More Letters to the Editor!

--Chaparral sign confusion--

I am concerned about a hazard created by two certain street signs on Chaparral Road near our school. There are four entrances to Scottsdale Community College. If drivers use entrances three and four they must merge into the left lane, but drivers cannot see the sign warning them to merge until they are already merged into one lane.

After exiting the 101 South and heading East on Chaparral Road to enter SCC, there are two lanes. As drivers pass the first school entrance, they can see a sign saying "Traffic Control Change". This sign is not listed or explained in the Arizona Driver License Training Manual or the AZDOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) website, so no one knows what it means. There is no way to determine what kind of change is coming or how far ahead this change is. To further complicate this situation, the sign explaining this traffic control change "Lane Ends Merge Left" is hidden by a traffic light pole. This sign is only visible once you are passing the traffic light and the lanes are already merging.

Those drivers, who do not know the right lane ends, race ahead and then slam on their brakes, to attempt to merge once they realize their lane is ending. Speeding cars and trucks race by me while I wait in the left lane, knowing the right lane ends and unsuspecting vehicles will suddenly cut into my lane. The lack of warning, plus the hidden sign, creates a dangerous traffic hazard.

I suggest the AZDOT replace the "Traffic Control Change" sign with a pictorial "Merge" sign. The road should also be painted with merge arrows as a warning. I also propose that the "Lane Ends Merge Left" sign be placed before the traffic light. Then it will be visible and give drivers a sufficient amount of time to safely switch lanes.

Bonnie Garden, SCC Student

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--Obama cartoon/First Amendment debated--

I would like to discuss the issue about the political cartoon issued in the Scottsdale Chronicle a few months ago. I believe that the teacher who wrote in and said that it was inappropriate and formed a complaint should bear the brunt of this. We as students should have the right to a free press as stated in the constitution.

If the students are denied the right to a free press, because of a misinformed reader, then we have bigger issues than just being able to write how we feel. The act of this teacher who no refuses to speak to anyone should have some consequences. This educator should have done her research. She should have made sure that was the right political cartoon. However now that our first amendment rights to a free press is being challenged, we need to stand together to do something.

We as students should stand up and fight for our rights. The elected public officials of the school board should understand that we did not print that political cartoon. And therefore should be able to print what we see fit. However, we as students need to stand together to make the officials see that we should still have the right to a free press, in accordance with the first amendment.

I hope that together as a body of students, we can show them that we still have the right to a free press. This I understand will take time. But we should all care about this issue as it affects all students not just the ones writing and printing the papers.

Kali Salter, SCC Student

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I would like to take this time to discuss with you my views and opinions on the controversy over the Obama cartoon that was printed in the school paper on February 11, 2009.

Let me start by saying the fact that this topic is getting so much attention is ridiculous. There is no doubt that the cartoon ran by the New York Post depicting President Obama as a dead chimp was offensive and downright wrong, anyone can see that. If the Scottsdale Chronicle would have ran that cartoon in their paper, this argument wouldn't be so ridiculous. But the fact of the matter is they didn't.

The paper is supposed to be about student views and opinions, not board members views and opinions.

The District Governing Board has no business trying to overthrow the first amendment, and that is exactly what they are trying to do. They are only going to hurt the paper and the student body if they follow through on their plans to take control over the Scottsdale Chronicle. Writing is being able to express ourselves passionately and freely, who are the board members to think that they have the right to take our passion and freedom from us?

In response to this mess, action is required. What I propose is appointing a governing board in which the writers of the paper must go to and discuss their topics before it is printed. With that being said, I think that it is important to keep control of the paper where it is now. Let's just figure out a way to fine tune it so that unnecessary drama like this doesn't have to happen again. Another solution is a complaint department. Let confused readers like (name withheld) voice their opinions to the paper. That way the paper has a chance to defend itself and correct misguided readers.

Calvin Castle, SCC Student

_____________________________________________ --Summer Session II--

I am concerned about Summer Session II being eliminated. It poses a problem for those of us who are planning on taking two summer sessions at Scottsdale Community College and are now reduced to only being able to take one.

Having two Summer Sessions could attract some students to SCC and then they could end up staying at the school for the regular semester. It also can attract students that go elsewhere for school then come home for the summer and would like to take summer classes. Summer classes at a Community College are also very beneficial for the students that go to ASU, over the regular semester, because they can take a summer class for half the price.

Administrators are saying that we can take Summer Session II elsewhere, but Maricopa Community Colleges have different requirements for taking their classes. Such as Gateway Community College requires a high school transcript and Mesa Community College requires an official transcript from the previous college, if there is one. Not only is there a problem with having to deal with those kinds of different requirements but if the student is a veteran using the G.I. Bill, as I am, it poses even more of a problem. There is even more paperwork and trying to get a hold of the V.A. (Veteran Assistant) representative to take care of the student veteran's situation is always a hassle. Instead of just having to worry about signing up for summer classes there is all of these other issues because of the cancellation of Summer Session II.

Instead of eliminating Summer Session II because of the budget cut the school should cut back on the $150,000.00 car allowance that is given to the executive staff. Thank you for your time.

Laura Crabtree, SCC Student

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--More sports coverage--

On the Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Volume 12, Issue 7 paper, there was not enough information about all of Scottsdale Community College's (SCC) sports teams. I am a major fan of sports, and I believe our fellow athletes at SCC are not being shown enough support in the college newspaper. For example, you have been not representing both the men and women's golf team. They have much right to be given as much support as the rest of the sports teams.

There are a few reasons why this issue among other issues can affect the public good. First, your readers are not aware of the golf players who represent their college origin. Second, there is no word or explanation of how both teams are progressing during their competitions. Third, you will get more readers especially those who do enjoy sports as much as I do. If people read about it, they will probably show up to the games and show support to their teams. Finally, how do you think all these athletes feel when there are no comments or feedback about their games in the college newspaper?

My solution is very simple! In your sports section, ALL representing teams must be included bit by bit, like a sentence or two, about their progress so their readers know who and who to support at their games. Also, who they are playing next and where their upcoming games will be held. It will allow your sports fans a great opportunity to read about all sports teams who represent Scottsdale Community College's athletic department.

My only action towards is to show more support to all the SCC athletic teams whether they are male or female. In my opinion, having an article about an ASU basketball player was not a good idea since he currently isn't a student and an athlete for SCC. I am not an athlete for SCC, but I do play volleyball, golf, pool/billiards, martial arts and soccer during my free time. As you can see, I am a fan of sports and I do enjoy reading about them.

Blake Dargavel, SCC Student

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I have noticed that men's basketball, baseball, and football are the sports your paper covers the most. However, covering other sports as well as more women's golf, soccer, and track would be beneficial to SCC by raising greater awareness of these sports.

Without the publicity the newspaper gives to sports teams our woman's' teams lack in funding which could go to the school and be beneficial to everyone. More students would know who the players are and the times when a match or tournament is scheduled. This would lead to a greater number of support and publicity for women's sports at SCC.

I am convinced that the more publicity women's sports receive the more students will participate. Most of the women's teams are doing well this season and all are representing SCC with pride. Giving these teams more publicity in you paper will allow fellow students to see the success women's athletics have become.

It would be beneficial for women's athletics if you could include more female athletes in your student profiles. This would raise more awareness of women's athletics which would generate more money for the school. Thank you for your understanding.

Rachel Bailey, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Rock climbing wall requested--

I believe that Scottsdale Community College should build a rock climbing area or a bouldering wall somewhere on campus. As going for my major in Recreational management rock climbing and fitness have taken up a large amount interest for me over the years. But when I go to our gym, there is nothing more than a bench press bar to work your fore arms.

Our indoor and outdoor rock climbing classes are wonderful and a great choice for SCC to offer. My concern is when they close the classes down during the semester, that we are left with nothing particular to work out the needed muscles. I believe if we put a bouldering area in a designated part of our gym or campus, that it would be a very popular attraction around the school for all students, even our staff members on campus.

Bouldering is a very stressful, but satisfying and quick way to work out your hands and fore arms without taking little or any space that would take away from our machines. I believe it would be used as much or even more, as our running lanes on the second floor.

I strongly hope you have taken the time to listen to my concern. Maybe this letter is the best way to bring this issue to hand; I strongly suggest adding a bouldering area to or near our gym would be a positive addition to our school at a low income price.

Nicholas Davis, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Employment section needed--

Considering the state of our economy and how many college students are struggling to pay rent and tuition, I am wondering why the Scottsdale Chronicle does not have an employment section. The number of students looking for jobs is on the rise.

I believe that many employers would jump at the opportunity to hire college students. College students typically work for minimum wage, so they would make inexpensive employees for business looking for more help, but also looking to save money.

It's very difficult to find work that also fits a strenuous school schedule. I am sure other students who are struggling to make ends meet would find a help wanted section strictly for college students very helpful.

I would like to see the Scottsdale Chronicle add an employment section to their newspaper. I understand that Scottsdale Chronicle online has an employment section but I believe a section in the paper edition completely dedicated to employers seeking student workers for jobs with flexible hours to accommodate a student's school schedule would be very useful. As well as increase Chronicle readers. I hope that you can see the possible benefit of adding this section to the paper. ?

Nicole Hellwig, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--More sports offerings needed--

SCC has a diverse group of athletes amongst the schools population, yet there is no diverse selection of athletics. SCC seems to only have the bare minimum of athletics which is ridicules since SCC seems to have a bunch of athletes wanting to be part of the school through wrestling

Sure SCC offers the pure basic sports package, which is basketball, football, baseball, golf, tennis and track and field. Yet wrestling seems to be left out. Wrestling is the oldest sport known to man and is the most instinctive and pure sport that every person has partaken in. Little children start wrestling with each other from the moment they can walk. Wrestling is the most pure sport known to man, no one starts off playing basketball or football yet they start off wrestling from the moment they start walking. Wrestling is a sport where one can test what of kind heart they actually carry and test the threshold that one thought they hold.

Wrestling is a sport that is not for the kind hearted, it is a brutal and at times a violent sport. Yet wrestling has sustained itself through all these years for many reasons. Wrestling is a sport where true dedication and hard work does pay off. It is an individual sport just as much as a team sport. Wrestling shows what a person is made of and what true mental toughness is. Any athlete can testify if you're not mentally tough you will not be able to sustain yourself in your sport and wrestling is the holy Mecca of mental toughness. There is a reason why most cage fighters are former wrestlers. Wrestling builds confidence, self esteem and true inner power. Wrestling is a sport for all which includes women.

Wrestling should be part of our great schools tradition; it should be imbedded in the cloth that makes our athletic department. Every person has a want to belong and a place to excel. Let the wrestling team be another great place a person can belong and excel.

Danny Parada, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Cafeteria should offer cheaper meals--

I am writing on behalf of the food in the student center. I think the food is very expensive compared to your local fast food places such as Wendy McDonalds etc.

Most students don't want to leave off campus to get something to eat the student center is very convenient. A lot of students are struggling now days to make ends meet at home and then they have to come to school and pay tons of money for food. Maybe you guys should reconsider your prices or build a small McDonalds on campus.

I actually feel that students who attend SCC should get their food free or at least some kind of discount.

Please take what I said in consideration it will help a lot of students especially the one coming from out of state. It may also bring in tons of business..

Shavelle Vinson, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Need more Music Dept. coverage--

After reading your newspaper the last few months, I have noticed that you do not seem to have any news on anything going on in the music department. There are plenty of activities going on for people to see and would enjoy, but unaware of because there is nothing in the newspaper about activities going on in the music building.

This month one of the biggest things we have going on is the Music Theatre's Cabaret. When a few students in my English class were told about it, they said they wanted to see the Cabaret, but did not know about it, because the newspaper had not said anything about it. The music department is flourishing and this semester alone has doubled its enrollment.

I believe that if there was more publicity to the music department and their activities, then there would be more students attending the music shows. Our school has a fantastic music program especially in the vocals, but because no one knows much about the music department all the exciting things that are going on in the building go unseen.&nbs p;

It would be beneficial to the students if they knew that we have an A Cappella choir that has performances and that our Music Theatre does a cabaret in the spring. I feel that if dates were shown of upcoming events in the music building then the students would really enjoy going to the shows offered. The best part about the shows is for the most part the shows are free. Thank you for your time and I hope you take what I said about putting information on the music department in the newspaper.

Katie Harmon, SCC Student ______________________________________________

I am a student at Scottsdale Community College and I have been looking through the SCC newspaper. The SCC Newspaper, "Scottsdale Chronicle", has articles from what happens at ASU, with what goes on at Scottsdale Community College, and even what goes on around the Scottsdale Community. What I realized was that they do not have articles that talk and inform about the Scottsdale Community College Music Department. I believe that the school newspaper should have a music section where it informs students about what is going on in that department whether it's events, special awards, or even what type of music they are playing or learning about.

I am not part of any music groups here at SCC. I can say that I am interested in what goes on with the music department. Students may listen to music and as well sing it, but it isn't just about that. Music is listened to its heard, lyrics are written, notes are played, and history is played. It doesn't necessarily have to just talk about the music department at SCC but what goes on as well in our society with music. Having a music section in the newspaper will not only inform students but as well inspire them to want to learn more and discover more about it.

Plenty of people like music. Everyone has their opinion about music. Everyone as well, will like different music and have different tastes. But I would personally like to know what goes on with the school band, or the school orchestra. Some students might not know what opportunities are there for them in the music department. Students have to know what is available for them to be able to join clubs and certain classes.

People should not just get involved in Sports or big activities that go on in SCC, Music has a say as well. Everyone likes music, but do they know the background of music? Do they notice the students who are very successful in the music department at SCC? As much as Sports are recognized, Music should too. There is never too much information in a newspaper; therefore music should have a section.

Ray Gomez, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Puzzles missing in paper--

Upon reading the Scottsdale Chronicle regularly, it has come to my attention that this newspaper lacks a section that includes word puzzles, or games that challenge the brain such as Sudoku.

I think it is important to begin including a puzzle section. In doing so, the newspaper would attract more readers, and help them pass time between classes. Many students find themselves with half an hour of free time between lectures that can be used in a more constructive way.

Although playing "games" may not seem like a constructive way to fill a gap of time, it has been proven that crossword puzzles and other such activities enhance learning and increase brain stimulation. This would be a great advantage for college students.

I would like to see an additional section to the Scottsdale Chronicle that contains crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and word scrambles since they offer a different (and more fun) type of learning.

Lauren DellaRocca, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Hand washing important to community health--

I am writing to express my concerns that affect the entire student body and faculty. Recently, I was in the restroom and noticed that some of the students and/or faculty were not washing their hands after going to the restroom. I can only hope that my concern is also your concern.

According to the Mayo Clinic hand washing is the easiest was to stop the multiplication of contagious germs; especially in public locations. Consider the amount of germs that are spread every time someone does not wash their hands? Hand to hand contact is the most common way to spread infectious diseases which is how most colds and flu's are contracted.

Not only can colds and flu's be contracted and passed around; but the Center for Disease Control and Prevention state that approximately 76 million Americans get a food-borne illness every year and about 5,000 of these individuals die; due to someone not washing their hands. Therefore, this can only mean one thing that 5,000 people a year die senselessly due to others irresponsibility.

By simply washing hands with warm water and mild soap everyone can participate by not transferring germs to others and this will decrease the chances of you getting sick. Also, allowing the student body and faculty to be healthy enough to do well academically and professionally.

Juli Mitchell, SCC Student ______________________________________________

--Waiting tables not that lucrative--

According to the article Earn Quick Money; Wait Tables, it is a great source of income. Is relying on tips as a waiter or waitress a reliable source of income?

With today's economy, a job as a waiter may not be as stable as it may seem. The idea of making 100 dollars in tips sounds glorious but is not predicable. Fewer people can afford to eat out with today's current situation. With fewer people eating out, means less hours and less money for waiters.

The article references independence and not relying on your parents for income. Which is far fetched when your daily income as a waiter is unknown? Relying on tips is a great way to earn extra money but should not be the sole source of income when trying to be financially independent.

As a concerned reader I would like to see an article discussing the benefits of being a waiter but emphasizing the need to be disciplined with your tips. Sure it is a quick way to make cash but needs to be handled in a conservative manner.

Andrea Kasney, SCC Student