By Ronnie NelsonStaff Writer

On March 10, theOrganization of LatinAmerican Students (OLAS)joined the Immigrant YouthJustice League (IYJL) at DaleyPlaza for the 2nd annual rallyof National Coming Out OfThe Shadows Day. The pur-pose of the rally is to show sup-port and bring awareness to thestruggle of students living in theU.S. as undocumented citizens.

Undocumented students arepeople that live in the UnitedStates without U.S. legal docu-ments such as birth certificatesand social security numbers.

Many undocumented stu-dents are able to attend gram-mar school and even high

school, but higher education formany of these students isimpossible due to lack of citi-zenship.

These students are unable toformally fill out a FAFSAbecause they lack a social secu-rity number. Beyond schoolthese youth are unable to travel,

get jobs, and identification aswell as many other things.

“Get involved, call senators,and create awareness”. “Myface is out there like my story isout there,” said Rogelio, anundocumented student andmember of Nuestra Voz.Rogelio, who requested that his

full name be withheld, was inattendance for the second time,has been in the U.S. for fifteenyears and recently traveled toWashington, D.C. to lobby forthe DREAM Act.

The Development, Reliefand Education of Alien MinorsAct, also called the DREAM

Act, is a proposed Act that givesundocumented students anopportunity to enlist in the U.S.military, or go on to attend col-lege.

The Act gives undocument-ed youth an opportunity to leada productive and normal life.

VOLUME 19, NUMBER 8 “KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP” APRIL 2011THIS NEWSPAPER IS ORGANIZED, DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE STUDENTS

THEHERALD

CCC GRADUATION

INFORMATION P. 2SPRING BREAK PLANS

AND TIPS P. 5MUSICAL TALENT AT

HWC P. 8 & 12OPINION: FROM THE

SGA VP P. 11

By Daniel Collins and ReginaldHesterStaff Writers

The district office of CCC at 226 W.Jackson opened their doors to the col-lege’s newspapers in order to offer thema tour and inside look at the reinventionprocess.

Throughout the visit, reporters weregiven a chance to conduct interviewswith members of reinvention taskforces, and the Executive Director ofthe Office of Strategy and InstitutionalIntelligence, Scott Martyn.

The tour took place on the sixthfloor, where the task force teams arelocated and perform their duties. Thefloor has glass walled rooms for theteams to conduct their meetings and dis-cuss their findings. In these rooms, onewill find hypotheses and questions aboutreinvention written upon the walls. Thetask forces say that this is done to becontinuously reminded on what they aretrying to accomplish, and the work loadahead of them. “It’s a good way to stayfocused on the long task we have aheadof us,” said Irene Castandea, ProjectManager for the Student SupportPathways Department.

During the tour, descriptions were

given about the reinvention and theeight task forces that are responsible formost of the research and improvementof CCC. Each task force is given specificobjectives based on the field they aretrying to improve, then they take thesteps they feel are necessary to succeedwith their goals. The titles and focusesof the task forces include Research andDevelopment, Program Portfolio

Review, Remediation, Technology,Advisory Councils, OperationalExcellence and Optimization, AdultEducation, and Student SupportPathways.

The Student Support Pathway teamis responsible for finding out the waysto better support the professors at CCC.One factor being looked into is theamount of resources contributed to fac-ulty and staff. “We are in our explorato-ry phase of finding out how we can helpour faculty and staff [perform] betterat their jobs,” said Castandea.

Along with their duties of improvingtheir area of revision, the task forcesmake note to focus a lot of their workaround the four goals of reinvention.These four goals consist of trying toincrease the number of students earningcollege credentials of economic value,increase the rate of transfer to bache-lor’s degree programs following CCCgraduation, improving outcomes for stu-dents requiring remediation, and toincrease the number and share ofABE/ESL/GED students who advanceto and succeed in college-level courses.

During his interview, Martyn clari-fied some of the measures taken by the

Photo by Brenda Gamboa

Lissette Arellano, OLAS treasurer and Laura Sanchez, OLAS member protest in Daley Plaza.

Rally to support undocumented students

THEHERALD winsstatewide awards

The Herald won six awards at theIllinois Community CollegeJournalism Association annual awardson April 8 at Moraine ValleyCommunity College in Palos Hills, Ill.

Competing in the Division II cate-gory, the paper won the followingawards:

First place for Editorials for “Whatdoes black history mean to HWC.”

Second place in The Mike FosterAward for Overall Excellence.

Third place in News for “CCCreinvention begins” by BrianAlexander.

Third place in Features for “Snow,sleet or wind: Chicago winters can notstop dedicated cyclists” by G’JordanWilliams.

Third place in Opinion for “Myeducation is more important thanyour Facebook” by Latoya Allen.

Honorable mention in Opinion for“The silent wail: international stu-dents paying out of pocket” by YvanNaoussi.

Touring the reinvention center

Photo by Daniel Collins

Scott Martyn, Executive Director of theOffice of Strategy and InstitutionalIntelligence

See Task, p.2

See Undocumented, p.3

Marching in support of theDREAM Act

Editorial StaffBrian Alexander

Editor-in-Chief

Leanna BurtonManaging Editor

Gregory FairbanksNews Editor

Victoria RossLifestyle Editor

Staff WritersJason Astorga, Keith Dow,

Courtney O’Donnell, DanielCollins, Ronnie Nelson, G’Jordan

Williams, Joe Rottman, DavidMallard, Carnell Dobbs,

Alejandra Cerda, James Tilton,Natalie Hogan, Andrea Hodge

Staff ColumnistsLora Allbritton, Anthony

Kromwell

Advertising StaffSylvia McGhee, Daryll Shears

Faculty AdviserMolly Turner

ICCJACMAACP

THE HERALD is a student run news organization offering an open forum for

student news and opinion.

2 - APRIL 2011 THEHERALD

THEHERALDhwc_heraldnews@ccc.edu

30 E Lake St., 60601Room 635

task forces to collect data, as well asexplaining some of their alternativeoptions.

“Right now there are surveys beingprepared by different task force groupsto [discover] what [certain] needs areand what would benefit them,” saidMartyn, referring to the surveys beingdistributed through CCC faculty, staff,and students.

Beside surveys, another option thetask forces use are focus groups. Thefocus groups are assembled by a specif-ic task force and are made up of facul-ty, staff, or students. Once assembled,the group is posed a particular questionpertaining to the research being con-ducted by the task forces and theanswers are collected by the task forcesto be used as data.

Martyn later explained how the focusgroups are typically used to find furtherevidence that will support what theyhave found from conducted surveys.“The surveys lead to the focus groups,and we want them to work in tandem,”he said.

One of the biggest questions the taskforces are trying to solve in order tocome up with accurate data is how tomeasure success and value. “We wantour [teams] to come together, and proveto us that what they are presenting is areal problem,” said Martyn. “We aretrying to figure out how to measure suc-cess, and what are realistic percentages

to use when evaluating our students.” In the case of measuring value, dis-

trict is looking to possibly cut class-es/programs that they feel do not givestudents significant economic value.“We’re looking at all of our programs toinsure that if you complete a [specific]program, it puts you into a position toeither get a job or transfer on to a fouryear school,” said Martyn.

The classes/programs that are cur-rently being inspected are all occupa-tional programs. If district feels thecourse does not offer economic value,then the course can possibly be elimi-nated, or corrected so that it is transfer-able to a four year college. “Lookinginto all of the [courses] no decisionshave been made on what to do yet.”

The reinvention not only includesacademic changes but also changes inthe infrastructure and branding of thecity colleges. District wants the city col-leges to be seen as a cohesive unit thatexists in several locations. “We want toget people to recognize that these sevencolleges are related,” said Martyn. Partof the rebranding process might involvechanging the school logos to make themlook more uniform to one another.

“One option is a new logo for CCCand new logos for every college thatshare a similar element to the CCClogo, so the images are similar and men-tally express a relation,” said Martyn.The chancellor plans to unveil the newlogo and colors on the day

of the newly combined graduation ceremony this May 11.

Part of the planned infrastructurechanges are issues with registration andadvising at the city colleges. The oper-ation task force is assigned with the jobof trying to streamline the process. Theywant to have fewer people waiting inlines, fix the piece by piece grind of reg-istration and make sure that the advisersare advising while scheduling and notonly scheduling. “It’s like a McDonald’scounter you know, get them in and getthem out. The advisers are putting outfires.” said Martyn. “We need to drawthe line between registration and advis-ing.”

Martyn visited Wright Collegeduring their fall registration period. Hesaid “this was one of the only times hesaw a student encouraged to see anadvisor before registering.” To addressthis problem district is looking intoexperimenting with students having adedicated adviser throughout their timeat CCC. By doing this, Martyn feels stu-dents will feel more comfortable andbecome more knowledgeable on whereto seek help for academic advising. Also,he feels that if students see an adviserregularly throughout the school year,then there would not be much need forheavy advising during registration. “Wedon’t want it to be whomever is avail-able and whenever they are available.Have an adviser for a set amount of stu-dents and see if it has a positive effect onstudents.”

Besides possible eliminations of classes/programs, there are also ideasof installing certain programs at everycity college. For instance, the success ofthe Wellness Center at HWC has madethe idea of establishing one at everyCCC a possibility. “We could take some-thing like the Wellness Center at HaroldWashington and put it at different col-leges to help student success.” saidMartyn.

The reinvention has not come with-out a fair share of questions and con-troversies. There was a mandate for allcity college presidents to reapply fortheir jobs. The reasoning behind thiswas to make the presidents moreaccountable for student success. Thereare new requirements and new jobdescriptions for city college presidents.

“We need to start them from a cleanslate. Make sure that everyone is onboard with the goals/plan of the rein-vention.” said Martyn. “Ensure that theleadership is on board for the longterm.”

After the goals of reinvention areaccomplished by district, the same strat-egy will still apply. “Our plan is to getreinvented and stay invented,” saidMartyn. “The process will continue.There might not be fifty plus studentsfrom the colleges here to help out threeyears from now, but there might betwenty. We still need to have that [stu-dent] expertise from the collegesinvolved.”

By Carnell DabbsStaff Writer

The CCC commencement ceremo-ny of 2011 will be held May 11 at 525S. Racine Ave. in the UIC Pavilion. Theceremony is a celebration where all stu-dents are given the honor to receivetheir associates degree in front of familyand friends.

“I can’t wait to graduate. I feel reallyproud about how far I came and beingable to finally get my associates degree.I worked hard for it, I deserve it,” saidBrittany from HWC.

While some students are excitedabout being able to graduate, some ofstudents are a little bit confused as to

what to expect.During the preparation for gradua-

tion deadlines had been moved up, it isset during the last week of school, andteachers were told to reschedule theirtests for finals to make graduation con-venient.

“I don’t get why we have to graduateand then take tests the next day. Thetiming of the graduation is messed upbecause I want to celebrate and stay outthe rest of the night, but I have class thenext morning. How am I supposed toenjoy my graduation night?” saidDanita Williams, an HWC student.

Students had to submit and completea graduation application before March

1 to be able to participate in the cere-mony. The graduation caps and gownshave to be purchased online throughJostens website by April 15 for a non-refundable $28.20.

Each student participating in the cer-emony will receive four tickets. Two ofthe tickets are for the UIC Pavilion andthe other two tickets are for the UICForum which is located just over onemile away. Some students did not agreewith this arrangement.

“I have a big family and four ticketsare not going to cut it. I guess they haveto battle it out because it’s just not goingto be enough tickets for everyone,” saidCyle Colberta, HWC student.

CCC graduating under one roof

By Andrea HodgeStaff Writer

In honor of Women's HistoryMonth, the Philosophy Club hosted anevent, The Gendered Economy:Women in Workforce, March 16.

The event featured a panel consistingof three men and one woman whointeracted with the audience abouttopics that connect women to the econ-omy.

A discussion on women needing tolook pretty to be hired for jobs stimu-lated panelist Sarah Bonner.

“Your exterior means nothing at all[in correlation] to your performance,”

Bonner said. “I’ve worked in corporate10 years; I’m kind of over that wholething of having to dress up to go any-where. I would rather be comfortable… When you put high heels on awoman, she can’t run [or] do a wholelot of things that she could have done ifshe was comfortably dressed,” Bonnerexplained.

Autumn Beaty, Philosophy Club sec-retary, said high heels are beautiful andshe feels appealing and feminine whenshe wears them.

“I like pretty things but I don’t thinkthat’s because I’m a girl. I know boysthat like pretty things … even if

[women] want to be feminine, you don’twant to be too cutesy to be taken seri-ously,” Beaty said.

“Feminine is your essence. As awoman, you’re biologically designed tobear children,” Bonner responded.

“Today went really well. Especiallyfor the amount of time [given to planthe event],” club President James“Ruley” Rourke said,

The philosophy club regularly dis-cusses topics of this type of concern.Club meetings are held Wednesdays at7 p.m. and Fridays at 3 p.m. in Room1011.

NEWS

Examining women in the economy

Task forces busy ‘measuring value and success’Continued from p.1

THEHERALD NEWS APRIL 2011 - 3

There are certain criteria that need tobe met such as arriving in the U.S.before the age of sixteen and must havea G.E.D, graduated from High School,or been accepted to a higher educationfacility to name a few.

The rally took place at Daley Plazaand featured a broad range of specta-tors, supporters, and media personnel.The rally developed around one re-occurring theme of courage. Supportersand undocumented students held signsand paintings that read“Undocumented, Unafraid ,Unapologetic.” With the Chicago Policea few hundred feet away, undocument-ed students chanted “Undocumented,Unafraid,” repeatedly and voiced theiropinions of a system they ware unhap-py with.

Undocumented students did notmake up the entire crowd that devel-oped at Daley Plaza. There were manyU.S. citizens that supported the undoc-umented students and changing thesystem.

“There are too many parallels thatresemble the African American strug-gle, you can’t help but be inspired by acause where people do not let the envi-ronment dictate who they are,”. “I aminspired by liberation,” said MichaelJohnson, who is an American citizenand attends Columbia College.

Nine undocumented students tookthe stage and told their personal stories

of how life has been for them here inthe U.S. without proper documentation.Every story was touching and eachspeaker stood over their shadow as theiremotion and frustration poured throughthe microphone.

“I am sick of being threatened to beseparated from my family and beingdeported,” “I can’t apply for FAFSA orget governmental assistance, I can’tapply for a job because I have no socialsecurity number, they have stolen mydreams, but today I have crossed theborder of fear,” said Luis, an undocu-mented youth who spoke.

Taylor Harvey, a member of OLAS,identifies himself as an ally of theundocumented people and found theevent “very powerful,”. “You felt theirpain, and struggle and it gave you a per-sonal connection,”. “You had peopleput themselves and their families indanger to stand up for what theybelieved in”.

The undocumented students felt asense of release and liberation as theevent ran without any disruption.

“The most liberating thing to do is tocome out like this,”. “It is very empow-ering,” said Alaa Mukahhal , an undoc-umented student who spoke at the rally.

OLAS and the Teachers club areworking together to show a screeningof “Papers” a full length documentarythat shows the struggle of High schoolstudents living without legal documen-tation .

Continued from p.1

‘Undocumented, unafraid,unapologetic’ for social justice

THEHERALD NEWS APRIL 2011 - 5

By Courtney O'DonnellStaff Writer

With spring break just around thecorner, some students may feel left outof the fun in the sun because of finan-cial or scholastic disadvantages. Luckily,the city of Chicago provides countlessopportunities for the holiday withoutbreaking the bank.

Karena Anderson Rodriguez saidthat the late spring break makes it diffi-cult for students to make the most out ofthe holiday.

“Unfortunately [I am] staying home.Originally, I was going to visit my friendat her school but we realized our breaksdon't line up, and I'd just be botheringher while she tried to do homework,”Rodriguez said.

Like other students, Rodriguez thinksher break would be better spent on atropical island or exotic beach.However, financial restrictions are keep-ing her home in Chicago.

“My ideal break would, of course,be a real vacation to somewhere hot andsandy. However, even if the timing wasright, there is no possible way I couldafford anything like that,” Rodriguezsaid.

Sunray Asmamaw, an informationtechnology student, will be home boundas well this break to study for the

Graduate Record Exam and has decid-ed to spend his break cooking andenjoying the local nightlife.

“I'll break the record by hitting up asmany bars as possible over break, soyeah I'm going to paradise for a day ortwo,” Asmamaw said.

If the party spots on Lincoln Ave.aren’t relaxing enough, there is plenty todo during the day as well. EverySaturday at 1 p.m., the Half Acre BeerCompany has a free tour of the brewerythat includes free samples.

For those seeking a more cerebralencounter, Body Worlds is back at theMuseum of Science and Industry.Admission is $18 to $24, and is openuntil 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., depending on thedate.

If the economy is getting you down,head over to Second City and see "TheBest Friggin’ Time of Your Life", a showthat covers unemployment rates, budgetsurpluses, and other unhappy affairs.The show runs Thursday at 8 p.m.,Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and 11p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.

When the call of the California heatis too much to bear, the parody of theKeanu Reeves cult classic, "PointBreak", may be enough to satisfy awarm weather craving.

LIFESTYLE

Photo © Gunther von Hagens, Institute for Plastination, Heidelberg, Germany, www.bodyworlds.com.

The Body World exhibit is at the Museum of Science and Industry

Alleviate boredom during spring break

6 - APRIL 2011 LIFESTYLE THEHERALD

All photos by GʼJordan Williams

Students at HWC relax, study and sign up for summer classes in the weeks between midtermexams and finals.

The calm before the storm: relaxingbetween midterms and finals

THEHERALD LIFESTYLE APRIL 2011 - 7

By Joe RottmanStaff Writer

Dr. Rodney Grisanti of the human-ities/music department has been namedMarch's Employee of the Month atHWC.

"He was a positive, fun and helpfulteacher. He took part in helping meaudition for a new school for nextsemester. He also wrote me a recom-mendation without any hesitation,”wrote one student in their nominationof Dr. Grisanti.

Dr. Grisanti received his Ph.D fromthe University of Michigan and is in hisfifth year at HWC.

“I love learning. I learn as much asmy students. Teaching does that for me.It makes me learn,” Grisanti said.

The Employee of the Month awardallows students to appreciate the workof faculty and staff at HWC.

“Dr. Grisanti is really down to earthin his teaching style. His class is differ-ent than others in that he is teachingstuff that we will use every day,” saidLataevia Berry, a student in Grisanti’sMusic 120 and Music 204 class.

Efforts and hard work like this iswhat the employee of the month awardis all about. Grisanti demonstrates anability to tie his course into the everydaylives of students therefore increasing theoverall interest and enthusiasm in hisclassroom.

HWC is full of outstanding teacherswho work hard day in and day out toprepare students for their futures,whether it be in transferring to a uni-versity or to go right out into the jobmarket. One thing remains constant,the pupils are the ones who 'rate theprofessor'.

“Winning the Employee of theMonth Award is a huge honor becauseit means I’m being recognized by thestudent body.,the whole reason I’mhere. It reaffirms my hard work anddedication,” added Grisanti.

Harold Washington College bringsvarious opportunities that other collegessimply cannot replicate.

“HWC’s diverse background keepsme on my toes, people look at things

from various perspectives which is whyI learn as much from my students asthey learn from me,” said Dr. Grisanti.“The diversity at Harold WashingtonCollege is definitely an added opportu-nity for not only the students but pro-fessors as well.”

"We are able to learn various cul-tures, beliefs and religions from ourpeers in and out of the classroom set-ting," Dr. Grisanti said. Dr. Grisanti usesthis to his advantage, tapping intoHWC’s diverse student body and bring-ing out various forms of music andideas each student has to offer.

Dr. Grisanti’s hobbies include song-writing, fly fishing and traveling. Someplaces Grisanti has traveled to includeIndonesia, Morocco and Europe.

While Dr. Grisanti enjoys all typesof music, he has a classical backgroundand has also worked for a Blue’s label.

Dr. Grisanti’s hard work and experi-ence in the Music Industry makes himan indispensable value to HWC in thathe teaches in a field he has beenemployed in, allowing him to share hispast experiences with his students tohelp further prepare them for whatevermusical endeavors lie ahead.

Dr. Grisanti was honored at a spe-cial ceremony on March 15 in recogni-tion of his hard work and service atHarold Washington College.

Music professorhonored at HWC

Photo by GʼJordan Williams

Rodney Grisanti was named Employeeof the Month for March.

TTHHEEHHEERRAALLDD

““KKEEEEPP IINNGG YYOOUU IINN TTHHEE LLOOOOPP””

8 - APRIL 2011 LIFESTYLE THEHERALD

By Gregory FairbanksNews Editor

The frenetic pace of everyday lifeswirls into the halls of HWC with theebb and flow of thousands ofpeople.The origin of their individualjourney may start at an intersection oran El stop.

For Hermia H atchet, that journeybegan long ago. Before the leg bracesand learning to walk again. Before theyears in a wheelchair and the paralysisof sheer grief. Before she was a grand-mother, mother and wife. Back to thatday when she met her first love.

"We were married for 34 years, I methim right there in the school yard ofWendall Philips high school. He was thelove of my life."

She lost her husband in 1987 andwas totally paralyzed two years after.She remembers laying in bed and think-ing to herself, "When God is finishedwith me, like Job said, 'I will be polishedas fine gold.'"

"You see, I had lost my husband, andmy illness was the stress of the loss ofmy lifetime mate. I am a Christianwoman, I'd rather act like a Christianthan to [talk] about it. I remember theexperience of Job. He complained …you know, he complained too."

Her faith strengthened her spirit,"...life does not promise you to be allroses. That took me through, whenpeople would say, 'oh look at you. I guessyou say Lord why did this happen to

me,' and I said [why not me]?"She eventually moved in with her

daughter, making progress with therapy,and always thinking ahead to the nextobstacle, to the next challenge.

"For awhile, a man would come topick me up for therapy (in her wheel-chair) and eventually I thought, 'I've gotto get back on my feet again, on awalker if necessary.' I knew I had towalk. I had to. So, I literally practiced inthe apartment, walking on the walker.Braces so ugly, these heavy braces onmy legs, ugly shoes, but yet I knew thatI had to walk. And when [special serv-ices] would send the van, it had a beepthat would wake up the neighborhood.

I was a little embarrassed however Iknew I could not stop, I had to keepgoing."

She learned to walk and talk again,two things people usually have to learnonly once. She wanted to do more, sheknew that she had to. She channeledthat energy into volunteering her time.Starting at a school, then moving on tothe Veteran's Administration and final-ly at the Department of Housing andUrban Development here in Chicago.

She worked as a receptionist andwould write poetry for her coworkers.Whenever someone was leaving adepartment or retiring they would besure to come by and ask for a poem.Eventually though, volunteering andpoems for co-workers were not enough.She wanted to do more.

"I wanted to go back to work, thathas been my story and my song. Onemorning I saw on ‘Good MorningAmerica,’ there was this 94-year-oldwoman, walking across a stage, receiv-

ing her Bachelor's degree. I said well, ifI can't go back to work (without volun-teering) right now, I am going to go backto school. That is when I came here andtook the entry exam."

Mrs. Hatchet questioned herself attimes, though not about her intentionsfor coming to HWC but more so aboutwhere she was.

"At one point in time, while walkingthrough the corridors, I asked myself,what am I doing here? How did I gethere? After I came here, my brainpained from studying however I knewit was helping me."

"I knew that I needed to go throughintensive studying in order to helpmyself mentally. Since I've been here,my memory has expanded and soared.It's made me live again."

Hermia has an eternal optimism andshares it with her peers. Last year, shewas published in the “Garland CourtReview” with a poem entitled, "I'llDream".

She admires students who work andare raising a family. She reflects on theyoung people that she meets and offersthem advice that is justified not only bythe wisdom of the ages but also bysomeone who continues to persevere inlife and in love.

Her presence at the school was hon-ored at the Sydney R. DanielsOratorical Festival on February 17th.Professor Daniels essentially asked herafterwards, 'now when are you going tospeak?'

"I am on my own, thank God. I stickmy chest out with pride and thank godI have that resiliency and ability to moveand go. In the words of TeddyRoosevelt, 'Do what you can, with whatyou have, where you are.' That's mymotto."

Perseverance gives student strength

Photo by GʼJordan Williams

Hermia Hatchet, right, with Sadalia Brown, oratorical festival winner, left.

TTHHEEHHEERRAALLDD

““KKEEEEPP IINNGG YYOOUU IINN TTHHEE LLOOOOPP””

THEHERALD APRIL 2011 - 11

Staff editorials reflect the majorityopinion of THE HERALDʼs student editorial board and not the opinions of Harold WashingtonCollege, the City Colleges ofChicago, or THE HERALD.

Send Letters to the Editor to:via mail: THE HERALD

30 E. Lake St.Chicago, IL 60601

via fax: 312-553-5647via email: hwc_heraldnews@ccc.edu

Letter requirements:» Should be typed» Should be fewer than 300 words» Should include the authorʼs

name, affiliation, and phone number.

Anonymity may be requested.Letters may be edited for length,clarity, style and grammar. Letters,columns, and cartoons contain the opinions of their authors, notTHE HERALD.

OPINION

“Service Excellence is a guidingvalue in the day-to-day operations ofthe City Colleges of Chicago. At CityColleges, when we say “ServiceExcellence”, we mean a comprehensive,collaborative, and system-wideapproach that applies critical thinkingwhich initiates a customer/student cen-tered approach to attracting, maintain-ing and fostering relationships of life-long learning”, are the “Core Values”mentioned on page nine of the HaroldWashington College Student PolicyManual. Then it goes on to list thethings that our Instructors, OfficePersonnel, and Staff are supposed to bestriving to achieve, and because thesetopics are very important to how thestructure of HWC is operated. I will

only be discussing two topics in this arti-cle they are Professionalism andAccountability. The other topics, ActiveListening, Respect, and Training I willtouch on in a follow-up article. So, let’sstart with professionalism.

Professionalism was defined as,“friendly demeanor, willingness to serve,respectful, acknowledgment of cus-tomer, and an “on-stage” demeanor.” Ido believe that by far most of the facul-ty and staff here at Harold WashingtonCollege go above and beyond to achievethis goal and are here to help studentsget through the difficulties of the col-lege life. There are also members of thestaff whose attitude gives the school anegative and unprofessional persona. Ihave witnessed and been a recipient ofa faulty member with an attitude thatreally didn’t want to answer the samequestions over and over again. I wouldlike them to remember to smile, take a

deep breathe, and relax. We all have ourbad days, so don’t take what’s bother-ing you out on everybody else. Whenyou work with an attitude bad thingshappen and do you want to be account-able for giving someone the wrong infor-mation.

Accountability was defined as,“owning the issue/concern, knowingyour job, and follow up.” We as studentsfor the most part will take responsibili-ty for our mistakes. The staff should alsobe willing to take accountability for mis-takes made on their side of an issue. Ihave heard to many student’s complainthat they were told that a class countedtowards graduation, only to be deniedthe request for graduation because theyhad to retake another class. Then whenthe student tried to get the situationresolve the blame was placed solely onthe student. We are all human andmake mistakes. I think that if the facul-

ty were willing to accept it when theymake mistakes, then students may bewilling to do the same. Now for thosetimes that a student is totally at fault foran issue, if you let the student ventilatetheir problems. Then, explain to themin a calm tone where they made theirmistake. Nine times out of ten they willcalm down, be polite, and be morereceptive to listening to the solution thatwill help them resolve their problem.Then helping the student will be moreproductive. A faculty member has to bewilling to listen to understand what theproblem is first, find the solution.

These two are just the beginning ofwhat goals that our HWC staff, strive toaccomplish in making our school a moreprofound institution of higher learning.So, let us students strive to do our partas well. Stay tuned for the second install-ment in next month’s issue.

By Anthony KromwellStaff Columnist

Part 1 of 2: Does HWC provide service excellence?

My fellow students, I am TimiAkindele, and I am your current VicePresident of the Student GovernmentAssociation.

Recently, I announced my candidacyfor the Presidency of SGA. My reasonfor running is purposeful. My aims andobjectives are sound and detailed, andwill be comprehensively revealed. Myaim is to transform our StudentGovernment Association for the better-ment of every student. It shall be atransformative innovation.

My goals are specifically defined.They are broadly charitable, educa-tional, and social. In essence, to be com-munity service centered, to seek moreknowledge amongst ourselves, and tostrengthen and expand our social bondas students.

This will be the ideal and model forus. We shall have a more focused anddisciplined approach to StudentGovernance. Now, this will be accom-plished by creating events that foster andcelebrate our diversity and uniquenessas peoples and individuals.

Events like Leadership Training,Pizza Parties, Clothing Drive for needypersons, Ice cream social gatherings,Canned Food Drive to feed the home-less, Craft fairs for the artistic and allthose interested; Job fairs, Health fairs,

Culturally Showcases, Networking, anda Veterans Recognition Day to honorour hero’s.

As we all know, the SGA is the linkbetween student, staff, and faculty. Iintend on using the power of this SGA-of Harold Washington College, as asystem to foster the community collegeexperience of every student whopresently attends HWC. If elected asyour President, we will not go beyondnor beneath our responsibility; neithershall we breach the Student PolicyManual. We shall be proactive, and notreactionaries. We will make a strongimpact; thus making us a blueprint forall CCC – SGA’s. I am determined toachieve this by all legal means necessary.

Also, it is my intention to spread theSGA to those who are unaware of itspower and influence. Besides, the posi-tive aspect of every StudentGovernment Association is that it hasthe tools and capacity to affect the well-being of every student for the better. Forexample, by helping you start your ownclub on campus/school. Sadly, many donot know that the SGA can do this orthat it is a medium to channel any con-cern that any student may have with hisor her respective college. For example,on the issues of text books, cost ofdrinks at vending machines, and the costand lack of variety at our cafeteria — isour responsibility to be a voice for you.Likewise with all other concerns, we willhelp you voice them and seek solutions.

However, since the concern of stu-dents is the concern of the SGA, ourconcerns will not be heard andaddressed solely from the passion of the

dispute. In truth, we will have to bemore organized, calculative, and deter-mined. In my opinion, if we lack con-sistent-passionate organizational unityas students, it undermines our ability tobe taken seriously. So, we need to regu-larly break that dynamic and mantrathat says Student Government is pow-erless. This is why more Students mustget involved. It is my intention to getmore students involved and interestedwith Student Government.

One way we will do this is by humblyasking our professors to promote clubsthat are in relation to their field ofteaching/studies and asking students tojoin them. With this plan, we will havemore students leading and joiningStudent Government – thereby teachingand making ourselves better StudentLeaders. This will make our consensusstrong and our resolutions tight … andwith both, we will lead our concerns anddesires into being heard and addressed.

Additionally, I plan on assisting inter-national students, in settling into life atHWC. Because as an international stu-dent, I know the economic and cultur-al maladjustment faced. Likewise, I dohope and intend to increase student par-ticipation in not just student centeredactivities, but in all school activities, suchas getting us as students to celebrate ourdiversity with various Heritage Monthsof which we comprise.

Furthermore, reasons for studentattrition, peer counseling, and where toget tutored if sought, a campus trajec-tory on each floor, and information onall types of scholarships will be provid-ed by the Student Government

Association under my Presidency. AsPresident, our core value at the SGA iswill be community service, our aim: toget educated; and our desire: to havefun and socialize.

Please note, if you have an ideas,send them to me. They are welcomedand will be implemented and furtherdeveloped if necessary. Similarly,Student input is something we will con-tinually give to staff, faculty, and admin-istration. Additional drop boxes aroundthe school for suggestions or surveys willbe provided.

In the end, we shall have an SGAsponsored dinner for all students, facul-ty, staff, and administrators to celebratethe completion of yet another semester.Remember, as President I will make surethat as a unit we do not protest what wepermitted; instead we shall protest whatis necessary and did not permit.

I promise transparency and goodgovernance and a steady and firmmomentum for the next SGA. Thistransformation is coming through, nowis the time for it and we shall be the facil-itators and beneficiaries of the trans-formation.

We are paying to attend here, so it isour reasonable expectation to be servedas valuable customers. But we must alsobear in mind that the faculty and staffare not enemies, and we do not plan toalienate them. Rather, it is our goal toreestablish the voice of the student andreorient the structure of our relation-ship to its proper place through uprightdealings with one another and throughtransparency and wisdom.

Guest OpinionBy Timi Akindele

Vice President of the HaroldWashington College Student

Government Association

A letter to my fellow students

12 - APRIL 2011 LIFESTYLE THEHERALD

By James TiltonStaff Writer

After getting 97 percent of votes inthe track-off competition organized bythe RedEye "Kyles Files", The Asylumearned the opportunity to perform theiroriginal composition, “The Go(Chicago Anthem)” , at the ChicagoTheater on March 10. The trio, (Jon(FATboy) Short, Shanton (Psychotic)Perry and Kevin (Pukka $ole) Smithcomposed the track here at HWC in theCommercial Music Workshop with pro-fessor Rodney Grisanti.

“I could not be more proud of Jon(FATboy) and The Asylum. They arevery talented song writers as well asrecording and mixing engineers,”Grisanti said. Short and Perry are bothpursuing a certificate in music technol-ogy from HWC. The certificate is simi-lar to an associate of science degree andhelpful if a student is going to transfer orfurther pursue music technology atanother school.

"The Asylum slipped a lyrical strait-jacket on the competition,” wrote KyraKyles in the "Kyles Files". The track-offcompetition is a weekly match-upwhere local Chicago musicians submit asong to the RedEye. The public thenvotes for a winner in the track-off, withthe winner getting a write up by theRedEye.

The RedEye teamed up withChicago Live! and provided the oppor-tunity for The Asylum to perform as the

winners of the competition. The per-formance was a milestone that markedthe first time a musical act performedas part of Chicago Live! in cooperationwith Kyles. Winning the competitionand performing at the Chicago Theatrewas “one of the best feelings ever, Shortsaid.

Musical guest Lupe Fiasco also

appeared as part of the evenings pro-gramming for Chicago Live! Theformat for the Chicago Live! gives theaudience the chance to “see the news-paper brought to life on stage and meetall manner of interesting characters,”as stated by the shows host/producerRick Kogan.

Chicago Live! is a weekly stage and

radio show produced by the ChicagoTribune, in partnership with SecondCity. Chicago Live! features guestsdrawn from the arts, entertainment,popular culture and sports. Each hour-long show is taped for WGN Radio tobe aired on the radio and as a podcastSaturday nights.

HWC trio performs at Chicago Theater

Photo by GʼJordan Williams

The members of The Asylum, left to right. Pukka $ole, Psychotic and Fatboy