April 2010 WWW.BERGEN.EDU/THETORCH VOLUME - 17 ISSUE - 3 Kratos is Chat Roulette: Downloading: BACK!!!! How Far is Too Far Legal vs Illegal pg.12 pg.15 pg. 17 Consumers Find job brake for Toyota The Torch opportunities Recalls in all the right pg 6 THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE pg 5 places Why Some Students Will Not Graduate From BCC TRAVIS WEITE COPY EDITOR Out of all the students at Bergen Community the courses they choose to take and will not have College, a large number end up dropping out, never to withdraw. Financial Aid programs are designed to be heard of again. Most would agree that the to help students who are dealing with financial stresses of college may be too much for some students troubles. For students who are having difficulty to handle, but drop-outs may be prevented with more in their classes, the tutoring center is available for communication between the administration and students to receive extra help. struggling students. President Ryan realizes that the administration Since 2000, the graduation rates have been steadily must try to reach out to students at the beginning of increasing, reaching an all time high of 1,542 graduates their academic career if they are to graduate in two for the 2009 academic year. This increase may act years. Director of Student Life, Nestor Melendez, as a sign for those instances when a degree is vital emphasized that, “[S]tudents should come into BCC in order to be employed at a job that will support a with their focus on graduating.” BCC offers transfer family. Some students may believe that this is only programs to several nearby, four-year institutions true of a Bachelor’s degree, but it can be applied for an that allow students to transfer in as juniors. Should Associate’s degree as well. “[S]tudents underestimate students choose to transfer before graduation, they the value of a BCC degree," said Academic Vice may end up needing to repeat courses they have President, Gary F. Porter. "Having a degree from BCC already taken. will help students get a job because a BCC degree is To avoid some of the confusion that students recognized by BCC alumni in the workforce. This normally go through when trying to plan their recognition will show what graduates are capable of.” academic career, speak with advisors within the There are many reasons why students make the school to develop a plan that is right for you. It is decision to drop out of BCC. Students may be under the goal of BCC to educate students and provide all financial stress or have family obligations that force of the information and resources that are necessary them to sacrifice school. “The average student has for a student to succeed academically. more to worry about than just school,” said President It is important to note that college is different G. Jeremiah Ryan. “Students have jobs, family from high school. No one will inform you that responsibilities and are involved in other activities in you have taken enough credits to graduate or hold addition to going to school.” This understanding is your hand in the transferring process. If you do reflected in some of the programs and policies that not take charge of your academic career, you will have been implemented at BCC. end up repeating classes and spending more time These programs and policies are designed to in a community college than necessary. BCC decrease the probability that a student will withdraw administrators will meet you halfway when it comes Don’t let your chance of graduating turn to ashes. from classes and drop out of school. By requiring to your academic career, but you must do your part to students to have prerequisites to take certain classes, talk to the people who can help, if you truly want to PHOTO BY DAWN FOSTER BCC hopes that students will be more prepared for succeed and move on to a four-year institution that is. Good Morning America AYELET SHIMRON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Many dedicated journalism life, I’m doing pretty well with. and TV-media students lined up I get to go home to the best.” at 6:00 a.m. outside the "Good The chutzpa present in the Morning America" studio, field of journalism really shone located in Times Square, New through when students walked York City, to get a behind-the- right up to McGraw and took scenes look at the production pictures with him, as well as process from A-to-Z. with the band. After McGraw The trip, which took place and his band concluded their on March 3rd, allowed students live performance, some lucky to catch up with country singer, BCC students were able to go Tim McGraw, who lit up the home with the guitar picks used stage with his country jam by the musicians themselves. performance of the song ‘Still’ Stage manager, Eddie from his new album, Southern Luisi, when asked what he Voice. The Bergen Community likes best about working at College students got a front GMA, said, “I like that it’s row view of McGraw’s live. When you’re in TV, when interview with Robin Roberts. you’re in a soap opera, you can McGraw’s appearance in the do a show that’s not live and movie, ‘The Blind Side,’ was take its Take-1, Take-2, Take- noted to be a great success. 14, Take-20, it could get real In interviewing McGraw boring, very monotonous. You about his new movie ‘Sunday’ could be on one set all day long Roberts asks, “You go from for eight hours. Sandra Bullock, who's fantastic, This is a live show, so you then working with Gwyneth got to do it right. Also, at this [Paltrow] in this latest one.” show you have news, music, McGraw’s humorous response models, celebrities, authors; was “Well the women in my you have a good mix. Every Torch students exhibit their posters while waiting outside the GMA studio SEE GOOD MORNING AMERICA ON PG 4 PHOTO BY AYELET SHIMRON Winner for News & Arts and Entertainment Writing Award and Layout & Design 2008-2009, Winner of the General Excellence Award 2007-2008 New Jersey Press Foundation Better College Newspaper Contest Page 2 BCC News April 2010 Women’s History Month at BCC “Writing Women Back into History” TRAVIS WEITE COPY EDITOR Women’s History Month is an annual salute to the honor women for their historic achievements and ensure them. In some parts of the world, girls no older than ten women around the world who will forever be remembered that women’s history is forever remembered. The project years old are being sold to old men as wives. Women are in history for their contributions to mankind and the was created in 1980 by a group of female activists: Molly being killed for voicing their opinions or showing parts progress they have made in making a name for women Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, of their body. All over the world, girls and women are everywhere. Paula Hammett and Bette Morgan. being raped and abused. It is important to realize that the Women’s History Month started from humble The theme of 2010’s Women’s History Month is horrors of the past are present today, and that many women beginnings as just one day, but has since come to be a “Writing Women Back into History.” The majority of still suffer as a result. week in 1980 and is now celebrated for the entire month of history books have been written by men. This has caused It is important for BCC students to realize the March in the United States as of 1987. There would have most historical contributions of women to be omitted from importance of this month and the women honored. Many been no celebration at all had it not been for the efforts of the history books. women have sacrificed their lives and their freedom the National Women’s History Project (NWHP). The purpose of this year’s theme, as set by the NWHP, to stand up for the cause of women’s rights. It is sad to There have been several events around Bergen is to correct this injustice and defend the rightful place of realize that a woman’s right to vote did not come about Community College in honor of this month. These events women in history books. By teaching the children, as well until the beginning of the last century. Women are strong honor the women of history, as well as the women of today. as the young men and women of today, the contributions and intelligent beings that are worthy of the recognition The events serve to educate students about the importance of women throughout history, perhaps we will raise that so many men have received throughout history. of women everywhere, those at BCC in particular. a generation of tolerant men and women who believe Everyone has a mother and all of our mothers have There was a time when women were not allowed to that women are capable of doing anything men can do, been a subject to some form of disrespect just for being attend college, let alone teach at one. The women who including serving as President of the United States. female. Use this month to honor your mother, sister, wife, teach and attend BCC are historical figures because they Despite the progress women have made for women’s daughter and all women who have made an impact in the are teaching at, or attending a college.