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(Archive February 2020) Becoming a Positive Bystander

By editorialteam on January 8, 2020

Leadership Training Fosters a Compassionate School Community

By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor

Jason Zelesky, Dean of Students, recently led a Leadership for Life Bystander training in the Murphy Conference room. Zelesky said the goal of the program is to imagine a college campus community which uses its abilities to look out for others at all times. He said there is a need to build a strong, safe, and respectful community.

The Bystander Program has been able to make a difference and report concerns to invoke change. According to Zelesky, the program started six years ago because of an issue on campus. One studnet walked by another student who was crying in the hallway, and that student admitted that he/she was not okay. read more

(Archive December 2019) The Write Way to Research

By editorialteam on December 7, 2019

Librarian Offers Tips on Writing Research Papers

By Nicholas Papini | Observer Contributor

One research librarian believes that one of the greatest mistakes students make in writing a research paper is not asking for help.

Ellen Pratt, a distance education and outreach librarian, mentioned how the library has numerous resources available for students, but that many students do not use them.

“Reaching out for help is an underdeveloped skill in a lot of students,” said Pratt. When students are utilizing a database and not getting any results, they blame the database for the issue. They may even decide that the database is not a helpful tool. However, Pratt stressed that there are tools available to help them. Library assistants are one, but there are resources on the MWCC website, as well. The MOOC video tutorials contain numerous tips and tricks. There are also research guides on the website under the Start Your Research tab. read more

(Archive November 2019) Active Shooter Training

By editorialteam on November 29, 2019

Campus police discuss active shooter survival tips

By Maya Douglas | Observer Contributor

In the event of an active shooter, teachers are trained to lock the doors, close the blinds, and call 911, but campus police have some other tactics in mind.

Campus police officer Jim Halkola said police response must change, and traditional lockdown procedures have failed us. He argued that in the amount of time it takes to lockdown and call 911, evacuation could have already occurred.

During a lecture Halkola said, “Staying huddled in a corner is exactly what an active shooter wants.” It’s referred to as “sitting duck syndrome.” He said there is nothing proactive about waiting for the killer to come to you. read more

(Archive November 2019) The Triple Play

By editorialteam on November 14, 2019

Juggling Life as a Student, a Parent, and an Employee

By Hannah Bennett | Observer Contributor

NOTE: Correction to “The Triple Play” Volume 14, issue 3, page 4:
The name of the Parent Support Group was incorrectly abbreviated to PSO. The correct abbreviation is PSG.

How difficult is it to take care of yourself during college?

There’s getting up on time, getting ready, eating breakfast, and the rest of the “morning routine” before school.

Setting time for any homework or projects is also a must and isn’t always easy. On top of that, a job to support yourself takes up time, energy, and focus. Together, a job and college classes are enough to fill the day, leaving little room to take care of yourself. read more

(Archive November 2019) This Story Sucks!

By editorialteam on November 9, 2019

Doctor Cautions Against Deadly Virus

By Ryan Lyesiuk | Observer Contributor

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an often deadly virus, but with the right knowledge and precautionary measures, the chances of obtaining this disease are slim.

According to Dr. Charlotte Newell, adjunct faculty in the Vet Tech program, the chances of acquiring EEE significantly decrease as the temperatures drop. Newell stated, “Everyone is at risk until there is a hard frost.” Hard frost (28 degrees or lower) often does not occur in Massachusetts until late October or early November, according to the National Weather Service.  read more

(Archive November 2019) Annual MWCC Coat & Warm Clothing Drive

By editorialteam on November 8, 2019

Photo from Unsplash

Donations can be made in the Brewer Center (Room 152) starting November 1. Clothing will be distributed December 1 – February 1 in the South Cafe.

Donate coats, hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, boots, etc.

(Archive November 2019) Vaping Ban

By editorialteam on November 6, 2019

This story was updated recently: https://www.wcvb.com/article/judge-allows-gov-bakers-vaping-products-ban-to-continue/29536538

By Kristopher Madden | Observer Contributor

A ruling on Monday, October 21 has upheld the statewide vaping ban. Brown and many other vape shop owners across Massachusetts sued Governor Baker in Federal Court to lift the ban sooner.  

Many shop owners initially chose to stay open in the face of what is thought to be an unlawful declaration by Governor Baker. Kevin Brown, owner of Madvapes in Worcester, said he planned to stay open “until the jackboot thugs shut him down.” He added, “We know in the vaping world that it’s illegal THC cartridges that are causing this whole kerfuffle.”  read more

(Archive October 2019) STEM Club

By editorialteam on October 20, 2019

By Ryan Lyesiuk | Observer Contributor

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is an up-and-coming club on the MWCC campus. STEM was established last Spring and they are seeking to recruit new members.

Victor Dhliwayo said he joined because “it sounded fun” and “it seemed like a good idea.” He is one of the approximately 12 current members of the club.

Recruiting methods include, according to Dhliwayo, “talking to students, networking, and having a presence at the BBQ Fest” with a neatly designed billboard on display for all to see. read more

(Archive October 2019) Where Education Meets Vacation

By editorialteam on October 16, 2019

Study abroad program offers educational experiences

By Rachel Williams | Observer Contributor

The new study abroad program gives students the opportunity to go on life changing adventures at an affordable cost.

Tracy Betts Sarefield, Study Abroad Staff Assistant, explained that the new program is incorporating abroad learning into average classes. Sarefield explained that if faculty members would like to take a trip abroad with their class they can.

For example, arts teachers could incorporate a trip to Italy inside their semester’s curriculum with their students to study the arts for a week in a new environment with different types of art. read more

(Archive October 2019) Let’s Talk About Stress

By editorialteam on October 8, 2019

Students Share Their Stress Management Tips

By Conner Garrity | Observer Contributor

During the semester, many students feel pressured when dealing with tests, projects, and assignments. Students feel stressed about dealing with this work but each student deals with it differently than the next person.

Sam Sykes, who studies Graphic/Interactive Design, said she does feel stress during the semester and especially during finals. She feels pressured because she takes five classes each semester. She says she tries to keep her mind at ease by finding creative outlets such as drawing, watching YouTube videos, and reading. read more