The state of Florida: threat or menace? Even more La Voz satire in Opinion and Forum| PAGE
La Voz Weekly THE VOICE OF DE ANZA Vol. 41, Issue 25
May 19, 2008
The Week Ahead
Asian Americans in the Media Journalist/writer Andrew Lam will speak on significant Asian American issues and East/West relations. Monday, May 19, 1:30 to 3 p.m., in Campus Center Rooms A&B
Student Athlete Recognition Ice cream, cookies and drinks will be provided a the student athlete recognition program. Wednesday, May 21, 1:30 to 3 p.m, in Campus Center Room B
‘Dream of Doubt’ Screening This film follows post-9/11 hate crimes against Sikh immigrant communities. It will be followed by a moderated panel discussion. Wednesday, May 21, 1:30 to 3 p.m., in MCC 116
‘Mechina: A Preparation’ Screening This documentary by a Duke alumna shows six Israelis preparing for enlistment in the IDF. It will be followed by a discussion with the producer. Wednesday, May 21, 4 p.m., in the Campus Center Don Bautista Room
Express Art Contest for HIV/AIDS Awareness The winners of a performance art contest perform as part of national Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Thursday, May 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Main Quad stage
Find a complete list of campus events on PAGE 2
INDEX
Campus Snapshot...............p3 Meeting Notes...................p3 Campus News....................p4 Economics for Everyone.......p5 Features........................p6 Editorial........................p7 Sports.........................p8 La Voz Weekly is a first amendment newspaper, produced by students for the campus community of De Anza College. La Voz Weekly is printed on recycled paper.
7
“Onomatopoeia!” Graduation Days De Anza literary festival draws in renowned
poets, excited students and faculty| PAGE
5
De Anza administrators urge students planning on transferring to get their associates’ degrees and graduate along the way | PAGE
4
Will students pass the buck? De Anza weighs election ballot initiative to provide free VTA transportation, results this Wednesday Stacy Lane LA VOZ NEWS
In an effort to help reduce student expenses and curb global warming, the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate has proposed an initiative to provide every full-time student with an Eco Pass, a special Valley Transportation Authority Pass that allows unlimited use of VTA buses and light rail. The initiative was placed on last week’s DASB election ballot for the approval of full-time students, who would see a $5 increase in their registration fees should the initiative pass. The results of the election are expected this Wednesday. A similar system is already in place at San Jose State University, and students there say they find it to be useful. “I love it,” says Grace Rosenthal, a student at SJSU. “I just sit back on the
DE ANZA VOICES:
What do you think of the Eco Pass? Compiled by Nitzan Beck/la voz
way to school, and I don’ t have to pay for gas.” The upcoming vote seeks approval from students to implement the fee, and does not actually ensure that the Eco Pass will take effect.
“We have negotiated with VTA, but they are reluctant to give the pass to part-time students.” Yujin Yoshimura, DASB Senator
Students voted on the initiative during this election because the senate wants to implement the Eco Pass system as soon as possible, and wants to avoid having to wait until next year’s elections to hold a student plebiscite. SEE “ECO PASS” PAGE 4
Photo illustration by josh bays/la voz
A possible version of the Eco Pass on a DASB card, similar to the version used on student IDs at SJSU.
“It’s definitely a good thing. I live fairly close and it‘ll give me the option to take the bus instead of driving.”
“For just $5 you can use the bus and the light rail. That’s like one stop at Starbucks.”
“I take the bus home once a week. [With] light rail that’s already $180 per quarter.”
Peter Guidotti, massage therapy major
Oliver Seet, computer science major
Khang Nguyen, biochemistry major
Coming soon: Rent your textbooks In yet another effort at De Anza to combat rising prices, bookstore pursues textbook rental program Daniel Gamberg LA VOZ NEWS
To address the soaring cost of textbooks, the De Anza College bookstore will launch a pilot textbook rental program this fall, where students can rent a textbook for a fraction of the retail price. “Our purpose here is to serve the students,” said bookstore director Jeri Montgomery. Bookstore administrators are currently searching for the best rental system to implement at De Anza. One possible system is the Affiliate Program offered by online textbook rental service Chegg. In this program, the bookstore would receive a 10 to 12 percent commission on each student purchase. Bookstore administrators me with Chegg representatives last week, but have not yet finalized any deals. The company hosting the retail program currently in place at the bookstore, Missouri Book Services, is offering the school an alternative rental system using a software module. The module allows the store to catalog, finance and distribute books to students. In order for any such program to succeed, faculty members must be willing to commit to using the same textbook for a minimum of
two years so that the bookstore is not stuck with textbooks it doesn’t need. In addition, the bookstore still needs to break even in terms of profit and expense and the rental program might stand in the way of that, bookstore officials said. Last winter, the bookstore’s expenses were greater than its revenues, resulting in a 10.4 percent loss that must be recouped through future sales. A number of options are available for funding textbook rental programs and lowering overall textbook costs. The San Mateo County Community College District has utilized state and federal grants to develop their nationally distinguished program. The De Anza bookstore has networked with the California State University, Fullerton to learn more about their textbook rental program. CSUF uses a depreciating cost system to recover funds over a number of years, whereas SMCCCD purchases its textbooks with grants, funds and fundraisers and doesn’t have to recover costs over long periods of time. There are also a number of risks associated with establishing a textbook rental program. Determining prices that would be reasonable to students and creating an effective returns contract are
@
essential to maintaining revenue. “The number of students that don’t return books [is] a huge problem,” said Tom Bauer, director of auxiliary services for SMCCCD. SMCCCD has implemented a number of policies to prevent student textbook theft, including the freezing of student accounts and the withholding of transcripts, and is debating whether to prevent students who owe more than $250 from registering for classes, said Bauer. From July 2005 to Jan. 2008, SMCCCD students saved $707,482.53 by participating its bookstore’s textbook rental program. “This is the first place I’ve worked where the students actually really like the bookstore,” Bauer said. “And that’s kind of a cool thing.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, college textbook prices have nearly doubled since 1986, and are continuing to spiral upward. Colleges around the country are looking to alternatives to printed textbooks, such as opensource online e-books (see La Voz Weekly 5/12). Daniel Gamberg is assistant copy editor for La Voz. Contact him at danielgamberg@lavozdeanza.com
BY THE NUMBERS
10.4% Net loss in revenue the campus bookstore yielded last winter
$886 Average dollars spent by two year college students for textbooks, according to a 2005 Government Accountability office report
2x The price increase in textbooks, as compared to the rate of inflation, from 1986 to 2004
707+ Dollar amount, in thousands, that San Mateo Community College students have saved by using a textbook rental program from July 2005 to January 2008
La Voz Online
WWW.LAVOZDEANZA.COM
CAMPUS Events
PAGE 2
MONDAY
THEATER: ERIK FLATMO 10:30 A.M.-NOON, ROOM G 3
Erik Flatmo is a San Francisco set designer who has worked with the San Francisco Opera Center, Stanford Summer Theater, A.C.T. Conservatory and Yale Repertory Theater. This event is presented as part of the Visiting Artists Series. For information contact Todd Gutmann at gutmanns@hotmail.com.
ANDREW LAM: ASIAN AMERICANS IN THE MEDIA 1:30-3 P.M., CAMPUS CENTER ROOMS A&B
Journalist/writer Andrew Lam speaks on significant Asian American issues and East/West relations. Lam is the editor of “New American Media” and the author of “Perfume Dreams.” For information contact Tom Izu at 408-864-8986.
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN STUDENT FILM SCREENING, PANEL 4:30-6 P.M., ATC 309
The 7th annual Asian Pacific American Student Film Showing features guest panelist Andrew Lam.
WEDNESDAY LITERARY MAGAZINE SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: 4 P.M.
Get your poetry, plays, stories, comics, artwork and photographs published in De Anzaʼs literary magazine, Red Wheelbarrow. Over $300 in prizes will be awarded for best student poems, stories and art. Submission guidelines are at: http://faculty.deanza.edu/splitterrandolph/ stories/storyReader$150. Send your submissions or questions to weisnerken@fhda.edu.
FALL IN LONDON INFORMATIONAL MEETING 12:30-1:30 P.M., CAMPUS CENTER, DON BAUTISTA ROOM
This meeting explains Campus Abroad to London, where students will participate in a 12-unit British Life and Culture program focusing on historical, political, economic and cultural aspects of contemporary Britain. The approximate cost is $4,620 plus airfare. Another meeting will be held on June 16. For information call Art Turmelle at 650-949-7614.
STUDENT ATHLETE RECOGNITION 1:30-3 P.M., CAMPUS CENTER ROOM B
Ice cream, cookies and drinks are provided at the student athlete recognition program.
ʻDREAM OF DOUBTʼ SCREENING 1:30-3:30 P.M., ROOM MCC 16
This film follows post-9/11 hate crimes against Sikh immigrant communities. The film viewing will be followed by a moderated panel and community dialogue. For information contact communityengagement@deanza.edu.
FREE CHAIR MASSAGE 3:30 P.M., MAIN QUAD
Students in the Massage Therapy Program offer free 15 minute chair massages for students, staff.
ʻMECHINA: A PREPARATIONʼ SCREENING 4 P.M., CAMPUS CENTER, DON BAUTISTA ROOM
This documentary by a Duke alumna shows six Israelis preparing for the army in Israel, including her cousin. The 45 minute film screening will be followed by a discussion with the producer.
THURSDAY EXPRESS ART CONTEST FOR HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY 11 A.M.-2 P.M., MAIN QUAD STAGE
The winners of a performance art contest perform as part of national Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
VICTOR DENOBLE: TRUTH ABOUT TOBACCO 12:30-2 P.M., FOOTHILL COLLEGE - APPRECIATION HALL
Victor J. DeNoble, former research scientist for Philip Morris and inspiration for the film “The Insider” speaks about the tobacco industry and its effect on those who use cigarettes. The film will be shown continuously in the Foothill Student Lounge on May 14, 15 and 20 starting at 8:30 a.m. For information contact C. Thunen at 650-949-7559.
FRIDAY
CAROLYN KEEN LITERATURE PRIZE ESSAYS DUE FRIDAY MAY 23
The Carolyn Keen Literature Prize grants annual awards to outstanding essays written by students at De Anza College on works of literature. Prizes range from $100-$300 and the winning essay will be published in Red Wheelbarrow. Submission information is at http://www.deanza.edu/news/literaryprize0408.html.
NEXT WEEK FILM SCREENING: ʻDEPORTATION ACROSS IMMIGRATION COMMUNITIESʼ WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1:30-3:30 P.M. CAL HISTORY CENTER
This film will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on deportation amongst Southeast Asian,
South Asian and Filipino communities. For information contact communityengagement@deanza.edu.
LATINO HERITAGE MONTH RESOURCE FAIR THURSDAY, MAY 29, 11:30-2:30 P.M., MAIN QUAD
Local community organizations demonstrate what they have to offer. The event will feature live performances and music by a local DJ. For information contact julianaB9@yahoo.com.
DRUM FOR FUN! THURSDAY, MAY 29, 12-1 P.M., MAIN QUAD
Join the Jews, Israelis and Friends Club for an interactive and entertaining drumming session with internationally renowned, award-winning percussionist and community drumming leader Jim Greiner.
HIP HOP ARTIST RENNIE HARRIS TO APPEAR THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1:30-2:30 P.M., CHORAL HALL ROOM A11
Artistic Director and Choreographer Rennie Harris gives a lecture and hip-hop demonstration. Harris has taught workshops and classes at UCLA, Bates College, Columbia College and was voted one of the most influential people in the last 100 years of Philadelphia history. For information contact lucaswarren@deanza.edu.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES THURSDAY, MAY 29, 6-9 P.M., CAMPUS CENTER ROOMS A&B
This educational and informative event is about the needs of immigrant communities as related to domestic violence issues. For information contact communityengagement@deanza.edu.
CHICAGO THE MUSICAL FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MAY 30-31, 8 P.M., FLINT CENTER
Broadwayʼs most popular musical, recipient of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy is coming to Flint Center. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster for $40-$60.
JUNE AUTO TECH GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, JUNE 6, ALL DAY, SUNOL GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
The annual Caracci Memorial Scholarship fund raiser golf tournament and dinner, sponsored by the Auto Tech Department, will include raffle prizes. Proceeds go for student scholarships. For information and cost contact Dave Capitolo at 408-864-8312 or e-mail capitolodave@fhda.edu.
DE ANZA FLEA MARKET SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 8 A.M. - 4 P.M., PARKING LOTS A & B
The flea market is held on the first Saturday of every month, rain, shine or holidays. The June flea market is sold out for vendors. Entrance for shoppers is free; parking is $5. For information call 408-864-8414.
PIANO RECITAL SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 4-7:30 P.M., CHORAL HALL ROOM A-11
This De Anza student piano recital is free. For information contact Anna Poklewski at poklewskianna@deanza.edu.
FREE CHAIR MASSAGE MONDAY, JUNE 9, 3:30 P.M., MAIN QUAD
Students in the Massage Therapy Program offer free 15 minute chair massages for students, staff. For information contact Deb Tuck at 408-8648205.
FREE SPORTS MASSAGE TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 12:40-2:50 P.M., TRACK
Students in the Massage Therapy Program offer free post-event sports massages at the track near the menʼs locker room exit. Please sign up on the Physical Education Office door, behind the diving board.
VISITING ARTISTS: LISA MALETTE, KIT WILDER WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 10:45 A.M.-12:15 P.M. CALIFORNIA HISTORY CENTER
Kit Wilder and Lisa Malette, directors from City Lights Theater in San Jose, speak to students. This season, Wilder is directing “A Few Good Men” and Mallette is directing “Hair.” For artist information go to http://www.cltc.org; for event information contact Todd Gutmann at gutmanns@hotmail.com.
DADDIOS IN CONCERT THURSDAY, JUNE12, 7:30 P.M., CUPERTINO COMMUNITY HALL
De Anzaʼs “Six OʼClock” and “Eight OʼClock” Daddios Jazz Ensembles, directed by instructor Steve Tyler, present a program of contemporary big band jazz. Featured guest arts are Paul Tynan, trumpet, and Aaron Lington, saxophone. The cost is $10 for general admission; $8 for students/seniors. The Cupertino Community Hall is at 10350 Torre Ave. For more information go to http://faculty.deanza.edu/tylersteve/calendar.
STUDENT FILM SHOW 2008 FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 7-11 P.M., CHORAL HALL A-11
The annual student film show presents films made by De Anza students from the Film and Television Department. Admission is $5. For information contact Zaki Lisha at lishazaki@deanza.edu or Tom Schott at schotttom@deanza.edu.
AUTO TECH CLUBʼS CHEVY CAR SHOW SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 9 A.M.-3 P.M., S QUAD, L QUAD, MAIN QUAD
MAY 19, 2008 INFO
Send event notices to Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com by Wednesday noon preceding the week of publication. Please type “Happenings” in the subject line. La Voz does not guarantee publication. All events take place on the De Anza College campus and are free, unless stated otherwise.
Happenings@LaVozDeAnza.com
DE ANZA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 7:30-10 P.M., CHORAL HALL ROOM A 11
Students in the De Anza Chamber Orchestra perform. Admission is $8 for general admission and $5 for students. For information contact deanzamusic1@yahoo.com.
PIANO RECITAL SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2-4 P.M., CHORAL HALL ROOM A 11
This De Anza student piano recital is free. For information contact Anna Poklewski at poklewskianna@deanza.edu.
WORLD FAMOUS DANCE DEMO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 7-9:30 P.M. CAMPUS CENTER ROOMS A&B
De Anza Professor Warren Lucas presents the World Famous Dance Demo featuring De Anza students. For information contact lucaswarren@ fhda.edu.
VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE IN CONCERT FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 7:30-10 P.M., CHORAL HALL A 11
Michelle Hawkins presents the Vocal Jazz Ensemble comprised of De Anza students. Admission is $10 for the public and $5 for students/seniors. For information contact hawkinsmichelle@deanza.edu
AUTO TECH CLUBʼS FORD MUSTANG CAR SHOW SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 9 A.M.-3 P.M., PARKING LOT A DE ANZA WIND ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 6:30-10:30 P.M., CHORAL HALL A 11
John Russell presents the De Anza Wind Ensemble, comprised of De Anza students. Admission is $8 for the public and $5 for students and seniors. For imformation contact John Russell at 408-8648999, ext. 3525.
JAZZ COMBOS CONCERT MONDAY, JUNE 23, 7:30 P.M., INSTRUMENTAL HALL A 31
Jazz combos from the Music 48 Jazz Improvisation class perform in concert. Cost is $5. For information go to http://faculty.deanza.edu/ tylersteve/courses/music48.
GRADUATION CEREMONY SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 9-11 A.M, OUTDOOR EVENTS ARENA
De Anzaʼs 41st annual commencement exercises features keynote speaker Professor Francisco Jime-
nez from the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Santa Clara University.
ONGOING ACADEMIC SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Skills workshops are offered Mondays-Fridays through May 30 on topics including memory strategies, anti-procrastination, editing skills, tests with less stress, critical thinking tips and note taking strategies. Workshops are open to all De Anza students. For more information, visit the Tutorial and Academic Skills Center in L 47 or go to: http://faculty.deanza.edu/ alvesdelimadiana/stories/storyReader$9.
STUDENT ART SHOW MAY 19-JUNE 12, EUPHRAT MUSEUM OF ART
This exhibition features paintings, drawings, mixed-media works, photography, graphic design, sculpture and ceramics created by students at De Anza College. The artworks reflect expertise in diverse media and varied interests and points of view. Reception will be Tuesday, June 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Awards will be presented during this reception. Museum hours are Monday through Thursday, 10-4, exccept for the Memorial Day holiday, and open to tour groups by appointment. For information contact Jan Rindfleisch at 408-864-8836.
DISCOUNTS ON AMC MOVIE TICKETS
De Anzaʼs Student Accounts Office offers discounted AMC tickets to students with DASB cards. Tickets range from $6-$7.50 depending on how recent the movie is and when the movie will be seen.
STUDENT DISCOUNTS WITH DASB CARD
Students with DASB cards can get discounts at Chipotle, Cittiʼs Florist, Coffee Society, Cynthiaʼs Professional Hair Stylist, Erikʼs Deli Cafe, Fontanaʼs Hobeeʼs Homestead Lanes, Itʼs a Grind Coffee House, KFC, Lollicup, Marie Callenderʼs, RamenRama, Subway, Togoʼs Una Mas Mexican Grill, Yiassoo. Most discounts are for 10 percent. For information on store locations and amounts of the discounts, go to http:// www.deanza.edu/dasb/discounts.html.
IMPORTANT DATES May 19-May 26: Continuing student registration May 21: Student Senate election results posted, contingent upon no delays May 19-June 6: ICC Food Drive May 20: Last day to drop spring quarter classes May 24-26: College closed for Memorial Day Holiday May 28-June 29: New/former student registration June 6: Last day to add CAOS and Skills self-paced classes. June 27: Last day to file for spring degree June 28: Graduation - 9 a.m. June 30: First day of summer session July 4: Last day to add summer classes
ACADEMIC SKILLS WORKSHOPS Academic Skills Workshops are small, interactive presentations and discussions designed to help De Anza students succeed in their classes. Workshops are open and free to all students, based on available space. For more information, visit the Tutorial and Academic Skills Center in L 47. DAY
TIME
TOPIC
WHERE
Monday
10:30 A.M.
Test Taking Tips
L47 A
11:30 A.M.
Critical Thinking Tips
WRC/ATC309
1:30 P.M.
Goal Setting & Motivation
L47 A
3:30 P.M.
Study Skills for Math & Science
L47 A
9:30 A.M.
Editing Skills
L32
10:30 A.M.
Writing, Grammar Web Resources L47 A
1:30 P.M.
Sentence Skills*
WRC/ATC309
4:30 P.M.
Tests With Less Stress
L47 A
6:00 P.M.
Engaging Ethics
L47 A
10:30 A.M.
Textbook Reading
WRC/ATC30
2:30 P.M.
Time Management Strategies
L22
10:30 A.M.
Communicating in Study Groups L47 A
2:30 P.M.
Sentence Skills*
WRC/ATC309
3:30 P.M.
Engaging Ethics
L47 A
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
*These workshops are recommended for students who have not yet completed EWRT1A or ESL5.
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY TRANSFER EVENTS UC Davis: Every Monday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Transfer Center UC San Diego: Thursday, May 22, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Transfer Center
UC Santa Cruz: Wednesday, June 4, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m.,
Transfer Center
Cal State Northridge: Tuesday, May 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center Lobby
SFSU: Thursday, May 22 and June 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Transfer Center Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising: Thursday, May 29, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main Quad Notre Dame de Namur U: Thursday, June 3, 11 a.m-1 p.m., Campus Center Lobby
De Anza At a Glance
MAY 19, 2008
Phi Theta Kappa prepares book drive Paul Edison LA VOZ NEWS
Members of the De Anza College Chapter Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society started their annual Phi Theta Kappa book drive on campus about a month ago. The club started its first book drive last year in collaboration with Better World Books, a nationwide company that organizes campus book drives and converts the donated books into funding for literacy programs such as the National Center of Family Literacy and Books for Africa. Last spring, De Anza College students donated 2,138 textbooks to Africa through the book drive. At the end of this quarter, officers and members of Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honor society at De Anza, will collect books from donation boxes spread around campus. The donated books are sent to Better World Books’ headquarters to be collected and cat-
egorized. College and university textbooks are then sold on the internet and the profits are donated to the Books for Africa program, funding literacy programs for at least 37 countries on the continent. De Anza College Phi Theta Kappa President Rada Turcanu said the society chose Africa because the countries there are the ones needing the most international help. “I think that something we need to focus more on is on giving out information and raising awareness about what’s going on with the literacy in Africa,” she said. Last year’s drive ranked the society at the third place for books contributed in the Nevada-California region. “We did it just to help out. We didn’t get anything from it,” said Thien Nguyen, the webmaster vice president in charge of the drive this year. The society was eligible to receive a 50 cent return for every book donated, but they refused it. The money was sent instead to a
project for schools in tsunami- and civil waraffected regions of Sri Lanka. The De Anza bookstore also donated 30 boxes of used textbooks to last year’s drive and will contribute another 30 boxes this year, bookstore director Jeri Montgomery said. There are a total of four boxes for this year’s drive, located in front of the library, in the Student and Community Services Building, the Writing and Reading Center in ATC-309, and the Math/Science Tutorial Center in S-43. The last day for students to donate books this spring is June 27. Nguyen doesn’t expect the club to do an independent book drive anytime soon. He said joining efforts with Better World Books proved to be more efficient and allows the drive to be more organized. Paul Edison is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact him at pauledison@lavozdeanza. com.
These notes are collected from De Anza’s Police media log.
Statshot of the week:
How old are De Anza students?
PAGE 3 »WEEKLY NOTES«
Police Log TRAFFIC INJURY Traffic Accident - Minor Injury Location: De Anza College Thursday, May 15 at 10:47 a.m. INVESTIGATION Fire Alarm Location: De Anza College Wednesday, May 14 at 7:43 p.m. INVESTIGATION Intrustion Alarm Location: De Anza College Wednesday, May 14 at 7:34 a.m SEX CRIME Sexual Battery wihle Restrained Location: De Anza Bookstore Friday, May 9 at 4:14 p.m. TRAFFIC HIT & RUN Property Damage only Location: Flint Parking Garage Monday, May 12 at 3:14 p.m. INVESTIGATION Suspicious Person Location: Main Gymnasium Monday, May 12 at 9:01 p.m.
DASB Senate The De Anza College Associated Student Body senate is the governing body of De Anza College.
May 14
Graphic by josh bays/la voz
Campus Snapshot
What happened: Debates between candidates for the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate Presidency were held on Monday, May 12 in the Hinson Campus Center. There were three rounds, with one question each and a chance for each candidate to respond with a five-minute rebuttal. Joseph Traylor, 20 years old and majoring in business was one of the students who saw the debates and said Terell Sterling, the first candidate to speak, stood out most. Why this matters: The debate kicked off senate elections week, when De Anza students vote for candidates to represent them during the coming academic year. The results of the election will be released next Wednesday.
Nitzan Beck
Inter Club Council
The Inter Club Council is the governing body which allocates funds to De Anza College’s 60 active clubs. The ICC meets Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Council Chambers in the basement of the Hinson Campus Center.
May 14 What happened: A $500 request by Asian Pacific American Students for Leadership for a Japanese drum performance on May 20 was approved. Student Nurses Organization and Democracy Matters won the Battery Drive.
Jose Marte/LA VOZ
Fortunately for this extreme sports enthusiast, when her parachute failed to open she was able to change into a bathing suit and steer her body towards De Anza’s pool.
Why this matters: The Battery Drive is one of the drives that the ICC hosts. Clubs can participate in the drive by donating batteries. The club that donates the most batteries wins and all the other clubs that have donated are eligible for drawings. The clubs that win the drive will receive $100 in their club accounts as reward. Yujin Yoshimura
PAGE 4
MAY 19, 2008
CAMPUS NEWS
Administrators promote associate’s degree Students attend graduation open house, 68 applications processed, 500 expected by June Kelly Truong LA VOZ NEWS
When De Anza College Interim Vice President of Instruction John Swensson asks a class of students if they’re planning on transferring, almost everyone in the room raises their hands. It’s only when he poses a second question — whether or not they’re planning to graduate from De Anza itself and obtain an associate’s degree — that their enthusiasm dampens. “A bunch of hands go down,” Swensson said. More than ever, De Anza administrators are urging students to graduate with an associate’s degree, even if they plan on transferring. The Counseling Division held a graduation open house on May 7 designed to inform students about the process. “What we’re interested in doing is making sure that every student who is eligible to graduate elects to do so,” Swensson said. Through fulfilling the requirements for transfer to four-year universities, students often simultaneously fulfill most
of the requirements necessary to graduate from De Anza with an associate’s degree. However, not all choose to do so. According to Swensson, “Students say, ‘Well, I don’t need that associate’s degree.’” However an associate’s degree is useful in finding jobs and negotiating salaries, particularly in cases where family or health issues interfere with students’ studies and cause them to leave their four-year universities, he said. Student Chris Truong, a psychology major at De Anza, plans on transferring without obtaining his associate’s degree. There is no reason to get an associate’s degree if you are going to get a bachelor’s degree, he said. “You prefer getting your bachelor’s over an associate’s because you can get more money with a bachelor’s,” he added. Criminal justice major Jackson Mac sees it differently. “You worked hard for it. Why wouldn’t you get your degree [while transferring]?” he asked. More students are beginning to think like Mac, according to Howard Irvin,
dean of Counseling. Last year’s graduation applications marked an increase over previous years. Irvin said that the counseling division processed 68 graduation applications at the May 7 open house and expects a minimum of 500 applications total for this academic year. De Anza wants students, Swensson said, and seeing them graduate helps the school fulfill that purpose. Students may also graduate when they are short only one course if they make it up over the summer. This year’s ceremony will take place June 28 and will feature keynote speaker Dr. Francisco Jiminez, an awardwinning author and Santa Clara University professor whose specialty is Latin American studies. The application deadline for graduating at the public event passed last Friday. However, students can apply for the degree up until June 27, the day before the ceremony. Kelly Truong is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at kellytruong@ lavozdeanza.com.
Associates degree: required classes l Area A: Language and rationality 9-14 units 1. English Composition 2. Oral Communication 3. Critical Thinking (in completing the AS degree, this sub-area is satisfied) l Area B: Natural sciences 4-6 units 1. One course from the physical or biological sciences l Area C*: Arts and humanities 8-9 units 1. One course from the arts and one from humanities l Area D*: Social and behavioral sciences 8 units 1. One course from behavioral sciences and one from history and society l Area E: Physical education, development and performance 2-5 units 1. At least one unit from physical education or adapted physical education adapted *one intercultural studies in area C or D Proficiency in reading, written expression and mathematics must be met. Check the De Anza schedule of classes for more information.
Students weigh $5 fee increase for Eco Pass CONTINUED FROM FRONT However, details for a deal with VTA are not yet in place. According to John Cognetta, director of College Life and Activities, if students approve the fee, a formal contract with VTA will need to be drafted, a formal proposal will have to be presented to the vice president of Student Services and the Foothill-De Anza Community College District board will need to approve the fee increase. The Eco Pass will be available to full-time students only. Students enrolled in at least 12 units are considered full time. “We have negotiated with VTA on
this, but they are reluctant give the pass to part-time students,” said DASB Senator Yujin Yoshimura.
“As we all know, it will take contributions from all of us to reverse carbon dioxide omissions and their deadly effects.” Jeanine Hawk, VP of Finance and College Services
VTA’s refusal to allow part-time students to have a pass stems from their concerns regarding abuse of privileges.
At $5 a pass, VTA is losing money on the venture. Their concern is that riders dependent on public transportation will enroll in the minimum number of classes just to procure the Eco Pass. “We would work with VTA to minimize this [abuse],” said Jeanine Hawk, vice president of Finance and College Services. No specific plans are in place yet. Even with the possibility of abuse, the benefits of the Eco Pass, both for De Anza students and VTA are hard to ignore. VTA would be guaranteed approximately $140,000 annually in funds, and students would have the ben-
efit of alternate transportation, which would reduce the amount of money they spend on gas. Added to this is the possibility of having a positive effect on the environment. By placing cheap and easy access to mass transit in the hands of students, De Anza hopes to take more cars off the road. “As we all know, it will take contributions from all of us to reverse carbon
dioxide omissions and their deadly effects,” said Hawk. “We must all act.” By placing the initiative on the upcoming ballot, the DASB hopes that students will do just that. Stacy Lane is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at stacylane@ lavozdeanza.com.
Apply all of your qualifying Associate Degree credits to a Bachelor’s Degree.
Apply your qualifying associate degree credits and earn a bachelor’s degree at DeVry University. We offer bachelor’s degree programs that can lead to rewarding careers in Business, Information Systems, Healthcare Technology and more. Students who have completed their associate degree can earn their bachelor’s degree in as few as 1 1/2 years. So think about completing your education in an accelerated degree program that’s just right for you.
Three convenient locations in the Bay Area: San Jose Fremont San Francisco
To get started, visit DeVryCompletion.com/DeAnza
DeVry University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Program availability varies by location. © 2008 DeVry University. All rights reserved.
037726 • DeVry Community College DeAnza ad • 4”w x 8”h • BW • V3_FINAL • cao • 2/27/08
MAY 19, 2008
PAGE 5
Lit Fest: a festival of living words Paul Edison and Dahlia Seroussi LA VOZ NEWS
Political, yet earnest. Global, yet close to home. LitFest was an unprecedented event that welcomed renowned writers and musicians to De Anza College. In its first year, the festival aimed to integrate “living, breathing writers” into the teaching at De Anza, said Ken Weisner, English instructor and adviser to the De Anza literary publication, “Red Wheel Barrow.”
The duet was followed by a performance by guitarist Brian Gore, who writes poems into his music to share the songs’ emotion. He performed a tune named “Erendira,” after the work of writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “Innocent Erendira.” “It is a symbolic story about indenture servitude, evil grandmas and finding freedom,” Gore said. “Erindira” started peacefully until the melody seemed to shift near the end where it incorporated tensions, seemingly mimicking Erindira’s struggle for freedom.
Monday, May 5
Students and teachers paid homage to a girlfriend, a gorilla, a Bush and a Hillary. Nature also received its due as a student read an excerpt from Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey.” A cathedral was likened to a Vietnam War zone and a mother was compared to a Hindu god of destruction. After a short recess with cakes and Peet’s Coffee, writer David Sullivan screened his most recent film, “Coyote and the 10 Gallon Hat.” The film explores the complex relationship between U.S. border patrols and coyotes, the guides who lead migrants across the Mexican border. Along the way, the film made fun of the idea of justice, good versus evil and racial stereotypes.
Tuesday, May 6
California’s Poet Laureate Al Young read, talked, shook his body, nodded his head, hummed, stopped and sang with musician Dan Robbins on bass in Conference Rooms A and B. Unlike many duets, neither Young nor Robbins hogged the spotlight. Instead they made eye contact with each other and listened to each other. Smiles were shared as they responded to each other’s words and rhythm.
“You know I’m a feminist when I rhyme ‘penis’ with ‘unhappiness,’ don’t you?” Poet Marilyn Chin
Wednesday, May 7
Marilyn Chin walked to the podium and started reading from her poems on the Chinese American experience, identity and revenge in Conference Room A. While reading one of her poems that was especially funny, Chin stopped and provided a quick commentary. “You know I’m a feminist when I rhyme ‘penis’ with ‘unhappiness,’ don’t you?” Chin is a major California poet whose works have been anthologized in “The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry” and “The Open Boat.” Her awards include two grants from the National Endowment of Arts, the PEN/Josephine Miles Literary Award, the Stegner Fellowship, four Pushcart Prizes and a Fulbright Fellowship. Shortly after the reading started, the lecture-style Conference Room A was transformed into a big circle of chairs, standing participants and clapping hands around
the room. Regie Cabico, who lead the workshop, is a spoken word poet who has won three National Poetry Slams, appeared on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam” and MTV’s “Free Your Mind.” One exercise he gave required the participants to write a poem answering the question, “Who are you?” From time to time, Cabico yelled out a word that had to be incorporated into the poems in a creative way.
Thursday, May 8
“Don’t tell me the story. I know the story. Give me your analysis,” Francisco Jimenez said, quoting his college English professor. Jimenez, an author and a professor of literature at Santa Clara University, shared the story of his childhood, the source of his award-winning memoirs “The Circuit” and “Breaking Through”, in Conference Rooms A and B on May 8. Jimenez described the moment when he first read for enjoyment as revealing “the power of words to change minds and the power of literature to change hearts.” Cabico returned for another workshop as well to give a slam poetry performance that flushed the room with laughter. His rhymed about everything. He described the experience of sleeping with an older man, calling the man’s penis “epic” and his orgasm as “Onomatopoeia! Onomatopoeia! Onomatopoeia!” At one point, Cabico walked down the aisle and offered audience members with certain zodiac signs a few lines of poetry and a piece of chocolate. It was sweet, and so was the performance, as the festival came to an end.
(Above) Regie Cabico returned for another workshop of poetic excitement on the last day of LitFest, May 8. (Below) Ken Weisner sits back and enjoys the first day of LitFest, May 5.
Paul Edison and Dahlia Seroussi are staff reporters for La Voz. Contact them at pauledison@lavozdeanza.com and dahliaseroussi@lavozdeanza.com. Dahlia seroussi (2) / La voz
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PAGE 6
Student Loans: Bringin’ a world of pain STEPHEN ZILL
Economics for Everyone Having trouble paying for college? If so, you’re not the only one. Last quarter, I wrote a primer on the subprime mortgage crisis and, like most economists, I underestimated its potential future effects on the overall economy and, in particular, the student loan industry. At the last minute, I excised a remark stating that if anything, the main hit would be to private loans, but as the bowels of the credit world have remained blocked up, it seems that we are now facing a crisis in the market for public loans, as well. In a nutshell, loans that are considered “public,” or federal, are loans that are guaranteed by the federal government, while loans that are considered “private” – a smaller, but growing proportion of total loans marketed – are not. As it stands now, approximately 50 of the lenders that previously participated in the federal loan program have dropped out – and many others are threatening to do the same. So what’s going on? Surprisingly, the explanation is rather simple. The basic objective for a business is to earn a profit. Once a business is no longer earning a profit, it will typically leave the industry. Last summer, Congress passed (and is now beginning to regret) the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which was ostensibly designed to reduce the cost of college (go figure) and make college more accessible to low-income students. Part of the deal included a reduction in government subsidies to the participants in the federal student loan program. When you couple this turn of events with the overall credit crunch precipitated by the subprime mortgage fiasco, you have a perfect recipe for losses, causing lenders to leave the market. So does this signal the end of the world for those of you with aspirations beyond this here fine learning establishment? Not necessarily. If you are planning on transferring to a four year school this fall and were planning to take out a loan, your luck is a bit mixed. The bad news is that you’ll be competing for share of what looks like a progressively shrinking pool of money with the largest high school senior class in U.S. history. The good news is that this is an election year, and though the wheels of democracy tend to move rather slowly, there’s nothing like a contingent crisis during such a year to give those wheels a good greasing. Apropos, Congress has agreed on a deal that would have the Department of Education buy up students loans from lenders involved in the federal loan program, and the Fed has implemented a plan where they will trade Treasury Securities for student loan-backed securities. On positive note, I was encouraged to read a survey recently of De Anza College students showing that only 3 percent of those questioned had taken out a student loan. If you are planning to transfer this fall and are considering taking out a loan, I suggest the following: apply now (don’t wait until the last minute), avoid private lenders (unless you have absolutely exhausted the public loan market), don’t sign on the dotted line until you read (and understand) the fine print, and be realistic in terms of your expectations (not everyone can afford to attend Stanford). Stephen Zill is an economics instructor at De Anza College.
PEOPLE On Campus FEATURES
ARTIST OF THE WEEK
Student teacher finds joy in art Audrey Barker LA VOZ NEWS
Debbie Bakker is a returning student who recently cultivated a love affair with all things drawn. She holds three university degrees, the last of which she received in 1981. She moved to California from the Toronto and Montreal area in 1984, with her husband who works in high tech. Bakker has dual citizenship in Canada and the United States.
“I dont want to paint portraits ... I want to paint downtown Los Gatos and people sitting around sipping their morning coffee.” Debbie Bakker, De Anza College art student
As a reading specialist and an elementary school teacher, she says, “I have always been creative, constantly creating things ranging from making theatrical costumes for local community theater to sewing my children’s clothing.” A few years ago, Bakker had to go back to work, and the opportunity came up to explore art as a second career. She began taking a beginning
drawing class at De Anza College and “absolutely fell in love with drawing.” She is currently enrolled in the bachelor of fine arts program at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, but is simultaneously taking classes at De Anza because of the “wonderful teachers, such as Juliana Kang, and all the great extra practice.” While pursuing a degree in illustration, she’s specifically interested in illustrating children’s literature. She says, “My [ambition] would be to move into pen and ink drawing. I love to draw, with great finite detail, historical buildings, wineries, sketches of downtown scenes, old farmhouses, and country roads. “I don’t want to paint portraits or landscapes. I want to paint downtown Los Gatos on the weekend, showcasing its many beautiful buildings, trees and people sitting around sipping their morning coffee.” One artist who intrigues her is John Stoeckly. “Two years ago, I saw a piece by John Stoeckley and just loved his work, bought one of his pieces and was inspired.” This summer, Bakker plans to travel to Louisiana and Missouri in order to study with Stoeckley. Two of Bakker’s pieces will be featured in the Spring Student Art show May 21 to June 14 at the Euphrat Museum, located on campus.
AUDREY BARKER/LA VOZ
Debbie Bakker, a De Anza College student and artist, only recently fell in love with art.
The two pieces are “Fast Food Nation” and “Thoughts on Life.” Audrey Barker is a staff reporter for La Voz. Contact her at audreybarker@ lavozdeanza.com.
Visit La Voz online at www.lavozdeanza.com to see Bakker’s art!
PROFESSOR OF THE WEEK An instructor who cares about connections Daniel Gamberg LA VOZ NEWS
Suzanne Helfman doesn’t teach during the fall quarters – well, not since she began supplementing her curriculum at San Francisco State University in 2005, studying the theory and practice of improving student reading to a collegiate level. “I wanted to enrich my ability to really help students in the classroom,” said Helfman, a creative writing and English instructor. In fall 2007, she completed the professional courses she will begin to teach. In 1994, Helfman was hired at De Anza full time in a nonteaching position. As a manager at De Anza College’s Business and Industry Institute, she met with local businesses DANIEL GAMBERG/LA VOZ to organize educational courses for internal development.English instructor Suzanne Helfman has been teaching at De Anza College since 2002 but has been working full time at the college since 1994.
“I connected with other people on campus who were concerned with stoppingNearly eight years later, she joined the English department the war. [It] made the experience thereand began teaching in 2002. During the the Vietnam War, Helfman attended UC Irvine meaningful.”
while living in the conservative suburbs of Orange County. Suzanne Helfman,Her college experience was affected by the region’s way of De Anza College English instructorthinking, so she joined like-minded, liberal students. “I connected with other people on campus who were concerned with stopping the war,” she said. “[It] made the experience there meaningful.” Helfman left Orange County during her junior year and transferred to UC Berkeley, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English. In the classroom, she focuses on student interaction, encouraging her students to share their ideas with each other. “I like seeing students discover their own thinking and their own abilities,” she says. Helfman’s emphasis on connecting reading with writing is a main component in her curriculum. Each student needs “to understand that they bring something to every class.” Students will take more from the course if they connect the knowledge they bring to the material. Her passion and interest in writing dates back to the first grade. The whimsical playfulness and depth of poetry intrigued her in college, and while pursuing her master’s degree at SFSU, she wrote a small book of poems for her thesis titled “Night Driving.” The book was published as the winning manuscript in a contest at SFSU. Today Helfman continues to write and explore new areas of literature.
Do you know an outstanding athlete, artist, student, instructor, administrator or student leader who deserves to be featured in La Voz Weekly? Contact LaVoz@fhda.edu and tell us!
MAY 19, 2008
Chocolate: So delicious, yet so guilty MARY JO LOMAX Your Health
I was so excited to read recently that chocolate has lots of health benefits. I immediately started thinking of ways to include chocolate into my healthy diet. Perhaps I’d have some hot chocolate in the morning, a candy bar after lunch and maybe some chocolate ice cream, or at least chocolate sauce on ice cream, after dinner. Before I decided on what type of candy bar to add to my diet, I thought I would do a bit more investigation about this exciting health claim. Sadly, I learned that it is too good to be true. There is definitely some evidence to suggest that some of the ingredients in some types of chocolate have shown some positive results in test tubes or lab rats. However, these components have been tested in isolation; in other words, not combined with the sugar and butter that is part of a typical piece of chocolate, and definitely not surrounded by caramel or nuts!
The beneficial components in chocolate, called flavinoids, are found in high quality, dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher. Interestingly, the beneficial components, called flavinoids, are only found in high quality, dark chocolate with 70 percent or higher cocoa content. The flavinoids are in the bitter part of pure cocoa, which are mostly removed when it is processed into your run-of-themill chocolate. The sweet taste of chocolate is from added sugar and other delicious, but not necessarily nutritious, ingredients. Fortunately, cocoa is not the only source of these healthy flavinoids. Other sources include blueberries, cranberries, apples, onions and tea. What disappointed me the most about the research is the amount of chocolate they are talking about. For example, one study published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” found that a daily intake of dark chocolate was associated with lowered blood pressure and no weight gain or other negative side effects. It sounds great until one realizes that the amount studied was 30 calories’ worth of chocolate. To give you some perspective, one teeny weeny Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate Kiss has twenty calories, while a Milk Chocolate Hershey’s Kiss contains 25.5 calories. What I understand from the research is that the added fat and sugar in chocolate far outweigh any positive benefits from flavinoids. Chocolate can certainly be enjoyed as part of your healthy diet, but still only in small quantities. Mary Jo Lomax is a health instructor at De Anza College. She also loves “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
OPINION & Editorial
MAY 19, 2008
PAGE 7 INFO
Staff editorials reflect the opinions of the majority of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or the opinions of the La Voz staff. Opinions expressed by staff and contributors are the opinions of the individuals and not necessarily the opinion of La Voz Weekly.
Campaigning on campus has run amok
La Voz Weekly Vol. 41, Issue 25 The Voice of De Anza College Phone: 408-864-5626 Fax: 408-864-5533 lavoz@fhda.edu www.lavozdeanza.com Room L-41 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd. Cupertino, CA 95014 Jay Donde Editor in Chief lavoz@fhda.edu
Julia Eckhardt Managing Editor managing@lavozdeanza.com
E. Barkeshli Executive News Editor Nitzan Beck Enterprise News Editor Shawn McGann Opinions Editor Soheil Rezaee Features Editor Joe Chunnic Sports Editor Josh Bays Multimedia Editor Antoinette Luzano Copy Editor Daniel Gamberg Asst. Copy Editor Tom Guffey Editor Emeritus
It’s election season at De Anza College. Hopeful young candidates running for office in the Associated Student Body senate and student trustee positions are interrupting classroom lectures all over campus to address unsuspecting students about themselves and what they stand for. While all the candidates will tell you they believe in “protecting the environment” and “keeping De Anza clean,” these are curious claims to be made given the campaign strategy they collectively seem to have embraced. The campus is a mess as a result of the candidates’ campaigning blitz. Pithy posters and fliers cover every visible space. Ugly blue tape holds them up, but some float to the ground or blow through the air. For school administrators and local environmentalists concerned about the litter and graffiti plaguing De Anza, it would seem a new menace has arrived.
Business Staff Beth Grobman Faculty Adviser grobman@fhda.edu Walter Alvarado Lab Tech alvaradowalter@fhda.edu Reza Kazempour Business Manager ads@lavozdeanza.com
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Campaign regulations force the candidates to limit where they place their materials, prohibiting posting on doors, windows and wooden walls. But this has led to a massive effort by the candidates to fill every space that is left available to them with their images and slogans, often covering whole pillars and walls. When somebody runs for a public office in a small-town community, people generally won’t tolerate that person plastering thousands of ugly posters all over the city, in every park, on the walls of libraries and courthouses, etc. In fact, any candidate caught doing this would infuriate the public and almost certainly lose that person the election. So why don’t we expect the same level of reasonable campaign behavior from our student govern-
Our vending machines in a sorry state JOSH BAYS
another voice
Contributing Staff Mike Anderson Audrey Barker Paul De Amicis Aiselle De Vera Paul Edison Stacy Lane Matthew Larvey Jose Marte Thomas Phan Michelle Rydberg Karina Sendayen Dahlia Seroussi Kelly Truong Vinh Vu
THE OPINION OF THE LA VOZ WEEKLY EDITORIAL BOARD
In the coming months, the summer heat will have us all wanting cold and refreshing beverages to cool us down. What can beat the convenience of automated vending machines strategically placed about campus, drawing students in like moths to a flame with their promise of quick satisfaction? The truth is that the vending machines at De Anza College are fickle mistresses; one day they will leave you happy and quenched, and the next day they will leave you thirsty and $1.50 poorer. If you have used the vending machines more than a few times, you may have experienced the frustration of having your money taken only to find that your drink is out of stock. You may try to get your money back only to be given the blank robotic stare of a machine that has triumphed over you. It has taken your money without giving you anything in return, and there is nothing you can do about it but walk away humiliated.
Many of the vending machines do not have phone numbers printed on them for you to call and complain. This gives vending machine owners impunity from any kind of accountability. Using the machines is a gamble, as you never know if you will be getting what you paid for. Other machines are poorly stocked and maintained. Keys stick and do not function properly, change is not given for transactions, and who hasn’t suffered having their candy fail to drop as it clings to the machine’s metal coil, like a mountain climber clinging to a precipice before falling to his death.
Using the machines is a gamble, as you never know if you will be getting what you paid for. In order to protest this rampant injustice, I implore all students and faculty at De Anza to boycott the vending machines. Get your snacks and beverages from the student store or bring them from home. We all need to stop rewarding poor customer service and ineptitude with our hard earned cash.
ment leaders? Perhaps it’s because so few students actually participate in the election process, or are even aware of it. It would seem as if the candidates’ method of spreading the word about the benefits of participating in student government is flawed, or maybe students are saving their votes for a candidate who is willing to discourage this kind of campaigning. Whatever the cause, the issue persists, and it is likely that the posters will remain up until at least May 19. The De Anza College Student Trustee Election Code, which all candidates must follow, does require that candidates keep track of and remove all campaign materials within 48 hours of the close of the election on May 17, and it is left to the discretion of the Elections Com-
AISELLE DE VERA
another voice Natural disasters are a part of life. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tsunamis; once they strike, death and injury are inevitable. On May 3, Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc on the Irrawaddy Delta and ravaged Yangon, the largest city and former capital of Myanmar. The death toll is now almost 32,000, but it is estimated to reach 100,000 at final count. About 1.9 million are either injured, homeless or at risk of disease. As the world watches these horrific images of destruction from the comfort of their homes, people often are moved to donate money to help those affected by the crises, but will the donations actually reach those in need? Many are concerned that their donations might not reach the victims, or worse, that their money might be used to fund the junta, a military government that has ruled Myanmar since
The campus is a mess as a result of the candidatesʼ campaigning blitz. The posters, banners, fliers and flags have not influenced anybody to take the elections more seriously, nor are they all that informative about the candidates they feature. They are simply propaganda, and De Anza is made uglier by every poster that goes up.
Ban Florida from voting. Period. SOHEIL REZAEE another voice
With a government that voted to hold the presidential primary a week before Super Tuesday along with allegations of voter fraud during two presidential elections, it has become obvious that the voting system in Florida is corrupt and must be dealt with. The only reasonable solution is to ban Florida from any future presidential elections in the hopes of preventing such a disaster from spreading. Florida, as a southern state, is more likely to go to the Republican Party in the election. After years of tyranny and ignorance with the Republican Party, it would be better to deny them one easy state – republicans will still have all the other states in the South, who can be counted on to vote like sheep. If anyone were to look at the demographics of Florida, they would see a clear reason as to why Florida should be banned from voting. It’s the fourth largest state in the country with a ma-
Despite fears, aid must be sent to Myanmar 1988. International aid organizations have encountered major roadblocks in trying to alleviate the situation due to restrictions placed on them by the junta. The government in Myanmar, formerly Burma, is believed to have been responsible for the deaths of at least nine people in 2007 while trying to quell widespread pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks. The junta has hindered relief efforts by keeping the country closed to foreign aid workers, despite the rising death toll and the looming threat of disease due to the unsanitary conditions. All aid, whether foreign or local in origin, must be distributed by the military. The military therefore has the final say in determining who will receive aid and who won’t. Reports indicate that while the military has received shipments of rice from relief organizations they have kept the what rice was good for themselves and have distributed rotten rice to the people. In addition, the government has only approved 34 of the 100 entry visa requests by foreign aid workers. And not only are they not allowing entry to any foreign journalists, they are also
mittee to determine if any campaign posting rules were broken. It would be better to limit the posting of campaign materials to a single room or corridor – the hallway outside the Senate offices might be a good location. Students could then be encouraged to visit the area and pick a favorite on their own time. Or maybe the candidates could put all their information in pamphlets and dispense them around campus.
tightening their control of local news coverage of the disaster. The harsh restrictions placed on foreign aid workers, along with media censorship surrounding the issue, may have discouraged people from donating to the relief effort. However, following the approval of the first shipment of aid from the United States, which arrived in Myanmar on May 12, it seems that the restrictions placed on foreign aid might have eased. The U.S. has condemned military leaders in Myanmar for supposed violations of human rights and has placed sanctions on the country that limit the type of donations that can be made, but which do not stop Washington from providing assistance through the United Nations. The U.S. has since lifted the ban. Despite all the complications, no relief effort is futile even though it may be met with resistance. Every life that can be saved matters. Organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the Salvation Army are credible organizations that are trying to bring relief to Myanmar. It is up to us to bring relief to those who are suffering.
jority of its citizens either believing in an outdated ideology or belonging to a lobby that misses life under the rule of Fulgencio Batista. It truly is an amazing place, considering Disney World and a swamp are the only attractions of any interest. The state robbed the African American community of their votes during the 2000 presidential election and violated the National Voting Rights Act of 1965. How could Florida be trusted to participate in a national election when it can’t even guarantee all of its residents a free and fair election? It is a state that is all too willing to ignore or even violate the rights of U.S. citizens. If we cannot remove Florida from the process, we can at least have former president Jimmy Carter supervise the elections. Carter has become well known as an international figure and has overseen elections in several countries. If the right to vote in the presidential election is suspended for Florida, it will send a clear message to all other states and their dominating political party that such fraud is intolerable in this country. Disclaimer: This opinion is meant to be satirical. Just deal with it.
Write Us Letters to the editor, submissions and press releases are welcome and can be submitted to: www.lavozdeanza.com/letters
OR
in person: Room L 41 Letters should be 300 words or less; letters more than 300 words may be edited for length. Letter content must not be libelous or intended to air personal grievances. La Voz does not guarantee that submissions and letters to the editor will be printed, nor does it guarantee coverage of events for which it receives press releases. La Voz reserves the right to edit letters and submissions for clarity in accordance with Associated Press writing style.
Corrections RE: “Bus stop planned ... ” 4/28, page 5 Jordan Eldridge was incorrectly identified as the former student trustee of De Anza College. He is in fact the current student trustee.
PAGE 8
SPORTS AND FITNESS
THE SWEAT SPOT Fitness tips for athletes and couch potatoes Joe Chunnic The Athlete: De Anza College basketball player Ranbir Sanghera. The Tip: Using the fitness X, a workout marking commonly found on gym floors. The Benefit: “It increases your foot speed and quickness,” Sanghera said. It also strengthens the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in your legs and ankles and improves your agility. The Exercise: Here are four different exercises you can perform from this simple configuration. All it requires is the X, and jumping on your toes. The first is to jump side to side over one of the lines. The next is to jump back and forth over a line, going as fast as you can. The next two are hard, but can still be accomplished. First jump in either a counter clockwise or clockwise motion over the lines. Next, in a figure “8” pattern, jump diagonally across the lines. Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after exercising, and if you feel faint or dizzy, take a break. Joe Chunnic is the sports editor for La Voz. Contact him at joechunnic@ lavozdanz.com
DO YOU HAVE ASTHMA?
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LA VOZ NEWS
The fitness X (above). Ranbir Sanghera demonstrates how to use it (below and right).
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