Kaleidoscope - Bossier Parish Community College

Bossier Parish Community College Presents a Student Publication

Kaleidoscope Volume XXVIII Issue 2

November 2012

Students, LOLA, and Financial Aid Natalie Banks Kaleidoscope Staff

Confusing and frustrating are just a few words used to describe students’ experience with LOLA. Whether you were having trouble logging in or seeing your scholarship/financial aid awards, LOLA, to some people, has been a thorn in their side. “What made me mad the most was logging-in,” sophomore Sallye Johnson said. “I couldn’t get into LOLA for three weeks, but once I got in, it took me about two weeks to get used it.”

On Financial Aid's end, they believe their issues do not just come from LOLA. “On our [Financial Aid] website; we thoroughly explain the process how the paperwork here is verified. Sometimes it may be the student is missing either an authorization form or didn’t have the correct form that could set the verification process back further,” said a representative from Financial Aid. Being patient is understandable to nursing student Ronald Carter, however, he feels the sys-

tem was frustrating due to its lack of displayed information: “It took four to five weeks for any of my stuff to show up on LOLA, and that frustrated me because I had to physically go to Financial Aid to ask them about any other paperwork that needed to be submitted, and with me being in clinicals, that alone takes much of my time.” Not only did the student database change to LOLA, so did Financial Aid's system, so everyone is using the new database enforced by the state of Louisiana. The bugs are still being worked out and

may take some time. Even though many students may not get their money until late October or late November, Financial Aid is doing their best to get things done efficiently and timely. Things are slowing down and paperwork is getting processed, but the key word that Financial Aid wants to stress to students is patience. As far as LOLA is concerned, faculty and administration have adjusted to work around the system and make themselves available as much as possible for the students.

www.bpcc.edu/kaleidoscope

INSIDE: Where to Find Fun in Shreveport/ Bossier BPCC and LSUS Work Together BPCC vs. LSUS: Obama or Romney Performing Arts Schedule

BPCC Debater Ranked #1 in Nation

Erika Hill displays her trophies after a successful beginning of the semester with BPCC’s Debate Team.

BPCC Debate Team member Erica Hill is ranked #1 overall in the International Public Debate Association’s novice division with a record of 16 wins and 5 losses (16-5). Debate team coach Bob Alexander noted that “over each of the last four years, we’ve had a student finish the year as the top community college student in the season long rankings – but this marks the first time that we’ve had a student ranked #1 overall (in rankings for universities and community colleges combined). This ranking is reflective of Erika’s ability and her personal commitment to excellence.”

Hill began in September with her first ever competition at Henderson State University, where she finished with a record of 53. Hill improved further at a competition hosted by the University of ArkansasMonticello in October, where she finished with a record of 11-2. Alexander continued, “In many of her debates, Erika has been competing against students with far more experience; she may have initially flown under the radar, but everyone in the activity is aware of her potential at this point.” Earning IPDA Community College Na-

tional Championships each of the last two seasons, BPCC is only the second school to accomplish that feat. Alexander concluded, “We started this season with one goal: to make BPCC the first team to earn a third IPDA Championship. With the work ethics and leadership of Erika and returning debater Katie Ulrich, we are poised to achieve that goal.” The BPCC Debate Team is open to any student, no prior experience required. For more information, contact Bob Alexander at (318) 6786460 or balexander@bpcc. edu.

Exciting

Editor’s Note Views appearing in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, practices, or opinions of Bossier Parish Community College or those of Kaleidoscope. The Kaleidoscope, Bossier Parish Community College’s campus newspaper, was established in 1972. Its purpose is to illuminate events on campus and foster an awareness of faculty, staff, and students’ accomplishments.

Contributing Writers Those outside of the staff who wish to contribute may do so, but must keep in mind that all final decisions regarding inclusion, length, and and/or grammatical clarity are made by the staff and advisor. Either contact Candice Gibson at [email protected], or consult our website at www.bpcc.edu/kaleidoscope

Retractions Retractions or corrections shall be made through Facebook and on the Kaleidoscope website.

Kaleidoscope Staff Staff: Nataie Banks Christine James Camryn Cleere Advisor/Editor:

Candice Gibson

November

2012

Page 2

Finding Fun in Camryn Cleere Kaleidoscope Staff Shreveport/Bossier iPhones, iPads, iPods, Apps, Facebook, Twitter... with all the technology these days, college students can search for their weekend plans in more ways than in the past. Chi Chi Zhang, a college student at BPCC plans her weekend “most of the time, through friends...but Facebook is just a reminder of things going on as well.” Other than Facebook there are other websites to help look for things to do on the weekends (or your days off work). The website http://www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com has interesting events for each month and shows free fun events around Shreveport/Bossier. What college student doesn’t love free things? Another good website for finding things to do in Shreveport/Bossier is www.shreveportbossier.org/ things-to-do. The website has sections showing things to do, where to eat, where to stay, casino listings, and an events calendar.

Interested in taking an

?

ONLINE OR HYBRID class Let us show you what BPCC has to offer through electronic learning

Visit the Division of Educational Technology Building D, Room 217 http://www.bpcc.edu/educationaltechnology/index.html 318-678-6023

BPCC and LSUS Working Together Christine James, Kaleidoscope Staffer and Staff Louisiana State University at Shreveport faculty, staff, students, and other community representatives came out for the ribbon cutting on September 20 . The event took place in front of Building D where the information office for LSUS will be located in Room 112. With more students at BPCC transferring to 4 year institutions, the BPCC administration thought that a better avenue of communication would be invaluable to students. LSUS Interim Chancellor Paul Sisson said, “The LSUS office on BPCC campus will create a better flow for students from one campus to the other.” Louisiana’s Chancellor Jim Henderson and Vice Chancellor Stan “GRAD Act” is changing standards for admission to 4 Wilkins with representatives from the Shreveport/ year schools. This office will help BPCC students take Bossier community. the right steps to get into LSUS. The GRAD Act requires BPCC students to have completed 18 hours of coursework including a freshmen level English and math. The new information office will be staffed by LSUS faculty and staff. Students will be able to ask professors about degree requirements, class options, and transfer credits during office time. Additionally, students can learn about new degree programs coming to LSUS. This fall, through the LSU Commitment Plan, LSUS added Petroleum and Construction Engineering. In the spring semester the university plans to offer Sports Administration, Human Resource Management, and International Studies. The office is staffed in the mornings 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday. If a student cannot make it during regular office times, appointments may be scheduled through the LSUS Admissions Office at 318-795-2403.

challenging November

President Obama Should Be Re-elected Chelsea Anthony LSUS Debater Guest Columnist With the presidential election coming up, many undecided voters are wondering which candidate can best deal with the economy, healthcare , military, foreign policy, and the rising cost of higher education. The answer is President Obama. The biggest issue is the economy. Obama has what it takes to fix the economy in the next four years. According to The

Huffington Post, under President Obama we’ve experienced the creation of over 4.6 million private sector jobs. Economists have more faith in the president than Governor Romney. The Economist, a leading economic magazine, asked 384 economists to rate both the president’s and Romney’s plans for the country’s finances on a five-point scale. Romney’s plan received a 2.14, while Obama’s plan scored a 3.15, about 68% higher. Furthermore, the majority of economists agree that Obama has a better understanding of the economy than Romney and that it is more likely to recover

under Obama. Another important issue is healthcare reform. Obama has fought to make sure that people with preexisting conditions can get insurance coverage, ensuring that Americans do not go bankrupt due to overwhelming medical bills. Other benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include elimination of inefficient services, as well as access to preventative services (immunizations and screenings for certain types of cancer) with no co-pay. Romney wants to repeal the ACA, taking away all of those benefits, and has also proposed turning Medicare into a

voucher system, which a Kaiser study found would increase medical costs for senior citizens. A serious issue in this election is the military. Obama has done everything to end this war and to bring our military home. Furthermore, Osama Bin Laden, one of the biggest individual threats our country has ever faced, was killed under Obama’s direction. Romney has little to no training in working with the military or in any foreign policy outside of business dealings. Serious issues are happening in the Middle East, and we need an experienced leader to take them on. That leader

2012

Page 3

is President Obama. For students, Obama has invested in education, expanded Pell Grants and kept loan interest rates low. According to the Daily Kos, the Romney-Ryan plan would double the interest rates of student loans and cut $15 billion from the Pell Grant budget. Romney believes you should only get the education you can afford; Obama believes you should have access to the education you deserve. If re-elected, Obama will continue to make great strides in the economy, healthcare, foreign policy and higher education.

BPCC Versus LSUS Who Should Be the Next President?

Romney is the Right Choice for College Students BPCC Debate Team October 16th’s townhall presidential debate responses make clear why we should support Mitt Romney for President of the United States. The first question from 20 year old college student Jeremy Epstein was what will each candidate do to improve employment for college graduates? Romney pointed out that 50% of recent college graduates are unemployed, and he articulated a 5 point plan to cre-

ate 12 million new jobs over 5 years. Obama said he wanted to build upon what he had done so far, so the question arises, “What has Obama done so far?” When Obama took office, the unemployment rate was and is still officially 7.8%, but if you consider those that have simply stopped looking for work, the true rate is 10.7%. Considering recent college graduates, the 50% rate shows that prospects are even bleaker. To be fair, Obama talked about his goal of creating assembly line and coal miner jobs. However, even if these jobs materialized over the next four

years, is that the type of job that you’re pursuing a college education to obtain? The issue is also not just being unable to find a job, but also rising costs of living. When Obama took office, the average price of gas (according to consumerreports. org) was $1.84/gallon; today, most would leap with joy to see gas below $2.00 a gallon. Then candidates were asked whether $4.00 gas prices should be expected as the new norm. Romney said he would fight for increased energy production to decrease gas prices. Obama again indicated that he would continue his energy policies.

Gas prices and employment aren’t the only economic hits we’ve taken. Romney explained that over the past four years middle-income families’ incomes have dropped by $4,300, while health insurance premiums are up $2,500, and food and utility prices are up; meanwhile, taxes are expected to increase by $4,000 per middle-income family if the president’s policies are implemented for another four years. Romney again articulated a plan for decreasing the burdens on low and middle income families while the president advocated continuing the policies of the last four years.

But what about promises to move “forward”? In 2008, Obama promised to cut the deficit in half, but it has doubled. Obama proclaimed to save Medicare and Social Security from bankruptcy, but we’ve yet to see the plan. He said he’d pass an immigration reform plan, but one has yet to be filed. In 2009, Obama said that his stimulus plan would cut unemployment to 5.4%, but that’s far from the present reality. For four years we’ve seen the results of Obama’s policies, and to borrow from his 2008 campaign, “It’s time for change we can believe in.”

inspiring November

2012

Page 4

Performing Arts Fall 2012 Date Event October 5,18,19,20,25,26,27 Avenue Q 21 & 28 Avenue Q November 1 Student Recital* 6 Fall Festival of One Acts 8 Student Recital* 10 Choir Concert* 13 Theatre Voice Recital 15 Student Recital* 15 Jazz Ensemble Concert* 28 BPCC and Bossier City Christmas Show 28 BPCC and Bossier City Christmas Show 30 Concert Winds* December 3 Student Solo Recital* 4 Student Solo Recital*

Time 7:30 PM 2:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 3:30 PM 7:30 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

All Events are held in the Performing Arts Center, Building C. *All Music Events are Free and Open to the Public.

NEED ACADEMIC HELP?

Come to the Learning Center (A-248) FALL 2012 HOURS Monday - Thursday 8am-8pm Friday 8am-4:30pm

T S O C NO

t Tutoring in Math, Science, & English t Computer Tutorial Programs t Anatomy Models t Use of Textbooks, Calculators, & More For more information, visit www.bpcc.edu/learningcenter or call(318) 678-6059

DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Associate of Science in Teaching–Grades 1–5 (AST) The AST program offers the Praxis Institute throughout the year. 4BUVSEBZTGSPNBNQNt/FXTFTTJPOFBDITFNFTUFS JODMVEJOHTVNNFSt'SFFPGDIBSHF TUVEFOUCVZT UFYUCPPLPOMZ Who can attend Praxis Institute? Any AST program student or student seeking to transfer into a 4-year college of education; should have completed MATH 102 and ENGL 102. For more information, contact Angie Bales, AST Program Coordinator, at (318) 678-6270 or [email protected].

Associate of Applied Science in Care and Development of Young Children (CDYC) Courses for this degree plan can satisfy workforce related recognition, such as the CDA credential or monetary incentives provided by the Quality Rating Star System (QRS) for childcare learning centers. With advisement, the degree plan also provides an optional career path to an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education. Come see BPCC’s CDYC Resource Room (E 327)! For more information, contact Kathy Porter, CDYC Program Coordinator, at (318) 678-6126 or [email protected].

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice (CJUS) t offered online or traditional lecture format t one concentration in Medicolegal Death Investigation-BPCC is one of three colleges in the United States with this offering t expanded education opportunities for peace officers completing the Louisiana POST (Police Officers Standards and Training) Council t BPCC’s Criminal Justice Program is articulated with NSU’s 4-year Criminal Justice Program For more information, contact Dee Dee Mitchell, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences, at (318) 678-6208 or [email protected] or Dan Cain, professor of Criminal Justice, at (318)678-6089 or [email protected].

Center for Adult Learning in Louisiana (CALL) Finish a degree that you started, or enter college for the first time, by enrolling in BPCC’s CALL Program! The CALL Program provides an opportunity for working adults to complete their degree in approximately 1 ½ years and allows flexibility in scheduling classes around a busy work schedule and personal responsibilities. t Online classes taught in 4-week and 8-week accelerated formats t Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) – the process of earning credit for college-level learning acquired through a variety of resources. BPCC’s CALL Program offers associate degrees within these respective divisions: Division of Liberal Arts–(FOFSBM4UVEJFTtDivision of Business–#VTJOFTT"ENJOJTUSBUJPOBOE)FBMUI$BSF .BOBHFNFOUXJUIDPODFOUSBUJPOTJO1SPGFTTJPOBM1SBDUJDFBOE)FBMUI4UVEJFTtDivision of Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics–$PNQVUFS*OGPSNBUJPO4ZTUFNT *OGPSNBUJPO/FUXPSL4FDVSJUZ4QFDJBMJTU BOE$FSUJöDBUFPG5FDIOJDBM4UVEJFTJO)FMQ%FTL4VQQPSU For more information, contact Brenda Williams, CALL Program Assistant, at (318) 678-6381, [email protected] or log onto www.bpcc.edu/callstudents

www.bpcc.edu/behavioralandsocialsciences Kaleidoscope Wants You!!! Want to work in an energized environment? Like being in the know and in the middle of the action? Want experience in the fast paced world of news? Join the Kaleidoscope team! For more information, contact: Candice Gibson G129, 678-6364, or [email protected]. Like Us on Facebook!