By Valerie Velikaya

vvelikay@jccc.edu

Dr. Terry Helmick passed away on Monday, Sept. 1 after serving at the col­lege for 22 years. She was 60 years old.

Professor and Chair of the Speech and Debate Department, Dr. Helmick was also a member of the faculty senate and served as co-adviser for Phi Theta Kappa.

In a video titled, “Why I Teach at JCCC,” Dr. Helmick said, “When I think about why I teach at [the college], there’s just really one answer for me: it’s the stu­dents. I can be having a bad day and I go into class and they make me laugh. They challenge me. I learn something every­day from them.”

Friends and colleagues describe Dr. Helmick as an insightful, passionate and committed person.

“With the death of Dr. Terry Helmick, [the college] has suffered a great loss. Dr. Helmick was a dedicated teacher and a valued colleague. And as a charter member of the faculty senate, she was [a] thoughtful and intelligent senator,” said Vincent Clark, professor and chair, history.

“Terry always seemed to treat both students and colleagues more like family members, about whom she cared deep­ly, than like ‘customers’ or ‘coworkers,’” said English professor Mark Browning. “Virtually everyone pictures her with a smile on her face, even during trying times. Her passion for learning and de­velopment, both for students and fellow faculty, will be sorely missed at JCCC.”

Dr. Helmick was an avid traveler and enjoyed the writings of David Whyte, Mary Oliver and William Stafford. She leaves behind two children and a lasting impression on the school.

Donations can be made in memory of Dr. Helmick to Lawrence Family Promise: P.O. Box 266 Lawrence, KS 66044 or law­rencefamilypromise.org/donate-now; established to JCCC Foundation: 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210 (checks may be made out to JCCC Foun­dation) or http://www.jccc.edu/founda­tion/.

Children left in car during a heat advisory

College Police responded to a call that a child was left unat­tended in a car during the heat advisory on Tuesday, Aug 26. Police found two children in a van parked by the Clock East parking lot. One child said her mother had gone into a store to buy some candy. The children were removed from the vehicle and taken into protective cus­tody. Forty minutes later, the children’s mother contacted the police who then took her into custody. Campus Police trans­ported the children to Johnson County Juvenile In-take and As­sessment Center. Their mother has been released pending fur­ther investigation.

Cell phone stolen in Student Lounge

A student’s cell phone was stolen when he walked to the front desk to return a game con­troller. The student had left his phone on his chair in the back corner by the foosball table and when he returned, the phone was gone. He checked with the Student Lounge and Campus Police to see if the phone had been turned in, but it had not. The investigation is ongoing.

Compiled by Christina
Lieffring, news editor,
clieffri@jccc.edu

Message from President Sopcich

President Joe Sopcich sent an email to the student body regarding the lockdown on cam­pus on Sept. 4.
“Our students are to be com­mended for the way they re­sponded to the situation,” said Sopcich. “We are also proud of the way our JCCC Police Force responded to the initial report. Their performance reassures us that we’re in good hands.”

Sopcich called the experience, “alarming and sobering.”

“Security on our campus is of paramount importance to us all,” Sopcich added. “There’s no reason to feel afraid at JCCC. Our thanks.”

‘Diversidad’ conference

Education professionals and organizations that work with the Latino community will gather to discuss issues and strategies for recruiting and retaining Latino students in higher education. Er­nesto Mejia, the keynotes speak­er, will discuss his experiences in higher education. Mejia is the son of Mexican immigrants and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome when he was 16 years old. The event will also include a session to train metro-area Latino students on motiva­tion and leadership. The confer­ence is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept 19. For more in­formation, contact Patricia Don­aldson at ext 2638 and Melisa Jimenez at ext 2304.

Professor presents research on women in politics

Terri Easley, associate pro­fessor of speech, will give two presentations on her research on women and politics. The first will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 in the Hudson Audi­torium. The topic will be how women in emerging democra­cies (ie Afghanistan, Egypt, Mo­rocco) view their role in politics and government. Her second talk at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25 in the Craig Auditorium will discuss American women and political participation.

 
Compiled by Christina
Lieffring, news editor,
clieffri@jccc.edu

A message from President Joe Sopcich:

To members of our campus community,

 Yesterday we experienced our college’s first “lockdown” situation. Rest assured it was not a drill. It was an alarming and sobering experience. As you know from our alerts, we had reports of a weapon on campus. Please know that our police force takes such reports with extreme seriousness. We are all fortunate that they do. Their challenge is always to verify the reports before we take action. The margin for error is non-existent. In this case, as we will in all cases, our decisions were based on what is the safest approach possible for our campus community. Ultimately, in this case, the first alert was sent out at 3:40 p.m. and was followed by seven additional alerts. The outcome of this situation was a good one, and the room-by-room search was lifted with the final alert sent at 7:05 p.m.

 We would like to thank everyone on campus for their calmness and clear-headedness. We are proud of the way our JCCC Police Force responded to the initial report. Their performance reassures us that we’re in good hands. Our emergency preparedness group was on top of it all and proved excellent. Additionally, we got reports that, throughout the college, people were following their ALICE training and doing what they needed to do to ensure the safety of our students and colleagues. Lastly, members of our leadership team assumed their pre-assigned responsibilities and performed them admirably. We’d also like to thank the Overland Park Police Department, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol and MedAct for their professionalism and quick deployment on campus. We are fortunate to live in a community blessed with such professional law enforcement.

 As we all know, security on our campus is of paramount importance to us all. This experience proved to be a learning opportunity for everyone involved. We will now set out to evaluate our performance and identify ways we can make it better. Lastly, and again, special thanks go to everyone on campus for handling this situation so well.

 Sincerely,

Joe

By Chistina Lieffring

The Hiersteiner Child Development Center is the large, white house-like building next to the barn of the Sustain­ability Center. Inside, children’s artwork plasters the walls and the rooms are col­orfully decorated to fit their names: “Blue Lagoon”, “Bamboo Forest” and “African Kingdom”.

But the HCDC is not all fluff and fun. It has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children since 1993 and uses the High­Scope Early Childhood Curriculum for preschool children and infants. Claire Ehney, HCDC’s Manager, said HCDC uses HighScope because it is a research-based curriculum.

“[Researchers] followed preschool children for as long as 40 years to see how they did based on their preschool years,” said Ehney. “And they came out having better jobs, owning homes a lot of things like that.”

Ehney and her staff not only aim to provide quality care, but to make it af­fordable as well.

“We are always looking for grants that might help students,” said Ehney.

One such grant is available through the HCDC Child Care Alumni Associa­tion for students with proof of financial need. The deadline for applications in fall semester has passed, but students can apply again at the beginning of winter semester. HCDC also accepts childcare subsidies provided through the Kansas Department for Children and Families.

HCDC also has different pay scales for JCCC students, faculty/staff and the gen­eral public and provides flexible schedul­ing. Parents can enroll their children for half-days (mornings or afternoons) or full days, and can choose either Monday through Friday, Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/ Thurs. Ehney said that if parents are con­cerned about scheduling, to talk with HCDC’s staff.

“Its worth a call to try to talk with us to see, you know, can we work something out,” said Ehney.
According to a study published by ChildCare Aware, a national childcare in­formation hub, only 4% of Kansas child­care centers are nationally accredited and the average yearly cost for an infant is $10,518. By those metrics, HCDC is com­petitive. However, this does not include resources such as Head Start, which pro­vides childcare for families earning at the federal poverty level. Parents can also compare childcare providers through ChildCare Aware’s website for eastern Kansas and Western Missouri to find the care that fits their needs.

For more information on HCDC: http://www.jccc.edu/childcare/

For the Kansas Department for Chil­dren and Families: http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Child_Care/Child-care-and-early-education.aspx

Head Start Centers in Johnson County: https://www.ksheadstart.org/locations

To search childcare providers in the Kansas City area: http://www.thefamilycon­servancy.org/resources/parenting-resources/resources-and-links/item/390

Contact Chistina Lieffring, news editor, clieffri@jccc.edu

By Valerie Velikaya

The college experienced a grueling nose­dive in enrollment during the last five se­mesters; however, these meager rates won’t discourage its leaders from strategically planning for a successful future.

Last Feb., the Ledger reported a five per­cent decline in enrollment rates, totaling a headcount of 16,986.

The current rate pales in comparison to previous statistics, down at only three and a half percent – the college’s approximate figures won’t be revealed until the upcom­ing Board of Trustees meeting, set to take place on Thursday, Sept. 25. Dennis Day, vice president for student services, said that as the economy grows exponentially better, institutions hit a bump in the road in regards to student enrollment.

“In 2009, we had that big dip in the econ­omy, and what happens when that happens is people go to community colleges because they’re out of jobs or they’re company is saying, ‘we’re going to close,’ so they go and find other things to do whether it’s a degree, certificate or just training,” said Day. “In 2009 to 2010, we had this huge jump – double-digit jump in enrollment … and that happened all over the country.”

As the economy progresses, less people are determined to attend institutions because they simply have jobs, he said.

“Typically, when the economy gets better, people are working and they’re not trying to get themselves trained or educated for a future employment,” said Trustee Treasurer David Lindstrom.
Currently, Johnson County’s unemploy­ment rate is at four percent, which increases the likelihood of people pursuing jobs in­stead of an education.

“I think there’s always going to be cycles of enrollment,” said Day. “It just depends on how deep and how high some of them are. It takes significant events within the economy to make significant swings in enrollment.”

In the meantime, in order to stay ahead of the rapidly changing economy, the college has implemented the Strategic Planning Process; a year long initiative involving various ideas from the ad­ministration, faculty members, students as well as other community members.

“One of the big goals would be to improve student success by improving student satisfaction, retention, graduation [and] transfer rates. One of those tasks inside of that goal is to increase credit enrollment by developing a large range enrollment and recruitment plan,” said Day.

“We want to make sure that we’re being the most effective we can in offering the programs,” said Lindstrom.

This can also result in programs that don’t appeal to the economic consensus in getting cut.  Such programs include food and beverage man­agement, web developer and many others.

“You have to be strategic in what you cut so that you don’t cut potential enrollment and/or adjust savings from that area to another area that has the potential for growth,” said Day.

Overall, trustee Lindstrom believes the college is moving in the right path.

“I think we’re doing a pretty good job and we’re aware of some of the situations that are occurring out there that are causing us for concern for enroll­ment, and I think we’re doing better than many of the community colleges and even fact other institution of higher-learning as well.”

Contact Valerie Velikaya, managing editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu

By Mike Abell

The budget workshop released in April answered a lot of questions though the official budget has yet to be released and is expected to be out by September. There are two budgets, one for revenue and the other is for spending. The numbers for the proposed budgets can be seen on the graphs below.

Last year enrollment decreased six percent, and this semester it is down by three percent. For every percent that enrollment drops, the budget decreases by $300,000, granted the staff who sets up the budget plans for elements such as that.

Barbara Larson, executive vice presi­dent of finance and administrative ser­vices, along with Don Perkins, associate vice president of financial services, both agreed that when they do plan out the budget they realistically look at what they did the previous year.

“Every year we take a look at spending history to determine how we’re going to budget for the subsequent year,” said Perkins, “We learned what we learned in the prior year, and that is what did we do? What did we actually do?”

Shortly after Dr. Sopcich was promoted to college president, Larson was hired as the new Executive Vice President of Finance and Administrative services. Larson said that there was a focus among executive leaders to take a hard look at expenditures the executive leaders decided to focus on taking a hard look at expenditures.

“We budgeted for enrollment to be flat last year, so we planned in terms of our tuition revenue,” said Larson. “We anticipated flat enrollment so when we say we are down by three percent we are very hopeful that it will come back up to be even.”

Both Larson and Perkins said that when enrollment is down, there won’t be as many classes to fill, but those two numbers don’t cancel each other out.

While the official budget hasn’t been released yet, there are factors that can be examined such as en­rollment rates. Dr. Sopcich said that there are multiple components that could change the budget from year to year.

“In today’s world of higher educa­tion there is always a need… of how the budgets are going,” said Sopcich. “It’s so important, because some­times as we saw our tax revenues were cut when our property evalu­ations went down. Sometimes the state might make a cut or if enroll­ment declines, so you always have to be flexible and top of it. That is the most important thing.”

Be sure to visit the thecam­pusledger.com in the following weeks for more info regarding the budget and enrollment.

Contact Mike Abell, editor-in-chief, at mabell@jccc.edu.

Purse missing from car
A student reported a missing purse from her car June 24. The car was in the parking garage at Galileo’s Garden. The student left the “Kate Landry” brand bag in the passenger-side seat after removing her billfold. She does not remember if she locked the car. The student then went to class and returned to the car to pick up some books before returning to class and driving home. She did not remember seeing any signs of tampering with the car nor did she check for her purse. It was the next morning when she realized the purse was missing. She remembers locking the car when she returned home. The purse contained a paycheck that her employer has now cancelled, an electronic memory card, and lip gloss.

Wallet swiped beside student activities desk
A student’s wallet was stolen near the Student Activities desk on Aug 18. The wallet was stolen when she set it down to make a phone call. The wallet was small and black and contained her state ID, student ID, social security card and a credit card. The credit card was used in an unsuccessful transaction later that day. The theft was also reported to the Overland Park Police Department.

Compiled by Christina Lieffring, news editor, at clieffri@jccc.edu.

From college President Joe Sopcich:  “As we welcome students back to campus, I want to thank you for all your efforts to get the semester off to a great start. Students, faculty and staff have generated a lot of excitement and energy this week.
On Monday I was joined by members of our Student Success and Engagement staff who did an excellent job in setting up the “Cup of Joe with Joe” event. It was terrific to see members of our faculty participate as well in this welcoming exercise. While the students enjoyed coffee and doughnuts, we were inspired by their hopes and dreams at the beginning of semester. Many had interesting stories to share about their lives and what got them to this point. For some of the students, this was their first experience at our college. Others were seasoned veterans. Several students were joined by a parent, and it was exciting to hear the parents talk about the incredible service they experienced at the college and to listen to their hopes and dreams for their children. I assured them we would not let them down. And I know we will meet their expectations!
Whether it’s in a face-to-face or online class, students are ready to go, and we’re all ready for another year.”

Performers announced for free fall jazz concert series
The college’s Music and Theatre departments announced the Kansas City-based musicians who will play in this fall’s “JCCC Jazz Series”. Starting on Sept. 23, the college will host the series of jazz concerts that are free and open to the general public on Tuesdays at noon. All performances will be in the recital hall of the Carlson Center, except on Oct. 21. Seating will be first-come, first-served.
Sept. 23: Diverse
Sept. 30: Bob Bowman with Laura Caviani and Todd Strait
Oct. 7: Ron Carlson on guitar and Michael Pagan on piano
Oct. 14: KC Elder Statesmen featuring Horace Washington
Visit the college’s website for more information.

Alcohol and aubstance abuse recovery meetings on-campus
Student-led meeting for those recovering from alcohol and substance abuse will meet weekly on campus. They will follow the 12-step program and welcomes those who wish to participate or to just learn more. Meetings will be held every Friday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in RC 171.

Compiled by Christina Lieffring, news editor, clieffri@jccc.edu

By Mike Abell and Jessica Skaggs

Student Alejandra Delpilar Pilar Garces, 37, was charged Tuesday with the aggravated endangerment of a child.

Garces allegedly left her 2-year-old son alone on Monday in a dangerous environment for several hours while she attended class, according to Officer Dan Friesen. A space heater was placed on high on an eighty degree day.

Neighbor Meia Turner heard the child crying and later called police. The child is currently is state custody, while his mother is scheduled for court on May 15.

Check back for more updates.

— Fox 4 News contributed to this report.

By Valerie Velikaya

Westboro Baptist Church is planning to picket the college’s two commencement ceremonies, held in the Gymnasium at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16.

The message on their website stated:

“The young people graduating are God-hating, Bible illiterate, doomed souls, and their parents are to blame. The simple commandments of God are gratuitously ignored and those few who dare say you need to follow them are mocked and scorned. The young people graduating from Johnson County Community College need a simple message: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ec 12:13). This means no sex outside of marriage, no killing your babies (aborting 4k a day), no divorce and remarriage and absolutely NO FAG MARRIAGE!!

The good news for the graduates, you’re grown now and whether or not your parents raised you to fear God, you have not only the opportunity to, but the duty to obey God. Your parents failed you, but you have the ability to read and obey and are without excuse.”

We have contacted the Westboro Baptist Church and are waiting for a response.

Contact Valerie Velikaya, news editor, at vvelikay@jccc.edu

By Jessica Skaggs

The college is hoping to have campus officers patrolling on bicycles before next fall. Prior to becoming a police department, the security of the college was the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety, who at the time included a bike patrol. Those bikes were purchased in 1995.

“Dr. Sopcich wanted to resurrect what he had before, so in actuality, you give him credit as to bringing it to the forefront,” Interim police chief Gregory Russell said. “He made it known to us that we should look at it as one of the ways to better serve the college, so that is what we did.”

Steps are already being taken by the police department. Following the recommendation to Executive Vice President of Finance and Administrative Service Barbara Larson, the department has sought out training opportunities for officers.

“It was a proposal brought forward from Chief Russell and the police department,” Larson said. “That was apparently under discussion for some time, and so I was very supportive of it.”

The bikes will be able to save the college money and help the environment.

“It’s within our budget, it’s not an extra cost,” Russell said. “As a matter of fact, when you look at the use of the bicycle, comparing it to the use of the vehicle, it’s an actual tremendous savings for the college. Plus when you think of the state of going green, a bicycle will put nothing out into the atmosphere that would be harmful. It’s a benefit all the way around.”

Officer Ryan Futrell will be trained in Emporia, receive his bike certification, and then become certified to train other officers on the bicycles. Russell said officers are excited about this new opportunity.

“They can get through the campus more easily and readily as opposed to a police vehicle,” Russell said. “How good would it be when you have summertime and you have a bike patrol officer that will be able to visit with students out here in the courtyard and just have a conversation? Not only about the career itself, but I just think it allows students to see we have another way of getting around and to get to them a lot quicker.”

Russell is personally looking forward to the opportunity to participate in the bike patrol.

“I plan to participate in that training myself, so whenever the time permits and the condition permits, I will also be part of that bike patrol to make myself accessible to the students,” Russell said. “ We would like to let everyone know that we are approachable and getting away from the old tradition of police being shut off from the college community. We’re very, very much approachable.”

Time will tell if students feel the same way.

“That’s funny,” student Katie Anderson said. “I guess hipsters aren’t the only ones hopping on the bike riding bandwagon.”

Larson is confident in the potential benefits the bike patrol offers.

“I think it can improve response time,” Larson said. “Certainly the research about community policing shows that officers are more approachable when they’re on bicycles and available than they may be in a traditional vehicle. So we’re really excited because it’s one other tool that we have to keep the campus safe.”

Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.

Commencement ceremonies set to take place 

By Valerie Velikaya

The college is trying something new: dividing graduation up into two ceremonies.

This year, the school is breaking away from its traditional singular ceremony, converting to two separate ceremonies on May 16 for the sake of granting easier access through the Gymnasium, where the graduations will take place, while providing more room for the family and friends of the graduating student.

“Our crowds for graduation have been so large with one ceremony that we’ve needed to kind of control the crowd a little better,” said Pam Vassar, assistant dean of Student Life.

“So we’re moving to two. In the previous years, we have set up overflow seating down in the field house of the gym, and last year we had 1,000 seats and overflow seating in all of them were full. There were even people standing.”

This year, the college is striving to accommodate everyone who will be in attendance by dividing the crowd up into a “manageable size.”

Students will be separated by their earned degree or certificate; those who have earned an associate of applied science will receive their diplomas at 4 p.m. in the Gymnasium, whereas students who have earned an associate of arts, an associate of science or an associate of general studies degree will take part in the 7:30 p.m. ceremony.

“We’ll still have overflow seating because we don’t know exactly what to expect. You would hope that you’re dividing your crowd closely in half and so, you know, your crowd would be maybe half as large as it’s been in the past in each ceremony,” said Vassar, “but we don’t know that for a fact so we’re still setting some 600 chairs and overflow seating so that if we need it, it’s there, but the ideal situation would be that we would have plenty of space for everyone in the facility.”

The Student Life office is working diligently to develop a memorable commemoration for the college’s hard-working graduating students, organizing the “setup of the space, how we precede students in, how faculty and staff come into the facility. We organize getting faculty and staff their regalia, which is their cap, their gown, their hoods, their tassels – that sort of thing,” said Vassar.

Outgoing Student Senate president, Elliot Rogers, will be the voice of his peers at this year’s graduation.

“I wasn’t able to attend the ceremonies last year,” said Rogers, “so this will be a largely new experience for me.”

Students will be separated into two groups. Jerry Cook, chair of the Board of Trustees, will present his speech to the congregation, followed by Rogers.

“I’m going to give my wonderfully arousing speech, and eventually, you know, I might get done within a reasonable time,” said Rogers.

Rogers, after serving as Student Senate president for a year, is excited for the conclusion of the academic year.

“[Graduation] will be a day when so much of this compression is just released,” he said, “and that’s what I’m going to be talking about […] how we are achieving a goal today, and if I’m able to do that this really is a symbol to me of letting so much of it go.”

The Student Senate president will attend both ceremonies, located in the upper gym. After he addresses the audience, the graduating students will take the stage.

“They’re going to herd us into two lines and they’re going to set us up so we can all get seated, you know, on the chairs on the floor, and we’re going to have spectators, visitors, parents – anyone and their brother, sitting [on] bleachers and whatnot,” said Rogers.

After the speeches, students will “funnel” into one line where they’ll receive their diplomas or certificates.

Overall, the goal of Student Life is to leave students confident in themselves.

“We congratulate the students on their accomplishment because it’s a great accomplishment to walk across that stage and receive your diploma and shake hands and be recognized for a really great achievement,” Vassar said.

Contact Valerie Velikaya, news editor, at vvelikay@jccc.edu. 

By Mike Abell

The college has broken precedent by changing the open enrollment schedule from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the hopes of avoiding previous server crashes due to cyber traffic.

The new time was also established for the convenience of students who might be at work, in class or otherwise.

When enrollment opened, over 1,200 students enrolled within the first 10 minutes and the general feedback from students had been positive, according to registrar, Leslie Quinn.

In the future, the college plans to keep the open enrollment time at 9 p.m., partly due to its success.

“It was really awesome. It really was [because we didn’t have] the traditional problems that we have seen in the past because of the load,” Quinn said. “You know, what used to happen was 8 a.m. would hit and all the faculty, staff and students would all simultaneously be trying to log into MyJCCC to do what they need to do. Faculty and staff needed to get in there to help students, students needed to get in there to enroll, and that strain on the system was a problem.”

Quinn said there were around 20 technical staff members on standby just in case the system crashed, but it ended up performing “beautifully.”

The admissions office also plans on introducing pre-enrollment for summer courses.

“Now the question is on the horizon. Should we also do that same thing for summer? We have never had a pre-enrollment period for summer, and it’s looking very favorable at this point,” said Quinn. “We are asking that question to lots of groups, trying to get feedback from faculty, staff and from the IT group that will be responsible for making sure the technology works. So far the feedback has been very positive […] they think it would help students if we did do that for summer.”

Alongside the innovations made in the enrollment process, the registration and transcript office on the second floor of the Student Center has also been redesigned to further assist students. The main goal of the office is to instruct and empower students so they can eventually enroll by themselves.

“Mostly we’re there to help [students] learn how to do it themselves, and that way the next time they need to add or drop a class they don’t need to come in. They know what to do,” said Quinn.

For enrollment assistance, go to the second floor of the Student Center or call 913-469-3803.

Contact Mike Abell, photo editor, at mabell@jccc.edu.

Administration, trustees work to establish 2014- 15 budget

By Mike Abell

President Dr. Joe Sopcich announced via email three levels of budget actions would be executed in the upcoming fiscal year with the expectance of facilitating college expenditures . Levels one and two have been implemented while level three remains ongoing.

The first two levels are simplistic, primarily focusing on reducing the amount of faculty and staff positions and assessing various programs at the college. Level three is a compilation of ideas which will remain ongoing throughout this year and the next.

The third level assesses the academic and non-academic programs are up for review; enrollment management and position control, which oversee whether vacant positions need be filled, will also be put into effect.

“Level three, when it talks about continuous improvement opportunities, it basically talks about continuing some of the things we talked about at the beginning,” said Sopcich. “It’s not like levels one and two where it was very boom, boom, boom. You’re not going to go through level three and start checking them off like you could with levels one and two.”

The preliminary goal for savings was originally placed at $3 million by the board of trustees. Levels one and two of the budget cuts concluded in saving the college $3,856,121.

Despite the new goal not yet being established, the trustees are still ascertaining certain elements of the budget for next year.

“The budget process historically starts usually Oct. or Nov., and that’s when we start looking at these different types of things,” said Sopcich.

Level three doesn’t have an official end date, and because it is a collection of strategies, the process is “ongoing by nature,” said Sopcich.

Though he noted it’s quite common for most organizations to review all programs, the ultimate strive is for “continuous improvement.”

“It is kind of a good starting point – to sit back and look at the way different things operate and to create some structures around them,” Sopcich said, “and so that’s how it works.”

Contact Mike Abell, photo editor, at mabell@jccc.edu.

Finals schedule 

The final exam schedule for the spring 2014 semester can be viewed here:

Click to access spring-final-exam-schedule.pdf

Commencement ceremonies to be held in the gymnasium 

Two graduation ceremonies will take place at the gymnasium – the first at 4 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. on May 16. The ceremonies are divided based on the degree earned. Speakers include Jerry Cook, chair of the Board of Trustees, Elliot Rogers, current president of the Student Senate; and President Joe Sopcich will present at the GED graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Gymnasium. For more information, see the story on pg. 4.

Kim Dorland paintings presented at the Nerman 

Marilyn Senter, professor of English, will be discussing the distinctive painting styles of Kim Dorland and his work, “The Tree on the Corner.” The exhibition, which is free of charge, will take place at noon on Friday, May 2 as part of a weekly interdisciplinary program observing the many innovative pieces at the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. Everyone is welcome to attend the Noon at the Nerman, which will consist of the final program for the semester.

Choose the Campus Craze pie in the face victim while raising 

money for the Honors 

Student Association 

Students and staff can decide which one of the six candidates will get a pie in the face during Campus Craze in an effort to raise money for the Honors Student Association. Vote by dropping change in the designated candidate’s change jar, located in COM 201. The candidate who collects the most change will be awarded with a pie in the face during the Campus Craze event on Wednesday, May 7. Voting continues between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and ends on Tuesday, May 6.

Candidates are:

• Jake Akehurst, program coordinator, Continuing Education

• Mary Alice Coulter, Honors Student Association president

• Dave Krug, associate professor of accounting

• Jeffery Redmond, succeeding Student Senate president

• Elliot Rogers, current Student Senate president

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, at vvelikay@jccc.edu. 

Illustration by Alyssa Jolitz.

Theft in Parking Garage

Campus police were dispatched on April 4 in response to a theft that had taken place on the third level of the Galileo Garage. Officer Steven Hebauf contacted the victim, a student, who said upon returning to his vehicle, the car radio was missing and the truck had been ransacked. Once the officer arrived to the scene, he noticed several electrical wires hanging at the sight of the missing radio as well as items that were thrown on the floor. Though no damage was inflicted on the door locks, the victim said he had locked the car. The investigation is ongoing.

Property stolen in Carlsen Center 

Campus police received notice of missing property in the Carlsen Center on April 4. The victim told the police she had left her coat and wallet on one of the chairs near the coffee shop on the second floor of the CLB. She forgot her coat when going to class and upon arriving to the scene, realized both items were missing. The coat is described as black suede with a brown fur interior and the wallet had an American flag on it. The victim had $80 to $90 in her wallet, including her driver’s license and credit cards, which she was told to cancel.

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu.

Students win awards at Take 5 Film Festival 

Six students from the college took home honors at the Take 5 Film Festival on April 4.

Winners include (name, category, title of piece): 

•Jared Valburg, animation, “How to Assemble Your New Doomsday Device”

•Pam Merkel, documentary, “The Importance of Bees”

•Jacob Lewis, original music video, “Never Meant a Thing”

•Sam Tady and Bill Butts, narrative, “Writer’s Block”

•Dylan Magaster, sci-fi, “Invasion” —-Around 130 students and faculty from the college, as well as area high schools, such as Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Paola, Louisburg, Eudora and Lawrence highschools, attended the one-day festival.

Scholarship deadline is May 1 

The priority application deadline for JCCC Foundation Scholarships is Thursday, May 1. This includes a variety of general, department and restricted scholarships which are available based on both financial need and merit.

All applications received after the deadline will be considered depending on funds available. The list of scholarships and application instructions cane be found here: http:// www.jccc.edu/financialaid/scholarships/index.html

Contact the JCCC Foundation with questions about scholarships at (913) 469-3835 or foundation.dept@ jccc.edu.

Academic Excellence Challenge places second at state tournament 

The college’s Academic Excellence Challenge team took home second place at the Kansas Academic Excellence Challenge State Tournament, April 3 and 4 in Salina.

During the competition, Brandon Hattesohl was also named an all-star for second place in the individual standings.

The team finished the competition with a 9-2 record. Students from the college who participated were Daniel Crist, Trevor Crookston, Brandon Hattesohl, Cody Hattesohl, Matthew Kelley, Jared Mullis, Rhiannon Pearson and Elliot Rogers.

Golden Girls place sixth in national competition 

The college’s dance team, the Golden Girls, traveled to Daytona Beach, Fla., to compete in the NDA Collegiate National Championship April 10-12. In prelims, there were 17 colleges and universities from across the country in the Division III category, and the Golden Girls ended up placing sixth overall out of 10 teams competing in finals.

The NCA/NDA Collegiate National Championship is the largest cheer and dance competition in the world with a total of over 6,500 athletes from 304 teams representing 38 states and four different countries.

Videos and results from the competition can be found here: http://www. varsity.com/event/1817/2014_nca_nda_ college. Type “Johnson County” in the search box.

2014-15 Student Senate Executive Board elected 

Elections for the 2014-15 Student Senate Executive Board concluded Thursday, April 10 and the results are as follows:

President: Jeffery Redmond

Vice-President: Elysia Chao

Secretary: Mpho Kekana

Treasurer: Ricardo Aristiguieta Pulgar

Parliamentarian: Joshua Powers

Visit https://www.facebook.com/ JCCCStudentSenate for more information as the group transitions.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu. 

Student Senate Executive Board elections are this week, with voting running until Thursday, April 10. You can vote online by clicking here, or by stopping by the Student Senate tables (3 and 4) at the top of the stairs on the second floor of the COM building, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. today and Thursday.

The candidates are below, along with more information about each:

President Candidates:
– Jeffery Redmond
– Marie Horvat

Vice President Candidate:
– Elysia Chao

Secretary Candidate:
– Marie Horvat

Treasurer Candidates:
– Ricardo Aristiguieta-Pulgar
– Aaron Swift

Parlimentarian Candidate:
– Joshua Powers

Marie-Kristin Horvat, running for President and Secretary

Current position on Student Senate: Senator
How long have you been a student at JCCC? Three semesters (Since January 2013)
Major: International Business Management, Minor: Entrepreneurship
Career goal: Owning / Managing International Company or Working for United Nations

Why did you decide to run for this position?
I am running for the position as the Student Senate president at Johnson County Community College to actively take part in the student culture that can create an environment, students can strive in. As president I can actively assure that the voice of the students receives significant weightage and all students through Student Senate can have their voice be heard. I find a strong purpose in this student organization and see myself creating pathways to success through personal dedication, determination and compassion as president by working with senators, clubs and students toward common goals. Choosing to get involved as a student leader, in the presidential position, is holding myself accountable to make the best positive impact within the JCCC community throughout my time here.

What makes you the ideal candidate?
My position as student engagement ambassador and specifically my obligations as team leader of student events and tournaments, has given me valuable experience in a leading role, as well as establishing good connections throughout the student, faculty and administrative community. Further, through my Model United Nations leadership honors class and my position as the Secretary General of the Midwestern Model United Nations Conference at JCCC I have been given the opportunity to excel in my leadership skills on a professional level. Throughout my life and work as a dive instructor, underwater photographer and English teacher I have taken on and accomplished many leadership tasks, guiding and teaching large groups of people and managing diving operations in various South East Asia Pacific countries.

Working with people from different backgrounds and ethnicities has taught me the ability to form professional and friendly bonds as well as the importance of ensuring equality for all, attributes that I will bring to the executive board of Student Senate. Although it can be challenging at times to ensure constant performance to the best of my ability, I have developed the power turn this challenge into a drive that pushes me forward and gives me the capability of setting an example through responsibility and reliability.

It is most important to me, through my own actions, to bring out the best in people around me, cater to their talents and let success push everyone forward equally. Student Senate has an amazing group of students dedicated to the student community and its needs. I am looking forward to be working with these bright and motivated individuals that will be able to accomplish the outstanding.

If elected, how would you serve the student body in your role?
The ideas and concerns of the student community will be the guidance to analyze common goals that student senate will set for the fall semester and beyond. There are, however, goals that I have set for the upcoming term as president or senator alike that.

It is the students that have to be in focus, therefore, raising the awareness for the plethora of resources for success this college has to offer is important.

Most students know some of these resources, mostly at the end of their time at JCCC, it will be valuable for each and every student to assure that information is easily visible and accessible from the very beginning.

Another strong point will be the JCCC Athletics and teams. Our sports, academia and culinary teams are amazing, they compete on national and international levels, throughout the USA as well as worldwide, but there efforts are little recognized. Strengthening existing avenues of recognition and finding new ways of bringing the success of our students to the entire student community needs a strong focus. This promotion of student achievements on campus leads to the focal point of building the school spirit.

JCCC has been a blessing to me and with this, I believe, I speak on behalf of the student community. The college itself is friendly and welcoming, however, it misses the special relationship between the institution and the people in form of school spirit. It is not just the obligation of the institution to come forth with an identifiable factor through vision and mission statements, but the responsibility of each and every student embodied through the clubs and organizations, and ultimately Student Senate to bring character, charm and identity to this college. Building this spirit can draw the JCCC community closer together and build the sense of belonging this college is missing.

Elysia Chao, running for Vice President

How long have you been a student at JCCC? Currently, this is my second semester at JCCC.
Major: International Business
Career goal: I enjoy entrepreneurship and hope to run my own company someday, but in the meantime, my career goal is to become an international business development manager.

Why did you decide to run for this position?
I decided to run for Student Senate Vice-President because I wanted to be more directly involved in communicating with the students and help increase student involvement on campus. As a student activities ambassador, I encounter many students every day, yet I don’t get much time with any of them on a one-on-one basis. I want to do more for the school and the students here. The biggest issue I see at the school is a lack of school spirit and unity; many of the students don’t have a connection to the school. A solution for that would be to get people to feel more valued at the school, that their contribution counts, and that their voice matters. My goal as Student Senate Vice-President would be to ensure that students feel like they are a bigger part of the school, and to get them more involved through different programs, senate committees, and clubs.

Vice-Presidential duties include leading Interclub as well as the Service and Fundraising committee, which are both things I really care about. I’m excited about becoming a part of Interclub, as I want clubs to become bigger, better, stronger and impact even more students. Service and Fundraising committee is a great way for the senate as well as the school to unite and reach out to students as well as the community, and though I’d like to see more in terms of fundraising, I’d like to see even more done in relation to servicing. We have a food pantry to assist students, but what about other services such as clothing donations and book drives? I’d like to see that happen as Senate Vice-President. Finally, I’d like to assist the Senate President as best I can in their endeavors. I have much to learn still, so I hope to gain insight and experience by modeling whoever is elected to becomes President, and embody their traits as a leader as well.

What makes you the ideal candidate?
I would be an ideal candidate for the Vice-President position because I have been in Student Senate for a semester and have had experience, and even contributed to the development of a new committee, as well as assisted in development of a new recognition program in the PR committee to nominate outstanding students, faculty, and staff. I think my contributions would enable me to become an ideal Vice-President and allow me to better represent the student body as well as connect with more students and become an even stronger role model.

If elected, how would you serve the student body in your role?
I want to positively affect the school and help it achieve a more affluent reputation, as well as help students become more aware of our services here, and get them to make the most of it instead of simply going to class and going home. I’d like to also promote student feedback and communication between the senate and the student body. In my role as the Vice-President, I’d like to further develop and utilize the Interclub and Activities Council as well as the Service and Fundraising committee as a way for student outreach and engagement. The PR committee would be something I’d like to take a greater part in as Vice-President as well, and making sure the monthly recognitions can run smoothly next semester. I’d also like to oversee the continuation and development of the Mentoring Committee, created as a possible way to help connect incoming students as mentees, to veteran students as mentors, and have them linked together under a common interest and serve as a peer adviser so that students will have a closer connection to the school and a support system they can count on.

Jeffery Redmond, running for President

Current position on Student Senate: Vice President
How long have you been a student at JCCC? Third semester
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Career goal: As far as I can go.

Why did you decide to run for this position?
I have been the VP for the last year and I  believe I can fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
I want to make the largest impact possible with, and in my community. Our world is hurting and the solution is to empower our community. I can reach the most people by being in this position.

What makes you the ideal candidate?
I try to exemplify compassion through leadership. I like to make a difference in my world and that is accomplished through the impact I make in other’s lives.

If elected, how would you serve the student body in your role?
The top issue is feeling connected to the community. These are my friends, and my friends become family. I think everyone should be able to experience what I have been blessed to be a part of here at JCCC.  I want to give them that opportunity. It’s as easy as reaching out to the community. Letting everyone know and feel that they have value. Connect, Exchange and Grow.

Ricardo Aristiguieta, running for Treasurer

Current position on Student Senate: Senator, part of the Budget Committee and Peer Mentor Committee
How long have you been a student at JCCC? This is my third semester and I have two more to go
Major:  Marketing and Management A.A.S.
Career goal:  Start my career in project management and move toward a successful software development company in projects dedicated to the creation of new experiences.

Why did you decide to run for this position?
I want to have more impact on JCCC activities, and this position would let me accomplish that in a way that feels natural to me.

What makes you the ideal candidate?
My previous experience with the Budget Committee (two semesters) have given me an insight on how the committee works, plus almost three years of experience on accounting and finance.

If elected, how would you serve the student body in your role?
I will reach out to Clubs and Organizations around campus so they know that the Student Senate can help them achieve success on their projects and events.

Joshua Powers, running for Parliamentarian

Current position on Student Senate: Prospective Senator
How long have you been a student at JCCC? Spring 2014 is my second semester.
Major: Currently at JCCC, my declared major is Liberal Arts.  Once I graduate from JCCC and apply for universities, I will declare as a double major of English and Psychology.
Career goal: Since a young age, I’ve aspired to be a law enforcement officer.  Ideally, I’d work my way up from patrol and see where my career ends up!

Why did you decide to run for this position?
I want to make a difference for a school that has made a difference in the lives of thousands of students, including my own.  Regardless of the outcome of this election, I will pursue that goal through Phi Theta Kappa, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, and any other organization that I can budget into my schedule.  The biggest benefit of being a JCCC Student is the access to so many clubs and organizations that bolster the college resume of any student looking to transfer to four-year institutions.

It takes some digging, and it takes some effort.  Presidential candidate, Jeffery Redmond, spoke to me recently and raised a point that I could not agree more with, he said, “you get what you put into it.”  I’d like to offer help to any student, and any organization, that needs assistance.  I’d like to use a position on the Executive Board as a weapon of influence to show the student body the endless opportunities that there are to advance yourself as a student, and as a person.

What makes you the ideal candidate?
I love the English language, and I love studying Psychology–why and how we do things.  Because of the combination of these two interests, I believe that I can successfully fulfill the roles of Parliamentarian in enforcing the Constitution, as well as representing the student body on the Executive Board.  My ever-evolving knowledge in those two fields are what builds the necessary foundation to be a successful Executive Board member, and a successful Parliamentarian.

If elected, how would you serve the student body in your role?
Communication is the most important aspect of the position I seek.  I would frequently be engaged with the student body, and I would welcome any invitation to sit in on student organizations or happenings–even lending a helping hand to coordinate activities.  As a member of, not just the Executive Board, but the Student Senate, I would take every opportunity offered to give back to the student community.

Aaron Swift has not been available for a response to the Q&A.

Compiled by Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, scook35@jccc.edu.

By Stephen Cook

Students will be getting more than a taste of popcorn at this year’s film festival hosted by the college; they will be getting a taste of real-world moviemaking, with instruction coming from professional filmmakers.

Previously known as the Cavalier Film Festival, this year’s event on April 4 sports a new format as well as a new name, the Take 5 Film Festival.

After last year’s low turnout, Molly Baumgardner, adviser to JCAV-TV and ECAV Radio, professor and film festival organizer, decided to turn the festival upside down. She has been the coordinator for the previous two years and because 2013 was the 10th anniversary of the festival, she saw 2014 as a good time to review the program and make some changes.

“We all know that the board of trustees and our president and our administration have really pretty much drawn that line in the sand that we need to be looking at what can we be doing to draw in prospective students,” Baumgardner said. “The best thing you can do to draw in that future JCCC student is get them here on our campus and have them have a really positive experience.”

Joe Petrie, JCAV-TV adviser, professor and film festival organizer, came up with the “Take 5” name, a common term in production, as a way to give the event identity and make it more interesting. Also, moving it to a daytime instead of the evening could potentially allow for more students to attend and experience the festival.

“[The Cavalier Film Festival] was missing that fun element, it was almost as dry as like the Academy Awards,” Petrie said. “There’s so many area film festivals, every high school has one, there’s just a glut of them, so we wanted to do something different that would make us stand out as more fun and less Oscar-like, so we came up with this.”

Although last year did include guest speakers, this year’s festival will feature special workshops, covering topics such as lighting, makeup artistry (with an example of a zombie), editing for hollywood action style and more.

Including the workshops, there will be a total of five sessions. Additionally, there are five categories for film entries, five different items served at lunch and five panelists. There will also be a “cinema room” where film entries will be on a loop for students to view throughout the day.

The event is open for all students to attend, whether they take classes at JCCC or at an area high school.

Petrie had his video production classes create videos for the film festival in hopes of getting more students involved in the film festival. In addition to entries from students at the college, there have been a lot of entries from outside as well. This is a positive indicator, showing that those individuals have been reached.

JCAV producer and video production student Sam Tady will be attending the festival, and has also submitted a film to be judged. Having entered two pieces at and attended last year’s festival, he’s looking forward to seeing his newest flick on the “big screen.”

“It’ll also be fun to see all the other entries,” Tady said. “I love watching kids getting to see their first projects on screen; it’s cool to know that we are surrounded by so much creativity at JCCC and in the Metro area.”

Although submitting films to be judged is an element of the festival, Baumgardner said attendees seem to be most interested in learning more about the business of filmmaking and gaining advice from professionals.

“[In] talking with video production faculty members out in the high schools, there’s a lot of focus on video production in journalism, there really isn’t so much focus for that creative side,” Baumgardner said. “So [this year] it’s less emphasis on the films being submitted, more emphasis on attend, get some training and maybe then next year we’ll have stronger entries, more entries.”

The majority of speakers will be local as well.

“The neat thing is students are going to realize that we have lots of filmmaking professionals and there’s lots of filmmaking that goes on in the Metro area,” she said.

One of the things Petrie is excited to see is energetic high school students on campus, along with their ideas and creativity.

“What I’m looking forward to is to seeing how they react, and, do they really have fun with this thing?” Petrie said. “If they don’t, well, then we have to go back to the drawing board.”

Contact Stephen Cook, editor-in-chief, at scook35@jccc.edu.

While on vehicle patrol late at night on March 31, a campus police officer spotted a man lying on the street on the south side of campus. Once the police approached the individual, they noticed the smell of alcohol. After questioning the man, the subject stated that he had been at a local bar earlier, drank four beers, and attempted to walk home when he fell on the curb.

The officer helped the man off the road and into the grass. After helping the man up, the officer noticed the man’s slurred speech and his lack of coordination. The police requested Med- Act, and soon after, the OPFD arrived to make sure the man’s health wasn’t in danger. No identification was on his person, but the man was able to provide his name and date of birth.

While medical personnel were checking the subject, they found the man had two warrants issued by the Kansas City Kansas Police Department. It was at the time when the man began to complain of a back injury he had received at work earlier that day. Med-Act was contacted again and upon arriving, transported the man to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. He was released by the hospital and apprehended by the Kansas City Kansas Police.

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu.

Tickets are available for JCCC Night at the Nelson 

The college will have its 17th annual JCCC Night at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 11.

All students participating in humanities, art history, fine arts, photography, interior design, architecture and theatre, as well as their guests, are invited to join for presentations by faculty on numerous artworks.

Faculty and staff from all departments are encouraged to attend as well. Tickets can be picked up free of charge at the check-in table in the Nelson’s Bloch building on the evening of the event, or can be picked up in advance in OCB 264

If you teach in one of the art departments and need to order tickets, contact Julie Hutchinson at jhutchinson01@jccc. edu, or go to OCB 264 to pick them up.

Student Senate elections begin 

Student Senate executive board elections begin on Tuesday, April 8 and continue until Thursday, April 11. Voting will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at COM Tables 3 and 4. For more information about candidates, visit CampusLedger. com.

Compiled by Valerie Velikaya, news editor, vvelikay@jccc.edu.