A4

Febuary 24, 2014

Voices
success, tuition rates and the state of the budget, especially in relation to state and federal funding. Because of miscommunication, The Voice was not there to cover it as it usually is. And so, in this issue, you will nd second-hand accounts of what happened. We vow to give our readers the best we can, and, unfortunately, what you are reading in this paper right now is the best we can. We know that we can do better. The colleges administration has given us only one way to access to all this information, especially when it comes to board meetings and board content. We can say that we have a good, working relationship with our contact, and that things have been working out for both parties, the administration and the newspaper it supports through funding. However, it comes as a surprise to us as the staff that some members of the administration think that we want everything handed to us on a silver platter. The editorial team at The Voice checks, almost religiously, the trustees website so that when a meeting gets cancelled or postponed, we know immediately. We also check for minutes, for agendas and for other documents, so that we can go to all meetings prepared and ready to tackle stories. The retreats agenda was posted on the website on Feb. 6, and it only contained the front page and no other details. On Feb. 5, The Voice checked the trustees website to see if there was any announcement regarding the retreat, but the only thing that we could nd was the schedule of upcoming meetings, and the next meeting programmed for Feb. 11, just three days after the retreat was supposed to happen. Finding it odd, The Voice contacted the appropriate person and was informed that both the retreat and the meeting were cancelled. It came as a huge surprise when we found out, by our own means, that

The Washtenaw Voice

EDITORIAL
In journalism, we have a saying: If your mom tells you she loves you, nd a second source. For the past year or so, we have been doing things the way that Washtenaw Community College wanted them. We have a primary point of contact to get interviews and meetings with administration and staff and other relevant information like press releases or important documents, and, so far, everything has been fairly smooth sailing. However, at the beginning of the month, the colleges board of trustees, together with the administration, had their annual winter retreat, where they discussed topics like student

Honest mistakes should make us all better

the retreat had indeed happened and that something as big as tuition was discussed at the time. Of course, that news didnt come to us on a silver platter either. In fact, over the past several years, this newspaper can count on a few ngers the number of times it has received a news release, or even a heads-up phone call, about news the college would share with an audience of 15,000 or so Voice readers. So next time, we will be at the retreat because now we know better. Honest mistakes happen, and we acknowledge that we were at fault, too, because,after all, even mothers stray from the truth from time to time.

Were it left to me to decide whether to have government without newspapers, or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate to prefer the latter. ~ Thomas Jefferson

Olympics were must-viewing

But its not about the gossip. Its about tradition and the human race. Its an event that happens only every four years, per season Olympics. The sheer magnitude of the event alone is staggering. In Sochi, nearly 88 nations with an estimated 2,800 athletes are competing in 15 disciplines, all in the span of 16 days. I still cant wrap my head around it. It really hits me during the opening ceremony, seeing every nation march together, waving their ag, all gathered By KELLY BRACHA in the same place. For a moment, you Staff Writer forget that some of these countries just absolutely hate each other, that I never understood the people some of them are at war, even. who dont care about the Olympic When the games nally begin, you Games. I can accept apathy toward cant help but cheer for your country; politics, big celebrity news and oth- it can turn anyone into a patriot. er events the media deems breakThis celebration of physical skill ing news, but the Olympics? How and dominance makes celebrities out can you not love it? of those who truly deserve it. These Friends, family members and athletes have dedicated their entire colleagues just dont care. Its hard lives to become the best of the best to nd a person to gush with on the at this one thing. All have their own amazing performances of Michigan amazing stories of sacrice, discipline, ice dancers Charlie White and victory or heartbreak its overwhelmMeryl Davis, or how disappoint- ingly motivating and inspiring. ing it was when Shaun White just Behind these athletes are the couldnt achieve a gold medal in towns they came from and the counthe half-pipe competition. try they represent and within that, an overwhelming sense of community. Walking into the Arctic Edge Ice Skating Arena in Canton, where White and Davis trained nearly their entire lives, theres an air of pride. On the ice, little future dancers, undoubtedly having watched the gold-medal performance and now dreaming big for themselves. They are the real role models. Its so easy to become irrationally invested in sports you dont understand. Im still confused about curling, but I cant help but smile when theres a good stone thrown. I might be cheering for the United States, but I still cringe when an ice skater from Russia takes a nasty fall. These events create memories that can tug on your heartstrings and give you a sense of awe. For two weeks every two years as the Winter and Summer Games appear, I feel inexorably connected to humanity. Im reminded what humanity is capable of when we can come together and celebrate each other. Im reminded that there is hope for us still. The Olympic Games are far from just a sporting competition. They are a celebration of all humanity.

Corrections and Clarications

A teaser on Page One of the Feb. 10 edition incorrectly directed readers to the wrong page. The correct page should have been A5. Both illustrations in Page One of the Feb. 10 edition should have been attributed to Voice staff members. What is the wage worth? was done by EJ Stout. Telling Oscars fortune was done by Erik Morris. On page B1 of the Feb. 10 issue, accompanying the article titled Slum Tourism, the center photo illustration omitted the name of the location, Eastown Theatre.

VOICE
A NATIONAL PACEMAKER AWARD NEWSPAPER

THE

Some things just need to change

those with disabilities. By this time, womens suffrage was 71 years old, prohibition had come and gone and we witnessed the rst man on the moon 21 years prior. So why did it take 23 years for those with disabilities to be able to garner the same protection and freedom while we passed countless other laws that had changed our foundation KARLY STANISLOVAITIS years before? As a person who has grown up with Tell someone you were born in cerebral palsy, I can say with absolute 1990; they might become reminis- certainty that I would not have the cent about VHS tapes, Surge and freedom to be a regular college student Mp3 players. working to secure a future if not for Tell someone with a disability those who gave voice and new sense about 1990, and they might recall a of freedom to those with disabilities. very important milestone, which,in Awareness and stigmas surroundpart, is why I have the freedom to ing those with physical or mental be a regular college student writing disabilities are still far behind 21st for The Voice. century ways of thinking. The ignoThe Americans with Disabilities rance and invisible social barrier that Act (ADA) was founded in 1990 by exists among those with disabilities President George H. W. Bush. It and those without them is still alive prohibits discriminating against and well. In my opinion, everyone should be educated about disabilities. And that can start by not treating those who have them as if they are outsiders. Talk to them about common interests; pop culture, family or pets are always a good start. The goal is not for things to feel awkward, but rather to attempt to break down barriers. Start by discussing anything you choose, but if you are curious about someones disability you should remember to be tactful and respectful. I once had someone ask me, Whats wrong with you? instead of simply asking, Why are you here? What kind of disability do you have? Overall, we need to change the way we interact with those with disabilities, and it starts with each person who is willing to make that change. Be respectful, and dont treat someone with a disability as if theyre ve years old. We want to be treated like everyone else. We all need to get with the times and realize this needs to change.

The student publication of Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Volume 20, Issue 14

4800 E. Huron River Dr. TI 106 Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (734) 677-5125 [email protected]
The Washtenaw Voice is produced fortnightly by students of Washtenaw Community College and the views expressed herein will not imply endorsement or approval by the faculty, administration or Board of Trustees of WCC. Student publications are important in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and in bringing matters of concern and importance to the attention of the campus community. Editorial responsibility for The Voice lies with the students, who will strive for balance, fairness and integrity in their coverage of issues and events while employing the best habits and practices of free inquiry and expression. The Washtenaw Voice does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the information or content in advertisements contained in the newspaper or its website, www.washtenawvoice.com, nor the quality of any products, information or other materials displayed or obtained as a result of an advertisement or any other information or offer in or in connection with the services or products advertised. The Voice welcomes letters to the editor from its readers and will make every effort to publish them. We reserve the right to edit letters for space considerations, and ask that writers limit their comments to no more than 400 words. All letters must include a name and contact information, such as an email address or phone number, so the letters can be veried before they are printed. The Voice is committed to correcting all errors that appear in the newspaper and on its website, just as it is committed to the kind of careful journalism that will minimize the number of errors printed. To report an error of fact that should be corrected, phone 734-677-5405 or email [email protected]. A copy of each edition of The Washtenaw Voice is free to everyone. Additional copies are available at The Voice newsroom, TI 106, for 25 cents each.
EDITOR Maria Rigou [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Wright [email protected] PHOTO EDITOR Kelly Bracha [email protected] DESIGNERS Brian Auten [email protected] George ODonovan [email protected] ONLINE EDITOR Christina Fleming [email protected] VIDEO EDITOR James Saoud [email protected] ADVERTISING MANAGER Becky Alliston [email protected] STAFF WRITERS M. M. Donaldson David Fitch Jon Price EJ Stout Adrianna Velazquez CORRESPONDENTS Marko Delic Erik Morris Cindy Samoray Brandon Shelton Karly Stanislovaitis COPY EDITOR Nina Di Mauro ADVISER Keith Gave [email protected]

Letter to the editor

Lets publish students grades, too

As a part-time instructor at WCC, as you can imagine, I have a great deal of interest in the SOQ process and its outcome. Thats why I was so interested in the recent cover story on SOQs, and the benets/ drawbacks of making the results available to students and, thereby, to the public in general. Many of those quoted seemed to think that the results should be made available to help students determine who might or might not be a good instructor according to the SOQ scores. There was also mention that students are customers, and teachers are the providers of services, like store owners. I suggest that to make the process truly communicative and by doing so, transparent, that we consider the following: Make the results of all SOQs available to the public by publishing them on a website; after all, it is the residents of Washtenaw County who, through property taxes, help to keep the college open. Shouldnt they be part of a transparent process? Have the student lling out an SOQ sign his or her name. This would serve two purposes. First, it would support the transparency of the process and enhance communication between student and instructor. Second, it could serve to identify those students who may nd it amusing to give every instructor a poor evaluation, just for the sheer fun of it. Eliminating this possible messing with system (and Im not saying at all that this is happening) by having students sign the evaluation would only make the SOQs that much more valid, and, thereby, more benecial to other students. Make the results of all students grades public on the same website as the SOQs. This would, again, increase the prospects for transparency. Publishing student grades might also be a way for future students to know if an SOQ was lled out accurately or just to fool around and/or create trouble for an instructor. As indicated above, surely those taxpayers who support WCC would be interested to know how students are progressing. After all, as a service provider, I surely would like to know as much about my customers as possible. Just a proposal to keep the conversation going. David Horowitz
English Department