NEW DEAL ART FEATURED ON CUMPUS PG. 5
NEW SOFTWARE TRACKS STUDENTS’ GRADES PG. 7
FROM THE PLATE TO THE DUGOUT
FORMER CITY COLLEGE PLAYERS BECOME COACHES PG. 4 SACRAMENTO CITY COLLEGE’S STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1922
VOLUME 100 ISSUE 10 APRIL 5, 2016
OPINION
Some people believe that all adults should be legally required to use the restroom associated with their genitalia, or with the gender they were assigned at birth. I disagree. The primary reasoning behind this belief is that if transgender people who identify as female are allowed to use public women’s restrooms, then either these transwomen or cisgender men — those whose gender identity matches their assigned gender — dressed in feminine clothing will violate the privacy and safety of cisgender women and children. But discriminating against transgender people will not prevent sexual predators from assaulting people in public restrooms. The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, recently expanded its nondiscrimination ordinance to apply to sexual orientation and gender identity, in addition to race, age, religion and sex. This addition would have allowed transgender people to use the restroom matching their gender identity. However, the state of North Carolina quickly blocked this ordinance — which would have been effective April 1 — by calling a special session and passing a bill that requires all state government-controlled buildings to designate all multistall restrooms as single sex facilities. One obvious problem with such discriminatory legislation is enforcement. Many transgender people are not easily recognizable as transgender. Indeed, some cisgender people are not easily identifiable as members of their gender either. This means that with this sort of rule, the enforcement itself would require violations of privacy — and constitutional rights — whether by posting a guard to check the identification of everyone using a public restroom, or the more horrific idea of employing someone to look down people’s pants. However, none of that really matters because all the premises behind the concept of gender-based public restroom laws are false.
Editor In Chief Vienna Montague Managing/Sports Editor Justin Valdez News Editor Will Dunne-Phillips Features Editor Zachary FR Anderson Photo Editor Vanessa Nelson Events Editor Ricardo Lopez Copy Editor Robin AF Swan Co-Online Editor In Chief Tyler Heberle, Rosaura de la Cruz Photographers Hector Flores, William Grubb, Julie Jorgensen, Genoria Lundy, Emily Peterson, Barbara Williams, Christopher Williams
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Illustration by Kevin Solorzano · ksol862l@yahoo.com
Equality vs. fear Neil Little
Staff Writer · nlittle03@gmail.com Photos by Kris Hooks · zenith69@excite.com
What are you doing to help protect the environment?
The idea that enacting and enforcing these laws will protect cisgender women and children from sexual predators encompasses several premises. These include the idea that sex offenders are usually strangers to their victims, that male sexual predators target only female victims, and that transgender people are more likely to be sex offenders than cisgender people. First, according to the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, 90 percent of sex crimes against children are committed by family members or others known to the child — not by strangers. Second, a significant number of sex crime victims are cisgender men and boys, too. Preventing cisgender men from “dressing as women” and entering public women’s restrooms will not prevent them from committing sex crimes in men’s restrooms. And finally, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, there is no statistical evidence to support the idea that transgender people are more likely to commit sex crimes than cisgender people. In fact, transgender people are at a higher risk of being the victims of sex crimes and other violent crimes than anyone else. Despite the factual evidence, harmful myths remain prevalent in our culture, as do other forms of discrimination. In one of my City College classes last summer, a student referred to a transwoman as “it.” This attitude can make it dangerous for transgender people to use gender-specific restrooms, even where it’s legal. The Los Rios website says that students have the right to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity. However, it also says that the college has
Writers Guillermina Bedolla, Elliot Bezdecheck, Ma Caliolio, Paris NunnChavez, Will Coburn, William Grubb, Dean Hyman, Neill Little, Max Morris, Erin Pettitt, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Aisha Shah, Reanna Simmons
“no clear policy regarding the use of gendered spaces and facilities, including men’s and women’s multi-stall bathrooms.” In March 2014 three student clubs submitted a Campus Issues Form to City College administration requesting at least one unisex/gender-neutral restroom in each building. At the time, the only non-gender-specific restrooms were located in the campus’ outer buildings — one in the Child Development Center, one in a temporary building and two in the Cosmetology building — which are difficult to reach between classes. Former President Kathryn Jeffery responded in February 2015 that if the Campus Development Committee found it feasible, existing single-stall restrooms could be converted, and new buildings should include at least one gender-neutral restroom. Unfortunately, the campus’ newest building, the Student Services Building — in the early stages of construction when the form was submitted — was already nearing completion. It has only gender-specific restrooms. Those four out-of-the-way restrooms are still the only gender-neutral restrooms on campus. I urge students and administrators to consider that there are more transgender and non-binary students in our student body than they might think, and to work harder to help them feel that they are a valued part of our community. It might save a life. ♦ Robin AF Swan
Copy Editor · rswanexpress@gmail.com
Advisers Randy Allen, Jan Haag, Dianne Heimer, Rachel Leibrock, Marcy Wacker
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 Co-Design Editor Madeline Holven, College, Journalism department, adminMichele Lee Page Designers Arthur Machalica, Malaika istration, student body, or faculty; unless Martin, Trevon Norton, Roberto Samayoa, otherwise stated. Kathryn Silva, Kevin Solorzano Castillo, MEMBERSHIPS Kyron Washington, Larry Woolfolk Journalism Association of Community Colleges Cover Design Madeline Holven California Newspaper Publishers Cover Photo Dianne Rose Association Ad Manager Zachary FR Anderson
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Sandra Flores · Mass Communication “I try my best to recycle since a lot of us don’t even bother to.”
Joshua Pauly · Undecided “We recycle. I like the money benefit in that. But the area that I’m in is nagging my mom every time she throws something away.”
Elizabeth Zabala · Criminal Justice “I am cutting down on my electrical appliances. I unplug them before I leave and I turn off all my lights.”
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. 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
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Orpheas Papathanasiou · Undecided “I’m protecting the environment by not voting Republican.”
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NEWS
Douglas Burris remembered
Former president brought enthusiasm, stability to City College Tyler Heberle
Online Co-Editor in Chief ·
tylerheberleexpress@gmail.com
Former City College President Douglas Burris died March 6, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the Los Rios Community College District students and faculty. When Burris began his presidency at City College July 1, 1979, he became the only person to serve as president at all three Los Rios colleges. Burris served as acting president at American River College from 1970-1971, and then became president at Cosumnes River College from 1971 to 1979 before moving to City College. He remained as president there until 1984. Jack Fujimoto, the City College president before Burris, said he was confident in handing over his position to someone with Burris’ experience, according to a 1979 Express article. “Doug will do well,” Fujimoto said. “I have no qualms about him doing well.” Burris had a background in sales. He taught business classes at American River starting in 1959 before he became dean of instruction there in 1965, according to an obituary. Jack Halligan, who was a City College librarian during Burris’ presidency, said this experience made Burris a highly approachable administrator. “I always felt he was an involved president,” Halligan said. “One of his major efforts was his connection with the community as a whole, and business and political leaders, too.” In addition to knowing elected officials in the district and beyond, Burris also had frequent contact with City College student government officers. A September 1980 Express article said that Bruce
Walker, Associated Student president at the time, met with Burris once a week to represent the student body. Burris also stayed involved with a variety of students at Cosumnes River College. Terry Kastanis, CRC assistant dean for Learning Resources, interviewed Burris during his last months before starting at City College. In the interview, which was recorded for the CRC archives, Burris said he “made it a point” to get to know all students — including those outside student government. “Many of our athletes, I make it a point to follow them personally and get to know them personally,” Burris said, “forensics students, and so forth on down the line, so that I’ve had a good, solid sampling of student input, student involvement, and that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.” Burris led City College through tough financial times in the early 1980s, as state and federal budget cuts decreased education funding, and the 1978 passage of Proposition 13 froze state property taxes and required financial cutbacks, according to Halligan. Burris was fair to students and faculty despite limited resources, Halligan said. “I don’t believe anybody got laid off — except part-time instructors lost their part-time jobs for a couple of semesters — and then we got back to where we were before,” Halligan said. “I’d say in less than two years we were back, we were just fine.” According to Cathy Chenu-Campbell, a City College librarian hired in 1981, Burris’ leadership was imperative for the college to maintain economic stability. “He came in at a really important time to keep a steady hand and to see the college through a very rough set of years economically,” Chenu-Campbell said. Burris still found time for festivi-
was president, Chenu-Campbell said. Though the student-centered event was more politically charged during the post-Vietnam War 1970s, under Burris’ leadership it was a family-friendly event that welcomed students’ children. “[Burris] really enjoyed talking to the students,” Chenu-Campbell said. Burris remained involved with students and leaders until he left City College in 1984. Evidence of Burris’ service has remained on campus, such as the Amalia Fischbacher Fine Arts Building, which was renovated and named for the former art professor during Burris’ presidency. After Burris left City College, according to his obituary, he stayed involved with California community colleges. He served as the Los Rios District’s Vice Chancellor until 1988, then as Deputy Chancellor at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. Even after retiring from Los Rios in 1991, Burris continFormer City College President Douglas Burris died March ued to help community colleges as 6. When he began his presidency July 1, 1979, he was the Assistant to the Chancellor for the only person to serve as president at all three Los Rios what is now known as the Nevada colleges. ¦ Photo Courtesy City College Special Collections System of Higher Education. ties amid budgetary and political issues. Though Burris may be Chenu-Campbell said his involvement remembered for his service at all three helped turn People’s Day — an annual Los Rios campuses, his leadership during outdoor event with student-run perforfinancially unstable years and his fremances and booths — into the energetic quent involvement with students and event it is today. businesspeople, Chenu-Campbell said his “He would be front and center approachability is what set him apart from cooking pancakes and serving students,” other presidents. Chenu-Campbell said. “He would engage with anyone The pancake breakfast was only and everyone who crossed his path,” one aspect of People’s Day when Burris Chenu-Campbell said. ♦
Express staff wins five statewide journalism awards Honored by Journalism Association of Community Colleges Express staff
express@scc.losrios.edu
Five members of the Express staff received awards in the 2016 Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) State Publication Contest in March. Kay Barnes earned a first place Magazine Opinion award for her story in the spring 2015 edition of Mainline magazine, “Don’t let the boobs fool you.”
Michele Lee was awarded second place Magazine/Layout for her design of the fall 2015 edition of Mainline magazine. Zachary FR Anderson & Jonathan Taraya were awarded second place Opinion Story for their piece, “Your Opinion Matters” Zachary FR Anderson took a third place Critical Review for his review of the Academy Award winning film “Spotlight.” Photographer Tammy Kaley won third
place Magazine Photo for “Russ Solomon in his home library” in the fall 2015 Mainline. “We’re proud of the Express students for doing an excellent job as reporters, photographers and editors to cover the City College campus,” said journalism department chair Jan Haag. “We’re always pleased when some of those students are recognized for their excellent work by JACC, but all of our journalism students have done fine work over the past year.” ♦ · · ·
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SPORTS
Students become the teachers
City College baseball coaching staff is filled with former Panthers athletes
City College Panthers baseball coaching staff includes former City College students (left) Bo Henning, Lynn Beck, Peter Pryor, Derek Sullivan, Drew Henning, Deskeheh Bomberry and Matt Surges. All work together to coach the Panthers baseball players. ¦ Photo by Vanessa S. Nelson · vanessanelsonexpress@gmail.com
Justin Valdez
Sports Editor · justinvaldezexpress@gmail.com
It is game day for the City College baseball team, and hours before the first pitch, head coach Derek Sullivan sits at his desk in his office filling out a line-up sheet. Behind him stands a cinder-block wall that has been painted one of the school’s official colors: cardinal red. Hanging on this wall is a large piece of glass with a decal of the word “City” centered on it. Sullivan, along with six other coaches on the Panthers’ baseball staff, are former student athletes at City College. It’s a cycle that has helped carry on many of the program’s traditions, according to the Panthers’ third base coach Andrew Henning. “We’ve had a foundation in place here [at City College] for the past 40 years, and we always say it doesn’t really matter who coaches here — it’s about the process over the many years,” Henning said.
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Henning is in his eighth year as a coach at City College, but it is his first as the team’s third base coach. He spent the previous seven years as the Panthers’ assistant pitching coach. As a player, Henning was a red-shirt freshman in 2005 and played through 2007. During his time as a student athlete at City College, Henning said he suffered a serious and bizarre injury. “It was a freak accident,” Henning said. “I snapped my humerus while throwing a pitch and had five or six surgeries on it, but it never really got back to being the same as it once was.” Henning went on to play baseball at San Diego State University for a year, but in 2008 he returned to City College, excited to begin his career in coaching at a college with such a rich history. “[City College] is well known throughout the nation for what we do here and the type of players that come out of here, which is really cool,” Henning said. · · ·
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Andrew isn’t the only member of the Henning family who is a part of the Panthers’ coaching staff. His little brother Bo is the team’s outfield coach. Andrew had the unique opportunity of coaching his brother while Bo was pitching for the Panthers in 2011 and 2012. Being a baseball coach runs in the family for the Henning brothers. Their father, Rich Henning, is the head coach of the baseball team at Christian Brothers High School. Bo is in his first full year as a coach for the Panthers. Last season he was a part-time coach at City College while he coached the freshman and junior varsity teams at Christian Brothers High School. One of the baseball team’s longest active coaches is hitting coach Pete Pryor, who has been a part of the Panthers staff since 2001. Pryor played first base for City College from 1992 to 1993. In 1993 he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but turned down the
chance to go pro to continue playing college ball at the University of Kentucky. After two years of playing college baseball for Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference, Pryor was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1996. According to Pryor, he was the very last player cut by the White Sox during spring training in 1997. Despite getting a taste of big league baseball, Pryor said he enjoyed playing college baseball more. “College is better,” said Pryor. “The SEC is the best conference in the country, and I was fortunate enough to go play there.” Even though he played for Kentucky, a major four-year university, Pryor said the coaches he had when he was at City College influenced his career in baseball more than anyone. “[At] this level of coaching you make the biggest impact on a kid’s life,” Pryor said. ♦
FEATURES
Deep in the plaster
Ralph Stackpole s Depression-era fresco is still a campus star Veterans’ Art Show – West Sacramento Monday‒Friday
1‒4 p.m. West Sacramento Center The West Sacramento Center is hosting a show displaying various art pieces done by local and regional veterans. The show is open Monday through Friday only, located on the third floor.
Concert: Commercial Music Ensemble Thursday, April 7
7‒8 p.m. Performing Arts Center 106 The Sacramento City College Commercial Music Ensemble will perform a free concert of contemporary popular songs in the Little Theater.
City College Student Elections Tuesday‒Wednesday, April 12‒13
The Importance of Education in Sacramento, located in in the Performing Arts Center, was painted by Ralph Stackpole in 1937.
7‒11 p.m. City College West Sac Center
Photo By Vanessa S. Nelson · vanessanelsonexpress@gmail.com
Maxfield Morris
Staff Writer · maxfieldmorris.express@gmail.com
In 1937, the world was in the Great Depression’s eighth year, and Franklin D. Roosevelt began his second term as president. To combat the poverty and unemployment caused by the Depression, Roosevelt implemented a series of government programs known as The New Deal. The largest of these programs was the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which employed millions of unemployed people for public works projects. Two WPA projects in Sacramento live on at City College — the North Gym and the Auditorium (now the renovated Performing Arts Center), including a oneof-a-kind fresco titled “The Importance of Education in Sacramento.” The fresco was conceived and painted in wet plaster by Ralph Stackpole, who was commissioned by Sacramento Junior College President Jeremiah B. Lillard. Figures in the mural are depicted getting an education while others are working in such fields as agriculture, engineering and aeronautics. According to 1984 research compiled by former City College history Professor William Mahan, the fresco was likely financed through a cooperation between the Federal Art Project — a WPA program — as well as a student group called the Art League. According to Valerie Kidrick, an art history professor at City College, the
fresco is of historical significance. “If you look at the mural, it’s not just [about] education.” says Kidrick. “There’s a lot of work, actual physical labor going on, which is very important in the 1930s, for obvious reasons.” The fresco depicts education at the then-named Sacramento Junior College as a solution to a difficult era in American history. “It’s painted in a very specific and very definite style of the ’30s. The style is very rounded, and the human figures don’t really feel like they have a lot of bones,” says Kidrick. “It’s a very, very common style… called Regionalism.” The style of the piece has further implications, according to Kidrick. She says that mural painting had a revival in the 1930s, focused around “the idea of working as a group.” According to an August 1937 article in The Sacramento Bee, Stackpole painstakingly worked on the fresco in sections. The Bee described him as a “slave to his medium” as he quickly applied plaster to the wall and pigment to the wet coating before it dried. The final project encapsulates more than just Stackpole’s imagination. A letter Stackpole sent in response to a student’s query states that the fresco incorporated people and objects from the Sacramento Junior College campus in 1937. Mahan’s research indicates that Stackpole used multiple live models who were on campus that summer. These models included Kathryn Reynolds and
Pat Sullivan, workers in the administration office, as well as instructor Warren Gayman and his son, Merlin. A tractor featured in the mural is based on one used daily in the construction of the Auditorium. Buildings seen in the background are real parts of the 1930s Sacramento skyline. In the words of Stackpole, “Some of the elements are from the school, some from the valley and surroundings.” The mural was restored in the 1980s, largely due to organization efforts by Mahan. According to the Alumni Association newsletter from March 1984, the fresco had been reduced to a state of disrepair due to vandalism and neglect. The restoration sought to repair the fresco and preserve it for years to come. Kidrick hopes that the fresco can be more prominently displayed by using the lobby for more events. She believes that having more access to Stackpole’s creation would have positive effects on the community. “I think it would change the way Sacramentans think about their city,” says Kidrick. “Sacramento has a lot to offer in the arts, both historically and contemporarily, so it would be nice if the community had a better idea of what we do have to offer.” Despite those who criticize Stackpole’s skill, including a Bee reporter in 1984 who described him as “not a great artist, to be sure,” Kidrick disagrees. “Great art… reflects the time and place in which it was created,” says Kidrick. “To me, Stackpole is a great artist.” ♦ · · ·
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Vote for 2016-2017 Student Senate, Clubs and Event Board, and Student Trustee candidates. Students must log into their eservices accounts to vote.
Sacramento City College Blood Drive Wednesday‒Thursday, April 13‒14 9 a.m.‒4 p.m. Quad Come to the City College s blood drive to donate blood and receive a free T-shirt. Bloodmobiles will be located in the quad.
Earth Week in the quad Tuesday‒Wednesday, April 19‒20 10 a.m.‒3 p.m. Quad Celebrate Earth week with a variety of activities, including conservation info, vendors, food trucks, music and games.
Disability Awareness Day Thursday, April 21 10 a.m.‒2 p.m. Quad The Disability Services & Programs for Students (DSPS) office and the SCC Health Office hosting the first Disability Awareness Day and offering a diverse range of disability, health and related community resources.
Sac City Talks Friday, April 22 3‒9 p.m. PAC 106 This half-day event of talks will feature speakers mostly from the Sacramento area discussing the Next 100 Years of Progress.
April 5, 2016 · Express
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FEATURES
Professor makes his mark
Craig Davis maps out a geographical perspective of the world Elizabeth Rodriguez
Staff Writer · elizarodriguezexpress@gmail.com
The word “geographer” is Greek for “earth writer.” These earth writers, called geographers, record every bay and plain that make up the physical character of the planet. They catalog new terrain with the intention of providing people a place to call home. For the past 15 years, City College professor Craig Davis has examined these locations and how humanity has influenced them in Geography 310. “We look at all kinds of different things that have to do with human endeavors,” Davis says. The course combines physical and social sciences to analyze how humans have affected the earth, as well as studying why people move and settle into certain areas. Student Nicole Vaughn signed up for the class without knowing what to expect, and she’s been surprised about what she’s learned so far. “This class actually goes more in depth into learning about each country and even learning about technology like Google Earth,” says Vaughn. The class covers topics such as migration, religion and population, all of which are discussed through Davis’ unique method of looking at the planet from a spatial perspective. Spatial perspective is the combination of observing natural occurrences that happen in time and acknowledging the effects they have on the environment, Davis says. One example of how spatial perspective is used, he says, is in the examination of cultural landscapes — naturally occurring areas that have been altered by human interaction.
City College professor Craig Davis has been teaching geography for the last 15 years. His class is a mixture of physical and social sciences examining how humans have affected the Earth. ¦ Reanna Simmons · rsimmonsexpress@gmail.com
The use of spatial perspective encourages students to use a different point of view, Davis says, to consider how some parts of the world have been molded, as well as to look at the way the earth is now. Davis also discusses the issues of globalization and development of countries, focusing on the earth’s geography at both a global and national level. “We touch on those things like, what
are the patterns, you know? Where are people going to, where are they coming from, why…? We look at a ton of maps. I mean, that’s kind of our milieu: the maps,” says Davis. Analysis on societies and where they are in the modern era is also a part of the curriculum. “If we look at the development and economies of the planet,” says Davis,
“you can’t get past the fact that we had different cultural, political and economic paradigms 100 to 200 years ago.” Davis emphasizes the broadness of his course, adding that because of the wide range of topics that have to do with the planet, there’s always something to talk about. “Some people like it; some people don’t. I, though, personally do,” says Davis. ♦
The Legend of Ko olau comes to Sacramento
City College hosts one-man show about a Hawaiian outcast with Hansen s Disease Neil Little
Staff Writer · nlittle03@gmail.com
City College will sponsor a performance of the play “The Legend of Ko’olau” Sunday, April 10 in the Performing Arts Center. Based on a historic Hawaiian cowboy named Ko’olau, the one-man play tells the true story of a man on the island of Kauai who contracted leprosy in the 1800s (now known as Hansen’s Disease) and fled to the isolated mountains to avoid capture by authorities. The play was written and produced by Gary Kubota a journalist in Hawaii
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and a 2007 crew member aboard the double-hulled Hawaiian sailing canoe Hokule’a. Kubota will answer audience questions about the play after the performance. “It took years and years of historical research to have what we have right now,” said Kubota. “I feel honored to be able to present this story that touches so many people’s hearts.” “The Legend of Ko’olau” was brought to City College by anthropology professor Pamela Lindell, who is also the head of the Ho’olupa Hawaiian Culture Foundation, an educational nonprofit organization that maintains Hawaiian culture · · ·
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in Northern California. “I’m very pleased that the play will be performed at the SCC Performing Arts Center. It’s a beautiful venue,” said Lindell. “[Kubota] will be joining us from Hawaii, and I look forward to his reaction to the PAC. I think he’ll be very impressed.” The play stars Moronai Kanekoa as Ko’olau. Kanekoa was born and raised in Hawaii and recently earned his master’s in drama from USC. He has also acted on stage and in television, including roles in “As the World Turns” and “Castle.” The Ho’olupa Hawaiian Culture Foundation is co-sponsoring the play with
the Organization of Native Pacific Islanders, its Alliances and Affairs (ONIPAA). ONIPAA, along with several other Hawaiian cultural organizations. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided before and after the performance. “The Legend of Ko’olau” will be performed Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 2 p.m. Parking is free on campus on weekends. Tickets are available online at www. eventbrite.com/e/the-legend-of-koolautickets-20134152793 for $20 and will be $25 at the door. ♦
NEWS
Software to track student progress Degree specific courses eligible for financial aid Ma Eliza Caliolio
Staff Writer · ma.caliolio@gmail.com
Sacramento City College will introduce an automated process that will track and identify courses that are not degree-applicable or federal aid-eligible beginning with the October registration for the spring 2017 semester, according to a Los Rios District executive summary. The new course auditing tool will begin mapping student course requirements to ensure that students are on track and their courses meet the requirements to receive federal financial aid, according to City College Communications and Public Information Officer Rick Brewer. The auditing tool will ensure that City College complies with Title IV or the Higher Education Act of 1965, which covers major sources of federal student aid such as grants, loans and federal work study, according to Brewer. Associate Vice Chancellor for Los Rios Community College District Victoria C. Rosario explained in an email that the district had tracked student progress before the availability of the auditing tool, but it had to be done manually. “Currently, the colleges receive a report that tells college personnel which courses meet [or] do not meet certain certificate program eligibility requirements. It is a manual process. Staff then must address those courses that are not eligible with students individually,” Rosario wrote. “Students cannot receive aid for classes that do not count toward their degree or certificate. By knowing which courses are financial aid-eligible early on in their registration process, students will have the opportunity to modify their course schedule sooner, prepare for alternative means to finance those courses that are not eligible for financial aid that they still want to take for any variety of reasons, and stay on track and complete their program of study sooner.” City College Admissions and Records Supervisor Kim Goff reiterated that City College has always been compliant with Title IV legislation, but it wasn’t until recently that technology to track courses became available to ensure that students meet the federal requirements for financial aid eligibility. “You can’t award financial aid to students for classes that do not lead to their degree [or] certificate or other recognized credentials,” Goff said. “It is a system that will tell you if what you’re taking is applicable to your degree. Is what you’re
taking going to help you meet your educational goal?” Goff said not all students meet with a counselor, which is why she encourages students to do so and review their educational goals or Individual Student Education Plan (ISEP). “It’s good to have multiple tools,” Goff said. “We want [students] to see a counselor — that’s what we really want — because the counselor is the best resource.” According to Goff, students are required to declare a major for financial aid purposes. Students’ financial aid will not be affected by taking lower numbered general requirements, but if students have reached college-level courses (numbered 300 and above), and they are taking classes outside their educational goals, their payable federal aid may be affected. “If they’re taking 9 units that applies to their major that they need to graduate or transfer, and take another class [to complete 12 units] that is completely outside [of their major], that won’t count,” Goff said. “It has to be in your program of study. If you see a counselor, and the counselor says you need these classes to graduate or to transfer, then those will be payable [through] financial aid, so it is important to see a counselor.” Brewer agreed that the course auditing tool is to benefit students, not to limit or restrict students’ desire to navigate or explore majors. “If you’re taking years and years to figure out what you want to do, you run the risk of running out of federal financial aid long before you get a bachelor’s degree,” Brewer said. One of the most common methods of financial aid, the Pell Grant, is available to students for 12 semesters or the equivalent (approximately six years), who have not received a bachelor’s degree. The amount of aid a student can receive depends on his or her financial need, cost of attendance, student status, and plans to attend a full academic year, according to studentaid.ed.gov. According to Brewer, if students spend five years receiving financial aid at a community college, they only have one year left to receive federal student aid while attending a four-year institution. Most students who transfer to a four-year university take more than two years to fulfill the 120-unit requirement for a bachelor’s degree. Goff said there is a wider perspective regarding students who stay in community college too long versus students who graduate early and become part of the work force.
Illustration by Kathryn Silva · ktmsilva@yahoo.com
“It’s all about a bigger economic picture — getting students through the educational system,” Goff said. “There is an economic cost to students staying
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in school for a long time. The sooner you get into a career, the more money you’re going to make.” ♦
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April 5, 2016 · Express
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SPORTS
Panthers pouncing on the Big 8 Conference City College softball team chemistry and pitching drive first half success Justin Valdez
Sports Editor · justinvaldezexpress@gmail.com
Down late, in its home game against Santa Rosa Junior College in March, the City College softball team pulled together and took the lead on a one out single by sophomore second baseman Madison Butcoff. Timely hitting has been there all season, according to City College head coach Tim Kiernan, just one factor in the team’s success to date. The Panthers have reached the halfway point in the season and are leading the Big 8 Conference with a 10-1 record and 22-5-1 overall. CCCAA.org has the City College softball team ranked No. 15 in the state. There are a handful of reasons for the Panthers success this season, but City College softball head coach Tim Kiernan emphasizes the players’ mental approach as to why they are so good. “On the whole we have a better attitude, and the chemistry is better [this season],” Kiernan said. “We had a few girls last year that just didn’t fit in very well because they were ‘me’ players, and this year we have ‘team’ players.” This is a sentiment that several players, including sophomore outfielder Cheyenna Newman, reiterated. “I think the team meshes well or better than we did last year,” Newman said. “We all just get along and just come out here and do our thing.” Kiernan also points out how well the pitching staff has been producing. “We have the deepest pitching we’ve had, maybe ever here, and we can’t even use all of them all the time,” Kiernan said.
On the whole we have a better attitude, and the chemistry is better [this season].
Tim Kiernan
Softball Head Coach
This is first time that Kiernan has not had to be both head coach of the City College women’s golf team and the softball team at the same time. He served as the women’s golf head coach for the past 15 years. From a coaching perspective, Kiernan said not having to focus on two sports at the same time has also benefitted him as well as the team.
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Express · April 5, 2016
City College freshman Gabrielle Ortiz at bat in the first game of a double hitter against Delta College at The Yard on April 2. Photos by Dianne Rose · diana.rose.express@gmail.com
“Golf just got to be — as much as I like it — got to be taking up too much of my time for so few players,” Kiernan said. “I’m able to devote more time to softball, and I think that has certainly helped us.” Leading the pitching staff is freshman Karli Sargent. She has 16 wins, 120 strikeouts and a 1.46 ERA. Her 16 wins are fourth most in the state. City College has 10 games left in the season before the playoffs start, six of which are home games. However, Kiernan said he isn’t even thinking about the playoffs yet. “I don’t look that far ahead. I’m looking at today’s game, then I’m looking at the next game,” Kiernan said. “We only prepare one game at a time.” ♦ · · ·
SACCITYEXPRESS.COM
City College pitcher Kali Sargent takes over at the mound in the game against Siskiyous College at The Yard on February 20th.
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