The Current Online

by CHRISTOPHER HAYTON

The United States flag hangs high in the air in the front. The Missouri and United Nations flag hang proudly behind in the back. I’m talking about the flags at the Longview circle. If someone were to walk by and glance at the flags, they would seem normal. Look closer at the Missouri and United Nations flag they would see one badly faded and the other all torn and frayed.
What does a flag mean? By definition it means a piece of cloth, usually rectangular, of distinctive color and design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, or emblem. How can a flag be used as a symbol, when the symbol is so faded, that it can’t be seen?
Security, along with all their other duties, is in charge of the maintenance of the flags. Their duty is to take down and clean the flags. Recently, lights were installed to shine on the flags at night. Because of the lights, security never has to take down the flags. The flags are hung 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Most students recognize the US flag and Missouri flag, but what about the white one? What does it stand for? It’s actually the flag for the United Nations. Longview hangs the flag for support of many international students on campus and to support the UN. The flag’s original design is light blue with a white emblem in the middle, but because of many years in the sunlight, the color has faded and the emblem has disappeared.
When some students in the parking circle were asked what they think of the flags current condition, most replied they never paid much attention to them or didn’t care. But for a few students the flags’ conditions are “tacky” and “shameful.” One student replied, “I think that the flags should kept in good shape because they’re supposed to represent something. It kind of loses meaning if they’re torn and faded.”
Who is in charge of replacing the flags? When security was asked, they replied it was a combination of security along with the Dean of Student Admissions. When the flags need to be replaced it’s a lengthy process to order and get new ones. Since students never complain about the flags’ condition, there hasn’t been a need to replace the flags and get new ones.
So if you don’t like the current condition of the flags, let Security or the Dean of Admissions know and they’ll be glad to replace and get new ones.

August marks her second stint as Staff Association Employee of the Month

by CHRISTOPHER HAYTON

For the second time in her four-and-a-half-year career at Longview, Jill Croy was August’s Employee of the Month. Jill is the division administrative assistant in the Math, Engineering & Physics Department (quite possibly the longest job title at Longview).
Croy’s a full-time employee and a full-time mother of two. When she’s not working, she’s usually spending time with her children and enjoys camping and riding in her boat.
Fact: When awarded Employee of the Month, the person also joins a committee that decides the next three months’ winners.
Some of the perks of winning the award are the free stuff. Croy received for her award a gift certificate at a restaurant, a “nifty” button, a calculator and, most importantly, the free parking spot EXCLUSIVE to her. No more hassling for a spot.
Another nice thing she received was the other faculty members appreciating her for her work. Most wrote some nice comments about her. And Croy said she was “appreciated” and was “grateful for the award.”
Each month the Staff Association accepts nominations and elects a member of Longview’s staff who is nominated by his or her fellow employees.