Undecided' find answers in debate
Benjamin Buettner
Mesa Legend

Kerry and Bush supporters rally hours before the most critical debate preceding Election Day outside of the Memorial Union at Arizona State University. After the debate, supporters had the opportunity to see Bush in the flesh at Bank One Ballpark and Kerry at Tempe Town Lake in a quick post-debate rally.

Photo courtesy of Martina Lee

As the excitement for the Presidential debate loomed large in the valley area, MCC and Brian Dille, political science professor at MCC, decided to try to take advantage. The Navajo Room, here at MCC, was where the debate was aired for not just the surrounding students, but the whole community. Though the Navajo Room was full of Bush/Cheney paraphernalia and backers, Dille insisted the reason for the meeting was to “give the community a way to watch the debate together and have a real discussion,” he explained.
Grade sheets for the debate were handed out so the audience could keep track of who won the debate. Issues were outlined, 13 in all, from foreign policy to health care to help the audience.

Arizona flunks affordability test
Zahid Arab
Mesa Legend

Graphic by Casey Ferguson Mesa Legend

With slight improvements in divisions of student participation, completion and benefits, a study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education (NCPPHE) downgrades Arizona to a flunking score in affordability from 2002.
This biennial study entitled “Measuring Up 2004” examines higher education’s affect on the lives of Americans. This report, released Sept. 15, provides policy leaders, educational communities, and the American public with an analysis of current educational systems in each state. “Measuring Up 2004” utilizes five core areas of higher education to gauge performances by awarding a grade based off of the “A” through “F” scale.

Low crime rate not a factor in officers’ desire for guns
Desiree McDonald and Zahid Arab
Mesa Legend

Being enveloped in everyday concerns such as getting to class on time or the next exam, students may not realize that College Safety is working to provide a safe environment for all who attend Mesa Community College.
Contrary to some speculation, College Safety utilizes two different types of officers. The most known and visible are those on bikes, monitoring campus activity. College Safety also incorporates the use of retired police officers. In the case that College Safety would be allowed to carry firearms, only these officers or newly hired certified officers would have them.
In addition to having necessary qualifications to protect and serve MCC, previous city police officers must annually undergo eight hours of training from the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, a requirement for all police officers statewide.

MCC homecoming festivities provide outlet for local group
Rated-E entertains crowd at halftime
Brittney Bigler
Mesa Legend

There were many activities and events at MCC’s Homecoming, but one special feature was the performance of “Rated-E”, an up-and-coming band, who performed at the half time show of the Homecoming football game at MCC, Saturday, Oct. 16. The band has performed all across the country in states like New Mexico, Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, and Arizona.
Three out of the four band members are from Chandler, and all have been performing since childhood. Rated-E has officially been together a year-and-half and going to the top, “were going to ride it till the wheels fall off,” said the group in unison with a determined attitude.

Students, teachers reap rewards for hard work
Ben Buettner
Mesa Legend

MCC was recognized nationally with the Pepsi~Cola Award for being a top two-year program for overall excellence in athletics in the NJCAA, Oct 16.
Member colleges are allowed to use their top five men’s and women’s sports for scoring in this competition. Larry Christiansen, MCC’s president, and Athletic Director Dan Dunn both recognized the honor at the Alumni Barbecue before the homecoming game as well as recognition at halftime of the game. Pepsi~Cola presented a trophy and a check for $1,000 to MCC’s athletic scholarship fund. The College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kan., were the only other schools recognized nationally for this award.

Women's soccer still dominates

Prop. 401 means growth

"I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love, than to be a success at something you hate"
-George Burns