Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Artistic Reconstruction
Info@theunfilteredlens.com
VP on
WF/WP
Tamera Carvalho/Lens
By Tamera Carvalho
Staff Writer
If you were to visit the art wing on Knight Campus fourth floor on the 13th of January, you
would find that it was bare. Stripped of tables, textiles, and other equipment, the art wing is now
just a long winding tunnel. The windows that allowed you a peek into the art world of the CCRI
students, are covered in red paper and the only thing inside are two construction workers who are
throwing around the word drilling and a table with renovation plans on them. Yvonne Leonard,
the art department chair for the 2 million dollar renovation project, says that if everything goes according to plan, the wing should be finished by mid-August, just in time for the Fall 2015 semester.
With the input of the entire art department faculty, the renovations should make the art wing
more efficient. The renovation project will fix the noise problems and the aging equipment that the
art wing has, but will also provide much needed improvement. Each art class will have its own specialized classroom, and each of these classes will have glass walls making the rooms more open and
accessible. The rooms will also have the ability to control the light that seeps through the windows,
allowing the professors to have greater flexibility when lighting subjects for drawings and paintings,
or showing slides or presentations. The school will also be redesigning the dark rooms that are used
for photography, will create a special area for the display of students artwork, and have now bought
new printing presses. But these changes are not the only good thing to come for the art students at
CCRI.
CCRI will be getting a NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design), accreditation. This accreditation will certify that the art classes here at CCRI meet the same requirements as those in full time art schools and will make CCRI one of the 16 community colleges who
have this accreditation. The accreditation will legitimize the art classes at CCRI and will make it
equivalent to those found in four-year schools, but it will also pave the way for programs that allow
students in a four-year school to take certain classes at CCRI for a smaller tuition price. CCRI is
working on having RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) be a part of this program. For now, art
classes are being held in temporary spaces or other campuses. Hopefully with the new changes
coming, students will be inspired to be at their best creatively and academically.
Go to www.ccri.edu/art/art-i-facts/ARTIFACTSf14.pdf for more information.
This
Issue
P2
P4
P5
P9
Students speak up
Obamas college plan
Je suis Charlie
Part time Deans list
P15
P16
Crossword
Meet our Staff
Students
and faculty
share their
opinions
Check it out on
page 2
By Edward Kdonian
Editor in Chief
Shortly into his second year at CCRI,
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Greg Lamontagne sat down with The Unfiltered Lens to
discuss the controversy around the removal of
the WP/WF grades and his hopes for our college.
Ive got the best job in the world. Dr.
Lamontagne starts out, Because I work with the
most creative people in the world, the faculty.
He explained to me that as Vice President of Academic Affairs, its his job to supervise the deans
and faculty and to help them Accomplish the
mission of the institution
Dr. Lamontagne expressed a deep appreciation for community colleges. He went on to
discuss how he himself had started out at a community college in his home town of Montreal.
I wouldnt be where I am now if I didnt
attend a two year college in Montreal he said.
He feels that community colleges have all these
barriers down so you can talk to the faculty and
other studentsIts just a really refreshing experience he continued by stating its different when you get into residential colleges or research universities. They have different rhythms,
[community colleges] have a rhythm that I really
like in the end they [faculty and students] all
want to be learners, that is what makes community college, really, such an exciting place to be.
Sex sells
salacious
snacks
page 4
From sex
to cigarettes
page 6
@ccriunfiltered
/unfilteredlens
Campus News
Rob Sherwood-Student
Artie Brunelle-Student
Amanda VenticinqueStudent
I am absolutely all for it. I
think that it would decrease
our crime rates for sure.
People are in jail for possession of marijuana, its a
plant, its naturally grown,
its not hurting anyone and
Dan Chapman-Student
Im all for it. I think there
are far too many people
in jail for low-level drug
crimes. I dont think its
helping anyone. Its a huge
burden on taxpayers. I think
its a drug thats obviously
much less dangerous than
alcohol and cigarettes and
theres this totally unnecessary stigma.
Campus News
Continued from cover
After discussing his
feelings about community
colleges, we moved on to
the crux of our discussion,
the removal of the WP/WF
grades. The history behind that predates me he
explained Ive decided to
bring this to a head and resolve it one way or the other.
My understanding
is that this really started
with the faculty wanting to
move this issue through the
various governing committees. Its pretty split, some
say they feel the need for it
others dont.
Dr. Lamontagne remarked that since we have
a ten-week period in which
a student can withdraw officially, he doesnt feel that
students need the WP/WF
grades.
Last semester he decided to have the faculty get
together as a community
THE
LENS
The overall mission of THE
UNFILTERED LENS is
to inform and improve the
quality of student life at
the Community College of
Rhode Island. We strive to
accomplish this standard
by reporting and writing
the truth in an ethical and
responsible fashion that
enlightens the entire college community, while providing information in an
unvarnished manner that
seeks thoughtful responses, dialogue and, of course,
action. We fully understand
serving students is our clear
objective and recognize the
impact and, more importantly, the importance of
this endeavor. We realize we
do not make news but cover events that stimulate our
community, improve college life and strengthen our
democracy.
Lamontagne
of scholars to discuss the
issue and come to a consensus. He intoned that he has
yet to get the facultys verdict; but that when he does
he will use that information
along with his own judgement to create a recommendation that will be sent to
the presidents council.
I dont have the
definitive word on it, just
whether I move it forward
or not. He went on to say,
that while he does understand that there are times a
student does need an exception, most should take on
the responsibility of withdrawing from a class officially if they are failing.
URI for example,
you can only withdraw
from the fourth to the sixth
week. That only gives you
two weeks to get a W. We
are from the third to the
tenth, which is pretty liberal. Which gives you ten
weeks to decide if a class is
going to work out. He also
mentioned that by week ten
students should be more
invested in class, perhaps
even participating in group
work with other students.
If you arent going to commit yourself
you should get out then
or that can be difficult for
you classmates. He also
made it clear that even if
3
EDITORIAL
STAFF
Edward Kdonian
Editor-in-Chief
Courtney Germain
Managing Editor
Chris Cameron
Copy Editor
Lauren Delbrocco
Op-ed
Robert Gagnon
Arts and Entertainment
Jessamy LeBeau
Health and Science
Alex Wallace
National and World
Staff Writers
Tamera Carvalho
Paula Cournoyer
Dylan Harris
Rob Oatley
David Schmidt
Alex Wallace
Contributing Writers
Destinee DeSoussa
Ashley Rebelo
Ari Samayoa
Jared Winslow
Steve Forleo
Faculty Advisor
Official Member
Journalism Association of
Community Colleges - Since
2010
Official Member
College Media Association
Since 2011
Official Member
Student Press Law Center
Since 2010
Before investigating, let us look at the rationale behind this program.
Most of the justification for
Congress appropriation of
these funds is reflective of
the assumptions held by the
American public on the nations obligations towards
Iraq and Afghanistan.
For one, the Bush
administration assumed that
reconstruction was essential
in the counterinsurgency
strategy.
Moreover, it helps
our military build local trust
amongst the natives so we
can gather valuable information on the positions of
the enemy.
Now, let us review
how these funds are being
used in the field.
According to costsofwar.org, As of Septem-
As of
September 30,
2014, the US
had
appropriated
$104.1 billion
dollars for the
relief and
reconstruction
of
Afghanistan
FreeCRI
Obamas plan for higher education
By Chris Cameron
Copy Editor
Earlier this month,
President Obama delivered
remarks regarding higher education at Pellissippi
State Community College
in Knoxville, Tennesee on
January ninth.
The president announced an initiative that
hopes to provide two years
of free tuition at community
colleges across the country.
Tennessee was the
logical locale to announce
this initiative, since it was
there that Republican Governor Bill Haslam proposed
providing free tuition tocommunity college in his
state.
The program was
proposed and passed the
state legislature last year,
taking the form of a state-issued scholarship called the
Tennessee Promise that
guarantees funding for two
free years of community
college for all graduating
high school seniors, provided a student doesnt fall
below a 2.0 GPA. This pro-
World News
By David Schmidt
Staff Writer
Recently, President
Obama announced the United States has opened itself
to normalize relations with
Cuba. The United States
and Cuba have been at odds
with one another for about
54 years. It all started in the
1960s when two important
events transpired.
First, Cuba allowed
Communist Russia to build
missile installations on Cuban soil. Keep in mind that
in the 1960s America and
Russia were at odds. This
period is well known as the
Cold War.
The second reason for Americas embargo against Cuba was Fidel
Castros rise to power. Fidel Castro was considered
a communist dictator whose
views did not coincide with
the ideas of democracy.
On December 17,
2014, President Obama announced, we will end an
outdated approach that for
decades has failed to advance our interests and instead we will begin to normalize relations
The outdated approach that the President
was referencing is the policy of isolation. The President also intends to discuss
the possibility of lifting the
embargo that the United
States placed on Cuba.
As a reaction to this
news Cubas current President Raul Castro, who is the
brother of former President
By Alex Wallace
National and World
On January 7th at
11:30 am, both France and
free press fell victim to a
vicious massacre. Two to
three men toting AK-47s
attacked the satirical French
magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Twelve people were killed
in the attack and 11 others were injured.
It is believed that the
violent flare-up is thought to
be a retaliatory response to
cartoons depicting Islamic
leaders, the prophet Mohamed and Muslims in general.
Four of the people killed
were cartoonists for the terrorism. In a video of the
magazine, one of which be- attack, the gunman can be
heard exclaiming Allahu
ing the magazines editor.
Two of the others Akbar!, which translates to
who perished in the attack God is greater or God is the
were French police officers greatest, before fleeing in a
who were attempting to stolen car.
This was not the first
combat the gunman.
President Hollande assault against Charlie Hebof France believes the at- do. In 2011, the Paris office
tack to be an act of Islamic was fire bombed by extremists.
The staff of Charlie Hebdo refuses to be silenced and continues to
fight for free speech.
What happened to the staff
of the magazine was truly
devastating; there are no ifs
ands or buts about it.
The french people
live in a country where freedom of speech and religion
exists. They were exercis-
With condolences
and admiration
from
The Unfiltered
Lens, we salute
you.
By Lauren Delbrocco
Op-ed Editor
After an elegant dinner and stroll around Newport or an upbeat game night
at Dave & Busters, you and
your significant other take
it up a notch and head back
home. The front door whips
shut as you stumble up the
stairs, kicking off your
shoes grabbing each other
close.
The dopamine rushes through your body as
clothes disappear as youre
approaching the bedroom...
and within seconds the
magic begins. Endorphins
initiate to attach themselves
to opiate receptor sites, as
you feel yourself to start to
relax and embrace the moment.
After climaxing, the
cuddle hormone oxytocin is
secreted, conferring a sensation of bonding with your
significant other.
After all is said and
done, prolactin is released
to distract the brain away
from the naked desire in
front of you and to focus on
the pile up of dirty laundry
Health
the brain.
While the majority
of those who struggle with
this disorder experience
the symptoms in late fall
through the winter, some
endure a similar manifestation in the spring and summer months.
Common symptoms
of SAD resemble those of
major depressive disorder
and may include:
Lethargy
Feelings of worthlessness/hopelessness
Reduced ability to
concentrate
Feelings of heightened agitation/anxiety
Losing interest in
activities you once
enjoyed
Tendency to oversleep
Increased/Decreased
appetite
Social Withdrawal
Since the amount
of sunlight received is decreased significantly in the
winter months, the presence of vitamins and chemicals processed by the body
through the absorption of
sunlight is reduced as well.
Levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to
regulate mood, have found
to be depleted in those diagnosed with SAD.
Due to the increased
darkness associated with
the shortened daytime, melatonin, a hormone that aids
in the management of the
sleep/wake cycle, tends to
be secreted at a heightened
level.
As a result, those diagnosed with SAD tend to
Various
medications. Many individuals diagnosed with SAD seem to
benefit from medications
intended for the treatment
of depression.
It is important to treat SAD,
because all forms of depression limit peoples ability to
live their lives to the fullest,
to enjoy their families, and
to function well at work
-Deborah Pierce, MD, MPH
If you or someone
you know is contending
with the symptoms of SAD,
please refer to your health
professional and speak
P s y c h o t h e r a p y. openly about your feelings.
When utilizing this approach to treatment, those
afflicted attend therapy ses- For more information
sions with a mental health
visit mayoclinic.org
professional to accrue various coping mechanisms to
combat the disorder.
During intercourse, your inner nose swells just as your breasts and
genitals will. This is most notably due to the increased flow of blood
while having intercourse.
There is enough sperm in one single man to impregnate every fertile
woman on the planet
The G-spot was nearly called the Whipple Tickle- after Professor
Beverley Whipple, who coined the expression that we know today.
Alfred Kinsey, author of Sexual Behavior in the Human Male
(1948), had a collection of 5 million wasps and could insert a toothbrush into his penis, bristle-end first.
About half of Americans lose their virginity by the age of 17, but
10% remain virgins after 24.
As men grow older, their penis gradually shrinks
The smell of pumpkin can significantly increase blood flow to the
penis, according to the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research
Foundation of Chicago.
If a female ferret does not have sex for a year, she will die.
At the 2012 London Olympics, which lasted for 17 days, the athletes
were provided with 150,000 free condoms- approximately 15 each.
In addition
to lowering
your blood
pressure, sex
is a great way
to get to sleep
at night.
are also used in controlling
your bladder. Thirty percent
of women will have problems with incontinence and
bladder control in their lifetime. Thankfully, sex is a
great remedy for this all too
common inconvenience.
Sex also makes a
habit of lessening pain and
Science
By Jessamy LeBeau
Health & Science Editor
In 2006, the childhoods of many were turned
upside down when the International Astronomical
Union demoted Plutos
planetary status to dwarf
planet.
This
declaration
qualified our solar system
as an eight major planet system, instead of nine. Good
news everyone, there may
indeed be more planets than
we thought.
Astronomers have
been debating for decades
whether a trans-Plutonian
planet is hiding undiscovered in our solar system.
A new study conducted by the University of
Cambridge and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) has concluded
that there may be not one,
but two planets in our solar
system beyond Pluto and
Neptune.
In the study, researchers investigated the
is not far-fetched.
This new year is
starting off with exciting
news about our universe.
We may well have
some planets hiding in our
own little solar system.
There are also new possibilities that life could exist on
planets outside of our solar
system, light years away.
If you want to find
out more about the universe
and astronomy itself, visit www.spacetoday.org. To
keep up with all kinds of
science news, from astronomy to nanotechnology,
check out phys.org.
Edward Kdonian/Lens
into a tube.
When visible to the
human eye, these structures
resemble wires. Under a microscope, these nanotubes
appear mesh-like, and are
two hundred times stronger
than steel, with five times
the elasticity. They are
mainly used for electronic
and medical purposes.
In previous research, engineers struggled
with isolating semi conductive carbon nanotubes, and
can stretch and bend, allowing you to integrate electronics into new places like
clothing. This would mean
that these nanotubes could
be woven into articles of
clothing, or engineered into
wearable devices on account of their flexibility and
battery strength.
As much as this may
sound like science fiction,
researchers at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison may
be on their way to creating
wearable electronics.
Using carbon nanotubes, the team has created
a procedure which harnesses a self-assembly phenomenon exhibited by these
amazing electronic conductors.
The team has already patented their technology, and hopes to have
these conductors being produced at a more industrialized level as soon as possible.
Op-Ed
By Paula Cournoyer
Staff Writer
Television
advertisements featuring woman
fellating various objects in
the pursuit of perfection.
Objectification leading to
self-flagellation and the
withholding of food in the
event, excess nutrients will
lead to love handles, a formidable arse, even the ability to have fun.
Objects
blatantly
fellated include; spoons and
forks, and in one commercial, the womans very own
pinky finger.
Yes, you read correctly her pinky, that
diminutive digit symbolizing a ladys propriety (held
aloft while sipping tea). The
final destination of a signet
ring following a privileged
youth.
One ad in particular features a woman clad
in a virginal white T-shirt
and skimpy red underpants
lounging across an armchair
with her legs draped over
the arm rest.
Feet adorned in a
cumulus of fluffy white cot-
By Courtney Germain
Managing Editor
Qualifying criteria
for the CCRI Deans List
asserts that the student must
be enrolled within a degree
program, possess at least a
3.25 grade point index, and
be registered for at least
twelve credits for that semester.
Though I am a matriculating student of general studies with concentration in both nursing and
psychology and have maintained a grade point average
that has ranged from a 3.74
to a 4.00 in my eight semesters at CCRI, my name has
never once appeared upon
this prestigious tabulation.
One may inquire as to how
this could possibly be so.
As I typically contend with six to eleven credits a semester, I am considered a part-time student,
Edward Kdonian/Lens
ton, her body a study of perfection, she throws her head
back and smiles lustily.
Alighted on the tip of a tungsten phallus sits a zero calorie, zero sugar, amorphous
blob of artificial sweetness.
Five ounces, just
enough to trigger the responses in your brain, convincing, yourself, youve
indulged.
The half naked
woman is orally stimulating
the stainless steel spoon.
Muted hues, flashes
of metal; the entire scene an
Fahrenheit.
Far from feeling satisfied, I was freezing cold
and contemplating eating
the tree remaining cups or
foraging my ten year old
sons school snacks.
The conclusion I
came to was; not only is the
woman objectified expected
to be physically perfect, but
she must not find pleasure
while in pursuit of that altered state.
Saintly and skinny,
the objectification of women results in woman self-ob-
Partial Credit
tion.
I am unable, at this
point, to commit to additional credits. According
to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Greg
Lamontagne, approximately 70% of the student population at CCRI attends less
than full time.
Given that such a
large portion of our students are disqualified from
appearing on the Deans
List based on the amount of
credits they accrue in any
given semester, I believe
that a listing specifically
composed of exceptional
students that attend classes
part-time (perhaps a minimum of six credits) should
be considered.
Students with an academic drive similar to my
own might identify with my
compulsory need to accrue
as many accolades as time
permits, as well as my desire to make my transcript
as outstanding as possible
in order to appeal to other
academic institutions in the
future.
Potential
designation on the Deans List
would not only compel students who are relegated to
part-time status to strive to
10
Arts
Joy Fullmer
Sweet Love
By Rob Gagnon
Lauren Delbrocco
Friendship
By Jared Winslow
Have you ever been with people that make you feel a
way that words cant express?
Two heads on one pillow theres no room to tell each other lies
Things are getting so hot our bodies start perspiring sexual cries
Music playing and candles lit our passion senses begin to rise
Arts
11
dealing with the Millers
cat. Before continuing my
search for Josh, I decided to
turn off the furnace. I cant
believe I forgot to turn it off,
the last thing I needed was
for the house to burn down.
While
walking
down the cellar stairs, I
nearly tripped over a shoe
and broke my neck. Picking
it up, I wondered whose it
could be, it was much larger
than Joshs. Turning the corner to turn off the furnace, I
found Josh.
It took my brain
a moment to realize what
stood in front of me. Bits of
clothes were strewn across
the cellar.
A pair of glasses
rested on the floor, just
beneath the incinerator.
The stench of charred
flesh filled the room. My
son, stood staring into the
flames. Jo..Josh. Whats
going on? I stammered.
Josh glanced over
his shoulder, a small smile
moved across his face.
You couldnt make them
stop... But I did.
Edward Kdonian
12
Entertainment
Beantown vs
Emerald City
By Robert Gagnon
Arts & Entertainment
Sunday
February
first the New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 49.
The teams play home games
almost 3000 miles apart, but
for this neutral sited game,
they will play at the University of Phoenix Stadium in
Glendale Arizona.
The Patriots and Seahawks have never played
each other in a playoff game
or Super Bowl and have
only met sixteen times ever.
Their all-time series matchup is split at 8-8 with the Seahawks winning the last six
head to head matchups including a 24-23 comeback
victory back on October
14th 2012.
February first will
mark the second year in a
row that the superpowers in
the sport will meet for the
big game.
in football.
Oddly enough, if
Seattle wins, they will be
the first team to win back to
back championships since
the New England Patriots
accomplished that feat back
in 2004.
Seattles coach, Pete
Carroll was also the head
coach of the Patriots before
Bill Belichick, who took
Go
Pats!
Food
13
Optional Caramel
Sauce
Combine remaining juice from the apples
Edward Kdonian/Lens with one cup of brown
sugar, cup of bourbon
ing the apple slices together or brandy, and teaspoon
enough so that it doesnt
of salt. Cook over medifall apart.
um low heat until mixture
*Note: if making
reaches approximately 210
caramel sauce save left
degrees. Allow to cool for
over juice from apples rath- 15 minutes and thicken
er than throwing out
slightly before drizzling it
Step eight: Begin
over your pie, or save it in
adding onto the center rose the fridge and serve indione apple slice at a time,
vidually with slices of pie.
make sure to add evenly
Caramel will be thick when
on all sides. Do this until
cold and should be warmed
you reach the edges of the
slightly in the microwave
pie. Remember it is okay
before serving.
Luxurious Libations
Melt the snow with a stiff drink
Cinnamon Coffee
Served cold or warm, this
cup o joe is the perfect ending to any meal.
*oz Whipped Vodka
*1oz Cinnamon Vodka
*1oz Kahlua
*2oz Fresh coffee chilled
(or hot)
*1oz Half and Half
Simple and heartwarming
this drink is perfect served
in a martini glass or coffee
mug. Just top it off with
whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg
and you are ready to wind
down from a day of turkey
and piggishness.
Find recipes for the other two cocktails in the Writers Block on
theunfilteredlens.com
14
Recently I started my
first serious relationship.
Before this I had only
had only done the high
school romance, which
ended after little more
than a month, as such I
am still a virgin and I am
very nervous. How can
I bring up my lack of experience without making
things weird?
Signed Untouched
Okay Untouched,
sex is always an awkward
topic in a new relationship,
especially when you have
no experience with it. Try
to remember that every one
was a virgin at one point.
This means that your new
partner knows exactly what
that feels like.
The safest bet is to
just bite the bullet and bring
it up. Be open and honest
and express your concerns.
Take some time to decide
whether you are ready for
sex, or if you want to ask
them to hold off for a while.
Remember, do what makes
you comfortable. If your
new relationship is worth
being in then they will understand.
Advice
that will keep you motivated when temptation (inevitably) strikes!
One of my breasts is larger than the other. Is that
normal?
Signed - Lopsided
Yes! It is very common for the breasts to differ in shape and size. More
than half of all women
have asymmetrical breasts,
sometimes even a full cupsize variance.
Even the nipples can
look different! HOWEVER: If the change in breast
size is new or sudden, or
if they feel unusual (i.e.,
lumpy, fuller), refer to your
health professional as soon
as possible.
A change in just one
side may be a sign of a tumor or cyst. Be sure to get
regular breast exams and
be on the lookout for any
changes.
I got a tattoo a few
months ago, and I havent showed or told my
parents yet, and I know
they would disapprove.
How or when should I tell
them?
You should certainly be forthcoming and tell
them about it. Maybe you
could tell them your inspiration for the tattoo, and how
committed to that art you
truly are. Having a tattoo
shouldnt change their opinion of you at all, considering they didnt know for
the last several months and
treated you the same as they
had before. If they do react
negatively, remind them of
that. Good luck!
Need Advice?
Have a question and
dont know who to talk
to?
Just ask for
advice from
The Lens.
All advice is given
anonymously and confidentiality is
guaranteed.
ask.unfilteredlens @
gmail.com
Puzzle
Uncrossed Lens
15
TheUnfilteredLens.com
STAFF INFECTION
Meet a few of the students who work hard to produce
The Unfiltered Lens
Courtney Germain
Managing Editor
Jessamy LeBeau
Health & Science
David Schmidt
Staff Writer
Edward Kdonian
Editor in Chief
Rob Gagnon
Arts & Entertainment
Chris Cameron
Copy Editor
Alex Wallace
National & World
Lauren Delbrocco
Op-ed/Business
Manager
Rob Oatley
Staff Writer