The Crier
Thursday, February 28,2008
Issue 20
Spring 2008
1957-2007
Student Life Office is a Hub for Activities on Campus
By Anthony Popkin
At times you may find yourself asking, what kinds of activities are afforded to you as a student at CCC? There’s quite an easy answer to that question and it starts in the Student Life Office located on the upper floor of the Commons.
Student Life extends vastly through the campus community in areas such as the Student Association, Clubs and Organizations, Student Activities and Programs, Intramurals and Recreation, and Student Leadership. So what’s that mean to you as a student? Most likely at one point or another you have participated in something provided by the Student Life office and if you haven’t, you don’t know what you are missing out on.
The Student Life Mission Statement is “To provide co-curricular opportunities for students to enhance their social, physical, organizational, and leadership skills, and provide opportunities to engage with the college and community outside the classroom and on and off-campus.”
Student Association
“Student Association (SA) is responsible for providing a central organization common to all other organizations.” The Student Association’s motto is "Students are the focus of all we do” and its motto resonates through the campus as its members work hard to ensure that students have a voice on campus.
Clubs and Organizations
Clubs and Organizations are funded and overseen by the Student Association. There are many clubs and organizations for students on the campus, including the Activities Programming Committee, the House of Representatives, the Computer Club, the Christian Club, etc. If you are interested in learning about clubs, you can stop by the Student Life office or check the club offices on Tuesdays during the student hour as most clubs hold their meetings during this time.
Student Activities and Programs
Students Activities are offered to students throughout each semester and are paid through a student activity fee. Such activities include SPRINGfest, CORNfest, the Cool Kids events, family programs, seasonal celebrations and much more. For more information on these activities, stop by the Student Life Office and pick up an activities calendar that comes out each month.
Inside:
Read about Governor Spitzer’s budget proposal for the 2008-2009 fiscal year
Page 2
Flashback
Take a trip down memory lane with a reprint from a past issue of The Crier.
Page 6 Weekly Column
Due to the quiet break week, there will be no Safety Synopsis this week. Look for its return next Thursday!
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 2
Spitzer s Big Bad Budget
By Michael Coates
While most of us were enjoying a fine, relaxing break, our state Senator George Winner spent last week making the rounds of his district to discuss New York Governor Elliot Spitzer’s proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Some highlights of the proposed budget include a $78 million cut to the Tuition Assistance Program, a $220 million cut to “mental hygiene” spending, and various cuts to other useful, necessary, or generally pleasant programs.
Does Spitzer plan to lower our taxes? Hardly; some of his proposals could cut into our wallets beyond state taxes, especially when it comes to health care bills. Among the new, updated, or generally increased taxes featured in this year’s budget are a new tax on HMOs, a "reclassification” of malt liquors with a greater tax, new taxes on gasoline (and the gas stations will undoubtedly pass the cost on to us), and my personal favorite, a crack tax.
That’s right, a crack tax- a tax on illegal drug sales from which our beloved governor expects to raise $17,000 annually. How does it work? Here’s how: people buying illegal drugs voluntarily go to a tax collector and buy stamps worth the tax amount for a predetermined quantity of their drug of choice; the tax men, somehow, are not supposed to divulge the identity of anyone who buys one of these drug tax stamps to the police.
One wonders, of course, how such a tax is enforced - it’s not as if every addict in the state calls his local police before making a buy, after all - but Senator Winner assured us that this tax would likely become a surcharge added to the penalties of those convicted of possession.
While we’re on the subject of crime, Govenor Spitzer’s proposed budget also includes a large decrease in spending on the state department of corrections, due to the optimistic observation that more and more criminals are being paroled these days. While this may seem a laudable idea in Albany, it seems foolish here, especially with a large portion of the economy of Elmira (for instance) reliant on a prison.
local governments for the maintenance/repair/improvement of roads and bridges, would be cut by 4%, which generally means that the drive up the hill will continue to be bumpy, and will likely get worse.
Governor Spitzer has also proposed new taxes on credit cards, and a larger fee for foreign businesses applying for permits to locate here in New York- which will inevitably lead to higher interest rates and fewer jobs.
While the budget seems disastrous, it does have its good points- the governor has proposed substantial increases in funding to the SUNY and CUNY systems, notably for infrastructure improvements like the construction of more energy efficient buildings.
For more detailed information on the proposed 2008-09 budget, visit the executive budget website at http://pub-lications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0809/ExecutiveBud-get.html, or Senator Winner’s website at www.senator-winner.com.
To make suggestions, lodge complaints, or generally hold your representatives responsible, Senator Winner can be contacted by email at winner@senate.state.ny.us or by telephone at his Elmira office (732-2765) or his Albany office (518-455-2091).
The CHIPS program, which provides state funding to
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 3
Goodbye Friend?
By Sky Moss
When I moved to my home in the city of Elmira gardening became my passion. Cornell Extension was my workplace and growing was the office culture. Raspberries, strawberries, mulberries, blackberries, blueberries, hops, kiwi, cranberry (one bush), apple and pear trees all grow in my three lot spread near the majestic Chemung River. I planted everything save the Mulberry tree. It was massive. A stout trunk (3 ft diameter) with a mushrooming crown of branches. Conservatively it stood thirty feet. Its leaves canvassed my west yard every fall and in the spring its white blossoms gave it the look of a giant's bouquet. The most outstanding feature was the Baltimore Orioles that came to gorge themselves on its berries for five weeks each year. Twice the pungent odor of the ripe berries drew a doe to my yard. High in nitrogen content, mulberry leaves were are excellent compost material for my garden.
I spend a good deal of time outside and in the woods. There are few Mulberry trees left locally. Naturally the historian in me had to learn more about this awesome tree’s ancestry.
Black, red and white mulberry trees grow in North America. Only the red variety is native to North America. The white variety grew originally in eastern and central China while the black mulberry is found natively in a wide range throughout Western Asia. The black variety has been grown in Europe for its fruits since pre-Roman times. While mulberry trees are truly versatile (yielding wine, jam, rice paper, ethanol, and cattle can eat their leaves) a separate American enterprise prompted the arrival of the white mulberry.
White mulberry trees like the one in my yard were planted extensively by the first families of Virginia during the colonial era. White mulberry leaves are the primary food of silkworms. They are shinier and smooth unlike their North American cousin. Early American personalities such as Thomas Jefferson, James Oglethorpe, George Washington and George Mason planted the trees extensively. Jefferson used to refer to road adjacent to his home as “Mulberry Row”. Oglethorpe who founded the Georgia colony in 1733, imported quantities of white mulberry trees in an effort to produce silk. The industry failed for
a number of reasons, primarily insufficient labor. Hardy trees and a favorite for all birds, the white mulberry spread throughout much of the United States and into Canada. While their initial purpose never materialized, (get it) mulberries found other uses in the American landscape.
Farmers found their berries and leaves great hog feed. Orchard and berry growers discovered the trees had a marvelous IPM integrated pest management, (extension daysK) application. Planted a conspicuous distance from the primary fruit trees and berry bushes and canes they were used to lure birds. The fruit of the mulberry tree is tart, a bit bland and non-transportable. Its berries are too delicate, they are squishy. This makes the tree a non-desirable for those who grow fruit for market. For many today the tree is seen as expendable or in some cases invasive. They are still cultivated widely in Asia, parts of Europe and the Middle East. While the rotting berries and considerable raking were at times bothersome it will be missed.
So why am I writing about mulberry trees in February?
In the fall a wicked wind storm ripped through my yard. The forty foot oak in the eastern yard was bent like a Ug-lystick. I raced to the west window to see a wind gust rip the center limbs out of the mighty mulberry. The bulk of the tree fell in an almost stately fashion landing between a swing-set and a rose of Sharon bush. As spring quickly approaches I look out at a ghostly profile. Two large limbs hanging out toward the street still remain attached to the substantial trunk. My father-in-law and I cut up all the fallen debris, almost four face cords worth. Part of me wants to cut the rest down but I have read recently that with healthy root structure mulberry trees can be quite resilient and regenerate. As I grow older I appreciate the fortitude of nature more and more. My family and I have decided to plant a few mulberry trees clandestinely along the river. Perhaps in ten to fifteen years the Orioles will be back.
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 4
Dire Days for Mrs. Bill
Things don’t look good in Hillary's “village”- with the announcement on February sixth that the Senator had begun to spend her own money on the campaign (to the tune of five million dollars) and several shake-ups in the staff at Clinton Headquarters (she’s lost two campaign managers in one month), the Senator has every reason to be worried, especially in Texas.
By Michael Coates
With Senator Obama’s run of victories since Super Tuesday dominating the nightly news, things don’t look good for Senator Clinton’s bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Senator Obama handily won both of last week’s primaries, gaining a record of ten straight victories since Super Tuesday to Senator Clinton’s...oh, yeah. Senator Clinton hasn’t won any states since Super Tuesday, and despite all efforts to present a facade of confident indifference, her campaign seems to be getting nervous.
Why? Because Obama has made serious inroads into all of Clinton’s major demographics, effectively turning what the Clintons assumed would be an easy campaign into a hody contested batde.
As former President Bill Clinton said at a rally last week, if Hillary Clinton doesn’t take Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania, she may not have a chance at the nomination when the Democratic national convention meets in August.
Texas, long considered Senator Clinton’s last, best, hope, does not look like a sure thing for either candidate, according to CNN’s constant polls, but Obama’s growing support in that State, and his rising popularity with the working class, Hispanic-Americans, and even Senator Clinton’s pet-demographic, female voters, the March 4th contests will undoubtedly be close.
In Wisconsin, where the New York Senator was expected to do very well, especially among working class constituents without a college education, Obama carried the vote with a 57% majority. While even a sixty percent margin in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio still wouldn’t guarantee the nomination for either candidate, a loss in any or all of those states may well prove the undoing of Senator Clinton’s much lauded campaign.
Student Life Office is a Hub for Activities on Campus
Continued from front page...
Intramurals and Recreations (I&R)
I&R offers many opportunities to students that include I&R activities, weight rooms, intramural basketball & volleyball, table tennis in the (Spencer Pub of the Commons), DVD Center, and the Discount Pass Program.
The Discount Pass Program offers discount tickets for movies, bowling, ice-skating, swimming, miniature golf, golf courses, roller-skating, etc. Discount passes are sold in the Student Life office. A student I.D. is required.
Student Leadership Program
The Student Leadership Program is provided to students that offer benefits and opportunities that are not limited to the following areas:
♦ Enhance abilities to work in a team environment.
♦ Meet and interact with students, faculty and staff.
♦ Practice networking strategies.
♦ Become familiar with conflict resolution methods.
♦ Discover your personality traits and their effects on others.
♦ Make the most of college experience.
Student Life Office offers a plethora of activities and opportunities to students, staff, faculty, and the community which should not be avoided. Stop by the office any time and ask about any of the items that are afforded to you.
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 5
Questionable Candidates?
By Vazmenko Bondulic
Just about now am beginning to get tired of all this hoopla about who will be our next nominee for the President of United States. Every day I turn my TV on and all I see is Obama, Clinton, McCain - who cares any more? The media needs to take this contest off our TVs so that we can have some normal TV time.
Do we really care who wins the nomination and then the Presidency? I don’t do you? I am sure that many of' you care who will finally gain the office, but we all know that no matter who gets into the White House, the story will be the same. They all have broken promises, one way or another. They promise us the world, they build us up, they give us, hope and when they reach the Pure House of leadership then they slam us down and all our dreams and hopes go up in smoke.
First, let’s take our former first lady, Senator Hillary Clinton - yes she does have experience, knowledge, and is very familiar with our economy and foreign affairs. But how can we elect a woman (don’t misunderstand me, I am not degrading women) who forgave her husband for having an affair in the White House? I understand that people forgive and forget, but this is always national news and no matter where she goes, her act will follow her. She happens to be a very intelligent woman and knows a lot, but stability is what we need in the Oval office, not someone who will forgive and forget her husband and perhaps other nations, or even those who attack us because they hate THE RED WHITE AND BLUE! I want her to say, “If you attack us, there will be a price to pay.” This is not,“Let’s look at our options and see what can be done about it.” I like Hillary Clinton, but only to a point, and I trust her just so much.
Second, let’s take that gentleman who has such good talking skills, named Senator Barack Hussein Obama. Now my opinion - yes he is smart, intelligent, has a strong vocabulary, talks a good talk, but can he lead us through possibly the roughest times in the 21st century? I say not. He just became a Senator not too long ago, so what experience does he have? Ok, I grant you he’s got looks, charm, smarts, backing of celebrities, his co-workers (fel-
low Senators), but where does that get us? Since when did Oprah Winfrey change her alliance from Republican to the Democratic? Is she one of those closet Democrats, or a Republican? Not once did I hear him say "Monday we will bring our troops home from the war zones.” (I didn’t hear Hillary say that, either).. All I hear is “It’s time for a “CHANGE.” What changes are we talking about, our underwear, pants, shirt, socks, shoes what? Be specific, Senator Obama not obsure, and just say we need a
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change.
Third and finally is none other than ex-prisoner of war Senator John McCain. He looks like he needs to hang up his fighting gloves and just sit back, be the good Senator and enjoy life. Didn’t he learn being locked up for six years that he’s gotten a second chance on life? He’s another who is promising so much and like I mentioned before, he will only break us after arriving into the wonderful house of White Purity. I don’t hear him talk much and he is very soft spoken; that may be the reason I don’t hear much from him. He’s out there fighting his other two counterparts, Huckabee and Paul, who have no chance at winning but keep fighting. Isn’t that beautiful? They have no chance at winning but keep pushing on, just like playing the Lotto, a dollar and a broken dream.
What I would like to say to the three candidates is that they should keep saying over and over that our troops will be home as soon as you are sworn in as our next President of United States of America and not just mention that they need to come home sometime. Now is that time. We have lost almost 4,000 men and women already Senators McCain, Clinton and Obama, tell us that our troops will be home the day after you are sworn in.
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 6
Flashback
By Michelle Yusko September 23,1988
Parking illegally in a handicapped parking space will no longer be a minor offense if a recently submitted proposal to change the fines is approved.
The proposal, submitted by Lt. Robert Reep of Public Safety, would raise the current ticket fee from $10 to $25.
Public Safety recommends the change in order to protect the rights of handicapped people. In addition, they feel that Corning Community College should have laws that
In honor of Corning Community Colleges 50th Anniversary, we will be featuring one or more reprints each week from past issues of The Crier. This can be a photograph, article, letter, advertisement, factoid -anything that we can dig up in the archives! Articles are chosen each week with the assistance of Cindy Maier in the Library. These materials have not been edited or otherwise altered from their original form.
are in accordance with New York States laws.
The proposal, which was submitted to Jack Kelley, Dean of Students, is currently under review by the administration. If approved, it will then be introduced before the State laws also call for a fine of $50 for a second offense committed within two years. This section of the proposal is under question because the fee was considered too substantial.
It is uncertain when or if the proposal will be put into action. “It will be considered in the future,” said Dean Kelley.
Hie Crier Staff
Editor
Lindsay
Woodruff
Reporters
Vazmenko
Bondulic
Assistant Editor
Amanda Morse
Treasurer
Elise Eberhardt
Secretary
Meagan Marsh
Student
Association
Representative
Vazmenko Bondulic
Wanda
Calamia-Topple
Michael Coates
Anthony
Popkin
Advisor
Paul McNaney
Special thanks to Sky Moss
Thursday, February 28,2008
Page 7
It’s a bird! it’s a plane!
By Wanda Calamia-Topple
It's a big, bold world out there and we are more health conscious than ever. Everywhere we look we hear about the obesity epidemic and overweight children and gastric bypass. The image-conscious trend has spilled over into the pet world and we are now just as concerned about the health of our pets as we are with our own health. With all of this in mind, when I set out to find a puppy, it was very important to me to provide him with great nutrition. Growing up, I was surrounded by Lays and Ho-ho’s and never really understood the concept of good health. Having said that, our family dog Blondie was a big girl. Endless treats and table scraps were common growing up in our household. Sad but true, our bad family eating habits spilled over into Blondie’s bowl. I vowed to never repeat these things with my future pets.
Fast-forward ten years. Enter Tito. He is my beautiful fawn colored boy, with a chocolate nose and hazel eyes. The AKC breed standard notes that chihuahuas should not weigh more than six pounds. Tito’s mother was four pounds, and his father was five pounds. So how much does Tito weigh? 13 pounds. Yes, that is the correct number. It is not a typo. So I bet that you are wondering, what happened? Well, for starters, Tito is nice and tall and long
It’s a fat Chihuahua?
and lean. He has defined muscle, which I attribute to his romps in the dog park and the powdered vitamin supplements I gave him for the first two months of his life. When Tito is placed next to his five-pound buddy, Cha-chi, he is literally double the size. But is he fat? Not at all. Upon one of our many visits to the vet, it was suggested that Tito lose a few pounds. A few pounds!? I guess that ten pounds sounds better than 13 pounds, but how much less can I feed him? Tito eats less than half a cup of his delicious, heart-healthy Innova EVO twice a day. So my hubby and I have decided that we are doing a great job. Tito looks good for his size. He may be the product of some genetic quirk, but he is still our healthy pup. He eats carrots and lettuce and loves to play with the cat. He has a good life.
So where does this leave us? We will not conform to society’s demands. It is one thing to be health conscious of your pets, but it is far another to be weight-obsessed. I will not have an anorexic chihuahua. I will not look up to Tinkerbell or Paris as picture perfect examples of health.
I will not endlessly explain why Tito is a big boy. When out and about and someone casually asks me if he is a purebred chihuahua due to his big size, I will respond,
“yes he is and he is perfect.” Sell out my dog? Fat chance.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, February 28
CCC Roundtable Smoking at CCC: To Ban or Not to Ban?
12:45 -1:45 Triangle Lounge
Sunday, March 2
- Intramurals & Recreation Open Badminton 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Open Volleyball 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Open Indoor Soccer 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Gymnasium
Tuesday, March 4
- Intramurals & Recreation
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Gymnasium
Thursday, March 6
- Midday Concert 1:00 p.m., R004
- Intramurals & Recreation 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Gymnasium
- Student Job Fair 11:30-3:30 p.m.
Wings of Eagles Discovery Center
- Coffeehouse: Trivia 7:00 -10:00 p.m.
Soul Full Cup, Market Street
Thursday, February 28,2008	Page	8
MID-DAY MEDITATION: listening in silence
WEDNESDAYS 12:15 - 12:45 pm
ROOM: R213
BEGINS JANUARY 16, 2008
CONTINUES THROUGH MAY 7TH
ALL CCC STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF WELCOME
refresh body, mind and spirit! Sponsored by CCC Campus Ministry
We want your stories!
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