News Janurary 19, 2011 Volume 11 Issue 1 VALENCIAVOICE.COM Welcome Back Students By James Tutten Free barbecue meals were This event was organized by [email protected] provided by Cabin Creek SGA to provide students with Catering with choices rang- a chance to have some fun and On a blustery cold day, when ing from chicken, hot dogs, also learn about Valencia’s Florida was the only state in hamburgers, pork, beans, and many on-campus groups. Va- America without snow, pip- coleslaw. Bill Whitney, anoth- lencia’s Nursing Students ing hot food was given to er food vendor, also provided Association, Intercultural thaw the chill of winter break. “tornado potatoes” which are Students Association, Mod- The Welcome Back Barbe- twirled, seasoned, and deep el United Nations, and Phi cue took place at Valencia’s fried potatoes on a stick. The Theta Kappa, among others, West Campus last Thurs- lines, full of hungry students, were all stationed through- day. This event welcomed all spoke highly of the quality out the outdoor courtyard. students to the campus fol- and flavor of the food provided. SGA Vice President Wendell lowing winter break and Additional festivities Smith said a main goal for provided free food, enter- included face painting, this event was to “let stu- tainment, and information body art, a photography dents understand how much about Valencia-based groups. booth, and custom stickers. school spirit Valencia shows.” Keith W. Houck, vice presi- dent for Administrative Ser- vices at West Campus, was at the event and said, “it’s very exciting, a lot of students have James Tutten / Valencia Voice turned out, and they are en- Were you in class during the Welcome back BBQ? No worries, here’s a video re-cap brought to you by the Voice. joying the barbecue today.” Jacob Solomon, a third- songs inspired by artists like year Nursing student, Sheryl Crow. Sparks brings News: Poll: agreed. “Anytime you can her folk/country music style to universities and other ven- get a free meal, it’s great Valencia uses Do you like the for college students.” ues throughout the country. Live musical entertainment If you were unable to at- students’ ab- changes the was provided by Erin Sparks tend the events, all clubs sence to make new semester from Nashville, Tenn. Accom- and organizations can be changes brings? panied by her husband on accessed through the col- Page 3 Page 7 Sebastian Arbelaez / Valencia Voice acoustic guitar, she performed lege’s main web site at Musician Erin Sparks Entertained students during the Welcome Back BBQ. a mix of original and cover http://www.valenciacc.edu. News 2 Violence in Arizona reminds SGA attends District Two colleges to focus on safety By Max Murphy vice Project.; the group decided to fo- Special to the Valencia Voice cus on battered and abused women. Valencia ensures security with Valencia Alert The schools discussed legislative issues to be vot- Every semester Student Government Associa- ed on at the FJCCSGA State Conference in February. By James Tutten with the campus dean, and if needed, students are tions across Central Florida’s Community Colleg- The issues included the Sustainability Initia- [email protected] removed from the area and taken to speak direct- es gather to discuss pertinent issues surrounding tive, Bright Futures, and the state budget in rela- ly with the dean, or law enforcement, if required. students. Known as the Florida Community Col- tion to Community Colleges. They also discussed Security and safety are everyone’s responsi- The dean of students will then form a review of the lege Student Government Association, or FJCC- the Local Option Referendum and the Dream Act. bility in a free society where we maintain per- instance and individual on a case-by-case basis. If SGA, these meetings allow SGA’s to debate issues Before the meeting closed, there was the discus- sonal freedoms, while also looking out for the the disruptive person is not a student at Valencia, that will be presented to the Florida State Leg- sion of the opening of all Executive Board posi- well being of others. The recent tragic shoot- or a guest, they are asked to leave school grounds islature, and decide on where their support lay. tions within FJCCSGA. Participants were encour- ing in Arizona can teach a lesson in secu- and can be forced off property by security if nec- In the fall this meeting was held on Valencia’s West aged to campaign for these positions over the next rity and personal empathy here at Valencia. essary. Lopez points out that “if an individual is Campus, this term, the FJCCSGA District Two meet- semester with voting taking place later this term. Jared Loughner, the suspected Arizona gun- a danger to themselves or anyone else, Florida’s ing was held at Brevard Community College in the man, recently attended Pima Community College, 72-hour Baker Act law can be applied for any type Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory . a campus smaller in size, but similar to Valencia of assessment The first item was the Community Ser- in many ways. At Valencia, procedures dealing through law ‘Nothing can happen with- with security are handled by vice-president of enforcement out information; knowledge is Security and Safety, Tom Lopez, who oversees all or mental power.’ four Valencia campuses. Lopez strongly believes evaluation.” -Tom Lopez VP Security when dealing with safety “nothing can hap- Politically Get down to pen without information; knowledge is power.” motivated For any on-campus disturbance, reports are filed violence has been seen in Florida over the past few months, with death threats against former business with congressman Alan Grayson during his reelec- tion campaign in November. In December, the Columbia College. near tragic scene when the Panama City School Board meeting was held hostage by a deranged gunman. As a precaution, any congressperson or “Columbia College’s price was right, schedule special guests attending events at Valencia receive was perfect and location was convenient. elevated security protection as part of their visit. Columbia College had everything I was Several students at Valencia’s Osceola campus looking for and more.” personally encountered a disturbing individual Marie Linda Celestin ‘06 yelling at everyone in the front parking area in late Bachelor’s degree in business administration September. He was yelling anti-religious rants that offended many students, some of whom threatened Valencia Community College On campus. Online. Or both. Call boxes can mean the difference between staying safe and getting stuck in a bad situation. Continued on page 5 Toll free: (877) 999-9876 • www.ccis.edu/realpeople 2600 Technology Dr. • Orlando, FL News 3 New debit The iPhones are coming card for Verizon offers long awaited lifeboat to frustrated AT&T customers financial By Shay Castle One exception is 3G personal that the company was unwill- [email protected] hot spot capability, which al- ing to make “design com- schedules starting in November or December of lows users to connect up to five promises” needed to allow aid users last year already received their funds through Verizon officials announced Wi-Fi enabled devices. This the iPhone to run on the 4G in a press conference Tues- feature will only be available network. Also coming into By Karlvyn Louis-Charles the new debit card system. Once the student has day that the wireless net- on the new Verizon models. play was the incredible de- [email protected] received the debit card, the next step is to activate it at http://www.valenciadebitcard.com. work will offer the iPhone Despite the general excite- mand by Verizon customers for sale early next month. for the popular smart phone. Students used to getting reimbursement The activation process is simple. Go to the Pre-ordering begins Feb. “Verizon customers have checks from the business office will be surprised website, type in your new debit card number 3 for existing Verizon cus- told us they want the iPhone this term, because starting Feb. 4, Valencia will and click the “Get Started” link on the page. tomers, and opens to the now,” Cook said at the press distribute financial aid refunds through a new Once you have personalized your account with general public a week later. conference. “I can’t tell you the debit card system. information like your Valencia ID, social security Verizon is capitalizing on number of times that I’ve been The debit card will utilize the direct deposit number, and birth date, the next step is choosing the excitement by market- asked: ‘When will the iPhone banking feature, allowing students to receive their a refund option. This would be by either setting ing the debut of the iPhone work on the Verizon network?’” refunds within an hour of disbursement. This will up an account with Higher One and using their as an event in and of itself. Verizon and iPhone maker make funds more easily accessible and will be the debit card, or having the funds transferred to A banner on the company’s Apple began discussions in only reimbursement option offered by Valencia. your pre-existing checking account, using the website reads “iPhone 4. Ve- 2008, one year after the iPhone "If a student absolutely wants a paper check ACH transfer refund option. rizon. It begins 02.10.11.” was released by AT&T. The they will have to go through Higher One, the Kisha Peart from the business office stated, A promotional offer of two wireless providers will company we’re using for the debit cards,” “We do recommend the debit card only because $199.99 for the 16GB phone remain exclusive carriers.