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McCain’s energy plan has recently been a subject which can be summarized as “drill baby drill,” a slogan chanted in repetition at the Republican National Convention recently in reference to McCain’s commitment in exploring domestic oil reserves.

McCain’s energy policy is broken up into six sections. He plans on expanding domestic oil production and natural gas exploration and production. He wants to break our dependency on foreign oil by reforming our transportation sector while investing in clean, alternative sources of energy. He plans on protecting our environment and addressing climate change. According to his website, McCain believes, “A sound energy strategy must include a solid environmental foundation, in which energy efficiency is promoted.” He also wants to address the speculative pricing of oil.

McCain’s voting record on energy and other issues is addressed on www.votesmart.org.

Between tuition, gas prices, and the overly expensive textbooks, many students are unable to afford an education without the aid of financial assistance or student loans. Based on both Barack Obama’s and John McCain voting records, neither candidate presently have college education for the masses as a top priority. Even so, neither of the candidates entirely neglects the subject.

Since he became a Senator in Illinois, Barack Obama has been pushing for an increase in federal Pell Grant Awards to help students pay for college. The first bill that Obama introduced into the Senate was to help make college more affordable and to increase the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $5,100.

In October, RPI will have its grand opening for the $142 million Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC).

Designed by Grimshaw, a London-based architectural company, the 220,000 square foot building “combines many specialized venues under one roof, including a 1,200-seat concert hall,400-seat theater, two black box studio spaces and artist/ researcher work spaces,” as RPI stated on EMPAC’s main site (http://www.empac.rpi.edu/).

The opening will be divided into three weekends. Each weekend will have its own theme. According to RPI, “Gala Weekend” (October 3-5) will focus on the arts. Many performers such as Madlib and Billie Cowie will be featured along with the multimedia performances of Verdensteatret and dumb type. In addition, there will be an interactive 360 degree war film by The Wooster Group, where the audience is literally in the middle of the movie.

On Monday September 15th, HVCC opened the new parking lot G.

The new parking lot is located behind Hudson Hall and the McDonough Sports Complex with 300 parking spots. The college planned to have it finished by the beginning of the new school year, but the weather did not cooperate which is why the work was pushed back.

HVCC President Andrew Matonak said, “the parking situation was on the top of the college’s priority list” and also “…that work for the garage will start in the spring of 09.”

The parking garage will be located between Fitzgibbons and LaSalle institute, where lot D is currently located. It will be a two story garage with a total of 750 parking spaces.  According to the college, the wait was due to the college’s need for state funding to start the project. The project will cost $15.8 million.

On Friday, September 29th, a shoplifter was found in HVCC’s Bulmer Telecommunications Center. “The outcome of the suspect is unknown to us. However, we do know that the individual was not a student of Hudson Valley Community College,” said Paula Monaco, HVCC’s director of communications and marketing.

The shoplifting episode occurred in the AJ Wright Store in the Hudson Valley Plaza directly across the street from our campus. The suspect involved fled the scene on foot, pursued by the Troy police. HVCC’s public safety office was informed that a male, allegedly involved in a shoplifting spree at AJ Wright, was currently being pursued by the Troy police and had fled onto the college’s campus.

Buying books for college can be a considerable expense. Aside from the price tag, the first week of classes also features long waiting lines as many students rush to buy their books. The Viking’s Cove bookstore offers several services which can save the student the hassle of waiting in line, yet as accessible as the bookstore in the campus center is, it is not necessarily the most economical of options when comparing its prices to Amazon.com. Student Kyle Martens remarked, “It’s cheaper to buy on Amazon, but easier to buy here [HVCC bookstore].”

While retaining students at college is challenging for administrators, a new pilot program will help college officials identify students who are at risk in the hopes of getting the students the help they need before they drop out, increasing retention rates.

The program revolves around the “Retention Alert System,” a new computer software program from TrueOutcomes, a division of academic publishing giant Thomson Learning and combines information from the admissions process and student surveys to identify students early on that may need additional services.

With obesity on the rise in America, more and more people are becoming health conscious and Chartwells is trying to keep up with these societal changes with plans to start the the “balanced choices” menu after spring break with the motto of “better portions, smarter choices.”

This menu, imposed by the corporate mission, will attempt to cater to everyone, from the strict meat and potatoes students to vegans. Information on the food and its effect on one’s body will also be available, said Vernard Mathis the director of dining services.

There currently are vegan and vegetarian choices on campus including vegetarian soup, salad and a veggie burger choice, added Mathis. He also said a fish choice is available at both the fry station and the entrée station in the Siek Campus Center for Catholics following meatless Friday’s.

With graduation coming in a few months for some students, it is time to polish those resumes, down the dress code, do some research, network with representatives and “sell” oneself in an attempt to gain employment and start up the ladder of success.

For some, the thought of entering the workforce may seem daunting but with a game plan, students can network among hundreds of representatives in various fields at the job fair, being held March 11 in the McDonough Sports Complex, with ease.

To help students prepare for the job fair, the Center for Careers and Employment will be holding a series of events leading up to the job fair, including a fashion show being held today (Thursday, March 6) in the Starbucks Café, demonstrating proper attire for attending a job fair.

Built in 1797 and opened as a bar in the 1950’s, The Country Grove Inn has become a well known part of the landscape around Hudson Valley Community College.

Started by the parents of Mike Filluta, the current owner, not only does the restaurant serve as a landmark but a family legacy nearing its end. Dubbed the Old Farmhouse, the G-Building and most famously The Grove, residents should be prepared for its new name, RiteAid.

Over the years students new and old have come back to this hometown bar while local businesses have celebrated Christmas Parties behind its dark green doors. With their children grown and as they near retirement, Filluta and his wife are looking to enjoy their retirement.

Practically unchanged, Filluta, barman Danny Dalton and head chef John “Jim” Kochtosten, have been there for almost thirty years. The only changes made to The Grove have been an increased area to sit and eat and more electronics such as dart games and OTB televisions.