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Presser disappoints
system and all of us will just
have to deal. Staff Editorial
President Obama also Sarah Neve Editor-in-Chief • David Rodriguez Assistant Editor
came up with this zinger at Jamie Carpenter Campus Editor • Alma Hernandez Photo/Web Editor
the National Prayer Breakfast Jana Lelek Layout Editor • Chris Scott Layout Intern
a few days back: “There is no
God who condones taking
the life of an innocent human
being, this much we know.”
Oh really?
Maybe he should be
Rob Palladino reminded of the fact that he
Columnist recently signed the reversal
of the Mexico City Policy
As I’m sitting here tapping that so generously “donates”
away at the keyboard, way past American tax payer dollars to
deadline – and hoping my fund abortion overseas. Also,
editor isn’t going to flay me just in case it slipped his mind,
alive - I happened to tune into he’s about to do the same with
President Obama’s maiden the utterly revolting Freedom
press conference and I sin- of Choice Act (FOCA) which
cerely wished I hadn’t. It was will basically turn the USA
perhaps the most dishonest into a 50-state abortion mill.
display I’ve, well, since Obama But then, I guess it will
last said something. make Hollywood zombie
This “presser” was noth- Ashley Judd happy that babies,
ing more than a stump speech instead of wolves, are being
punctuated by meaningless, murdered. I feel a warm and
softball questions asked by fuzzy coming on. Speaking of
his fawning press core – and zombies…
what a disgrace to journal- MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow
ism they are. He was allowed is a class act. No, really. Last
to meander his way through night on her show, she gave a
double-talk and BS and no one short “speech” about how she
batted an eyelid – if they could backed all the people that are
keep their eyes open during fighting the good fight against
the mogadon bore-fest. When “corrupt” CEOs and so called
the liveliest member of the “Fat Cats.” Ms. Maddow is a
press core is Medusa herself, hypocrite par excellence. Who
Helen Thomas – who, as Bill does she think she works for?
O’Reilly amusingly quipped, Greenpeace? This bright spark
that if someone poured salt on works for MSNBC who are
her she would dissolve – you owned by? General Electric!
R
But really, the truth of the not the issue is a lack of owning
matter is that teachers do know up to your procrastination with
edress of
Grievances
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what it’s like. Obviously, in your homework or hypocriti-
order to be a teacher, they had cal teachers, there should not
OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE to go to school. They had to do be this unspoken war between
RGC, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 101.1 Austin TX 78701
homework, manage their time, teachers and students where
take classes they didn’t want to teachers are tyrants holding
Editor-in-Chief.........................................................................................................Sarah Neve take, and put up with teachers our destiny in their hands, and
Assistant Editor............................................................................................... David Rodriguez
Photo/Web Editor...........................................................................................Alma Hernandez they might not have liked. They students are bratty kids talking
Layout Editor..............................................................................................................Jana Lelek survived and so will we. Were it on their cell phones and walk-
Layout Intern............................................................................................................Chris Scott
Jamie Carpenter personality I am not particu- only so simple that the fault of ing into class late.
Campus Editor
Campus Editor................................................................................................. Jamie Carpenter
Copy Editor............................................................................................... Julie Gorkowski-Day larly fond of, I have nothing bad learning lied solely in the In order for a learning envi-
Accent Adviser............................................................................................. Matthew Connolly
Accent Coordinator................................................................................................Lori Blewett good to say whatsoever. hands of the students. I don’t ronment to be successful, nei-
Student Life Director......................................................................................... Cheryl Richard As a college student, one of Everything that a teacher know how many times I have ther teacher nor student should
Writers Sarah Vasquez, Shawn Hinojosa, Adam Oliphant, Karissa Rodriguez, Shane Yount, the things I love best is the abil- does or says is without a doubt read in a professor’s syllabus be late to class, talk on the
Kaitlin Neve, Rob Palladino, Lindsay Preston,Devon Tincknell, Jon Sack, Scott Richardson, ity to be able to blame teachers said to annoy me. I did not get that it is important we show cell phone, or chat with other
Anne Boyd
Photographers Teodora Erbes, Trevor W. Goodchild, Kevin Forester, Enoch Rios, Hanlly Sam for things that aren’t their fault. an F because I didn’t study, or up for class on time, and have people, because it is disrupting
Artists Karen Kuhn, Anny Ibarra Whenever I have a genuine because I procrastinated and good attendance/participa- for all parties. The classroom
ACC President Dr. Steve Kinslow
Board of Trustees Ms. Nan McRaven– Chair; Ms. Veronica Rivera—Vice Chair; Dr. James interest in a class and I like my waited till the last minute. tion, only to have them waste environment should be about
McGuffee—Secretary, Dr. Barbara P. Mink, Allen Kaplan, Mr. Jeffrey Richard, John-Michael
Cortez, Tim Mahoney, Raul Alvarez
teacher, I will sing praises about Instead, the grade is clearly the our time by spending the first learning. Instead, it seems like
the teacher and the class. I love result of my teacher being unrea- thirty minutes trying to pre- there is a silent divide between
All rights reserved. All content is the property of Accent and may not be reproduced, published or going to class, enjoy doing the sonable and/or picking on me. I pare for lectures, sipping their teachers and students which is
retransmitted in any form without written permission from the Office of Student Life. Accent is the
student newspaper of Austin Community College and is printed by the Texas Student Publications. homework, and I give the class really believe that too many col- coffee, or chatting with people pointless and unnecessary.
Accent is published biweekly. ACC students may submit articles for publication in Accent to RGC’s
Office of Student Life Room 101.1; e-mail articles to accent@austincc.edu or fax submissions to
my best effort. lege students do not want to hold that aren’t even in our class. A college education is not a
223‑3086. ACC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, Then of course, there’s my themselves accountable for their Teachers should be prepared petty game with losers or win-
sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or disability. Accent offers ACC’s faculty, staff, students and
surrounding community a complete source of information about student life. Accent welcomes your Hyde side. When it’s a core success or failure in school. It is to teach class just as students ners. Both teachers and students
input, as well as information about errors. If you notice any information that warrants a correction
please e-mail accent@austincc.edu. Individual views, columns, letters to the editor and other opinion
class I am not interested in, too easy to blame the teachers, should be prepared to learn in would benefit from a sense of
pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of Accent. but have to take in order to because they don’t know what class. mutual respect in the learning
graduate, or a teacher whose we are going through. Regardless of whether or relationship they share.
February 16, 2009 • Accent page 3
w w w.the Accent.org
are
ion
er
ity
om
Wa
ana
cat
The
ant
ial
He
The
TheAccent.org
Soc
Karissa
born in Wales and spent more wonderful of a moment even envision a website: www.
his childhood in England, than putting the plum right efakeyankaccentforthequeen.
Portugal, and the United co,uk. Yeah, that’s the idea.
Explains it
al l
States. Oh, ok he’s traveled Oh Christian,
a bit and it’s reasonable to you’ve really started
something now.
assume that someone
would kind of pick
up parts of accents
Karissa Rodriguez grades is not a solution. I along the way. Ok,
Columnist like the grading system, and Rob Palladino fine, I can almost
I am motivated by receiving Columnist understand that.
College without grades grades for my work. But Bale’s
sounds alluring, but what I attended one class last When actor Christian accent does bring
impact would ending the semester where my teacher Bale’s astonishing outburst up a huge bugbear
grading system incur? Too did not believe in grades, and was unleashed on an unsus- for me. Now, some
many negative consequences it was the most frustrating pecting public, the reputation of you may know
I believe. class I have ever taken. of Hollywood celebrities was that I’m originally
That question was con- In this class all that was hardly unsullied. From unfor- from London –
sidered at a workshop during required was that I complete tunates like Marilyn Monroe, that’s in England
the annual meeting of the assignments. After two and survivors like Dennis Hopper, for the more
Association of American a half months of doing just right through to mental midg- geographically
Colleges and Universities that, and not receiving any ets like Matt Damon; it’s been challenged – and
late last month, reported by feedback about my work, a production line of dysfunc- have been living
Inside Higher Ed. I became discouraged and tion, idiocy and criminal self- here in Texas for
Many professors and col- withdrew from the course. indulgence. almost six years.
lege administrators believed I withdrew because I The fact that these people I have not
this would be a good move would rather receive a W for are given a pass by a public lost one bit of my
and proposed to enact an a course than an F. I didn’t who could care less what they London accent and I
evaluation system to replace know how well I was doing in do in private is fair enough, I never will. I haven’t
the current grading system. class, because I didn’t receive suppose. Thousands of people struggled to keep
I on the other hand com- a grade for my work. The also make tons of money from it in place either, it’s
pletely disagree. teacher also didn’t explain promoting this ridiculous just remained there
The evaluation system, in how we would be graded gravy train of stupidity and naturally, because that’s
one scenario, could replace at the end of the semester you can’t blame them from where I come from. I have met
grades with narrative evalu- despite questions from myself making a quick cynical buck numerous Brits out here since
ations, rubrics, and clear and other classmates. or two, and putting their kids I arrived and I haven’t met
learning goals. I knew I wasn’t alone in through college from the one yet that has an accent that
I can’t imagine ACC my frustration because my proceeds. hasn’t been mixed up with the
abolishing grades and using classmates and I commu- But, back to Bale. When he American accent they have
student evaluations in its nicated with each other on tore Director of Photography affected.
place. how to express our disap- Shane Hurlbut a new one, When I ask them why
In order to accommodate pointment with our teacher’s during the filming of they put on this accent,
an evaluation system, admin- decision to not give us grades “Terminator Salvation,” it was they often reply that it
istrators would need to lower for our assignments. treated as a typical Hollywood happened naturally and
class sizes and create more I think if ACC and other “moment.” Someone put the this is from people who
classes. ACC has over 35,000 colleges switched to an tirade to music, and it was a have been here for less
students trying to get into evaluation system, it would rather amusing remix it has than 20 minutes! Maybe
limited classroom space, an discourage students rather to be said, but it wasn’t even they have the insecure
evaluation system would only than motivate them, from my any of that stuff that really need to assimilate and not
make the enrollment process experience. bothered me. stand out, or possibly they
more difficult. If the AACU really wants You know what bugged are ashamed of where they
The more difficult idea to to improve how students the crap out of me about Bale’s come from.
process is that an evaluation learn, I suggest integrat- stressed hairdresser moment? It’s time to start a “let’s
system is better than the cur- ing evaluations along with The way he speaks. Yeah, that’s reclaim our accent” petition.
rent grading system. grades. Together, they what has been annoying me Maybe I’m insane, which is not
I will admit that there are can serve as motivations most of all about this. Call it impossible, but if there are any
flaws in the grading system, for students to improve trivial if you want, and you other Brits reading this, drop
Anny Ibarra • Staff artist
but completely eliminating academically. probably will, but the way his the fake accent for an hour-
Campus News
page 6 Accent • February 16, 2009
w w w.the Accent.org
Sarah Neve
Editor-in-Chief
Students lined up at all campuses to get
lollipop condoms, pick up information about
sexual health, and get information on pregnancy.
Sexual responsibility day, Feb. 10, was a Student
Life college wide event that aimed to provide
students with facts about all aspects of sexual
responsibility.
Different campuses had different tables, but all
campuses provided information on different (not so)
types of contraceptives, and had a mock bed
made up for students to sign. Popcorn was Sexy Facts*
free and every bag came with a sexual Sexually transmitted diseases
responsibility fact attached to it. are passed person-to-person through sexual
The Austin Pregnancy Resource contact. There are three different ways to
Center, CoA Health and Human engage in sex. These include vaginal intercourse, anal sex, and oral sex.
Services, Hope Connection, Planned According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 19 mil-
Parenthood, Worth the Wait, and the lion new sexually transmitted infections occur each year, almost half of them
Pflugerville and Austin Pregnancy among young people aged 15 to 24.
Resource center all attended at
least one campus and distributed More than 20 different viruses and bacteria can pass from one partner to
another during sex.
information.
Eastview Campus and Riverside At least one in four Americans will contract an STI at some point in their lives.
Campus had originally planned to
offer HIV testing, but the mobile Herpes is contagious days preceding an outbreak or the development of sores.
vans used for that service could Even though most couples protect themselves with condoms, condoms may
not make it, and using an empty not necessarily provide protection against herpes. Why? This is because herpes
outbreaks often occur on areas not covered by a condom.
room would have presented
confidentiality issues. Frank There are an estimated 700000 new cases of gonorrhea each year, half of
Taylor, RVC campus manager, them are reported to the Center of Disease control.
said “I’m fully aware of the
importance of testing, if we A pap test will not diagnose Chlamydia
could work out something The majority of sexually transmitted diseases have no symptoms or mild symp-
to have a mobile test- toms. Moreover, some symptoms may be mistaken for other less serious condi-
ing center on campus tions. For example, gonorrhea is often mistaken for a bladder infection.
regularly I would be
all for it…due to the One in five people over 12 years of age have the herpes virus
one way in, one
Male condoms, the most common form of
way out nature birth control, are 99% effective in
of the room we preventing STD’s if
couldn’t do it.” used correctly.
o editor
ndez • Phot
Alma Herna
w w w.the Accent.org
To Be Brief
Enrollment hits record highs
ACC’s enrollment has hit a 14% increase since last spring. Dr. Kinslow, ACC’s President, said,
“Clearly, more students are seeing the value of a postsecondary education and getting the proper
training for high-demand careers.”
The increase in enrollment in community colleges can be attributed to the current state of
the economy. Dr. Kathleen Christensen, Vice President of Student Support and Success Systems
said, “Once students get engaged, and in college find out that they really enjoy learning, then they
will stay with us once the economy gets better. We have been able to optimize the access of our
students”
The areas with the highest rises in enrollment are the Early College Start Program, Weekend
Enrollment, and Round Rock area students who are now able to take advantage of the in district
rate.
w w w.the Accent.org
Soul Fest spruces RGC assisted students who resided Kyle Kaptain, a Social Though his room was the
in the House of Commons, Work Senior at UT, is part of a epicenter of the blaze, Kaptain
providing gift cards for group of eight HOC residents is staying positive. “I lost all
Target, notifying professors, who banded together to lease my belongings, but it’s not
and finding ways to replace a former fraternity to house that big a deal. I had a lot of
text books that were damaged them in the interim. ICC ini- crap,” Kaptain said. “I had
or destroyed. ACC has yet to tially proposed the property, a roommate who told me, ‘If
contribute aid to the several but backed out after concerns you own a rug, you own too
ACC students who lived in the about the building being up much.’ Well, now I’m rug
House of Commons. to code. Kaptain says, “We free.”
Paranoias quelled
Immigration education hones on youth
immigrants endure.
Students were glued to
presenters like Kevin Appleby,
the director of Migration
and Refugee Services for the
U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops in Washington, D.C.
Appleby spoke about the stig-
mas of Catholicism in politics,
and how it relates to immigra-
tion. Other speakers included
Austin’s Immigration Attorney
Paul Parsons, Economist
Hanlly Sam•Staff Photographer John Hockenyos, and House
Students Liam Doherty and Sha Reed take a look at Dudu Osun African soaps at Rio Grande’s Soul Fest Representative Rick Noriega.
on Feb. 3. African American history was also showcased in the student lounge at the festival. “There is an inconsistent
application of immigration
law,” Dr. Richard Armenta,
Associate Vice President,
Office of Student Success, at
ACC, said that the Supreme
Court says that young immi-
grant children have to be edu-
cated, but high education can
be hard to attain, and “these
families face a great deal of
uncertainty.”
On an informal survey
following the conclusion of
Shawn Hinojosa•Staff Photographer
last year’s conference, stu-
Paul Hart, professor of history at Texas State University talks about the dents were asked questions
economic effects of immigration at the Eastview campus on Feb. 6. about what ethical dilemmas
challenge their community.
Shawn Hinojosa addressing a full auditorium of A common answer presented
Staff Writer students and faculty regarding was an understanding that
the effects immigration has immigrant students were seen
Following a registration on certain facets of American as “obvious targets,” and there
fee, hundreds of students life, or lack thereof. Following was apprehension to discover
packed into the multipur- the lecture, participants were how many undocumented
pose hall to participate in the scattered across a multitude students are currently enrolled
second annual Immigration, of classrooms for individual in our institutions. A week
Education, and Our Future workshops. later, on Feb. 13, Immigration
Conference at the Eastview Paul Hart, professor of his- Attorney Mehron Azarmehr
Campus. Austin Community tory at Texas State University, conducted a free seminar,
College in partnership with St. kicked off the event with a answering student ques-
Edward’s University invited PowerPoint presentation which tions regarding how to attain
speakers and students to the demonstrated the economic a Work Visa, permanent
conference. effects of immigration with residency, and the status of
On Feb. 6 the nine-hour facts and figures, and several the DREAM Act. More events
event began with speakers graphic images emphasiz- regarding immigration are
from all over the country ing the social paranoia that sure to follow.
Life&Arts
page 8 Accent • February 16, 2009
w w w.the Accent.org
m u sic re v ie w s
Franz Ferdinand
is back with a new
album, “Tonight:
Franz Ferdinand”
(released late in
Jan.), although
listening to it
doesn’t seem like
there was any time
or style change
in between their
previous recording,
“You Could Have
It So Much Better”
(2005).
The songs from
“Tonight: Franz
Ferdinand” could
be played right
after the preced-
ing album’s tunes, Photo courtesy of Friendly Fire Records
and it would sound
like one continuous
release.
“ Playful Sex’s” dream pop entices
This would be
a problem if they Shane Yount rocking along without even with dual vocals and layered
were a horrible
Photo courtesy of Sony Records Staff Writer realizing it. guitars, and lead vocalist/
un-listenable band, but luckily but subtle changes, and still “Katherine Kiss Me.” The album feels like a keyboardist Yuki Chikudate
they are not. produced the same charac- “Dream Again” gives the Asobi Seksu, the band’s dream, and once you wake up sounds particularly impressive
In fact, one mistake bands teristic pop goodness that audience a chance to relax name translates to playful from it you’re still smiling. on this track.
tend to make with the follow captured their listeners with their pumping hearts after sex, made a huge impact on “Me & Mary,” the first “In the Sky” is a melodic
up to a successful album is their second single, “Take Me dancing the night away, while New York City’s indie scene single off of the new album dream with a gorgeous melody
fixing what isn’t broken by Out” (Jan. of 2004). “Katherine Kiss Me” is a sur- with their second LP “Citrus,” (released Nov.. 18 of 2008) is and delicate vocals.
changing the music genre they “Tonight: Franz prising change that contradicts released in 2006. one of the most distinctive “Hush’s” outro constantly
originated from, and dragging Ferdinand” is one non-stop the entire energy of the record Asobi Seksu’s latest effort, indie pop songs to hit the builds up speed to a satisfying
out songs with over the top dance party with song after by inserting an acoustic folksy “Hush,” will be released Feb. airwaves as of late. The single finish, evoking the listeners to
bridges, choruses, etc. song of infectious beats and love lament. 17 and is rich with dreamy delivers a rocking chorus bob their heads
Fortunately, Franz feel-good sing along lyrics, melodies and soaring vocals. including a combination of The album offers twelve
Ferdinand slightly upgraded with the exception of the last What makes “Hush” such English and Japanese vocals. pleasurable tracks that should
their new tunes with minor, two songs “Dream Again,” and a success is the impressive and “Me & Mary” is one of stand out in your collection,
inviting dream pop melodies the best songs in the bands’ and I am finding “Hush” on
catalogue. my “Most Played” list quite
Kweller’s new horse is disingenous
that crawl through the speak-
ers and capture you. “Hush’s” The track “I Can’t See” often.
listeners may find themselves sounds like a relaxing 90’s
pop rock ballad, complete
Shawn Hinojosa
Staff Writer
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