CAMPUS EXPANDS PG. 5
KEYS TO SUCCESS PG. 6
PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS
PG. 3
SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE’S STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922
VOLUME 102 ISSUE 2 MARCH 7, 2018
HEATHER ON THE RECORD
Now s not the time to talk; now it s time to act Heather Roegiers
Editor-in-Chief · kroegiers.express@gmail.com
We are being conquered. The foundational safeguards that maintain our nation’s liberty are being chipped away by an evil force, and this evil now has the United States’ final defense against tyranny in its sights... ...Our unity. Gun debates are blazing the internet. On one side are the gun-grabbing zealots who want to ban everything that offends them. On the other side are the monsters who don’t care about dead children. These caricatures don’t describe most people in reality, but this is the gun debate we’re having. We’re not having it with each other—we’re having it about each other, and these straw monsters have us so distracted that all of our political efforts cancel out against each other. We have lost the power to impose pressure on authority from a united middle class. It’s rare to find an American who favors the direction our country is headed, but we aren’t addressing the issues we have the power to solve. Instead we debate the things we can’t agree on. Gun regulations are kept at bay by the NRA’s campaign contributions, but election finance reform is not discussed. Our common problem remains shrouded behind the problems that cause more resistance, more angst, more engagement. Maybe you agree, and you’re saying, “Yes, our country’s being destroyed... by the Russians,” or the “multinational corporations,” or “multicultural Marxists,” or the Kochs or Soros or Trump or the altright, or anti-fascists. Instead, let me suggest a villain whose invisible hand has played us against each other since the dawn of civilization: our own brains. When we receive information, we choose how to interpret it based on a series of shortcuts or cognitive biases. If it coincides with our pre-existing beliefs, it gets to bypass our rational mind and go straight to imprinting itself into our
Editor-in-Chief Heather Roegiers Managing Editor Vince Ybarra News Editor Jason Pierce Features Editor Casandra Garcia Sports Editor Nick Pecoraro Photo Editor Bobby Castagna
belief systems, and we even get a dopamine reward from the striatum, like a drug. On a compulsive level, our brains are built to cherry-pick information that confirms our beliefs. If the information challenges our pre-existing beliefs, and pushes us to change our views, then we get the backfire effect. Our beliefs are still reinforced, but now to withstand a perceived attack. The resulting feeling is negative, like an injury. This is because changing our beliefs can also change our social standing. From an evolutionary standpoint, it’s more important to have a popular view than a true or logical one. These biases are inescapable. No amount of intelligence or self-awareness has any effect. Simply put, we can’t hold out hope to change each other’s minds. But we can reframe the conversation onto our common cause. I know guns don’t just get up and kill people on their own, but they also don’t get up and save a democracy on their own, so if you think we need to protect democracy, how do I convince you to start? I don’t want the government to have a monopoly on force either, but from experience, I can say it’s pretty hard to convince your city council the police don’t need a tank when they can show you dozens of incidents where it would have saved lives. Besides, apparently it’s just as easy to get guns on the black market, or were these patriots planning to pull off an armed resistance in a law-abiding fashion? Wherever resistance to tyranny has been successful, it’s due to the mobilization of the masses. Freedom is never granted through the compassion of the privileged. It’s achieved and sustained through a united public body, and through our division, it is destroyed. That’s why I’m not talking about gun control, because if you don’t get it by now, you’re not going to. We have debated the issue and watched it go nowhere, and each time the clock continued to tick to the next mass murder.
Over and over again, we did what the gun rights advocates suggested. We filled our schools with cops and drilled a bigger path for the prison pipeline. We armed our teachers and discovered they just meant the white teachers. We started after school programs and outreach programs, we volunteered, we became activists and advocates. Everybody is trying really hard to solve society’s deeper problems. We tried it their way, over and over again, now we do it our way. We can’t win with facts. Common sense gun regulations will not pass if they depend on our ability to convince gun rights advocates to get on board. We can’t win over the opposition, but we can circumvent them. We can even invite them to join the fight against campaign finance reform. Let’s prove we don’t need guns to defend democracy by overcoming the NRA’s corrosive effect on our government through popular resistance. But it’s important to remember that popular resistance means more than showing off our popular opinion. The NRA awarded FCC chairman Ajit Pai with the Charlton Heston Courage Under Fire award for repealing net neutrality against the wishes of the vast majority of America, proving that public opinion does not affect public policy in today’s America. The NRA has sent the message that if we want our voice to matter we must back it by action. Gun rights advocates would have you believe that only the threat of a violent uprising is that action. Let’s show them where our power really lies. Let’s start by taking down the NRA. Let’s start at the March for Our Lives on March 24. Let’s start there, but let’s not finish there. ♦
Design Adviser Josephine Newitt Assistant Design Editor Trevon Norton Cover Photo Casandra Garcia Cover Caption City College students pen the names of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School victims and pinned them to a tree in front of the Performing Arts Center Feb 21. Advisers Randy Allen, Jan Haag
CONTACT US Let the Express know what you think. Letters should be 300 words or less. Please include contact information. No anonymous letters will be printed. The Express reserves the right to edit or reject any article, advertisement or illustration deemed inappropriate, including letters to the editor.
Staff Photographers Jackson Durham, Megan Horn, Phoenix Kanada, Destinee Lang, Jiaxin Lu, Vanessa S. Nelson
EDITORIAL POLICIES Views published in the Express do not reflect those of the Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees, the Associate Student Government, City College, Journalism department, administration, student body, or faculty; unless otherwise stated.
Staff Reporters Margo Alexander, Nita Gardipee, Anastasia Jones, Chelsea Knowlton, Jason Reed, Amari Smith, Julian Tack, Rose Vega, Ashton Byers
MEMBERSHIPS Journalism Association of Community Colleges California Newspaper Publishers Association
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Pi Day contest
Wednesday, March 14 4 p.m. LRC 220 Compete to see who has the most digits of Pi memorized. Prizes to be announced.
Deadline to run for student government Monday, March 19 All day City College
Anyone interested in running for the Student Associated Council, visit studentelections.losrios.edu or contact Student Leadership and Development at scc-studentleadership@losrios.edu, (916)558-2381or in the South Gymasium, Room SOG 226.
UCLA transfer workshop Monday, March 19 3‒4:30 p.m. Student Center
UCLA representatives will be holding a workshop to explain admission criteria, selective majors and resources for transfer students.
March for Our Lives Saturday, March 24 Noon Sacramento State Capitol
A rally is being planned to help support the brave students who are standing up after the horrific tragedy in Florida at the State Capitol. Details to come whether there will be a march.
Spring break March 26‒31 City College
No class in session.
Kondos Gallery: Ceramic Art Made From Molds
Sacramento City College 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822 Phone (916) 558-2561 ext. 2562 Fax ( 916) 558-2282 E-mail express@scc.losrios.edu Website saccityexpress.com
April 5‒25 FIA 123
The Kondos Gallery is open Monday‒ Wednesday, 10 a.m.‒7 p.m. and Thursday‒ Friday, 10 a.m.‒4 p.m.
Commercial Music Ensemble Thursday, April 5 Noon‒1 p.m. The Quad
SCC Commercial Music Ensemble performs modern hits.
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NEWS
Making City College safer
Los Rios police work to improve campus security for students, faculty and staff
A Los Rios Police cruiser parks near Rodda Hall North on patrol at City College. ¦ Photo by Anastasia Jones · anajones.express@gmail.com
Anastasia Jones
Staff Reporter · anajones.express@gmail.com
American River College was locked down Feb. 14 when a witness reported a man with a gun on campus. The witness said they saw the man tuck a gun into his waistband and ride off on a bicycle. Law enforcement searched the area but the suspect was not found. The campus reopened the next morning, according to the Los Rios Police Department.
I avoid taking late classes because I don t like walking back to the parking structures. Jazmin Hernandez City College student
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Spokesperson Sgt. Shaun Hampton told the Sacramento Bee the incident had a higher concern because of it’s timing with the mass shooting in Florida hours earlier. At least 17 people were killed in a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that afternoon in the city of Parkland.
Los Rios Police Captain John McPeek, who has worked with the Los Rios Community College district for 25 years, said there is an ongoing effort to improve safety measures. “We are in the process of updating our video surveillance system for all campuses,” said McPeek. “There will be district-wide improvements. We want to use as many tools as we can find.” Two years ago, in fall 2015, a shooting occurred on campus resulting in the death of Roman Gonzalez. During the incident, an emergency text message was supposed to notify students of the active shooter through the Rave alert system. Instead, the alert came over 30 minutes after police submitted the warning. The Los Rios district hired an assessor to conduct a post-incident report. The assessment recommended more training in emergency protocols, interior door locks for classrooms, and changes to the alert system. At the time, policy stipulated the school’s public information officer alert the campus. Now police alert the campus directly. Gabe Ross, the associate vice chancellor of Communications & Media Relations for the Los Rios Community College District, believes campus security is a top priority. “Nothing is more important than the safety of our students and staff,” Ross said. “We do testing of the Rave alert
system once a semester to make sure it’s working properly. The Los Rios police has multiple sergeants trained on how to send notifications in case of an emergency, and they work closely with the dispatch center.” Ross said the LRPD is “always looking to do things better and to engage more with the community.” Ross worked in the communications department with the Sacramento City Unified School District before his position at Los Rios. Ross said he is familiar in procedures regarding crisis situations and wants to “keep everybody informed” about incidents on campus. Safety escorts are available through the LRPD 24 hours a day, year round. These can be arranged by calling the campus police department at (916) 5582221 or through the emergency phones posted throughout campus. Despite the technological improvements in campus safety, some students are unaware of the services offered by campus police. Ariana Nelson, a first-semester journalism major, said she still takes precautions on campus. “I don’t know what I would do in a dire situation,” said Nelson. “I don’t see (the police) patrolling the campus. Maybe once or twice, but usually sitting somewhere.” Nelson’s friend Jazmin Hernandez had similar feelings regarding the visible presence of officers. · · ·
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“I avoid taking late classes because I don’t like walking back to the parking structures,” said Hernandez, a second-semester chemistry major. “I know (police) are not going to be out there. Their cars are out there but they aren’t patrolling.” Both Nelson and Hernandez expressed they would like to see more officers patrolling the campus during class times and did not know the location of any campus emergency phones. Some students did not express worry. Giuseppe Giannini, a returning computer programming major, takes late-night classes without much concern. “I feel OK walking out of class at night,” said Giannini. “I think campus is a little more secure than walking down a street at night or by a park.” Giannini said that he would like to see more officers patrolling and was unaware of any safety measures offered by LRPD. “I didn’t know they offered any safety services,” said Giannini. “They don’t really notify students. They should really tell us.” McPeek said that even with updated technology, he strongly supports “community-based policing” and encourages the mantra, “See something, say something.” “We believe in a proactive approach to policing,” McPeek said. “There’s responsibility for all of us to make our environment better. I pride myself in being available to students if they have any concerns. My door is always open.” ♦ March 7, 2018 · Express
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One of the last of its generation
56-year-old Mohr Hall to be demolished in June, making way for new building Casandra Garcia
Features Editor · czgarcia.express@gmail.com
A building whose steel and concrete walls once resonated with students’ voices and quick footsteps now stands silent and dark with a sign on the front door that says “closed.” Soon, a new building will replace the 56-year-old Mohr Hall. Plans to demolish Mohr Hall have been in place since a project called the Big Dig began in July 2016. The purpose of the multiple-phase construction project was to replace water, electric, gas and telecommunications on campus. The current plan is to begin Mohr Hall’s demolition in June if the building’s new design is approved, according to Vice President of Administrative Services Carrie Bray. The new building’s design plan has yet to be approved by the Department of State Architects, Bray says, though it is expected to be approved in March. Like everything else, buildings have a lifespan and Mohr Hall was reaching the end of its life cycle, according to Margaret Lednicky, director of City College Operations.
We had to get creative on where to put things and optimizing them for the experience for the students. Laurie Sheppard Nursing professor
“The building was old, and we had what we needed,” says nursing professor Laurie Sheppard. “But it’s time for the new building.” Sheppard teaches first semester registered nursing classes and has been a part of City College’s faculty since 2000. She and others who worked there were well aware that Mohr Hall no longer provided optimal teaching conditions. “There were some problems with leaking from the roof, and water was coming up from underneath the classrooms,” says Sheppard. Professors were able to meet with architects and laboratory design specialists to address the issues present in the building so those issues could be resolved. “We did give them feedback, and I think that they were really interested in
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Mohr Hall is among the oldest buildings on City College s campus, built in 1962 to honor the memory of the fourth president, Dr. J. Paul Mohr. Photo by Jackson Durham · jcmdurham.express@gmail.com
the people that were in there (Mohr Hall) using the space,” says geology professor Kathryn Stanton. Stanton says she taught in Mohr Hall for 13 years. However, her connection with Mohr Hall predates her teaching years. “I didn’t just teach in Mohr Hall,” says Stanton. “I was actually a student there.” Stanton took her first geology classes in Mohr Hall, so the impending demolition leaves her with a bittersweet feeling. “I literally took my first geology classes in the same classrooms that I ended up teaching in,” says Stanton. “Although the building had problems, we all sort of loved the building kind of like you would love an old pet that you’ve had for a long time and isn’t perfect anymore,” says Stanton. Mohr Hall was built in 1962 to honor the memory of the City College’s fourth president, Dr. J. Paul Mohr. Mohr became president of City College in 1949, succeeding Dr. Nicholas Ricciardi and leaving his position as the vice president of the City College of San Francisco. During his administration, Mohr was responsible for the construction of the technology and cosmetology buildings. He was also the founder of the nursing program at City College. Mohr’s presidency ended in 1956 after he died of a heart attack. Since Mohr Hall’s closure, the nursing, allied health and physics departments have been displaced to temporary · · ·
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buildings on the north side of campus and along Hughes Stadium. “The actual physical move happened very quickly, but then we had to undo boxes and arrange furniture,” says Sheppard. “We spent a lot of time organizing and moving our stuff and getting our stuff set up.” For some professors, the move from one building to another was not as simple. “As the local geology professor, I got to help move and organize the move for all of our geological collections,” says Stanton. “So that’s thousands of pounds of rocks and fossils and minerals.” Accommodating to the limited space provided by the temporary buildings was another challenge. “Our space got cut down by so many feet, so we have less space,” says Sheppard. “We had to get creative on where to put things and optimizing them for the experience for the students.” While supply and storage space was limited, the nursing program enjoys additional classroom space and a spacious simulation lab. “Our simulation lab was a small room, so we weren’t able to have a full, spacious lab like other campuses,” says Sheppard. “This room is twice the size than the one we had in Mohr Hall,” says Sheppard about the simulation lab in the temporary buildings. Although quite stressful, the move into the temporary buildings led to the creation of new bonds among the people SCCEXPRESSNEWS
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in the occupational therapy, physical therapy and nursing programs. “We’ve had to solve a lot of issues, but it has brought us closer to occupational therapy and physical therapy because we’ve had to solve problems together,” says department chair of nursing Glennda Wagner. In addition to faculty and staff, students became essential during the move. Students helped pack boxes in Mohr Hall and transfer them to the temporary buildings. “The students did a fantastic job,” says Stanton. “It would not have happened without the students.” Mohr believed that community college was a place to guide undergraduate students through the number of studies available towards a higher education, according to historical documents in the City College Special Collections. Wagner said that she makes sure that no matter the obstacle, she will make sure to create the best learning experience for City College students. “Despite the not-so-optimal teaching and learning environment, we’re still putting out the best nurses in town,” says Wagner. Faculty say that they remain hopeful that the challenges of moving and occupying the temporary buildings will pay off in the end. “We are very excited to have a new facility with the technology that we need for what the students need to experience for their educational path,” says Sheppard. ♦ · · ·
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Los Rios Davis Center doubles in size Phase two of City College s new offsite building nears completion
The new building at Davis Center is nearing completion. Located in the West Village section of UC Davis, it s expected to be finished by the end of March 2018. A ribbon cutting is planned for April 11. Photo by Jason Pierce · jpierce.express@gmail.com
Jason Pierce
News Editor · jpierce.express@gmail.com
Phase two of Sacramento City College’s presence in Davis is almost complete. A new three-story, 15,800-square-foot building is being constructed in the heart of University of California, Davis’s, West Village, more than doubling the size of the Davis Center. The Los Rios Community College District Board of Trustees plans to hold a meeting at the Davis Center April 11, followed by a ribbon cutting at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the new building. “The main advantage to the new building is it allows us to provide lab sciences, so it helps us fill out the program that we provide at this site,” said Don Palm, dean of the Davis Center and interim vice president of instruction on the main campus. “This just broadens tremendously the kinds of majors that we can provide a complete lower division for. In the past, we could do a complete general education program, but students had only a very limited selection of the sciences. “What students don’t always understand,” said Palm, “is that they really can get their whole general education program here. That makes it even more true now,
as they can get their whole lower division transfer program here, too, so if they make the trip here, they should plan on scheduling two or three classes to make the trip worth it.” Students living outside Sacramento indicated that the new building will be a big help. “A lot of people were commuting from Elk Grove because this is where the classes were offered, (but) it was an inconvenience to them,” said City College student and sociology major Gabby Mejia. “I’ve been lucky to get the classes I need, or I take them online, rather than commuting because it’s a long commute, especially with the traffic in the afternoons.” Mejia added that she thinks it would be helpful if the classes she needs were offered in Davis. “Last semester I took an ethics studies class, and I had to go to West Sac because it wasn’t offered here, and space is very limited,” said Mejia. Construction of the the new building started in September 2016 and is expected to be finished by March 2018, completing the second of three phases as City College expands in Davis, according to Palm. “When we open, we should expand pretty quickly by about four or five hundred students, and we will just keep
growing from there,” said Palm. “On this site there is actually a third building that is part of the site plan, so we will eventually build out so we will have around 8,000 students.” There are no current dates for phase three, Palm said. Construction costs for the new building are just over $11 million, according to Scott Battles, facilities manager for the Los Rios district. “It’s a joint project,” said Battles. “It’s partially state funded and then locally funded through measure M, which is a local bond that Los Rios put out.”
What students don t always understand is that they really can get their whole general education program here. Don Palm
Davis Center dean
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LEED-certified, according to Palm. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most recognized approval of environmental sustainability in the country, according to the United States Green Building Council. “(West Village is) the nation’s largest planned zero net energy neighborhood,” said Palm. “They have never quite gotten there, but over 80 percent of their energy is self generated.” The Davis Center opened 51 years ago in 1966 using rented space, churches and schools around town while gradually growing, according to Palm. “In the ’90s (the Davis Center) was in a little building that is now a dental office,” said Palm. “It had four classrooms and four or five parking spaces.” The current Davis Center opened in 2012 after another brief expansion in South Davis, when student enrollment reached around 2,000, according to Palm. “Parking is easy, the staff is friendly, it’s a pretty small place,” said Palm. “You can always get access to me or to the staff if you want help. You can do all of those students services things—you can do placement, financial aid, counseling—and that can all happen here and is a lot more accessible because it’s only 2,000 students instead 23,000.” ♦ March 7, 2018 · Express
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Able to be of service
Proctored center provides testing assistance for students with disabilities Rose Vega
Staff Reporter · rvega.express@gmail.com
About 11 percent of college students report having a disability, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These disabilities include everything from difficulty walking to mental impairment. For assistance with taking tests, students at City College turn to the Proctored Testing Center. “Most people think that running a Proctoring Center is a piece of cake. All you have to do is watch someone take an exam. There is so much more than this,” says Aurora Dalske, student personnel assistant, who manages the Proctored Testing Center for Disability Services and Programs for Students, or DSPS. “We try our best to provide a positive environment and experience for our students that take quizzes or exams here with us, utilizing their DSPS counselor-approved testing accommodations,” says Dalske. DSPS has to approve students for their required testing needs before they can make an appointment at the Proctored Testing Center, Dalske says.
Once they have their accommodations, students have to schedule their tests with the proctoring center at least two to three days in advance. The testing center does not except any drop-ins. Professors also state what materials students are allowed to use during tests. The testing center is made up of nine people, all of them students, except for Dalske, the only permanent staffer. Working at the testing center is just like any other job, and everyone who works there is a paid employee, says Dalske. “This job requires good communication and listening skills. It’s also important that we are compassionate and patient individuals when it comes to working with our students,” says Dalske, who aims to make sure every student feels comfortable taking exams and working with the people at the proctoring center. Proctors not only monitor the students while they take their tests, but also help people who require a scribe or need the test read to them. The staff also makes sure that they are able to take the tests in a quiet environment, says Emma Brown, a biology major who works at the proctoring center as a clerk.
Special keyboards designed for students with ocular disabilities, and track balls are a few of the pieces of equipment you can find in the Proctored Testing Center at City College. Photo by Bobby Castagna · bcastagna.express@gmail.com
“There are certain students who have physical disabilities, and that’s always very rewarding because you’re either someone’s eyes or someone’s hand,” says Ulysses Gonzalez, photography major, who works at the Proctored Testing Center as a clerk. “It’s really encouraging that even though they have disabilities, they’re still coming to school and doing good,” says Gonzalez, who finds the job rewarding because of his ability to help students achieve their academic goals. “I feel good about helping to provide this important service to our students,” says Carmen Pereira, temporary clerk at
Getting the most out of City College
the Proctored Testing Center, who started working at the center three years ago. “Those that are really grateful and they say it to you. They’re very sincere. Some even bring gifts and thank you cards,” Pereira says. As well as being a clerk she also proctors, as do all the other clerks at the testing center. “That’s really rewarding to know that they’re really appreciating the service here and that we’re doing something important,” says Pereira. The Proctored Testing Center is in Student Services 140. ♦
What successful students are doing differently̶finding balance, using resources Chelsea Knowlton
Staff Reporter · cknowlton.express@gmail.com
Some students are more successful at City College than others. When students get involved in the variety of programs available on campus, that is when they find the most success. There are multiple free resources available to students on campus that, according to professors and counselors, aren’t used enough. Between tutoring, counselors, labs, learning, professors’ office hours, and academic technology classes, there are so many resources on campus that can help students find success. Leslie Silveira, a counselor at City College, says that she sees students struggle through the process of higher education without asking for any support that might help them. According to Silveira, most students’ biggest downfall is underestimating the amount of study time that comes with a heavy class load. “One unit is equal to two hours of study time, and most students don’t allow time for that,” says Silveira. “Come see
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Photo Illustration by Bobby Castagna bcastagna.express@gmail.com
a counselor. We can help find a balance between work and study.” But balancing school work with life isn’t the only important factor. Knowing where to go for help when it’s needed is just as important, according to Silveira. Another resource that Silveira claims isn’t used as often as students should is their own professors. For example, Carrie Marks is a professor in the English department. She claims that it’s the students who come to office · · ·
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hours and only focus on the classes they truly need that are the most successful. “That’s one thing that’s a barrier to students here is taking units they don’t need,” says Marks. “Often it’s the A students who are there. Students hover outside the door and say, ‘I don’t want to bother you,’ but I say, ‘No, this is my job. You’re welcome here.’” Marks helped to create a corequisite course that allows remedial English students to take English Writing 300 along with a support class. According to Marks, students learn valuable study skills like using the writing center and keeping an open dialogue with both their English Writing 300 professor and their support professor. And it’s working. “The success rate for students taking that course is significantly higher than if they’d done the traditional sequence,” says Marks. “Our success rate for students who pass English 300 when they’re taking the (corequisite) is 81 percent.” If students find themselves falling into academic probation, success coaches are available through Student Services to help students get back on track. AccordSCCEXPRESSNEWS
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ing to Karin Mack, one of the available coaches, students not only get their grades up, but develop healthy study habits as well. Equally important to success on campus is finding a community of support. For some students, that comes in the form of athletic teams. For others it’s the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services program, Mark’s corequisite course, or even just classmates. Savannah Mena, a criminal justice and psychology major who works 30 hours a week at two jobs, says that her community of support from the EOPS program makes a big difference for her. “I took advantage of some of the resources here such as the EOPS,” says Mena. “They helped me by counseling and making sure I stayed on track with my classes.” Silveira also claims that classmates can be an excellent place to find academic support as well. “Form study groups. Get to know your classmates.” says Silveira. “If you’re willing to look for it, there is so much help.” ♦ · · ·
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Navigating a new world at City College
International Student Club provides community for Panthers from around the planet Anastasia Jones
Staff Reporter · anajones.express@gmail.com
A college campus encapsulates the American dream. It’s a place where people of all backgrounds gather with the hope of creating a better life. Strangers become fellow students. Professors become guides in navigating new ideas. A college campus is a place where knowledge becomes tangible, and Sacramento City College brings it to the fingertips of those who came from a world away. Sacramento is the most ethnically diverse city in America, according to a study done by the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University. This diversity flows into City College classrooms; each class its own multicultural snapshot. While the student body maintains a unique demographical flavor, there’s another dimension less visible to the casual onlooker: where the students are from. The International Student Center in Rodda Hall North is home base for all international City College students. Here, students receive guidance and support to better prepare them for a successful semester. Although their staff base is small, the ISC counselors do the work of many. Mayra Jimenez knows firsthand what these students need.
Sacramento City College is a micro representation of what the real United States is. Mayra Jimenez ISC counselor
Jimenez, one of the two ISC counselors, was once an international student at City College. Originally from Nicaragua, Jimenez started her career by helping students when she was still a student herself. “I always tell people the position doesn’t fit any hat,” Jimenez said about her role at the ISC. “Our job is to assist students from pre-admission until they depart the United States. My position is to give support.” Jimenez said there are currently 189 international students enrolled this semester, and she sees an upward trend on enrollment. “We are an armchair recruitment,” she said. “We don’t pay (for) any advertisement. Students are here by referral,
Mayra Jimenez helps students from around the world as student personnel assistant in the International Student Center. Photo by Jiaxin Lu · jlu.express@gmail.com
(but) we do have a pretty good number in relation to Los Rios district.” She continued to explain that connecting with students is the most rewarding part of the job. “Numbers are important, but the human part… When I speak with students, I speak with my hands. I’ll do whatever it takes to communicate, so I write down and explain, we use the computer — it’s an interaction of using multiple senses. You cannot treat every student the same. That is the human part more than the numbers.” Of the 189 international students, the largest groups are from China, Vietnam and Korea, with approximately 50, 40 and 20 students, respectively. There are a total of 35 foreign countries currently represented at City College. While the scope of countries represented is wide, international students make up less than 1 percent of the total student body at City College this semester, according to current enrollment statistics on the college website. Some of these students feel they are lost in the crowd. Seungjin Jung, a 28-year-old student from South Korea, is struggling to make connections. “If I came here when I was in high school, I would more be able to adapt myself to here,” Jung said of his experi-
ence as a foreign student at City College. “I thought it would be cool to come to California, (that) there would be so many things to do… but Sacramento is very quiet. I grew up in Seoul. It’s very different.” Jung is part of a student club called Sac City International Life, which is meant to give students a network of support. “The group is helpful,” said Jung. “I have made a small amount of good friends, and they’re very nice. It’s getting better.” The club, organized by the Sacramento International Student Fellowship, provides activities, outings and dinners for international students to practice learning English while building relationships. Rupali Dogra, a 20-year-old student from India, said she also attends the club’s meetings in order to make new friends. “We got to know about this club through the international student orientation,” said Dogra, sitting with her friend, who is also an international student. “We were so happy, like, ‘We gotta go!’ When we came here, we were kind of hesitant to talk to people, like, ‘Oh, I might say something wrong.’ When you are doing the talk time thing (with SCIL), you can practice your English.” Dogra is majoring in graphic communication and has already completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology from her · · ·
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home town of New Delhi. She said she prefers college in Sacramento over college in India. “I like the way we are taught here,” Dogra said. “There are more resources, and the professors are really qualified. Most of them have a Ph.D. and I’m, like, ‘Wow! I’m talking to someone with a doctorate right now. I’m getting an opportunity to be taught by them, and that’s amazing.’” City College, the oldest institution of higher learning in Sacramento, has a vision: “To create a learning community that celebrates diversity, nurtures personal growth, and inspires academic and economic leadership,” according to its website. Counselor Jimenez believes it’s important to support students in order to make this vision a reality. “The wealth of a country is their people and how educated they are,” she said. “Sacramento City College is a micro representation of what the real United States is. I think I will retire when I cannot remember the student’s name.” Those who wish to practice English can attend a SCIL meeting Tuesdays at noon at the Student Center. For more guidance, visit the ISC in Rodda Hall North Room 138. ♦ March 7, 2018 · Express
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SPORTS
Panthers February sports roundup
Winter sports finish season while spring teams begin revving up for league play
City College spring sports entered the heat of their schedules in February. Men s and women s basketball finished their seasons Feb. 13 while baseball, softball, track and field, swimming and tennis are all gearing up for Big 8 Conference play. ¦ Photos by Dianne Rose and Jackson Durham · dianne.rose.express@gmail.com, jcmdurham.express@gmail.com ¦ Illustration by Jason Pierce · jpierce.express@gmail.com
Nick Pecoraro
Sports Editor · npecoraro.express@gmail.com
BASEBALL The City baseball team jumped out to a 12-4 record by the end of February. At the start of Big 8 play, Derek Sullivan’s pitching staff boasted the fourth best earned run average in the state. Offensively, the Panthers compiled five games with over 10 runs, including 17 and 19, respectively, in a two-game sweep Feb. 22–24 at Contra Costa. Jake Guenther leads the team in hitting (.455), while Brett Bello and Joe McNamara each have two home runs. “We’ve got a group of hungry guys,” said Sullivan. “I think we’ve got the right mix going right now.” SOFTBALL Tim Kiernan’s squad rode a 5-game win streak into Big 8 play before losing both games of a double-header Feb. 24 at Cosumnes River. City is 10-9 overall heading into March. Freshman Danielle Reyes is 8-4 with a 1.49 ERA, and her 80 strikeouts are second most in the state. “Dani is outstanding,” said Kiernan. “She can dominate. She throws to win.” Shortstop Elizabeth Caffero powers the lineup with a .500 average, six homers and 23 RBIs, including a home-opener in which she went 4-for-4 with three homers, a double and nine RBIs, including a walkoff grand slam.
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Express · March 7, 2018
WOMEN’S TRACK Marisa Avendano’s women’s track team took fourth overall Feb. 24 at the Yuba 49er Invite. Daryia Greene took first in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:31.32. Lauren Smith finished third in the 400, and Alyssa McAlister took third in the 400 hurdles. Sophomore Riley Cannon had solid showings in three throwing events. She took fourth in both the shot put and the discus while notching a 12th place finish in the hammer. MEN’S TRACK The men’s track team placed eighth overall at the Yuba 49er Invite Feb. 24. Sophomore Trevor Holt’s distance of 49.18 meters gave him first place in the hammer throw. Holt also placed sixth in the shot put. Freshman Torrey White took fourth place in the men’s 400 with a time of 52.35 seconds. MEN’S BASKETBALL Andrew Jones’ men’s basketball team missed out on the postseason for the first time in three years, but there were some bright spots. The Panthers, who finished tied for fourth in the Big 8 at 8-8 (16-13 overall), set a new school record with 251 3-pointers, breaking a 24-year-old record of 224, set by the 1993-94 Panthers. Sophomore Gabe Serna also raised the individual bar · · ·
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for 3-pointers in a single season. His five 3-pointers in the regular season finale against Folsom Lake College gave him 85 for the year. “It was a surreal moment,” said Serna after the FLC game. “It’s something that I’ll cherish forever.” Serna was named to the All-Big 8 Conference Team, as wasTroy Owens, whose 23 points per game was second best in the conference. He became just the 12th player in school history to average over 20 points for an entire season. Sophomore captain Jhalen Lumpkins was named to the Big 8 Honorable Mention. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The women’s basketball team went 8-8—tied for fourth—during conference play, going 11-15 overall. Freshman guard Brandy Huffhines was the only Panther to start all 26 games, averaging over 15 points and three assists per game. Maddison Coleman averaged over 11 points per game, and her 9.1 rebounds per Big 8 game was second best in the conference. Kayla Farr contributed interior scoring and rebounding while Dejanet Porter and Kelsie Graf provided shooting touch from outside. “Early conference is where we really came together and really understood our roles,” said coach Julia Allender. City has at least nine players who will be eligible to return to the team next year. SCCEXPRESSNEWS
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TENNIS Coach David Griffin’s women’s tennis team fell 9-0 in the season-opener Feb. 20 against the College of the Sequoias but responded with a 6-3 win Feb. 23 against Cosumnes River. City was guided in singles wins from Denise Mosciatti, Jordyn Kennedy, Liliya Guslistova and Aide Preciado against the Hawks. In doubles action, the Panthers scored wins from the tandems of Kennedy and Preciado, and Mosciatti and Raquel Palma. Mosciatti was victorious again despite a 6-3 team loss to Fresno City Feb. 27, dropping the Panthers record to 1-2 on the season. SWIMMING At the Feb. 23 Sac City Invite, the Panthers scored five Top 5 finishes at Hoos Pool. Julia Ng placed third in the women’s 100 freestyle at 56.39 seconds and finished fifth in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:05.16. Grace Tan’s time of 1:06.18 was third best in the 100 backstroke. In the women’s 200 medley relay, the Panthers took fifth with a time of 2:01.60. Matt Lemire placed third in the men’s 500 freestyle with a time of 4:56.89. The Panthers’ next meet is March 9–10 at the Cuesta Invitational. For more info on SCC athletics, visit sccpanthers.losrios.edu. ♦ · · ·
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