Voices
Editorial
Washtenaw’s smoking ban: All or nothing
EDITORIAL
In theory, Washtenaw Community College has been a smoke-free campus for years. But we all know the truth – we see students light up mere feet away from the proud, green “smoke-free” plaques that pepper the campus.
It’s a rare thing to see a campus safety and security officer actually write up a student for smoking. And can they really be blamed? It’s not exactly fun to suspend an unlucky student for essentially smoking in the wrong place at the wrong time while their luckier peers get off scot free.
And now, things have become even more complicated. The summer conventions WCC hosted
(See ‘Where there’s smoke…,’ Front Page) made it all too clear that the smoke-free rule applies only to students, faculty and staff. Sure, there was some enforcement, but for the most part, campus officers stood by as the guests puffed away.
Should the smoke-free campus policy be upheld by stricter enforcement? Yes, without question.
Should the smoke-free campus policy cease to exist? Absolutely.
All we need to do is decide.
Health includes more than just the status of your lungs in its definition. A healthy campus is one that trusts security and the administration to treat everyone, no matter the rules, as equals. How is WCC providing a “safe and healthy work and learning environment” if it only enforces the ban when it’s convenient?
No matter what course of action the college takes, it will be better than the implementation of the current policy. All it does now is show the WCC community that some groups are separate and unequal.
ILLUSTRATION BY JOCELYN GOTLIB
Opinion
Features Editor
As a poverty-stricken college newspaper editor, I find myself picking up shifts at a little breakfast place in Ann Arbor. I hear my fair share of the town’s old money carry on over eggs and toast. The staff and customers often joke that we are “Cheers without the beers.” Everyone there is a part of the family.
Sticking to the plan – it’s on you
Managing Editor
Students come to Washtenaw Community College to achieve goals. That’s why we spend our time and money on classes. From associate’s degrees to certificates, or whatever else the goal may be, we need to keep it in the front of our minds.
Movie Reviews
Piranha 3D
Really flounders
JAMES HIGHSMITH
Staff Writer
For fans who love horror films, “Piranha 3D” just doesn’t cut it.
Corny jokes, unnecessary gore and an ending that attempts to make you desire more, but leaves you thankful that it’s over.
The biggest disappointment was that “Piranha 3D” failed to capitalize on its biggest advantage over other films – three dimensions.
Not once did a piranha jump out of the screen and scare the audience. In fact, the movie would have been the same without having to wear those dorky glasses for 90 minutes.
“Piranha 3D” was a waste of $14, but that’s expected from a movie about piranhas.
Switch
A chick flick to make you smile
NICOLE BEDNARSKI
Features Editor
Unoriginal yet entertaining, “The Switch” is a whole lot like every other chick-flick filmed in the last five years. It features a strong female character taking control of her life and ultimately, although temporarily, pushes aside the hope of finding true love.
Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston) feels her body clock ticking away and decides it’s time to have a baby. But after a sperm donor is found, and a plentiful supply of alcohol is consumed, Larson’s best friend Wally (Jason Bateman) switches the sample.
The film keeps the audience smiling, which is all I think we can really ask of it.
By James Highsmith
Photos Robert Conradi
| What is your favorite summer hangout? Why? | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JAMES HIGHSMITH WASHTENAW VOICE |
|
“My favorite summer hangout would be my summer cottage in the Upper Peninsula. We have a lot of wooden boats and I like to water ski.” Kearney Betts, 20 Ann Arbor |
|
“Anywhere where my daughter is. I have a 16-month-old and she’s always fun. She doesn’t understand the word walk. She’s always running.” Katie Marken, 21 Flat Rock |
|
|
“Independence Lake out in Dexter. It’s real nice. It’s a very nice lake with good food and it’s fun.” Austin Green, 18 Dexter |
|
“A lake house on Torch Lake. We get to spend a week there with the jet skis and fishing boats. It’s a lot of fun.” Chris Ball, 19 Ann Arbor |
||
| The bar located between East Washington Street and East Liberty Street on 5th Avenue has gotten plenty of attention for its DJ and dance parties. Washtenaw Community College students enjoying the bar/club as it thumps ‘til the wee hours of the night. | 
|
“Fifth Quarter club, because it’s a fun place to socialize and have fun.” Denasia Austin, 18, Ypsilanti |
|
“Camping and swimming at Muskallonge (Lake) State Park. It’s been a tradition since I was little to go with my friend and my dad.” Lindsay Green, 16 Dexter |
|
Recent Comments