Remembering a ‘Renaissance man’ ARC STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER JOHN ‘CHANCE’ WHEELER COMMITTED SUICIDE JAN. 19
american river
By Joseph Daniels
current
joseph64daniels@gmail. com
Vol. 66, Ed. 7 • February 11, 2015
Obama college proposal unclear PROPOSAL HAS SOME CONDITIONS By Kameron Schmid and Miranda Bolar kameronschmid@gmail.com miranda.bolar@gmail.com President Barack Obama spoke specifically to college students in his State of the Union address on Jan. 20 when he proposed free tuition for the first two years of classes, with certain conditions. While specifics are scarce, American River College President Thomas Greene and public information officer Scott Crow both say that any nationwide conversation about the value of an education is a good start. “The biggest key to a twentyfirst century global economy is an educated workforce. Hands down,” said Greene. Added Crow, “We’re just glad that the president has put a spotlight on the value of a community college education.” “It shows that there is value in education, it transforms lives, it’s an economic engine in the community. Study after study shows that increased education increases economic worth for individuals.” According to the fact sheet sent out by the White House, students who “attend at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college, and make steady progress toward completing their program” will retain eligibility for the program. It is currently unclear how the proposal will affect programs such as California’s Board of Governors fee waiver or the federal Pell Grant, commonly known as FAFSA. Also unknown is how flexible the program will be for those who have educational needs other than a two-year transfer degree. Initial proposals said payment for the program will come from the federal side mostly, with individual states chipping in a smaller amount. But students who now receive FAFSA may be wary,
SEE TUITION, PAGE 2
Photo courtesy of Cat Stehr
John ‘Chance’ Wheeler, pictured here with his daughter, Menolly. Wheeler committed suicide on Jan. 19.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
Learn about the outlets and avenues that ARC and the community have for those who feel at risk, including a campus club that focuces on suicide prevention and provides counseling opportunities. SEE PAGE 3.
SEE SUICIDE, PAGE 3
New professor has Disney past DAVID AUSTIN USED TO CHOREOGRAPH PARADES AT THE ‘HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH’ By John Ferrannini jferr1995@gmail.com Speech professor David Austin’s path to American River College has included bullying, living on the streets of Los Angeles, and working at Disneyland. “When I worked for Citrus College, I worked as a hired choreographer who worked with their music department,” said Austin. “Disney hires out entertainment and then that entertainment goes to Disneyland and performs there.” Austin also choreographed John Ferrannini / jferr1995@gmail.com performances at Disney World, Professor David Austin is in his first year teaching speech classes at ARC. in the Bahamas and Jamaica, and
ARCurrent.com
INDEX
An American River College student committed suicide a day before the start of the spring semester. John ‘Chance’ Wheeler took photography classes during the Fall 2014 semester at ARC. Wheeler posted a suicide note on Facebook in the form of a poem. In the post, Wheeler first cited his physical condition and pain as reasons for his depression. A diabetic, Wheeler had also recently been diagnosed with neuropathy, a condition where nerves that carry messages to the brain and spinal cord from the rest of the body are damaged or diseased. Wheeler said in the note that he was “tired of being in constant pain,” and “tired of living in a body that betrays me.” “He found it hard to walk, and just in case he would be in a wheelchair, so that he wouldn’t fall down or anything,” said his daughter, Menolly Wheeler, 14. Wheeler shared his passion for video games, comic books and anime with his three daughters, and also took them to conventions. “He was your typical ‘80s nerd. So non-judgemental, accepted everybody,” said Aubrey Ford, a high school friend of Wheeler’s who organized a wake for his friend. The wake was held Friday at the Citrus Heights Community Center. Friends and family recounted their fond memories of Wheeler at the event. Many who attended Wheeler’s wake were friends he had made during his involvement with a live shadow-cast production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
facebook.com/ARCurrentcom
News pages 2 & 3 Sports pages 4 & 5
Feature page 6 Scene page 8
A&C pages 9 & 10 Opinion page 11
@ARCurrent ESL STUDENT PAGE 9
on Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines. While Austin said “it’s way less exciting than it seems,” he thinks the experience helped his selfconfidence as an instructor. “Having the opportunity to teach dance at Citrus College where they then went on tour in different situations, that was really my first opportunity of knowing I could actually teach,” he said. Paul Duax, a speech professor at ARC, said he is impressed with Austin. “He’s the new hot shot teacher on campus,” said Duax.
SEE DISNEY, PAGE 8
@ARCurrent
Student from overseas, Peter Sukhin, experiences a new enviornment while conflicts develop in his homeland.
February 11, 2015
Page 2
Tuition: 2.5 GPA required for free college
News
american river
current Editor-in-Chief Kameron Schmid Managing Editor John Ferrannini
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 For students who only receive the BOG fee waiver, there are still books to buy, and living expenses to maintain, such as rent and food. One such student is Eddie Nash, a foreign language major at ARC, who previously obtained a degree from another community college. ARC doesn’t recognize this degree, yet it is recognized by FAFSA, which means he does not qualify for financial aid, but does qualify for the BOG waiver fee. “I’m a twenty-something and I still have living expenses. You become extra-resourceful, knowing what things to cut out of your life,” said Nash. “It sucks that I don’t have that extra money to save.” Rusty Porter, a psychology major, thinks that some students who are receiving financial aid misuse it, and wants to see a system that provides “for the actual classes and books, and not so much extra money, because people abuse that.” Porter described himself as “living in poverty” while also juggling the responsibilities of a student. “I have to hold down a crappy job and try to balance school. I can’t afford anything extra. It’s hard to pull yourself up out of that,” said Porter. Kinesiology major Casey Billings thinks tuition for all colleges, community and four year, should be free, like it is in many European countries. How to pay for it? “Cut the military budget by .00001 percent. It’s so ridiculous, how much we spend,” said Billings.
News Editor Joseph Daniels Sports Editors Matt Peirson Kevin Sheridan Arts and Culture Editors Lindsey Mar tin Matthew Wilke
Photo by Lindsey Martin / lindseymartin51391@gmail.com
Clubs and Events Board members vote on the use of the flyer made for the upcoming “Epic Love” Club Day.
CAEB holds its first meeting “EPIC LOVE” CLUB DAY WILL FEATURE BEST TOGA CONTEST By Lindsey Martin lindseymartin51391@ gmail.com The upcoming Club Day, food handling and the Color Dash were some of things discussed at the first meeting of the Clubs and Events Board (CAEB) on Jan. 27. The Greek-themed “Epic Love” club day set for Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. will kick off the spring semester with games, prizes, and even a kissing booth where they will be giving away condoms to raise awareness on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The Student Senate will be giving away a back-to-school bag that includes a USB drive, while the Fierce club has plans to resurrect the Temple of Aphrodite. $300 will be spent on decorations, ARC shirts, and gift certificates to the Beaver Bookstore for prizing. Members from each club are
ASBNOTEBOOK By John Ferrannini jferr1995@gmail.com The Associated Student Body Clubs and Events Board and Student Senate are planning for Club Day and the March in March. CAEB is putting on a Greek themed “Epic Love” club day set for Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Club Day will include games, prizes, and even a kissing booth with free condoms to raise awareness on prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Prizes in the amount of 30 dollars will be given to best toga and also the club with the most members dressed in togas. CAEB is putting on a 5k run called the Color Dash on Feb. 28 at 11a.m. to benefit child victims of domestic violence. Student Senate is preparing for the upcoming March in March on March 2, in spite of the fact that the event’s traditional protest march down Capitol Mall may not be occurring this year. “SSCCC (Student Senate for California Com-
being asked to wear togas and participate in the collaborative effort of CAEB. Prizes in the amount of 30 dollars will be given to best toga and also the club with the most members dressed in togas. Clubs are now allowed to purchase food that doesn’t require preparation from places other than Aramark, their normal vendor. This new allowance of third party vendors only applies to club days. “We are inching our way toward more compromise,” said Manuel Perez, student development dean. Club members were given an opportunity to earn a food handling certificate at “The Lifecycle of a Food Request” workshop on Feb. 6. This certificate will stay with the individual who earned it no matter which club they belong to, so clubs are advised to send multiple members because only people with the certificate are allowed to handle food.
The CAEB team is doing a 5k run called the Color Dash where they will be covered in powdered paint at the end of the run. The color dash will be held Feb. 28 at 11 a.m. and will benefit children who have been a victim of domestic violence. Resolution S15-XX, a constitutional amendment to establish a directory of sustainability position, was also read at the meeting. This resolution to create a position for the sole purpose of ensuring that the student senate is going as green as possible must still be approved by both the CAEB and Senate boards and then placed on the ballot to be voted on by students. “I’m very very optimistic about CAEB,” said LeslieAnn Dameron, who has been director of activities for the last two years. “We’ve grown so much. Our membership, our participation. It’s great to have a place where you feel like you’re actually doing something in college.”
Scene Editors Brandon Nelson Jose Garcia Opinion Editor Cameron Weaver Web Editor Emily K. Rabasto Multimedia Editor Br yce Fraser Staff Noor Abasi Miranda Bolar Nicholas Corey Lena Dobynes Cheyenne Drur y Meredith Durham Mychael Jones Mar y-Ann Myers Alex Panasenko Michael Phillips
Adviser Walter Hammer wold Photo Adviser Jill Wagner
ASB PLANS CLUB DAY, COLOR DASH, AND MARCH IN MARCH EVENTS
munity Colleges) has not scheduled a march,” said Tamara Dunning, who is acting as ASB student senate president. “There seems to be some back and forth on this. That’s the information I have at this time.” The traditional speeches on the capitol steps will still occur. “It’s absolutely disappointing. I personally have a very huge issue with it,” said Director of Public Relations Cameron Weaver. Student Senate created a taskforce to help with the planning of ARC’s participation in the march. The task force will have “the authority to decide what objects need to be given away, where we are going to meet, I’m not sure of everything that would need to be done,” according to David Hylton, the ASB student senate director of activities. Katheryn White, who was ASB student senate director of communications, resigned from the board due to a class scheduling conflict. Richard Dean and Samuel Kinsey were appointed to the board as new senators. Kinsey
has had experience on the student government at Arizona State University. Kinsey said he moved back to Sacramento from Arizona due to “family issues,” and wants to continue serving in student government at the community college level. Dean said became interested in student government after his friend Tim Lipuma, a former ASB student senator, recommended he join the board. “I hope to represent STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) majors on campus,” he said. Jorge Riley, who was elected ASB student senate president over Dunning by a margin of 62 votes, but whose election was invalidated for reasons the administration and ASB have not disclosed, said that the student senate “should be recalled.” “They spent $16,000 on folders promoting themselves. They want to go to March in March and do nothing. For $18,000, I can get celebrities, a movie star to come,” he added. Miranda Bolar, Linsdey Martin and Alex Panasenko contributed to this report.
PROUD MEMBERS OF THE CNPA & JACC
POLICY The Current is produced by the students of College Media Production, J410-413. All opinions are signed and not necessarily endorsed by the Current staff. All letters and articles appearing in the Editorial, Opinion or Forum sections are not necessarily representative of the Current staff or American River College policy. All articles are the property of the Current. Letters must be typed and can be submitted by mail, e-mail or in person at the following addresses: The American River Current 4700 College Oak Drive Liberal Arts, Room 120 Sacramento, CA 95841 Phone: 916-484-8304 Fax: 916-484-8668 E-mail: Current@arc.losrios.edu www.ARCurrent.com
News
February 11, 2015
Page 3
Suicide: ARC student remembered at wake CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Kameron Schmid / kameronschmid@gmail.com
Above: Middle, Aubrey Ford, a high school friend of John ‘Chance’ Wheeler helped organize the wake. Wheeler’s ex-wife Cat Stehr Miller stands to the right over a display of his personal belongings during his wake on Jan. 30. Left: Wheeler was working on a stop motion feature prior to his death. The figurines that he was using as models were given to friends and family to remember him.
Martin Tucker, a close friend of Wheeler’s from ARC and “Rocky,” performed the eulogy for Wheeler. “I wrote Chance’s eulogy in a ‘Death Note’ book. He would appreciate the irony,” said Tucker to scattered laughs. ‘Death Note’ is a series of books that featured a protagonist who had the ability to murder people by just writing their names down in a spiritually-possessed notebook that he owned. Tucker went on to describe Wheeler as a caring person with a sardonic, dry sense of humor. “He would make jokes, and then he would be sitting there like waiting for you to get it, and when that ‘aha’ moment would hit, he would nod at you,” said Tucker. Wheeler’s friend, Star Hansen, said “There was a lot to him. A renaissance man, an incredible artist, very loving, always doing something for someone else. He
had a dark and demented sense of humor which was sweet.” A number of Wheeler’s friends described his willingness to help others as being the type of person who would take the shirt off of his own back if he thought someone else needed it. Wheeler was working on a stop motion film prior to his death. Figurines that he was using for his feature were given away to friends and family who wanted something to remember him by. During her speech during the wake, Wheeler’s youngest daughter, Bobbi Wheeler, said, “I hear all these different stories about stuff, and I’m like, ‘you know why he didn’t do that with me? I’m 13.’” The photography that Wheeler did for the dance program at ARC was done for free. “His pictures was always 10 times more artistic than the guy who took your passport photo,” said ARC dance instructor Sunny Smith.
SUICIDE CRISIS IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS: SACRAMENTO: (916) 732-3637 USA NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINES: (TOLL-FREE/ 24 HOURS/ SEVEN DAYS A WEEK) 1-800-784-2433 1-800-273-8255 THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH CRISIS LINE: (800) 843-5200 TLCS: (916) 737-7483
Club offers suicide prevention services COUNSELLING PROVIDED IN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING By Cheyenne Drury cheyennemdrury@gmail.com Life is Worth the Walk, a suicide prevention group on campus, began at the 2011 Out of the Darkness Walk in San Francisco. Cindy Marks, nursing major, and Sharon Schultz, American River College alumni, participated in the event that year along with Pegg Scott, a psychology professor. Marks and Schultz brought the idea for the group and its name forward to Scott, and it has been up and running since then. “If you’re just having a bad day come and talk,” said Scott. Students also have the option of dropping into the counseling office and will be seen immediately in the event of a crisis. The counselling office can be found behind the administrative building on College Oak Drive. “Students can drop in anytime and we generally tend to get a few people per week, and a lot of students during certain times of the year like finals,” said counselor Reyna Moore. ARC student John ‘Chance’ Wheeler committed suicide a day before the spring semester began. Most suicide help centers require that one has been previously diagnosed with a mental illness. TLCS is a private, nonprofit psychosocial rehabilitation agency that does not have such requirements, and offer services to any individual in Sacramento county who is at least 18-years-old. They can provide transportation via taxi for those in need. Meetings for Life is Worth the Walk is held the first Thursday of every month in Davies Hall room 111 and the third Thursday of each month during Club Day festivities at 12:15-1:15 p.m.
The club’s Club Day events average about 30 or so individuals who come to participate. “It brings me joy seeing old clients and friends and renewed strength and courage in remembering those lost,” club president Melanie Martinez said. Scott says that people help themselves by helping others. There is a strong correlation between suicide and mental illnesses since the strongest risk factor is depression, according to SAVE, or Suicide Awareness Voices of Education. “There’s a huge stigma with mental health illnesses,” Scott said. There are flyers for all of the local help resources. They can be found in the behavioral and social sciences area located on the third floor of Davies Hall. Some helpful tips on what to do when confronted with someone who is suicidal or experiencing depression comes from Julian Strobe, a psychology major at American River who is an active worker for The California Youth Crisis Line. “Firstly, stay calm and don’t freak out. They are still the same person that you love. Secondly, empathize with them and do whatever you can to have them remove themselves from a potential dangerous area or environment,” said Strobe. Some other helpful tips that Strobe gave included making sure to never devalue or undermine how the person is feeling and to began asking them about their life and loved ones and concentrating on taking the focus off of suicide. Life is Worth the Walk is sponsoring TLCS at Welcome Day Event Thursday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of ARC’s Student Center.
Kameron Schmid / kameronschmid@gmail.com
The daughter of a friend of John ‘Chance’ Wheeler painted a portrait of him that was displayed at his wake on Friday, Jan. 30 in Citrus Heights.
February 11, 2015
Page 4
Sports
Four ARC players head to Division I 11 PLAYERS TOTAL HAVE SIGNED SO FAR
By Kevin Sheridan and Matthew Peirson kevinsheridan56@gmail. com, matthewpeirson@ gmail.com Starting in early December of 2014, 11 members of American River College’s football team from the 2014 season have signed letters of intent to play at universities, with four of those players, Jordan Carell, Ewing Simmons, Casey Lambert and Zach Heath having signed with power conference Division I schools. Carrell, a defensive lineman, was named NorCal defensive MVP for the 2014 season and signed with the University of Colorado in December. In his last season at ARC, Carrell recorded 8 sacks and 61 tackles. Carrell received offers from 26 different schools, including Cal Poly and Northern Arizona, saying he believes going to Colorado will give him the best opportunity to make an immediate impact. “(Colorado) was the biggest offer, and it’s a great opportunity for me to start because they were lacking in depth at defensive line,” he said. According to Carrell, Colorado was the only member of the Pac12 conference to give him an of-
fer. Carrell says one of the things the coaches at ARC taught him that he will take to Colorado was how to be a better player off the field as well as on it. “(Head Coach Jon) Osterhout taught me the craft of playing defensive line, accountability and just becoming a better player on and off the field,” said Carrell. Simmons, also a defensive lineman, signed with the University of New Mexico after recording 4 sacks and 25 tackles in his final season at ARC. Simmons says the defensive scheme that New Mexico runs will suit his abilities well, saying that he can be an asset to it. “I like their defensive scheme, I like the way they run it, I believe there on the up-and-up … I like the academics, (and) I like Albuquerque,” said Simmons. Simmons said that roughly ten schools who pursued him, including the University of California, Berkeley and The University of Miami. Simmons says the most valuable thing that ARC coaches taught him was discipline. “Just discipline, how to play the game from a technique standpoint, and just an overall understanding (of the game),” said Simmons, adding that ARC is about the closest thing you can get to
File photo
Defensive lineman Jordan Carrell signed to the University of Colorado in December after an 8 sack season at ARC.
playing in Division I football. Lambert, one of the team’s running backs, signed with the University of Hawaii after finishing second on the team with 312 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Lambert says one of the reasons he decided to go to the University of Hawaii was simply to get out of town. “I wanted to get away from Sacramento, I wanted to get out
of California,” he said. “I’ve lived here my whole life. I wanted to experience something new.” Lambert also says he wanted to have the opportunity to play on a larger scale. “I just liked it because it was my best option … It’s just more time to play, and (Division) I football, so I’m excited. Be on television, get that experience,” he Lambert. Heath, an offensive lineman, signed with the University of Il-
linois. Head Coach Jon Osterhout said in an email to the Current that between 10 and 12 more players are expected to sign in the next to week to a month, including starting quarterback Tanner Trosin. The Current will update new signings as they become official.
SPORTSUPDATES
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
SOFTBALL
MEN’S SWIM
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
The women’s team lost on Feb. 6 at Diablo Valley College, 87-44. Forward Cassandra Jaimes lead all players with 16 points. The loss dropped the team to 9-13 overall on the season and 4-6 in the Big Eight Conference.
Women’s softball lost their opener on Feb. 5 at Solano Community College, 10-6. The game also marked the first career start for pitcher Sharie Albert, who tore her ACL three years ago.
The men’s swimming team opened their season on Feb. 7 at the NorCal relays in Santa Rosa, and will meet next in Livermore for the Las Positas Invite on Feb. 20. Last year, the men’s swim team finished fourth in the Big Eight Conference Championships.
Men’s track and field will take part in the Sac City 7-way at Sac City College on Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. The track and field team finished second at state championships last year after winning state each of the three years prior.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES
Brandon Nelson / brandonnelson916@gmail.com
ARC guard Demontra Harrison drives past a Santa Rosa defender during a game on Jan. 20 that the team lost 52-48.
02/12 Softball vs. Feather River 1 and 3 p.m. 02/17 Women’s Tennis vs. Shasta 1:00 p.m. 02/17 Men’s Tennis vs. Shasta 1:00 p.m. 02/17 Women’s Basketball vs. Sierra 5:30 p.m. 02/17 Men’s Basketball vs. Sierra 7:30 p.m. 02/19 Softball vs. Merced 1 and 3 p.m. 02/21 Softball vs. Redwoods 10 a.m. 02/21 Softball vs. Yuba 2 p.m. 02/24 Softball vs. Butte 1 and 3 p.m. 02/26 Softball vs. Sequoias 12:30 and 2 p.m. 02/26 Baseball vs. Diablo Valley 2 p.m.
Sports
February 11, 2015
Page 5
ARC baseball starts season 1-3 LOSING RECORD DUE IN LARGE PART TO EARLY-INNING PITCHING WOES By Matthew Peirson matthewpeirson@gmail.com
Kameron Schmid / kameronschmid@gmail.com
ARC guard Marcelas Perry scores a layup in the last seconds of a win over Santa Rosa Junior College. Perry is one of three players who average double-figure scoring per game.
Surging for the playoffs
By Matthew Peirson matthewpeirson@gmail.com
TEAM ON THE RISE FOLLOWING ABYSMAL THREE-WIN SEASON American River College’s men’s basketball team is up on its feet and playing well, only a season removed from finishing 3-23 overall and going winless in conference play, the second worst season ever under 16 year head coach Mark Giorgi. The team currently stands with an overall record of 13-8 and has gone 5-5 in conference play in the Big Eight. Watkins leads the team in scoring, one of three players averaging double figures. Sophomore guard Jarvis Watkins leads the team offensively, averaging 12.1 points per game. Fellow guards Keishaun Sinclair and Marcelas Perry follow Watkins, averaging 10.8 and 10 ppg, respectively. SIZE NOW AN ADVANTAGE AFTER BEING A HURDLE LAST SEASON. ARC struggled to match up against bigger teams last season, but now boasts three players who stand 6’8 or above. Centers Chris Cavalin and Maalik Hazziez both stand at 6’8, while recent starting center Eugene Crockett is 6’9. CROCKETT TAKES ON MULTIPLE ROLES AS MEMBER OF TEAM Crockett hadn’t started all season, but has more recently, and is frequently seen on the bench taking an earful from Giorgi or giving one out to his teammates. “I’m the oldest on team, I just take the lead,” Crockett said after a recent game. “Old man, but you got two jobs,” he said on being both a player and taking leadership. RECENT PLAY
The team went into last night’s game against Modesto Junior College with a two game losing streak, taking losses in both games on the road last week at Cosumnes River College, 79-63 on Feb. 3 and falling short at Diablo Valley College on Feb. 6, 58-52. The results from last night’s game against Modesto were not available as of press time. To read the game write up vs. Modesto, go to ARCurrent.com.
American River College’s baseball team has started the season with a record of 1-3. It was dominant in its 9-1 victory over Shasta College on Feb. 4 but has fallen behind early, losing by a big margin in its three losses. A five-run second inning doomed them in the season opener against West Valley College, and the team fell behind 8-1 just two days later, also against West Valley through two innings. Against Feather River College on Feb. 5, starter Andrew Fuentes lasted only ⅓ of an inning and allowed five runs in a 9-3 loss against Feather River. BROADBENT ON FIRE TO START THE SEASON Freshman first baseman, pitcher, and designated hitter Kirby Broadbent has gotten off to a hot start this season, batting .615 with an on base percentage of .722 and slugging percentage of 1.154. In 18 plate appearances, Broadbent has three doubles, two triples, four RBIs and has scored six runs, as well as drawing five walks. OFFENSE IS OFF TO STRONG START The offense of ARC has scored 28 runs through the first four games. It’s been able to fight back into games in which it trailed by large deficits, but the 37 runs allowed has been too much to overcome early in the season. GUNTER REBOUNDS FROM OPENING DAY FLOP WITH BIG GAME IN WIN OVER SHASTA Starting pitcher Matt Gunter struggled in the season opener on Jan. 29, only lasting three innings while allowing six earned runs (eight total) and six walks. He started in the team’s win over Shasta College on Feb. 4, earning his first win of the season after allowing only two hits over six innings pitched, including eight strikeouts. UPCOMING SCHEDULE ARC now embarks on a six-game road trip to five different colleges, which includes a re-scheduled game at Shasta College that was rained out last week. Stops include Hartnell College for two games, Mission College, the re-scheduled game at Shasta, Laney College, and the finale at Solano Community College before the team returns home against Diablo Valley College on Thursday, Feb 26. The team played a home game yesterday against Solano Community College, the results were not available as of press time. To read the game write up, go to ARCurrent.com.
Meredith Durham / meredithdurham7@gmail.com
Relief pitcher Tommy Balmain pitched a scoreless 6 2/3 innings against Feather River on Thursday. ARC lost 9-3.
Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in just 31 months from Azusa Pacific University, and gain a solid, generalist perspective of patient care in a supportive Christian environment.
Program Benefits Prepares you for entry-level positions in orthopedics, cardiopulmonology, clinical electrophysiology, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, and sports medicine. Qualifies you for leadership positions in hospitals, private clinics, sports clinics, rehabilitation centers, pain clinics, government agencies, home and community health care programs, and research projects. Enables you to join one of the fastest-growing sectors in health care.
Doctor of
Physical Therapy
Apply today! Visit apu.edu/dpt/, email gpc@apu.edu, or call (626) 815-4570. 16599
Page 6
February 11, 2015
Feature
Photos by Cheyenne Drury / cheyennemdrury@gmail.com
ARC cross-country and track and field head coach Jeannette Powless competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as a marathon runner after training and teaching in Guam.
An Olympian and a champion TWO OF ARC’S CROSS-COUNTRY AND TRACK AND FIELD COACHES HAVE IMPRESSIVE RUNNING RESUMES By Cheyenne Drury cheyennemdrury@gmail.com Jeanette Powless and Jim Howard have both taken compelling paths to American River College. Powless competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, while Howard twice won the Western States championships, a one hundred mile race from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Powless grew up surrounded by a family of runners. By the age of six, she had already set three world records for her age group respectively. “I had five siblings and they all ran, and my dad was an assistant coach so I just sort of tagged along,” said Powless. While Powless started her running career early, Howard didn’t start running until his sophomore year while attending Elk Grove High School. Howard explained that he wanted to join an individual sport instead of a team sport. “I wanted to go out for a sport, but I wanted to do an individual sport,” said Howard. Howard was running for the varsity squad by the end of his first year, saying that he dominated the league during his junior and senior years. During his senior year, Howard’s said his coach would take him for runs of 20 miles at a six minute pace. Despite the rigorous training routine, Howard says he didn’t realize how far he would progress over the coming years. “(Running is) a progression. I didn’t know how fast I would become,” said Howard. After high school, Howard went onto Cosumnes River College where he was the number one distance runner on the team for the two years he competed. After his time at CRC, Howard continued his career by moving onto Sacramento State University where he ran his last two years of eligibility in 1976 and 1977, helping to coach a national cross country competition the following fall. Howard became a wilderness ranger for the forest service, but he never ventured too far away from the sport he loved, spending the next seven years working and training for marathons. In the 1980 Olympic trials in Buffalo, Howard was the second to last to qualify and in the first mile the leaders were hitting 4:30 pace while he hit a 5:10 pace. This was only the beginning of a very successful career for Howard. He went on to win four American River 50 mile races during the 1980’s. During the same period, he won Western States with a time of 16 hrs and 2 minutes in 1981 and 16 hrs and
Jim Howard twice won the Western States championships, a one hundred mile race from Squaw Valley to Auburn.
seven minutes in 1983. Howard spent 4 ½ months training for the 1981 Western States, finishing 6th in the competition in 1978 with a 30 minute lead. Howard said the longest training run that he ever ran by himself was a distance of 62 miles all throughout Foresthill in Placer County. “It’s putting in the time to be the best you can be,” replied Howard when asked if he enjoyed all of the training. From the ages of six to sixteen, Powless said she was doing double runs every day, competing in road races nearly every weekend while training alongside United San Juan, a girls 18 and under running club team. Her success came with a price, however. “By my sophomore year I was burnt out and I wanted to enjoy my friends and have a social life, so I stopped running and joined the dance and drill team at La Sierra High School,” said Powless. Powless, beginning to notice all her teammates she
grew up with were receiving scholarships, decided to go to ARC and run cross country and track in the hopes of paying her way through school. After not running for 4 years, Powless had to get back into shape before she could compete again. “The first few (cross country) races, I was dead last but I moved up a lot and by the end of the season I was top ten,” said Powless. By the end of her second year, she was the state champion in track for her 1500 time of 4:33, the all-time record in ARC history that still holds to this day. Powless continued her education at the University of Northridge, where she received a scholarship for running. Northridge had changed to a division II school the year she arrived, meaning that Powless had to pay her own way instead of receiving a scholarship that she would have gotten at a division one school. After college, she accepted a job in Guam where she lived for the next 7 years teaching sports and training for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In Guam, there were no tracks, facilities, or coaches, and all training had to be done alone and in the hot and humid Southern Pacific weather. Powless’ training involved a lot of running, biking, and swimming with a low amount of miles ran, averaging about 50 miles per week, while competing in local triathlons nearly every weekend. In the Olympic marathon, Powless finished 36th out of 42 competitors. She described the experience as “not a good race for me.” Even with an unsatisfactory outcome, Powless had the best finish of any Guamanian to date and was awarded the best athlete of the century in Guam’s history. Now that Powless and Howard have settled down with their athletic careers, they both continue to coach and spread their love for running. “I’m transitioning from being a serious master’s runner to being a coach because I love being around the sport,” said Howard. Powless’ current players say that her history with triathlons and running has had a positive effect on them as athletes. “She’s really helped me with the idea that you should try everything once,” said Nursing major and mid distance runner Jocelyn Stillwell. “She’s done it all so she’s got the experience and she passes that onto us,” said Business major and ARC’s current women’s number one distant runner Jenica Dodge.
Page 7
February 11, 2015 Paid Advertisement
Scene
ARC staff and faculty recieve top recognition By Lena DoBynes
lena.dobynes@gmail.com Three of ARC’s top staff members were recognized on Jan. 29 for their outstanding work in the classroom and on campus in a small reception hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning. History professor Kristina Casper-Denman, biology professor Joan Brenchley-Jackson, and athletic equipment manager Keri Jumelet were asked to speak about themselves and what winning their award means to them. “I had no idea that I was going to win when my name was called the week before classes started,” said Casper-Denman, winner of the ARC Patrons Chair Faculty Award and Honorarium. The award is given every year to a member of the faculty who has been nominated by other faculty members, for their commitment to their students, the college and the community. “It was amazing, because after teaching 18 years at ARC—a job that was started by mistake—I hoped one day to be in the same category as my mentor,” she said. Carlos Reyes, dean of the department of behavioral and social
sciences and Casper-Denman’s boss, also said a few words on her behalf. “How she connects with her students is outstanding and I know we joke around alot but she really does transform and change lives—it is a real blessing to have her apart of our department,” said Reyes. Jumelet, presented with the Patrons Meritorious Service Award for Classified Staff, was also surprised to be honored by coworkers and students on campus. This award is given to the staff member who goes above and beyond their duties on campus and many of Jumelet’s co-workers agreed that she embodied the meaning behind the award. “I got a little emotional,” Jumelet admitted. “I feel it is a very special award because I love my job and American River is another home for me - when I’m having a rough day I look to the award sitting on my work counter as a reminder that hard work is rewarded and appreciated.” Brenchley-Jackson was the recipient of this year’s International Teacher Assistance Program (ITAP) award. The award recognizes a faculty
February 11, 2015
Page 8
Problems with the ARC Wi-Fi By Jose Garcia jig.garcia1995@gmail.com
Mary-Ann Myers / MyersMaryAnn@gmail.com
From left, athletic equipment manager Keri Jumelet, biology professor Joan Brenchley-Jackson and history professor Kristina Casper-Denman were recognized for their outstanding work in the classroom and with students.
member who can accommodate students with disabilities and help them reach academic success. The faculty member is nominated by the students. “What, me?” Brenchley-Jackson said of her initial reaction to winning the award. “There are so many eager faculty members willing to work and help all students—I don’t consider myself unique.” According to Kathleen Cronin, Coordinator of Learning Disabilities, the news did not come as a shock to the students who nominated her. They gave Brenchley-
Jackson a standing ovation upon hearing of her win. Along with her award, Brenchley-Jackson received recognition on the Wall of Honor in the Disabled Student Programs and Services building and a $200 stipend which she donated to the Natural History fund on campus. “This award speaks of how you live daily,” Cronin said to Brenchley-Jackson at the reception. Each woman was given a lilac vine at the end of the reception in recognition of their work for the campus and the students.
Disney: Carrying on the family trade CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We were looking for a teacher and clearly he impressed us because he was so earnest. We liked his energy, his teaching, his enthusiasm. He has a lot of diverse teaching experiences.” Duax said that Austin could be a good mentor to students. “If they (students) don’t like me or they don’t like (Alisa) Shubb for whatever reasons, they can turn to him as an ally or as a mentor,” said Duax. Austin is not the only member of his family to be a teacher. His father, Wayne, was chair of the speech department at De Anza College until 1991. “My family didn’t have a lot of money, so my daycare was to actually sit in on his classes before and after school,” said Austin. “I remember thinking to myself that my dad was amazing, but that that was nothing I ever wanted to do.” Austin, who said he was bullied as a child, ran away from home as a teenager after his house was vandalized. “I ran away to Los Angeles—I had lived in the Bay Area—where I lived on the streets. That experience molded me significantly, not only in understanding that students come from different backgrounds and to celebrate
L
CAMPUS PU SE “I’m not sure, I haven’t really listened to his speech about it, so I really don’t know. It sounds like a good thing, but it has it’s down sides.”
-ANTHONYCHAVERRI Business
“
I ran away to Los Angeles—I had lived in the Bay Area—where I lived on the streets. That experience molded me significantly ... not having everything given to me, everything handed to me
DAVIDAUSTIN those differences in the classroom, but also not having a picturesque life—not having everything given to me, everything handed to me,” said Austin. Austin said he wants his classroom to be open to appreciating diversity among students. “In my class, there’s one assignment in particular, a storytelling assignment in which they have to tell about themselves. What makes you unique? What makes you different? In celebrating those differences they learn far more from each other than they do from me as a professor,” said Austin. Cruz Martinez, a student of Austin’s, said
that Austin tries to get students to open up in the class. “In our speeches, he usually wants us to talk about our opinions and perspectives on life or the topic we are presenting,” said Martinez. “The first speech we gave was essentially a two to three minute speech on ourselves. It was about our background, our culture, or how we were raised. So I think it’s safe to say he encourages students to share about themselves.” Austin came home from Los Angeles and went to college, graduating from CSU Los Angeles with a degree in speech. He has worked at several colleges, including Citrus College in Los Angeles County, which gave him the opportunity to help with shows at Disneyland. While initially not thinking he would end up in the same occupation as his father, he now says he tries to “channel (his) dad” when he teaches his classes. Austin says he applied to American River College because it was near where his parents lived before he was born, and that he is very impressed with the school. “My parents lived around the corner back when it was a technical school,” said Austin. “Even the first day here, I had students tell me they loved their professors, the culinary school is good here, nothing negative about the school.”
How do you feel about Obama’s plan to make community college free?
“I actually have no comment on that, because I really don’t know the subject matter.”
-BENNYKHAMMISOUK Computer science
“That’d be nice. It’s expensive. It’s the reason I haven’t gone yet, until now.”
-MARIANNEZEZULKA Undecided
Students have been experiencing issues connecting to the Wi-Fi at American River College in specific locations. The areas experiencing the largest connectivity issues are Davies Hall and the Liberal Arts and Administration buildings. The portable village and the library also have minor connectivity issues. It is still possible to use the Wi-Fi in these areas, but at a slower speed. “Just a few minutes ago I was talking to a guy in the Liberal Arts computer lab and he was telling me that he was having problems connecting to the Wi-Fi with his laptop and cell phone,” said Tony Dominick, a micro-computer applications major. ARC’s main campus may not be the only one facing connectivity issues. “While I was taking classes at the Natomas campus I didn’t have my phone to contact my ride so I decided to try and use a calling app on my iPod. The Wi-Fi was so bad that I couldn’t connect to it, so I had to use someone else’s phone,” said Dominick. Even when some students manage to connect to the access point on their mobile devices, they still can’t gain access to the internet because of a problem with the authentication process. “When you connect to the access point on your phone or laptop you’re asked to put in your student ID number and password. After that it begins to go through an authentication process. There must be some sort of issue going on because it never connects whenever it begins authenticating. I’m not the only one experiencing this problem either,” said C.J. Little, a Journalism major. Those looking for a more steady connection should visit the athletic buildings, the science department or the student center. The administration building offers papers with instructions on how to connect to ARC’s Wi-Fi with an Android or Apple device. “Hopefully whoever is in charge of the wireless here fixes the problem that’s going on, because there are a majority of students out there who aren’t getting internet access in the areas they need,” said Little. Members of ARC’s ITC department, including interim IT supervisor Jeff Bucher, did not return requests for comment.
“I feel like that’s necessary. It’s one of those things that should have happened years ago. I definitely haven’t seen the bill, though. But if that’s the jist of it, if it’s a simple bill, I’d be down.”
-MICHAELMEEHAM Journalism
February 11, 2015
Arts&Culture
Page 9
New culinary arts building opens
RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY HELD FOR THE COMPLETION OF $8.6 MILLION CAMPUS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT By Alex Panasenko aypanasenko@gmail.com American River College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program officially opened the new Culinary Arts building by holding a ribboncutting and building dedication ceremony, and offered attendees a welcome tour on Jan. 30. The building, which has been in use since the beginning of last semester, includes new lecture halls, labs, storage rooms, the Oak Cafe kitchen and dining room, and a bakery. In the hallway, a number of paintings from the collection of Gary and Donna Pruner hang on the walls. Brian Knirk, culinary program director, said in his speech that the new facility offers “dynamic opportunities” for students. The ceremony, which was open to all students and invited attendees, included refreshments, a ribbon-cutting and a welcome tour. ARC President Thomas Greene, Los Rios trustee Pamela Haynes, Los Rios Chancellor Brian King, ARC student Ellen Hosein and Knirk all spoke as part of the ceremony. At the closing of the ceremony, all five speakers cut the ribbon as champagne bottles were popped simultaneously. Waiters served cider instead of champagne because serving alcohol on campus is not allowed.
Approximately 100 people were present at the event, including students, speakers and members of local media. During her speech, Hosein mentioned that some of her fellow students have already begun their careers in the culinary field. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity, thank you for supporting us and giving us the expansion that will enable us to grow,” Hosein said. Rick Hodgkins, an ARC student working on his baking certificate, said that he came to the ceremony to see if celebrity chef and ARC alumni Guy Fieri would be in attendance. Hodgkins also came because he had been waiting for the building to open and to see if he could meet David Viar, the former college president. Viar was one of the first people Hodgkins met when he first came to ARC seven years ago, and remembers Viar as someone with an encouraging attitude. If given a chance, Hodgkins said he’d describe the culinary program on campus as “better than the Le Cordon Bleu.” “We are just as good, but we don’t cost as much,” he said. Hodgkins also said he likes the ARC program better because one doesn’t need a GED or high school diploma to take classes at ARC, Hodgkins added that he also loves the Oak Cafe and that the cafe is more than double the size now than it was before.
Miranda Bolar / miranda.bolar@gmail.com
American River College President Thomas Greene speaks before the assembled crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the $8.6 million construction project and the re-opening of the popular Oak Cafe.
RN TO BSN PROGRAM
ON THE WEB
For a virtual tour of the new Oak Cafe and Culinary Arts building and more stories on the ribbon cutting ceremony, go to ARCurrent.com/category/arts-culture
Azusa Pacific University
School of Nursing
ADVANCE YOUR NURSING CAREER Earn an RN to BSN at Azusa Pacific Further your nursing education and develop the skills and knowledge needed for a deeper level of patient care with Azusa Pacific University’s accelerated Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Study at one of four Southern California locations or online, and learn effective, compassionate health care practices from experienced faculty in a supportive Christian environment. Learn more or apply today! apu.edu/rnbsn | pesadmissions@apu.edu | (626) 815-5304
At a Glance Program Units: 40 Average Completion Time: 15 months Cost Per Unit: $560* Accredited by CCNE and WASC *Scholarships available. Contact your program representative for details.
HIGH DESERT | INLAND EMPIRE | MONROVIA | SAN DIEGO | ONLINE 16583
Page 10
February 11, 2015
Arts&Culture
Matthew Wilke / mattwilke675@gmail.com
Artist Christopher Max Thompson displayed a porcelain piece titled “Flying Swine” at the James Kaneko Gallery’s semester-opening exhibit. The exhibit will run until Feb. 11.
‘The Other E Streeters’ come to Kaneko ARTISTS FROM SACRAMENTO’S E STREET GALLERY SHOWCASE WORKS ON CAMPUS AT JAMES KANEKO GALLERY By Cheyenne Drury and Lindsey Martin cheyennemdrury@gmail.com lindseymartin51391@gmail. com The James Kaneko Gallery kicked off the spring semester on Jan. 20 with the new show “The Other E Streeters,” a collection of pieces taken from the E Street Gallery in downtown Sacramento. Cherie Hacker, Sam Tubiolo, Roy Tackmen, Dan Hodapp, Caraina Brown, Larry Love, Christopher Max Thompson and Chris Botta were all featured in the show. Hacker, Hodapp, and Tackmen spoke to the crowd about the process that goes into making their work and the history of the E St. Gallery at the artist’s reception on Jan. 26. “The E street started out as a huge warehouse in midtown in
1999 and has since then evolved into a place that is home for us,” said Hacker, an original owner of the studio. Hacker works out of E Street Gallery alongside 11 other artists and assembles a yearly show composed of local artists work. Hodapp described the process of raku firing, where pots are taken out of the kiln at maximum temperature, as “instant gratification” in comparison to a piece made by clay form that takes several days to glaze and fire. Raku firing was the technique used on two of his pieces in the show. “I try to use my science background when working with glazes, but there are always some variables you cannot control. I look at these variables as data points and regardless they always lead somewhere,” said Hodapp, who was an environmental science professor at Cosumnes River College for over 30 years.
Hacker went into detail about “Archipelago Spire,” an abstract piece made of eight separate canvases with loads of darker tones of red, blues,and black formed together. “I laid eight of my canvases on the floor in my studio. I thought it would be interesting to work with the negative space,” she said. The steel pieces by Tackmen took up most of the space in the gallery’s show and reflected the natural elemental colors of grey, blue, and copper tones. These pieces were designed in geometrical shapes with sharp bold lines. “They’re semi big steel sculptors and I would like them to be bigger. I taught myself to weld in the last three to four years and that’s about it.” said Tackmen. “The Other E Streeters” will be showing through February 11 at the Kaneko Gallery, located in the Fine and Applied Arts Buildings room 503, closest to parking lot D.
Lindsey Martin / lindseymartin51391@gmail.com
Artist Chris Botta showcased an acrylic piece titled “Close Up” at the Kaneko Gallery’s exhibit “The Other E Streeters” on Jan. 20.
Theater students nominated for prestigous award ARC WILL BE REPRESENTED AT UPCOMING ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATER FESTIVAL By Kameron Schmid kameronschmid@gmail.com A delegation of American River College theater students and faculty members will be leaving for Washington next Monday to take part in the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The ACTF is first split into a regional level before going to a national level. ARC is part of Region 7, along with other colleges, both two-year and four-year, from Northern California, Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Northern Nevada, Wyoming and Idaho. Every ACTF conference has a variety of
events over it’s week-long span, including workshops, contests, auditions, and performed pieces from 10-minute scenes to full plays. ARC students who have been nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship will compete with other nominees from Region 7 to move on and compete at a national level. Nominated actors who move on to nationals receive a $500 scholarship, as do runner-ups. Juliana Nassr, one such nominee and a film major, worked as a volunteer when ARC hosted ACTF in Spring 2013, and will now compete as a representative of ARC. “I really was only going to go if I had a
reason, and being nominated is a high honor,” said Nassr, who was nominated for her role as Inga in Young Frankenstein. “You’re able to show your craft to other people, as well as to be critiqued on it.” The Irene Ryan competition is made up of three rounds, preliminary, semifinal and final. Each nominee will have to show proficiency in multiple acting disciplines to advance. Nominees can choose to incorporate singing in every round, or only act. Annelies Veldman, a fellow cast member from Frankenstein, is going with ARC’s group to perform in a scene from the play that was nominated for a competition, and
also as a partner for Irene Ryan nominee Wilysha Walton. In addition to those plans, Veldman hopes to go to as many workshops as possible, and also audition in the Next Step auditions, a program that brings in professional theater companies to be auditioned for, and also adds on an interview phase as well. From the ACTF website, “Jobs, internships, summer work, four-year schools and graduate programs will be represented at the auditions and interviews.” Said Veldman of her audition piece for Next Step, “I’ll be doing a monologue because I can’t sing.”
February 11, 2015
Opinion
CURRENTEDITORIAL
Page 11
THROW THE BOOK AT THEM
STUDENTS TIRED OF THE BOOKSTORE’S STINGY BUYBACK SYSTEM CAN CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN ON NEW FORUM Students need a place outside of the Beaver Bookstore to buy, sell, and trade textbooks with each other. The Beaver Bookstore, American River College’s student supply center, currently has a textbook buyback program in place for students to exchange their previously used textbooks for cash, but they have guidelines that are so specific that it’s daring to even try and get a reasonable amount of money. With already high costs and the everpresent threat of price hikes, students at ARC face difficulty financing their education through the purchases of class materials at the Beaver Bookstore. “The bookstore is very expensive, and there (are) long lines at the beginning of the semester. It’s not the best place to buy a book,” said Alex Vlasenko, a student who is majoring in Computer Science. The Beaver Bookstore’s regular buyback program currently operates on very lim-
iting constraints in regards to book buybacks, which greatly hurt ARC students who are looking to maximize their savings. Old editions may hold no value and may not be bought back, books are only purchased when buyback is in effect, books must be used during the upcoming semester, and there is no buyback option available for loose-leaf (unbound textbooks) editions. The current buyback program in place also guarantees a specific value for books purchased in Spring 2015, with the stipulation that they be sold back no later than May 27, 2015. The program only extends to books purchased directly from the Beaver Bookstore. Students who purchase books off campus from outside sources like Amazon or Ebay encounter unnecessary and costly roadblocks when attempting to resell their textbooks, such as seller fees, exorbitant shipping prices for heavier textbooks, or
even the dangers of meeting up with a stranger off of online classifieds like Craigslist. Aida’s, formally located on the corner of Madison and College Oak after being closed within the last year, was a popular text consignment shop and frequented daily by ARC students who sought alternatives to a restrictive campus bookstore. A former Aida’s location in Rocklin was closed nearly five years ago, leaving fellow students at Sierra College without nearcampus alternatives as well. The Current has developed a forum on our website www.arcurrent.com where students can post textbooks they are willing to buy, sell, or trade without a restriction on where the materials were previously purchased. This system will aid students in selling their books for maximum value and increase the potential for a more fair buyback price. It is a channel of communica-
tion where students can barter. “I think the idea (for a book selling forum) is a great idea ... for students, by students—it’s great!” said Vlasenko. Students engaging in textbook exchanges or purchases are encouraged to meet each other on campus during the day in a well-lit area to ensure safety during transactions. When posting to the forum, students should include their contact information, the books they’re trying to sell, and the price they want to sell the book for. Koue Vang, the manager of the bookstore, declined a request for an interview.
By John Ferrannini
toring every day for hours after class, and ultimately passed the class. ARC has a problem with crime. We have a problem with seemingly endless bureaucracy and red tape. If my high school teachers were right about something, it was that an ARC education is not considered impressive. What is impressive are the veterans I’ve met in most of the classes I’ve taken here, coming back to school in their 20’s or their 50’s to make a better life in the country they fought for. What is impressive are the students who live on their own, barely making the money stretch from paycheck to paycheck, who stay up after their night job to study for the next day. What I’ve learned at ARC is that the world is a lot bigger than a tiny high school bubble using petty judgements to determine who’s up and who’s down, who’s in the in group and who’s to be avoided. What I’ve learned is that everyone has a unique cross to carry, and succeeding in life is not about covering that up. It’s about carrying it well. Ultimately, ARC has given me and all of our fellow students a second chance. And through that second chance, we have the opportunity to see other people for who they are, not through their affect. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school,” Albert Einstein said. Now that’s a source someone with a university education can respect.
Go to the new textbook exchange forum on the homepage of ARCurrent.com to view listings for books or post your own.
Junior colleges teach lessons that universities can’t
jferr1995@gmail.com
Mary-Ann Myers / MyersMaryAnn@gmail.com
Even with the Los Rios Police Department’s assistance, it is imperative that American River College students play their part in keeping their campus safe, creating what President Greene calls a “culture of shared responsibility.”
Campus safety depends on sharing responsibility By Matthew Peirson matthewpeirson@gmail.com Since the start of the school year, various crimes have occurred on and near the American River College campus, including dozens of petty thefts, the arrest of two students with intention to distribute narcotics, and even one assault that victimized over seven students and faculty. A student in an ARC calculus class witnessed a bike theft from the window of the classroom while listening to their professor’s lecture. ARC students are more than just fellow pupils— their interactions on campus create and facilitate a campus culture unique to this particular college, and it is imperative that students embrace a call to action in banding together to help deter campus crime. ARC President Thomas Greene created a task force consisting of himself and other school officials, which includes Capt. John McPeek of the Los Rios Police Department. Greene devised this task force with the intention of creating a culture of “shared responsibility” for safety on campus. While Greene’s task force is poised to make a difference, the initiative falls mostly on us as a student body to maintain the safety of our campus. We as a campus should be more collectively aware of our surroundings, and more observant and watchful of other people in our presence. The Los Rios Police Department periodically emails all students on the campus about when and where particular crimes have occurred. The email ends with safety tips so students can be aware of
how to avoid a dangerous situation. These tips are effective deterrents against becoming a victim of crime and many of the reported crimes on campus may have been deterred or prevented if awareness was more observed. Traveling in numbers is always a good idea. Much as someone would like a second or third set of eyes looking for a lost item, multiple people around to notice oddities or suspicious activities is very helpful. At any time of the day on campus, students and faculty walk with phones, tablets, and other valuables in plain sight—it only takes a second of distraction for the opportunity for theft to arise. In today’s world of instant-communication and social network overload, people’s first instinct when a fight or incident breaks out is to record it on their phones or take pictures. Why? If a confrontation looks as if it’s about to arise, why just walk by? If you witnessed someone being robbed, wouldn’t supporting them, maybe walking with them to the police office to report an issue be of some solace if the theft couldn’t be prevented? How much of a difference does one’s idea of community change when they are actually treated with respect, instead of just another victim? The contact information of the LRPD is posted in every building and classroom across campus, but hardly anyone even notices. Wouldn’t it would be a great convenience if all of us had that number saved in our cell phones? Our first instinct instead should be to watch out for ourselves and others, and that’s best accomplished with the collective effort of everyone.
“So, you’re telling me you’re not going to college?” Telling my parents I was going to community college because I didn’t have the grades to go to a university straight out of high school felt to me like I was telling them I needed to go to rehab. I purposefully planned the occasion for the night before they left town for a weekend. Little did I know, however, that going to American River College would teach me things I couldn’t have learned going to Davis or even Sacramento State. It wasn’t entirely my mom’s fault for thinking that going to community college was “as bad” as not going to college at all. A lot—certainly not all, but enough—of my high school teachers made no secret about the inherent inferiority of community college. Once, while explaining the electoral college, a teacher of mine said “The electoral college is called a college because it’s supposed to be filled with smart people. Well, then there’s American River College.” The class laughed. I laughed too. We all got the joke. What’s not a joke is the woman I met in my first math class here. I can’t remember her name, but I remember that she was in her twenties, had two kids, and was taking Math 100 as part of her general education. I don’t know how she got here, but I know when she did get here she applied herself, went to tu-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tell us what you think Letters must be typed and can be submitted by mail, email or in person at 4700 College Oak Drive, Liberal Arts, room 120, Sacramento, CA 95841 or Current@arc.losrios.edu
On the cutting edge of culinary arts
Photo essay by Miranda Bolar / miranda.bolar@gmail.com and Mary-Ann Meyers / myersmaryann7@gmail.com
(Left to right) Culinary Arts program director Brian Knirk, ARC culinary arts graduate Ellen Hosain, Los Rios trustee Pamela Haynes and Los Rios Chancellor Brian King ceremonially cut a ribbon in front of the new culinary arts and hopitality management building during its grand opening on Friday, Jan. 30 at American River College.
FOR A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE NEW CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT BUILDING GO TO ARCURRENT.COM
AMERICAN RIVER COLLEGE HOLDS A VIP RECEPTION AND DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR ITS NEW CULINARY BUILDING
“Tryptic,” painted in 1970 by Gary Pruner, is one of many pieces donated by Pruner and his wife Donna that hang in the halls of the new culinary arts building.
Almost a dozen wine vendors from Amador Vintner’s Association displayed their wines while donors tested them at the VIP donor reception on Thurs. Jan. 29 at American River College’s new culinary arts building.
With a brand new 16,000-sqare-foot facility, the upgraded culinary arts and hospitality management building is officialy open for business. Located on the East side of American River College’s main campus, the new multi-million dollar building houses state-of-the-art culinary equipment and a vamped up version of the old Oak Cafe restaurant. A meal at The Oak Cafe, rated 4-stars by the
Sac Bee, costs $15, a deal for an entire meal with its kind of quality. Culinary arts students work in the facility for credit in their classes while learning the ways of managing a real business. A new bakery with pastries, coffee and other house-made snacks offer a fresh alternative to the other food offered in the Student Center. The facility opens for business for the Spring 2015 semester on Feb. 11 at 11 a.m.