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Michael Yanow Corsair Nnaemeka Alozie gets hosed off after being pepper-sprayed outside the SMC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Santa Monica, Calif.
STUDENTS PEPPER-SPRAYED AFTER PROTEST ESCALATES Andy Riesmeyer, Nathan Gawronsky, and Fatou Samb Staff Writers
Michael Yanow Corsair Santa Monica College Police Officer Williams raises his baton to push back students who were trying to rush into the SMC Board of Trustees meeting.
Michael Price Corsair Jasmine Delgado, Associated Students vice president, is restrained by SMC police in the Board Meeting of the Trustees at Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, Calif. on April 3, 2012. Students were demonstrating against the Board’s implementation of contract education.
Campus protests turned ugly Tuesday night as students and the Santa Monica Police clashed in front of a Board of Trustees meeting over contract education. Thirty protesters were peppersprayed, and two were transported to local hospitals after the group of students tried to storm the boardroom without authorization. No arrests were made, according to the Santa Monica College Police Department. About 70 students marched from the main campus library to the boardroom at the business building. There were chants of “No cuts, no fees, education should be free!” Contract Ed, a measure that was passed last month by the Board of Trustees, has since gained nationwide attention. The measure involves tuition costs rising to $180 per unit for certain high-demand classes. In the hallway outside of the boardroom, students were given numbers to gain entry to the boardroom. Upon opening the doors, tensions escalated, and the throng of students attempted to push their way into the small room that could not contain the size of the crowd. The police resorted to force to regain control. With retractable clubs and pepperspray, the officers worked to control the chaos. Within the melee, 30 students were pepper-sprayed, including a 4-year-old girl. “It’s a shame this happened at a public meeting with our children
in sight,” said the mother of the child who was pepper-sprayed (she declined to provide her name). “The cops brutalized students for fighting for their rights.” “Students protest and demonstrate to express themselves and their emotions and that’s part of college, so we understand that,” Superintendent and President Dr. Chui L. Tsang told the Corsair on Monday. From within the boardroom, the business-as-usual meeting became decidedly tense over the sounds of screaming and banging at the doors of the boardroom. As protestors yelled “Let us in! Let us in!” from outside of the boardroom, Trustee Louise Jaffe said “We’d like to let you into classes.” Two girls rushed into the boardroom screaming with tears in their eyes. Security from within the room decided to quickly relocate trustees and guests into a separate room. The police were trying to clear the area because of the potential fire hazard presented by the crowd, but the disgruntled crowd pushed forward, and police drew their clubs and pepper-sprayed protesters. Twenty-seven firefighters were dispatched to the campus after there were reports of students who had been maced, Santa Monica firefighter Judah Mitchell said. The crowd was dispersed as a result of the pepper-spraying, and continued their protest in direction [SEE STUDENTS PG.12]
SILENT MARCH PG. 3 POLICE DISRUPT CONTRACT ED PROTEST PG. 4 PROTEST ENDS IN CHAOS PG. 6-7
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2|CONTENTS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE Michael Yanow Corsair
EDITORIAL STAFF
Julian Martin, a 24-year employee of Santa Monica College from the Grounds Department, prunes a Chinese Elm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Santa Monica, Calif. Martin prunes the trees located near the quad each year.
Nathan Gawronsky ··············Editor-in-Chief corsair.editorinchief@gmail.com Nathalyd Meza ·················· Managing Editor corsair.managing@gmail.com Fatou Samb ······························· News Editor corsair.newspage@gmail.com Amber Antonopoulos ··Health + Life Editor corsair.lifestylepage@gmail.com Jacob Blackoff·························· A & E Editor corsair.calendarpage@gmail.com Mia Shilpi ······························ Opinion Editor corsair.opinionpage@gmail.com Roger Morante ························Sports Editor corsair.sportspage@gmail.com Paul Alvarez ···················· Multimedia Editor corsair.multimedia@gmail.com Michael Yanow ························· Photo Editor Anisa El-Khouri ······················· Photo Editor corsairphotoeditor@gmail.com David J. Hawkins ························Web Editor corsair.webeditor@gmail.com Nathalyd Meza ······················· Design Editor Alfredo Avila ····························· Design Staff Elham Sagharchi ·······················Design Staff corsair.designteam@gmail.com Jhosef Hern ·································Illustration corsaircartoon@gmail.com S T A F F W R I T E R S Yair Avila, Vanessa Barajas, Jay Be Brookman, Romero Campbell, Christian Carrillo, Peter Cheng, Chelsea Cobbs, Faye Crosswhite, Henry Crumblish, Freddie Diaz, Sarkis Ekmekian, Melina Flores, Dylan Futrell, Chavi Gourarie, Erica Gunn, Robert Gutierrez, Justin Hinton, Tea Jovanovic, Luana Kasahara, Brigette Martinez, Zoryana Melesh, Devan Patel, Samantha Perez, Andrew Riesmeyer, Mai Sims, Isabel Spiegel, Susanna Svensson, Christinia Sziatinszsky, Cinthia Vera, Israel Villacota, Sophia Villegas, Nadine Weiland, Talia Wilson PHOTOGRAPHERS Angelica Aakesson, Joseph Adamo, Daniela Barhanna, Jose Balderas, Daniela Berzuini, Fabian Cooke, Jeff Cote, Sydney Forneret, Marine Gaste, Adrian Galicia, Amy Gutierrez, Carrie Jesenovec, Ian-Thomas Kagihara, Asta Karalis, Linda Konde, Guy Mokia, Michael Price, Lisa Weingarten FACULTY ADVISORS Saul Rubin Gerard Burkhart AD INQUIRIES (310)434-4033 corsair.adconsultant@gmail.com
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NEWS|3
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Student protesters demand to have their voices heard Michael Yanow Corsair Members of MECHA and their supporters file through the library during a silent march at Santa Monica College on March 28. Students are trying to gather support to overturn the Board of Trustees’ plan to implement contract education at SMC.
Tea Jovanovic Staff Writer
Alfredo Diaz Staff Writer Holding signs reading outcries such as “No to private education” and “My name is not student; I am Joaquin,” throngs of students at Santa Monica College descended upon the library halls last Wednesday, demanding that the governing board repeal the two-tier tuition plan. Students professed their disapproval of the plan in a “Silent March,” in effort to publicly convey their feelings that the Board of Trustees did not take students’ opinions into account when making decisions that directly affect them, said members of student advocate group MECHA, who organized the march. “As students, we feel like our voices are being silenced,” said Natalie Toscano,
co-chair of MECHA. “The governing board is silencing us!” This protest is in response to last month’s Board of Trustees’ approved two-tier plan, which allows differential fees to be paid among students based on the availability of classes in summer and winter sessions. Associated Students vice president Jasmine Delgado said the student government recently voted unanimously to oppose contract education classes. AS directors believe that the two-tier plan papers over the state’s inability to properly fund higher public education. It does not offer long-term solutions, Delgado said. “They want these contracted classes to solve the financial woes they’re facing now,” said Delgado. “But I haven’t seen any term limit on it.”
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Not all students believe that the twotier system deserves to be under fire. An SMC student—who refused to provide his name because he felt intimidated by the protesters’ presence—was against the march. “I feel for the students who are against this, but what they’re doing here is essentially protesting against continued education and continuing classes,” he said. “I think that’s wrong. Education at any cost is important.” School officials have told The Corsair that contract education classes are provided in an effort to extend the availability of classes beyond what the state funds. Seven hundred state-funded classes will be provided at a regular price during the summer session. To address the strong student demand, the school, in accordance with the Santa Monica Career and Transfer Alliance—a nonprofit corporation—takes the initiative to offer an additional 50 self-funded classes, which require a higher fee. Administrators say the higher fee is in response to the actual price needed to provide those classes without the help of the state. “The state has already largely stopped its funding,” said SMC Board of Trustees member Louise Jaffe. “Making California community colleges inaccessible to students won’t solve anything. Students need classes!” However, students continue to raise eyebrows at the twotier system, as many feel it “privatizes education.” “It’s creating a two-tiered system of wealthier students who can afford classes and struggling working-class and low-income students competing for the scraps of what’s left,” AS president Harrison Wills stated in a Los Angeles Times article. Wills also said he was frustrated with the Board of Trustees’ unwillingness to cooperate with the student government. “I’m getting dozens of e-mails from professors and the entire statewide system about this,” Wills said. “I actually asked [the governing board] to debate about it; and they said, ‘no we can’t debate.’ Even if it’s halfway privatized, it’s no longer a community college.” Words such as “Education is my only way out” and “Chalk with us” were scrawled on the ground outside the library steps from an earlier protest at SMC called Chalk Expression Day. The protest was also in regards to the two-tier tuition plan. “These people are inside these buildings; they’re not coming outside,” said Toscano, in reference to the Board of Trustees. “They’re not hearing us!” The protesters marched along the library halls from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Chief of the SMC Police Department Dr. Albert Vasquez and other police officers were present at the protest. No police interference was reported.
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Santa Monica College has drawn nationwide controversy for allegedly being the first community college in the nation to offer a two-tier tuition system. While some SMC students have criticized the system through a series of ongoing protests, other students are seeking leadership positions in order to seize power and internally change the system. The SMC Associated Students are currently holding elections for next year’s Board of Directors. According to Inter-Club Council chair David Stavis, there are currently 13 candidates for positions ranging from president to director of publicity. Stavis says that the number of candidates has doubled from around this time last year. According to Stavis, SMC students lack necessary information when it comes to student government and its services. “They don’t feel like they can come to the student government,” Stavis says. “It doesn’t seem accessible.” Stavis believes that student government amendments have to stem “from the actual student populace,” as students are “the first step to change the student environment,” he says. The Board of Directors works to assist the student body, and provide them with the best possible environment to enhance their college experience. Aside from their responsibility to advocate student rights, their goal is to help resolve current problems such as budget management, sustainability and academic support, among others. State budget cuts are directly impacting higher education and thus SMC students in a variety of ways, such as getting necessary classes, transferring to four-year institutions, and having access to a larger pool of scholarships and financial aid options. Stavis says students can help manage those challenges by reaching out to the student government. “You can come in to the office with those things in mind and change them,” Stavis says. “You can improve the situation.” Stavis claims to have benefitted from his position as ICC chair. “The moment I decided to fill in the vacant leadership position is when my life changed,” he says. “I feel more confident to work and lead a group of people, and I started my own company.” The knowledge and experience gained as a member of the AS Board of Directors can be a valuable addition to a student’s resume, according to Stavis. He says that it gives students the opportunity to make a difference for the better, and improve leadership skills. Submitting an application requires at least a 2.0 GPA, and enrollment in a minimum of 8 units. The deadline to submit an application to the AS office is April 18 at 3 p.m. “We would like to see students who haven’t tried this before, and who genuinely want to make things better,” says Stavis. “They can have amazing impact on student’s lives.”
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4|NEWS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
SMC police disrupt student general assembly crowd discussing Contract Ed were the police protecting and serving?” Pronilover said that the SMC police have been harassing the committee ever since they began holding public meetings
SMC police have so far been unavailable to comment. The Student Organizing Committee laid out a Proposed Action Plan of Proposed Demands. Part of
organizing for something just.” Wills said that policing people who are exercising their democratic rights to protest About 30 members of Santa Monica makes students indignant and upset. College’s Student Organization “We, the students, make the school. Committee, along with other student Without the students and faculty, the activists, formed a general assembly school has nothing. The students have on the steps of the entrance to the absolutely no input. It isn’t right,” said Letters and Science Building at SMC’s Kirill Panov, an activist. main campus Thursday morning. According to Wills, the goal of The student committee, which the assembly was to bring a critical opposes the two-tier tuition system awareness about the “privatization of approved by the Board of Trustees public education.” He claimed that earlier this month, congregated at students are fighting nationwide for the steps to generate ideas, discuss equal access to education, and that proposals, and hold an open forum for the price hike of $200 per unit creates students to voice their opinions. a disparity between rich and poor However, the SMC Police students. Department dispersed the crowd, “People who are making the decisions because the committee’s chalkboard, are claiming to represent us, but they showing the various demands for aren’t listening,” said Wills. budget funding and strategies to stop The two-tier system, which raises contract education, was set on the tuition costs for the most-in-demand upper staircase of the building’s main classes for summer and winter sessions, entrance. has received nationwide attention. According to Michael Pronilover, a According to an article by The New speaker for the Student Organizing York Times, it “may be the first system Committee, police officers told the of its kind in the country, college Michael Price Corsair committee that the chalkboard officials and other higher education Head of the Student Organizing Committee, Mikhail Pronilover, speaks to a crowd at Santa Monica College, blocking the staircase and wheelchair Santa Monica, Calif. on March 29, 2012. Members of the Sudent Organizing Committee held a rally to experts say.” ramp to the building was a fire generate student support to overturn the SMC Board’s plan to implement contract education. The Student Organization hazard. The forced removal of the Committee plans to meet on noon group of students caused a great deal of two weeks ago. Pronilover stated being their plan is to reduce administrative and on Saturday, March 31, at the Virginia upset, however the students ultimately overwhelmed by the presence of police managerial salaries to 2007-2008 pre- Avenue Park to further discuss their complied with the officers’ demands. officers during a recent meeting with his bonus and pre-raise levels, investigate the plans to repeal the two-tier system. AS President Harrison Wills told the counterparts by the clock tower on the savings and revenue ideas passed by the “This is not a one day protest,” said Wills. Corsair after the assembly that he was main campus. District Planning and Advisory Committee, “This is an ongoing student grassroots upset with the police interference. “I feel “There are fifteen of us sitting down and to diminish the presence of campus movement. The Student Organizing that the police presence was overbearing with pieces of paper, and we’re being police to a minimum during student mass Committee will work diligently to outreach and unnecessary,” Wills said. “We were watched like home-grown terrorists,” said action. “The police make it harder for us the student movement.” peacefully assembling. The question is who Pronilover. “It intimidates people.” The to organize,” said Pronilover. “And we are Vanessa Barajas Staff Writer
Course repeat policy changing, effective summer 2012 Mai Sims Staff Writer After failing a math class one time, and dropping the same one after the ‘W’ deadline, SMC journalism major Sierra McDonald knew that she only had one more chance at this class. “When I saw on the transcript that I had already taken the class two times, and that I only had one more chance, I felt that I had to get it done now!” McDonald says. This is a common issue for many SMC students. However, a new policy is being enforced at colleges throughout the state for the summer of 2012, preventing students from repeating the same class more than three times after either receiving a W or a sub-passing grade. “Students sometimes drop a class if they’re not getting a good grade, and this is meant to deter that,” says Janet Harclerode, the President of the Academic Senate. “That’s a big problem. It’s a lost seat and a lost opportunity for another student.” According to Harclerode, due to public higher education budget cuts, the state cannot afford to pay for students to enroll in classes more than three times. “It’s the state that said ‘we’re not going to pay for students to take this class more than three times,’” Harclerode says. “Tax payers are not paying for it. If an individual would like to pay for it, that individual can do that.” Not all students try to reenroll in a class, because they are dissatisfied with their grades. Some students like McDonald drop a class because they struggle with a course topic. “I feel like three is a good amount of chances,” McDonald says. “I didn’t have a chance to go to another college. I had to get it done.” According to Harclerode, the new policy
is not designed to make life easier or harder for students, but rather compel them to succeed and not drop a class for fear of receiving a ‘B’ or ‘C’ grade. “I definitely think that people that have dropped a class more than twice have been given their fair share of chances,” says Randy Torres, SMC engineering major. “I’ve seen that people will try to drop classes if they feel that they’re not getting the grade that they want.” Harclerode thinks the transition might not be as difficult for SMC students as for the rest of the state. “We already have a policy in place,” says Harclerode. “Whereby, to enroll for a third time for a course, a student needs to get an approval from a counselor.” A bigger concern for the Academic Senate is the shortened deadline to drop a class without receiving a ‘W’. The new deadline is two weeks. “That’s one of the really serious concerns we have, that students will be more easily getting W’s, and then they will have the more strict policy that they won’t be able to take the class more than three times,” says Harclerode. Students may submit a petition for special consideration if they desire to enroll in a class a fourth time. Exceptions can be made if the circumstances are extenuating, or if a significant lapse of time has passed since the last class was taken. “It’s not going to be that easy,” says Harclerode. “I think students are probably going to end up at another college to take the class. If they can’t get it at SMC, they might have to go someplace else for it.” But not all students have the resources or opportunities to obtain the credits from another college. A third time enrolling in the same class at SMC will be their last chance.
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OPINION|5
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Does hoodie mean hoodlum? grown accustomed to wearing without a second thought. Now you have to worry about the image you present and whether it could get you killed. Will people think you’re keeping warm, or will they think you’re a miscreant? There is no doubt hoodies have developed a bad rap; nevertheless, people continue to wear them. Hoodies have become indispensible whether used for warmth, as a fashion statement, or to show solidarity with the Martin family. Most people wear hoodies without thinking twice about how other people will perceive them. They never think about what sort of statement they’re making, and they certainly never fear for their lives — they shouldn’t have to, and Trayvon Martin shouldn’t have lost his life over a hoodie. The bottom line is that George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin because the hoodie the boy wore made him a suspicious character in Zimmerman’s mind. Martin is now dead and Zimmerman is still free. Where’s the justice in that? They say Lady Justice is blind; is there a hoodie over her eyes?
Illustration by Jhosef Hern
Trayvon Martin was walking back to his father’s girlfriend’s house when he pulled his hood up. In an interview with ABC News, Trayvon’s girlfriend said he pulled his hood up because a man was watching him. That man was neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, who had already deemed Martin to be “up to no good” and assumed he was “on drugs or something” in the 911 call he made to report the young man’s presence, even before the hood came up. Several witnesses reported hearing an argument ensue between the two before they heard a gunshot. When police arrived at the scene, Zimmerman had a bloody nose and a wound on the back of his head, and Martin was dead from a bullet to the chest. Zimmerman told police that he had killed Martin in an act of self-defense, and the Sanford Police Department let him go. Geraldo Rivera, a contributor for FOX News, appeared on the talk show “Fox and Friends” on March 23, and said “the hoodie is as responsible for Trayvon Martin’s death as George Zimmerman was.” Racial profiling is an issue many people have dealt with at some point in their lives, but how often do they experience profiling based on their attire? For Gabriella Toledo, a third year
Samantha Perez Staff Writer interior architectural design major, the answer is all the time. “People are very quick to judge you by what you wear, the piercings you have, your hair color, the tattoos you have,” she says. “They don’t realize their assumptions can be totally opposite of my capabilities.” Toledo has what most people would consider the “punk rock” look. The snakebite piercings on her bottom lip, eyebrow piercing above her right eye, heavy eye make-up, tattoos on her arms, black clothing, an ever-changing hair color, a combination of black, blonde, and caramel, are not at all indicators of who she is. She is an exemplary student and holds a steady job at Yummy.com, a neighborhood grocery store. “For my job, I talk to people on the phone a lot, but they come into the store sometimes, and when they see me, they’re shocked that I look like the way I do, it’s just irritating,” says Toledo. When asked about the Trayvon Martin case, Toledo said, “Not everybody that wears a hoodie is suspicious or doing something wrong. People walk around just wearing hoods for no reason—it’s just there.” If you wear hoodies, your life is in danger. No longer can you simply grab the warm, convenient outerwear you’ve
Do ‘R’ Ratings Actually Protect Impressionable Minds? Faye Crosswhite Staff Writer Children have always been products of their environment. As they grow and mature, they learn the idioms of their native language and gain a keen sense of action, reaction, and emotion. More often than not, parents have far less influence on their child’s growth than they might like to believe. The vast majority of a child’s learning comes from outside of the home, from places like classrooms, playgrounds, video games, television, and movies. Children – now more than ever – are exposed to a constant stream of media influences, both good and bad. As adulthood is ever looming, one has to wonder: what should we really be protecting our children from – bad language and sexual innuendo, or the very real threat of ignorance and undereducation? Santa Monica mother Fernanda Viramontes said, “we should be concerned with educating our kids, not deciding what movies they can see. My 5-year-old daughter sees and hears all sorts of things she’s not supposed to. I don’t like it, but it’s a part of being a kid.” In a culture where children learn curse words before the first grade and middle school students are increasingly finding themselves entwined in sex scandals, one has to wonder if the Motion Picture Association of America’s feeble attempt to protect the sanctity of childhood and innocence is becoming outdated. The MPAA notes that, “an R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements.” The recently released documentary ‘Bully’ has fallen under fire with the MPAA, as it took 475,000 signatures and many appeals to have its ‘R’ rating dropped. “The Bully Project,” that gave rise to the
film, “is a collaborative effort that brings together partner organizations that share a commitment to ending bullying and ultimately transforming society,” the creators explain on the organization’s website. How could a film aimed to bring an end to bullying among children be deemed unacceptable for a child’s eyes? Since the recent release of ‘The Hunger Games,’ a PG-13 rated film about a post-apocalyptic teenage death-match, a fierce debate has arisen about the need to change the outdated MPAA rating system. It was instituted in 1968, and much has changed in the last 44 years. Children will curse, children will fight, and children will sneak into movies. It’s all a part of growing up. Worried parents should take a more active role in the protection and education of their children, rather than relying on an antiquated film rating system to do the parenting for them. “Implemented by longtime MPAA chief Jack Valenti, largely to avoid government censorship, the rating process is a wellworn, if murky, system,” the Miami Herald reported. As for who decides on the ratings, the Herald explains that “the MPAA does not reveal the identities of these individuals, or their qualifications, other than to say they are parents who are not affiliated with the film industry.” In the same article, House Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan said, “the hypocrisy is that the very movies that contribute to violence can be seen by teenagers because they get a PG-13, and the one film that actually teaches them to respect others is given an R.”
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6|PHOTOSTORY
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Michael Yanow Corsair Santa Monica College Police Officer Williams passes out numbers for seats in the SMC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday in Santa Monica. Expecting high numbers in attendance, campus police limited the seating available in the board room.
Jeff Cote Corsair Dr. Margaret Quinones-Perez(left) and Dr. Nancy Greenstein(right) addresses students during Board of Trustees meeting after the protest in the business building on Santa Monica College’s main campus at approximately 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Santa Monica College students protest outside the SMC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday in Santa Monica. Students were p
Michael Yanow Corsair Two women treat a child injured by pepper spray outside the SMC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.
A protester gets milk poured into his eyes after being pepper-sprayed outside the SMC Boa meeting on Tuesday in Santa Monica.
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PHOTOSTORY|7
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Michael Price Corsair Kayleigh Wade was hit with pepper spray at Santa Monica College.
Michael Yanow Corsair Santa Monica College student Edgar Gonzalez demonstrates during a rally before the SMC Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.
Michael Yanow Corsair
protesting the Board’s decision to raise fees under the contract education program.
Michael Yanow Corsair ard of Trustees
Jeff Cote Corsair A Santa Monica College student is rolled away after getting pepper-sprayed in the face.
PROTEST ENDS IN CHAOS
TWO TRANSPORTED TO AREA HOSPITALS, FIVE TREATED ON SCENE FOR PEPPER SPRAY, MANY MORE AFFECTED WHEN OPPONNENTS OF TWO TIER PAY SYSTEM ATTEMPT TO PUSH PAST COLLEGE POLICE AT BOARD MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT. .
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8| ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Noirfest wraps up festivities with Barbara Morrison Henry Crumblish Staff Writer Santa Monica’s Noirfest is a celebration of noir culture and art noir. Participants paid homage to an era of art, music and film-making of the 1950s and 60s that portrayed a certain kind of darkness through striking black and white images and stylized drama, often accompanied by jazz music. The festival, which has been ongoing since Jan 14, had its closing party on Wednesday, Mar 28 at the Casa Del Mar, with live jazz performed by renowned musician Barbara Morrison. Proceeds from the event went to the Barbara Morrison Foundation. Morrison created the foundation as a means of preserving jazz in middle-and high-school curriculums. “It’s mainly to introduce, and make sure that young people know about jazz and the blues,” said Morrison. Morrison has been wheelchair-bound since June 21, 2011, after undergoing a leg amputation due to diabetes complications. “I sure do miss it. I’m 62 years old and can still feel my toes when getting out of bed sometimes. I forget that I don’t have a leg anymore,” she said. Morrison had the help of her nephew Ramsey Kemp, who accompanies her to all of her performances and helps with physical work. “I love to help out and do what I can; it means a lot to be there for my aunt,” said Kemp. Diabetes complications may have made Morrison’s daily life more difficult, but while performing, she reigned supreme. During her set, the veteran vocalist captured and commanded the audience’s attention. The audience, a combination of
devout Morrison fans, casual jazz listeners, and noir-lovers were enthralled by the live music. Morrison and her band, whom she affectionately called “the A-team,” played a variety of classic tunes from artists such as Al Green, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington. Many of Morrison’s fans in attendance were accomplished musicians, crashing the show out of a sheer love for bebop and blues. Vocalist Madeleine Stires took time off the stage to celebrate her birthday and show support for Morrison. Wearing bright red lipstick and a flowing black dress, Stires sat in a corner by a dim lamp as she intently watched Morrison perform. “I’ve been singing my entire life, but Morrison is amazing—she’s my favorite,” said Stires. Throughout the performance, Morrison called upon her friends and audience members to come to the stage and showcase their own skills in an impromptu jam session. Reagae Clark, a percussionist for 35 years, performed a duet with Morrison. “I respect her so much. She’s been all over the world and back—she’s a living legend,” Clark said. Morrison’s voice carried an energy that infected the entire room; she infused her entire being into every line of each song, showcasing the essence of her talent. “Noirfest is a celebration of noir culture, and jazz is a big part of that culture. This is the wrap-up party, and there’s no better way to end than with Barbara’s truly terrific singing,” said Terry Bochanty, a musician and long-time Santa Monica resident.
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Jose Luis Balderas Corsair Roy Glidden is giving out free bag samples of vegan chips Photo taken at the Buy Local event, at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica Calif. Mar. 31.
Santa Monica ‘Buy Local’ Expo Entertains and Informs Peter S. Cheng Staff Writer Just after 12:30p.m., as the rain clouds finally broke and allowed the sun to shine down on last Saturday’s second annual “Buy Local Expo” in Downtown Santa Monica, a sigh of relief came from Chamber Of Commerce CEO Laurel Rosen. This year’s event had already been delayed a week due to poor weather. Rosen explained the importance of buying local in order to maintain a world-class economy in Santa Monica during this economic downturn. That being said, business seemed to be doing just fine, as expo participants at the promenade took in $44,644 dollars in just four hours, despite the early rain. As Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom made his closing statement, he drew the raffle winners. Prizes included a variety of gift baskets ranging from $725 - $1,000 in value, and an intricate black-and-white print of the Santa Monica coast, worth $1,270. Bloom seemed satisfied with the turnout, stating that the program had grown in size each of the three years it had existed. Before exiting the stage, Mayor Bloom triumphantly shouted, “I here by proclaim this Buy Local weekend!” Around 2:00p.m., sensei Ryan Rubens of Longevity Martial Arts studios had stepped on to the Whole Foods market stage on the corner of Fifth and Wilshire. Rubens was dressed in a black gi and took a Kung-Fu-style “horse stance” in front of a slab of wood suspended between two cinder blocks. The sensei raised his right hand high over his head, then pulled it down slowly, letting out a loud hiss as his hand shook with controlled tension. After two quick practice swings, Rubens shouted, “kiai!” and thrust his hand through the board, “that’s how you break wood,” he proclaimed amidst cheers from the audience. Rubens’ was just one of 90 exhibitions who set up shop at the Third Street Promenade to promote the city’s “Buy Local” program. There were booths showing everything from natural foods to taxi services, alongside local artists and business groups. The evening’s entertainment was presented on two small stages located at either end of the Promenade featuring a variety of performances, a raffle and a citywide scavenger hunt, there were plenty of activities to keep visitors busy. Susan Abrams and Jim Jesco supervised daughter Karolyn as she colored a free “Buy Local” tote bag. The family came to the Promenade to see a movie, but got caught up in the festivities instead. The young family live in Santa Monica and try to do the majority of their shopping locally. They explained that they are able to find most of what they need without having to leave the city. Just before Mayor Bloom took the stage to finalize the day’s festivities, the crowd was treated to the hard-rocking sounds of “The Ghouls.” The band, comprised of 8-year-old Ezra Golub, who plays the guitar, his 10-year-old brother, Leo Golub, on the bass, and friend Logan Fischer on drums jammed out a modified version of “The Casualties’” classic “Punx United,” fittingly retitled “Kids United.”
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WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
Seed enthusiast David King lectures at SMC Cinthia Vera Staff Writer In 1903, there were 497 different kinds of lettuce and 544 different kinds of cabbage available for farmers to grow. Now, there are only 36 kinds of lettuce and just 28 kinds of cabbage. David King, founder of the Seed Library of Los Angeles, spoke at Santa Monica College last Tuesday about this dramatic decrease and the importance of seed saving. “Do not let this be the generation where seeds die,” King said at the lecture. The main reason for the diminished vegetable variety, according to King, is that farmers saved only seeds from vegetables that would withstand long-distance travel, thinking that more money would come from shipping their vegetables to larger markets. King also mentioned that with the development of agricultural technology, the vegetables that were picked concurrently would ripen simultaneously. While this practice was convenient for large markets, it was ineffective for home gardeners, according to King. Home gardeners would not always have a continuous supply of produce from their plants, and would therefore have to buy new seeds. “I want to find the seeds that are going to tell a story to us, because that’s what seeds do, they come from a time before
us,” said King. According to King, vegetables have changed considerably since 1903. He said that orange carrots, which were once commonly white, red and purple, are a modern development. Tomatoes were often white, orange and golden, rather than almost always red. SLOLA is located in The Learning Garden at Venice High School. Members and curious home gardeners meet monthly to learn about the practice of seed saving. Jeff Cote Corsair “[SLOLA has] concocted a list of vegetables David King gives a free lecture, “Seeds: Local and Global,” at the main campus of that we think are the most important ones Santa Monica College on March 27. King is the author of the forthcoming book, to save, and those are the vegetables we are “Growing Food in Southern California: What to Do and When to Do It,” founder starting with first,” said King. of the Seed Library of Los Angeles, and garden master of The Learning Garden at King wants to find people who have Venice High School. heirloom seeds, or seeds that were produced according to SLOLA’s website. before 1950, as he strives to preserve their existence. “We seek to preserve genetic diversity, increase food “Most heirlooms became heirlooms because they tasted security and food justice in our region, safeguard good, because people loved them for their good qualities,” alternatives to genetically modified organisms, and said King. empower all members through a deeper connection with “We are building a seed collection and repository, nature and the experience of self-reliance.” educating members about the practice of seed saving, For more information about SLOLA, visit slola.org, and and creating a local community of seed saving gardeners,” for David King’s personal blog, visit lagardenblog.com.
SMC film professor produces environmental film Andy Riesmeyer Staff Writer Santa Monica College film studies professor Sheila Laffey has reason to be excited. The environmental film she has been working on for almost five years has finally hit the festival circuit. Screenings along the west coast have yielded big crowds, and the standing room only showings at the Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica last week were no exception. The crowds came to watch “Who Bombed Judi Bari?,” a Laffey-produced film about Judi Bari, an environmental activist injured in a car bombing in 1990. Bari was a figurehead of the Earth First! movement, a group of conservationists who protested logging and deforestation in America’s woodlands in the latter half of the 20th century. Bari and passenger Darryl Cherney were injured on the way to lead the Redwood Summer protests in Santa Cruz, Calif. “It was the most pain I had ever felt,” Bari said in the film. “I remember begging them to let me die.” During her recovery, the FBI placed blame on Bari and Cherney, charging them with possession and transportation of explosives. The film outlines the challenges Bari and Cherney faced recovering from injuries while fighting the allegations filed
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against them. “The film actually channels Judi’s spirit,” said Laffey, an executive producer of the movie. “It inspires people. It’s the activists up against the system. It’s always hard work.” Charges against Bari and Cherney were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence. In 2002, the pair won a $4.2 million civil case against the FBI for civil rights violations, though Bari died in 1997 of cancer. Much of the content in the film comes from a video interview of Bari taken shortly before her death. “When you have someone’s death bed deposition as the core of the film, it’s pretty powerful,” Laffey said. “They went into my home and tried to pull nails out of the windows to try and match them to nails in the bomb,” Bari said in the film, recounting the circumstances surrounding the investigation. “It was not your normal investigation; they were just trying to frame me.” Though she eventually recovered from injuries associated with the bombing, Bari’s life was filled with challenges. “Most people don’t know that Judi lived in pain for the rest of her life,” Cherney said at the screening. “After the bombing she would cry throughout the night every night.” The film was directed by Mary Liz
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Thomson, and features music by Bari, One of the classes Laffey teaches at SMC Cherney and other activist musicians. covers the history of documentaries. She Scenes of activist rallies and archived has recently seen a growing number of news reports are shown between clips of students interested in informative films. protesters before giant bulldozers and “People want to know what’s really going logging machines. on,” Laffey said. “They really want to “Darryl is a very good archivist,” Laffey know the truth.” said. “He was great at tracking down So far, the film has been shown at select footage and music.” screenings in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Laffey, who has been teaching at SMC for Washington D.C., and Oakland. Laffey 13 years, likened her producing job to that said that the film gives good suggestions to answer the question posed in the title, but of an orchestral conductor. “Somebody needs to know how the could not elaborate further. The group is currently looking for instruments sound, but doesn’t need to know how to play all of them,” Laffey donations and distribution. said, laughing. “I helped bring people and resources to the table, but it’s really a team effort.” Laffey was appointed as an adviser to the film during early planning stages. She said that the project was originally intended to be a dramatic feature. “Dramatic films Roger Morante Corsair are great, but this Sheila Laffey speaks with a man before the screening of a film she costory worked better produced called “Who Bombed Judi Bari?” at the Laemmle’s Monica as a documentary,” 4-Plex on March 28. Laffey said.
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The student guide to a budget-friendly spring break Christina Sziatinszky Staff Writer Spring break—the week when students are free to travel to white, sandy beaches for excessive partying, extremely loud music and an overpowering smell of sunscreen and booze—is only a few days away. According to the Huffington Post, the top out-of-country destinations for students this year include Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and the Bahamas. Students who choose to remain in the U.S. tend to gravitate toward Florida, mainly Panama City Beach and Miami. While some students have the privilege of traveling to various far-off locations, others are not so fortunate. Santa Monica College student Samara Acosta has always dreamed of vacationing
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE this approach. “I’m going to visit a friend in Baja, Calif.,� says student Christian Chinchilla. “It’s not too far, so I would be able to drive there.� Road trips were also popular among college students 20 years ago. SMC communications professor Alan Adelman often spent his spring breaks taking road trips when he was in college. “My best spring break memories were when I was a student in college, and in a fraternity,� says Adelman. “As soon as spring break would hit, my fraternity brothers and I would pack several cars and make the 24-hour drive from cold, cloudy Michigan to warm, sunny Florida.� Adelman says that during this time, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was a popular destination (and that gas prices were $1.21 per gallon). “We would then pile into several hotel rooms with as many people as possible to help defray the cost,� says Adelman. “We were college students, after all, on a limited budget.� If beaches are a must, there are plenty of places to stop on a trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, such as Monterey Bay, Santa
during spring break, but cannot afford to travel. “I’ve always wanted to go to Barcelona,� says Acosta. “It would be nice to watch one of their soccer games in person.� A flight to Europe can range anywhere from $800 to $1500. Expenses aside, the length of spring break also affects students’ travel plans. For Acosta, staying in Spain for only five days would not be worth the money she would have to spend on a flight. “One week just isn’t long enough to travel, and do everything,� says Acosta. With only a week to travel and budgeted spending, some students lean toward a more affordable approach to spring break vacationing. There are plenty of reasonably priced destinations within driving range. Splitting the cost of gas and hotel rooms among a car full of friends can make road trips more budget-friendly, and modern GPS technology can serve as a useful tool for spontaneous excursions with no set destinations. “For this spring break, I’m going on a road trip to San Diego with some friends,� says Acosta, who is not the only student taking
Barbara and Big Sur. For students with more adventurous sides, several affordable camping destinations are within driving range. Redwood National Park has various campsites, which charge $5 to $8 per visitor, and $35 per vehicle admitted. Lake Tahoe is a popular destination for camping, hiking, fishing, and site-seeing. Some campsites can be used for $28 a night, such as the Fallen Leaf Campground. Packing snacks and meals can save money, as the provisions sold at these sites are often costly. Entrance fees at closer campsites such as Big Bear and Yosemite National Park are slightly more expensive. Whether camping getaways, beach vacations or road trips are in store for this spring break, saving a day or two to catch up on sleep would be wise, students say. “I was so exhausted upon my return after spring break that I needed another vacation just to rest,� says Adelman.
Social enterprise may offer an answer to the Occupy movement Chavi Gourarie Staff Writer On the shelf above the Vitamin Waters and Snapples in the refrigerator at Eat St., rows of cardboard white cartons are lined up, each one proclaiming in stark black letters, “Boxed Water is Better.� Better for the planet, that is. A second side of the carton explains that the cartons are made from 76 percent recycled material, and that they give 10 percent of their profits to reforestation and 10 percent to cleaning the world’s water supply. The third side has just the single word “hello� printed in a friendly handwritten font at its center. Boxed Water is an example of a social enterprise, a for-profit company whose business model seeks to positively impact the planet or society, and who operates business in a way that is both sustainable and socially conscious. More consumers and investors are now paying attention to a company’s social footprint. According to the Cone Cause Evolution study, 75 percent of Americans say that whether a business is causerelated or not affects where they shop and what they buy, and the number jumps to 84 percent for Generation Y consumers. While frustrations still fester against corporate America, the quiet revolution
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of social enterprise is changing the way businesses do business. Now, not only are attitudes trending toward more corporate responsibility, some states are writing the change into law. The proposed legislation introduces the Benefit Corporation, commonly known as B Corp, a legal status that accommodates mission-driven business models that lie somewhere between the traditional for-profit and non-profit. California was the sixth of seven states to adopt the legislation thus far, and 12 California companies incorporated as B Corps on Jan. 3, the day the legislation took effect. Incorporating as a B Corp allows businesses to make decisions that prioritize social good over shareholder profit. To qualify as a B Corp, a company is required to provide a public benefit, take non-financial stakeholders into account when making decisions, and produce an annual social report card based on a third-party standard. John Montgomery, an attorney at Montgomery & Hanson in Menlo Park, Calif., was one of the contributing authors of the California B Corp legislation. Montgomery says that weaving the change into the legal framework is paramount.
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“I’ve incorporated over 1,000 businesses,� says Montgomery. “And I see the correlation between law and behavior.� Traditionally, the primary legal obligation for businesses is to create profit for shareholders. Directors have a fiduciary duty to their stockholders, and must act in their best interest. “A business corporation is organized and carried on primarily for the profit of the stockholders,� according to a ruling made by the Michigan Supreme Court nearly 100 years ago in the Dodge versus Ford case. “The powers of the directors are to be employed for that end.� Movements like those that support B Corp legislation are based on the idea that capitalism can evolve. Part of the outrage of the Occupy movement, explains Montgomery, is the American concept of corporate personhood, whereby corporations, whose sole purpose is to maximize profit, are considered people. “What they’re intuitively asking is, if the corporations have the rights that personhood provides, what about their moral duties?� says Montgomery. The B Corp is not only allowed, but required, to operate with a moral conscience. It is only a slight semantic
difference, but it can completely change the system, according to Montgomery. Christina Hershey is the founder of a Certified B Corp called Hershey Cause, a Santa Monica based public relations and marketing company. Being Certified B Corp implies that the company follows the model of a Benefit Corporation, but has not been legally incorporated as one. Hershey Cause is now looking into making the legal change. “We were mission-driven from the start,� says Hershey, whose company works with for-profits and non-profits. One of their recent projects involved a campaign with Kaiser Permanente to promote healthier lifestyles. Hershey says the B Corp legislation is only one instance of the inroads being made into traditional business models. “The business community is us,� says Hershey, expressing her concerns about the Occupy movement. “We need to stop demonizing each other and come together for solutions.� The price of a large box of Boxed Water in the Santa Monica College cafeteria is $2, a dollar more than a water bottle at the vending machine 30 feet away. For some, a dollar is not a large price to pay to be a part of a revolution that could change the world.
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SPORTS|11
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
#1 ranked Vikings BY SARKIS EKMEKIAN • PHOTO BY MARINE GASTE
nearly upset by Corsairs Michael Price Corsair SMC outside hitter, Felix Alvarado, spikes the ball against Long Beach City College players, Jacob Burkhardt (18) and Matt Wade (8) in a volleyball match at Santa Monica College. Santa Monica lost the match 3-0.
ENDURING PITCHER GIVES UP EVERY THING FOR THE GAME Jamie Kenyon pitched 12 innings during last week’s doubleheader without any break from the mound losing both games and playing on a team with a losing season, but Kenyon stands resolute and ready for the next game. “I’ve always been a pitcher and it’s my favorite position because I like controlling everything,” said Kenyon who is one of the captains of the women’s softball team. “My favorite pitch is the screwball and it works every time.” Kenyon accomplishes this feat of endurance week after week even though she is playing through numerous injuries and her team is struggling to win games. Yet losing has taught her the meaning of sportsmanship, what it means to be on a team, leadership qualities, and to never surrender in the face of adversity. “I am the only pitcher so I have no choice,” said Kenyon. Kenyon accomplishes this feat week after week as a pitcher even though she has a torn meniscus, an out of place patella, and severe tendonitis in her scapula and forearm. “I am getting surgery in the summer on my meniscus,” said Kenyon who added that since her injuries have been left unattended and she has continued to play, they have only gotten worse Kenyon plans to finish the current softball season at Santa Monica College despite the fact that doctors have instructed her to go on hiatus and take a break from playing softball. “She has a lot of fight; she never stops and never quits,” said Head Softball Coach Char Wilson. “She also sees potential in everyone and that’s why she’s one of our captains.” Kenyon’s dedication to the sport of softball has only grown since she first started playing when she was ten on the Travel Ball Minor League in Tallahassee, Florida. My dad had noticed that I was really strong so he drew a square on the garage door with surfboard wax and told me to hit it, underhand. It was love at first sight for me.” Kenyon played on the junior varsity team for the Chiles High School Timberwolves during her freshman year, and became captain by her junior year. Kenyon then moved to Los Angeles and continued to play softball at Venice High School her senior year After graduating from Venice High School, Kenyon enrolled at SMC as a Theater major following her passion for acting, and to build on her impressive acting resume where she has been featured in everything from a music video for Jewel and Blaire, to being cast on TV shows such as Nickelodeon’s Big Help and MTV’s Parental Control.
But Kenyon soon realized that she had a greater passion for softball instead of her talent for acting and decided to focus on pitching instead. “It’s everything,” said Kenyon. “It has literally been my life since I was ten. I love the camaraderie I share with my teammates and the passion behind it.” Kenyon has played for the Corsairs since the spring of 2010; she redshirted last year, and returned as captain in 2012. According to Kenyon, her daily routine includes waking up ten minutes before the time she has to be somewhere and sprinting out of her house, usually in the direction of class. After, she has lunch with her teammates and then heads off to practice. After practice, she attends a mandatory study hall-implemented by her coachalong with the rest of her teammates Kenyon also has very specific and unique pre-game and mid-game rituals and this includes praying before every game, singing on the mound, and making the sign of the cross before each inning regardless of whether the team is winning or losing. “I pray for protection and to play to my fullest potential,” said Kenyon. “Singing puts me in the mood and in my own world. I could sing anything, a song that’s out now, or ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb,’” said Kenyon. “Coach yells ‘sing a song’ if I’m not focusing. She also calls me the biggest diva because I never start a game before I have my hair done and my lip gloss on.” “She definitely is a diva,” said Wilson. “But she is also determined, selfless, motivational, and simply great all around.” Kenyon initially declined scholarships out of high school to play softball at colleges in New Mexico, but now plans to transfer from SMC in order to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the fall. Kenyon would like to focus on becoming a high school psychologist and a softball coach in order to continue following her passions. Kenyon advises first year softball players to “not be afraid of failure,” and adds a tip that “lip gloss will fix any situation.” “My favorite class at SMC was philosophy class,” said Kenyon. “It opened my mind up to the rest of the world, to how others act, and why people do what they do. It made me change my major,” According to Wilson, Kenyon’s best assets are her passion and the fact that she wears her heart on her sleeve. “If you’re passionate about something,” said Kenyon. “Excellence will follow.”
Sophia Villlegas Staff Writer Despite a strong effort by the Santa Monica Men’s Volleyball team, the Corsairs lost three sets to the Long Beach City Vikings 25-17, 25-21, and 25-22.The Corsairs stayed competitive in each set and kept up with the Vikings who are ranked number one in the State of California at 13-1 and have only lost one game this season against Moorpark. Paul Myers, middle blocker for the Corsairs, felt the team had become better even though SMC has now dropped to 0-8 in Conference play and 3-12 overall. “I feel like we improved as a team since the last time we played Long Beach City College,” said Myers. The first set started off with the Vikings taking an early lead 7-4, but Charlie Schmittdiel had an impressive block to stop the Vikings’ advance and help bring the Corsairs back within one at 10-9. The Corsairs stayed close, but eventually lost the first set 25-17. In the second set, Aniefre Etim-Thomas helped the Vikings take the lead 6-4 with a kill that extended the lead to 9-4. But Paul Myles brought momentum back for the Corsairs with a strong block, and along with Connor Corgiat, who added two explosive
kills and two straight aces, the Corsairs came back to within four at 21-17. Despite a late comeback by the Corsairs, it wasn’t enough to stop the Vikings who went on to take the second set 25-21. At the start of the third set, the Corsairs seemed fired up and the lead changed several times between the Corsairs and the Vikings as both teams were responding back and forth with explosive attacks. A kill by SMC’s Jason Mallek tied the set at 6-6. Schmittdeiel added an ace and four kills to bring the Corsairs back within one at 12-11. The Corsairs never gave up rotating key kills by Mallek, Corgait, Schmittdeiel, and Fabio Calesso. Schmittdiel fought hard and had a kill to tie the third set at 20-20 but Max Wechsung of the Vikings ended the match with a kill. Charlie Schmittdiel had eight kills and Fabio Calesso had six kills to lead SMC while Matt Wade of the Vikings had eight kills. The Corsairs have two more games left to play this season; one against LA Pierce at home on Wednesday April 4 at 6 p.m. and one the following week versus Moorpark.
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12|NEWS
WEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012 - SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
"WE'RE ALL FIGHTING FOR EQUAL ACCESS, WE JUST HAVE DIFFERENT VISIONS OF HOW TO DO IT."
-LOUISE JAFFE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER
Amy Gaskin Contributor A woman falls to the ground during a pepper spray incident after protesters tried to enter board of trustees meeting to protest recent tuition changes at Santa Monica College on Tuesday.
Amy Gaskin Contributor A protester cries after being hit by police officers' pepper spray at Santa Monica College on Tuesday.
STUDENTS PEPPER-SPRAYED AFTER PROTEST ESCALATES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
of the library. Monte Hawkins was one of the students sprayed. “There was no justification for that,� he said, still shaken. “The board knew there would be this many students there. They should have relocated to a bigger venue.� The Board of Trustees meeting was regarding the contract education measure, which creates a system in which 700 state-funded classes are offered at a regular price of $46 per unit, and an additional 50 self-funded high-demand classes will be offered at $180 per unit during the summer session. As the meeting reconvened into an open forum for the student protestors to offer their public comments, the student protestors were kept in the room adjacent to the boardroom with trustees Dr. Nancy Greenstein and Margaret Quinones-Perez. During this portion of the meeting, members of Associated Students along with other various clubs voiced their concerns about Contract Ed. SMC student, Gaby Grussi, who attended the meeting said, “Everyone is pushing to have their voice heard and for the referendum to be passed by Sunday.� The referendum calls for Contract Ed to be voted on by the student body, as well as other campus groups. School officials say that the higher fees are a result of the actual cost it takes for the school to provide those classes. The Santa Monica Career and Transfer Alliance—a non-profit corporation founded by SMC, will support them. Administrators have named it the Advance Your Dreams Program, while the rest of the nation has been referring to the plan as the two-tier system. “We are somewhat surprised at the
protesters and some of the so-called facts that are being bandied about by the groups of people,� said Tsang. “We’ve found some are saying that we’re raising tuition to $180 per unit for all courses, and that’s not the case.� Critics maintain that the measure creates an unfair advantage for wealthier students who can afford to pay for the higher fees. Other concerns are that the program may be on shaky legal grounds. Paul Feist, spokesperson for the California Community Colleges chancellor, Jack Scott, told the Corsair in an email prior to the incident that the program allegedly breaks the education codes, which does not allow students to be charged differential tuition fees for the type of classes SMC provides. In response to those claims, Trustee Louise Jaffe maintained that the education codes pertaining to the fee differential option was neither permissive or explicitly forbidden, and is thus up for interpretation. Trustees have said that raising the tuition fees and class cuts for the past four years stem from the state’s inability to properly fund higher public education. Tuition for state-funded classes will increase from $36 to $46 per credit, but Tsang says that the change was instituted by California. The school is taking an initiative to respond to the strong demand for classes with Contract Ed. But students are still dissatisfied with those claims. SMC student, Anthony Augello, with tears in his eyes from the pepperspray said, “These students are being robbed. We didn’t create budget issues but we’re paying for it.� Henry Crumblish contributed to this
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