Rampage Spring 2011 Issue 1 by The Rampage at Fresno City College

Rampage

Fresno City College Volume CXXI, Edition 1

February 2, 2011

Gary Soto Museum Set to Open in OAB By Tomas Kassahun Rampage Reporter

In 1972, Gary Soto had a total of $1.00 in his wallet. His diet consisted of Ramen and Frijoles. Today, Soto is a world renowned author and poet. He is the author of 11 poetry collections for adults and winner of several awards including the Human and Civil Right Award, the Literature Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and the PEN Center West Book Award for his young-adult short story collection “Petty Crimes”. And now, an entire museum bears Gary Soto’s name at Fresno City College, where his love for writing was born. “My first publications were two poems in a 1972 spring issue of the Rampage,” said Soto. “We all must begin somewhere.”

Photos by Paul Schlesinger

See GARY SOTO MUSEUM page 7

Some of the author’s personal belongings on display in the Literary Museum.

Gary Soto and his wife, Carolyn Soto, Address students during the dedication of the Old Administration Building on Jan. 28.

California’s Community Colleges Take Direct Hit Proposed Budget Could Raise FCC Tuition Rates

By Sammy “Pro” Loproto On Jan.3, 2011, Jerry Brown was sworn in as the California’s 39th governor amid hope of new beginnings and the return of better times. The honeymoon ended on Jan. 11 when the new governor unveiled his budget proposal, a $12.5 billion reduction in spending, commencing with the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Most importantly, California’s Community Colleges could suffer a $440 million budget cut, and many peripheral programs connected to the system could also be slashed, an irony because Brown was on the Board of Trustees for the Los Angeles Community College District, from 1969-1971. Around the state, community colleges are adjusting to the new reality of reduced funding. The Los Angeles Community College District has cancelled summer classes completely at its nine

Associated Press

Rampage Reporter

Jerry Brown announces new budget at state address, Jan. 31. campuses, and the San Diego Community College district has slashed 800 classes out of 10,000, last year alone.

LGBT Colloquium page 15

“We expect to see a decline of nearly 250,000 students enrolled this year, down from 2.7 million last year,” said Scott Lay, president

Ballad of Chet Rehearsal page 15

of the California Community College League. “This equates to roughly 10 percent less of course offerings.”

Accidents, Miracles, and Friendship page 15

Fresno City College could sustain a $4.5 million dollar cut for the fiscal year of 2011-2012. FCC Students may wonder how the huge reduction in community college funding affects them. Should students be worried about their future and what is the bottom line? “Cutting that kind of money from an institution like ours will be very hard. If there is any good news here, it is the fact that we still have the lowest tuition rates in the nation,” she said. The first and most visible change here at FCC, will be the increase in tuition by unit pricing; this will result in a $10 increase per unit. Simply put, it will raise the price per unit to $36. At first glance, this does not seem to be overwhelming. But if you can digest a nearly 40 percent increase in tuition, then it becomes clear that this alone could derail many students from

See BUDGET Page 5 Football Allstars page 15

News

February 3, 2011

Smoking Policy on Track

Fresno Bus Riders must Cough up 25% more by dominique hernandez

Rampage Reporter Fresno City College students are scrambling for additional quarters to make bus fare to and from the college and to other parts of Fresno. On Jan. 10, Fresno Area Express (FAX) implemented rate increases, the first fare hike in 10 years for the Fresno public transportation which had reduced services in July to cut expenses. Under the fare increase, a oneway bus ride increased by 25 cents, from 75 cents to $1.00. A Handy Ride trip rose from 75 cents to $1.50. The monthly bus pass went from $40 to $48. A monthly Handy Ride pass rose from $25 to $48. The Handy Ride, which previously had no limits, now has a limit of 60 trips per pass. Even though the typical oneway bus fare has only increased 25 cents, not many people on the FCC campus are pleased about the hike. They complained that the rate increases would cut heavily into their very limited budgets. “Even a quarter affects you, because it all adds up,” said Stephen Carbajal, an FCC student who depends on buses for his daily transportation. “It’s a huge inconvenience.” Janie Ramos, another FCC student, said, “I have to set aside more money for the week than I did before. Now, instead of taking the bus, my brother takes me to school because of the money.” Carbajal said that in the past, he bought the convenience pass for $35. “Now, I have to buy a metro pass that costs $48,” he said.

While the metro pass lets one ride to Clovis buses, Carbajal said he never goes to Clovis and has no need for the added feature. “I understand there are money issues, and the bus system needs to make up money it’s losing to keep running,” said Carbajal. “As a student who does not have a job, any extra money I have to spend every month makes a huge difference. “I have to pay rent, phone bill, and other things monthly. The only money I have is financial aid.” Fresno’s public transportation system is not alone in its decision to raise fares. According to information available on the websites of the Los Angeles Times and the Fresno Bee, the Los Angeles DASH bus system has been going through a lot of fare changes. The Los Angeles City Council agreed to increase their fares from 25 cents to 50 cents, starting July 1, 2011. In Santa Monica, the Big Blue Bus fare increased from 75 cents to $1.00 in Aug. 2010. The Tulare City Council considered a bus fare increase on Jan. 18, 2011 to $1.25 to charge the same amount as Visalia, Porterville. So where does all the money go? According to a story by Jack Robinson of The Fresno Bee, the fare increase is necessary to balance the city’s budget. Fresno City Council President Larry Westerlund was quoted in the Bee article as saying, “If you don’t increase the rates, the service further declines.” But some students feel the service has already declined. Stephen Carbajal said, “We are paying more, and the buses still arrive late and are always overcrowded.”

“Even a quarter affects you, because it all adds up.”

-Stephen Carbajal FCC Student

Fresno City College

by austin verburg

Rampage Reporter

other deadly diseases and health issues among nonsmokers. At the ending of the Spring 2011 semester, an election will decide the policy change. Along with voting for the next ASG administration, students will be able to decide the fate of the smoking policy. The three basic options are keep the rule as it is, ban smoking altogether, or create designated areas. ASG President Daniel Gai says that whatever decision the students make will be set in stone for the next five ASG administrations, so

The Fresno City College Associated Student Government plans to continue its campaign to decide whether or not the smoking policy on campus should be changed. A debate at the end of the Fall 2010 semester, and a second debate is planned to be held on March 16th from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The March will be a town-hall forum style meeting. The ASG has invited faculty members and administrators to participate. Students will also be encouraged to attend and questions members of the panel. ASG is planning to have the debate in the old administration building. During the Fall 2010 semester, the ASG began its campaign to have smoking banned due to complaints from students, as well as the issue being brought to future administrations can focus every administration. President Gai said that students on other things. The ASG started the smoking were “going as far as to find me campaign with a Forum Hall tour, on Facebook” to ask about ASG in which ASG members visited handling the smoking issue. several forum hall classes and pro“Last year when I was running vided information to the students for office, that was one of the about the campaign, letting them issues that came up amongst the know, regardless of if they want it students,” said Gai. banned or not, that their involveThe California state law, AB ment will help decide the fate of 846, states that smoking is not the policy change. allowed within 20 feet of an open President Gai said the tour went building or window in a public “better than expected” and that place. many teachers applauded the act Some students on campus feel and are in favor of future ASG that smokers do not always show events involving visiting the Focourtesy to non-smokers, conrum Hall classes. stantly being exposed to secondOn Nov. 17, ASG hosted a booth hand smoke. at the fountain area. The booth pro“It [Smokers] drives me crazy,” vided information about the health said Aryn Fisher, 2nd year Forenand financial dangers of smoking, sic Evidence major. “Not that they as well as polling students personsmoke, but because they all cluster ally about how they feel the policy up together in front of commonly should be changed. trafficked places. It’s annoying to One of the main goals the ASG walk through a cloud of smoke.” is reaching for is representing the According to the National Canstudents on the issue. “I really cer Institute, secondhand smoke don’t want it to appear that ASG can lead to lung cancer as well as

“It’s annoying to walk

through a cloud of smoke.”

-Aryn Fisher FCC Student

Advisor dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu Fresno City College 1101 E. University Ave. Fresno, CA 93741 Office: (559) 442-8262 Fax: (559) 265-5783

Yours Sincerely, Mr. John C. Cupido Senior Citizen and student of Fresno City College

About Us

The Rampage is an award-winning newspaper published biweekly by the Fresno City College Journalism 4 & 5 programs and is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges. Views expressed in The Rampage are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Fresno City College, its students, administration or the State Center Community College District.

Reporters

Managing Editor: Sydney Excinia News Editor: Natalie Compton Views Editor: Dylan Domingos Entertainment Editor: Max Rosendahl Features Editor: Alyssa Diaz Photo Editor: Ramiro Gudino Roaming Editor: Emilio Guterrez Online Editor: Max Rosendahl Business Manager: Annette Dedios Copy Editor: Karina Ornelas Faculty Advisor: Dympna Ugwu-Oju

Nathan Alonzo Natalie Compton Alyssa Diaz Marcel Dilworth Dylan Domingos Daniel Engelhaupt Abraham Esparza Sydney Excinia Sendy Garcia Emillio Gutterez Jessica Harrington Dominique Hernandez Crystal Hodges

Margaret Jones Frank Lopez Samuel “Pro” Loproto Iesha Mendez Karina Ornelas Brendan Raley Katrina Richards Dustin Rocha Philip Romar Max Rosehndahl Paul Schlesinger Lyssette Trujillio William Austin Verburg

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor: An incident at the Fresno City College cafeteria on Thursday made me very proud to be associated with Fresno City College. It also exemplifies the top quality of students who attend this institution. I was having my lunch, eating a baked potato in the cafeteria when I began to cough. In the attempt to deal with this dilemma, I pounded my chest. This made the potato lodge in my wind pipe and I was unable to breathe. I got up and started to stagger with several people asking if I was alright. I was unable to respond verbally, but I gave them a distress sign by grasping my throat with crossed hands. They did not understand and did nothing. One of our students, Mr. Robert Rodriguez recognized the sign and came over from another table to assist me. He started with the first steps of the Heimlich Maneuver by pounding on my back. This dislodged the potato and I began to breathe again. I thanked Mr. Rodriquez several times. He told me about the emergency training he had received and that he was a student as well as an assistant to a special education student. Upon my request, he gave me his name and information. Please thank him again for me, and I hope others who have not yet learned basic first aid see this as a chance to obtain the much needed training. I know it saved my life.

Rampage

Editors

is in favor of banning smoking,” President Gai said. President Gai presses that the ASG wants only what the majority of the students want, whether that means banning smoking or leaving the policy unchanged. “What we want to focus on is effective representation. The only way we can do that is to be out there amongst the students and get their opinions and suggestions,” President Gai said. During the Dec. 3 debate, President Gai represented those wanting smoking banned while ASG Senator Gabriel Cordova represented those wanting the policy to remain unchanged. “It went great. We got a lot of two-way communication,”Gai said. “The input that we got from the debate will help steer us in creating a policy that will be favorable to all constituent groups.” Gai said the ASG will also focus on providing the school with more receptacles to help cut down the litter of cigarette butts.

Contacts

Editor In Chief rampage-editor@fresnocitycollege.edu Rampage business Office rampage-business@fresnocitycollege.edu

Visit our Web site for updates www.FresnoCityCollegeRampage.com

January 27, 2011

News

February 3, 2011

Ward Off Winter Woes

by lyssette trujillo

Photo by Brendan Raley

Rampage Reporter

African Dance Troupe from the Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary performed during the opening ceremonies of African-American History Month at the FCC Theatre.

Solutions to your Daycare Problems by katrina richards

Rampage Reporter Worried about how to attend school as a single parent? Worried about finding the right childcare? Here are some day care options for children 18 months and older. Fresno City College’s day care facility is available for children 24 months to 5-years-old. This includes students, staff, faculty, and community members as space allows. At the FCC day-care, parents are allowed to visit their children at any time. All children in the program receive the benefits of the nutrition program: Breakfast, snack and lunch. The cost of the FCC service is $28 per day for toddlers and $20 per day for preschool-kindergarten children. Half day for toddlers is $23 per day and preschool-kindergarten is $20 per day. The day care is located by parking lot “R” on Calavera and University. The day care is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the office is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The wait list is often full, so early enrollment is encouraged. Before signing up, the day-care also offers tours for parents and

guardians. An off campus option is Kids Kare School INC., a day care and preschool that accepts children 18 months to 12 years old. Kids Kare School INC. is a family owned business, founded in 1960 and has 11 locations in Fresno, Madera, and Clovis County. The school has a lot of employees and does many activities with enrolled children including sports, dancing and educational activities. Kids Kare INC. takes children of families who have Calworks, Pace, supportive services, CSN, and tribal assistance program. For children between the ages 5 and 14, Big Brother Big Sister is an appropriate choice. At Big Brother Big Sister, a child, called a “little” in the program, is paired with an adult volunteer, a “big,” to spend one-onone time with. “Bigs” and “littles” are matched by age, personality, the distance a “big” is willing to travel, interests and hobbies, and other individual factors. In the Big Brother Big Sister program, pairs participate in various cultural, recreational, and educational activities. “Bigs” and “Littles” meet a few hours a week for at least a year. All of these places can help parents attending college. Be sure to check them out before they are

Fever, cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, any of this sounding familiar? Winter is here and with it comes the awful sick feeling. The cold and flu season is among us once again. Are you ready for it? Students can take a few simple steps during these winter months to keep from getting sick or from spending a fortune on getting better. The first tool for fighting winter illnesses is prevention, which works best if you have health insurance. If you have no health insurance, you are not alone. A study by the United States Government Accountability Office reported that 1.7 million college students from the ages of 18-23 are uninsured. That is 20 percent of college students in the United States. Health insurance can be pricey. According to finweb.com, the average monthly payment for individual health insurance plans is $440. Many college students cannot afford the cost. Students without health insurance are more likely to avoid seeing the doctor at all costs, and when they do, it is in an emergency room, which hikes up the cost. With or without health insurance, getting a flu shot during the winter helps prevent individuals from getting the infamous flu. Doctors often stress the importance of getting one of the two types of flu vaccines. The first is the most common, the flu shot. This shot is of the dead virus and it is shot into the muscle. The second is the Nasal Spray, also known as LAIV or FluMist. This spray is made of the weakened virus and it is sprayed into the nostrils. This spray is recommended for individuals from the ages of 2-49.

Getting a flu vaccine is a great way to defend the body from getting sick. It is also cheap, and some places give them for as low as $15. All this information and more can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website. Fresno City College offers some services to students. Services consist of emergency first aid, illness evaluations, treatments and referrals. There is also emergency care for injuries that happen on campus. A nurse and dietician are available to students in the Health Services office located next to registration. Students may set up an appointment for a consultation or to receive a referral on where to go for health care including getting health insurance and going to lowcost clinics. There are several through out Fresno. These clinics provide low-cost health services to individuals, including vaccinations and routine health services. Bottom line is winter is here and it is hard to avoid getting sick, but here are some tips that may make it a bit easier:

1.Wash your hands

3.Exercise

Exercising on a regular basis can boost your immune system and keep you healthy, even if it is just a walk around your neighborhood.

4. Get a flu shot

This is your best bet against the flu. Fight the flu virus and get a flu shot!

5.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Viruses and infections often spread from touching a contaminated surface and then touching the eye, nose or mouth area. So, keep your hands clean and keep your hands away from your face.

6.Don’t share cups or glasses

This is common sense; if your friend is sick and you decide to share a soda there is a high possibility that you will end up sick as well.

7.Get a full night’s sleep

Keep your body well-rested and you will feel better.

People touch several things throughout the day, includ8. Drink water ing contaminated surfaces Keeping yourself hydrated -- a doorknob, a chair, a desk, is always important especiala bench, etc. Make sure to ly when you are getting sick. wash your hands frequently or carry hand sanitizer with 9.Eat well you to keep your hands clean There are several benefits and virus free. to eating well, such as having a healthy immune system.

2.Avoid contact with sick people

10.Take vitamins

Stay away from friends Vitamin C and Zinc supwho are suffering from cold plements are both great for or flu symptoms or else the immune system and you’ll end up sick! helps prevent illnesses.

News

Surviving on a Shoe String

February 3, 2011

by jessica harrington

Rampage Reporter

The initial weeks of a new semester are filled with chaos, new rules, and mounting expenses which most college students cannot afford. With tuition and fees, supplies for classes, plus regular household bills, many college students find themselves stretched to the limit and unable to make ends meet. But being a student is not necessarily synonymous with being broke. Here are 10 simple ways a college student can stay afloat, despite minimal income.

Don’t waste anything

Whether it is clothes, food or household supplies, try not to waste much. Sell your gently used clothing to second-hand clothing stores. Plato’s Closet pays for used clothing that they can resell to others. There is no limit to the frequency or quantity of clothing you can sell, so take advantage. If there is food in the fridge but there is not a typical recipe to put all of it together, go to supercook. com and type in your ingredients. The website will list recipes with the ingredients you enter.

Don’t shop at name brand stores

Stop shopping at name brand stores. Check stores such as Plato’s Closet for gently used clothing items for men and women; they carry a lot of brand name items, and no one can tell whether the clothes were bought from Plato’s Closet or the actual name brand store.

Cut and use coupons

Invest in a Sunday newspaper and browse through the ads. Before looking, make a list of groceries or supplies that you may need. Try to stock up only on sale or discounted items that you will need such as meats, drinks, and side dishes that can be used with more than one meal.

Keep track of your spending.

Keep track of your spending by keeping receipts of everything you buy. This can be a true eye-opener. It lays out in plain view where your money goes every month. On the last day of the month, total up all spending. WARNING: The grand total may be painful to see. After finding out the total spending, create a budget. Divide the budget into different amounts of money for groceries, eating out, entertainment, gas, etc. The most effective way to budget is dividing up your money in specially designated envelopes; this way the money that is being spent can be clearly seen, rather than using an ATM card or credit

card where physical money is never seen.

Stop buying bottled water.

Bottled water is convenient, popular and easy to grab, however, the cost of bottled water is not always as convenient. According to an article on lifestyle.msn.com, “Giving up those plastic containers saves about $1,250 a year. . . (how much a fourperson family spends if they buy 16 $1.50 20-ounce bottles of water a week.) It only takes seconds to fill up a glass or a reusable plastic water bottle.

Cancel your cable.

Having a TV is a nice luxury, but most television shows are available online these days. “Make sure your desktop or laptop has a DVD/CD player so you can also watch your favorite movies. Your laptop has graphics equal to most HDTVs, so enjoy,” says collegescholarships.org.

Ladies, stop getting your nails done. Men, get your hair cut at home.

Having your nails done, or getting a nice haircut can boost a person’s self confidence andmake them feel more prepared to go out into the work force and do the best they can. However, getting a full-set of nails can cost anywhere from $19 to $50, depending on where you get your nails done and any designs that are added. If nails are a necessity, try to use glue on nails, which come in packs that can be found at Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. They typically cost $4.99-$8.99 per package. However, they are not recommended for long term use, so if there is an event, put them on for that night—most people cannot tell the difference. As collegescholarships.org recommends, forego the salon nails and instead make it a girl’s night event and do each other’s nails. A simple men’s haircut can range anywhere from $8 to $20 depending on the location of the shop. Instead of going to high-end salons, go to the local barbershop; chances are they charge less to cut your hair and will still do just as well. The second way to save money on men’s haircuts is to buy a pair of clippers and have a friend or relative cut your hair at home.

Find cheap entertainment.

“Pick up a local newspaper and check upcoming events for freebies: concerts, arts and crafts fairs, theater, festivals, art galleries, and museums,” collegescholarships.org recommends. Dare to be different try to at-

tend a new “freebie” every week or month. Going to the movies is always fun, but the expenses that come with it always leave pockets empty. In Clovis, the UA Clovis Towne Centre 8 is is $3 everyday. Make sure to buy snacks elsewhere because the concession stand is not discounted. A medium popcorn and two large sodas can cost $19.50.

Eat smarter, not less.

Learn to love oatmeal and peanut butter. Both items are high in protein, cheap in price and keep you full longer. Be creative and try to see how different toppings or foods taste when added into oatmeal and how many different foods taste dipped in peanut butter. To interest children in oatmeal, invest in a multiple sprinkle pack and allow them to top their oatmeal. It will be colorful and add a little sugar. Also, “there’s no better budget stretcher than cooking with whole

grains. Pearl barley, brown rice, and bulgur are low in fat, high in protein, and tummy-filling. Combine with meat or veggies to make it a little go a long, healthy way,” said lifestyle.msn.com.

N e v e r pay full price for anything.

Do not ever pay full price for anything. If it is not on sale, do not buy it. If it does not have a coupon, do not buy it. If it does not come in large quantities with lower prices, do not buy it. With a little research, you can find a cheaper way to buy any product. If there are no coupons in the newspaper for things that you need, be sure you look online for manufacturers’ coupons and more discounts. Ask your favorite grocery stores

Illustrated by Austin Verburg

if they have discount cards that can save you money on every purchase; also, ask what days they plan on brining out a new shipment of meat products. Most likely, if they are overstocked on any item, they will reduce the price of “older” meat items, creating the perfect time for you to grab a great buy. If you observe the above rules, you will be surprised at how much money you will have at the end of each month.

Features

BUDGET: Continued from page 1 finishing their higher education. The California budget deficit has approached $25.4 billion and has resulted in Gov. Brown’s proposal to cut nearly $1.4 billion from the higher held back on hiring, to prevent layoffs this year. We had to look at priority for classified staffing, and cut back certain sections. This semester alone, teachers were asked to hold the line on expenditures and class sizes above capacity. Some teachers have had the sad task of turning away students. Even though there is physical room in the classroom, the college is not compensated for educating the overload. Some classes were cut completely, and summer school will be reduced to daytime sessions only. Hiring of new faculty has been put on hold, and adjunct teachers have had their loads reduced or laid off completely. To make matters worse, Gov. Brown has bantered for an extension of tax increases that will appear on the June ballot. “If these tax increase extensions are not approved, we could easily see the $4.5 million in cuts double,” Azari said. “We can only try and weather

the storm.” If there is any advice students could glean from this, it would be to get in early, and register with a passion. “Hopefully students will understand how important it is to stay in school if you are enrolled. The state system is looking at our retention rate

have the opportunity to pursue their education,” she said. “We are the little guys, the smallest group in the district. When the cuts come down we get hit the hardest. We will lobby the chancellor’s office for the community dollar.” “We will handle this, and we will survive,” Piper said. Fortunately, the small campus added two larger classrooms that were financed by local bond measures a few years ago. Recently they were able to install an emergency phone system identical to the FCC portals that are recognizable by their blue lights on campus at night. Other areas that will inevitably suffer are the C a l Wo r k s and Welfare to Work programs. These two programs offer welfare moms and families the chance to come to school and learn a vocational career, and receive assistance with such items as day care and cash vouchers for food to feed their families. All that participants in this program can do is wait. “At this point it is still unclear how deep the cuts will go,” said Anne Watts, director of CalWorks. “But if we suffer $1.5 billion, it will be catastrophic.” The proposed reduction in the state would be nearly $1.5 billion. The department was aware the cuts were looming and operated at a frugal pace since the start of the semester. “We are actually working through

“Hopefully students will understand how important it is to stay in school if you are enrolled. The state system is looking at our retention rate (graduation) as well.”

-Cynthia Azari FCC President

(graduation) as well,” Azari said. Even the tiny Oakhurst campus, a part of the State Center Community College District, has felt the pain of these looming budget cuts. Vikki Piper, coordinator of the Oakhurst Center, said that many classes have been cancelled due to a low enrollment rate, yet the summer session will most likely be cancelled on the campus grounds. The Rampage was unable to get Chancellor Deborah Blue’s response to the budget shortfall for this article. “We will still offer our distance learning programs (online classes), and students will still be able to

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February 3, 2011

a 5 percent reduction in budget, and have not had to reduce staffing; let us hope we won’t have to,” Watts said. The proposals that are on the table would affect students’ cash aid, and the reduction in benefits would be about 15 percent initially. “With the reduced class offerings, we are not seeing any more students in the program, because if they cannot get into classes, we cannot help them,” she said. The welfare to work program allows students to prepare for the workforce, by working for their cash aid. “The goal is to get participants to get into the work force; get it? Welfare-to-work.” Every department in the college has had to reduce course offerings. For example, the music department here at FCC has been cutting back on multiple classes and sections for the last few years in preparation for the doom and gloom of budget cuts, said Larry Honda, music department chair. “We still haven’t met the goal yet,” Honda said. “A lot of classes were cut, including music appreciation, and music theory. Courses such as the jazz improvisation

offerings in the years to come. Another area where the cuts have reduced class offerings is the journalism program. Classes that are related to the core major have been cancelled this year. These include the magazine production, the current events class, among others; and some photography and graphic design courses designed to enhance the journalist’s career choices, have been dropped as well. The Arts department has also had to reduce class size and schedules this spring. According to Susana Sosa, art instructor, her forum hall holds about 110 students, yet the administration has mandated her class size to hold no more than 40 students. “It was very difficult at the beginning of the semester not to be able to enroll students over the capacity limit for all of my courses, and in particular the art history class,” she said. “The forum hall 103 holds 110 students, and with a cap of 40, this meant there were a lot of empty seats. I would have gladly accommodated extra students, but the budget situation has forced the administration to set

“At this point it is still unclear how deep the cuts will go,” said Anne Watts, director of CalWorks.

-Anne Watts Cal Works Director

class are now being offered in alternating semesters.” Adjuncts and assistants have been scaled back, and with the reduction in the availability of courses required to satisfy the major, a student’s time at FCC can only be extended. Final numbers have not been determined, but some priorities will be established, using these three criteria: basic skills, transferability, and vocational. “It seems like music, the arts and P.E., will be falling through the cracks, as they don’t fall into the three categories,” Honda said. “We hope that the commercial music area will be considered vocationally, as it deals with the hardware and software necessary for the career. Sadly,

stringent class capacities.” Students are well aware of the reduced class offerings and the elimination of multiple sections. “While the full time teaching loads have not been affected, many adjunct instructors on campus have lost their courses. For instance, the Art department had to cut almost all evening sections of Art appreciation this semester. In the Fall 2010 semester, the Art department had eight sections of Art 2 (appreciation); this semester, we offer only three sections,” Sosa said. The FCC dance department has also suffered a setback when it relates to budget woes. According to Dance instructor Michele Ainza, at least half of her classes were cut this semester. “We lost all of our

“With the reduced class offerings, we are not seeing any more students in the program, because if they cannot get into classes, we cannot help them.”

-Anne Watts Cal Works Director

music theory and appreciation do not fall into the three areas.” The educators and department heads have formulated their tentative plans for summer and fall, and they will be reviewed. The deans of instruction can override the schedules they submit, so there are no assurances that the classes suggested will be offered. “We are allowed our input, but offered no guarantees,” Honda said. It’s safe to say that the music lover or student needs to stay vigilant and be aware of class

part time staff as well,” she said. Due to a huge difference in the amount of classes being offered to students who are trying to take dance, attendance has been the biggest change in comparison to prior semesters. “You usually lose about one-third of your class, but this semester if you are trying to add, you won’t get in,” she said. “The attendance is definitely a student response to the change in schedule that has affected all aspects of the Music and Arts department here at FCC.”

Features

February 3, 2011

FCC Offers Options for Coping with Mental Illness By Emilio Gutterez Rampage Reporter Fresno City College student Virginia Maciel sits in a booth at Denny’s over a plate of blueberry pancakes, fiddling away with her cell phone - typical college activity at its finest. After her pre-class meal, the 28 year old photography major packs up her belongings, hops into her navy blue Dodge Dakota and heads to class. There she will find her note-taker, assigned by FCC’s Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSP&S). Although Maciel shows no outward signs of a disability, she is disabled. In 2003, the state of California classified her as disabled after she was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder - a condition marked by dramatic and sudden shifts in mood. Maciel is not alone. She is one of 327 students at FCC who receive aid for psychological disabilities. She, like hundreds of other students, utilizes FCC’s on-campus Psychological Services office. Cases similar to Maciel’s are not rare. Nationwide, one in seven college students report engaging in reckless behavior while one in four report the presence of suicidal thoughts and/or feelings according to a study by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH). The incident involving Jared Loughner in Tucson Arizona raises concerns about mental health issues on college campuses and whether colleges have the resources to identify, diagnose and assist students who might need help. The majority of mental illnesses, according to the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), begin to reveal themselves in the initial years of adulthood. Signs of schizophrenia, for example, become notable before the age of 20 in both men and women. The onset of bipolar disorder comes just as early, usually before the age of 25. As students reach the age of onset for most disorders, availability of resources and education on these subjects are lacking at best, and underutilized at worst. These factors raise pertinent questions: are there tell-tale signs that a mental health disorder is manifesting itself? What resources are readily available to students and the community? And finally - is it at all possible to prevent incidents of violence that stem from the effects of these disorders? FCC students are more fortunate than most. On-site psych services at FCC are built to provide short-term therapy and resources to students. Their services range from crisis intervention to couples therapy, are provided free of charge, and, above all, private. Resources, MP3s and online mental health magazines are available in their section of the FCC website. These are not readily available in community colleges across the nation.

Such was Jared Loughner’s case at Pima Community College. Despite multiple altercations with campus police he was never referred or treated. Instead, he was expelled. As multiple reports indicate, PCC had no psychological services available to students at the time. This is cause for significant concern. According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), roughly one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. Moreover, a study conducted by the National Association for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) determined that mental health disorders are becoming more prevalent among the student population.

“After I wrote all those bad checks,” said Maciel, “I thought ‘Oh my God, I’m on crack.’ I went to places in Hanford, and wrote $1,000 checks. I mean, what was I thinking? People could have seen me - which they did - and I got into trouble for it.” In Loughner’s case, the signs of a perturbed young man surfaced during his high school years. An article by Jack Gillum in USA Today reported that, according to police records, “Jared Loughner had troubles with alcohol, marijuana and bullying during high school.” Reports compiled by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office note a specific incident where “Loughner was taken to the hospital after he

early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts.” It is unknown whether Loughner had a diagnosable psychological disorder. Regardless, the marked difference between Maciel and Loughner lie in the level of treatment they received after the manifestation of explicit warning signs. In the wake of Maciel’s mania, she sought treatment to curb her affliction. As for Loughner, Goodman reports that there is no record of him receiving mental health services from any public system within the Arizona State Department of Health Services. The National Alliance on Mental Illness conducted a study in 2009.

“ State budget cuts are creating a vicious cycle that is leaving some of our most vulnerable citizens behind.” -National Alliance on Mental Illness Collegiate life is not the only stressor students must bear. vThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), “economic turmoil can result in a whole host of negative health effects.” SAMSHA said, “Although each of us is affected differently by economic troubles, these problems can add tremendous stress” substantially increasing the risk of developing depression, anxiety, substance abuse and compulsive behaviors. Warning signs, according to SAMSHA, include the following: increased drinking, persistent sadness, anxiety, loss of sleep, apathy and loss of function at work, school or home. Coupled with the often stressful lives that students lead, we see a group of potential catalysts to the onset of a variety of disorders. Episodes stemming from bipolar disorder, however, do not have a single specific cause, according to Helpguides.org. Severe changes in mood can be caused by a variety of catalysts, some as elementary as stress or sleep deprivation, and others as intrusive as substance abuse. Outward signs of mania, according to Helpguide, consist of the following: racing thoughts, sexual promiscuity, irresponsible/reckless behavior, unrealistic or otherwise grandiose behavior and jumbled speech. These are all too familiar to Maciel. In one specific incidence, she accrued over $8,000 in debt while in the grips of a manic episode.

appeared intoxicated at Mountain View High School.” “He told authorities he had consumed nearly half a bottle of vodka that morning because he ‘was very upset as his father yelled at him.’” Noticeable changes in behavior did not stop there. According to information accounted in an interview conducted by Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now’s The War and Peace Report, Loughner “was behaving in an increasingly erratic manner,” and “had distanced himself from friends and family members in recent years.” These are outward examples of a variety of mood and personality disorders, specifically Borderline

The study, titled Grading the States, said that “mental healthcare in America is in crisis.” Grading the States provided both a comprehensive analysis of the United States as a whole, and appropriated figures for each individual state as well. The US received a D, while California and Arizona received Cs, respectively. The survey said that “state budget cuts are creating a vicious cycle that is leaving some of our most vulnerable citizens behind,” an altogether pervasive theme. Both California and Arizona recently slashed mental health services. In an effort to save $5.9 million a year, Fresno County closed the

2008, to over 500 in 2010. As for Arizona - cuts to behavioral services in 2010, according to Goodman’s interview, affected over 28,000 state residents in a variety of fashions. Patients saw slashes across the board – from access to case management and support groups, to housing subsidies. H. Clarke Romans, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Arizona responded to these cuts with the following: “Our response so far has just been to point out that the availability of services has diminished due to these budget cuts, although there is no direct link [to the shooting in Tucson], it just makes it less likely that people would be able to get services, even if they overcome the stigma of admitting or acknowledging that they have these illnesses.” Simply said, there is no cure for mental health illnesses. This does not, however, exclude patients from leading healthy functional lives. “In all honesty, pretty much all mental health issues are manageable,” said Dr Dianne Ey, Post Doctoral psychologist, and one of the seven therapists available at FCC’s Psych Services office. “Of course, there are other factors. It’s just to what degree the individual is willing to get into treatment.” All the same, regardless of what the availability of resources might be – from sparse to abundant – Dr Ey stresses the importance of personal dedication. “It resides with the person to take that action,” she said. This is not to say that, however, that therapy would have prevented the deadly incident in Tucson. Seung-Hui Cho, for example, was reviewed years before he killed 32 in the Virginia Tech massacre. And though both Cho and Loughner were allowed to purchase firearms because they were never involuntarily committed, refurbishing gun laws does not resolve the crux of these issues. The only sound alternative with the potential for measurable effects is to seal the cracks. Virginia Maciel did not fall through the cracks - Jared Loughner did. It is an inarguable truism evoked by those with mental health disorders: at times, the stigma seems worse than the disease itself. It is not a crime to be mentally ill. Thus, it is socially irresponsible to leave the apparently ill to their devices. And while it ultimately falls upon the individual to seek appropriate services, there is, at least, the reassuring fact that help is not so far away. “Come to us,” said Dr Ey. “We know that these are extremely personal issues, but if we can help you, by all means come and get your help.”

“Come to us, we know that these are extremely personal issues, but if we can help you, by all means come and get your help.” -Dr. Dianne Ey FCC Psychological Services Personality Disorder which, according to the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), is defined as “a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, as well as marked impulsivity, beginning by

doors of its psychiatric crisis center in July 2009, as reported by the Fresno Bee. In effect, the amount of psychiatric patients in the emergency room at Community Regional Medical Center increased over 250 percent - from 195 in September

Links to resources are available on the Rampage Online edition of this article. fresnocitycollegerampage.com

Features

FCC’s library. Among the poets he found were Edward Field, W.S. Merwin, Charles Simic, James Wright and Pablo Neruda. Soto was immediately hooked and decided to make writing his life. Vanessa Cabrera, executive vice president of ASG and campus coordinator, was asked by Soto to be a docent in the museum. “I have been reading his books since I was young,” said Cabrera. “He is such a kind and sweet person. It is a great opportunity and honor to work with him,” said Cabrera. The museum was designed by Jonathan Hirabayashi of Oakland. “It’s well ordered, handsome, and makes a sensible museum out of a small space,” said Soto. Among the items in the museum are a baptismal gown, Soto’s first laptop which his wife bought for him, and his books which have been translated into Spanish, French, and Italian. “I’m amazed that I kept a lot of things from my early writing career—manuscripts and typewriters—even though I tend not to be a collector of stuff,” said Soto. Soto also takes pride in putting his hometown of Fresno

Colloquium Addresses LGBT Rights By Aly Diaz civil rights movement because it Rampage Reporter

Communication instructor, Jerry Thurston, won the ovarian lottery. Thurston said being male, white, and heterosexual accord him a privilege which he believes is undeserved. “I think it’s my ethical obligation to do anything I can to destroy my unearned privilege. I should not be treated better than other people; it’s just flat wrong,” Thurston said. “So it’s an ethical issue for me.” He added, “We have at least a thousand rights that same sex couples simply do not have; we are allowed to get married and they are not.” Thurston said, “People put masculinity, femininity and gender in boxes and claim that no other way is acceptable to society’s standards.” Thurston made these remarks during a colloquium on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights which was held in the in the Skylight room on the second floor of the Old Administration Building on Jan 27. Other panelists include Robin McGehee, professor at the College of the Sequoias and founder of Get Equal, a political action group that highlights homophobia and transphobia; Wendell Stephenson, philosophy instructor at FCC and cofounder of the colloquiums, and Dylan Domingos, FCC student and writer who has written articles on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”, Proposition 8, and suicides among gay teens. Among the major questions addressed in the colloquium is whether the LGBT Rights Movement is the new Civil Rights Movement and if there are similarities between previous civil rights movements and the present one for LGBT equality. Domingos argued that it is a

involves people’s lives. He spoke compellingly and about his experience and the fears he lived under because of who he is. He effectively put a face to the commonly stereotyped homosexuals in Fresno. Speaking gently, Domingos urged people to get involved and reassured young people in the audience who might be struggling with their own sexual identity that there is support for them and that they should stay true to themselves. As someone who was once afraid to unveil his sexuality, he emerged as a voice to the voiceless. McGehee who is known for organizing pro LGBT events across America, also urged action. “The reality is, unless were actually moving, were not a movement,” she said. She explained that there are “lunch counter” moments, moments that expose the gross discrimination against the LGBT community. She is currently working to display such moments through Get Equal. Thurston urged heterosexuals to join the fight. “Heterosexuals have a moral obligation to support LGBT rights,” he said. This belief inspired him and his wife to co-found Straight Advocates for Equality, SAFE. Stephenson laid out philosophical arguments about the morality of homosexuality but concluded that even if one deems homosexuality to be immoral, such judgments were not relevant to their access to equal rights. This is not FCC’s first colloquium event, but it is the first of its kind, said Paul Gilmore, a history instructor who moderated the event. In 1997, Philosophy instructor, Wendell Stephenson and his colleague, Alan Beck, implemented events in which faculty members made formal presentations on interesting topics.

Photo by Paul Schlesinger

Gary Soto Museum to Open Continued from page 1 Soto said he had approached Ned Doffoney, president of the college at the time, about the college providing space to showcase his writing memorabilia, including typewriters, manuscripts, first editions books, and his writing table. He was able to convince the president that the 700 square feet of space could encourage others to read. The one room museum is located in the Old Administration Building and is expected to open in February. “I specifically spell out in the museum how I was not by any means a stellar student,” Soto said. “I mean, I graduated from Roosevelt High School with a 1.6 GPA.” Even with a 1.6 GPA however, Soto knew he had to pursue a college degree. Otherwise, he was destined to work on the farm for the rest of his life. Since Fresno State was out of the question, Soto enrolled at Fresno City College for one last effort to find the right path. He entered FCC as a geography major because of his desire to study maps. But that desire was shortly replaced when he discovered an array of contemporary poets on the shelves of

February 3, 2011

young people’s desire to read. He explanations of the displays. “I’d hopes the museum will help re- like to find a talented student who store that desire. “Often, there is can make a virtual tour of the space fissure between one generation and for the web. We are looking to on the national literary map. “I the next. Still, have used Fresno as the setting I w o u l d a s k for most of my stories and poems, younger people but I certainly am not alone in or those returnthis,” said Soto. “Fresno has pro- ing to school to duced many fine writers, inspired give literature by the place and its teachers of -- poems, novcreative writing, so actually, we els, stories -- anmight say that Fresno has made other chance,” the biggest contribution to lit- s a i d S o t o . erature rather than the opposite.” For Soto Having grown up with little however, there Typewritters used by Gary Soto on display at or no money, Soto relates to the is yet another the museum circumstances of today’s students. f a c t o r w h i c h “These times are much rougher makes it hard for him to be op- sponsor some future programming than when I was growing up in the timistic about the future. He puts or contests for young writers,” the responsibility of tomorrow on said Soto. 1960s,” said Soto. “True, back then, racism was the governmental leaders of today On Feb. 4, Soto will give two more prevalent and division of who “control purse strings that af- keynote addresses in the Old Adlabor was one-sided,” he said. “But fect college students.” ministration Building. The first “Young people have every right speech is at noon and the second the current students face major hardship from not enough money. to be suspicious of the older gen- is at 2:00 p.m. The campus comMy advice to students is to hang eration, especially those adminis- munity is invited. in there, to invest in themselves by trators in the UC system bringing In the next year, way of education. Dividends will down huge salaries and wanting Soto plans to publish a book even more massive retirement called 13, which is a collection pay out in the long run.” The museum is the latest ef- benefits,” Soto said. “The greed of short stories as well as a picfort by Soto to improve literacy. is amazing. They seem to raise ture book called Lucky Luis. He has traveled to many states tuition and raise their salaries.” “Usually when we think of and has met with students of As for the museum, Soto has ‘museum’, we think of some place all ages with hopes of encour- more plans to come. He hopes to dedicated to a buried person, said aging them to read and write. add more physical features such Soto. “But I’m far from gone and Soto said he believes today’s as a guide system in which visi- far from finished writing.” electronic gadgetry has diminished tors use their cell phones to hear

February 3, 2011

Features

Jerry Thurston-- Advocating for Equality By Karina Ornelas

Photo by Brendan Raley

Rampage Reporter

Fresno City College instructor, Jerry Thurston, has a lot more to teach than just Interpersonal Communication. A full-time instructor since 2003, Thurston is impacting lives daily, much beyond the classroom. Students and faculty know him as an advocate for the voiceless and one who is willing to help those in need. “Mr. Thurston is an enthusiastic colleague and he cares a lot about his students. His open minded and caring perspectives are positively contagious,” said Dan Scott, Co-chair of the Communication Arts Department. Thurston said his experience teaching at FCC has been very positive for a number of reasons, but particularly because of his colleagues and students. What comes across from speaking to Thurston is that he sincerely cares about students and their academic progress. His caring goes much beyond giving his students the grades they deserve; he tries to ensure that every student understands the material. Thurston lauds FCC’s diversity even with the difficulties it can sometimes bring. He feels at home teaching

Jerry Thurston talking to members of the diversity club.

eventually led him to re-enroll in school in Fresno. Between 1989 and 1990, Thurston was a Telecommunications major at California State University of Fresno. He took an Interpersonal Communication class and immediately changed his major. “I was absolutely fascinated,” he said. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Communications in 1992, Laton Unified School District hired Thurston as the coordinator of a gang and drug prevention program. After four years in that job, Thurston confirmed what he already knew – that he wanted to work in a job helping people and impacting lives. He felt his job wasn’t providing enough opportunity to achieve this dream, so he decided to go back for his master’s degree in Communications, receiving it in 1999 from Fresno State. With a bachelor’s and a master’s now under his belt, Jerry Thurston is the founder of Straight Advocates for Equality (SAFE). Thurston taught at a couple schools before and helping students of all backsaid of his realization that he teaching at FCC. He said his grounds and tries to convey that might not have been cut out for first time in front of a class full same sense of being welcome creative writing. of students terrified him, but the right back to them. “It’s a chal After his brief stint as an experience made him realize that lenge trying to explain someEnglish Literature major, Thur- the rest of his life was for teachthing to a woman over 50 who ston quit school to work. Wait- ing. has been in the country for three ing tables in a Visalia restaurant Thurston says he is committed to promoting and advancing the college’s great diversity. He does so by being involved in many programs, including the Equivalency Committee to give new instructors who may be lacking some qualifications required by the state, a chance to teach. He has also served as a mentor to graduate students during their first semester of teaching at FCC. Although the mentor program has been eliminated because of budget cuts, Thurston still makes himself available Photo by Brendan Raley

years, and to a regular 18-yearold student in the same class,” he said. The Westminster native made his way from the Orange County area to Fresno, and that’s a good thing it seems. Thurston’s continuous geographic movement somewhat mirrored his frequent academic major changes. He first attended Cypress College in Cypress, California, choosing to major in English Literature. “I wanted to be a writer, I had a lot of passion for it, but I wasn’t very good,” Thurston

to new faculty who could benefit from his experience. Thurston considers the program important and highly beneficial. Perhaps his most notable contribution on campus has been co-advising the Diversity Club since 2004. Thurston has

jectives, he started the (Straight Advocates For Equality) Safe Advocates for Equality, an organization that is made up of a diverse group of people who are committed to helping the GLBTQ community to attain their local, state and federal legal & constitutional rights. Thurston said he was prompted by the passage of Proposition 8 which took away the rights of gays to marry in the 2000 elections. He had been heartbroken and angry but channeled the anger into something helpful. Thurston, who is the president of S.A.F.E, said they are in the process of obtaining non-profit status. Dan Scott, co-chair of the communication arts department, said Thurston has also been a key person in putting together the FCC Intramural Speech Competition held once in the fall semester and twice in the spring semester. “He is always willing to go the extra mile and do more than ex-

“His open minded and caring perspectives are positively contagious.” - Dan Scott, Co Chair of the Communication Arts been a strong supporter of the GLBTQ community, both on campus and in the city of Fresno. It is quite obvious that this is something he is passionate about and feels strongly for. His major concern is to prevent mistreatment of gay students on campus; he said his goal is to convince straight people everywhere to understand the senselessness of such cruelty to people because of their sexual orientation. “Gay students are not Martians out to destroy the earth; they love, they breathe, they bleed,” he said. “I feel it’s my place as a straight person to do something.” To achieve his ob-

pected,” said Scott, who works alongside Thurston in putting it all together. For Thurston, there are no plans to move up whatsoever, “I want to teach forever,” he said. He believes in the material he teaches, and hopes to get better at it by doing it for the next 18 to 20 years. Coming from difficult circumstances to getting to where he’s at, he appreciates everything and wants to help as many people in general as possible. “Fresno City College has been good to me,” said Thurston. “One day I want them to say, ‘Man, I’m really glad we

breathe, the bleed. I feel it’s my place as

“I think it’s my ethical obligation to do anything I can to destroy my unearned privilege. I should not be treated better than other people; it’s just flat wrong. So it’s an ethical issue for me.”

a straight person to do something.”

- Thurston during the LGBT Civil

-Thurston

Rights Colloquium on Jan. 27.

“Gay students are not martians out

to destroy the earth; they love, they

News Entertainment iPhone To Be Carried on Verizon’s Network

Lyssette Trujillo Rampage Reporter

One of the most popular phones in the country is going to Verizon. In a press conference on Jan. 11, Verizon and Apple both announced that the iPhone would be available through the Verizon network beginning Feb. 10. Now, if you’re an existing customer you can get your hands on a Verizon iPhone before anyone else by ordering it online beginning Feb. 3. Verizon and Apple have not released much information about this new venture. Besides the day it is coming out and Verizon has sent emails to all of its existing customers informing them about the iPhone being available to them and what they can do to prepare for it. They are being tight lipped on the pricing for service but they have released that they will be matching AT&T’s pricing, $199 for the 16GB model and $299 for the 32GB one. Two other things that are important are that they will be offering unlimited data and the phone will be able to be used as a mobile hot spot. Two things AT&T does not offer.

Since its debut back in 2007, the iPhone has been exclusively available to AT&T customers. So now a question arises, how will this effect AT&T? The iPhone is one of their best selling phones, so now that it will be available on another network sales are expected

find it cheap to switch to Verizon since just last year AT&T raised their early termination fees in anticipation of this new iPhone release. Some customers may be locked in until their contract is up, especially since many renewed their contracts with the release of the iPhone 4. Even with the blow of losing customers to Verizon, AT&T will not suffer major damages. They have been preparing to lose iPhone exclusivity for the past year. They are expected to focus more on other devices such as Google’s Android mobile software, which is a cheaper option to the iPhone. Another question that arises from all of this is, what will happen to Sprint and T-mobile? Well, Apple does not seem to have any intention of releasing an Photo Illustration by Max Rosendahl iPhone in either network to drop. so for now their subscribers are A survey of 58,000 people expected to lose customers with conducted by Consumer Reports this new Verizon iPhone. ranked AT&T as the worst cell Now, for those thinking of phone service provider. So many purchasing this new iPhone existing customers may be waiting through Verizon please be aware for this new Verizon iPhone with that the iPhone 5 is due to be great anticipation. Although, released this summer. current AT&T customers may not

FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS SAVE ON FCC AMTRAK StudentsCALIFORNIA! save on Amtrak

Not that we have to remind you, but these days, college isn’t exactly cheap. Fortunately for you, getting back and forth to campus doesn’t have to be so spendy– just take Amtrak . With our 20% Off California Colleges and University student discount, traveling all over Cali is way thriftier than driving. Just be sure to book your trip 3 days in advance and present your current Student ID. ®

Amtrak San Joaquin can take you to some pretty awesome places. Get wild in Yosemite or enjoy more civilized activities in San Francisco. Of course making tracks throughout the Central Valley from the Bay Area to Bakersfield, all the way to Sacramento is doable too. When you feel the need to feed, you can partake of some serious snacks, meals and beverages in the Café Car. We think you’ll agree it gives “joy ride” a whole new meaning. ®

To receive your discount, visit AmtrakCalifornia.com/StudentDiscount/.

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20% off the regular (full) adult ralire Fare. Valid for sale August 1, 200 - June 9, 2011. Valid for Travel September 7, 2010 - June 12, 2011. ReservaVALID FOR 20% OFF THE REGULAR (FULL) ADULT RAIL FARE. VALID FOR SALE AUGUST 1, 2010 - JUNE 9, 2011. VALID FOR TRAVEL SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 - JUNE 12, 2011. Required a minimum of thredd days prior to travel. Valid fo travel on the San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and associated thruway service RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED A MINIMUM OF THREE DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL. VALID FOR TRAVEL ON THE SAN JOAQUIN, PACIFIC SURFLINER, CAPITOL CORRIDOR AND inluding Merced to Yosemite. Valid for students attending the following colleges and universities only: California State university 9Fresno and Bakersfield), ASSOCIATED THRUWAY SERVICE INCLUDING MERCED TO YOSEMITE. VALID FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ONLY: CALIFORNIA Fresno City College,Califrnia Polythcnical State University and Santa Varvara City College. Valid Student identification must be presented from one of the apSTATE UNIVERSITY (FRESNO AND BAKERSFIELD), FRESNO CITY COLLEGE, CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNICAL STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (MERCED, IRVINE, plicable colleges or universities upon request. Up to two children ages 2-15 may accompany each adult at half the rgular 9full) adult rail fare. Valid for coach SANTA BARBARA AND LOS ANGELES), UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AND SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE. VALID sets. Upgrade to business class is available uon payment of applicable accommodation charges. Seating is limited; seats may not be available on all trains at all MUST BE of PRESENTED ONE OF THE to APPLICABLE COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES UPONrules REQUEST. UP TO to TWO CHILDREN 2-15 MAY and times. STUDENT Not validIDENTIFICATION toward the purchase multiride FROM tickets . Subject any restrictions , blackouts and refund that apply the type of AGES fare purchased ACCOMPANY EACH ADULT AT .HALF THE REGULAR (FULL) ADULT VALID COACH SEATS. UPGRADE TO BUSINESS CLASSjanuary IS AVAILABLE UPON/ PAYMENT upon which the discount is based Blackout dates: N ovember 23 RAIL - 24 FARE. and 27 - 29,FOR 2010 / december 17 - 23 and 26-30, 2010/ 2-3, 2011 FebruaryOF 18 and APPLICABLE ACCOMMODATION CHARGES. IS LIMITED; NOT BE AVAILABLE ON ALL TRAINS AT ALL TIMES. notice NOT VALID THE PURCHASE OF MULTI21, 2011/ April 22 and 24 - 25, 2011 / MaySEATING 27, 2011. Fares, SEATS RoutesMAY and schedules are subject to change without . notTOWARD combinable with any other discount TICKETS. TO, ANY BLACKOUTS AND REFUND RULES THAT APPLY TO THE restrictions TYPE OF FARE PURCHASED AND UPON WHICH THE IS BASED. offer.RIDE once travel SUBJECT has begun no RESTRICTIONS, changes no change to the itinerrary are permitted .. other may apply. pacific surgliner andDISCOUNT san joaquin are regisDATES: 23 - railroad 24 AND 27passenger - 29, 2010 / corporation DECEMBER 17. -capitol 23 ANDcorridor 26 - 30, 2010 JANUARY 2service - 3, 2011mark / FEBRUARY AND 21, 2011 / APRIL 22 powrs AND 24 authority - 25, tered BLACKOUT service marks ofNOVEMBER the national is /registerd of the 18 capitol . corridor joint . 2011 / MAY 27, 2011. FARES, ROUTES AND SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. NOT COMBINABLE WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNT OFFER. ONCE TRAVEL HAS BEGUN, NO CHANGES TO THE ITINERARY ARE PERMITTED. OTHER RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY. PACIFIC SURFLINER AND SAN JOAQUIN ARE REGISTERED SERVICE MARKS OF THE NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION. CAPITOL CORRIDOR IS A REGISTERED SERVICE MARK OF THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY. for

tions are

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February 3, 2011

Entertainment

Music ,Theatre, and the Arts Fresno City College Kicks Off the New Year in Style by Sammy PRO & Richard Molina Rampage Reporters

Erven’s “Ballad of Chet” enthralls

Boston. Erven wrote the lyrics and collaborated with Sharpazian and they had it all composed in about six months. “I absolutely loved it,” Erven said. The “Ballad of Chet” premieres March 4 at the FCC theatre at 7:30 p.m.

Dance Department kicks

Guitar Society Secretary Daniel Spina to Led Zeppelin. Dr. Cooper’s creative artistic nature and skill level makes the Guitar Society a great place for all those who have a guitar and passion for music.

FCC Concert Season Now in swing The FCC music department blasted off the spring semester with an outrageous event labeled as ‘Super Concert V’, on Jan. 30 in the FCC theatre. The concert featured the Fresno Community Concert Band, which consists of students and blue collar folks from around the Central Valley. These musicians perform for the sheer love of music, and give countless hours of practice and concerts back to our community. Most of

-Dr. Kevin Cooper same time. “It’s fantastic doing a first run original show, because it’s a lot of trial and error,” he said. “You are able to put yourself into the character’s shoes.” Also complimentary of Erven is Garrett Puttman, who plays Chet, the main character in the play. “Erven is a great director,” he said. “He takes a different approach getting deep into the characters.” The jazzy, drunken melodies that serenade the performance were composed by Alana Sharpazian, an FCC alumna, and graduate of the Berkley School of Music in

wonderful world of guitar knows that it is a vast realm full of endless styles and aspects of playing. What better way to unite all of these artistic interests than with a club that supports just that. The club is open to all levels of skill and all techniques. Guitar guru and instructor, Dr. Kevin Cooper, oversees and provides support to the club, but The Guitar Society is run primarily by the Students. “Usually I have to be the one to gives students a little bit of a nudge, but the student body is really fueling the direction of our club,” Cooper said. The club was started in the spring of 2010 by FCC student Michael Thompson, and is already

They have guns and they aren’t afraid to use them, even if they’re plastic and members in all creative ways. So for guitar lovers everywhere, this may be your haven. For those unable to attend the first meeting on Feb. 4, you can reach club president Carlos Vazquez at carlosvazquez24@live.com. In addition to instructing the Guitar Society, Dr. Cooper teaches guitar classes of all levels using various inspirational techniques, ranging from classical music

Photo by Paul Schlesinger

students a little bit Guitar Society is FCC’s best of a nudge, but the kept secret student body is really fueling the direction of One of the best kept secrets on campus is the FCC Guitar Society. our club.” Anyone who has entered the

these performances are free, and the attendees are a unique mix of retirees, low income families, and young children who have never been exposed to any organized music. Conductor Robert Nielsen opened the evening concert with a rousing rendition of “La Gazza Ladra Overture” by Gioachino Rossini. This opera, which translates into “The Thieving

Abel Cortez

Photo by Paul Schlesinger

Imagine your uncle is an off spring multi-cultural accountant for a mob boss in Las extravaganza Vegas. He embezzles $50,000 from his employer to impress his The Fresno City College Dance ex-wife. He gambles the money program is ready to kick off the away and goes into hiding. The spring semester with one of its devil is now looking for him, and biggest and diverse performances so are two hit men from the mob. ever. The City Dance Spring Does this sound too far-fetched? Concert, running from March This semester, the Fresno City 5 to 8, will feature four full College’s theatre department will performances of multi-cultural host the world premier of “The extravaganzas. “This performance Ballad of Chet” written by Chuck has a beautiful multi-cultural Erven. This is a great addition to the many award winning plays written by Dr. Erven, including “Canyon Suit”, which won the Mark David Cohen Award four years ago. This dark comedy is set in modern day L a s Ve g a s , w i t h gangsters, showgirls and even the devil himself, in this brilliant collection of disturbing situations. According to Dr. From left to right, Amber Creager, Garrett Putman, Mike Harrison, and Erven, it all started Nick Haas burn the midnight oil in rehearsing the Ballad of Chet with one scene two years ago. “An theme,” said Dr. Jimmy Choa. ”It Cooper added. accountant steals money from the The club is also open to change will include styles from Africa to mob, and tries to impress his exand direction from the students China and everything between.” wife,” he said. “He is chased by Undeterred by the budget colorful hit men as he tries to find obstacles, the show must go on. redemption.” Using all of its resources, the Jochebed Smith, who plays department is bringing together a Bonny, the Devil’s advocate, says performance that will unite dance being so close to the playwright lovers of all cultural backgrounds. is helpful and exhilarating at the Displaying the true colors of FCC’s students and staff, the City “Usually I have to Dance Spring Concert is expected to be their best. be the one to gives

courtesy of

snowballing into something that has the potential to be big. On Feb. 2, the Guitar Society was featured on local radio station 89.3, and their Young Artist Spotlight. “We are always looking for gigs to get ourselves out there,” says Carlos Vasquez, Guitar Society’s president. Not only are performances welcome but members of all kinds are welcome. The club meets Fridays at 3pm at FCC’s MS 132. The club’s first meeting will be on Feb. 4 and will provide free pizza. Even if you are an amateur there is still a place for you in the Guitar Society. They have a support aspect that provides musicians with mentoring. “Just as in my classes I like to validate people’s diverse interest and expose,”

Magpie”, is best known for its overture, which is notable for its extensive use of snare drums. Rossini was famous for his writing speed with his composures, and La Gazza Ladra was no exception. As legend has it, the producer had to lock Rossini in a room the day before the first performance in order to write the overture. Rossini then threw each sheet out of the window to his copyists who wrote out the full orchestral parts. The band warmed up a bit with the” Celebration Fanfare” by Steven Reineke. Reineke, who was recently appointed Musical Director for the New York Pops in 2009, wrote the fanfare only two years ago. He has guest conducted some of the greatest orchestras in the world, and recently arranged and orchestrated the music for a Hollywood Bowl production for rock legend Peter Frampton. Guests of the show were treated to a fugue from P.D.Q. Bach, an unusual little composition called “The Grand Serenade for an Awful lot of Woodwinds and Percussion”. P. D. Q. Bach is a fictitious composer invented by musical satirist Professor Peter Schickele. In a gag that Schickele has developed over a four-decade-long career, he performs “discovered” works of this forgotten member of the Bach family. Schickele’s music combines parodies of musicological scholarship, the conventions of Baroque and classical music, and slapstick comedy. The guest artist was organist Laurel Huber, who thrilled the audience with her mesmerizing glissandos and riffs. Conductor Nielsen is certainly no stranger to the FCC campus. He joined the faculty here at FCC in 1978 and was the Music Theory and History professor for ten years, and then succeeded to the music department chair in 1989 until his retirement in 2001. He continues to compose music and arrange orchestral ensembles for various institutions. He also adjudicates and conducts at various festivals and concerts throughout the valley.

Entertainment

February 3, 2011

How to save money this Valentine’s Day What a girl expects What a guy wants things get a little slippery, at least you will be falling into each other’s arms.

#3 Show her the heavens

by Jesse

Franz Rampage Reporter Frugalities’ Vanities: Valentine’s Day for Under $20 Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “There is always some madness in love.” Well who can think of anything madder than Valentine’s Day? It’s the one day of the year when $5 daisies cost $50, when the crowd at the movie theatre trying to see the newest cheesy romance film resembles Woodstock, and when you can’t even get a reservation at Panda Express. Sure roses are red, and violets are blue, but that does not mean that you need to take out a second mortgage to pay your love day tab. So for impoverished students, much like this writer, here is a list of dates for under $20. You say cheap skate, I say fiscally challenged.

#1 Not Quite a box of chocolates

With the vending machine revolution of Red Box, romance can come for a buck, and not in a Pretty Woman kind of way. Go get a Nicholas Sparks movie, and cuddle up to a nice evening at your place as Dear John makes her melt in your arms. Just be sure to bring tissues, and maybe some antidepressants.

#2 Break the Ice

It does not matter how old you are, no one has ever been sad while ice skating. Well besides Olympic athletes after they fall and are forced to finish their routine anyway. Nevertheless, this date is a great way to bring heat to the moment, no matter what. If you guys are amazing skaters you will woo each other with your skills, but even if

Break out your star chart, and go stargazing with your beloved. Sure it might be February, in one of the most hazardous weather years in Fresno’s history, but try to look at the glass half full, even if it is half full of ice water. For example, do not say it is cold, say that it is cuddle weather. Just make sure that you bring an extra jacket, that way when she starts shivering you can still exemplify chivalry and give her your coat.

#4 She’ll Eat it up

Cook for your special someone. Sure, like mine, your idea of cooking might involve ordering take-out over the phone, but actually try. It is a win-win after all. If you cook marvelously, you will have them for life, and if you burn the bread, at least it will be a story for the grandkids.

#5 When all else fails

When all else fails and you are sitting home alone heartbroken, spending another Valentine’s Day in solitude, break out the secret weapon, Taylor Swift. If misery loves company then T. Swift is that annoying friend who just won’t leave you alone. So press play and find solace in those tear drops on your guitar. Now sure, you may think that Valentine’s Day is a holiday created by mega corporations like Hallmark to encourage mindless spending and to monetize the expression of the human connection, and you would probably be right. However, is it not madness that we choose to partake in such an event in order to express ourselves? Remember, Nietzsche said, “There is always some madness in love,” but he also said, “There is always some reason in madness.” So be the reason for each other’s madness this Feb. 14.

Alexis Abrahamson Rampage Reporter

The Holiday of love is around the corner, which means everyone is secretly hoping for a special something from a certain someone. It’s almost as if we wake up in the morning wishing for something heart shaped to take home at the end of the day. Whether you’re single or coupled, make it fun for yourself. Nobody wants to mark Valentine’s Day 2011 by watching “Two and a Half Men” and eating a box of Klondike bars. As we all know, times are hard, and our wallets are empty, but there are still interesting ways to spice up your Valentine’s Day without breaking your piggy bank. Going out to dinner is expensive, especially on special holidays. Here are some other ideas to consider.

zPhillip’s Korner: Photo by Gabriella Hernandez

Phillip Romar

Rampage Reporter

If you have an ID card FOR THIS SEMESTER you can get a discount from the restaurants around here like Carl’s Jr, Wendy’s, etc. Yall pray for my friends, no matter how many times I tell them this, they only remember as soon as the already pay for their food.

STOP DIRTYING THE BATHROOMS!!! If you don’t like the bathrooms here don’t use them. I’m sick of walking to Carl’s Jr. just to go to handle my business.

10 things to know about Fresno City, part 2!

3 4 5

The Café is cheaper than the Cafeteria.

The Cafeteria closes at 3:00pm. I suggest going to the café if you’re hungry by then. It’s stays open til 8pm.

Just because your teacher doesn’t take roll doesn’t mean you don’t have to be in class. I suggest you stay your butt in class before I take your spot.

No food and drinks are allowed in the Lounge. I don’t understand why I get in trouble every time I bring food in there but others think their slick, sneaking sodas and Cheetos inside. I’m snitching next time I see it happen…

Please read the signs on the doors before entering. I won’t say any names but I remember seeing some guy go inside the girl’s bathroom without even looking at the sign on the door. My ears still hurt from all that doggone screaming.

8 9 10

The Big Fountain is not a wishing well. Yall throw any money in there I promise yall, I will take it. There is 68 make-spots on campus, but remember, you came to school to learn. Not make out. Do that off campus.

There is over 3000 parking spots on campus, over 22,000 students that go to this school, and more than half of them have cars. What are the chances of getting a parking space?

1. Flowers: Expect him to bring you flowers. They are beautiful and inexpensive. People sell them on the street corners for nothing. There is no excuse for him not buying you some. 2. Greeting Cards: He may bring you a greeting card. Why not? Cards may sound cheesy, but they are always a great way for him to tell you how he feels without actually having to say it. Give him one too. Whether they admit it or not, men love to know how much they mean to you. 3. Movie: Whether you’re staying at home with a Netflix and a glass of wine or he’s taking you to a $3 movie at the Clovis theatre, you’ll be together. That’s the whole point. 4. Food: If he’s short on funds, get him to make you. Consider other options such as eating a home-cooked meal and going out for a drink. He’ll can buy food

Photo Illustration by Max Rosendahl

at the store for half the amount plus show you how much he cares. You two can even celebrate the night early so you can beat the crowds and overpriced food. You can even get a pizza shaped as a heart from Papa Murphy’s for $8 and pop it in the oven. You can make him a dessert that will have him scratching his tummy in joy. The fastest way to a man’s heart isn’t his pants, it’s the stomach. 5. Music: It’s a gift that will keep on giving, also shows that you listen to and care about what they listen to. 6. Look Beautiful: A man will not want to shower you with love if you look like you haven’t even taken one. Spray your sexiest perfume and put on that lipstick that make heads turn. You and your man will appreciate it you looking special that day.

7. Wear your Red or Pink undergarments: Why not? Make the night memorable and keep the beige bra and granny panties in the drawer. If you must go out, here are some romantic restaurants he can take you:

1. The Lime Lite: They are said to have Valentine’s Day themed specials; the food is good and the atmosphere is dim lit. 1054 W Shaw Ave….(559) 224-1054 2. Limons: It is an amazing Latin American restaurant that will be having a fixed three course menu for the special night. 7735 N. Blackstone Ave…(559) 435-1015 3. Bella Pasta: The restaurant is very modern and will be having a Valentine’s Day dinner menu that you can choose to eat from or not. 7033 N. Cedar Ave…. (559) 325-5525

Entertainment

February 3, 2011

Reviews:

Your latest movies, games and books put in the spotlight. Austin Verburg Rampage Reporter by

Square Eniix

The latest of the famous Kingdom Hearts series, the “Kingdom Hearts RE: Coded” is simply a remake of “Kingdom Hearts Coded.” Released only on mobile phones in Japan, the remake of “Coded” gives fans of the series a chance to finally see this installment, but only if they own a Nintendo DS. But fans have little reason to be anxious about being slighted. While the game’s plot line was interesting, it didn’t seem to hit anywhere near the epic levels that previous titles seemed to reach. The plotline takes place just after “Kingdom Hearts 2”. This

is the first time in a while that the series has actually continued its storyline in the forward motion, as previous titles such as “358/2 Days” and “Birth By Sleep” went back to bridge a few gaps and serve as prequels to other games. After returning to Disney Castle, Jiminy Cricket discovers a message in his journal which leads to a digital world within the journal, corrupt with Heartless. King Mickey enlists the help of a digital Sora (the character players become) to clear out Heartless and unravel the mystery of the code world. But it is not the plot line that is lacking, so are the settings. When the first Kingdom Hearts title was released, it was so fresh, and visiting various Disney worlds was fun and nostalgic. Now it’s just annoying and repetitious; one can only take Wonderland so many times. One keeps hoping that Square Enix will find another way to make

visiting Disney Worlds exciting again, such as maybe buying the rights to Disney movies they haven’t used 20 times already. But the game does surprise with new game play modes and in some places actually played like an old-school RPG. But in another world, players can find themselves in a side-scrolling platform game type. These new ways to explore the Kingdom Hearts universe really stand out. Despite the new game modes, I would not recommend this Kingdom Hearts game to someone who has not played and enjoyed the original titles. As Game Informer magazine stated in issue 214, “Re: Coded” is “the most skip-worthy entry in the series.” While I don’t entirely agree with this assessment, I would only recommend this title to the die-hard “Kingdom Hearts” fans. And by fan, I don’t mean “Yeah, I like Kingdom Hearts.” What I mean is, “OMFG I LOVE KINGDOM HEARTS!!!”

“No Strings Attached” Nathan A. Alonzo Rampage Reporter

not really have anything new to offer, it is like a sappy love story from a cheap 1980’s movie. The movie concludes in dramatic fashion, with Emma coming and finding that without Adam she is completely empty. So she ends up leaving her sisters’ wedding and rushing to go see if she can get him back only to find that when she shows up at his apartment he is with another woman. But at the end everything works out and the film concludes with just another sappy ending. Go watch this movie if your into cheesy love stories, if not just wait until it comes out on DVD.

“The Rite”

“The Rite”, starring Colin O’Donoghue, Alice Braga and Anthony Hopkins, is good in some parts but overall, leaves a lot to be desired. The movie by Warner Bros was released on Jan. 28 and is rated PG-13. It is directed by Mikael Håfström, the director of “1408”. The producers, Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson, worked on “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”. The story, inspired by true events, begins with a student by the name of Michael Kovac (Colin O’Donoghue). He lives with his dad who is a mortician. Kovac, who frequently questions his own faith, has a choice to either stay with the family

business or become a priest. He is sent to the Vatican to an exorcism school, being referred to Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins). This is where Kovac is exposed to the practice of exorcism. As Kovac continues to doubt, things get worse as he must find his own faith to save the possessed Father. The movie is two hours and seven minutes long. It has a great pace and does not refer too much to religion, making it simple and easy to watch. The visual and sound effects are really good, almost reminiscent of the demons in “Paranormal Activity.” Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, who has appeared in “Silence of the Lambs” and “Wolfman,” was brilliant in this movie. He plays a possessed priest, a rare character, but he did a great job with it. If you are a big fan of Hopkins, this movie is a must-see. Alice Braga who plays the lead female character, Angeline, has appeared in multiple films including “Predators,” “Repo Men,”

“Blindness,” and “I Am Legend.” Her character, Angeline, is a journalist taking the same exorcism course as Kovac. Her own story unravels as she keeps contact with Kovac, hoping she would get a good story which is exactly what she gets. Viewers can expect to be disappointed by the movie’s happily-ever-after ending. There were some parts in the film that were confusing. At first, one can be confused about who is possessed and who just hears voices. Also, it is unclear how Kovac finds his faith. A part of the movie shows he had turned his back on God during his childhood when his mother died but then after going through so much, he loses his father, and then decides to become a priest. The viewer is left wondering what happened, and it can be confusing. Overall, the movie is okay, especially if you’re a fan of Anthony Hopkins.

human nature. His newest addition, “Full Dark, No Stars”, lacks none of his typical elements, except maybe his usual semi happy ending. The book contains a quartet of horrific tales, each with an ending that will only leave you disturbed in a number of ways, but most of them good. The first story “1912”, tells the tale of a family of three struggling with financial problems turning to murder. The first person narrative explains the husband’s plot to murder his wife with the help of his son, setting into action extremely

evil and tormenting chain of events. With an almost Edgar Allen Poe aspect, the story begins and adds with madness. Next is “Big Driver”, a story of rape and revenge. A novelist on a trip through Massachusetts is sexually assaulted and left for dead. King gives a vivid mental picture as always in explaining the brutality of this crime. The victim, Tess, uses modern technology to hunt down her attacker in a way that rivals only a stalker’s passion, illustrating that there is true darkness in all of us. “Fair Exchange” is a short story by all accounts and seems chillingly familiar as the tale of a deal with the devil. A suburban man meets a peddler along side of a road

who grants “needs” with a cost. The cost is wishing utter despair and ill will upon an innocent or, in this case, the man’s neighbor. The collection ends with a very enticing story with movie qualities, of a woman who discovers her husband is a serial killer. Through much psychological turmoil, the comparison is made, between murder for good versus murder for evil. These stories are written in classic Stephen King fashion, keeping the reader out of breath in clammy sweat that doesn’t leave you until the end. And also like prior King novels, it leaves you with disturbing thoughts and questions about people and yourself.

Warner Brothers Newline Cinema

Dominique Hernandez Rampage Reporter

Full Dark No Stars Richard Molina Rampage Reporter

Stephen King, a legend in the horror stories genre, crafts stories that chill and disturb his vast audience. In his vast library of novels and collections of short stories, he uses not only sci-fi tales, but semi realistic telling of dark personalities and their chilling behavior. He seems to be able to find what truly keeps people up at night whether it’s an irrational fear of demons and monsters or simply the overwhelming cruelness of

Paramount Pictures

Among all the winter season movies this one definitely stands in a class all of its own. No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher as Adam and Natalie Portman as Emma is a mix between a raunchy flick and a romantic comedy. In the movie the question of whether or not casual sexpartners can be a couple is brought up. In the movie Adam and Emma are a couple of single people that meet at a party and start something up after that. They make an agreement that they want to begin a pattern of non-meaningful sexual encounters,

non-casual because Emma who plays a hospital doctor in the movie is seemingly commitment-phobic and does not want to have to stay for breakfast after she has a sexual encounter with someone. So the couple goes on for a while living this sort of lifestyle. They also have only one rule, no falling in love! The first one to do so must call the whole thing that they have going on off. The rest of the movie is lost in a jumble of scenes of casual sex encounters, arguments as well as near puppy dog cute moments that have the audience wishing that the characters would just hurry up and get together already. No Strings Attached does

Online Education: A Waste of Time? The Benefits and the Drawbacks Con Pro by Sendy Garcia Rampage Reporter

O nline class may have its perks,

eliminate the need for students to leave home a few hours early to search for parking on campus – if they’re lucky. Students would also save money by not needing to buy as many class supplies as students on campus would need. “I spent more money on two classes on campus than on three online classes,” stated Smith. Not only do students save time and money by signing up for online classes, but online universities offer a wider variety of online courses. According to FCC’s website, it offers 107 courses online. Classes usually fill-up fast, putting students on a waitlist when there is not enough seating. Being an online student provides the benefit of having an education on the go. A student can be at work, at a park, or at a café and simply use their laptop to work on their coursework. Study co-author, Elaine Allen, a professor of statistics and analytics at Babson College, said during an interview with Dailynews. com, “Online education has grown by 20 percent each year.” You may have heard of some online universities such as University Of Phoenix, with a student body of 400,000. The second largest online university is Kaplan University Online with 90,000 students and still growing. Getting an education online has become more and more popular, because for some students it is the best choice. If you’re interested in taking classes online at FCC, use Webadvisor.com, or go to the Administration Office to get a list of the online courses provided each semester. Taking online courses means learning in the comfort of your own home.

but the cons outweigh the pros. Online courses are too distracting. Facebook. com, Twitter.com, Youtube.com, Cracked. com, Stumbleupon.com and most other .coms are more entertaining than Math 103 will ever be. The Internet with its infinite opportunities for fun is just a mouse click away. “It’s really hard for me to sit down and actually do the work,” said Fresno City College student, Colby Bender. Besides the obvious diversion of enjoying the Internet while stuck working on the Internet, other distractions come from the lack of an authority presence. In a classroom environment, one is forced to keep attention grabbing devices at bay. “Computers are distracting and they require much more attention,” FCC student, Neal Pecchenino, said. Without a teacher looming, all activities such as text messaging, television watching, and nap taking are fair game. The dull content of the online work practically begs one’s senses to seek entertainment elsewhere. “Procrastination, participation, and performance in online learning environments,” stated an article by French researchers; Michinov, Brunot, Le Bohec, Juhel, and Delaval, proving that “procrastination would influence the successfulness of online learning.” The team tested and “a negative relationship was found.” Online courses are too risky. If we’re not supposed to put all of our eggs in one basket, should we be putting all of our hard work on one device? According to a finding by PC World magazine, more than 50 percent of personal computers have a problem. Relying

on a computer for the entirety of a class is as sound as playing Russian roulette. “The online class has really only given me problems,” Bender said. Imagine working rigorously on an assignment due in 20 minutes. Suddenly, the Internet is out and so is any chance of turning in a complete assignment. Forget about turning in any assignment at all. More than one of these occurrences could lead to a failing grade based purely on technology blips rather than mastery of course material. Online classes are too isolated. Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “You send your child to the schoolmaster, but ‘tis the schoolboys who educate him.” One of the joys and positive aspects of learning in a classroom is having other peers around. Distance learning keeps positive social interactions away on both educational and social levels. The absence of stimulating, impromptu, intellectual conversations probably has Socrates rolling over in his grave. With students working in isolation, they stunt their educational growth. “Scenarios ranging from a group of children collaboratively trying to solve the question of how to construct a kite, to a university professor writing a research paper with a colleague, advance the case for a social side to learning,” Gavriel Salomon and Davaid Perkins wrote in their article, “Individual and Social Aspects of Learning.” Whether it’s the plight of procrastination, the danger of a technical difficulty, or the absence of additional viewpoints, the arguments against online class are potent. Ditch the risk and stay in school.

Campus Voices

Brendan Raley & Ramiro Gudino Photographers

Taking classes online has become more

popular throughout the years. According to the Distance Education and Training Council there are an estimated 4 million students doing coursework “at a distance” at U.S. colleges and universities. There are more students wanting to study online who are looking for an easier way to obtain a degree. All one needs is time and self-motivation. For some students, taking a class on campus and having face-to-face interaction with an instructor is more of a hassle for them; in these cases, online education is the solution. “I find it a lot easier to take online classes,” said James Smith, a second semester criminology major at Fresno City College. “You can work at your own pace and you’re not stressing over being in class if you have a job or have other things to do.” These courses come in handy for students who, for personal reasons, are forced to drop out of school because it is too time consuming. These courses provide easier access for students who are parents, students who work full time, and also for students who struggle with attendance on a regular basis. It is as simple as going home, turning on the computer and getting to work for a couple of hours a day. Online students can easily receive the same education that a student in a classroom would get. It also helps students save money; such as not having to waste as much money for gas in having to drive back and forth. Online classes

“You can work at

your own pace and

you’re not stressing

“More than 50

over being in class if

percent of personal

you have a jor or have

computers have a

other things to do”

- James Smith, FCC Student, Criminology

Sydney Excinia Rampage Reporter by

Natalie Compton Rampage Reporter by

problem.”

- PC World Magazine

Have You Broken Your New Year’s Resolution? David Holford, Kinesiology “I don’t have one, but if I had to choose one it would be to get better grades.”

Gabriel Cordova, Computer Networking

Kalia Vang, Liberal Studies

“Yes, I wanted to quit smoking, but I only lasted about 10 minutes.”

“I don’t have a new year resolution, but I have been trying to better in school.”

John Rodriguez, Law Enforcement

Alberto Reyes, Undecided “Yes, I wanted to stop smoking. I’ve only lasted about three days.”

Jason Rogoff, Mechanical Drafting

“Not yet. My resolution was to pass all my classes this semester. I make sure I do all my homework, and be responsible.”

Ahmed Alrawashdeh, Computer Engineering “I have not set a new year’s resolution. I try to set goals that I try and master throughout the semester.”

“I didn’t make one this year.”

Nicole Vollhardt, Child Development “ Ye s , m y n e w year’s resolution was to lose weight. I lasted for about a week and a half.”

Taylor Stark, Culinary Arts “No, I want to do better in my classes.”

February 3, 2011

Views

Accidents, Miracles & Friendship Phillip Romar Rampage Reporter by

he doesn’t believe in accidents. There is no such thing as an accident? Even to this day I find that hard to believe. As if someone can purposely think a big-boned woman is pregnant; or purposely trip over a rock; or maybe even purposely spill grape juice on a bright white carpet. My best friend Nancy Garcia believes things happen for a reason, but that reason isn’t always good. Five years ago, the summer before I started high school, I was sitting in the living room watching TV and doing what I do best; minding my own business. The phone suddenly started ringing. I answered it and the voice of a soft-spoken girl chimed in. “Is this Slash?” (If she were calling a girl, I thought, “Who would name their daughter that?”) “Nah, this is Phillip.” “Who?” “Phillip.” “Oh I’m sorry; I think I have the wrong number.” “It’s all good.” After a long pause she asked,

“So what’s your name?” That threw me off. Due to the fact that I told her my name twice already and I didn’t know who she was, neither did she know me, yet she asked for my name. I told her my name for the third time, and in

bored that day; I had nothing else to do, so I went to meet her. As I got to the park I saw this pretty Mexican girl, a few inches shorter than me, sitting down on the sidewalk looking around. I thought that it could be her, so I

return she told me hers, then she started talking to me. Even for me, that was very awkward, but I decided to be nice. She called the next day, and the next day, and the next day, until one day she asked me to come to the park to meet her in person. At first, I didn’t want to go to the park and meet her, nor did I plan to, but I was so

Illustration by Dylan Domingos

The Unity of Tragedy by Jesse

Franz Rampage Reporter Americans across the country work together every day to achieve common goals. We work with one another; building houses, paving roads, and even somehow navigating the horror that is the Fresno City College parking lot. We hold doors for our classmates and smile at each other in passing, never taking into account one another’s political affiliation. Together we stand united, not through singularity of thought, but simply as fellow human beings. However, congressional unity has not followed a similar course. During the past few years our elected representatives have segregated themselves by the colors of red and blue, conservative and liberal respectively. Those who have dared to break the bonds of these colors have often been chastised and silenced by their own parties. Subsequently, congressional debate has become less about civil discourse than militant talking points. This is what made President Barack Obama’s State of the Union on Jan. 26 so astounding. In honor of the Tucson tragedy - in which a gunman attempted to assassinate Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords- instead of segregating themselves by party lines, Democrats and Republicans sat together for the president’s speech. In a brief moment of togetherness, party lines were torn down in the search for unity in the wake of tragedy. For two hours during the State of the Union both parties lived in harmony, much like you and I do every day. Although it may have been just a minor political stunt, not worthy of its own

footnote in the history books, it brought back memories of the days after Sept. 11. In the days that followed that horrific calamity there was this same sense of unity. United, Americans wore their stars and stripes proudly and came together in order to overcome the troubles we all faced as a nation. We each still had our own individual opinions, but together we were entwined in the common belief of the great American idea. Somewhere along the way, however, that spirit died in Washington. Through war, corruption, and economic despair, our politicians forgot the lessons of misfortune. Why then must we wait on tragedy to bring unity? Why must we wait on devastation to bring about solidarity, not in thought or policy, but in the ideals upon which this country is fundamentally based? Do we have to wait for the next great catastrophe to bring us peace, if even just for a moment? Speaking as a citizen tired of the petty politics that have come to define the last few years, the true enemy of the state is neither Democrats nor Republicans, but the unyielding stagnation that persists due to the lack of American brotherhood between both sides of the aisle. To witness the unity of both parties during the president’s State of the Union inspires hope. However, to know the story of whether this was a mere political stunt or a concrete attempt at change, we will have to look a year from now, during the next campaigns. The true test will be to see if both parties are still willing to sit together then and not define themselves as Democrats or Republicans, but simply as Americans.

just walked up to her. She looked up to me, and asked if my name was Phillip Romar. When I said yes, she smiled and tears started to roll down her cheeks, “You came,” she said, standing up hugging me. I don’t really know why she was crying, but I thought that I had game, so I hugged her back.

We spent the rest of the day at the park talking and laughing (well she was the only one laughing because she thought just about everything I said was funny). The next day she wanted to meet me at the park again, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. I usually found her kind of annoying because she always wanted to be around me. “P.J., where are you going?” “P.J., wanna hang out?” P.J., P.J., P.J. That girl made me hate those two letters in the alphabet! At the most, she called me more than four times a day. She’d just talk and I would just listen. Once I put down the phone; went to the store, came back, picked up the phone, and she was still talking!! It was so embarrassing whenever she called because my dad would say something about us having multicolored bumblebee kids. That’s when I met Nancy’s mother, Paola Garcia. She gave Nancy hell since birth. I don’t know what happened to her father, nor does Nancy, but her mother and the mother from the movie Precious should be best friends. I’m not going to go into detail what

she does to Nancy, because I’m already crying just writing this. What I will say is that Nancy would be limping most of the time whenever we walked anywhere. I found out about her mother when I asked her why she was walking weird one day. I met her plenty of times and whenever I did, I almost got myself killed trying to defend her. I literally feel bad because the major reason why I’m her friend is because I feel sorry for her. She is the best friend I have and ever will meet. Even to this day, Nancy and I are still best friends, and we do a lot more than hang out at the park. Usually when I’m sick, she’ll come over and feed me chicken noodle soup and read those retarded Twilight books to me. Every time something funny happens and I laugh, she smacks me; and worst of all, she won’t get off my case about my homework! She’s really like a second mother to me. Nancy told me a few times that she’s glad she called my number, but if you ask me, we accidentally became friends. I’m sure she didn’t purposely call me that day.

Sports Views

February3, 3,2011 2011 February

The State’s Best

After a season in which the Fresno City College Rams won the Valley Conference title and advanced to the Northern California championship game, four players have been named to the All-State Community College Football Team. Representing the Rams from the offense are wide receiver Corvaughn Archie and lineman John Alvarado. On the defensive side, linebacker Keith Hurst and deep back Tim Adebayo were selected. For Adebayo the award came as a surprise. “Not many people get that award. It shows the hard work and dedication that we put in the offseason when nobody is looking,” said Adebayo. Throughout the season, Adebayo stayed motivated through his desire for winning and with support from his family, friends and church. The sophomore from Buchanan will not return to the Rams next season but he plans to get even better wherever he plays. “I need to work even harder, spend more time in the weight room, and pay attention to the little things. I’m always trying to reach the next level,” said Adebayo. “Junior college football is not easy. I had to stay focused. “Adebayo was also a unanimous selection for the 2010 Valley All Conference Team. He received the most votes

Corvaughn Archie, Wide Reciever John Alvarado, Lineman among defensive backs. Wide receiver Corvaughn Archie won the award despite mising three games with a broken leg. Archie caught seven touchdown passes and led the conference with 751 receiving yards. “God is my ultimate motivator. It’s an opportunity for me to show what God can do for me,” said Archie. “My mom, dad, and teammates also motivate me. I play for them.” Archie has not decided where he will play next year but in the meantime he will continue to work on his game. “I can always get better and better,” said Archie. “It’s about learning the plays, working on route running, and always working hard. It’s like any other craft. You can always do more.” In addition to being named to the All-State Team, Archie is also an honorable mention for the All-

State or Bust

Nathan Alonzo more games a season for the past Rampage Reporter 18 years as well as reaching the by

For two decades the FCC baseball team has dominated the Central Valley Conference and the state. The proof is in their CVC records: 30-10 in 2009 and 21-3. The program established a history of success under current head coach Ron Scott, winning 30 or

postseason 20 consecutive times. During his 21 year tenure, Scott has amassed 16 CVC titles, seven Northern California Championships, multiple State Championship appearances, as well as one state title in 1992. “You just have to run a positive

American Team. “The hard work paid off. I thank God for the opportunity,” said Archie. Linebacker Keith Hurst quickly adjusted to the Rams’ system after transferring from West Hills College. “Everybody was so welcoming. The coaching staff always pushed me hard to make me successful,” said Hurst. This past season Hurst recorded a total of 69 tackles. “Just being able to suit up as a Ram was an accomplishment for me. Some people take it for granted,” he said. The sophomore hopes to improve as he takes his game elsewhere. “I’ll put school first, continue to work hard in football and do whatever the coaches need me to do,” said Hurst. Lineman John Alvarado was a major reason why the Rams allowed only 17 sacks this past season. With Alvarado holding up program, to make kids want to come here. The kids work hard for us and we work hard for them.” With a 97 percent transfer rate and several players in the major leagues, FCC now boasts one of the most successful baseball programs in California. This season comes with a whole new set of players, but Scott said the expectations stay the same, “Our expectations are to win the league again, get farther in the playoffs, and win the state championship. I think those are the expectations every year.” With regards to players and talent, this season the team has a sophomore-heavy roster. Eighteen of 29 players are returning as veterans, experience will not be an issue. Scott said, “I think we have a sophomore dominated lineup. They and our freshmen have played through tough winter ball, so there is quite a bit of positive carry-over.” Returning this season are many of experienced players and standouts. Among those are some players who are expected to step up and become leaders on the team. “I would think that we have several players who are leaders. They are the types that lead by example,” Scott said. Some of these players are, “Tyson Perez, Michael York, and Clay Cederquist.” The 11 freshman players step

Photos by Brendan Raley

Tomas Kassahun Rampage Reporter

Bring it Home by Nathan Alonzo Rampage Reporter

A new season begins for the FCC softball team. They come into the 2011 season with a 29 player roster and an intact coaching staff led by head coach Rhonda Williams. The team features nine returning sophomore players who were part of the 2010 season that had the Rams finish 29-11. According to Williams there are a few sophomores that are looked upon to step up as leaders this year. “Ashlynn Marino has been part of championship teams before, and she is one of many that we expect leadership from.” The FCC softball team will also feature 11 freshman players. “It will be important to get the freshmen the experience as soon as possible,”said Williams. Our freshmen have played in tough Tim Adebayo, Safety high school athletic conferences the offensive line, the Rams fin- and tough travel ball leagues.” ished with the most passing yards The Rams come into their 16th in the conference. He also paved the season under Williams, who has way for the likes of James Holland been named the CVC Coach of and Leighton Settle, who both had the Year five times. After the 2001 a stellar season running the ball. season, Williams’ staff was named “It’s an honor to be named one “Staff of the Year” by the National of the elite athletes in California. Fastpitch Coaches Association. I have worked hard to achieve She says that her favorite part of that goal,” said Alvarado. Be- coaching is, “Just interacting with fore the season began, Alvarado the players and competing. Seeing set a goal to make the All-Con- players that want to compete and ference Team and the All-State watching players thrive while they Team. He achieved both goals. compete.” This offseason, it was not only Additionally, Alvarado uses foot- the players who were training for ball as a tool to further his educa- the season ahead, coaches were tion. “Football gives me a chance sharpening their softball knowlto get scholarships and get a higher edge too. “This past December I education,” said Alvarado. went to a National Softball Coach“This season I matured a lot. I es Association softball coaching played hard and the game came convention. It’s constant learning, naturally to me,” said Alvarado. the game changes and you have to change with it,” says Williams. The team will work with a three pitcher rotation that consists of into this year with a team already sophomore Mackenzey Bard, and rich in experience. They also enter freshmen Tiffany Ballardes and into a program favored to win the Katie Schafer. “Pitching is a huge CVC. With such a historic propart of this game,” says Williams. gram, when players come into the program, Scott said, “They feel “We have three solid pitchers that proud. They’re good enough to we’re going to rely on this seaplay here. They’re on a team that’s son. Pitching will have a major ranked in the top ten in the state.” impact.” Ashlynn Marino will be sharMost of the athletes that are reing the space with infield/catcher, cruited are from the Central Valley. Stephanie Baird. With every season bringing its Representing the Rams in the own array of memories and playinfield are sophomores Kim Fisher, ers, each season has the compoKat Hernandez, Lisa Mejia, and nents to be unique. What makes Jessica Simmons. The freshmen this year’s season uniqueis that, infielders this year are Jessica Har“It’s a new season. It’s a pretty big rington and Dom Shelby. turnover every year and this season In the outfield this season will there is pretty good depth at every be sophomores Valarie Gobby, position. There’s competition at Adrieanna Ramirez, and Maryevery position,” Scott said. Beth Williams. The freshmen in With the success that the basethe outfield are Kapri Angotti, Miball program has had, winning is randa Gonzalez, Cierrah Mullins, nothing new. “I don’t think there Sherry Ramirez, Kayla Walker, are any external expectations; our and Lauren Zenimura. expectations are internal. We set The rams have new goals and the bar really high, especially as expectations. According to Wilcoaches,” Scott said. liams, “My expectations are to As players grow in the course of win the CVC this year. Whatever the program, they also grow within themselves. Through FCC baseball that record is, we want to bring every player is ingrained with the the championship back to Fresno, lesson, which coach Scott defined back to FCC.” Williams finds that what will as, “Nothing comes easy. Baseball make this season unique is, “All of is like life, you have to put forth the individuals. Every team has its your best effort.” own dynamics and personalities.” The season Feb. 3 against SacThe softball team starts their ramento City College. season Feb. 8 against Bakersfield.

Four FCC Football Players Named to this years All Star Team by

February 3, 2011

Sports

One down, Five to go.... Photos by Natalie Compton

Men’s Basketball Set to Complete Conference Undefeated

Marcell Dilworth Rampage Reporter

Fresno City College men’s basketball team put their winning streak on the line while playing West Hills in Coalinga on Wednesday Feb. 2. With five games to play and a ten straight conference championship on the line, Head basketball coach, Ed Madec is not “going to take any game for granted,” he said in a recent interview. Madec believes that his players, as a team, should be focused on trying to win their league championship because it will be a major accomplishment. Coach Madec also stresses the dedication each player invests into the team.“We give a major portion of our lives to this goal that we shouldn’t take anything for granted,” he said. Madec and his team have been very successful throughout the years because he and his staff prepare an intense workout regime, allowing players to challenge their physical and mentally abilities. “We are definitely battle tested, and now it’s a matter of getting better so we can peak at the right time,” said Madec. The men’s basketball team has many tough games ahead of them; however they are expecting their final opponents to give them a run for their money regardless of their records. Madec attributed this season’s success to gowwwod fortune by stating one of the many themes for this season.“It’s about holding each other accountable, and not letting your brother(teammate) down.”