Rampage Fall '12 - Issue 4

October 17, 2012

AMPAGE Volume CXXIII Issue 4

FREE

The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

Ex-Senator appeals removal

COLLEGE FACES CUTS IF PROP 30 FAILS

BY TROY POPE

tpope@therampageonline.com

Former Associated Student Government Senator James Demaree appealed his removal from the student leadership body yesterday.

“You have before you a very important decision, one that will be remembered and debated for years to come,” Demaree stated in his appeal letter.

Although Demaree filed his appeal at Student Activities yesterday, he was unable to attend the ASG meeting that was held later at 3 p.m.

ASG President Nathan Alonzo and ASG adviser Sean Henderson selected five people -- Jan Benson, Student Success Club, Ron Marby, Student Success Club, Alicia Ross, former ASG elections commissioner, Ben Anderson, former Legislative Vice President of ASG, and Joshua Green, CIT-0 to be a part of the Constitutional Appeals Committee. The names were ratified by the senate.

The Demaree saga started following a series of events that began with a video he posted on YouTube. As the fall semester began, adviser Henderson temporarily suspended Demaree from ASG after a YouTube video he posted that attacked the actions of ASG Legislative Vice President Rachel McKinley and President Alonzo.

Sources say that the reason behind the suspension was that members of ASG felt threatened by Demaree’s video.

However, after Demaree met with Dr. Chris Villa, vice president of Student Services on Aug. 27, his suspension was lifted. Villa said that he was “convinced that [Demaree] should be able to participate in his role as an ASG senator.”

ASG voted to begin the official removal process of Demaree on Sept. 4.

The charges against Demaree were for, “conduct unbecoming” of a student leader and for speech that “incites towards violence.”

Demaree argued his case on Sept.

18, stating, “When America amended the Constitution and gave women the right to vote, was that unbecoming?” He added, “There is nothing unbecoming about trying to effect change according to procedure.”

Sen. Monique Reyna spoke about the work ASG is doing and how it is being overshadowed by the controversy.

“It’s kind of discouraging when all that work is kind of not being seen because the only thing that students have been focusing on and been having questions on, is the issue with Sen. Demaree,” Reyna said.

Demaree was voted out of ASG on Sept. 25 with 14 in favor of removal, two against and three abstaining.

For more on this unfolding story, visit therampageonline.com l TWITTER.COM/DARKTROY

50 to 60 FCC Classes At Stake 1,824 SCCCD Students At Risk Photos By Paul Schlesinger. (Top) President of the Community College League Scott Lay, (Mid) Deborah Blue SCCCD Chancellor and (Bottom) Vice Chancellor of Finance, Ed Eng.

BY KAITLIN REGAN

kregan@therampageonline.com

The State Center Community College District and Fresno City College face grim prospects if Proposition 30, the Governor Jerry Brown’s ballot initiative does not pass on election day.

Deborah Blue, SCCCD chancellor, said the district is already planning for a $16 million deficit in the event the ballot initiative fails. This will not be the case if the proposition passes.

“If Proposition 30 were to pass that, deficit would be more like $8 million,” Blue said. “So we have to plan for the worst because there would be too much

work to do if we planned for the best.”

Failure of Proposition 30 could impact SCCCD in many ways, including in the number of classes offered, in the size of classes and in workforce reduction.

An immediate impact of a “No” vote on the proposition is a reduction in the number of students it can serve, about 1,824 fewer students. According to Dr. Ed Eng, vice chancellor for finance at the district, the district will be funded for 23,064 students instead of 24,888. The district strives to serve more students and will increase student intake by 3.8 percent to a total of 23,958 if it fails and 25,386 if voters l SEE PROP ON PAGE 4

Programs aim to close achievement gap

BY TOMAS KASSAHUN

tkassahun@therampageonline.com

When Lori Natal first enrolled at Fresno City College in 1995, she was shy and without much of a plan. She knew she wanted to go to a university but she didn’t know how to do it or if she was even capable.

She came to school each day and attended her classes, but she felt adrift and unconnected to anything at FCC. Then her mother insisted that she sees a counselor. It was after her meeting with a counselor that Natal finally found the missing link in her education.

The counselor suggested that Natal join a campus program known as Puente. She found the route she was looking for. She changed her major from economics to sociology, hoping to fulfill her desire to help others. Before long, she moved on to CSU Fresno where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and later her master’s degree in counseling.

Today Natal is leading the Puente program at FCC and is helping students overcome the same struggles she once had.

“Being part of Puente helped me break out of that shell and helped me realize that I could be successful in school,” Natal said.

Established in 1981, Puente is a statewide program helping students transfer to four year universities and colleges.

It’s one of many student service supportive programs at assisting minority students close the achievement gap.

Other programs include the Trio program which serves mainly first generation college students, low income or disabled students; Idile which is designed to assist African American students; the Title V Camino program which focuses on Hispanics, and USEAA which was established to accommodate the large number of Southeast Asian students at FCC. According to information available on the website of State Center Community College District’s Institutional Research, out of 21,147 students attending FCC in the spring of 2012, 1,687 or 8 percent identified themselves as African Americans; 274 or 1 percent are American Indians or Alaskan Natives; at 3,683, Asians make up 17 percent; 9,576 students are identified as Hispanics, the largest group at 45 percent.

Twenty four percent or 5,097 students are identified as White or non-Hispanic while 830 or 5 percent report no racial affiliation.

The 2011-2012 State Center Community College District fact sheet also reports that minority groups at FCC have a significantly lower success rate than white students. In the 2012 spring semester for example, the successful completion rate data showed African Americans at 55 percent, Latinos at 64 percent, Asians at 70 percent and whites at 75 percent.

The trend remains true in several l SEE GAP ON PAGE 2

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NEWS

Rampage Staff Editor-in-Chief Jesse Franz News Editor Kaitlin Regan Opinion Editor Troy Pope

Arts & Entertainment Editor Matthew Elliott

10.17.2012

GPA Gap

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

African-Americans

1.98

Latino

2.21

Asian/ Pacific Islander

2.38 2.72

Caucasian 1

Sports Editor Tomas Kassahun

Print Photo Editor Abel Cortez Online Photo Editor Paul Schlesinger Graphics Editor Jesse Franz Online Editors Troy Pope Jesse Franz Social Media Director Olga Verkhotina Illustrator Dale Holcomb Copy Chief Tomas Kassahun Copy Editors Sasha Bell Pabel Lopez David Thammavongsa Olga Verkhotina Business Manager Sydney Excinia Reporters Chad Armbruster Melissa Dyer Patrick Forrest Jere Kirkland Mai Lee Frank Lopez Daisy Martinez Cox Odia Montana Paxton August Promnitz Akeem Spearman Carl Turpin Kayla Valenzuela Faculty Adviser Dr. Dympna Ugwu-Oju dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu

Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Fax: 559.265.5783 Twitter.com/FCCRampage Facebook.com/FCCRampage YouTube.com/rampagenews Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to:

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Fresno City College C/O The Rampage 1101 E. University Ave Fresno, CA 93741

Graphic by Jesse Franz other categories including retention rate, transfer rate and GPA. Whites lead in all categories while African Americans remain last across the board. The 2012 district data showed African Americans recorded a GPA of 1.98 while Hispanics recorded 2.21, American Indians 2.25; Asians 2.39 and whites 2.72.

Through counseling, study groups, time management development and campus tours, programs such as Puente are working towards bringing success to students of all backgrounds.

“A lot of our community college students are underrepresented. They are from the Chicano Latino group, African American group, or Southeast Asian [group],” said Title V program coordinator, Leticia Canales. “A lot of students have to work and they have family obligations. Some have a hard time just getting to school.

Some come from across town.”

Canales also said that there are two different groups of students that come to community college. Some students come to college having finished their high school requirements. They come to community college because of the cheap cost or to stay close to home. Other students may come to college without finishing their high school requirements.

Not all students want to transfer; instead they want to have some kind of degree like an Associate’s degree. The Associate’s degree at FCC requires a higher level English or Math to graduate. Students who start at lower level courses find themselves fighting for seats.

“They’re all competing for the same seats. There are a lot of students at developmental reading, writing and math. It may take them two or three semesters to get to English 1A,” said Canales.

As coordinator of the Title V Camino Program, Canales helps students accelerate their academic course. The program includes a learning community of students that enroll together in a six-week Summer Bridge program. Students are also provided with a structured first year experience

UPCOMING EVENTS

Production Managers Troy Pope Ramiro Gudino

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GPA (Spring 2012)

supported by program counselors and peer mentors. Although the program is geared towards assisting Hispanics, students of all backgrounds are welcome.

Another student service program, Idile, is designed mainly to support African American students. The program was initially established by retired FCC counselor Walter Brooks to help African Americans.

It was eventually expanded to assist more students. In 1989, the program was institutionalized at FCC. After taking charge of Idile last year, Granville Redmond saw an increase in the success rate with 10 out of 29 students making the Dean’s list. Still Redmond is concerned by the trends he is seeing from students in all ethnicities.

“Not only are African Americans behind, but a large number of students, no matter their ethnicities, are behind,” said Redmond. “It starts at a young age.

Students are not scoring high on the (Adequate Yearly Progress) tests. Their skill level is far below basic.”

Idile focuses on getting students through the English requirements. “There is an alarming number of students in Fresno who don’t qualify for English 125 and 126,” said Redmond.

There is also a cultural component in Idile which gives students an opportunity to visit African American museums, universities, and other cities. Even in the midst of a budget crisis, Idile is focused on giving students campus tours so they have a better idea of where they would like to transfer.

“A lot of people have not had the experience of leaving Fresno. They have not even been to San Francisco or (Los Angeles),” said Redmond. “Idile is trying to provide the missing links to make students successful. We’re learning as a family. We provide study groups and mentors.”

Trio program coordinator, Rosa Murillo, says lack of one motivation is one of the key factors plaguing students today.

“A lot of the things I see are a lack of motivation among our students. And this

Student GPAs By Race 3

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is across the board. Not just our minority students. They come here and they don’t know what they don’t know,” said Murillo.

“The reason we have a high dropout rate is because students [give up]. When they get stuck, they quit.”

The goal of Trio is to serve as a one stop place so students don’t have to go out of their way to get help. Academic counseling, financial information, campus tours, letters of recommendation, priority registration and personal issues are a few of the things the program can address.

“We teach them to be independent, to be problem solvers and critical thinkers.

When they have a problem, I teach them to deal with it rather than run away from it,” Murillo said. “They come in and panic and I give them options. When they transfer they know how to deal with issues.”

So far the Trio program has not been affected by the budget crisis because it is federally funded. But Murillo worries the program could be affected next year if there are more budget cuts across the district.

Lyn Scott is one of Trio’s success stories so far. Scott arrived at Fresno City College without a clear goal. But when he heard about the Trio program, he immediately joined and was able to transfer in two years. He is now at San Diego State studying aerospace engineering. “(Murillo) was always there and very encouraging. In life things happen, and she was always there to help me with anything,” said Scott.

Current FCC student Jamal Garrett has also been a beneficiary of the Trio program.

“The counselors are always there to make sure we are on task. They lead us to references and they show us how to do it if we don’t know how to do it,” said Garrett. “Just the culture, the atmosphere of the program is helpful. They give us workshops for stress relief. It’s an outlet for a lot of things.” l TWITTER.COM/THERAMPAGEGUY

Dia De Los Muertos 2012 10/17-11/4

Arte Americas Casa De La Cultura celebrates its 25 year anniversary with artwork featured by artists of Dia De Los Muertos.

Majors Fair 10/24, 10 a.m.

Come meet with faculty and staff who can help you declare a major and make sure you stay on track in college. Be sure to check out the booths in the main fountain area and college mall.

Ticket prices include $8 general admission, $6

FCC Latin Jazz for students, seniors, JazzFresno and FCC staff.

Ensemble and For more information contact the FCC Theater Combos Box Office at 559-442-8221 or 10/25, 7:30 p.m. boxoffice@fresnocitycollege.edu

NEWS

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DREAM ACT OPENS DOORS ‘TO BE SOMETHING MORE’

an individual must meet Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) criteria. They must have attended a California high school for three or more full Nineteen-year-old Fresno City Colacademic years although they do lege student Sara Hernandez says she is not need to be consecutive. They tired of being in the shadows. Throughout are also required to graduate from her life, she has lived as an undocumented a California high school, attain student in the U.S. a G.E.D. or pass the California Now Hernandez wants to come out High School Proficiency Exam and become an example for others. It’s for (CHSPE). this reason she has joined other FCC students Finally students must be curto create the Students Without Borders club rently enrolled in a college in Caliat FCC to help students of all backgrounds fornia and file an affidavit stating adjust to the college experience. that they will apply for legal resi“We decided to create a club because dency as soon as possible. Students we don’t know all the people that are at without borders and the Central this school who may need help,” said HerValley Dream Team understand nandez. “Whether they are undocumented that there is a lot of fear among or just want help, we want to reach people undocumented individuals about and make a change. It’s not just for the uncoming out. documented. It is for the allies of the cause “It’s OK to be scared, but as well.”

Photo by Abel Cortez Mexican nationals who are qualified for the Deferred Action for soon you have to get past that fear,” Similar organizations have also been Childhood Arrivals Program line up in the OAB at Fresno City College to apply for their says Hernandez.

“We have fear in our student visas, Mexican passports and work permits on Aug. 23. established across the Central Valley. One lives.

And if more of us come out and such organization is the Central Valley Dream currently has one piece of the DREAM Act that has been we work together we can be stronger, Team. The Dream Team is made up of high school stuplaced into law and another that will become active on Jan so we can help and inform more people. So have faith and dents, college students, parents and community activists 1, 2013. we can change things if we work together.” and they fight to raise awareness on what they feel is proCurrently an undocumented student can apply for For Hernandez and many other dreamers, the immigration laws. private scholarships administered by the public colleges DREAM Act is a necessity, and also an issue of opportu“We started last September. And we try to focus and universities in California. Once the new year starts, nity and equality. on helping undocumented youth in the pursuit of higher children who were brought into the U.S. before they were “I’m really against injustice,” said Hernandez. education. We provide scholarships, open mic events, and 16 years old without proper visas or immigration docu- “Even though truly we all are but when you feel it, when other services, and it’s not only about undocumented stumentation will be able to apply for student financial aid it’s an injustice against someone who is like you then it’s dents but any type of pro-immigration law,” said Grisanti benefits. The students need to have attended school on a different. It touches you, and it makes you really want to Valencia, Central Valley Dream Team member. regular basis and otherwise meet in-state tuition and GPA do something about it.”

The state of California and the U.S. do not have a requirements. completed form of the Development, Relief, and EducaTo qualify for the benefits offered by the legislation, l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8 tion for Alien Minors Act (DREAM). However, California

BY PATRICK FORREST

pforrest@therampageonline.com

Forum to discuss the role of the president in U.S. economy

OLGA VERKHOTINA

CSUs halt admission decisions pending the elections, including the decision of Proposition 30. CSUs have adopted a new budget pending the vote on Proposition 30.

overkhotina@therampageonline.com

believe in you. “It might not be something that some folks are interested in but it directly affects your life. You should participate in some ways. This is one of the ways to know what has been done in the past and what might be done in the future,” said Gilmore.

After a disappointing turn-out at the first forum of the year, the organizers hope to see better results this time around. Gilmore hopes to see an increase in the number of students and faculty who attend.

“Part of the problem is that if professors don’t tell their students or give them extra credit, we might get a lower turn out,” said Gilmore. “I’ve been disappointed at the number of faculty who show up and the number of other folks in the college who are employed here. But I understand that too. You’re here all day. You wanna go home, have dinner and watch TV. That said though I wish more faculty would show up.”

Advertising the event is not one of

Henry T. Perea was on campus Oct. 9 to speak to students about the importance of being aware of current events in their community.

BY JERE KIRKLAND

jkirkland@therampageonline.com

Photo by Columbia Pictures

The Fresno City College Campus and Community Colloquium series will continue today in the Old Administration Building with the second panel discussion of the year. This time the forum will focus on the role of the president in the U.S. economy.

The panel speakers will be Rick Whitsell, president of Fresno First Bank; FCC history instructor Paul Gilmore and economics instructor Aaron Pankratz.

“Since the election is coming up soon, we figured we would have something that would deal with politics and the economy since that seems to be the major issue over the last four years,” said Gilmore.

“The goal is to shed light on the President’s role in the economy.”

Gilmore encourages citizens and especially students to attend the forum. “Especially if you’re in history, political science or economy, this will fit right in with

your class. Citizens also are part of the country and they should be aware,” said Gilmore.

But the awareness of citizens today is one thing that concerns Gilmore. He believes the forum will play an important role in addressing that concern.

“People know when they’re having troubles. They have a good idea most of the time. But when it comes down to the details, folks are not very aware. A forum like this can help people clarify their own ideas,” said Gilmore. “It can help them become part of a conversation about what is happening. Hopefully each of us will be able to tell people what they have never heard of or thought of before.”

Gilmore hopes to see citizens attend the forum and develop a political interest.

He refers to a quote from Russian revolutionary and theorist: “You might not believe in war but war believes in you.”

In other words, Gilmore says you might not believe in politics but politics

Photo by Paul Schlesinger

BY TOMAS KASSAHUN

tkassahun@therampageonline.com

the fun parts for the organizers. What they enjoy more is choosing the topics that will be discussed and contacting the right people to speak at the forum. This time the organizers are excited to have Rick Whitsell, a speaker who’s not from campus.

“The point is to get somebody off campus. We want to make that connection.

It’s a community college,” said Gilmore.

The idea for the colloquium started three years ago when philosophy instructor Wendell Stephenson and Anthropology instructor Allen Beck decided to conduct research at FCC much like universities.

They then provided a forum for faculty to present their research. A year later, they were joined by Gilmore.

With the turn-out low however, they switched to a panel discussion that discussed timely issues. They used the expertise of researchers at FCC and soon the community and students were invited to join the discussion. l TWITTER.COM/THERAMPAGEGUY

The tale of a biology teacher (Kevin James) who turns to MMA fighting to save a school’s music program.

BY PABEL LOPEZ

plopez@therampageonline.com

BEYOND THE PRINT THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

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NEWS

l CONTINUED FROM PAGE1

pass the ballot initiative.

Interim Vice President of Instruction, Kelly Fowler, explained that FCC has braced and will continue to brace for the cuts.

The real effects of these possibilities are on the available classes.

“For our college, we are looking at approximately 50 to 60 sections that may be impacted if the proposition fails,” said Fowler.

She said that there is a plan among the division deans on where those potential cuts could come from.

“While we are not certain of the outcome of the proposition, we do have a plan to address if the proposition passes or fails. Once the course sections have been identified, section enrollment of these courses will be reduced to zero and the waitlist maximum will be raised to meet the initial section enrollment of the course,” Fowler said.

Students can expect better news if the proposition passes.

“We can roll over the waitlisted students into the class. If it fails, then we will notify the students on the waitlist that these classes have been cancelled,” said Fowler.

Ed Eng, vice chancellor for finance, explained that the creating more access for students is directly related to the level of state funding that the district receives.

“We get our money from the state and then we calculate how many students we can serve based off of that. So that’s $338.6 million. So that’s a statewide number. The impact to us is $8.3 million,” said Eng. The district,

10.17.2012

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Prop 30 affects district projections

Photo by Paul Schlesinger SCCCD Chancellor Deborah Blue and Fresno City College VP for Aministrative Services Cheryl Sullivan discuss the impact of Proposition 30.

however, tries to meet demands for classes by serving more students than it is funded for is proving to be difficult, Blue said.

“There are many more students that need classes, and we attempt to meet that need by serving at least 2-4 percent more students than we are funded for but it is difficult,” said Blue.

While the district attempts to accommodate students, the greater difficulty lies with the lack of funding said Ed Eng, detailing the potential deficit.

“If Proposition 30 fails, we will have a $16.1 million, almost $16.2 million, deficit. If the tax initiative passes, it is about a $7.2 million deficit,” said Eng.

With the deficit would come workload reduction, according to Eng. The total workload reduction would be 7.3 percent.

Eng also explained that part of the issue with the deficit lies in the deferrals given to the districts and colleges. The state sometimes does not pay colleges for the services already rendered to students on time. Institutions are often paid for the first six months of service while withholding what is owed for the second half of the year.

The impact that this has on the district is $28 million of deferred payment. This money, if the proposition passes, would be given to the district in July and October. That would be after the fiscal year is over and after the services have been provided to students. If the proposition passes, what would have been a deferral will be paid in on time.

“If the tax initiative passes, approximately $160 million will be paid to us sooner than the July and October date. That amounts to $4.7 million. It’s not additional money. It’s money that comes to us from the state sooner,” said Eng. While the district budget is heavily impacted by the decision on Proposition 30, so is FCC’s.

Making up over half of the budget, FCC is directly affected. The college will either share in bulk the triumph of the proposition or it’s failure.

“Every dollar they give to the district is reflected in our budget as well. We represent in general about 53 percent of the budget,” said Cheryl Sullivan, vice president of Administrative

Services, describing FCC’s share in the budget and cuts.

With that number, FCC benefits or loses about 50 percent of the projections. Sullivan said, if the district gets more money as a result of the budget passage, FCC’s share will represent half of the allocation of the tax revenue.

“With Prop 30 failing, we are preparing for a workload reduction which translates into FTES,” said Fowler. FCC is preparing for the workload reduction in the worst case scenario.

FCC President Tony Cantu describes the potential passage of Proposition 30 as giving the college leverage and a healthier budget. The workload reduction numbers would be reduced, and there would be more options for students.

“So it would allow us, in essence, to probably add a few more classes including the summer session,” said Cantu.

With the mood over this proposition impacting the various administrative officials, there is a cloud of doubt over the outcome.

The community college system has been experiencing cuts for so long that Cantu expects that the budget situation “will continue, at least for the next three or four years.”

Blue is concerned about the impact these cuts have had on students and describes that as the worst part.

“I think that’s probably the worst thing of all -- that we have to reduce the number of classes that students need to graduate. It takes them longer to finish and it just impedes student progress,” said Blue. l TWITTER.COM/K_C_REGAN

NEWS

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VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE APPROACHES that voter turnout through Election Day is substantial.

For many students and faculty members, Proposition 30 is a pivotal issue that is certain to shape the future of California’s community colleges and universities. If the proposition fails, cuts to the college would be so severe that many familiar courses would be removed from the Spring 2013 curriculum.

(ASG) senate took a position of support for Prop. 30,” said Alonzo. “We’re going to start going out to classrooms In five days, voter registration for this coming elechere pretty soon and telling students what’s on the ballot, tion will come to a close. By all accounts, the associative especially regarding Prop 30.” student government’s student registration drive was a treProspective voters who participate in the shaping mendous success. of California’s and the nation’s future not only have the “Rock the Vote” officials from ASG committed opportunity to provide ample funding themselves to registering student voters for Fresno City College, they also and continue to build civic conscioushave the chance to possibly abolish ness. “We’ve registered into the triple the death penalty, relax standards digits,” said ASG President Nathan for the state’s “three-strikes” law, Alonzo. expand penalties for human trafExtending beyond their own efficking and much more. forts, ASG senators allocated $600 to With the option of registerdevelop a campus registration contest ing to vote in the coming election for various FCC clubs. The top three expiring this Tuesday, FCC stuclubs to obtain fifty or more voter regisdents and faculty members are now tration forms are set to receive a portion encouraged to vote in advance of of this funding. the election.

“Teachers of Tomorrow Early and absentee voting is doing a fantastic job and so is are tremendously popular voting the College Democrats Club”, methods. In some states, more said Alonzo. “Those are the two clubs voters vote early or cast absentee that I’m aware of right now that are putballots than stand in line at a desigting up substantial numbers.” nated polling station.

According to “Rock the Vote” Downtown, the popularity chairman and senator, Richard Alvarez, of early voting is apparent. “We’ve ASG has managed to register 185 stuseen a lot of interest this election,” dents during the past month. Various said Fresno County’s assistant regICC clubs have also managed to registrar of voters, Kathy McClue. “I Photo by Paul Schlesinger Students register to vote at the ASG booth on Oct. 10. ister nearly 150 students. would say that early turnout is on Now that the opportunity to par with 2008.” register to vote in the upcoming elecThose seeking to cast their ballot well in tion is coming to a close, ASG’s focus has shifted to furAccording to the interim vice president of instruc- advance of Election Day can simply head to the Fresno ther educating student voters on specific ballot initiatives. tion, Kelly Fowler, “For our college, we are looking at County Elections Office at 2221 Kern St. Free parking In addition, the student government is working to ensure approximately fifty to sixty sections that may spaces are also provided for early voters. be impacted if the proposition fails.”

Those who wish to vote absentee can find the apFCC administrators have gone so far as plication on the back of the sample ballot that registered to draft two versions of the Spring 2013 class voters recently received in the mail. schedule. The substantial impact of ProposiStudents and faculty are strongly encouraged to tion 30’s passage or failure is also why regis- read their sample ballots to better understand the issues at tration for the spring semester was postponed stake in the upcoming election. Voters can find a summary until after the election. of each proposition and can consider the arguments for Due to these dire ramifications, “The and against each initiative.

BY DAISY MARTINEZ be struggling and encourage them

BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT

melliott@therampageonline.com

‘Hope for the Holidays’ helps struggling students

Fresno City College students experiencing economic hardship can have some relief during the holiday season.

Hope for the Holidays, an FCC tradition for 20 years, helps provide needy students with a little something to celebrate. The tradition started when former Dr. Art Ellish, former FCC president, noticed that many students are in dire need and wanted to help them.

“We have a lot of students in need at FCC,” said Maile Glover of the Student Activities Center. “There are even students who are homeless.”

The goal of Hope for the Holidays is to encourage students continue with school despite economic hardships. Each year, the Student Activities office receives more than 300 nominations. From those 300, about 200 students who are currently experiencing hardship will receive a $50 gift card.

A former recipient who prefers to remain anonymous said she used the $50 gift card she received to feed her family.

Students can qualify to be nominated for the gifts if they are enrolled in at least two classes and are still students during the nomination and the distribution of the gift cards. Many recipients of the gift are single parents.

Instructors make announcements to notify students who may

to apply. However faculty is careful not to over announce because “Everyone would want to get the help, and it is very limited on who gets it,” Glover said.

Kathy Bonilla, public information officer for the college explained that Hope for the Holidays was done a little differently before.

“We used to buy laundry baskets and put food canned inside them,” Bonilla said. “But that took too long, and students had to form long lines to receive their baskets.”

The Student Activities office collects the money from faculty and staff as well as outside sources such as Save Mart.

“All departments are supportive each year. But we get great support from the sociology department,” said Glover.

Last year, the Student Activities office was able to get 280 gift cards, but only 240 were claimed.

That means that 40 gift cards have rolled over to this year, but Glover expects that fewer cards will distributed this year.

“This year we’re looking into handing 200 gift cards,” she said.

The deadline to nominate a student is Nov. 16 by 3 p.m. Once the students are selected they will receive their gift cards on Dec. 6.

Glover said, “We encourage everyone who donated to support our students.”

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEAGUE PRESIDENT EXPLAINS PROP 30

BY PATRICK FORREST

pforrest@therampageonline.com

The president of the Community College League of California told a Fresno City College audience on Monday to remember to register by the Oct. 22 deadline and to vote on Nov. 6.

Scott Lay told a small crowd in the Skylight Room in the OAB about Propositions 30 and 38 and their significance for education.

He said the two propositions will greatly influence funding for education, from K-12 to community colleges, the CSUs, and the UCs. Although Lay would not state if he supported or did not support any of the propositions or any of the election issues, he did say that the Community College League, the organization he heads, supports Proposition 30 and Proposition 39 but does not have a position on Proposition 38.

Proposition 30 is a ballot measure that would increase sales tax and income tax for high income individuals. According to available estimates, this measure Photo by Paul Schlesinger California Community College League President Scott could raise $2.2 billion to $6.4 billion Lay discusses the November elections in OAB 251 on Oct. 15. over the next seven years. All revenues from the taxes will go into a protected “In last year’s budget deal, the gov- 30 would increase the access to higher eduaccount for K-12 and higher education. ernor and the democrats in the legislature cation.

It would also allow California schools to agreed to make the budget contingent on “For every full time equivalent pay back the $159.9 million in debt that is the passage of a ballot measure,” Lay ex- student (FTE), that’s two students, which owed. plained. He said the passage of Proposition means Proposition 30 passing gives room

for 10,000 FTE students,” Lay said.

“20,000 new students would be able to enroll, and this debt would be undone.”

Proposition 38, also known as ‘Munger Initiative’ or ‘Our Children, Our Future’, is a measure to increase income tax rates. It is estimated that as much as $10 billion could be raised but that money would be used for K-12, child care and early education. That funding would be on top of the already mandated funding of Proposition 98.

If Proposition 30 fails, it would trigger cuts to the education budget that would eliminate the funding for 75,000 full time equivalent which according to Lay is similar to 150,000 students.

“If Proposition 30 fails, the trigger amount for community colleges would be: we would not get the $50 million in growth and $159.9 million deferral buy back,” Lay said. “We also take a $338.6 million triggered cut or what is called workload reduction, which is one of those fancy names for kicking kids out of college.”

According to Lay, this loss would translate to a net loss in the current year of 170,000 students at the CSUs, UCs and community colleges or roughly 10 percent of California’s student body.

l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8

Reading and writing center aids students says his strongest skill is simplifying terms and making it relatable for students to fully understand the instructors assignments.

“You don’t have to be a genius to write an essay,” says Ybarra. “Students here have a lot of great ideas, but they think they aren’t a good writer.”

“The problems students have are organizing their essays or starting out their thesis statement,” says Avni Khaira, Reading and Writing Center tutor.

She initially needed help with her grammar, proofreading, developing additional paragraphs, writer’s block and not knowing how to expand her ideas.

Midterms are around the corner and some students “I came for help with my English class two years may be struggling with reading, writing and comprehenago,” says Wilson. “I like the people here and my grades sion. The Fresno City College Reading and Writing Center have improved.” has tutors available to help students with such problems.

Villabla says that on average students who use the The tutors can help you with any reading or writReading and Writing have a higher gpa by two points. ing assignment, for any class, at any part of the writing “I came here because a teacher said I could get exprocess. They can also help improve your skills in braintra credit,” says Chris Moore, Sports storming, reading comprehension, unMedicine major. Since then he has derstanding your given assignment, time been receiving help with “formatting management, developing ideas, learning paragraphs and sentences”. strategies, writing thesis statements, The tutors at the Reading and study skills, organizing a paper, proofWriting Center are trained to identify, reading skills, essay exams and other approach and help with english-asskills related to reading and writing. a-second-language students errors.

Cheri Yang, an accounting major, According to Nicolas Quintana, ESL says she came to the Reading and WritCoordinator at the Reading and Writing Center for help with an outline for ing Center, ESL students differ in her speech class. their problem areas.

“They were very helpful,” says Quintana says, “An ESL stuYang. “They corrected my words and dent may have subject/verb agreeoutline, punctuation and grammar.” ment errors, missed articles, spelling, There are five tutors per hour organization, punctuation and addiavailable for counseling, according to tional errors than a regular student.”

Tabitha Villabla, the Reading and Writ“My strongest skill is that I’m ing Center Coordinator. Two tutors are friendly,” says Khaira.

When tutoring specifically available for students that she asks questions, gives suggestions make appointments whereas two to and makes students feel comfortable. three tutors are assigned for walk-ins.

“We see about 100 students per Sessions by appointment are 25 minutes day,” says Villabla, “and 1,400 stulong and walk-in sessions are 20 minPhoto by Paul Schlesinger Reading and Writing Center coordinator Tabitha Vildents per semester.” utes. lalba helps a student with her English homework.

The Reading and Writing CenStudents usually receive one-onter is open Monday through Wednesone tutoring per session. The Reading Villabla stresses the importance to make an apday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friand Writing Center has 30 seats available for tutoring. pointment because that means there is no wait time for day 9 a.m. to noon.

The center is located upstairs from Each tutor goes through specific training before they begin the student, they have five minutes longer per session with the Tutorial Center.

To make an appointment please call tutoring students says Villabla. the tutor, they are planning their study time and they have 559-499-6042.

“We do a lot of question asking,” says Villabla, If you are unable to visit the center during those “And listening so we can adjust the tutoring center to their the freedom of rescheduling their appointment if needed.

Walk-in students may have to wait to be seen by a tutor or times, they do offer help online. Visit http://fccwise.fres(the students’) needs.” may be asked to return at a later time if the center is full. nocitycollege.edu/owc/.

You can also access this link The tutors also consider what the instructors are Marlow Wilson an office profession major, has been through the FCC website. looking for to help the student understand and organize attending the Reading and Writing center for two years. their thoughts, according to Villabla. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE Michael Ybarra, Reading and Writing Center tutor She says she utilizes the tutors multiple times per week.

BY SASHA BELL

sbell@therampageonline.com

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THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.17.2012

Mauritius mixes humor with superb acting

BY AUGUST PROMNITZ

dpromnitz@therampageonline.com

For lovers of the stage, Fresno City College’s production of Theresa Rebeck’s play “Mauritius” gave its last performance on Oct. 13.

Directed by FCC theater instructor Charles Erven, the play follows Jackie (Olivia Stemler) in her attempts to sell a rare set of stamps. In her bidding, she must outplay her sister, Mary (Bridget Manders) and numerous dealers and con men, but she has more knowledge and wile than they’re ready to give her credit for. Along the way, the plot twists multiple times right up until the final bow of the cast.

The first thing about this production of “Mauritius” is the cast. The hateful sibling rivalry between Jackie and Mary was well-shown to the point that the audience is taking sides, hating one character and loving the other. While Bridget Manders uses sentimentality as her weapon while playing the part of Mary, Olivia

Stemler gave a powerful performance of her own. She was able to demonstrate a tour de force of emotions in a powerhouse performance.

Meanwhile, much can also be said about Dennis (Mohammad Shehata). With just the right combination of humor and serious acting, he keeps the audience both entertained and involved throughout the production. His antics, of course, injected an interesting humor to piece. His comic antics could only be described as “Seinfeld-esque,” but they worked perfectly throughout.

The stage directions by Mary Romero were well-executed. Deploying a revolving set to change scenes, there is an interesting feel added to the con game being played out before the audience.

Meanwhile, costumes were well done and makeup was deployed perfectly.

Overall, this may be one of the best plays put on at FCC, but one would expect nothing less from Charles Erven.

Grade: A l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE

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Photo by Abel Cortez Jackie (Olivia Stemler, right) and Mary (Bridget Manders, left) argue on what they should do with the blue Mauritius stamp in the Fresno City College play “Mauritius.”

Community orchestra charms with variety

BY DAVID THAMMAVONGSA

dthammavongsa@therampageonline.com

Photo by David Thammavongsa Keith Pepper plays French Horn during his solo for Mozart’s Horn Concerto E Flat Major while Jeffery Sandersier, music director, conducts.

The Fresno City College Community Orchestra begins the fall semester highlighting hornist Keith Pepper. The program promptly began with Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a founder of film music.

This lively piece is from a film titled “The Sea Hawk” a 1940s pirates in the caribbean. Korngold was a prodigy and wrote enough music for two films in this score.

Conducting the orchestra is Jeffrey T. Sandersier, music director since 1991. Sandersier uses the versatility and range of the violins to replace the lack of wind instruments. The result is a pleasant and swooping take on this elaborate and complex piece of work. It is enjoyable to watch the talented and experienced group of violins effortlessly tackle their challenge.

Next is Keith Pepper on Horn Concerto E Flat Major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A professional piece, Pepper is front and center. A flashy piece with beautiful horn parts, Pepper nails his solo. The difficulty in trills executed well, the orchestra a bit powerful in their support.

Finally the Symphony No. 3 E Flat Minor “Rhenish” by Robert Schumann.

A Romantic Era work, it has five movements instead of the traditional four. Enjoyed from the powerful sonata to vigorous end, the orchestra with its 20 violinists and diversity of age, skill and occupation is a wonderful night filled with a wide variety of music.

The next Community Orchestra concert is Nov. 27 in the OAB Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. $8 general, $6 students and seniors. l TWITTER.COM/DTHAMMAVONGSA

John Hord and renowned guests to perform this Sunday

BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT

melliott@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College music instructor John Hord and three esteemed guests will perform an “Autumnal Cornucopia of Beautiful Sounds,” a free to attend community event in the Old Administration Building auditorium this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The program is designed to help raise money to purchase a Steinway concert grand piano for OAB auditorium performances.

“Valley Music Center, the Fresno representative for Steinway pianos, has graciously agreed to bring over one of their concert grand pianos,” said pianist John Hord. “This is a 9-foot long piano, so they are very big with just incredibly beautiful sounds.”

Donations will be accepted during the reception. “That’s a very expensive instrument; but an instrument of very high quality,” said Hord. “It could easily last up to a hundred years if it’s well cared for.”

Pianist John Hord; flutist Pam El-

lzey; soprano Terry Estabrook; and tenor Kirk Anderson will perform 11 various classical compositions from the likes of Debussy, Verdi and Gershwin.

“The idea of a cornucopia is that we now have a collection, an hour’s worth of short pieces,” said Hord. “I think that works best in a lot of musical settings.”

For 32 years Hord has dedicated time to conducting and performing for the Episcopal Church.

“When I’m not practicing or performing, the rest of my time is eaten up with teaching here at City College as well as in my private piano studio at home,” said Hord.

This February and March, Hord has the honor of judging piano performances at the state finals in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Renowned flutist Pam Ellzey will also perform Sunday. “She also plays for the Fresno Philharmonic wind quintet,” said Hord. “They perform a lot throughout the school system.”

Soprano Terry Estabrook is a profes-

Photo by Abel Cortez Music intructor and pianist John Hord will perform a free recital with fellow musicians this Sunday in the OAB auditorium. sional vocal performer. “She sang for the Washington, D.C. opera and she sang for the Kansas City opera,” said Hord. “She has a big opera background as well as a background in singing art song.”

Kirk Anderson, the program’s tenor, is a soloist and a member of Fresno Choral Artists. He has also performed with the Good Company Players.

“We are all committed to the belief

that it’s important to keep quality music in front of as many people as we can,” Hord said. “Recordings are good but they can only go so far. There is still something special about being in the hall when the actual vibrations from the performer are coming into you through the air.”

For more information, call the FCC box office at 559-442-8221. l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS

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10.17.2012

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

BIG FRESNO FAIR RETURNS Unique food:

BY PATRICK FORREST

pforrest@therampageonline.com

The Big Fresno Fair offers big food. There are the classics hits including funnel cake, BBQ corn and fried Twinkies. There were also some new items like garlic pizza, bread and fries.

Favorites included fried Twinkies, Pignotti’s meatball sandwiches and Garlicky’s garlic fries. Other good options include the funnel cakes, corndogs, churros and cotton candy.

As always, the fair food options were relatively expensive.

This year, officials offered a ‘Passport to Savings’ coupon book with over 40 coupons for food savings. With savings of 30 percent or more and a total value of more than $150, fairgoers could save a good deal of money by purchasing the coupon book.

Entertainment:

BY JERE KIRKLAND

jkirkland@therampageonline.com

The Big Fresno Fair was filled with entertainment this year. There were multiple sporting events and performances for the fairgoers to enjoy throughout the fairgrounds. The sporting events ranged from sheep riding, horse racing and event Alaskan pig racing. On the other side of the fair, there was an ESPN Sports Zone where there were multiple flat screen televisions showing various sporting events as well as arcade games that tested for athletic ability.

Also, appearing at the fair were Dr. Solars’ Medical Shows, magic shows, clowns and animal performances. There were also numerous concerts including Cheech and Chong with War, Clovis native, Ryan Beatty, Weezer, Chevelle, Foreigner and Tyga.

Even though this year’s fair has come to an end, there are still rides to remember. This year, there were over 50 rides for all ages. Fairgoers could purchase a $30 wrist band for unlimited rides throughout the two weeks of the fair.

Judy Sanchez, a Fresno resident, recommended the Super Shot Drop to young adults. The thrilling ride is one of the most popular attractions for fair-goers. The ride gently rises high and releases into an accelerated free fall.

Thrilling rides:

BY MAI LEE

mlee@therampageonline.com

This year, one of the newest rides offered at the fair is the Whitewater Log Flume. Unlike any other ride from last year, the attraction adds a new dimension of thrills. Fairgoer, John Herr, loved this new ride and is already looking forward to riding it again next year.

For those who couldn’t experience this year’s exciting new attractions, both rides will be returning next year alongside many other interesting and heart racking rides. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE

Grandmarie’s delivers americana on a plate

Photo by Paul Schlesinger Fairgoers walk through the carnival midway in front of the ferris wheel on Oct. 10 at the Big Fresno Fair.

BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT

melliott@therampageonline.com

Fresno’s Tower District is home to numerous decades-old businesses.

Among these is the Grandmarie’s, the notorious chicken pie shop.

Located across from the Tower Theater in the heart of the Tower District, the restaurant has served breakfast, lunch, dinner and baked goods to locals for over 50 years.

Breakfast dishes include classics such as chicken fried steak and eggs, apple, peach or strawberry sweet cakes, cinnamon and raisin French toast and Denver completes.

Lunch and dinner entrees include pot roast, honey ham steak, hamburgers, sandwiches and salads.

Homemade desserts include cream pies, fresh fruit pies, ice cream and apple crisp.

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can dare to try the fried chicken liver and eggs.

Sides are fairly inexpensive while entrée and À la carte selections range between $6 and $9.

Their signature chicken pot pies are prepared and baked daily in their massive oven.

The dinner entrée includes two buttermilk biscuits, whipped potatoes, vegetables and cole slaw.

The appearance of the entrée was acceptable, presenting a good collection of American favorites.

The chicken pie itself was uniquely delicious.

The bakers use flour liberally with the buttery crust to give the final product a slight hint of raw dough flavor to compliment the chicken and gravy’s texture and flavor.

Much of the atmosphere within the shop is maintained to add a classic diner component.

Three eight foot tall roosters hang from the walls, booth cushions are vibrantly colored lime and dark green and oldies music tied together the theme.

For good measure, two chefs bantered back and forth about the 49ers and Raiders.

The feel is unique

Photo by Paul Schlesinger Grand MariesChicken Pie Shop’s signature chicken pie dinner plate served with smashed potatoes, gravy, fiesta corn, cole slaw and two biscuits for $9.55. to the location, the quality of the food is excellent and their filling entrees are competitively priced.

The Chicken Pie Shop is a reflection of Americana on a plate.

The restaurant is located at 861 E. Olive Ave. and is open Monday through

Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information or to place an order, call 559-237-5042. l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS

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THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.17.2012

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Arte Américas exhibits Dia de los Muertos

BY KAYLA VALENZUELA

kvalenzuela@therampageonline.com

Dia de Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday meaning Day of the Dead. It is a way of honoring and remembering deceased loved ones by making food, dancing to music, and spending time with family and friends. People make altars in their homes and at their loved ones graves.

Bringing food to eat with the dead is common for people who celebrate this Mexican tradition each year.

Some families who leave food out and come back to nothing left on the plates believe that the remembered spirits returned and consumed the food.

For the past 25 years, the Arte Americas Art Gallery in Fresno has been celebrating the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit. Nov. 2 marks the Arte Americas big celebration that starts at the Fulton Mall and ends at the Arte Americas stage area. Usually about 800 people come out to celebrate

on Nov. 2. This year the art gallery is shooting for 1,000 people to celebrate. There are five different rooms that display art for the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit.

“About 40-50 artists have submitted their work for the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit,” said Nancy Marquez, board member at Arte Americas.

Arte Americas is offering Dia de Los Muertos workshops on Oct. 20 and Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each workshop is $15, 2 for $25. Materials are included, but you must contact the gallery to reserve your spot by calling 559-266-2623.

All art that is displayed at the gallery is from local and out-of-town artists. Many types of art is displayed, some more modern than other pieces. There is also student work that is displayed from different schools. “We promote local artists,” said Marquez.

This year there is a video room where visitors can go into and learn about the Dia de Los Muertos holiday.

Arte Americas wants the gallery to be fun and educational for everyone. Old children’s toys made in Mexico are on display in individual cases. Some art that is displayed at Arte Americas is also on sale to buy.

Gallery hours are Wednesdat through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Arte Americas is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The next exhibit coming up for Arte Americas is the American Sabor Latinos in U.S. Popular Music Nov. 17 to Jan. 20. This exhibit is coming from the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. For more information call 559-266-2623 or go to www.arteamericas.org.

The Arte Americas Art Gallery is located at 1630 Van Ness Ave.

l TWITTER.COM/KORRUPTEDKITTY

Photos by Kayla Valenzuela Piece on the left represents the political views of the artist comparing American government of the past and present, as a part of the “Dia de los Muertos” exhibit featured in the Arte Americas art gallery running from Sept. 6 to Nov. 4.

Café Corazón now offers food

BY PAUL SCHLESINGER

pschlesinger@therampageonline.com

Café Corazón in the Tower District now offers food choices to match their coffee. Café owner Leo Rios purchased an oven and hired a chef to help create new offerings.

Offerings include focaccias and something Rios and Chef Jacob “J” Martinez invented and call quiche au cru. Rios describes the invention as a quiche wrapped in croissant dough, making it portable for on-the-go snacking.

The focaccias are made daily and adorned with multiple toppings, usually in two varieties to suit customer preferences. Rios says, “We usually try to have one vegetarian or one meat option” daily, depending on the fresh ingredients they have available.

Both vegetarian and meat focaccias are made with different varieties of cheeses such as Fontina, Manchego, and Stilton and sauces ranging from an Italian-style pomodoro tomato sauce to a hummus made with black beans instead of traditional garbanzo beans. Café Corazón tries

to make sure that everything they create is very flavor oriented and well balanced. This is so that customers can “get a little bit of this and that in every bite” according to Rios.

The café has also creates custom loaves of artisan style bread. Chef Martinez has made bread using rye, quinoa and the ancient grain amaranth.

Chef Martinez even made challah with amaranth instead of egg batter. The breads are not made often though. Rios says “We kind of make them sporadically” and customers buy them just as often.

Both Leo Rios and Chef Martinez emphasize on the need to make their food offerings using the freshest ingredients possible.

The dough used to create all of their food products is made with flour that is freshly milled every week at the café.

This relationship didn’t just begin with Chef Martinez’s hiring; Rios and Martinez have known each other since the days of when Café Corazón was on the Fulton Mall.

Leo Rios and Chef Martinez share a standard for quality and that is how they met. Rios says that Jay has always been quality oriented and “he was looking for a really good coffee and stumbled upon us.”

Since they share the same philosophy for quality, Leo Rios and Chef Martinez have clicked, working as a culinary team. Both Rios and Chef Martinez are very detail and quality oriented. Rios describes how in-depth they get when talking about what makes food good, “When we start talking, we get down to very specific things about what makes something good.”

They share the philosophy that food just needs to be very good, high quality and fresh.

Over the years, customers have come to expect this high level of quality from anything that comes from Café Corazón.

“Whatever we make, people just know its good,” said Rios. “They just come and whatever we have they just like and buy because it’s good.” l TWITTER.COM/PAULSCH_PHOTOG

Photo by Paul Schlesinger Chef J Martinez crumbles Cotija cheese to top off Cafe Corazon’s house foccacia with avocado salsa and a raddish confit.

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10.17.2012

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

B95 radio show launches hip-hop career

BY JERE KIRKLAND

jkirkland@therampageonline.com

Fresno has a Central California music savior. B95’s DJ Kay Rich is the man that has taken the job. DJ Kay Rich is the DJ for B95’s “Homegrown Show.”

Kay Rich is a San Jose native that came to the Central Valley to study business marketing at California State University, Fresno.

In 2007, Rich entered a B95 Mixer Idol, a DJ competition that looked for a local DJ to mix on the radio. The competition was voted on by the public with a wild card selection in each round. Being from San Jose, he did not have a fan base so he was not voted into the next round.

Rich earned the wild card selection in each round. In the final round he finished in second place. Despite the loss, he was called back three months after the competition and has been a part of the station ever since.

The “Homegrown Show” was created by Greg Hoffman and DJ John Magic to give local artists an outlet to share their music with B95 listeners. In 2009, two years after he joined B95 he became the “Homegrown Show” DJ after DJ John Magic. Once he revamped the show’s structure the show has become one of the most popular shows the station produces.

“Before I changed the show, the “Homegrown Show” had barely any hits on the website. Since then, the site is the most popular site of the B95 show,” said Rich.

“On a good day I can get 19 to 20 records on the show,” said Kay Rich. “Before, the show would play just about 10 to 12 records in a hour.”

Outside of the “Homegrown Show” Rich presents CenCal Everything. “It is a mixtape and Central California local music movement. I put together 40 artists, producers and engineers from the valley and put them all together on one project. It’s never been done before,” said Rich.

Some of the local artists that are featured on the CenCal Everything mixtape are Spaz, The Kid Ryan, Halo the Human, Syrup, Diego Redd, Omar Aura, L!Z. The most successful record from the mixtape is

Photo by Abel Cortez DJ Kay Rich from B95 FM hosts the Homegrown Show on Oct. 3. #Bounce by L!Z. #Bounce is currently playing on 15 different radio stations throughout California.

“Rich is a very humble guy. He has a good heart and everything he does is with good intentions,” said CenCal Everything artist L!Z. He created “CenCal Everything” to bring the Central Valley artists together creatively. “CenCal Everything” is awesome,” said CenCal Everything artist Omar Aura.

“It’s just dope to have talented people from your area, and be able to work with them and create good music.” Aura

continued.

Rich’s goal with the “Homegrown Show” and “CenCal Everything” is to provide a platform for local artists to get noticed and signed by major record labels. “I want people to say CenCal as well as NorCal and SoCal,” said Rich.

“I truly truly believe that’s why I’m here, to get these guys’ music in order to contend with the other areas and hopefully get record deals,” said Rich. l TWITTER.COM/JEREKIRKLAND

OPINION

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.17.2012

Campus Voices “How do you feel about Proposition 30?”

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DISCLAIMER: News Editor, Kaitlin Regan, recused herself from this editorial to remain objective in her other reportings.

VOTE YES ON PROP 30: OR YOU’LL REGRET IT

BY RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD editorial@therampageonline.com

Stephan Ibal Undeclared “It should pass because the cuts are going to be hard. It’s a struggle enough just to get your classes. It will make it a hard environment (budget cuts).”

Bailey Osmere Science “I think it’s good so that we could sustain our classes, and so the classes that may get cut can stay in so we have more options for our major.”

Jaime Bautista Architecture “If it’s a proposition that’s going to help the students then I think it’s good. There are a lot of students that need the help. If it’s necessary, then I think we should encourage it.”

You better get yourself a job, because if Proposition 30 fails on Nov. 6, chances are there won’t be enough room in Fresno City College for all of us.

Students are notoriously apathetic when it comes to voting; however, this election year is the most important one you’ve ever witnessed in your life. Aside from the presidential election, the California education system is depending on Proposition 30 to pass if it is to continue to function as we know it.

In the past few years, billions of dollars have been cut from educational funding to help the sinking state economy. Fewer seats are offered in classes; fewer class sections are available; fewer university acceptance letters are issued, and academic programs are swept away.

Finally we have a chance to stop it, or at least slow down the depletion.

Proposition 30 aims to divert more funds to California education. The majority of funds will go to K-12 education, but substantial funds will go to higher education, and it will prevent trigger cuts that could cripple the college system, and more specifically, the community college system in California.

The trigger cuts are already set in the law to balance the budget one way or another. If Proposition 30 fails, $308 million will get automatically cut from California education.

Fresno City College will be impacted drastically.

Vice President of Administrative Services, Sheryl Sullivan said, “It is about 40” classes that will be cut from Fresno City College if Proposition 30 does not pass.

Some say that number is higher.

“We are preparing for a workload re-

Angel Grove Rejects My budget cuts will destroy the students of FCC; NOTHING can stop me!!!!

Ambee Smith Nursing “If it goes directly to K-12 and community colleges then it sounds good.”

WRITTEN BY FRANK LOPEZ PHOTOS BY ABEL CORTEZ

duction which translates into FTES,” said Interim Vice President of Instruction Kelly Fowler. “For our college, we are looking at approximately fifty to sixty sections that may be impacted if the proposition fails.”

Which classes? Which Programs?

We don’t know yet. Things are so bad that the State Center of Community Colleges District, your district, is not releasing a class schedule for spring semester until after the Nov. 6 election.

Students with priority registration begin spring registration on Nov. 8. That means they have two days to plan out five months of their lives.

Hundreds of students, including several here in the Rampage, are expecting spring semester to be their last at FCC before graduating. If Proposition 30 fails, many of us won’t be able to get the classes we need to finish, and we may be stuck here for another semester or more.

This could cause some students to become discouraged and not continue

their education further. It could also cause a drain on class availability if people retake classes they’ve already passed, or take classes they don’t need just to pass the time.

Will taxes go up with Proposition 30? Yes. Will it affect you? No, not really.

Taxes will only be raised on people who make more than $250,000 and above.

As a student, most could assume that isn’t you. Sales tax, however, will increase as well. In fact, it will increase a whole one-quarter of a cent. That’s right, onefourth of a penny on taxable goods.

So basically, everything in California except food will see an extra quarter cent per dollar increase.

In return for these taxes, California education will get $6 billion annually.

It’s a temporary increase to help education stay afloat. The idea is, by the time Proposition 30 expires, it is assumed that the economy will have recovered, and education can stand on its own two feet again.

What do we have to gain? Just the knowledge that no more classes will be cut, and the CSU and UC systems can be free to enroll new students looking to transfer; tuition won’t increase any more than it already has. In fact, current full-time CSU students will receive almost $500 back for paying the increased tuition for the fall semester.

In the end, it would seem like an easy “Yes” vote, but since students are not the most involved voters in America, we run the risk of the rich people who will be taxed and non-students who might not care at all, casting the vote for you.

If you don’t vote ”Yes” on Proposition 30, you just might regret it. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE

By: David Thammavongsa and Troy Pope

" . .

Except Prop 30...

SILENCE, miserable minion!

Don’t worry oh evil one; Young people don’t know how to vote.

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OPINION

10.17.2012

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

Muslim stereotypes hinder acceptance

BY PATRICK FORREST

pforrest@therampageonline.com

It seems deficient to argue that a generalized Muslim anger explains violence from Indonesia to Bangladesh, Iran and Senegal.

It’s like arguing that authoritarian strains in Christianity could explain apartheid, Argentine juntas, and the rise of Adolf Hitler.

Nevertheless, the meme sold, and it still sells. Last week, Newsweek’s cover splashed “Muslim Rage” in large type above a photograph of shouting men. Inside came advice on how to survive “Islamic hate.”

Cable news channels—Fox and MSNBC alike—showed similar images, hour after hour.

By now, many Americans must find nothing remarkable about the conflation of Muslim faith and contorted faces.

A short film on YouTube, called “Innocence of Muslims,” is the cause of the latest outbreak of violence. An Egyptian Coptic Christian on probation in California for bank fraud is apparently behind the movie. The film is offensive to followers of Islam, which was his intent. The dialogue

is laced with sectarian slander, and the low-budget aesthetic recalls “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”

The film came out in June, but took weeks to reach extremists in North Africa.

In Libya, on Sept. 11, attackers armed with rocket-propelled grenades carried out a strike that may have been pre-planned, killing U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the first ambassador to be killed on duty since 1979.

And this is of course a terrible occurrence and thoughts go out to the family and friends, but this is again no reason to blame an entire religion of an estimated 2.1 billion people.

And that shows up in numbers as well; more than eight out of 10 (83 percent) of Americans say that self-proclaimed Christians who commit acts of violence in the name of Christianity are not really Christians. In contrast, 48 percent of Americans say that self-proclaimed Muslims who commit acts of violence in the name of Islam are not really Muslims.

According to the Public Religion Research Institute, nearly nine out of 10 (88 percent) Americans agree that the United States was founded on the idea of religious freedom for everyone, including religious groups that are unpopular. Ninety-five percent of Americans agree that all religious books should be treated with respect even if we don’t share the religious beliefs of those who use them.

As with other previously marginalized religious groups in U.S. history, Americans are grappling with the questions Islam poses to America’s founding principles and way of life.

But honestly, there isn’t a lot to try to understand to get inside the mind of Muslim beliefs. For starters, the basics are similar to many other religions, give to the

poor or needy and pray to worship God. Other than that there is only a pilgrimage to take to Mecca, fast during the holy month of Ramadan and the most basic saying the creed of Islam or Shahadah.

Just like in most religions, God wants us to be telling the truth and not to take from others what rightfully belongs to them.

We are to respect the dignity of every person and help especially those who are not capable of helping themselves, such as

Makeup is bad for your skin The majority of the people who wear makeup are women.

There’re a few men who choose to wear makeup as well. But how safe is makeup for your skin? Can wearing makeup cause skin reactions, cancer or wrinkles if applied daily?

Many people wear makeup all day long. Many also forget to cleanse the skin before going to bed.

Researchers say that wearing makeup on a daily basis can be bad for your skin.

Martha Morris, a beauty

consultant who works from home selling many beauty products said, “Makeup can become bad for your skin if you don’t take control of how much you use.

You should only apply the use according to the time of the day,” Many people forget that makeup has some rules. There’s daytime makeup and nighttime makeup.

During the day, makeup should be applied less and heavier makeup should only be applied at nighttime.

“It’s also very important

to follow the steps into cleaning the face before going to bed. It shouldn’t matter how tired you are. You must cleanse the skin every day,” said Morris.

Keep in mind that makeup is all made out of chemicals. The less makeup you apply to your skin, the less chemicals you’re exposing your skin to.

Experts say that the chemicals used to make makeup are the same ones that cause skin cancer and cause premature aging. Also, eye makeup can cause eye infections.

Photo by Ramiro Gudino

widows, orphans, and the poor. All three of the major religions believe in Golden Rule: doing to others what we wish others do unto us. And they all foster modesty, moderation and honest work.

Many things that happen around the world may be terrible. But just as a word of wisdom, it needs to be viewed as the exception not the rule. And we must remember that no matter how different, all people deserve our respect. l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8

BY DAISY MARTINEZ

dmartinez@therampageonline.com

Experts advise people to use more organic makeup. Everyone who wears makeup should research the chemicals that makeup is made of as every skin can react differently to each chemical.

For example when wearing lipstick, if it gets into the mouth and then into your stomach, it can cause harm to the bloodstream.

One way people can easily be exposed to bacteria is through mascara. Mascara should only be used for six weeks and shouldn’t be shared. People who share mascara can end up with severe eye

infections.

Some of the chemicals in makeup are, parabens, sodium laurel sulphate. This chemicals are also found in shampoo, soap, toothpaste and shaving cream.

They have been linked to cause skin irritation.

People choose to wear makeup to look their best, but it’s best to balance what is best for your health and for your looks.

Make the right choices when buying beauty products. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.17.2012

OPINION

SHOULD ELECTION DAY BE A FEDERAL HOLIDAY?

PRO

BY DAVID THAMMAVONGSA

dthammavongsa@therampageonline.com

Giving people the day to vote would be the first public holiday in the United States.

The nature of a public holiday is that businesses close and workers are entitled to a day off with regular pay.

The United States doesn’t have a single holiday of this caliber. Australia, Germany and Canada, however, do. It’s not a new idea. Incorporating the importance of participation in our democracy with a holiday sounds like something the Founding Fathers of this country should have designed.

Federal holidays are different from public holidays in that federal holidays apply to federal employees. Some states observe the 11 federal holidays and some don’t.

Currently, various states have defined different laws giving people the time to vote. However, these laws vary around a few hours, paid and unpaid.

Two hours to vote is still not enough to increase voter participation.

A new voting day will not hurt businesses because if everyone knows business will close on a particular day, everyone will do their shopping before or after that day.

In the last 64 years voter participation in presidential elections fluctuates between 50-65 percent. So, in a way, one could argue that 47 percent of americans don’t really matter. They choose not to let themselves matter. But is that right?

It’s a big argument that doesn’t need to happen if we can solve the lack of opportunity in voting.

The problem of voter turnout is an issue not addressed on the national level.

Everyone is so busy playing the game within the context of those realities that they’re not pushing for the reform this country needs. Creating a national holiday for this should not be surprising, however the arguments as to who truly benefits from this holiday can be politicized.

Political groups are always finding new ways to win. When you can’t even persuade a vote, groups take steps toward preventing voting altogether. This tends to be very true in this upcoming election. But it’s not new, and throughout periods of U.S. history, cheap attempts to win elections have existed, some successful.

There are groups of people, (usually wealthy people) who don’t want

less wealthy people deciding what they do with their wealth (taxes). It’s a fight for our own way of life, an infinite constant struggle between two sides that both have different ideas about these two ideas: What we feel entitled to, and what we think other people are entitled to.

It should be well understood that when it comes to voting everyone should play the game, but many don’t.

Anyone who doesn’t let their opinion to be a part of the whole is letting other people decide what’s best for them. The coined term is “Giving away your vote.”

We often hear about “encouraging people to vote” but that seems odd in the sense that it should be a duty, and when the importance and impact of voting is understood, it’s a no-brainer. We use this phrase because those who wish to see more voters are trying to be nice and not mean to people who aren’t voting.

Voters who meet people that don’t vote is often frustrating, it’s like meeting someone who doesn’t shower or doesn’t stop at red lights. That lack of understanding some basic things as to how we should go about our lives the people around you. Showers and red lights are good things, voting isn’t much different and should be thought of in that same way.

We do these things for ourselves and for others.

Beyond the politics, this day can create a true cultural event. Eligible voters go to vote, but also go for the festivities. Political camps would get together and celebrate with food and music. It will be a day to observe our own democracy in action. Much like other holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s a time to bring people together.

So, when is it time for drastic change? Every four years there are calls for a “Voting Day” yet none are successful. Recently, Rainn Wilson made a pitch for “Voting Day,” where he criticized the tradition of Tuesday elections and combining Veteran’s Day with this new holiday.

Democracy Day, Voting Day, whatever you want to call it, will immediately create a new future in our elections. It’s a worthwhile idea. But how to make it happen? Well, voter ID laws are a farce and those laws were passed all over the nation...

Do we truly undervalue our own democracy? This seems true looking at voter turnout in our elections. We can only take back democracy when we, well, take back democracy. That starts with simply valuing it they way we’ve all wanted to. Let’s make a day of it. l TWITTER.COM/DTHAMMAVONGSA

CON

BY MATTHEW ELLIOTT

melliott@therampageonline.com

The United States government should not enact an Election Day holiday. Multiple states already have worker protections in place to allow for time off and paid leave. In addition, Americans are provided with sufficient opportunities to vote leading up to an election.

Voting is a choice, not a mandate.

The purpose of a federal holiday is for each and every citizen to honor a particular moment in time or a specific figure of history.

Americans are explicitly given the right to vote in the Constitution, and legal accommodations already exist to ensure that citizens have an opportunity to cast their ballot during each election.

C o m e Election Day, some consider the tight schedule of the average working man’s Tuesday to be a hindrance upon their ability to vote.

There are numerous factors that help address the voting public’s needs.

These laws not only mandate time off and worker compensation, but also provide opportunities to cast a ballot by voting early or by voting absentee.

Although there is no federal guideline to accommodate for working Americans on Election Day, many states including California have specific rules in place to ensure that employees who wish to vote at their designated polling station can do so inconsequentially.

California law requires that employers provide their workers with time off either at the start or at the end of their scheduled shift in order to provide them with an ample opportunity to vote. Employees can also receive up to two hours of paid leave.

However, there are still over a dozen states that fail to provide accommodations for working voters looking to make the time to cast a ballot on Election Day. In those states, voters are expected

13

to risk taking time off on a Tuesday in order to vote at their polling place, losing a portion of their paycheck while risking their job security in the process.

Voting is a fundamental right and must be accommodated for. It is clear that federal guidelines for voting should be modified so that all prospective voters have an equal opportunity to vote at their designated polling station on Election Day. There are currently 11 permanent federal holidays. These holidays include Memorial Day, George Washington’s Birthday, Independence Day and Labor Day. In each case, these holidays are intended to bring an entire nation together in remembrance of a particular moment or a specific figure of our history.

Some argue that a federal holiday for elections would encourage greater voter turnout. However, voting is not a mandate for American citizens. Therefore, elections should not be acknowledged through the congressional enactment of an additional holiday.

For this reason, statistics demonstrating higher voter turnout in countries where the day of an election is a holiday are irrelevant. The democratic process should be encouraged. But those who choose not to vote should not be unduly rewarded with a skewed and narrow holiday intended for some, but not all Americans.

If voter participation was mandatory for each and every American citizen, then the enactment of a federal holiday could be encouraged. However, in a republic that honors a citizen’s freedom to abstain from voting, an Election Day holiday would discriminately target specific segment of the population; a segment of Americans that accounts for less than half of the republic.

Such action by Congress would contradict established precedent for federal holidays and would undermine the reasoning behind existing holidays. We should be no more encouraged to enact a federal holiday for an election than we would be in enacting a federal holiday to honor drag racing or fly fishing.

Setting aside the discriminatory nature of a prospective Election Day holiday, if Congress were to enact such a day, the burden placed upon our economy would not go unnoticed.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census data, the nation employs over three million federal workers. Working an average of 7.3 hours per day, an additional federal holiday would see the loss of nearly 22 million man hours of productivity. This would affect paychecks and would adversely impact consumer spending habits, thereby slowing economic progress.

While many countries hold national elections on holidays, Americans are at liberty to stay at home. In addition, those who wish to cast their ballots have ample opportunity to do so. If changes need to be made nationally, those changes should relate to job security and compensation.

The notion that congress should create an Election Day holiday on behalf of a minority of the population to encourage voter turnout is unjustifiable. l TWITTER.COM/PATH_OF_LOTUS

14

OPINION

Transportation You have options

Are you struggling with high gas prices and worrying yourself to death because of cost? Are you just about ready to give up?

You are not alone. Many Fresno City College students are considering alternatives to driving their cars to school every day. Students are considering taxis, buses, trains and simply riding their bikes to school. No matter your transportation of choice, what counts is that you’re comfortable with it.

Despite the efficiency of other means, cars remain practically ubiquitous as the most popular method yet others are steadily rising. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, 86 percent of Americans used a car, van or truck to get to work. Locally, Fresno was among the highest rated carpool cities with a 15.1 percent in 2005.

Highest among the reasons for choosing alternative transportation is associated cost. The price of gas is forcing students to pursue other ways to get to campus. Today’s prices reach as high as $4.69 while the price a little over a month ago was merely $4.09.

Of the available methods, taxis and trains tend to be the least popular despite their presence in the valley.

There happens to be more than 20 taxi services available in Fresno; however, the general impression that taxi fares are high as well as unfamiliar seems to deter students. The taxi isn’t as convenient as taking a car, but it proves to be one of the fastest despite the 10 minute wait time after calling the taxi company.

Additionally, one saves on the gas prices that comes with owning a car. As for the pricing of a taxi, the initial fee is $3.40 for merely stepping into the vehicle while the additional charge is about $0.40 per minute or per mile depending on the service.

“Students have taken the taxi to school, but more go to State (CSU Fresno),” said Driver No. 15, an employee of the Clovis Express, about the use of taxis by students. “It isn’t a common thing though.”

BY CHAD ARMBRUSTER

carmbruster@therampageonline.com

All people are different.

Everyone has a different cultural and social background. Some may have experienced self-segregation or discrimination from others. With this, we should all be attentive to the difference of others among us.

In the words of Eric Roth, screenwriter for the movie Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.”

I connect personally with this quote

PAY OFF

10.17.2012

The train is less popular than the taxi or any of the other transportations at FCC due, yet again, to its unfamiliarity with the students. It is a means reserved for those who live in neighboring cities.

There are amenities that accompany the patrons of the train including coffee, food and Wi-Fi service; however, the limitations outweigh the positive aspects of it such as the occasional derailment.

The train times aren’t very frequent so the choice to buy tickets at certain times is limited. It would be more effective in larger cities. A ticket could range from about $10.00 from Hanford to Fresno round-trip and $40.00 from Bakersfield to Fresno round-trip The car stands to be the most common method for students. This fact is evident by the amount parked in the lots as well as the amount of complaints that circulate through the campus. Rising gas prices are a major deterrent for those that aren’t independently wealthy. Bob Boatright, a new student at FCC pays about seventy dollars a week for gas on his Toyota SUV. He remains satisfied with using his car though.

“You don’t have to wait since everything will be on your own time,” Boatright said.

Certainly the fastest mode of transportation with freedom as a main perk, it is also the most costly. Fresno Area Express (FAX) is available to the students that cater to both the urban and suburban population and it is the largest mass public transportation provider in the valley.

With sixteen routes in Fresno and three in Clovis, FAX strives to maintain availability to locals from most areas of town.

Five of those routes travel within the vicinity of FCC thus making it a popular mode for some who attend.

Of the many benefits to taking the bus, the cheap cost is the most prominent. Contrary to the high gas prices, the cost for a monthly metro pass currently remains at $48.00 while a daily fare to board is at $1.25.

Coins and cash are the accepted forms for payment with many students opting to utilize tokens sold by the FAX station. As with any medium, it has its fair share of drawbacks.

“It gets you around and it’s better for parking,” student Erika Melendez said of her experience with the bus.

“It also gets really packed sometimes.”

Unlike in major cities, the transit doesn’t run twenty-four hours and limits itself to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on

BY AKEEM SPEARMAN

aspearman@therampageonline.com

weekdays or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. Most circulate rather quickly with certain buses arriving every 15 to 30 minutes. There are occasional delays and multiple stops which could halt any student that is running late. However, the cheap cost, lack of trouble finding parking, and the fairly reliable service makes the bus preferable for some students.

A newly established bike club indicates the increasing amount of students who ride their bikes to school. The prospect appeals to students since riding a bike is essentially free. Conversely, cycling to school hinders the user depending on the luggage and equipment their classes require.

Alternatively, the weather can be an external variable that affects the rider especially with the extreme heat and cold that is present in the area. Anyone who utilizes the bike as their main transport would understand the benefits and downsides.

“I save money and I don’t live very far from the school,” Will Cendana, a first semester college student at Fresno City, said.

Similar to a car, Will believes that riding the bike gives students more freedom and control of their time.

Without the need for gas or parking permits, it would appear that bikers have to only worry about repair cost.

Cendana said, “I only need my bike repaired every few months.” l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE

Celebrate differences -- Diversity Club leads the way ment and discrimination. The campus offers Diversity club where LGBT students can come and congregate socially with each other. The meetings inform students about upcoming events and fundraisers for the LGBT community.

Diversity Club President John Cervantez encourages family and supporters to come to the next club rush and join the club.

Meetings are held every Friday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Staff Dining Hall.

The Diversity Club and ASG have made an Tuition costs shouldn’t stop you effort to create a safe zone for LGBT students. from reaching your goals in life. By A safe zone would be a joining the Army National Guard, place which students of you’ll receive the money you need victimization or abuse to help pay for college as well as the could go to seek further skills and training you need to get the help and counseling from specially trained indicareer you want. If you’re looking viduals. to get through college, with the However, the acArmy National Guard, you can! tions of ASG and their placement of monetary value for Safe Zones have decreased the chances of turning this dream into reality. Something of such importance as student safety should never be put on the back burner.

“The budget did not have the funds available,” said Grisanti Valencia, former ASG representative and FCC student.

The biggest tool we have as an LGBT community is our voice.

because of its openness to variety and difference. One should not assume that the person next to them is LGBT or not. Don’t assume one’s sexual identity has to be cookie cutter perfect.

Fresno City College student John Vue says he made it through his life bullied as a victim of hate from fellow students growing up. Now he feels awkward seeing the same people from his early life going to college.

FCC has a zero tolerance for harass-

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We have to stick together and fight for our right to be here and to be treated as equals while at FCC. Without our voice as a community, we are powerless in our fight for LGBT rights.

Having grown up in Washington, I have seen the difference between Washington and California. I noticed people in California have less of a social connection to their LGBT community. In Washington, the community is very open to LGBT life.

They accept it as a normality of life. Maybe in another 10 years, we will be able to see some of the social openness as I came to accept at Seattle.

Dealing with things like coming out to your family can be undoubtedly one of the hardest transitions. Looking back into my coming out experience in the 1990s seems like a distant time warp for me. Back then, things like homosexuality were still being treated like a curable disease. Either you were out socially with your friends and family or you were in the closet.

I believe in personal expression as long as no one gets hurt. But when does it go too far? I like to think of all people as equal and find no harm in talking to strangers that need a friend to talk to.

What does the future hold for LGBT? I would like to have some bright rainbow colored flags that match the local Tower area for support of our LGBT family. The best way to make changes and have our voices heard is to support our loved ones and be a part of the change.

My belief is to not judge people because of their past and to look toward the future, despite the curve ball life throws at us. l TWITTER.COM/ARMBRUSTER_CHAD

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 10.17.2012

SPORTS

15

Coach Bluth SOCCER PROGRAMS SEARCHING FOR STRIDE prepares team for playoffs

BY PABEL LOPEZ

plopez@therampageonline.com

Photo by Paul Schlesinger. San Joaquin Delta College Mustangs defender Justus Williams No. 12 goes

for the header against the Rams during the game on Oct. 12 at the soccer field near Ratcliffe Stadium. The Rams defeated the Mustangs 3-0. The Rams face American River College in Sacramento on Oct. 19. With the win, the Rams improved their record to 10-4-1.

Photo by Paul Schlesinger. Rams women’s soccer midfielder Deidra Rueda No. 3 looks for an open teammate as defender Midi Lyons looks on during team practice on Oct. 12 at the soccer field near Ratcliffe Stadium. The Rams practiced after learning that the West Hills College Eagles forfeited due to a lack of players eligible to play because of injuries and one of the players had quit according to Rams head coach Oliver Germond. The Rams will play the College of the Sequoias Giants on Friday in Visalia.

The Fresno City College Cross Country team competed at the Santa Barbara Invitational on Oct. 12. The Rams have run this race for 12 years. The meet brought together 17 schools mostly from South California.

Daniel Guerrero from College of Sequoias finished first place overall in the men’s four mile race while Grace GrahamZamudio from Glendale finished first in the women’s 5K race.

Freshman Marty Rowell led FCC runners with a 14th place finish. He ran the four miles in 22:46.93. FCC runner Germay Tesfai finished in 19th place with a time of 22:59.70 On the women’s part of the event, FCC sophomore Sandra Navarro finished in 45th place. She finished with a time of 23:55.35.

This event wrapped up the regular season for the team who will battle for the conference championship on Oct. 25 at Woodward Park.

The 2012 season started on Sept. 8 at Woodward Park and has taken the FCC team all around Northern California for meets.

The men came into the Santa Barbara Invitational in fourth place in the standings. They have been trailing College of Sequoia throughout the whole season. And this event was no different as C.O.S. finished in fourth place for the event.

The top runner on the men’s side is Germay Tesfai and the top runners on the women’s side are Megan Gerbrandt and Sandra Navarro.

Coach Bluth hopes that these runners can help lead the team to a conference championship and further.

Germay Tesfai, a sophomore runner for FCC, has been the first Ram across the finish line for the meets at Salinas, and Golden Gate Park. He was also the first overall at the Crystal Springs event with a time of 21 minutes and 25 seconds.

Tesfai, who came in 19th place at Santa Barbara said, “It was not my best race, but it was not my last either.”

“I feel that my performance has been really well this season along with my teammates.” He added, “Despite the bad race I had last week I am confident in progressing with my team.”

The event was hosted by Santa Barbara City College and took place on Leadbetter Beach and Shoreline Park .The Santa Barbara course is composed of various terrains. Runners transition from beach running to grass throughout the race.

“It’s the slowest track because the runners run on sand and soft grass so the times tend to be slower,” said Bluth.

In the following weeks the Rams will compete in their respective Conference championship at Woodward Park where the top two teams advance to the Norcal championship at San Mateo.

Bluth says, “That’s the big thing now, last week doesn’t mean as much. It’s about what’s ahead of us.”

Tesfai is also looking toward the future. He says he sees these upcoming races as “an opportunity for the team to leave a mark that will shock a lot of people.” l TWITTER.COM/PABELLOPEZ

16

SPORTS

10.17.2012

THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM

NEW WATER POLO COACH FACES UPHILL BATTLE

BY TOMAS KASSAHUN

tkassahun@therampageonline.com

Winning has been scarce for this year’s Fresno City College women’s water polo team.

Under new head coach Gianna Rossi, the team currently holds a record of 2-15. The Rams’ two wins came against Sacramento City College early in the season and against Laney College in their latest game.

The Rams hosted American River College on Oct. 10 and lost 14-5. Freshman Marissa Vargas led the Rams with three goals in that match while Kellie Flores and Ashley Lucas scored one goal each. After the loss, Rossi remained optimistic as she had all been all season long.

“Even though we lost, we played really well. Our movement on offense was good. We executed very well. It was a solid game even though the score didn’t reflect that,” said Rossi. “It was our best played game. We are moving forward as a team.”

Following the resignation of Janell Odom, Rossi took over and became the second head coach of the Rams’ water polo team. Rossi comes to FCC with plenty of water polo experience.

As a division I player at UC Irvine, Rossi held a school record with 64 goals and was named Big West Player of the Year. She

Photo by Paul Schlesinger. Rams goalkeeper Lauren Rocha prepares to block a throw from American River College player Mackenzie Kaplan during their match on Oct. 10 at Fresno High School. The Rams lost to the Beavers 14-5.

graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology and a minor in Education. Coming into this season, Rossi wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I expected challenges but I didn’t know what challenges to expect,” said Rossi. “Next year we will be better because we know the challenges. And we

have changed our offense from the beginning of the season. We had a standard offense. We had one player in the middle.”

And on a team with just two sophomores, Rossi believes there is plenty of potential for growth. One area of the team that she wants to see improve is the passing game.

“The biggest thing we could improve is our passing. We need to learn how to pass under pressure,” said Rossi.

Although the hopes of a conference title have slipped away at this point, Rossi is pushing her team to win as many games as possible.

“We want to win games

and rank as high as we can,” she said.

Water polo began at FCC in 2003. The team’s last winning record in the overall standings was in 2008 with a record 22-4.

The Rams also had a solid season in 2006 when they placed third in the Big 7 conference, second at Nor-Cals and fourth in the state. l TWITTER.COM/THERAMPAGEGUY