Vol. 70 Ed. 3

Wednesday 11.14.18

Basketball preview Players itching to make up for 5-19-1, 2017-18 season

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C URRENT American River College Sacramento, Calif.

The

Vol. 70 Ed. 3

ARC Veterans

Campus supports veterans with information on resources

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FIVE REPORTED HATE CRIMES ON LOS RIOS CAMPUSES IN 2017 Los Rios

Photo by Patrick Hyun Wilson | Staff Writer

Sacramento Police use their bikes to push counterprotestors off the street during a “Turn California Red” conservative rally at the California State Capital on Nov. 4, 2018.

Los Rios responds to hate incidents

By Jennah Booth & Tracy Holmes jennahpage@gmail.com tdholmes80@gmail.com Swastikas, racial slurs and death threats were found on Oct 1, scrawled on the stalls and mirror of a men’s restroom at Sacramento City College, according to the Sacramento Bee. The phrase “Time 2 fight back” and “#MAGA” — the letters a reference to President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign

slogan — were found among the graffiti.

This marked the first in a series of other incidents of racially charged vandalism, unauthorized flyers and incidents of intolerance on Los Rios campuses in the months leading up to the 2018 midterm elections.

A week later, on Oct. 8, a second incident of hate speech graffiti was discovered in the South Gym at SCC, according to the campus’s newspaper Sacramento City Express. This was followed by the

discovery of more threatening and racist graffiti in a women’s restroom at SCC, on Oct. 15.

While the administration was criticized for taking almost two days to report and remove the graffiti in the first instance, by the third incident, the Los Rios Police Department promptly issued a district-wide RAVE alert in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, notifying students of the incident.

The Clery Act, which was imple-

mented in 1990, “is a federal statute requiring colleges and universities participating in federal financial aid programs to maintain and disclose campus crime statistics and security information,” according to the Federal Student Aid website.

In compliance with the Clery Act, the Los Rios Police Department released its 2018 Annual Clery Report on Sept. 25, which lists all reported crimes across all Los Rios Community College District main and satellite campuses.

According to the 2018 Clery Report, hate crimes have been on the rise on Los Rios campuses over the last three years. Hate crimes are defined by the Clery Report as “a criminal offense that manifests evidence that the victim was intentionally selected because of the perpetrator’s bias against the victim.” Factors can include race, sexual orientation, gender and religion, among others.

In 2015, there were no reported hate crimes across all Los Rios campuses. The number climbed to one on-campus simple assault regarding race at ARC in 2016 and then rose again in 2017 to five across ARC, SCC and Cosumnes River College main campuses.

Three of the five reported hate crimes in 2017 happened at ARC: one “simple assault for sexual orientation” and two “intimidations for race,” according to the Clery Report.

The other two included “one simple assault for sexual orientation” at CRC and one “intimidation for sexual orientation” at SCC.

Human Trafficking | Page 2

Tribute building | Page 2

ALUMNUS BRINGS WORKSHOP ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND HELP VICTIMS itzin.contact@gmail.com At 18 and 19 years old, a couple struggled to find work in Boston.

One day they found a Craigslist ad for work in Sacramento. They called the number and a man offered them an opportunity they couldn’t resist. The man added that if they didn’t like the job, he would get them tickets back to Boston.

“What do you have to lose?” the man said, and the couple made their choice. With the help of family and friends, they got tickets to Sacramento International Airport, where the man picked them up and drove them to a nice part of town. The car stopped. The man then gave them marketing materials and said “you will sell maga-

Photo illustration by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor

California leads the nation with cases of human trafficking in 2018. Everyone is at risk regardless of backgroud, sex, age or race.

contacted a social services agency at the time that helped them get back to Boston, Freeman said, but similar stories come up often, he added.

“This couple only had one horrible day, but there are some individuals that spend weeks, months or even years in a situation where it gets harder [to leave the situation],” Freeman said.

The IRC is a nongovernmental

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organization that “provides opportunities for refugees in America” in over 45 countries and 29 counties in the United States, including Sacramento.

According to Freeman, the National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) is the most important resource for advocacy and help foradvocacy and help for victims of

Rise in hate | Page 3

Modern slavery in California zines door by door, see you in 10 hours.”

The couple tried to sell the magazines under the heat of an August day, but they couldn’t sell any. They asked for the tickets back to Boston when the man returned, but the man denied that such a deal existed and added they owed him $100 for the marketing materials.

This is the story that Rodger Freeman, an anti-trafficking trainer and outreach specialist at International Rescue Committee, told during a presentation on human trafficking at American River College on Oct. 18.

Human trafficking affects more than 20 million people worldwide as a modern-day form of slavery for labor or sex services. The couple of this story had that experience about 12 years ago. They

By Patrick Hyun Wilson A boarded-up and fenced-off building, owned by the Los Rios Community College District, sits at the corner of Tribute Road and Exposition Avenue. It has been owned by the district since 2012 and was originally considered to replace the Workforce and Development Center according to the California Assessor.

Gabe Ross, Associate Vice Chancellor, and Communications and Media Relations for LRCCD, was not involved in the decisions regarding the building, but spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees about their decisions.

The estimated cost of renovation prevented the district from constructing any further on the property, according to Ross. Since the decision to renovate the current Workforce and Economic Development center on Ethan Way, various law enforcement agencies including the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento Sheriff’s, Citrus Heights Police Department, Folsom Police Department and California Highway Patrol have used the building’s parking lot for training exercises at no cost to LRCCD, according to Ross.

The decision to allow the law enforcement agencies to use the lot was predicated on the basis that their presence would prevent vandalism of the property, according to Ross.

The cost of bringing the commercial building up to the California Division of the State Architect’s standards is what prevented LRCCD from renovating the building for student use, according to Ross.

Mario Rodriguez, Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance for LRCCD, is involved in the financial decisions of the Los Rios district.

The Board of Trustees determines the way resources are used by the district based on a facilities master plan that is drafted every eight to 10 years. The last facilities master plan was written in 2008 and the board will be writing the new plan soon, according to Rodriguez.

The Los Rios Board of Trustees determined that rather than bringing the Tribute Road building up to code, to instead remodel the current Workforce and Economic Development Center building, according to Ross.

After the decision was made to renovate the current Workforce

Human trafficking:

By Itzin Alpizar

building left empty since 2012

/ARCurrent.com

COFFEE ON Which shop reigns CAMPUS supreme?

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Nov. 14, 2018

NEWS

ASB left underrepresented; Los Rios has no plans for CAEB board remains empty Tribute Road building

By Patrick Hyun Wilson & Ashley Hayes-Stone

patrickhyunwilson@gmail.com ashgstone@gmail.com Since the beginning of the fall 2018 semester, the American River College Club and Events Board has been empty except for one member: Student Senate President, Rebeca Rico-Chavez, who facilitates both the CAEB and Student Senate meetings.

During the Associated Student Body special election on Sept. 25, 2018, no one ran for CAEB offices and so the board has been nearly empty since.

Currently the meetings are facilitated by Rico-Chavez, however club representatives are encouraged to attend the meetings with the promise of earning “incentive points.”

Incentive points are a point system for clubs based on their participation in school activities including attending CAEB meetings.

Those points are then turned into money for the clubs at the end of the semester based on the availability of funds in CAEB’s budget.

Business/accounting major Tina Harboin, a representative for National Alliance on Mental Illness, said that the lack of CAEB members has slowed the progress that could be made by CAEB. “If we don’t have people in charge then we can’t do some of those things [we could do]. We are kind of limping by,” Harboin said.

ASB’s budget is provided through a $1 student representation fee, which is mandatory upon each students registration, according to the California Education code. The money is then split between the two branches of ASB: CAEB and Student Senate.

Brett Sawyer, student life supervisor for ARC, acts as an adviser

to ASB, informing both CAEB and Student Senate representatives.

A joint-budget committee meets twice per semester to determine the way the money is split between the two branches, however without CAEB representation Student Senate is the sole representation for the joint-budget committee, according to Sawyer.

The joint-budget committee is comprised of nine members, according to the joint-budget committee bylaws, four of which represent CAEB. The other five members are made up of Student Senate members.

However without representation from CAEB, the joint-budget committee will be comprised exclusively by Student Senate members.

All clubs are still encouraged to attend their weekly meetings during which club representatives are allowed to vote on how CAEB funds are spent.

Student Senate assigned a committee to run an advocacy campaign to get students at American River College involved with CAEB, according to Rico-Chavez.

“It would be great if we had people to step up and get involved ... so we get things done for the campus and the community,” Harboin said.

In order for CAEB to be more effective, club participation is necessary, according to Harboin.

“We’re trying to get the word out on [the] ARC website and have advance notices like flyers, sending emails to clubs but it is difficult to get the word out,” Harboin said.

Rico-Chavez assigned a committee which lets students know about the ASB positions available, including the empty CAEB board. “[Students] can run for [CAEB] president, vice president, commissioner of finance ... and a ton more,” Rico-Chavez said.

cont. from page 1 and Economic Development Center, the Board of Trustees made the decision to keep the building for different purposes in the future, according to Ross.

“The district always wants to keep all our options on the table, with regards to facilities, and the goal is to maximize resources that we can use for students,” Ross said.

Building codes for facilities, which are used directly by students, are more costly for the district compared to codes regarding administrative functions. Because the building codes are more lenient with administrative functions as opposed to direct student access, the district is free to use building for a variety of options that still benefit students.

“There’s not a final plan, we want to be really knowledgeable and make sure we’re making the right decision with any asset of the district,” Ross said.

“[T]he goal is to maximize resources that we can use for students.”

Gabe Ross

Associate Vice Chancellor In 2000, the School Facilities Local Vote Act, also referred to as Proposition 39, allowed for the use of bonds by school districts for “repair, construction or replacement of school facilities,” if the projects are approved through a local vote.

The building was purchased using bond funds through Measure M, which voters approved in 2008.

Measure M is a bond proposition for $475 million for LRCCD to “improve student academic perfor-

mance by building classrooms, facilities and labs throughout the district.”

The projects proposed in Measure M for district wide improvements are to modernize or replace the Workforce and Economic Development Center and to expand the District Office.

Rodriguez explains that any decisions made by the LRCCD about purchases of facilities must go through the accrediting body and the State Legislator. The purpose of these checks is to ensure that anything built by the district goes through the Board of Trustees and its constituents and is consistent with their goals.

The building on Tribute Road went through these checks and was approved for purchase through the Measure M funds as a Workforce and Economic Development Center building. Since the decision to improve the current center on Ethan Way, the board has since decided to use the building to “Modernize and Expand the District Office and Make Infrastructure Improvements,” in accordance with the project lists proposed on Measure M. “The theory is that anything you build should be laid out in your facilities master plan,” Rodriguez said.

The facilities master plan is a formal plan of action made by each college in the Los Rios district and is informed directly by the educational master plan which is formed by the district according to the educational needs of its students.

“We’re doing the minimal amount in terms of maintenance,” Ross said. “[To make sure] we’re being wise with resources until such time that we have a concrete plan.”

California leads nation in reported human trafficking cases cont. from page 1 human frafficking in the U.S. Founded in 1933 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and operated

by Polaris, a non-governmental organization, the hotline is available 24/7 by phone, email, text or virtual chat and in multiple languages to help victims, survivors and witnesses of human trafficking.

Statistics from the NHTH show that the U.S. had over 5,000 human trafficking cases reported and over 14,000 calls just this year.

California leads the nation, with

CORRECTIONS In Volume 70, Edition 2 of The Current, the following corrections are listed: In edition 2 on page 3, the headline said “AB620 prompts LQBTQ resources.” The proper term is LGBTQ. In edition 2 on the back page, the caption for the bottom right photo incorrectly refered to the service dog class as “Paws For Freedom.”

The service dog class is actually called 4 Paws 2 Freedom.

760 human trafficking cases reported. From all national and state cases, sex trafficking is the leading reported offense.

In a story published Aug. 1 by the Sacramento Bee, Caroline Diemar, the National Hotlines director for Polaris, said that they have addressed around 31 reports of labor trafficking in Sacramento over the past 10 years.

“That number isn’t necessarily representative of local labor trafficking rates, but rather reflects the number of victims who were aware of the National Human Trafficking Hotline and comfortable enough to dial it,” Diemar said in the Bee’s story.

As an ARC alumnus, Freeman shared that his time at ARC helped him to follow a career in social services and education.

“I had the opportunity to come here and I enjoyed the social services classes, and the human development classes, and the child development classes,” Freeman said. “I felt that passion I enjoyed.

By having those experiences, it actually allowed me to get to my first real job in the school district.”

He emphasized the importance of knowing how to identify and help someone when in doubt of a human trafficking situation.

“It doesn’t matter if you are going to be working on the law enforcement, school system, no mat-

ter your major,” Freeman said. “You to work in commercial sex or labor might come across someone that services. is either currently being exploited The NHTH clarifies that “initial or a passerby of human traffick- consent to commercial sex or a ing, so I would like you to have labor setting prior to acts of force, the tools.” fraud, or coercion (or if the victim Freeman encouraged students is a minor in a sex trafficking situto use the Action-Means-Purpose ation) is not relevant to the crime, (AMP) model — outlined by the nor is payment.”

Trafficking Victims Protection Act Freeman also advised the use of 2000 — which determines if a of the word “survivor” rather than victim of human trafficking has “victim” because “when you call been recruited, harmed, trans- them a ‘victim’, it doesn’t feel good ported, or retained by a trafficker and the word ‘survivor’ acknowlwith the means of force, fraud edges to them that something or coercion for the has happened and yet purpose of extortit doesn’t define ing them for sex them as a huReported human trade or labor man being.” trafficking cases services.

In an open in 2018: The list discusof potension with tial indis t u d e nt s, cators of Freeman in the United in California victims clarified States of human that everyAccording to the traffick ing one is at risk National Human Traffickis extensive for human ing Hotline but include the trafficking, retrafficker being gardless of age, in complete control sex, race, sexual oriof where the victim works, entation, education, sociohow much they earn, and han- economic or legal status. When in dling their personal documenta- doubt or in a situation of human tion. The victim may also have trafficking, Freeman encourages poor mental and physical health students to call the National Huand are inconsistent with their man Trafficking Hotline for anstories. They may also be manipu- swers and resources at 1(888)373lated by force, fraud or coercion 7888.

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URRENT An American River College student-run publication.

Editor-in-Chief Jennah Booth Co-Managing Editors Alexus Hur tado Hannah Yates Copy Editor Hannah Yates Photo Editors Ashley Hayes-Stone Tracy Holmes Multimedia Editor Ashley Hayes-Stone Opinion Editor Tracy Holmes Social Media Editor Alexis Warren Sports Editor Gabe Carlos Staff Itzin Alpizar Breawna Maynard Felix Oliveros Imani Smith Christian Sutton Patrick Hyun Wilson Hameed Zargr y Faculty Adviser Rachel Leibrock Photo Adviser Josh Clemens Student Worker Luis Gael Jimenez

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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.

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Nov. 14, 2018

NEWS

Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo and Multimedia Editor

Counterprotester Jules Miller holds up a sign that reads “No Nazi No Hate in Our Streets” during the “Turn California Red” conservative rally at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, on Nov. 4, 2018.

Rise in hate finds its way to ARC

cont. from page 1

Kelvin Burt, a sociology major who facilitated a Black Minds Matter session at ARC on Nov. 5, is also working with the Equity Programs and Pathways department on ARC’s new equity plan.

After seeing the number of hate crimes and photos of the graffiti at SCC, Burt said he wondered about the mentality behind the crimes and that he hadn’t noticed the increase directly until he began to study at ARC. “Coming from a background to where I didn’t have the same opportunities as some of my white counterparts when it comes to the type of curriculum or education that I’m getting, it wasn’t noticeable until I actually got to ARC’s campus and when I started to read about it in the literature,” he said, describing the realization as a veil being lifted from over his eyes.

The rise in intolerance seemed to reach its peak in the months before the election.

In pattern with the inflation of racially charged incidents on campus, at least two unauthorized fliers were also found taped around ARC on Nov. 1. Both read “It’s okay to be white.”

According to ARC’s Public Information Officer Scott Crow, staff removed the fliers as they were found and the LRPD is looking into the incident.

Similar fliers were also found on and off campuses in cities across the country in the days leading up to the elections.

Burt said he was confused about the fliers, unsure if they were meant to be a joke or if they were somehow related to white supremacy groups.

“It can be confusing, from how I’m seeing it, it could be hurtful... the realities of it, especially when you haven’t even learned the history behind it,” Burt said.

According to the Washington Post, the “It’s okay to be white” fliers originated from the online forum 4chan, with the intent of instigating arguments over it’s own inherent racism, while not being explicitly so.

The fliers found at ARC sparked debate over the Current’s Facebook page where readers debated the intent behind them. This is what the people who ignited the slogan intended to happen according to the Anti-Defamation League’s website, a civil rights and human relations organization.

“The idea was to create a flier that had an (ostensibly) inoffensive phrase on it that would nevertheless be treated as racist by people who viewed it, particularly liberals or members of the media,” according to the ADL’s site. “Their subsequent ‘overreactions’ would in turn ostensibly make those people lose credibility in the eyes of others and seem like hypocrites.”

“Many of us are concerned about a national increase in incidents that involve hate or racist speech and crimes.”

Thomas Greene ARC President

The phrase “It’s okay to be white” however, has a long history in white supremacy, according to the ADL. “While far from the most common white supremacist slogan, it was in use enough that white power music band Aggressive Force even used the phrase as the title of one of its songs; a song that dates back at least to 2001, if not earlier,” the ADL explains.

There was also speculation on Facebook, yet no confirmation,

that the fliers were related to a “Turn California Red” conservative rally at the State Capital on Nov. 4, which was met with counterprotests.

Burt said he felt media, specifically social media, acts as a double edged sword in these situations.

While it’s given a voice to those who did not have one before, it can also shift and change too rapidly.

“It’s more in your face than it was before and now that you actually see it, on a national level and everything happens so rapidly, it makes it hard to kind of cope, and understand the impact,” he said.

ARC President Thomas Greene addressed the fliers, the hate graffiti at SCC and the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue on Oct. 27, which left 11 people dead and six injured, in a campus-wide email entitled “Hate Has No Home at ARC,” sent out to ARC students on Nov. 1.

“Many of us are concerned about a national increase in incidents that involve hate or racist speech and crimes,” he wrote, expressing shock and sadness over the tragedy in Pittsburgh and sending support to the ARC Jewish community and anyone who had been impacted.

Greene went on to address the acts of hate speech vandalism at SCC, which he confirmed are “consistent with reports that indicate incidents of hate, graffiti and otherwise, are on the rise nationally.”

He assured students that ARC is increasing its efforts to prevent vandalism and to promptly remove it if it’s found. Green encouraged students to report any vandalism to staff. Any hateful graffiti found will be reported to the LRPD and students will be notified if it results in a law enforcement investigation, Greene wrote.

While administration attempted to get a handle on illegal or unauthorized vandalism, controversy reared its head in a legal form at

Photo by Jennah Booth | Editor-In-Chief

At least two unauthorized fliers were found taped around American River College on Nov. 1, 2018. Both read “It’s okay to be white.”

ARC on Oct. 31, when a protester volated Admin Regulation 1413 in an attempt to express his personal beliefs.

The protester’s sign targeted all sorts of ‘sins’ like “LGBTQ,” “idol worshipers” and “sex freaks.”

Protected by District Board policies and an Administrative Regulation, which requires ARC to “provide a space for constitutionally protected free speech, irrespective of the beliefs expressed in that speech,” the protester was only guilty of not obtaining a permit before using a speaker to amplify his message.

Crow addressed the situation on behalf of ARC in an email to the Current.

“The fact that demonstrators are on our campus is not necessarily an indication of American River College’s values or views,” he wrote.

Students underscored Crow’s message by creating counterprotest signs, passing out paper hearts and inviting others into the Hub and Pride Center.

After extending a business card to the protester, which was denied, Dean of Equity Programs

and Pathways Joshua Moon Johnson encouraged passerbys to ignore the man. He said that engagement of any kind is exactly what the protester wanted.

According to Burt, the school is doing its best to create an inclusive and safe environment for it’s students.

Despite this, Burt said there is more students can do to better respect each other, such as having an open mind about others beliefs and ways of life.

“Historically, when it comes to students or individuals, especially who are in my community, you have to always cope with a lot of things that are going on.” he said reflecting on the recent events and comments from the President.

“It’s just sad seeing that coming from a president and the influence and rhetoric that he’s putting out in regards to immigration and people of color,” Burt said. “How can you challenge that when it’s in American history?”

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Nov. 14, 2018

SCENE

ARC holds preliminary town hall meeting for Equity Plan

By Tracy Holmes tdholmes80@gmail.com An Equity and Inclusion Town Hall Summit, hosted by the Equity Programs and Pathways department on Oct. 26, sparked a gamut of conversation amongst a diverse group of people. The goal of the summit is to make American River College a more equitable campus and to improve the success of its students by coming up with an equity plan according to equity plan organizers.

The Equity Summit will be followed by 20 stakeholder listening sessions with different groups on campus before the equity plan is put together.

The first sessions were with Native American people hosted by First Nations and American Indian on Oct. 31. The second were multiracial and biracial people session in the HUB. The next were people with disabilities, hosted by Disability Services and Programs for Students and lastly an African American session hosted by Umoja Saku on Nov. 7.

The next sets will happen on Nov. 15, with the Muslim Student Association focusing on religious and spiritual minorities at 4 p.m. in the Center for Technical Learning. Feminist United will host the listening session for women-identified individuals at 3 p.m. in the Student Center club room.

The Equity Programs and Pathways’ listening sessions are set up with dates through Nov. 29 for 10 groups and dates of to be announced for the other 10 the groups. After the sessions are fin-

Photo by Tracy Holmes | Opinion Editor President Thomas Greene (left) disscusses happenings at the Equity and Inclusion Town Hall Summit with Joshua Moon Jonson, dean of student services (right) in the Student Center at American River College on Oct. 26, 2018.

ished, the heads of the various groups will then comb through the information to see what’s going to be used according to organizers.

Joshua Moon Johnson, dean of Equity Programs and Pathways (EPP), opened the session by acknowledging that the school stands on native land. He explained that the campus is working on short and long term goals toward equity on its campus.

“Today will be a dialogue amongst our community ... to further understand what we might do with our campus.” Moon Johnson said. “[It is also to] help us to create plans for how we are mov-

ing forward with our long term and short term goals to make sure that ARC continues to move toward a more equitable and just campus.”

President Thomas Greene provided context for why roughly 100 people attending the event gathered to have a conversation with one another. He also thanked participants for partaking in the discussion. “[About three years ago] we asked this question to the institution about what it would take to significantly improve the success of all students,” Greene said. “In particular close the opportunity gaps for our students that have

been historically underrepresented and marginalized in our colleges and institutions and higher learning.”

Greene also said that he thought about the question for some time and realized that it wasn’t going to be just one program or initiative that would spark the change that is necessary.

“If we were truly going to do that, we were going to have to go in and redesign the institution,” Greene said.

Greene also expressed that the campus community is ready to put in the hard work to get the equity plan started.

The three hour long discussion

during the summit started sparking questions of what equity at ARC looks like; what challenges students, staff and faculty face on campus and how the school can implement the changes to fix them.

Lucy Chaipez, an instructional assistant for the legal assistance program who graduated from ARC in 2014, shared her feelings about the equity plan.

“I’m happy that it’s a start to something that needs to be addressed on this campus,” Chaipez said.

The Pride Center on campus is part of the stakeholders who will be taking part and paying close attention to what is happening with the equity plan. The LGBTQ+ community is invited to contribute to the listening session for LGBTQ+ groups. The session will take place Nov. 28, at 12:00 p.m.

The room will be announced at a later date.

The Pride Center sent out a Campus Climate Survey on Oct. 15. All students should have received an email at their Los Rios email account to partake in the survey. If not, there is a link on the Pride Center’s web page.

Emilie Mitchielle, coordinator for the ARC Pride Center, said that the survey will have some impact on the equity plan.

“Information that we obtain from the Campus Climate Survey will be shared with the Dean of EPP, who is on the equity plan committee.” Mitchell said. “The Pride Center will be present at the listening sessions which are being held by the equity plan committee.”

Engineering Club recycles bicycles for competition

By Hameed Zargry hameed.zargry@gmail.com American River College Engineering Club members are working on a project to build one of the fastest human powered vehicles to compete against other community colleges at Pomona, California on March 15, 2019. The competition is organized by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

The human powered vehicle will be made for people living in remote areas, particularly third world countries, to use as a transport vehicle with a high speed of 45-miles-per-hour.

“Engineers are trying to find a better solution of how we can provide those devoted communities a better motor transportation,” said Jesbaam Sanchez, a mechanical engineering major and secretary of the Engineering Club

at ARC. The Engineering Club project is not only a began to start up competition but help communities by solving their transportation problems. The vehicle will connect different locations of the people to each other.

Justin Asahan, an aerospace and mechanical engineering major, is one of the participants building the vehicle.

“Our system is like [a] three wheel tricycle design,” Asahan said. “It’s used for testing in mobility in countries where there is no electrical capabilities.”

According to Asahan, the vehicle shape has three tires. The vehicle does not need to be charged and also won’t require any electric power.

Asahan’s role in the project is to make the frames.

“I am just helping out the team buildout and structure all the ma-

CAMPUS PU

LSE

“I don’t have any plans yet, but I’m for sure eating vegan Thanksgiving dinner.”

-ROSALIE CIPOLLA

Horticulture major

Photo by Hameed Zargry | Staff Writer Engineering Club members discuss the Human Power Vehicle project, which will be built to compete against other colleges in March 2019, at American River College on Nov. 2, 2018.

terials into workable transports vehicle,” Asahan said.

The vehicle is structured to be built with the lowest cost possible so that everyone can afford to buy it and build it.

“Our goal is basically make it more affordable and easy [so that] everybody [can build and afford] it,” Sanchez said .

Used bike parts can also be utilized. Sanchez came up with the idea that instead of throwing

a used bicycle away, to use it to build your own human powered vehicle.

Arthur Flice, design tech major and a member of the engineering club, is working on the project as designer. Flice says that the club is in the design phase of the project.

“I started designing 3D parts, just for demo, to see how it’s going to work I think it should work OK,” Flice said.

Each member of the team is par-

ticipating and trying to use his or her skills on building the vehicle.

“We have a pretty good chance of winning. A lot young and smart kids are doing good [in] the competition the designs seems really good,” Flice said.

Asahan said the club members look ready and already all the parts and equipments available.

“We all set with all the stuff we need,” Asahan said. “We are pretty much on track.”

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

“I think its traditional for the most part ...

Since I’m Filipino my family adds a Filipino touch to it or makes their own Filipino dishes, too.”

-MIGUEL GOPEZ

Sociology major

I’m actually vegan so I don’t eat the traditional Thanksgiving dinner but I usually celebrate it with my family anyway.”

-BRISEIS PAY

Undecided major

“I’m going to be having dinner with my mom. We usually go out to a restaurant and the only place that’s open are Asian restaurants.”

-SAN LI

Clerk at the Tutoring Center

5

Nov. 14, 2018

Campus Coffee: The love triangle

WHERE TO GO FOR A CUP OF JOE

By Felix Oliveros felixoj3@gmail.com

Photo Illustration by Jennah Booth jennahpage@gmail.com

The Oak Cafe, Peet’s Coffee, and Starbucks — these are the three options for coffee at American River College. Each place offers something unique for those who need that extra bit of assistance before sitting in class, trying not to fall asleep.

First is the culinary studentrun Oak Cafe. The menu is minimal, but offers essentials such as brewed coffee, lattes, mochas, and caramel macchiatos; most of these are offered iced as well. The cafe also offers three differe n t teas, hot

chocolate, banana nut bread, breakfast biscuits, along with new foods that are introduced regularly.

A standard 12-ounce coffee (small) will cost customers $2 with a wide variety of food to accompany their source of caffeine.

While the Oak Cafe is not as bombarded with customers as Starbucks, marketing major Samantha Martinez says she found her way to the Oak Cafe through word of mouth, and after trying it a couple of times, plans on returning. “[The] Oak Cafe has more variety of pastries and food, and they have something different every time,” Martinez says. “Every pastry they do, they do a really good job at, and it’s very reasonably priced.”

As far as drinks, the Oak Cafe does not

FEATURE offer a wide variety, so for people looking for a lot of options, this is not the place. This is not the case when it comes to the food, however. The bakery offers around the same amount of food, if not more than Starbucks, but with a fresher approach.

The hours of operation for the Oak Cafe are Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Across campus from the Oak Cafe by the Portable Village is another option for coffee, Peet’s Coffee and Tea. At Peet’s Coffee a 12-ounce (small) brewed coffee costs $2.10. Compared to the Oak Cafe, the menu widens up a bit and customers have more options for drinks. The coffee and tea essentials are the same for the most part, however customers have the option of blended drinks.

Derek McCoy, American Sign Language interpreting major, is someone who has tried other options, but has made Peet’s Coffee his first and favorite option.

“I think there’s too much hype around Starbucks in general, I don’t want to wait longer than 20 minutes for coffee,” McCoy says. “I just like how quiet it is here versus there. ... [The] service is pretty good, I really like the coffee too.”

Food, on the other hand, suffers at Peet’s Coffee. The food can be considered more in the lane of snacks, and is not necessarily the best option if you’re looking for a filling meal. The food items include muffins, cookies, brownies, fruit, instant noodles, and ham and turkey sandwiches.

Peet’s Coffee usually only has one employee running the shop.

This is a flaw, child development

major Gustavo Asis has noticed.

“With one worker it’s kind of time-consuming for students to wait until class starts,” Asis says.

If Peet’s Coffee sounds like

a good option, they’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays.

Lastly, Starbucks, located in the Student Center, serves as the busiest coffee shop on campus.

Here a 12-ounce (small) brewed coffee is going to cost $2.15, making it the most expensive as far as the most simple option for coffee goes.

Most people on campus have probably noticed the consistently long line that Starbucks draws throughout the week. So if time is short, this is probably the last place to consider.

When it comes to variety of drinks however, Starbucks has the most choices out of the three shops on campus. They offer standard coffee, as well as a variety of espresso drinks, many different types of teas, refreshers, and frappuccinos.

For food, the number of options

VA resources on campus

By Tracy Holmes tdholmes80@gmail.com Every fall, American River College’s Veterans Resource Center hosts A Hero’s Welcome in collaboration with the the Department of Veteran Affairs. This year’s event took place Sept. 20. It is geared toward veterans who don’t know how to get the aid they need.

The event brought together many of the different enrollment services the VA has to offer.

Alfred Sims, a Transition Patient Advocate with the Department of Veterans Affairs advocates for men and women of the armed forces.

“We help veterans ... transition from DOD [Department of Defense] to VA health care,” Sims said.

Sims said they help transitioning veterans with everything they need to get set up after they get out of the military, including school, job leads or training.

“We try to make sure they have a seamless transition and I make sure they get the access to the resources they need,” Sims said.

Kristie Veal is the Rural Health Care Coordinator for the Northern California Department of Veteran Affairs who reaches people that may be out in areas like Native American reservations and more rural areas of California.

“I work collaboratively with In-

dian Health Services to partner with them [Tribal Health], so that there is a national memorandum of understanding,” Veal said.

Tiffany Gains, enrollment coordinator for the Department of Veteran Affairs, explained that there are basic eligibility requirements health care benefits for basic time served.

“If you entered active duty after Sept. 1, 1980 then it’s required 24 consecutive months of active duty service with a general or higher discharge,” Gains said.

Gains explained combat, among other things, can affect a veterans health eligibility.

“If you get out and you are a service veteran everything kind of changes,” Gains said.

Combat veterans can enroll for benefits up to five years after discharge or separation date from the military and do not have to disclose their income.

The VA uses a geographical income threshold for those who are not combat veterans to see if copays and deductibles are required.

Gains added that some veterans get out of the military may not understand how to get their benefits. “There would be a gap [in service time] and then the veteran would have to serve another 24 consecutive months,” Gains said. “There are things left unsaid [in the military about benefits].”

Photo by Patrick Hyun Wilson | Staff Writer

Professor Christy Bowles teaches a hands-on Environmental Resotration class at American River College, which is doing restoration around the Arcade Creek bridge.

Take This Class:

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

By Alexis Warren alexis.warren81@gmail.com Earth Day, held annually on April 22, is an event for everyone as a whole to contribute wellness to the environment by participating in various selfless acts to better the planet.

Common activities linked to Earth Day include recycling, picking up trash or reducing the use of electricity, and although those are all acceptable, American River College has its own hands-on class related to this effort, with the sole purpose of restoring our environ-

ment.

ARC offers eight-week class for students who have interests and goals in bettering the environment. The two-unit class is called Environmental Restoration (NATR 322), and is taught this semester by professor Christy Bowles on Mondays from 3:15 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.

The three-hour class is focused on getting students to understand environmental restoration, Bowles said.

“We go through why do we restore, what do we restore and how to restore,” professor Bowles said.

is vast, a n d r a n g e s from different breakfast sandwiches, to bagels and pastries.

Annabel Su, a biotechnology major, sticks to Starbucks because she’s familiar with the coffee chain. “[I’ve] been ordering from Starbucks my whole life,” Su says. “... I just know Starbucks [is] better.”

While Starbucks also gets a bad reputation for the long wait times, Su also gives them the benefit of the doubt.

“They’re pretty fast considering how many people order from them, I would say that they’re doing a pretty good job,” Su says.

“Also they’re super nice and a lot of Starbucks baristas have to be really nice because people are so rude to Starbucks baristas.”

For those considering Starbucks, they have the most hours of operation. They are open Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Every shop has its attractions, and every student can find something that draws them in and keeps them returning. Whether it’s the Oak Cafe’s variety of food, Peet’s customer service, or Starbucks’ wide range of drinks, there is something for everyone on campus.

Unlike most classes, NATR 322 is very hands-on. Bowles and students are always actively participating in restoration, whether it be on or off campus. One of the hands-on activities currently in progress involves the restoration around the new Arcade Creek bridge.

“Through the construction there are a lot of areas that no longer has great vegetation, so the agreement is that they (Arcade Creek Recreation and Park District) are going to buy us (Natural Resources department) native plants and then we are going to put them in around the bridge area,” Bowles said.

Past activities that students have done while taking this class include restoration of the creek next to campus and adding rocks to improve the water habitat, bedded plants along the streambanks to keep erosion down, cleaned up trash, removed invasive species and replaced them with natives.

For more information on veterants resources and features on other classes at ARC, go to

ARCurrent.com

6

Nov. 14, 2018

SPORTS

Students find alternatives to costly gym memberships COST-FRIENDLY CHOICES FOR FITNESS

strength and tai chi is a Chinese martial art for strengthening the connection between the mind and body.

“I actually took a weight training class here two semesters ago and I didn’t expect it to be that intense, it was like a really serious workout,” Brodskaya said.

Students who enjoy playing sports should also take advantage of public basketball, tennis, or soccer courts. Local sports shops also carry inexpensive second-hand balls and any other equipment you might need to play.

Although college students live busy lives working out and staying in shape is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

By Imani Smith imanirose14@gmail.com Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a consistent workout plan in college can be challenging; gym costs don’t make this any easier.

Most gym memberships cost anywhere from $30 to $360 a month and for most college students, those numbers are far too high to keep up with.

Sofia Brodskaya, a biology major at American River College, says that finding an affordable gym on a budget has been difficult.

“I want to work out and I do try to stay in shape but every gym I’ve gone to just hasn’t worked out for my month-to-month budget,” Brodskaya said.

California Family Fitness sales representatives are at ARC frequently, but the cheapest membership they can offer is $54 a month. Although these costly gyms can be nice, there are cheaper alternatives that students should consider.

For students who typically run on a treadmill, an alternative is to jog outdoors. Many schools have tracks that are open to the public outside of school hours. The tracks are also completely free to use.

At-home workouts are also one of the easiest ways to stay in shape on a budget. Students can stream exercise videos on Netflix or You-

Photo by Ashley Hayes-Stone | Photo Editor and Multimedia Editor

College students have options for staying fit other than paying for gym memberships. With access to free workout tutorials on YouTube and cheap equipment from sites like Amazon, costly gyms aren’t necessary.

tube and simply follow along.

For example, Whitney Simmons, Gymshark ambassador and Youtuber, has a variety of videos including one titled, “10 Minute At Home HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and Ab Challenge” and “Grow Your Glutes At Home.”

No equipment is required for most workout videos but students can purchase inexpensive bands or light dumbbells to add more intensity to their workout.

According to Amazon’s website, resistance bands and other workout equipment are priced as low as $5.99.

While buying at-home workout equipment may require a small investment, it can be much cheaper in the long run rather than joining a gym.

For students who enjoy yoga and other fitness classes but don’t want to commit to a gym, Groupon is the best thing. On this website you can find all sorts of discounts and deals that won’t necessarily break the bank.

According to Groupon’s website, for example, students can get one month of unlimited CrossFit classes at CrossFit Sacramento for only $22.

Dru Williams, an architecture major, says he uses Groupon to achieve his fitness goals.

“I’m always looking for a cheaper deal when I want to take a fitness class,” Williams said. “I can’t spend all my paycheck on a gym.”

ARC also offers a variety of semester-long fitness classes open to all students.

According to the course catalog, students can take classes including circuit weight training, Pilates, tai chi, and even spin biking.

Spin is a high intensity cycling class that is great for weight loss and improving cardiovascular

For more SPORTS coverage, follow us on

social media:

Men’s basketball seeks redemption with new season

By Felix Oliveros felixoj3@gmail.com Last season didn’t end on the highest of notes for the American River College men’s basketball team. Injuries plagued the Beavers as they saw their number of active players dwindle down to just six by the end of their 5-19-1 season.

Nevertheless, last season remains in 2017, and this winter brings with it new life for the team.

The season has not officially started yet, but according to freshman point guard Kareem Clark, the hard work began far before the beginning of the season was even in sight.

Since the beginning of the summer, the Beavers were using the off-season as an opportunity to work hard, and improve on last season’s weaknesses. But with all this time, some players are itching to get back into action.

Clark, is one of those players.

He says he’s ready to dive into his first season with the Beavers after graduating from Capital Christian High School.

“The off-season has been pretty good, we’re confident in our guys right now, we been grinding since the summer started, so we’re just ready to get things going,” Clark says.

For Clark, this season serves as new territory after coming fresh out of high school. First year expectations aside, he says he still has big goals and plans to capitalize on the opportunity in front of him.

“Compared to high school, there’s not that much differences

that I can tell, it’s just a little bit more physical,” Clark says. “I personally want to be one of the top players in the state, lead my team on the defensive end and also a big contributor on offense.”

Clark will be adding his strengths to a team that head coach Mark Giorgi says he wants to see get back to taking on a defensive identity.

“I’ve been here 21 years, we’ve had 18, 19 [teams] in the top ten in the state defensively, and the last couple years just hasn’t been that way,” Giorgi says. “So we’re hoping to get that identity back.”

In basketball, a lot of things have to come together to get a victory.

While defense is one of the most important elements of the game, and literally half the battle, coach Giorgi knows this and has more goals in mind for the season.

“We’re meshing really well right now.

I’m telling you, we’re going to be turning a lot of heads this year.”

Lawrence Smith Shooting Guard

“Playing hard every game, playing together, competing … getting the guys to play together and communicate. I think when you do those things the winning takes care of itself,” Giorgi says. “If you’re losing then you obviously don’t have good chemistry, you’re not playing together, you’re not playing hard, you’re not competing.”

Photo by Felix Oliveros | Staff Writer

Sophomore L.J. Smith dunks at practice during warmups as the men’s basketball team prepare for the new season at American River College on Oct. 30, 2018.

Shooting guard Lawrence Smith is among a group of players making anticipated returns to the newly bolstered Beavers roster, and Giorgi says he is looking forward to having some core players return.

“We got Jermaine Henderson back, Parker Haven, L.J. Smith, Tommy Edwards, so we got the six guys that played at the end [of last season],” Giorgi says. “[S]o we got some experience, I think [that’s] one of the biggest things we got coming into the season.”

Smith, who’s now in his second year on the team, was one of the six players who was able to make it to the end of last season.

Excitement has been building for Smith during this off-season, especially after last year’s strug-

gles. To Smith, the team can do it all, and will have a lot to bring to the table.

“I’m liking how the team’s meshing together and we’re looking a lot better than last year … so I’m pretty excited for the season,” Smith says. “We’re all scorers, we can all really do everything, I feel like everybody brings their own aspect to the team, so I feel like we mesh together really well, and we can honestly do everything.”

On top of experience from his extended minutes last season, Smith says he stays prepared and goes to the gym a couple times a day. That sort of work ethic and grind is what will propel Smith to do what he does well; shoot that ball. “[I’m] in and out of the gym all the time, go to practice here, go

home, late at night, eight, nine o’ clock, I’ll go back in the gym, get some work in, just everyday grind, it doesn’t stop,” Smith says. “I’m probably going to be shooting the ball a lot, I like to shoot.”

The 2018 - 2019 season is almost here, and the men’s basketball team is coming into the season with new and returning players that could add some depth to the roster.

New pieces brings some new potential, a bigger roster, and new hopes; and Smith is ready to show people the new and improved Beavers.

“We’re meshing really well right now, and I’m excited,” Smith says.

“I’m telling you, we’re going to be turning a lot of heads this year.”

7

Nov. 14, 2018

OPINION

CURRENT EDITORIAL

ASB needs students to show up

By Current Editorial Board current@arc.losrios.edu

With high numbers of voter turnout nationally for the Nov. 6 midterm elections, people, especially young people, seem to be participating more actively in their government. Despite this, however, participation in American River College’s Associated Student Body Student Senate and Club and Events Board remains extremely low.

Very few ARC students attend the college’s weekly ASB meetings. In addition, ASB has many unfilled seats, especially in CAEB. Because of the lack of student representation and participation, the small group that makes up Student Senate is left to spend money however it seems fit— which often tends to be on themselves.

ASB needs more participation from students, otherwise our money will continue to be spent in areas that do not serve us.

As a body of student government, Student Senate should be serving the campus community. Unfortunately, a lot of the funds that the senate receives from student enrollment fees is used, instead, on the board itself.

ASB is funded through a $1 fee per student each semester. The total funds are then divided between Student Senate and CAEB. The Student Senate board is able to allocate money for its own various activities, including travel and promotion. The travel expenses cover the costs of attending student leadership conferences and often includes a larger budget than needed.

Photo Illustration by Patrick Hyun Wilson | Staff Writer Student Senate president Rebeca Rico-Chavez sits in the empty meeting room where, ASB meets each week on Nov. 6, 2018.

This semester the board passed two bills that would set aside $15,000 total for an advocacy campaign and fliers to increase student participation. The board is also looking into allotting leftover money to fund a trip to attend the Circle of Change Conference in Carson, California later this month and a diversity conference in San Francisco in February. If the Senate decideds to attend the Circle of Change Conference in November, that means they would have attended multiple conferences this semester, all funded with the ASB budget.

On top of that, the board is also looking to spend $2,000 on shirts and sweaters for the sake of unity, according to Student

Graphic illustration by Patrick Hyun Wilson | Staff Writer President Donald Trump plans to challenge the 14th Amendment signing an executive order to take away birthright citizenship.

TRUMP does not

own your citizenship

By Itzin Alpizar itzin.contact@gmail.com On Oct. 30, President Donald Trump created another wave of fear over the shoulders of the immigrant community when he said he would sign an executive order to take away the birthright citizenship of people born in the United States who are children of noncitizens and undocumented parents.

In an interview with Axios — a new four-part documentary series for HBO — Trump said that he already spoke with legal counsel and that he can do it: “How ridiculous. We are the only country in the world that the person comes in, has a baby and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all those benefits, it is ridiculous.

It is ridiculous and it has to end,” Trump said.

I knew that information wasn’t true. I currently hold a dual citizenship: one from the country I

was born in, which is Mexico, and another from my parents’ home country’ Costa Rica, where I was raised.

The legal term for birthright citizenship is called “Jus Soli” or “Law of the Soil.” Currently, the United States falls under unrestricted Jus Soli along with 34 other countries in the world, according to Business Insider.

So why is the President giving inaccurate information to American citizens?

Concerned about my own future as a U.S. permanent resident, I spoke with Manuel Ruedas, and Rick A. Ramirez, counselors and coordinators for the Puente, TRIO Student Support Services for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. “[It] is a violation of the Constitution,” Ramirez said referring specifically to the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, section one: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States,

Senate Vice President Elena DeNecochea.

As students who entrust our money to the hands of our senate members and expect our enrollment fees to aid in the betterment of our environment and community at ARC, it is our responsibility to make sure ASB knows how we want our money spent, and for many of us, it isn’t on expensive conferences and matching sweatshirts for board members.

While the amount of money spent on their own promotion seems excessive, especially post-CAEB elections, it is not totally uncalled for. ASB is a small group looking to fill more roles and badly needs more student representation and participation.

and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.”

Ruedas agreed that in case of an executive order, the U.S. Supreme Court would likely block it, but there was still a sour taste of similarities to Trump’s efforts over the last two years.

It was the same mix of emotions, shock, disgust, fear and disappointment that I felt when he became president, like a bad tequila hangover.

Trump’s administration has not just targeted undocumented immigrants, but he constantly attacks any group or entity or that doesn’t agree with his agenda.

The executive order in question would affect refugees, survivors of human trafficking and residents like me who have not become citizens.

Many legal residents are active contributors to the community and create roots here. We may not be legal citizens, but we are also not any less of a person or less deserving of protections for our children in the country we now call home.

Right now, the country is polarized between two parties. Division creates prejudice and increases the likelihood of violent attacks between groups, as we have seen in the events of the past weeks, such as the shooting in a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pen. on Oct. 27.

The President cannot say whatever he wants. He has the power and authority over the population as the leader of one of the most powerful governments in the world. He has a responsibility to the people for his words and actions. He has a spotlight that ensures media coverage that will spread his messages all over the word.

Trump’s timing with his scandalous plans are a tactic to distract the public and to gain control

Earlier this semester, a special election facilitated through eServices was held to fill empty spots on the CAEB. Currently, Student Senate President Rebeca RicoChavez is the only member serving on CAEB. Because of their underrepresentation, CAEB is allotted significantly less money than Student Senate when the ASB budget is divided.

Student Senate should be receiving money to expand and support the campus community, including clubs. It seems that with no CAEB representatives aside from the Student Senate President, the board is able to prioritize its own needs and costs over other campus groups, clubs and areas that need support.

It’s not to say that ASB is not willing to better represent the students’ needs, only that a government that is out of touch cannot solve the problems of its people. The Senate board seems eager to solve the problems that are brought to them.

For example, at a Nov. 2 meeting, the board discussed the number of baby changing tables on campus after someone brought it to their attention that the men’s restrooms do not have any. The board is now looking into how many there are on campus and whether we need more.

ASB is meant to serve the students and the campus. They meet publicly nearly every week but cannot represent an empty room and the campus community can not be better served if the student population does not show up.

over what information the media focuses on as California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’ press release says: “An anti-Semitic racist just killed and injured 17 Americans in Pittsburgh, a radical right domestic terrorist is charged with mailing pipe bombs to prominent Americans,” the statement says. “True to form, President Trump is trying to divert Americans’ attention from these disturbing challenges by announcing reckless policies that are unconstitutional.”

This is not a surprise since Trump’s behavior at conferences and rallies leaves much to be desired from the leader of a nation.

However, it’s important to note that he is not the only one behind these ideas.

“People need to be educated,” Ramirez said. “I don’t think people have a context about some of the historical things that have happened.”

For example, Ramirez said without the progress of the last 150 years, most of the ARC community wouldn’t be able to study here at all. According to the ARC website, the latest demographics of student enrollment from fall 2017

“[It] is a violation of the Constitution.”

Rick A. Ramirez

Counselor and coordinator of the Puente program show the college has 33,057 enrollments. The 59 percent of student who declared a non-white ethnicity, wouldn’t even have been allowed in the same room of white students until after the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Many ARC students also wouldn’t have been able to vote.

Since 1870 voting rights have

been granted to people of color, Native Americans, women, felons and people ages from 18 to 21 years old.

Now it seems the Trump’s supporters look to reverse that. His base of extreme right-wing supporters have interests behind the motto “Make America Great Again.”

What do they mean with “Great Again”? The U.S. has never been better in terms of civil rights, equity and inclusion compared to the times of racial segregation, slavery and “Manifest Destiny.”

The newly elected Congress is showing some progress as it is the most diverse that’s ever been, with members who now include women, people of color, members of the LGTBQ+ community and from different religions. These are the baby steps that will keep adding one to another for a more inclusive society.

To help students from communities under the radar of the current administration policies, the ARC administration has increased the efforts with resources such as the UndocuScholar Resource Connection which helps students affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program cancelation and other immigration circumstances. The program, with the help of a nonprofit organization called “Opening Doors,” offers legal help on immigration issues and an adviser comes to campus around ones a month.

For now, ARC students can make their voice heard by writing to their representatives, being involved in elections, creating open dialogue settings for these issues and by waiting. After the last elections, with the Democrats taking over the U.S. House of Representatives and Republicans gaining more seats in the U.S. Senate, all that’s left is just wait to see whether the next move is forward or backwards.

8

Nov. 14, 2018

BACKPAGE

Shelby Brown, a technical theater major, uses a dremel rotary tool to detail ethylenevinyl acetate foam that will be used for armor for the production, on Nov. 4, 2018.

Alexandria Papin, theater arts major, Mel Sivils, art new media major and Cecilia Castillo Juarez, journalism major, (left to right) read the script during call backs for “In Love and Warcraft,” outside the Black Box Theater on Sept. 4, 2018.

In love with stagecraft Behind the scenes of ARC’s newest production

By: Patrick Hyun Wilson | patrickhyunwilson@gmail.com & Ashley Hayes-Stone | ashgstone@gmail.com

A new play fusing the excitement of fantasy video game “World of Warcraft” and the mundane realities of every day life, is coming to American River College. Theater arts department’s production of “In Love and Warcraft” will hit the stage on Nov. 23, 2018.

The R-rated rom-com takes place at ARC where Evie, played

by Kloe Walker, makes her online life more real than her real life.

Written by Madhuri Shekar and directed by Pamela Downs, the play deals with a lack of face-to-face communication in the modern era.

All plays put on by the ARC theater arts department take multiple stages of production work before they are ready for the stage, from costume-designers to stage-crafters, the work that goes on behind-the-scenes is immense. The audience will be able to view the final show when it comes to the Black Box Theatre, but the Current went behind the curtain to show what happens in ARC’s theater arts department, long before the actors hit the stage. This production is rated R for language.

Theater arts major Kloe Walker, who plays the main character Evie, gets ready for a scene during rehearsals at the American River College Black Box Theater on Nov. 5, 2018.

Theater arts professor Gail Russell and theater arts major Megan Spears look at a costume they designed for the character Kitty, played by theater arts major Courtney Henderson, in “In Love and Warcraft” on Nov. 6, 2018

American River College alumni Matthew Hanjoong and history major Adam Garn move a door into place during rehearsals on Nov. 5, 2018.

Watch for updates to this photo essay on ARCurrent.com