El Camino College Union Issue 11

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

Union T h e

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eccunion.com

February 20, 2014

Torrance, California

Schauerman Library cuts the cord Cynnamon Baker

Staff Writer @ECCUnionCBaker

Gilberto Castro/ Union

Sophomore Austin VanBiezen running in the Men’s 3000 meter steeplechase in last Friday’s meet at Orange Coast College. VanBiezen finished in 3rd place.

Strong out of the blocks Cynnamon Baker

Staff Writer @ECCUnionCBaker

Legs shaking, heart pounding out of control, it’s time to start the race. Ready, set, go as the gun fires. Runners push off their blocks to the finish line, it’s win or lose this time.

The season officially began for EC‘s track and field team at its first scoring tri-meet against Cuyamaca and Orange Coast College on Feb. 14 at Orange Coast College.

While the men’s team came home with a win, the women’s team lost.

Despite a serious setback due to their low number of runners, the women’s team placed top in most of the events they participated in.

“Transitioning from cross country to track will be a challenge,” Haley Heinemann, freshman, distance runner, said. “I am not used to running sprints of anything more then 5k (3 miles) but I plan on doing my best in my events.”

Instead of spending their time with lovers on Valentine’s Day, the team did its best competing by performing its personal best while many placed top three and scored for the team.

Sean Shiel, assistant track coach said that the team is full of positive hard working athletes that will progressively do better each meet.

But being full of freshmen and

new runners, the track team will continue to set goals and score their best with the talent they have yet to fully unleash.

“It’s been four years since I ran competitively in high school,” Heinemann said. “I run to stay in shape, but I race to win.”

While many scored and placed in the top three for in their respective events, others have a ways to go when it comes to being a top competitive runner.

Iyasu Kelbisow, freshman, distance runner said although he ran well he could have done better.

“I am just out of shape and it showed today during the last stretch of my event,” Kelbisow said. “I just got to put a lot miles in, 60 to 70 more miles a week to get ready to truly compete.”

With a week break before the next track meet the coaches plan on having the team train harder to get them ready for the season.

Sheil said it’s too early to know who the top runners will be.

“It wont be until later in the season to see the true potential of these athletes,” Sheil said.

Many of the scorers from the previous meet on Feb. 7, won or placed in the top three for their events. The next meet will be a Decathlon event where athletes compete in multi-events in track and field.

“I love my team, They are so encouraging,” Heinemann said.

Gilberto Castro/ Union

NEWS LINE

Freshman Khalil McClain finishing strong in the Men’s 100 meter hurdles last Friday at Orange Coast College. McClain finished in 4th place with a time of 16.99 seconds.

Kierra Norrell

Staff Writer @ECCUnionKierra

Welcome to El Camino

Nursing Info Session

UC San Diego Tour

Planetarium Show

The Student Resource Center will be hosting a workshop to help new students with different services at EC including admission, EC’s placement exams, financial aid, and more. The workshop will take place on Feb. 24 from 3:30 to 5p.m. For more information call the Student Resource Center front desk at 310-660-3295.

Interested in becoming a nurse?

Attend the nursing workshop and learn more about the program Feb. 26 from 5 to 7p.m. in the Distance Education Room. For more information call Counseling at 310-660-3593 ext. 6137

Is UC San Diego among your prospective transfers? A campus tour is scheduled for Feb. 21. Take this amazing opportunity to go view the university and see what it is all about. For more information, contact the Transfer/Career Center 310-660-3593 ext. 3408.

As part of its series of public shows, EC’s Planetarium will be hosting its second show, “Jupiter: King of the Sky,” on Feb. 21 from 8 to 9 p.m. For more information, call 310-660-3593 ext. 3373 or 310-660-3343.

Beginning this semester, EC students can now send work to be printed in Schauerman Library from their smartphone or home computers.

“Nowadays you can do anything on your smartphone, so WiFi printing sounds like a great alternative. It’s easy and fast,” Diane Quang, 19, double major, said.

Students can now send documents to an online site that works in tandem with the printing services in the campus library.

“Before I would have to be here early then I need to just to get my work up and print,” Brandon Mack, 18, architecture major said.

The library has been refining this new feature since fall of last year in order to improve service while printing on campus.

“Vendors told us about the WiFi printing so we’ve been testing out the system to make it available for students to access at home or from their phones,” Noreth Men, a systems librarian, said.

The library has embraced a plethora of upgrades offered by vendors to keep up with modern technology.

“Moving away from the older way of printing will help make it easy for students,” Men said. In order to convey her point and popularize Wi-Fi printing at EC, she held workshops last week to show students how to create their own accounts for the service.

Student are required to sign up using an email of their choice by going to qciwifi.com and clicking the “webprint” button. They will then be prompted to enter their email address, type in the site code “ECC,” and click to send a validation code.

The code allows students to finish registering at qciwifi.com.

From there, they will be able to create a password to their account and begin uploading files from their computers, flash drives, and SmartPhones.

“It’s about time the school did something to help the printing process,” Mack said. “I think it cool they are doing it. I use the Wi-Fi everyday.”

Students are reminded to write down the unique file ID code. This will allow them access to the document when signing from library print computers. From there, students can enter their unique ECC account to pay for the print job.

Mack said it is a better upgrade from the older system because it always shut down. “It should be nice, very nice.”

The process will allow printing to be faster in the library by cutting the time required to log onto the computers in the lab to send each print job.

“There are pros and cons to the new system,” Quang said. “But it’s definitely convenient for students.”

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news

2 El Camino College Union

By Thomas Schmit Staff Writer @ECCUnionThomas

Lot L thefts leave four Hondas without batteries Feb. 11, 12-12:30 p.m.—Four Hondas of an early 90s make were broken into in Lot L. The police believe the suspect may have used a shaved key to gain entry to the vehicles, and stole the batteries from all four cars, along with miscellaneous items from their interiors. In the same time frame, a Honda Accord was stolen from the same lot. Detectives are actively investigating the burglaries.

Non-student has $75,000 felony warrant, released Feb. 13, 12:20 a.m.—An officer observed a male subject walking northbound past Marsee Auditorium toward the inner campus.

The officer contacted the subject, who was a non-student, and discovered the male had a $75,000 felony warrant for domestic violence, issued by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Office declined to pick the man up, so officers issued the man a citation and released him.

Student dispute leads to citations Feb. 10, 11:50 a.m.—Officers responded to the shops building regarding a disturbance call. A male and female students, siblings, were in class in the communications building when another male student attempted to take the female student’s phone, claiming it was his. An argument between the two parties ensued until officers arrived on the scene. The siblings were discovered to have warrants for traffic violations.

Both siblings were issued citations for their warrants, while the male student who attempted to take the phone was referred to the Director of Student Development for possible academic disciplinary action.

Blood donation leaves student feeling drained Feb. 11, 2:10 p.m.—Officers responded to the Library lawn regarding a medical aid call. A female student had just donated blood on campus and was feeling weak and dizzy. Paramedics arrived on the scene, but the student refused to be transported for treatment.

Possible controlled substance confiscated Feb. 13, 7:15 p.m.—Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation on Redondo Beach Boulevard. The driver, a male non-student, was found to be in possession of an unknown, possibly illegal and controlled substance. Officers confiscated the substance to be sent for testing, and issued the driver a citation for the equipment violation.

If the substance tests positive as a controlled substance, the driver will be charged with possession of a controlled substance as well.

Pool-side cellphone theft Feb. 6, approximately 3 p.m.—Officers responded to the station regarding a theft report.

A male student stated that he was in the pool area to attend a P.E. class, and placed his book bag on the bleachers at around 11:20 a.m..

When he returned at 12:20 p.m., he noticed that his cellphone had been removed from his bag.

Vehicle Burglary in Lot H Feb. 5, approximately 10 a.m.—Officers responded to the station regarding a vehicle burglary report. The owner, a female student, reported that her car, parked on the second floor of Lot H, was broken into and its parking permit stolen. There were no signs of forced entry into the vehicle.

Students will be able to dorm off campus The EC Foundation’s plan to open a local housing option to students comes to fruition.

Lorilynn Lomeli

Staff Writer @ECCUnionLorilyn

Housing options will be made available to EC students in the upcoming months, Katie Gleason, executive director of the EC Foundation, said.

The Foundation, “an auxillary [and] charitable organization linked to EC,” helped carry out the project after it was “approached in June of last year by a developer who purchased a property over in Old Torrance and was renovating it” she said.

It is, thus far, a small project, but represents an opportunity to survey the demand for such services.

“There are 40 units [and] can only serve 60 to 80 students, but it’s a good test market,” Gleason said, “an opportunity for us to see if this makes sense with very little risk or exposure financially.”

Gleason said the location is “slightly over four miles” from EC and is “located right on the corner of Cabrillo and Carson in old Torrance” with direct bus routes to EC. The location was selected for its convenience, being within walking distance of restaurants, retail, banks, and other amenities.

Although there are similarities between the offered housing options and traditional university dormitories, Gleason reminded that there are stark differences as well.

We “are not providing EC housing, [but] providing a housing option for students,” she said. “There is no RA. It’s not like university housing.”

The furnished units include a twin bed, table and chair, closet, sink, mirror, microwave, and refrigerator. Tenants will also have

accessibility to the communal bathrooms, bicycle storage, washers and dryers, as well as an option to purchase an amenities package.

In addition to the units, “we are also leasing a 1,800 square foot [space] that is being completely renovated to be a community room for students only,” Gleason said, “[and] would include television, ping-pong, a lounge, some vending, some coffee, some workspace, [and] Wi-Fi.”.

The renovations include additions to secure the building.

They have “installed a security door so that [the tenants] can just swipe a card to get in,” Gleason said.

Although there are only 40 units currently available for rent, the foundation is considering expanding the project, contingent on the success of accumulating tenants for the currently renovated building.

The first 25 students to reserve a room will receive a 25 percent discount for the first semester. A single room is $800 a month and a double, which can be shared with a roommate, is $1,200 a month. To reserve a room, students should contact Michelle Willemse-Grogan, part of the Global Student Services Inc., at info@global-student-service.com or at 310-438-7485.

Originally, this housing option was only going to available for international students; however as this project evolved, the foundation made changes. “[The] goal now is to get it completely occupied,” Gleason said.

“We are very excited about this.

We will be hosting a number of open houses for students [in] probably another month,” she added.

Lorilynn Lomeli/ Union

Basic, dorm-style ammenities in the renovated units soon to be available to EC students for rent.

Lorilynn Lomeli/ Union

The upstairs hallway, communal bathroom, and living spaces at EC’s new dorm in Old Torrance.

EC Forensics wins gold, warms up for state and nationals Celine West

Staff Writer @ECCUnionCeline

EC’s debate team competed in the Tabor Venitsky and LD Championships, a three-day event in Cerritos, Feb. 15 to 17.

Among the notable victories was Abigail Watkins, who won first place out of 59 competitors, in the extemporaneous speaking contest.

Meanwhile, Alejandro Rivera won second place out of 73 competitors in the impromptu speaking contest.

“Our top debate team won gold,” Francesca Bishop, professor of forensics, said. “We had a couple other teams win silver, and a couple teams win bronze.”

This tournament was important because, unlike normal tournaments, it has the same format as the state and nationals, she said. The Cerritos tournament was the official tournament preparing students for state and nationals.

“We are No. 3 of the community colleges in the nation right now, and we are No. 9 overall,” Bishop added.

In normal tournaments, contestants are informed of the topic 20 minutes before they are to compete, she said, and they can talk it over with their team, use the Internet and other resources to prepare during that time.

During this recent tournament in Cerritos, however, only the debate pair is informed of their topic. They cannot talk to their team about it, use the Internet, or any other resources;

they have to have the topic and an understanding of it in their heads, she said.

“If they can’t find it then they lose. This has never happened to El Camino. I have just never seen it happen before,” Bishop said.

The topics broached this weekend covered a wide range of issues.

“We talked about education, at the tournament, Iran’s nuclear power, and Afghanistan,” Joy De Guzman, 20, international relations major said.

I did seven rounds, made it through to finals, but then I lost, De Guzman said. My teammate lost, so I had to debate the next person, she said.

We came close to winning, she said.

“I have been on the Debate team since the beginning of fall semester,” Brittany Hubble, 21, communications major, said. “I did leadership activities on campus and I was always good at public speaking.”

In preparation, I’m constantly watching the news, reading, and watching CNN updates, Hubble said.

You don’t have to really be knowledgeable. It’s just hard work, Bishop said. You really don’t know what you’re good at until you get exposed to it.

It can lead to things, she said.

“The tournament was exhausting and fun, an adrenaline rush and high stress,” Hubble said, “and it was the most rewarding thing I have ever been a part of.”

Where preparing to return to the workforce balances with

“I have two young kids.”

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February 20, 2014

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features

February 20, 2014

El Camino College Union 3

“To be able to come back and walk around and see where I hung out for a year (was great)”

Rickerby Hinds, EC alum and keynote speaker at this year’s Black History Month events

Amira Petrus/ Union

From left, Brandy Bruce, Paul Watson III, Professor Maria Brown and Cristiano Sanchez have a discussion titled “Images of Blacks in Contemporary Film.” This was the fifth event out of seven that EC has planned for the month of February. The next is a performance of a jazz band, dancers, and mimes Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. in the East Dining Room. The last event is a “Taste of Soul” Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the East Dining Room.

Remembering a dream In honor of Black History Month, students have seen a play documenting the true story of an African American girl’s death, heard a keynote speech from an EC alum about his experience being a writer, and watched a movie about Jackie Robinson.

Lorenzo Gutierrez

Staff Writer @ECCUnionLorenzo

S

tudents crowded around the Campus Theatre Feb. 4 waiting to get inside to watch “Dreamscape,” a play presented by Rickerby Hinds, an EC alum.

“I like the way he used the music to project (the message) and to show what he meant,” Miguel Valdez, 20, sociology major, said.

The play was written by Hinds and is based on the true story of Tyisha Miller, a 19-year-old African American woman who was shot to death in Riverside in the ‘90s.

“To be able to come back to EC after so many years - I haven’t actually been on the campus in like, decades and to be able to come back and walk around and see where I hung out for a year (was great),” Hinds said.

Many students got in touch with the play and at the end, some of them had conversations with Hinds to express how much the play impacted them and how Hinds is a mentor to many students.

Hinds also gave the keynote speech on Feb. 6 in the East Dining Room.

“I think the speech was really cool,” Daaiyah Muhammal, 16, undecided major, said. “I consider him a really inspirational person.”

Wearing a suit and with a smile on his face, at the keynote speech, Hinds started to talk about his experience as a playwright.

“When I speak I always have the feeling I could done better maybe,” Hinds said. “You know, there are things I have written down and I didn’t say (them) in the exact way that I wanted to say them but I believe that the message that I was trying to contain, that I was trying to put out there, got across.”

Hinds added that he’s gotten great feedback from students and that’s what makes him so happy to continue mentoring.

“It helped me realize the journey that I

am taking right now and how each of the moments, each of the steps that you’ve taken, even though you can’t at the moment figure out or you can’t necessarily know how that moment led to the next thing that they all matter and they all count towards where you want to go,” Hinds said.

The Black History Month event committee consists of professors from the social sciences department, with Dr. Gloria Miranda, dean of social sciences, heading the committee.

The last two events will be a performance of a jazz band, dancers, and mimes on Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. in the East Dining Room and the “Taste of Soul” Festival on Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the East Dining Room.

Above: Brandy Bruce, Paul Watson III, Professor Maria Brown, and Cristiano Sanchez have a discussion called “Images of Blacks in Contemporary Film,” moderated by Dr. Daniel Walker Tuesday in the East Dining Room. Left: Felicia Mack, sociology major, asks the panel a question during their discussion. Right: Asanti Jensen, 19, undecided major, asks the panel a question.

Photos by Amira Petrus

EDITORIAL

4 El Camino College Union

February 20, 2014

CAMPUS INSIGHT

The real slim Schmitty stands up Thomas Schmit

Staff Writer @ECCUnionThomas

Illustration by Eugene Chang

E

My name is Thomas Schmit.

That might seem evident, given the byline above this article and the picture of my face beside it, but does any of that actually prove I am, in fact, Thomas Schmit?

Granted, the Union staff would never publish an article without knowing it was 100 percent factual, but let’s say, for the sake of argument, that I had instead mailed in this article and my picture, and never met any of them face to face.

What does any of that prove?

A picture of me is only a rightclick away on Facebook. Any schmo with an AP Stylebook and too much time on their hands could write like me, if they really wanted to.

Now, these might sound like the paranoid workings of a sleep deprived journalist’s brain, but it’s something to consider, because a person’s identity is in danger like it’s never been before. Case in point, I received a call last summer after someone claiming to be “Thomas Schmit”, providing my address and other personal information, tried to apply for a credit card. Fortunately, I was able to set the credit company straight.

I’m not the only one who has been impersonated either.

Recently, a friend of mine had his Playstation Network account hacked. At first, I was confused,

HOMELESS NO LONGER

l Camino College Foundation’s recent announcement regarding its initiative to create optional housing for students has come to fruition.

For the upcoming semester, an estimated 60 to 80 students will potentially benefit from the new venture. The move however, represents yet another small step towards facilitating a larger sense of community here at EC. EC students begin their day narrowly before their first class and ends the moment their last class ends. Because EC students return to their homes and jobs, rather than communal dorms on campus, there can be a sense of transience reinforced by the idea that we’re here ultimately to go elsewhere. It’s easy to understand if and when students feel disconnected.

However, there are two ways to approach any institutional problem. One is to blast and critique it from the outside, the other is to embrace the system wholeheartedly and to affect change from within.

Throughout the years, the Union has written numerous editorials urging students to choose the latter, urging them to become more proactive about influencing and contributing toward the EC community. Whether through ASO elections or rallying around causes like Prop 30, involvement is a type of investment that has its own unique set of dividends.

The announcement regarding this new housing option is exciting for a myriad of reasons, one of which is the chance for a handful of EC students to get wholly involved, to begin building and realizing their ideal of a community from the inside.

None of this should be framed in too rosy of a light, however.

The first students to sign up for housing will be guinea pigs as much as pioneers. As much as they hold the opportunity to set a specific tone for housing, they will also be targets of scrutiny.

Other students will look to them to decide whether that rent money is well-spent or better used someplace else. The Foundation will use them as a litmus test to judge whether the school should expand the service and perhaps move towards something more akin to university housing, or be stopped short entirely.

In order for this experiment to be as “successful” as its potential allows, tenants will have to go one step further. Not only will they have to decide upon a culture of inclusion and interaction in their dorms, but they’ll have the daunting task of bridging that behavior through to the campus.

Additionally, the leases, which were initially intended to house exclusively international students, point to a very commendable desire to shift the status quo. Courting and accommodating international students is the mark of healthy academic institutions this day in age.

Should the units come to serve a significant population of international students, however, it would be worthy for the college to explore followup services. While it’s certainly nice to have the infrastructure to provide for them physically, emotional and social support play a large role in acclimating to life in a foreign country.

Despite the challenges ahead, EC should be applauded for these inroads. Change is most often met with skepticism or caustic review, but it’s entirely worth improving the lives of everyone involved. Getting something right is only possible by the determination of strong leadership and involved students, EC is capable of offering both.

ACCOMODATING WITH THE TIMES With the emergence of new technology everyday, EC is being proactive in making sure to keep up with modern innovations that will help student success.

Whether it’s mobile apps like MOX, the mobile application that allows students and faculty to view the rosters as well as scheduled meeting times for each class, the college is continually making progress.

Most recently, the college has implemented a new Wi-Fi printing system that will allow students to print from the library wirelessly from their smartphone or home computers.

This will also help students reduce stress when running late, or without access to a computer.

U N NIO EL CAMINO COLLEGE

Vol. 68, No. 11 February 20, 2014

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

By signing up for qciwifi.com, the system that the college has joined, students will be able to easily print without the headache of rushing to find a computer.

Students will be able to pull up the application on their smartphones and go to the designated website and print directly to the library before they even step on campus.

The athletic department isn’t the only division of EC getting a facelift, the entire campus is getting an upgrade, cosmetically as well as internally.

This is something that the college should be applauded for, as much as the students care about the look of their campus, more importantly depend on the operating systems such as the college’s email and portal.

Students should rest easy knowing that the college will continue to make progress introducing new ideas that will fufill the students’ needs.

These ideas may take time, but time is needed to make sure every step is taken with caution. Ensuring that the foundation is laid correctly and preventing careless hiccups.

Just as the college has been working on the Wi-Fi printing since last Fall, who knows what the administration will come up with come this time next year.

The times are changing, and EC is changing right along with it making sure to not get lost on the way.

Editor-in-Chief �����������������������������������������������������������������������Matthew Simon News Editor ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Eric Hsieh Opinion Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������������������Russell Lewis Editorial Editor....................................................................................Angela Yim Features Editor ����������������������������������������������������������������������Jessica Martinez Arts Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Nadia Basich Sports Editor ���������������������������������������������������������������������������Matthew Simon Photo Editor ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������Amira Petrus Distribution Manager ������������������������������������������������������������� Marquis Parker Advertising Manager �����������������������������������������������������������������Liliana Lopez Adviser ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kate McLaughlin Photo Adviser...................................................................................Gary Kohatsu

my “friend” was messaging me about using my account to play some of my games when I had physically handed him a pair of games earlier that day.

A suspicious man, I asked how his date had gone with a fictional girl. When he responded that it had gone well, I knew it wasn’t my friend.

Identity is a very valuable commodity these days. It’s public knowledge that personal information has been leaked from companies such as Target and the SnapChat app earlier this year (yes, I checked, my info was leaked in both of these cases).

But how many of us have taken the time to reassess our security?

How many of us use only one password for our email, social media, heck, even online banking?

If you haven’t stopped to think about these things, do yourself a favor. Go home, change your passwords, clean out your computer, and don’t ever “Save” credit card information on an unsecured website.

Never give personal information away online, even to people you trust. If they ever need that information, give iwt to them in person. Otherwise, you might be giving it away or expose it to “Thomas Schmit” who’s much less helpful than I am.

COMMENTARY

Are You there Mr. President?

Cynnamon Baker Staff Writer @ECCUnionCBaker

Obama, we need to talk.

Look, I like how you are trying to better the nation with health care and public funding, but I have a bone to pick with you.

The issue isn’t about being unable to attend college, but coming from a family that can’t financially support my dreams, it’s about the ability to afford it.

Like you once were, I am currently am a student. I attend a junior college to save money and I am trying my best not to give up.

There’s just one little problem standing in the way of furthering my dreams, the federal government, is hindering the financial aid I receive for school.

There are people trying to chump the government and get what they can without putting in the work, so I understand the concern for taxpayers’ money. All I ask is to consider my situation because there are many students like myself struggling.

I work hard enough in school, it shouldn’t be hard for the government to see that and help fund my education.

To succeed in life, education is a necessity. It is more valuable now then it has ever been for years.

It’s like getting the golden ticket for a life changing experience but we aren’t all as lucky as Charlie Bucket.

Every now and then I have a bad grade or two, but I never miss a day and I never give up. School has always been important to my worth in life. I am always willing

The Union is published Thursdays by Journalism 11 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 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.

to learn and more importantly, willing to be taught. The future is being made right here in the classroom and like many others, I cherish all the help I get because I am working my way through college.

Being the first future college graduate in my family, I want to set the path for the next generation. Although I have had my financial aid taken from me, I will continue to fund my education by any means necessary.

If that means to work odd jobs, maybe even more then one at a time, I will. Stay with family or friends, until I can afford my own place to achieve my goals in getting a degree, the couch will be my home.

I love school, I will get my degree, and I will get over all of the hurdles.

All I ask Obama is for you to see my story, and change financial aid to cater to each individual and their unique needs. I know it will take time to refine the issue but it could potentially better the lives of so many individuals.

“Yes we can,” has been the message I have lived by since my sophomore year of high school.

You have impacted the world in ways that I hope to one day. Maybe not in the same magnitude as you, but I can be close. You made it, I just hope to make it too. So please, help me earn my degree, in hopes to give back and better our country. Thank you.

Sincerely, A broke college student

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February 20, 2014

Opinion

El Camino College Union 5

Campus viewpoints By: Rigo Bonilla @EccUnionRigo

Photos by: Charles Ryder @CharlesRyderPic

Christopher Lee Union Columnist @ECCUnionChris

Form follows function

T

axpayers approved Measure E because it was necessary for the health, safety, and advancement of the EC community.

While EC has improved functionality in the issues of healthy and safety, the school seems not to have sufficiently addressed the advancement of the community.

When an architect blueprints a building, he designs the form in correspondence with the functions of the building. Every flourish and embellishment is detailed according to its purpose.

The idea behind this concept is twofold: one, the appearance of the structure should reflect its utility and two, the form of the structure is inconsequential if the structure is not functional.

As a campus, EC fulfills the requirements of this precept.

The college looks like a college campus, and it’s not caving in on itself. However, EC’s form and function extends beyond its architectural framework.

EC is the network between the members and within the campus who seek to create a systematic form of higher education. The relationship between its members -- the students, faculty, and administration -- relies heavily upon this network and an open line of communication between all parties.

If this network is faulty, then the system loses its functionality.

That is, if the network doesn’t work, then EC is not operating adequately as an institution of higher education.

Measure E has allotted the college a $350 million budget to improve facilities and instructional equipment, and the college has vastly improved; however, the network between its members is still dysfunctional. This is because the nature of the network has transformed but the school has not adapted well to the flux.

In the past few semesters instructors have increasingly utilized My Team Site and mail. elcamino.edu to communicate with students, but the administration has not done much to accommodate for this change.

EC’s incompetent servers crash and deny access to these tools when students need them the most, and undoubtedly student GPA has been negatively effected.

The unstable platforms on which the EC networks operate disturbs student-teacher communication, which directly impacts the results of our education.

What is perturbing is that some of the funding for improvement has been allocated for aesthetic details to the school rather than administered to obvious functional needs, especially those as simple as a stable platform for the technological methods of communication at EC. That’s like writhing over acne when you’ve got a broken leg. the school must address the primary instructional equipment through which students and faculty communicate.

Function must be considered before the form.

Join the conversion online at www. eccunion.com The views expressed in this column are those of the author. They do not represent the views or opinions of the Union, its staff, editorial board or advisers.

Makeda Jackson, 20, biology “I think it’s better to be a parttime student with a part-time job.

Depending on your circumstance, if you don’t qualify for financial aid and you’re independent, nobody’s helping you.”

Illustration by Eugene Chang/ Union

Stephanie Hembree, 21, childhood development “I’m a full time student with a part-time job. Time management is the key. I’m able to manage. When classes get harder, it’s more stress, so I find me-time on the weekend.”

UP FOR DEBATE Full time student vs. part time student Rick Torres, 23, welding

Full-time students are fully invested in their career goals.

Class lectures, assignments, studying for exams, reading the textbook for the next class. Now imagine trying to tie in the extra time and responsibilities it takes when you have a job.

When you’re a full-time student, it gives you the platform to give full attention and focus Sam Tedla on your scholastic endeavors, as Staff writer apposed to having two major re@ECCUnionSam sponsibilities as a part-time student with a job.

Full-time students are fully invested in their career goals.

They have figured their path to success and want to get there in a timely fashion.

According to collegeboard.com, experts agree that students who work more than 15 to 20 hours per week often experience decreased school success, which can lead to dropping out entirely. If working will interfere with completing schoolwork, participating in extracurricular activities, spending time with family and friends or getting enough rest, it may not be a wise decision.

For students who qualify for financial aid, if you are not a full-time student you will not be disbursed the full amount of the Pell Grant you qualify for.

According to completecollege.com, full-time students are far more likely to complete degrees. While many parttime students believe they can’t afford to attend full-time, comprehensive academic advising and financial aid and tuition policies can help encourage more full-time enrollment.

I understand that some students have to work because of their financial situations, but to those who have a choice on whether or not to work, they should consider if they have their priorities in order and how long they want to prolong their time in school. Being a student is a job in itself, so think about the sacrifices you’re going to have to make in your personal/social life.

The bottom line is if you want to get out of college and get your dream job faster, then you can sacrifice a job that doesn’t make as much money as the career you aspire to work in and isn’t an occupation you are as passionate about.

Start your career now, and learn while you work.

Just like full-time students, part-time students have to keep up their academics along with handling work outside of school. But part time students don’t have the luxury of being full time without a job; the majority of students are part time because they have to juggle Cynnamon Baker their academic lives with their Staff writer jobs or careers. @ECCUnionCBaker These students deserve the proper support for what they get accomplished in 24 hours.

According to a topic brief by Indiana University, “many students work while attending college because of different dilemmas or set backs when it come to their diverse needs.”

College students having responsibilities outside of the classroom has become the norm. This may include taking care of a household, being the breadwinner, having to pay the bills for their education, on top of paying other bills.

There are many reasons why students attend college part-time instead of full-time. Many have taken time off from getting a degree and have settled into a job that can provide benefits as well as basic necessities to live. So they get their careers started to one day be able to attend college again when it best fits their schedules.

Students work to save for their future education at a university or take time to network in a career around their majors. This is a good way to put themselves through college by working and taking time to achieve financial stability as an adult in community college.

There have been dramatic changes in how students fund their college educations. Students range from different ages, academic strengths and economic backgrounds.

With this comes an even bigger range of different reasons students have to fund their education.

Although working may be an issue for students’ schedules, many have no choice but to work to fund their education or lives. At the end of the day, a student can obtain a degree while working and attending college make in personal/social life.

“It depends on the situation.

Some of us need gas money to get here. If we get hungry, we need to eat too, so sometimes it’s good to be a part-time student with a part time job.”

Victor Bocanegra, 19, teaching

“I’m a full time student. It depends on if you’re living with your parents. I’m just trying to get it (school) done as quick as possible.”

Zaid Khalil, 19, business management

“I’m full time and full time.

I’m only doing eight-week classes. I’m trying to knock out all my GE classes as soon as possible.

The 8-week classes let me finish quicker and have more time for work.”

arts

6 El Camino College Union

On The Scene Sophia Mootoo Staff Writer @ECCUnionSophia

Film Middle East “Lost Worlds of The Middle East,” is a film part of the Discovery World Travel Series. This film is narrated by Rick Ray and will be shown on Feb. 24 at the Marsee Auditorium. There will be two showings, at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the Marsee Auditorium box office or by calling 310-329-5345.

Theatre East Los Angeles chola Luis Alfaro creates a play based on the Greek tragedy “Electra,” but puts his own twist on it. “Electricidad” is about a chola in East Los Angeles who watched her father get murdered by her mother and is plotting her revenge. The showing is on Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Marsee Auditorium box office or by calling 310-329-5345.

February 20, 2014

Album Review

Independent duo drops

soulful

three disc album Image provided by Silverback Artist Management

Rigo Bonilla Staff Writer @ECCUnionRigo

They say hip-hop has five elements: DJ, MC, graffiti artist, break dancer and knowledge. One overlooked piece of the puzzle is the mixtape hustle.

The Grouch and Eligh, an independent California hip- hop duo, from the group called The Living Legends, released a triple album entitled “The Tortoise and the Crow” on Tuesday Feb. 18. What’s unique about it? Instead of slinging discs out of a car trunk like the independent hip-hoppers before them, the album was entirely funded by a Kickstarter campaign.

Kickstarter.com is a website where artists can pitch a project and consumers pledge money to help fund it. The Grouch and Eligh set up a goal of $50,000. By the end of their funding deadline, they had received $90,729 from 1,288 supporters.

The Grouch and Eligh have proved once again that being independent and professional isn’t just possible, but it’s an enviable position. There’s no record industry types to impress or share profits with, just fans and the music they asked for.

The first album of this three-piece campaign is a combined album with both the Grouch and Eligh contribut-

ing rhymes. It is solid, but the weakest of the three.

The singles with music videos were pulled from this first disc. These singles, like “Run,” were very light and poppy. “Run” seems like it would fit well on a Prius commercial.

The next disc is a solo effort by the Grouch, which is the best of the three. This album hits heavy. It’s engrossing and thoughtful. It can hang with any hip-hop.

The Grouch’s rhymes are positive and from the soul.

He speaks about true life and shares wisdom. A common theme is the struggle to better oneself.

The beats on the Grouch’s album are great and create a strong harmony between the rhymes and music. Two notable and well-used samples are the soul sample from Darondo on “Good Man” and the reggae sample from Steel Pulse on “My Best Teacher.”

Eligh’s solo album was last. This album had solid rhymes, but it was more of a showcase of beats. There were a few instrumentals on here and overall, the production was eclectic and unafraid of risks.

One instrumental, “Paid the Price,” was a snappy drum and bass type beat with hypnotizing jazz horns. “My

“The Producers”

God Song” was a flip on a Fugees’ classic. It contained the original sample from “I Only Have Eyes For You,” a sample from the Fugees’ “Zealots” and had a sharp rhyme scheme.

Overall, this triple album probably could have been condensed into one 15-track hip-hop classic, but the duo decided to throw all their colors on the canvas, and it was a good decision. They displayed their range and gave the fans that pledged money good value.

This grassroots funding is opening doors for underground artists. Music buffs are always complaining that the good bands get overlooked while undeserving acts are the ones getting airtime on the radio. Now any act with a legitimate buzz has a chance to record.

On the artist’s side, this grassroots funding may make artists think twice about signing that record deal. It allows for complete creative control, and more importantly, an environment that breeds brand loyalty. Fans who pledge to projects feel somewhat responsible for making it happen.

It makes it a community project.

The Grouch and Eligh are setting examples of what hip -hop can do with the internet age.

Interested in being the

3-D Theatricals presents “The Producers” at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Based on the 1968 film, two men, a producer and an accountant, develop a very unpredictable friendship. This comedic show has won 12 Tony Awards. For information about show viewings and ticket prices visit www.3dtshows.com.

Student Speaker

for the 2014 El Camino College Graduation?

Music Music tones Joseph Mitchell presents a percussion show including a variety of solo works for marimba and vibraphone and also contemporary jazz. This will be playing at the Marsee Auditorium on March 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Marsee Auditorium box office or by calling 310-329-5345.

Barbershop harmony The South Bay Coastliners will present their “Annual Barbershop Harmony Show: The (not so) Great Gatsby,” at the James Armstrong Theatre on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Theatre Box Office at 310-781-7171.

Dance Torrance dance programs The Torrance Unified School dance programs are all going to come together for the “15th Annual Dance Collaboration Effort” at the James Armstrong Theatre on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Theatre Box Office at 310-781-7171.

Gilberto Castro/ Union

John Ross Gatlin, 28, graphic design major, hired as a marketing assistant for EC.

Following his lines Usually a father teaches his son how to ride a bike, catch a ball, or how to drive, however, there might be other lessons that may just be a bit more important than knowing how to throw a curve ball.

John Ross Gatlin, 28, graphic design major, knows the importance of working hard and furthering his knowledge because of his father. In Gatlin’s last year of high school, the man who inspired him to get involved with art passed away.

“It was a hard time for the whole family,” Gatlin said. “My father was my inspiration.”

From being a photographer, private investigator, contractor, to working with the city of Los Angeles as a building inspector, and collaborating with distinct local newspapers, Gatlin’s father seemed to be like Superman, he did just about everything.

“It instilled that thought, try and learn as much as you can,” Gatlin said.

Gatlin was recently hired as the marketing assistant for a program according to Gatlin, “is about educating students about the benefits of earning your degree and transferring on.”

“To a degree I know John Ross probably better than most of my students,” Walter Cox, professor of fine arts said.

“He’s an intelligent student, comes prepare to class, and he’s very motivated.”

Joel Leon

Staff Writer @ECCUnionJoel

Cox also added that Gatlin is one of his favorite students and that he has a very bright future ahead of him.

Furthermore, Joyce Dallal, professor of fine arts, also speaks very highly of Gatlin’s work ethic.

“He is very conscientious and hardworking, talented and humble at the same time,” Dallal said. “John was chosen as one of the lead designers for the Myriad one semester and another semester he worked with a small team on an extensive catalog of the work of Wayne Healy, wellknown Los Angeles artist.”

Seemingly, Gatlin is well on his way to catching up to the amount of accomplishments his father did.

Overall, Gatlin strongly believes that it is important to expand knowledge in a broad amount of areas and hopes to be a spitting image of a hard worker just like his father.

“You don’t necessarily have to excel in everything,” Ross said. “But don’t limit yourself into one way of thinking. Branch out and learn different things.”

The Student Commencement Speaker must be a member of the graduating class and must submit and audition their speech to the selection committee. A speech of up to three minutes will be allowed, on a topic appropriate to the occasion.

Submit a typed manuscript in an unmarked manila envelope to the Student Development Office by

5pm on Tuesday, April 1st .

The auditions will be held Thursday, April 3rd, from 2pm-4pm and Friday, April 4th, from 9am-11:30am, in the Student Development Office.

Selection will be based on content and presentation.

The selection of the student speaker by the panel is final.

Questions: For further information involving the Student Speaker application call (310) 660-3593 ext. 3394.

February 20, 2014

Sports

Aguilar’s double sparks offense Softball team put on a offensive show in 8-1 victory over Santa Monica College last Friday.

El Camino College Union 7

Warriors Schedule Men’s baseball:

Today vs Imperial Valley

Women’s Basketball: Tomorrow at Southwest College

men’s Basketball: Rocky Rivera Staff Writer @ECCUnionRocky

Despite a tight start to the game, a double in the fourth inning from freshman catcher Miranda Aguilar set off an offensive spark that would lead the Warriors to victory.

It proved to be the catalyst for El Camino’s 8-1 home win over Santa Monica College (4-6) last Friday.

“It was a team effort,” said freshman center fielder Marissa Padillo about the triumph. “Everyone was doing their job hitting and making plays.”

Aguilar’s double proved vital as the momentum led the Warriors to scoring two more runs in the fourth inning with some help from a Padillo RBI. This after having the score deadlocked for the first two innings.

“It was a one to one game for a couple of innings and we finely got the timing right.” said freshman third baseman, Danielle Bonsky.

El Camino’s defense was also strong as the Warriors amounted an impressive nine strikeouts, four from Bonsky and five from freshman Reina Trejo. “[Bonsky] had bases loaded in the sixth inning and she ended up striking out the next three batters to keep them from scoring. So, she shut them out in that inning too,” said coach Elaine Martinez.

Despite taking a 4-1 lead after the fourth, the remainder of the game did not prove to be an easy task for the Warriors.

“I never felt comfortable until that last out,” Mar-

tinez said. “You just never know. That’s gonna be the case with most teams this season. We just gotta play a solid seven innings and we’ll be alright.”

The victory was especially uplifting for the team after a heavy defeat to defending South Coast Champions, Mt. St. Antonio on Feb. 13 which El Camino lost 10-2.

“We had injuries and players out of position,” said coach Martinez about the prior loss. “We were still in the game and that gave us some confidence.

We took the good from those first four innings and just built on that for Friday’s game.”

The win showed El Camino’s ability to bounce back from defeat and the players felt the morale boost from the victory. “[The win] got us pumped up and gave us confidence,” Trejo said. “It ensured us that we can hit and that if we do play as a team we can beat any team.”

Four more Warrior runs in the fifth and sixth inning put the game out of reach for Santa Monica making the final score 8-1. El Camino’s record stands at 6-5 overall after this win. They await an important encounter away to Conference opponents Compton College (7-1) on Thursday.

- See more at: http://www.eccunion.com/ sports/2014/02/18/aguilars-double-lifts-team-tooffensive-explosion/#sthash.9ar7mi8u.dpuf

Tomorrow vs Harbor College

Softball:

Tomorrow at El Camino Compton Center

Women’s Tennis:

Today at College of the Desert

men’s Volleyball:

Tomorrow vs. San Diego College

Men’s Tennis:

Tomorrow at Mt. San Antonio College

Warriors Scoreboard Men’s baseball:

Warriors 1 (4-5), Cypress college 4

Women’s Basketball: Warriors 57 (12-13) Cerritos 67

men’s Basketball:

Warriors 56 (2-20), Cerritos College 75

Softball:

Warriors 4 (7-5), Pasadena 3

men’s Volleyball: Warriors 1 (3-2), Irvine Valley 3

Men’s Tennis: Warriors 9 (1-2), Cypress College 0

Women’s Tennis: Warriors 7 (3-2), Rio Hondo 2

8 El Camino College Union

Sports

February 20, 2014

John Fordiani / Union

A San Bernardino player slides into home base, just as sophomore catcher, Austin Watters attempts to tag the player. The Warriors lost to San Bernardino Valley College, 5-1.

Warriors can’t contain SBVC Brian Camacho Staff Writer @ECCUnionBrian

Base running and leaving men stranded continue to cause problems for the El Camino Baseball team, as they dropped the rubber match against San Bernardino Valley College 5-2.

The Warriors (4-4) split the first two games in San Bernardino but failed to close out the series at home, ultimately being unable to bring runners home as they left 10 men on base despite matching the Wolverines (5-4) with 7 hits.

"We need to start learning as a young team," coach Nate Fernley said. "The hits are similar but we're just not making the plays when we need to."

Offense was not the problem for the Warriors, as they have a .346 OBP (On Base Percentage) on the season but they continued to struggle with running the bases, making costly errors at crucial moments and giving the Wolverines easy outs.

"We have to execute," sophomore designated hitter Dylan Hatch said. "We have to be able to bunt guys over and get hit-and-runs down. Just the little things."

Starting sophomore pitcher Andy Burschinger lasted 6 innings while giving up 5 hits, 3 earned runs and striking out 4 batters.

Burschinger started the season with three solid outings but did not seem to have his best stuff Saturday against the Wolverines, falling behind in counts and not being able to stick to his best pitches.

"As a pitcher you're supposed to establish a fastball and throw strikes early on and I

John Fordiani / Union

Blake Mendoza, Outfielder, Sophomore, hits a fast ball making it to first base. The Warriors went on to lose the game 5-1 against San Bernardino Valley College on Feb 15th.

wasn't able to do that," Burschinger said. "I battled but when you don't throw strikes consistently that's what's going to happen."

The Warriors fell behind 3-0 early by giving up runs in the top of the first, second and fourth inning before getting on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

Freshman first baseman Ted Dilts started off the inning with a lead-off walk followed by a double by Hatch which put men on first and third base.

Sophomore right fielder Joseph Cortez would then fly out but bring Dilts home with a sacrifice RBI, cutting into the Wolverine lead 3-1.

"We needed a big play to get some kind of momentum to get back in the game and it fired our team up," sophomore catcher Austin Watters said.

The Wolverines would add two more insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning, knocking Burschinger out of the game and giving them a 5-1 lead.

The Warriors would respond in the bottom of the ninth inning by loading up the bases with no outs thanks to a pair of singles by Hatch and freshman left fielder Alex Turner.

Freshman center fielder Keyon Allen would hit an RBI single to make it a 5-2 game but that would be the only run the Warriors would score in the inning as they dropped the game and the series.

"We're struggling right now but we'll come around," Turner said. "We're a good solid team."

Next up the Warriors will travel to Cypress College on Tuesday, followed by a home game with Imperial Valley College on Thursday, before heading to L.A. Pierce College on Saturday, Feb. 22.

"We'd rather make the mistakes now than in conference," Watters said. "We'd rather lose the tough games now than in conference when it really matters."

John Fordiani / Union

Sophmore Andy Burschinger, pitcher, pitches a ball. The Warriors lost against San Bernardino Valley College, 5-1 last Saturday.