No “butts” about responsibility

 

A flower pot outside of the Distance Learning building is filled with packs of cigarettes and cigarette butts.

 

 

BRITTANY WALDER
Staff Writer

 

The cost of cigarettes may be incessantly on the rise, but the number of cigarette butts littering the sidewalks, parks, streets, and nature isn’t dwindling.

 Approximately 20% of adults in the United States are smokers.

 While cigarette butts may be biodegradable, environmental conditions may extend the “lifespan” of the butt to a whopping 15 years. That’s an astounding find concerning a remnant of an already dangerous and environmentally hazardous habit.

The butts of cigarettes are more than ugly blotches littering the scenery. They also contain the filtered chemicals from the cigarettes, and have the potential to leak into water supplies. Smoldering butts have also been prone to cause environmental and residential fires.

 Even though there are disposal canisters for this “useless” end of a cigarette, somehow they still find their way to the ground mere inches from buildings on campus, in rivers, gutters, parking lots, driveways, and roadsides.

 Why?

 The increasing number of bans and restrictions as well as the elevating price of tobacco should be an indication that the government and its people aren’t going to let up on smokers any time soon. The situation is intensified by the apparent lack of conscience smokers have when they dispose of their habit wherever they happen to be immediately standing. The implications are numerous. It says a lot about our irresponsible and apathetic smokers. It says a lot about our culture.

 Some sort of flag should go up when a smoker, who is standing right beside a disposal canister, opts to drop the butt to the ground instead.

 Imagine children playing in a yard filled with these little carcinogenic corpses. If this doesn’t paint a lovely little picture of innocent perfection, then this is one step towards realizing that something needs to be done.

 If smokers want to stop being treated like babies, they should start resisting the impulse to act like them.

 Statistics from http://www.cdc.gov

 

An ashtray was emptied into Parking Lot J at Cumberland County College.

 

 

College Parents

By MELISSA PILEIRO

Editor-in-Chief

Regardless of our state in life, most students here at Cumberland will agree that college is far from easy. When you have other responsibilities, however, juggling them along with schoolwork can be even more chaotic. Three CCC students know the meaning of chaos all too well, as they’re dealing with one of life’s most important duties: caring for their children.

Jim Hanna began his college career only two months ago after spending years as a successful retail manager. “I needed a career that was going to be recession-proof,” Hanna said of his decision to enter the Nursing program. Jim’s parents offered to let him spend the work week here in South Jersey, where tuition is cheaper, while his wife and daughter remain with his in-laws in Wayne. The distance presents a challenge for the Hanna family, but it’s nothing that they can’t manage. “We spend weekends together,” Jim said about his wife, Janet, and 9-year-old daughter, Rachel. They talk nightly on the phone, and Jim helps Rachel with her homework. “She’s amused by [me being in school]. It’s a novelty for her.”

Pamela Young, now in her 4th semester as a Paralegal Studies major, has gotten used to the delicate balance of college and parenthood. She said that her husband Kevin keeps her grounded and organized, especially when it comes to their three children (Jaylen, Justyce, and Mikayla). “It requires me to have more patience. Wearing so many hats, dealing with my homework and theirs…I had to come up with many creative ways to manage my schedule.” The key to time management, Young said, is communication. Even single parents can work with the people around them to ensure that their children are taken care of, and the parent has time for coursework.

Ernie Wozunk not only juggles his family and schooling, but a career as well. A subcontractor for GE and father of four girls (Victoria, 8; Natalie, 14; Jennifer, 18; and Stephanie, 20), Ernie first became interested in teaching through his wife, Connie. The added incentive of paid tuition as thanks for his service to the National Guard has Wozunk pursuing a career that he feels will better his family. The transition between worker, father, and student isn’t always seamless, however; he said that “You have to really be able to switch gears and multi-task.”  To accomplish this, Ernie takes almost all of his classes in the evening, allowing him to give as much focus to his classes as possible.

These three CCC students are all in very different situations, but there is one thing on which all of them can agree: family comes first. “Discuss your goals and expectations with your family, and get their support. Let them know that you’re doing it to better their lives,” Wozunk said. Young’s thoughts were very similar: “Look into all aspects of going to school, and make sure you can arrange your school around family, and not your family around school. This is my kids’ time—school is secondary.” Jim Hanna agreed, saying that he had his time to be a college student without other responsibilities. Now that he does, the people he loves matter the most. “Go to school while you’re young, because it’s not going to get easier,” he said. “Take your parenthood seriously.”

Classroom etiquette

By SAUL ROSA

Staff Writer

At the beginning of every semester professors ritualistically recite the doctrines of the divine syllabus. These commandments dictate what is proper classroom behavior and what is expected from the devout student. 

Most syllabi state the same thing: grading system, rules on absences, and classroom policies. Often these simple contracts are even explained, almost preached, in class. 

Professor Jean Curnow explained that she emphasizes on four simple rules: arriving to class on time, completing assignments by the due date, not talking off subject while class is in session and no phones.  

“It’s a matter of respect in the classroom,” said Curnow.  

Although professors may demand a certain level of respect in the classroom, they try to show the same amount of respect to their students. 

“I know some people come here right from work, so I know they haven’t eaten. As long as they don’t leave trash, it’s alright with me if they have to eat,” said Curnow. 

“I haven’t had many professors go over the drinking policy unless you are in a lab, but the sleeping; most of them have zero tolerance for sleeping in class because they feel as though it’s showing a lack of respect for the lecture,” said Niema Gray, a student at Cumberland County College (CCC).    

 The syllabus states many written rules ;however, there is an unspoken, almost sacred, law of respect amongst students.  

“I expect just all around respect in the classroom; no side talking when a teacher is explaining an assignment or project,” said Kevin Vance, a student at CCC. 

“I expect everyone else to be mature; this is college you shouldn’t be goofing off. It’s time to grow up,” said Casey Sharkey, a student at CCC. 

Although both students and professors share a common understanding of respect and what is expected in the classroom, not every student seems to comply with this simple doctrine of etiquette.  

“I took biology last year and I had a teacher with a very strong accent and there were a few people who would constantly make fun of it and imitate her during lecture. It was ridiculous and extremely rude. It was also hard to concentrate on the lecture,” said Sharkey. 

When students decide not to respect the rules of the classroom, professor have the right to discipline the students in many ways: ranging from a simple verbal warning to expelling the student from the class, possibly from the college if the act was severe enough.  

“I have spoken to two individuals this semester; one was making fun of another student during a presentation and a couple of other students were talking during lecture and I asked them to stop,” said Curnow. “I would expect that those respecting other people issues would be done with by the time you get to college,” she added. 

At the beginning of every semester, instructors will continue to recite the doctrines of the holy syllabus and students will continue making the decision to be devout or face the wrath of the college administration. 

The Hourglass Interview

By AARON RILEY
Staff Writer

AR: What compelled you to write your own musical?

WJ: I’ve always been a close friend with a very capable musician named Al Schulz. In college he was a pre-med major, largely because his family was very practical and didn’t see [a viable career] in music, but he certainly could have [succeeded]. Our families were friends, so as our kids were growing up together we’d meet at his house. He always seemed to have a new type of piano that he composed songs on. One day I thought it’d be a good idea to put words to those songs. We did that very gradually, starting far back in 1973. Some of the songs we wrote then are in this show. It didn’t become a play until much later. In the mid-80s I took a graduate course in playwriting at Villanova University, and I needed to submit a script to an original play by the end of the semester. The story of the play was conceived as a straight comedy, not a musical. We later got the idea to put the music [we composed earlier] into the show. Earlier this year a friend of [Schulz] from Lancaster had heard what we had been doing and said we could perform the play at Lancaster Catholic High School using their graduates who had been involved in theatre and were still in the area. So once we got word that we could actually do [The Hourglass Cafe] as a production, we really worked hard at completing it. It’s going to be done here [at Cumberland County College] as a staged reading, but in about a year from now, it’s going to be done as a production in Lancaster.

AR: What did you have to do to bring the script to the production stage?

WJ: In late December of last year between semesters, I gave Mrs. Bradshaw the completed script along with a CD of the music and asked her for some input. She told me she liked the music and thought the script was clever. Then we learned that the proposed production in Lancaster had been postponed almost indefinitely. My friend [Al Schulz] asked if it could be done somewhere in Vineland. I told him I’d look around and keep my ears opened. About the middle of the spring 2008 semester, Mrs. Bradshaw approached me with the prospect of directing my own play this coming school year. I told her I was interested but would need to pass the idea by my wife because it’s quite the commitment of time. She said it didn’t have to be a full production, instead suggesting an evening of one-act plays. She gave me a few options before indicating that I could do my musical as a staged reading. I jumped at the chance. That’s when it became a reality. She was able to secure a date. Before the school year began, it was already in place, and the dates for rehearsal and performance were set.

AR: Who are the characters and have they been cast?

WJ: We had some ideas for main characters when we were arranging for try-out night. One of the people we had in mind was a young lady and local teacher named Deena Parr. Just a handful of people came, most of which went on to fill the chorus. Deena however was the only one that had the capability as we saw it to take on a major role. So we needed to get on the phones; we needed to ask people to ask people and spread the word. By doing that we were able to get together all of the remaining members of the cast, and even the chorus.

The Hourglass Cafe was presented on October 28th, 2008.

Remembering Josh Nonnemacher

By JO PETERSON
Staff Writer

On May 31, 2008, 19-year-old Joshua Nonnemacher died tragically in a car accident. Friends and family were shocked, upset and terrified.
Joshua Paul Nonnemacher, also known as Nacho or Nonny, was a friendly and warm-hearted person. He had a great spirit and a good heart, and was always willing to have a good time. He graduated from Schalick High School in 2006, and attended Cumberland County College, majoring in business. Josh loved the game of baseball, and was a pitcher on CCC’s team.
Josh had a wonderful sense of humor. From the first time I met him, every time I would see him, he would always make me smile. He was a reliable person who could be counted on for anything.
“He was spontaneous and amazing,” said Andrea Santiago. “He was my best friend. He taught me how to be carefree and to laugh things off, because things happen for a reason.
“I would just like to thank him for all he’s done for me. He treated me with respect. He was a point blank awesome person inside and out. I know he’s changed people’s lives forever, old and young.”
“He was my best friend,” said Jason Reed, a friend and teammate of Josh’s. “And his death inspires me to live every day like it’s my last, because it just might be.”
Friends and teammates miss him around the college and wish that his presence and warm smile were still here.
I know Josh will be missed very much. His family, friends and teammates were inspired by him and cared about him deeply. Josh definitely would still be making people laugh and smile if he were alive. “If I could say one last thing to him, it would be that I loved and cherished our friendship very much. He was amazing and really had an impact on my life,” said Cristal Conroy, another friend of Josh’s.
To his family and close friends, I am truly sorry for your loss. No one deserves that pain. Josh had an impact on many people’s lives. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my friendship with him, and I’m sure that goes for everyone who knew him.

Joshua Paul Nonnemacher, you are forever missed.

College shocked by culture shock

By BRITTANY WALDER

Staff Writer

Many new and returning students at CCC are in for a shock—a culture shock, that is. Culture shock is defined as a feeling of anxiety or inability to adjust to a new culture or environment. 62% percent of the students attending Cumberland County College are traditional-aged students, those who are 24 years old or younger. Of those students, many are making the transition from high school to college, which the majority of these students come to find is a lot harder than they expected.

During the Fall 2006-Spring 2007 semesters, 82% of first time degree-seeking students at CCC were retained the first semester. Those statistics are staggering, and should cause one to wonder exactly what is preventing students from completing their education the first time around. One of the major elements to consider is the shock of the transition from one culture to another. Students who enter college directly out of high school are transitioning from a life of relative structure and security to a life that is composed of an almost overwhelming level of freedom. Paradoxically, the more freedom students have, the less they have, because they are now bound down with much more responsibility.
Having a job is a much needed and often stressful addition to the college experience. “Not only do you have to set up a school schedule,” explains Tim Zoyac, a sophomore at CCC, “but you have to set up a work schedule that will allow you to pay your bills.” The majority of students agree that money is the most difficult aspect of the transition to deal with, followed by balancing school and work with personal time.

Students who are returning for their second year of college also have their fair share of difficulty when adjusting to their new environment. Some students tend to use their freshman year as a “buffer era,” in which they retain much of the lifestyle that they had while in high school. Instead of moving out on their own during their first year, they opt to stay at home with their parents, reducing the financial difficulty experienced by many students who move out immediately after graduating.
But even the students who continue to live at home find that their sophomore year is considerably more difficult. Many students feel as if the transition did not sink in during their first year. This can consequently lead to a new period of social and psychological adjustment.

So what does the college offer to help students with the shock of being in a completely new environment? Two different Freshmen Seminar courses are offered at CCC, each of which aims to help students adjust to campus life. The Freshmen Seminar program offers both a 1 credit course and a 3 credit course, which differ in the number of meetings each week and the amount of material covered. The 3 credit course is ideal for students who feel that they need a little extra help adjusting. Surprisingly, many students who are often placed in the 1 credit class opt to take the 3 credit class instead.

Dr. Stolar, the Director of Advisement at Cumberland County College, refers to the Freshmen Seminar courses as “Flux Capacitor Courses.” Like the iconic three-directional device that in the 1985 film Back to the Future made time travel possible, the “Flux Capacitor Courses” are three-point courses that Dr. Stolar says help to lead students “into the future.” The courses focus on helping students learn about the campus, meet new people, and develop better academic and social skills.
For those who are no longer able to take the course, the key to success seems to lie in setting short-term goals in contrast to long-term goals. “What it comes down to,” Dr. Stolar explained, “is a financial, emotional, and maturity issue.”

It’s all about faith and motivation; students need to stay focused, but to also unwind and have a good time in order to prevent overburdening themselves. College is definitely stressful, but it can also be an enriching experience that gives students a feeling of satisfaction about achieving their goals that once seemed impossible.

“Before college, I had less to worry about and not as much to do, but I like keeping busy and I work way better under stress,” said Christine Jeffries, a sophomore at CCC. “I am much happier where I am now because I feel like I’m doing something; I’m moving forward.”

CCC’s Clay College

 

Clay Artwork

By ALI KURECZKA

Staff Writer

 

Have you ever had the urge to be creative? Did you ever want to make your own art that you could be proud of? Well, what are you waiting for? Cumberland County’s Clay College is the place to be! Clay College, located on High Street in Millville, has some great credit and non-credit courses and workshops for people of all ages who want to put their artistic skills to the test.
Clay College is most known for its credit and continuing education ceramics courses, but that’s not all they provide. From November 14th to the 15th, there’s an Introduction to Mosaics class. In this non-credit class, students can learn the basics of the Mosaic process for indoor decorative use. There is also a Christmas tree course running for two days on November 21st and 22nd. During this course, students of all ages will create their own personalized Christmas tree that the whole family can enjoy.

There are also some one-day workshops at the Clay College. The Hands-On Pottery Wheel course starts on Saturday, October 25th from 2pm to 4pm. In this class, students will learn and experience how to use the pottery wheel in just two hours. On Sunday, November 9th from 10am to 4pm, there are a few lectures and demonstrations going on at the Clay College. There will be guest speakers who will be conducting lectures and demonstrations about “How to Survive as a Ceramic Artist” to learning how to make your own beads.

Cumberland County Clay College always has fun and exciting workshops for all ages to enjoy. And the best part about these courses is, that no experience is required, just the need to get creative. Everyone has an artistic side that needs to be explored, so why not test it out at the Clay College?
For more information about the Clay College or to register for classes, call 856-765-0988, or visit www.cccnj.edu. The Clay College is located in the heart of Millville’s Glasstown Arts District at 108 North High Street, so feel free to stop by!

We’re getting wet all over campus

 

Wet Bench

By SUSIE REMPFER

Staff Writer

Each day on campus, water is wasted. Benches, tree trunks, walkways, and unfortunate students are getting wet due to the sprinklers.

 

 “I was sitting in front of the Academic Building with a couple of my friends. Next thing I knew I was soaked and running indoors,” said freshman Zac Harris.

The campus may be green and blooming, but in rain or sunshine, the sprinklers are still running. 

 “The campus is great just to chill in between classes. When the benches are soaked though, it is harder to find a space to relax with friends. The cafeteria is noisy and crowded, and the library is too quiet,” said Jen Parisi, another freshman. “Sitting outside is usually how I kill time. It would be more beneficial if the lawns were watered every other day instead of every day. The lawns could even be watered at night.”

   Environmental Protection Agency research shows that landscaping alone accounts for at least 20% of all residential water use. The EPA has also found the United States uses an average of 26 billion gallons of water each and every day.

   Not everyone agrees that the campus is using water in a wasteful way. 

 Natalie Dupknock, another freshman, said, “The campus is so plush and pretty. It’s professional looking. I honestly don’t think about the sprinklers much.”

 Recreational water usage is something Americans have become accustomed to. Water is everywhere and always readily available. We assume it always will be.  However, water is wasted even when operating electric devices, because it is used to cool the machinery used to produce the electricity. Water can be saved by simple changes such as unplugging electrical devices when finished, fixing leaky faucets, turning off the water while brushing teeth and doing dishes, and watering lawns and gardens less.

Voting makes a difference: know the nominees!

A group shot of the nominees for this year’s student senate.

By ASHLEY LONG

Staff Writer

Voting makes a difference, whether it’s the race for the next president of the United States or electing the members of Cumberland County College’s Student Senate.  Every semester students go through the process of electing their representatives for the year, but not everyone may realize the impact that the Student Senate has on their daily life.

 

Cumberland County College’s Student Senate is responsible for “assisting the college’s awareness [of events] and understanding of the needs, concerns, and issues of its students.”  The Senate represents the students’ perspective on campus issues. The representatives are actively engaged in college councils and committees.

“The Student Senate has gravitated from being total governance to governance in programming over the last five years, and I can tell you that they work very hard in achieving a democracy, as well as being the go between as the liaison between staff and faculty,” said advisor Kellie Slade.

Brandon Johnson, a Business Marketing major said, “(If elected as chairperson) I hope to make a more lively, friendly, and positive atmosphere that can make students feel more involved.”

The Student Senate is made up of representatives that devote their time and effort to enhance student life, along with balancing and maintaining good academic work.  Being involved in the Senate is not only seen as a privilege, but as a promising opportunity to develop better leadership skills. 

“It offers me an idea of how it feels to have to show what I know to people,” said Secretarial candidate, Tom Zoyac. 

In addition to representing the student body, the Senate is also responsible for developing suggestions and recommendations concerning different issues.  For example, have you ever noticed the cigarette disposal units located in front the buildings around campus?                                                             That was the Student Senate’s pitch to keep cigarette waste out of sight, resulting in a cleaner campus.

They also proposed the idea of the lockers you see located in the Navone Healthcare Center, which are available for rent or daily use.  Furthermore, they are very active in the local community.

The Student Senate is always encouraging students to get involved and voice their opinions. As Director of Student Life & Athletics, Kellie Slade spoke very highly about the accomplishments made by the former Student Senate.  It is expected that the incoming officers fulfill their duties to the best of their ability. 

Slade noted, “This is a group of students that want to make the campus climate better.”

So what should we (as students) expect from the Student Senate in the near future?

“The service of your fellow students to help in any situation, good or bad,” said Zoyac.