®be Crier
Thursday, December 11,2008	Issue 13	Fall	2008
The Clay & Glass Exhibit opened in the Atrium Gallery on Friday. Pieces included glass art from artists from the Corning Museum of Glass and ceramic pieces from artists all over the United States.
Thursday, December 11,2008
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What’s Happening in Student Government?
By Anthony Popkin
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.
Below are some of the topics highlighted and discussed during the meeting held on Thursday, December 4th.
Guest Speaker
Tom Carr, Vice-President of Administrative Services, came to SAGA to discuss the economic crisis in the state of New York and how it may or may not affect the college budget. Mr. Carr discussed enrollment, spending, rising costs, and more.
It was explained that the original budget cuts planned in the past month, which would have cut the CCC budget by up to $900,000, were not passed by the state. Though this cut did not pass, there will likely be cuts in the future and it is important that we properly prepare for them.
Finally, Mr. Carr stated that the college will likely increase tuition which at about 4% or $70 per student.
Middle States
Nancy Agan discussed the Middle States Periodic Review Report. Middle States accredits CCC, which allows students to transfer credits.
Areas reported include identifying major challenges and/or opportunities, enrollment and finance trends and projections, assessment processes and plans, and linked institutional planning and budgeting processes.
Auditing Treasurer Position
The Student Association Executive Board position of Auditing Treasurer has recently opened. We are looking for any interested students that are able to devote 7 to 10 hours weekly to fill this position. If you are interested or would like to know more information please see Connie Winant, Student Association President, or Woody Knowles, Student Association Advisor.
Senator Ratification
Two students were ratified to the position of student Senator: Simon Pay-zant and Stephanie DeWert. The new members seemed interested in their positions and had a central theme of wanting to be involved in student affairs and dealing with issues on campus.
Committee Reports
Academic Standards Committee
Julie Gorman, Speaker of the Senate, is looking for feedback on the Student Progress Policy in the Student Handbook. At this time, there are some areas that seem to be written in a confusing manner and do not include other crucial information. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments on this policy, please read it over and see one of the Senators.
Educational Policies Committee
Joseph Pitts, Student Senator, handed out the Educational Policies Committee Report which included a breakdown of the proposed 55-minute Class Schedule for the Spencer Hill Campus and the Off Spencer Hill Campus sites. If you are interested in seeing this schedule, please see one of your Senators in the lower level of the Commons.
The report also states that "All full-and part time students placed in one or more developmental classes will also be placed in FYEX-1000-First Year Experience (3 credit hours) which must be successfully completed utilizing the standards outlined in the Developmental Progress Policy.”
Instructional Resources Committee
The Instructional Resources Committee report stated various changes, expansions, and updates that will be occurring on campus. Classrooms Cl06, C203, R105, B104, T105, are being turned into smart classrooms. Smart classrooms have internet access, projectors, and audio/video. Also N206 and R212 will have projectors placed in them.
There are also various renovations planned for some CCC facilities this summer, including, library renovation, gym updates, removal of asbestos tile, roof replacement at the Ceramics Building, heating plant and gym, a cafeteria upgrade, restroom renovation, and Goff road updates.
Friendly Driving Reminders
By Michael Coates
We all know better than to drink and drive; most of us even know better than to drink and then drive.
Sometimes, though, it’s just a bad idea to drive at all. With the holidays fast approaching and the snow already here, it might do us all good to recall some basic safety ideas while driving around:
SLOW DOWN!!! The roads get slick when there’s snow; we all live here, and have for most of our lives, and yet every single winter people act as if they’ve completely forgotten even having driven on snowy roads before. If it’s snowy or icy or just generally really cold, you’re much better off late than dead; and if you don’t drive too fast, you’ll have no need to slam on your breaks, which you shouldn’t do, because you'll just go into a skid, anyway.
If you haven’t done it yet, maybe you should get some snow tires (and maybe check your breaks): even the best car in the world only gets as much traction as its tires can maintain.
Pay attention to the weather! If it’s been really warm all day, and starts to cool off, the roads are likely to be covered with ice; if you know it's supposed to snow, leave a little early, etc.
And look out for deer! In rural New York, deer account for more of the car accidents than anything aside from sheer stupidity, and as it gets colder, there will be more and more of them on the roads looking for some food (or committing suicide).
Don’t assume you’re safe just because you have a truck or an SUV with four wheel drive, either. If you lose traction, it won’t matter, and you’ll skid farther than you would have in a lighter car.
Lastly, keep in mind that sometimes it’s just a better idea to crash on somebody’s couch than risk crashing on the way home.
Be safe, be happy, but don't be stupid.
Thursday, December 11,2008
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Letter to the Editor
By Anthony Popkin
I am writing to The Crier in regards to the dialogue that has been generated between students regarding Smoking. I believe that this dialogue is very healthy for getting the word out, but I also think that is a little too late.
Feedback such as this would have been very helpful after the article I submitted, entitled "Smoking Proposal in the Works” on October 23rd. It asked that any feedback that students had regarding this proposal should have been aired to any member of SAGA. Our door is always open for students that have questions, concerns, and/or comments.
I would also like to point out that SAGA did not and is not pushing smoking to the parking lots. Other than the vote of the students, various assemblies also voted: Faculty Assembly, PASS, and the Administrative Assembly. Furthermore, this is not a final decision as it must now make its way to the Regional Board of Trustees. The college has also chosen to take a democratic approach to resolving this issue to give all parties involved the chance to voice their opinions, though this decision could have been made without consent from any of the assemblies.
It is also important to address the statement that Kristen Griffiths made in her letter to the editor “The talk about those who don't smoke inhaling secondhand is a lame excuse.” I find this a disturbing comment (for the record, I smoked for ten years). According to the American Cancer Society, secondhand smoke is responsible for 35,000 heart disease related deaths, 3,000 lung cancer deaths, 150,000 — 300,000 lung infections, and it has more effects on children. These numbers alone do not warrant me having to hold my breath, though even in doing so I am still exposed to the chemicals of secondhand smoke. That’s like saying I should have to stay in the house because some drunken person wants to drive home.
I also take note to the statement that “We pay to be here.” There are many places we as students pay to go. The shopping mall, the hospital, restaurants and much more, but paying to go to these places does not warrant one to smoke there.
I understand that there are angry people out there that don’t agree with what has been voted on, but like many rules and regulations there are always going to be those that don’t agree with the situation or think there are better ways around it. Unfortunately the times of discussion have come and passed and it seems that only now are people stepping forward with opinions. Your SAGA worked strenuously to get information from students to convey those messages during the vote as they always have and will continue to do.
A Two Sided Holiday Season
By Anthony Popkin
The Holiday Season has always been quite different to me growing up as I was born to a Jewish mother and a Christian father. It seemed almost inevitable to me that I would be living a life where I would be celebrating two very different holidays with my two families. Though I would not be raised to become devout in either religion, I eventually chose to live a life following the Jewish (Reform) religion.
Though I made the decision to follow the Jewish religion, I would not turn my back to my father's side of the family, as part of my upbringing was to accept everyone as they are whether of a different sex, religion, race, sexual orientation, or what have you. Not to mention, my girlfriend of four years is Catholic.
So what am I to do in a situation such as this? It is quite an easy decision, actually. I participate in both Hanukah and Christmas, but a little differently than some others might. Since I practice the Jewish religion, I observe Hanukah.
For those that don’t know, Hanukah or the “Festival of Lights," celebrates the eight days that oil burned in the Temple Mount during the Maccabean Rebellion. This is important, since there was only supposed to be enough oil to burn for one day. Though the holiday is only a minor festival, it is filled with religious importance and historical facts. Along with the lighting of the menorah, there are gifts and games, gambling (usually candy), and traditional foods.
During Christmas, I spend time with my father’s and my girlfriend’s families. Though I do not have a feeling of religious significance during this time, I do have a different feeling of significance.
Christmas is a time where I get to see many family members that I have not seen for most of the year. It is a time where we can all get together and catch up with each other. It’s a time of giving and not expecting to receive and just enjoying the company of one another.
It’s feeling the spirit and the joy of the time of year when people seem to care and they’re no longer running each other over (or worse) like on Black Friday to get a deal.
So I would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and, if you get the chance, try to really enjoy the time that you get to spend with or without family/friends whether it’s those you see all year or those annoying ones that you dread seeing. It's one of the few times that the human spirit prevails and can truly make a difference.
EPIC (Environmental Protection Information Coalition) Recruitment Meeting Friday, December 12 @ 10:00 a.m. Library 103 All welcome - Free pizza and refreshments
Share your green ideas with CCC’s Environmental Club
Thursday, December 11,2008	Page	4
The Crier Staff
Editor
Lindsay Woodruff
Assistant Editor
Jacquelyn Goebel
Treasurer
Michael Coates
Secretary
Caitlin Woodruff
Student Association Representative
Sasha Wilkins
Advisor
Paul McNaney
Reporters
Michael Coates
Anthony Popkin
Photographers
Nate Atkinson
NEED A LITTLE HELP?
The end n near!
For help with other subjects or at other locations, contact Linda Simpson at 607-962-9392 or e-mail lsimpso3@corning-cc.edu
* Academic Study Center
Library, LI06
* Science Learning Center Science Building, S106
* Math Learning Center
Science Building, SI 13 * Writing Center
Classroom Building, C207
All is not lost. Visit a tutor for
Upcoming Events
Thursday, December 11 - Intramurals & Recreation 12:30 - 2:00, Gym
- CCC Winter Concert Featuring CCC Vocal and Instrumental
Performance Ensembles 1:00 p.m., R004
Friday, December 12 - Last day of classes
Saturday, December 13 - Dr. & Mrs. Amann and APC present: Childrens Holiday Party
11:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, December 15 - Friday, December 19 - Final Exams
- Used Book Buy Back Monday - Thurday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.