Los Angeles Collegian

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Q:

How do you feel about safety and security here at LACC?

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Wednesday March 14, 2012 Volume 166 Number 2

BRIEFS

Restaurant Offers Student Discounts

The Faculty took over the Pure Luck Restaurant in August 2011 and has since grown to be a great addition to the LACC neighborhood. It showcases musicians throughout the week and offers 10 percent discounts to all ASO members. http://www.thefacultyla.com 707 N. Helitrope Dr. Los Angeles, CA, 90029.

Scholarships Awards

Download applications online from www.laccfoundation.org. The Deadline to apply is March 29. Turn in all completed applications to the Foundation Office at 4301 Melrose Ave., or contact Nancy at (323) 953-4011.

Instructor Presents Workshop Off Campus Dance instructor Karin Jensen will give a number of workshops, including several free workshops, in the South Bay on March 24. Prices for pre-sale are $40 and individual pre-sale workshops cost $25. For more information call Boogie Zone Utopia at (714) 328-1042

Internships that Pay Learn how to turn an internship into a career opportunity. The LACCD Internship Program will be on campus on March 20, in Administration 109 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn workforce skills that make you stand out from the crowd.

Careers Made for You

In a true color workshop, learn how your personality can be useful to make a career on March 26, at 5 p.m. You will learn to use your natural talents to make money. For more information contact the Job Development Center at (323) 953-4000, Ext. 2210. Compiled by April O’Connor and Layla Fernandez

INDEX Opinion/ Editorial......... 2-3 Women’s Day / Arts & Entertainment.............. 4-5 News............................ 6-7 Campus Life................. 8-9 Sports........................... 10

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The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929

NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS!

Committee Unveils

New Campus Smoking Policy New this spring semester are three designated smoking areas on campus where students, faculty and staff may smoke since the college Work and Environment Committee developed new rules effective this spring.

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By Anna Kamalyan Smokers must now take their cigarette breaks within the parameters of any one of three areas on LACC’s 49-acre campus. The Work Environment Committee began the process of researching and studying to develop this policy 36 months ago. The goal was to find a way to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke, while providing a convenient place for smokers to have a cigarette on campus. The areas contain an ashtray and are clearly marked with signs that read “SMOKING AREA” behind the Radiologic Technology Building and across from the Communications Building, near the Science & Technology Building and South of the Theatre Arts Building. “…It’s in effect, that’s probably the most important thing,” said Theatre Arts Department Chair and Work

king areas

Environment Committee Chair, Kevin L. Morrissey, “And hopefully they comply, because it’s so important to the health of our student body and our staff and faculty.” Smokers may always leave campus and smoke on the sidewalks off-campus in addition to the designated smoking areas. “There’s nothing wrong with being respectful of other people’s space. And my choice to smoke a cigarette doesn’t have to affect anyone else,” said Raechel Zarzynski, a student at LACC who chooses to smoke. A respiratory therapist at the American Lung Association office in Los Angeles says, “We think it’s a good idea. We totally agree about having designated areas for smoking, because now the secondhand smoke won’t affect everyone.” Several students said they believe secondhand smoke is hazardous to their health, and cited studies that show

it can cause lung disease, lung cancer, worsens asthma, causes birth defects and can lead to death. “We’re definitely hoping that this is a transitional step toward smoke free,” Morrissey said. “What’s really evident, which was kind of fun to discover, is that when we conducted a survey of the student body and entire campus, actually … we had over 10 percent response to that survey from the student population for 1,800 students.” Morrissey said there were “overwhelmingly” 70 to 80 percent of students who wanted a restriction on smoking. There are 399 colleges and universities in California according to collegebound.net, but only 41 are smoke free. Not everyone welcomes the new policy. “People should have the privilege of having the convenience of having a cigarette near their class,” said David Gafafyan, a student who quit smoking.

NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS!

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Collegian Los Angeles

NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS!

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Ancient Art of Thai Chi flows with music

NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS! NO SMOKING AREAS!

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No Grounds for Arrest of Man in Women’s Restroom Sheriffs questions and releases a man who was caught inside the ladies bathroom. Some women are using the buddy system to go to the restroom, especially for those who are taking classes at night.

By Regine Simmonds A student enrolled in Psychology 041 on Wednesday nights, says a man was inside a bathroom stall of the women’s restroom on the first floor of the Life Science Building as she used the adjacent stall on Feb. 15. Sherriffs deputies detained the man who they say had a medical problem. They say he meant no harm. The woman, who did not want to be identified, says she did not notice anyone when she first entered the restroom. She told classmates she got a weird feeling, and as she left the restroom, the man exited several steps behind her. The student says she ran up the stairs to her class for help. She told her professor, Dr. Lisa M. Varkanian

and some of the class what had happened. “She said she wasn’t assaulted,” Varkanian said. “The student had a weird feeling. She felt as if someone was peering at her.” Students say Varkanian consoled the student and called the sheriffs who arrived in less than 10 minutes. Sheriffs quickly detained the man. While students from the psychology class were on break, they say they could see sheriffs questioning a man with distinct tattoos covering his arms and hands. There was a swastika tattoo on his neck. “There was no crime,” said Deputy Irys Alvarez. “ “He couldn’t tell if it was a women’s restroom or a man’s restroom.” Because there was no crime, the suspect was later released.

According to the sheriffs the suspect was not a student and the campus is open to the public, expect for the Gym. Most of the students enrolled in the class are women, and some say they feel paranoid and afraid. One student said more security is needed at night. “This is my second semester here, and I’ve never seen campus security, especially at night,” said Jodi Scofield, a student from the class. “Their presence [campus security] isn’t known.” Sheriffs say the man had no intention of harm; rather he had a medical problem. They say he was apologetic. The incident was not publicized because there was no crime or grounds for arrest. That did not reassure every student. “I’m from the East Coast. Silence encourages a false sense of security,” Scofield said. “No one will be aware on where to walk or how to protect themselves.”

Future of Van De Kamp Charter School Uncertain By Svetlana Yurash

The homepage for the Alliance Environmental Science and Technology High School---known to many as the Van De Kamp Charter School—promises to help students excel and to prepare them for college. But an order by Superior Court Judge Ann I. Jones could invalidate the school’s five-year lease as early as June 30. The principal of the High School however does not seem worried. Principal Howard Lappin for the Alliance Charter School has more than 20 years experience. He has worked in inner city schools like, Foshay High School for the majority of his career. Articles, degrees and accreditation plaques line the walls of his first floor office. They attest to his extensive experience in working with California schools.

“ We’re not planning on closing our doors and being kicked out, our lease is valid and we will be here for at least two more years,” he said.“ I am not a lawyer, I am a principal. My job is to run a wonderful phenomenal staff and that’s what I am doing.” Outside at 3:30 p.m., parents drive onto the school parking lot to pick up their kids. Dressed in crisp collared white shirts and navy blue pants, students flood out of the building after dismissal. Parents received a notification about the “Afternoon Trip Cap”. Between the hours of 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. cars are restricted. There’s no waiting curbside on San Fernando Road or Fletcher Drive. Jose Rodriguez is one of the parents waiting to pick up his daughter. See Van De Kamp, Page 6

$42 Million Student Union to Open on Schedule By Kenneth Jara Sometime in the fall of this year—just six months from now— students will wander through a new 72,000 square foot building with an outdoor theater, lounges, flat screen televisions, a convenience store and a food court. It is the new Student Union, and Project Manager for Harris and Associates, Christopher Dunne says it is set to open on schedule. The location of the site is behind Holmes Hall and the Faculty and Staff Center. “The construction gets annoying, but I cannot wait for the new Student

Union Building,” said Caresse Fernandez, a geography major. The structure will be solar energy efficient and LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The student union will also have photovoltaic solar cells on the roof to generate renewable energy. Photovoltaic is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level, according to NASA. “The Student Union is scheduled to open in fall of 2012, but the schedule is tight,” Dunne said. LACCD Chancellor Daniel LaVista placed a moratorium on future projects in the District last year, but it did not affect the Student Union.

According to Miguel Santiago, Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees President, the moratorium was put in place to ‘protect taxpayer dollars and ensure proper management of the LACC building program.” The initial moratorium was announced in October of 2011 and was renewed last November. The initial list contained 67 projects. Two of those 67 have been released to proceed, including the Student Union. “It makes the campus more appealing,” said Giovanni Guerra, a business major.” The new buildings are a step in the right direction.”

Illustration by Harley Ellis Devereaux Student Union projected to be opened in the fall.


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