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PASADENA CITY COLLEGE
COURIER
VOLUME 110 ISSUE 2
INSIDE: DUCKS IN A ROW
Find out why Student Business Services collects rubber ducks from around the world.
PAGE 7>>
FAREWELL ROCHA
The Courier presents a parting gift for Ex-President Mark Rocha.
PAGE 3>>
SPEAK OUT! Will things get better for the college now that Rocha is out of the picture?
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September 4, 2014
INTERIM PRESIDENT CHOSEN
Miller to take over as interim superintendent Philip McCormick Editor-in-Chief
After five hours and two closed sessions, the Board of Trustees finally appointed Former Vice President Robert Miller as interim president of PCC Wednesday night. “I feel honored and privileged and extremely excited for the college and for our students as we transition into the next phase the college’s life,” Miller said. Miller was appointed after the Board conducted an in-house search for the position. Dave Douglas, Dean of Science and Mathematics, also applied for the position. The Board interviewed Miller and Douglas in the second closed session before it made its choice. “I want to thank both [Miller and Douglas],” Board President Anthony Fellow said. “These were outstanding candidates and we had some good discussions.
Keely Ernst/Courier Interim President Robert Miller shakes hands with David Douglas after Miller is appointed.
I think PCC will be in good shape.” Open session for the meeting began at 7 p.m., but the item for interim president was pulled out of order because the Board hadn’t decided whom it would choose for the position, according to Student Trustee Marshall Lewis. Miller was appointed as acting
superintendent at the Aug. 20 Board meeting. The search for an interim president kicked off after the retirement of former president Mark Rocha, whose last day was Aug. 31. Human Resources Director Terri Hampton had emailed a notice to full time employees on Aug. 22 giving details about
what the job entitled, what the minimum qualifications were and how they could apply for the position. The college announced Rocha’s retirement on Aug. 7. Rocha will receive $403,826 in a severance package the District agreed to. His severance payment will equal 18 months of his regular monthly salary.
Hannah Gonzalez and Philip McCormick Staff Writers
inside the U building, according to Miller. Miller also said that the final project plan for the U building (a building that’s estimated to have cost $54.5 million) was submitted and approved by the state. “If there’s a 6.5 earthquake or higher then the U building would pancake,” Miller said. “This means it’s very high on the state’s list. [It’s] probably in the top ten.” The U building was evacuated in 2012 after three separate engineers confirmed that it was unsafe due to the building’s inability to last under significant seismic activity and the asbestos in the walls. Classes were moved to the Science Village. William Foster, theater arts instructor and member of the
Plans for U Building still at standstill After two years of not knowing what to do with it, the college has finally received funding from the state to replace the U Building, but has yet to decide if it will be demolished, according to acting Superintendent-President Robert Miller. “The answer to if we have funding is yes and no,” Miller said. Once the college receives the money they then have to decide how to spend it. The money from the state, which is roughly estimated to be $3.5 million, is being considered for either hirChristopher Martinez/Courier ing a demolition crew, architects, The U-Building remains abandoned with notes left by past stu- or a hazardous waste company to get rid of the asbestos that is dents on the chalkboard of a hollow classroom.
U BUILDING
New FA president strives to heal old wounds Matthew Kiewiet Staff Writer
Dr. Julie Kiotas will look to improve working relations between the faculty and administration and create an overall better college environment for students as the new President of the Faculty Association. Kiotas serves as the chief negotiator for the Faculty Association and is known for her meticulous analyses of administrative spending. “I have a very strong sense of fairness,” asserts Kiotas. She hopes to forge a strong working relationship with the administration, as there are “a lot of great things we can do together.”
The first of those things on the agenda is a faculty contract she considers fair. Another priority is a contract that treats adjunct faculty commensurate to what they contribute, she said. As it is, adjuncts have no job security and they are extremely underpaid given their expertise. This, in turn, also hurts the students, she said. Some adjunct faculty are forced to work several jobs, limiting their office hours to 20 minutes per week. Not only is Kiotas determined to make a difference, she clearly has full support and confidence from her peers. “I couldn’t be more pleased with our current leadership,” said former FA president Roger
Marheine. “I do know that she is working diligently as the FA presidency is quite a daunting position.” In order to become president of the Faculty Association, she had to be voted in by the members of the association. Expectations are quite high now that Mark Rocha, who was blamed for the rift between the faculty and the administration, is now out of the picture. Marheine said Rocha “was either unable or unwilling to work with faculty, staff, and students.” Marheine said he is “optimistic that new leadership will bring a more civil tone, a more ASSOCIATION
Paul Ochoa/Courier Faculty Association President Julie Kiotas.
NEWS
2 COURIER
September 4, 2014
Bathrooms reopen as renovations continue Kristen Luna Staff Writer
Several bathrooms in the C and V buildings finally reopened after they were closed for the past three months while undergoing renovations as part of Measure P projects. The C-building’s men’s room on the second floor and the women’s room on the third floor are now operational and so are the men’s and women’s bathrooms in the V-building. The renovation is being lead by project manager Jack Schulman, who said the project went well considering the age of the building and the existing infrastructures. “We hit some minor road-bumps due to the age of the building and infrastructure, but nothing that stopped progress,” he said. In the renovation, everything including the tile, lighting, toilets, urinals, sinks, faucets, toilet partitions, and new painting are being replaced. “The C and V building restrooms will be done in two phases as we need to keep some restrooms available for use while the other two are being remodeled,” Schulman said.
Even though the restorations do not affect the teachers and staff since they are permitted to use the faculty restrooms, one PCC student looks forward to the continued renovations. “They’re a lot cleaner…there’s a bunch of bathrooms here so I don’t think it will affect anyone in any way,” said student Bianca Hidalgo. With the first phase recently coming to completion, the second phase is already underway. The V-building second phase started August 28th and includes the east side men’s and women’s restrooms. The C-building will start phase two renovations on September 9th and will include the men’s third floor and women’s second floor restrooms. The second phase is scheduled to be completed by late October or early November at the latest. As for any future restroom projects, The R-building’s first floor men’s restroom will be closed for renovations at the end of September and should be completed by next May.
Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Construction workers polishing the walls in the men’s restroom in the V Building on Sept. 3, 2014. The restooms in the V and C buliding have been under renovation for three months and are now open.
District and Faculty Association refuse to budge on contract Mick Donovan Staff Writer
The Faculty Association (FA) is not budging with the District over contract negotiations and continues to hold out for a new offer, according to a union official. “We are hoping to get back to the table either next week or the week after, but I do not know when the district will
be ready,” said Julie Kiotas, PCC Faculty Association Director and Grievance Counselor, in an e-mail. The Board shut down negotiations on Nov. 5, 2012 and the FA insists that the District has refused to return to the table despite repeated requests, according to the Pasadena City College Faculty Association website. No date date has been set for negotiations to commence. The last time the District released
any information about negotiations was in February, when officials refused to consider reinstating the Winter Intersession. Robert Miller, the current Sr. Vice President and Assistant Superintendent, could not be reached for comment on this story. The FA’s main concerns regarding the contract remain salary increases, receiving full cost of living adjustments and fair compensation for work duties. “We are hopeful that the role of the
faculty in this stellar institution will be valued again,” said Kiotas. The District has made no changes in their contract proposals since Proposition 30 was passed in 2012, according to Kiotis. The last contract proposal to the FA included a Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP), which the FA rejected while noting that returning to the former calendar (reinstating Winter Session) was more important to them.
U BUILDING
Where earning a bachelor’s degree meets “I want to transfer today!”
continued from page 1
Faculty Association, said that getting funding is a start to moving towards demolishing U building. “It’s starting to move towards it’s [demolition],” Foster said “Either way, they have got to get the asbestos out.” When the U Building was first closed down, there was not a lot of planning done and a lot of money was spent building the new Science Village, where many of the classes that once took
“With year-round enrollment and access to faculty, I knew National was for me. My advisor transferred my credits, and now I’m on my way.”
ASSOCIATION
continued from page 1
~ Michael, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
meaningful dialogue, and hopefully a genuinely fair contract.” Acting Superintendent-President Robert Miller was also very
place in the U Building were moved to, according to Foster. “The general feeling among the faculty is that even the new Science Village is a step up from the U Building because it has new labs,” Foster said. According to both Foster and Miller, the asbestos would take a significant amount of time to remove but that in the meantime, it shouldn’t harm students attending the college. “I anticipate we will have many recommendations regarding what to do with U building,” Miller said. confident that “good progress can be made on contract negotiations.” The Board of Trustees and senior administration officials sincerely look forward to working on contract negotiations with the FA, he said.
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August 18th A Facilities Supervisor reported five students were tampering with a fire extinguisher east of the GM building. Campus police found a fire extinguisher under a tractor but did not find the students. The tractor was unharmed.
A man who had previously been given a “stay away” order by campus police entered C-321 and threatened staff members around 10 a.m. The man, identified as Amaury Hilton-Garcia, was detained at the Library and booked by Pasadena Police for trespassing.
August 19th Campus police responded to a report of a man sleeping in an R building bathroom shortly after 9 a.m. Police found the man standing nude in the bathroom and escorted him off campus.
Staff reported that a man wearing camouflage and carrying two backpacks made lewd requests to a Facilities employee. Campus police escorted the man off of school property ~Compiled by Daniel Johnson
8/5/14 2:44 PM
OPINION
September 4, 2014
COURIER 3
Courier Rocha’s departure is an opportunity for growth
2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner Editor-in-Chief Philip McCormick News Editor Paul Ochoa Opinion Editor Justin Clay A&E Editor Samantha Molina
Former PCC president Mark Rocha announced his retirement last month after a tumultuous four year stay as college president and he left as perhaps the most polarizing figure on campus. During his time as president, Rocha received votes of no confidence from both student and faculty groups. The rift between these groups
Editorial:
and the Board of Trustees was as evident as a barbeque stain on a white suit. And many times Rocha was the focal point of the conflict. Now that he has decided to retire, it’s time for these groups to mend any differences they may have with the board and come together in order to give the next president a fair chance at doing the job. Perhaps the most controver-
sial moment of Rocha’s tenure as president was the cancellation of Winter Intersession, a move that the California Public Employment Relations Board ruled illegal. Faculty groups also complained about being left out of the decision making process, which goes agaist the school’s policy of shared governance. They were particularly upset at the fact that they were not
Lifestyle Editor Monique LeBleu Sports Editor Daron Grandberry Photo Editor Nagisa Mihara Chief Photographer Concepcion Gonzalez Online Photo Editor Daniel Valencia Scene Editor Charles Winners Staff Writers: Ahmad Akkaoui, Reina Aldape, Daniel Axume, Raymond Bernal, Dezarae Balbas, Marlon Dobbins, Mick Donovan, Hannah Gonzales, David Grubaugh, Tiffany Herrera, Daniel Johnson, Matthew Kiewiet, Jamie Lawlor, Kristen Luna, Anthony Martinez, David O’Connor, Ashley Park, Lucy Patrikian, Sho Tanaka
Staff Photographers: Keely Ernst, Ansis Hoheisel, Erica Hong, Ryan Joaquin, Chris Martinez, Daniel Nerio, Kevin Peraza, Scott Spencer, Paul Tedrow, Ian Tomlin, Daniel Vega-Warholy, Saul Villegas, Rayna White
involved in the decision by the board to extend Rocha’s contract through June of 2017. It is important to remember that being a college president is a thankless job and that Rocha took on the responsibility of managing one of the top junior colleges in the nation during the worst economic downturn since the 1930s. It is also important to remember that the president is not a king. He is at the service of the board and it is his job to enact the policies they come up with. Though Rocha was the face of the district, he is not solely to blame for the school’s problems. When Richard Nixon lost the 1962 California gubernatorial election, he famously proclaimed in his final press conference, “You don’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.” In PCC’s case, the same is true with Mark Rocha. Now that he is gone, (and they don’t have Rocha to kick around anymore) it’s time for both sides to hit the reset button and attempt to repair relationships. With accreditation looming, both sides have to toss aside their differences in order to effectively deal with the potential crisis. If the Board and the faculty are truly here to serve the students and the community in general, they owe it to those groups to attempt to start fresh and work together in order to achieve the goals that are needed to effectively run an institution of higher learning.
Cartoon by Mick Donovan
Faculty Adviser
VOICES:
Nathan McIntire Photo Adviser Tim Berger
Do you feel safe when approached by police?
Advertising Coordinator Daniel Nerio
The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District. The Courier is written and produced
“I relatively do. I don’t think I would ever get into trouble where I would be approached. I haven’t seen any outburst, I don’t think there’s much to protect.” Docnary Reyes, Neuroscience
“I guess not. I don’t feel safe seeing all those videos on Facebook.” Michael Ramos, Mathematics
“No, I don’t. I feel like they’re hurting the situation even more by using excessive force.” Natalie Jones, Animal Biology
as a learning experience for student
Reporting by: Dezarae Balbas
writers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department. Phone: (626) 585-7130 Fax: (626) 585-7971 Advertising (626) 585-7979 Office: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., CC-208 Pasadena, CA 91106-3215 © Copyright 2013 Courier. All rights Reserved.
“I feel like if I’m being respectful, I should be okay. But then again, look at me. I’m not a black man so I probably don’t get that much racial profiling.” Stephanie Ling, Civil Engineering
Note to Readers Letters to the Editor The Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about 300 words and may be edited by Courier staff. All letters must contain your full name and a correct daytime phone number. Letters can be delivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by email to clay.courier@gmail.com Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its reporting. if you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585-7130 or via email to mccormick.courier@gmail.com
“Yes. They’re still pretty good when you call them.” Trih Psam, Sociology
Photos by: Daniel Vega-Warholy
6 COURIER
SCE
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September 04, 2014 COURIER
7
LIFESTYLES
6 COURIER
September 4, 2014
PCC student control detonates education
Paul Tedrow/Courier Daniel Franco, an EOD bomb dismantler and soldier in Afghanistan transitions to life as a student at PCC. Kristen Luna Staff Writer
Two hours into a mission in Afghanistan clearing out all potential hazards in a bazaar, an Air Force reserve unit of three men gets a call to help aid an army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit that had been hit by explosives nearby. One of the Air Force reservists walks through a doorway and finds two marines wounded from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) they had inadvertently set off. While providing aid to the two marines, another marine close by sets off another IED while walking out of a doorway, killing himself instantaneously. Between 2010 and 2011, this was the reality for 25-year old Pasadena City College student
and Air Force Reservist Daniel Franco. For the past six years, Franco has been working in the EOD unit for the Air Force Reserves as a bomb dismantler and was one of the three reservists bringing aid to the marines that day. Franco and his team were not supposed to support the mission that day because the army unit was to have their own EOD unit. But since they were just five miles away, they were assigned as back up. He describes a chaotic scene of clearing an IED, aiding an army soldier, driving in search of the commander who is leading the operation, and hearing a blast come from a building they had just been at shortly beforehand. Walking through the same doorway the marine had walked through prior to setting off the IED, Franco remembers the blast as if it just took place yesterday.
“…My [colleague] was thrown back against the wall and knocked out,” Franco said. “I was 15 feet from the blast, which definitely threw me onto the ground to where I couldn’t function much. I remember seeing stars.” As a result of hearing stories from peers and family members, in addition to being trained for what situations may occur while serving in Afghanistan, Franco remembers having an idea as to the conditions he would be exposed to, but also being enthusiastic to do his job. “I trained three years to do this job so I was kind of excited at the same time to go and actually perform what I had learned,” Franco said. Originally from Stockton, California, Franco is an only child who grew up in a military family with six cousins and three uncles in the Marines, another cousin in the Air Force, and his step-dad a former Army man. But Franco did not grow up planning to join the military. “Honestly, it was just something that was available. I never planned on joining up until my senior year when my cousin decided to join, but he went Marines and I went Air Force,” he said. One month before their deployment, men and women in the Air Force Reserve EOD unit go through pre-training where three-man teams are assembled based on each individual’s skill sets. Each team gets one month to work together before being shipped out and spending the
next six to seven months together without ever being apart. “There were a lot of highs and a lot of lows, there were about three close calls but also the camaraderie and the brotherhood that you build, especially with a three man unit…,” he said. While countless military men and women return home physically, mentally and/or emotionally handicapped due to the experiences they face while fighting overseas, Franco appears to be altogether intact. “I would say I’m actually okay compared to a lot of the people who go through PTSD and trauma…,” he said. “It happened and it was an experience, and it’s driving me forward, especially having been there and knowing all the privileges we have here and to know that some aren’t so lucky so I might as well make the most of what I have while I’m here.” After returning home from
introduction [to PCC],” Lilavois said. A self-taught musician, he spent time in the band The Days In Between before he began working with friend’s and local bands in studio sessions helping them arrange their music. “That started leading to more paid gigs,” he said of his transition toward music studio engineering. “There was a friend of mine who wanted to start a studio, so I kind of became a silent partner,” said Lilavois. “I didn't necessarily want to be in the studio business, but I wanted to be a producer. And having my own space was kind of integral to that.” In that, he divides his time between his two studios—Crown City Studios in Pasadena, where he produced tracks for bands such as My Chemical Romance, Mad Gear and The Missile Kid and the London Bridge studios in Seattle which he runs with partners Jonathan Plum and Geoff Ott. He also does television composition for shows on the History Channel, such as “Pawn Stars” and “American Restoration” with writing partner Andrew Dewitt. With a tight pulse on upcoming bands, Lilavois began working to bring bands such as Surfer Blood and St. Motel to the Make Music Pasadena music festival, the “brainchild” of previous event manager Kershona Mayo and music publicist Josie
Mora, in a collaboration with Old Town Pasadena and The Playhouse District. “This last year I was able to curate the line-up between the main stages,” he said of the collaboration that brings the massive community music event to Pasadena annually. “I like that I live in a city that's open to throwing a free festival where 50,000 people show up. That's incredible to me.” His work with the annual music festival brought much praise. “Eric has been instrumental in producing and releasing phenomenal music from up and coming as well as established artists,” said Mayo, of the Mora May Agency. “He has also been instrumental in Make Music Pasadena, booking top-tier talent for the cities largest summer festival.” With his partners Plum and
Afghanistan and having completed a year in South Korea, Franco decided to move in with a cousin in San Gabriel and pursue his dream of acting, as well as study psychology. “So far it’s taking some getting used to being in a classroom environment again, especially one that’s not structured,” Franco said. “It’s definitely taking some getting used to.” With a myriad of veterans struggling to cope with their experiences and obtain the help they need, Franco hopes by studying psychology he will be able to help them work through their experiences and live life as best they can. “I would like to help through therapy and help them deal with what they’ve been through and saw,” he said. “For me, there was a struggle getting that kind of help within the Air Force, let alone on the outside so I’d like to help make it a little easier.”
Photo contributed by Daniel Franco Air Force Reservist and EOD unit Bomb Dismantler, Daniel Franco in Afghanistan 2010/2011.
The road to Make Music: Seattle to Pasadena
City Studios in Pasadena. “My Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Eric Lilavois, producer, engineer, musician, and songwriter, in his Crown City Studios, in Pasadena, on June 27, 2014. Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor
Former PCC student Eric Lilavois’ attachment to the Crown City, and its culture, diversity and potential as an entertainment hub extends into his business as a music producer, studio owner, musician, and songwriter. “I went to PCC very briefly,” said Lilavois, owner of Crown
education in music has all been in the studio.” But his connection with PCC did not end there. In 2010, Lilavois' brother, Randy, served as the head coach of the PCC Women's Soccer Team before moving on to Alabama recently. “Going to see him coach and catch the Women's Soccer Team there was like a whole other re-
Ott at London Bridge, the start of a new record label, London Tone, began with the project 52/52 Year in Your Ear, which releases a single from a new artist every week, for 52 weeks. “It's kind of taking from the Motown playbook where the studio is the label,” Lilavois said. One of the currently released singles is his own, “God in Our Glass.” “It's come full circle,” he said. “I'm back to a point where, 12 some years later, I am back to my own music and I'm not as worried as to how that informs the projects I produce. I didn't want to be pigeon-holed as a rock producer or because of my own music, because of what I was creating. Taking that break from being an artist helped me develop my producer chops and it helped me realize how much I wanted to be an artist as well.”
FEATURES
September 4, 2014
COURIER
7
Architecture builds solutions for barren future Anthony Martinez Staff Writer
The current exhibit in the Boone Family Art Gallery, “Localized Urban Environments of the Post Globalized World” features projects from architecture students that aim to reinvent societies to preserve global resources. Organized by architecture professor Coleman Griffith and faculty member Qasem Baouni, the exhibit touches on themes of innovation, conservation, and self-sustainability. Recently opened on August 25, the two main projects, “Floating Cities” and “Neft Dashlari” give the public an insight to the future direction of architecture as a resource and human conscious field. “The exhibit is a discussion of possible scenarios of new forms of urbanism that might evolve in a post globalization world,” said Griffith. Both “Floating Cities”, a conceptually flexible city within a ship, and “Neft Dashlari”, an agricultural housing system that doubles as a trade center in Azerbaijan, propose solutions to the challenges of a ‘post globalization world’ such as pollution, climate change, and excessive material waste. One instance of “Floating Cities” envisioned a hyperlocal garment design, fabrication, and distribution hub that houses designers from all reaches of the world. This mobile society would travel in order to stay ahead of trends and reduce the amount of outdated clothing that are destined for the garbage bin while participating in trades
Rayna White/Courier The Boone Family Art Gallery in the PCC Center For The Arts exhibits student’s small scale models from the Architect 10A, 10B, 20A, and 20B classes.
with other countries. In contrast, “Neft Dashlari” is a stationary reinvention of agricultural housing since it’s built over the Caspian Sea instead of land. Due to its location and agricultural sustainability, trade with neighboring countries is a realistic possibility. “This unusual feature provides architecture students with a new experience to be able to discover and become acquainted with foreign architectural typology,” said student Danial Muhfoud. “’Neft Dashlari’ pushes the boundaries and inspires innovative designs outside of the typical norm of fixed sites.” Due to its location and agricultural sustainability, “Neft Dashlari” can trade with neighboring countries in order
to build another key aspect of architecture: relationships. Relationships hold importance in architecture since they “create a conversation to design with,” said Bauoni. The exhibit examines political, social, and economic relationships and how these change when societies are restructured by the complex concepts of the projects. While these ideas may sound bizarre, they project possible images of what future societies may look like in a resource deprived world. “Localized Urban Environments of the Post Globalized World” runs through September 19, with a reception to be held in the Boone Family Art Gallery located in the Center for the Arts on September 4 at noon.
Rayna White/Courier Beach Shelter by Zenan “Jimmy” Guo is a small scale model of functional beach housing that includes a life guard station, cafe, and has “openings for natural lighting, and harmonization between the enclosure and site.
Students and ducks line up at the Student Business Services Samantha Molina Staff Writer
If you peek inside the Student Business Servic will not only see students lining up to purchase parking permits and bus passes but also an array of rubber ducks lined up along a shelf behind the clerks. It all started on a staff development day when account clerk Lisa Gayle Whiting received a
rubber duck from the Health Services office. “As a joke a coworker and I wrote Aflac on it,” Whiting said. “I put it on top of the shelf and people noticed it and started bringing in ducks.” “It all kind of snowballed from there and the ducks just kept coming in,” account clerk Lucia Medina added. From holiday ducks to sports ducks, they have all have been
collected over a span of a few years and even an office change. “We’ve been getting ducks since we were over in the J building,” Medina said. “Even though we’ve been getting them for a while now, no two are exactly the same.” And the ducks are well traveled. “When any of us goes on vacation or anywhere special we try to bring back a duck for the
collection,” Whiting said. With the edge of the shelf now consumed by rubber ducks, the staff in the Student Business Services is looking to expand their assortment. “We are in the process of building a little shelf to rise above the ducks already there so we can keep adding more ducks to our collection,” Medina said. Students have taken notice of the collection as well.
“It always nice seeing how many different ducks they have and seeing the numbers grow,” student Anthony Ramos said. “It adds a nice little touch of fun to the office.” The staff in Student Business Services are always pleased to accept any duck donations from student and staff. “The first duck will always be the most special but we’re always happy to get more,” Whiting said.
Ryan Kevin/Courier An array of ducks sits on a shelf behind the clerks inside the Student Business Services office in the B Building on Aug. 29.
8
SPORTS
COURIER
September 4, 2014
Lancers football looking for redemption David Grubaugh Staff Writer
The Pasadena City College Lancers will open up the 2014 season against the Warriors from El Camino College at Robinson Stadium on Saturday, and the coaches and players are feeling confident about the upcoming season despite their youth. “Up front we’re young,” said Head Coach Fred Fimbres, a concern that was voiced by both players and coaches when they were asked about the state of the team. The team graduated a lot of players last year, many of them going on to play at universities around the country. The lack of sophomores is most notable on the offensive line, which sent seven players off to various universities around the country including Michigan State and Old Dominion University. However, the lack of veterans hasn’t deterred the players who seem eager to take the field against El Camino. “We’re definitely ready to bang,” said defensive lineman Dennis Vaughn, expressing a sentiment that teammate and offensive lineman Jordan Fuaman
Justin Clay/Courier Lancers Football Coach Fred Fimbres addressing the Lancers defense during afternoon practice on Tuesday at Robinson Stadium. The Lancers are hoping to bounce back after a dissapointing 1-9 record last season.
seemed to share. The coaches also seem confident in their player’s ability. “Our goal is to control the line of scrimmage, and to beat our opponents in time of possession,” said Fimbres, adding that they were looking to run a lot of no-huddle. These are two aspects of the game that young-
er players sometimes struggle with. No-huddle offenses require swift communication and confidence in your fellow linemen to execute well, something that takes time to cultivate. Coaches are confident that their line will be able to support returning players in the skill positions. Receivers Turner Jack-
son, Reuben Lawhorn, and A.J. Springer will all be returning this year along with tailback Zander Anding, who is coming off an injury redshirt but is looking to be a playmaker in the upcoming season. Though offensive skill positions aren’t the only place where the Lancers have a bit
of experience, the defensive secondary is also looking strong. “We think that our secondary will be a strength,” Fimbres said. “We returned some starters from the last two years there, so we’re fired up about them. We also think we have a really good defensive line.” It’s clear that the youth on the defensive line is not a concern, especially to defensive line coach Miguel Gutierrez, who said that he was very confident about his squad’s ability. “It doesn’t concern me too much,” Gutierrez said. “Yes we are young, but just like anything else, they’re developing, they’re growing. We’ll be prepared [for El Camino]. We’ve got a lot of hard work to do this week, but we’ll be there.” “I think we’re going to have a big turnaround in the program,” Fimbres added. “We think we’ve assembled a group of young people and coaches that we think can bring Pasadena City College back to the upper echelon of California community college football programs.”
Volleyball falls short in opening tournament David O’Connor Staff Writer
The Lancers’ volleyball team competed in the Grossmont Quad tournament on Saturday and lost both their matches against Palomar and Grossmont. PCC lost in straight sets to Palomar, 25-18, 27-25 and 25-23, in a match that could have gone either way, especially in the second and third games. Coach Bill Sanchez said the Lancers played well overall, but gave away a few early mistakes. “Our biggest challenge is dealing with
decision making during the game & choosing the best option, while dealing with a lack of experience.” Sanchez said. PCC does not have any returning players from last season, which means they are developing a new combination. Sanchez singled out Hailey Abdul-Malik for her good decision making and her competitive approach. The Lancers lost against Grossmont, 25-5, 25-14 and 25-21, who were the CCAA state runners-up. “Grossmont are a very experienced team and a well-oiled unit, who play a very fast paced game,” Sanchez said,
“We responded to their quickness, with Chy’anne Hodges and Megan Williams standing out. Hodges read the game well and our setter Williams played well considering that she had a very tough job.” Despite the losses, the tournament provided valuable experience, Sanchez said. “The purpose of the Quad was to expose our team to the best teams and allow the players to spend time with each other,” he said. “Overall, good things happened and we will continue to learn each day up until the last day of the season.” Sophomore Saige Spence had praise for
her coaches and teammates. “Our coaches know what they’re doing and we’re a very dedicated team who communicates consistently,” she said. “Our serving and defense were the main things that kept us in both games.” Spence feels that the Lancers will have better game awareness in upcoming matches. “We’ll be more aware of our court movement and where to place the ball, which will make us a lot smarter,” she said. The Lancers will next suit up in the Pierce Invitational Tournament on Friday & Saturday, September 26 and 27.
Lancers fail to hold off late rally in season opener Daniel Axume Staff Writer
The PCC Men’s soccer team lost in a 4-2 heartbreaker to start off the 2014-15 season as they hosted the Eagles from LA Mission College at Robinson Stadium. The Lancers started off slow from the first whistle. In just the fourth minute of the match, they allowed a goal from Eagles midfielder Javier Chavez, who sent a header to the far post off a free kick that put the Lancers in an early hole. The Lancers were able to strike back in the 24th minute, as captain and midfielder Victor Menchaca scored to tie the game with a perfectly placed goal from ten yards out, under the hands of Eagles goalkeeper Joel Juan Luis. Not long after, the Eagles were able to take a 2-1 lead off of a penalty kick from Ericson
Penate after Lancers forward Briley Venti committed a foul in the box and received a yellow card. Then in the 35th minute, Lancers freshman midfielder Brandon Gerlach collided with the Eagles’ goalkeeper in a violent crash. Luis was able to get up quickly, but Gerlach remained on the ground and had to be carted off the field with an unknown injury. He had a big cut on the side of his head after the collision. The Lancers were able to tie the game with a goal from freshman forward Kevin Geddes. It remained tied with the final ten minutes of the match approaching. That is when the Lancers completely collapsed. In the 82nd minute, Ericson Penate scored his second goal of the match after the Lancers defense let Penate get off an open shot. Just a minute after, Lancers’ goalkeeper David Orellana com-
Rayna White/Courier Sophomore midfielder Briley Venti, 22, moves in for a tackle against LA Mission College on Wednesday.
mitted a penalty going after the ball in the box. The referee gave him a yellow card, and Penate scored his 3rd the a hat trick that put the Lancers away for good.
“This was our first game and we’re very young,” says head coach Edgar Manvelyan. “We came out stronger in the 2nd half, but in the last 20 minutes,
the team collapsed.” The Lancers will next travel to San Bernardino on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to take on San Bernardino Valley College.