Counselor enjoys GRCC job
By Ashley VanderLoon
Collegiate Staff Writer

Peace symbols, an African Violet plant, and Kokopelli figurines adorn a small windowless office in the Career Counseling department.

Before entering the room, counselor Jill Woller-Sullivan’s name appears on a plaque outside, creativity glistening as the door to her office is opened.

Woller-Sullivan has dedicated service to GRCC for almost 10 years. She is happily married, has two daughters, and is a new grandmother.

She loves outdoor settings and works hard at creating a “multicultural” work environment for her students.

“Students this way feel more welcomed and connected. It’s not just for me, but for people coming in,” Woller-Sullivan said.

Seashells sit alongside her computer, and a wind chime hangs above her, hinting of a youth spent near the ocean.

“I am originally from Rhode Island and Connecticut, though I have lived in several other states as well,” she said.

Woller-Sullivan has family that lives around the world, and enjoys planning new destinations.

She traveled to countries such as Mexico, Netherlands and Scotland, and has studied Celtic history.

“I have been all over the United States except Alaska,” she said.

Since she traveled to southwestern countries, she collected North American symbols called “Kokopelli,” and has them scattered around her office.

“The Kokopelli plays the flute, it’s a fable and a very fun loving character,” she said.
People often find Woller-Sullivan humming the sweet tunes of local Jazz musicians.

“To me there is nothing like live music, so I keep track of some of my favorite local and regional musicians and try to support their careers,” she said.

Daisymay and Seth Bernard, as well as Drew Nelson, are a few of her favorites..

In addition to being musically oriented, she also enjoys letting her creativity reflect upon her wardrobe.

“I make jewelry and knit and try new things. I recently worked on tie-dye scarves so you’ll see them a lot this winter,” she said.

Woller-Sullivan is good friends with GRCC faculty member Becky Yoder. They met many years ago when they were both at GRCC.

“With Jill, you cannot take the counselor out of the friend. She listens completely and we all know that is such a rare gift in this hectic world,” Yoder said.

Yoder feels the friendship they share is everlasting.

“We don’t see each other very often, but she’s one of those friends where you just pick-up where you left off—a solid, quality friendship,” she said.

Woller-Sullivan is the owner of a Labrador retriever, and loves animals.

“Right now I have only one, as the older of the two dogs died a couple of weeks ago. I will always have a dog,” she said.

Woller-Sullivan attended Central Michigan University and received her graduate degree in counseling. She said she started college as a “still deciding” student, and she focused on language and communication.

Woller-Sullivan enjoys her job and feels fortunate. She believes she has meaningful work that impacts many lives directly. She also wishes there were more hours in a day to meet the demands of the students. She encourages students to be pro-active and plan ahead.

“People or students need to remember their power and not give it away, but to embrace it,” she said.

The science of it all
By Poppy Nelson
Collegiate Staff Writer

Many alarmed scientists and educators are fighting back against attempts to teach intelligent design as valid science.

Dr. Gregory Forbes, GRCC Biological Sciences professor, is among these.

Forbes has spent much of his 25-year career as an educator "defending the integrity of science education against attempts to introduce non-scientific ideologies into the public classroom," according to his web biography.

"Our crown jewel of what we've been able to do in science is evolutionary theory because it has validation from all fields of science," Forbes said. "If someone were to say, 'I don't accept evolutionary theory because it's bad science,' that's an overall indictment of society ... they just don't understand science."

A major problem, Forbes said, is that teachers in today's schools don't know how to teach evolution. And it's a problem that perpetuates itself.

"We saw that in our classrooms here we have a lot of students who still struggle with the acceptance of science," Forbes said. "Who grows up to be the teachers of tomorrow?" he asked. "Today's students."

To address this, Forbes serves as Director of the Institute for Evolution Education, a nationwide initiative designed to help teachers effectively teach evolution. The Evolution Education Institute evolved from the Michigan Evolution Education Initiative, which was funded by the Eisenhower Higher Education Competitive Grant through the Michigan Department of Education from 1999 to 2002.

Additionally, Forbes was a founding member, and is a current board member, of MichiganCitizens for Science. The MCFS is a group of concerned citizens, parents, and educators who have committed themselves to preserving the quality of science education in Michigan's public school classrooms. Their mission states their agreement with the Michigan State Board of Education's 1982 resolution, which voices its opposition to the “teaching, in public educational institutions, of any course of religion which is outside the realm of a secular program of education."

Many scientists and educators on Forbes' side of the intelligent design debate argue that intelligent design is little more than creationism in disguise, but not all scientists condemn the teaching of ID in science classrooms.

In the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover case, the scientists who advocated intelligent design argued that the complexity of biological organisms and their seemingly purposeful arrangement is evidence that there is a designer, and that this idea should be taught alongside evolutionary theory.

In the article "Intelligent Design: The Scientific Alternatives to Evolution," William S. Harris and John H. Calvert, managing directors of Intelligent Design network, attempt to explain that intelligent design is not inherently religious in nature and doesn't conflict with the Establishment Clause set forth in the Constitution.

"ID is simply a hypothesis about the direct cause of certain past events based on an observation and analysis of data. ID does not arise from any religious text, nor does it seek to validate any scriptural account of origins," Harris said. "ID is like a large tent under which many religious and nonreligious origins theories may find a home. ID proposes nothing more than that life and its diversity were the product of an intelligence with power to manipulate matter and energy."

Forbes disagreed, saying intelligent design has no place in the science classroom because it "doesn't meet anybody's definition of science."

The federal judge in Kitzmiller v. Dover, one of the most well-publicized court cases between faith and evolution since the 1925 Scopes trial, was in agreement. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones ruled against the Dover School Board, saying that including intelligent design in their science curriculum violated the separation of church and state.

Although Forbes said intelligent design doesn't belong in the science classroom, he isn't opposed to teaching students about religion in classes specifically for theology.

"The first amendment does not prevent us from teaching about religion; it prevents us from advocating for any particular religion, or preventing the free exercise of religion," he said.
Forbes, with Michigan Citizens for Science, has helped successfully stop four ID bills in committee since 2001.

For his efforts, Forbes has seen much recognition. In 2005 he was named the Civil Libertarian of the Year by the Michigan ACLU, for whom he now serves as an advisory board member. He will also serve on the newly constructed advisory board of the West Michigan ACLU as a specialist on issues concerning science education and the separation of church and state.

Paying for health care
By Penny Adams
Collegiate Staff Writer

Whether the rising costs of insurance, a career change, or unforeseen circumstances leave a student without coverage, health care options are available.

“I don’t have any primary care and was wondering if I could get insurance through the school,” GRCC student Audra Kugel said.

One option is to purchase the policy offered to GRCC students through First Agency, Inc. Students can find pamphlets with benefit explanations and premium rates on the racks in the student center lounge.

Tina Hoxie, Dean of Student Affairs, recommends carefully reviewing what the plan offers. Depending on a student’s age or circumstances, it might not be the right policy for them.

However, there are alternatives to insurance.

Hoxie said there are various programs offered in the community. Students who are looking for coverage at a reduced rate can consider these.

“We make sure that information is in our service areas, so that when a student comes in and expresses a need, we refer them to these programs,” Hoxie said.

The West Michigan Center for Family Health is one program.  It is an insurance-free primary health care center. There is a yearly fee of $500 for the first family member, $400 for the second and $350 for each subsequent member. This fee does not change, regardless the number of visits to the doctor.

WMCFH, located at 1425 Michigan NE, has an onsite pharmacy and fills prescriptions at cost for anyone enrolled in the WMCFH Discount Card Program.

Another source to find free or discounted drugs would be Merck, a pharmaceutical company with programs like the Vaccine Patient Assistance Program. A complete list of their programs is on their Web site at http://www.merckhelps.com.

The cost of dental care without insurance can be overwhelming as well, so preventative care is important. GRCC has a dental clinic on the third floor of Cook Hall and offers just that.

Students can have their teeth cleaned, bitewing x-rays, and fluoride for $12. The fees for the public are slightly higher, but still discounted from the average cost.

“We see 13 patients at a time,” dental clinic secretary Sheryl Kuzniar said. “Three clinic instructors supervise 16 students in rotation, and three of those students work in the sterilization, x-ray, and office areas.

Kuzniar said the clinic will be scheduling new appointments for the winter semester around Nov. 26, so students should call then.

There are also various health and dental clinics in Grand Rapids that charge according to a sliding scale. The Cherry Street Health Center and the Clinica Santa Maria offer dental and medical services. Catherine’s Care Center is a free clinic for family oriented primary care.

They ask clients for a $10 donation, but will still see anyone who cannot afford it.
Another opportunity for free or alternative health care is to participate in a clinical trial.

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University have lists of studies that need volunteers. Participants can receive treatment that is new and not widely available otherwise.
Students can talk to an advisor at the student community center about options before choosing a health care plan.

ICCF CEO explains his vocation to students
By Sandra Sabin
Collegiate Staff Writer

Jonathon Bradford, the director of Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF), discussed how his past affects his religion and job today.

Bradford’s organization is a nonprofit faith-based organization.  The ICCF offers clean, safe, affordable housing to low-income families in Grand Rapids’ inner city. Bradford has been involved with the ICCF for over 20 years and is now the director.

“I think I have the best job, not just in the city, at least in the county, maybe even many counties around. I really have a wonderful job,” he said.

Bradford’s father is a minister; therefore, they traveled a lot when he was a kid. The only thing that never changed for Bradford was he always lived in a city.

In 1963, Bradford moved to Chicago.

“Two extraordinary things happened to me here. They are things that I believe came directly from the fingers of God,” Bradford said.

In Sep. 1963 Bradford was walking home from school. He heard a man’s voice yelling his name, but could not find where it was coming from.

“Johnny, Johnny, over here behind the bush.” He walked near the bush.

“Do you want a job?” Bradford was caught off guard. The man behind the bush then explained how he owned a contracting business: he was a bricklayer. He needed Bradford to work for him after school and on Saturdays.

Bradford took the job for $1.25 an hour. This is where his love of house-making began.
The second thing that changed his life were social issues that appeared during the late 1960’s. A group of African American parents wanted their children to go to the local Christian school. The board of trustees, who were all white, said, “No, we can’t admit your children because of what the neighbors might do.”

Bradford’s father was at the floor front to challenge the school board. He was trying to get African American students into these Christian schools.

“My father was nailed for this, was criticized for this. In fact, his life was literally threatened bya member of his church,” Bradford said.

Bradford’s past shaped him into the man he is today. His inner desire to help people get what they need started when he was just a young boy.

The True North group and Inner Varsity Christian Fellowship asked Bradford to come to GRCC on Nov. 14.

True North Group reaches out to college students in GR. They help them explore how to integrate their Christian faith into their future profession and lifestyle choices.  They hire professionals to speak at seminars about their personal relationship with God and how religion affects their work.

Inner Varsity Christian Fellowship provides opportunity to participate in prayer, Bible study and Christian Fellowship experiences. They meet weekly. For more information about more seminars contact Susan Systma–Bratt, the ministry coordinator.

GRCC faculty still negotiating
By Charles Jurries
Collegiate Staff Writer

Contract negotiations for GRCC faculty are not close to ending.

Faculty and administration have been negotiating a new contract to replace one that expired this past summer.

According to recent council minutes from the GRCC Faculty Association meetings, both faculty and administration have narrowed down the list of issues to be discussed down to 15.

However, they need just five to six issues before a fact-finding process can begin.

Administration is proposing salary increases of 2 percent, 1.5 percent, and 1 percent over three years but a hold on other rates, such as overload and longevity.

Faculty is proposing salary increases of 2.6 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent over the next three years.

Fred van Hartesveldt, an English professor and president of the GRCC Faculty Association, said the differences in proposed increases have to do with what salaries they are being compared to.

Van Hartesveldt said that the administration is looking at how much other educational support professionals at GRCC are getting paid and is seeking increases to match those groups.

Van Hartesveldt said that, in contrast, faculty are looking at how instructors at similar Michigan community colleges are being paid and are seeking increases to match those schools.

Cynthia Springer, Vice President of Organizational Development and GRCC spokesperson for personal affairs, said both sides “remain amenable and committed to continuing the negotiations process in order to reach a settlement.”

“GRCC and the Faculty Association remain committed to the mediation phase of negotiations and both parties continue to be engaged in finding a solution with the goal of reaching an agreement as quickly as possible,” she said.

Springer said one of the many factors impacting financial concerns is state funding for GRCC and “the economic condition of our local and state economy.” 

Justine Pepper, a freshman at GRCC, is worried the negotiations might impact students.
“If their pay increase goes up, then is our tuition going to be jacked up extremely high?” She said. “That just kind of scares me.”

A state-appointed mediator is working with both sides to narrow down a list of issues that need to be resolved in order to agree on a new contract.

Once the number of issues that need to be negotiated is down to six, the mediator can move the process to state fact-finding, where a neutral party will make non-binding recommendations on how to resolve the negotiations.

Van Hartesveldt said he does not expect negotiations to wrap up before the holidays.

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