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The Voice of Los Angeles City College Since 1929
Wednesday | October 19, 2011
Volume 165 | Number 3
NEWS BRIEFS Compiled by Richard Martinez
EMPLOYERS CONGREGATE AT LACC
LACC will be hosting a large variety of employers for the Oct. 24 job fair lasting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No registration is required and attendance is completely free. Be prepared to fill out many applications and bring several copies of your résumé and cover letter. Employers from different industries will be conducting screenings that could lead to future interviews.
ON STAGE NOW
Al Rossi directs the Theatre Academy’s second fall production, “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller. The play is a classic tale about a family mourning the loss of their soldier son, the American Dream and the compromises people make to achieve it. “All my Sons” opens on Oct. 27 and runs through Nov. 5 at the Camino Theatre. For ticket information call (323)953-4000 ext. 2990, or purchase tickets online through the Academy’s website www.lacitycollege.edu/academic/departmetns/ theatreacademy
FILM FESTIVAL SHOWCASES LOCAL TALENT
LACC will host the fifth annual Project Accessible Hollywood’s film festival lasting from Oct. 22 -29. Through a wide selection of free contests, local participants create short films with equipment provided by the festival and receive coaching from industry professionals. Besides the chance of having their work posted online and being featured during the festival’s closing night, participants also compete for cash prizes, with winning pieces being chosen by the public and celebrity judges. For more information, visit pahnation.com
DISCOUNT LAPTOPS
Notebooks for Students offers laptop computers to college students for reduced prices. Notebooks for Students carries a selection of new and refurbished business class computer, and all laptops are covered by a 4-year warranty and include Windows Open Office, a carrying case and a 1GB memory stick. For more information on these computers, visit www.notebooksforstudent.org
A RISING STAR
Auditions for LACC’s Theater Academy Acting Program will be held on Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3. Download the application on the academy’s website, and be prepared to perform two contrasting monologues of two to three minutes each. For more information, call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2990.
STUDENTS EVACUATED AS FIRE ALARM CAUSES PANIC
250 students were evacuated from the Chemistry Building on Monday Oct. 10 as the fire alarm went off at 1 p.m. Deputy Johnson at the Sherriff’s Office said that electricians were sent out to find out what cause the alarm to go off. As of now, no report has been filed with the Sherriff’s Office, but the deputy says it might have been a malfunction due to construction
PARTY AT ASO
The Performing Arts Club is having a Halloween Masquerade Ball on Oct. 28 in the Cub Center starting at 6 p.m. The club will also be hosting several DIY mask sales during the two weeks prior to the event. For more information on the mask sales, look up “Pac LACC” on Facebook. For ticket information, call (213) 985-5425.
Former Dean of Academic Affairs
Alleges Discrimination By Emanuel Bergmann
LACC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Merril Eastcott has accused the administration of discriminatory practices against him, after being placed on administrative leave.
Photo by Abimael J. Rivera/Collegian
Dr. Merrill Eastcott, Dean of Academic Affairs at Los Angeles City College, has accused the current LACC Administration of discrimination. Eastcott was placed on administrative leave in July, leading him to allege that high-ranking members of the College Administration are, in his view, trying to “clean house”. He says they are replacing long-standing faculty members with new personnel – regardless of qualification. “Jamillah Moore, the president, decided she wanted the old people gone, she wanted new people in,” Eastcott said. The Collegian made three attempts to speak to President Moore without success—including a visit to her office. L.A. City College Administration found Eastcott had violated district policy, when on or around June 6, 2011, he paid a private contractor to design the “”Class Schedule” for the Fall 2010/Spring 2011 calendar. He says financial and logistical difficulties, including the untimely death of a staff member, delayed production of the Schedule. Eastcott had knowingly violated district rules by contracting the work – despite having been told not to. “Realizing that I was committing the district against district regulations, I assumed the financial responsibility ... I would be paying out of my own pocket,” Eastcott said. According to Eastcott, he had personally shouldered all costs because he felt he needed to put the needs of the students above district policy. “They did a disciplinary action … I had no personal gain in this … I did it to get the job done,” Eastcott said. See Dean Page 4
DREAM AC T
Becomes a Reality By Mia Boykin Assembly Bill (AB) 131, better known as the second half of the California Dream Act, was signed into legislation two weeks ago by Gov. Jerry Brown allowing undocumented students to receive financial aid. Since 2006, different versions of the bill had been vetoed under Gov. Arnold Shwarzenegger, but it was only until late July of this year that Gov. Brown signed the first half, AB 130, at the Martin Luther King Library on the Los Angeles City College campus. AB 130 allows students who meet the in-state tuition requirements to apply for and receive private funds. As of Jan. 1, 2013, 2,500 undocumented students will be eligible for Cal Grants at the University of California, California State University and the community college systems. In a press release from the office of Gov. Brown, $14.5 million is the estimated cost of AB 131. The entire Cal Gant program is funded at $1.4 billion, which means 1 percent will be impacted once the law goes into effect. “This actually gives everyone an equal opportunity to fulfill their goals or achieve what they want, and get an education to get a better job in life,” said Karla Ventura, a criminal justice major. The general reception of the California Dream Act has been positive, but in the time since it has passed conservatives have made clear their opposition to Brown’s decision to sign the bill. Many feel that AB 131 will encourage more illegal immigration to California, and that it will cut funding for students who are citizens. “I don’t think the Dream Act will hinder me from getting financial aid, but there should be proficient requirements for immigrants because they will add on to the amount who can already receive it,” said Stephanie Enriques, a psychology major. California is now with ten other states who allow undocumented students to receive in-state funds.
District Attorney to Investigate LACCD Inspector General By Emanuel Bergmann In response to allegations of waste of bond money during Los Angeles Community College District construction programs, the District had instituted the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and a Whistleblower Hotline for reporting of allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the $5.7 Billion Dollar Bond Program A/ AA. The District has hired Christine E. Marez of Policy Masters Inc., as Inspector General, a position specifically created to ensure oversight. Marez has allegedly been paid $3.25 million for her services. However, Marez has come under scrutiny herself. According to reports by the Los Angeles Times, Marez has no
background in independent audits and investigations. The citizen’s advocacy group Van De Kamp Coalition alleges that Marez’ “company was newly formed just prior to the procurement of her contract [and] had no clients.” Indeed, her company’s website is barely functional and appears to have been created in haste by a low-cost web hosting service. The L.A. District Attorney has announced a preliminary investigation into her hiring. In a Sept. 29, 2011, letter, signed by District Attorney Steve Cooley and Head Deputy District Attorney David Demerjian, it was announced that “the Public Integrity Division will conduct an inquiry” into the
hiring of Christine Marez as the Inspector General of the Los Angeles Community College District’s bond construction program. The inquiry has been assigned to Deputy District Attorney Max Huntsman. “He will determine whether a full criminal investigation is warranted,” Demerjian said in the letter. According to state auditors, Marez’ submitted proposal had scored second to last among 11 submitted for the position. Despite that, she was hired. In a phone conversation with the Collegian, Marez had expressed interest in talking to the Collegian, but subsequent attempts to reach her for comment have yielded no results. See Investigation Page 4
Vice President to Tighter Budget College: ‘No Jobs, No Leads to Tuition Hope and No Cash’ Hikes By Mia Boykan Paul Carlson, Vice President of Administrative Services, discussed the college budget at Camino Theatre last week. “I heard something on the radio this morning and it said 10 years ago we still had Steve Jobs,” Carlson said in his opening statement. “We had Bob Hope and Johnny Cash. Today we have no jobs, no hope and no cash.” In his discussion of the school’s budget he pinpointed the factors of how and why expenses for City College were cut or spent currently, and how they will be spent in future fiscal years. According to Carlson, in this current fiscal year, City College was able to break even in regards to the budget due to saving money in the previous year. Despite financially breaking even, Carlson made it clear that the upward trend of being economically stable didn’t look so bright for the college. “In fiscal year 13’ [2013] and in four more years pass, we have to pay what we had incurred back in fiscal year 09’ [2009]—and that’s a $ 2.3million debt,” Carlson said.
Carlson highlighted that although LACC broke even it is unable to carry over finances to the next fiscal year. Due to the rising costs of utilities, supplies, equipment and benefits for the faculty with the $ 2.3 million debt to pay back, LACC will exceed its disbursements by $ 4 million. “What some of you may not be aware of is not that we are experiencing a budget challenge, but the real challenge is that 92-93 percent of our annual budget is salaries and benefits,” said LACC President Jamillah Moore. “So it doesn’t leave us a lot of room of which to work with and deal with these additional cuts coming down as well as reduction in services and resources.” As a result of this college students will see a fee increase in tuition starting next summer semester, as well as dismissing the next winter semester. “I don’t approve of this,” said Sharia Cunningham, a registered nursing major. “They’re taking all this money to rebuild and renovate, but for what? They’re going up on tuition, but we’re not in classes? None of this makes sense.” See No Jobs Page 4
Former Instructor Sentenced to 25 years By Tanya Flowers and Emanuel Bergmann
Three years after the brutal murder of Violeta Monleon-Berg, L.A. Superior Court Judge Monica Bachner sentenced former City College instructor Ronald Leroy Berg to 25 years. Sisters, brothers and cousins of the victim filled the courtroom last Wednesday to hear the verdict and face Berg one last time. The judge sentenced him to an additional year to be served prior to the indeterminate term for first-degree murder. Berg sat next to his attorney wearing a yellow prison shirt, black glasses and a scraggly beard. It was a stark contrast between the cleanshaven economics instructor who used to wander the campus wearing a dark suit or jacket. In the courtroom, his hands were cuffed. His eyes cast downward. Defense attorney Marcia Morrissey had filed a motion for a new trial, but Judge Bachner denied the motion on the grounds of insufficient evidence. Morrissey spoke of Berg’s “72 years of not being violent before this morning,” and reiterated that Berg had believed his wife was about to leave him. In the early morning hours of Sept. 28, 2008, Berg attacked his wife with a clothing iron and two knives as she slept.
Ronald Berg See Berg Page 4
INDEX
OPINION & EDITORIAL / 2-3 NEWS / 4 FEATURES / 5 CAMPUS LIFE / 6-7 SPORTS / 8
02
Opinion & Editorial
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Editorial
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN Los Angeles
Editor-in-Chief: Tanya Flowers
Worth the Investment
Managing Editor: Luis Rivas Opinions and Editorials: Hyun Chung Arts and Entertainment: Lauren Arevalo Sports: Richard Martinez Distribution Manager: Erleen Barrett Advertising: Richard Martinez Marketing: Lauren Arevalo
The voters approved billions in bonds to fund new buildings, make seismic improvements, and engage new technologies to bring LACCD schools into the modern age. Now post audit, the project’s holes are revealed and some of those involved may be going to prison. Despite the questions surrounding it, the project is not without merit. After all, the schools in the district have scores of new students to accommodate, including the new beneficiaries of the Dream Act. As college costs rise, an increasing number of students are flooding community colleges across the state as an affordable alternative. No significant investment has been made in decades to the colleges—and that’s easy to see. The district is full of dilapidated buildings that imply, perhaps, that those inside are not worth the investment. A closer look at the project reveals that the money was spent on buildings not approved by the taxpayers. It also reveals poor construction, a lack of operational planning to staff or maintain those new buildings, and a graveyard of abandoned projects that went nowhere. The money is simply gone. Taxpayers were cheated. But educators are not accountants or construction managers. What about the thousands of students attending campuses across the county? For many, community college is the affordable place to complete required courses before investing in the meat of their major at a four-year university. Necessary improvements to local campus get postponed, further depriving deserving students of a quality education. It’s not the investment the district made that’s problematic—it’s the misuse of the funds and the fundamental lack of accountability. In this outgoing age of decadence, where businessmen are awarded golden parachutes for running a company into the ground and politicians regularly off load responsibility for their constituents, why should community colleges be any different? It’s tempting—money, that is. Especially money that doesn’t belong to you.
Graphic Designer: Josue Hernandez Copy Writer: Stephen Clements Reporters: Abraham Daplin Amy Lieu Emanuel Bergmann Erleen Barrett Hyun Chung Jayne Miles Lauren Arevalo Luis Arevalo Matthew Mullins Mellisa Leon Mia Boykin Richard Martinez Robert Monico Rocio Maya Ronald Vaught Photographers: Luis Rivas Matthew Mullins Patrick Chong Reuben Reynoso Illustrators: Jose Tobar Cesar Anzora Christina Morris Jose Ramon Tobar Luis Rivas Faculty Advisor: Rhonda Guess
MLK Library:
Ending the Book of Complaints By Maria Federica Basile
We all know that community colleges do not offer the same types of resources as four-year institutions. For this reason, they are able to offer relatively low tuition fees to students. Community college students sometimes tend to forget this and complain that more is needed. The complaints are no less at City than they are on any other community college campus. I myself have heard millions of complaints during my
two years in this college and I have not hesitated to voice my own. Now, for a change, I would like to recognize an amazing resource that we have on campus here at Los Angeles City College; I am talking about the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The Library was built in 2008 and has offered nothing but quality ever since. The building has three floors, a clean and spacious design, large windows and the right amount
of light that a library needs. The Martin Luther King Jr. Library offers a great variety of tools for activities that range from researching, to photocopying, to printing, to group studying. With a collection of more than 150,000 books, access to online databases, 17 group study rooms, and two floors of computers, our Library at LACC is everything and more a community college student could ask
for.
When I conduct research at the Library’s computer for my papers, I always find just what I need. The database access is one of the best things that our Library offers. If we did not have free access to scholarly articles, we would have to pay about $20 or more to download just one. But it is not just the quality of material that matters. The environment and the structure suit its purpose perfectly.
Whenever I study for a test at the Library,I require half the time I would need to study at home. Why? Because the Library provides just the right environment to promote concentration. If there is one thing I would not ever change at LACC, it is our Library. With its impressive collection of books, the great services it offers and efficient design, the Martin Luther King Jr. Library represents something to be proud of on our campus.
Los Angeles
Cigarette Smoking
Deadline Schedule NEXT ISSUE: November 2nd Editorial deadline: October 26th For all submissions including letters to the editor and publicity releases. Advertising deadline: October 26th, Send materials to Collegian office: Chemistry 207 losangeles.collegian@gmail.com
By Mia Boykin
It’s that deep inhale of nicotine that really gets me going every morning. No, I don’t smoke cigarettes, but since I’ve been attending to City College, I might as well. I’m a firm believer in the right for people to put anything in their bodies as long as it doesn’t inflict pain or harm to others. Many of us students are here to get ahead in life and become successful, but as we are achieving those possibilities is it fair that those of us who aren’t smokers be exposed to cancer causing toxic that can harm us in the future? Whether students should be allowed to smoke at all on campus is out of the question. It would be completely unfair to ban smoking all together, because then the campus wouldn’t be conducive for everyone.
But having clear-cut designated areas to smoke never hurt anyone. I’m not talking about the tree in the middle of the quad outside of Franklin and Jefferson Hall. I’m talking about a discrete area, away from the normal traffic of students trying to get to class, where there are ash bins to put away a finished cigarette. With the constant reconstruction of our buildings and classrooms, campus beautification is becoming more valued at City College. Cigarette buds can be found all over the ground and takes us two steps back from the step we are taking forward to better our campus. According to Cancer.org, in the United States alone 3,400 lung cancer deaths are caused from second-hand smoke. Recent research
shows that second-hand smoke is linked to breast cancer as well. And even though these are long-term side effects, just the intoxicating smell that fills in your nostrils as you walk be a fellow smoking student is enough. It’s simply unfair, and inconsiderate. There are alternatives and steps that can be taken to benefit the smokers and non-smokers on campus, but the ultimate step that can be achieved is simple consideration and understanding on both sides. For us non-smokers, although we may consider smoking a bad habit, we can understand that our fellow students have a right to put in their bodies what they please. For the smokers, it can be helpful to be more considerate of where you are smoking and how many students you are smoking around.
Illustration by Ronald Vaught/Collegian
The college newspaper is published as a learning experience, offered under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff. Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by virtue of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles City College, or any officer or employee thereof. © 2003 Collegian. No material may be reprinted without the express written permission of the Collegian.
Opinion & Editorial
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
Wednesday October 19, 2011
03
Compiled by Hayden Velasquez
How do feel about the possiblitiy of having three designated areas on campus to smoke ?
Mallory Gonzalez Major - Photography
Alexis Williams Major - Theater
kimberly Anglemyer Major - Cinema
Anthony Williams Major - Cinema
Jonathan Tobar Major - Undecided
“I think it would be a very good idea [to regulate smoking areas to specific areas] because I’ve kind of been confusing where I can and can’t smoke. I don’t like the idea of having a campus where I can’t smoke at all, so to respect other people that don’t smoke, I think it’d be a great idea. I lived in Burbank where you cannot smoke anywhere. It’s a nuisance to me and I’m a smoker. If you’re a smoker you should be respectful of other people that don’t smoke.”
“It does bother me when it’s really crowded and people are smoking in your face, but I generally like chewing on a lot of Ritz crackers and just blowing the crumbs back on their face. You know, it’s like a free for all. You have to fight your own battles. You can’t just put people into little stalls like horses just because they’re smoking. If someone is blowing smoke in your face, you should tell them to stop or just blow something in their face—a blow for a blow.”
“I mean, I guess it’s ok as long as there is enough space to accommodate those who are smoking. I don’t feel it really affects me because of the electric cigarette [I use]. I don’t exhale smoke so it doesn’t bother anybody. And legally I can smoke it indoors if I like, but I choose not to because people get weirded (sic) out when they see the vapor. I respect the rights of non-smokers. At the same time I feel that as long as there is a place for people who are still struggling with that addiction, I think it’s ok.”
“I understand the students who don’t smoke. It’s bothersome, don’t get me wrong, but at the same time if your outdoors, your outdoors—period. What we have in place is just fine; you have the line to stay x amount of feet from certain buildings. There in the library, they have a little square; as long as you’re not in this square, you not too close, so everything is clearly delineated not to smoke. I think that’s enough.”
“It does not offend me that much, but it gives me a sensation that I would like to smoke again—because I used to smoke back then. But now [I quit], so now I have more than a year without smoking. When I smell people that are actually smoking I get the sensation to go back, so for that reason I say that designate certain areas away from buildings that would be awesome.”
Illustration by Jose Tobar /Collegian
Students Pay Hidden Price For Fashion By Jessica Schneider
Since moving to Los Angeles from the Midwest this summer, I’ve learned a lot about fashion: name brands, trendy accessories and hip boutiques. But when I ask any of the students hanging out in the Quad or in line at the Bookstore who made their t-shirt, I’m not asking if it’s Prada. I mean quite literally, who made your t-shirt? Was it women in El Salvador, or children in Bangladesh? The problem with talking to students on campus about fashion is that it’s not a logical system of thought; unlike the subjects we’re here to study. So when we students begin to identify our inner selves, or
our ideologies through our outward appearance, the products we purchase suddenly become a symbol of social status instead of social interaction. This obscures the labor (those previously mentioned Bangladeshi children in sweatshops) that produces our latest little black dress or hipster skinny jeans, because we no longer see the products as separate from the lifestyle they represent. The counter-culture ideology of the 1960s is trying to resurge itself in the Occupy Wall Street movement. It taught us to express our politics through unique self-representation, meaning, the personal is political,
but it has been co-opted and become capitalist orthodoxy today. Consumerism for younger people like us is no longer about conformity, but individualism and lifestyles. Products and advertisements today tell us to be different and break the rules: Are you vaguely pissed off at “the system”? Prove it through your brand-name shirts with cheeky little slogans that tell the world off and your designer jeans. Commodify your dissent. Rebellion through consumption. By appropriating democratic aspirations, capitalist culture gives us “choices” – not freedom. This
obscures the socioeconomic patterns or political ideology students are trying to analyze by applying the theory we learn in sociology or political science classes. Because we students are the target demographic due to our disposable incomes, capitalist culture seeks to get us to define our self-expression as the fresh, hip, self-styled existential, nonconformist individual without any sense of what exactly we are rebelling against. Are we striving for anything beyond consumption? Unfortunately, fashion, no matter how good it looks on campus, no matter how nonconformist we think
we’re dressed, is not a form of dissent. It does not subvert, challenge, or even question Western ideologies or corporate ethics – or lack thereof. For example, if students are wearing flannel shirts and appropriating this working class aesthetic, but not taking political action, then their outfits do not translate into safer working conditions or a living wage. In our capitalist culture, even the heroic individual has been usurped by the entrepreneur as corporate messiah, sending the message that we, the people, don’t create history, individuals only consume it. The point being? Cynicism is not critical or analytical;
sarcasm and irony are not activism. Buying a rainbow t-shirt at Target to show your support for gay rights while Target donates to anti-gay political campaigns does not a rebel make. Self-expression is a valued democratic aesthetic, as it should be, but it is not dissent. Political change is going to require, you know, actual politics. If students on campus devoted one-third of the time they devote to shopping or putting together their outfits on political campaigns, we could see a true shift in California politics.
Satisfaction Denied By Richard Martinez
Illustration by Luis Rivas /Collegian
It was late at night when I finally had the chance to go and get myself a snack. The professor had just dismissed us from class for a 15-minute break, so I hurried over to the vending machines determined to get myself something at least remotely healthy. Then my eyes landed on the most deliciously tempting coffee drink I ever saw. Clearly, it would lead to caloric overload, but I really did not care. At that moment all that mattered was that coffee drink. My willpower deserted me. I tried to resist temptation … and failed. Reaching into the dark depths of my shoulder bag, I dragged out the
last few coins I was able to part with and deposited them into the machine. My face was the very picture of anticipation as I waited for the machine to deliver my drink. It never came. The vending machine had failed me. And I realized then, as the girl next to me huffed in annoyance, that it had failed her as well. As we bemoaned the loss of our money and the drinks that never came, she figured out that we could that we could phone the vending machine provider and demand our money back. She
called and left her information while I hesitantly did the same. I never heard back from them, and my money was certainly not returned. To this day, my anger isn’t so much about the loss of my money, or my never tasting the possiblyheavenly drink. It is more about the fact that the company acted in such an unprofessional manner to account for the actions of their faulty product. I now wonder how many others suffered this horrific fate. Thankfully, I had my then functioning TAP card and was able to make it home.
04
News
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
Discrimination Alleged by Dean
Dean from Page 1
Photo by Tanya Fllowers /Collegian Family members of Violeta Monleon -Berg smiled as they gathered outside the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center courtroom, moments after Judge Monica Bachner passed sentence on former LACC instructor, Ronald Berg.
Berg Sentenced to 25 years Berg from Page 1 The sentence hearing provided the victim’s family with an opportunity to speak. Abner Monleon, the victim’s brother, addressed the court and spoke with great emotion about the loss of his sister, calling Berg a “bastard”. Monleon spoke directly to Berg, whose eyes shifted downward. “Shame on you,” Monleon said. Stifling sobs, he concluded by saying: “What is left for you is a place to rot, and that is hell.” There were 15 members of the Monleon family and some of them dabbed their eyes with tissue during the hearing.
‘No Jobs, No Hope and No Cash’
Judy Cintron, Berg’s sister also spoke, saying that her brother had been “mentally ill since childhood.” She told the court that she would have helped her brother more had she known the depths of his mental illness. She said what happened was ‘‘sad’’. Berg stared at his sister as she spoke. The judge allowed Cintron to read a letter she had prepared begging the court for a lighter sentence. “I live out of state and was not aware of his extreme mental state,” Cintron said. “There are only two of us. Our parents are deceased. I can only hope and pray.” Finally, Judge Bachner asked the
The meeting held on Oct. 11 was open to the administration, faculty and students. At the end of Carlson’s speech the audience was able to ask questions and come up with solutions that would help save money for LACC as well as bring in revenue. Solutions included renting out classrooms, looking for grants, ensuring that lights were turned off at the end of every school day to save on utilities and eliminating printers in the buildings with copiers to save money on toner. The administration is hoping that the Los Angeles Community College District’s funding to LACC will be the same, but there is a possibility that the budget could decrease if the economy
doesn’t improve. “I understand the economy is in a bad situation but so are we,” said Genesis Juarez, a criminal justice major. “We’re the future, right? So how can we progress if the tuition prices are constantly rising? This can cause people to drop out and take more hours at work. It will make it harder for students.” At the end of the meeting, Moore ensured that the administration was doing its best to bring in revenue. She assured that increasing filming on the campus was a possibility, and noted that the swap meet held on the campus parking lot on the weekends, which is run by The Foundation, is bringing in some revenue. Whether that would sufficiently help with the upcoming deficit is unclear. “What’s very sad is that this room isn’t packed—faculty, staff, everyone needs to hear how critical this is. This is just too bad for people not to realize and not have the information,” said an attendee who chooses to remain anonymous.
Police Wire
Investigation
No Jobs from Page 1
Oct 3 2011 Crime Incident: Student vehicle fire Location: Parking Lot 1 Oct. 3 2011 Campus Incident: Staff member reports purse stolen Location: Child Development Center Oct. 3 2011 Campus Incident: Staff member reports laptop stolen Location: Chemistry Building Oct. 3 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports USB left behind (lost) Location: Library Oct. 4 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports lost iPod Location: Library Oct. 4 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports wallet stolen Location: Women’s Gym Oct. 5 2011 Campus Incident: Staff member reports vehicle vandalized Location: Parking Lot 4 Oct. 5 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports ring stolen from restroom Location: Science/Technology Building Oct. 6 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports bicycle stolen Location: W Gym Bike Racks Oct. 6 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports lost voice recorder Location: Library Oct. 6 2011 Campus Incident: Student reports lost money Location: Library Oct. 6 2011 Campus Incident: Employee reports lost wallet Location: Jefferson Hall
Investigation from Page 1 The “Los Angeles Times” reported that from 1998 to 2003, Marez had worked for a construction management firm owned by Art Gastelum, owner of Gateway Science & Engineering, Inc., a company that
72-year-old if he had anything to say. The courtroom stood still. All eyes shifted toward Berg. “I am very sorry about this happening,” Berg said. “I don’t know what came over me. I am not a violent person.” Judge Bachner sentenced Berg to serve out his sentence in a California state prison, with an additional two years of imprisonment to be served before the commencement of the 25-year sentence. Berg looked at his sister one last time before the bailiff ushered him out of the courtroom and off to jail.
His actions resulted in an official censure and reprimand, which Eastcott accepted. In his words, the reprimand amounted to a “slap on the wrist.” “The college president signed it, and this entire document was put in my record,” he said. “[That] should have been the end of it.” But it wasn’t. During the summer months, the investigation was reopened. Sources familiar with the inner workings of the college expressed puzzlement over this decision, saying that it is not unusual for faculty members to occasionally pay for services in order to ensure that classes continue to run smoothly. Inexplicably to Eastcott, he was singled out for administrative leave. Four months have passed since the leave began and Eastcott has not taken legal action. Both Los Angeles City College and Moore are the subjects of an unlawful termination lawsuit, and the LACCD is currently appealing a $1.2 million dollar award to a former employee for discrimination and failure to prevent retaliation. Eastcott says he would prefer a different route, and would only consider legal action as a last resort. He has however, contacted his union. “It’s a personnel matter, so I can’t really comment,” said the President of LACCD Administrators association/Teamsters Local 911 and Campus Representative Allison Jones. “All I can say right now is that we are working on supporting him and [taking] some action, but I can’t disclose what it is right now.”
As part of his administrative leave, Eastcott says that Moore requested that the Vice President of Administrative Services, Paul Carlson escort him off campus. He was denied access since to the campus. However, in an email dated Aug 23, 2011, Eastcott wrote: “This is to formally notify you and the LACC administration that I will be taking a night class at LACC this fall. Whereas I am a California resident, and whereas LACC is an open public institution, and whereas the Education Code is very specific that a student cannot be barred from public community colleges except for student discipline or substandard performance issues, I have a right to appear on campus unannounced and unescorted while performing my student responsibilities.” Several other faculty members have since tried to intervene on Eastcott’s behalf. During a meeting of the LACCD Board of Trustees on July 13, 2011, faculty and staff members from City College addressed the Board: Jayesh Bhakta, Alfredo Herrera, and Roger Wolf. All of them criticized the administration for putting Eastcott on administrative leave. They strongly defended the dean, praising him as a man of integrity and competence. Herrera also suggested a double standard at work, alluding to an investigation into improprieties in the English Department that have not resulted in administrative leave for anyone. A letter by faculty members read: “He has consistently shown a very
high level of integrity in his actions and decisions. Dr. Eastcott is clearly motivated by a strong desire to serve the college and promote student success at LACC. “ The trustees had no comments in response to any of the speakers. The meeting records close the matter with the words: “Actions taken: None.” Wolf, Department Chair of the Math Department, was able to confirm that he had spoken on behalf of Eastcott. However, when asked about discriminatory practices by the Administration, he refused to comment, calling such notions “speculation.” “I have no knowledge of this,” Wolf said. Still, Eastcott maintains that he was unfairly singled out. “In late May, I was talking to Kim Perry, the outgoing vice president, about the possibility of Jamillah Moore picking one of us [long-term faculty members] to fill her [Perry’s] position for a year, while they did a search. And Kim Perry’s words were: ‘She [Moore] wants to clean house,” Eastcott said. Eastcott maintains that the decision to place him on administrative leave was “happening unjustly”, and that it was costly: “My salary continues at the same rate as when I was performing my duties. In addition, my temporary replacement is earning a dean’s salary, effectively costing the tax payers double what is necessary,” Eastcott said.
UCLA Welcomes Transfers By Tanya Flowers
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block greeted more than 300 students in the Cub Center to renew the partnership between UCLA and LACC. Block unveiled a long white, blue, and yellow Community College Partnership banner that stretched across the stage in his first presentation at LACC. A panel of educators came from UCLA to encourage students to transfer to their campus. “I want to encourage all of you who are thinking of transferring to our campus to do so,” Block said. “Transfer students add a dimension to our campus that’s really important ... you add to our diversity.” The goal of the visit was to discuss relevant issues and concerns that many community college students may face while transferring to a four-year university.
“[At] the Center for Community College Partnership, the main focus is to increase the number of students who come from first generation lower income communities to help prepare them for university,” said Alfred Herrera, Director of Community College Partnership. “We provide a series of programs and activities that start with the Summer Residential Academic Program ... developing an educational plan, financial literacy and scholars programs.” Many students continue to be concerned about the realities of having to pay for college. On campus, work opportunities are offered and financial information is provided to help lessen the difficulty of the transition. “I recently graduated from LACC this summer, I am planning to transfer to Cal State L.A. because,
offers “Project and Construction Management”. Gastelum is said to be a campaign donor for the elected College District Trustees and a major contractor on the construction program. In a recent audit, State Controller John Chiang claimed that the District had broken its own rules in hiring Marez. The Board of Trustees had asked
City Controller Wendy Greuel to review the hiring, despite the fact the City Controller has no legal authority in this matter. In a statement dated Sept 7, 2011, Board of Trustees President Miguel Santiago said: “City Controller Wendy Greuel has established an impeccable reputation for thoroughness and independence. I look forward to working with her to increase the transparency and
Photo by Hayden Velasquez /Collegian UCLA Chancellor Gene Block urged students to apply for transfer to UCLA during a stop at the Cub Center on Oct.6.
I’m a re-entry student ... UCLA is an option but I am concerned because I know that the Pell grant and Cal grants are under attack...,” said Linda Tong a recent City College graduate. “It’s a huge concern when financial aid packages are being slashed and you’re trying to stay in college.” Ronald Johnson, director of financial aid at UCLA says that the intention is to produce more grants for students and assist with minimizing student debt. Johnson explains that the accountability of our bond program.” Greuel’s independence and effectiveness has since been called into question when it became apparent that she had personally supported Board of Trustees member Mona Field during her March 8, 2011, re-election campaign. Greuel’s endorsement can still be found on Field’s Facebook page, raising questions about the nature of the connection between
economic crisis response team was established through the generosity of Chancellor Block. “We provide emergency grant assistance to the students so that we’re not just perpetuating their problem by giving them more loans, we’re trying to resolve the issue,” Johnson said. “We understand that not only our lower income students are facing problems with financing, but also understand some middle income families are as well facing those concerns.”
Greuel and the Board of Trustees. Now, it appears that the Los Angeles District Attorney is taking on the investigation. District Chancellor Daniel LaVista said in a statement, “We will fully cooperate with the D.A. and remain confident that the office will conclude that the selection of Policy Masters Inc. was fully justified and compliant with all applicable laws.”
Feature
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
Wednesday October 19, 2011
05
New Arrival: Getting to know Mary Callahan By Christina Morris Her life at work is governed by deadlines as the interim vice president of academic affairs at Los Angeles City College. The Massachusetts native is new to the City College scene, but she is very familiar with Southern California and the job. She was the vice president of academic affairs at Long Beach City College. She is also credited with “helping L.A Southwest College through tough times, as vice president of academic affairs in the 2009-10 academic year. Mary Callahan describes herself as a woman who never gives up. She grew up in Massachusetts in a close family where she was the only girl. Callahan lived under the eagle-eye gaze of her five older brothers., which often meant extra eyes when she went out on dates. “To find a husband, I had to move out of Massachusetts, because if it was up to my brothers I would be husbandless,” Callahan said. The prying eyes of her brothers were always near. They would follow her out on dates. If she went to the movies or out to eat, at least one of her brothers would be across the room, glaring at her date, trying to
intimidate him. “Once, I tried to sneak out on a date and all five of my brothers beat me to the door,” she said. “Before I knew it, they were all on the porch interrogating my date. My father was never the issue, it was always my brothers..” The family stressed education, so a “B” average was the lowest grade accepted in the family throughout her school years. Money was tight for her parents, so family outings consisted of trips to the public library. This may have caused reading to become her favorite pastime. It remains a favorite today. She says her family had a huge impact on her life by helping her develop her own personality and voice. “When I was a child, my childhood dream was to continue my education farther than high school,” Callahan told the Collegian. The future college administrator was the first and youngest woman in her family’s generation to continue her education beyond high school. She attended an all-girls school. She described the influence of wonderfully strong women who helped her as she
made a career in education, at a time when many women were guided to nursing. When Callahan grew up, women only had three career choices: nurse, a teacher or secretary. All through high school, she worked as a nurse’s aid. One part of nursing that Callahan enjoyed was conversation and getting to know people. She completed a three-year nursing diploma program. She recognized her love of teaching when the seniors trained the entire freshman class. Later, Callahan even worked as a head nurse in a psychiatric hospital, and she says that was her favorite nursing job, because she got to sit down and actually talk to the patients and get to know them. At LACC, Callahan says her job as an interim vice president of academic
affairs is challenging. “My job is very stressful at times, because of deadlines! Deadlines! Deadlines,” she said. “I keep a long running list of things I need to do, but as quickly as I take one off ,I have to immediately add two more!” Though stressful, the vice president says her job is still rewarding. To escape stress, Callahan sails off in her own personal boat with her husband to dream destinations, like the Fiji Islands and other spots whenever possible. Usually they just set sail to Catalina Island. It’s only two hours away. The coastal island retreats usually last anywhere from a weekend to a week. Callahan finds the Catalina islands to be very relaxing and beautiful, with wonderful weather and clear blue waters.
She recommends Catalina to others for sweet retreats to escape from the pressures of deadlines and work. Work—it’s a theme with Callahan—she always returns to the subject of work. At Long Beach City College, she says she found the most diversity, because the college services the entire city. The majority of the city attends the college and each individual has something different to add to the college, which makes it so diverse. As vice president, she says the hardest thing for her to do is tell the students “no.” Students normally come to her office as a last resort. She loves to help students, so it’s really hard for her to deny those who want to further their education. She understands that everybody has trials and tribulations to overcome. “You don’t overcome them all,” Callahan said. “Sometimes you just get past them.” Callahan recalls great aunts and other role models that contributed to her development and success. She says many of the people she always looked up to have passed away. Now however, she always looks up to her “wonderful and courageous husband.”
Mary Callahan Favorites Favorite quote: Robert Frost , “The woods are lovely, dark and deep but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.” Favorite music era: 1930s and 1940s because you can dance to them. She likes 1950s “hand-popper” songs even though she says they are silly. Favorite hobby: Reading biographies and historical novels. Callahan has loved reading since she was a child.
Conquering Christa By Rebekah Valcarcel
D
Dazed and confused, Christa was legally insane; no sleep for three weeks, crystal meth rushing through her. She rode in the back of a cab watching the Hollywood sign that she grew up with get bigger as she got closer to the 101 Freeway North. Christa clutched a knife hidden in her pocket; she knew she couldn’t pay for the ride. Christa recalled a day she would rather forget. “I thought I was gonna stab the guy. I was out of my mind,” Christa stated. The cab reached its destination, the knife warm from her body heat. Something inside restrained her from stabbing him. She jumped out of the cab and ran. The cabbie ran after her yelling at her to stop. Christa kept running. She stopped when she couldn’t hear his footsteps behind her anymore. Christa had been living with her abusive boyfriend in their drug supplier’s car for the past month and a half dealing and taking drugs. Her boyfriend left her for another girl and dropped her off on the street with no money, food or clothes. Christa called a cab back to him. “Even after all that, I still wanted to be with him,” Christa said. She remembers when she met Anthony. They quickly fell in love though both only 14 years old. Within a year, Anthony had moved in with her at her mom’s home.
Illustration by Jose Tobar /Collegian
“The first two years he was so .Anthony released Christa from his sweet,” Christa said. grip after getting his other girlfriend The abuse started slowly. At first pregnant. Anthony would pinch her. Then he “I actually used to pray every night would grab her wrists and twist her that he would get her pregnant. I arms. She still stayed with him even knew I wouldn’t leave him unless that after he bit her face so hard he left happened”, Christa revealed. bruised teeth marks on her cheek. Christa unfortunately is not alone. “I became a little housewife, According to the Domestic Violence making sure he was taken care of. I Resource Center , 74% of Americans pretended like nothing happened. personally know someone who is Nobody knew, not even my mom,” or has been a victim of domestic Christa conveyed. violence. The beatings got so bad that Serving in a campaign against Christa used drugs to escape her domestic violence, Representative pain. Marijuana and alcohol to Hilda Solis of California states, start, followed by cocaine and crystal “My niece was a sexual assault meth. Christa hid her abuse and victim. My sister is a survivor of drug problem. Her mom could see a domestic violence. We have more change in her daughter, but thought shelters for animals than for battered she was just depressed. Christa’s mom women. That’s not the message we took her to see a psychiatrist who should be sending.” prescribed her anti-depressants. She Christa never knew her biologinever disclosed the abuse or her drug cal father, Rene Martinez. He was problem. a helicopter pilot gunned down One night, Christa didn’t want her by militia while serving in the El heart or her body to hurt anymore. Salvadorian army. He died when She swallowed her entire bottle of Christa was only 16 months old. anti-depressants. She threw the pills Christa’s mom remarried and up before killing herself; her life had she thought her step father was her become a nightmare. Was this the biological father until she was six life Christa’s mom had wanted for years old. Cousins told her the truth her? When she was three months and her mom confirmed it. Her pregnant with Christa, she hid in the stepfather treated her differently than secret compartment in the bottom of her younger brother, who was his a truck. She had to breathe through a biological son. small tube as she escaped war-torn El “I was not shown love. I was treated Salvador for the comforts of America unfairly, forgotten about a lot of times.
My family would pick up dinner and not bring me home anything to eat on many occasions,” Christa said. Christa’s stepfather was demanding and abusive. Belt beatings were the typical punishment. A turning point came when Christa’s stepfather punched her in the head. Christa told her mom, who then confronted her husband. Her stepfather gave Christa’s mom an ultimatum; choose between him and Christa. Her mom chose Christa. Left with little money, Christa, her mom and younger brother were forced to move into a studio apartment. With no help from her stepfather, Christa’s mom worked two jobs to support them. “I think not knowing my biological father and having an abusive stepfather set me up to stay with my abusive boyfriend for as long as I did. Somehow I didn’t think I deserved any better,” Christa said. Happy endings do happen. Love helped Christa get her life back. She met Matt two years ago. They fell in love, married and have Alissa, their sixteen month old daughter. With the support of her husband Matt and family who stuck by her, Christa was able to kick drugs before she got pregnant. Christa, 23, wants to make a difference. She now believes that she can. A child development major, she hopes to transfer from Los Angeles
City College to earn her B.A. Classmate Zayda Salizar offered a few words about Christa. “Christa is a very hard working student and the mother of a beautiful [baby] girl. Whenever I feel down she shows support. She is sweet, honest and caring,” Zayda said. Christa also wants to be a good mom, and for her daughter to love her the way she loves her mom. “My mom really took care of me, and I was not always very grateful. I love my mom so much,” Christa affirms. Christa and Matt don’t have a lot of money, but they have love. “Matt protects me and we can’t believe how amazing our daughter is,” Christa said. A singer/songwriter, she puts her past pain on paper and her words give her story a voice. Christa has an inner strength she believes got her through her unbelievable life. “At the end of the day, when you look in the mirror and really see who you are, you have to love yourself ”, Christa declared. Christa could have become another statistic, another lost soul broken from those she trusted, and loved. A modern day fairytale ending, Christa finally has hope. Something she never had before. Love should never hurt, yet Christa knows all too well how it can. Love could have destroyed her, but in the end it saved her.
06
Campus Life
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Freebies
City’s Medical Corner:
101
How to Maximize Your Health By Marsha A. Perry As the leaves darken and the weather cools, fall greets City College students with a new semester of interesting classes, professors eager to teach, freshfaced classmates and sometimes illness. It is the time of year when getting sick is at its peak. Fall illnesses can include; allergies, the common cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, or an irritated throat. The key to a healthy immune system is taking preventative measures. Here are a few tips on how to help maximize your health during the fall and winter seasons.
By Ginger Barrett
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Photo by Matthew Mullins /Collegian
Money is a key that opens doors, but when you are short on money you look for ways to stretch your dollar. Listed below are sites that are sure to add value. www.lafreebee.com - This is a membership organization that you can join for free. It is a place where people meet online to discuss topics of interest; like hobbies, or skills and talents. If you can’t find a topic of interest – then you are able to suggest one and someone will meet you online to talk about it. Rent brokers are here if you need to find an apartment; people who love movies are here if you want to get together and talk about movies. This site is good for people who are shut-in, and want to talk with someone about things you like to do. It’s free.
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
Tony Valdez (left) and Dean of Academic Affairs Allison Jones (right) pose with Tanya Flowers, Josue Hernandez, Luis Rivas and Salvador Chavez as they are presented with 8 Ball Scholarships in journalism.
Scholarships Awarded to Collegian Students By Tu’Lisha Predom
www.savertime.com - This site has a special deal for free tickets to the sold out show “So You Think You Can Dance”. If you sign up for “Savertime” before Oct. 24, 2011 – you will be automatically entered thesalliemaefund.org into the contest for free – to win Black College Dollars Scholarship four tickets to see “So You Think Program for Minorities You Can Dance Tour 2011” at the Deadline January 31, 2012 Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s Award $2,500 free to sign up. “Savertime” is Eligibility: must be a minority the online version of “The Penny student in at least the third year of Saver”, where deals are made coursework and enrolled full time. daily. www.friedbeef.com - Are you thinking about building an online community? This site offers you tech support for “Apple” and “PCs” while you build. The discussions are free.
Former Los Angeles City College student and general assignment reporter for Fox 11 News, Tony Valdez, visited LACC’s Journalism Department to award the 8-Ball Scholarship to four Journalism students. The 8-Ball Welfare Foundation is a charitable foundation that was started by the Greater Los Angeles Press Club in 1954. This club has awarded more than $632,708 to Southern California journalists and journalism students in need of financial aid. “And we’ve got so many people who are out of work for no reason except for corporate America downsizing,” said Tony Valdez, a reporter and host at Fox 11 since 1980. “We’re fortunate that we are able to generate a lot of money to give to them.” According to the 8-Ball Foundation website, “being behind the 8-ball means being stuck in a position where any move will have a negative effect, in other words trapped with no way forward. [We] have been able to provide the way forward for many fellow journalists.” The 8-Ball Foundation approved a second mission for the Foundation, which includes limited grants provided to journalism schools to help students. These funds assist students who may otherwise be forced to drop out of school. Other schools such as Santa Monica City College, Pierce College, Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount and several others have also benefited from the 8-Ball Scholarship.
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Vaccinate as soon as possible Wash and sanitize hands often Avoid touching the eyes, mouth, and nose Avoid non-ventilated areas because these areas can spread germs fast Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water Boost your immune system with: Zinc, Probiotics (Acidophilles), and Vitamin A and C (anti-oxidizers). Consult your M.D. for pro’s & con’s or if currently medicating Maintain an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables Exercise Minimize stress Get plenty of rest
While most symptoms may vary, here are common symptoms of aliments that tend to plague the immune system. Many over the counter medications can aid with relief, however, consult your doctor immediately if symptoms are prolonged, or get worse. Symptoms: Probable Problem or Illness * * * *
Cough, sneezing, sore throat could be symptoms of a variety of illnesses (Consult a doctor) Flu Symptoms: fever, body/head pains, and a painful cough (Consult a doctor) Allergy Symptoms: watery eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat Common Cold Symptoms: runny nose, cough, sore throat, NO fever (viral)
Need more medical guidance? For basic non-emergent health care visit LACC’s Health & Wellness Center located in the Life Sciences Bldg. room # 101. Call for more information (323) 953-4000 ext. 2485.
Scholarship Opportunity Report Gemina Rustrian cappex.com “My College Review” Scholarship Deadline Dec 31, 2011 Award is $1000 Eligibility: write a detailed review of your college on cappex.com. The quality of your review will be part of the scholarship criteria, so make it good, in combination with merit, extracurricular activities, leadership, and volunteer activities.
David Tapia
Astrid Velasquez
“Lead with your Heart” Scholarship Deadline December 31, 2011 Award $5000 Eligibility: write about your service efforts and achievements that have made an impact on your school, town, city, and beyond.
A GPA isn’t everything Scholarship Deadline November 30,2011 Award $1000 Eligibility: must create a free profile on cappex.com. Scholarship will be awarded based on a combination of extracurricular activities, leadership, and volunteer activities.
“Courage to Grow” Scholarship Deadline October 31, 2011 Award $500 Eligibility: you must submit a 250 words or less on why you should be awarded this scholarship. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are important. You must be a college student who has a 2.0 GPA and a U.S citizen. A scholarship is awarded every month.
www.freetechbooks.com - This is a site that hosts free e-books about computer science, engineering and programming books with textbooks and lecture notes. www.Booksneeze.com - Want free books? This is a site for serious bloggers. This company wants to send you free books to review and write an opinion within your blog. Great way to build up journalistic skills, get free books and feedback on your blog. www.freefood.org - This site has a mission to provide food from coast to coast in the USA. The mission is to ensure that no oneis left hungry. It is a database of free food on the web. There are 2,865 members in the Free Food Network; 2,016 government and non-profit agencies listed in this database, state by state and coast to coast. The free food is given away through coupons. Get to a computer and start downloading today. www.needhelppayingbills.com - The economy is on everyone’s mind. What great opportunities exist when lawyers and business organizations offer their services for free. This site will direct you to them. This site also offers free services from charitable organizations that will help pay your bills. Whether you are facing evictions from a house or apartment this is the site for help. Remember to read the fine print.
Cubbington
“This is so gross. I’m just trying to get to class.”
By: Cesar Anzor
“Blahh! This campus is so dirty. Why are there so many cigarette butts on the ground?”
“ Oh look there’s three new smoking areas on campus,”
“Cool! The new smoking zones leaves most of our campus smoke free.”
Campus Life Classifieds Vending Prices Rise
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
By Matthew Mullins Students returning to City this fall were shocked to find that the prices of all the vending machines on campus increased by about 25 percent. Due to the lack of a student cafeteria on campus, students are left with few options to fill their stomachs. Students are more likely to grab something from a vending machine to save time, but are starting to realize saving time is definitely not saving money.The choices for affordable food seem to be few and far between and the campus vending machines are usually the easiest answer. If you feel there is enough time or remembered to schedule yourself a lunch period, there is a Harry’s Catering Truck or Tully’s Coffee however you may find that there’s a vending machine almost every 200 feet.Finding time to eat something quickly within the 15 minute breaks between classes can be a difficult especially for night students. With over 26 vending machines littered through out City’s campus, it’s definitely the quickest and most present choice available. Most students try to avoid the vending machines for nutrition reasons and the prices going up aren’t helping. “I rarely buy anything from the vending machines, not only because I feel the prices are already high, but also because the machines are typically stocked with horrible junk food and soda,” said Brandon Kyle Rizzuto, an fine arts major “I save my money by bringing fruit and water from home. A price increase would continue to keep me away from them.” The price growth on beverages and snacks jumped to 50 cents on most items averaging $1.50 per item. The increased prices and the lack of nutritional value leave money and health conscious students with fewer options. Doctor Karen Duh, MD with the Student Health Center has seen that recently more students have a higher risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure from poor
diet decisions.“Most of the items sold in the vending machine have to be non-perishable and are full of preservatives making them unhealthy choices,” said Duh “There are healthier items available, stick with items that are low salt,low fat, and high in fiber. Try and avoid all HFCs.” First Class Vending supplies
all the vending machines on City campus. They supply for many other community colleges in California. “We have a very good program with all the colleges in California. Each college gets a commission for having our machines on campus. First Class is on every campus in California” said First Class Vending machine
attendant, Juesto Fuentes, while filling a vending machine with candy in the Quad. “The wholesale price of candy bars has gone up 20 cents per item since January and there has also been an increase in the cost of plastic wraps and bottles made from petroleum.” First Class Vending gives LACC a 19% commission on the sales of the vending machines on campus. The money goes directly to Los Angeles City College Foundation, a non profit organization that helps students attain a variety of scholarships and awards. Not everyone on campus is anti-vending machines. Some like the idea that they can pay,get and go. Helen Hainzer, Physics Major “I buy almost everyday from the vending machines. I like that they are all over the campus, its easy access to food. If you just want to get a snack you dont have to leave school. There are an abundant amount of drink choices.” Students have very little time between classes to get something substantial and all 27 vending machines regardless of a price increase are plentiful and always fully stocked. Michelle Calderon says “I like it, because you are hungry and you don’t have time to buy a real food. The vending machines are everywhere. From class to class I can find something to keep me going during my day”. First Class added credit card swipes to their machines this year to give students alternative methods of payments. Tully’s coffee, Harry’s food truck, and the Student Center store all close after 7 p.m. and besides the vending machines they are the only choices students have to grab a bite. The vending machines will continue to have their allure, a quick way to solve a common problem among students that need some energy to keep them going as well as being a source for the school to give students the scholarships they need to continue growing to be the educated and productive members of society in the future.
07
Books For Sale
Housing
Math XL $25 Contact - Ann (323) 459-3129
Room for Rent @ 3rd and Reno $550+$550 Deposit One room in 2 Bedroom Apartment with 2 Full Baths Contact: Bob Razaghi (323) 559-3948 and (213) 389-6530
Community Events Affordable Headshots Contact – Sabir (323) 501-3034 ctsabir@gmail.com
Lost
Open House – University of Phoenix October 18, 2011, 6p.m. to 8p.m. Two wedding rings - please return. 1515 W. 190th St., Ste. 200, Gardena, Reward. CA. 90248 Contact – Sonia (951) 289-2302 We want to talk with you about transfers and steps to further your Miscellaneous education. (Bring copy of resume). Contact – Krystal Burks at (310) “ILFORD RC Glossy Photo Paper” for 525-1738 sale. 85 Sheets Krystal.burks@phonix.edu Contact – Fay (949) 637-4922
Theater Academy Presents: “All My Sons” By Arthur Miller. Oct.27Nov.5th. For information and tickets: Contact – Kathleen Becket. (323) 953-4000 ext: 2990
New and Recertified LapTops for Sale! From Notebooks For Students (a Non- Profit Program) Student discounts available Contact – (866) 467-8213 or visit www.notebooksforstudents.org
Employment
Buy or sell your gold! Top Cash paid for gold- any type or karat! Contact – Mike (310) 497-8114
Nutrition/Weight Loss Coaches Wanted; $500-$1500 PT, $5000+ FT. Contact – Willy Sah (217) 819-6111
Food Around Town
Tutors
Fatburger - www.fatbrger.com (323) 871-8756 6767 W. Sunset Blvd. Unit #9 Hollywood, CA 90028
Math, History and ESL Contact – Miss Schovy at (951) 347-3256
Hong Kong Express – 871-8888 6767 W. Sunset Blvd. # 11 Hollywood, CA 90028
(323)
Math and Russian Personal Tutor. Contact – Art (818) 726-8040 Hourly rates available.
Yammy Pizza Café – yammypizza. com (323) 993-9333 6767 W. Sunset Blvd. # 10 Hollywood, CA 90028
LACC students come join the fun...
08
Sports
Wednesday October 19, 2011
Los Angeles | COLLEGIAN
SIDELINEPRESS HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RETURN OF INTRAMURAL SPORTS?
Intramural Sports Come Back
Kevin Sung Clinical Nutrition “I think it’s awesome, especially when a lot of students get involved in it. It’s a good way … to meet new people and have fun at the same time … We are here to have fun and grow together as a team and become friends.”
James Epps Computer Science “Intramural Sports teaches cooperation, discipline and focus … I recommend intramural sports to everyone, no matter what skill you are.” Photo by Patrick Chong/Collegian April Mendoza successfully spikes the ball over the net at the Intramural Volleyball game in the Women’s Gym, on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011.
By Hayden Velasquez It’s a Friday afternoon at the LACC Women’s Gym. Students playing in the volleyball intramural league are wrapping up their post-game practice. Players from the basketball intramural league slowly start trickling in. Students and friends are mingling with one another in anticipation for the first basketball game of the official intramural season. Among the crowd of players changing from street wear to basketball attire stands a tall gentleman towering over everyone else in the building. The first thing that comes to mind when setting your eyes on his lanky frame is that he can probably dunk over anyone in the building.He plays for Team Elite and his college jersey is on the Wall of Fame. I ask Jermaine “Tree” Williams what it is that he is bringing to his team. “I’ll do whatever it is they need me to do. They need me to rebound, block shots, score—whatever they need me to do, I can take that role,” Williams says. Funny thing is, by the end of the game he alone ends up totaling more points than the opposing team does for the entire game. The first game of the season is underway between Team Elite and New School. As spectators and players alike holler and shout in response to plays on the court, I can’t help but notice an older man making his way back in forth with hot dog buns, ice chests and food trays. I follow him to see what it is he’s putting together and for whom. “Last spring’s inaugural season my wife and I decided to bring out hot dogs, sodas and chips for everybody to have. Let’s say this goes from 12p.m. to 4p.m. and you have a kid and he gets hungry, you can come by this way and you can feed him and still stay so that you can watch all the games. It’s something for people that are showing up. I have three boys that play Pop Warner [youth football organization] … and I’ve been doing it ever since then,” he says. For Rufus Adams, putting together a modest feast of sporting arena food for anyone in attendance and free of charge is touching but not surprising. “Just something to get some camaraderie so that people won’t be so standoffish of each other, you know—to try to communicate, for school spirit,” Adams says. Now if you think that only students were the only people playing in the league you will find yourself to be mistaken—like I was. Before the game between Team Old School and Team People Look Down Upon, Joe Vidal from the department of student services took some time to give me his thoughts on his team and the upcoming season. “I’m very confident that we have some really good players. A lot of us haven’t played for a while but we will do well,” Vidal says. When I asked him why he decided to play in this fall intramural season Vidal said, “To get the students to come back in the gym and play some ball. There’s classes here but there are no more teams and that’s one of the important things this campus misses. I think we all have to come together and show the administration we need a team here ... I know it’s expensive to do but we can somehow put it together through other means.”
For many of us the thought of college athletics conjures up images of men and women playing the same sports but in female/male only leagues. Here at City College the intramural leagues are coed. In the case of Cindy Farias who played on the championship team in the spring intramural basketball league, coming back out to play this fall was a no-brainer. When I asked her why she came back this season to play she happily said because she loves the game. “Three point shooting is my thing. Just because I’m a female guys don’t treat me differently. There’s a reason why I play with guys and that’s because I play hard.” Play hard she did. Cindy isn’t the only female on the court today. Women aren’t the majority in the league, but another female player comes two points shy from her teammate as leading scorer for their team that afternoon. Throughout the afternoon the number of people watching the games swells and recedes over and over again, but there is one person I notice who sticks around long enough to share with me her perspective of the skills laid out on the court before her. “I always like watching the games. I made up names for people ... there’s this guy with a yellow wife beater; I call him shakes because he has jukes. This other guy I call him wet because he moves like water, another guy I call chef because he be serving dudes with his shot,” she says. I ask Brytney Reaves if she’s enjoying herself watching the games. “It’s fun to watch. It makes me want to bring my mom out here and be like ‘hey momma, let’s play,’” Reaves says. If she lived close enough, I, too, would be tempted to bring my mother along. As the afternoon starts to wind down and hunger sets in I make my way to Adams’ grub shack to indulge on whatever I can get my hands on. I settle on some hotdogs and chips to quell my appetite. While enjoying my meal, I strike up a conversation with Naji Shamsiddeen from team Snap Bacc Swagg who is also enjoying a meal provided by Adams. It doesn’t take long before the subject of who the team to beat is brought up. He starts to make his case on why his team is a top contender. “I think we going to win it all. We have me on there and Maurice. We some beasts. Some teams out there looking real nice though. There’s some [other] beastly teams,” Shamsiddeen says. This early in the season I cannot dismiss his claim that Snap Bacc Swagg is in contention for a title run considering they disposed of their opponents by a 23-point margin. But, hey, it still is just opening day right? Whether you are a student, faculty member or just a fan of the game, it doesn’t matter. Stop by the Women’s Gym Fridays this fall to enjoy some highly competitive basketball games, and possibly some free food. Just when you thought you were going to have to go a whole year without watching a basketball game—with the current NBA lockout at a standstill—well, there’s still plenty of the season ahead this fall and it’s at your City College.
Effrain Tapia Radiology “I’m very happy it’s back for the second semester, because we had it for the spring. It’s good that there is not just one sport. I’m excited and hopefully we can go all the way.”
Jairo Gonzales Cinema “Because I’m participating in it, I can really see how it brings the community together with all these athletes that otherwise would be doing other things if not sports. It’s definitely a positive impact. It makes the school look a lot better having programs like this available to students.”
SPORTS
BIN By Sherly De Brosse
I have been a student here at Los Angeles City College since Fall 2008, straight out of high school. I enjoy all the diversity here on our campus, however, there is little and almost no student life. In the Collegian sport section, each sport is defined as cancelled. I believe that this lack of sports activity affects a lot of our younger students, especially those who just graduated from high school, who may feel discouraged about being involved on campus. The Associated Students Organization provides an opportunity to be involved through a host of different clubs and organizations. However, they are not that exciting to me and they require attending meetings and putting together rallies and such. There are no Friday night games, mid-day swim relays, intercollegiate basketball games, cheerleaders, or anything of that nature that would be more appealing to students of my generation. City College has become nothing more than a campus. Students come to school where they may access the Library, and then go on about their day. With such diversity on campus,
SCORES BASKETBALL LEAGUE ELITE VS. NEW SKOOL Final Score: 113-48 Top Scorers: Mario Aguiluz (New Skool)—18 pts Jermaine “Tree” Small (Elite)—71 pts SNAPBACC SWAGG VS. TEAM 8 Final Score: 41-64 Top Scorers: Andy Cruz (Team 8)—16pts Mychal Riley (Snapbacc Swagg)— 19pts OLD SCHOOL vs. THE PEOPLE LOOK DOWN UPON Final Score: 31-26 Top Scorers: Jesus Gomez (Old School)—15pts Cameron Slater (Team People Look Down Upon)—5 pts SNL vs. HAM Final Score: 29-21 Top Scorers: Marc Bautista (SNL)—10 pts Harold Mcghee (HAM)—9 pts
I’m here for the DEGREE. and the EXPERIENCE. . A t C S U D H , t h e r e ’ s l i f e b e y o n d t h e c l a s s ro o m . Your CSU Dominguez Hills experience extends beyond the classroom walls. Here on one of the nation’s most diverse campuses, you’ll be welcomed by a vibrant campus community with countless opportunities to get involved. Meet people. And make a difference in your community.
Photo by Hayden Velasquez/Collegian
Learn more at CSUDH.EDU/FutureStudents.
Sports Schedule GOLF
FOOTBALL
BADMINTON
SOCCER
I’d expect to see a wide variety of activities for our students to participate in. Maybe because of the age demographic, City College leaders feel there is no need for such activities. Our programs may be cut due to the budget, but I believe there are other ways for us to get some support. Not only would we be getting students involved, but also our school community. I’m positive that the Cubs would see great support if we had our sports program back. We students are seeking the full college experience of being involved and supportive college students. This would probably increase the number of students who actually stay at school, instead of dropping classes mid-semester. It gives us more to look forward to, and be proud of—of being Los Angeles City College students. Hopefully, in the near future, after all of the construction, we will gain back some, if not all sports. The return of the Cubs would bring back important teams and activities on campus for all students to be involved in, support and enjoy.
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Jermaine “Tree” Williams goes in for a dunk in the Women’s Gym during an intramural basketball game.
BASKETBALL
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