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AS provides funds for winter
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volume 104 issue 13• november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
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CORSAIR
Sports exclusive
2012 Women’s tennis champs stripped of title Elizabeth Moss Staff Writer
Amy Gaskin Corsair Associated Students President Parker Jean speaks in support of donating to help save winter semester. The AS Board of Directors voted to donate $200,000 to the Santa Monica College Foundation to help fund winter semester during the meeting Monday.
Allie Silvas News Editor The Associated Students voted and approved the contribution of $200,000 to provide an AS co-sponsored winter session at their meeting Monday afternoon. The money will serve to alleviate some of the debt that is being caused by the winter session. The district will
use roughly $1.5 million in deficit spending to fund the 2013 winter session, according to Parker Jean, the AS president. The Foundation is also seeking private donors to support the winter session. Fifty thousand dollars will come from a joint presidents’ account shared between Jean and SMC President and Superintendent Chui L. Tsang. The additional $150,000 will be placed in a
restricted fund titled Student Success. Initially, the AS had planned to use $100,000 of their reserve funds and $50,000 from a contingency fund. However, their budget manager, director of auxiliary services George Prather, presented the current budget and proposed that $150,000 be moved from the ending balance to Student
winter funds on PG. 3
“All work and no play”
Healthier holidays
Livia Wippich Corsair A vintage Adler typewriter exhibited at LACMA, an original prop from “The Shining,” directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Arlene Karno Contributor A women sits and waits for her yoga class to start at YAS, a studio for yoga and spinning in Venice, California.
kubrick on PG. 12
holidays on PG. 8
At least they ended the season with a bang. Ventura College women’s tennis team competed, won, and lost their State Championship title this year after allegations arose surmising a professional player within their ranks. After winning back in May, Ventura was accused of having a professional, which led to an investigation, ultimately stripping the team of their title this past October. A post-game tip led California Community College Athletic Association authorities to investigate claims of a professional on the Ventura team, said Dr. Jim Forkum, Chair of the CCCAA’s Management Board. The investigation revealed that a teammate had won over $11,000 in prize money for competing previously. The player in question is currently attending San Jose State on a full scholarship for tennis. “The CCCAA saw her as a professional; the NCAA did not,” said Will Cowen, Athletic Director at Ventura College. A “certain coach” in the conference alerted Ventura coach Nelson Emery of the situation before telling the commissioner of the conference. Cowen declined to comment on his feelings about the situation. According to Jerry White, the commissioner of the Western State Conference, the player was in violation of the CCCAA Constitution, Bylaw 1.1. Bylaw 1.1 regarding Amateurism, section E states, “An athlete may participate in a sport competition with individuals who are competing for cash or comparable prizes provided the athlete does not receive payment for participation.” The player was an international student. “They’ll compete in tournaments around Europe and collect prize money,” said Forkum. “According to our rules, that’s not allowed.” According to Forkum, the player’s parents and Ventura College claimed that the money was for “expenses” only, producing receipts that totaled up for more than the stated amount. However, it was “evident” this was not the case, Forkum said. “It was determined that this person had [competed professionally].” “As we know with everything, there’s a lot of finger pointing,” White stated. White was a part of the initial few weeks of the investigation, before it was turned over to state. Santa Monica College won the State Championships in 2011, but lost to Ventura in the third match of the Doubles competition this past year. “If anyone knew about this prior to three days before the competition it probably could have been rectified and allowed others to play,” said Cowen. He said he will “absolutely” take steps to make sure this doesn’t happen again in the future. Both Ventura and the CCCAA’s women’s tennis homepage list Ventura as this year’s championship winners for the Singles and Doubles competition. Official results, however, list this year’s titles as “not awarded.”
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2 contents
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Nathan Gawronsky······ Editor-in-Chief c o rs a i r. e d i t o r i n c h i e f @ g m a i l . c o m Amber Antonopoulos···Managing Editor c o rs a i r. m a n a g i n g @ g m a i l . c o m Amber Antonopoulos·· Health & Lifestyle c o rs a i r. l i f e s t y l e p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Allie Silvas···················· News Editor c o rs a i r. n e w s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Samantha Perez··· Arts & Entertainment c o rs a i r. c a l e n d a r p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Muna Cosic················Opinion Editor c o rs a i r. o p i n i o n p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m David Yapkowitz············ Sports Editor c o rs a i r. s p o r t s p a g e @ g m a i l . c o m Ian Kagihara··········Multimedia Editor c o rs a i r. m u l t i m e d i a @ g m a i l . c o m Paul Alvarez··················Photo Editor Marine Gaste················ Photo Editor c o rs a i r p h o t o e d i t o r @ g m a i l . c o m Nathalyd Meza··············Design Editor c o rs a i r. d e s i g n t e a m @ g m a i l . c o m c o r s a i r s ta f f Fernando Baltazar, Nathan Berookhim, Tiffany Bingham, Kou Collins, Samantha Conn, Henry Crumblish, William Duggan, Rachel Duron, Tina Eady, Skya Eiland, Alberto Fernandez, Amy Gaskin, Ryonn Gloster, Jennifer Gomez, David J. Hawkins, Sam Herron, Annjelicia Houston, Zach Johnson, Eugene Jones, David Madrid, Juan C. Martinez, Ruth Mavangira, Raphael Mawrence, LeAura McClain, Elizabeth Moss, Wayne Neal, Mikaela Oesterlund, Daniella Palm, Molly Philbin, Andy Riesmeyer, Rachel Spurr, Alex Vejar, Anilec Vita, Merissa Weiland, Livia Wippich, Michael Yanow, Arezou Zakaria FA C U LT Y A D V I S O R S S a u l Ru b i n & Gerard Burkhart
Amy Gaskin Corsair Augie the dog has his eye on the butter after guests have left the Thanksgiving dinner table on Thursday, November 22.
SMC community!
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nathan gawronsky Editor-In-Chief There are two pressing matters to consider in respect to the reinstatement of the winter intersession at Santa Monica College. On the one hand, this is a welcome and surprising development for the college community. One must not forget the disappointment and great feeling of loss felt by the community at learning of the loss of the winter session. The winter session accommodates approximately ten thousand students at SMC, and helps to keep hundreds of staff members and faculty members employed. Indeed, the news of the cancellation sent many students into worry about their educational future, and good people became concerned about their jobs; after all, if there weren’t any students to teach, what would all of the support staff here at SMC do? Apparently, that specter of a cold and empty college over the winter session is no longer an issue, and the news of winter’s realization sets forth a very positive tone by the college. It seems to reestablish the college’s confidence and commitment to its core mission: To be a leader and innovator in learning and achievement. However, reality and common sense require us to be cautiously optimistic of this recent,
last minute decision. Despite the passage of Proposition 30, the college is still functioning under an operational deficit of $4 million. Within the context of this deficit, and the fact that the cost of the winter session is somewhere in the ballpark of $1.5 million, what reassurance do we have that this isn’t just Prop. 30 euphoria? What should give you pause is the fact that the funding for the winter session will be relied upon by private and generous donations to ease the ultimate cost to the college. Fortunately, our student government has made a very generous contribution to get that ball rolling. During Monday’s AS board meeting, the board voted to approve a contribution of $200,000 towards the semester—which, in the words of AS President Parker Jean, is a “minimal, but symbolic contribution” to funding the winter semester. He added: “Ultimately, the AS is not responsible for funding classes—but the students truly want the classes, and I saw this as an opportunity to put our money where our mouth is.” I applaud Jean for taking this unprecedented and courageous step. Credit is also due to former AS President Harrison Wills, for his fiscally conservative governance, which created the $200,000 surplus used for the contribution. I also would like to commend President and Superintendent Chui L. Tsang for the courage
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and confidence to move forward with this. For any students who vilified him last semester, I think this risky, and last minute move erases all doubt that his mission here at SMC is to do everything in his power to provide a world class learning experience for students. *** On an unrelated, but personal note, this will be my last issue as Editor-in-Chief for SMC’s The Corsair newspaper. I feel absolutely honored to have had the privilege to manage such a cherished, award-winning institution at SMC. I lack the words to properly describe the value I would place on the experience I have earned during my time as a staff writer, news editor, managing editor, and ultimately chief editor for The Corsair, and I leave this position with a heart heavy with love. I would encourage my fellow students, who aspire to write, report, comment, design, or otherwise be a voice for their community, to join this paper. It has provided me with a tremendous gift, which I hope to somehow be able to repay in my future. It showed me my life’s calling. I am also heavily indebted to Saul Rubin and Gerard Burkhart, for their experience, advice, and wisdom throughout this experience. Their presence here at this paper and at this college is invaluable. Thank you!
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news 3
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
Amy Gaskin Corsair Director of Auxiliary Services George Prather, who creates the annual Associated Students budget, presented his suggestion to the AS board on the best way to gather the $200,000 being donated at Monday’s meeting.
from winter funds on PG. 1 Success, which will be included in this year’s expenses. This is the money Prather described as “cash on hand” as opposed to the $1 million in reserves that are tied up in investments. “What better funds to use to help fund winter session than Student Success?” Prather asked. According to Mike Tuitasi, vice president of student affairs, no other institution had brought this idea forward. Some AS board members thought it would be better to wait until the next meeting before voting; they felt they were not adequately informed. Vice President Jesus Vasquez expressed concern that if the AS made this donation, it would set a precedent for future funding. Jean responded to this, saying “I hope this is not
a pattern. At the end of the day, it is the district’s job to provide classes.” Regarding members being uninformed, Jean noted that although the process was quick, everything was presented in public meetings that any of the members could have attended. “I’m all for transparency, but I think this process has been very transparent,” he said. “I cannot apologize for you guys not coming to these meetings,” he said. Jean also felt that if it were delayed, the point would be diluted. “We’re more likely to get funding from others if we have support on campus,” he said. Ultimately, there were no votes against the funding, and only one abstention from Vasquez. Former AS President Harrison Wills was commended for being “socially liberal but fiscally conservative,” which gave the current board the freedom to make a sizeable donation. “Harrison was radically frugal,” said Joshua Scuteri,
the previous student trustee. Scuteri made a public comment and supported the board’s decision to help fund winter session by quoting the AS constitution, and their goal to “assist in educational advancement.” Tuitasi also made a public comment. “On behalf of Dr. Tsang and his staff, we want to thank you guys for being innovative,” he said. “We are very glad that we were able to look outside of the box so we can provide winter courses to students.” AS Trustee Susan Aminoff was also in attendance. “I am very pleased with the actions the AS has taken,” she said. “Students need winter to assure progress.” Jean raised the question of whether or not it is ethical for the AS to “sit” on their money in a time of desperate need. “We have rare opportunity and a generous amount of money — let’s be generous with our money,” Jean said.
Will priority enrollment improve student success? Tina Eady Staff Writer The Santa Monica College Board of Trustees recently enacted a new enrollment priority system to aid certain groups in need of transfer assistance. A report from the Office of Institutional Research identified groups who, according to their transcripts, were ready to transfer to a four-year institution, but did not. The Board of Governors approved a system-wide enrollment priority system in September to allow transfers for career technical education and basic skills development. The Board also wanted to encourage students to identify their educational objectives, and to follow a more focused path. This plan would aim to ensure access for new students, and create incentives to make progress and complete their educational goals. Veterans, students in the military, and foster-care youth currently receive first priority enrollment. Second priority is given to students in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services and Disabled Student Programs Services. Continuing students lose priority if they
earn more than 100 units. Districts would be able to make an exception for the 100unit limit, for those in high-unit majors or programs. They do not include the Black Collegiate Club and other activity clubs on campus, according to Teresita Rodriguez, vice president of enrollment at SMC. “We did make a recommendation for black and Latino College students but pulled it,” Rodriguez said. “We're waiting for the statewide priority enrollment, but we will revisit it in spring 2013.” The California Community College Chancellor's Office put together a task force to increase transfer, degree and certificate completion, and to help close the achievement gap for historically underrepresented students. “There are a lot of societal and economic issues that really don't foster the progression of minority students,” said Suzanne McDonald, a counselor at the college. “Their prior schools give nominal education and they have to take remedial courses.” The transfer rates of the four largest racial/ethnic groups are 61.5 percent whites, 56.5 percent Asians, 35.7 percent Hispanics, and 34.2 percent blacks,
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according to the report. “They're designated to take care of siblings, parents are out of work and if they lose their enrollment priority they don't get the classes they need and they lose their motivation,” McDonald said. Eighty-four percent of all class enrollments are transferable courses, and success rates have increased to 70.8 percent in 2011. Associate degrees awarded dropped slightly to 104, less than in 2008. However, the number of certificates increased by 500 percent between 2009 and 2011. There were 979 SMC students who transferred to a UC and there were 1,006 transfers to CSU for a total of 1,875 in the past four years. SMC experienced decreasing trends in transfers in 2007-11, but the college recovered and returned to the transfer levels experienced in 2007-2008, according to the Office of Institutional Research. “Higher risk kids that are assessing at lower levels need a little more access to continuity of classes so they can move on from one class to the next [to achieve higher success rates],” said McDonald. Some external factors that limited @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
transfers included budget cuts, changes in admission standards, impact status and limited capacity. For example, CSUs did not accept transfers in 2009-10, which might explain the drastic reduction in that year. Recent CSU admission policy gives priority admission to local-area students. For instance, a student who lives in Fullerton would have priority admission at CSU-Fullerton over an SMC student with similar credentials. Schools that are considered local CSUs for SMC students include Northridge, Dominguez Hills and Los Angeles. This policy impacts students that may want to transfer from SMC to Long Beach, San Francisco State and San Jose. The 2009-10 report showed that the SMC transfer rate was 49.5 percent. The college had a transfer rate of 51.9 percent by 2010-11, an increase of 2.4 percent. As part of a plan for student success, the CCCCO has approved system-wide enrollment priority that helps colleges prioritize academic and career technical education courses over those primarily offered for personal enrichment.
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4 Opinion
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
Passage of Measure B shocks the adult film industry Nathan Berookhim Staff Writer With the passing of the recent elections, the public had a chance to vote on issues that were deemed important enough to be placed on our ballots. Topics ranged from funding public education, to requiring genetically modified foods, to display their Frankenstein-like heritage. Among the various initiatives was one spawned by smut. Apparently, the adult film industry is an industry that needs to be regulated, and with the passing of Measure B, it will eventually be regulated. Measure B adopted an ordinance requiring producers of adult films to obtain a County public health permit, to require adult film performers to use condoms while engaged in sex acts, to provide proof of blood borne pathogen training course, to post permit and notices to performers, and making violations of the ordinance subject to civil fines and criminal charges. Most of us are aware of the almost laughable restrictions that are placed on X-rated movies- more specifically with regard to access by minors. The Chinese government steadily monitors its citizens, with the intent of guarding the youth from accessing pornographic images, among other things. As a consequence of being caught watching porn, violators are sent to rehabilitative schools. Spending time watching porn does not contribute to the productivity of the country and the welfare of its residents, so no porn. In contrast to China’s strong regulations against the porn industry, the United States—more specifically the San Fernando Valley here in Los Angeles—is the world’s major distributor of adult entertainment. It also accounts for a relatively disproportionate parentage of California’s economic activity. Indeed producers of porn are “job creators,” and given our instinctual desire to reproduce, it’s simply supply and demand. Watching porn is a titillating past time. Mirror neurons stimulate portions of your brain in accordance with what you see someone else doing. For example, if you see someone crying, the parts of your brain responsible for the regulation of your emotional reactions will in fact respond to that sorrowful image of the
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unfortunate individual. You might not have any reason to be sad, but given your inherent biological sympathy, you might just shed a tear or two. The same goes for “displays of affection.” Observing individuals engaging in sexual acts has been known to cause arousal. But many feel that once a condom comes in to the picture, our potential for pleasure is hindered. In the porn industry, condoms are not good for business, so the passage of measure B is unwelcomed. Some might consider the exploitation of our reproductive protocol to be immoral, as sex is one of the most intimate experiences known to humanity. This intimacy has been mass-produced, and now anyone with a computer can access billions of images of people “doing the nasty.” Is there something wrong with American culture? Jessica Drake, a famed seductress of adult cinema, is no stranger to carrying that conversation. Under the impression that porn had reached
manageable risk.” Former XBIZ Awards Trophy Girl and Penthouse Pet of the Month, Tasha Reign identifies herself as a “paranoid little germaphobe.” As someone who owns her own adult movie production company, Reign is well aware of the factors involved in making an adult film. She said that people like porn because it’s like a fantasy and condoms are not part of that fantasy. In addition to discouraging buyers, the use of condoms would make things very hard, especially for a “hardcore” actress such as herself. “Vigorous intense scenes are impossible to do with a condom. We go hard for an hour. It’s not possible. The condom would have to be changed every five minutes,” said Reign. “It hurts, the friction involved in that. I can’t even put it in words.” Reign also said that adult film stars are not getting the respect they deserve, and that the recent policy has left her feeling like a member of a minority group. Reinforcing the idea that the statistics for
adult film stars are not getting the respect they deserve, and that the recent policy has left her feeling like a member of a minority group. -tasha reign
a more accepted status in this day and age, she said that the passage of Measure B left her, along with the rest of the adult film industry, “in shock.” Although surprised the measure passed, Drake doesn’t see the policy being enforced any time soon. For one, there is not an established protocol- or clear set of rules that are to be adhered to. Also, there isn’t an established entity in charge of enforcing the tobe-established policies. Referring to the stipulation regarding “blood born pathogens,” she said that it would call for a stream of sanitary measures, including the implementation of dental dams, latex gloves, and an all around sterile environment; sounds more like a dentist’s office than a porn set— anyone else getting ideas? When asked about the overall cleanliness of her work environment, Drake said, “look, we’re having sex. Sex is not too hygienic to begin with. There are fluids and germs; but it’s a
adult film stars to contract STDs is quite low, Reign said that, “there was never one case of HIV in our business.” By “business,” she is distinguishing between the straight and gay porn industries. “They are completely different industries. Gay porn requires you wear a condom, but doesn’t test for STDs,” said Reign. She made it clear that “cross-over” actors, or men who do gay porn and wish to switch to straight porn, are sternly discouraged. Both Jessica Drake and Tasha Reign believe that the public was misled into voting for the vaguely defined Measure B. In Reign’s opinion, much of the misinformation that was propagated was due to commercials, where two retired porn actors who are gay, and again,“were never in [her] business, were paid to speak in favor of the measure.” As for the hypocrisy of the new policy, Reign feels porn-stars are subjected to a double standard. “It’s a private matter. None of us are telling UFC
fighters they need to wear helmets,” said Reign. Speaking of the risks Reign does encounter, she said, “I acknowledge the risk I take every time I have sex with somebody, whether you were in porn or out of porn,” and that “we’re paid the amount we’re paid because we take those risks.” She also calculates the risks she takes when getting into her car to drive to work everyone morning, which is more dangerous. Responding to the claim that pornography both degrades and objectifies women, Reign said that “no one is exploiting me, I exploit myself for myself.” According to Reign, if someone were to come on set, in attempt to enforce the new law, she would just walk off. “It’s an invasion of privacy,” she said. Reign says she loves Santa Monica College, and that she had a very intimate relationship with her professors. Her sociology professors in particular inspired her to want to delve into the field of women’s studies, which she currently studies at UCLA, where she hopes to receive her BA. She says that UCLA is a very liberal school and she has not encountered any criticism from anyone. With the argument that, lifelong infections acquired within the industry are spread to the larger community, Measure B received support from various proponents of public health, who endorse the claim that the public would carry the cost of treating these infected individuals. Among the flaws with this argument is that, actors in the adult film industry are tested at least once a month, and have a relatively low risk of contracting STDs. It is ridiculous that Californians are tolerant of uninformed ignorant populism to control their tax dollars. This law simply cannot be regulated. Is it our responsibility to try and make choices for people who feel the need engage in irresponsible and dangerous behavior? If so, where do you draw the line? Will the FBI be creating a new condom enforcement division, in charge of guarding “public health?” Will blood borne pathogen-training courses be introduced into our school systems? At the end of the day, porn stars aren’t the only ones having sex, so it makes no sense to regulate their sexual activities if the public’s sexual activities aren’t regulated.
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Opinion 5
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
SMC’s effectiveness still standing strong
Amy Gaskin Corsair Hannah Lawler, Director of Institutional Research, presents “2012 Update Institutional Effectiveness” to the Board of Trustees at their meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
William Duggan Staff Writer Santa Monica College’s main goal has always been to help students achieve academic success and greatness. The school strives to be one of the top community colleges in California, transferring many students to four-year institutions. So when the Board of Trustees got an update on the institution’s effectiveness at their last meeting, they found that despite several budget cuts and the threat of further belt tightening, SMC still continues to fulfill its mission and purpose. The report, officially titled “2012 UpdateInstitutional Effectiveness,” covered a wide-range of topics, from the fiscal health of the school to sustainability efforts. The report showed SMC’s academic standing and its effectiveness as an institution. But at the heart of the report were the numbers tracking student progress, and most importantly, student transfers. The beginning of the report includes a “Dashboard: Innovative and Responsive Academic Goal” section that shows the key indicators of SMC’s effectiveness. The transfer rate held more or less steady at about 50 percent for 2011, and edged up slightly over 50 percent in 2012. The
exception to the rule, however, appeared to be in 2010, which saw almost 60 percent of SMC student transfers to four-year institutions. The goal, as stated in the report, was to hold the transfer rate steady, rather than improve it. However, it is good to see that the transfer rate is increasing, even if by a small margin. According to the report, “the college has been severely affected by the state funding reductions.” It also identifies the funding reduction of nine percent during the 2011-12 school year as “the biggest in the college’s history,” Santa Monica College’s general fund has suffered since the onset of the recession, dropping by almost six million dollars over the past four fiscal years. The college’s fund-balance ratio, which is a measure of the balance of the general fund against total expenditures, dropped to a record low of a little over eight percent, and is a difference of more than seven percent from the previous year. The ratio did, however, stay above the five percent minimum recommended by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. In spite of those financial headwinds, SMC has managed to uphold a welldeserved reputation as an efficient and
effective community college, helping the school keep its great reputation unsullied. The percent of first-time freshmen that re-enrolled in classes at SMC climbed steadily year after year, reaching well over 70 percent in 2010, the last year for which this data is available. But it still proves that freshmen are re-enrolling in SMC classes, coming back to SMC to continue their academic goals. There is also a steady year-over-year climb with the student success rate, which increased from 65 percent in 2008-09 to almost 70 percent in the 2011-12 school year. Success rates for transferable courses, which are key for moving students on to universities, were over 70 percent for the year. This means that SMC is doing well with giving students the courses needed for transfer. A little over two thousand students transferred to public institutions in the 2010-2011 school year, just a little less than the 2,111 SMC students that transferred in 2007 before the recession. Regardless of how the economy is doing, SMC’s transfer rate stays steady. Confronted with sometimes frightening budget scenarios, faculty and administrators of SMC have managed to produce, if not more, then at least the same results that the
school is capable of producing. As a solution to the nation’s longterm budget problems continues to remain elusive, teachers in many parts of the country continue to struggle with an uncertain financial landscape. In California, however, the passage of Gov. Jerry Brown’s Proposition 30 seems to have stabilized a very ill patient. The passage of the measure secures our school with more stability and capability to advance its academic goals. Although fiscal and academic challenges remain, SMC, along with other California community colleges faced with similar hardships, have functioned well, even while mired in a seemingly endless slew of budget crises. Even though SMC had initially announced the end of the winter semester, they have made a last-minute decision to bring back the slashed semester. With a chance that a now fragile economic recovery may take deeper root after the new year, administrators may now be able to set new goals for SMC, not for protecting the bare essentials, but for new growth and expansion at the school. Now, it is just up to the students to step up their game and accomplish their academic goals.
When dropping out seems reasonable Rachel Durron Staff Writer Karen Solomon, a Santa Monica College student, is just one of many stressed out college students who are putting their life into their grades and academia. Many students are struggling to pass their classes with the best grade possible, but sometimes when the thought of dropping out of college comes to mind, the idea of it doesn’t seem so crazy and unthinkable. Solomon is trying really hard to graduate from SMC within two years, but it’s not easy. “I’ve considered dropping out. I'm always really stressed. I know this is college and no one said it would be easy,” Solomon said. “So, I give a lot of my time to the school. I know I'm meant to be in college, so I can do something with my life.” Santa Monica College students felt the pressure being raised this fall semester when they registered and noticed that more classes were completely full along with the wait list.
Noori Iryami, an SMC sophomore, has a high stress level due to the recent budget issues SMC faces, resulting in classes being cut. “I’ve considered dropping out before when I felt there was nowhere to go,” said Iryami, who is hopeful she will transfer to UCLA and have better luck with getting classes there than at SMC. Like Solomon and Iryami, many SMC students question their reasons for attending college. There comes a time when the realization hits: Whether attending college is worth it or not. That little voice keeps saying it is time to try something new, to move on from school, and make some money. Then comes the question: Why am I wasting my time when there are many more productive things to do? As a college student, it’s understandable that there are certain requirements you have to meet in order to transfer or graduate. But it becomes unreasonable when you’re in your second year at SMC, still trying to transfer to a four-year institution, but haven't
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yet met the requirements because the classes needed to transfer have all been filled, or cut because of budget reductions. Two years at SMC is slowly looking like it’s going to turn into three or possibly four years. According to The Pathways to Prosperity, a two-year study done by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a shockingly low 29 percent of students, who go to a two-year college, finish within three years. This is a very low percentage of students finishing school within the threeyear mark, only showing how many stay longer than three years. Why continue wasting valuable time and money when you could be out there working, or searching for that dream job? These days, it’s all about who you know, being at the right place, at the right time, and making progress in the real world for a better future. Instead of wasting time in a classroom, you could be out there job hunting and making the right contacts. @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
However for some students who are just feeling lucky enough to be enrolled in school, they have different views about staying in school for as long as it takes. Santa Monica College freshman, Nick DelTessandoro, really enjoys being enrolled at SMC. “School is important to me, but I can see where it’s not important to others. I’m happy to be here and trying to figure what I want to do with my life,” he said. The only time he considered leaving school for working was in high school. We all find our way in life down different paths and, for some of us, that path is leading us away from school, and more into the work force when the right job opportunity is presented to us. We have to find our own path and follow through with it until the end. If we can find ways to land that dream job without a college degree, then go ahead and do that; but it is wise for the rest to finish college and secure that dream job.
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6 photostory
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
The act of putting on tefillin requires binding one’s self with leather straps attached to a set of boxes containing Hebrew parchment scrolls. One box is placed on the arm near the heart up un
Ruth Mavangira Staff Writer Karen S. Gunn, a psychology professor at Santa Monica College, had the following explanation for the role of faith in a typical college student’s life. “A sense of spirituality, some call faith, and that our profession would probably define more broadly, along with other strengths could be helpful during [holiday] seasons, because it may provide you with resolve, perspective, tolerance, patience, empathy,” she said. “It could inform you of what you consider important, helpful, healthy, cool to do. It would allow you to set boundaries out of respect for what you value. This sentiment is shared by SMC student Isaac Ogwo, an 18-year-old biology major and Christian Baptist. “I was going to church before I could walk,” he said. “I feel closer to God than most, and yes, there are times when I’m tempted to do certain things, but I resist by surrounding myself with people who don’t get themselves into things I don’t want to get into.” Contrary to this faith shown by some SMC students, a study conducted by George Barna, the founder of the Barna Group, a market research firm specializing in studying the religious beliefs and behavior of Americans, showed that in a room of 100 students of faith, 65 of them would not still have it after high school. SMC student Michael Lunzer, a 21-year-old Modern Orthodox Jew, could have been one of those 65 students who lost their faith. “At Yeshiva University [High School], I specifically had no interest in keeping my faith at all,” Lunzer said. “I was not allowed to do anything from Friday sundown to Saturday night. I couldn’t drive, eat certain things—I couldn’t do much, really.” Despite feeling this way, Lunzer
said that he reached a point where he stopped rebelling against his strict Orthodox upbringing. In his opinion, the function of regaining his faith had little to do with seeking a personal relationship with God, and more to do with his seeking his social identity. His faith was key for his ability to seamlessly interact with his larger faith-based community that had similar values to those with which he had been raised. Lunzer felt that the transition was easy, as he did not feel judgment from his family or community. “It’s widely accepted that young people have a pattern of pulling away from their religion for a certain time, then coming back.” Lunzer said. The opposite was true for Santa Monica College students Kim Kokado, Andree Booker-Olivas, Angel Gentle, and Jose Vasquez, of the Mormon religion. “Our relationship with God comes first and then this [the youth group] helps support it,” Booker-Olivas said. Like Lunzer, whose need to experience new things temporarily led him away from Judaism, Kokado’s late nights of partying left her feeling empty, and like something was missing in her life. She confessed that all of her adventures just led her full circle to the place she started, which was following her Mormon faith. Gunn explained a reason that some students might be more inclined to reclaim their faith after a period of absence over others. “You might be able to make an informed decision about what you will be doing during the holiday season and what you won’t do— eating, social activities, volunteering for a good cause, shopping until you drop,” Gunn said. For Lunzer, even more critical life choices influenced his decision to rejoin the Orthodox Jewish community after his time away. “I’m not particularly a spiritual person, because it is not something that resonates with me deep down
Santa Monica College student Michael Lunzer, 21, wraps tefillin during morning prayers at his home in Lo males over the age of 13 to wrap daily except on Shabbat and holidays. Wrapping tefillin signifies connec
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photostory 7
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
ntil the palm. The second box is placed on the forehead between the eyes. The final step is to finish the binding of the arm by wrapping the hand and middle finger along with saying prayers.
Photos By Michael Yanow Corsair os Angeles on Friday, Nov. 16. Wrapping tefillin is a biblical commandment found in the Torah for Jewish cting emotions (the heart) and intellect (the brain) by bonding with God.
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inside,” Lanzer said. “However, I felt that if I was to continue the way I was going, I was going to have a difficult time integrating myself into the Orthodox Jewish community when it came time to settle down and raise my own family.” In the opinion of some members of the Mormon youth group, students who chose to keep their faith despite the growing trend to the contrary were rewarded with an insulating sense of community. It was their belief that this togetherness creates a priceless support system for a young person still in college. “I come here to be around likeminded people,” Booker-Olivas said. “I don’t have to debate what I believe or defend it. I feel welcome here. It is a relaxation and a safe haven.” Booker-Olivas, Kokado, Gentle, and Vasquez all sat around a game room eating lunch or playing games. In a back room, a row of chairs remained empty until 1 p.m. when the Bible study class commenced. “I get help with school, mentoring, and we learn how to listen to each other and treat each other with respect,” Gentle said. Gunn said that faith is also a strong platform for finding things such as hopefulness, feeling and showing gratitude, and a sense of spirituality through organized religion, special practices, belief systems, self-efficacy, and self-confidence. Faith was apparently of significance in a matter of life or death for BookerOlivas. “Black ties and white jackets standing over me—I didn’t know who they were,” she said. “When I woke up in the hospital with people standing over me and praying for my life, that was the moment that I found my faith.” Booker-Olivas had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. She attributed her recovery to divine intervention. Faith was also a pillar of comfort to Kokado when her brother passed away. “It made me feel happy to know that
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I would be able to live with my family again,” Kokado said tearfully. In the Mormon belief, those who pass away reach a place of communion with God, and they are returned to their loved ones before the end of times. Gunn called this way of thinking positive psychology. “Health psychological and clinical psychology all look at factors related to wellness and health,” Gunn said. “Experts would suggest that having a strong platform of life-enhancing views. Skills and behaviors can ward off the negative effects of stressors, and support a healthy lifestyle.” “What separates us from those who lose their faith is that unlike Catholics, we are not allowed to drink,” Vasquez said. “Nor do we drink caffeine or anything that alters us, because our bodies are the temple of God,” Gentle added. For Nattu Williams, it was her education itself that got in the way of her faith. “I was raised in a Christian home, but the more I learned, the less God made sense to me,” she said. “I don’t know how smart people can believe in a man in the sky who cares what we do down here.” For some, keeping or regaining faith had more than spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and social value. “I am in college, and I have never sent out a resume,” Lunzer said. “All the jobs I have got were through my parents’ connections within our religious community, or mine.” Lunzer explained that in some instances within the Jewish community, money is raised, for example, to help a struggling family pay for their child’s college education. On the other hand, Ogwo did not talk of material gain as a reason to keep his Baptist faith. “God will help me succeed,” he said. “He is the reason I am.”
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+ lifestyle 8 health
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
‘Tis the season to be skinny? Anilec Vita Staff Writer The yearly Thanksgiving feast with turkey and pumpkin pie is over, but the calories, the guilt and the leftovers remain. The holiday season has officially started, which means over a month of dinners, office parties and potlucks filled with cookies, chocolate fudge and other hyper-caloric foods that will leave many with a few extra pounds and a New Year’s resolution to lose weight. Although it is possible to survive the season without packing on pounds, it can be challenging. According to Yvonne Ortega, a registered dietitian and nutrition professor at Santa Monica College, Americans tend to gain between nine and 12 pounds during the holiday season. Andrea Ibarra, an international student at SMC, celebrated her first Thanksgiving this year with a traditional dinner. Turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet jams, and pecan pie with whipped cream replaced the yogurt she usually eats for dinner. In total, she consumed around 3,000 calories—double the amount she usually eats during an entire day. In order to burn the 3,000 calories, Ibarra would have had to take six cardio classes or cycle for around five hours. Instead, she watched a movie with friends, letting the extra calories settle into her body. If, like Ibarra, you are one of many who ate 3,000 calories during Thanksgiving, there are still ways to maintain your weight. Ortega recommends going back to a normal eating routine and increasing exercise. “If people went a little crazy on Thanksgiving, they can get back to their normal eating patterns the day after,” Ortega says. “People need to remember that Thanksgiving is not doomsday. If they went a little crazy one day of the year, they should be fine. The problem is that people continue to eat during the entire season, and that is what causes such an increase in weight for many people.” Ortega’s main recommendations for the season are exercise and planning. “I recommend to establish an exercise routine, and to plan the next important dates in order to eat healthy before those occasions,” Ortega says. For the dietitian, the “planning” involves eating less before events like parties and holiday dinners. “What I recommend for people is that if they are going to go out for a family meal or a festivity, and they know they are going to have foods that are high in fat and sugar, they should eat something small for breakfast and lunch,” Ortega says. Ortega recommends eating foods high in fiber, and believes that planning can help people managing calorie intake during the holiday season. “High fiber keeps you full longer,” she says. “An example would be milk and oatmeal for breakfast, which can sustain people for a while, followed by a tuna sandwich for lunch. That way, people can get the nutrients without being starving by dinner time.” Ortega reinforces the importance
of exercise as a way of burning the extra calories consumed during the holidays. “For those who cannot exercise regularly, I recommend to find outdoor activities like a short walk or a hike,” she says. “I believe we always have time, we just have not devoted it to exercise. The time people spend sitting watching TV could be spent in a short workout. Even 30 minutes of exercise a day can make a difference.” Alvaro Torres, a personal trainer at L.A. Fitness, also highlights the importance of working out, and recommends increasing physical activities during the season. “I think it is necessary to modify the regular routines and increase the cardio activity,” Torres says. “If you take a kickboxing cardio class or a spinning class one hour a day, you would burn around 500 additional calories.” According to Torres, working out should be a priority during the holidays. “Burning the extra calories is very important during this season,” he says. “If people take in more calories than they burn, the body will store the fat. I believe that during the holidays, people should focus on maintaining their current weight and not on losing weight, because it is hard to lose weight when people are eating so much.” SMC student Philly Gizzo is an instructor of Pop Physique in Santa Monica, a new exercise approach that combines ballet barre, Pilates, and lightweight work in a one-hour class. Gizzo recommends working out at least three times a week. “Even if you cannot go to a class, you should do something simple like take a walk on the beach,” Gizzo says. “It is good not only for your body, but for the spirit too. We planned an after-Thanksgiving special for SMC students that includes three classes for $20 to help burn those extra calories.” For those who think prevention is not necessary to maintain weight, Ortega reminds them that the holidays reunite three major factors that contribute to weight gain: an excess of calories, a lack of physical activity, and large portion sizes. The dietitian recommends that people remain mindful of these factors. Excess of calories “The jams, rolls, gravies, and buttery foods, plus the excess of calories in the alcohol, contribute to gaining weight,” Ortega says. According to the dietitian, the calories pile up in a short amount of time because the events surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year’s usually include foods high in fat and sugar. “Alcohol is also something we need to watch, because people tend to ignore the fact that there are many calories in certain drinks, so I would recommend lower-calorie beverages,” Ortega says. Torres explains that alcohol causes weight gain not only because of the empty calories it contains, but also because alcohol slows the body’s ability to burn fat for energy, and it increases
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1
Use the leftovers for healthier meals
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leftovers can turn into healthy alternatives. “The turkey can be used in a soup with vegetables, or a sandwich, instead of eating it with gravy and rolls.”
To avoid sugar during dinner PArties, Bring healthier desserts “During these events it’s common to find many desserts like cookies, pies and cakes, but I suggest to make strawberries covered with chocolate instead.”
Drink hot tea before or after meals
Search for SENSIBLE replacements Instead of eggnog, drink spiced apple cider, which has only 115 calories per cup. Substitute apple sauce for butter when baking desserts. “You still get the texture, but you get rid of the fat.”
“I highly recommend having hot tea—either black or green— because it helps to curb the appetite, and it helps to feel less bloated and full. Tea is also very soothing and comforting. Of course, watch the sugar.” Avoid little snacks or treats set out in offices and stores “Especially watch out for all of the brownies and candies. Even if you are taking a little piece every single day, the sugar adds up really quickly.”
appetite. Lack of physical activity Ortega believes that the change in routine can affect weight. “During the holidays, our schedules are different,” she says. “We are off from work, or we have many events to attend, so the physical activity tends to suffer. The fact that we are not active messes up the balance.” According to the the dietitian, the lack of activity is also related to the winter season weather. “The cold weather makes people stay indoors,” Ortega says. “However, in Southern California people have the opportunity to be more active than in colder regions, so it should not be an excuse. There are many 5K [walks], which people can do with the family. People can also go on hikes and walks on the beach, or play football.” For Ortega, outdoor activities are important to maintain weight and health. “We associate holidays with food, but we can change that, and include physical activities during the celebrations,” she says. Large portion sizes Ortega explains that people should
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Stay away from beverages that are high in added sugars “These drinks are just adding extra calories. Tea and coffee with no added sugar are better. Even if you add a teaspoon of sugar, they are healthier than the hot chocolate.”
be more moderate during the holidays when it comes to portion sizes. “Holiday foods are high in fat and sugar, so people need to take smaller portions,” she says. “Have the mashed potatoes and the gravy, but just one portion; you don’t need seconds and thirds of everything. Have the pie for dessert, or the cookies, but don’t have a lot of it. People should never feel deprived, but they should watch what they are eating.” Ortega wants people to understand that they do not have to gain weight during the holiday season. “People need to understand that the holidays are one and half months of feasting,” she says. “People usually think there are just few meals during the season, but the truth is that they are eating the same food day after day.” The dietitian recommends that people pay attention to what they eat in order to maintain their weight. “Balance the food and exercise; it is the only way to manage our weight during this time,” Ortega says. “If we eat it all and do nothing we will see pounds creep up very quickly and without realizing it.”
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health + lifestyle 9
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
City takes measures to prepare for disaster
Merissa Weiland Staff Writer Natural disasters occur all over the world. Most recently, the United States was affected by Superstorm Sandy, which, according to CNN, killed over 100 people and left hundreds of thousands of people displaced. During times like these, many wonder how prepared they would be in the event of a local natural disaster. The city of Santa Monica has many resources available to assist in disaster preparedness. Paul Weinberg, emergency services coordinator for the city’s Office of Emergency Management, is proud of the recent advancements in the city’s disaster plans. “The most significant measure is the creation of the Office of Emergency Management 18 months ago,” says Weinberg. “Also, the creation of CERT has made a tremendous difference. We now have 50 trained members.” CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The program offers a federally recognized training course taught by local public safety personnel and first responders. “CERT is open to anyone living or working in Santa Monica, and it’s free,” says Weinberg. Weinberg states that he works with Sergeant Jere Romano of the Santa Monica College Police Department in providing tools to train faculty members on campus. The OEM encourages everyone to prepare for a disaster before it is too late. “It’s important to get information out to the community,” says Weinberg. “We can’t wait for a disaster to happen. We need to be prepared and trained.” The American Red Cross echoes that statement. “First responders will be overwhelmed,” says Monica Diaz, director of communications for the Red Cross, Los Angeles. “We’re really trying to get people to prepare themselves to be on their own for at least three days.”
Rachel Spurr Corsair Rows of emergency disaster supplies, available for purchase, line up at the Red Cross facility in Santa Monica.
Diaz believes students should be proactive in preparing for an earthquake. “I think they should make it a habit to carry some bottles of water and a granola bar in their backpacks,” she says. “If you have a car, it would be really smart to carry a pair of tennis shoes in your car,” says Diaz. “You might not be able to drive. You might have to walk it.” It is also very important to know what disasters are possible, and the impact they would have on day-to-day life. “It will be the worst natural disaster in the history of the world by far,” says SMC environmental studies professor, William Selby, referring to the earthquake also known as the “big one” that is expected to occur at any moment. “The good news is the southern portion
of the San Andreas Fault is 30 miles away,” says Selby. “The bad news is it’s been locked since 1857.” Selby also says that through geological and seismological exploration, the statistics show that an earthquake with an eight magnitude occurs in this area approximately every 130 to 180 years, with the last “big one” occurring in 1857. “The Northridge quake shook for about 20 seconds and was more localized,” says Selby. “This earthquake is going to last a minute and affect 20 million people.” There are important things to remember once the earth starts shaking. Selby suggests staying inside and getting under something sturdy like a desk or table. He says that he doesn’t know where the “myth of standing in a doorway” came
from, but that it is false, and says that those who do that or run outside would likely be injured or killed. “It’s most important that people are prepared and know what to do,” says Selby. He says the aftereffects of this earthquake will be total destruction of the city’s infrastructure. “It will be many, many years before we recover,” says Selby. The common thread in preparing for natural disaster is just that, to be prepared. “After a disaster happens, we want to live and function comfortably,” says Weinberg. “That’s why it’s important to be prepared.” For more information on disaster preparedness, visit preparesocal.org, or the Santa Monica OEM’s website at http:// www.smgov.net/departments/oem/.
Free haircuts on campus Molly Philbin Staff Writer Tucked away between the parking structures and the pool, at the end of a poorly-lit hallway in the small, futuristiclooking business building on Santa Monica College's main campus, lies the cosmetology department—a world full of beauty supplies, skill and charitable work. The department gives free haircuts to the community on Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon for shorter hair, and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. for longer hair. Department chair John Rogers—who oversees the haircutting as part of a class for cosmetology majors training for their required California state cosmetology license—believes that they are doing a service to the community by giving away free haircuts, which they have been doing for 10 years. Rogers said that more students should know about this service. Students usually bring in their own clients. There are not enough walk-ins because “not a lot of people know about it,” student Vibe Nystrom said. No chemicals, such as those often involved with hair coloring and perms, are offered as part of the class, and typically the free haircuts are done on pre-washed, dry
hair, although teaching assistant Michelle Cooper said that “it's a judgment call,” and that if someone looks in need of a shampoo and conditioner, they offer that as well. Rogers said that aside from the outside community, around eight students usually have their hair cut throughout the day by students or Rogers himself. Many of the cosmetology students are capable of finishing a haircut by themselves, but instructors stay nearby to advise them and ensure that the haircut is satisfactory. “A lot of [the students] are not sophisticated enough to complete the haircut by themselves,” teaching assistant Anne Hannick said. Students who were not able to cut hair last Monday practiced techniques on doll heads that have real human hair, offered at different lengths at the SMC bookstore. Between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. that day, six people received haircuts, including a student in the class, SMC institutional research director Hannah Lawler and an SMC student who was indifferent. Student Christina Meadows, who said she has always loved playing with hair, was a psychology major before she found the cosmetology department. “I always had friends go through the program here, and I would always see them
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Sam Herron Corsair Cosmetology students watch professor John Rogers gives cosmetology student Kelly Stanton a haircut as part of a training demonstration on Monday. Santa Monica College cosmetology students and instructors give haircuts as part of their training.
with different hairstyles,” Meadows said. “I wanted to do what they did.” Meadows has been in the department for the past year. @t h e _ c o r s a i r •
Free haircuts on Mondays do not have to be scheduled. The class accepts walk-ins throughout the time periods.
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+ lifestyle 10 health
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
Xanax and wine: A cocktail for trouble Ruth Mavangira Staff Writer Feelings of paranoia and restlessness culminate with the sudden sensation of the head bouncing and shaking beyond control, entirely separate from the body. Drew Kanan, a Long Beach entrepreneur and recovering addict, recalls this experience during a trip to the emergency room when he had a seizure resulting from excessive use of Xanax and alcohol. “The seizure was very intense, and I remember every moment of it,” he says. “The doctors didn’t understand my situation of large doses of benzos when I went in. I had zero control of my body. I remember everything while people were talking to me. I didn’t realize that I was flopping like a fish out of water, but I heard every word.” According to Dr. Michael Brodsky, medical director of Bridges to Recovery, a residential treatment facility in Pacific Palisades, recreational use of the prescription drug Xanax, a brand name for the pharmaceutical alprazolam, is a rising epidemic. “More people were rushed to ER for overdosing on prescription drugs like Xanax this year than [in] previous years,” Brodsky says. Many may not be aware of the dangers of combining benzodiazepines like Xanax with alcohol.
An unemployed, self-proclaimed social drinker who wishes to remain anonymous, and lives out of a Pasadena motel with his Santa Monica College student girlfriend, recalls drinking alcohol while taking Xanax, and also waking up in the emergency room. “I had eight to 10 milligrams of Xanax that day and a little to drink,” he says. “The only thing I remember is waking up in the hospital.” Xanax is prescribed to treat anxiety and panic disorders, and dosages should begin at no more than .25 or .5 milligrams taken three times daily, according to the drug’s patient information leaflet, distributed by Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. Doses are sometimes gradually increased on an individual basis, but the maximum dose recommended does not typically exceed four milligrams daily. Kanan attributes the rise in recreational Xanax use to the general perception that the drug is socially acceptable, and the fact that heavy users are not likely to remember much the next day. Memory impairment is one of the side effects of regular Xanax use, according to the patient information leaflet. Roula Chavan, a pharmacist at a Santa Monica CVS, says that when alcohol and Xanax are combined, there is an increased risk of the adverse effects associated with the medication. In addition to memory loss, these side
effects can include dizziness, fatigue, loss of consciousness, coma, suicidal thoughts, irritability, and aggression, according to the drug’s package insert. “Their effects can be synergistic, meaning that their combined effects can be greater than the sum of their individual effects,” Brodsky says. Chavan states that alcohol combined with Xanax intensifies the feelings of drowsiness and intoxication dramatically. The pharmacist also claims that a prescription for Xanax is relatively easy to obtain. “We don’t fill prescriptions when it’s a young person, especially if it’s also for Soma, another muscle relaxant drug,” she says, noting that prescriptions written for both medications can indicate a red flag. Recalling his experiences overcoming his addiction, Kanan warns that death is possible during detox from alcohol and benzodiazepines. He also believes that the accessibility of Xanax proves problematic. “Asking for a larger dose from the doctor is also very easy; as a result I almost died,” Kanan says. When used as directed, Xanax has been proven to effectively treat the debilitating symptoms associated with anxiety and panic disorders, according to double blind clinical studies cited in the drug’s patient information leaflet.
But the drug, a Schedule IV controlled substance, is addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can result if regular doses are not weaned off gradually. Robert Savinelli of the SMC chemistry department says that alcohol is a catalyst that changes the enzyme that increases the metabolic rate of Xanax. The drug already has a half-life that causes patients to feel a need to take more shortly after taking it, which contributes to its addictive nature. Jack, a former SMC student who does not wish to disclose his last name, says that he has mixed Xanax and alcohol. “I always drink with Xanax; it’s not a big deal,” he says. “I intentionally took Xanax with wine to get a buzz. It felt so good—like I was floating.” According to Brodsky, the combination of Xanax and alcohol can dangerously affect the body’s impulse to breathe. The doctor cites medical journals that state that Xanax and alcohol both inhibit the central nervous system, and together can lower heart and breathing rates to dangerous levels, resulting in unconsciousness and possibly death, as Xanax acts on the medulla, a part of the brain that regulates breathing. “Today’s generation thinks it’s cool to take this muscle relaxer recreationally with alcohol,” Brodsky says. “However, should you pass out while driving, you risk serious injury or even death.”
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sports 11
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
Despite budget woes, men’s soccer here to stay Alex Vejar Staff Writer Earlier this year, men’s soccer came back to Santa Monica College after 19 years of hibernation. With funding for California community colleges repeatedly being cut and the outcome of Prop 30 still to be determined, adding a new sport to the athletic program could have been a shaky financial decision. The athletics program alone has experienced a 33 percent cut in funding over the last four years, according to SMC Athletic Director Joe Cascio. In spite of this, Cascio was able to find ways to fund the new soccer team without adding to the school’s expenditures. According to Cascio, it took approximately $9 thousand to run the men’s soccer team this year, making it less costly than most of the major sports such as football and basketball. “We did a budget overhaul where we revamped the way we spend money. Instead of spending more, we took the avenue of spending smarter,” he said. One example of this smarter spending was finding a new clinic for the athlete’s medical exams, saving them approximately 55 percent of the athletic department’s annual medical costs. In addition, the athletic department was able to avoid the danger of Prop 30’s possible defeat by approving the addition of the men’s soccer team back in January of this year. Thus, the men’s soccer season at SMC opened on August 31. The Corsairs ended
David J. Hawkins Corsair Head Coach Tim Pierce stands in front of the Santa Monica College Corsairs Men’s Soccer Team’s signed banner posted on the wall at the SMC Athletics office. The team signed the banner after they played their first home game at SMC.
their season at 9-6-5. Head Coach Tim Pierce reflected on what it felt like to be named SMC’s first men’s soccer coach in 19 years. “I’m excited and grateful at the opportunity. It’s an honor to be named the coach,” Pierce said. “It’s been a great first season.” According to SMC President and Superintendent Chui L. Tsang, when the decision was made that men’s soccer was going to attempt to make a comeback,
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students were overwhelmingly in favor of bringing back the sport. “There was a survey done. The results demonstrated that soccer was, by far, the runaway preference for students as an intercollegiate sport,” Tsang said. The student survey fulfilled one of the three requirements the athletic department had to meet in order to add a new sports team to the school. The three requirements were that there be significant interest on campus, sufficient competition from
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neighboring community colleges, and sufficient competition from neighboring high schools. Cascio stated that each of these requirements to bring back men’s soccer were “met with ease.” Tsang believes in the importance of athletics as a whole. “Athletic teams are learning communities,” he said. “Students use them to form group identity and reinforce each other’s positive behavior.”
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+ entertainment 12 arts
volume 104 issue 13 • november 28, 2012 • santa monica college
LACMA illuminates Kubrick’s genius Samantha Perez Arts & Entertainment Editor Instead of shopping, gorging on leftovers and dealing with family, large crowds swarmed the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Friday afternoon. While some attendees were there to listen to a jazz band perform in the courtyard, most stood in line waiting to admire Stanley Kubrick’s iconic art. The exhibit, simply titled “Stanley Kubrick,” is comprised of studio photographs, props, costumes, annotated script excerpts, and hundreds more artifacts that encompass Kubrick’s filmography. The most appreciable thing about the exhibition is patrons do not need to be fans of Kubrick’s work. A film lounge is set up at the entrance of the exhibit, screening clips of Kubrick’s films, in chronological order. These three to five minute clips serve as “Cliff Notes to Kubrick.” When the film excerpts begin to loop you can move into the exhibition, where the eye-catching wall of movie posters greets you. The wall is dressed from head to toe with placards for Kubrick’s films. A very bright, orange poster for “La Naranja Mecanica” advertises the 1971 cult classic, “A Clockwork Orange,” while the commanding poster for “2001: A Space Odyssey” looms overhead. Directly across the wall is a display case full of various camera lenses used by Kubrick in his filmmaking and photography. Kubrick’s life behind the camera began in his late teens when Look magazine hired him as their youngest staff photographer ever. On display are his impressive photo essays for the publication and various photographs he shot on film sets; photos of Frank Sinatra are the most recognizable. One can easily spend 15 to 20 minutes gazing at all the prints, admiring the humble beginnings of an American legend. Wandering through the exhibit, we come across the displays for all of Kubrick’s films. Private Joker’s Mickey Mouse watch is on display along with his glasses and helmet in the “Full Metal Jacket” area of the exhibit. The lonely Adler typewriter – on which Jack Torrance typed out “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” sits on a table in the middle of the section designated to “The Shining.” In addition, portions of the exhibition
Livia Wippich Corsair A man observes the wall entitled “The Color Red” in the “Stanley Kubrick” exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Saturday.
are dedicated to explaining the symbolic aspects of his enigmatic films. An entire wall is devoted to Kubrick’s use of the color red. For example, according to a caption at the exhibit, “The Shining’s” red is the hotel’s color, but it is also assigned to Danny, who always wears some red clothing during his ESP episodes. The captions also explain that in “A Clockwork Orange,” Kubrick used a red element in the frame to signify that a change is pending. There was another room screening excerpts of Kubrick’s films accompanied by their respective soundtracks. The video explains Kubrick’s use of string instruments, like a violin solo, to signify a dramatic change in a character’s life. Also, the video mentioned Kubrick’s fascination with classical music and how he hardly ever used scores in his films. With film props and costumes, production photographs and enlightening film clips, “Stanley Kubrick” is delighful. But, for real Kubrick enthusiasts, it’s an eyeopening adventure into the mind of a revolutionary cinematic genius. “Stanley Kubrick” will run through Jun. 30 at LACMA. The tickets are $20, and from now until Feb. 10, a ticket to “Kubrick” grants admission to LACMA’s “Caravaggio and his Legacy” and all other LACMA galleries. LACMA is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesday, open Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Livia Wippich Corsair Museum patrons take photos of the poster covered wall inside the “Stanley Kubrick” exhibition.
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