El Camino College
Serving the campus community since 1946
Union
Thursday Nov. 17, 2011
Handmade jewelry is a popular art on campus Page 6 Torrance, Calif.
Student sculpts ceramic figures Some Monday
night classes will be longer Matt Simon Staff Writer
Jennifer Oh/Union Raven Burnes, 39, art major, is making small sculptures of her three heroes: Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X.
Student walk-out is scheduled today Carly Michael Staff Writer
The California State University faculty union decided to strike for one day today after negotiated pay increases were being withheld from teachers based on an administrative decision. Robert Dewitz, 22, psychology and sign language major, plans to imitate that by organizing his own “student and teacher solidarity walk-out” 10:30 to noon today at the library lawn. With a teacher strike at local CSU campuses seeming imminent, a local EC student is taking charge and trying to help educate and inform his fellow students and he is also trying to show support for teachers who are going on strike. Dewitz along with other students are showing their support for the CSU teacher ‘s strike that is going to be taking place today. Dewitz said he hopes to show his fellow
students that they can be directly affected by this strike and that the only way to fight against it is to educate themselves and to show support by executing something. “The threat of a teacher strike affects everyone, especially the students,” Dewitz said. “It’s only fair that they know about this situation and why we are in it.” Dewitz and other students have been working information booths all week trying to raise awareness about the current situation with budget cuts affecting the CSU system. Meetings to discuss the current economic and education problems of California are taking place from 1 to 3 p.m. in Art Building Room 103. Dewitz said he also hopes to get other students at EC informed and involved for the cause. “We’ve been organizing with members of various clubs on campus about supporting the teachers and standing in solidarity
with them,” Dewitz said. Some students would argue that the teacher strike expected to take place today would negatively affect the students involved. Elizabeth Shadish, the President of the Federation of Teachers or the faculty union, said she disagrees. “Students would be negatively effected by the walk-out, but it is an unavoidable consequence,” Shadish said. “We think students are being hurt now by actions of districts, but in the long run the walk-out would help them. It’s a complicated situation.” Dewitz said that although the current situation may not positively affect student now, the teachers will still need the students’ help and support. “It’s a small price to pay for the message this is carrying,” Detwitz said. “Teachers have been on the frontline defending students and not just themselves. They need our solidarity.”
In an attempt to make up for two days of missed instruction due to having no class on President’s Day and Memorial Day, the college has changed some of the times of Monday night classes in order to meet state regulations for how long classes must meet. This may bring drastic changes to make up for the time missed. The ending time for each session will be lengthened to compensate for the shorter time period, Tom Lew, dean of humanities, said. This change means some that classes that meet only on Monday nights which right now end at 9:10 p.m., will end 25 minutes later at 9:35 p.m in the spring. “I took a Monday night class last semester,” Kenneth Uh, 21, mathematics major, said. “It was hard enough to spend those three hours alone in that class until 9 p.m., but to think about it going to 9:30 p.m. is crazy. I don’t think anyone would ever even think about taking that class unless they were desperate.”` With some classes ending 20 minutes later, some students wonder about the safety of walking to their cars. “It’s already scary walking around campus and the parking lots at night,” Jessica Wheeler said. “I think getting out later would just welcome some weird people to come onto campus.” With the possible change, some students question the effectiveness of the Monday night classes. “I’m taking a night class right now and it’s hard,” Scott Rivas, 22, business major, said. “After getting up before 7 a.m. to go to work and then getting off at noon
to go to school to take three classes is really tough. By the time you get to the 8 p.m. mark of the class, most students are already too tired to pay attention. For me, I know I’d be more likely to fall sleep for sure in a class that is getting out later.” However, some students like the change due to the class only going for 14 weeks instead of the regular 16 weeks. “I mean, any class that gets out two weeks before other classes is a plus for me,” Justin Tate, 19, undeclared major, said. “For people that only have one class left to take, I think this is perfect. They have the chance to not only get out of class two weeks early, but on Monday night when nothing is going on, it’s a good opportunity to finish that one class.” Some students have become cautious regards to the changes. “I didn’t even know some classes had been changed,” Mellisa Ramirez, 21, art major said. “I was looking at classes today and it’s something I easily looked over because I figured all the classes would be ending at the same time as this semester.” For example, one of these changes is to a photojournalism class which usually is 4 hours long, but in spring, it will now be 4 hours and 40 minutes long. The change is an additional 40 minutes of class time, which is almost the length of an entire lecture period for the photojournalism class. “I think it’s crazy,” Brett Campbell, 20, undeclared major, said. “Who in their right mind is going to want to stay on campus until almost 10 p.m. just to get two units of work. I definitely will not be touching any of those classes.
Health Center can help students who are coping with stress Nicholette Raecke Staff Writer
After a gruesome day of attending classes and finishing a six-hour shift at work, he opens his laptop and begins to type. With an empty stomach he pounds away at the keyboard hoping to finish in time as his dirty laundry and dishes still need to be done. For students working, attending college, and handling everything else in their lives, this scenario is not uncommon, making them easily susceptible to stress. While dealing with stress can sometimes be painful it also can be manageable and the people at the Student Health Center want students to know that there is help available for them on campus. “Whenever a student comes in, we assess them,” Debbie Conover, coordinator of the Student Health Services, said. “After speaking with them at length, we may find that some are experiencing stress. They may not be aware of it, even if the exhibiting anxiety seems low,” she added. According to WebMD, a website which provides information about health issues, problems that can cause stress include health, emotional
NEWS LINE –Jorge Camarillo
problems, relationship problems, major life changes and family issues. Some students find their own way of dealing with stress, whether it is smoking a cigarette or having a glass of wine with dinner. But there are
also other ways of dealing with stress, such as exercising and meditating. “Talking is also a release for me,” Van Alexander Jr., 19, communications major, said. “It’s very relaxing to speak to others. I guess that’s why I’m a
communications major.” According to the University of Massachusetts website on Mental Health issues, stress is known to cause rapid, shallow breathing and so it is ideal to encourage slower and deeper breaths. “A healthy person able to stretch their comfort level, can manage a little stress,” Julie Land, Learning Disabilities Specialist, said. “And a little stress can be energizing and stimulating.” However, Land added that taking too much of a risk and going too far from one’s comfort level can result in an overload, or being overwhelmed. Nate Fernley, physical education instructor, said he has a different view on stress and that too much stress can be easily avoided. “Sometimes stress comes out of not looking at the big picture,” Fernley said. “You need to step back and look at what’s important in your life. Once you eliminate what is not important, a lot of stress can be eliminated,” he added. The next Managing Anxiety Workshop will be at 6 p.m. today and the Anger Management Workshop will be at 5 p.m. today in the Student Health Services Center. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Health Services Center and find the best ways to deal with stress that works for them.
10 steps to reduce stress • Meditate • Picture yourself relaxed • Breathe deeply • Look around you. Focus on the present • Drink hot tea • Show some love • Try self-massage • Take a time-out • Try a musical detour • Create a positive emotional attitude —WebMD website
The last day to drop with a ‘W’ is tomorrow
Continuing students can start registering Tuesday
Campus is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday
Panel discussion by alumni to take place Tuesday
The last day to drop with a ‘W’ is tomorrow. After that day, if students have not dropped certain courses, they will get grades that show on their permanent records. To drop, log on to the myECC website.
Continuing students can start registering for winter and spring semesters starting Tuesday. Check the MyECC account for the exact date and time of when registration for classes can begin.
Students will enjoy a four-day weekend as the campus will be closed from next Thursday to Friday due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume on Monday after the weekend.
The Graduation Initiative Project will bost a panel discussion from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the east lounge of the Student Activity Center. The panelists will discuss the importance of earning degrees.