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online map shows student discounts
Chicano Batman rocks the scene
Fiscal associate Director resigns
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 | VOL LXXII ISSUE 8
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CAMPUS SAFETY REPORTs Sexual Assault Supervisor calls assault an “isolated incident” that presents no danger BY TALIA PASTRANA STAFF REPORTER
TPASTRANA@CCCLARION.COM
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Citrus College Campus Safety reported a sexual assault off-campus on Nov. 25. The incident was reported at 1:25 p.m. Campus Safety Supervisor Ben Macias said in an email his department does not patrol nor respond to calls off-campus. “The specific off campus incident you are referring to is listed on our Crime Log because it was reported to Campus Safety directly,” Macias said. Macias denied a request to see the report. “Although the incident was an off campus, isolated incident that does not present a danger to the campus community, it is still an active open case,” Macias said. “We will not provide information contained within the report at this time.” Police Records Specialist Kathleen Soliven from the Azusa Police department records said there was an incident report filed that day, but would not release any other information. The Clarion filed a request for a redacted case report. Glendora Police Lieutenant Chris Stabio said his Police Department had no record of the incident. Campus Safety sometimes works with the Azusa Pacific University Campus Safety, but APU Campus Safety had no record of the incident either.
Goldfish grow to match their environment.” -KATERI MCKINNEY
Instruction Lab Technician
Gabrielle Johnson Clarion
Large gold fish, often mistaken for koi due to their size, swim on Nov. 19 in the “Koi pond” of the Life Science Building. The pond contains goldfish, mosquito fish from vector control and a plecostomus “janitor” fish. The fish eat Elodea waterweeds planted by members of the biotech lab. They are also used in experiments.
Campus organization collects aid for fire victims BY TALIA PASTRANA STAFF REPORTER
TPASTRANA@CCCLARION.COM
Dyanne Duffy said her stepmother, who lives in Paradise, California received an “evac” call at 8 a.m on Nov 8. “Packed up everything up in her car, two dogs,” Duffy said. “In 30 minutes she was down the hill.” A Citrus painting professor, Duffy, said her step-mother narrowly escaped the Camp Fire on the only highway leading in and out of Paradise. Many drivers died on the same road. They were waiting in traffic as flames consumed their vehicles. The Camp Fire burned a devastating 533,000 acres, leaving thousands of people homeless and jobless. The Cal Fire incident report said 13,972 residences, 528 commercial and 4,293 other buildings were de-
stroyed in the fire. The newly homeless residents are now looking for any type of aid. Duffy said her mother was lucky — her offer on a new house in Chico was accepted. She received insurance money for her lost home, but she won’t be living in Paradise. Participating Goodwills near Paradise permit anyone who lost their homes to get free clothing and $75 gift certificates if they show ID. Many fire victims took belongings before their homes burned down. Goodwill was going to open a location in Rocklin, but instead allowed victims to store their belongings there. Air BnB asked homeowners to donate their rooms, houses or apartments for $0 to assist those affected by the fires. Many schools and foundations offered donations to rebuild communities.
Citrus College Student Affairs sent out a campus wide email asking for donations for the community college foundation. “Funds raised will help community college students replace critical supplies like laptops, cell phones, books, backpacks and other essential materials to continue their education,” the email said. “Staff and faculty who have lost their homes will also be eligible for relief funds - 100% of your donation will directly support students and staff recovery efforts.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers individual disaster assistance. The website said they offer emergency medical services, housing and loans to help victims rebuild. The California Fire Foundation is also giving money to those affected by the Camp Fire. The foundation website details their Supplying Aid to Victims of
ASCC changes its constitution BY JAMES DUFFY V EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JDUFFYV@CCCLARION.COM
& BRIANNA SEWELL PHOTO EDITOR
BSEWELL@CCCLARION.COM
Vicman Thome Clarion
Charred tree in Azusa hills on Dec. 3.
Emergency program. Fire victims can receive a $250 gift card per family from the program. The American Red Cross website offers tips to financial and emotional recovery. They have articles detailing emotional recovery written in many languages.
The Citrus College Board of Trustees approved changes to the Associated Students of Citrus College constitution on Dec. 4. Language in the constitution was amended to permit ASCC senators and commissioners to hold student office for one year rather than one semester. The changes were sent to the ASSCC BY student referendum on Oct. 23 -24. ASCC President Fernando Flores said the motion passed without the student dissent. Students enrolled in at least six units may submit applications to run for office at the beginning of the spring semester. Elections for ASCC senate will occur online in the second week of April. S E E AS C C • PAGE 5
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
OWL BEAT
CLARION James Duffy V editor-in-chief Michael Quintero managing editor Erik Adams news editor Charity Wang web editor Brianna Sewell photo editor Victor “Vicman” Thome photo editor Sayedah Mosavi opinions editor Rose Junqueira multimedia editor Tannan Luzzo sports editor/circulation manager Talia Pastrana social media manager Staff Reporters: Blanca Martin, Elle Haines, Jordyn Green, Joshua Hernandez, Kara Elder, Logan Gray, Lucas Pelayo, Lydia Egan, Natalie Malins, Sammy Fernandes, Timothy Petersen Copy Desk: Alexander Tchen, Victor Guzman Editorial Board: Sayedah Mosavi, Brianna Sewell Freelance Contributors: Daniel Diep, Michael Stewart Patrick Schmiedt Clarion adviser Stacy K. Long Clarion adviser
The Clarion is produced by journalism students and is distributed every other Wednesday during the semester. Ads are not endorsed by the Clarion. Editorials are the opinion of at least 75 percent of the Editorial Board. All other opinion is that of the writer. Views expressed do not represent those of the adviser, faculty, administration, Associated Students of Citrus College and/or CCCBOT. Libel will not be published. The Clarion welcomes feedback from our readers. If you have any gripes, questions, or comments... We want to hear from you! Send your letters in at ccclarion.com/letters. All correspondence must include your student ID#, major and signature. Letters may be edited for content.
Everything you need to know about current events on the campus community. If there is something you want us to cover, email us: contact@ccclarion.com • Dec 6, 12-1 p.m. CalWORKs Support Group in CalWORKs Office, SS Building. Call the CalWORKs Office at (626) 852-8023 to reserve your spot.
Owaulghitner g w/ L
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A COMIC STRIP BY RO S A LY N N JUNQUEIRA
• Dec 6, 2-5 p.m. International Student Center will host a Christmas party including dinner and karaoke in SS 164. • Dec 3-6, 6-9 p.m. ASCC Night Owls in Campus Center (ED 170), free coffee, snacks, blue books and scantrons will be given to all students who visit. • Dec 3-6, Therapy dogs will be in the Hayden Memorial Library lobby and the library will be open late, until 9 p.m.
Win Chan Clarion
Tannan Luzzo Clarion
• Dec 1-March 7, Metamorphosis exhibition features over 30 pieces of artwork by students, faculty and staff in the art gallery, VA 120.
December Workshops MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
5
6 Test-Taking 1-2 p.m.
7 Note-Taking 2-3 p.m.
Time Management 8-9 a.m.
• All workshops will be in SS 281 unless otherwise posted
Draw your own perspective on how the end of the year has been for you. Then tag us and use #WhatsTheHoot in your submission and we’ll feature the best one.
THE 1000 BLOCK
Incident Reports
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Good luck on your finals and have a great winter!
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@ThisIsLisaO Doing everything else but homework. Good thing my draft isn’t die until.... Oh TOMORROW! the crunch is real. #citruscollege #collegelife – at Hayden Memorial Library @ Citrus College @citrus_arts Introducing the newest ensemble @CitrusCollege, the Citrus Vocal Jazz Ensemble! Come see their debut on December 7th at 8:00 pm. @haughpac #jazz #vocaljazz #tightharmonies #jazzchords @its_angelala_ @citruscollege i feel so sad for the people who lost their homes due to the woolsey fire here in cali. if you’re in need of food or anything and you’re a citrus college student, citrus college has resources such as campus food pantries which are found in the Student Health Center
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FORUM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
PAGE 3
EDITORIAL
nEW state funding model risks pathway to failure Starting next fall, students will be reduced to a dollar amount. Their academic performance will determine how much funding Citrus College receives. California lawmakers will be responsible for the shift in how students are valued. California community college reports student success rates inThe California Community College Student Scorecard. The database shows about 48 percent of California’s degree or certificate-seeking community college students completed college within six years. An academic journal, Community College Review reported racial disparities in student success rates in California. Compared to their Caucasian and Asian counterparts, 26 percent of African American students and 22 percent of Latino students earned degrees, certificates or transferred to a four-year institution within six years. To address student completion rates and racial achievement gaps, California lawmakers introduced a new funding model called the Vision for Success to replace the previous model, which depended on the number of credits a student took. Under the new plan, college funding will be determined by three factors: 20 percent will be based on the number of students who graduate, complete certificate programs or transfer. 20 percent will depend on the number of low-income students, students older than 25 years or first-generation students enrolled. 60 percent will be based on the number of full-time-equivalent students enrolled. The number of full-time equivalent students is determined by the combined enrollment of part-time students to reflect full-time status, so three students taking four units each would equal one FTE student. To further complicate the funding model, the 20 percent of school funding determined by student success will be based on a point system. How much are you worth?
Illustration by Charity Wang Clarion
How much are you worth?
ADT
4 Points
AS degree only
3 Points
BA degree
3 Points
Certificate or 18+ units
2 Points
Transfer to a four-year college
1.5 Point
9+ units complete
1 Point
The more a student achieves, the more points that student is worth to the school. Therefore, the more funding the school will earn. A school’s funding will now partially be based on performance. Supporters of the new model argue it will incentivize schools to graduate more students. In pursuing success results that would ensure the 20 percent completion-based funding, schools risk misplacing their priorities. Linking funding to performance
consistently fails. University of South Dakota political science professor Ed Gerrish published a 2015 study showing performance-based funding had little impact on desirable outcomes. The new funding model is also counterintuitive. While supporters argue the new model will reduce gaps in racial equity and achievement, the new funding model risks widening those gaps. Some of California’s lowest-performing schools are in low-income,
minority communities. The 2018 California Student Success Scorecard data shows Compton College, which is about 59 percent Hispanic/Latino and 27 percent African American, only has an overall completion rate of 35.9 percent. Rio Hondo College, which is 74 percent Hispanic/Latino only has a 39 percent overall completion rate. The problems that hinder schools like Compton College and Rio Hondo have little to do with poor schooling. The surrounding communities have historically been low-income, which resulted in resource disparities. In the case of Compton, KCET reported the city also faced racial segregation, which exacerbated economic disparities. While these schools are not the lowest-performing schools in California, they are good examples of the challenges schools themselves face. Their low completion rates are starkly different to the success rates of colleges in more affluent districts. Citrus College is a good example of this difference. Scorecard data shows that Citrus’ completion rate is 51.3 percent,
which is higher than the statewide average of less than 50 percent. Citrus is about 61 percent Hispanic/Latino. Despite coming from underrepresented communities, students at Citrus succeed because of investment from cities in the college district—cities that are affluent. Municipal bond measures like Measure G allocated large sums of money to invest in Citrus College’s development, which provided students greater access to more resources. Citrus is a good example of how underrepresented students can thrive when their schools receive adequate funding. When entire communities are low-income, the amount of money schools can get from those communities is limited. “Many of our nation’s lower-income, working class, and racial/ethnic minority students are enrolled in colleges that have the fewest financial resources,” states a report by NewYork based nonpartisan think tank, The Century Foundation. “(Performance-based) funding models could exacerbate inequalities if they do not account for this context.” California’s new community college funding model does not address these disparities in a school’s surrounding community. And the new model cannot address them, which is the problem because the model is unfair in where it places the burden of responsibility. Legislators are placing a heavier burden on schools to address achievement disparities when lawmakers should address underlying inequity in a school’s surrounding community. Underperforming schools need more money, not less. The new framework will risk further limiting funding for schools that already have little funding. The 20 percent performance-based factor should be withdrawn from the new model since it does not and cannot address racial and economic inequality in a school’s surrounding community.
OPINION
Excelsior: Writer leaves mark on comic world BY JOSHUA HERNANDEZ STAFF REPORTER
JHERNANDEZ@CCCLARION.COM
Former comic writer Stan Lee recently died at 95 years old, leaving behind a legacy filled with colorful superheroes and comically cute film cameos. At least that was what most knew him for. That or being a credit hog who played the comics industry to his advantage for decades. Born Stanley Martin Lieber, he co-created a couple of characters for Marvel Comics under a pen name he used since 1941. Lee helped create memorable characters like the menacing Mole Man, or the sinister Stilt-Man, the benevolent Black Bolt and the ferocious Fin Fang Foom. He also co-created Spider-Man, as well as the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Doctor Strange, Daredevil and the Avengers. Not created, but co-created. Despite being known as a credit-hog in some circles, Lee made it clear his greatest characters were not
a solo venture, which was by design. During the ‘60s, Marvel’s method for making magazines was different from what DC comics, their distinguished competition, distributed. Instead of completely scripting out a book’s dialogue, Lee would give a synopsis of the plot, leaving the artist to draw the comic based on his initial idea. Then, once the artwork was done, Lee went in and added dialogue, further fleshing out the personalities of the characters. This way, Lee wrote for multiple books at the same time without wasting too much time on scripting. However, this also meant that artists had as much to do with plotting as Lee, as their artwork determined the specific story beats in a book. As such, the credit for many of his most celebrated creations is shared with Lee’s most frequent collaborator Jacob Kurtzberg, better known by his pen name Jack Kirby. Kirby illustrated the first issues of the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Thor, and X-Men, with Spider-Man and Doctor Strange being drawn by Steve
Illustration by Joshua Hernandez Clarion
Ditko. Kirby and Ditko were not as widely known as Lee, and despite their invaluable input, they felt they did not get as much credit for their contributions as Lee, especially Kirby. In the case of Lee’s first big success, “The Fantastic Four,” Lee’s wife Joan was interviewed in 2002 during the filming of “Stan Lee’s Mutants,
Monsters & Marvels,” a documentary detailing Stan Lee’s career at Marvel. After Lee told Joan he hoped to quit the comic industry in 1961, Joan encouraged Lee to write one last comic. Instead of appealing to younger children, Joan encouraged Lee to write it his way, with all the humani-
ty and heart he felt was missing from generic comics of the time. Best case scenario, Lee writes a comic anyone can enjoy. Worst case scenario, Lee would be fired, which didn’t matter if he wanted out anyway. So Lee wrote a sci-fi story about a group of adventurers who got superpowers from cosmic rays, while retaining the flaws of a dysfunctional family. After the first issue of “The Fantastic Four” was released, however, the unexpected praise and fan mail the book received convinced Lee to stay at Marvel. This completely contradicts Kirby’s side of the story. “When people began talking about the bomb and its possible effect on human beings, they began talking about mutations because that’s a distinct possibility… That’s how the Fantastic Four began,” Jack Kirby said in a 1990 interview with
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SUMMER 2019
KYOTO, JAPAN JUNE 29 – JULY 27, 2019
Enroll in up to six units of CSU/UC transferable credits!
STUDY ABROAD
RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. Meeting dates, brochure and course information are available at citruscollege.edu/studyabroad. For more information, email studyabroad@citruscollege.edu or call 626-914-8560.
FALL 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND SEPT. 6 – NOV. 29, 2019
Enroll in up to six units of CSU/UC transferable credits!
Clarion
offline to online Shopping hits a record low on Black Friday for big retailers BY VICMAN THOME PHOTO EDITOR
VTHOME@CCCLARION.COM
The novelty of long lines and competitive shoppers in stores every year on the day after Thanksgiving are gone. With the rise of Amazon and its online shopping and same-day delivery, traditional stores are empty and looking like ghost towns when they should be looking like downtown New York City. Walmart prepared to receive hundreds of people, with extra security stationed outside and loads of employees ready to handle the questions they usually receive. Aisles were cordoned off with balloons for the day, but they sat mostly empty except for the few people in line who didn’t even cover an eighth of the space set aside for the line.
Discount Map
Student deals near campus mapped at ccclarion.com BY TALIA PASTRANA STAFF REPORTER
TPASTRANA@CCCLARION.COM
FORUM
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 PAGE 5
“I came here expecting to have to fight for my Nintendo Switch, but looks like I’m the only one in line,” said Alberto Gomez, a father of three and a Walmart shopper. Though traditionally people have preferred the immediacy of buying physically in-store versus having to wait for the package to arrive within days of the order going through, the rise of same day shipping—and even in some cases, same day arrival—has made people not mind the wait. “We are up from other years,” said Tina Marianas, the assistant manager for the West Covina Walmart. “Everything in electronics is being bought up,” Marianas added. All the other shoppers, who were not interested in doing any Black Friday shopping but went grocery shopping for the Thanksgiving dinner said that they had purposely set aside many hours to deal with the large amounts of people and long lines that they expected. But it is not just Walmart that is empty, other stores reported record lows in attendance for their Black Friday events.
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CCCLARION.COM Restaurants around Citrus College offer students discounts if they present a college ID. Bargain hunters can get 25 percent off at the Donut Man on Route 66 or an $8.95 student meal at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit on Alosta Avenue. Jersey Mike’s Subs offers a $9.14 student meal and Subway on Route 66 knocks off 10 percent.
ASCC F R OM PAGE 1
Vicman Thome Clarion
The space reserved for the Nintendo Switch line is unused except for a family at the end of the line on Nov. 22 at Covina Walmart’s arts and crafts section. That family said that they expected a lot more people.
There are many more discounts available for Citrus students in nearby restaurants. Some students would like to save money but are unware of deal spots. The Clarion Student Discount Map catalogs restaurant discounts within a 2 mile radius of the college at ccclarion.com. Click the “Student Discounts” button at the top of the page. ADVERTISEMENT
Depending on their positions, ASCC officers can make between $100 and $500 per semester. ASCC staff adviser and Student Life Supervisor Rosario Garcia said the new term limits will help student representatives adjust to their positions. “It does take one full semester for officers to understand their role,” Garcia said. “Finally at the end of the semester they understood what they had to do.” Garcia said the new rules may attract more applicants to student government. “And sometimes they’d decide not to do it again because they were busier at the end of the semester,” Garcia said. “They might be busy with finals.” Since ASCC switched to electronic voting in spring 2017 turnout has more than doubled. Garcia said she hopes the new measure will increase voter turnout. “It is very important to vote because the ascc executive board they’re the ones that decide how to spend the student service fee budget,” Garcia said.
Infographic by Charity Wang Clarion
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
Clarion
SPOTL
caped crusaders of la BY LYDIA EGAN STAFF REPORTER
LEGAN@CCCLARION.COM
W
hen Drummer Gabriel Villa attended Citrus, he worked full-time at numerous factory jobs to support his wife and children. Even when his soul tropicália band began attracting an audience, Villa said he struggled to choose becoming a full-time musician. “You have to take risks in life,” Villa said. “Being a performer was my calling and what I always wanted to do.” Before opening up for renowned rock musician Jack White, or playing at music festivals like Coachella as a member of the rock band, Chicano Batman, Villa began his music career at Citrus College. Villa traveled from Colombia to Azusa in 2006. He graduated from Citrus in 2010 with an associate degree in performing arts. Villa also lived in France before moving to Southern California. No matter where he went, he gravitated toward music. “For some reason I always loved music,” Villa said. “The rhythm and the drums — it’s my thing.” Villa said he casually pursued music while living in Colombia and France by taking drumming classes. He dove in further when he started taking several music courses at Citrus. “I was taking all these classes and at the same time starting Chicano Batman,” Villa said. “It was a really great compliment.” Music instructor Alan Waddington worked with Villa at Citrus. Waddington said Villa was not always an advanced drummer. “He wasn’t at a high level,” Waddington said. “But he just tried really hard.” Villa said he attended Citrus College because he wanted more experience in the music industry and “diplomas are always good to have.” Despite the accomplishments Chicano Batman has had, 200,000 monthly listeners on their Spotify page. They opened for Jack White on his 2015 Lazaretto Tour, or three records allowing the band to perform in various musical festivals. Even though Villa grew up in Colombia, the other three members of Chicano Batman are Angelenos. Villa said he found friends at Citrus he could attend shows in Los Angeles with. Since Villa was studying music at Citrus, he said he wanted to join a band so he could continue practicing. Specifically, Villa wanted to join the Latin music scene. He said “luck and being in the right place at the right time” let him meet other members of Chicano Batman. At a show in Los Angeles, he met Bardo Martinez, who became the lead singer of the band. “We met and connected right away and started making music that same night in the parking lot,” Villa said. Though each member of the band brought something different to the table, Villa describes their music an organic process. All of the members of Chicano Batman come from a Latin background, their sound is a
combination of each member’s culture and the own genres of music they love. The lead singer, Bardo Martinez and bassist Eduardo Arenas both have families from Columbia and Mexico. The lead guitarist, Carlos Arévalo, comes from a Salvadorian and Mexican background. The group connected with their common appreciation for Brazilian Tropicália music, which influences the soul of their sound. “Chicano Batman was a space to put all of that into practice, to put everything in that melting pot and create something freeing,” Villa said. Villa said Chicano Batman’s goal is releasing music with a positive message. The album’s title track “Cycles of Existential Rhyme” is a soulful ballad conveying life through a looking glass. “My present situation is this song, it turns my life into a reel; I sit back and watch it play,” Martinez sings. Harmonious organ notes create a song about life’s pleasures. Villa said their concert audience reflects their music. “You can feel it when you go to a Chicano Batman show,” Villa said. “It’s a very loving environment.” Villa said tropicália-rock bands rooted in Latin culture, like his own, are underrepresented in the music industry. Villa said the band represents aspiring Latin musicians. Even their band name, Chicano Batman, is derived from a symbol of Latino activist Cesar Chavez’s United Farm Workers movement. The movement, which fought for labor rights in California, was symbolized by a eagle, which the inspired the band’s symbol. “We are giving a voice for the voiceless,” Villa said. Since Villa was not always a professional musician, he said he is proud to represent his culture in an industry where Latin culture is not a constant. “I got inspired by music by watching other people,” Villa said. “And now to be in a place where I’m inspiring other people, it’s a chain reaction.” While Chicano Batman gets ready to go on tour, the band members are also working on a new album. Villa said the album brings “new and fresh vibes.” “We’re always trying to get better and do better than the last album,” Villa said. “We want to keep inspiring people.” Chicano Batman is slowly catching public attention. The band collaborated with Miguel, a Grammy Award winning recording artist, to cover Chicano Batman’s most notable song “Black Lipstick” in June. Since its release, it has more than 4 million views on YouTube. In January of 2017, they partnered with the whiskey brand, Johnnie Walker, to cover Woody Guthrie’s notable “This Land is Your Land”. The YouTube video reached 1 million views since its release last year. Even as Chicano Batman grows in popularity, Waddington said Villa remains humble. “He’ll never be too big for anybody,” Waddington said.
LIGHT
atin rock
Clarion
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
PAGE 7
Tropicalia band Chicano Batman ascends the music scene, with a Citrus College graduate banging the drums
Photo Courtesy of Paiste
Gabriel Villa, drummer of Chicano Batman.
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
NEWS
Clarion
women and men Learning to share the engine block Auto Tech professor teaches her own class after graduating BY KARA ELDER STAFF REPORTER
KELDER@CCCLARION.COM
Automotive technology at Citrus College is dominated by men, but women in the program surely do not let them steal the wheel. Automotive Technology Professor Dave Brown said a normal class size typically has ten percent or less female enrollment. “Obviously it’s a moving target where sometimes you have a little bit more, sometimes you have none,” Brown said. “We do outreach that I don’t think specifically targets any particular group audience.” However, Brown said they hope to get more participation from high school students. Low representation does not stop women from embracing the program. A recent alumnus started working full-time for Banks Engineering, an industry partner to the program, soon after graduation. Brown said “it has spawned them
Blue lights to be installed Emergency phone system is planned for installation BY DANIEL DIEP STAFF REPORTER
DDIEP@CCCLARION.COM
With tools assisting Campus Safety such as the Guardian app or the Alertus Beacons located around campus, communication between students and security is growing to be more accessible each year. With the recent Annual Implementation Plan of 2018-2019, Campus Safety, TeC Services, and Facilities are working together to install blue light emergency phones around campus that will provide rapid communication between students and campus safety. These phones will be installed before the end of the spring 2019 semester. Campus Safety Supervisor Benjamin Macias explained the function of these phones over email. “The blue light emergency phones
Director’s resignation Fiscal Services Associate Director resigns BY ROSALYNN JUNQUEIRA STAFF REPORTER
RJUNQUEIRA@CCCLARION.COM
In an October Board of Trustees meeting, Citrus’ fiscal services associate director complained of discrimination from the Human Resources department. Since the meeting, Fiscal Services Associate Director Todd Owens filed for resignation. The resignation took into effect on Nov. 30 and has been approved in a consent agenda during a Board of
Kara Elder Clarion
Priscilla Englert poses for a portrait on Dec. 3 in her auto shop at Bonita High School. This year will be her tenth year teaching auto shop classes.
to become very excited about hiring from us because she is such a high quality employee.” Greg Lipp, an automotive technology professor, also praised female graduates. “Our young ladies that finish the program typically are very successful,” Lipp said. Brown said t an interesting dynamic occasionally in the classroom: men have trouble asking questions, whereas the women do not.
“I think it’s a male thing, there’s a certain ego, ‘I’m already supposed to know that’ type of response,” Brown said. Brown said women will just ask questions if they do not understand something. “The young ladies don’t seem to suffer from that ailment,” Brown said. A Citrus alumnus who completed the automotive technology program in 2002, Priscilla Englert, now runs
will provide a one button access to Campus Safety 24/7,” Macias said. “Many years ago, campus payphones served in this capacity... These new phones will update that antiquated feature as they will serve in the same function.” These glowing blue emergency phones will stand at ten feet and come equipped with a four-speaker PA system that will tie into the District’s emergency notification system. With this system, Macias said that campus safety will be able to broadcast emergency notifications to a wide area. Macias said the goal is to install 10 emergency phones throughout campus within the first year of the installation plan. Additional phones will be later installed within the five years after. Though Macias said implementation each phone can range from $5,000 to $15,000, Director of Facilities and Construction Fred Diamond said that the total cost for installation of the emergency phones has not been finalized. “The installation would include the technology cabling (phone & data) and the electrical cabling (power).” Diamond said over email. “Additionally within the installation there would be trenching, conduit,
backfilling, placement of concrete/ asphalt, steel for bolting, etc.” Diamond also said that precise locations of the phones will be predicted based on the availability of power and data. “... one of the big decisions will be whether the data is provided by WiFi or is provided by actual cabling,” Diamond said. “Once all of these items are rectified, the total cost will be known only after bidding has occurred.” With the price of individual phones being so high, some question whether or not their benefits outweigh their costs. In a 2009 article, Valerie Lucus-McEwen — a previous emergency manager and business continuity professional at UC Davis — was not supportive of their installation. “I’m a parent,” Lucus-McEwen said. “I have a daughter in college. I’d vote to take the blue-light phones out and apply that money against the next tuition hike.” However, Citrus photography student Marie-Andrée Chinchilla supported installation of the phones. “I think that’s awesome!” Chinchilla said. “It’s like a cushion, knowing that you could run to one if you needed. I think it’s a really good idea. I’m surprised they didn’t already have
Trustees meeting on Dec. 4. In a consent agenda, items such as contractor/consultant agreements, certain authorizations and agreements have been previously viewed by staff and board members, allowing for a single vote on multiple items. In the beginning of October, in a Board of Trustees meeting, Owens brought up the fact that he felt members in the Human Resources department were discriminating against him. Owens said he started getting harassed at Citrus for two and a half years since the start of his employment. “At my time of employment at Citrus College, I’ve been singly harassed by the Human Resources Department,” Owens said to the board. “I’ve had false allegations and repeated lies spread about me to and through the Human Resources Department.” He explained that Human
Resources tried to get other employees involved in the situation. “They have asked employees of the district to lie about me,” Owens said. “And when the employees declined, Human Resources pushed them further, but if the individuals declined further, they were dismissed—they were terminated from employment.” Owens did not name employees involved, but said there has been an ongoing investigation involving himself and Human Resources. “The Human Resources Department had investigations about me, perpetrated lies about me in an effort to disparage my good name,” Owens said. Owens said he believes Human Resources coerced those involved and hired an outside investigator. “I believe Human Resources was removed from the investigation due to their obvious bias towards me,” Owens said. “But they were allowed
her own auto tech program at Bonita High School. Englert said in an email as a little girl she was always interested in things she could fix. “I could remember playing with bikes, skateboards, roller blades, then anything I could get my hands on to figure out how it worked, maintain, then how to keep on the road,” Englert said. Englert said she had to learn how to take care of her car once she
started driving if she wanted to keep it. “My parents didn’t necessarily have the means of buying me a new car or maintaining a car I would eventually get, so I had to figure that out if I was to drive, so I did,” Englert said. Englert said she is grateful for the program at Citrus. “It was a great opportunity for me to learn as much as I could about a machine I wanted to learn about in order to make a living as well as how to make one go faster, be stronger, better, etcetera,” Englert said. Englert said she never was unaware of or concerned with gender discrimination in the classroom. After graduating from Citrus, Englert completed her B.S. degree in Industrial Technology at Cal State Los Angeles. She said she was involved in a bicycle crash that motivated her to switch from engineering to teaching. Englert said she never thought she would be a teacher, but is grateful for the opportunity to teach young people something she is passionate about. Englert said she wants to lead by example for young girls in the industry and hopes that more girls will pursue their interests despite gender bias in some professions.
Photo Illustration by Alejandro Rosas and Brianna Sewell Clarion
One possible model of a blue light emergency phone stands in the VA building courtyard. The model of the phone and location shown are not official.
them.” Chinchilla is currently taking History of Photography on Mondays, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Leaving class so late at night, she said it was often an unnerving experience when walking alone. “It’s so scary,” Chinchilla said. “I’m five-one, walking out at 10 p.m. You see the occasional campus safety officer, but what are they going to do when they’re across campus?” Though Chinchilla said she carries her pepper pray on her
keychain, she said having the protection of the blue light emergency phones would make her feel much safer on campus. With their installation students will have faster access to assistance from campus safety, promoting a safer learning environment for students and Citrus College staff alike. When these emergency phones are finally installed this spring semester, they might be able to help prevent further crimes like the recent invasions of privacy on campus.
to bring in outside legal counseling to direct the investigation from the sidelines which has made it impossible for me to get a fair say. “During the so-called investigation, I’ve asked for staff interviews. But these requests were ignored and I was denied the opportunity to have truth to come out in this situation.” Even if Owens wanted help from other employees, he said the Human Resources department made it nearly impossible for him to do so. “Somebody that had information contrary to HR’s desired outcome was never allowed to speak,” Owens said. Before going in front of the board, Owens said he tried to turn to his superiors for help. “I’ve been asking management to intervene for months now,” Owens said. “There’s been no serious review of the actions against me.” Owens brought no evidence for the allegations. He said due to constant
stress, his physical and mental health have deteriorated. “I’ve lost 55 pounds since my employment here at Citrus College due to the continual intentional infliction emotional distress, the continue of harassment and personal attacks,” Owens said. Owens ended his speech by pleading for the board’s help. Director of Human Resources Robert Sammis said he could not comment about Owens’ accusations of his department. “It’s a personnel matter,” Sammis said. He said situations involving staff members or ongoing investigations are private. Since the meeting, Owens has refused repeated requests for comment by phone and email. A colleague in his office said Owens is no longer with Citrus.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018 PAGE 9
Thoughts lyricized at Black Student Union’s poetry slam BY NATALIE MALINS STAFF REPORTER
NMALINS@CCCLARION.COM
The Citrus College Black Student Union hosted its 2nd annual Poetry Slam from 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 27 in the Campus Center Mall. Free food and drinks were provided while students recited their own poetry, published poems and song lyrics they wanted to share. Readers covered romance, emotional experience, politics and social issues. Nursing major, Vivianne Valencia read her poetry for the first time in front of an audience. She heard about the event in the Latinos Unidos Student Association, which frequently collaborates in events with BSU. ASCC Vice President Makayla Pedroza recited “Touched by an Angel” by Maya Angelou. She dedicated the lyrics to a friend responsible for organizing the event. Elisabeth Ritacca, BSU’s advisor, said the club was founded in 2004, closed because of low membership and rebooted two years ago. “The main goal is making awareness on campus about what we do as a club because a lot of people don’t know about it, and then increasing membership,”
Psychology major Ethan Kruse recites a poem from his phone on Nov. 27 at the Black Student Union Poetry Slam.
Ritacca said. BSU meets from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday in room CI 137.
The group visits museum, performs community service and screens films on campus.
Members said they hope to continue in the future. BSU posts events on the Citrus
Natalie Malins Clarion
College calendar, posters around campus and their Instagram page @bsu.citrus.
REVIEW
‘Becoming Magdalene’ explores an identity in progress BY SAYEDAH MOSAVI OPINIONS EDITOR
SMOSAVI@CCCLARION.COM
There comes a point in people’s lives where they begin to question the very roots of their identities. Often, a person’s thoughts are caught in a cyclical process of doubt and reflection as they seek to answer two looming questions—who am I? And why am I here? For some people, the journey to self-discovery is metaphysical. Existential in character, their questions are rooted in finding cosmic, philosophical meaning. For others, the journey to self is a question of belonging and acceptance, which was precisely the case for Magdalene Vega, the protagonist in Citrus librarian Elizabeth Cook’s novel “Becoming Magdalene.” Written under the pen-name Elisabeth Fitzgerald, Cook captures the emotional struggles her young protagonist faces as she is challenged by new circumstances.
Maggie Vega, a horror screenwriter from Chicago who just sold her first screenplay, thrusts herself into the chaos that is Hollywood only to feel she does not belong. Between Hollywood’s hectic eat-you-alive attitude and the mess that is Los Angeles traffic, Maggie finds herself torn between two selves—the polite mid-westerner she once was and the thickskinned shark she needs to be to succeed in LA. Ever since she was young, Maggie struggled with acceptance from others. With an absent, alcoholic father and a mother with a penchant for dating men half her age, Maggie was left feeling like her own source of solace. She finds her greatest source of comfort in her new neighbor, Tatiana—an aspiring actress with an abrasive wisdom who cares for Maggie in her most desperate moments. Perhaps the most striking feature in Cook’s novel is the detail with which she renders her char-
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acters, especially Tatiana. The caustic tenderness ADVERTISEMENT
of
Tatiana’s persona juxtaposed against her rough environment
shows the care with which Cook crafted Tatiana’s personality. In one scene, Maggie confides in Tatiana about her trust issues and how they have affected her romantic life. Tatiana, who listens intently as Maggie relates her insecurities, responds with acerbic comfort, “Look, I say this with nothing but love but b----, you crazy!” In an earlier scene, Maggie’s estranged father suddenly reaches out to her, which leaves Maggie quietly upset. Tatiana notices this and says, “Your eyes look sad,” before offering Maggie her advice. It is in these small interactions that Cook presents her readers with the vulnerability of her characters, and in doing this, she captures the contradictions of Los Angeles—grit, grace and caustic wit. Overall, Cook’s novel is an engaging, enjoyable read. “Becoming Magdalene” is currently available on Amazon. Readers can anticipate a sequel as Maggie continues her journey toward self-discovery.
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Photo courtesy of Joey Martinez photographer for Chicano Batman
Corey McCormick, left, and Anthony LoGerfo, right, performing together. McCormick and LoGerfo attended Citrus and were in “A Star is Born” together.
Alumni join stars on big screen In ‘Star is Born,’ fictional band features alumni members BY LYDIA EGAN STAFF REPORTER
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LEGAN@CCCLARION.COM
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper walked into a Santa Monica recording studio where two Citrus College alumni were practicing scoring their latest hit film. Now Corey McCormick and Anthony LoGerfo perform in the hit box-office film “A Star is Born,” with Cooper and Gaga. “I think Bradley and Gaga liked that we could record live and have it sound very authentic,” LoGerfo said. LoGerfo said Cooper saw the authenticity they wanted them to be in the movie too. McCormick graduated from Citrus in 1999 and LoGerfo graduated in 2006. Both of them were fixtures of Citrus’ music department. Both McCormick, a bassist, and LoGerfo, a drummer, are in Lukas Nelson’s band “Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.” Nelson, son of country star Willie Nelson, was approached by Cooper to be in the movie after Cooper saw the band perform at the music festival, Desert Trip. Music instructor Alan Waddington mentored both McCormick and LoGerfo. Waddington said Lukas
Nelson & Promise of the Real were approached by Cooper because it was evident they care about their music. “He saw that they could jam,” Waddington said. “He wanted a band that was truly a band.” In the film, McCormick and LoGerfo play in Cooper’s fictional country-rock band. “A Star is Born” earned a $354.5 million at box office and has had Oscar buzz since its release in October. McCormick and LoGerfo’s participation in the film is an achievement for Citrus alumni. Despite their roles in the film, McCormick, LoGerfo and the rest of Promise of the Real were almost replaced by another band. McCormick, LoGerfo and the band were only scheduled to score the film’s soundtrack and mentor Cooper for his role as a country singer. Although Cooper is an actor, LoGerfo said Cooper’s transition from actor to musician was not difficult. “He actually loved it and was a natural,” LoGerfo said. “He felt the energy that we gave him from the very beginning.” Lady Gaga plays the character
Ally alongside Cooper in the film. LoGerfo said their mutual appreciation for music made the collaboration effortless. “We’ve worked with a lot of artists over the years and I think they all feel this from us right away,” LoGerfo said. Visual and Performing Arts Faculty Member Gino Munoz said McCormick and LoGerfo were always keen on becoming professional musicians. “I knew that they both had what it took to make it if they were able to get the right opportunity,” Munoz said. Trying to become a full-time musician at a young-age is a lot of work; during his four year stay at Citrus, LoGerfo said he used to practice 10 hours a day and would sometimes be in 10 bands at the same time. “I always kept going never looking back,” LoGerfo said. Since their time at Citrus, LoGerfo and McCormick have worked with artists Willie Nelson, Neil Young, B.B. King, Sheryl Crow, Jackson Browne and Bob Weir, and have also been in the Netflix film, “Paradox”.
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Antonio Garcia Clarion
Citrus Singers perform Abba’s “Mamma Mia” for the Haugh Theater’s Showtunes Cabaret on Oct. 28, at the Haugh Performing Arts Center.
Singers earn global acclaim BY ELLE HAINES STAFF REPORTER
EHAINES@CCCLARION.COM
An elite group of talented singers perform at country clubs, travel the world and regularly take the stage of the Haugh Performing Arts Center. The Citrus Singers is an audition-only program preparing students for careers as performers, recording artists and educators. Former Citrus Singers perform on Broadway, in film, work as
professional vocalists and teach performing arts. Renee Liskey was a part of the Citrus Singers from 1995 to 1998 and is now the head choreographer. “The Singers have won numerous awards since its inception in 1968,” Liskey said. “They are the only American choir to win all categories of the acclaimed International Choral Festival in Spitall, Austria.” Liskey said the singers performed at Super Bowl VII, several Rose
Parades, opening days for Dodger Ontario Motor Speedway with Diana Ross and at a campaign stop for former President Richard Nixon. Many students join the Citrus Singers program because of their passion for performing and thrill of being on stage in front of a live audience.
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SPORTS
Owls lose back-to-back at home Citrus College men’s basketball team takes a step back at tournament BY TANNAN LUZZO SPORTS EDITOR
TLUZZO@CCCLARION.COM
& MICHAEL QUINTERO MANAGING EDITOR
MQUINTERO@CCCLARION.COM
Citrus College men’s basketball ended it’s five-game win streak with back to back losses at the Citrus College Invitational on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The Owls lost the first game of the invitational 91-77 to Southwestern College and lost a close game 90-86 against Fullerton College. Citrus has had to play several tough opponents to open up the season, but by no mistake. “We have set our schedule up to be one of if not the hardest schedule on purpose, so we like those hard fought battles,” head coach Brett Lauer said. “When you’re beating teams that are not as good, it gives you a false sense of security.” Fullerton College came into the game with a record of 6-1 and a fourgame win streak. “We beat them earlier in the year at their place and they are ranked maybe No. 2 or 3 in the state so we tried to schedule the hardest teams we could to get battle tested,” Lauer said. The Owls held onto a double-digit lead throughout the second half until a couple costly fouls and a technical foul sent Fullerton to the line for a three-point swing. Momentum grew in Fullerton’s favor as they came back to tie the game
Michael Quintero Clarion
Owls freshman guard Toby Okwuokei, right, shoots a contested shot against Fullerton College on Dec. 1 at Citrus College.
at 75 at the five-minute mark. The last four minutes of the game went back and forth as the backcourt for each team could not miss a shot. “You want to be in some close
games and some big time fights,” Lauer said. “When you get into conference and the games like playoffs… they are close then you’ve been there before. You don’t want the first time ADVERTISEMENT
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2018
to be in the biggest moments.” Citrus freshman guard Colby Orr was unstoppable in the second half scoring 19 of his 32 points. With a little over one minute left in the game Orr drove in and made a contested layup to take the lead by two points. On the next possession Fullerton guard Lance Coleman drained a three-pointer with a little over 1 minute left in the game. Orr came back on the next possession, but missed a mid-range jumper and Fullerton rebounded the ball. The rest of the game ended with the Owls playing the foul game, but Fullerton came through with their free throws. The Owls played a physical game in the first half, recording seven blocked shots during the half. “Our guys battled hard, it really came down to getting a stop,” Lauer said. “We didn’t get it and they got the stop. They made a play and we didn’t.” The Owls backcourt was the story of the game with Owls guards Josh Caston, Toby Okwuokei and Orr combining for 63 points. The Owls record moves to 6-4 on the season. The Owls look to rebound from their back to back losses and will play Santiago Canyon on Dec. 7 at Citrus College. “Our thing is to get better and better as the season goes on and be playing our best basketball when it means the most,” Lauer said. “We’ve set ourselves up to be tested every single night.”
FIGHTING OWLS SCHEDULE H O M E
A W A Y
MEN’S BASKETBALL 6 PM 5 PM 7 PM FRI FRI WED 12/7 12/14 12/19 SANTIAGO EL CAMINO CHAFFEY CANYON TOURNEY
TBA FRI 12/21 CHAFFEY TOURNEY
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 5 PM 1 PM TBA 6 PM FRI SAT SUN WED 12/14 12/28 12/29 12/19 SAN DIEGO WEST LA GROSSMONT GROSSMONT CITY CITY CITY COLLEGE COLLEGE
FIGHTING OWLS OVERALL FOOTBALL
7-4 MEN’S BASKETBALL
6-4 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
5-4 MEN’S SOCCER
4-8-6 WOMEN’S SOCCER
10-7-4
CAMPUS RETAIL SERVICES
SS
Art & Coffee Bar Mon. & Thu. 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue. & Wed. 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. 7:45 a.m.-1 p.m. www.owlbookshop.com Cashier Discounted tickets to movies and local attractions www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv Vending Machine
PA
Box Office Robert D. Haugh Performing Arts Center Citrus Little Theatre www.haughpac.com
GR
The Range at Citrus Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun. Closed www.citruscollege.edu/golf
BK
Owl Bookshop Mon.-Thu. 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri. 7:45 a.m.-1 p.m. www.owlbookshop.com
CC
Owl Café & Grill (lower floor) Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. www.citruscollege.edu/stdntsrv/owlcafe Owl’s Nest Food Truck Located between the MA and PC buildings
TC
The SPA at Citrus (east side) For appointments, call 626-335-1234 www.owlbookshop.com
Supporting Campus Retail Services Supports Students!