Free lunch and the potential to win a survival kit, various DVD's, donated apparel, twenty dollars in cash, or a fleece blanket; could one ask for anything more? If you were one of the 150 or so students to attend the 10^th annual UMPI job fair on March 26 you know very well what I speak of.

Various organizations, local and state agencies, and private enterprises were represented at this year's Job Fair. The room was bustling with activity of young learned individuals seeking employment. And, if you wanted free corporate knick-knacks you might have as well been in heaven.

Aroostook Technologies, Border Patrol, Avon, SITEL, Peace Corps, and Northeast Publishing were among the thirty or so employers that filled the rows of the Multi-purpose room in the campus center. The eclectic groups of participants at the job fair were ripe with facts about their field of expertise and more than content with talking with any individual that approached them.

The Maine State Police were represented by Henry Carpenter and Daniel Deschaine of the Houlton barracks with the aim of recruiting community members, paying special attention to criminal justice majors and those with an appetite for law enforcement. They talked to students on an individual and personal basis informing them of the ins-and-outs of law enforcement. Even the Girl Scouts showed up. Membership manager of the Maine Girl Scouts, Wendy Viel, was looking for summer camp counselors with outdoor skills, lifeguard experience, and some knowledge of health professions.

The cost of education is undoubtedly a huge expense for most college students.  It only becomes worse if students believe that their money is being misused for purposes that don't advantage them at all.

There have been several rumors circulating around the UMPI campus lately, primarily concerning these student fees. Many students are under the impression that the fees are being used for things such as personal faculty computers, salaries, or other expenses that provide no benefit to students. The rumors have caused quite a controversy.

            Vice President of Academic Affairs, Michael Sonntag, is responsible for the final decision of how fees are used. Sonntag is not solely responsible for deciding how money is spent. There is an Information Technology Task Force that makes recommendations to Sonntag about what this money should go towards.

            Sonntag addresses the particular rumors by explaining the budget in greater detail. Prior to 2002 there were several different fees that are now combined. The fee in question is the Tech Fee. The budget for the fee this year was $160,000.  Seventy percent of the budget has gone towards student computer lab costs such as equipment, internet, and software.

            Sonntag goes on to further explain the budget. There was money left over from the budget that was used to purchase laptop computers to replace faculty desktops. The laptops are for use in the classrooms in an effort to utilize technology in the class to benefit students.

The changes can additionally benefit students because while tuition has gone up, these student fees have not. Sonntag wished to make it clear that none of the fees have been taken for purposes that do not directly benefit the students. With the current system Sonntag is hoping to eventually even give away used computers to students. After four years of use, computers may still be usable to students, but not efficient enough for classroom use.

On Wednesday, April 16 at 9:45 a.m., the University of Maine at Presque Isle's own theater group, University Players, performed a dramatic reading of William Mastrosimone's play Bang Bang You're Dead as part of University Day.

The play is about a teenage boy named Josh who is now in jail because he shot and killed several students at his high school, as well as his parents. As he lies awaiting his fate, Josh is forced by apparitions of his victims to retrace the events leading up to the massacre. The question is if Josh will truly realize what he has done to the victims, their families, and ultimately himself.

Among the cast is Ryan McCluskey who plays Michael, a young boy who inadvertently crosses Josh by dating the latter boy's former girlfriend and is ultimately put to death for it.

"It shows that it's not just in the big city schools, it could happen anywhere. Any body could be the killer, or anybody could be one of the victims," said McCluskey.

Aha Blume is a member of the general chorus, the actors and actresses who fill in the general characters which further the plot.

"There's a lot of the roles that sort of flash back to the events leading up to where Josh is now," said Blume. "So these are all the sort of the different people in the flashbacks that are just explaining the back-story."

Through flashbacks it is shown that Josh started out innocent, if a little spoiled. His fondness for guns stems back from a past hunting trip between the youth and his grandfather.

"He killed a buck in the forest," said McCluskey, "and at first he regretted it. But then his grandfather said he was gonna' be a man by the end of the day."

"A lot of the script is basically about the reason why the main character shot everyone," said Jessica Mayne, a fellow cast-member. "He was sick and tired of being picked on by people at school, all the rumors about him and nasty relationships with the kids. It really can ruin a person's life, rumors and how people treat other people, whether it be to show-off for their friends or to hide their own feelings."

Peer-pressure, however, is not the only stepping stone to Josh's downfall. At home he is denied very little and is rewarded if he puts up a long childish debate over something he wants. It comes as no surprise how badly he takes the breakup with his girlfriend, or how angry he becomes when he sees somebody else has her. Though with the bullying Josh endures, maybe just feels all the more alone. But Josh will soon learn that these were not reasons worth committing murder.

"I think it has a good message," said Blume. "Because we're also aiming it to teenagers, it's really telling them that every action has a consequence."

The role of young Josh is played by Brandon Marquis.

"It's a controversial role," said Marquis, "obviously with a lot of the shooting that's been going on across the nation. But I do think it's nice to be able to shed some light on the subject and help bring it to the forefront, because a lot of people just don't like to think about some of these subjects."

Cast and crew of the production want their audience to leave with something to consider by the end.

"Hopefully a deeper knowledge of the results of school shootings," said McCluskey, "and the deep pain that they can cause to the victims and the shooters alike."

James Kidd is a Teacher's Certification student here at the UMPI. He enrolled in the Educational Computing course in the fall of 2007. He was hoping to learn a few things that could be applied to his future teaching career.  Having a strong background in technology already, Kidd found that he was quite familiar with many of the programs Professor Delong was teaching them, and began to help explain concepts and techniques to his classmates.  One of their assignments was to create a website, an activity many students were having difficulty with. Kidd decided to volunteer to come into another section and offer his assistance there, as well. 

            Kidd enjoyed working in Professor Delong's class so much, that he decided to offer his time and talent the following semester, Spring 2008.

 "It's great experience for me.  UMPI is a teaching college-why aren't we teaching?" Kidd said.

 As a future teacher in a secondary school, Kidd wants all the experience he can get in a classroom.

            Professor Delong was very open to the extra assistance in her classroom.  Kidd helps out by occasionally teaching lessons; he gave the lecture on how to use Microsoft Excel, but mostly he gives one-on-one explanations to people when they need something clarified or re-explained.  He also meets with students outside of class to offer tutorials, or quick demonstrations about going further than Delong is able to teach them.

"It's a win-win situation," Kidd said.  "It helps her out and looks good in teacher's portfolio."

Have you ever had a day where you didn't feel strong enough to defend yourself? Have you ever been scared of going out alone, or going near your favorite place because you know the school bully will pick on you? What about feeling like you're worthless when someone gives you a hard time and won't back down?

Dustin Heath's ladies' self-defense class, held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays this semester for students, staff and faculty, provided all the skills you would ever want in order to protect yourself.

Dick Gardener, the director of Gentile Hall, reported that Heath's students had nothing but good to say about their head sensei.

"They said they felt comfortable being taught by Dustin Heath and being around him. He was a good instructor. The information [they] received from this class, was invaluable," Said Gardner.  

Learning self-defense from a highly praised sensei like Heath, is an opportunity that won't always be there. As example of how valuable and kind Heath is, he teaches up to twenty or so students at no charge. His giving nature inspired many and motivated his older students, such as Carl Ripley, to take time out of their own lives to aide the instructor in teaching the other students.

"Dustin is a kind and patient instructor. He is good-natured, understands his student's individual needs, and doesn't show off his own skills while instructing the students," Gardner said.

Learning self-defense not only teaches you how to stand on your own, but it also changes how you feel about your self and your world. Self defense can give you a feeling of accomplishment and purpose in life, enhance your coordination and balance skills, and even calm your mind and heart.

Gardener and others hope Heath will once again teach ladies' self-defense along with his assistants when classes are available again so even more women will have the means to defend themselves, as well as spreading the hope and wellbeing he has awakened in his students.

            On Saturday, March 22, UMPI students, staff and community members gathered for an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner and Fundraiser for the senior class. Everyone who came had a great time. The food and company was fabulous. Many people walked away with door prizes.

            And the highlight of the afternoon was the auction. Keith Madore, always on hand at these events, was the auctioneer. There were many fabulous items that people made like a quilt and scarves. There were birdhouses, baskets, paintings and gift certificates, as well as a chance to spend a weekend at the President's House in the summer. Many of the items elicited a bidding war. But no one walked away disappointed. How could they when their stomachs were full of pasta, salad and delicious desserts? And their bags and pockets were filled with door prizes like conference bags, hats, and CD cases. And they had won fabulous auction items. The only thing that was more empty then when people came in were their wallets! The event was a success, and raised over $1000 for the senior class. For those of you who missed it, be sure to catch next years, because it's a lot of fun!

The returning group, Inanna, left smiles on the faces approximately 250 attendees of their performance on Friday, April 11.

Inanna is an all woman percussion and vocal group who perform original works invoking ancient traditions of the drum. The group is from Portland, Maine and was last here at UMPI in 2004. Inanna consists of six women, but only four were able to travel and perform. The four women that were able to make it are: Shirsten Lundblad, Anne-Marie D'Amico, Annegret Baier and Tori Morrill, who is also a founding member of Inanna. The group was formed 19 years ago and has lost and gained members along the way.

The original members of Inanna were taught by a musical group, Mama Tongue, from Africa who were visiting Whitefield, Maine. After learning from Mama Tongue, new members were taught by older members, or had learned from other teachers. All the instruments the women use are from Africa. Some of the instruments they use are: the djembe, bass drums called doundounba, sangba, kenkeni and a balafon, which is an African xylophone.

Inanna sang songs they have learned from African groups and teachers as well as songs they have written themselves. A few songs they sang were "Cosmic Beat" and "Rainbow People." One of the last songs they sang was called "Within, Without" written by Lundblad. Two of the CD's that were available were "Beyond Tradition" and "Skin and Bone."

Baier, who is originally from Germany and has been with the group for 14 years now, told an entertaining story of their trip up here. "It's been 3 or 4 years since we were last here. On our way here, we went the wrong way and crossed the boarder by accident, so we were pulled over, and I was driving. I'm a German citizen and I forgot to bring my green card. Twenty minutes later we were on the road in the right direction."

Carol Ayoob, director of Cultural Affairs & Arts Administration, mentioned that this event was co-sponsored with Trio-Upward Bound.

"We've had many events this year that had dismal attendance due to timing and weather. Today it is a wonderful outside, and many people have come out to this event to celebrate the arrival of spring," Ayoob said.

Inanna is holding a global warming presentation workshop and dance concert titled "Heart Beat of the Earth" at the First Parish Church in Portland, ME on April 26. Sara Lovitz from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, is presenting on Global Warming. The doors will open at 7 a.m, and door admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and free for children under 12. The workshop is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, and costs $75.