February 7th, 2006

Articles

South Campus honored by monks

The halls of the Wilson Center for the Arts were action-packed by students during the day, but during the late afternoon, the presence of welcoming Tibetan monks and a vivid sand mandala filled the busy school with a soul-soothing tranquility.

South Campus was honored by the visit of ten Tibetan monks (Geshe Wangden Tashi, Sonam Wangkhuk, Thupten Chosang, Thupten Gyurmed, Yeshi Khendu, Dawa Sonam, Yeshi Palden, Lobsang Gaytsok, Thupten Wangden, and Lobsang Khunga) from the Drepung Loseling Monastery, throughout the week of Jan. 24 – Jan. 29.

Photo by Maria DeVera Tibetan monks work on the sand mandala which takes five days to complete.

The Drepung Loseling Monastery was originally established in Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 A.D., accommodating 10,000 monks. The Chinese communist invasion in 1959 forced 250 monks to go into exile, while the others were killed and imprisoned.

The monastery was relocated in Karnataka State, India.
Chosang explained that the monks have three goals they hope to accomplish while they are in the United States.
They intend to preserve their culture by enlightening others through their teachings and acts of kindness. Secondly, they want to encourage Americans to write to the national government asking them to help assist China in establishing civil rights.

Monks meditate and chant during a Sacred Music and Dance presentation on Jan. 25 and 28.	Monks perform sacred rituals to bless and purify the environment.

Lastly, the monks were compassionate to those who suffered from Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Through meditation and blessings, they aspired to harmonize the elements in nature.

The monks were introduced to FCCJ by Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor Brenda Starwalker. She has hosted the monks since 1992, when the sacred music and dances just started being performed in the U.S.

“One day, I was talking to Beth Harvey (Operating Manager for the Wilson Center) and I thought, what about the Wilson Center? It’d be such a cool place to do it in,” said Starwalker. “This I think is the best acoustic hall in Jacksonville.”

The whole week was eventful as the monks hosted numerous occasions. Creating the sand mandala (which in Sanskrit means, “the center of the surrounding”) took five days. The mandala’s purpose is to spread healing and purification.

Tools, such as various colored sand and funnels, are used to make the sand mandala.	Students and faculty members learned Tibetan sacred dances during the dance workshop held on Jan. 26.

The Opening Ceremony on Jan. 24 consisted of instrumental chanting and meditation, followed by an elaborate costume dance that prepared the environment for the sand mandala. The monks arranged the table by drawing sacred geometric lines centered on ancient scriptures.

On Jan. 25, Tashi and Chosang held a Tibetan Buddhist philosophy class that covered the topic of the existence of reality. They emphasized the importance of looking more deeply; past the external appearance of an object and finding its identity.

Later that night, a sacred dance concert took place on the main stage of the Wilson Center. The two-hour presentation featured “The Snow Lion Dance,” which included two monks dressed in a snow lion costume, merrily moving with the rhythm of the music, while performing tricks.
A debate was also held to depict the discussions and lectures that are part of the monks’ way of life. The debate was as Chosang described, “Not a presidential debate,” but held in a more liberated manner with loud voices and witty humor.

Monks measure the table using geometry based on ancient scriptures to prepare for the sand mandala.	Monks Thupten Chosang and Thupten Gyurmed work at a booth to raise money for their monastery.

The Skeleton Dance, had two monks that are dressed in a skeleton costume representing the forces of good; and the purification of the environment and its inhabitants. It’s a melodic meditation that cleanses and harmonizes the surroundings.

The following productions were also showcased on Jan. 28, but were tailored more for children:
A dance workshop was held on Jan. 26. This gave students and faculty members a chance to learn some of the dances that the monks performed at the concert.

Professor of World Religions Stephanie Galloway, who also assisted as master of ceremonies throughout the events, introduced a brief history of the dance rituals before the workshop began.
Nightly covered dish events on Jan. 26 – 27, one in which was held in Starwalker’s home, gave others an opportunity to meet and talk with the monks in a cordial atmosphere.

“I think everybody who interacts with them is blessed on some level,” said Starwalker. “Buddhism is a practice, not a religion, that teaches you to be mindful and kind in your daily life.”

The closing ceremony on Jan. 29 concluded with the monks taking apart the sand mandala and giving a share to the audience. The destroyed sand mandala symbolized the impermanence of all that exists. The rest of the sand was dispersed into the lake so that the blessings may flow through different parts of the world.
For more information: go to www.drepung.org.

Photos by Maria DeVera
All photos taken at South Campus

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Dr. Dumbleton Remembered
	Dr. Duane D. Dumbleton 1939-2006

Dr. Duane D. Dumbleton, president of FCCJ’s Kent Campus, who served with the college for more than 30 years, died of brain cancer on Feb. 1. He was 66.
“The college and the community have lost an extraordinary leader and educator as well as a treasured friend,” said Steven Wallace, college president. “Duane Dumbleton’s presence in the community has left an indelible mark of grace, intelligence and dignity. He will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Dumbleton is survived by his spouse, Nancy Cavins; and by three daughters and two sons from a prior marriage. He is the second FCCJ campus president to die in the last five months. Dr. Norman P. Will, Jr., the South Campus president, died of a heart attack on Sept.15.

Dr. Dumbleton, who resided in Orange Park, joined Florida Community College in 1973 as a professor of social sciences and humanities.
He was named the Kent Campus president in 1997. Prior to that, he presided over the Downtown Campus, a post he had held since 1988. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1962, a master’s degree from Syracuse University in 1968 and his doctorate in education from the University of Georgia in 1973.

FCCJ student Daniel Tarrosa said, “I will miss Dr. Dumbleton…he was truly a great friend and mentor to me, and I will miss him forever.”
Michael Federico, FCCJ adjunct professor said, “Dr. Dumbleton was really an inspiration to me. He was a very caring man, who believed in working with the students.” He also held various leadership positions at the college, including executive assistant to former President Charles Spence; director of program and staff development; and division chairman of fine arts and humanities. He continued to teach through much of his time with the college. He also was a highly respected community leader. Dr. Dumbleton was an ardent advocate for racial and religious harmony, having served in leadership capacities on numerous and varied organizations, including Baha’i National Race Unity Committee, the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc., the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the Jacksonville Urban League, the Jacksonville Sister Cities Association and the National Conference of Justice. He had been active with the Jacksonville Interfaith Council since l988.

Dr. Sue Chappell is serving as Kent Campus interim president. A memorial service has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m. in the Kent Campus auditorium. Following the service will be the dedication of the Dr. Duane D. Dumbleton Reflection Garden. A reception will be held immediately thereafter. All members of the college community are invited to join in honoring this esteemed man.

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Endowment fund honors Dr. Will

By Matthew Richardson

Establishing an endowment fund for the late Dr. Norman P. Will, Jr. is a way to not only preserve his legacy, but also a way to help students and acknowledge the employees at FCCJ.

The fund was created by Lynn Mobley, director of administrator services and Jerry Saffell, former senior supervisor of campus plant. Both are based at the Downtown Campus.

Mobley and Saffell named the program “Will Scholarship Endowment Fund.”
The program provides scholarships to students, but is slightly different from most scholarships since it’s also an endowment. The difference between an endowment and a scholarship is that once a scholarship is awarded, it’s over with, but an endowment continues to grow every year because of the interest rate. Scholarships are provided through a percentage of the interest generated by the endowment.

“We want to recognize these people [employees] not only one time, but for as long at the endowment last, which should be forever,” Saffell said.
An endowment has a minimum requirement of $25,000 to begin. Mobley and Saffell are hoping to raise at least $50,000 or more.
“It would be nice to have six figures

Rest of Article???

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Hamas wins elections

By Maurice Stevens

Palestinians held their elections on Jan. 25, and to everyone’s surprise, Hamas is their majority.

They voted on a new 132-seat legislature. But this day did not come at a small price, nor could anyone foresee the outcome of the election.
In the midst of political pressure on the Bush Administration to mediate, from both Israelis and Palestinian officials, the elections went off without a hitch; if you wouldn’t call electing Hamas, which is categorized as a terrorist group in international circles, a “hitch.”

But what does it mean to have Hamas as a leader, and how will Israel concur with Hamas, who doesn’t recognize it as a whole? And will Palestine still receive foreign aid even with Hamas taking the reins in three months?

Palestinians kicked off the campaigns on Jan. 4 by having its’ authorities threaten to postpone elections a second time, as two prominent candidates had confrontations with Israeli authorities in Eastern Jerusalem, where there is a ban on voting and campaigning.

Because of the participation of Hamas, it prohibits the involvement of groups that do not recognize Israel.

“This is our policy, not only in Jerusalem, but throughout the process,” an official from Prime Minister Sharon’s office told CBS and others at a news conference.
Mustafa Barghouti, a former presidential candidate and leader of the Independent Palestinian Movement, or Hamas, was detained for campaigning inside the Old City, and was held for five hours.

Barghouti who lost the presidential race to Abbas last year, told Al Jazeera reporters, “Israel is trying to obstruct elections in Jerusalem, and by doing so obstructs the process everywhere.”

On Sunday Jan. 15, Israel’s cabinet agreed to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to vote, but it still does not lift the ban on Hamas campaigning inside the city.
Prime Minister Aerial Sharon who is still battling for his own survival put the ban in effect, because of Hamas’ participation. But the plan agreed upon on Jan. 15 would have allowed an estimated 120,000 Palestinians to vote. Palestinian officials expected only 6,000 to vote. The remainder would cast ballots at stations outside municipal boundaries, according to the Washington Post.

So now that Hamas has won 74 of the 132 seats of legislature, what will Israel, the U.S., and others do in response?
Israel has been adamant saying to local and worldwide officials, “We will not negotiate with any government that seeks to eliminate Israel.” And the group known as the Quartet, who are the U.S., the U.N., the E.U., and Russia, met on Jan. 16 to decide whether or not to continue to fund Palestine.
Just days before, President Bush told CNN reporters, “I don’t see how you can be a partner for peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform.”

Despite these and other comments, the Quartet agreed on Jan. 27 to give Palestinian aid, but is contingent on recognizing Israel and the renunciation of violence.
As reported by the New York Times, much of the 1.5 billion in annual revenue comes from foreign aid. The U.S. sent 403 million last year alone. An estimated 300 million was sent by the E.U., and if aid is cut off, it could open the floodgates to allow Iranian influence and funding.
The Quartet’s statements are a clear warning to Hamas and its leadership, just a day before President Bush’s State of the Union Address.

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Mikey’s Voice College Radio

By Mikey Chmielewski

As I drove to school this morning, I decided to listen to a band called “The Dillinger Four.” Not many people know who this band is, or why they hold enough precedence to be mentioned in any sort of print. I was introduced to “The Dillinger Four” through a forgotten medium known as college radio.

My hometown, Melbourne, Florida, had a great college radio station, 89.5 WFIT. The voice of Florida Institute of Technology was also the voice of my older sister’s radio. Like a parent remembering their child’s first words, I will always remember the first song I ever heard.

Henry Rollins of “Black Flag” was screaming: “Deny Everything!” In my 10 years of life before that moment, I had never heard anything so emotionally charging. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and felt like razors digging into my skin. Some would run away from something that would feel that painful. I charged into it and wanted to know why I felt that way.

The soothing and laid-back voice of the deejay announced the name of the song and the band, while reminding the audience that they were, in fact, hearing “listener supported WFIT.” I asked my sister about the radio station and why she had never told me about it. I was stuck listening to Bon Jovi sing something about riding on a steel horse.

The four-year age gap between my sister and I had grown considerably wider once she reached junior high school. Fortunately, for a boy who had loved music his entire life, my sister started to let me borrow tapes of bands like “The Cure” and “The Clash.”

Admittedly, being introduced to such rebellious music at a young age may have led me to question authority more than I should have. Then again, isn’t that the American way? This isn’t some kind of patriotic ramble, though.

I have lived in Jacksonville for just about two years now. I am unfamiliar with the radio stations in town, because I have grown sick of hearing the same 25 songs being played hour after hour. College radio very seldom ever repeated a song more than once a day. However, on the few occasions that repeats did happen, the songs were worth the repetition.

I even remember hearing Nirvana songs being played before their breakthrough album, Nevermind, came out. A lot of critics today claim that Nirvana changed music history. Without the help of college radio, a band like Nirvana may never have gained the following they needed to be signed to a major label. That is the importance of college radio.

College radio helps to shape the humanities. Someday, 5000 years in the future, college students will be studying people like Britney Spears as if she were Cleopatra. Our future ancestors should also be exposed to artists like Elvis Costello that are continually supported by college radio, as the Socrates or Plato of the late 20th century.

Jacksonville does not have a functional college radio station. I have not heard a single radio unfriendly song any time I have ever decided to go without a CD in my car.
Perhaps FCCJ might take a step closer to making my vision become a reality. I would gladly be the first student to stand in line as an unpaid volunteer to help run the station. I believe that a college radio station based out of FCCJ, would not only benefit our school, but could also benefit Jacksonville as a community.

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Growth planned for FCCJ

Reprinted by permission of The Florida Times-Union. The editorial was first published on Jan. 10, 2006.

The ball has dropped to signal the start of 2006, and Florida Community College at Jacksonville already had plans in place to grow.

The college serves more than 63,000 students in Northeast Florida.

This year will see FCCJ’S first four-year degree in applied fire science, which will start in August. Also in August, the school will open its first charter school in league with the Duval County public school system.

FCCJ will be opening its Cecil Field Center, which will sit on 130 acres on Blanding Boulevard. President Steve Wallace hopes to break ground on that campus in January.

The Cecil Field area is ripe for educational growth, Wallace said. The Aviation Center that the school already runs in the area is booming, so much so that Wallace is planning to add an air traffic control program.

A 10,000-person shortage is expected in the air traffic control field in the next eight years.
The new Cecil campus, in addition to providing basic general education classes, might be the focus for the school’s environmental and agricultural sciences. That decision has yet to be finalized.

FCCJ serves Nassau County, as well. The school plans to open its second building there, the Technical Career Center in partnership with the Nassau County school system.

In addition, the FCCJ’s nursing program will be expanding from 360 spots to 408 spots. The program is already the fourth largest in the nation.
Despite all the positive growth, Wallace freely admits that the college will be tightening its purse strings in the coming years, starting in this year.

FCCJ will cut the number of support staff positions. The operating budge has been tightened, too. This is because of a new funding formula at the state level. In short, with FCCJ’s growth, and less money each year, operational funds will be much less until the other schools catch up, Wallace said.
The growth of a trained workforce in Jacksonville is closely linked to the work of FCCJ.

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Letter to Editor

Dear Campus Voice,

The post-survey results for Deerwood’s First Annual Prep Rally are in, and one hundred percent of students who filled out surveys felt the information given “was important in helping them to succeed,” and made them “feel more connected to Deerwood.” All of the surveyed students said the event “exceeded their expectations.”Based on the valued feedback of our students, the event will most certainly be held again next year, according to event coordinator and creator Paula Risko, mathematics professor.

Professor Risko and her hard working squad of faculty and staff, all members of the Project Renaissance team, went into overdrive to bring Professor Risko’s Prep Rally vision together in time for the start of the spring semester.

The Deerwood team successfully organized informational booths, music, food, and brought in a panel of prep students and three motivational speakers, who also all started their educational journey in prep classes. One of the speakers, Adjunct Professor Michael Federico, told the students about his rocky beginning: “If it wasn’t for the faculty at FCCJ who encouraged me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Students noted the impact of the speakers: “I learned that there are lots of people that started right where I am now, and were still able to make it.” According to Professor Risko, “That’s what the Prep Rally was all about. Letting students know that we’re all here for them, and introducing them to the many resources at Deerwood, and FCCJ as a whole that can help them to be successful.” All of the Deerwood family looks forward to their 2nd Annual Prep Rally, and the continued opportunity to make a difference for the students at Florida Community College.

Patty Adeeb
Deerwood Center

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Kings gone: ‘Dream’ lives on

By Vanessa Gordon

The First Lady of the civil rights movement has passed away. Coretta Scott King was born on April 27, 1927 and joined her husband, the renown Martin Luther King, Jr., on Jan. 30. She was 78 years old.

She was not just Dr. King’s wife, but a leader as well. Not just the woman behind the man, but a leader in her own right. Mrs. King was an encouraging lieutenant to her husband during the most turbulent days of the African American civil rights movement. Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr. were married on June 18, 1953.

The ceremony was performed in Scott's parents' home in Marion, Alabama and was performed by Dr. King's father.

After Dr. King’s assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, she kept his dream moving on. Mrs. King pressed on and raised their four children; Yolanda Denise King, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King and Bernice Albertine King. She married the man with a dream, but she had dreams for not only her children, but all children.

Mrs. King was a spoken fighter of women's rights, lesbian and gay rights, and AIDS/HIV prevention. She was spoken in her view against capital punishment and the
2003 invasion of Iraq. Mrs. King felt compelled to carry on the civil rights movement after Dr. King’s death.

"Because his task was not finished, I felt that I must re-dedicate myself to the completion of his work," she wrote.

She labored to keep Dr. King’s ideology of equality for all people as a main stay of the American agenda. She pushed and worked for more than ten years to have her husband's birthday observed as a national holiday, then watched with satisfaction in 1983 as President Reagan signed the bill into law. The first federal holiday was celebrated in 1986.

Coretta Scott King penned a book called, "My Life With Martin Luther King Jr.," and, in 1969, founded the multimillion-dollar Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. All four of the King’s children followed in their parent’s footstep and have become civil rights activists.
Coretta Scott King was a wise woman who spoke with power and convection.

“As an African American child growing up in the segregated South, I was told, one way or another, almost every day of my life, that I wasn't as good as a white child. When I went to the movies with other black children, we had to sit in the balcony while the white kids got to sit in the better seats below. We had to walk to school while the white children rode in school buses paid for by our parents' taxes. Such messages, saying we were inferior, were a daily part of our lives. But I was blessed with parents who taught me not to let anyone make me feel like I wasn't good enough, and as my mother told me, ‘You are just as good as anyone else. You get an education and try to be somebody. Then you won't have to be kicked around by anybody, and you won't have to depend on anyone for your livelihood, not even a man’," Said King at as she addressed, the Academy of Achievement at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

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Valentine’s Day bummers

By Christina Garmon

Here is a list that is comprised of all the worst things that a person could ever get their significant other for Valentine’s Day. Everything from fake flowers to fake diamonds; all the things that you do not want to give or receive.

And now the List:

10. Fitness workout tape- All this gift says is “Honey, I love you, but you still need to lose weight.”

9. Plastic Flowers- At least you thought about it…at the last minute. You get to make this mistake up with another expensive gift, like diamonds.

8. Sex Tip Booklet- You might as well just tell the person that they are not so good in bed, but still love you.

7. Cheap Jewelry- STOP BEING CHEAP. The fake jewelry cost almost as much as the real jewelry, so why not just go ahead and buy the real stuff.

6. EPT Test- This can be a frightful experience, especially when you do not really expect to be with that person past Valentine’s Day, are not ready for kids, or even worse, you do not want kids at all. However, it can work the other way around, it all depends on the man in the situation.

5. Flowers from the gas station down the street- Why do this to yourself? Doing this will only add insult to injury. First you forgot the holiday and then you made bad matters worse by buying something from a place that she/he will be visiting a lot. Nice try trying to explain this one.

4. Appliances- For your relationship’s sake, do not try this. No matter how much she tells you that she wants that cheese-grader.

3. Nothing at all- You cannot get any lower than this... except for on this list. Best way to handle this is to except defeat and face that your relationship will probably be coming to an abrupt and permanent halt.

2. The gift that you were going to give your ex, while it still has their name on it- this is definitely not good on any level. You could at least have tried to change the name. You have heard of whiteout haven’t you?

1. The Gift that your illegal lover gave you, with the love note that they signed still in it- Need I say more, except for Good-bye.

While all of these are some bad gift ideas, each person has their own idea on what they feel are horrible gifts. The thing to do is let your significant other know what you like before that special day arrives and you find yourself faced with a possibly disappointing situation.

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Sweatshops: Just don’t do it

By Joe Manuola

What do Nike, The Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Old Navy, and Wal-Mart have in common? Well, if you look on their tags it might say “Made in China.” Then again, it might say “Made in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Haiti, Honduras, Taiwan, Thailand or Turkey.”

Sweatshops are more real than you may think. Most of us here in America could never imagine sweatshops. Lets try.
As stated on www.aworldconnected.org by Radley Balko, China’s Wellco factory workers are paid 16 cents an hour to make Nike shoes. Yes, the same Nike shoes that we pay $100 or more to get our hands on in this country. These laborers will work 11 or 12 hours each day, every day.

According to www.humanrightswatch.org, in India, families sell their children into sweatshops, for as little as $17. These children are sometimes held in bonds, and make so little they could never buy themselves out. But hey, they make all that great Indian silk we enjoy here in America. Silk sure does feel good against your skin!
India may be an extreme case, but it certainly is not an isolated case. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that as many as 171 million children are working in hazardous conditions. Let’s put this into perspective. There are people going to sleep hungry in the USA. There are people that would kill for an opportunity at any kind of employment in this country, yet big businesses continue to out source jobs that are needed in America, to children in other nations.
The auto parts company, Delphi, just cut 11,500 jobs because it can’t compete with companies that pay their workers a fraction of our minimum wage. Why would any American company disregard the needs of their own people? Big, fat, dirty dollars. Greed is the reason companies like The Gap and Old Navy would rather take their jobs to only the poorest countries.

Big businesses in America may exploit impoverished children, but impoverished women and men face the same; Exhaustion, injury, sickness, and abuse from factory management. Ask any of these workers though, and they may tell you that they are very lucky to have a job. The situation in most of these countries is so bad that they may starve without the sweatshops.

Sweatshops are ultimately a symptom of a far greater issue, global poverty. Multinational corporations exploit the poor for their own gain. It is disgusting how a human’s safety and dignity have been discarded for the sake of capitalism. It is sickening the depth of moral corruption big businesses will sink just to turn a profit. If you hold yourself to be a moral, religious, or a spiritual person, examine the ethical implications of this issue. While you’re at it, examine the collar on your shirt, where was it made?

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Ask Amy
Repeating courses, whats the big deal?

By Amy Perkins

I need to repeat some courses. What’s the big deal?

Sometimes earning that degree or certificate is easier said than done. Ever heard of a student having to repeat a course (I’m sure this does not apply to you!)? Maybe you withdrew from a course the first time, and now you are ready to take it again.

Many students have to repeat courses during college. What you may not know is how repeating a course can affect your overall progress. Soon, taking too many courses may even affect your tuition. Read Kyle Sieg’s article [on page 8] in this issue to understand how.

FCCJ measures success a few different ways. Ultimately, you define what success means to you, but there are a few measures of success you definitely need to understand.

Also, FCCJ expects you to successfully complete 50 percent of your classes each semester, and maintain a 2.0 GPA (grade point average) in all coursework. That means: a student taking four classes must pass at least two classes to keep up satisfactory progress. The student receives an F in two classes, withdraws from another class, and gets a B in the fourth class. That student did not successfully complete 50% of his or her courses and would be placed on academic warning. Once a student is on warning, she or he has to meet with an adviser in order to register for the next semester.

If the student doesn’t fix things by the next semester, she or he would be placed on probation. Advisers can limit enrollment for students on probation. If something isn’t working, we want to help you fix it. We want to help you get back on track and succeed in your courses.

If you receive financial aid, the guidelines are a little tougher. Every year that you apply for financial aid, the Florida Department of Education (DOE) takes a look at your academic record. The DOE expects you to successfully complete 67 percent of your classes. The DOE also looks at the 150 percent rule, which helps ensure that you finish your program of study in a timely manner. This rule is similar to the excess hours legislation Kyle’s article explains. A red flag goes up on your record if you have taken too many classes and you may not receive your financial aid for that academic year. Yikes!

That’s right, this is important. If you do not follow the financial aid guidelines, your financial aid may not be renewed. What you have to remember is that financial aid is a privilege, not a guarantee. Attending college presents all kinds of obstacles. These policies are intended to keep you on track. If you have trouble managing everything on your own, we want to talk with you to see how we can help. Whatever your goals are while you are here, we want to help you achieve them.
What else is left to learn? Lots. Now you can tell us what else you would like to know. Email us at campusvoice@students.fccj.edu, and we will address your questions in coming issues. Got questions? We’ll get you answers.

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Black History Month calendar unveiling

By Matthew Richardson

The unveiling of the 2006 Black History Month calendar took place at the Advance Technology Center on Jan. 25.

The unveiling has been a part of FCCJ’s yearly events since 1989. FCCJ has also been helping with the appearance of the calendar since that time.

Dr. Brenda Simmons, Arthur Lee, Steven Wallace, Cassandra Blackmon, Angela Spears reveal calendar.

The theme for the calendar this year is Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions.

“[The theme] Lends itself very well to go deeply into the community and pick out those organizations that have contributed to the First Coast with youth, adult, and senior, churches and schools that have really given back to this community,” said Executive Dean Dr. Brenda R. Simmons. “The calendar pulls all that together in the 12 pages and beyond to show you what these organizations have meant to this community for more than a half-century.”

Angela Spears stands next to 2006 Black History calendar.	2006 Black History calendar

The Black History Month calendar started as an idea from both Simmons and Clovia Russell of Southern Bell in 1989. Their idea was to present biographical sketches of African-American citizens who had contributed to the growth and development of Jacksonville.
At the unveiling event, music was heard, food was served, and many members of different organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Gamma Rho were present.

The event consisted of different speakers as well. Project Accounting Officer Cassandra Blackmon and FCCJ President Steven Wallace welcomed the crowd, and gave background information about the calendar.
“Florida Community College has a long tradition of celebrating African-American History Month in a manner that is unsurpassed by any community in the United States,” Wallace said.

FCCJ College President Steven Wallace presents framed calendar page to organization representative.	The Pm Xperience: Charles Griggs, Jeremiah Hunt, TJ Norris, Demario Fort, Jaren Walker, Devon Pachal, Author Ward.

The calendar has two major sponsors: Burger King and First Coast News. Their representatives were present as well. Arthur Lee, president of Lee Wesley restaurants gave his greeting and comments about the calendar along with Angela Spears, anchor for First Coast News.
“It [the calendar] gives us a chance to learn about our history all year long,” Spears said.

The event also featured framed pages of the calendar. Each page was dedicated to specific organizations, then were presented to them afterwards.
Norma White is the 25th international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She was featured in the calendar two years ago.
“It’s an outstanding project and I am so happy that the college is doing this, because so much is not being done to educate not only African-American students, but all the children of the contributions African-Americans have made to this community,” White said.
The calendar took one year to complete and according to Simmons, each year the calendar gets more and more creative.

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Birth of African-American History Month

By Vanessa Gordon

In the month of February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. Although we are taught about many great historical leaders, many people are still unaware of one man in particular. Carter G. Woodson, “The Father of Black History Month” was born in December 1875 in New Canton, Virginia.
Woodson once said, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world; and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”

According to enchantedlearning.com, Woodson originated Black/African-American History Month in 1926. Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month. Posted on the History Channel.com, Black History Week was the second week in February. The month became selected in deference to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who were both born in that month.

At the Chicago Public Library, it’s stated that Woodson believed that Blacks should know their past in order to participate intelligently in the affairs in our country. Woodson was a historian and an educator.

Carter G. Woodson passed away in April of 1950.

For more information on African American history log on to http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blblackhistorymonth.htm.

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Game, set and match

By Maria DeVera

Slam! Hard hits and proficient speed; the Stars women’s tennis team played with great skill against the Webber International University Warriors on Feb. 1.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Stroud, whose five-year record for FCCJ consists of 73 wins and only 31 losses, took the team to several national competitions. Last year, the Lady Stars ranked 3rd in the state and 7th in the nation.

photos by Maria DeVera

During doubles, two players were paired up according to their rank. Each pair showed great teamwork by keeping a good, constant pace throughout the game. The number one team, comprised of Maria Melihova and Sabine Mvilongo, took home a perfect score of 8-0. Marqueita Maynard and Shayna Pierce, and Katie Balkcom and Amanda Walker, the number two and three teams respectively, also claimed victory with the same scores of 8-2.

The singles match was also a success as the Stars triumphed over the Warriors, with each player winning the game. The final scores were: Maria Melihova 6-0, Sabine Mvilongo 6-0, Shayna Pierce 6-0, Amelia Evans 6-0, Marqueita Maynard 6-0, and Katie Balkcom 5-1.

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Squeezing students’ wallets

By Kyle Sieg

Starting next fall, some students could be required to pay 75 percent more than the current in-state tuition rate, according to new state legislation.
A bill sponsored by Senator Lee Constantine that would take effect for the freshmen class in the fall of 2006, would require students to pay 75 percent more per credit hour for any college credits that exceed graduation requirements by 120 percent.

For example, to earn a typical associate of arts degree, a student needs 60 credit hours. At FCCJ, the cost per credit hour is $63.25, but if the new bill is enacted and the student takes more than 72 credit hours, he or she will be charged an additional $47.44 for the 73 credit hour and every hour after that. This brings the total cost for a standard three-credit class to approximately $332, up from $189.75.

Included in the proposed bill is a list of exceptions that would allow a student to take classes without facing the tuition increase. The list includes credit hours earned through programs like dual enrollment or advanced placement, hours earned through internships, withdrawals for medical or “personal hardship,” credit hours taken by active-duty military, hours required for a dual major, remedial and English as a second language credit, and credit hours earned in military science programs.
In addition, a student may take up to 24 credit hours at the community college level that counts toward his or her baccalaureate degree without paying the extra money.

According to the bill, “It is the intent of the legislature to discourage undergraduate students in postsecondary education, from exceeding the number of credit hours required to complete the students’ respective degree programs.”
There is, however, significant opposition to the legislation, including FCCJ and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, according to the college’s Vice President for Government Relations, Susan Lehr.
Based on the written position statement of FCCJ, the bill would impose financial penalties to those who take classes after earning their first degree, thereby limiting access to education and training.

“Our chamber of commerce voted to oppose this legislation because they view it as anti-economic development,” said Lehr.
Although the college officially opposes this legislation for many reasons, there are two basic reasons. First, in-state tuition is supposed to make college affordable.
“People in Florida pay taxes so that their education will be affordable,” Lehr said. “One of the benefits of being a taxpayer and having public education is affordable higher education.”

Another key point is that there are additional exceptions not present in the bill that should be there. For example, if a student decides to change majors after taking classes, there is a chance he or she could exceed the acceptable number of credit hours and be required to pay 75 percent more.
Students who already have baccalaureate degrees, but decide to return to school could also be penalized if they exceed a certain number of credit hours. School officials believe that if students are required to pay the extra money, some will simply drop out of college because it will become too expensive for them to continue.
Lehr noted that both sides have legitimate motivations for maintaining their position on the issue. “We don’t think that Senator Constantine is really against students or against workforce,” she said.

No matter the outcome, the college’s reasons why they oppose the bill are based on a recurring theme that is echoed time and time again.
“Our main focus is on what is good for the students,” Lehr said. “And we don’t feel that this is good for the students.”

A similar bill was passed in the Florida legislature last year, but was vetoed by the governor. It is unknown whether he will veto this bill if it passes through the Florida legislature.

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LeRoy Mitchell, Jr. as James Weldon Johnson, Jr.

By Vanessa Gordon

“Be prepared, so when luck comes around you can be prepared for it” stated LeRoy Mitchell, Jr. in his portrayal of Jacksonville’s icon, James Weldon Johnson, Jr..
When asked why he portrays James Weldon Johnson, Jr., Mitchell responded, “I am a performer. Performers can’t help it. They have to perform.”

“If you want to make sure you’re in a show, write it yourself,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell stated he read many works from James Weldon Johnson, Jr. to prepare for the questions and answers he would receive at his performances. LeRoy Mitchell was in the United States Army for 20 years. During the course of his service, he received two combat patches; one in Vietnam where he served as a Vietnamese advisor and the other in Korea.

Mitchell went to school to be a Historian and has been portraying James Weldon Johnson, Jr. since 1998 and performs works from members that were involved in the Harlem Renaissance. Mitchell fielded some questions about rap music during the question and answer portion of his performance. He stated, music serves as an expression of people’s soul.

photo by Dana Curry Downtown Campus: LeRoy Mitchell, Jr. portrays James Weldon Johnson, Jr.

Mitchell thinks folk music is the finest type of music. “It is pure untainted.”

He also said he thinks rap music suffers from “An inability of a writer to communicate. From what was once ‘Burn Baby Burn’ has turned into violence,” said Mitchell. “In its best form, rap is poetry. This other form is a quick way to make money.”

James Weldon Johnson, Jr. was not just a poet, but a journalist, novelist, critic, autobiographer and songwriter according to Herman Beavers. James Weldon Johnson, Jr. accomplished many feats. He was the first African American accepted to the Florida bar after the end of the United States reconstruction. He was a field secretary in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Along with his brother John Rosamon, he was the co-composer of what later became known as the Negro National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

James Weldon Johnson, Jr. was born in Jacksonville, Florida in June 1871. His father, James Johnson, was the headwaiter at the St. James Hotel. James Weldon Johnson, Jr. received his early education from his mother, Helen Louise Dillet, and moved on to the Stanton Preparatory School. At the ripe age of 16, he registered to receive an education at the prestigious Atlanta University where he earned his diploma in 1894. James Weldon Johnson, Jr. became principal at Stanton after he graduated from Atlanta University.

James Weldon Johnson changed his name in 1915 from James William Johnson. James Weldon Johnson, Jr. thought people would call him “Jim Bill Johnson” and he did not think that was an appropriate name for a writer. James Weldon Johnson, Jr. passed away in Wiscasset, Maine on June 26, 1938.
For more information on James Weldon Johnson, Jr. log on to
www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/johnson/johnson.htm or www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/amlit/johnson/johnson1.html

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Readers Theatre presents:

By Maria DeVera

Y’all come back now, ya hear!

That would be the intention of the audience after experiencing a hysterical, side-splitting show composed of Southern accents and comical tales.
The FCCJ Drama Works and Speech Forensics Team presented the plays, “It Ain‘t Easy Being a Cowboy” and “Southern Fried Cracker Tales” in the form of a Readers Theatre.

“Readers Theatre is a type of theatre that emphasizes story and literature more than sets, costumes, etcetera,” said Professor of Theatre Ken McCulough. “It is a simple approach to story telling and characterization, so the script is accepted as part of the presentation.”

The show started with “It Ain’t Easy Being a Cowboy,” a poem written by Baxter Black. The five cast members for the first half of the performance acted out several excerpts from certain written pieces such as Will Rogers’s prose writing to Rogers and Hammerstein, Oklahoma! They also sang famous cowboy songs such as “Mamma Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys” by Waylon Jennings and “Happy Trails” by Dale Evans-Rogers.

The second half consisted of a larger cast with 14 actors with a narrator involved as a form of a story-telling piece. They acted out six different skits for “Southern Fried Cracker Tales.”

One of the skits was about a young boy and a talking mule. One day, a boy tells his family that the mule they own can talk. His family, of course, did not believe him; he then tries desperately to convince them that he is telling the truth. The boy’s father finally went to see the mule for himself and was shocked to find out that the mule could indeed talk.

Another skit involved a family whose mouths were misshapen, except for the youngest son. The family was uneducated and the youngest son was the first to go to college. During family dinner when the son came home from college, they asked him what he learned in school. They seemed to be uninterested with what he told them, until it was time to blow out the candle. The rest of the family members struggled to blow out the candle, but could not because their mouths were disfigured. The youngest son, however, had a normal mouth and blew out the candle without any trouble. The family was extremely impressed and praised him for going to college.

The actors performed two more humorous, laughable skits, while two of the others were horror stories that added suspense to the show. Both themes kept the audience highly entertained.

The Forensics team does a Readers Theater every year as one of their many events they take to various competitions and has been rehearsing their Cowboy script since last November, McCulough said.

“The guest director for the Drama Works piece this year chose cracker tales because it is basically story-telling, and it would work well with the Forensics team’s cowboy piece since both scripts deal with American folk culture and history,” said McCulough. “And of course, he thought it would be fun for the students!”

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The origin of Valentine’s Day

By: Christina Garmon

Many people assume that Valentine’s Day started as a day to celebrate love in ancient times, however this is not so. Like many ceremonies that have been started, Valentine’s Day was something else all together.

According to www.pictureframes.com, Saint Valentine’s Day originally began in Ancient Rome as a festival to honor Juno Februata. Juno was the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses; she was also the Goddess of women and marriage.

The celebration initially began on the 14th of every February, then it would spill over into the next day, the 15, which was also the day they celebrated Lupercalia, a feast for Lupercus, the protector of the shepherds and their flocks.

As a way to celebrate both of the gods, during the feast, they would place names of women, written on slips of paper into a box. After this was done, the young men
at the festival would draw a name from the box. The girl’s name that was on the piece of paper drawn from the box would be the young man’s mate for the next year.
The name Saint Valentine comes along some years down the road, when the Catholic religion became a strong influence throughout Rome. As this turn began, the Roman church sought to get rid of the pagan celebration.

When the church decided to start this, they needed another name for the holiday. They settled on the name Valentine, after an early century martyr. From where this martyr comes is still a mystery.

A story from www.techdirect.com states that Valentine was a revered priest who helped marry soldiers after Emperor Claudius II band marriage in order to gain members for his army. The other story states that he gave protection and shelter to Christians. While in jail, he befriended the jailer’s daughter and healed her blindness. And on his last day alive, he wrote her a letter and signed it “Your Valentine”

After they conquered changing the name of the holiday, they started redoing things within the holiday itself such as replacing the names of the women with names of patron saints. Instead of gaining a life mate when drawing from the box, they had to worship the same person until the next Saint Valentine’s Day.
As for the winged leader of love, Cupid had nothing to do with the origination of the holiday other than the fact that he was the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.

There are many Valentine’s Day traditions out there that were started, but were discontinued after the Roman church took over. These traditions range from wearing the name of your valentine on your sleeve to cutting an apple in half and counting the seeds to see how many children you would have.

There are traditions that stick through the centuries. Activities like, women receiving clothes and gifts from men who are interested in them.

Valentine’s Day has many traditions, but the main goal of this holiday is to celebrate with a loved one. So the next time you buy your loved one a gift just think that a few centuries ago you probably would have been worshipping a saint of a church instead.

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Cool People-- This issue: Rodney Johnson

By Kassandra Elizee

Many people have heard of Rodney Johnson, also known as “Coach J.” He is well-known in Jacksonville as the man who got his girls’ flag football team to play in the International Women’s Flag Football Association’s (IWFFA) tournaments, which were originally designated for women only.

Winner of the Porter Wilson award in 2000, he has trained both males and females in basketball, and continues to train girls between the ages of 9 to 17 in flag football. He brings them to the Florida Keys every year to compete. They have traveled throughout the United States and Canada.

Coach J can be proud of the many trophies he has won while playing against some of the best flag football teams from around the world.
As a former director of the Boys and Girls’ Club, he has been working with kids and teenagers almost all his life.

He is not only a coach, but has become like a father to his players whom he’s known since they were little. In a society which too often lacks positive male figures for the children, men like Rodney Johnson are greatly appreciated by the youth as well as their parents, who don’t always know what’s best for their children.
Coach J. believes that kids need to get out there, do some exercise, and explore more than the neighborhood they’ve been used to all their lives. They get the opportunity to do just that with him, by going out of town to compete, visiting places they never thought they would actually see.

He also does a college tour with the older ones in every state they visit. It is mandatory that they participate in that activity if they want to be able to play.
Coach J. has a kind heart, and does his best to use all the resources he can find to help them with their traveling expenses. Getting a grant occasionally is an effective way to do that, but sometimes is not enough.

That’s why, every once in a while, under their coach’s supervision, they go to a supermarket to sell raffle tickets.

Each year, he hosts an annual awards banquet with his players, to honor their coaches, volunteers and most valuable players. He lets the girls handle the event because he believes that the people attending would rather see what the players have to say about how they manage a situation like that on their own.
Coach J. has recently been working on something he’s never done before. Some of the little girls he once coached, now young adults, still with a passion for the game, asked him if there was a way they could still play.

That’s when he decided to put up a women’s team.

Although he has thought of it in the past, this is the first time he has taken action. The young women are all over the age of 19, and dedicate all their time to the game they can, though they don’t yet have a sponsor.
Coach J. encourages his girls to thrive and be the best.

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Music review: I owe you

By Ashley Walker

Kierra “KiKi” Sheard. Many gospel fanatics are familiar with the last name due to Karen Clark Sheard of the Clark Sisters, but few know of Kierra. She’s the daughter of gospel legend Karen Clark Sheard. She is also the cousin of producer, songwriter, and artist J. Moss, who has worked with the queen of soul, Patti LaBelle and pop sensation N’Sync. It’s no surprise that she has entered the world of music.

At 9 years old, Kierra made her singing debut with her mother singing “The Safest Place.” In 1997, due to her outstanding performance, she received a Stellar Award for best children’s performance for her appearance on “Finally Karen,” singing “The Will of God” with Karen Sheard.

Since then, Kierra has performed with Mary Mary and Mary J. Blige. She has also released her solo album “I Owe You” on Sept. 7, 2004, and it stayed at number one for two weeks on the Gospel Billboard Charts and number 29 on the R&B charts, and was among the top 200 albums.

Her hit single “You Don’t Know,” co-produced and written by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who also produced songs for Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, and Brandy, was the number one single on R&B Gospel Radio Charts.

She has received the Gospel Music Association award, NAACP recognition, and has been nominated for several Stellar Awards for “I Owe You.”
This album appeals to young people because it sends positive messages about being a young Christian. The music can draw the listener in, but the message and Kierra’s incredible vocals is what keeps them listening.

“You Don’t Know” and “Let Go” speak about personal testimonies, but their hip-hop style can keep your head bobbin’. It tells the listener that no one can fully understand what they have been through in life, and the only one who can, is the same person that helped them. “All I Am,” is a sweet ballad of submission with simple lyrics and harmonies.

In 2005 Kierra released a remix album entitled “Just Until….” It featured songs off her first album, such as “You Don’t Know,” ”Let Go,” “Sweetest Thing,” and “All I Am,” but created different versions of the originals. There’s also an added track, “That Thing.”

This album is to build fans anticipation for her new album due this spring. The producers she’s working with on this project is Warryn Campbell, “Darkchild,” and PJ Morton.

To learn more about Kierra KiKi Sheard, visit her sites at www.kierrakikisheard.com, www.emigospel.com, or visit her on www.myspace.com/kierrakikisheard.

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Music review: Blaze II

By Matthew Richardson

A music CD is hot when all through the album the skip button isn’t pressed once. To be candid, most music albums don’t have that kind of quality.
Thus, Flameworx productions introduce “Blaze II,” a smooth hardcore hip-hop duo. Saying this album is perfect would be deceptive to true hip-hop fans, but it’s decent enough to listen to eight out of its 11 tracks.

Chi-town rapper “Neicie” and Long Island, CA rapper, “SK,” gives you the best of both worlds with their album, “Boiling Point.” And when mentioning the best of both worlds, that’s dealing with male and female, not Jay-Z and R. Kelly.

Neicie, the female rapper, and SK, the male rapper, introduce their listeners to their world with a male and a female prospective. With Neicie’s blazing gangster rhymes and SK’s smooth Jamaican style, the album is something that many wouldn’t expect…its uniqueness.

Listeners can’t be judgmental when first hearing the album. First glace would make some think that Neicie is a singer, and SK is your average Usher. Far from that persona, they make rhyme spitting look like a walk in the park.

The songs on the album mainly consist of two topics. Partying and bragging about looks and money. Of course, these are the “traditional” topics to talk about, but it’s fine because they’re smooth with it. The songs are good, but the main songs to listen to are “Juke me,” “Where you find me,” “Gorgeous,” and “The Boiling Point.”
“Juke me” is a club song with a Jamaican feel to it. Neicie really “blazes” with her dance rhymes: “Pon De River; Harlem shake ‘em and shiver. Rock the boat till I feel it, back and forth like I’m tiltin’” along with a grooving beat.

“Where you find me” is a dangerously bragging song about how the duo is living. The song is good because of the lack of words used to express so much. Rhymes such as “When you find me, big screen, MTV, DVDs, BET, magazines, Maybelline, I’m so clean” express that technique.

“Gorgeous” is an excellent track to just kick back and vibe to. The rhymes are hot, but what gives the track justice is its beat. It’s a smooth, soft rhythm with a background voice melody.

The track that the album title is named after is “The Boiling Point.” The song’s intro is great for the title. The duo talks about how hot it gets on their block. When talking about getting hot, they don’t mean from the sun rays. The song isn’t the best on the album because of its quality. It almost sounds as if they’re rushing into the chorus.

All and all, this album is good. For more information on the artist and to sample their songs, check out www.flameworxproductions.com. This album is blazing.

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