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Thursday, March 9, 2000 - Page 4 NEWS Campus looks forward to Reel Big Fish concert STACI L. GEORGE Bhargava said. News Co-Editor Sororities and fraternities were also sent a letter inviting their organizations to vol- Earlier in the semester, the College Con- unteer to assist with security, set up, and cert Committee (CCC) informed the cam- clean up. They were also asked to help with pus that the Huntington Beach, California ticket sales the day of the show. good-time ska music band Reel Big Fish With only a little more than a week left will perform at the annual WMC spring until the concert, the March 25 concert concert event. ticket sales have started to increase. Stu- The CCC meets Tuesday nights in Gold dents can purchase tickets from II :30 am Room A at 9:00 pm. Along with Mitchell to I:30 pm outside ofGlar all this week and Alexander, director of College Activities, also the week of March 20-24. and Dave Meckley, the CCC chairperson, Tickets will also be available at the door everyone involved has been working hard on the day of the concert. Tickets are $! 2 to plan and organize this event. for WMC students and faculty. Junior Jason Bhargava was selected as The opening band will begin at 8 pm JEFF BENDER head of security the day of the show. "I'm and Reel Big Fish will startaround9:15 pm The band members of Reel Big Fish have been entertaining ska fans since the early nineties. a big fan and have seen them in concert and perform for more than an hour. before, and I can't wait until the concert," Grace Almandrez discusses her plans for this semester Last week reporter Nykole Tyson sat sity Day (April 6), and Multicultural Lead- Also, r would like to see more faculty mem- ALMANDREZ: My goal is to earn my down with Mary GraceAlmandrez, Direc- ers Banquet (April 22). bers involved in diversity issues and pro- Master's of Science degree in Human Re- tor of Multicultural Services, to find out Do you see a change in the students' think- grams. lations Development in two years. So, in what projects she is currently working on ing since you have been employed at WMC? What has been your biggest obstacle so far order to get my degree and make signifi- and what goals she has for her position. Are they or do they seem more culturally in accomplishing your objectives at WMC? cant changes on campus, I would like to aware or interested? ALMANDREZ: The biggest obstacles are stay at WMC for at most three more years. Almandrez came to WMC November ALMANDREZ: I've seen significant getting the faculty more involved in the 1998 after graduating from the University changes. For example, there has been a office's efforts and the budget. I've done a I think in that time I would have accom- many of my short-term of San Diego with a degree in Sociology great improvement in the types and quality lot with the money the Budget Committee's plished the way for my long-term goals, while paving goals. and a minor in Spanish. At UCSD, she was of programs student organizations plan. allotted for my department, but I can always Ten years from now whet do yon hope to be the president of the Filipino Organization There is an effort to include educational use more. The budget did increase almost doing? and director of multicultural issues. events in heritage celebrations. 100% for this school year, but there are so ALMANDREZ: I will be living in Dallas, Below are the questions Tyson asked In addition, more students are concerned many other programs I'd like to implement TX with my husband and three children. I and the paraphrased responses Almandrez about curriculum Changes (e.g., pushing to on campus if only I had the necessary funds. will have a successful home-based consult- gave. have Deaf Studies, making African-Ameri- How would you describe the typical WMC ing firm dedicated to race relations train- How do you like your job so far? can Studies a strong major, etc.). However, student in terms of his/her multicultural ing. I want to also work with higher edu- ALMANDREZ: I love my job! It is one there is always room for improvement. awareness? cation institutions in creating and maintain- of the most rewarding experiences! I am What is the most rewarding aspect of your ALAMANDREZ: I see the average student ing multicultural centers. Additionally, I fortunate [0 have a supportive boss, inspir- job? as willing to learn more about diversity is- want to be politically active in my commu- ing colleagues, and energetic students with ALMANDREZ: The most rewarding as- sues but not really taking the opportunity to nity while also working with young students whom I work. pect is seeing my student leaders recognized expand their base of knowledge. Many stu- and corporations. What programs are you working on now? whether through award ceremonies or dents are well aware of issues; however, not Do you have any specific long range goals And of them what is your top priority? graduation. My job is to ensure that my everyone views diversity as a priority on this for Multicultural Services? ALMANDREZ: Most of what I do is co- students have the opportunity to achieve campus. I'm fortunate that I get a chance to ALMANDREZ: I would like the office to ordinate co-sponsored events. This year, I more than I've achieved. work with students that are committed to an actually expand to a whole Multicultural am helping with Women's History Month Another rewarding and humbling expe- take part in trying to institutionalize Center with a staff which would include an (March), Multicultural Awareness Month rience is to see my student leaders ap- multiculturalism. Assistant Director, graduate assistants and (April), and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage plauded for their hard work and effort by When you are not at the job, what do you srudenr workers. Furthermore, I'd like more Month (May). other members of the community. most enjoy in your leisure time? contact with other departments, including However, the five projects I'm currently What is the most frustrating aspect of your ALMANDREZ: I enjoy reading and (hon- athletics, [and the] academic skills center ... working on for this semester are: Phenom- job? estly) doing crosswords}! r also love to shop, Additionally, I would like to see more enal Women Recognition Luncheon (March ALMANDREZ: One challenge is to get catch up with friends, and go out dancing. institutional support on both a student (Mul- 9), Minority Student Weekend (March 24- the students to be more politically vocal and How long do YOII plan to stay at WMC in ticultural Services position in CAPBoardl 26), Diversity Conference {April 2), Diver- a9tive on campus and in the community. this job? SGA) and administrative level. Deaf awareness heightened on campus through activities sponsored by Sounds of Silence continued from page J people telling stories and 40 people there. sound. However, this added to the experi- ell, representatives of the SGA, and mod- students met in GLAR, and communicated I was very impressed for a Sounds of Si- ence of being deaf and using closed erator Mitch Alexander. only through sign language. These dinners lence event." captioning. American Sign Language (ASL) discus- provide a way for students to practice their Tuesday evening was marked by a spe- Thursday's event was a panel discussion sion was entitled ASL as a Foreign Language skil Is, in an environment with other students. cial game night, running concurrently with entitled "ASL as a foreign Language at at WMC. Sounds of Silence and the Deaf Overall, Sounds of Silence viewed the the Sounds of Silence weekly meeting. The WMC." Education department are among the propo- week's events as successful. "We had 150 meeting is no-rmally held at 8:30 pm on Sounds of Silence members, as well as nents of ASL being accepted as a foreign people in attendance. I think that it height- Tuesdays, and last week was no exception. many in the graduate Deaf Education pro- Language at WMC. ened general awareness and having 150 However, this game time was much qui- gram support the labeling of ASL as an of- Many students had strong reactions to the people, with such a small college, is signifi- eter with the only noise emanating from the ficial foreign language, like on some other panel. The main opponents to ASL becom- cant. This will be good to continue our pres- games themselves, not the signers. college campuses. ing a foreign language were not present at ence on campus and we hope to continue it Wednesday evening featured an event The panel contained Becky Carpentar, the discussion. into the future," said Lucas. co-sponsored by CAPBoard. The Oscar- a WMC faculty member who sits on the Junior Rasheeda George says "It made Their work is not entirely finished. The winning movie Children of a Lesser God curriculum committee, Celia Stroope, ajun- me upset that there were people against this. students are planning to distribute informa- was shown in the Pub. ior planning to enroll in the graduate Deaf But, they were not there to speak their opin- tion about American Sign Language at the This movie portrayed the love story of Education program, Lynn Ballard-Weiner. ion about it." next faculty meeting. Recently, a Deaf Stud- a deaf woman and a hearing school teacher, a WMC ASL instructor, Associate Dean Burger stated, "SGA supports Sounds of ies minor was approved by the Curriculum starring Marlee Matlin and William Hurt. Henry Reiff, Penelope Miller, a deaf fresh- Silence. They should continue to bring ideas Committee. However, the faculty will need Due to technical difficulties with the tele- man, Dr. Judy Coryell, head of the Deaf forward and use the SGA as a forum." to approve a decision made by the commit- vision, the movie was shown without Education, Matt Burger and Sarah Mitch- Friday's event was a silent dinner. The tee.