Professional Documents
Culture Documents
‘TAINTED’
Volume XVII | Issue 15 www.ocolympian.com June 2, 2009
A
For vice president of actions “materially and substantially interferes draw a paycheck while
Shelton campus, Shawnie t the end of an election gone wrong, with the personal rights or privileges of others he was ineligible and the
Balmer won with 45 percent an Olympic College student leader or the educational processes of the college.” problem has been fixed.
of the votes. Ashley Brand was arrested May 21 and remains in The letter of suspension details two voice mails Vice President of
received 40 percent of the the Kitsap County jail on $50,000 bail. in particular left by Vannett where he allegedly Communications Ryan
votes, and 15 percent of the Joseph Vannett was arrested and charged indicated that there would be a “blood bath” Shotwell is no longer on
students did not vote. with threats to bomb and harassment following at the following week’s OC Board of Trustees campus and is currently
The vice president of a series of altercations revolving around the meeting as well as a threat to “blow OC out of in Oregon, according to
Poulsbo campus position recent spring Executive Council elections. the water.” Hammrich. According to
remains open at this time. Vannett, vice president of judicial affairs, was MacLennan said that the college did not file Hartsfield,
Votes were counted elected to office in the fall. charges against Vannett and that the Bremerton Shotwell
and re-counted by Toni Police Department made the decision to take resigned
The morning before his arrest, Vannett was
Hartsfield, head of Student Vannett into custody after conducting interviews verbally
called into a meeting with Vice President of
Programs and leadership on and off campus. and gave
Student Services Rick MacLennan and Safety and
development, David the council
Security Supervisor Rocky Wallace to discuss According to police reports, Vannett was
Hammrich, Executive “ s o m e
his conduct on the Shelton campus on May 20 arrested after students and faculty came forward DAVID HAMMRICH
notice.” She
Council president and and threatening messages left on the voice mails with threats made by Vannett toward Toni
said she was unsure as to
students at large Aileen of several college personnel. Hartsfield, director of Student Programs and the exact date he had left.
Arsenio and Monica Vannett was issued an emergency summary leadership development, and other members of “Verbally he gave us a
Robinson. suspension and escorted off campus immediately the college campus. date but I am kind of waiting
following the meeting.
See Election Page 3 According to the suspension served to See Arrest Page 3 for him to put it in writing,”
said Hartsfield.
May 27 May 29
May 20 May 22 9 a.m. - Vannett appears before a 3 p.m. - Jon Bowers
May 18 -Voting takes place on Olympic College’s Shelton campus.
-Vannett visits the Shelton campus for a forum and is overheard 3 p.m. - Vannett
Superior Court judge and enters a
plea of not guilty to charges of threats
elected as president. Shawnie
Balmer elected for the sec-
-Student government elections allegedly threatening to, “blow OC out of the water” and that appears before a to bomb. Vannett’s trial date is set for ond time as vice president of
UNUSUAL begin for the 2009-2010 officers.
The Bremerton campus is first.
“Toni (Hartsfield) should be shot.”
-Vannett and the Executive Council disagree over the legiti-
Superior Court judge
for a “preliminary
July 13.
-OC begins second round of elections.
Shelton. Bhargo and Thelma
Corbin win their positions
POLITICS macy of the election. appearance.” Bhargo reinstituted on the ballot. unopposed.
A look at the
-Election continues on Bremerton campus. 9:30 a.m. - Vannett is escorted off campus and issued 9:19 a.m. - Vice President of Stu- 11:56 a.m. - MacLennan sends
events leading -Joseph Vannett disqualifies vice president of an emergency summary suspension generally given when dent Services Dr. Richard MacLen- out another e-mail to campus
communications candidate Himesh Bhargo after an individual is deemed to be a “percieved risk.”
to the second reading evidence of ineligibility in the May 19 -Hammrich convenes a Judicial Review Board to rule on
nan sends out an e-mail to students
apprising them of the situation.
releasing Vannett’s name and
including information pertaining to
edition of The Olympian. Bhargo’s ineligibility, as well as election changes.
election and his ban from campus and campus
Vannett alters the remaining ballots to reflect the
change.
5:49 p.m. - Vannett is booked into the Kitsap County May 26 events.
the arrest of a jail after being arrested on threats
-ASOC President David Hammrich responds with
to bomb and harassment charges. May 28
student leader an e-mail overuling Vannett’s decision and alerting
candidates that the ballots are “tainted.”
May 21
May 19
SERVING THE O LY M P I C COLLEGE COMMUNITY SINCE 1947
2 OC News June 2, 2009
June 10 June 23
End of spring quarter. Board of Trustees meeting
Graduation breakfast at 8 in College Service Center 5th
a.m. in Bremer Student Center floor conference room.
North and South Conference
Rooms. June 26
Last day to register for classes
June 12 except for continuous enroll-
Graduate Celebration for ment classes
graduates of the Shelton cam- Last day to request an 80 per-
pus at 8 a.m. in Shelton. cent refund for withdrawal
Year end student celebration from classes.
Do you feel the smoking shack previously located outside the Tech building was an eye-sore?
“ ”“ ” “ ” “ “ ”“ ”
As a smoker, I don’t agree Yes, I think it was a good No, at first I didn’t even real- Yes, because as a non-smoker Yes, but it’s ironic that they No, but I understand that
”
that it should have been move, but the new location ize it was a smoking shack, I can respect the rights of moved it right outside the gym. they want to make the
wasn’t because when you’re smokers, but it shouldn’t be
moved, let alone moved to done working out, you don’t but rather a sheltered sitting courtyard more presentable
outside of the gym. want to walk through a area. the first thing you see as you for visitors.
smoking area. step on campus.
Timothy Billings Sidney Evans Devin Rouse Andrew Newill Jessica Jordan Shantel Craig
COLLEGE
ROW
2 BLOCKS UP Call or visit your local office to get a free GEICO
rate quote and receive two FREE movie passes.
J W
OC for 17 years was a force to the group did not attempt to make (next year),” said Martin.
and served as ANA AINWRIGHT be reckoned any decisions on the latter half of the For now, Martin said that the
biennium. administration is standing by to see
president
OC’s
of
faculty
A PRIL 20, 1948 - M AY 28, 2009 with during
her time as the According to OC Vice President of what the financial forecast has in store.
union at one faculty union Administration Barbara Martin, the The next forecast is to be reviewed
time. She was president. state board will likely vote to adopt a by the state’s Economic and Revenue
one of the first professors Wainwright as welcoming “She was a staunch measure similar to next year’s when Council Friday.
at OC to work with online all students with open supporter of academic more information about the economic “We certainly will pay attention to
learning options. arms. and faculty freedom,” climate is known. any economic landscapes released,”
“She was deeply “She loved teaching,” said Cameron. “She was If the board’s history is any said Martin.
dedicated to the said Cameron. “She loved an advocate for learning
educational work of the working with students in and liberty.”
college. She had been the class and individually. Lawrence remembers
president of the faculty She was a mentor to a lot Wainwright as being
union in the 90’s,” said of students.” an across-the-board
Dr. Thomas Cameron, Cameron said he had supporter for all people
fellow English professor known Wainwright at OC.
and long-time friend of for 33 years, ever since “She was a champion
Wainwright. they were colleagues in for so many other
According to Dr. graduate school in Texas people at OC, students
Edward Palm, dean in 1976. Wainwright and faculty alike,” said
of Social Sciences and was instrumental in Lawrence.
Humanities, Wainwright bringing Cameron to According to Palm, the
had been ailing for OC as a faculty member, family has not planned
quite some time from according to Randy a traditional memorial
the affects of diabetes. Lawrence, former vice service and asks that in
Palm said her death was president of instruction. lieu of flowers, donations
sudden because he had “Jana had a short list be made to the OC
thought she was doing of real friends, and I was Foundation. An on-
better. lucky enough to be on it,” campus memorial service
Palm said Wainwright said Cameron. will be held Thursday in
developed an infection According to Cameron, Art 103 at 3 p.m.
4 Editorial June 2, 2009
T
e-mail address for verifi-
aking into account the recent was held without Toni Hartsfield, direc- for the continuing failure of the group to
cation.
Letters may be sub- actions and inactions in behalf tor of Student Programs and leadership deliver consistent results.
mitted to The Olympian of the Olympic College student development present. The constitution The student administration told The
in person or by e-mail government, this page strongly supports states that the adviser is to be present dur-
Olympian in the fall quarter that the
to olyeditor@olympic. an internal investigation into the entire ing such proceedings, thus rendering the Associated Students of OC constitution
edu, including “Letter to department of Student Programs. review void. was outdated and was going to be rewrit-
the Editor” in the subject The original spring election that began Through our coverage of the student ten to accommodate new rules and regula-
line. Letters may also be May 18 and was subsequently suspended government, it is obvious that the stu- tions as well as to improve clarity.
submitted through The and scrapped marked the third consecutive dents serving as representatives of the Apparently an entire year was not time
Olympian’s Web site at election riddled with errors and contro- students and who vote in matters of great enough as the government is referencing
www.ocolympian.com versy for OC’s student the same con-
The Olympian reserves officers. In spring 2008, “If anything, the outgoing administration should be an ex- stitution consis-
the right to edit, condense a ballot issue forced a ample for future leaders to closely examine their actions tently in their
or reject any letter.
recount that took lon- efforts to justify
About Us ger than the stated time and communication strategies to avoid the blatant and ig- their actions as
frame of 24 hours, a vio- norant breaches of student government conduct that have the year comes
The Olympian is an lation of the constitu- occurred this year.” to a close.
award-winning student
tion. The establish-
publication of Olympic
In the fall, a candidate ment of the OC
College. It is published
was disqualified following an election pro- importance, including that of the budget, food bank system should be applauded, as
every two weeks during
the fall, winter and spring tocol violation. This spring, Vice President lack the knowledge and training to carry well as the effort put into helping the com-
quarters and online year- of Judicial Affairs Joseph Vannett arbitrari- out their duties. This falls squarely on the munity volunteer services with donations
round. ly disqualified a candidate after a review shoulders of the student programs depart- during the holiday months. However,
The Olympian is a pro- of his eligibility and proceeded to alter the ment heads, the adviser and the general this year failed to yield any considerable
gram of student services remaining ballots to reflect the change. cohesion of the elected and hired officers, accomplishments.
and is funded by student Executive Council President David which has consistently shown itself to If anything, the outgoing administration
activities fees and adver- Hammrich decided he had the ability dissolve at the slightest bit of tension or should be an example for future leaders to
tising revenue. to declare the candidate able to run for scrutiny. closely examine their actions and commu-
The Olympian wel- office without going through the proper This should be evident seeing as the nication strategies to avoid the blatant and
comes all student and channels including a judicial review and current president’s student status has been ignorant breaches of student government
staff contributions and Executive Council approval. in limbo for most of the quarter and until conduct that have occurred this year.
letters.
Hammrich was not reprimanded for his only recently was he officially reinstated On a commuter campus with an already
decision. He did however eventually hold as a student, one vice president was miss- dismal student life atmosphere, we should
a review board to settle the matter after the ing in action, another is in jail and a former at least be able to count on the elected
Editorial fact wherein the three mandatory students treasurer was fired after allegations relat- students and their adviser to keep what
Board at large voted unanimously to allow the ing to the misuse of funds.
candidate to run.
little spirit we have from dwindling into
While Hartsfield cannot be blamed for nothing.
Editor in Chief
Alex Vincent
Managing Editor
Political sabotage, controversy and strife
Chris Carter
the council has proven it cannot. posted. body was not informed of the
It, over the course of the year, Furthermore, Bhargo’s review decision once it was made. A
Editorial Staff
has violated at least 18 sections consisted of Hammrich giving cover up? No, probably not. A
Kathy Bray
of the constitution. the mandatory three students at lazy oversight on the part of the
Matt Fields
Although members of the large a series of issues to vote on council is more likely. Or per-
Aaron Gould
administration continuously related to the suspended election. haps they considered the ineligi-
Ted Copeland
claim they were unaware of any Hammrich asked the students bility of the student body presi-
breach in protocol, saying they whether or not Bhargo, who was dent to be none of the student
simply weren’t aware of what deemed ineligible by the vice body’s business. Had anyone
BY CHRIS CARTER the constitution said. However, president of judicial affairs mid- been informed of the meeting,
Staff Managing Editor some of the violations occurred race, should be allowed back we might know the reason.
repeatedly throughout the year. into the race. Although the stu- The recent elections also serve
A Judicial Review Board was dents voted unanimously that as another example of blatant
Contributing Staff convened at least twice this year. his candidacy should be rein- oversight. Section four of Article
A
Vincent Duerme rticle five of the pream- I say at least twice since one stated, the integrity of the board two states that the polls must
Kevin Doucette ble to the Associated of the council’s most repeated was thrown out the window. be open for one day. Both the
Brian Foley Students of Olympic infractions is failure to announce The board cannot vote in favor of “tainted” election, so called
Ethan Warner College constitution states that and post the dates and times of an illegal action. The Bremerton by Hammrich himself, and its
Zac Halls “any elected council member special meetings. City Council can’t vote to allow slightly more successful second
may be removed from office for The constitution and bylaws citizens to use marijuana rec- version consisted of two days of
Cartoonists dereliction of duty or truancy…” state that the board must include reationally even if it is unani- voting on the Bremerton cam-
Steven Guest This seems exceptionally appli- the student government advis- mous. pus.
Brigid Lohman cable now as the outgoing stu- er and invite the accused or Similarly, according to Fingers cannot be pointed at
dent government administration reviewed to attend. In the review Hartsfield, the council met to any one person for the train
Communications leaves behind a trail of bad deci- of former Treasurer Greg Wood discuss Hammrich’s student sta- wreck that is this year’s student
sions and negligence. by the board, Wood was barred tus after he was found to be inel- government. Individually the
Marketing Director I have covered the Executive from the meeting. In both Wood’s igible to continue in office and students and their adviser have
Jon Miller Council extensively since the fall review and the recent convening decided as a collective group their strengths and weaknesses.
elections and have witnessed it to discuss Himesh Bhargo’s can- that he should keep his post. Unfortunately, their weaknesses
Adviser both grow and dissolve. didacy in the spring election, Since when does the council slipped through the cracks more
Michael Prince For any agency to operate the adviser, Toni Hartsfield, was get to override its own constitu- often creating a sight so painful
successfully they must abide by not present. Additionally, offi- tion without an amendment on a to watch, yet you are unable to
rules and regulations, to which cial minutes were not kept or whim? Furthermore, the student avert your eyes.
CONTACT US
Main line:
(360) 475-7690
Have nice summer, see you all next year
Editor in Chief: choose to remain on the outside. It doesn’t Community Colleges tournament. This
(360) 475-7691 matter where you were during the events was the first time in nine years that the
this year, or the amount of involvement team had made it, and the hype was real.
Managing Editor: you have, it was hard to be out of the loop A rooter bus transported students to
(360) 475-7690 during what I would consider a news- games, products supporting the team were
heavy year. distributed and a level of support for sports
Advertising: Historic elections culminating in the that is normally unseen at OC occurred.
(360) 475-7694
inauguration of the first black president Tee shirts proclaiming, “the hype is real”
brought a new aspect to black history. still make appearances around campus.
Staff e-mail: BY ALEX VINCENT Students on campus came out in droves The Executive Council has kept us here
olyeditor@olympic.edu Editor in Chief to celebrate, commiserate and possibly get at The Olympian on our toes all year long.
their photo taken with a cardboard cutout We continue to strive to bring you, the
As the school year comes to a close, we, of the new Mr. President. community of OC, the best possible prod-
The Olympian as students, have an eventful year to look Let us not forget the pain and suffer- uct that we can offer.
Olympic College back on. ing of the budget cuts felt not only here at We received some modicum of vali-
1600 Chester Ave. Students is a broad term because, while Olympic College but around the commu- dation this year when we won first
Tech Building 101 we are all here to further our educations, nity, the country and the world. place in the General Excellence category
what we want to get out of our experi- Ultimately, in the microcosm of OC, the at the Washington Community College
Bremerton, WA 98337
ences here varies greatly. result was the loss of six members of our Journalism Association awards. Even so,
College is what you make of it. I may small community, a loss I am sure no one we want more. We want to be the best,
The Olympian have started college about seven years will soon forget. and we need your input to do that. Let us
is a member of the later than your “normal” college student, In the midst of the budget problems, our know, tip us to things you feel are impor-
Associated Collegiate but I will not let that prevent me from campuses continue to grow. Not only has tant.
enjoying myself, being visible on campus enrollment continued to rise, but the phys- We will be working away over the sum-
Press.
and getting involved in as much as I can. ical campuses are growing. Bremerton has mer posting online updates to continuing
That mantra may not be for everyone. a new building that changes every day and stories, including Joseph Vannett’s trial.
We are also limited by time and other com- a plan for more parking. The Poulsbo cam- Also, watch for a special summer edition
mitments outside of school. I understand pus is also preparing to undergo expan- of The Olympian.
that. sion. So, to end with a cliché memory of
While there are some students here that Our men’s basketball team made it childhood yearbooks, have a nice summer,
throw themselves into college life, others to the Northwest Athletic Association of see you next year!
JUNE 2, 2009 FEATURE 5
which are still struggling when I did graduate this scenario, they would Oh, inverted world. Amanda Wearstler rides the Gyro Tron during student appreciation day.
following Hurricane
Katrina almost four years
studies at Oxford,” said
Wicks. “I attended a
not have been able to
collect their money. Children the focus at family appreciation day
ago. lecture on Bob Dylan. “I have a hard time By Matt Fields day was low, with only three children
According to Wicks, When I started here about thinking about myself Staff Writer present after almost an hour of the event
his incumbency at OC four years later, the rock having a style in the being open. The group of people grew
began on Sept. 14, 1978. and roll class was one of classroom,” said Wicks. As a special commemoration for following the delivery of pizza.
During his time here he the first things I started “The main thing for me Olympic College students and their The highlight of family appreciation
has taught a number working on.” is the material, I love the family members, student organizers day was a performance by the Brothers
of disciplines such as One of Wicks’ material and I just try to arranged a family appreciation day that from Different Mothers, a juggling
English, Geography and retirement projects put it across any way that took place on Saturday. comedy duo who hold two Guinness
History as well as a variety includes finishing a book I can.” The event, which was spearheaded World Records and have performed
of specialty classes. about his now deceased Although he may no by Student Organizer Sheryl McKinley, on NBC television’s “America’s Got
featured a number of events, most of Talent.”
Wicks is responsible brother who had Down longer be teaching at OC,
which were targeted towards children. The duo gave a spirited performance
for structuring and Syndrome. the wisdom ushered from
According to Arts and Entertainment that included such acts as juggling pizzas
professing the popular His parents, who the mind of Wicks will
Coordinator Christina Waugh, festivities and incorporating kids from the small
OC creative writing class. were involved with continue to diffuse from included a bouncy house, a large audience into various tricks and stunts.
In the fall, professor Ian civic activism, refused the hearts of his students. inflatable twister board, bubble station, “They did some really good juggling
Sherman will be taking to place their child in an “The greatest pleasure free pizza and beverages as well as a acts,” said ASOC Vice President of
over the endeavor. institution and instead of OC has been the special performance from juggling act Poulsbo and volunteer Thelma Corbin.
“I have been in galvanized a number students,” said Wicks, Brothers from Different Mothers. “They interacted with the crowd which
the creative writing of relatives and fellow “14,000 students over McKinley distributed advertisements was nice, and it was good seeing the kids
classroom since winter activists into forming 31 years and I don’t for the event to the YMCA and OC get involved with them as part of the
quarter 1979,” said Wicks. an establishment where think I have had a bad Child Development and Family Center act.”
“I’ve had almost 5000 all handicapped people experience with a single two days prior to the event. According Family Appreciation day was a great
students in it and it was could get an education. one, although I’m not sure to Waugh, while on her way to deliver opportunity for OC to give back to the
just a delight.” The Northwest Center all my students would ads to the Boys and Girls Club and local community that unfortunately was not
From the stretch of for the Retarded was say the same about me. If elementary schools, McKinley ended up taken advantage of by enough people.
time between 1987 and founded, and still exists someone still remembers heading to the Emergency Room as the “I think we could have had more
2007 Wicks taught a today, although the title me next June, I will be result of a back injury. people,” said Corbin. “For the people
summer study program has been altered to just happy with that.” Turnout to the family appreciation that did show up it was fun.”
in Wales. The program the Northwest Center.
was terminated when the “So my brother,
University of Wales closed though he never spoke
the building granted to never wrote and never
OC for renovations. really did anything, was
“The building was rather important in a lot
built in the 1840’s and of people’s lives,” said
nothing had been done Wicks. “So I put together
to it since the First World a brief biography of his
War,” said Wicks. “They struggle.”
closed it down after Wicks is prominently
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competition
The third annual The Young and the Indie concert and plans to repeat the event next year.
and barbeque invaded Olympic College’s Bremerton Miller called this year’s show a “collective failure”
campus May 23, showing a smaller crowd than on the part of the organizers given that the planning
previous years. started very late. The Olympian was unsure if it
The event was put on by The Olympian, and had the financial means to produce the show this
featured local bands Mal de Santo, Steelscape, Total year, and had all but decided against it until the last
By Brian Foley Wreck, Cuntry Cuntroll and Irony. The concert was minute, according to Miller.
Contributing Writer held in the Bremer Student Center. Regardless of the poor turnout, the show gave the
“I thought the music was of higher talent,” bands an opportunity to play in a venue they would
A group of Olympic College welding students said Johnny Hassett, member of the OC custodial not normally perform in.
built and raced a miniature baja vehicle, which they staff and second time attendee. “I especially liked “I had never seen a performance at a college before
competed with at the Washougal Motorcross Park Steelscape.” and it was great that I was a part of it,” said Bell.
Prior to the concert, which started at 6 p.m., a free
May 7-10.
barbecue was held in front of the Bremer Student
The race, which took place at the 1.5 mile track Center for any and all interested people.
in southwest Washington, consisted of 95 teams “The free barbeque before the concert was great,”
competing from schools from all over the country said Hassett. “It is very rare that there will be a free
as well as two teams from South Korea and another venue with free food.”
from Saudi Arabia. “I think out of the three Young and the Indies I
The competition was only open to students have participated in, this year’s event was the least
currently enrolled in school, and the majority successful for a few different reasons,” said Jon
Miller, one of the event’s organizers.
of teams were from four-year technology and
Miller cited several reasons for the smaller crowd,
engineering schools. OC was the only community including a late start to planning; inability to get the
college participating in the event. venue on the preferred day and not having a major
“It was crazy to see how many teams were there headlining band.
and where some of them were coming from,” said Joel “A Saturday show was definitely not as effective
Atteberry, an OC student and the lead manufacturer as a Wednesday or Friday show,” said Miller.
of the vehicle. “It was really awesome.” Everett-based band Save the Disorder was signed
Out of the teams that came to Washougal, Wash., on to headline the event, but backed out just days
before due to conflicting schedules.
65 actually competed in the race, and OC finished
“Not having a major headlining band definitely
56th. There were several individual awards given contributed to not bringing in a big crowd,” said
to teams based on various components related to Miller.
the manufacturing process, OC finished 31st in cost Regardless, those that did attend enjoyed the show.
efficiency and 24th in design. Hassett said the event “totally rocked.”
“The people that did attend the show were still
very satisfied with it,” said Miller.
“There’s more to us shop Some band members did express disappointment
people than just welding in the small crowd.
“Towards the end it kind of died,” said Sean Bell,
plates and working at the drummer for Irony. “Unfortunately, we were the last
band to play, so we didn’t have a lot of people to
Shipyard. We’re talented in a gather around, but it was still enjoyable. Honestly, if Photo by Aaron Gould
we had more people I wouldn’t mind playing again Play that funky music. Bremerton-based instrumental
lot of ways.” because I don’t like playing to a blank audience.” metal band Steelscape performs at The Young and the Indie.
-Joel Atteberry
@
Bremer Student Center (BSC) room 116.
Apply Now
8 SPORTS June 2, 2009