fact is the violence in Scarface is no more disturbing than seeing James Caan’s Sonny Corleone
being riddled with bullets or waking up to find a
bloodied horse’s head in one’s bed like in 1972’s The
Godfather. The business the characters are a member
of in Scarface is the kind Marlon Brando’s Mafia Don
Corleone wanted no part of in the first Godfather film.
They are cold-blooded killers - ruthless, uneducated,
with barely a conscience, if any at all.
There is a reason Scarface still endures as one of
the most popular yet, for the most part, critically
repulsive gangster films twenty years later. That is
because since 1983, other than director Steven
Soderbergh’s 2000 Oscar winning film, Traffic, which
chronicled America’s losing battle with the illegal
drug trade from different perspectives, there have not
been any movies about the drug underworld that have
stuck out from all the others.
There is something ironic in the scene when
Montana tells a party of dinner guests that he is the
last bad guy they will ever see. Movies have conjured
up lots of memorable villains over the years, but when
it comes to gangsters, next to The Godfather’s
Michael Corleone, an academy award nominated role
Pacino clearly made his own, there has never been a
crimelord as frighteningly memorable and as tragic as
Tony Montana.
Tired of comic book and superhero movies that look like
living video games? Then say “hello” to Harvey Pekar. A
man who hates his job, hates all aspects of American pop
culture, and is on the verge of hating himself. By now you
are asking, “So why should I see this overtly depressing
movie?” Because this movie- American Splendor- is far
from depressing, Pekar is a hero to all of us who are too shy
to speak of things that truly bother us. He portrays the real
life annoyance we all have toward what we dislike about
everything around us.
The result of this unconventional narration of life is a
wonderfully hilarious original film that has audiences cheering in aisles and blue-collar losers everywhere wanting to
take up their pencils and draw stick-figures of their own
peculiar lives. Directors Shari Springer
Berman and Robert Pulchini give us Rating: A
Harvey (portrayed by brilliant Paul
Giamatti) and “Real Harvey” played by Harvey Pekar himself who fluently tells the story from two points of view.
Giamatti plays Pekar and “Real Harvey” tells the story from
a first person point of view. This effect is not a tool as most
directors would use it but a wonderfully honest portrayal of
relating the actors to the actual people. Pekar works at a
military hospital and is constantly suffering from stress on
his vocal cords as a result of screaming so much in his life.
In an effort to keep his sanity, he takes up writing a comic
book which is nothing more than brutally honest stories
plucked straight from his own life. Paul Giamatti is Oscarworthy as the unsung hero himself as he trumps, slumps,
limps, grunts, and complains the whole way to immortality.
His wife Joyce (Hope Davis) brings about some wonderful
laughs as she believes she can thoroughly identify all psychological conditions she sees.
Along with them, the cast feels as though it was chosen
by an omnipotent being wanting to see this movie be made
as splendidly as it was.
The characters never grow stale, the storyline never feels
long or dragging, and the dialogue is nothing short of hilarious. If these characters do not stick with you for days if not
weeks after seeing the film, then you must have seen the
wrong movie.
American Splendor is not only the Best Film of the Year
but it is one of the first three most interesting films of the
decade. If you want a real American Hero who will entertain
to the fullest, American Splendor is your movie. It is playing on two screens at the Angelika Theater on Mockingbird.
College hosts Celebrity Corner
guitar festival
Wonzer: ‘50 Cent new prince of hip-hop artists’
by P. J. Kryfko
by Seketha Wonzer
Entertainment writer
Reporter
Hosted at several locations in Mesquite including
Eastfield, the First Annual Mesquite Guitar Festival
festival welcomed nearly 2000 music lovers from
across the state. Covering styles from jazz, rock, traditional country and everything in between.
In addition to classes and workshops, attendees
were also treated to a variety of concerts from such
artists as Grammy Award Winner and festival cofounder Art Greenhaw, Grammy Award Winners the
Light Crust Doughboys, and finger picking hall-offamer Thom Bresh among many others.
Other activities included a Gospel Guitar Church
Service at First United Methodist Church Mesquite,
a presentation of old and rare guitar films, and a student concert featuring players from Eastfield and
other campuses.
Next year’s Guitar Festival is is planned for the
last weekend of July.
“The big change for next year is a week-long guitar camp to lead into the festival,” festival co-founder
Enric Madriguera said, and expressed his thanks to all
the faculty and students of the Eastfield campus who
helped make this new tradition such a success.
Move over Ja Rule and make room for a new prince
of hip-hop 50 cent, a rapper originally from Queens,
New York. A year ago, not many people had heard of 50
Cent (born Curtis Jackson).
Now it seems no one can get enough of him young,
old, rich, poor and most ethnic groups around the world
listen to his music. One of 50 Cent’s best known lyrics
is “Go, go, go shawty, it’s your birthday we gone party
like it’s yo birthday.” This song comes from 50 Cent’s
song titled “In Da Club” and is now being heard at
birthday parties everywhere.
In April of 2000, 50 Cent was shot nine times in front
of his grandmother’s home, critically wounding him.
The shots hit him from his head to his legs. 50 Cent
recovered from this and is now better than ever. Shortly
after recovering from the shooting, 50 Cent hooked up
with rap legend Dr. Dre and Eminem, another hip-hop
icon,
and
signed
onto
their
label
Shady/Aftermath/Interscope. Upon release of his album
“Get Rich Or Die Tryin’,” he sold almost 1 million
copies in its first week, topping charts all around the
again the list goes on and on.
While attending a party in Dallas I had a
chance to meet and speak with 50 Cent. Upon
entering the party, 50 Cent immediately donned
his infamous bullet proof vest, and started greeting a crowd of anxiously waiting fans nearby.
When asked about future plans he simply replied,
“I am going to get rich or die tryin’,” speaking
about his book deal with MTV books which is
scheduled to be released in December. 50 Cent
currently has future upcoming concert tour dates
planned over seas.
This guy is rising to the top fast. He has
photo courtesy of Seketha Wonzer awards, books, tours, and is on top of the charts all
Wonzer is shown with 50 Cent at a party following a over the world. 50 Cent has been compared to the
Dallas area concert last spring. The artist’s ‘Get Rich Or likes of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., and these
Die Tryin’ album sold more than 1 million copies in its hip-hop artists were named the godfathers of hiphop. 50 Cent has his own style. With 50’s many
first week, topping the charts.
accomplishments, duplication will not be easy,
world. The artist has received numerous awards in the
although
many will try.
last several months: VH1, MTV, BET, Billboard, and
We
now
have a new crowned prince of hip-hop, so
the list goes on and on. 50 Cent has also worked with
look
out
world,
here comes 50 cent.
various other hip-hop artists, including Eminem, Busta
Rhymes, Lil’Kim, Snoop Dog, and Justin Timberlake...
Library exhibit brings Eastfield’s ‘blast from the past’ to life
by Jeff Sanders
Reporter
The library has recently opened its
archives, unpacked and dusted off
nearly forgotten historic memorabilia, and placed it on display to give the
campus a glimpse of Eastfield’s
unique past.
Located inside the library near
study room L207, the exhibit bears
testimony of the dreams, hard work,
triumphs and failures of the men and
women who made Eastfield College
what it is today.
Although Eastfield’s doors did not
open until 1970, the exhibit reaches
back as far as 1883 when the Motley
family first moved to Texas and purchased the land on which the campus
now thrives.
Exhibit visitors can discover what
courses were offered, how the new
college was promoted, how long registration lines were and other curious
campus happenings from the early
70s.
Those with somewhat morbid
interests can uncover the mysteries of
severed limbs, and why John
Motley’s arm and Cleve Motley’s
foot are buried on campus in the
Motley family cemetery.
Historic newspaper clippings,
campus construction plans, candid
photos of the original faculty, the first
class schedule and many other items
of historical note fill the display
cases.
Many more artifacts remain
packed away in boxes and will be
rotated periodically with those on
display, to encourage visitors to
check back from time to time to view
the latest offerings.
Gerald Kozlowski, CA&AT
Division Dean, who also teaches
American history, Texas history and
native American history, is the driving force behind the exhibit.
Kozlowski, a student in 1971,
returned as staff in 1982 and has
filled multiple roles in his 21 years
with Eastfield. “I’ve been around
almost forever so I have a good idea
about where things are and who has
what,” said Kozlowski, explaining
why he was involved with the exhibit. Kozlowski turned to Media
Support Services Dean Emma
Cronin, and librarians Velora Mann
and Carla Green for help in searching
out appropriate material for the
exhibit and for their creative display
skills.
Although satisfied with the current exhibit, Kozlowski admits “We
were in a hurry to get it (the exhibit)
up before school started so we didn’t
have a lot of time this go around.
With the next one, we’d like to put a
bit more thought into it.”
The exhibit’s display cases were
acquired through a grant from the
Eastfield College State Employee
Charitable Contribution Committee.
Speaking of the grant, Kozlowski
says, “We won it... sort of like a prize
for giving. Hopefully we’ll get more
next year.”
Kozlowski intends to use future
funds to purchase larger, standing
displays that will allow a greater variety of items to be displayed.
photo by Jeff Sanders
One of several display cases
showing historical artifacts from
Eastfield's past. New items will
be periodically rotated from storage to display. Its expected to be
on display in the library indefinitely.
Finding your way at Eastfield:
Students cope with returning to school
n college, nearly nothing can be
more frustrating than being lost or
caught in a maze. If you are new to
the campus, you are certain to be lost
during those crucial first weeks.
The Eastfield College campus is blueprinted and labeled by huge letterings at
the very top of each building. The only
problem is that there is no large lettering
once you enter the building; instead, letters and room numbers appear on the
office doors.
To master the maze from one building
to the next, you must follow either the
covered sidewalk or window covered
walkways located on the second floor to The L building is home to the library.
the next building. There are exceptions. We will cover these.
You need only take a couple of
heel clicks and you are in the next
building, unless you are going to
the T building or the E building.
Then, you must exit the N building
(which is where the bookstore is
located) on the west side and into
the ‘W-1’ parking lot. Why?
Because the east side is closed due
to construction of the future
Science, or S building. By the way,
parking is also limited in the W-4
parking lot due to construction.
Now, to get to the E building and
the T building, exit the N building The F building holds the Performance Hall,
and look straight ahead and you site of many concerts, plays, and speakers.
will see the E building or the
Education Center which is a portable
building. Look to your far right for the T
Below, the P building, under
building across the street.
remodeling, houses the gym and
workout facilities. Below right,
The easiest way to get to a physical the
the M building houses facilities
education class is to go south out the C and maintenance.
building from the 2nd floor. More ways
exist, but this will be the simplest one.
You might not have much need to go the
M building, however in case you do, you
can exit the C building at the front
entrance and head south through the
gated entrance. Suddenly, you are no
longer lost or frustrated. Well, maybe
frustrated.
I
Building Locator
Photos
Moreno
Jordan
by
Stephanie
and Courtney
A:
Layout and design by
Christopher
Rodriguez
and Loni Warden
Story by Liz Foster and
Amanda Dunn
Eastfield map courtesy of
www.efc.dcccd.edu
C:
Administration
President - Dr. Rodger Pool
Vice Presidents’ office
Dr. Diane Martin, Instructional Administration
Felix Zamora, Student & Institutional Develop.
Jim Jones, Business Services
Marketing and Communications
Sharon Cook, Director
Enrollment Management
ESOL Advisement Services
Information Technology
Institutional Research & Planning
Resource and Community Development
Room Reservations
Campus Center
Admissions
Advisement
Assessment (Testing Center)
Business Office/Cashier/Accounting
Cafeteria
Career Planning & Placement Center
College Police
Continuing Education/Workforce Development
Disability Services Office/TRIO
Financial Aid
Health Center
Human Resources
A317
A314
A321
A200
A323
A209
A322
A207
C119
C120
C114
C126
Pit
C235
C140
C112
C237
C237
C139
C100
Food Service (Subway)
C107
Learning Assistance Center
C236
Mail/Copy Center
C144
Registration Center
C127
Student Programs and Resources
C141
Instructional division offices:
(Business and Fine Arts)
C238
Don Baynham, dean
•Accounting, Arts, Business, Computer Information
Systems, Computer Science, Drama, Economics,
Humanities, Management, Marketing, Music, Office
Technology, Computer Science
(Academic Support & Mathematics)
C201
Vivian Dennis-Monzingo, dean
•Developmental Communications, Development
Reading, Developmental Writing, Developmental Learning, Human Development, Mathematics, Reading
(Language & Literature)
C202
Matilda Saenz, dean
•English, French, German, Italian, Photography, Sign
Language, Spanish, Speech Communications
(Science & Physical Education)
C301
Mark Presley, dean
•Anthropology, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, College
Learning Skills, Dance, Engineering, Geology, Medical
Terminology, Nutrition, Physical Education, Physics
follow the yellow mazed road
and manipulating their way around campus
The technology T building sits on the north side of campus and houses technical and occupational course offerings.
Left, the N building was the last
major project for Eastfield in
1990. The bookstore is housed
on the first floor. Additionally the
Parent Child Care Study Center
is housed in the N building.
Emergency
Procedures
Helpful Numbers
Eastfield College
Emergency number
972-860-8333
Health Center
972-860-7190
Evening
Administrator
972-332-9484
Emergency
Ambulance
911
Left, the C building holds the
admissions, advisement and testing offices, and continuing education. Also, the College Police
and Health Center are located in
the C building.
*College police carry
radio telephones and
receive all emergency
calls 24 hours a day.
Call box locations
Emergency call
boxes are strategically located around
campus in various
parking lots.
Information Directory
Veterans’ Affairs
E:
C237
Education Center
Teacher Center
E101
Fine Arts
Art Gallery
Performance Hall
F219
F209
Rising Star
F304
H:
Meeting room
H100
L:
Library Resources
Instructional Computer Lab
Instructional Support Services
Emma Cronin, dean
Library
Media & Production Services
F:
M:
N:
L108
L215
L200
L112
Maintenance (Facilities Services)
Main office
M113
North
Follett’s Campus bookstore
Parent Child Care Study Center
Student Newspaper (Et Cetera)
N100
N120
N238
Upward Bound
Instructional division:
(Social Science and Human Services)
Richard Cinclair, dean
•Child Development, Criminal Justice, Gerontology,
Government, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion,
Sociology, Social Work, Substance Abuse
P:
N230
N109
Emergency calls to
campus police
Any emergency calls
from an individual
attempting to contact
a student should be
made to the College
Police at (972) 8608333. Anyone who
wishes to locate a
student on campus
for any reason must
contact the College
Police in Room C140
Physical Education (Remodeling)
Gym
T:
Technology
Instructional division:
(Communication Arts and Applied Technologies)
Gerald Kozlowski, dean
•Automotive Technologies
•Heating/Ventilation, Air Conditioning
•Digital Imaging
•Computer Aided Design/Drafting
•Electronics
•Journalism
T143
Source: Student Life
Handbook
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
Page 8 • September 17, 2003
FEATURES & PROFILES
Camp Harvester helps new, returning students
by Amanda Dunn
Staff writer
Several Eastfield students, along with various staff
members met in room C-135 on Sept. 10, to attend
“Camp Harvester,” a basic training camp for both new
and returning students. The SPAR sponsored event
began at 12:30 p.m. and lasted until 2:30 p.m.
Approximately 55 students attended “Camp
Harvester.” All attendees received camouflage t-shirts
and tote bags filled with pens, pencils, student planners,
and informational pamphlets. SPAR staff members created the program for a number of reasons. “The underlined purpose of the camp activities was to introduce
students to each other, and to SPAR, who we are and
what we do, and of course for fun,” said Judy Schwartz,
a program specialist for SPAR.
The program opened with box lunches catered from
Jason’s Deli and an introduction to several of
Eastfield’s valuable resources, such as the Advisement
Center and the Learning Assistance Center. Not only
were the different resources introduced, but the students
also had the opportunity to visit the various resource
tables that were set up to obtain information pamphlets
or talk to representatives from the different centers.
When asked what she learned
dent here at Eastfield said,
from “Camp Harvester”,
“Camp Harvester definitereturning student Renay
ly opened my eyes to what
Hunker said, “I learned how
this school has to offer. I
to get a math tutor from the
will be reaching out to
LAC. I didn’t know that!”
other events and proEastfield President Dr.
grams.” There are about 30
Rodger A. Pool, Felix
clubs at Eastfield that many
Zamora, vice president of
students never know about.
Student and Institutional
SPAR will be holding the
Development, Dr. Diane
Club Fair, Sept. 23, at
Martin, vice president of
noon in the lower courtyard
Instructional Administration,
to give students a chance to
and Jim Jones, vice president
see the variety of clubs
photo by Stephanie Moreno
of Business Services also
Eastfield has to offer.
attended in order to answer “Camp Harvester” attendees take part in an exer“It’s a good way to meet
any questions the students cise to help new and returning students get to people, get free food, listen
may have had about Eastfield. know one another. The SPAR sponsored event to music....,” Napoles said.
Gerald Napoles, a SPAR was held Sept. 10.
As speakers wrapped
program specialist, encourup, the students were split
aged students to get involved in numerous campus into two groups for outdoor, teamwork building exeractivities and clubs. Schwartz told students “to get cises, led by Jessica Malone from “Leadership on the
involved.”
Move.” The first activity was the “get to know you
“Campus activities are a lot of fun. They can be game.” Participants stood in a circle, as each individual
transforming,” said Schwartz. Tony Wynn, a new stu- was to introduce themselves by their first name and a
positive adjective that rhymes with or begins with the
same letter. For example, Ambitious Amanda, or
Respectful Renay.
The second activity involved several teams of five
attempting to get everyone on their team across an
imaginary river of hot chocolate, using only four marshmallow stepping stones.
The purpose of the exercises was to build teamwork
skills such as listening to one another. “Why do you
think God gave you two ears and one mouth,” Malone
asked. “So that you can listen twice as much as you
speak.” Many students found the outdoor activities
informational and fun.
“Camp Harvester ended with issuing camp completion certificates and door prize drawings. Several different prizes were given out such as t-shirts, movie tickets, and two books titled “The History of Eastfield,”
written by Eastfield history professor Dr. Jerry Henson.
“Camp Harvester, in its first attempt, seemed to have
fulfilled its purpose,” Wynn said.
“I learned that whether I know somebody or not, it
all comes down to the fact that everybody wants to
smile and laugh. This gave me the opportunity to meet
new people. Everybody was really nice I like nice people and I am thankful for that.”
Book fair, jewelry expo
band together for PSSA
scholarship fundraiser
by Mario Mondragon
Reporter
“Books are Fun” teamed up with
Eastfield retiree Marie Dutton to bring
Eastfield a special treat, a book fair and
jewelry expo Aug.28. Dutton displayed
and sold her silver and crystal jewelry,
while “Books are Fun”, a Readers
Digest subsidiary, made a variety of
books and other items available to everyone.
The other merchandise included toys, music
and games. Customers had several shelves to choose from, containing
books on gardening, cooking, children’s education and many other special
interests. According to “Books are Fun” employee Justin Beck, the bestseller of the fair was not a book, but a magnetic dart board priced at
$17.99.
SPAR secretary Janet Foreman purchased two of the dart boards and
said she liked, “the reasonable prices and the variety of merchandise.”
When asked what she thought about the event, student Elizabeth Ortiz
said, “I liked having both the books and jewelry because not all students
are into books; many are into fashion.”
Marie Dutton was the mastermind behind bringing the fair to Eastfield.
Her purpose was to raise money for the Professional Support Staff
Association {PSSA}. The PSSA received ten percent of the proceeds from
both the jewelry sales and book fair sales to go toward employee scholarships. On this visit they received approximately $378.
Although the donation was not as large as the last visit, ($592), Dutton
considered the event a success. “We got money for the scholarships and
that’s what it’s all about!” she said. The book fair will tour other DCCCD
schools and other locations including hospitals and large companies.
Student support services goal
to remove college barriers
by George Cherucheril
Reporter
If you could use some help with
the cost of college, or feel overwhelmed with classes, then the
Student Support Services (SSS)
division could be your answer.
“Student Support Services exist
to remove barriers,” said Reva
Rattan, dean of the SSS division. It
consists of the Financial Aid Office,
TRIO/Student Support Services
(SSS) program, Disability Services
office, and Veterans Affairs office.
Financial aid is the largest office
in the SSS. Rattan said they have
awarded approximately $5 million
since July 1. She added that only 25
percent of the general student population applies for financial aid.
“Most students believe financial
aid only covers tuition and books,”
Rattan said. She explained that
financial aid covers the total cost of
attendance including child-care,
transportation, clothing, food, housing, and supplies.
“There are two things every student should remember,” Rattan
mentioned. First, every student
should
complete
the
Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) form each year by the
May 1 priority date. Rattan recommends that students “...fill out your
FAFSA as soon as you complete
your Income Tax Return.”
Second, students should read the
student aid report mailed to them
because “...it may have instructions
to send back additional information,” Rattan said.
Students missing the priority
date or failing to send in additional
information are subjected to a five
to six week processing lag time, or
may lose their claim.
The financial aid coordination
service offered by the TRIO/SSS
program saves students time. Other
TRIO/SSS services include, individual tutoring, academic advising,
transfer assistance, field trips to
area universities, study skills and
TASP preparation workshops, and
cultural enrichment.
Students are eligible for
TRIO/SSS if they have a disability,
are economically disadvantaged, or
neither one of their parents completed a bachelor’s degree.
Upon acceptance, students can
receive individual tutoring. “Tutors
make the program, and losing them
is hard,” said Taunya Dixon,
TRIO/SSS Tutor Coordinator. “I
was set up on private tutoring and it
helped me pass chemistry,” said Jill
Dozier, a second year TRIO/SSS
participant.
Bobbi White heads the Disability
Services Office. Currently, 200 students use the services offered.
Rattan said 200 students also use
the services of the Veterans Affairs
Office, twice as many as they had
two years ago. Rattan added that
due to our continued presence in
Iraq, larger numbers are expected in
the future.
All SSS Division offices are
located at Suite C237. They offer
solutions to ease financial burdens
and reduce classroom stress.
Texas throws cell phone law out the window
Police department, residents discover sequence of e-mails a hoax
by Marti Harvey
Reporter
If you recently received an e-mail about
changes in Texas law that would require the use
of a hands-free device while driving, please disregard it. The law, said to take effect on
September 1, never actually passed.
In late July, Uvalde Police Chief Sam Russell
and Eagle Pass Police Chief Tony Castaneda
received e-mails, appearing to be from the Texas
Department of Public Safety, that referred to a
new cell phone law and citing House Bill 281 as
confirmation. Both began giving interviews to
the media about the legislation and then had to
backtrack when they discovered the e-mails
were bogus.
The Texas Department of Public Safety,
which said they did not distribute the notices,
fielded so many calls that they posted a note on
their website about the e-mails.
At the same time, businesses and individuals,
including some Eastfield students and faculty,
received and forwarded e-mails from their
friends, families and human resources departments about the new cell phone laws set to take
effect.
Eastfield employee Ron Rollinson received
the e-mail from a friend this summer and
thought it looked very authentic. “It even quoted some House bill,” Rollinson said. “It was a
couple of weeks before I found out it was not
real.” In the meantime, he sent it to several on
his e-mail list. “I even saw two more e-mails
after that, but they did not have the House Bill
verbiage attached,” said Rollinson, who already
used a hands-free device and thought the law
would be a good idea.
Another recipient, Kim Todora, a Dallas
marketing executive and heavy cell phone user,
said the convincing part was the e-mail attachment containing a copy of House Bill 624. “I
got the e-mail from a colleague and thought I
was doing everyone a favor when I sent it on to
my associates at work,” Todora said. “If I didn’t already own a hands-free device, I would
have rushed out to get one. I couldn’t believe it
when my friend Traci checked it out and found
out it was not true.”
Dallas resident Traci Duff, who received the
e-mail from Todora, has been using the Internet
long enough to know she should investigate
things like this.
“I always check to see if these kind of emails are hoaxes or actual truths on either
www.snopes.com or www.truthorfiction.com
before I forward them,” said Duff. “As usual,
it was a hoax.”
Many of the communications contained the
language of House Bills 624 & 281, which
sought to make it illegal to use a cell phone
while operating a motor vehicle and imposed
fines ranging from $25 to $200 for infractions
under the proposed law.
Both bills were introduced during the regular session of the 78th legislature last spring
and each suffered the same fate. Both died in
committee back in March, but they came back
to life in local e-mail circles.
Senior Fest Snapshots
Senior adults turned out in large numbers in August for a day of workshops and fun-filled activities
photo by Courtney Jordan
photo by Courtney Jordan
Above, George Vega, of Avalon Alzheimer’s
Care Homes, prepares to test his putting
skills. Right, a woman gets her questions
answered at an information table.
Rhonda and Doris Pope of
Banner Health Service, Inc.
explain how they can offer
help to an inquiring woman.
September 17, 2003 • Page 9
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
ON CAMPUS & ETC
We welcome your contributions for the Cartoon Corner in the
Fall and Spring semesters. Please e-mail contributions to
[email protected] or drop them by the Et Cetera newsroom,
N-238.
Friend of
the stars
Aquarius: Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
Do something special for someone.
Exam colors: Blue
Virgo: August - 23 – Sept. - 22
Take my advice you look fine.
Exam colors: White
Pisces: Feb. 19 – March 20
You’re up for a challenge, but don’t forget a
little hard work always pays off.
Exam colors: Green
Libra: Sept. - 23 – Oct. 22
Your opinion is the only thing that counts.
Exam color: Yellow
Aries: March -21 – April 19
Someone is watching you so smile more.
Exam colors: Orange
Across
1. Drain off a fluid
5. In a higher place
9. Less distant
10. Dwelling
12. Worthless piece of cloth
13. Pry
14. Electronic letter (1-4)
15. Sliding vehicle
16. Exclamation of contempt
18. Roughly
20. Lyrical wordsmiths
22. Terrible
23. Irritate
24. Fall guy
25. Eccentric man
26. The heavens
27. Enthuiastic kiss
by SkyyThaStarr
Taurus: April 20 - May -20
Give someone a compliment; you may just
meet a new friend.
Exam colors: Grey
Gemini: May 21 - June 21
Don’t be afraid to ask a dumb question, you
may just have the right answer.
Exam colors: Brown
Cancer: June 22 – July 22
Your future looks bright.
Exam colors: Red
Leo: July 23 - Aug. 22
Take a break sometimes, you deserve it.
Exam color: Beige
Scorpio: Oct - 23 - Nov - 21
Treat your self to something nice you
deserve it
Exam colors: Tan
Sagittarius: Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
Books come in all different shapes and
sizes, so don’t judge a book by its
cover
Exam color: Black
Capricorn: Dec. 22 - Jan. 19
Stay focused, and don’t let anything stand in
the way of your dreams.
Exam color: Sky Blue
Dear Readers,
Exam colors indicate the best colors to wear
on your exam days. I welcome your
questions. E-mail me at:
[email protected]
skyy
Down
2. Tag
3. Terminated
4. Source of venison
5. Take into custody
6. Horizontal structural component
7. Gallery occupied by a church organ
8. Wicked
10. Too
11. Exceed in weight
16. Animals with tusks
17. Have confidence in
18. Body of bees
19. Melody
20. Head of the Roman Catholic Church
21. Tall plant
22. Copies
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
Page 10 • September 17, 2003
ON CAMPUS & ETC
Video, plaque portray
mood of WTC Memorial
by Betty Martyn
Reporter
“We will not waiver, we will not tire, we
will not fear, and we will not fail. Peace
and freedom will prevail,” reads a plaque
on the model of the World Trade Center
Memorial.
Thus, the quote by President Bush was
one of the many reminders displayed in
honor of Patriot’s Day in memory of all the
victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks
as well as those serving the country then
and now.
Student Programs and Resources (SPAR)
sponsored the event, which took place in C135. “This will give everyone a choice to
visit as they wish,” said SPAR program
specialist Gerald Napoles who coordinated
the memorial. Items on display included
the poem “Extravagant Spirits” by Maya
Angelou as well as pictures from Ground
Zero.
A copy of the Presidential Proclamation
that set September 11, 2002 as Patriot’s
Day was displayed prominently.
Dave Yonley, a media center staff member, produced a video tribute shown at the
memorial. “It was emotional putting this
video together,” Yonley said.
In a book set out for people to write down
their thoughts, attendee Paula R. says it
beautifully. “What a sad time for all
Americans yet, a heroic time. We are a
family who cherish life, one nation under
God.”
New:
Classified advertiising for et cetera online.
Issues go online 7 days following printed edition.
Inquire at [email protected] or call (972) 860-7130.
Mars
(Continued from page 1)
newsletter.
The viewing was set up on
Wed., Aug. 27 with the second on
Aug. 30. Both started around 8:30
p.m. and ended around midnight
but due to a cloudy Wednesday
night, viewers had to wait around to
catch a glimpse of the Red Planet.
“At one time I counted lines of
about 30 people,” McCalla said.
The clouds broke apart later on in
the night and viewers were treated
to some spectacular images of
Mars.
“I could see the ice caps, but I
thought it would be a lot bigger,”
said another star watcher, although
her 11-year-old son Graham, said “I
thought it was really cool.”
Anyone interested in learning
more about TAS may visit their
website at www.texasastro.org
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING
2031 John West Rd., Suite 103
Dallas, Texas 75228
Phone: (214) 327-4040
Mobile: (972) 768-1404
Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
September 17, 2003 • Page 11
Eastfield Et Cetera • http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/etcetera/
SPORTS
Left,
Lady
Harvesters try
to get the ball
away from an
o p p o n e n t
before
they
score another
goal. The Lady
Harvesters are
1-3
on
the
young season.
Below,
Lady
Harvesters
block out a
defender
as
they
try
to
score
from
point
blank
range.
The
L
a
d
y
Harvesters
hope to score
more
goals
once they play
together more.
photo by Courtney Jordan
Workers sparks fly as remodeling contiues on the ‘P’ building, set for
completion by November.
Asbestos abatement
displaces PE classes
photos by Courtney
Jordan
by Sean McNamara
Staff writer
The ‘P’ building remodeling is
part of the Capital Improvement
Project that includes the new
Science Building and the parking
lot renovations. All of these additions and improvements were
made possible by a $6.3 million
revenue bond.
The layout of the gym and
locker rooms in the ‘P’ building
will be changed to one controlled
entrance and exit for improved
security. The ‘P’ building was
scheduled to be completed over
the summer and ready when fall
classes started back.
Remodeling hit a major snag when they started to tear out the walls in
the weight rooms and locker rooms. The workers found asbestos, a type of
insulation that has been found to carry cancer causing agents, in a few of
the walls throughout the ‘P’ building.
The asbestos is left over from renovations that were done to the building in the early 90’s. “By law when any asbestos is found we have to
remove it and make sure there is none anywhere else,” said Art Sykes,
director of Eastfield Facilities.
The ‘P’ building weight room and locker rooms were to be remolded,
as well as a new entrance constructed on the 1st floor by the pool. “The renovations have taken longer than expected but it will be worth it when it is
all finished,” said Sykes.
Renovations are expected to be completed by November.
Lady
Harvesters
Volleyball
Opponent
Cedar Valley
Richland
Mountain View
Brookhaven
Cedar Valley
Richland
Mountain View
Name
Brenda Amos
Latoya Fesser
Melissa Gibson
Cecilia Mitchell
Amber Hope
Kristy Smithson
Cynthia Robinson
Brandy McNealy
Position
OH
OH
S
OH
OH
MB
OH
MB
The Lady Harvesters’ new
soccer team just completed
their first four games of the
season.
Their first game was
against Navarro, which they
lost 0-2. The Lady Harvesters
were able to bounce back
with a 6-1 win against North
Lake. Losses against both
Cedar Valley and Richland
College soon followed their
lone win. The most suspenseful game was against
Richland, where they were
tied 1-1 until Richland decided it was time to play and
scored three goals in the final
10 minutes handing the Lady
Harvesters a loss.
As for now the Lady
Harvesters are 1-3.
But
coaches, Amanda Ellis and
Randy Farmer hope that will
change soon. “The girls have
improved 99.9 percent since
their first practice and they’ve
been working hard,” Ellis
said.
The Lady Harvesters are a
new team which no teammate
received a scholarship to play,
so they each play for the love
of the game. “It feels good to
know that you’re a part of
something that just started,”
said midfielder Diana Fuentes
“There’s talent, we just need
to get it together.” In the
beginning of anything there is
always unexpected turns.
Take one step at a time and
you will find yourself at the
end of the unknown tunnel.
Baseball team gears up, tunes up
skills for regular February season
Site
Cedar Valley
Eastfield
Mountain View
Eastfield
Eastfield
Richland
Eastfield
Roster
No.
1
2
3
4
6
8
9
10
by Rick Melo-Flores
Reporter
Fall baseball scrimmaging
September / October schedule
Date
Sept. 29
Oct. 6
Oct. 9
Oct. 13
Oct. 16
Oct. 23
Oct. 27
New soccer team
kicks into high gear,
scores first season win
High School
Hillcrest
South Garland
Seagoville
Seagoville
South Garland
Fort Thomas
South Oak Cliff
Bishop Dunne
by Jeff Fox
Sports editor
September/October Baseball
schedule
The Harvesters’ baseball team is
gearing up for another exciting season. The team is currently evaluating talent and tuning up their skills
in the fall preseason before the regular season begins in February.
The Harvesters finished below
expectations last season by missing
the playoffs despite finishing the
season with a respectable 30-18
record.
The team once again has set
high expectations for this season,
although it is in a very competitive
district with Richland and Cedar
Valley as opponents. Coach Martin
said “Any team that comes out of
our district certainly has a chance to
contend
in
the
National
Tournament.”
The Harvesters have a host of
players returning from last year’s
team, including standout shortstop,
Derek Weldon, who by the way was
selected to play in the TX-NM JC
Date
Sept.29
Oct. 1
Oct. 4
Oct. 7
Oct. 10
Oct. 14
Oct. 16
Oct. 17
Oct. 20
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Opponent
Weatherford
North Lake
Norht Lake
Lon Morris
Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley
NE Texas
Richland
Richland
Ranger
Brookhaven
All Star Game on Sept. 26-27 in
Waco TX. Weldon batted .338 with
five homeruns and 29 RBI’s last
season for the Harvesters.
Other than Weldon, outfielder
Kyle Grifno, who hit six homeruns
and drove in 32 RBI’s last season.
Catcher, Matt Groth and his .328
batting average will return. With
freshman Taylor Henkel, and redshirt freshman Ty Patterson, who is
Place
Weatherford
Mesquite
Mesquite
Jacksonville
Lancaster
Lancaster
Mesquite
Dallas
Dallas
Ranger
Farmers Branch
ready to contribute this season, the
Harvesters should have a very productive lineup next spring.
Returning pitchers like Cameron
Chandler, Chris Ferguson, and Ryan
Rupert
should
anchor
the
Harvesters pitching staff. With their
line up set the Harvesters are looking to contend for another National
Title, which they won in 2001.
2003 Fall Baseball
Roster
Name
Pos.
Blain Amburgey
Russel Baker
Devin Berwick
Matt Bess
Blake Bond
Bandon Bond
Cameron Chandler
David Chavez
Ryan Derr
Adam Durham
Chris Ferguson
Colby Festner
Matt Fry
Jason Fuller
Kyle Grifno
Matt Groth
Aaron Hampton
Charlie Hanson
Jeff Haught
Taylor Henckel
Brian Kennedy
Enrique Lozano
Jordan Lyman
Jeff McGee
Daniel Morales
J.M. Mullinax
Ty Patterson
Bret Peel
Milton Prather
Joey Richardson
Mason Romero
Ryan Rupert
Jesse Skole
Greg Spitzenberger
Jimmy Streubel
Brett Thompson
Luis Vazquez
Derek Weldon
Josh Wenzel
LHP
RHP
Inf.
RHP
LHP
OF
RHP
OF
OF
LHP
RHP
C
Inf.
Inf.
OF
C
OF
LHP
Inf./OF
Inf.
RHP
RHP
C
LHP
C
RHP
LHP/Inf.
RHP
Inf.
LHP/Inf.
Inf.
RHP
RHP
OF
RHP
RHP/Inf.
OF
Inf.
Grady Williams
Devin Wyble
RHP
RHP/Inf.
Inf.
Cowboys open season with disappointing loss, lacks consistent defense
he acquisition of new head coach,
Bill Parcells, had Cowboy fans
highly anticipating the arrival of
the new season, but the season opener did
not turn out the way most fans had previously hoped.
The Cowboys opened up their 2003
season with a disappointing 27-13 loss
against the Mike Vick-less Atlanta
Falcons. A game which the Cowboys
were favored to win according to experts.
This loss came just two weeks after the
Cowboys gave their fans hope for the
future after they put up 52 points against
T
the defending AFC champions the
Oakland Raiders in a preseason game.
That game just proves a point that we
have all heard so many times before, the
preseason means absolutely nothing.
The Cowboys less than stellar starting
quarterback, Quincy Carter, looked like a
legitimate NFL quarterback during the
preseason, then in the regular season
opener he looked dazed and confused
while fumbling, throwing an interception,
and making a host of poor decisions with
the football on the run.
The quarterback position is just one of
the problems that plagued the Cowboys in
the season opener.
A weak running game was no help for
the passing game either.
Another problem for the Cowboys was
supposed to be the teams’ strong suite, the
defense could not stop the Falcons running game in the second half of the game.
The Cowboys defense had a good
game plan coming into the game, as they
did not allow the Falcons to get their running game going in the first half. After
halftime it seemed that the Falcons
offense made the necessary adjustments
to get their running game on track,
and the Cowboys defense did not
respond at all.
In the first half of the second
game the Cowboys looked as if
they had ironed out all of the problems. But in the second half the
Cowboys unpredictable defense
failed again as they gave up 25
points to the New York Giants and blew a
13 point halftime lead.The Cowboys held
on to eventually win the game in overtime
by a score of 35-32.
If the Cowboys fail to improve the
“The quarterback position is just one of the
problems that plagued
the Cowboys in the
season opener.”
-Jeff Fox
quarterback position, by bringing in a veteran for this season, run the ball successfully, and start playing more consistent
defense, they are going to be in for a long
disappointing season.