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Watch the video at ‘Badfish’ in concert

thecollegiatelive.com Page 9

C
February 24, 2010
The
ollegiate
Vol. 54, No. 9

Grand Rapids Community College

thecollegiatelive.com

Fighting for
an education
Profile of an American soldier at GRCC
By Jacqueline Prins
A&E Editor

A
silver charm dangles from his neck, a small token of faith to
protect him from the danger and uncertainty that lies on the
road ahead.
“My buddy got me this,” Joe said. (Due to his security
clearance from the Army his real name cannot be used in the story.)
“It’s St. Michael. He’s the patron saint of the military, emergency
medical technicians (EMTs) and police officers. With EMTs and the
military, he’s got me covered two ways.”
Joe found out in October that he would be going to Iraq on a 400-
day mission with his unit. The GRCC student dropped all of the 10
credits he was enrolled in and dusted off his combat boots.
“It’s a little difficult, a little disheartening, but I mean, it’s all part
of it,” Joe said.
As an army medic, his gear includes everything from protective
glasses to IV kits and bags of fluid.
See Trading, Page 4
Photo Illustration by Jacqueline Prins/Collegiate

$10 fee awaits approval Granholm’s

By Dave Westra on around campus, but also looking at
News Editor expanding them to the Lakeshore campus,

The Campus Activities Fee, originally
proposed by Student Congress last
plan can
the Fulton Street campus, the Learning
Corner, and doing those in a way that make
them available to all students that come
through at different times of day, and that

November could now be $10.
According to the proposal, students
would pay the mandatory fee each semester.
“It’s a fee to help fund all the clubs
Jeremy
Christiensen and organizations and have a bigger voice
for the students,” said Student Congress
President Jeremy Christensen.
Student
Congress According to Christensen, though
student organizations are funded through
President
Student Congress, their funding will not
increase.
According to Nicholas Wikar, Student
Congress Vice-President, the money raised
from the fee would be maintained in the
Student Congress and Campus Activities
Board budget.
“The big thing that we’re making sure
that we want to point out is that the money
that would be earned from this increase
Nick would not actually go to each individual
Wikar group,” Wikar said.
The fee will help expand campus
Student activities to GRCC’s growing population.
Congress “We’re looking at expanding not
Vice-President only the length of programs that we put
we’re also appealing to students that have
families,” Wikar said.
“The fee itself would be locked in for
three years,” Wikar said. “So, we would
not be able to adjust it. We don’t intend to
raise it.”
According to Wikar, the funding
student organizations receive right now
comes from a general fund from the college.
“Juan Olivarez saw that there were
excess funds in their general budget that
would meet the same amount that we were
requesting at the time,” Wikar said. “Based
on our enrollment numbers then, it would
have taken our budget to around $184,000,
which is where we’re at now.”
According to Wikar, this amount isn’t
enough anymore.
“We’ve been spending our budget very
responsibly, but we’ve been strained to
meet all the demands of all the students
and the different groups that are requesting
See Student, page 3
alter VERP
By Christina Kim
Editor-in-Chief
The Michigan Office of the State Budget
proposed Feb. 11 new legislation that may
have an effect on GRCC’s Voluntary Early
Retirement Program (VERP).
The VERP incentivizes retiring early
and is a way for the college to save money.
On Feb. 15, the GRCC Board of Trustees
approved the 57 employees’ applications
for the VERP.
According to the State of Michigan
Office of Retirement Services website,
the proposed legislation is set to reform
the Michigan Public School Employees’
Retirement System (MPSERS), offering
further incentive to retire and, among
See 57, page 2

Opinion A&E Sports

5 Smoking ban hits

Michigan
8 GRCC prepares for
ArtPrize 2010
16
Golf team heads to
Florida

INSIDE: News 1-4 Opinion 5-7 A&E 8-11 Diversions 12-13 Sports 14-16 Next Issue: March 24
2 News February 24, 2010

News
in the
Campus Police
Reports BSU celebrates
Black History
Month
Damage Gate
2/06/10 The Black Student
A male student driving an equipped vehicle Union will host the
system which allows him to drive with his Conscious Crescendo Hip-
arms instead of legs, ran over the Bostwick exit hop Concert: Intentionally
barrier gate, destroying the gate arm and device. Increasing the Force at the
Ryan Tyrell/Collegiate
DAAC on Feb. 25 at 9:30
Disorderly Conduct From right to left, Olivia Miars, Krista Jungblut and Zev Kerner p.m. Hip-hop artist NYOIL
2/10/10 enjoy the toys and mats at GRCC’s preschool on Feb. 18, 2010. will be headlining the
Two students were having an argument in concert as the last event the

Preschooled
the first floor of the Main building. The male BSU is hosting as part of
student was attempting to walk away from Black History Month.
the female student but she kept following him The event will
yelling. The couple were advised to talk it out feature several different
elsewhere. performances, including
By Ashley Eerdmans are very grateful for our program, one from the BSU president,
Larceny from Coaches office Collegiate Writer which is very rewarding. We Chaz Rodriguez. NYOIL
2/10/10 do, however, have waiting lists. will also be speaking at
A male student reported various items missing Since 1974, GRCC has Families can’t just call in and GRCC at 6 p.m. on activism
from an unlocked football coache’s office where provided its students and faculty bring their children here.” and grassroots movements
he had put his belongings while working out. with a preschool. About 220-250 lab students for students.
No suspects. “I love it; it’s very challenging help at the church for about two “Black History Month
but very rewarding,” said current to three hours a week. allows us to take time to
Larceny Director of the Preschool Jane “Every four weeks we rotate educate people on different
2/10/10 Ann Benson, who has been the age groups so the students issues that people are
A student reported various items missing from running the program for about 11 can have experience working dealing with,” said Sara
her backpack placed in an unlocked gym locker years. with all the children,” Benson Hill, BSU advisor. “These
in the Ford Field House. No suspects. The preschool, which is in said. issues are not just specific
the First United Methodist Church “The school is open from to the African American
Child Protective Services Called on Fulton accepts community, 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.” Benson community, but also to
2/11/10 faculty and students’ children. said. low income poverties and
A female was reported hitting and yelling at “We have a variety of For more information on urban city populations.”
her child numerous times in front of the Fulton children,” Benson said. “We times and rates, see grcc.edu/ Other events the BSU
preschool/church. She admitted to hitting her really do feel that our students preschool. has hosted this month
child on the arm because she locked the car and include The Mind of
had no money. Child Protective Services were Ancient Egypt, live jazz

C
notified of the incident.
Editors Wanted and poetry readings by
Spoken Word artist NerCity,
Violation of Controlled Substance Wanted: Collegiate Editors for fall and a showing of the movie
2/11/10 “Panther” in preparation
An employee was doing illegal narcotics inside Paid positions (for school year):
for Civil Rights Activist
the furnace room of the M-TEC building. When Editor-in-chief: $4,000 speaker Angela Davis.
questioned he admitted to smoking crack co- Sports: $2,000 For more information
Check out our website:

caine and being in posession of porn magazines, Arts & Entertainment: $2,000 on the BSU go to www.
thecollegiatelive.com

which he threw out after two employees walked Opinion: $2,000 grcc.edu/bsu.
in. The paraphernalia was taken from him. He News: $2,000
was told not to return to work again. Photo: $2,000 -Abbey Palmer
Other Positions available:
Property Damage Web: $2,000
2/12/10 Business Manager: 20% of ads sold
A student reported her car being hit in the Bost- Editors are required to have taken, or are taking,
wick parking ramp. No suspects.
Sneden Cafe open
JR 251 and JR 252.
For more info, or if JR 251 is full, contact Dr. Scott
for buisness
Panhandling McNabb at smcnabb@grcc.edu
2/15/10 Sneden Hall now has
A man was asking students for money in the a fully functional café,
first floor of the Main building. The man was Corrections serving breakfast, lunch
not supposed to be on campus and has had two and snacks.
prior warnings. He was given another verbal In the “Anesthesia Permitted” article of the Feb. 10 issue of
The Collegiate, a clarification is necessary. The Anesthesia course “The facility was
warning. already here,” said Sneden
is only open to students in the dental hygiene program. Due to
the legislation, the course is offered earlier in the program than Hall receptionist Zana
Larceny/Laptop Stolen Curtis. “It was set up for a
2/17/10 previously.
café before, but Davenport
A male student reported his laptop missing from With your help we will report errors of fact in this space every never utilized it.”
Winchester Ally after lending it to another stu- issue. If you notice an error, please call 616-234-4157 and ask for The café is making a
dent who left it unattended. No suspects. an editor, visit us online at www.thecollegiatelive.com or e-mail us good impression.
at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com “Its awesome,” Curtis
said. “Their sandwiches
are good and their soups,

57 GRCC employees to retire

Faculty accepting the VERP and years of service
Donna Adams, 33 years
Nickie Alexander, 20 years
Mary Bayer, 17 years
Bruce Bjornseth, 26 years
Malcolm Brannen, 35 years
Gary Burbridge, 34 years
Linda Burden, 18 years
Bette Doezema, 11 years
David Folkert, 30 years
Christine Foster, 28 years
Richard Foster, 48 years
Robert Garlough, 29 years
Patricia Gessler, 24 years
Thomas Hofmann, 44 years
Brian Keelean, 31 years
oh lord, even Davenport
employees have raved
about the vegan chili.
My self, I’ve never had it
but the chicken alfredo is
Continued from page 1 wonderful.”
other reforms, eliminate the subsidy for retirees Student John Swanson
Ross Kladder, 37 years
dental/vision coverage. enjoys the soups too.
Scott McNabb, 27 years
Kathleen Miller, 19 years These changes will go into effect after Oct. 1, “I’ve had their soup a
Patricia Mumaw, 24 years 2010. couple of times and that is
Janet Paasche, 29 years 32 of the employees that accepted the VERP will pretty good especially their
Randy Sahajdack, 24 years not officially retire until after these new changes peasant soup,” Swanson
Barbara Saunier, 25 years
have gone into effect. said.
Mark Saur, 24 years
“I have no information yet about the extent The Sneden Café is
Terry Simmons, 14 years
to which this might affect community college hosting a grand opening
Ronald Stein, 37 years
employees,” said Faculty Association President Fred event this week, offering a
Ellen Stuart, 19 years
van Hartesveldt in an e-mail to GRCC faculty. different deal each day.
Marco Trimble, 10 years
Marvin Tyler, 31 years
Robert Van Eyck, 19 years -Dave Westra
C chrisdkimeic@yahoo.com
February 24, 2010
Race, ethnicity at CC
By Stephanie Sicard
Opinion Editor
GRCC’s Social Science Department is hosting the fourth annual Race and Ethnicity
Conference Feb. 18 through 24.
A wide range of speakers, from as far away as Washington D.C., are meeting to give
lectures on racial issues facing the world today.
All lectures will be held in the Calkins Science Center Auditorium, Room 348.
The events are sponsored by the GRCC Social Science Department, the International
Geographical Honor Society and Pearson Education Publishing.
Presented by Dr. Gary Burbridge: “Moving Away from the
Margin: The Novels and Short Stories of Sherman Alexie”
Gary Burbridge, Ph.D. will
be speaking Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m.
about the writings of Sherman
Alexie, a contemporary Native
American novelist, playwright,
poet and screenwriter.
“Alexie does a very good job
of pointing out how much the
United States treated Indians
Gary like a colonized nation, and has
Burbridge referred to the reservations as
GRCC concentration camps,” Burbridge
Professor of said.
Anthropology Burbridge is a professor
of Anthropology at GRCC and
Feb. interviewed Sherman Alexie.
“He’s very funny when
24 he speaks; he’s like a standup
comedian,” Burbridge said.
Save the date “I’ll be taking a look at what
he’s written and give some
C StephanieOpinion@yahoo.com
Student Congress may charge activity fee
Continued from page 1
funds to hold activities,” Wikar said.
The budget needs to grow along with the
student population, according to Wikar.
“We really have no room for growth,” Wikar
said. “There’s no commitment from the college to
even give us the same general fund allotment that
we get.”
Through a series of votes, the active members
of Student Congress unanimously approved the
proposal for an activities fee.
According to Christensen, The Board of Trustees
started reviewing the proposal on Feb. 19 and will
deliver a decision sometime in March. If passed this
will finalize the fee and will be implemented for the
fall semester.
According to Christensen, this isn’t the first
time Student Congress has proposed the fee.
“Its been an ongoing process since 2005,”
Christensen said. “It got turned down at that time,
and we figured that with a new president this year
that this was time to pursue it again.
“President Steven Ender approached us as a
student leadership. He came to our second meeting
Campus Events
Feb. Art of Murder
8 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
25-27
A murder mystery play by Joe DiPietro. Located in
the Spectrum Theater.
Feb. Social Activism & Grassroot Move-
25
ments with NYOIL
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Staten Island activist and MC, NYOIL, will speak
on social activism and grassroots movements.
Located in the Auditorium of the ATC.
News 3
“Race, Race Relations,
and Racism: Stories
from the Jim Crow
Museum”
David Pilgrim, Chief Diversity
Officer at Ferris State University,
spoke on Feb.
23. Pilgrim
has a doctorate
from Ohio State
University and
is the curator
for the Jim
illustration about how he thinks Crow Museum
about writing and being a Native at Ferris.
American writer.” Pilgrim
Born a Spokane/Coeur David focused on how
D’Alene Indian, Alexie decided Pilgrim although many
from a young age to leave the people believe
Spokane Indian Reservation, in that we live in a post racial society, according to
Wellpinit, WA. and attended a Pilgrim, this isn’t true.
public high school. “I’ll use some of the information out there that
His first young adult novel we have on Obama, and how unfortunately these
“The Absolutely True Diary of a are not things confined to the past,” Pligrim said
Part-Time Indian” drew on his before his lecture. “Many people claim that the
experience at a public school in proof that we live in a post racial society is that
Reardan, WA. President Obama was elected and so in a sense
“He can take a strong the whole presentation becomes an answer as to
position, but does it with humor whether or not we’re living in a post racial society.”
and fiction,” Burbridge said. “I Pilgrim was grateful that he was not limited to
hope to discuss why he is moving
away from the genre of Native
one specific topic, but was instead given free reign.
American writing.” Also speaking on Feb. 24:
Yan Bai, GRCC Professor, 3-4 p.m.
Panel Discussion with GRCC professors, 6-8 p.m.
where we discussed our budget and he found out it has the potential to elevate the awareness
that it came from the general fund of the college. students have of student government, of campus
He suggested that we do this fee because this is the recognized groups on campus, of involvement
first institution that he’s been at where there hasn’t opportunities, because all of a sudden they have a
been one. He was shocked that there wasn’t one. financial connection to it,” Mullen said. “More than
Once we found that out, we jumped on board.” anything, I see this as giving more authority, more
According to Wikar, GRCC is one of the few voice and more leadership to students in general on
schools that doesn’t have an activities fee. improving their experience here.”
“We looked at Mott College, Montcalm, U of M, Open seat member Bjorn Skogen sent out
Dearborn, Muskegon Community College, Western, a mass e-mail on Feb. 16 voicing concern and
Michigan State; they all have fees in place,” Wikar opposition to the proposal.
said. “When we did the original public forum, we “I have been questioning the fact of whether or
compared community colleges and found $10 to be not we students have had an opportunity to give our
actually below average. input on whether or not we support this,” Skogen
“Look at Davenport, which is our local college,” said in the e-mail. “I have been the only member
Wikar said. “They’re charging students as much as of Student Congress to vote against the proposal.”
$75 a semester.” But, according to Wikar, Sokgen failed to vote
According to Wikar, the fee will raise on the issue.
approximately $428,000. Student Congress hosted an open forum for
“This $428,000 that we’re looking at potentially students to learn and express concerns about the
earning off of this would actually be split over the fee. According to Christensen, only 30 students
three semesters,” Wikar said. showed up to the meeting.
Eric Mullen, Student Life Director and Advisor
to Student Congress is supportive of the proposal.
“I’m a very strong supporter of this because C DaveWNews@yahoo.com
Feb. 25 - Mar. 15
Mar. Spring Break Mar. Diversity Lecture Series
1-7 10
7 p.m.
Brigitte Cazalis-Collins and Joseph Collins will
Have a good week off. give their presentation entitled “The Front Lines of
the War against Child Sex Trafficking.” Located at
Fountain Street Church.
Mar. Student Songwriter Fund Raiser Mar. Board of Trustees Meeting
9 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
15
4:15 p.m.
Students will perform their original work to raise The GRCC Board of Trustees will hold their
money for music scholarships. Located in room monthly meeting. Located in the Board Chambers
200 of the Music Building. on the fifth floor of the Main Building.
4 News February 24, 2010

Trading textbooks for chest tubes

Continued from page 1
“We don’t have oxygen or even the stuff that
most ambulances have,” Joe said. “We have what
we can carry on our backs.”
Some of the things he will carry with him are
his helmet and his new bulletproof vest.
Joe’s original deployment date was March 11,
but was pushed back to May 2, weeks after he had
already dropped his classes.
“You get to a point, where you’re all right; I
mean before they changed our deployment date, I
had accepted it,” Joe said. “I was like all right,
we’re going this time, and you focus on that. I try
to isolate myself from getting too close to people, as
I get ready to leave, just because it makes it easier
for both parties if you’re not super close right before
you are gone for an extended period of time.
“That’s just me personally. I try to isolate and
make it easier on everyone else.”
Sometimes it’s the things they can’t take with
them that mean the most.
“When I was in basic training, getting a letter
was like Christmas,” Joe said. “We had no contact
with anyone.”
They will have access to e-mail when they are
in areas with wireless Internet access, but there
is something about a hand-written letter that no
e-mail can replace.
“It’s more personal to hold something in your
hand that someone back home wrote,” Joe said.
Over the next year, Joe will miss that contact
with the people he cares about, but he believes in
what he will be doing, and the American presence
in Iraq.
“A lot of times you will see the negative aspects,
on TV, or in the newspaper, like if an American
soldier does something wrong, even if it is an
isolated incident,” Joe said. “I was just talking to a
friend of mine in Iraq who said every Tuesday and
Thursday they have a pediatric clinic where they
work with the local kids and treat them for different
conditions, and improve the local population, but
you won’t hear about that. It’s not going to change
anyone’s opinion and it won’t make headline
news.”
He will also be leaving his job as a nursing
assistant in the health care industry.
His work in health care here is much different
than what he will be doing overseas.
“We are the guys that if you are with an
infantry unit, they refer to you as ‘doc.’” Joe said.
“We are the furthest thing from a doctor, but in that
situation we are the guys doing chest tubes. We’re
the guys intubating. We’re the guys sustaining life
until we can get them an air-evacuation or get them
to a hospital.”
Sustaining life on the battlefield is one of the
main goals of a combat medic, Joe said.
“Our job is to maintain them and keep them
alive for up to two days, with hardly any supplies,”
Joe said.
The medics have to maintain the injured until
they can fly them out, and the time it takes to get
the soldier from the battlefield to a plane can vary
from hours to days.
When Joe was 19 years-old, he signed up to
join the Army and began as a truck driver.
“My recruiter convinced me to do something
different,” Joe said. “I thought I was going to be
what we call a health care specialist, where we help
people in a hospital setting.
“It was kind of a shock when people told me,
‘No, you’re a combat medic, you’re getting shot
at, you’re out there kicking in doors, you’re doing
everything, until someone gets shot, then you’re a
medic,’” Joe said.
He is trained to be ready for just about anything,
but Joe said he is unsure if he will do any fighting.
“Our mission is most likely going to be running
medical operations on enemies, or prisoners of war,
detainees, and also the local population, especially
working pediatrics clinics,” Joe said.
“Right now the Iraqi people or the Iraqi army,
is in control of the country. We are strictly there for
support and to assist when they need it. Units in
the surrounding area can draw from us, like if they
need a medic or someone else.”
Although the sole purpose of the mission is for
medical aid, the fear of the unthinkable is still on
Joe’s mind.
“Being blown up, or even having an injury
where they have to send me back and all the guys
I deployed with are still in the country, and I’m
in Germany or Washington, D.C., that’s always a
concern,” Joe said.
Germany is home to Landstuhl Regional Medical
Center, which, according to The U.S. Army Medical
Department Website,
is an overseas military
hospital, operated by
the U.S.
“They keep a lot of
your specialty surgeons
in Germany,” Joe said.
“That way they don’t Jacqueline Prins/Collegiate
have to fly you all the
way back. They can Joe’s pin on his uni-
get you stable enough form is a caduceus.
there, to go back in the This is a symbol of the
country.” Army Medical Corps.
Joe’s unit will fly into Germany, then to Kuwait,
spending a few weeks there.
“Then we either fly out to where we are going,
or convoy out,” Joe said. “I’m excited.”
GRCC Registrar, Howard Shanken, said he
understands that students enlisted in the military
have to come and go with sometimes very little
notice and the goal is to make the transition as
smooth as possible for the student.
“We are a veteran-friendly school and we work
with the student,” Shanken said.
Shanken said that if someone is called to active
duty, GRCC Veterans Support Services will either
ask the student’s professors if they can take an
exam early, if the semester is close to an end, or
they will provide the student with a 100 percent
refund.
The plan for his return, in 400 days, is to
continue with school. For now, Joe will be focusing
on his responsibilities as a combat medic.
“We’re the guys that end up having to do
the extraordinary things because of our job,” Joe
said.
C AEwithJackieP@yahoo.com

Angela Davis speaks

By Tim Nellett
Copy Editor

Angela Davis spoke at Fountain Street Church on Feb. 10 as part of the

Diversity Lecture Series.
Davis, a professor of history of consciousness and feminists studies at the
University of California, Santa Cruz spoke on the topic of “Frameworks for
Social Justice.”
After an introduction by Professor Nikki Banks of the criminal justice
department, Davis opened with a story about Grand Rapids.
“My mother spoke in Grand Rapids at South Middle School when I was in
jail,” Davis said. “Thank you to anyone who participated in that campaign.”
The majority of Davis’ speech involved prison abolition, which Davis
referred to as eliminating imprisonment as the dominant form of punishment.
Davis feels the prison system is flawed in several ways, one being the issue of
transgender inmates.
“There are only two kinds of prisons: prisons for men, and prisons for
women,” Davis said. “So what happens? Those people get classified, because
that’s what prisons do, and then transgender people get shoved off to one
prison or the other.”
Davis compared the prison system to slavery, and used the subject of jailed
pregnant women to get her point across.
“The prison system recapitulates slavery so well,” Davis said. “So many
states in this country shackle women during the birthing process. There was
one woman who was shackled to the bed in the delivery room and couldn’t
open her legs to give birth.”
According to Davis, there are currently six states that have abolished the
shackling of jailed pregnant women during birth. Michigan isn’t one of the six.
“If that doesn’t compel us to act, I don’t know what does,” Davis said. “You
have a campaign to conduct.”
Davis spoke on many topics throughout the discussion, including gay
marriage, Palestine, disabled people, and justice for species. Davis feels that
freedom is something everyone deserves.
“Our sense of freedom needs to be large enough to contain the dreams
and aspirations of everyone,” Davis said. “Justice is indivisible. Freedom is
indivisible.”
GRCC student, Brendan Milligan, came with his friends. He knows about
Davis from a song.
“I don’t know much about her but it sounds very exciting and interesting,”
Milligan said. “I’m pretty pumped to see her.”

C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
February 24, 2010
Smoke free is the
Proposed activity fee will only way for me
benefit all students
The Student
Congress, in conjunction
with the Student Life
Office and the Campus
Activities Board,
proposed a mandatory
$10 student activities fee
for all students.
The argument against
this proposed fee is that
students who do not
participate in any club
or campus activity will
still be paying for others’
enjoyment. However,
does $10 make that much
of a difference?
President Ender,
at Student Congress’
second meeting,
brought attention to the
fact that many other
community colleges have
a similar fee. Montcalm,
Muskegon, and Lansing
Community Colleges are
just a few of the colleges
with a similar fee, and it
was only a matter of time
before GRCC followed
suit.
It is in this way
of helping each other
out, that each student
lends a helping hand to
finance activities that are
intended for all students.
All of the money
will be given to Student
Congress who would
then finance such
activities as Welcome
Week and Finals Week.
It is then up to Student
Congress how the
remainder of funds are
distributed.
A previously
proposed fee of $5 was
Diversity Lecture series has
much to offer GRCC
Angela Davis, human
rights activist and author,
spoke on Feb. 10, as part of
GRCC’s Diversity Lecture
Series, but it is more than
her message that offers
diversity to the GRCC
community.
Davis spoke about
universal freedom, slavery,
and socialism, among many
other topics during her
lecture.
As I looked around the
crowded auditorium I saw
people in seats with virtually
no racial lines. What I mean
JacquelinePrins
Editorial
denied. GRCC currently
spends $184,000 on such
student activities. The
fee, if passed, will be
implemented during the
2010-2011 school year.
If each student
chipped in, GRCC would
be able to save that
$184,000 which could
be put towards school
improvements and
expansion. The fee would
be per semester, so the
most each student would
pay is $30 a year, which
is about the cost of a
tank of gas.
It’s understandable
that times are tough
financially for everyone
right now, especially
students. However, $30
should be attainable
for the average student.
Students at other nearby
colleges are paying
significantly more.
Although the activity
fee will benefit all
students, the general
population of students
was not included in the
voting process, and many
by that is, I saw a collage of
people of different colors and
ethnicities. The Caucasian
couple behind me was sitting
next to two Black men. A
Hispanic student from
GRCC’s Hispanic Student
Organization greeted me as I
entered.
Looking around, a
person may wonder what
all these seemingly different
people have in common.
The fact that one event can
draw out so many different
types of people shows us that
maybe we are more alike
than we give ourselves
credit for.
Speakers like Davis
not only offer their
unique perspectives on
issues of today, but they
also have the power to
fill up a room with a
crowd that comes from
all walks of life.
Why? Because they
have done something
extraordinary that the
Opinion
did not know there was a
fee proposed.
Student Congress
already voted to pass the
activity fee, and is now
awaiting approval from
the Board of Trustees.
That is the last
step in finalizing this
immanent fee. Student
Congress hosted an open
forum for all students to
discuss concerns about
this fee, however only
30 students attended.
Perhaps if there had been
more advertising for this
forum, the general public
wouldn’t be left in the
dark.
With the fee already
underway, students no
longer have a say in
whether or not to pay
the $10. Instead it will be
added on to the tuition
and other fees due in
the beginning of the Fall
2010 semester.
The student
organizations on campus
will be waiting to see
how much money this
fee brings in, and how it
will be distributed.
The next question
becomes where is that
saved $184,000 going?
Is it going to help fund
the Ford Fieldhouse
renovations? Is GRCC
getting new carpet for
the classrooms?
With a proposed
$428,000 coming in from
the student activity fee,
Welcome Week for the
Fall 2010 semester better
be amazing.
rest of us can learn from. I
do not agree with everything
Angela Davis had to say. The
important part is starting the
discussion, shedding light
on the issues of today, and
finding the common ground
that we all stand on, as well
as embracing our differences
and individualities.
These are the things that
GRCC’s Diversity Lecture
Series has to offer. It is
something that all members
of the GRCC community
should experience. Besides,
at the end of the day, we
smell the same salty scent at
the Ocean, or feel the frosty
sting of a snowflake on cold
winter’s night.
The Bottom Line:
Maybe we’re not that
different after all.
C AEwithJackieP@yahoo.com
5
Come May 1,
smoking will be banned
in restaurants and bars
with the first time offense
resulting in a fine no more
than $100, and a second
offense fine of no more than
$500, according to www.
michiganpolicy.com. The
only exceptions are cigar
bars and casinos. StephanieSicard
California was the
bucks a night for the smoke
first state to ban smoking
inhalation?
in public places such as
For me, it wasn’t worth
restaurants and bars, with
it and I often found myself
many states following suit.
turning down that section
What does this mean for
just for the clear lungs at the
smokers, and non-smokers in
end of the night.
Michigan?
GRCC has been tobacco
No more smoky scenes
free since Nov. 2008, and the
in bars, or clouds of smoke
students are filtering out into
hovering over the bar in a
surrounding areas like the
local restaurant.
Fountain Street Church, and
Those of us non-smokers
the public library.
have surely all had the
Currently, the Grand
same experience. You ask
Rapids Police Department
for non-smoking in your
has not been very attentive
favorite restaurant, only to
of the smokers on smoke free
be seated right at the border
property. Smokers should
of smoking versus non.
enjoy this while it lasts.
Although you’re technically
When Michigan goes
in the non-smoking section,
smoke-free, the GRPD should
that doesn’t stop the fumes
start cracking down on the
from slithering into your
smokers loitering around
area, and lingering above
public smoke-free areas.
your table, choking out the
“Should” is the operative
clean air you crave.
word.
As a non-smoker, I used
Only time will tell just
to hate being a server when
how effective this new law
it was my turn to work in
will be in creating a truly
the smoking section. The
smoke-free environment
catch is this, the smoking
in Michigan. I for one, am
section is usually the bar,
excited at the sheer hope for
and the bar is where you
a less hazy atmosphere.
make the most money. But
was it worth the extra 20
The Bottom Line:
Smoking may be a
choice; however inhaling
second hand smoke should
be a choice as well. It’s about
time that Michigan stepped
up to the bat and become
smoke free like many other
states are doing.
MCT Campus C StephanieOpinion@yahoo.com
The Collegiate
Associated Collegiate Press National Pacemaker Award Finalist
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Writing and Production Staff:
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chele Smith, Allen Wegener, Corbett Yost, Brit-
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Contents of the editorials reflect the opinions
of the respective writers and not necessarily those
A&E Editor of the entire staff, students, or GRCC.
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vertiser, not necessarily those of the college,
students, or staff.
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Fax: 234-4158
6 Opinion February 24, 2010

Olympics celebrate the human spirit

By MCT Campus
The Vancouver Winter
Olympics are offering a brief
but important opportunity to
see that the modern world
is not as frightening as it’s
often depicted.
Just 20 years ago nations
such as Ukraine, Latvia and
Georgia were still under the
Soviet yoke.
Germany had just
unified. South Africa was
starting to free itself of
apartheid.
In fact, using the
Olympics as a barometer of
global health makes it clear
that much is well with the
world.
For decades the games
were highly politicized, and
often polarizing, reflective of
a deeply divided world.
In the 1936 games in
Berlin, Adolf Hitler set
a stage to prove Aryan
superiority, and was
deliciously defeated by a tour
de force from sprinter and
long jumper Jesse Owens.
In 1956, nations
boycotted the Olympics
to protest the invasion of
Hungary, the Suez Crisis and
the participation of Taiwan.
The Palestinian-Israeli
crisis spilled into the 1972
Munich Summer Olympics,
leaving 11 Israeli Olympic
team members dead.
The Vancouver games
and the 2008 games in China
show a far more unified
globe.
This isn’t to be overly
optimistic. The United States
and three dozen allies still
fight for a better future
for Afghanistan, and Iraq
remains a troubled nation.
Of course the world has
many problems. The soaring
security costs at recent
Olympics to detect and deter
international terrorism are
clear indicators of the times.
But the Vancouver
Winter Olympics are
putting a diverse planet on
display, newly free countries
competing with former
oppressors. They are a great
reminder that despite the
problems of the day, we
could be, and often were
during the past century,
much worse off.
The Bottom Line:
Times such as these,
when sport can simply be
sport, should be celebrated.
C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com MCT Campus

Mental laziness is a political tradition

By Kevin Horrigan
MCT Campus
“There is no expedient
to which man will not resort
to avoid the real task of
thinking.”
It’s said that Thomas
Edison was so fond of this
quote from the English
painter Joshua Reynolds
that he posted it all over his
laboratories. If Edison had
to remind himself to avoid
mental laziness, think of the
problems it presents for the
rest of us.
According to Drake
Bennett of The Boston
Globe, “One of the hottest
topics in psychology today is
something called ‘cognitive
fluency.’ Cognitive fluency
is simply a measure of how
easy it is to think about
something, and it turns out
people prefer things that are
easy to think about to those
that are hard.”
The theory is that
cognitive fluency may be
left over from our days as
cavemen. We learned what
animals were unlikely to eat
us, and we preferred them to
unknown things that might
or might not eat us. Thus,
psychologist Adam Alter told
The Globe, when things are
unfamiliar, or “disfluent,”
alarm bells go off. “It sets up
a cognitive roadblock and
makes people think, and it
triggers a sense of risk and
alarm.”
Eek! Unknown, and
therefore possibly hard!
Avoid!
When people are
unhappy, they may seek out
familiar ideas, people and
actions that make them feel
safe and secure.
“Fluent things are
familiar,” said one expert,
“but also boring and
comfortable. Disfluency is
intriguing and novel. When
we’re happy, we’re more
open to the unfamiliar.”
Politicians figured this
out right away. Sell the
simple, sell the familiar. In
the midst of the financial
turmoil of 2008, Barack
Obama campaigned on “hope
and change.” This sounded
safe and familiar, so he got
elected.
Then the problems
started. Obama had to
sell changes that were
very difficult and counter-
intuitive: Bailing out
Wall Street bankers, even
though they had started the
problems. Spending $787
billion to kick-start the
economy, even though it
meant trillion-dollar deficits.
And then maybe the hardest
thing of all: Overhauling the
American health care system.
Eek! Unknown, and
therefore possibly hard!
Avoid!
Even when the president
tried to make things simple,
as he did in a speech to
Congress on Sept. 9, it took
him 47 minutes to do it.
He had to talk about things
like insurance exchanges
and pre-existing conditions,
cost-shifting and individual
mandates.
This failed the cognitive
fluency test. Republicans
rushed into the breach with
talking points like “death
panels” and “socialized
medicine.” They kept
complaining about the
Senate’s “2,700-page bill,”
as if you ought to be able
to overhaul something as
complex as health care with
a memo.
All of this may be
intellectually dishonest,
but it is smart politics.
Americans are looking for
easy answers.
Nobody in America
understands this better than
Sarah Palin. The former
Alaska governor’s speech to
the Tea Party convention in
Nashville was a masterpiece
of cognitive fluency, offering
simple answers for all sorts
of difficult problems:
“We need a strong
national defense ... cut
spending ... spending
freeze ... common-sense
solutions and values ... the
government that governs
least governs best ... freedom
is a God-given right ...
enduring truths passed down
from Washington to Lincoln
to Reagan.”
It was truly a brilliant
speech, utterly free of
nuance and complexity.
The Bottom Line:
If America is tired,
angry, confused and looking
for easy answers, she may be
just the expedient to which
they resort.
C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com

Student Soapbox
Should GRCC have a Student Activity Fee?

Max Maggie Emily Erin Amy Patrick

Reid Badgley Springsdorf Snow Singh Cornwell
“It’s not a huge “If it’s going to “I only just heard “I think it should “If they need “I think if it’s only
deal, but it’s like help fund activities about it. I’m kind be only if you’re in money, they can 10 dollars, you
raising taxes. Why it’s a great idea.” of in the neutral the club. However do fund raising like might as well chip
not take the money phase.” giving money to everyone else.” in.”
needed out of pay for activities is
tuition?” good. ”

Is Valentines Day over commercialized?

Vote on this issue’s online poll:
Completely 52% No not at all 16% Should GRCC have a Student Activity Fee?
Not quite there yet, but Undecided 0%
soon to be 32% Visit www.thecollegiatelive.com to vote and comment!
February 24, 2010
Letters
to the
editors
An open forum
The Collegiate is very
interested in your opin-
ions, so send your letters
in. The basic premise of
journalism centers on the
long-standing tradition of
providing an open forum
and a free press. Please
write to the Collegiate with
your opinion.
You can drop off your
letters in room 339 Main
building, or you can e-mail
them to
grcc_collegiate@yahoo.
com
Please include your name
and phone number for
proper verification.
Letters are subject to edit-
ing for spelling, grammar,
and length.
Opinion 7
Letters
GRCC Professor responds to article about
women’s studies
Editors of the Collegiate,
Thank-you for your coverage of my role in Women’s Studies
(“A Man on Women’s Studies,” by Tim Nellett).  Overall,
Tim did touch on the collaborative work of the four of us
who pushed the college to recognize this discipline, but I do
note that the final line (“No doubt, if there’s anyone you
need to talk women about, Cope’s your man”) is not true. 
Women’s Studies is a collaborative discipline involving
open dialogue and sharing of skills and perspectives; we
are all students, especially those of us who are men.  If
you want to “talk women,” I’d suggest that you ask
Mary Lucas, our program coordinator, Nora Neill, who is
currently teaching the introductory class, or Katie Kalisz,
our women’s literature teacher.  My role has always been
to open institutional doors, do background research, and
develop classes, but I would never presume to be an expert
in “talking women.” I’m just one member of an immensely
gifted team of thinkers. 
David Cope
News Editor
Dave Westra asks
the easy
questions.
GRCC Students
know the
answers - some
of them.
Exclusive Video!
Visit
www.thecollegiatelive.com
for more!
8 A&E February 24, 2010

Art Prize 2010

Former ArtPrize artists
affiliated with GRCC decide
if they will participate in
ArtPrize 2010.
By Jacqueline Prins
A&E Editor
By Stephanie Sicard
Opinion Editor

G
RCC professors Nick Antonakis and
Dianne Carroll Burdick, along with
GRCC student Michelle Pittman and
artist Fisher Stolz, who showed his artwork
at GRCC during last year’s competition, talk
about their experiences and what they are
planning for ArtPrize 2010.
Stolz showed his sculpture at GRCC in the
egiate Bostwick Commons during ArtPrize 2009.
ristina Kim/Coll
Graphic by Ch Registration for ArtPrize 2010 will kick off
on April 19 at noon, according to the ArtPrize
Web site.

Will they be back for ArtPrize 2010?

Nick Antonakis Dianne Carroll Burdick Michelle Pittman Fisher Stolz

Art Department Head GRCC Adjunct Professor GRCC Photography Student Former GRCC Venue Artist

Yes Yes Yes Yes

What he will be entering What she will be entering What she will be entering What he will be entering

“I am planning to. I’m deciding
whether I would make some scenes,
paint with a subject. I’m thinking
of train scenes from here to Chicago,
very industrial settings, and how it
deals with the environment.
I’m interested in making a scene
of things I’ve seen in Greece, but I
haven’t decided yet.”
What he would change
“Certain things displayed in
competition were popular for media
coverage and location.
If the number of votes were
limited, voters might look more
carefully before making a decision.
A limitation of votes would have
each of us decide more carefully.”
“I plan on participating in ArtPrize
2010. Last year, I entered a whole
collection of hand-colored black and
white 16 by 24 inch gallery-wrapped
canvasses.
I exhibited on a whole wall at
Huntington Bank, downtown. I’m
not sure what I’m entering this year.”
What she would change
“It is a different kind of
competition that I am not used to. All
competitions that I have entered had
a direction or theme and Artprize had
none. It was a very loose competition.
The first round of voting should
be longer and the second round of
voting should be shorter and all artists
should be able to know exactly where
they placed, not just the top ten.”
“I have some ideas in the works,
but nothing that I want to totally
share quite yet. I can tell you that it
will be photography and that I am
planning something quite a bit larger
than last year. If I end up going in
the direction I am headed with this
project, I am going to be looking for
some sponsors.”
What she would change
“For a first time event of such
magnitude it ran very smoothly. I
think it would be nice if there were
categories for voting, at least broken
down between 2-D and 3-D works.
ArtPrize accomplished what it really
intended to do, it got people out into
the city looking at art and discussing
art.”
“I am considering creating a new
sculpture for next year’s ArtPrize.
It will most likely use the kinds of
materials that I used in “Moonbench”;
stone such as marble and/or granite,
steel and/or stainless steel with
electric light as an element.
The scale will probably again
be fairly large and the ability for
individuals to interact with the piece
is a strong possibility.”
What he would change
“As an artist and as a professor,
I strive to push society toward
ideals.   There were some examples
of hard-sell and gimmicks that aimed
pretty low.”
February 24, 2010
A&E 9
‘Badfish’ had even the sound guys smiling
Review by Tim Nellett
Copy Editor

S
unday has never been known as a
big day for concerts. The end of
the weekend is typically a day of
rest and relaxation, depending on
how Friday and Saturday went. But fans
lined the walls of the Intersection on Feb.
21, people from different walks of life and
all ages. Sunday night the bar and concert
hall was jam-packed with what looked to
be every reggae-lover in Grand Rapids, to
come see “Badfish” jam.
No exaggeration required. I’ve seen
bigger bands perform, on Fridays and
Saturdays, with half the crowd. “Badfish,”
the Sublime tribute band, knows how to
put on a show.
After being headlined by “Three Cents
Short,” a three-man punk band from Grand
Rapids and another band that didn’t even
appear on the lineup or the Intersection’s
Web site, “Scotty Don’t” took the stage.
“Scotty Don’t” (SD) is essentially “Badfish”
in terms of musicians, but with a different
sound and original music.
“Scotty Don’t” has more of a classic
rock sound, with a touch of funk and the
occasional punk song. It isn’t physically
possible to listen to SD and not picture
yourself on the beach with your beverage
of choice on a hot summer day. SD is a feel
good band, and the perfect warm-up to
“Badfish.”
Crowd surfing and mosh-pits sprouted
up throughout the performance, while SD Ryan Tyrell/Collegiate
“Badfish” played at The Intersection on Feb. 21. The “Sublime” tribute band tours across the country.
See ‘Badfish,’ page 11 Left to right, the band members are: Dorian Duffy, Scott Begin, Joel Hanks, Pat Downes.

With Joel Hanks, bassist of “Badfish”
By Tim Nellett
Copy Editor
J
oel Hanks is
the bassist of
“Badfish,” a successful as well.
“Sublime” tribute
band. “Badfish” was
founded in 2001.
On Sunday,
Feb. 21, “Badfish”
performed at The
Intersection, in Grand
Joel Hanks Rapids. This interview
Bassist was done before the
band’s performance.
Why the name “Badfish,” out of all the
other “Sublime” titles to choose from?
“I guess it was just the one name that
we all agreed on right away. We ran down
a list of songs, and we said, “Oh that one
looks cool. Let’s call it that.”
It’s been over nine years since the
debut of “Badfish.” Has it been
anything like you expected?
“Definitely not. We were just playing
all those little clubs during college, and
we were still trying to figure things out
you know? The four of us going around
the country, it’s crazy.
We were all in original bands when
we started. We all have different musical
interests, and this was the one band we
all agreed we wanted to play.”
When did “Scotty Don’t” begin? What
kind of music can we expect from them
and what was the inspiration for it?
“We’ve always been in original bands.
There was a period where the touring
took too much of our time, and we finally,
about three and a half years ago took
some time off to write some songs and get
Q&A
going.
Our first performance was about
three years ago. We’ve always wanted to
make our own music and be creative. It
has always been our goal, to make that
Our first album, “Scotty Don’t,” came
out about a year ago. We’ve sold over
15,000 albums. It’s been great. We are
starting to see people in every city singing
along.
Grand Rapids is one of the better
places for “Scotty Don’t” fans. On
Facebook, the fans, there’s more “Scotty
Don’t” fans from Grand Rapids than
“Badfish,” and that’s the only city in the
country that’s like that.”
What is your favorite “Sublime” song
to play?
“Whichever one the crowd is ready
to go the craziest for. It changes nightly.
We’re all about reacting from the crowd,
feeding off of their energy. If they’re
feeling a song, then I’m down.”
You guys have toured a lot, sometimes
over 150 places a year. What’s your
favorite venue?
“My favorite venue is where outside
is 80 degrees. Wherever that is, it’s my
favorite. We try to plan tours where we
can wear shorts, but that doesn’t always
work out, obviously.
House of Blues is great, and there are
similar places. Nelson Ledges Quarry Park
in Ohio is probably our favorite place to
play. We love playing outside. We get sick
of playing clubs all the time. Festivals
tend to have more music lovers rather
than partygoers. It’s really a better home
for us, and the music that we write.”
Have you guys played in Grand Rapids
before? What did you think?
The
Bands
“The Intersections is great. The
people there are great. We’ve been there
so many times that we’ve gotten to know ‘Badfish’
everybody.”
How many “Sublime” songs do you Pat Downes
guys have down? Are there any you Guitar, Vocals
didn’t learn specifically?
“We do like an hour and 45 minute Joel Hanks
set. We can probably play 40-45 of them.
There’s probably a few songs that Bass
we’ve never played. At some point we’ve
played almost every song. There’s “Live at Scott Begin
E’s” from “40 oz. to Freedom” that we’ve Drums
never played.”
What’s the story behind the change Ben Schomp
in vocalists, from Dave Ladin to Pat Keyboards,
Downes? Trumpet
“Dave got married. We started
thinking he was going to leave at some
point, and then his wife got pregnant. He
didn’t want to go on the road anymore. ‘Scotty
At the time Pat was playing
keyboards, and had never really picked Don’t’
up a guitar. In a matter of three months,
he learned guitar, learned all the words, Pat Downes
and we’re very fortunate to have someone Vocals, Guitar
so talented.”
When’s the next album for “Badfish?” Joel Hanks
“We’ve been recording almost every Bass
show for the past two months. We’re
really excited about the stuff we’ve been Scott Begin
recording too.”
Drums
Are you guys recording Sunday?
“Oh yeah, definitely recording.” Dorian Duffy
Guitar,
How long have you been playing? Keyboards
“I’ve been playing for 14 years now.
I’m an old fogy. I started playing guitar,
but when you start a band, everyone
wants to play guitar. Since I was the least
experienced, they put me on bass.”
10 A&E February 24, 2010

Gallery
from the

Art of Murder
Feb. 25-27, 8 – 9:15 p.m.
A murder mystery by Joe
DiPietro. Located at the
Spectrum Theater.

GRCC Applied Faculty

Recital
Feb. 28, 3 – 4 p.m.
Diane Penning-Koperski
will sing soprano and Dr.
Sheri Iott will play the
piano in a free concert.
Located in the President’s
Room of the St. Cecilia

Etchings Music Center.

Instrumental

“
on display Aziza Slater-Sandoval/Collegiate
Ensemble Concert
March 14, 3 – 4 p.m.
A free concert put on by
the GRCC Wind Ensemble,
Chamber Orchestra,

”
Above: By Stephanie Sicard piece called ‘One,’ with Guitar Ensemble and
Sydney the trees.” Campus Band. Located
Opinion Editor The piece entitled
Johnson at the St. Cecilia Music
Etching has a certain

B
examines “Reach” is a vertical
“Exchange”
ill Hosterman’s etching with birds and Center.
during the
exhibit of kind of trueness. There’s hands reaching out
art entitled towards the viewer.
opening
reception of
“Internal/ only certain things you “They’re not exactly
GRCC Jazz Night
External” debuted Feb. birds,” Hosterman March 16, 7:30 – 9:30
Bill
Hosterman’s
17, in the Collins Art can do with it. said. “They symbolize p.m.
Gallery on the fourth floor language and thought,
“Internal/
of the Main Building. an idea that goes out
GRCC Shades of Blue and
External”
exhibit on
“At least for me, the Bill Hosterman beyond you. The hands Jazz Orchestra put on
work is about a physical GVSU Professor are me grasping the a free concert. Located
Feb. 17.
process like walking or thoughts.
The exhibit
drawing,” Hosterman,
at the St. Cecilia Music
will last until metal feels true to the thought of “I don’t so much
GVSU professor, said about going someplace mentally. have a favorite, but pieces Center.
March 12
the title of the exhibit. “It’s an “Etching has a certain kind that pull potential for future
at GRCC’s
internal activity that I make in of trueness. There’s only certain direction.
Collins Art
an external form.”
Student Honors
things you can do with it.” That would be ‘Reach.’
Gallery.
Paintings and etchings David VanTuyle and Tracey It feels destructive without Recital
line the walls of the gallery, Jackson, both GRCC students, being sappy; not alienating but March 18, 2 – 3 p.m.
showcasing Hosterman’s range came to the gallery because their accessible. It feels like intense Honors music majors
of work. One etching, titled teacher came, and wanted the wallpaper, but not up close.”
“Lotus” is broken down into class to experience it. Hosterman’s exhibit will run will put on a free concert.
segments showcasing how the “I like this one (Reach), and through March 12, at GRCC’s Located in room 200 of
work was done, step by step. I think “Leaving” is my favorite,” Collins Art Gallery. the Music Building.
“I respond well to etching,” VanTuyle said, pointing to a
Hosterman said. “It’s like
traveling. The process on the
haunting piece.
Jackson said, “I like the C StephanieOpinion@yahoo.com

Student Shoutout

What are your spring break plans?

Lindsey Chad Brittany Tamicka Ezequiel Rob

Zemaitis Watkins DeBoer Brown Rios Doctor

“Who can afford to “I have to work “I’m just staying “I’m probably “I’ll be studying for “I’m going to a
go away for spring during spring home.” staying home.” my national board friend’s house
break, really?” break.” exams for dental to house sit for
hygiene.” them.”
February 24, 2010
‘Art of Murder’ plays at GRCC
Hitchock-style
murder-mystery hits
Spectrum Theater.
By Corbett Yost
Collegiate Staff Writer
G
RCC Players will present
“Art of Murder” written by
Joe Dipietro Feb. 25-27 at
Spectrum Theatre.
According to director Chris
Groom, “Art of Murder” is a
humorous murder-mystery that pays
homage to classic murder mystery
films in the style of Alfred Hitchcock.
Groom said he grew up admiring
Hitchcock’s style.
“Every show I come up with a
concept that I can share with actors
and design staff,” Groom said. “The
concept for this show is a double
duplicity dealing with death and
deception. This helps us make sure
that everyone is on the same page.”
Groom has directed some
comedies as a student but this is his
first comedy as a faculty director.
“This dark comedy is a piece
for anyone who just wants to be
entertained,” Groom said. “It is fun
to watch these actors on stage and
see how the story unfolds.”
The small cast of four agrees
that the characters they are playing
are quite different from their own
personalities.
Musical Theatre major
Kristopher Bottrall plays Vincent
Commings, a powerful and greedy
Gary Kilgore, as Jack Brooks, threatens to kill his art dealer, Vincent
Commings, played by Kristopher Bottrall in “Art of Murder.”
art dealer.
“Vicious, Cynical, and hard on
people, my character is somebody I
am nothing like,” Bottrall said.
Although this is his first show
with the GRCC Players, Bottrall has
worked with The Circle and Civic
Theatres in the past.
Second year Theatre major, Erin
Field plays Kate, an Irish immigrant.
“This role has been a challenge
because I have had to study an Irish
dialect,” Field said.
Field is also a part of The Murder
Mystery Company, a Grand Rapids
based traveling troop, which travels
A&E
Ryan Tyrell/Collegiate
all over Michigan. This is her first
show with the GRCC Players.
Gary Kilgore plays Jack Brooks, a
famous artist.
Kilgore said, “Jack is a jerk who
treats his wife like crap.”
Kilgore enjoys theatre but
does not intend to pursue it as a
career. He has done high school and
community theatre, but this is also
his first show with the GRCC Players.
Actress Theatre major, Danielle
Slot plays Annie Brooks, Jack’s wife.
Slot said, “Annie is a devious cat,
but I can relate to her because she is
a people pleaser. She’s loving and
‘Badfish’ rocks the house
Continued from page 9
jammed out to “Back Porch” and
“Everything’s Alright.”
I took a look around and,
somehow, more people had stuffed
into the already packed Intersection.
It was around this time I noticed
the guys working the sound board,
which deserves mention. At first they
appeared to be working very hard,
until I noticed one monitor that had
Facebook on it. Don’t get me wrong;
the bands sounded great, but the
sound-guy checking his Facebook in
the middle of a concert is hilarious.
Then SD finished up their set and
left the stage. As it later turns out, they
were probably taking a short break to
prepare for the sheer magnitude of
music “Badfish” brings to the table.
“Badfish” has a tradition of
playing “Bohemian Rhapsody” by
“Queen” just before the band starts
up, and Sunday was no different.
As it turns out, every single person
regardless of generation knows the
words to a tee.
People danced and sang with
reckless abandonment, and some
even applauded after the song was
finished, as if Freddy Mercury had
just came back from the grave to
perform for everyone.
With that kind of reception,
the stage was set for a performance
completely unexpected but relished.
“Badfish” came on with “What I Got,”
possibly the most famous “Sublime”
song to date. Joyful beer chucking
ensued.
Oh, and some more people
showed up, if you can believe it. The
placed was packed, with a capital “P.”
“Badfish” has an energy that
would make Brad Nowell, the late
11
forgiving, however, everyone reaches
the point of no return where they
just snap.”
Slot has been in six plays with
GRCC players. She has worked with
Jewish Theatre and Cedar Springs
Community Theatre.
“I did musicals in high school
with choir, and became really
involved in theatre my senior year,”
Slot said.
With a small cast Groom can
spend more quality time with each
actor and they can spend quality
time with each other.
Groom said, “The cast gets along
great. They bonded from the first
rehearsal.”
It was easy for Bottrall to get
close to a small cast, but says the
fear of letting them down is greater
because of the respect they have
developed for each other.
Field said, “We support each
other and have the same sense of
humor. The chemistry has been just
spot on.”
Slot had to get comfortable with
the cast really fast since she has
to make out with both of the male
actors.
Bottrall found himself laughing
at things he didn’t think he should
be laughing about and feeling bad
for characters he was not sure he
should feel sorry for he read the
script for “Art of Murder.”
Field said, “It’s murder you can
laugh at. You will die laughing!”
C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
front man of “Sublime,” proud to
witness. They covered all of the bases
and left no room for fluff. Actually
front man Pat Downes said very little
throughout the performance, and the
energy never fizzed out; there was no
chance for it to.
The band added a couple twists to
some of the songs, making them their
own in a way. “Doin’ Time,” flipped
from its chill reggae beat to a faster
punk sound halfway through, with
no complaints from the crowd.
Around this time the sound crew
was watching the U.S. vs Canada
Olympic hockey game. I didn’t catch
the score.
At some points it felt as if one
song was going on for way too long,
but in actuality, it was a different
song entirely.
Once “Badfish” started, they
didn’t stop. You could add up all of
the time taken between each song
and it wouldn’t be enough to go grab
a drink.
Their version of “Pawn Shop”
was very note-worthy, since it was
about twice as long as the original
song, with some of the band members
switching instruments mid-song.
I noticed Scott Begin banging
away on the drums, all smiles. Joel
Hanks, on bass, had a permanent
smirk throughout the show. These
guys love what they do, and have a
great time doing it.
“Badfish” ended up belting out
no less than 24 songs, not including
the ones from SD. Talk about getting
your money’s worth.
And towards the end of the night,
even the sound guys were dancing.
C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
12 Diversions February 24, 2010

Horoscopes

io
orp
Aquarius
ius
Sc
t t a r
i
Libra Sag Capricorn Pisces
Sept. 23-Oct. 22 Oct. 23-Nov.21 Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Feb. 19-March 20
Log out of Facebook I wouldn’t trust him The grass is always Try a new food Check out campus Save your money,
and study! if I were you. greener... in Maui. today! events! you’ll need it soon
enough.
Taurus

Gemini

Virgo
s
rie

Cancer Leo
A

March 21-April 19 April 20-May 20 May 21-June 20 June 21-July 22 July 23-Aug. 22 Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Before you know it, Spring Break is Go ahead and Everyone is in fact You deserve a little You didn’t
school will be over, almost here, are you dance, dance like out to get you. rest and relaxation. believe me about
and boredom will bikini ready? you’ve never danced Groundhog Day, did
set in. before! you?

Solutions
Puzzles on page 13

Courtesy MCT Campus

February 24, 2010
American Gothic
By Ryan Barnes
Collegiate staff
Across
1 Support gp. for the troops
4 Words of deliberation
11 Audience for 1-Across
14 Mom’s business partner
15 Concisely put
16 Hairy Addams Family cousin
17 Hotel room cleaner
19 Long-snouted fish
20 “Green” energy type
21 Opening for a peeping Tom
23 Manage, barely
27 Pelvic bones
28 Painter of melting watches
31 Arm-twisting wrestling hold
35 56-Down, biologically
36 Jumped the tracks
37 Electric car’s lack
39 Threatened
Diversions 13
Comics
Puzzles
43 Like glue
45 Tire layer
46 Rodeo event with obstacles
49 Really bugs
50 “__ ain’t broke ...”
51 “Hardball” airer
53 Gridiron five-yard penalty
57 “You __ to know!”
61 Nothing at all
62 Without prior inspection
66 Ill temper
67 Vigilant against attack
68 Greenwich Village sch.
69 Divs. on some rulers
70 Attaches securely
71 Guinness suffix
Courtesy MCT Campus
Answers on page 12
Down
1 Lines on mdse. 8 Relax in the tub 22 Broom-__: comics
2 Arty Big Apple area 9 New York canal witch
3 October birthstone 10 Whirling water 24 Stanley Cup org.
4 Cuba __: rum drink 11 Paid male escort 25 Carnival pitchman
5 Opposite of WSW 12 Slanted type 26 Singer Sumac
6 Road sealer 13 10 consecutive wins, say 28 Boxer or pug
7 Certain bachelor, in ads 18 Nativity trio 29 Gardner of “On the
Beach”
30 “Deck the Halls” syl-
lables
32 Tries to act like
33 Late news hour
34 Descartes or Russo
36 Florida’s Miami-__
County
38 Queen of Hearts’
pastries
40 EMT’s skill
41 Yellowstone grazer
42 Prefix with functional
44 Walton of Walmart
46 Like the Six Million
Dollar Man
47 Declare true
48 Weapons in which you
can find the starts of 17-,
31-, 46- and 62-Across
49 Closely monitored
hosp. areas
52 Slugger Barry
54 “Time __ the essence”
55 Actress Merrill
56 Incubator items
58 Hereditary unit
59 Casual greetings
60 Letter-shaped fastener
63 “Survivor” shelter
64 __ kwon do
65 Java vessel
14
PressBox Baseball
from the
team Team trains
in the bullpen
Final Home game for
Men and Womens
basketball
The final home game
for the mens and womens
basketball teams will be Feb.
24 at the Ford Fieldhouse.
The women play at 5:30 p.m.
and the men play at at 7:30
p.m.
GRCC football
players in movie
with 50 cent
GRCC football players
were extras in a movie
with 50 cent including
quarterback Casey
Therriault. Filming took
place on Feb. 20 at GVSU
and the Van Andel Arena.
The movie is expected to be
called “Love Me, Love Me
Not.”
Intramurals events
coming up
Floor Hockey
March 4 – April 29
Thursdays
5:45-8 p.m.
Basketball
March 15-17
Mondays and Wednesdays
5-8 p.m
Registration deadline: March
8
Indoor Soccer
March 10, 11, 15, 22-24, 29-
31
April 3-6, 12-15
6:00-7:30 a.m.
Flag Football Tournament
April 16
Friday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
GRCC football field off of
Lyon St.
Registration date: Friday
April, 9
We want to hear
from you!
For any errors, questions,
concerns, or suggestions
please feel free to e-mail the
staff.
Christina Kim
Editor-in-Chief
ChrisDKimEIC@yahoo.com
grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com
or visit The Collegiate in room
339 of the Main building.
Sports February 24, 2010
Continued from page 1
advantage.
“We’re a cold weather school,
where as most of the schools that
By Eric Curtis we compete at in the nationals are
Collegiate Staff Writer out west, down south: Arizona,
S
Texas, Florida,” VandenBeldt
now still covers the ground around campus, yet the GRCC said. “They’re playing golf year
Baseball Team is gearing up in preparation for their first game round; we play golf when we can Jackson
of the year. with the weather. We surprised a
Davison
The team will play a series of road games in both Florida lot of people at the nationals last
and Ohio before their home opener at Belknap Park according to the year. What’s a Michigan school
GRCC Golf
GRCC Baseball Team’s website. doing this well with the weather
“The strong point of the team has yet to be determined, the fall they play in?
went very well with the pitching staff as a whole,” said Head Coach “That’s one of the things we offer. Our golf
Mike Cupples in an e-mail. program is year round. A lot of the schools in our
“A few injuries had set some of the staff back a bit but we are leagues just do it for the six weeks of the league. To
starting to get healthy now as we get closer to our southern trip,” the serious golfer, that’s very appealing.”
Cupples said. Returning sophomore Jackson Davison had
The team will be traveling to Marianna, FL for a tournament the some good things to say about last year’s team.
weekend of Feb. 26. “It went well,” Davison said. “It wasn’t that
hard.”
C grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com Davison also has a lot of confidence in this
year’s team.
“We should be pretty good; we’ve only got
one of our players that didn’t come back from last
year,” Davison said. “I think we’ve got some good
players coming in so we should have another run
at nationals.”
But Davison knows he’s not perfect.
“I’ve been working on shortening my swing
and putting up good scores so I can transfer to
Eastern,” Davison said.
Sophomore and returning team member Ian
Straayer also had good things to say about this
year’s team.
“We’ve got some new incoming guys who are
stepping up pretty well,” Straayer said. “After last
year, I’m feeling pretty confident.”
Ryant Tyrell/Collegiate
GRCC pitchers practice in the Ford Fieldhouse on Feb. 9. The
team plays their first game Feb. 26 in Florida. C DaveWNews@yahoo.com
The
Collegiate
will be archiving
on the web past
issues from as
far back as 1922.
Check out all
the old sports
pictures and
stories at
thecollegiatelive.com
 Sports Collegiate
The
February 24, 2010
Baseball team in training
Vol. 54 No.9
for spring season
Page 14
Grand Rapids Community College

Football team springs to action

By Dana Finkler
Collegiate Staff Writer

T
he GRCC football team will hold spring
practices from March 8 to April 2.
Practices are scheduled Mon.-Thurs.
from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Director Doug Wabeke finalized a deal
with Houseman Field for its use during the spring.
“This allows us to connect with these kids
and hold them accountable to the expectations we
have set in place,” said Head Football Coach Tony
Annese.
However, the focus is not just on their goals on
the gridiron but in the classroom as well.
“During the season, you have more oversight.
We can monitor them on the things you come to
expect from them academically,” Annese said.
“This also helps to get more kids to stay around.”
Defensive Coordinator Curtis Andrews believes
it will be a positive experience for both the coaches
and players.
“From a development standpoint, it allows the
kids to get better,” Andrews said. “With this spring
ball, I think it will allow them to be more prepared
for the upcoming season.”
Richard Halley, a GRCC running back, is
motivated by the loss on Dec. 5 to Snow College in
the Zion Top of the Mountains Bowl Game.
“We should have won that game,” Halley said.
“Spring practice will allow us to work even harder
Bjorn Skogen/Collegiate to make a run for a championship next season.
Brandon Newbern tries to catch the ball during the Dec. 5 Zion Top of the Mountains Games “Many of us are going out of our way to do our
against Snow College. GRCC lost 41-37 after playing in 18 degree temperatures in Utah. own conditioning and drills aside from what we the
coaches have set in place to make ourselves better.”

Golf team prepares for Orange Crush

the upcoming season Basketball high scorer
By Dave Westra “We cover the whole local
News Editor

Last year’s golf team ranked

third in the nation among junior
colleges, and Head Coach Bruce
area by contacts with the high
school,” VandenBeldt said.
“We also get referrals from past
returns to the court
players. By Dana Finkler up for someone who is averaging
“What’s nice now is that Collegiate Staff Writer 20 plus points”.
kids are coming to us because The Raiders jumped out to

G
VandenBeldt is confident this
year’s team will do the same. of our success,” VandenBeldt RCC basketball team’s a 30-27-halftime lead after a
Bruce “We’re pretty solid,” said. “Recruiting has definitely physical first half.
leading scorer, guard
VandenBeldt VandenBeldt said. “We have gotten a little bit easier. But Lansing Community
James Thomas, returned
five kids back from last year’s And according to to the court Feb. 17 College hit many key free throws
Golf team team who are sophomores. we VandenBeldt, the students get and 3-pointers off turnovers
against Glenn Oaks Community
Head Coach have an additional sophomore some benefits. down the stretch to pull away
College, but the team still lost 82-
that made the team this year, “They get to play at one of 94. with a 68-60 victory.
and we have three very talented the nicest courses in Michigan, Thomas cracked his head The loss leaves the Raiders
freshmen that are also on the Egypt Valley,” VandenBeldt said. open after driving hard to with a 13-6 overall record and 7-4
Upcoming team.” “They get to play for a national the basket for a lay-up in the record in conference play.
VandenBeldt has nothing championship. They get a first seven minutes during the Sophomore Guard Bradley
events but praise for his team. year round program. There is Whitby led the Raiders with 16
Feb. 8 game against Lansing
Goose Pond “We’re nine deep, and financial aid available to them.” Community College. points in a losing effort.
Invitational there is strength in numbers,” The players see GRCC as a Thomas received stitches. Freshman forward James
March 18 VandenBeldt said. “A lot of place to help them achieve their Thomas currently has many Taps scored a career high 11
Scottsboro, AL schools only have one or two; goals. offers from colleges in Michigan. points off the bench.
we have all nine that are real The team is leaving next “It was unfortunate, we hope “It’s a tough loss we played
solid players.” month to play in warmer he is well” said Head Coach hard,” said Kelley McEwen.
Ancilla The team had an outstanding weather. Kelley McEwen. “Its hard to make
Invitational season last year, according to “We’re leaving for Alabama
April 5 VandenBeldt. in the third week of March to play
Plymouth, IN “Last year, with the in a big national tournament,”
recruiting and everything, we VandenBeldt said. “That gives us News Editor Dave Westra
finished third in the country; a big jump on our competition
because we get to get out in the
asks the easy questions.
GRCC we were fifth in the national
Invitational tournament,” VandenBeldt said. warm weather for a little bit to GRCC Students know the
April 12 “We had an amazing year last play. That’s good for us.” answers--some of them.
Egypt Valley year. That’s what we’re trying to But according to
Country Club duplicate.” VandenBeldt, practicing in the Exclusive video!
According to VandenBeldt, cold weather gives the team an Visit thecollegiatelive.com
the golf team recruits their
players. See Team, Page 14

INSIDE: News 1-4 Opinion 5-7 A&E 8-11 Diversions 12-13 Sports 14-16 Next Issue: March 24