corning community college
State University of New York
Editor: Matthew Roseler
THE CRIER
December 1st “The Voice of the CCC Student Body” Fall 2004
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Dr. Walter J. Asonevich
Corning Community College’s Vice President
& Dean of Academic Affairs
Jr
One semester a few years ago, a student in my composition class submitted a research paper on Gun Control, in which he proclaimed that the right to bear arms was a right granted by God and only recorded as such in the U. S. Constitution. I did not attempt to refute his claim, but I did ask of him if, in revision, it would be possible for him to document the source of the evidence that allowed him to make this claim.
I then went on to explain to him that I had never seen any reference to the right to own firearms in any scripture I had read, and I had read the Bible cover-to-cover twice. I’d read the Vedas, the Koran, the Book of Mormon, the Tao Tse Ching, as well as the teachings of Buddha and Confucius.
A young woman in the back of the classroom interrupted me and asked in a tone that suggested both disbelief and disdain why I had read those books, (disbelief because she could not imagine anyone reading these books, and disdain because that is all she could award to anyone who would waste time on such endeavors). I answered with a paraphrase of Henry David Thoreau’s reasons for his experiment at Walden Pond:
“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” That’s what Thoreau wrote. What I said was, “I wanted to learn.”
By the way, the young lady, who in such a well-crafted tone of disdain and disbelief asked why I had read all those books, had devoted one entire class period admiring her new cell phone. It was, I must concede, an exceptionally nice telephone. And, I must confess, the books I read were old and dusty and not much to look at.
We speak of ages—the golden age, the silver, the industrial, the technological. I am not sure when exactly it began, but somewhere in the late eighties or early nineties, we in America entered the Age of Stupidity—Beavis & Butthead became role models—and we have so many more, from Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels of Dumb and Dumber, to the wonderful Jack Black of Orange County, to the stars of movies such as Clueless, and my own personal favorite— Homer Simpson—perhaps the father of the age with his arrival in 1989.
Curiously, I suspect that the authors of much of this material may have meant us to learn good things from it. For example, viewed as satire, the movie Animal House is a lesson in the futility of focusing too much on the social aspects of college and not enough on the academic rewards that college has to offer. However, satire only works if someone gets it (Maggie Page on
Wink 106 radio presented us with the word SARCHASM and defined it as the gap between the author of sarcasm and the one who doesn’t get it).
I am not opposed to active lifestyles. I believe that we must all cultivate body, mind, and spirit—to seek a balance between these three. As Ralph Waldo Emerson remarks, “Without [action] thought can never ripen into truth.”
I am only aware that no one can predict all that life will hand out to them. Education provides us with the tools of life. Too many people too early in their lives dismiss as unnecessary many opportunities to learn simply because they do not see how such knowledge and skills fit into the life they have planned. The question I don’t think anyone can answer is, what exacdy do you need to know—and need to know how to do—to ensure that you will be equipped for everything you might confront for the rest of your life? And, if we cannot answer this question with precision when we are young, we ought to be careful what we dismiss as unnecessary or meaningless along the way.
True, the engineering student may not see any need for art history, yet it might be to his advantage that, while having dinner at his boss’s home one evening, he is able to recognize the print above the sofa as a Monet and be able to speak intelligent about it. True, the English major may not see much need for Chemistry in her chosen career path, but wouldn’t it be nice to know what is and isn’t natural in that list of ingredients on the soup can?
The biology major who takes an active interest in composition classes may one day work as a science writer for Scientific American. The young poet who learns a little plumbing may save a few hundred dollars one day attending to the leaky pipe in the basement rather than calling in a plumber at $50 an hour. And the stuffy old philosophy professor who spends a little time listening to the words of the latest Avril Lavigne song may find that he is a more effective teacher because he can connect his course content to some common ground between him and his students.
Now, for the young man who wants to believe that God wants him to own firearms and for the young lady whose cell phone was more important than a lesson on written communication skills and for all those who are seeking to get by on as little knowledge as possible and who create beliefs that fit their lifestyles—I want to take this moment to wish them good luck.
But, for those of you who are investing many hours of your life in the pursuit of knowledge and skills here at Corning Community College, I want to congratulate you—not just for what you are struggling to achieve, but also for the motivation that causes you to try a little harder than all the others. I don’t think you need as much luck in your lives as others do. As Thoreau says at the end of his book,
“I learned this, at least, from my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has
imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will put some things behind, will pass an invisible boundary; new, universal, and more liberal laws will begin to establish themselves around and within him; or the old laws be expanded, and interpreted in his favor in a more liberal sense, and he will live with the license of a higher order of beings. ... If you have built casdes in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
Cee Cee Response Column
The following is a response to “God and Gay Marriage,” an article from the October 26th issue of the Crier.
And for those who might not know, a misanthrope can be defined as a people hater. I only hope that that is how the word was meant to be used.
The Lord’s Misanthropes
By Paisley Wondergarters
In the October 26th issue of the college newspaper, the editor, Matt Roseler, published his avowedly personal reaction to the Brown Bag forum on the controversial relations between homosexuality, God, and government legislation. I am discontent with the duality of opinions he posits for every issue, and would like to suggest an even greater multiplicity of views — a side per person as opposed to two sides per story — so as not to preclude the future disclosure of any third party’s ideas on this controversy.
These limitations having been delineated, I propose this article purely as a personal correction to a possible misapprehension I perceive in Mr. Roseler’s statement, and an apology for the irrational misanthropic homophobia running rampant in the religiously conservative sectors of our nation’s population.
Mr. Roseler writes: “Some people are okay with gay marriages, and some people are not okay with gay marriages. What else can be said? How about this — ‘God is Love’. So says Reverend Hagie (remember he represents one of the churches that expressed hate of homosexuality). Does this omnipotent being have the imperfect quality of hate as so many human beings do? Does this entity have the imperfect quality of intolerance as many human beings do? I don’t know. And something tells me not many humans here on earth or on Jupiter, for that matter, really know either.”
Whether or not I am one of these extraterrestrial Gnostics whom something has proven spurious is irrelevant; I wish to demonstrate to Mr. Roseler the speciousness, not of the complicity he sees between a misanthropic God and His misanthropic devotees, but rather of their mutual misanthropy. It’s not that the Christians (and Jews, and Muslims) are too cretinous or too hypocritical to observe the
contradiction between their theology of a God Who is Love, and their praxis as the Church of the Homophobes; or, as Mr. Roseler appears to suggest, less pharisaically and more horribly, that the legions of haters faithfully serve a hateful Deity. No, what Mr. Roseler fails to understand or more likely rejects is a Christian’s dearth of disjuncture in following after a God Who they believe is Love and Who loves each one of us, and Who also condemns the practice of homosexuality (amongst others!).
I do not purpose to investigate why Christianity believes homosexuality to be morally depreciable; even the most commonly held ethics (murder is wrong) are utterly inscrutable, and no one can argue, regardless of their views of the change, that the de facto, ubiquitous self-evidence of the traditional moral system has given way to its ubiquitous protestation and amendment. Things that were manifest are no longer; in any case, Christian morals are a matter of revelation. However, I do want to emphasize Christianity’s essential and gratis valuation of the person, as differentiated from any person’s acts, as an explanation for how Christians can hold their compound concept of a judging and loving God without tension.
Mr. Roseler quotes Rev. Hagie on this crucial distinction in the fourth paragraph of his article: “The church [and the God whom they purport to serve] hate[s] homosexuality, but not the homosexual [italiczations mine]." Briefly, Christianity says that that despite God’s desire for us to live a life of perfection in communion with him, that we have each of us individually blown it — as Mr. Roseler agrees, “we all sin” — but that beyond our long train of individual acts, good or evil, God’s transcendent affirmation remains with us. No matter what evil we commit against God, it cannot merit his final rejection of us in this life (nor, according to Christianity, any amount of good deeds his approval). Basically, and always, it’s a restatement of “we’re sinners, but God loves us”. I hope this metaphysical cleft between our total acts and our total value to God enables Mr. Roseler to see the obviation of his Hateful and Intolerant God hypothesis. I wager he preserves the feeling that God’s disapproval of murder necessitates no cruel deity; Christianity, for various reasons, extends the canon of illicit acts, without injury, as I wish Mr. Roseler to see, at least abstractly, to the supposition of God’s loving character. Indeed, it only means his love for us transcends more — where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.
To Mr. Wondergarters,
It is on this day that I can express how delighted I am to see someone take interest in what the article only briefly touched on. Your opinion is a valuable one, but I am sure that you knew that, hence your desire to clarify that which I could not. Kudos to you sir, and I would like to extend the offer of a formal position with the Crier staff here at Coming Community College.
This newsletter is a forum for any and all opinions that the student body has if they (the students) wish to submit them, as you have done so very eloquently, and as I struggle to do as well. I wish that I had your vast mastery of the English language, and it is with some hesitation that I must admit now, I actually had to look up some of the words used The position of editor is no easy task when someone as knowledgeable as you commits to paper that which has been printed I am sure that
if there is a God, he/she is smiling down upon you at this very minute, for he/she has had this work of art planned before the dawn of time, and finally it has surfaced here amongst the student body of Coming Community College.
I would like to say that I do not claim to know much about a supreme being (if there is one at all), whether he/she/it -(that which nothing greater can be conceived) can hate or love or find some middle ground as justification for any one persons actions here on earth or on Jupiter for that matter, and it is not up to me to do so, and I would never even want the job of defining what God desires or demands of me, let alone the entire world I can't imagine what it is like to feel the will of God upon you, driving you to explain the actions and thoughts of others as sin or that which is sin’s opposite, actions that find favor with God Is it extremely stressful or is there a certain feeling of celestial pleasure?
I wonder and yet I am sure at the same time that if someone like Paul from the New Testament or Mohammad from the Koran were around they would tell us of the burdens that they endured to spread the word of God And then I wonder yet again, why would God choose a human to convey any message at all, knowing how fallible we all are at so many things? There seems to be a great deal of personal interest in any message that is sworn to be divinely inspired
Mr. Wondergarters, I urge you, no I pray you to consider to continue with your writings, as I am greatly interested in that which you have to say. And if you do decide to “right" again, I ask that you might clarify for me, the difference between God and the Lord, and I would like to ask if there is a way to define the perfection of life that God wishes us to live?
Thank you very much, The Editor/Matthew Roseler
SPORTS
JUCO Names CCC as College of the Month
By Matt Roseler
The NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) came to Steuben County last month and did a wonderful write up on CCC. What was the write up all about? You guessed it, sports!
The Red Barons softball team was given recognition for its eight year reign in region three. With four National Championships in the last eight years, it seems that CCC has proved to be a dominating force, accumulating a record of 167-55, not to mention that the coaching staff has been named coach of the year four times as well.
The article in JUCO had much to say about the Ladies soccer team of 2004, who we all know went to the regional quarter finals this year, producing what was according to JUCO, their most successful season in five years. Nice job ladies!
The 2003-04 men’s basketball team posted an 18-9 overall record with a visit to the
Region three Tournament and for the record, this years team is looking very promising as well.
The 2003-04 women’s basketball team was 17-11, and also birthed a regional seed. Coach Stacy Johnson boasts never to have felt the pain of a losing season, and under her command the women’s basketball team has gone to regional play every year she has coached. Great job Stacy!
Heidi Brooks was named All-MSAC, All-Region, and was named NJCAA Betty Jo Graber Female Athlete of the Year. She is the first division three female to receive this award ever. Brooks will also be at Friday nights basket ball game, where she will have her softball jersey officially retired, and will be recognized for her accomplishments on and off the Softball diamond and Basketball court. Show up for the ceremony to honor an extraordinary athlete. And look in the Crier for an interview next week!
Women’s Basketball vs. NCCC Trailblazers
By Matt Roseler
The lady Red Baron’s squared off against Niagara County Community College on Tuesday night. The Trailblazer’s team consisted of seven players. Not a team very deep in talent, not a team very deep in players for that matter.
The game seemed to be a mismatch in favor of the Red Baron’s right from the get go. Final score of the game 65-52 CCC taking the prize.
The Red Baronette’s went to the locker room with a 35-19 lead and the thought of win in the back of their minds.
N-triple C came out of the locker room somewhat determined to get back into the game, and while they most definitely outplayed CCC in the second half, they were unable to catch up.
Annmarie Spaulding, a name that seems to be almost as familiar as Larry Bird or Michael Jordan, led the team in scoring with 17 points, and 7 assists. 9 of those points came from 3-point bombs, which seemed to rain from the sky like MOABS in Afghanistan. Which is a good thing, the three 3 pointers, not bombs falling in Afghanistan.
Erica Kelsey was right behind Annmarie, with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
This girl had a certain finesse to her game, which could not be matched. I was impressed.
Alexis Rucker came up with 9 points and 5 rebounds, and when this girl took the ball to the hoop she looked like Charles Barkley.
Girls, keep up the good work and keep the Ws coming!
Men’s Basketball vs. NCCC Trailblazers
By Matt Roseler
This game was good. This game was really good, unless you were there to see the Trailblazers. Who got blown out of the water 88-64.
Kirk Stewart, destroyed NCCC amassing 27 points and 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Brandon Hall had 12 points 5 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. These two guys carved up the Trailblazers like a Thanksgiving turkey. There wasn’t even anything for leftovers! Watching these two play together is like watching Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning in the Charlotte Hornets hay day! I am a fan of CCC men’s basketball. And so were the lady Trailblazers who sat in the stands and tried to look their best for our all star Red Barons.
The Red Baron’s had a bit of a struggle here at home, but I am positive that this win will turn it around for them. Show up for the game on Saturday and watch them Slam Balls!
GAME TIMES:
Women
Friday, 12/3— 6:00 & 8:00 pm Saturday, 12/4—1:00 & 3:00 pm Men
Saturday, 12/4—5:00 & 7:00 pm Sunday, 12/5—11:00 am & 1:00 pm
Tarantelli
Basketball
Tournament
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INDOOR SOCCER Intramurals & Recreation
7:30—9:30 pm/Gym FREE:
CCC students/employees S2.00 drop-in:
General Public
"CATCH THE
ACTION"
13
Trivia Challenge 12:45 - 1:45 pm Triangle Lounge Commons
WIN PRIZES!
Four fast-paced rounds of trivia. Form your own team or join one on site!!!
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Tuesday/Thursday 12/7 and 12/9
Intramurals & Rec
OPEN GYM
12:40—2:00 pm Gym
Tuesday & Thursday
MIDDAY CONCERT
Thursday, 12/9 _____|\
1:00 pm—R004 CCC Holiday Concert
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MIDDAY CONCERT
1:00 pm—R004 Sapphire String Duo irom Manslield
V Student Association General Body Meeting
1:00 pm—Cl06 EVERY Thursday Open to all students!
DINNER A MOVIE
6:00 pm—Commons
FREE DINNER FREE MOVIE
“Shrek 2”
^Register in Activities by 12/8 at noon.
Give - Aways 7:30 am Commons Lobby
Find a paper snowman. Turn it in to the Activities Office for a PRIZE!
First come/first served. Students ONLY.
Atrium Gallery Opening Reception
4:00—6:30 pm Clay and Glass Exhibit
10
Last day of classes
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FINAL EXAMS - GOOD LUCK!
y 7 Intramurals & Rec Women’s Volleyball League
Team roster due today. See details on back.
Tarantelli Basketball Tournament
Begins T2/3 Ends 12/5
Discount Tickets • Elmira Jackals See back for details!
11 CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY PARTY
11:00 am —1:00 pm Details & info in Activities Office
Women’s Basketball
Vs.
Cobleskill 1:00 pm—Gym
1R
Discount Tickets • Syracuse Basketball See back for details!
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CCC is closed for the Holidays. We will reopen January 3rd.
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27
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29
30
31
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Sat
1 Discount Tickets • Elmira Jackals See back for details!
8 Discount Tickets • Syracuse Basketball See back for details!
9 OPEN VOLLEYBALL
5:00—7:00 pm/Gym
FREE:
CCC students/employees S2.00 drop-in:
General Public
10
11
12 “Turning Point”
An Academic Resources Workshop
10 am—2 pm
Triangle Lounge, Commons Space is limited.
RSVP to Success Center: 962-9434 by 1/7
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14
Women’s & Men’s Basketball Vs. Finger Lakes 6 & 8 pm—Gym
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16 OPEN VOLLEYBALL
6:30—8:30 pm/Gym
FREE:
CCC students/employees $2.00 drop-in:
General Public
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19
ORNT lOOO
Orientation for new students. Welcome to CCC!
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Women’s & Men’s Basketball Vs. Jefferson 6 & 8 pm—Gym
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23 OPEN
VOLLEYBALL
5:00—7:00 pm/Gym
FREE:
CCC students/employees $2.00 drop-in:
General Public
on OPEN VOLLEYBALL
4:30—6:30 pm/Gym
FREE:
CCC students/employees $2.00 drop-in:
General Public
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First day of classes INDOOR SOCCER
Mondays:
1/24 and 1/31
7:30—9:30 pm/Gym FREE:
CCC students/employees $2.00 drop-in:
General Public
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„ _jmpus
27 FREE Lunch 12:30 - 2:00 pm Main Dining Room Commons
GET INVOLVED! Find out about Student Association, clubs, organizations and CCC services while enjoying a FREE lunch!
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Women’s & Men’s Basketball Vs. TC3 1 & 3 pm—Gym
Don’t forget to see the important information on the back!
For a full list of events visit: www.corning-cc.edu
Flip me over!
Note: All events are first come/first served and/or until supplies last!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Give-Aways / Sports Trivia Challenges Brown Bag Forums Wax Hands Chocolate Dipping
AND EVEN MORF'
ATHLETICS
Coordinator: Stacy Johnson Office located in the Gym Email: johnson_s
@corning'Cc.edu
Phone: (607) 962-9318
Coaches:
Men’s Soccer Women’s Soccer Volleyball Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Baseball Softball Cheerleading
Brian Smith Bill Wittman Bob Bird Bill Limoncelli Stacy Johnson Brian E. Hill Stacy Johnson Jackie Collins
Are you interested in participating on one of these teams? Contact Stacy Get a full list of all games in the Athletic or Activities Offices
PUBLIC SAFETY
REQUIRED
Parking Permits—$10. per academic year Student I.D. Cards	•
SERVICES:
Campus Emergencies / Vehicle Assistance / Accidents / Campus Patrol / Parking Enforcement / Escort Service to Vehicles in Evening
PHONE: (607) 962-9000 Commons Building Activities Office Suite
ft
LOCKERS
are available in the
Classroom Bldg
25 c per use
Nursing Bldg
bring your own lock use as needed
Commons
$2.00 per semester report to Activities Office to register/obtain combination
THE COLLEGE STORE
Commons Building, Lower Level (607) 962-9322
Regular Hours:
Mon-Thurs
Friday
7:45 am—5:00 pm 7:45 am—4:00 pm
Extended Hours: August 14-27
Mon-Fri	7:45 am—6:00 pm
Saturdays	10:00 am—2:00 pm
Break Week/Summer Hours
Mon-Fri	7:45 am—4:00 pm
www.corningbookstore.com
HEALTH OFFICE
Commons Building Phone: (607) 962-9257 or 434 College Nurse: Candace Rosing Hours: 8:00 am—3:30 pm
Services include but not limited to:
First Aid & Emergency Services
Health Screening / Body Compositions
Immunizations / Blood Drives
Referrals to Community Medical Care System
Rest area / Blood Pressure Screening
Health programs AND MORE!
THE WRITING CENTER
Phone: 962-9454
HOURS ON CAMPUS Classroom Building—Room 207 Monday — Thursday 8:00 am -4:00 pm Friday 8:00 am -3:30 pm
ELMIRA FREE ACADEMV Wednesdays—5:00—8:00 pm—Room 134
Walk-ins welcome / Appointments appreciated!
Professional & peer writing consultants will assist you in any course, not just English.
Online writing resources available at: www.corning-cc.edu/writing center
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Commons Building Phone: 962-9228 (off campus) ext. 228 (on-campus)/Fax: 962-9246
•Career Counseling ■ Job Referral Services • Transfer College Advising- Transfer/Articulation Agreements- Bachelor Degree Options/The Junior Year Plus- International Study Information- Student Leadership Program • Experiential Education Opportunities • New Student Orientation • Annual Graduate Study ■ Coordination of Career Planning Courses •
Email: careers@cornmg-cc.edu Web Site: www.coming-cc.edu
Walk-In Hours: Posted each semester during Academic Calendar Stop by for days/times All services are available for current CCC students
INTRAMURALS AND RECREATION
Coordinator: Deb Prutsman Office located in the Gym Email: prutsman@coming-cc.edu / Phone: 607-962-9476
L.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE
Beginning:
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Deadline for team entries:
Friday, December 17, 2004
For information and team rosters: See Deb Prutsman, Gym
DISCOUNT TICKETS
ELMIRA JACKAL'S
December 4th January 1st February 4th & 19th $5.00 per ticket 4 tickets per person Purchase tickets in the
Activities Office, Commons.
SYRACUSE BASKETBALL
December 18th $10.00 per ticket January 8th	^
$13.00 per ticket Purchase tickets in the
Intramural & Rec Office, Gym See Deb Prutsman
I & R VIDEO STORE
8:30 am—-2:30 pm Monday thru Friday
(while classes are in session) in the Commons / by the Cafeteria
80+ VHS videos 160+ DVD’s Membership available to CCC student/employees
$10.00 refundable deposit required to rent
must present CCC IDs ST OP BY for more info!
100/200/300 MILE CLUBS
WALK/RUN/JOG
Complete club miles by May 13, 2005
DETAILS & LOG SHEETS Intramurals & Rec Office T-shirts to participants
"CATCH THE ACTION"
Weight Rooms—CCC Gymnasium
free weights/universal/elliptical/recumbent and upright cycles
Check out the Gymnasium Activity Schedule in the gym for updates and full details
V 1/
'-V
Recreational Equipment The Activities Office, Commons ^	MUST	have	your student I.D. & $5.00 deposit to sign out:
Ping-Pong Paddles / Pool Cues / Outdoor Volleyball / Outdoor Basketball Games/Cards
The I & R Department has developed a Discount Pass Program to allow students/employees to participate in recreational/leisure activities not available on campus. Check out the following listing of programs available.
S mail-in pass program is available to CCC students taking “evening only” classes witk 4.5+ credit hours.. To participate in the mail-in program or if you have any questions please contact: Deb Prutsman
DISCOUNT TICKETS ARE ONLY flVfllLBLE WHEW CLASSES ARE IN SESSION
MUST present CCC I.D. to purchase tickets
ICE SKATING
Location: Nasser Civic Center, Corning Cost: SOy/pass Pass is good for open skate. Rentals not included.
Limit: two passes per person, per week (skating season Nov. - March)
SWIMMING
Limit: two passes per person, per week Cost: 50e / pass Elmira-YWCA or Campbell-Savona High School
Swim schedules available in the Activities Office
$
BOWLING
Locations: Crystal Lanes (East Coming) & Murphy Lanes (Bath)
Cost: $4/pass Pass is good for three games of bowling, shoe rental & a large soda Times and days available are listed on the passes. Limit: two passes per person, per week
MOVIE TICKETS
Locations: Crystal Cinema (Painted Post) Cost: $3.50/pass Regal Cinema (Arnot Mall)
Cost: $5.50/pass Limit: two movie passes per person, per week, per cinema