Reserve fund is avaliable for students
By Rebekah Young
Opinion Editor

The Student Congress reserve fund has enabled the creation of new programs across campus.

Created by Student Congress in October 2007, the reserve fund allows students and campus organizations to request funds for enhancing GRCC. This includes requests for new programs, events, and improvements.

The reserve fund is a step to ensure equal funding of the college’s student groups. It is financed through excess money from the college’s Contingency Fund. This general funding is available through tuition, taxes, and state funding.

One of the first requests was made collectively by Student Life and Rick VanderVeen, Director of the Ford Fieldhouse Operations and Events. They received $4,000 from Student Congress to establish an intramural sports program.

According to the Student Life request form, the money will help “build and grow this program, develop more offerings, and market to the student population at a higher level.”

Student Life developed an online survey to measure student interest in an intramural sports program. Over 200 responses were received, indicating strong support.

Eric Mullen, Student Life Director, said the program is on its way. Organization for the program, including an online site, logo, and software, has been in development.

“ We hope to start marketing it the first or second week of February,” Mullen said.

Mullen, who submitted the fund request with VanderVeen, said they plan to offer activities such as basketball, flag football, and indoor soccer with the money.

Another addition to GRCC is the recently formed pep band, which was created after a $2,300 request from the Reserve Fund. The allocated money made it possible to cover uniform costs and to pay a $10 stipend for band members each game.

The Student Congress Budget Committee also approved $500 for Student Life's "Chew on This” program, where students are treated to lunch and conversation with GRCC professors. Higher participation in this year’s program necessitated the request.

Requests $500 or below are directed to the Student Congress Budget Committee, who then vote to approve or deny the request.

For requests over $500, “there are greater ramifications,” Mullen said.“It could affect a large amount of people.”

For organizations or students requesting larger sums of money, the budget committee must recommend the request and present it to the Student Congress body for a vote.

To request funding, students need to notify the Student Congress Budget Officer, Sarah Wiltenburg, to indicate their interest in submitting a proposal. For more information, students can find forms on the Student Congress page at GRCC’s Web site.

For the 2007-2008 year, Student Congress set aside $40,300 of reserve funding. To institutionalize the fund, congress hopes to allocate approximately $3,700 to it each year.

The math lab is a benefit to students who use it
By Jeff Kranz
Collegiate Staff Writer

The Academic Support center is a tool used by GRCC to help students succeed in math.

“Tutors realized that some students need help with basic math skills and study skills such as time management, note taking, test preparation, test anxiety, and test taking,” Colleen Copus, a tutor in the academic Support center, said.

Raju Hedge, assistant director of Academic Tutorial and Testing Services, said, “There is a number of students who struggle with math. The math lab is used as a support function, not having resources hurts students.”

Becky Visser, a former GRCC student who transferred to Cornerstone University, said, “Yes, I believe the tutors in the math lab definitely give students the help they deserve and everyone was nice so I was never afraid to ask for help.”

“The math lab was moved and redesigned to better assist students making the math lab more visible. Since the redesign of the math lab, more students having been taking advantage of the help provided, and that’s leads to an increase of students visiting the math lab,” Hedge said.

“Tutors go through training programs so that they have a general background on what type of learning style a certain professor is using so they can better connect with the students they’re trying to help. The lab coordinator keeps it up to date so that both the math lab and the math department are on the same page,” Hedge said.

According to the college Web site the lab is a drop-in center for students studying mathematics courses offered at GRCC. The Mathematics Tutorial Lab is part of a series of resource labs which are offered free of charge.

The Mathematics Tutorial/Computer Lab is located on the 1st floor of the Pete and Pat Cook Academic Hall. The math lab is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Faculty contract finally reached
By Charles Jurries
Web Design Editor

After a year of negotiations, instructors at Grand Rapids Community College have come to an agreement with administration on a new contract.

The 2007-2010 contract, ratified Sunday night, replaces one that expired last August. Negotiations for a new contract have been in place for months, with a state mediator working with both sides to narrow a list of disputed issues.

Early Monday, the faculty union met to ratify the contract. Per union policy, the number of votes for this or any issue is not released to the public.

Later, the Board of Trustees approved the contract by a unanimous vote.

Juan Olivarez, GRCC President, thanks the negotiators and said he was “very proud of the faculty.” Fred van Hartesveldt, an English professor and president of the GRCC Faculty Association, said faculty is happy there is a new contract in place.

“Faculty is happy that it’s done with, and were not getting any sort of hand wringing about it,” he said.

Keith St. Clair, a Social Science instructor, told the board that while he was happy a new contract was agreed upon, he was dissatisfied with the administration, saying he felt faculty were not defended well. St. Clair said he hopes the board will “renew commitment to defend and support each other.”

Gary Schenk, Chairperson of the board, later said the board always defends faculty and they are always welcome to attend meetings.

Over holiday break, a state negotiator recommended a small list of issues from both sides to a state Fact Finding process.

While paperwork has been filed with the state to start a Fact Finding process, which could take months to make non-binding recommendations for how to settle, neither side wanted to spend more months without a contract in place, van Hartesveldt said.

Because the contract was passed, Fact Finding will not look into the matter.

Another motivating force, according to van Hartesveldt, was having faculty members fill up the room at the December meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Facing increased pressure and the prospect of months in Fact Finding, both sides agreed to try something different and work with a smaller group of people during negotiations.

Van Hartesveldt said it was easier for a smaller group of people to agree on issues, as opposed to a larger group of people.

“It wouldn’t make it any worse,” he said about working with a smaller group.

Both sides were then able to come to a table agreement on a new contract.

One of the main sticking points for a new contract was faculty salary. In late November, administration proposed salary increases of 2 percent, 1.5 percent, and 1 percent over the three years of the contract.

Faculty was seeking salary increases of 2.6 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent over the next three years. The new contract has increases of 2.5 percent, 2 percent and 2 percent over the next three years.

Cynthia Springer, Vice President of Organizational Development and GRCC spokesperson for personal affairs, said that both sides were looking for a resolution with “the goal of reaching an agreement as quickly as possible.”

“Both negotiating teams ultimately sought to reach as realistic balance between providing deserved raises to our faculty and being responsible stewards over our limited financial resources,” Springer said.

Honoring Grand Rapids African American Giants in a night of celebration and food
By Marcus J Reynolds
Collegiate Staff Writer

Since 1983, in conjunction with other organizations, GRCC recognizes the African American community leaders at the 26th Annual Giants Banquet.

The awards are named after individuals who have helped change the exclusion African Americans have suffered in their everyday life in Grand Rapids. Over the past 25 years, the Giants Awards has matured since its beginning in the “G” building where the Caulkins Science Center is now located. The legacy was started by Cedric Ward and assistant principal of Henry Elementary, Nina Lewis –Sleet.

“We had some crazy times,” Sleet said, reminiscing of the late Cedric Ward, who brought the idea to former GRCC President Richard Caulkins.

“Cedric had a dream, Richard gave us his blessings and we did everything from sell barbeque to make it happen,” Sleet said. “It was a way to show that not all black people are criminals and that we love our community.”

During the dinner of chicken and barbeque ribs, Michael Johnson of Milo Brown Funeral Home honored for GRCC students with $1000 scholarships.

“The Milo Brown scholarship helps African American students strive for excellence while easing the burden of finances."

This year’s winners were Deonna Cattledge, Amber Harris, Mary Hughes, and Chyna Jackson. The recipients met the GPA standards of 3.0 or higher and were highly involved in the community.

“My goal is to make a difference in my family and community,” Mary Hughes said.

The 12 awards were based on qualities of leadership, unselfishness, integrity, advocacy and measurable history of indisputable accomplishments.

“I do not consider myself a giant. The only thing I have is a giant voice, I was assigned to be a servant,” Reverend Zannie M. Mitchell said. She was awarded the H. C. Toliver Religious Life Award.

The Giant Among Giants Award honored former Dean of Minority Affairs of Grand Valley State University, Don Williams. The Giant award is presented to a person whose achievements are felt throughout and beyond the community.

“My family left a legacy of work, ethics and family,” Williams said. Even while accepting the prestigious award Wiliams was working.

“We have got to build a youth center for the southeast side, we have a whole side of the community dying and no one seems to care,” Williams said.

All of the honorees had a common theme, which was expressed by Reverend Chico Daniels, director of Mel Trotter Ministries and winner of the Raymond Tardy Community Service Award.

“We are here to serve the least, the last and the lost.”

19-year-old first-year student Salem VanderStel is starting a scholarship that helps children of alcoholics.

“There is a need that is ultimately the biggest problem.” VanderStel said.

Whether a student is Native American, disabled, singled child-bearing, African American, and so on, the child of an alcoholic family faces burdens also, VanderStel said.

“Our community as a whole has created aid or help for these people in terms of scholarships, while children of alcoholics has slipped through the net.” VanderStel said.

This cause is close to VanderStel’s heart. He says his situation could have been a lot worse and his family was able to put this behind them.

“I was blessed and want to give back to those who did not have it as well,” VanderStel said.

The Salem Avery Children of Alcoholics’ scholarship will kick off its fund raising on Feb. 23, 2008.

VanderStel is asking GRCC clubs and organizations to help with the fund raising to get this scholarship endowed. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship has pledged support to VanderStel.

InterVarsity has been very supportive in the whole process VanderStel said. The group has offered to do a pop can drive, and other ideas are on the table.

“I will take any help, and remember: all donations are tax deductible,” VanderStel said, “I would like to have this scholarship endowed, so I have a long road ahead.” It takes $25,000 to have a scholarship fully endowed Executive Director of GRCC’s foundation Andy Bowne said.

“Once an scholarship is endowed we make 5 percent available for awards annually,” Bowne said, “this is actually done taking a three year average of the fund and calculating the 5 percent based on the average of the three years.”

If the average is $25,000, the foundation would make $1250 available for awards Bowne said, and the process for this scholarship would use the same application process as the foundation’s current scholarships.

“I believe that I need to do this,” VanderStel said, “Once it is in my head and on my heart I have to finish it.”

Bowen believes that VanderStel will be able to raise the funds he needs for endowment. Bowne went on to say that VanderStel shows great passion for this cause and with that determination he will reach his goal.

To donate to the Salem Avery scholarships, please contact the GRCC foundation for more information.

Welcome Week done within budget
By Lonnie Allen
Editor-in-Chief

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) was back at it this semester, as members offered free treats for students on campus with its one-day welcome week event.

The name needs to be changed for this event since it only goes for one day, CAB president Dalee Hermenitt said.

Massages, slushees, and popcorn were part of the free activities that welcomed students back to college after winter break.

The slushee machine was popular at Stress Buster and also carries a lower cost for the high amount of servings for students, so CAB decided to bring it back again, CAB member and Chair of the event Tara Yax said.

“Our budget was only $1,000,” she said, “I would say we spent about $1,100 on this event.”

The event was slightly overbudget, but the students like free stuff, CAB member and cochair of the event, Kyle Flack said.

Some of the students at the event didn’t care about money being spent on them; they just liked the idea of the free items.

“I think this is actually cool,” first-year student Erin Anderson said, “It is a good thing to welcome students and get some free popcorn out of it.”

“If it’s free, it’s a good idea,” GRCC student Marquez May said.

Though these events are free for students, it does cost the college. Money is allocated to clubs and organizations on campus from Student Congress and the Student Life Fund. For the first time in two decades, the general fund for student life received a raise. It went from $47,000 to $184,000 and CAB receives 30% of that money, which was $64,000 this year.

In a previous interview, Student Life Director Eric Mullen said it was more about the growth than the funding. Mullen commented on how this will create more opportunity for students.

Members are fi scally responsible with these events and the money allocated to CAB, Assistant Director to Student Life and CAB advisor David Selmon said.

“We have been planning these events since July,” Selmon said,“They are very well-planned-out and catch as many students as possible.”

Some students are not interested in the activities on campus.

“It is nice, but not my thing,” GRCC student Joe Swartz said. Andrew Wilcox said most of the events are not his thing, even the time they had the rock wall and other free things. He said he just doesn’t participate.

The night students CAB heard from this year gave positive feedback and enjoyed the free doughnuts, hot chocolate, and coffee, Selmon said.

“I didn’t know about Welcome Week. No one told me, but I think this is good,” first-year GRCC night student Jacqueline Booker said.

“I am very pleased with CAB, and we remain fiscally responsible in CAB,” Selmon said.

Harmful chemicals on campus have one asking, how green is GRCC?
Opinion by Nicholas MacDonald
Collegiate Staff Writer

The Environmental Protection Agency states 72,000 different chemicals are used in the U.S.

With such a staggering number of discoveries, 15 percent have been tested for health effects. In that 15 percent, two percent have been tested for long-term health effects, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

While the process of testing chemicals for safety is woefully inadequate, once they are tested there is a process for informing the public.

Workplaces and GRCC, because they are public buildings, are required under federal law to keep Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These tell what chemicals are used in the building. At GRCC there is one for every building.

These can be located on the GRCC Web site and at the campus police office on the fourth floor.

However, the sheets are written as technical handouts. To fi nd usable information about a particular chemical and its affects, consulting the Internet may be necessary.

The Sustainability Advisory Council at GRCC, chaired by Gary Burbridge, deals with issues concerning the environment.

In unison with Tom Smith at Building Services, they review the chemicals used with vendors in an effort to purchase safer and more environmentally sustainable substances.

In addition, they recommend many of the other environmental policies on campus. Judging from the reaction of many people interviewed, the policies of the college go relatively unnoticed by the students.

“I’ve never seen anything on campus about (environmental issues), all I see are recycle bins,” GRCC student Laurel Dunlap said.

For generations, quick and easy cleaning solutions contained harmful chemicals.

Every year, the EPA acknowledges about 1,000 chemicals are created or imported into the US.

More chemicals are banned for health reasons as research is done. Each country considers these studies differently.

Take, for example, the recent banning of bleach in Europe due to studies linking it to women’s health issues. Citing these studies, The U.S. / Canadian Commission on Chemicals is advocating a bleach ban in North America. The EPA has not issued any opinion regarding these studies.

At GRCC, bleach is used to clean in most buildings, according to the MSDS. Other products used at GRCC such as Lysol contain traces of the chemical formaldehyde.

“Formaldehyde, unless they’ve changed it recently, is the major component in embalming fl uid,” according to allergist Dr. Dan Tucker on http://www.ecobaby.com.“It kills things. It kills bacteria fungi -- and enough of it kills people.”

You may check progress being made by contacting the Sustainability Council either online or in person.

Unlike public buildings, chemicals used at private residences are less regulated under federal law.

Recently, The National Cancer Association released results of a 15-year study concluding that women who work in the home are at a 54 percent higher risk of developing cancer than women who work outside the home.

Manufacturers are not required to list exact ingredients under federal law, but rather may use trade names.

This leaves the responsibility for informing the public to institutions like GRCC. How they perform their job depends on feedback from the public.

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