GRCC President Juan Olivarez accepts a check from AT&T at a recent ceremony. AT&T has donated a large sum of money to help technology initiatives on campus. (Photo: Laura Boonstra/Collegiate)

Outreach programs integrate technology
By Emily Allore
Collegiate Staff Writer

The gap between GRCC students and technology became smaller Feb. 21, when the president of AT&T Michigan presented a $25,000 check to students.

“This is my favorite thing to do,” President of AT&T Michigan Gail Torreano said. “It’s nice to be here to support and give back to my Grand Rapids community.”

The check was presented to Student Support Services, also known as TRIO. TRIO is a program that provides opportunities for academic development to first-generation low income students. These students must be enrolled at GRCC and in a degree-seeking transfer program.“The grant money will be used to increase the use of technology for students who may experience a separation of class,” TRIO Program Director Fatima Nieves said.

The grant is designed to integrate wireless communications technology into educational outreach programs. Each program applying for the grant was required to have a particular focus on targeting underserved populations.

GRCC went to AT&T with two goals: to increase access to counseling by providing mentoring and support through the use of an iPod Touch (or equivalent) device, and to provide 250 students with increased access to wireless laptop computers.

Dr. Juan Olivarez, President of GRCC, said, “Student success in higher education takes more than a class. Extending support beyond the classroom will help achieve greater academic achievements.”

In the last five years GRCC, aside from gaining campus-wide high speed Internet access, has podcast a number of classes. One of the first classes to be podcast on campus was a calculus class.

“Education is key to the future success of our state and our nation, and I applaud AT&T for recognizing that and supporting those efforts,” Olivarez said.

There were three other schools who accepted this grant in Michigan. It is a highly competitive grant to receive, according to Judith Larsen, Director of the Grant Department at GRCC. She is also the woman responsible for finding the grant.

The Grants AT&T is providing range from $2,500 to $25,000, and will go to 70 different organizations this year.

“GRCC is a phenomenal institution, and we are proud to assist students as they prepare for successful lives after graduation.” Torreano said.

GRCC Christians speak out about faith and politics
By Rebekah Young
Opinion Editorter

With the religious sector accounting for over half of Michigan's voters, members of GRCC's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship spoke out and shared their views.

“Religion is close to people’s hearts,” Intervarsity Christian Fellowship president Sarah Blair said. “When you believe something, you hold it to be true. It’s how you look at the world; it’s how you interpret events and what’s going on.”

According to a National Election Pool exit poll from 2004, this might be true of Michigan, where a majority of responses indicated strong religious affiliation among voters. Poll results showed 27 percent of Michigan pollsters as Catholic; 45 percent were Protestant voters, and another 10 percent belonged to other faith groups.

“People are basically spiritual. That’s part of who we are, though people like to deny it,” Intervarsity Christian Fellowship club advisor Harry Lew said. “Politicians have always used religion. Certainly Huckabee is, and Hilary and Barack are also trying to appeal to religious voters.”

At GRCC, the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship represents the Christian body of students attending classes. As students and Christians, the members have various thoughts on politics and the role religion should or should not play.

Jeff Kellogg, the organization’s vice president, believes religion shouldn’t be a major factor when voting.

“Politics and Christianity are two separate things, not to say they can’t combine,” he said. “With politics, you should decide by your beliefs not your religion.”

Corwin Squire, the Co-activities Director, said religion and politics require balance.

“The media has done a lot to indoctrinate people against Christianity. It’s anti-Christian. We can fight that by showing we’re rational,” he said. “That can be difficult because sometimes we’re called to do what’s not rational. It’s a balancing act.”

The fellowship is an interdenominational organization and is strictly nonpartisan. The club has encouraged participation and awareness by co-sponsoring events such as Senator Bill Hardiman’s visit and the Republican Voters Drive.

“As Christians, we have an obligation to be good citizens, so I would at least hope everyone is registered to vote,” Lew said. Blair feels Christians should be informed like any other voters, and to be good citizens they need to vote for capable leaders.

Lew said members often discuss current issues at the meetings, where a majority are registered Republicans. There are some Democratic and Independent voters in the club as well.

One such member is Wardell Sykes. Though most of the members are Baptist or affiliate with other Protestant religions, Sykes is a Seventh Day Adventist. He’s also a registered Independent.

In politics, Sykes still feels religion is key, saying everyone should follow the example of the Ten Commandments and should “abide by the laws of faith which come from God.”

The Intervarsity Christian Fellowship holds daily meetings in the Student Center Mondays through Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. On Friday evenings, beginning at 5:30 p.m., they also host social meetings in the Far Side room.

To learn more about the fellowship or to get involved in their meetings and group discussions, students can access the club Web site through Blackboard.

Cheaper rates for students
By Ashley VanderLoon
Collegiate Staff Writer

GRCC recently held dental screenings to provide the community with an affordable option for getting their teeth checked.

The screenings were held for two days. The first one was Feb.12 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. and the second one was Feb. 14 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. located at room 301 of Cook Hall.

Sandy Krause, second year dental hygiene student, said the screenings were established in order to benefit the public and educate the dental students for their exams.

“A lot of people don’t think about their dental health until there’s a problem,” Krause said. “There could be things going on in your mouth that you have no idea about.”

The clinic was started by Maurine Munger and is currently directed by Eve Sidney.

Screenings let the hygienists know which individuals need more routine care and let the student or community be aware of oral health concerns.

Dental Clinic Secretary Sheryl Kuzinar said the number of patients they get per day varies.

She said get they get about 25 screenings per day, but are not as busy with cleaning appointments.

Registered dental hygienist Christine Dobberstein said not many students are aware of the program.

“Sometimes students don’t get the word out unless there’s dental screenings,” Dobberstein said.

The dental clinic targets those who don’t have dental insurance and are in need of a routine check-up or a discounted X-ray. The clinics also provide sealants and fluoride treatments.

“We do the walk-ins a couple times a semester. It helps us to do a quick survey to find the calculus build up and put them with the right physician,” Krause said.

The routine appointment screenings take about an hour and 45 minutes. Students and the community are asked to at least take two hours out of their day to sit down in the chair.

The clinic currently has 20 dentist chairs, all being occupied at different times of the day.

“A lot of people come in and bring their kids,” Krause said.

Community citizen and dental patient Phil Potter said, “The wait is a little longer, but the savings is multiplied for the number of people.” Potter has 15 adopted kids and brings them all to the GRCC Dental Clinic.

“They always get you in right away; they do a good job in that aspect. They are good with kids, very personable, and help with other things,” he said.

Dental hygienists cannot diagnose a problem, but they can assist an individual in finding the problem area. Students can be confident their teeth are in the care of professionals in training.

“The infection control is very strict here. Students wear the same protective equipment as in a dental office,” Kuzinar said.

Routine check-ups are $12 for students and $25 for the community. They include fluoride treatment and x-rays. Sealants are $4 per tooth. According to http://www. dentistonweb.com, a sealant is a thin layer of plastic-like material that covers the grooves and pits on a tooth to prevent cavity.

There is no disqualification for setting up an appointment and registering for the first time.

Both students and community can receive additional information or set up an appointment by calling the clinic at (616) 234-4237. Their office hours are Monday 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Students shocked by sudden resignation
By Marcus J. Reynolds
Collegiate Staff Writer

Bonnie Stone, GRCC Student Life office manager, resigned Feb. 12, in the middle of the semester, without foreword to the students she served.

As office manager of Student Life, Stone was the go-to person for student organizations. For seven and half years, she kept track of budgets, made reservations, and answered questions for over 40 organizations.

“When Eric Mullen took over as director and started the summer leadership camp, organizations had a sense of direction. I just grew with the office,” Stone said. “I learned something everyday from students and advisors. God closed this door for a reason and another will open.” Jeremy Medendorp of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship said, “I was shocked that she left right in the middle of the semester, this was my fi rst year, she walked me through all the forms.”

Brandon McCall, President of Black Student Union, said, “I think she could have given more time than just dropping. It gave a negative impression on college students because she dealt with a lot of students, people are jumping to conclusions.”

Stone wanted to make it clear that she left on a professional note and that her friendships are still intact with everyone.“I didn’t leave bitter. The positives always out-weigh the negatives… never burn your bridges,” Stone said. Stone was also the Native American Organization (NAO) advisor.

“There was no interest, no one was doing anything for the organization. She really had a huge impact on getting it started. She had the fl exibility of being in the office,” Teresa Frieberg, NAO advisor, said.

“She took concern about the my success as a student, I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. Whoever takes her place is going to have big shoes to fill,” NAO member Billy Jo Russell said.

Students resonated the same message; the next person has some big shoes to fi ll and that she truly cared about the students.

“Be positive and excited about the next person coming into Student Life,” Stone said.

“It will be a hard transition for organizations, because everyone else is busy when they have questions. She was always willing to help me out when I had problems, work or personal,” Student Life employee Geogriana Haight said.

“I gave everybody my everything, I wanted everyone to have success,” Stone said.

Students involved with GRCC organizations are confused as to why she left and where to go when they have questions.

“It was her choice to leave,” Student Life director Eric Mullen said. President of the Computer Club Cheryl Lamb said, “My greatest source of information is now gone. It’s a shock, I’m going to miss her.”

“The office is still open, the system is in place, we all will shoulder her responsibilities,” Mullen said.

“I will grow my antique business and keep my options open, I miss my people but everything changes, grow from it,” Stone said.

Sharing a bit of his story to students
By Michele Smith
Collegiate Staff Writer

On Feb. 21, Sen. Bill Hardiman gave a speech in the Calkins Science building.

The senator shared some of his history, gave some life lessons, and touched on Michigan economy.

Born in Pontiac and raised in Grand Rapids, he said he endured a tough childhood and a tough father.

He graduated from South High in 1965. That is where the idea of public service first entered his mind. He
had the same teacher for high school civics that he had for government at GRCC, which was then GRJC. That teacher encouraged him to get involved in public service. He went on to serve on local commissions and worked his way up from there

Hardiman said he knew he was going to be part of the Republican Party before he ran for his first elected office as Kentwood City Commissioner.

He lost the first race, but was victorious when he ran again. He has not lost an election since. He was elected to the Senate in Nov. 2002.

Hardiman defended his political affiliation.

“The Republican platform most closely reflects my personal idealology. I am strongly pro-life, and have faith that guides my beliefs,” Hardiman said.

He also spoke of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas, their ideals, beliefs, and the fact that the Republican Party was founded on these.

Hardiman is also a founder and current chairman of Healthy Marriages Grand Rapids. It is a broadbased program to promote strong marriages and family life.

He and his wife Clova have been married for what will be 34 years this year.

“If you are going to do anything significant, you don’t do it alone,” he said.

He also feels that in order to save Michigan’s struggling economy, the state needs to diversify and change its way of thinking. In his opinion, community colleges are a pivotal instrument in retraining and changing jobs.

Getting information on the tube
By Nicholas MacDonald
Collegiate Staff Writer

GRCC is joining other colleges in new technology surge.

Technology is part of how a college communicates with its students. At GRCC, new technologies are continuously being tried to improve the student’s experience.

One recent addition has been the addition of GRCC’s own YouTube channel. This follows Youtube’s addition of college channels as of last year, according to the Web site’s press release.

In Jan. 2007 there were 7.2 billion videos viewed by about 123 million Americans.

A blog from Coordinator of Instructional Technologies Eric Kunnen said, “Video these days has become a common place. No longer is video only a publication channel for TV stations and Hollywood. Video can be easily captured and placed onto YouTube nearly instantly. Video can be streamed live.”

Students wondered what it was about.

“I didn’t know we had a Youtube channel,” GRCC student Nick Nortier said. GRCC student Athena Placencia asked, “What do they use it for?” Teachers have the ability to post content relevant to the class in a way accessible to all.

Business professor Garret Brand uses YouTube to teach his BA207 business law class.

He uses a screen cast. This enables him to present slide shows, dialogue, and videos together.

Playlists are available on the GRCC channel for different classes or interests.

Students have the ability to subscribe to that particular playlist if that is all a student is interested in. Students may also embed the video stream on any Web page allowing HTML.

The GRCC channel provides links to other video channels such as National Geographic and PBS. The ability to add the channel to a student’s Facebook or YouTube page enables students to integrate it into their social lives. With 370 videos on GRCC’s channel since its inception, teachers and students have contributed videos ranging from educational to entertaining.

Some of the videos include the board of directors meetings, the lecture series, and featured artists.

One challenge lies in how to introduce the technology to the teachers and students in a way that they will use it.

Adoption by teachers to use the technology is entirely up to them. There is no official school policy on using any of the technologies offered by the college.

The Horizon report, produced by the New Media Foundation and Educause Learning Initiative, states grassroots video will fuel rapid growth in learning focused organizations.

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