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Students honored at gala "Viva Chavez," shouted proud Hispanic voices at the Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Gala on Oct. 9. The event was held in honor of Cesar E. Chavez, a labor activist and legendary hero who helped migrant workers find freedom. The laughter and excitement of all those who attended the event filled GRCC's ATC building as six students received $1,000 scholarships. The scholarship is awarded to Hispanic students that are excelling in school. "It's an annual event in recognition of Chavez and all the good he did," said Jessica Tyson, a member of the committee. "They have a chance at education and that's always a winner." Along with the award ceremony, there were many Hispanic traditions. Beautiful music was played as friends embraced each other over Hispanic themed drinks and appetizers. Dancers from Grupo Tarasco also attended the event. The girls wore custom dresses that swayed with each step they took, while the gentleman wore a traditional Hispanic suit. The event continued into dinner provided by GRCC's Culinary arts team. As everyone was seated, speakers came up to talk about Chavez. "Cesar Chavez is heroic. He selflessly worked for the better of the community," said George Heartwell, the Mayor of Grand Rapids. Dinner also held more music and dancing. The crowd sang and clapped along with the beat. The scholarships were awarded during dinner. "I had no idea I was getting the award," said Claribel Benavidez, who received one of the scholarships. "My counselor just called and told me." Besides the six scholarships given, there were five other community awards handed out as well. "For some students, it may be one of the only ways to help them meet their scholastic goals," said Omar Cuevas, a sponsor from Fifth Third Bank. The gala was not only an award ceremony. It was also a fundraiser to help raise money for the scholarship foundation. There are many activities held throughout the year that also help raise money for the foundation. The gala was a great success. The committee is now only $15,000 short of their scholarship fund goal of $100,000. "Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future and the future is ours." - Cesar E. Chavez.
Forest Whitaker speaks at GRCC Academy Award wining actor Forrest Whitaker spoke to GRCC students and faculty on Oct. 9 in the ACT Building promoting the Obama – Biden ticket. GRCC’s Black Student Union and the Obama-Biden campaign sponsored the event. Whitaker has been active with the Obama campaign since 2007. State Rep. and former GRJC alum Michael Sak opened up the rally advocating the youth to get out and vote. “This is a critical time in our future,” said Sak. “The youth makes up 25% of our population today. What do they make up, 100% of our future. You need to get out and vote." Whitaker was greeted with a standing ovation as he entered the room. His speech prompted people to stand up for themselves and addressed the issue of “How can we feel we live in civilized society when we watch people on the poverty and the dismal employment rate within our own state.streets struggle to survive and take care of themselves?” Whitaker asked. “That’s why we have to take a stance.” Whitaker made a reference of the moment as a photograph. 20 years from now our grandchildren will look at that picture and ask ‘Who is that?’ Those will be the people who voted for change. “You have been standing up for yourselves your whole lives,” said Whitaker. “Now were at the point where you need to take a stance for yourself and your future”. GRCC student Joyce Daniels felt motivated and optimistic after the speech. “It puts us all on the same level, we are all for the common cause,” Daniels said. “They are just like me”. Ed Carr, a field organizer in the Grand Rapids area, was on hand to promote volunteer opportunities to students. They offered bumper stickers to those who signed up. After the speech, Whitaker met with media and even took time to take photos and sign autographs with students who stayed afterwards. He was scheduled to appear in Battle Creek later that afternoon to complete his tour of Michigan. Crisis team unveils new emergency towers Grand Rapids Community College recently added more protection to the downtown campus community with installation of emergency towers. The two Emergency Communication Kiosk towers are located on the north and south end of Bostwick commons. Painted bright yellow and placed in the high traffic areas of the commons, the towers provide easy access for the students in case of an emergency. “If a pedestrian or student is feeling threatened they can access campus police by pushing the red button,” said Pat Cwayna Vice President of College Relations. Once the button is pushed a signal is sent to the campus police and the blue light begins to flash. “It is instant contact with campus police,” Cwayna said. “I always feel safe with red buttons near me,” said GRCC student Bob Barker. “Seriously though I think this is a great addition to the campus it promotes public safety.” The Kiosks are designed to help students with emergencies. It will be several weeks before all systems the college intends to use will be up and running, “right now it is only set up to contact campus police,” Cwayna said. Cwayna, part of the GRCC Emergency Planning Team that has been in place for three years now, went on to say that the towers can be used in many ways. They have the capability to be used for the public address system. Several students didn’t notice the new towers on campus and were unsure what the towers even did. GRCC student Micael Measho felt that it was a good idea that the campus did put the towers here but didn’t think it was that necessary. “It’s not like I didn’t feel safe on campus,” Measho said. GRCC student Amy Allerding said that it is a good idea for female students that have night classes. She feels the towers will make the campus safer. The boxes feature a number pad, call buttons, and they are fitted with bright blue lights and speakers. This gives the college a chance to communicate with students outside if an emergency occurs Cwayna said. The emergency Planning Team plans to have eleven total including the M-Tec centers. They cost roughly $6,000 per unit and two more will be placed shortly on the downtown campus. One in front of the learning center and in front of spectrum theatre Cwayna said. GRCC is not the only college in the area to use these emergency towers. Calvin, Hope and Aquinas all have them according to Cwayna.
Obama rallies in Grand Rapids Over 15,000 people congregated in Calder Plaza and its outskirts on Thursday Oct. 2, to listen to Senator and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama talk about his plans for the country. Cloudy skies and the cold temperature didn’t seem to bother the supporters, as they chanted slogans such as “Yes we can” and repeated Obama’s name over and over again. Obama’s speech concentrated on the economy, focusing on the crashing market and his support of the bailout plan that has been passed by the House of Representatives, and signed by President Bush. “The fact that we are in this mess is an outrage, because we didn’t get here by accident. This is the direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington for years. “We need to pass the rescue plan that’s before the House of Representatives... Democrats and Republicans need to deal with this immediate crisis,” Obama said. Obama said he fought so that the rescue plan protects “Main Street,” and so that it becomes a long-term plan for the middle class. He also explained that building a strong middle class was key to making a strong economy. Andy Bowne, Associate Vice President for College Advancement was present at the rally, and believes the bailout plan is “a significant piece of the answer. “We need something to reestablish confidence in our investment structure so that the stock market will once again gain and so that people in businesses will get access to credit, and get the economic market going again, because we are stalled right now.” During his 30-minute speech Obama also addressed issues such as the war in Iraq, which he says would end under his term, and tax relief. He said he would cut taxes for 95% of all working families. He said that his "tax rates will be lower than under Ronald Regan... If you make less than $250,000 you won't see a tax increase during an Obama term. " Obama also spoke about education, talking briefly about his college plan: If a student puts in 100 hours of community service they will receive $4,000. “If you serve your community... I will guarantee you can afford to go to college. We will provide you the money you need. You invest in America and we will invest n you,” Obama said. Bowne believes his plan “aligns with our vision at CC” since it combines student engagement and service learning. Elias Lumpkins, former Dean of Student’s Services, found the rally and historic, albeit a little cold. “Obama warmed up people,” Lumpkins said. When it comes to Obama’s education plan he said he finds that its needed, and it’s similar to the service learning program in which a student gets $1,000 for 100 hours of community service. Nadia Medlig is a part time sophomore who said she loved the speech, but wished she could have shaken his hand. She said that she likes Obama because “comparing the two, Obama’s the best. He’s very much for the middle class, and I’m middle class.” Later that day Obama conducted another rally in Lansing, and his wife Michelle spoke in Saginaw and Macomb County. On the same day, McCain announced he was retreating and giving up on Michigan.
The Credit Crunch The economy is on everyone’s minds and the words ‘credit crunch’ are being tossed around everywhere. This credit crunch may impact GRCC as a whole. The credit crunch has its origins in home mortgages, both being sold to people who cannot afford to make payments and being resold to other banks as fail-proof investments. Amongst the bad mortgages were loans made to people without checking their income or job status. The loans were then bundled with hundreds or thousands of other similar loans and sold to investment firms. The logic was that housing prices do not fall, so the investment had to be safe. Yet after thousands of foreclosures the housing prices have fallen. Banks have been taking billions in losses for their investments and are now hesitant to lend, both to consumers and businesses. The recently passed $700 billion bail out bill was intended to help, but it is still too soon to tell. Students who take use of private student loans or credit cards to make ends meet may be affected, explained Stephen Abid, Professor of Economics at GRCC. “Good credit customers a week ago may not get a loan if there is not enough money to go around,” Abid said. Credit card companies may stop doing business with people if the credit industry freezes up. If college students stop spending then it means that retail and service jobs may get cut. Abid pointed out the idea that we all pay each other’s salaries. Businesses may not get loans to expand, according to Abid. Abid explained how if one house is foreclosed in a neighborhood, it affects us all, saying that as property values lower, the revenue of state and local go down also. This means that they contribute less to programs such as higher education, which means education costs may get raised for college students. The credit crisis affects college students on a personal level as well, according to Ann Bird, a GRCC student. "Even though they put a band-aid on Wall Street, their are going to be more problems upcoming. I'm not worried, but I am concerned." Bird said. Bird is concerned about the economy because as a minority she feels that she would be the first to feel it. "I’ve got to watch it to make survival strategies," Bird said. Bird emphatically warns that warns that we cannot continue to live beyond our means though she knows that you cannot save what you do not have. She is worried that these big bankruptcies are going to be put on the taxpayer, making matters even worse. "We are hoping and praying that the debt will be paid," Bird said. While the future of the economy remains uncertain a few key things can help students prepare for their uncertain future. “The main thing we should all do is balance our check book, monitor our spending and pay our bills on time,” Abid said. Hlep kdis raed By Sarah Messer Collegiate Staff Writer The United Way’s Schools of Hope has a long waiting list of children who desperately need reading tutors. The Schools of Hope program has had an 8-year partnership with the United Way. According to the United Way website the program is in cooperation with 15 Grand Rapids Public Schools to recruit and train reading tutors for elementary students in grades one through three.Tutors spend 30 minutes each week with the same child. “The program has had a tremendous response” said Fritz Crabb, director of literacy initiatives at the Heart of West Michigan United Way. “There is a real community commitment to the program.” Crabb also said there is a survey that each tutor is recommended to take at the end of the year to help determine if Schools of Hope is a effective program. According to the results of the survey, 93 percent indicated they wanted to come back next year. The survey also showed that 92 percent felt that the value of the program was outstanding and 87 percent felt a personal sense of accomplishment. “It’s easy to volunteer and there are very few requirements,” said Crabb. “Volunteers are required to attend one free two hour training session.” Crabb continues, “they need to be of high school age or older, be willing to spend at least 30 minutes each week tutoring, and have no felony or child abuse convictions.” Tutoring sessions are held during the school day while school is in session. “If children don’t read, they won’t succeed” said Crabb. Register online to become a Schools of Hope Reading tutor. For more information visit: waybetterunitedway.org. Campus Police Report for October 15, 2008 Accident 9/22/08 Vandalism 9/24/08 Hit and Run 9/24/08 Hit and Run 9/24/08 Fighting 9/22/08 Accident 9/17/08 Accident 9/23/08 Hit and Run 9/18/08 Chemical burns 9/27/08 Busted Pipe 9/25/08 Hit and Run 9/22/08 Trespassing 9/26/08 Vandalism 9/26/08 Vandalism 10/07/08 Public Intoxication 9/30/08 Speak Out! Have something to say? Sound off to The Collegiate at grcc_collegiate@yahoo.com for your tips or views on the current news, sports, arts & entertainment and opinion. Letters to the editors: The Collegiate is very interested in your opinions, so send your letters in. The
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