The Crier Thursday, April 23, 2009 Issue 25 Spring 2009 ECOFEST Brings Awareness to Community By Anthony Popkin This past Saturday, the Activities Programming Committee (APC) and Cool Kids hosted Cool Kids: Ecofest from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Gym and Lot I. Throughout the day, nearly 1,000 people attended the event. The purpose of the event was to promote sustainability with kids and adults through vendors, activities, music, giveaways, and demonstrations. The vendors were placed throughout the inside and outside of the gym, offering services and information to those in attendance. In parking lot I, visitors were allowed to drop off E-scrap free of charge. By the end of the event, nearly two and a half tractors were filled with E-scrap which normally one must pay to dispose of. Also in the same lot cars could pull up and switch-out non-friendly mercury bulbs to those without mercury. There were numerous green” vehicles, including a Dodge Ram truck that was converted to run on used vegetable oil, a GM fuel cell vehicle, and a two-seat -ed smart car with the engine in the trunk space. Inside the gym was sneaker recycling. Recycled sneakers are eventually made into Astroturf for tracks. Members of Student Association gave out free biodegradable water bottles and pens made out of recycled money and the House of Representatives gave free spruce tree seedlings and also sold bricks for the five year plan. Other vendors in attendance included the CCC EPIC & Green Task Force Committee, CCC Admissions, AAA, Beyond Baskets, Girl Scouts, Revolution Hula Hoop Company, Tanglewood Nature Center, White Hawk Ecovillage, and others. At 11:30 a.m., attendees were treated to a 15 minute presentation of More than Meets the Eyes at the Planetarium.____________________________________________ At 12:00 p.m., one-man band Jay Mankita performed for an energized crowd. His music focused on teaching those in attendance on how to live life green. His performance included different styles of music and voice. Each song is specific in ensuring attention is paid towards sustainability while keeping things fun. In attendance at the event was Dr. Floyd Amann, President of CCC, to help Sara Manley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mickey Lawrence, Deputy Speaker, unveil the sign for the reforestation project the House of Representatives has been working on. The reforestation project is a five phase venture that includes: ♦ Phase 1 — Purchasing/placement of trees (completed). ♦ Phase 2 — Creation and Dedication of Sign (completed). ♦ Phase 3 - Selling of bricks to create brick path (in-process). ♦ Phase 4 — Placing of the bricks (not started). ♦ Phase 5 - Selling/placement of benches/trash cans (not started). If you would like to see the reforestation project, it is located behind the Science Building parking lot. If you would like to purchase a brick, contact Mickey Lawrence in che House of Representatives Office. Throughout the event, those in attendance had the chance to be entered into a drawing for a free Trek bicycle from Kingsbury’s cyclery. Tickets were given for each electronic item turned in, for sneakers turned in, and for participating in other activities. As the event came to an end, it seemed that these four hours were worth the time and effort if only a couple of those in attendance took anything from the lessons to be learned. In all, 25,000 pounds of e-scrap was collected from 223 cars, 600 sneakers were recycled, and 225 went to the planetarium show. President Amaan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Sara Manley, and Deputy Speaker Mickey Lawrence unveil the sign for the House of Representatives reforestation project at the Cool Kids: EcoFest event on Samrday, April 18. Thursday. April 23, 2009 Page 2 What’s Happening in Student By Anthony Popkin Student Trustee Government? Each week your Student Association Government Assembly (SAGA) meets to discuss issues and concerns that affect students college-wide. You may be asking, what is SAGA? As any other governing body, it is comprised of several different levels of government in order to keep a form of checks and balances. It consists of the Executive Board, the Student Senate, and the House of Representatives, each of which plays a significant role in allowing communication between students, staff faculty, and administration. SAGA began meeting since the second week of the semester; below are some of the areas that have been going on and are being discussed. Your feedback is important, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments please see members of your SAGA, located in the lower level of the Commons building. Computer Link Your SAGA has diligently been working to include other campus locations into Student Government meetings on Thursdays. Starting this week, a connection will be available with the Criminal Justice complex. Elmira is still a work in progress. Hopefully by next semester these conferences will become a regular part of meetings. Student Trustee Report The RBOT reviewed the Accounting AAS program and Basic Accounting Studies, Certificate program. A decision to continue offering the Accounting AAS program was made as well as a decision to deactivate the certificate program. Though the certificate program is deactivated, it will continue for three years and then another review will occur to decide whether or not it will be completely discontinued. Two new programs have been approved to offer at CCC, the Teacher Assistant, Certificate and Recreation Studies, A.S. An articulation agreement is being worked on with Cortland and Ithaca colleges to allow transfer of credits. There was also discussion of the idea of having a "good neighbor policy” for courses at CCC. It was decided that the college would offer the policy to students in the EMT program as the bordering areas of PA do not have colleges that offer EMT courses ' to students so they may be enticed to come to CCC. Currently, out-of-state students pay $290 per credit hour; the policy would have them pay $165 per credit hour. The Non-Smoking Policy was approved to push smoking to designated smoking areas in the parking lots. The policy will take effect on September 1, 2009. The RBOT approved the go ahead with a Student Housing Feasibility Study. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is sufficient demand to have on-cam-pus housing. There will also be a meeting on April 30th in the Triangle Lounge of the Commons Building with neighbors on the Spencer Hill campus to discuss housing on campus and address concerns. It was reported that student enrollment has increased by 125 FTE’s to include students in later starting classes (comparison between spring semesters). It was also reported that the expected 10% decrease in funding from the state will no longer occur. This is good news as we are likely to meet our budget needs without any cuts. Instructional Resources Committee Report There was quite a bit of discussion regarding the idea of making laptop computers mandatory to all students that attend CCC. At this point this is only at the discussion point and nothing is set in stone. There was much healthy discussion regarding the issue some for and some against, but it seemed that the majority of SAGA seemed to be in favor of the idea. Tip of the Week from Student Administrative Services Renew your FAFSA for the 2009- 2010 Aid Year You can renew your FAFSA by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will need your federal pin number to access your application. If you need additional information or any assistance, please contact Student Administrative Services by calling (607) 962-9222. May 1, 2009: HESC must receive Express TAP application by this date, either by mail or electronically, to be considered for a TAP award for the 2008-09 academic year. May 1, 2009: Last day to accept your Federal Direct Loan for this semester. Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling for new borrowers must also be completed by this date. May 4, 2009: Last day that Federal Direct Loans will be processed for the spring semester. receive results of your FAFSA by this date to be considered for federal aid for che spring semester. Only Pell Grant eligibility will be determined for late applicants. All Scholarships are available on MyCCC. Here are a few: The Storflex Fixture Corporation Scholarship - This scholarship is available to entering CCC students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance. The Thomas MacAvoy Eagle Scout Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to an Eagle Scout currently enrolled at Corning Community College or a senior in high school with the declared intent to attend CCC. The Werner International Scholarship - This scholarship is for an international student who is enrolled full-time, who has an excellent academic record, and who exhibits an interest in promoting international understanding. High Heels Five ill-clad girls Stand placidly against bricks Under a street spotlight Between waste piles and pollution However, a gold and white savior Beckoned fiercely Into the mercury glow The girls Declined softly Although great doves Flew around their morals Offering mercifully A fresh life May 13, 2009: Student Administrative Services Financial Aid Office must Thursday, April 23, 2009 Page 3 p — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — n The following positions are available for The Crier Executive Board for the Fall 2009 semester: - Editor - Assistant Editor - Treasurer - Secretary - Student Association Representative If you are interested in any of these positions, send an email to criernewspaper@yahoo.com for more information Kathv lYttct Roaster Bob and June s Organic Coffee "US4 South f ranklin Street Watkins l.len, \Y 14»HU1 n07-2KM214 '.yJi tv-bufeanritujtts.cum I \>tng ihr right thing m.’.vi tested g• Six mcnihs of paid cooperative education with top employers to develop real business connections ► Banned irnong the top 5% of business schools by fc'us'nessTVeek and U S News grid World Report Innovate. Connect. Succeed. Learn more by vis?tmg ssunders rtteou, or call us at {$851475*79$$ Thursday. April 16, 2009 Page 4 Hie Crier Staff • Editor Lindsay Woodruff Advisor Treasurer Paul McNaney • Michael Coates Reporters Anthony Popkin Secretary Caitlin Woodruff Photographers • Student Association Representative Anthony Popkin _ Daniel Gustina Left: This smart car was only one of the many green vehicles present at Cool Kids: EcoFest on Saturday, April 18. Below: About 1,000 people attended Cool Kids: EcoFest inside and outside of the Gymnasium on Saturday.