The Prospector (Helena, Mont.) 1916-2015, November 01, 2012, Image 1

Carroll College Student Newspaper Helena, Montana Volume 100 Edition 2 November 1st, 2012 Up 'Til Dawn: \calling cancer's bluff\ PHOTO BY RAYME MCKELVEY Ryann's Rant: Writing Intensive With all the talk about the “loss\ of fall break, one might think it w as the only academic change this year. But, as many of you found when you registered for classes this semester, another change has occurred which affects students more than a shortened fall break. As of this year, any writing inten­ sive class, whether inside or outside your major, can no longer be taken pass/fail. Carroll policy has long stated that all classes for your major cannot be taken pass/fail, but any class outside your major or minor could be taken pass/fail once you had junior standing. One a semester, for two years. This allows for upper classmen to put more attention on the harder classes for their majors, slack a little in others, while still meeting all the requirements nec­ essary to graduate with a good GPA. For example, a writing intensive credit outside your major. Now, all writing intensive classes will affect that GPA, and students are finding it unfair. “Personally I woidd not have taken my second writing intensive credit pass/fail,” said Lindsay Sebastian, a junior health science major from Billings. “But it is also unfair to those students whose GPAs will be affected because they are not good at writing.” According to the Registar, C athy Day, the decision to alter the writing intensive requirements originated with the CORE Committee, the committee in charge of all CORE requirements. The Policy Committee then passed the recommendation. “The CORE Committee felt that writing is so important, we want students to work at it, and not slide through with a D,” said professor Debora Bemardi, chair of the CORE committee. “Writing is as important as anything else at Carroll, and it is a skill you will need for the rest of your life. Students cannot make it their low ­ est priority.” No matter where you go after Car- roll, no matter what j ob you apply for. you WILL need to know how to write, and how to write well. Taking a writ­ ing class pass/fail allows for students to skate by wdth D level work and still get full credit. But at Carroll, w e are supposed to be preparing for the “real” world, and out there, D level work will not get you full anything. In this real world you are judged on your ability to write. When you apply for a job, you must submit a resume and a cover letter. That’s right, no more generic application; you must D> Ryann Lannan Student Opinion More Writing Intensive page 5 ______ Rayme McKelvey _____ Staff Writer On Oct. 26, many Carroll College students enjoyed a night of nonstop games and activities including, but not limited to: Minute to win it, Texas Hold ‘Em, and Karaoke at this year’s casino themed Up Til Dawn event. Many prizes were given away, such as a 32-inch TV, an iPad, a $250 visa gift card, and other gift cards to various businesses here in Helena. There was food and caffeine provided by businesses throughout the night and entertainment by the lead singer of the Clintons, Jon McClelland. Students brought addresses to send letters to friends and family asking them to join in the fight against childhood cancer by supporting the groundbreaking research and care of St. Judes Children’s research hospital. When asked why she chose to partici­ pate in this event, Kelsey Christensen, a junior health science major from Phoenix said, “It feels good knowing that we are all making a difference for these kids and this hospital.” Likewise Alyssa Pimperton, a junior biology major from Belt, Mont, who is a member of the Carroll St. Judes board said, “St. Judes is a great place, and I like knowing I can be a part of something wonderful.” The feeling was mutual amongst every­ one who participated last night; over 2,000 letters were written, and over the past 7 years more than $172,000 has been raised for St. Jude. ______ Sapphire Carter ______ Staff Writer Deep within the gorges of the North­ west slowly lurks a mysterious, old, and wise fish. The beautiful, ancient, and bony sturgeon fish barely surfaces the murky riverbanks. This enchanting prehistoric fish is the epitome of adjunct English professor Chelsia Rice. I’m sitting next to Rice, and I watch her kick off her shoes as she relaxes into the comfy couch. She is a fun loving and casual free spirit. But this free spirit has substance. She grew up in a large family with four Saints ante up at Up til Dawn While the event was a wonderful time for the students of Carroll, it was an incredibly special time for Tammy and James Buchanan. James is 5 years old this year and owes his life to St. Jude. In November of 2009 James was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, and when reading the literature on his type of cancer, his family found that there were no known survivors. Now, James has been in remission for two years. His mother, Tammy, expresses gratitude for St. Jude for saving her son’s life: “We do everything we can to support St. Jude,” she stated. “We owe St. Jude’s James’s life.” half-brothers and two half-sisters. As soon as she entered junior high and high school she enrolled in journalism and photography classes. “I was a rotten kid in a small town of working class people,” said Rice. “Educa­ tion wasn’t something hugely important in my life.” This could possibly explain why she never finished high school. With only one credit needed to graduate, Rice ditched school for a job at a newspa­ per and then later a magazine. “I was always a writer,” exclaimed Rice. “Especially writing about people.” She learned quickly how much she didn’t want that job, however, and that’s when she took a figure-eight And it is clear that James’s story touched those who participated last night. While Up Til Dawn was extremely fun, no one lost the meaning of the night. “I'm extremely impressed with the support from my fellow classmates who showed up to make this event happen,” said Paige Collick, the assistant executive director for Up Til Dawn and a sophomore chemistry major. “We could not have done it without them. Thank you.” train trip across the country. Through her extensive traveling she has seen over 38 states. The versatile and open Rice talked to many strangers on her trip, and every one of them had exceptional advice. \They all stressed the importance of an education,\ she said. On the day of September 11, 2001, Rice heeded to this advice. She realized that with her limited education she wasn’t able to understand the events of 9/11, and she decided to go back to school. Rice began by taking GED classes at the age of 24. She didn’t stop there though; she went on to college and evenm- More Rice page 15 INSIDE Presidential Inauguration, p. 3 Dr. Thomas Evans' inauguration scheduled for the first week of Nov. National election looms, p.8-9 Obama and Romney square off. Best of Helena, p. 13 Check out these local coffee shops. Professor Rice shares her love for education and w riting