Earlier last month in Europe the United States and Russia agreed upon the new and updated Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Along with other objectives the new treaty calls for the reduction of operationally deployed nuclear devices by 30 percent on both sides as well as new limits on launchers and updates to verification systems to certify that these limits are being met.
It would seem: based on a serious look at the status of our generation — aptly named Generation X, or the Lost Generation, or Generation Me, depending on your sources — that we are complete lost causes. In a careful analysis of where we stand, and where we’ve come from, many would take it upon themselves to forfeit, many would throw in the towel and continue on watching television, and unfortunately, this seems to be the general response in all corners of America.
An ex-cop who claims his favorite movie to be Juno on his Facebook page may not necessarily bring to mind anyone in particular. But his decisions affect thousands and his policy goals determine the future of our education. He is Phil Davis, President of Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC).
Tutoring children in and after school is not a new concept. However, how much does it really help in vital areas like reading? Since its founding in 2003, the Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC), an AmeriCorps program, has aided the Minnesota public school system in fighting illiteracy among children.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College student Aaron Spiegel is a member of USA Today’s 2010 All-USA Community College Academic Team. He was nominated for the award by college president Phil Davis, and the selection process was administered by Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges.
With such controversy over the topic of Islam in the world MCTC’s Muslim Student Association held a week-long event on the school’s campus consisting of one workshop a day to bring an era of understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim students. The event was held in early April and the workshops varied from The Basics of Islam to Science and Islam and ending in a final culmination of original Islamic poetry recited by student artists.
Dr. Joe Rine, a teacher and counselor whom students may recognize by the signs bearing quotations he wears daily, will retire this May after 33 years of service to students and the surrounding community. As head librarian, Rine got his start at what was then the first campus of Metropolitan State Junior College.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College has a $3.2 million surplus due to an unanticipated enrollment increase. The college projected an increase of 3 percent, and the actual number was closer to 13 percent. Assorted groups on campus have presented recommendations to MCTC President Phil Davis about how to spend the money.
The MCTC clinic could see additional services starting next school year, should college president Phil Davis accept the Student Life Budget Committee proposal to raise the Health Services fee. The increase would be an additional $0.25 per credit per semester and would cover the entire cost of 28 hours per week of mental health services.
As part of Islamic Awareness Week, MCTC’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) commenced their first annual Islamic Poetry Slam on Friday, April 9, in the Gourmet Dining Hall. “Starting with God’s name, we shall officially now begin,” proclaimed MC Mohamed Yousif, after a recording of a verse from the Quran was played.
