2019 Fall Los Angeles City College Collegian Issue 3

Collegian

Countdown to Carl Bernstein, Oct. 27, 2019 at 3 p.m., Camino Theatre first investigative nick beck speaker series

Los Angeles

The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Volume 183 Number 3

FLASHBACK

1972 WATERGATE HOTEL

CAMPUS REVISITS WATERGATE YEARS LATER 47

F

BY ANGELA JOHNSON

ive burglars dressed in business suits, ties and latex gloves broke into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. in 1972.

They were there on a mission to steal information, photograph top secret documents and replace a previously planted microphone, when the police caught them in the act.

During the burglars’ arraignment in court later that day, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward heard one of the them say he worked for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). E. Howard Hunt and James McCord were two of the five cat burglars who were former CIA agents.

That one little kernel of information is what led Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to uncover a labyrinth of covert operations, corruption, obstruction of justice and abuse of power that became known as the Watergate Scandal and ended Richard M. Nixon’s presidency. In 1974, Nixon resigned the office of president rather than be removed by impeachment.

SEE “WATERGATE” PAGE 6

Frank Sturgis

In their first operation,“White house plumbers” broke into whistleblower Daniel Elsberg’s psychiatry office to find comprimising information.

Sept. 3, 1972

Richard Nixon

President Nixon defeated Gov. George McGovern by almost 18 million votes. His campaign won in 49 states.

Nov. 7, 1972

Thieves associated with Nixon’s “Whitehouse Plumbers” were caught burglarizing the DNC headquarters on June 17, 1972 at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C.

Images of Watergate Hotel, and Richard Nixon Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Hawaii Welcomes City College Student Researchers

After five burglars were caught at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C., members of the Whitehouse, Justice Deptartment and CIA attempted to hide their connection with the crime.

A group that is focused on STEM education provides opportunity to four L.A. City College students.

Richard Nixon gives his trademark “victory” sign while in Paoli, PA (Western Philadelphia Suburbs/Main Line) during his successful campaign to become President of the United States in July 1968.

Photo Courtesy: Ollie Atkins, Whitehouse Photographer

FBI Whistleblower William Felt revealed to Washington Post reporters that the Whitehouse was involved in the Watergate break-in.

11 FAFSA mistakes that could cost you money!

BREAKING GROUND

1972 WATERGATE BREAK-IN

1968 RICHARD NIXON

Bob Woodward

scholarships: page 7

Information Compiled by JAMES DUFFY - Illustration by BEATRICE ALCALA

U.S. Supreme Court

Nov. 7, 1972

July, 23 1974

In United States v. Nixon, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered President Nixon to release tape recordings to impeachment investigators.

Gerald Ford

President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency Aug. 9, 1974. He pardoned former President Nixon’s crimes one month later.

BY CHRIS AHN The four students who attended the LACCD meeting will share their research at the conference, but a total of 14 L.A. City College students will attend the SACNAS Conference.

Margaret McCormick, Miriam Alaverdian, Mykyta Dementyev and Colleen Evans submitted research projects and were chosen by the conference committee.

Sept. 8, 1974 SEE “CITY STUDENTS” PAGE 5

90 YEARS

POLITICS

O’ROURKE PAYS VISIT TO SOUTHLAND, SKID ROW

Trustees Mark 90 Years of Education at Flagship College

BY JAILENE TRUJILLO

On a recent trip to Los Angeles, presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke visited Skid Row and shared his thoughts on how to solve the homeless crisis.

BY REBECCA GRAZIER

Skid Row is just a few stops from L.A. City College on the Metro Red Line. It is where more than 4,000 people sleep on any given night. Makeshift tents line up side by side for several blocks down San Pedro and Fifth Streets.

California made national headlines when President Donald Trump visited Los Angeles on a fundraising trip. In a report released by President Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers said homelessness could be reduced by slashing

Cake and certificates, wobbly tables and a room full of people look back during a Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees meeting, as L.A. City College turns 90, and UCLA also celebrates a birthday.

restrictions on housing construction and being less tolerant of people sleeping on the streets.

Photo File by REBECCA GRAZIER

SEE “O’ROURKE” PAGE 6

Beto O’Rourke poses for a photo after a rally at Los Angeles Trade Tech College on April, 27, 2019. O’Rourke toured Skid Row during a visit to Los Angeles on Sept. 17, 2019.

Mind Blown: UMOJA Expo Rocks Rockets, Science High school and middle school students scratched turntables and fired rockets across tables during a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Expo (STEAM) at L.A. City College.

BY CHRISTOPHER AHN

SEE “90 YEARS” PAGE 6

INDEX Opinion & Editorial

2-3

Arts & Entertainment

4

Campus Life

5

News

6

Scholarships

7

Photo Focus

9

Sports

10

Photo by RYAN BARMORE Children from across the County attend the STEAM event at LACC on October 4. The CSU Long Beach Launch Team is building rockets with the next generation of rocket scientists.

Students appeared excited to visit booths for a chance to touch technology and get hands-on experience during the STEAM Expo hosted by UMOJA, at Los Angeles City College on Oct. 4, 2019.

Booths offered the chance for students to experience the different fields that are available in the STEAM industries.

Luke Hedberg is an outreach manager for the San Diego State Rocket Project. He used compressed air rockets and placed them on the floor, so students could shoot them. They lined up to compete and see whose rockets would travel farther. Students burst out laughing after they saw the rockets blast across the table.

The compressed rocket activity was the beginning of awakening the students’ curiosity

for science.

“What we do is we give students the best possible opportunity to learn as much as they can about rocket science,” Hedberg said. “We design, build and launch as much as we can on campus.”

The excitement increased as more students visited interactive booths and played with the cool gadgets they offered.

The STEAM Expo had a mobile laboratory with laptops, 3D printers and solar energy labs for students to use. Antonio Martinez who is a STEAM instructor calls it a “STEAM-mobile.”

The STEAM-mobile commutes within Southern California to teach STEAM-related subjects such as coding and 3D modeling.

“We try to make [science and technology] easy to understand.

SEE “STEAM” PAGE 5

2

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

EDITORIAL

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SHOULD DROP SATS Recently, the University of California system announced it will consider dropping the SAT and ACT requirements for admissions.

This has sparked national debate over the use of these test scores.

When the results of these test scores are taken into consideration, college admission officials use those to get a general idea of how well a student would perform at their college.

However, what’s not taken into account is how much the student listens and engages in class, their demonstration of note-taking skills, and their participation in group projects. It does not reflect the quality of a student’s preparation.

The SAT & ACT results also create a barrier for students who don’t test well or are unable to pay the testing fees to apply to schools.

Furthermore, if a student scores well on the SAT, it does not prove that student’s potential to attain a successful career.

Earlier this year, William Rick Singer became known as the “mastermind” behind the $25 million nationwide college admissions scandal, which exposed Hollywood actresses Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman among others.

Parents paid thousands of dollars to Singer to boost their children’s chances of getting accepted into elite colleges. Singer did this by paying people to take tests for kids of privileged people. They bribed test administrators to allow it to happen. They also bribed college coaches to treat the applicants like athletes.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, FBI agents recorded a phone call during the investigation in which Singer told a parent who he was helping cheat: “We help the wealthiest families in the U.S. get their kids into school. There is a front door which means you get in on your own. The backdoor is through institutional advancement, which

is 10 times as much money. And I’ve created this side door in.”

If the tests were improved in a way where cheating from wealthy families was not possible, lower-income students would have a better chance for access to tutors, tests and the SAT. This would be more accommodating to students who need more time to take tests.

The outcome could greater serve each individual student.

Michelle Hernandez, author of four books on college admissions based on her experience as an admissions officer at Dartmouth College, wrote an article for the New York Times in 2015.

“The SAT/ACT correlate to socio-economic status. The majority of students who apply to elite colleges spend hundreds of hours doing SAT/ACT prep when they could be pursuing scholarly activities,” she states in her article. “Many New York City families

will spend over $20,000 on SAT prep and top tutors charge over $600 an hour. At least SAT subject tests help colleges put grades at different high schools in perspectives, and AP/IB exams show ability to do college-level coursework. SAT/ACT are mostly used to turn away applicants from over-represented backgrounds and as such are grossly unfair.”

Reporter, author, and podcast host, Malcolm Gladwell released an episode on his podcast, “Revisionist History,” where he speaks on how allowing students more time to take the LSATs would change the outcome of their performance, their grade, and even the way they intellectually view themselves.

The SAT and ACT tests need improvement.

If changes cannot be made to accommodate each student, they should be dropped as a requirement for admissions.

Letter to the Editor

Collegian Wired Facebook Sarah Crachiolo-García Fun fact: the LGBTQ community of LACC were not invited to this exclusive event. There are two student clubs that focus on LGBTQ issues and they were not asked to send student representatives to participate. The very few faculty and staff who have been doing ALL of the work on LGBTQ issues on campus were not invited to participate. If the school wants to claim they are being inclusive, they should actually invite the community they are celebrating.

Also, today was National Coming Out Day. I wonder how many folks who got their free Nike pride t-shirts knew that?

I found out today from the LACC Instagram Livestream. The campus should include the folks doing the actual work on these issues. It sends a really bad signal to our community that we were not part of this conversation and that we were not invited.

Professor Sarah Crachiolo-Garcia, Communication Studies LGBTQIA+ Advocate Faculty Advisor, Safe Space Safe Zone Trainer Organizer of the Lavender Graduation

Collegian Los Angeles City College Visual & Media Arts Department 855 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.953.4000 ext. 2832 losangeles.collegian@gmail.com Editor-in-Chief CHISLEY HAYNES Graphics Editor BEATRICE ALCALA Opinions & Editorial Editor SARAH RAGSDALE Sports Editor JAMES DUFFY Copy Editor JASON PISKOPUS Broadcast, Social Media Producer JASON PISKOPUS Photographers BEATRICE ALCALA, REBECCA GRAZIER, JOHNATHAN CHUTA, JORGE PONCE, JASON PISKOPUS, JUAN MENDOZA, SARAH RAGSDALE, JAILENE TRUJILLO Illustrators BRIAN GOMEZ CASSANDRA MUNOZ MARTHA OROZCO Reporters XENNIA R. HAMILTON, REBECCA GRAZIER, CHISLEY HAYNES, DAMIEN HOSEA, JAILENE TRUJILLO, BERNARDO GARCIA, JONATHAN CHUTA, KAT AYALA, DULCE GALVEZ, PONCE JORGE, ANGELA JOHNSON, CHRIS AHN Advertising ANDE RICHARDS,

nothing.

I guess it doesn’t surprise me.

All the people who work at City Hall do is sit in their air-conditioned offices all day long and collect big, fat paychecks at our expense. The same goes for the governor’s office.

On Nov. 9, 2016, Angelenos voted for Bond Measure HHH. It passed overwhelmingly. The money this measure allocated, more than a billion dollars, was to be used solely for the building of housing units for the homeless.

A few months later, on Mar. 7, 2017, Bond Measure H, which would add an additional billion dollars to the housing fund, was passed overwhelmingly.

Where are all the housing units that this money was specifically set aside for?

I do see some construction taking place, not far from where I live, which is right off of Skid Row, but it has been long in coming. I think a little too long. After all, Measure HHH was voted on almost three years ago.

I attended many of the meet-

ings at City Hall, along with many others, who asked that Measure HHH be placed on the November 2016 ballot.

From my understanding once the measure was passed, construction was to begin immediately.

And I seem to get that impression every time I attended these meetings. Which was quite a few.

Maybe something is wrong with my math. I wouldn’t doubt it, but it seems to me that three and two years is not immediately.

Meanwhile, many people continue to live in a hopeless state.

Many, I believe, have just given up trying to improve their lives.

Many are unable to see the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel of inky blackness.

I know. I feel that way myself many times living down here, and I don’t even live on the streets.

There is so much despair here, that it sometimes gets to you.

And seeing dead bodies lying on the sidewalk is not exactly a motivational inducer.

I keep pushing on, but I wonder many times if it is even worth it.

Better Assistance Required for Transfer Students

BY ARLENE QUINTAS

Photo by DIANA CAMPBELL In Frame: A small dog waits atop the belongings of his owner at L.A. City College in the Quad on Oct. 13, 2019.

Out of Frame: A homeless Vietnam veteran named Bill warms up slices of pizza outside of the camera’s lens, as his alert best friend waits for his cut.

Our Homeless Problem Makes Me Despair

BY DAVE MARTIN Hopelessness. It envelops downtown Los Angeles like a thick London fog. People living in tents, which have been set up on the sidewalks, who are completely unmotivated to do anything, many just doing drugs or getting drunk.

According to the latest statistics 58,936 people live on the streets of L.A. every night.

And the numbers keep growing,

with no end in sight.

The problem has become so bad that a few months ago a meeting was called at City Hall, which was attended by many small business owners, to discuss the ongoing problem of the tents on the sidewalks, of which many were setting up right next to a business, and about the filth these people throw into the streets, which brings rats.

And rats bring typhus, which was the same disease that was

spread through the sewer systems of London, in the 14th century, killing more than 75 million people.

You would think the people at City Hall would want to do something to alleviate the problem, seeing they had a rat infestation in the building, thanks to a homeless encampment that was set up right next to the building.

I found out later the councilmen decided they weren’t going to do

The First Year Experience (FYE) Program is great, but it becomes a problem when students who have 55 or more units need a math or English transfer and these classes are full.

The FYE Program has provided a roadmap for first-time incoming freshmen, which is a good thing, because they are placed in classes they actually need to help them transfer quickly.

These selected classes are open to students who are not in the FYE Program, but it is limited to roughly 10, non-enrolled students who may add the class.

The students should be able to add these classes if it is their last requirement before transfer, and there is no more space in other core classes.

The four basic skills general education requirements is crucial for students thinking of transferring to a four-year institution.

Students who have the most units

and qualify for transfer should have priority in picking their classes, and they should not be restricted by the FYE Program.

Although students do set appointments to register for classes, for those who have over 55 units, access to those core classes should be a rule that is enforced.

With classes being restricted on who can and cannot add, it delays the process of other undergraduates who are trying to move to the next step to further their education.

While it helps some students, it can cause conflicts for others. There should be a solution that caters to both.

The program can be very helpful because it does provide financial assistance to students and extra help with the designated classes. It just needs some improvements.

It needs balance and to take others into consideration. Or, a solution to the problem could be letting the spots not occupied by FYE students be taken by students who need those classes.

Faculty Adviser RHONDA GUESS

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NEXT ISSUE: October 25, 2019 EDITORIAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 18, 2019

OPINION & EDITORIAL

Compiled by Sarah Ragsdale Photos by Sarah Ragsdale

What are your thoughts on the house impeachment inquiry regarding president Trump?

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

3

CASSANDRA COLON Major: Nursing Major

KATHY CRISTOBAL Major: Business

DIEGO HIDALGO Major: Physical Therapy

XAVIER DIXON Major: Undecided

“I feel that if the impeachment actually goes through, it would be really great because he’s done and said a lot of horrible things.

But the way that I see, there have been other p residents who deserved to be impeached but they weren’t, so I really don’t think it’s going to go through. I also have a feeling he’s going to get re-elected.”

“The things that he’s stating and what’s happening especially with undocumented people and all the obligations he’s making, I think he’s not going to do anything. I think whatever he says is going to happen is not going to happen. I feel that he should be impeached, most definitely.”

“My first thought is, it doesn’t matter if he gets out of the White House, what matters to me is a better United States. The way Trump is trying to make America look great again, I think is wrong.

He’s saying negative things about Spanish people, African Americans, and others. Everyone in this country – we came here to colonize – don’t act like you’re the owner of this country. I just hope who is in the White House can make a difference.”

“My thought is everyone’s been talking about Donald Trump’s impeachment since he got elected.

This is nothing new, I’m just waiting for it to happen at this point. It’s only a matter of time. And besides, whoever gets in next is just going to undo everything Donald Trump did anyway. We’ll just wait.”

INK STYLE

A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT “(The Kurds) didn’t help us in the Second World War. They didn’t help us in Normandy, for example.”

President Trump Must Go: Impeachment is moral necessary

BY STEPHEN CLEMENTS House democrats initiated an impeachment investigation to remove President Trump from office. The move, initially resisted by House democratic leadership, is an important first step. His opponents say the president violated his oath of office, and committed political and moral improprieties.

The investigation was launched after a CIA whistleblower said the president withheld millions in military aid from his Ukrainian ally in exchange for komprimat on a political rival, Joe Biden.

As necessary as impeachment seems, political opportunists in the GOP hesitate to offend their party’s rabid right wing. Their hesitation is dangerous.

The investigation cannot reveal or denounce all of Trump’s offenses. To name a few, he is expanding a costly and ineffective wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, he threatened congresswomen for speaking about his policies, and rolled back vital legislation to slow the climate crisis.

Trump backed republican majority leader Mitch McConnell by refusing to limit the availability of assault weapon sales frequently used in this country’s epidemic of mass killings. Automatic weapons are one of the few ways individuals can kill many people at a time.

Trump demonstrates a reckless disregard for social norms — Yale School of Medicine forensic psychiatrist Dr. Bandy Lee wrote a book in which she and 27 other psychiatric professionals diagnosed the president with many symptoms of mental health disorders.

The president has asked advisers why his government can’t casually use nuclear weapons. He requested a moat with crocodiles dug at southern border. He spreads his dangerous behavior and racist ideology throughout the society he leads.

His backers say his tax reduction scheme mirrors Reagan’s economic strategy from the eighties. Trump’s tax cuts on the wealthy are the most severe since before the Great Depression. The New York Times reported last week wealthiest Americans pay have lower tax rates than everyone else.

Trump is not satisfied transferring the nation’s wealth to the top. He endorses violence against those who criticize him. His White House banned reporters at mainstream outlets from press conferences for reporting basic facts about his administration. His office refuses to denounce an altered video made by the president’s supporters of the president killing of him killing media and political rivals.

In the 1960s, President Richard Nixon delayed pulling troops out of Vietnam until ‘the right moment.’ The hesitation cost thousands of lives. The violence did not stay abroad. National Guardsmen shot college students to death for protesting the war at Kent State University.

No right moment existed for bring home soldiers from Vietnam, just as no right moment existed for removing president Nixon from office. The only effective solution to a powerful madman like president Trump is removing him from office immediately.

The president failed his obligations of leadership. Booting him is necessary for a harmonious American society and habitable planet.

Political leaders must set aside electoral strategizing and exorcise the presidential demon.

— President Donald Trump

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4

ARTS & ENTERTAITMENT

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

YAMAHA CONCERTS

Jazz Pianist Aspires to ‘Satisfying Musical Evening’ at Alpert Recital Hall

Acclaimed International Pianist Compared to Miles Davis, Chick Corea, to Perform in Yamaha Series

BY JAMES DUFFY

W Photo Courtesy of TAMIR HENDERLMAN.

PREVIEW

Actors Capture Marine Guilt in ‘Sandstorm’

BY SONIA SOFIA RIVERA

W

hat appears to be an all-around terrific 2019 season for the L.A City College Theatre Academy with “Sandstorm” kicked off on Oct. 3, 2019. Sean Huze responds to the 9-11 attacks in this war saga told from the point of view of exMarines.

Almost purely monologic, the play flowed naturally and near effortlessly with the help of Sgt. David Casavecchia (John McDonough) standing as a representation for all the Marines; weaving stories of the other veterans with the few lines of shared

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Features PlantBased Meat Eater

dialogue within the play.

Regret-filled stories flooded ears throughout the theatre with the tales of most of the Iraq veterans.

It forced the audience to come to the reality that the stories that were heard were not just coming from Marines, but brothers, sons and friends.

How painful missing loved ones can be and how dramatically it can influence those in stressed environments.

In contrast the script included those soldiers who felt no remorse and chillingly enjoyed the chaos that ensued in the early 2000s making this piece a true reflection on the political divide of war.

An unfortunate weakness of the monologues is that characters’

BY JOSE ZUAZUA “Little Shop of Horrors” is a musical horror comedy, and I was fortunate enough to see it performed on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse recently. And when I say fortunate, I mean it in every sense of the word.

Little Shop stars George Salazar as Seymour Krelborn, a former street-kid turned florist, as he finds a mysterious, weird-looking plant just after a solar eclipse. Seymour also has a crush on his co-worker, Audrey, but she is in an abusive relationship with a sadistic dentist.

One day, Seymour displays his new plant in the flower shop’s window, much to the chagrin of the shop owner. However, Seymour’s idea pays off and the plant’s strange appearance draws lots of business to the store. Seymour eventually notices that the plant is starting to wilt and the only thing

names were only mentioned once in the midst of the disarray of the monologues. Therefore, to connect the actors with their name is an obstacle that theatergoers experienced. That however, does not detract from the driven performances.

Actors Joey Aquino, Forrest Barber, Johnny Cendejas, Carlos Mendoza Jr., Carlos Patzan, RaymondRoy Rickman, Larry Robinson, Ethan Stachelek and Ryan Virucio articulated the stories of being a temporary doctor, father missing his son, an overworked marine, vengeful mourning friend, careless veteran and more.

“Sandstorm” was the perfect way to kick off the Theatre Academy’s 2019 run with Paul R. DeDoes simplistic and intimate set that simulates the action of the Iraq War along with expressive lighting.

Jazz Hager’s fitting costumes with Vern Yonemura on sound design and Victor Mendoza as production stage manager and Louie Piday as director.

hen Tamir Hendleman is not lecturing in global jazz studies at UCLA, he is often performing with top-tier jazz bands.

Jazz pianist Tamir Hendleman will play a solo piano at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 17 at the Herb & Lani Alpert Recital Hall at L.A.City College.

“Whether I’m playing in a solo setting, where it feels I’m really having a conversation with the audience, or if I’m playing in a small group or in a big band, any chance to make music is a beautiful experience,” Hendelman said.

Prominent jazz composers have praised Hendelman’s work with comparisons to Miles Davis and Chick Corea.

LACC music professor Milen Kirov worked with Yamaha to bring the Yamaha Concert series to L.A. City College. Kirov said Hendelman was excited when he asked him to come to the college.

“He’ll be performing some original composition, so I’ll be listening for his unique interpretation of jazz,” Kirov said. “He’s like me, I grew up in Bulgaria. He grew up in a different culture, Israel, listening to American music.”

Hendelman was trained from the age of 6 in songwriting for classical, pop and jazz music. He came to the U.S. in 1982. He won the Yamaha’s national keyboard competition when he was 14 years old in 1984.

Hendelman said the French impressionist composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel influenced him. He praised them for the “storytelling going on in their composition.”

He said the major and minor harmonies the impressionist composers used, as well as their playful chord alteration lends their music to jazz interpretation.

“What I’ve always done is focus on the joy of creating,” Hendelman said.

“Every time I get to play it’s really a joyful experience.”

Hendelman leads the Jeff Hamilton Jazz Trio and plays with ClaytonHamilton Jazz Orchestra. He is a lecturer at UCLA in global jazz studies.

The composer said he hopes to relax is audience at the LACC performance.

“I like to feel like I’m inviting the audience in my living room,” Hendelman said. “The more you play, the more you realize, they’re there to experience a satisfying musical evening, so let’s enjoy it together.”

Photo by JASON PISKOPUS Actors perform a series of monologues in the “The Sandstorm” directed by Dr. Louie Piday. The LACC Theatre Academy collaborated with “Sandstorm” playwright Sean Huze on the adapted work.

that perks it back up is human blood. That’s all I can say about the story without going into spoiler territory.

What I will say is that I had an absolutely fantastic time. The original movie was released in 1960, and the fact that I’m talking about it 59 years later, proves the story has transcended generations. Modernizing it for the 2019 crowd shows how well it can adapt to our current times, especially with the casting of George Salazar and Mj Rodriguez as she leads Seymour and Audrey, respectively. You see, George is an openly gay, bi-racial actor, and Mj is a transgender bi-racial woman. This representation is so extremely important, and their inclusion as the main characters helps ground the tale in societal realism. The rest of the cast is also rounded out with people of different nationalities.

Every actor in the play is magnificent, as

they have to balance drama, humor, fear and singing, sometimes all at once. This adds depth to the whole production. Emotions weigh heavy, even during the cheeriest songs. Speaking of fear, “Audrey II” is the name that Seymour gives his blood-drinking plant, and Amber Riley has a lot of fun with the role. You can hear her confidence with every line.

Since Audrey II is a plant, this production needed some puppeteers to give her life and OH MAN, what marvelous work they put into it. Seeing the plant move and grow made me feel like a child experiencing something wonderful for the first time. I can’t remember the last time something was able to capture 100% of my attention like this did.

Even though the story and the wardrobe has been transported to 2019, the wonderfully catchy songs remain rooted in the ‘60s. There are also some really nice light-

ing effects within the show, and they really add another dimension to the experience.

It was also my first visit to the spectacular Pasadena Playhouse, so before the show and during intermission, I spent time wandering around and exploring the history within the corners and cobblestones of the facility.

In terms of entertainment, we can consume (movies, music, concerts, etc.). I can happily say that “Little Shop of Horrors” was the greatest piece of entertainment I’ve ever seen. I hope you get a chance to see it too, before it closes on Oct. 20, 2019.

Tickets are available at the Pasadena Playhouse website(https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/) or at their box office.

Jose Zuazua is editor-in-chief at QuickLunchBreakReviews.com. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in film production.

He’s on Twitter and Instagram and is currently writing his first short novel.

CAMPUS LIFE

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

5

PREVIEW

FACULTY, STUDENTS SAY ALOHA Innovation, curiosity and drive are what the four students say motivated them.

Innovation: Improve the Environment McCormick is a mechanical engineer. She has already received a B.A. degree in international relations at Taylor University and wants to earn a Master’s degree.

“I am interested in oceanography,” she said. “As a mechanical engineer, you can build machines to solve problems.”

McCormick says she wants to build the types of machines that make the world a better place.

The conference gives her the opportunity to share her research and introduce her work.

“I am interested in a lot of the ocean research, different things they are testing out in the ocean,” McCormick said. “The University of Hawaii has a lot of research programs.”

McCormick and her team’s project includes an environmental air monitoring system with IoT [internet of things] connection. It is a group of sensors that measure air quality and sends the data via the internet. She wants to use her innovation to help people.

Rock Analysis: Curiosity Pays Off Dementyev is a physics major whose curiosity led him to research a rock sample he found in an extinct cinder cone of a volcano at the Mojave Desert. The cinder cone is located at the opening of the volcano. He thought the sample was just another rock, but it paved the way to a project.

“Honestly it was an unexpected independent research project because it was originally a souvenir to the professor,” Dementyev said.

His find became a project that he worked on with another group of his peers. The professor gave them an opportunity to research the rock, and that’s what they did. Their research uncovered the physical properties and chemical composition. They discovered which minerals and major elements formed the rock.

“Do you know what it consists of,” Dementyev said he asked

himself after he found the rock.

“How would I do that was the real question.”

It all started in the fall of 2018.

Dementyev’s curiosity led him to research the volcanic fragment intensively, never thinking his curiosity would take him to Honolulu.

Drive: Forecasting the Future Alaverdian is an applied mathematical major who came from Russia three years ago. She received the LACC President’s Scholar Award to attend City College. Before she selected L.A. City College, she was accepted at three CSU campuses: Cal State Long Beach, Northridge and San Luis Obispo.

“Many people told me not to settle for a community college, but I feel that this community college has given me more opportunities,” Alaverdian said. “Education was expensive at those schools, therefore, I came here.”

She has completed three research projects with L.A. City College in the course of one year.

Her recent research was about forecasting Amazon stock prices using the best ARIMA sequence, which is a statistical model that predicts outcomes. It stands for AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average. She wants to do the same research with other stocks.

“I have the drive to learn something new and am fascinated by it,” Alaverdian said.

Her first course of statistics at Los Angeles City College inspired her to research and forecast stock prices. She is hoping to be in the same room with her peers at the conference and share her work.

SACNAS 2019 begins Oct. 31 and ends Nov. 2, 2019.

SACNAS is committed to providing equality in STEM studies and opportunities for underrepresented groups to find careers. The website that announces the conference states: “At 2019 SACNAS, you can shape your own STEM story inspired by your ancestors, mentors and peersnourished by diversity and fueled by the passion for discovery.”

I like accessibility, but to be honest with you, you can’t really prevent crime just by putting a fence around. If people are going to come on to commit crimes they’re going to do it. There’s nothing you can do about it. You just gotta learn how to read people and watch them.”

-Matt Johnson, film major

Photo by CURTIS SABIR STEM students Mykyta Dementyev and Mariam Alaverdian speak at the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees Meeting on Oct. 2, 2019 about their passion for education. They will present their research projects at the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii on Oct. 31, 2019.

“We weren’t sure why [the man was holding a knife], but we left campus because we didn’t feel safe,” the student said.

Police responded to the incident and issued a citation to the man and released him. The incident was recorded as a misdemeanor in the L.A. County Sheriff ’s incident report.

The campus crime report also describes security policies like the “Timely Warning Policy.” It outlines methods that college officials use to communicate serious or ongoing threats campus-wide by text and email through LACC’s Emergency Notification System.

The report also lists policies on “Alleged Dating Violence,” “Domestic Violence,” “Sexual Assault or Stalking,” and the corresponding department procedures.

“I feel relatively safe, considering that we are in a sketchy area, but I grew up around here, so I’m used to it,” said librarian Collete Salbatierre.

She says students who use the MLK Library should remain aware of their surroundings and the potential for crime.

“It’s really high, specifically in the library, this is why you are advised not to leave belongings out in the open,” Salbatierre said. “But a lot of students believe because

you’re not in a private enclosure, you’re in school, that other students won’t steal your stuff, or even homeless who do make it in here won’t steal your stuff. That’s a fallacy, a safety fallacy, but yeah, crime does happen a lot in the library.”

The report describes emergency procedures that cover everything from fires, earthquakes and flooding, to bomb threats and severe winds. Safety tips for students include awareness of the locations of LACC’s various “panic phones” around campus and knowledge of the buddy system. Students should also save the Sheriff department’s phone number, (323) 953-4005. A call to 911 in a campus emergency will route through the California Highway Patrol before it is transferred to campus.

The District is currently in the process of implementing a new locking system on classroom doors for active shooter situations or other emergencies. Last week, the district began installing new HD camera systems at all 9 campuses. District officials are also considering the installation of additional fences in high risk areas.

Each of the annual Campus Security Reports from 2013 through 2019 are located online on LACC’s Campus Safety page.

CRIME IN CAMPUS FROM “STEAM” PAGE 1

I have mixed feelings [on the proposed fence] because I think it would be good for us to be able to secure the facilities at night when nobody’s around. At the same time, you want to send New Campus Safety Report Shows a message to the community that Drop in Overall Crime we are for the community … So it’s

BY RYAN BARMORE on the outside,” said Deputy Ryan Rouzan of the L.A. County Sher- a mix of the two, because I think Safety tips, security policies and iff ’s Department, “[specifically 2018 campus crime statistics are the areas immediately] “East and theft is probably one of our most detailed in an annual report re- North of campus.” leased by the LACC Office of AdBurglary is the one crime that common crimes. Everything we have ministrative Services and the L.A. stood out on campus last year with County Sheriff ’s Department last a total of nine reported cases — an week. increase from seven burglaries the to replace costs money and that is The yearly report complies with year before. the Jeanne Clery Act, a disclosure Rouzan reviewed the highlights money I’d rather spend on students.” requirement of all colleges and universities that receive federal funding. The report first tabulates the 2016 to 2018 crime stats on campus in 12 different categories.

In 2018, there was not a single report or arrest for murder, negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, hate crimes, dating violence, weapons, drugs or liquor violations. No hate crimes have been reported on campus since 2011, the year the reports were digitized.

“We only have eight to 10 percent of the crimes the LAPD has

of the report with the Collegian and says overall crime dropped 40 percent in 2018. He says crime is low because people come to the college for an education.

“At the end of the day, we have to remember that we are dealing with folks of higher learning here, so we’re dealing with fairly mature people,” he said. “We’re not dealing with the criminals that are hanging out on Santa Monica and Vermont or whatever.”

Rouzan attributes some of the crime that “trickles into,” LACC to criminals and some homeless indi-

-Drew Yamanishi, dean of student services viduals. Many students who spoke to the Collegian say they have no concerns about safety at L.A. City College.

“I’ve never seen a single crime on campus,” said business and Japanese studies major Anthony Garabaldi.

Dean Drew Yamanishi of Student Services echoed the sentiment that LACC is a safe place. He says he has been at the college for nearly 14 years.

“I think it’s probably safer than when I started,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed one [crime on campus], the closest I’ve come to is seeing stuff off campus nearby.”

However, some students worry about the potential for crime. A math student who wished to remain anonymous recalled an incident where a man on campus who appeared homeless was holding a knife.

Photo Courtesy of YOUTUBE.COM SDSU Galactic Aztec Rocket lifts off on April 23, 2015. The Rocket project is a Student-led team at San Diego State University. See the video https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=v2bby_6O1j8

Rockets Fire Students’ Imaginations Probably the subjects kids hate more when they are younger in school,” Martinez said, “show them the different avenues they can take and different types of jobs out there.”

This might be a field trip for students, but the expo sparked their curiosity and excitement in the STEAM subjects. The San Di-

ego State Rocket Project presented cool technology at its booths and students seemed engaged.

“There are at least 15,000 students that attended,” said Andrea Eke, from Student Services.

The hope is that the expo sparked an interest in students to pursue a career where they are able to build real rockets one day.

6

NEWS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 FROM “WATERGATE” PAGE 1

teaching and learning opportunities and to improve education in the years to come.”

LACC was not the only college celebrating years of providing higher education. UCLA turns 100 this year. City College and UCLA also share deeply-rooted history. In 1928, the former UCLA campus was located on Vermont Avenue, and in 1938, the college

Watergate Rewind

name was changed to Los Angeles City College.

Memorabilia for the 90th anniversary of LACC is available at the Bookstore. There are caps, tote bags, notebooks and coasters with LACC 90th Anniversary written across them in celebration of nine decades of higher education.

Memorabilia is also available on the Bookstore website.

FROM “O’ROURKE” PAGE 1

Photo by REBECCA GRAZIER Beto O’Rourke speaks to the Collegian after a town hall at the La Casa Del Mexicano in Boyle Heights on Oct. 5, 2019.

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

If it hadn’t been for those tapes … after the decision was made to reveal those tapes it was all downhill from there.”

-Professor Henry Ealy, African American Studies Carl Bernstein will be featured as the inaugural speaker of the Nick Beck Investigative Journalism Lecture Series on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in the LACC Camino Theatre.

As the possibility of impeachment looms for President Donald Trump, it begs the question: is Watergate still relevant 47 years later?

Moreover, is the brand of bulldog investigative work that unraveled President Nixon still necessary?

“Nixon thought that he could supersede the judicial and legislative branches of government,” said professor Henry Ealy who teaches African American Studies. Nixon’s impeachment was something that had to “come to being … if you were going to honor the Constitution and its legacy. Because if not, then you’ve got a petty dictatorship. And that’s what this guy at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is trying to do right now. Saying ‘There are no rules that I have to obey’ and ‘Nobody is above me.’”

The Collegian talked to students and professors about the Watergate Scandal. A number of students watched a screening of the iconic film “All the Presidents Men,” in September. Even though Watergate happened nearly 50 years ago, students were able to discuss the history-changing event.

“Watergate was relevant because it involves the question of using illegal or unethical practices (during) an election,” said Assistant Professor of Law, Camille A. Goulet. “It also involves the issue of using the executive powers to try to cover up misconduct or obstruct justice.”

Consider Speaker Nancy Pelosi who has opened a formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump.

It stems from a whistleblower complaint about his conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Well, just look at this [current] president and everything that he’s done. He’s a lot worse than [President Nixon] said Mary, a student who was participating in the Food for Thought food distribution program for LACC students, and did not want to be identified. “I think he committed more crimes … treason and fraud.”

The Watergate break-in was indicative of a culture of illegality, where “the ends justify the means” attitude was widely held by Nixon’s closest aids and advisers. Nixon may not have ordered the break-in, but he certainly knew about it and tried to cover it up.

Three years after his resignation, Nixon was quoted in a TV interview with David Frost saying, “When the president does it, that means it’s not illegal.”

The deep investigative reporting of Bernstein and Woodward without a doubt, precipitated the resignation of Richard Nixon, the only president in U.S. history to resign from the office of president.

“We need more Bernsteins and Woodwards to bring out the truth,

to bring out the corruption,” Mary said. “I don’t want to live in a corrupt country, with a corrupt government.”

Sharon Gonzalez, a political science major, sees some similarities between Nixon and Trump.

“With the Nixon scandal, we found out we couldn’t trust our president. And now we find out we can’t trust our current president either,” Gonzalez said. “We don’t know whether what he’s saying is the truth or a lie. The connection between the two is we see Trump abused his power and that’s what Nixon did, as well.”

The political science major told the Collegian that no matter what happens, it’s the press’ job to let Americans know “this is right, this is wrong, this is what politicians are doing.” She says Americans should know what the government is doing.

“President Nixon [was] abusing his presidential powers. He believed he was above the law and he did a lot of dirty things during that campaign [for reelection],” said Gabriel Sanchez, Associated Student Government, senator of administration, also majoring in political science.

Sanchez says what’s going on today is far more dangerous to the U.S Constitution. He says Nixon played dirty domestically, but Trump uses his power like a foreign leader to get intelligence on his political opponent, like former Vice President Joe Biden.

“I think (this) … sets a dangerous precedent,” Sanchez said. “Because if Trump isn’t punished for what he did, then future presidents can say ‘My predecessor did this and nothing happened to him.’”

Nixon secretly recorded hundreds of hours of phone calls and conversations in the Oval Office between 1971 and ‘73. The White House tapes were the final nail in the coffin of his presidency and proved that Nixon was part of the criminal cover-up from the start.

The Watergate scandal escalated distrust in the elections and governmental processes …

Watergate is relevant today because the same kinds of allegations were raised and are being raised regarding the 2016 elections and the 2020 elections.”

-Professor Camille A. Goulet, administration of justice

Different Kind of Spotlight Shines on L.A. Homeless “In many cases, they came from other countries, and they moved to Los Angeles or they moved to San Francisco because of the prestige of the city, and all of a sudden they have tents, hundreds and hundreds of tents and people living at the entrance to their office building, and they want to leave,” Trump said, according to an article by USA Today.

Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke came to L.A. and toured Skid Row before visiting the Downtown Women’s Center located on San Pedro Street on Sept. 17, 2019.

While in the U.S. House of Representatives, O’Rourke served as a ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee that helped with employment, education and training for veterans.

“It was really staggering to see the number of people, the number of tents, the amount of need that there is that is being unmet today in L.A. County, or in California, or in the United States of America,” O’Rourke said.

There are currently 58,936 homeless people in Los Angeles County. It is an increase from 2018 when there were just 52,765 people, according to the 2019 Homeless Count.

“It begs the question – how can the wealthiest country on the face of the planet treat people this way – not only denying housing,” O’Rourke said, “but those who told me on Skid Row that they’re often subjected to police sweeps where their tents are broken up, their possessions are scattered to the wind.”

California Sen. Kamala Harris, who is also running for president, introduced a bill called “Fighting Homelessness Through Services Housing Act,”

which will direct $750 million annually over the next five years for local governments to combat homelessness, according to a press release by Harris.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is currently working on a program called “A Bridge Home,” which connects homeless people with temporary housing. So far, Los Angeles has opened six shelters since Garcetti introduced the program in 2018.

O’Rourke hosted a town hall at La Casa Del Mexicano in Boyle Heights on Oct. 5, 2019. He said to get people off the street, the government needs to get involved in housing at the federal level.

“We don’t need thousands or tens of thousands of additional housing units in this country, we need millions, all across America, and in no place more than in this state,” O’Rourke said.

L.A. Rep. Maxine Waters introduced a bill similar to Harris, which aims to fund critical programs to end homelessness in the United States.

“The Ending Homelessness Act of 2019” would allocate $13.27 billion in mandatory emergency relief funding over five years to several critical federal housing programs and initiatives, providing resources that these programs need to address the homeless crisis in the United States, according to the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services.

California has the largest population in the United States with 129,972 people currently experiencing homelessness. New York comes in second with 91,897 homeless people, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

FROM “COLLEGE 90 YEARS” PAGE 1

Beat Goes on After 90 Red rosettes trimmed a white frosting sheet cake that included “L.A. City College” printed in blue and “The City’s College,” in larger letters to mark the 90th anniversary of the college. It opened for business and welcomed 1,500 students on Sept. 13, 1929.

Kenneth M. Kerans was the registrar in 1929, and he told the Junior College Weekly newspaper that attendance was nearly double the number the college had anticipated.

The college signed 40 instructors

and hired 51 staff.

Fast forward to Oct. 2, 2019 in the Multipurpose Room of the Student Union where attendees munched on cake and milled around. Some students, staff and faculty sipped on lemon water.

The Board of Trustees faculty honored Los Angeles City College with a certificate to mark the occasion. LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez repeated his “commitment to support the L.A. City College mission to provide excellent

The 2019 Pinnacle Awards honor the Collegian’s sister publication, the Collegian Times Magazine for the 90th Anniversary. It is one of five nominees for Best TwoYear College, Feature Magazine of the Year for 2019.

Photo Courtesy of CURTIS SABIR (Left to Right) Former L.A. Councilman Tom LaBonge and Mary Gallagher share a moment during a 90th anniversary salute to the college by the LACCD Board of Trustees in the Student Union on Oct. 2, 2019. LaBonge is an alumnus of L.A. City College.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

7

questions in a minimum of 500 and a maximum of 1,000 words: What recent innovation has meant the most to your daily life? What do you imagine or have you experienced to be the single greatest challenge that arises when you start your own business? What do you think is the biggest threat to the security of your personal information? https:// www.bluepay.com/company/scholarship/

VFW Scholarship • Eligibility Requirements: Must be a retired, discharged, active duty, member of the National Guard or reserve student with a military rank of E-5 or below to apply. Also, demonstrate financial need by filing for FAFSA. • Deadline: November 15, 2019 • Class Level: Undergrad/ Grad • Amount: Up to $5,000 • Major: Any • More Info: https://www.vfw.org/scholarship/ • Citizenship: US Citizen

LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship •Eligibility Requirements: Open to ethnically diverse minority undergraduates and graduates majoring in fields of advertising, marketing or Public Relations.

•Deadline: January 17, 2020 •Class Level: Undergrad/Grads •Amount: $2,500-$3,750 • Major: Marketing, Advertising, & Public Rela tions.

•More info: https://www.lagrantfoundation.org/ •Citizenship: US Citizen/Perm Res/AB540/DACA

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund Eligibility Requirements: Open to college and high school Asian and Pacific Islanders degree seeking undergrad uate students with need.

• Deadline: Early January, 2020 • Class Level: Undergrad • Amount: $2,500-$15,000 • Major: Any • More Info: • Citizenship: US citizen/ Perm Res

11 Common FAFSA Mistakes

See the complete list of mistakes at https://blog.ed.gov/2018/09/common-fafsa-mistakes/ COMPILED BY CHISLEY HAYNES

FAFSA Announcement for 2020/2021 The new 2020–21 FAFSA form is here! To begin your financial aid application, go to fafsa.gov and select the “START HERE” button on the FAFSA homepage. You may also apply by downloading the myStudentAid app for iOS and Android. Some states and schools have limited funds, so don’t delay your application!

CCNMA Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship (Annually, $500-$2,000)- The Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship is an annual California scholarship for Latino students who are interested in journalism as a career. Applicants should exhibit a commitment to the field of journalism, academic achievement, community service and involvement, and financial need. A number of scholarships are available each year, and range from $500 to $2,000. http://ccnma.org/scholarships-and-awards/scholarships/

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders (Due by November, $500-$1,000)- Since 1982, USHLI has awarded over $1.3 million in scholarships and internships to students from disenfranchised groups. Most notably, the Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders seeks to recognize Hispanics students who share Dr. Andrade’s lifelong commitment to servant leadership. Recipients will receive two non-renewable scholarships: conference scholarship to attend the 38th USHLI National Conference and an academic scholarship ($1,000 for a 4-year institution or $500 for a 2-year institution) for undergraduate students. https://www.ushli.org/2018/08/20/scholarship-for-young-hispanic-leaders-now-availablefor-2019-2020/

Sertoma Deaf and Hard of Hearing Scholarship (Due by November, $1,000)-Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf, is the leading scholarship for hard of hearing or deaf students since the program’s inception in 1994. Students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship.Must have a minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss, as evidenced on audiogram by an SRT & PTA of 40dB or greater in both ears. Must be a citizen of the United States of America. Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree on a full-time basis at a college or university in the United States – graduate degrees, associates degrees, community colleges, and vocational programs do not qualify. Must have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 un-weighted scale. The application process will be available November 2019. https://sertoma.org/ what-we-do/scholarships/

Actuarial Diversity Scholarship (Due by May 02,2020, $4000)-The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American and Pacific Islander students. .The scholarship award recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of full-time undergraduate students pursuing a degree that may lead to a career in the actuarial profession. Scholarships range from $1,000-$4,000. https://www.actuarialfoundation.org/scholarships/actuarial-diversity-scholarship/

Harry S. Truman Scholarship (Deadline: February 4, 2020) The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is a very competitive national undergraduate scholarship. Each year, the foundation reviews over 600 applications for our 55-65 scholarships awarded annually.

The foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions and professional development. https://www.truman.gov/candidates/how-become-truman-scholar

2019 BluePay STEM Scholarship (December 31, 2019, Award: $250-$1000) Through the BluePay STEM Scholarship, we will award a winning student $1,000 to be used toward his or her degree. In addition, we will award $250 book scholarships to two runners-up. Featured essays may be published in part or in entirety on the BluePay blog, citing the author. To qualify, undergraduate or graduate students must be majoring in a STEM field of study and attending an accredited college or university. Attach an essay answering 1 of these 3

Source: Home Room, U.S. Dept. of Education 1. Not Completing the FAFSA Form We hear all kinds of reasons: “The FAFSA form is too hard.” “It takes too long to complete.” “I’ll never qualify anyway, so why does it matter?” It does matter. For one, contrary to popular belief, there is no income “cut-off ” when it comes to federal student aid. If you don’t complete the FAFSA form, you could lose out on thousands of dollars to help you pay for college. It doesn’t take too much time to complete, and there is help text provided for every question.

2. Not Filling Out the FAFSA Form as Soon as It’s Available If you want to get the most financial aid possible, fill out the FAFSA form ASAP. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis, and some states and colleges run out of money early.

Even if it seems like your school’s deadline is far off in the future, get your FAFSA form done ASAP. The 2020–21 FAFSA form requires 2018 tax information, which you should already have—so there’s no excuse to wait!

3. Not Filing the FAFSA Form by the Deadline You should fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible, but you should DEFINITELY fill it out before your earliest FAFSA deadline.

Each state and school sets its own deadline, and some deadlines are very early. To be sure you are being considered for the maximum amount of financial aid, fill out your FAFSA form—and any other financial aid applications required by your state or school—before the earliest deadline.

4. Not Getting an FSA ID Before Filling Out the FAFSA Form It’s important to get an FSA ID before filling out the FAFSA form.

Why? When you register for an FSA ID, you may need to wait up to three days before you can use it to sign your FAFSA form electronically. An FSA ID is a username and password that you use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites, including fafsa.gov.

Don’t wait! Create an FSA ID now: StudentAid.gov/fsaid.

5. Not Using Your FSA ID to Start the FAFSA Form When you begin your FAFSA form, you will be asked to identify yourself as one of these: 1.

I am the student 2.

I am a parent, preparer, or student from a Freely Associated

State If you’re the student, you should choose the first option. Why? When you do, some of your personal information (name, Social Security number, date of birth, etc.) will be automatically loaded into your application. This will prevent you from running into a common error that occurs when your verified FSA ID information doesn’t match the information on your FAFSA form.

6. Not Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) For many applicants, the most difficult part about filling out the FAFSA form is entering the financial information. But thanks to a partnership with the IRS, students and parents who are eligible can automatically transfer their necessary 2018 tax information into the 2020–21 FAFSA form using the IRS DRT. It’s the fastest, most accurate way to enter your tax return information into the FAFSA form, so if you’re given the option to “LINK TO IRS” button, take advantage of it!

7. Not Reading Definitions Carefully When it comes to completing the FAFSA form, you’ll want to read each definition and each question carefully; sometimes the FAFSA form is looking for very specific information that may not be obvious.

• Parents The FAFSA form has very specific guidelines about which parent’s information needs to be reported.

Spoiler alert: It has nothing to do with who claims you on their taxes. On the FAFSA form you may be asked, “As of today, what is the marital status of your parents?”

Use this guide to help you figure out which parent to report on the FAFSA form.

8. Inputting Incorrect Information Here are some examples of common errors we see when people complete the FAFSA form: • Entering information that doesn’t match your FSA ID information After you create an FSA ID, your information (name, Social Security number (SSN), date of birth) is sent to the Social Security Administration to be verified. If you then enter a different name, SSN, and/or date of birth on the FAFSA form, you’ll receive an error message.

This is often the result of a typo or mixing up student information and parent information. To avoid delays, triple-check that you have entered your information correctly. If you encounter an error about information not matching, here’s

how you can resolve it.

• Amount of your income tax The FAFSA form is asking for your assessed income tax liability, not the amount of income tax withheld and not your AGI. We know this can be complicated. To avoid this common error, either transfer your tax information to the FAFSA form using the IRS DRT, or click here to find out which tax line number you should refer to when answering this question. (Note: It depends on which IRS form you filed.)

9. Not Reporting Required Information • Parent information Even if you fully support yourself, pay your own bills, and file your own taxes, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes. If so, you must provide parent information on your FAFSA form. Dependency guidelines for the FAFSA form are determined by Congress and are different from those of the IRS. Find out whether you need to provide parent information by answering these questions. If you’re considered a dependent student and don’t provide parent information, your FAFSA form may not be processed and/or you may qualify for unsubsidized loans only.

10. Listing only one college Unless you are applying to only one college or already know where you’re going to school, you should include more than one. Colleges can’t see the other schools you’ve added, so you should add ALL colleges you are considering to your FAFSA form, even if you aren’t sure whether you’ll apply or be accepted. You can add up to 10 schools at a time.

11. Not Signing the FAFSA Form So many students answer every single question that is asked but fail to actually sign the FAFSA form with their FSA ID and submit it. This happens for many reasons—maybe you forgot your FSA ID, or your parent isn’t with you to sign with the parent FSA ID—so your application is left incomplete.

Don’t let this happen to you.

• If you don’t know your FSA ID, select “Forgot username” and/or “Forgot password.”

• If you don’t have an FSA ID, create one.

If you’re not able to sign with your FSA ID, there’s an option to mail a signature page. If you would like confirmation that your FAFSA form has been submitted, you can check your status immediately after you submit your FAFSA form online.

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Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

COOL SPLASH!

9

Photo by CHRISTOPHER AHN Swimmers warm up for the “Kinesiology 201-1,” swimming class before they dive into breaststroke and freestyle on Oct. 9, 2019. Students seem to enjoy themselves as they flutter-kick and create an immense splash during the exercise.

UMOJA MIXES IT UP...

Los Angeles

Photo by BEATRICE ALCALA President Mary Gallagher(center left) attends the “Umoja Mixer” in front of the Student Services Building on Sept. 19, 2019.

Umoja is “a learning community dedicated to the academic success, personal growth and self actualization of African American and other students.”

POLICE WIRE

Sept. 14, 2019 10:17 a.m 12:20 p.m.

Possession of controlled substances excluded mariguana Occurred at Franklin Hall Sept. 18, 2019 10:00 a.m.

Weapons law misdemeanor occured in parking lot #4 Sept. 21, 2019 5:30 p.m.

Assault non-agv. Hand, feet, fist, etc.

Occurred near Holmes building Sept. 24, 2019 7:45 a.m 3:40 p.m.

Vehicle hit and run Occured in parking lot #4

Are you a homeless student?

The Collegian wants to speak to you. Email the editor rebeccagrazier. collegian@gmail.com

Collegian

THE STUDENT VOICE OF L.A. CITY COLLEGE FOR 90 YEARS REAL NEWS, NO BULL SINCE 1929 Pick up a copy of the Collegian

10

SPORTS

Los Angeles Collegian - Wednesday, October 16, 2019

NIKE OPENING

Photo by CURTIS SABIR Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Kerron Clement attends the opening of the BETRUE Nike Rainbow Track on Oct. 12, 2019 AT Los Angeles City College. The occasion was to show his pride for being part of the LGBTQ community.

We are so proud to be the recipients of this beautiful art, but it’s also functional art because it is something that you can use.”

—LACC President Mary Gallagher

New Track Receives Colorful Reception

BY JUAN MENDOZA AND JAMES DUFFY V

R

ed, Yellow, green, purple and pink colors pop up from the new Nike track located in the upper level of Parking Lot 4. L.A. City College officially opened the rainbow track at ribboncutting ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 12. The track even comes with its own theme: BETRUE until we all win. The idea behind the name is that everyone has an equal opportunity, said L.A. City College President Mary Gallagher.

The colorful venue will bring more sports activities to the college for years to come. This is especiallytrue because in several years, the City of Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. Gallagher suggested the

track could be used for Olympic trials in track and field events. She said Nike approached the college with the idea for the new design and offered to pay for its installment. “The whole project was approved by the Board within months,” Gallagher said.

The design of gay rights activist and artist, Gilbert Baker inspired the colorful track. He used the Rainbow Flag, which he designed in 1978. It is a symbol all over the world of LGBTQ pride and has become universal.

“We are so proud to be the recipients of this beautiful art, but it’s also functional art because it is something that you can use,” Gallagher said.

“We’ll have the track open to the community a couple hours a day, five days a week, so we’ll have that posted so that our community can come and experience the beauty of this rainbow track.” The track generated excitement among students. Staff

members, students and people from the community appeared excited about the field opening.

Families from the East Hollywood neighborhood joined the event last Saturday. They ran on the track for the fun of it, as families took to the track with children following behind.

It was hot that day, and kids’ clothing dripped with perspiration. “This is so beautiful, and wonderful, and this track, with different activities will help to bring the community to stay together,” said Argelia Tibbs, an instructor from the LACC Child Development Center. She plans to bring children who are three and four years old to the track once every week, so they can have the experience and run as much as they want. Some students who attended said they think the track will attract new students.

L.A. City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said the Nike Rainbow Track is the

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only one in the United States. “We’re thrilled Nike could bring this track to the district,” O’Farrell said. “This honors residents involved in the struggle for LGBT rights.” O’Farrell noted members of his Los Angeles district was the first to hold Gay Pride Parade in the nation. President Emeritus Los Angeles City College Renee Martinez stood with Gallagher at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 12. “This track celebrates City’s unique qualities of diversity and inclusion,” Martinez said. “Welcoming people from every walk of life is what makes this college special.” After the ribbon cutting, attendees walked the track with representatives of Nike and L.A. City College mascot Cubby the bear. Colored lanes delineated where runners should stay in a race.

The design makes following the lines simple. “It should be easy,” Martinez said.