Vol. 74. Issue 7 Feb.28

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

THE UNION

Reintroducing the Union

Construction updates

‘Taste of Soul’

Men’s Basketball

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 8

eccunion.com

FEB. 28, 2019 Follow us @ECCUnion

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA

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Send us an email at eccunion@gmail.com

Committee to meet about parking machine updates Fernando Haro

News Editor @ECCUnionHaro

EC actors sing “Alabanza,” a song from “In the Heights,” at a staging rehearsal. Music and Vocal Director Anthony Moreno gives cues and instructs cast members on improvements. Feb. 21, 2019.

Mari Inagaki/ Union

Play takes diversity to new ‘Heights’

Theatre to present story of community, struggle in upcoming production Omar Rashad

Copy Edito @ECCUnionOmar

A

piano’s light tune and a single voice fills an auditorium as an ensemble joins in and intensifies an already-gripping scene. The stage becomes a beaming source of emotion, mourning the loss of a community’s loving and matriarchal figure.

At a staging rehearsal for El Camino College Theatre Department’s production of Tonyaward-winning Broadway musical “In the Heights,” cast members prepare for opening night in March by running through various numbers and songs, including “Alabanza.”

The musical takes place in an ethnically Hispanic neighborhood, also known as a barrio, in Washington Heights, N.Y. and focuses on the story of Nina, a first-

generation college student, and Usnavi, a bodega owner in search of belonging and family.

Created and written by LinManuel Miranda, who also produced Grammy- and Tonyaward-winning “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” brings light to a beautifully-written story that talks about current issues and uniquely traces a Hispanic community’s struggles and experiences, Music and Vocal Director Anthony Moreno said.

“It’s brought to light in a way that is not necessarily pointing a finger—it’s making it visible and it’s brought about in a way that is creatively liberating,” Moreno said. “It doesn’t even have that kind of agenda behind it but it’s hard not to at least start thinking about it, possibly even creating a discussion.”

Tapping into the El Camino College Community

pays attention to little things before getting into character. Among them, Nina’s walk and attitude is different.

But Garcia said becoming Nina is easy, as she also comes from a Hispanic household and is a firstgeneration college student, much like Nina in the play.

See Musical preview on page 5.

Undecided major Ava Garcia, who plays Nina, noted how she

Robotics competition offers engineering experience

Tours of northern California universities to be offered to students

Tournament organizers aim to promote technology and industry to elementary, middle school children Jaime Solis

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJaime There was a growing hum as kids, parents, and volunteers approached the doors to the El Camino College East Dining Room on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Inside, kids ran around calling for teammates, fidgeting around with plastic parts and yelling in excitement as they took turns practicing with their robots.

32 teams of elementary and middle school children from across Southern California, along with parents, coaches, and supporters, gathered to compete in the EC VEX IQ

Next Level Tournament—a robotics competition.

“This is the nerd super bowl,” Karen Latuner, partnership developer at EC and a volunteer judge for the competition, said.

“There are over 1000 teams participating in [the April] World Championship and these kids are very proud of being nerds.”

The event was a joint effort between the EC Robotics and Women in Technology (WIT) clubs and the Society of Women Engineers organizations(SWE).

Volunteers for the event arrived as early as 7 a.m. to set up for the 10 a.m. competition.

“It’s fun to see what the kids are doing,” Daniel Florez, computer electronics major

and event volunteer, said.

Many volunteers, like manufacturing technology major and president of WIT and SWE Gesenia Grajeda, have been involved with the competitions for a very long time.

“I get fulfillment from helping the kids,” Grajeda said. “I’ve been doing this since 2017.”

The room lit up as competitions were soon underway.

The tournament was threefold: a skills test where teams individually scored points by either controlling the robot directly or automating it, a cooperative portion where teams pair up in an effort to score points and a judging portion for the more technical

Looking for housing?

Just go to eccunion.com and click on the

link at top

It is cold outside, the parking lot is full and the parking machines don’t accept card payments.

Since the El Camino College Police Department enforces parking permits on campus, students that don’t buy the $35 parking pass must pay three dollars in cash or coins.

Students may find themselves with only a debit or credit card, however, most of the parking machines don’t accept card payments.

EC’s Chief of Police Michael Tevis said that credit card slots used to be accessible but became an inconvenience to students and the school.

“People were saying ‘Hey, my credit won’t come out, it’s stuck,’ and that had to do with the machine and the weather,” Trevis said.

Trevis added that the business end of the parking machines swayed EC into closing the credit card slots.

“After the bank took its fee and then that [telephone] modem fee, the college only got like $1.75,” Trevis said.”That’s what they finally netted.

However, Trevis said the EC Parking and Traffic Advisory Council has revisited the idea of having credit card accessible parking machines.

“The philosophy has changed and, now, it’s more [about student] service,” Trevis said. “It is what it is but we need to make it convenient for the students.”

The EC Parking and Traffic Advisory Council will meet Wednesday, February 27, at 1 p.m. in Library Room 202.

Jun Ueda

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJun

Jaime Solis/ Union

Two teammates from the Al Wooten Jr Youth Center team competing with a team from the Steam Bot Workshop Feb. 17, 2019. managerial aspects building a robot.

When it came down to technical and managerial aspects, kids had to submit a notebook full of various of

and

a job?

sketches dimensions

of

identifying robots.

See Robotics competition on page 4.

The Transfer Center will be sponsoring 48 students to visit the college campuses of UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley and UC Davis during the week of spring break in their Northern California University Tour.

Applications for the trip can be picked-up at the transfer desk for the tour that will take place between April 9 to 12.

“Other than 4 meals that are not covered, all transportation and other accommodations are covered by the Transfer Center,” Student Services Specialist Sara VasquezGharibeh said.

textbooks?

See University tours on page 4.

Don’t forget! You can post an ad for free with your El Camino email address

EDITORIAL

2 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

Feb. 28, 2019

CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: NEW LAW Jose Tobar Staff Writer @ECCUnionTobar In the start of Fall 2019 the new statewide law, AB 705, will allow students to take transferlevel English and math courses depending on their GPA and grades from high school. The Union asked students and staff members around campus about their thoughts on the new law.

Johnny Cadena, 22, business major “I think it’s advantageous to students because it allows them to bypass any remedial classes so that they don’t have to necessarily waste a semester—and more importantly money and time.”

Illustration by Jose Tobar/ Union

EC parking payment options require more improvements

Outdated parking machines are inconvenient in not allowing various payment methods to students and visitors

T

hough the parking machines at El Camino College are in working order, there are some adjustments that should be made to make them more convenient for students and visitors.

Some of the parking machines at EC have credit card slots, however, most only accept cash.

This should be fixed to allow students the option to pay with a credit card.

There are currently 31 parking machines and only nine of those parking machines accept credit card, EC Chief of Police Michael Trevis said.

With debit and credit cards being a common form of payment in today’s world, it can be much easier and convenient to use.

In the past, all of the parking machines accepted credit cards but there were fees that EC had to pay when a student or visitor used a credit card.

When people pay the $3 daily parking fee in cash, EC receives the full $3 amount.

Trevis said that EC has to pay the internet provider company, Ventek, $780 along with an additional 10 percent charged by banks which totals to $858 a year that EC does not collect.

For nine parking machines, EC pays $7,722 in fees which is money that the college is losing each year.

Although these fees may be expensive, it would make parking much more convenient for people and provide an additional way for them to pay for their daily parking pass.

The money that the college makes from daily parking passes, parking permits and parking fines goes toward parking safety and security which includes construction, operation, and maintenance of parking facilities.

According to the California Education Code Section 76360, “All parking fees collected shall be deposited in the designated fund of the district in accordance with the California Community Colleges Budget and Accounting Manual and shall be expended only for parking services …”

Trevis also said that the weather “exposed [the machines] to the elements, the dampness gets [into the credit card slots].”

It would be a good thing to consider and try to find a way to make the parking machines weather resistant so that they would not get damaged and so that EC would not have to repair any of the machines in the future.

“We have talked about maybe installing covers on our machines and it’ll get talked about again,” Trevis said.

When a new semester begins, parking can be stressful and hectic due to the heavy traffic and new students coming in every semester.

Trevis said that 9,300 semester parking permits have been sold for Spring 2019. These parking permits cost $35, which can be purchased at the cashier’s office. So far, EC has made roughly $325,500 this semester just from parking permits.

With many EC students driving, parking is an important aspect that should be made as easy and convenient for them as possible.

E ditoria ls a re u n signed a n d a re writ ten a n d voted u pon by the editoria l boa rd.

Parking machines by the number

Thumbs up to the El Camino Cat Care Volunteer Group for taking care of our local cats

Vol. 74, No. 7 Feb. 28, 2019

Contact: eccunion@gmail.com Newsroom: (310) 660-3328 Advertising: (310) 660-3329

Jennifer Carlson, 18, film major “I think it really will benefit students,” Carlson said. “The fact that I did have to take, you know, courses beforehand really slowed down my progress.”

• There are 31 parking machines at EC • There are only nine parking machines that accept credit cards • Semester parking permits are $35 • 9,300 parking permits have been sold for Spring semester • A daily parking pass is $3 • There are 10 parking lots around campus • EC has made roughly around $325,500 What are your thoughts on parking on campus? Let us know at eccunion@gmail.com

Editor’s Thoughts: Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

THE UNION

Lorena Garcia, Clerical Assistant at the Assessment and Testing Center “I think it helps the students to transfer faster and graduate faster because they will be in collegelevel math and English.”

Editor-in-Chief.............................................................................Giselle Morales News Editor..................................................................................Fernando Haro Features Editor, Managing Editor.................................................Ernesto Sanchez Arts Editor....................................................................................Kevin Caparoso Sports Editor................................................................................Melanie Chacon Opinion Editor.............................................................................Roseana Martinez Assistant Editor.................................................................................Justin Traylor Photo Editor ...................................................................................... Elena Perez Copy Editor........................................................................................Omar Rashad Staff Writer..................................................................................Kealoha Noguchi Staff Writer..................................................................................Diamond Brown Staff Writer..........................................................................................Jun Ueda Staff Writer.........................................................................................Jaime Solis Staff Writer...............................................................................David Rondthaler Staff Writer.....................................................................................Oscar Macias Staff Writer......................................................................................Lydia Lopez Staff Writer.............................................................................Anna Podshivalova Staff Writer.......................................................................................Devyn Smith Advertising Manager.........................................................................Jack Mulkey Adviser.............................................................................................Stefanie Frith

We appreciate and thank Vice President of Administrative Services Brian Fahnestock for his service at EC.

The Union is published on designated Thursdays

by Journalism 11 and 14 students at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff.

Unsigned editorials and cartoons are the opinion of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the student body, staff or administration. Letters to the editor must be signed and must be received one week prior to publication in the Union office, Humanities Building Room 113.

Letters are subject to editing for space, libel, obscenity and disruption of the educational process.

Single copies of the Union are free; multiple copies can be requested through the Union.

“If

Immanuel Delu, 20, business major

you’re not the type of student that has goal, then it’s pretty detrimental because it’s not helping you find your path,” Delu said.

“But if you already have a goal or you already have a path, then you can get started whenever you like; then it’s beneficial for you because then there’s nothing holding you back now.”

College Media Association Newspaper of the Year Award 2015, 2016 (2nd) Associated Collegiate Press Regional Pacemaker Award 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012 California News Publishers Association General Excellence Award 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 Journalism Association of Community Colleges General Excellence Award 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018 (eccunion.com)

OPINION

Feb. 28, 2019

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 3

CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: PLACES TO EAT

CAMPUS VIEWPOINTS: FAVORITE SHOW TO WATCH

Diamond Brown Staff Writer @ECCUnionDiamond

Diamond Brown Staff Writer @ECCUnionDiamond

The Union set out to ask students about their favorite places to eat around campus.

Convenient and with low prices, they gave out some ideas of where to go and what to get.

As students settle down for spring semester, The Union asked them what their favorite show to binge-watch was.

Andrea Perez, 18, childhood education major

Favorite Show: The Office “They make fun of what happens in stressful work places,” Perez said.

“I think its funny to make fun of stressful situations.”

Illustration by Devyn Smith/ Union

Reintroducing The Union: New semester, more stories

Rezelle Gervacio, 20, nursing major “I like to go to Triple-T” Gervacio said. “My favorite thing to get is Thai Tea Boba with popcorn chicken and fries.”

The Union is an independent student-run publication that serves its community

Mervin Bullet, 18, environmental technology major Favorite show: Anime “I binge watch anime on Netflix, so my favorite shows are ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ and ‘One Piece’ because they’re entertaining.”

Fernando Haro News Editor @ECCUnionHaro

I

n December of 1946, the El Camino College News was created at a local high school since EC had yet to finish being built.

The passing months would go on to reveal a brand new campus and name change to the newspaper (The

Warwhoop).

Now, known as The Union, the philosophy has remained the same. This is a student-run newspaper.

Despite having faculty advisers, they have no hand in making editorial decisions or affecting our news product other than when we ask for suggestions.

And after 72 years, The Union continues to produce coverage of the EC community through the newspaper and eccunion.com.

However, there are rumors going around that we are “gotcha” reporters.

As reporters and editors for The Union, we have criteria to meet every semester. That means we must meet guidelines, deadlines and receive a letter grade at the end of the semester just like any other academic program.

If we do not meet the criteria, we fail the class. Although it sounds simple, I feel the need to reiterate this notion because we are not seen as an academic

program by everyone.

For that reason, we are often turned away when we are looking for sources and information from people on campus, including faculty and staff.

It may seem like we’re out to get you and that’s understandable because of our nation’s political climate.

Donald Trump’s constant attempts to discredit the media affects us on the college level.

His long tirades regarding every article written about him, labeling them as “fake news,” have given the green light for others to treat the media in a similar manner or for anyone to try to discredit content that doesn’t appeal to them.

It has become harder for people to see their name in the newspaper, so exposed to the world.

But we keep it simple—our goal is to keep you informed.

We at The Union are not out to “get” anyone. We are here to document

everything that happens at EC. Whether it is good or bad news, we need to document it.

I’ve heard critics say we publish “too much crime” on our newspaper—I want you to remember that these stories are published for the community.

We want you to know if someone was robbed in a parking lot just as much as we want you to know that the Associated Student Organization is now responsible for the $450,000-plus budget used to fund student organizations and clubs.

The Union needs the help of sources to make our stories as accurate as possible.

We have big plans and even bigger stories this semester and are looking forward to sharing them with all of you.

With the help of the EC community, we can’t fail. So take a step with us to tell important community stories. And it’s for a simple reason—because they matter.

Worried is more than an understatement Kengo Kawa, 22, chemistry major Favorite Show: Blue Bloods “I like that the show centers around a whole family in public service positions and they have to face moral dilemmas,” Kawa said. “It’s entertaining and there’s a lot of crime solving and action.”

Journalism industry layoffs make EC student wary of his future

Omar Rashad Copy Editor @ECCUnionOmar

Andrea Morales, 18, administration of justice major Favorite Show: The Office “I like to watch ‘The Office’ because its a satire and humorous, which really makes someone feel good for the day.”

With Spotify Premium for Students, now with Hulu, you’ll have both music and video streaming for $4.99 per month.

Just 11 days into the new year, my Twitter timeline was flooded with Bay Area journalists’ tweets—only this time it wasn’t because of lauded reporting or the announcement of a promotion.

The East Bay Express, a weekly print news publication based in Oakland, Calif., had just laid off its entire editorial staff.

Fast forward a few weeks, the journalism industry was left in tumble dry for the entire month of January as news of even more layoffs made the future of journalism sound bleaker.

Gannett, which owns the largest number of US newspapers, announced big staff cuts; Verizon axed Huffington Post’s entire opinion section and more; Vice cut 10 percent of its staff.

Buzzfeed announced 15% of its workforce jobless, wiping away its entire national news desk; the Dallas Morning News sent 43 employees home early—these layoffs amounted to what The Cut reported to be over 2,100 jobs in media gone, all in a matter of a few weeks.

January was tough, but even more so because of 2018’s horror stories, like when half of the New York Daily News staff was laidoff on a summer day.

But who’s to blame? In simple terms, wealthy media groups that suck up news organizations’ revenues by slashing costs in an attempt to increase profit, most times selfishly keeping it for themselves.

However, at the same time, aren’t there news publications that have survived? As CEO of the Texas Tribune Evan Smith said in a January tweet, the

Texan all-online publication’s business model is replicable, with $9.1 million in revenue in 2018, an 18% increase from the previous year. But do we have to completely give up on print?

To say the least there are so many questions that need answers and I’m worried. As a freshman in college who first gained interest in reporting and telling community stories four years ago when I noticed how infrequently my community is mentioned in the mainstream, I remember making a spreadsheet of internships I could apply to after graduation when I was a junior in high school.

I remember applying to various journalism programs and clearing cookies to get past paywalls (of course, I subscribe to news publications now).

More importantly, I found joy in telling stories very early in my adolescence.

I felt happy making people feel heard. And the most rewarding part was that the change I tried to make—whether it was giving voice to a community concern or bringing light to an

underrepresented story—that change first affected me internally within my own mind and my own heart.

In lieu of the current climate of the journalism industry— worried is an understatement.

I’m fearful that following my college graduation, I’ll attempt to enter the journalism industry and be sent home early within the first few years of my career.

I know people who have already experienced that. It sucks.

Yet, despite discouragement from many around me to pursue a career in journalism and the bleak job crisis in the industry, I still want to get into news.

And my reason is simply an echo you’ll hear in newsrooms across America: there are stories that need to be told. Sometimes they’re never told. Sometimes there are people who don’t want you to tell them. And many times, there are people who are waiting for someone to listen.

I just hope the industry will welcome newcomers like me in the future, so that we’re still able to tell those important stories.

Shalom Byers, 30, cosmetology major “I like the sushi bar across the street,” Byers said. “I like to get the California roll or spicy shrimp; plus, it’s close and convenient.”

Melany Jaime, 18, undecided “I like to go to Taco Bell, but my favorite place to go is McDonald’s,” Jaime said. “I go there like almost every day to get two McChickens and a medium fry and a caramel frappe.”

Henry Jimenez, 18, engineering major “I usually come to eat here at El Camino Café to get sandwiches and paninis,” Jimenez said. “It’s quiet and convenient away from the rest of campus.”

Prices may vary for restaurants and fast foods. Apps like Yelp, Uber Eats, Postmates are available for students.

There are no student discounts.

NEWS

4 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

Police Beat

Fernando Haro News Editor @ECCUnionHaro

Monday, Feb. 11, at 3:26 p.m.

Multiple vehicles exiting Parking Lot A North onto Crenshaw Boulevard were involved in a collision. No medical attention was required.

Monday, Feb. 11, at 4:47 p.m.

EMS rescued a m imdividual stuck in a Parking Lot H elevator.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, at 3:45 p.m.

El Camino College police advised a suspicious individual to leave campus after they were alleged to have been harassing a group of women by the Life Science Building.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 9:03 a.m.

A driver in Parking Lot C did not want to seek prosecution after being involved in a hit-and-run incident.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 12:40 p.m.

The fire alarm rang after an employee in the Music Building burned their food in a microwave.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 1:20 p.m.

Two people on the top floor of Parking Lot H engaged in an indecent exposure act.

Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 3:54 p.m.

Two men carrying a woman into a car were not suspected of “foul play” after EC police made contact with them.

Friday, Feb. 15, at 10:08 a.m.

An individual left campus after they were seen talking to themselves and making staff members uncomfortable in the Student Services Building.

Friday, Feb. 15, at 7:35 p.m.

EC Police deemed a blunt object was used to cause damage to the doorknob of Chemistry Building Room 151.

Saturday, Feb. 16, at 10:08 a.m.

New counseling appointment system made Student convenience continues to be the motivation behind new updates Kealoha Noguchi

Staff Writer @ECCUnionKealoha

E

l Camino College has a new counseling appointment system set in place for students this spring semester that can be accessed online or through their MyECC. Starting Feb. 18, 2019, students were able to schedule general counseling appointments online for the following week.

“There’s all kinds of fun things going on with this new counseling appointment system called Campus Calibrate,” counselor of the Mana

and Knowledgeable Engaged and Aspiring Students (KEAs), Robert Williams said.

Modifications that have been made to the counseling appointment system are that students are able to schedule appointments any day of the week.

“So far, it’s already better because students are not restricted to make appointments on only one day,” Bryan Peña, psychology major, said.

Students are now allowed to make appointments online from the counseling website or MyECC 24/7.

“It’s online, its web-based, students can go online at home and

schedule an appointment any day for the following week,” Associate Dean of Counseling and Student Success, Cesar Jimenez said. “It’s a lot easier for students to make an appointment with this new system.”

Another addition to the system is that students can receive automated email and text messages to remind them of appointments.

“One thing that was asked for is reminders,” Jimenez said.

“This new system now has the opportunity to send emails to students and texts so now students [can] get emails the same day they make appointments.”

The new system is set out to make it easier for students to make

The game itself involved maneuvering the robot around a preset field, which involved gathering and stacking hubs in specific areas and suspending the robot from a bar all within 60 seconds.

Depending on what part the team was competing in at the moment, other specific rules, such as changing the driver and resetting the robots’ position could apply.

Supporting parent of the Crestwood Street Elementary School team, Bobby Ortega said this year was a lot more technical but the kids really liked the challenge.

The teams were allotted spots on one of four rows of tables, which served as a home base for planning and repairing.

“It’s been a challenge” because it “doesn’t always work out,” Zoey Isoam, team member of Great Mind Robotics from Tarzana, said.

“We had a couple of mess-ups but we will be okay.”

Students, parents, and teachers were aware of the benefits of competing in technical challenges at such a young age.

“It’s been great seeing the kids work as a team,” Christelle Telesford, assistant director at non-profit organization Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center, said. “It’s great for problem-solving, life skills and sparking interest.”

These benefits, often inaccessible, have been a long-time focus of many of the organizations

hosting the competition.

In the past, participating in a robotics team was more restrictive; it required being in high school and having necessary funds to cover the cost of a $15,000 kit full of heavy metal parts and that participants be in high school to qualify.

Now, the kits cost $500 and use plastic parts, which allow elementary and middle school kids to participate in competitions.

The room got silent as the awards were announced, which included winners in categories like Robot Skills Champion, recognizing highest team scores, and Teamwork Champion, recognizing performance in the cooperative portion of the tournament.

“I was impressed with what I saw,” Flores said. “The kids were very professional.”

A sense of accomplishment flooded the room as the awards were handed out.

Film major and event volunteer Herschel Wright said he gets involved with the competitions in order to pay it forward.”

“I feel like my goal was achieved,” Wright said.

The experience and effort to develop an interest in robotics and technology is the main purpose of the competition and the reason the host clubs continue to help.

“I joke around but I keep coming back,” Grajeda said. “It’s really important for us to continue to work with kids.”

Jaime Solis/ Union A referee motions the beginning of the skills test as the two teammates sit ready. Feb. 16, 2019.

University tours

Continued from page 1.

In the Dec. 6 issue, the date was incorrect.

In the same issue, the word “effected” was meant to be published as “affected.”

The Woolsey Fire was misspelled in a headline.

The word proposed was misspelled Elena Perez was not given credit for her “13 percent of EC students are homeless” photo.

El Camino College was misspelled.

The Union regrets these errors.

Williams said that not a lot of positives come out of using antiquated systems.

“Using technology to our advantage to help student success is a move in the right direction,” Williams said.

Jimenez said he wants to hear feedback from students and hopes they create focus groups on how to improve the new system.

“We need it in order to make this system better,” Jimenez said. “This is a brand new system so there is going to be hiccups but we are getting there.”

Continued from page 1.

Corrections

A caption was missing on the front page photo.

appointments when they want so they can focus more on their classes.

“The only challenging thing for students at El Camino should be class,” Jimenez said. “Being able to make an appointment should be easy for a student.”

In the old system, students had to fill out an appointment sheet and turn it in on Thursdays by 1 p.m. to make an appointment the following week.

“I really didn’t like the old system, it was difficult to make appointments when you wanted to and it was always packed in the office with many students,” Peña said.

Robotics Competition

A man was detained after trying to steal a bike near the Music Building.

The number of casualties in the Woolsey Fire was incorrect.

FEB. 28, 2019

Ernesto Sanchez/ Union EC expects the Student Services Center to be complete sometime in April. Feb. 20, 2019.

Construction projects to be completed this year Kealoha Noguchi

Staff Writer @ECCUnionKealoha Updates on construction were presented at the latest El Camino College Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting.

During the meeting in EC’s Alondra Room, Brian Fahnestock, VP of Administrative Services, gave an update for the buildings and gave a glimpse into the future of EC.

Construction of the new Student Services Center (SSC) and gymnasium, which was originally set to be done by July 2018, are projected to be finished by April 2019. The SSC will cost $25,091,178 and is 81,232 square feet.

“It’s about 84 percent complete and we have about $4 million remaining in the budget,” Fahnestock said.

Construction for the new gymnasium was supposed to be completed by December 2018, but Fahnestock believes

it will be done by April as well. The gymnasium will cost $19,895,548 and is 55,821 square feet.

Fahnestock said the demolition of the current SSC and Student Activities Center will begin this summer.

The last project talked about was the Adminstrative Building , which is set to cost $16,861,777 a is 26, 539 square feet.

Fahnestock said this project will is projected to be finished in October 2019.

The applications must be turned in by Friday, March 1, 2019 to Student Services Advisor Blanco Prado in the Student Service Center (SSC) Room 108L, along with an unofficial but up-to-date transcript.

Vasquez-Gharibeh said that students should fill out the application thoroughly and that “it is important for students to submit their application with the best of their ability.”

For more information regarding criteria for this event, visit the Transfer Center located inside the SSC.

Fernando Haro/ Union

Students can find the Transfer Center inside Counseling. Feb. 22, 2019.

Administration VP announces plans to resign Fernando Haro

News Editor @ECCUnionHaro Construction at El Camino College will continue for the next few years but one of the leading men behind the renovation efforts will not be there to see the finished product.

Vice President of Administrative Services Brian Fahnestock has resigned and will be leaving EC in March due to “personal reasons.”

Fahnestock started at EC in September 2017 and has since played a key role in the modernization of the college.

He was responsible for the administration of many departments and initiatives on campus such as the Bookstore and Fiscal Services.

But after 17 months. he plans o say goodbye to it all.

“I really enjoyed my time here,” Fahnestock said. “I love the people here and I have nothing but love for them.”

ARTS

FEB. 28, 2019

Mari Inagaki / Union Director Bill Georges of the EC Theatre Department’s production of “In the Heights” rehearses with his cast in preperation for the musical’s debut at EC on Friday, March 15.

“Musical Preview” Continued from page 1.

“There are just so many connections that I have with Nina that I definitely feel so freaking excited to be in this musical,” Garcia said. “It’s just not very often you see stories like this told about firstgeneration immigrants and firstgeneration college students.”

Moreno, an EC alumnus and the first in his family to attend college, also explained the musical’s relevance to the EC community.

“There’s a lot of things that a lot of first-generation college students go through,” Moreno said. “You can pick just a handful of students from El Camino and they can tell you

a similar story of how much they struggle in order to keep this dream of going to school afloat.”

Feeling Seen as a Person of Color

Undecided major Daniel Olguin, who plays Usnavi, remembers a moment during rehearsal when he looked onto the stage waiting for a cue and noticed his fellow castmates, mostly people of color, just dancing and having fun.

“There was no caricature— there was no ‘Oh, he’s a thug; oh, he’s a criminal; oh, she’s just a hot Latina,’” Olguin said. “It’s very nice to see representation where it’s not just stereotypes.”

Garcia also iterated the importance of representation.

“It just feels so nice—like it’s

such a simple word but it’s so nice to see people like me in a real show,” Garcia said. “I think with the [person of color] community here, I think it’s a really good thing for everyone to see.”

A Halting Road Block

The EC Theatre Department announces musical productions a year in advance but were given a shock when Production Manager Nancy Adler found performance rights were pulled for the musical due to the upcoming 2020 “In the Heights” movie.

Prior to any big-budget project like national tours or movies, performance rights are often kept under a knot, so Director Bill Georges began looking at other titles.

However, the denial to performance rights did not deter Adler as she “contacted the publishers on a daily basis until they relented and gave us permission to do the production,” Georges said.

Although overjoyed after securing the performance rights to the musical, Georges said he was adamant about presenting “In the Heights” because of its relevancy to the EC community.

“I think it’s important for cultures to see their families, the life that they know on stage,” Georges said.

He added that since rights were pulled, EC Theatre Department’s production of “In the Heights” is probably the last prior to the musical’s 2020 movie.

EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION 5

Elena Perez / Union Ava Garcia, 18, undecided major, and Daniel Olguin, 21, undecided major, are lead actors in the EC Theatre Department production of “In the Heights.” They are both running through rehearsal with the rest of the play’s cast on Feb. 21.

SHOWTIMES: Friday, March 15 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 17 at 3 p.m.

Friday, March 22 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.

Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m.

Located at the Campus Theatre Tickets are $25 for general admision and $15 for students

‘Taste of Soul’ makes outlet for cultural expression Black History Month Committee puts on events showcasing personal stories, food, talent and more

Devyn Smith Staff Writer @ECCUnionDevyn The main hallway of the Student Activities Center buzzed with energy.

Deep steam table pans were being put down on tables draped in cloths colored red, black, green and gold.

When the covers lifted from the pans, a crowd of students and staff eagerly lined up into two single-file lines.

Taste of Soul is an annual event held at El Camino College where students, faculty, and straff grab a variety of soul food.

As the smell of soul food swept through the building, people were encouraged to take their plates and eat in the East Lounge, where at 1 p.m. a read-in would begin.

The African-American Read-In invited students, faculty and staff to share their favorite pieces written by African-American authors. In total, there were 11 speakers.

Auree Edmundson, 20, an ethnic studies major specializing in AfricanAmerican studies, was one of three students who presented their own pieces at the read-in.

“That’s a personal story of mine about my father being incarcerated, and so [the poem] was kinda inspired by that,” Edmundson said.

Edmundson named her poem “Behind These 4 Walls”.

“I did the poem last year at a Black

Student Union event—it was called Express Yourself and it was a talent show,” Edmundson said. “Some people were like ‘you should do it at this event too.’ so, you know, I just had to do it again.”

Clarence C. Davis IV, 33, communication studies major, helps organize all the activities ran by the Black History Month Committee, including this year’s read-in. Davis believes that it is vital these on-campus events should happen.

“These types of cultural events themselves, not just Black History Month, bring something to the campus that exists that has no way to express itself,” Davis said.

The planning and preparation of Taste of Soul and the AfricanAmerican Read-In did not go unnoticed. Edmundson, specifically, valued the efforts of everyone involved.

“I really appreciate the fact that we have these events on campus,” said Edmundson. “I’m an AfricanAmerican woman and I wanted to come represent for my people and to just see what else is going on.”

Armanti Weeks, 21, English major, was one of many in the packed East Lounge and said there was a lot to miss out on by not being there.

Weeks explained that people who do not attend events like this are missing out on good poetry, music and food.

“You know also, you missing a piece of black history.” Weeks said.

Fernando Haro / Union A crowd of students, faculty, and staff fill up their plates with soul food at the Student Activities Center as part of the “Taste of Soul” event which is sponsored by the Black History Month Planning Committee, Black Student Union, Student Equity Program, Office of Staff and Student Diversity, Student Equity and Advisory Council, and the Student Development Office. on Feb. 14, 2019.

6 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

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FEB. 28, 2019

7 EL CAMINO COLLEGE UNION

PHOTO ESSAY

FEB. 28, 2019

Warriors guard Jason Vasquez (No. 11) works around Tartars defender Aaron Gibson (No. 22) on Friday, Feb. 22 at EC in the South Gym. Nicoleene Yunker/ Union

MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WRAPS UP 2018-19 SEASON EC guard Justin Chambers shoots a free throw against Compton College at home on Friday, Feb. 22 in the South Gym. Elena Perez/ Union

Elena Perez/ Union

Warriors guard Justin Chambers attempts to break through two Tartars defenders at EC on Friday, Feb. 22 in the South Gym.

See page 8 for the full game story

Elena Perez/ Union

EC sophomore Justin Chambers (No. 13) throws an inbound pass against Compton College on Friday, Feb. 22 at home in the South Gym.

SPORTS

8 EL CAMINO COLLEGE

FEB. 28, 2019

Men’s basketball team remains positive despite losing final game Warriors come up short in its loss to Compton College Kealoha Noguchi Staff Writer

@ECCUnionKeaoloha

E

l Camino’s men’s basketball team could not overcome a double digit deficit in the first half as they lost to Compton College, 92-83, to close out the 2018-2019 season on Friday, Feb. 23.

EC trailed by 15 points at halftime, but were down by as many as 17 and that proved to be too much to overcome.

The Warriors gained momentum after a Richard Wilson layup that cut the deficit to five with 11 minutes to go and got within three points with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Sophomores Justin Reyes (25 points) and Justin Chambers (21 points) led the team on their sophomore night to cap off their careers as Warriors.

“They’ve both been outstanding ambassadors for our program and I say that from a character standpoint,” head coach Robert Uphoff said. “They’re well liked.

Both are over a 3.2 [GPA]. I’m excited for their futures.”

The coaching staff for the Warriors said that being the only sophomores on the team, their presence on and off the court will be missed.

“They brought tremendous heart [and] focus everyday,” assistant coach Marshall Johnson said.

“Off the court they were the guys that always had a smile on and just always brought great energy, positivity, funny guys...just joyous guys.”

The only other Warrior to notch double digits was freshman Jamal Bogan who finished with 11 points.

Aaron Gibson led the Tartars with 23 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Dominique Alexander added 16 points with six rebounds and six assists for Compton College.

The Tartars made seven of 11 three pointers (63.6%) in the first half and ended the game with 46 points in the paint.

Coach Uphoff said the team lacked size all year which is

Elena Perez/ Union EC freshman guard Jason Vasquez (No. 11) goes up for a shot against Compton College on Friday, Feb. 22 at home in the South Gym. the reason why they’ve been outrebounded often this season and is an area he would like to address this offseason.

“Even our quasi post guys are really guards having to play down low and trying to battle,” Uphoff said. “We’ve been trying to overcome the size, that’s been a big achilles heel for us.”

While EC is losing their top two scorers of the season in Justin Chambers (15.8 PPG) and Justin Reyes (15.3 PPG), the future looks bright as the Warriors are projected to have 13 returning players next season.

Uphoff said he was proud of the contributions he got from his freshmen.

“Jason Vasquez has really blossomed during conference and has really started to show what we always thought he was capable of,”

Uphoff said. “Rashon Crutcher [at] the point guard position has done an outstanding job.”

Darius Alexander and Jamal Bogan have both been guards that have been asked to play down low in the post as big men and Uphoff said he has appreciated their willingness to do so.

“I appreciate the sacrifice they’ve made because they’ve had to play somewhat out of position but there hasn’t been any complaining,” Uphoff siad. “They just battle through it and continue compete.”

Jamal Howard is another freshman who impressed the EC coaching staff this season, Uphoff said.

“Jamal Howard, one of our young captains, also has a very bright future too,” Uphoff said.

“He’ll have an exciting year next year as well.”

Howard looks to improve his all around game this off-season to take the next step from year one to year two.

“Oh definitely, I can improve on my defense, shooting the ball and handling pressure a lot better than I have been this year which is what I’m going to work on all offseason,” Howard said.

Howard will also miss the two sophomores as well as everybody else.

“Jokes, everyday its something new with them and it just keeps everybody with a smile on their face,” Howard said. “They like to talk a lot and joke around so we’re definitely going to miss them a lot next year.”

Chambers and Reyes each have about 7-10 different scholarship offers for basketball next year Uphoff said.

“I have a couple offers from Chapman, Greenville, and Salem University,” Reyes said. “I’m still deciding, but it’s looking like I’ll have a future and somewhere to play next.”

While Reyes is still unsure where he wants to play next, Chambers is a little more certain.

“Hopefully I can go to Holy Names University in Oakland,” Chambers said.

With the loss, EC ends the season at 5-23 (1-9 in conference) and Compton ends the season at 13-15 (4-6 in conference).

Elena Perez/ Union Sophomores, Justin Chambers (left) and Justin Reyes celebrate their last game as Warriors on Friday, Feb. 22 at home in the South Gym.

PLAYER’S CORNER

The Union reporters Kealoha Noguchi and Devyn Smith spoke to EC athletes about their pregame routines and rituals from waking up, to visualizing their game plan.

Marissa Garza Softball Catcher

Qwintin Workman Track and Field Sprints/Hurdles

Mina Nakawake Softball Center Field

Matt Thorne Swimming and Water Polo Freestyle

“My morning routine: eat breakfast [and] wake up an hour early so I can fully wake up. Put my uniform on the same, socks first, pants then jersey.”

“I live in Temecula. So, I drive from Temecula and I wake up early enough to eat...and then I like to get [to the field] a couple hours before so I can, like, sit down and relax and calm down my anxiety. And then I talk to my coach about the race plan.”

“I like to do a lot of visualization in a quiet place for about 10 minutes and visualize the game. I don’t eat full meals. I eat something light before a game, and drink a lot of water.”

“I try to get enough sleep as I can and try to eat well in the morning ... I just try to lock in early and focus on the meet as best as I can.”