Volume 75, Issue 11
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Separate we are many, together we are Model U.N.
CN/VICKY NGUYEN
IN CHARGE—U.S. Delegate Brenda Solis, who won “most likely to be a dictator,” berates Russia and other delegates for not taking more immediate action during the Model United Nations conference on cyber security at ELAC on November 17.
ELAC, Cal State L.A. ally at Model U.N. Conference BY VICKY NGUYEN Staff Writer East Los Angeles College and California State University, Los Angeles Model United Nation clubs forged an alliance at ELAC’s first hosted practice conference on Friday, Nov.17. The theme of the conference was cyber security. Through a series of debates, negotiations and caucuses, the delegates agreed upon a definition on cyber terrorism and put together a plan to fight against it. At the end of the conference, superlative titles were awarded to delegates who stood out. ELAC’s Model U.N. club gifted a certificate of participation to Emily Acevedo, political science professor and Model U.N. club adviser at CSULA. This was the first time many of the students participated in a simulated conference. Jacob Jasso, co-chair for the conference, described it as “dipping (their) feet in the water.” As many of the students were figuring out how to navigate their first conference, several drawn-out silences took place when delegates became unsure of which step to take next. During other moments, there were chaos. “I can tell the delegates are still pretty nervous, otherwise they would have talked more,” head chair Ricky Salgado said. This was his first time as chair at a conference. “It got a little out of hand at certain points,” Salgado said. “They were nervous at first, but I think seeing other students also not being 100 percent sure gave my students a lot of courage,” Acevedo said. She said this was an opportunity for students to learn from one another and establish friendships in addition to gaining familiarity with rules. “I look forward to more opportunities to work together. I really do,” Acevedo said.
To prepare for the event, students researched the topic and their assigned country’s positions. “In order to stay true to your country, you have to put aside your personal beliefs,” Model U.N. club President Brenda Solis said. “You have to put your country first.” Solis participated as the U.S. delegate. While other representatives were more negotiating in their approach, the U.S. representative accused China and Russia of being cyber terrorist threats and urged other nations to follow U.S.-led plans. In trying to stay true to her country’s position, Solis stood out as one of the most aggressive delegates and was awarded most likely to be a dictator at the end of the conference. “I strongly encourage everyone to participate in Model U.N.,” Solis said. “This is applied political science.” The conference was held as an opportunity for students to practice in anticipation of larger Model U.N. simulations, including conferences with thousands of other students around the country. While this practice conference lasted just over three hours long, larger conferences usually last three days, and students would be required to find resolutions on several topics rather than just one. Model U.N. club adviser Ken Chaiprasert approached Acevedo about two weeks prior to the conference to suggest the collaboration between the clubs. Chaiprasert said the club plans to do this every year from now on. ELAC’s Model U.N. club was started by Chaiprasert last fall. The club meets on Thursdays at 12:10 p.m. in F7-111.
november
29, 2017
Poet takes first at annual talent show BY MARIA MARROQUIN Staff Writer Jayden Saldana took first place for reciting his poem at Adelante First Year Experience program’s second annual talent show on Nov. 17. Nick Nevarez took second place and Jesus Borja and Michael Estrada tied for third. The night was filled with entertainment provided by Adelante FYE and the many students who participated. At the end of the night, director of Adelante FYE Vanessa Ochoa took the stage to thank the judges and event goers. “The night was a success and I’m very proud of the FYE staff for organizing and making tonight possible,” Ochoa said. Saldana had the undivided attention of the audience during his poem. He purposely recited his poem with a stutter. His poem was about people who suffer anxiety daily and feel as if they are a burden to society. Singer, comedian and cancer survivor, Nick Nevarez obtained second place with his performance of “Piano Man” by Billy Joel. He had the crowd cheering and singing along. Nevarez also played the harmonica during his performance. His presence on stage had audience members laughing, clapping and cheering for him throughout his performance. Alma Urrea, Nevarez’s friend, spoke about Nevarez winning a battle against cancer and about Nevarez surviving brain injuries from a car accident in 2009. “Nick is such a brave soul. He’s always enthusiastic about doing anything, and overall he is a survivor,” Urrea said. The judges could not choose only one person for third place. Instead, Jesus Borja’s dance performance and Michael Estrada’s guitar solo
tie for third place. Borja’s dance moves managed to get the audience moving in their chairs. Estrada had some minor difficulties setting up his electric guitar, but performed “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He also managed to get the judges and audience to move to the rhythm of his guitar solo during his second piece, called, “Feel It.” Among other performances, Joshua Castro made the audience laugh with a lyrical poem of his own called “One Night Stand Jose” about Tinder and dating in today’s society. Before her song, Duarte told the audience, “Nobody in my family came to support me tonight. Music is a big thing for me, but they say it is a waste of time.” Duarte started to tear up, but quickly composed herself. “I’m sorry I’m a little emotional tonight,” Duarte said. After an emotional speech and four attempts to start her performance, Yoselin Duarte sang a spanish version of “Hallelujah.” Ochoa said the Adelante FYE staff made every effort for the talent show to succeed. The talent show’s purpose was to bring new student awareness to the program and to help them find community during their first year at ELAC. “The motto for the FYE program is ‘to help scholars achieve greatness.’ We do not call students ‘students,’ we call them scholars because we want to change their mindset in order for them to feel proud to be a part of (East Los Angeles College),” Ochoa said. FYE’s goal is to help new students feel at home and transition into college easier. “Education is life and death. Education has helped me to be successful. It can change your community. That’s what drives me: the ability to create positive effective transformative change,” Ochoa said.
CN/MARIA MARROQUIN
DON’T FRET—Michael Estrada performs “Under The Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers during the Adelante First Year Experience program’s 2nd annual talent show at ELAC’s multi purpose room on Nov. 17.
New winter procedure allows longer enrollment period BY VANESSA VALDEZ Staff Writer There will be a one-time change to class cancellation procedure for winter semester, waiting to cancel classes with fewer than 15 students until close to the opening of the session. As voted by the Academic Senate, and in agreement with the administration, the upcoming winter semester will have a onetime change in regards to East Los Angeles College’s class cancellation procedure. Department chairs will consult
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with deans and make a decesion about cancelling classes with 15 students or less on Dec.15. Once the course begins, classes may be canceled for low attendance at any time during the first 10 percent of the term length, regular or short term, if the number of students regularly attending is fewer than 15. Academic Senate President Jeffrey Hernandez said ELAC is in a unique situation. There is a fiscal crisis after the scheduling of winter. “(ELAC) is at a huge pressure to reduce cost. We are at a multimillion-dollar deficit,”
Hernandez said. Enrollment has decreased compared to last year’s. So far, student enrollment for winter is 75 percent of what it was at this time last year. Two weeks ago, it was at 61 percent. Faculty is hoping that it increases. The shortfall is district-wide. While ELAC was able to avoid the problem before, it has recently become an issue. The one-time change in cancellation procedure is an attempt to resolve the problem. The Academic Senate acknowledge people have made commitments and want to avoid
Free Film Screening “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” will be screened Thursday, Nov. 30 from 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. in E3-255 and E3-257.
“(ELAC) is at a huge pressure to reduce cost. We are at a multimillion dollar deficit.” JEFFREY HERNANDEZ
Academic Senate President
Christmas Toy Drive
canceling classes if possible. Psychology Department chairperson Sherrie Davey said the department chairs were upset when short-term classes were canceled just before several changes were implemented to boost enrollment. Boom Days, an event to help students enroll in appropriate courses, were also meant to increase enrollment. But some of the classes were canceled before Boom Days. Department chairs agreed with the administration to cancel lowenrolled courses a few weeks early, if the courses have shown a pattern of low enrollment. This
Administration of Justice Department is hosting its 19th annual toy drive. Students can donate unwrapped toys, new blankets or clothes and take them to F9-107. Donations will be collected on Dec. 13.
will give students enough time to look for other classes. Currently, winter enrollment for priority groups has passed and it is now open enrollment. However, some classes are really low in students. The Academic Senate did not decide on extending this to the spring semester, regardless of circumstance over enrollment. More discussion will take place at upcoming meetings. The next Academic Senate meeting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at 12:10 p.m. in G1-301 A/B. Visitors are welcome.
Pup Edition This week’s issue of Campus News was written, produced, edited and photographed by the Journalism 101 classes held at East Los Angeles College.