Daily Archives: October 12, 2021

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How is COVID-19 affecting your college experience?

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Covid-19 has plagued the world. And it may even feel as if you’re the only one experiencing troubles, whether it’s in the classroom, on campus, or in your everyday lives. One thing for certain is we are all struggling through these troubling times.

In an interview with a select few students and teachers at Northern Essex Community College, We hear what they had to say about this change. Fellow student Shaun Hood made this statement about how he is dealing with college and the pandemic.

“The pandemic has definitely made college a lot more difficult. I did not enjoy having two semesters of completely online classes, and I am very happy to be spending much more time on campus this Fall, now that both of my two classes meet in person!”

For other students like Aliyah Quevillon, they face a more social problem.

“I think this virus has made things harder on all of us. I miss being able to see my friends faces.” Quevillon then goes on to say “I miss being able to hug my friends and be able to see them laugh and smile when I tell jokes.”

Quevillon also faces a learning curve,  “Learning with the mask itself is a problem, I usually find that it’s really hard to hear what they are saying because the mask makes everyone muffled.”

The school itself has taken precautions to try and make dealing with covid-19 easier. These include a covid vaccine mandate starting in January 2022, vaccine clinic on campus pop ups, FIT training seminars which are run by certified individuals teaching how to properly wear a N95 mask and 70 air scrubbers with the highest level MERV filters and HEPA filtration systems been placed in high traffic areas on campus. As well as wearing a mask on campus, and contact tracing sheets.

When talking to an all online student, Tara Duggan, she mentions that she “can’t wait to actually be able to come onto campus, but I am still waiting to feel safe enough with covid still going around.”

In another interview with Kimberly Small Lyng, an interpersonal communications director she claims that covid has had some effect in her classroom. “In some ways, yes and  some ways no. I’m teaching Interpersonal Communication in person with masks, which obviously has its challenges, but interestingly, it’s added another dimension to the course as we contemplate how masks have impacted the non-verbal messages we give to one another,” she said.

Lyng goes on to say that “The students are doing a great job through this. I’m really proud of them.”

Lyng states that she is looking forward to “continuing to work toward normalcy again. It’s been so nice to see and work with people. It’s wonderful that we have technology and it’s helped us through all of this, but nothing beats connecting with people in the real world.”

Through this entire pandemic we have seen many scares, many changes and a diverse community coming together. We are all working towards a common goal, the future, and towards normalcy. We are all in this together and will get through this.

 

News

NECC community prepares for vaccine mandate

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The presidents of the 15 Massachusetts Community Colleges recently announced there will be a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate going into effect this upcoming January. The mandate states that all students, staff and faculty members must be fully vaccinated before coming on campus.

While this may be controversial, NECC is still taking precautions to protect against COVID-19 and will continue to do so as the new year begins.

Along with supplying masks and sanitizer and installing plexiglass barriers, our school has taken further extensive measures to fight the virus.

The school now offers fit testing for N-95 respirator masks which gives hands-on instructions on how to properly wear the device and 96 air scrubbers with the highest level MERV filters and HEPA filtration have also been stationed in high traffic areas to maintain clean and pure air quality.

NECC has partnered with Greater Lawrence Family Health Center to provide vaccinations to the community. Vaccine clinic pop-ups are occasionally held on campus, both in Haverhill and Lawrence, to make getting the vaccine easily accessible. There will be a vaccine clinic on the Lawrence campus from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 27 in the Dimitry building lobby and from 9 a.m. to noon in the D building on the Haverhill campus on Oct. 29.

Vaccines are also available at local community centers, pharmacies and doctor’s offices.

NECC has also put together a selection of public health officials, student and academic leaders to form the NECC Covid Response Team. Their goal is to inform, encourage and provide services for students, staff and faculty members who are interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. They aim to be ahead of the curve of public health and government guidelines to sustain a healthy and happy community.

In an interview with the Chairwoman of the NECC Covid Response Team, Marissa Elliot, she states “We [NECC officials] are not allowed to be more liberal than Department of Public Health requirements but we can and often are more conservative if, in consultation with our internal experts, we deem it necessary to take additional steps to protect the safety and well being of the college community.”

While some members of the community support the new vaccine mandate, there are a handful who are in opposition of the decision.

In an interview with Leiliana Igartua, NECC student, she states “Yes we are told that it [the COVID-19 vaccine] is helping us but in my eyes people are still dying, including those who have received the vaccine. I think that it is our bodies and we shouldn’t have to do anything we don’t want to. We don’t know enough about this virus yet to have a vaccine for it.”

Although NECC considers logging contact data a considerable measure, some students feel uneasy about the QR codes located around campus which keeps a record of where students go on campus and when.

Igartua also says “I understand the purpose of it, but you also can’t tell who’s actually using them and when they stop tracking you.”

Joining colleges and universities across the country, NECC has enrolled in the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge. Participating schools are dedicated to following three steps; engaging all students, staff and faculty members in the fight against this persistent virus, organizing campus communities around vaccine efforts, and delivering vaccine access for all.

The details of how NECC will be enforcing the new vaccine mandate is not yet known.

 

 

 

 

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Local food banks are in desperate need of your help

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The amount of people unable to provide proper nutrition for themselves and their families had almost doubled at the start of the COVID pandemic. While that number is slowly decreasing, help is greatly needed at food banks all around the Haverhill area. With the increased number of food-insecure families, food banks are requesting more resources from the community.

“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Katherine Hailson of the Northern Essex Community College Americorps Vista.

One of the primary ways to help out the community and those who need the assistance is to spread the word. Covid negatively impacted the functions of many food banks, forcing changes to how food is distributed.

Many services, including the Salvation Army Haverhill Corps Community Center, had to change from client choice distribution to pre-bagged distribution, meaning that recipients of the food had less control over what food they were getting.

Other places, such as the Northern Essex Monthly Mobile Market, had to close down entirely for some time. “During the fall of 2019 (before COVID), we served an average of 104 individuals per month at our monthly Mobile Farmer’s market. Our programs completely shut down when COVID hit in spring 2020,” said Hailson.

Even though the rate of food insecurity is far above that of pre-COVID numbers, the Mobile Market only serves around 70 people per month now. The closing cost them a third of their clients.

This can be attributed to a lack of information surrounding how and where to get help. This lack of knowledge not only prevents people from receiving needed assistance but also prevents volunteers from knowing where they can help and how much the help is needed. “One thing everyone can do is simply spread the word about our programs,” wrote Hailson in an email.

The rise in food insecurity has been attributed to job loss and rising poverty rates throughout the pandemic, leading to some places serving far more people than they previously had.

“Before COVID –  30-50 households per day,” reported Pastor Lynnann Rivers of the Haverhill Corps Community Center on how many households they serve, “(now) 40-70 households per day we are open.”

Food banks provide much-needed food to tens of millions of people across the country. While a bag of carrots, apples, and lettuce may not seem like such a huge help, these foods account for a significantly larger percentage of the earnings of many food recipients compared to people who are not food insecure. To put the costs into perspective, 34% of food bank help recipients from Feeding America, the largest food bank network in America, have had to choose between paying for food or paying for medical care. Giving really helps.

Some communities in the United States, such as the Latino community, have experienced even worse effects on food security than others.  COVID has brought Latino families with children dealing with food insecurity from 16.8% to 47%, according to studies from the USDA and Northwestern University Institute for Policy Research. Barriers such as ID requirements and a lack of Spanish-speaking volunteers prevent Latino families from getting the help that they need. “We need Spanish-speaking volunteers on distribution days,” said Rivers.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Haverhill Corps Community center, you can contact Rivers at LRivers@use.salvationarmy.org. To volunteer at NECC’s Mobile Market you can email Hailson at khailson@necc.mass.edu.

 

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Online learning has lasting appeal for some students

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Coronavirus and its harrowing pandemic have caused a resurgence and appreciation in virtual learning.

As universities and other educational institutions begin reopening, more students are choosing to stay online.

At Northern Essex Community College, with a student body of 5,233, approximately one-fifth of the population is enrolled in online courses.

The rise of virtually enrolled students is no coincidence; before the reopening of NECC, students were exclusively online throughout the pandemic.

Now, with the choice of in-person and online, more students are choosing to remain virtual.

Nicole Sabando, a second-year transfer student ofNECC, said “My parents are older than most people’s parents my age. Plus, they are immuno-compromised, I can’t risk their health. We’re vaccinated but that does not mean we can’tget [coronavirus]. Online is just the best way to go for the sake of my health and theirs.”

The risk of testing positive still remains a threat to many people’s health, and online is a safe option fort hose who cannot chance being exposed.

Although NECC has a mask mandate, Sabando says “I appreciate the precautions, but I also appreciate having the choice of how I get my education.”

Alternatively, Christian Furtado, second year student of NECC, says “I work two full-time jobs. I do not really have the time to sit in a classroom for however many hours a day. I want my degree, but I also need to be able to pay for it.”

The pandemic has posed a national threat to financial security — this includes students. With COVID unemployment benefits ending this year, students who collected unemployment are now headed back to work.

Furtado added “Online learning allows me to make my own schedule and manage my time how I want to. It’s a lot of responsibility [being online] but it’s what works best for me. The pandemic hit us like a truck, so now it’s back to work and back to school.”

Online learning has become a tool for Furtado; he gets to work long hours and get his work done.

Jayviar Laporte, second year student of NECC, says of online courses “It just feels right to me. I discovered during the pandemic that I work best individually. Online is best for my mental health.”
Laporte graduated high school at the height of the pandemic and chose to stick with what he has grown accustomed to.
“Social distancing and being stuck at home for so long was a blessing in disguise for me,” said Laporte. “At first I hated it, but now I love it. I learned self-discipline with my work and staying on track. I don’t procrastinate as much as I used to, and I honestly appreciate my education more, knowing it’s all on me.”
All three students agreed that their biggest struggle with online courses is time management.
Sabando said “The thing is, being at home makes it easy to forget about an assignment or to be unmotivated. You have to really want it to be able to do it. It’s definitely not for everyone.”
The pandemic made education hard for both students and teachers with the quick and not-so-smooth transition to virtual learning. Now that schools are reopening, online courses are still a norm for many people.
 
Opinion

‘Build Back Better Act’ is investment we need

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U.S. Congresswoman Alexandrea Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY 14th District) made a bold statement on her dress at the star-studded Met Gala last month. Ocasio-Cortez wore a white off the shoulder gown by Brothers Veillies with the words “Tax the Rich” in bold red letters emblazoned on the back of the stunning gown. Ocasio-Cortez was advocating for President Joe Bidens $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act, otherwise known as the Reconciliation Bill.

President Biden’s proposal in the Build Back Better Act should create new opportunities to boost education system, infrastructure, and increase accessibility to a higher education.  The Build Back Better Act will invest $111 billion to lower the cost of a higher education for students.  One way to do that is to increase taxes from 37% to 39.6% on anyone who makes over $400,000 annually and raise corporate income tax  from 21% to up to 28% (which is still lower than the Obama administrations corporate tax rate, which was 35%). Raising taxes on those individual and corporations will help pay for more accessible social programs such as two free years of a higher education at a community college or trade school.

The Build Back Better Act is a once in a generation investment that refers to the historical challenges that face the country and our young people.  The “millennials” are the most under educated generation in recent history in terms of lack of qualified teachers and overcrowded classrooms.  The Build Back Better Act will ensure that postsecondary education is affordable and accessible to high school graduates.  A recent survey of high school students found that the likelihood of attending a four-year college sank nearly 20% in the last eight months, down to 53% from 76% according to ECMC group, a non-profit aiming to help young borrowers.

Affordability, for post-secondary education in the United States, should be defined by what is reasonable to expect students and their families to contribute financially toward their post-secondary education.  This information should be publicly available and shared with both the students and their families in a clear, predictable manner.  College can seem like an unattainable goal for countless low- middle class, and lower-class students.  The thought of owing tens of thousands of dollars can be stress inducing, cause anxiety and make you second guess wanting to pursue a post-secondary education.  Ocasio-Cortez and the progressive movement are simply trying to make higher education affordable and attainable for all Americans who have a dream. According to a recent CNBC poll, students from lower socioeconomic households are eight times less likely to earn a four-year degree when compared to the top socioeconomic households (7.4% to 60%).

The significant increase in the cost of college has outpaced both inflation, but more importantly, families’ incomes over recent decades. The Build Back Better Act will be an investment that will also expand the value of the Pell Grant.  Pell Grants have not kept up with the increase in cost of education.  The Build Back Better Act will expand the Pell Grant by nearly $1,500 which would go on top of the $6,495 maximum currently to help lower income students pay for a two- or four-year degree, bringing the grand total to $7,995 per scholastic year.

The Build Back Better Act plan invests in evidence-based strategies to strengthen completion and retention rates at community colleges and institutions that serve their students from our most disadvantage communities.  President Biden understands that 15 years of school is no longer enough to attain higher paying jobs without a degree.  Between 2010 and 2016, majority of high school graduates needed education beyond high school, to earn a living wage income.  In 2021 there is a great need for skills development opportunities for high quality jobs.

The Build Back Better Act will help bring families out of poverty.  President Biden wants a more equitable, stable system to support our youth.  The Build Back Better Act gives lower income students a fair shot at success in life that otherwise might not be afforded to them.  If the Build Back Better Act becomes law in its current state, educators will see a boost to digital and online learning that has already grown dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Senate needs every Democrat to vote for the bills passage.  Democratic Senators Joe Manchin (West Virginia) and Krysta Sinema (Arizona) are the hold outs for this bill.  Senator Manchin has stated the price tag would have to come down somewhere between $1 trillion and $1.5 trillion for him to consider voting yes on the bill.  Senator Manchin has at least put out the notion that his vote could be swayed to yes if certain changes are made to the bill, the same can not be said for Senator Sinema.  The freshman senator from Arizona was recently welcomed home with demonstrators at the airport.  Her constituents want the Build Back Better Act signed into law.  They want answers as to why she is unwilling to vote yes on the 3.5 trillion-dollar reconciliation bill (Build Back Better Act) that would benefit all Americans with better paying wages to help lift people out of poverty.  Senator Sinema has tweeted in the past that she thought we should provide two years of post-educational education in community colleges or a trade school to all Americans.  Time will tell if Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema will do the right thing by their constituents and vote according to the will of the people rather corporate donors.

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Students share opinions on vaccine mandate

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Massachusetts Community Colleges have issued a statement saying students, faculty and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated by January 2022.

Students who don’t have the required documents for proof of their vaccination will still have the option to register for Spring Semester 2020 online.

The aim of this requirement is to “ensure] the safest learning and working environment possible for the more than 135,000 students we educate and train each year as well as our staff and faculty,” said the college presidents in a statement.

NECC students still have their own opinions in regards to the requirements.

“We live in a society where freedom is the goal and we don’t have as much freedom as they say we have. I think somethingl ike the vaccine should be our own choice like the flu shot,” said current criminal justice student Licinia Russo.

When crossing paths with other students such as Dahryl Ramirez and Lauren Fitzgerald on campus they have said that it’s a necessary action that could possibly change the campus in a positive way.

Granted that students have mixed opinions about the mandate, the question lingers in the air: will there be a rise in students’ appearance in class?

Russo, who is not vaccinated, said “People don’t want their world to stop… I have to do what I have to do to get my education. When the time comes will I do it, yes.”

Fitzgerald opened up about having her life stop when she had covid in November.

She said that she understands after her experience with covid and can see how the goal of the requirement is “to unite the campus again.”

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Dean tells Board of Trustees about efforts to revitalize music and theater

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The Northern Essex Board of Trustees met on Oct. 6 and heard a presentation given by Dean of Liberal Arts Amy
Callahan about how the college is trying to revitalize their music and arts program.

In recent years, the arts programs at NECC have been dwindling with the music program suffering
and the theater program degree closing four years ago.

However, as Callahan told the board, there has been a resurgence of both programs recently.

According to the presentation, enrollment in the music program at NECC has doubled in the last two years. Furthermore, despite there not being a full major for theater at NECC anymore, in February of 2020, NECC students won a number of
awards for their accomplishments in theater.

Plans are also underway to create a theater focus with a liberal arts degree in the future.

Later on in the meeting, a presentation was given about the SOAR program at NECC.

SOAR, which stands for Seize Opportunity Aspire to Rise, aims to lower failures in courses, raise GPAs and aid with assignment completion for minority students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.9 and a minimum of 6 credits a semester.

Faculty and staff at NECC were also present at the board meeting to observe.

When asked about her objective with the board of trustees, Professor Sheila Muller said, “My goal for
the board every semester is to advocate for the college in their own circles and in the state.”

Later on in the meeting, the new budget for the 2022 year was unanimously approved by the board.

The president of NECC, Lane Glenn, gave a final report at the end of the meeting.

He said he is aiming for a 75% course completion rate at the end of the semester.

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Expectations are high for the upcoming baseball season

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During the 2021 fall season NECC Baseball team is playing exhibition games. They practice a lot in the field and work out in the gym. They are doing everything that they can to be prepared for the spring. The NECC Knights is a Division Three team. They won the region championship eight times in school history, including seven straight times from 2012-2018. They also won their first ever district championship in 2018.

Coach Jeffrey "Jeff" Mejia
Coach Jeffrey “Jeff” Mejia Photo courtesy of neccknights.com

Jeffrey “Jeff”  Mejia is the NECC Baseball head coach and since he came in 2013, they were New England Region Champion six times, District champions five times, including five NJCAA World Series appearance. They were NJCAA World Series national runner up in 2016. In 2015 it was Mejia’s best season going 28-4. For this season coming up coach Mejia said he has “very high expectations.”

“We got a very talented team off to a great start this fall, arguably the most talented team we’ve had in a number of years. We (have) very high expectations, the goal is to win a national championship,” he said.

Coach Mejia and his staff are ready to bring back the trophy back to NECC for the first time since 2018.

Photo of Jared Coppola
Jared Coppola Photo courtesy of neccknights.com

Jared Coppola of Lynn is an infielder, a third baseman for the NECC Knights. Last season in 33 games he batted .361 with 17 RBI and a home run. This season they will play a full schedule and they’re doing everything they can as a team to prepare for the season.

“ I definitely think we have a few kids in this team that can be potential draft picks as long as we do the right things in school in the weight room and we come to practice with the mentality to get better every single day,” he said.

Coppola and his teammates looking at the future a dream to become reality that they been dreaming for a long time that is to get drafted to play pro.

Photo of Clay Campbell
Clay Campbell Photo courtesy of neccknights.com

Clay Campbell of Goffstown, N.H., is an infielder, a shortstop for the NECC Knights. Last season in 34 games he batted .371 with one home run and 30 RBI. He also can run as he has speed in the bases in 22 opportunities to steal, he got caught three times with 19 stolen bases.

He mentioned that time management is a big key to being a student athlete.

“Especially with online classes I specifically took online classes so it will be easier to be able to do my other responsibilities as well as baseball so it’s really just sticking to your time schedule and getting the work done when you can,” he said.

Todd Tringale
Todd Tringale Photo courtesy of neccknights.com

Todd Tringale of Saugus is a starting right-handed pitcher for the NECC Knights. Last season in 12 games he made 10 appearances with a four and one record on 50 innings pitch he strikeout 78 with giving up one home run and a 2.16 ERA.

We all know what happened last year with coronavirus and it was difficult for teams  to adjust.

“Practice last year in the fall season it was tough …. The game schedule was really hectic it was little off than the other years, I mean we were piling as many games as we possibly could and you know obviously I mean with the mask mandate it was different back then and going through all of that it was though,” he said.

Look out for the NECC Knight’s baseball team. This team is very talented, very resilient and they don’t give up.

After conducting an interview with them I have no doubt in my mind that they are going far this season into the post season and possibly winning a championship.

We all know that Coach Mejia has been coaching the baseball team since 2013 and the fact that he mentions that this team is the most talented team in a number of years really stands out.

It means a lot not just for the school but for the community as well. It shows how they are a great team and how they work together as a whole and I don’t have any doubt in my mind that they could possibly end up winning a championship. That’s how good they are going to be. This team is going to be exciting to watch.