Daily Archives: March 27, 2019

News

Students readying for ‘Speechapalooza’

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Public Relations class puts on annual event

Public relations students are gearing up for the fifth annual Speechapalooza on April 23rd, in Lecture Hall A. It’s a student-run public speaking event that is truly an exercise in free speech says Professor Amy Callahan. She doesn’t screen the speeches beforehand, but she says her students are free to run ideas by her. The students are encouraged to use this outlet to speak about what they like and what they are passionate about. “I wanted to do Speechapalooza because my students were doing such great work, I wanted more people to hear what they had to say” said Callahan. Organizing the event is mandatory for Callahan’s public relations class, but she attests that it has a “party atmosphere” because it’s run by students. “It can be very powerful, students’ topics can cover things like politics, climate change, even abuse” said Callahan.

Deidre Grant was the event’s audience-chosen winner last year, going home with a $25 Visa gift card for her winning Tweet.. Grant, also known as “Deidre Darling,” on YouTube, gave a speech about her channel at Speechapalooza. Her channel focuses on beauty and fashion, but she wanted to give an inside look at some of the intricacies of having your own channel. She talked about “stuff behind-the-scenes and even how I was unmotivated sometimes” said Grant. She didn’t prepare that much but Grant says talking about something you’re passionate about makes it much easier to get up in front of a crowd. Grant said she felt like she could be comfortable because she was at NECC with her peers, there were even some laughs.

Grant talked about the challenges when faced with group projects; the whole class participated in the coordination of Speechapalooza, and made decisions as a group. Grant said the event gives good experience in public speaking and in event planning. Grant encourages all students to go even if they don’t want to speak, just to watch. “There’s raffles, free pizza, a Tweet contest, it’s a good, coordinated event that makes people want to be involved with NECC” said Grant. Alexis Fontaine plans to give a motivational speech at this year’s Speechapalooza. “I’ve overcome a lot in my life, I want to share how I’ve gotten through that and continue to live positively” said Fontaine. She’s not shy about sharing her personal story, especially, she says, if hearing her speech will help someone else going through something. “Life is not about comparing our tragic [experiences] but about how we overcome them and move on” says Fontaine.

For those who aren’t natural extroverts like Fontaine, she gives advice in the form of a visualization trick. No, she doesn’t “picture the audience naked, that’s weird” says Fontaine. She says to visualize the person you want to be in the future and imagine them succeeding and then make that person a reality today. In tough situations she says, “I ask myself what the girl I want to be would do”.

News

Talking Security

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Director of Public Safety seeks feedback

Public safety has been a topic of interest for Northern Essex students and faculty for a long time. There have been many events in schools across the country that increase the fear and concern on campus. At Northern Essex specifically,  questions have come up such as “Is three security guards enough?” or “What do the security guards even do?” and the NECC community wants answers. NECC has three security guards during the day and three at night. Their jobs include locking doors, tracking down stolen items,and being the eyes and ears of the school, to name a few. They have no weapons nor are they allowed to touch students for any reason. Some schools have an armed police officer on campus in case of emergencies, Northern Essex does not. Northern Essex recently hired Director of Public Safety Deborah Crafts, who is looking to improve public safety on campus. Crafts is open to all faculty and staff, and can be reached at dcrafts@necc.mass.edu. She has years of experience in law enforcement, and she is very dedicated to “improve public safety here a Northern Essex by implementing current best practice for safety on college campuses.”

Crafts had a lot to say on the matter when asked what she wanted the Northern Essex public to know in regards to public safety. “Public Safety needs to move from a more reactive model to a proactive model,” she said. “Security on college campuses used to mean simply locking doors, jumpstarting cars, and patrolling buildings for hazards such as water leaks or broken stairs.  In today’s society the expectations of campus public safety are much, much broader to include law enforcement, emergency planning, technology, compliance, and community policing to name a few.  This translates to handling calls for service such as hostile intruders, individuals with mental illness, planning for large scale disasters such as kitchen fires, science lab explosions, hurricanes or gas leaks.  Public Safety also needs to be tech savvy so we can handle the different types of software required for our job such as alarms systems, camera technology, or records required to be accurate by law.”

Many students here at NECC say they want the public safety systems in place to be revamped and taken more seriously. Now that NECC has a Director of Public Safety, students and faculty can look for and discuss the changes they want to see. If a student or faculty member have any issues regarding public safety, they are encouraged to speak up and reach out to Deborah Crafts.

Arts and Entertainment

If its free it’s for me

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Students get free admission into the Museum of Fine Arts

black statue of a pharaoh in a museum
A statue at the MFA Photo by Deirdre Grant

The Museum of Fine Arts has hosted a series of after hour parties, called “Late Nite” to showcase artwork before opening to the public. These parties are open to everyone especially college students.  This event went from March 15 to 16 from  8:00 pm – 2:00 am showcasing their first “Gender Bender” fashion show. You could also partake in pop-up performances while enjoying live music and festive cocktail and more to celebrate art. Advanced tickets were sold out so it became the first come first serve at the door. Once entered into the event there were many events you could participate in. Each hour there were different shows you could participate or view, even a taste testing section. For 21+ cocktails and specialty drinks were served, there is even a lounge to either relax or to bust a move on the dance floor. This popular event was introduced in October 2017 and has become a seasonal event since it has been so popular that almost every series has been sold out.

grey wood table with two plats of food and utensils set out on ether side.
lunch at the New American Cafe Photo by Deidre Grant

The next Late Nite Show will be hosted in May 2019. These series help students, artists, and locals to really appreciate art and what the MFA has to offer Boston through it’s wide variety of activities. “It’s helping people appreciate what could be lost,” said Anthony Cruz, a criminal justice student. Although NECC students don’t have free access to the after hour party they can enjoy free art during opening hours with a valid student ID. Bentley Library on the Haverhill campus gives out free passes to the MFA to students that want to enjoy art. Susan Leonard is one of the many librarians that can help you to get free passes.

Leonard has been with the Haverhill campus since 2016 but first started out in Lawrence in 2012. She explains that the MFA wanted to reach out to community colleges and get them more involved and one way was getting free admission to the MFA. NECC partners with the Pozen Community College Access Program which gives students the opportunity to visit the MFA for free. NECC is one of the 15 community colleges in the state of Massachusettes that partners with them.

NECC also wants to help students get creative and become more involved, getting free admission to the MFA is one way students are able to enjoy their time bu also have the opportunity for growth and learning. “We inform students about the free admission in all of the information literacy classes, as well as posting flyers around the campus” explained Leonard. “Exploring Boston can be expensive getting free admission to the MFA is a great way to spend your time,” said Rajiv Sarin an NECC alumni. The MFA features a wide range of exhibit halls to go through from America, Europe, Asia, and contemporary art.

Each gallery presents a visual and engaging platform for art. Not only does the museum just present art but it gives you a selection of dining halls as well for when you are hungry between fine dining and family-friendly dining. Sarin is excited to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit especially now that he knows about the free admission to the exhibit. Many students have explained they would go to the MFA frequently knowing about the free admission. “I would go every weekend,” says student Victoria Gladstone. Gladstone enjoys the ancient Greek exhibit due to its history and all of the stories behind it.

Cruz also enjoys the ancient Greek exhibit as well; he views the exhibit on its various cultural aspect. Not only can students get free admission into the MFA they are also eligible for a discount purchase made at the MFA shop and more. Schools supplying discounts or being able to give free admission to anywhere is one way for students to be able to out and do something they wouldn’t normally do. Many students don’t have the money to spend on entry fees so having that type of stress is a great way to get students more involved and encourages them to be active and learn new information. Attending educational but interesting exhibits is a way for students to learn outside of the classroom while having fun at the same time, it also expands our cultural backgrounds. Although NECC hasn’t had the opportunity to give out admission to other attractions they are hoping to work on that. “If you check in with your public library they are able to give free admission or discounted tickets to other attractions,” said Leonard.

long brightly lit white hallway with paintings on ether side.
Hallway of paintings at the MFA. Photo by Deidre Grant

For example, the Amesbury public library has offered more than free tickets to the MFA, they also have discounted tickets on the New England Aquarium and Museum of Science. Although NECC provides free admission to the MFA, one problem Leonard notices for students is finding transportation. The best way to get into Boston is through the train but discounted tickets for parking at the MFA is a possible option and sometimes dufferent classes or clubs at NECC plan field trips to the museum. NECC professors took a group of students to the MFA on March 8 with free bus transportation provided and the PACE program also brought a group there on March 19. Visiting the MFA is one of many museums students should have the opportunity to see especially if they don’t go to many museums or often. Cruz says “ No time period or culture is the same or has the same style, which is what it makes it truly unique.”

Campus Life

Gaming with the Government

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Man wearing purple button up shirt, standing outside in front of a tree.
SGA President Matthew Day and founder of Gaming with the Government Photo from Facebook
Several people siting holding controllers. Thare is a group in the front citing on two couches, and another group in the back standing
A group of students compete against each other in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in SGA room (SC213) Photo by Aaron Lehner

Student Government connects with community through video games

The Student Government Association (SGA) holds ‘Gaming with the Government’ from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday in the Student Success Center (SC213).  Students and faculty are invited to join the student government in a variety of different video games.  SGA President Matthew Day, Architecture and Engineering major, says that the idea of having a video game club on campus had been in his head for a while before GG was launched.  “We had a projector screen to host [government] meetings, but we realized quickly the room was too small to hold our members in. One day we were reorganizing the room and stumbled upon the projector and I thought that we should keep it. I then thought to myself, ‘Why not hook up my Xbox or Switch?’ so I bought a VGA and HDMI cable and they both worked,” says Day.

Soon this began to attract students from outside the SGA room.  They were able to see him and other members playing whatever video game Day had brought through the window, and he realized the potential this could have for SGA and the rest of the student body.  “The idea of combining video games and student advocacy has been a great accomplishment. I believe that it is a better way for SGA to interact and advocate for the students of NECC,” says Day. According to the NECC website, the Student Government helps identify and address student concerns and brings them up to the appropriate senior administrators as necessary.

“The idea of combining video games and student advocacy has been a great accomplishment. I believe that it is a better way for SGA to interact and advocate for the students of NECC.”

– Matthew Day, SGA President

Being a part of SGA help to build leadership and communication skills, but most importantly to build a strong community.  Sofia Fedele, Mathematics and Education major, was inspired to try and join SGA after attending GG. “I’m not much of a gamer but I’m having lots of fun. It’s a great, inclusive environment,” says Fedele. The most popular game in GG by far is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. The fifth installment to the SSB franchise, players can compete with one another using a variety of characters from different Nintendo games and battle one another in a large arena. With Ultimate, up to eight players can compete at the same time and also engage in online battles.  “I thank Ricardo Rivera for helping us get connected online so that we could expand ourselves and play online,” says Day. In the past the student government has played Mario Kart, the Halo collection, Call of Duty, and more. Day encourages students to bring in their own games to play.

“I want to play games that others want to. They are more than welcome to bring and share whatever they want because in essence, it is about them.” says Day. Some games that he would like to play in the future are Quiplash, Cards Against Humanity, and Uno. Students that have attended GG also gave their input for other games that they could play. Garrett Henningson suggested Uncharted, Just Cause 3, and Grand Theft Auto.  Troy D’Angelo- Lombari suggested more card games such as Cardfight Vanguard, with others backing up this suggestion with Yugioh or Magic: The Gathering. With the increasing popularity of online gaming, NECC has gone through an official funding process to start including E-Sports into campus life. This would allow gaming students to play more competitively with each other, and possibly with other schools.  “E-Sports is affordable to the college, and also a great way to attract incoming students. But I would like to keep GG for a more casual gaming environment,” says Day.

Along with playing more games, Day hopes to expand GG by hosting in different areas of the NECC campus so that they are not confined to just within the SGA headquarters; the Sports and Fitness Building for example. “The only problem would be the limitation of materials like getting a TV, controllers, consoles, etc. because I mostly bring in my own stuff. But I do believe that it is possible. SGA is all about creating a community after all,” says Day.

Features

Judge Jack Lu visits NECC

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No matter what academic path students follow during their time at NECC, there are just some things that all students should be aware of. With the help of Professor Stephen Russell and Judge Jack Lu, students gain a better understanding of the Massachusetts criminal justice system during his annual visits to the campus. According to the Mass.gov website, Judge Lu was appointed to the Boston Municipal Court in 2001 and then to the Superior Court by Mitt Romney in 2006. In 2014, Governor Deval Patrick appointed Judge Lu to chair the Sentencing Commission. He is also the lead Superior Court Judge for a Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded Demonstration Field Experiment of HOPE probation principles, and leads a multi-agency criminal justice innovation group in Essex County, Massachusetts.

The month of March is Judicial Awareness Month, and Professor Stephen Russell has been accompanying his students to the judicial court for quite some time. Like all great things, they come unexpectedly. That is exactly what occurred when Judge Jack Lu took interest in the group of students that were visiting from NECC and managed to contact Professor Russell himself. Since that time about four years ago according to Professor Russell, he has been a guest speaker at NECC . Russell says, “I like to connect my students to the real world, he provides one of those opportunities.” Professor Russell continues to share his outlook on the importance of involving students on a deeper level than just an in-class setting. Russell shares, “Over the years ideas about sentencing have evolved very rapidly and I think Lu has moved along with the ideas. He’s still learning and I think that’s interesting.” Russell also shares the evolution of Judge Lu’s speeches and how they started off “more technical” in terms of how things work, but has developed a narrative that implies “how things should work.” Russell continues to bring along his history students to a variety of different field trips to further expand their academic experience.

Being present during Judge Lu’s lecture on Wednesday March, 27, I can honestly say that I was impressed to find that it was less of a “lecture” and more of a conversation. Judge Lu delivered important insight on the criminal justice system but went on to talk about his personal experience as a judge and how us students are the future of the justice system. Judge Lu was an entertaining and animated speaker. He established trust with the audience and even walked around the lecture to show us  a picture of his son in relations to a story he was giving about sentencing a young biracial boy who had resembled his son. Judge Lu began his speech with the phrase, “You are the center of the universe,” which he followed by saying, “We are in a moment of near crisis in American Criminal Justice.” Judge Lu continued to share the evolution of his views over the course of 18 years and admits that he does not think the same way he did a while back.

He spoke for a short period of time and allowed students to ask questions immediately. One student asked, “Do you regret some of the sentences you’ve given?” in which Judge Lu replied, “Yes, I have.” Judge Lu finished his lecture at NECC by having a conversation with the audience. He even offered to give his personal cell phone and email to students who had further questions. Lu finally ended by handing out two articles. One was titled, “The War on Cops,” by the heritage foundation and “There’s Overwhelming Proof that the Criminal Justice System is Racist, Heres the Proof,” by the Washington Post.

Sports

Richardson hoping for another Nationals trip

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Track and Field athlete placed 6th in high jump last year

Katelyn Richardson, a 23-year-old from Wilmington, Massachusetts, is at NECC for her certificate in American Sign Language interpretation. She is part of the track and field program at Northern Essex is hoping to head back to the NJCAA Division 3 national competition in Utica, New York on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Richardson has had experience in competing in college athletics before joining the Knights. She went to James Madison University located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and competed in both the cross country and track club teams.  She got her bachelor’s from JMU in sports medicine and also minored in biology. Last year, Richardson broke the school record for the women’s high jump with the height of 4’7 ¾” and is hoping to set an even better record for the same event. Richardson started her running career in the seventh-grade due to the influence of her middle school gym teacher, Mr.Meacker. “I did my first track meet in seventh grade because of my gym teacher,” Richardson stated, “He had high jump in his gym classes and he thought I would be good at it.” She also met someone who inspired her to keep going.“

woman standing in front of blue background. She is wearing a necc sports uniform
Katelyn Richardson Photo by NECC

Dick Fosbury is the man who revolutionized high jump and who I was coached by in the summer at his camp and I coached with him over the summers.” Richardson worked with a famous person in the track and field world. Would you also be star struck to work with someone who is considered a celebrity in the world of your favorite sport?  At last year’s national competition, Richardson came in sixth place for the high jump and claimed an All-American title for placing in the top eight.  She is hoping to go back the second year in a row for the same event and place even higher.

“I expect to go back to Nationals again,” Richardson says, “I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to jump again because of my back injury I got in July 2018. I’m hoping to jump five feet. I’m excited to be with this team as whole.” Will Katie Richardson go back to Nationals again and break her own personal best from last year?  Check out neccknights.com or the knights official Instagram page @neccknights to follow up on updates that will include Richardson, her other track and field teammates, other sports and their schedules to see where each team will be traveling.  For more information about athletics, contact head director of athletics Dan Blair at dblair@necc.mass.edu, the assistant of athletics Jeff Mejia at jmejia@necc.mass.edu, or the second assistant director of athletics Maureen Saliba at msaliba@necc.edu.

Sports

Athlectic Hall of Fame now in existence

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NECC Inaugural Hall of fame induction first of many to come

NECC had its first hall of fame induction on Thrusday February 28th. The inductees were the 1970-71 men’s basketball team and former track and field star Noelia Figuereo. Figuereo was a two-time National Juinor College National champion while at Northern Essex; in first the 200 meter in 2010, and then the 100 meter in 2011. After her successful career at NECC she transferred to Merimack, where she continued to run track and ultimatey earned a master’s in education, according to Ernie Greensdale in NECC public relations. The 1970-71 men’s basketball team completed the season with a 21-6 record, along with being crowned the Massachusetts Community College champions as well as the Eastern Massachusetts Small College Conference Championship, according to the NECC Knights athlectic page.  It was a special moment for the team, who were able to unite after over 45 years of last playing together.

This may not be the last NECC hall of fame induction for one of the members of this storied team. Joe Tardiff, the current head coach of the NECC men’s basketball tea, was also a member of 1970-71 team. There’s a good chance that Tardiff becomes NECC’s first double inductee, as both a member of this team and also for the coaching career he is currently embarked on. This was NECC’s first Hall of Fame induction, an event that they plan on repeating every year. They will go forward with an open noimination process, according to athlectic director Dan Blair.

 

Sports

Jayme Bates named Women’s Basketball coach

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Sport will return to NECC in fall 2019

Northern Essex Community College Director of Athletics Dan Blair has announced Jayme Bates has been named head coach of the Knights reestablished women’s basketball program. He began March 1. “I would like to thank Athletic Director Dan Blair, and Northern Essex Community College for the opportunity to serve as NECC’s new Women’s Basketball Coach. I look forward to building our team from the ground up, and can’t wait to get out on the recruiting trail this spring,” said Bates. Prior to joining Northern Essex, Bates had significant junior college coaching experience in upstate New York. Most recently he was the head women’s coach at Columbia Greene Community College in Hudson, NY from 2016-2018, where he built a program from the ground up after it had been dormant since 2006. His record over two seasons as head coach was 32-24.

man standing in front of blue brick wall. He is wearing a black necc jacket
Jayme Blair Photo by NECC

Prior to his time at Columbia Greene, Bates spent time as an assistant men’s coach at both Hudson Valley Community College and Schenectady Community College. A native of Troy, N.Y., he attended Hudson Valley Community College where he served as a student assistant with the men’s basketball program. When on the staff the team secured a 20-10 record. “I’m excited to bring Jayme on board here at NECC. To identify someone with his experience to help us in reestablishing the women’s basketball program at the college, I couldn’t be happier. I look forward to watching the program grow,” said Blair. The NECC women’s basketball program will return to the court in the fall of 2019 for the first time since 2012. Prospective students interested in the NECC women’s basketball program are encouraged to complete the NECC Athletic Recruitment Form or contact Coach Bates at jbates@necc.mass.edu, or the athletic department directly at 978-556-3820.

Uncategorized

MBTA to hike fares

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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has recently proposed a fare increase by an average of 6.3% by July 1, 2019. The state allows the MBTA to increase fares every two years by a max of 7%. The MBTA has stated that a fare increase “is necessary for the Authority to continue making system investments to improve service.” However, many state representatives have spoken out against the proposed 6.3% hike. Haverhill State Rep. Andy Vargas stated via Facebook, “ In 2012, the monthly commuter rail pass from Haverhill to Boston was $291/month. The proposed fare hike would bring the monthly rate to $360/month. Average wages are not increasing as fast and neither is the speed of the commuter rail.” Since the fare hike in 2016, monthly commuter rail passes ranged from $74.50- $388.25. If the proposed fare increase passes, monthly passes will range from $90.00- $406.00.

Currently, a monthly commuter pass from Haverhill to North Station in Boston is $326.50. A monthly pass from Lawrence to Boston is currently $308. The MBTA does offer student discounts, but not for college students. Only middle school and high school students are eligible. According to State House News Service, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak defends the proposed increase saying, “Fare hikes are an unpleasant bit of this business, but they are an important part of the MBTA’s funding stream.” However, Boston City Council Woman Michelle Wu has a different idea entirely, stating via Twitter that, “We should take every step to move towards fare-free transit, not increase burden on those who can least afford it & who do the most to reduce traffic/help air quality.”

NECC student Sarah Regan-Kelley said she was unaware of the current prices for a monthly MBTA pass. She stated, “I think it should be less expensive.” When informed of the MBTA’s position on the matter, Regan-Kelley said, “I feel like they should find money elsewhere because some people need to get into Boston for their jobs. If they keep raising the prices then it’s going to become less accessible to people that need this mode of transportation.” Although Regan- Kelley does think the prices should be lower, she did not agree with Boston City Council Woman Michelle Wu and her view that we should move towards fare-free transit.

Second semester student Alyssa DiTomaso, says she never uses the MBTA as a mode of transportation she says, “I have friends that go to school in Boston and I knew it’s really convenient for them, a lot easier than driving into Boston. I think right know it is a hefty price and i think an increase is absurd, especially considering a lot of these people are college students or people just going in for work. DiTomaso said she agrees with Wu’s argument of fare- free transit saying that, “Making it free would make so much more sense because a lot of these people have to go into the city.” However, she does point out that she understands the downside of making it free as well, such as keeping up with maintenance.