Issue 1 Fall 2019

THE RAMPAGE The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College

Fall 2019 | ISSUE 1 | August 28, 2019

SHOOTING SCARE Anxieties Mount as Mass Shootings Get Closer to Home PAGE 7

Within the first two weeks back to school, students received an email from FCC President Carole Goldsmith on Tuesday, Aug. 20, alerting staff and students of a possible shooting set to occur on campus. Campus police found "no credible threat." Photo/Leticia Leal

NEWS

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Entertainment

cornel west visits fcc, greeted by large crowds.

OPINION

09

08

marisol baca is fresno's first latinx poet laureate.

SPORTS

The editorial board takes on gun control.

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Women's soccer beats the heat and las positas.

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2 NEWS 8.28.19

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THE RAMPAGE

The student-run newspaper of Fresno City College

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Tommy Tribble

News Editor Hannah Lanier

Sports Editor Ben Hensley

Multimedia Editor Leticia Leal

Opinion Editor Derek Bullis

Reporters Adrian Marin Alfredo Rodriguez Autumn Chatlovsky Camila Rivera Christian Zarcone Jeffery Gilkison John Bruce Kris Hall Leilani Bustos Luis Barreto Mark Ross Moises Buitrago Natalie Gallegos Patrick Henslee Ruby Roque Symmone Woods Toni Woodruff

Business Manager Avery Johnston

Advisers/Instructors Dympna Ugwu-Oju Kathleen Schock

Contact Us

Tip Line 559-422-8262

Letters to the Editor editorial@therampageonline.com Corrections media@therampageonline.com Any correction needed for an article should be brought to the attention of the staff of the Rampage. The Rampage is committed to accuracy and should be made aware of any mistake in an article that appears in this paper.

Views expressed in the opinion pages are those of the individual writer and not of the newspaper.

The Rampage is produced by students of the Journalism 11 A, B, C, D class.

The Ram Pantry, located at the student bookstore, provides free food items to hungry students as long as they have a student ID on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. Photo/Leilani Bustos

The Fight Against Hunger: Ram Pantry Sees Drastic Increase in Visitors This Fall Leilani Bustos | Reporter lbustos@therampageonline.com

The Ram Pantry is off to a busy start this fall semester with incoming students eager to be the first in a long line to get free snacks, produce and hygiene necessities.

“I’ve already seen more students this semester, in the first week of school on a daily basis, than what we had in the spring,” explains Ram Pantry Coordinator Cindy Dunn, “So the number of students who are aware of the pantry and coming to it has increased dramatically.”

With just a student ID number and a few bags, any current Fresno City College student is welcome to take

eight items of food and necessities a day. The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, the pantry is open on Monday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. for evening students and athletes who may just be finishing up with practice.

Staff workers at the Ram Pantry focus on making sure the food brought in is healthy and nutritious for students.

The original goal of the pantry was to provide free food for students so they didn’t have to worry about being hungry or having to make the choice of either purchasing food or textbooks.

“I see people get so excited to get free food; people are

shocked,” Diana Muradyan, student aide for Cal Fresh, said. She started to work with Cal Fresh this summer and said that working in the Ram Pantry feels like a family.

Ram Pantry has a contract with Cal Fresh which allows students further access to beneficial food programs.

The Ram Pantry supplies come from numerous sources, including the Community Food Bank and organizations such as the Cornerstone Church, Open Hands Pantry and Fresno Metro Ministry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plays an important role in Ram Pantry’s fresh produce as well.

“They’ll give big cardboard

bins full of produce, so we’ll take apples, maybe spaghetti squash, different kinds,” Dunn said.

Students who visit the Ram Pantry frequently, like student James Blake, benefit greatly from the free food, eliminating food insecurities.

Blake said he lives on his own and sometimes struggles with getting enough.

“The Ram Pantry is good for people who really can’t afford food,” Blake said. He applauded the college for providing this service for students in need.

The Ram Pantry is located in the Student Center, right next to the bookstore.

Campus Calendar John Bruce | Reporter jbruce@therampageonline.com

Club Rush is taking place in the University Mall on Wednesday, Aug. 28 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Various clubs and organizations on campus will be recruiting members for their causes. Fresno City College boasts over 40 clubs, and every month these groups get a chance to showcase and fundraise. It is the first club rush for the Fall 2019 semester.

The last day to add or drop a full-term class in person is Friday, Aug. 30, but students have until Monday, Sept. 2 to add or drop a full-term class through Webadvisor and not receive a “W”. Only students who are in good standing and have no academic or business office holds may add or drop classes.

FCC President Goldsmith is making herself available Wednesday, Sept. 4 for lunch in

the Staff Dining Hall between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. “Pizza with the President” welcomes all students, staff and faculty to have a slice of pizza and to get to know the president of FCC. Relay for Life Fresno is being held at FCC’s Ratcliff Stadium at 1800 N Blackstone Ave on Sat Sept 7 beginning at 9 a.m.

Sam the Ram will be running in the fight against cancer in solidarity with other supporters and survivors.

FCC is holding several remembrance events in the Free Speech Area on Sept. 11.

At 9 a.m., there is a Memorial Wreath March followed by the Veterans Peace Memorial Annual BBQ at 10 a.m. Taking place simultaneously at 12 p.m. is the National Anthem Singing Contest. The winner will perform the national anthem at the homecoming football game on Oct. 26.

Additional Events Board of Trustees Regular Meeting: Public Hearing and Budget Adoption • Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 @ 4:30 p.m.

• 1525 E Weldon Ave. Fresno, CA 93704 An Evening with Dr. Sarah Goldrick-Rab • Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 @ 6 p.m.

• OAB Auditorium Financial Literacy University • Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 @ 9 a.m.

• OAB Auditorium Transfer Day • Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 @ 9 a.m.

• University Mall

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New Technology Support Services Director to Manage $1.2 Million in Improvements John Bruce | Reporter jbruce@therampageonline.com

The Technology Support Services department has yet another director, the seventh person to fill the seat in three years, and she’ll be helping to manage $1.2 million in technological remodeling.

Jennifer Laval, former director of information technology at San Joaquin Memorial High School, is taking over the position. Laval has also taught business classes at Fresno City College as an adjunct professor.

“I’m not here to push my own agenda,” said Laval. “I’m talking to committees to discuss how best I can serve them.”

College leaders have set aside $1.2 million for technological infrastructure support with hopes of supporting all 32,000 students on campus more efficiently. As part of her new responsibilities as TSS director, Laval will help manage the funds with other college administrators in order to fulfill initiatives put forth in the SCCCD Technological Plan “I’ve spent my first week here learning how best I can support others as a director,” she said. “There’s not much

insight I can share on day seven with this job, but I’m figuring it out as I go.”

Last February, previous Director Nathan Ziefuss-Hubbard left the department after less than two months for a position in the CSU system. Don Lopez, the current vice president of instruction at FCC, served as interim TSS director until Laval joined staff full-time.

Carole Goldsmith, president of FCC, said she has confidence in Laval’s ability to guide the TSS department successfully.

“Being the TSS Director at Fresno City College is an important and key leadership role for everyone who attends and works here. Technology is essential in supporting our students and the people who work here,” Goldsmith said.

She further committed support for the department’s success and hopes that Laval will take pride as a Fresno native in her new position.

Last March, the Rampage reported on student complaints with Wi-Fi connection and those problems seem to

“

I’m not here to push my own agenda. I’m talking to committees to discuss how best I can serve them.”

-Jennifer Laval TSS Director

have transitioned into the new school year.

“The Wi-Fi for sure is lackluster at best,” said Isaac Gudino, a sophomore music education major. Gudino said his biggest grievance is the spotty connection when trying to get work done. “The library is great though,” he added.

Apparently, this is not a new issue for the college.

Last year, the district reaffirmed

its accreditation, but the accrediting commission stipulated a follow-up report on district-wide issues directly relating to technology.

“The SCCCD Technology Plan 2019-2022 initiatives are designed to anticipate technology trends in society and higher education and set forth a plan to leverage technology to meet the district's mission, vision and goal while honoring the district core values,” Goldsmith said.

The plan requires support of existing campus-centered plans and it will not take precedence over those measures.

It will instead accent the institution’s technological network instead of general campus excellence.

If executed properly, students can expect to see new community guidelines spanning all technology fields, data and role consolidation and more security this semester.

“The district has recruited and hired a new chief technology officer for the district,” Goldsmith said. “That person will come on board in September.”

Lecture Series Free for Students, Faculty A student id is your free pass to this 2019-2020 lecture series Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

From left: Joaquin Arambula, representative for the 31st district in the state assembly, and FCC President Carole Goldsmith. Arambula presented a check for $1 million to go towards the nursing and auto technology programs on the West Campus set to begin construction within the next two years. Photo/Courtesy of the Office of Public Information

Assemblymember Presents $1 Million for West Fresno Campus Leticia Leal | Multimedia Editor lleal@therampageonline.com

The proposed West Fresno campus received a $1 million boost from the state on Aug.13 .

The check was presented by Joaquin Arambula, representative for the 31st district in the state assembly, during a press conference in the registered nursing skills lab, located in the Health Science building at FCC. The grant will go toward the nursing and auto technology programs for the West campus, set to be built within the next two years.

“The donation was a result of several years of lobbying and advocating for the need of career technical education in Fresno,” Carole Goldsmith, FCC president, said. “Years of ongoing discussions with the legislature, talking about our need, showing

the evidence, and I’m happy Sacramento listened.”

Some of the money will be used

“

The donation was a result of several years of lobbying and advocating for the need of career technical education in Fresno.”

-Carole Goldsmith FCC PResident

to purchase equipment for the new nursing program. Hospital supplies such as beds, simulators, high-tech mannequins that show symptoms of pain, as well as other medical resources.

The rest of the funds will be used to purchase equipment for the developing auto technology program.

This is not the first time Arambula has been generous to the college; he donated $1 million for the Career and Technical Education program in Oct. 2018.

Arambula worked at FCC back in high school. “I think it’s fair to say that I’m a fan [of FCC],” Arambula said.“I care about you, I am proud to represent our community and for you sending me there fighting on your behalf.”

The San Joaquin Valley Town Hall is inviting Fresno City College students and faculty to take advantage of their 20192020 lecture series free of charge.

Between the months of October 2019 and April 2020--excluding December 2019--the SJV Town hall is hosting former White House Chief of Staff, General John F. Kelly, Forestry Scientist Dr. Paul Hessbug, and other guest speakers ranging from journalists to explorers.

The SJV Town Hall has made it a priority to provide FCC students with the opportunity to explore their possible career endeavors or hobbies by making this lecture series free. Attendees only need a faculty or student I.D. Former Clovis Community College President and current State Center Community College Trustee, Deborah Ikeda, is encouraging faculty members to attend the lectures, as well as encourage their students to attend.

“It [the lecture series] is a wonderful opportunity for students to hear world renowned speakers for free,” said Ikeda, “As well as to ask questions.”

The former CCC president requests, “If a faculty member is bringing a number of students, contact sjvtheducation@gmail. com and let us know their name, college/university name and number of students they are bringing so we can put a packet of tickets together for them.”

The first lecture will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10:30 a.m. with Explorer Nick Buettner followed by National Geographic photographer, Jimmy Chin, on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 10:30 a.m.

Chin could be recognized as the director of “World’s Greatest Climb-Free Solo in Yosemite.”

An additional opportunity of winning a free camera is available to all students who attend Chin’s lecture. By simply attending, student names get entered into the raffle. “[San Joaquin Valley Town Hall] is bringing quality speakers to Fresno, and students should take advantage of this regularly expensive experience,” said Ikeda.

For more information on the lectures, including a full list of lecturers, visit www.

ValleyTownHall.com or email ValeyTownHall@gmail.com.

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FRESNO STATE OPENS MORE SPOTS FOR SPRING ADMISSIONS Budget increase allows for lower admission standards

Avery Johnston | Reporter ajohnston@therampageonline.com

Fresno State has lowered its GPA requirement for students seeking to transfer in Spring 2020.

Students who have been trying to get into Fresno State but couldn't because of low GPA can now breathe easier. Due to an expansion of budget Fresno State will open up 600 plus seats for the 2020 spring semester.

The funding comes from California Governor Gavin Newsom passing the 20192020 state budget.

The school has been impacted since 2015, and meeting the CSU eligible requirements does not guarantee admission. The GPA threshold is now sitting as a 2.75 for spring. It’s expected to go up to 2.9 in the fall.

“We have lots of students on campus whose older brothers or sisters got into Fresno State with a 2.2, and they [transferring students] can’t use that as a reference point anymore,” says Fresno

City College counselor David Shoemaker about the effect this impaction has on students.

Impaction happens when there are more eligible applicants than the university has room for.

Fresno State is one of six CSUs impacted along with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, San Diego State University, and San José State.

Last fall, Fresno State turned away more than 8,000 CSU eligible students.

Around 3,000 of those students were from local surrounding counties. It can be discouraging for students with no other options.

“I’m having to go back and repeat classes just to get my GPA up. It’s hard for me because it’s gonna take me twice as long to get my degree and now I’m kind of kicking myself and wishing I worked harder,” Carter Aguilar, an FCC student,

said. Five years ago, the GPA threshold for admission to Fresno State was a 2.0.

Money Magazine recently named Fresno State as it’s 35th “Best Public College”.

They were one of 12 CSU’s included in the top 50.

Fresno State was also ranked 90 out of 300 in Forbes Magazine's “America’s Best Value Colleges 2019.”

Fresno State is accepting admissions from upper division transfer students Aug. 1-31. The transfer center offers up to three workshops a day to help students apply. Students are encouraged to make an appointment, but the transfer center will take walk-in’s as well.

“Another option for students is applying to different colleges that aren’t as impacted- such as other CSUs,” FCC transfer counselor, Clarke-Laren Richard said.

“Find a school that best fits you and your situation.”

Students must submit their applications to Fresno State Students traversing the Fresno State campus, Tuesday, Aug. 27. Prospective students must submit their applicaby the end of August. tions by the end of August. Photo/Avery Johnston

Rams Distressed by Ongoing Feud With Stuffed Parking Lots Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com

Some college students would tell you that stress is caused by the workload they endure each semester. But students at Fresno City College may cite their familiar frustrations with finding a space to park their car.

FCC has over 20,000 students each year that look to park in one of about 3,000 parking stalls on the campus.

The scarce parking spaces incites frustration among the students.

“Finding parking at school is the worst part of the day. It’s that plain and simple,” said Diana Gallardo, a sophomore majoring in political science. “It usually takes about an hour to almost two hours to find parking.”

New students have found the parking situation “surprisingly overwhelming.”

Stephania Velazquez, a sophomore

had spent her first year at Reedley College and was therefore unfamiliar with FCC’s parking frustrations.

“Going to Reedley, I would get there 30 minutes to an hour early, but going here, I sometimes hear students saying to get here around two hours early,” Velazquez said, adding that she has resorted to parking in nearby neighbourhoods a couple times already.

“Off campus parking is something that’s just better at the beginning, because everyone is in the parking lot trying to find a spot,” Gallardo said.

“This early in the semester, finding a good spot is not easy, but usually as the semester goes by, I would have to say the back of the parking lot [offers good spots],” she said. “No one really likes to park in the back, meaning more available spaces.”

Megan Aleman, a second semester student, recommends carpooling.

“It helps relieve some of the traffic on campus,” she said. “You will save gas money, and it’s great for the environment.”

Aleman said that past three years have provided her with lots of tips on parking which she shares with new and current Rams. “Parking lot X is a little FCC gem,” she said. “It’s a mission to get to campus, but you will definitely find easy parking there.”

Aleman encourages other students to keep their cool and work together to get parking and make it to class. She said, “When all else fails, find someone walking towards the parking lot and ask them if you can either follow them to their parked car or offer them a ride.”

Students need more parking options

if they’re expected to make it to class, and it looks like help is on the way.

Recently, the college has made strides to alleviate the difficulties in finding parking. In April, the State Center Community College District’s board of trustees approved a plan to build a parking structure that would create 1,000 more parking spaces on campus.

“We’re really pleased that the board of trustees approved that design build process,” said Carole Goldsmith, FCC president. “We’ll go to the board on or before December with those plans to move forward.”

The $15 million structure will take the place of lots P and T, but construction will not start until 2021.

Until then, FCC students must find creative ways to find parking to make it to class on time.

ASG: Here's what it's all abouT Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

The school year has begun: parking is frustrating, classes are filling up, clubs are recruiting, and the Associated Student Government is trying to take care of it all.

Stating the year with a new team, active ASG President DeRon Walker feels confident with the people that he has now but is eager to gain new members.

As for the ASG advisor, Ernie Marinez, “This is the strongest ASG I’ve seen so far.”

With that said, here is a need-to-know about your fall 2019 ASG.

What is Associated Student Government?

ASG is a student led council that governs the Fresno City College student body. They discuss everything from social outreach events to club funding. ASG continually works to attain student’s needs and wants.

ASG senators are elected by the student body, similarly to the city council or any other democratically elected body.

“It is the voice of the students,” said Walker. “We are the connection between students and faculty.

Any problems that they [students] have they can come and tell us and we can

express them in a proper and professional manner to our faculty and staff.”

Why is ASG important?

How does it affect me as a student?

“Without any student representation, the board meetings are still going to happen, with student representation student’s opinions and concerns can be addressed at these meetings,” said Walker.

ASG Senator Garcia explained the key roll that ASG plays in advocating for the success of the college, specifically the success of the students, “We can work to build something for ourselves while ensuring the

future [of the college] for our children.”

How can I get involved with Associated Student Government?

“Come grab an application from our ASG office and fill it out. The requirements will be listed on the application, bring it down and we will see where you best fit in,” said Walker.

“We are looking to increase our numbers of involvement,” explained Walker expressing that they need a decent sized staff in order to keep their office open for an appropriate amount of hours a day.

“There are only seven of us, including myself. Even if

each of us dedicated an hour a day, that still wouldn't be enough,” said the president.

What is currenting going on in Associated Student Government?

According to President Walker, ASG is still getting organized for the semester: Figuring out their budget, office hours, supplies they need to best accommodate students, and the event schedule for the semester.

ASG will continue to provide FCC students with various accommodations; from a microwave to free scantrons to those who provide an Associated Student Body I.D.

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The State of the College A sit down with FCC president carole goldsmith

Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

From her office in the OAB, Carole Goldsmith, president of FCC works to ensure that all students have every possible resource to take advantage of the opportunities they have for an education here on campus and beyond.

Parking and Lot Improvements Several improvements have been made to the parking lots on campus while the college community waits eagerly for the announced parking structure.

“We are doing things that are incremental, but we’re not waiting for the building [parking structure] to be built,” Goldsmith says regarding the current parking situation.

Goldsmith encourages students to consider alternatives to parking-including the FCC/FAX joint bus pass which enables students to ride the city bus anywhere for free, simply by using their student body ID cards.

“It’s a funding stream that may not be around forever,” Goldsmith said, adding that students should take advantage of the pass to expedite their travel to and from campus and avoid the jostle of fighting for a parking spot.

Goldsmith also applauded the district for acknowledging the need and approving a parking structure for FCC. She said the next steps involve the board of trustees approving the construction.

One existing parking lot that needed repairs over the summer was in fact reconfigured to add 60 additional parking spaces on the current lot, Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith encouraged students to be good stewards when it comes to traffic congestion, to understand that the parking issue will not disappear overnight and to be understanding of one another to reduce road rage and parking lot rage.

Smoke Free Campus “We’re now going to be like the rest of California, and we’re going to be like the rest of our colleges,” Goldsmith said in regards to the college’s recent decision to

become a fully smoke-free campus. “Our sister colleges at Reedley and Clovis have been smoke free for a number of years.”

Regarding the tough question of enforceability, Goldsmith said, “We would like to start with positive reinforcement first.”

Goldsmith said the decision is in line with much of the state of California and follows the policy that the board has adopted and FCC will be implementing.

“There are opportunities for people if they want to get help in quitting smoking,” Goldsmith said, citing student and health services as well as societal trends which show smoking is becoming less and less common.

“

We’re increasing our safe places training for anybody who’s feeling endangered. They have the training needed to give that student resources.”

-Carole Goldsmith FCC President

Carole Goldsmith responds to questions about challenging issues at FCC, Wednesday Aug. 21, 2019.

Photo/Mark Ross

“[Vaping and e-cigarettes] are not healthy for you either,” she said. “We’re encouraging all people to get the help they need to quit because we want you to be healthy and we want you to be here for a long time.”

She said there are fines associated with smoking on campus, but the police will give warnings first.

“Not smoking is healthy for you and so I’m trying to get that message out,” she said.

“Yes, you’re an adult. Yes you can smoke. I just don’t want you smoking here.”

Goldsmith said, citing her concern for students and their well-being.

“You can’t smoke in a restaurant. You can’t smoke in a bowling alley. You can’t smoke in a bar. You can’t smoke at this college anymore either.”

Campus Safety and Additions Goldsmith and the rest of the college leadership want to reassure the community that safety is a top priority and an action point here on campus.

“We’re increasing our safe places training for anybody who’s feeling endangered,” Goldsmith said. “They have the training needed to give that student resources.”

Goldsmith listed other resources that are available to students, including legal services at the Dream Center for students who may be affected one way or another by immigration status concerns.

“We also have a speaker series to try to

be able to create a safe place for people who have divergent ideas and be able to continue to have the conversation in safe ways,” she also said.

Goldsmith praised the safe zone training, which helps students to feel safe on campus regardless of status or identity.

“Our world is becoming much more volatile and scary,” Goldsmith said.

She said the new mantra on campus should be, “If you see something, say something.” She does not restrict this mantra to just dangers on the FCC campus.

Goldsmith said she is concerned about the uptick in domestic violence and in students who struggle in other ways.

“The more present danger I see is students who are in abusive relationships,” Goldsmith said.

Goldsmith said she continues to fight for a Title IX compliance officer to help ease some of these issues and create channels for students. She said that the college’s psych services office works with the district to get additional resources to help students with these issues. “[What keeps me up at night are] students who are not safe because they’re going from couch to couch, because they’re homeless or at risk of being homeless,” Goldsmith said. “I see students who are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.

Those things keep me up at night as well.”

AB705 Makes Way for Co-requisite Courses

Find a Club that Fits Like a Glove

Moises Buitrago | Reporter

Kris Hall | Reporter

mbuitrago@therampageonline.com

This year marks the first year Fresno City College is offering co-requisite courses for transfer-level English and math. So far this semester a lot of instructors have been receptive of the new bill. Bill 705 (AB705) passed Jan. 1, 2018 and became implemented this Fall.

English professor, and lead on AB705, Jackie Williams taught co-req courses at another campus. According to Williams classes at FCC filled up very quickly “We didn't offer a lot of sections [of corequisite courses before AB705] and one of the things that happened was classes became very in demand, those sections filled early, and we saw the same thing here,” said Williams.

The new co-req courses add an extra 50 minutes to each class meeting, leaving instructors more time to interact with students. Students are able to reflect upon new concepts for an extended period of time according to English professor Juan Guzman.

“I think that time is definitely impacting their success. They [students] are able to think about concepts and talk about it.

They're able to work it out with me and the tutor, they're all in the same room,” said Guzman. A common struggle for is retaining knowledge from a lecture.” It makes sense to them when it's lecture, but then they get home to do the assignment all of a sudden, they have forgotten everything

that they thought they knew,” said Guzman.

Despite not having any co-req classes this semester, instructors did undergo training with handling co-req courses.

“The college has been really great about training us. They're providing training for us, to not only think about the best use of the time, the extra 50 minutes, but also the best practices that we can use as instructors to kind of guarantee success in these classes,” said Guzman.

Instructors are really serious about giving students the best possible experience and trying their best to provide what they feel is best for their students according to Williams. Matt Woods, a math professor without co-req courses, went through the training and is more cognizant of the student perspective.

“I think more about the student experience in our classroom, kind at a micro level.

Whereas we're always thinking, okay, they struggle on this chapter or whatever kind of bigger picture stuff,” Woods said. “It's made us think more about what does it look like from a student perspective when I'm up front lecturing for an hour straight, instead of giving them a 10 minutes, discuss it with your neighbor, kind of breaking it up.”

Woods said even if an instructor does not have a co-req they still get to hear opinions and ideas from their peers. “We have a community of practice, so we meet every week, together on Fridays. And we talk about what's going well in the class, what's working, what isn't.”

khall@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College offers over 40 clubs and honor societies appealing to various interests, cultures, and academic aspirations.

Clubs are often a way to meet like-minded people-safe spaces to relieve stress. Still, many of these clubs focus on the difficult work of growing resumes and building communities.

"Students should join clubs to get involved in their community," said Bryan Macias the interclub council chair at FCC. "A lot of people don't know each other [at FCC]. It's easy to get uncomfortable and nervous around everybody," he said. Macias added that by joining a club students can get to know the people around them and feel less isolated which will mean a better experience at FCC. Whether you’re interested in networking with members in your desired career or you want to gather with people who want to see environmental change, FCC provides a wide variety of clubs that are specific to student’s ambitions.

The Puente Project is open to all students to provide mentoring and academic counseling.

“Puente,” meaning bridge in Spanish, is an idea applied in the Puente Project is that the club is the bridge between students and their academic goals. Puente club is great help for students focused on their academic success.

David Campos, a representative from Puente, said their mission is to, "provide an environment to motivate, encourage and support each other."

Some of their activities involve community outreach to, "inform people about social problems that are affecting our community."

The Puente club can be found in the Old Administration Building room 272, or more information can be found on their page on the FCC website.

Are you a history nut that wants to know more

about our founding fathers? Then the History Club is for you. Join the History Club every Monday at 2 p.m. in Social Sciences building in room 110.

Movie buffs who want to connect with the past through cinema can join the Dead Film Society.

At the Dead Film Society, students can watch and discuss movies they’ve never heard of before, or bond with other students who love the same movies. Either way, there is a lot to enjoy with the club President Mark Ross in the Applied Technology building room 400C. The Dead Film Society is a young club at just barely a year old. They dissect popular films such as “Get Out” and “Driver”. Dead Film Society has also worked with acting classes and other organizations on campus in making their own films. These clubs are responsible for the production of their own film “Reformation” which was a film created within the close knit network of filmmakers on campus.

There is a Law Pathway club for law students.

Architecture students can join Architecture Club.

Allied health professionals have their own club as well. Of the 42 available clubs there are The diversity of the student body at FCC is well reflected in the diversity of clubs on campus.

There is a place for all students at an FCC club. If a student doesn’t believe that the spectrum of clubs on campus incorporates their unique interests, they are also welcome to form their own club.

Any student who values extending their education beyond the classroom, self improvement, or having fun absolutely has a place at FCC clubs.

Contact information for all 42 of the clubs are on the FCC website. The students club representatives meetings are every Thursday from 12-1 p.m. Club Rush is another great way to connect with clubs. Club Rush is Wednesday, Aug. 28, so window shop some of the clubs out there.

6 NEWS 8.28.19

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“You can't be scared. You can't walk around locked into the chains of confomornity. You can't be obsessed with what people think about you, you can't try to fit in on somebody else's criteria or try to fit into somebody else's perception of who you are. You have to be able to stand,” West said. Photo/Angel De Jesus

Cornel west rails against injustice Cornel West, philosopher, activist, social critic and progressive intellectual, delivers a powerful message to the community at the OAB on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Known for his progressive ideals, West tells us to ask ourselves how we will leave the world a better place than we found it.

He called on the attendees to take action against oppressive regimes and to take control of their destiny. West aspires to continue Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, and maybe audience members will aspire to continue West’s.

He intends to motivate and inspire audience members to speak up for what they believe in without fear.

Toni Woodruff | Reporter twoodruff@therampageonline.com

Angel de Jesus | Contributor

West reminded his packed audience to value wisdom and love, especially in today's social climate. “Love of wisdom, I didn't say love of smartness, everybody wants to be the smartest and richest in the room, that's a sign of spiritual weakness,” he said. Photo/Angel De Jesus

8.28.19 NEWS 7

therampageonline.com

Officers Grahl, Alvarado and Sahagun patrol campus. There was an increased police presence on campus following reports of a possible gun threat, Friday, Aug. 23. An investigation found no credible threat. Photo/Mark Ross

students grapple with anxiety, paranoia following possible shooting threat Hannah Lanier | News Editor hlanier@therampageonline.com

The New Normal You walk into a crowded place and the first thing you look for is the nearest emergency exit.

You start the school day as a wave of anxiety rushes over you.

You are more alert than ever. You are ready for the worst case scenario.

“It is better to be prepared than gone,” said Melissa Miller, a student at Fresno City College.

This is the new normal for most students in America. This is the reality for all Americans in any public place.

The Violence On Aug. 4, 2019, 10 victims were killed by a .223-caliber while 17 others were injured walking down a street in Dayton, Ohio.

One day before, Aug. 3, 2019, 22 victims were killed by an AK-47 while 24 others were injured shopping at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas.

Just five days before that on July 28, 2019, four victims were killed by an AR-15 style gun while 15 others were injured at a garlic festival in Gilroy, California.

These three shootings were within the span of a week, killing approximately 36 victims and injuring several more, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

According to CBS News, there were 255 mass shootings in the first eight months of 2019 prior to Aug. 5, 2019.

This unfortunate reality in America led FCC to act out the active shooter procedure on Aug. 20, 2019 following a rumor of a possible shooting set to happen on campus.

A nationwide epidemic was suddenly and extremely localized.

The Fear FCC student, Miller, faced a similar shooting threat at her old high school.

“It’s just following me around now,” she said.

“We should feel safe while at school,”

“

It is better to be prepared than gone.”

-Melissa Miller Art Major

Jayln Mccoy, a nursing major, said.

“Parents shouldn't have to worry about their kids' safety while at work.”

The mass shootings sweeping across America have left its people, its parents, and its students with an overwhelming sense of heartache, grief and worry.

“Gun violence should not be happening,” Destinee Felisciano, an FCC student, said.

But it is happening. And it is happening nearly everywhere.

Sonia Rodriguez, a sociology major, worries about gun violence and its normalization. “[Almost] anyone can have a gun or anything can be mistaken as a gun [causing a reaction with a gun],” she said.

The normality of mass shootings in America has resulted in a rise of caution and suspicion, especially of strangers, and especially at FCC. The Authorities “In the wake of the shootings that have happened in our nation, it is important for young people— all people—to be aware of your surroundings, know where all of your exits are, and just take an active approach to staying safe,” said FCC President Carole Goldsmith.

“Students want to know if they could get that information [on the possible shooter] faster,” said ASG Senator Armando Garcia.

“I did tell them that procedure for the situation was acted out in a

timely manner in order to avoid mass hysteria,” said the senator, referring to the fact that it was not a credible threat.

While some students express their concerns of safety on campus, others have faith in the campus police to handle any future active shooter situations.

After the incident on Tuesday, Aug. 20, there was an increased police presence on campus. “The number of officers [on campus] is enough to make anyone feel comfortable,” said Grayson Galimba, history major.

“Our police officers are doing a great job to keep our campus safe,” added FCC adjunct professor Roberto Carlos.

“I feel safe on campus,” said Samuel Montano, interim coordinator of psychological services. “But with all the recent events it does raise people's hypervigilance and anxiety. I have felt that way as well as my staff. Feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty of how to respond to an active shooter.”

FCC Police Chief Jose Flores cautioned against being paranoid.

“We cannot live in fear. Knowledge is power,” he said.

Flores continued to explain that nothing can be done out of fear, a person’s best chance when faced with a threat is knowing how to respond.

“I believe that staff and faculty

“

But with all the recent events it does raise people's hypervigilance and anxiety. I have felt that way as well as my staff. Feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty of how to respond to an active shooter.”

-Samuel Montano

Interim Coordinator of psychological services

have the knowledge to respond and recognize these situations so that we can respond quickly,” said Flores.

“It’s ugly but it’s simple, we find the threat and neutralize the threat. These [shootings] last seconds because we know what to do.”

In actuality, unlike the alert sent out to faculty and students about the possible shooting, “If there was really going to be a shooting, nobody will know about it. That’s the scariest part,” said Cassandra Aguilar, FCC student.

Mass shootings have been happening every month of the year of 2019: in places of worship, places meant for education, places intended to bring laughter and joy.

“It can happen anywhere,” Professor Carlos said. “America is the only country in the world with this number of mass shootings within eight months.”

The Solution The people remain divided. Half the country wants a world without guns, one where weapons are strictly regulated.

Grayson Galimba, FCC student, sees it differently. “I don’t think enough people are educated in the realm of firearms.” He said that guns provide a sense of security.

Regardless, the country is afraid.

Scared of the what if situations.

Anxious for being in a crowded area.

The survivors of these tragedies turned statistics have become activists.

High school children have organized nationwide marches in protest.

“People are really stepping up and advocating more than ever before,” said Montano. “Still, more [people] need to come together to advocate for change.”

The country is at a crossroad.

“I hope things will calm down, but I don’t think they will,” Miller said. “We just have to hope for the best.”

8 ENTERTAINMENT

8.28.19

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Fresno’s First Latinx Poet Laureate Alfredo Gonzalez R. | Reporter agonzalez@therampageonline.com

Not only is Marisol Baca a Fresno City College professor but as of May 2, 2019 she is also the first woman and Latinx poet to be sworn in as Fresno’s poet laureate.

“Fresno recognizes that there is a diversity of voices and stories and all of our stories should be heard,” Baca said.

She was sworn in as Fresno’s fourth poet laureate by Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.

Marisol began her two year term with a swearing in ceremony at city hall.

Baca has taught at FCC for nearly 12 years, the last five of which as a full time professor. She teaches poetry, composition and other sorts of English classes.

She was surprised to find out she was Fresno’s poet laureate. She knew she had so much support from so many of her closest friends and felt honored.

Baca says being poet laureate is of great importance to her. It also makes her feel validated especially because she is a woman of color.

She describes herself as an ambassador for poetry and literature in the Valley.

She’s done readings, taught workshops and helped expose the community to poetry. She has gathered her knowledge and experiences from outside of Fresno and applied them to her community.

Baca grew up in Fresno and poetry was something she was always interested in, especially because of the rich legacy of the art form in the Valley, she said.

When she was young, Baca wrote small songs and poems.

“Even before I could write, I would sing songs and recite poetry and I think that for all of us we are all trying to connect to this larger story about our lives and about the things around us,” Baca said.

Baca attended Cornell University in New York and received her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

“

From the moment I started working [in new york] to now I always wanted to be here. I always wanted to come back to Fresno.”

-Marisol Baca

Poet laureate

She took classes and taught poetry and composition at Cornell University. After a while she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do next. Baca remembers being in a poetry class in Fresno when she was a child and says it made such an impact for her. She decided she really wanted to come back to Fresno and bring back what she had learned to share it with her students.

Baca’s poetry classes had a major impact on her younger self. When she finished her degree, she said she wanted to bring the passion for poetry and language back home to where it all started.

“From the moment I started working here to now, I always wanted to be here.

I always wanted to come back to Fresno,” Baca said.

In 2018, she went on a journey with Xochitl Julisa Bermejo, Yaccaidra Salvatierra and Vanessa Angelica Villareal.

They call call themselves “Las Peregrinas.”

They traveled through Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California and Texas as they read poems about border issues.

Baca is also the author of “Tremor,” her first book of poetry. The book takes the reader on a journey through shimmering landscapes and innerscapes. She gives you a glimpse through the lens of her Mexican-American Heritage.

Shortly after her book was released, Baca

One of Marisol Baca's favorite quotes comes from the essay "Memory and Imagination," by Patricia Hampl. "It still comes as a shock to realize that I don't write about what I know, I write in order to find out what I know," she wrote. Photo/Alfredo Gonzalez

returned to the road traveling throughout the U.S. to promote the book. She will hold another book reading at the Poets House in New York next month.

She is inspired by many authors, including local poets Lee Herrick and Juan Felipe Herrera, who served as the 21st U.S poet laureate from 2015 to 2017. She also admires Los Angeles based poet writer Xochitl Julisa Bermejo and Lorna Dee Cervantes. Her literary work can be found in publications like SPFlit Magazine, Narrative northeast, Riverlit, Shadowed: An Anthology of Women writers and others.

Baca says one of her favorite quotes comes from one of Patricia Hampl’s essays,

“Memory and Imagination.”

“It still comes as a shock to realize that I don't write about what I know, I write in order to find out what I know,” Hampl wrote.

Baca relates to this quote because it speaks to what she is trying to do. She wants to tell her story and communicate something about herself with poetry. She sometimes doesn't know what she will be writing.

“You don't know where it's going to take you,” Baca said. “You don't know where these individual experiences will take you, but when you're writing it something comes together and it's pretty miraculous to me.”

Kuppa Joy vs. The Revue

Which coffee shop has the hottest coffee and the coldest cold brew?

Symmone Woods | Reporter swoods@therampageonline.com

All coffee is good, but whose coffee is better?

There is no denying the beauty of Kuppa Joy with its vintage yet elegant aesthetic. From NYC style exposed brick to elegant light fixtures and glass tables. The baristas were friendly, accommodating, and even offered plant-based milk options such as coconut and almond milk.

The service is fast, the coffee is fresh and they are more than happy to whip you up a drink catered specifically to your taste buds.

A 16 ounce caramel iced coffee comes to $5.26, which is pretty inexpensive compared to more well-known coffee shops. If you’re in the mood for something on the sweeter side, but still enjoy the deep flavor of mocha, this drink is perfect.

A LATTE FROM KUPPA JOY, TUESDAY, AUG. The Revue is a smaller more intimate 27. KUPPA JOY IS A CAFE IN THE TOWER DISTRICT WITH A VINTAGE, NYC INSPIRED establishment with plants and art from wall to AESTHETIC. Photo/Leticia Leal wall. The homey atmosphere and soft angelic

music just adds to the experience. The wooden accents and neutral furniture ties in beautifully, while the abundance of foliage plays up the “eco-friendliness” of the shop.

Their 16-ounce whiskey caramel iced coffee comes to $5.13 which is a couple cents cheaper than Kuppa Joy. This drink was on the stronger side, but delicious nonetheless. The service was quick and the barista served me with a smile.

The Revue is prime if you want to relax after a long day and have a quality cup of coffee.

Both coffee shops have wonderful qualities and serve great drinks. Regarding the Revue, the coffee did come out to be a couple cents cheaper and they also get a plus for having “ecofriendly” utensils. The coffee was significantly better, and the theme of the shop beautifully embodied the coziness and relaxation a coffee shop should have.

A LATTE FROM THE REVUE, TUESDAY, AUG. 27. THE REVUE IS AN ECO-FRIENDLY COFFEE SHOP IN THE TOWER DISTRICT. Photo/Leticia Leal

8.28.19 OPINION 9

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CAMPUS VOICES

When Can We Stop Writing These Headlines?

The Editorial Board’s Take on the National Gun Crisis The Editorial Board

Mark Ross | Reporter mross@therampageonline.com

Do You Feel Safe on Campus?

Destinee Felisciano Horticulture Major

“I feel like I’m not very safe anymore. It’s got my parents spooked.”

Wesley Erickson Graphic Communications Major

“I feel relatively safe on campus given all the security and the teachers and how they conduct themselves."

editors@therampageonline.com

In El Paso, three weeks ago, a man with a gun opened fire in a Walmart, murdering 22 people, on Aug. 3. Twenty-four were injured. Just over 12 hours later, another nine people were shot and killed in Dayton, Ohio. Both shooters were in their twenties, and both were young men.

A week before, in July, a shooter targeted a well known and well attended Garlic festival in Gilroy, California, only two hours away from Fresno.

That shooter probably had a lot in common with the two in August. They all probably have a lot in common with the Las Vegas shooter. Or the Isla Vista shooter.

Or the Sandy Hook shooter. Or the originals, at Columbine. Or the many hundreds to come, because nothing substantively has changed since 22 people were murdered in El Paso.

The Rampage regularly publishes opinion pieces about gun control, and news pieces about student anxieties. And in our newsrooms we frequently debate it, discuss it, worry about it, wonder when it will happen here, and over everything hangs a sort of grim inevitability.

Fresno City College had its own scare just last week when a student overheard three others

crivera@therampageonline.com

Jalyn McCoy

"We have a lot of police officers around, so I think I feel safe."

Dr. Samuel Montano

Psych. Services Coordinator "I do feel safe on campus. That being said, I think with all of the recent events that have occurred across our nation it does raise people’s hypervigilance stress and anxiety."

had that question as soon as they read that email, the question we had--what will the response be like when it’s real?

Sometimes we wonder what the point of all this is. Debating gun control. Writing about guns, and death, and dying. There’s a sort of weariness that comes with it, especially in the generation that saw Columbine in recent history, and remembers Sandy Hook just as vividly as we remember the failure of our leaders to respond.

What can we as student journalists really do? We feel powerless in the face of an overwhelming inevitability. It feels like it will happen here, like it must happen here because it has happened in so many places, as if the world is a roulette wheel and inevitably it will be our turn.

We know that’s fallacious.

There’s no property of probability that says just because something happens often doesn’t mean it will inevitably happen to you.

But fear has never been bound by rationality and logical proofs.

There is nothing rational about these young men that choose to kill.

We’re tired. Tired of reading about it. Tired of seeing our leaders do nothing. Tired of feeling unsafe in public spaces.

Tired of feeling unsafe in places of learning. Tired of being

more reassured by our college president than our country’s president.

But we do what we must: the work. Journalists report. And in our opinion section we cry out-for a change in this country.

Our college authorities can only protect us as much as the country at large allows them to. We are not safe until our country is safe, until something is done.

The democrats say it is the guns.

The republicans gesture weakly at words like mental health, committing to no policy, and offering no solutions. And we report our fears, our anxieties, and our hopes.

At this point, we are too weary to know what even to ask for. More gun control? A conversation about the psychology of young men? A dialogue about the white supremacy that drove the El Paso shooter, and many others?

The doctrine of inevitability is a form of denial. Accepting these incidents as some natural progression of an apocalypse means accepting that they must happen; that our world is a roulette wheel of death.

It isn’t so. We could all stop this.

If only we knew how.

Why Students Should Say No to Sweatshops Camila Rivera | Reporter

Nursing Major

discussing a shooting that was due to happen that day. Luckily, there was none. A public statement from FCC Police Chief Jose Flores told us there was no evidence of a credible threat.

FCC President Carole Goldsmith released her own statement, as did Lataria Hall, the vice president of student services. All of the statements stressed the same things--we take these threats seriously in such violent times, and the responses from both on-campus and off-campus law enforcement were swift.

Everything worked as it should, and there was no threat.

Even so, anxieties mount. It is unclear from the statements if the three young men discussing the shooting were ever found or spoken to.

There was a heavier police presence; a law enforcement apparatus that moved quickly and efficiently to secure the campus, and all of us are thankful for it, especially in a world where mass killings are monthly, weekly, daily affairs, stumbling ever faster into the higher hundreds.

But it shouldn’t matter because there was no shooting here.

Law enforcement did everything they could, and what they could do was substantial and important. But every student

We are compelled to buy the latest fashion trends, whether it is the newest Nike’s or the exact same crop top your favorite Instagram model is wearing just to fit in and to feel accepted by a world that only cares for our looks, but it’s time we think about who is making our clothes.

Big brands like Forever 21 and Fashion Nova are one of the fastest manufacturing labels who rely on cheap materials and labor sweatshops to give us our much needed graphic T-shirts.

Although I must admit, I was also one to follow up with all the trends and go to buy clothes to fit in with a crowd until I started to discover ways to stop giving my money to sweatshops.

Together we all must collectively stop buying from these big brands and consider shopping at second-hand clothing stores.

It might sound hard to go from a cute top from Forever 21 to a used top, but it is a small way to show support for all garment workers.

That is when I found the United Students Against Sweatshops, the largest student-run union in the U.S. Let's look into Forever 21.

The clothes are made in the U.S., the richest nation on earth. One would think there wouldn’t be any sweatshops.

Yet Forever 21 relies on sweatshop labor to create cheap clothes for Americans.

In 2016 The California Department of Labor discovered that brands like Forever 21 found a loophole which allowed them to hire independent factories.

These independent factories pay employees less than $4 per hour.

Working in hot, cramped conditions with sharp objects at every corner, with no unions, no recourse, and no choices. That’s sweatshops.

And a $4 salary is abuse.

Even in a liberal state like California, customers happily flock to storefronts like Nike that exploit sweatshop workers.

Nike shoes have become a staple in athletic gear and normal life, spending a lot of money to prove you have money to spend on shoes.

Towards the end of June, Nike faced controversy when they axed a planned Betsy Ross flag design on one of their shoes after Colin Kaepernick expressed his disapproval of the shoes because of the negative connotation the 13 star flag represents.

So Nike stands with activist and obviously cares about the people wearing the shoes but what about the people making the shoes? Nike avoids paying US garment workers the state minimum wages and runs to countries like Indonesia.

How do we stop sweatshops and fast fashion from happening? We all must collectively stop buying from

these big brands and consider shopping at second-hand clothing stores.

It might sound hard to go from a cute top from Forever 21 to a used top, but it is a small way to show support for all garment workers.

Our own student store sells Nike, Adidas, and Russell, the top three international sweatshop users. The administration knows that brands like these appeal to students, so schools throughout the country sign contracts or obtain sponsorships with Nike and Adidas to sell on campus with the FCC logo. This is unethical, because our tuition should not be supporting sweatshops.

Another way to help, especially as a student, is to join or start your own United Students Against Sweatshops charter on campus. There are workshops and trainings held yearly all over the country to teach students the skill of organizing.

10 SPORTS 8.28.19

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Key FoR Women’s Soccer: Hard work Patrick Henslee | Reporter phenslee@therampageonline.com

Last year, the women’s soccer team were upset by West Valley College in the playoffs despite turning in a 17-3-3 season.

The women’s soccer program at Fresno City College tries to produce seasons like that year in and year out, but the formula for success is driven by the coaches and dependent on the players.

Head Coach Oliver Germond is entering

his 19th season with the program. He and his coaching staff insist that maintaining certain themes is what drives the team.

“We try to keep certain traditions from year to year so it's important that our returners are really bought into what we’re trying to do,” said Germond.

He says that buy-in from the players is essential to the success of the team.

Austin Roberts handles the ball throuh two Las Positas defenders in the first half of the Rams' Aug. 23, 2019 home opener. The Rams' won the match 1-0 on a penalty kick early in the 2nd half. Photo/Ben Hensley

“We tell kids that we’re recruiting that our program’s not for everyone because not everyone likes to work hard all the time,” said Germond.

“We’re constantly trying to keep that blue-collar work rate,” said Christina Monreal, an assistant coach and sports psychology consultant for the team.

“This will be my seventh season here and I think we’ve had a different personality every year but our themes have stayed very much the same,” she said.

Unsurprisingly, losing half the team each year leaves some gaping holes in the roster.

This should present challenges to the program, but the coaches use it to motivate their players.

“I think what’s really neat about that dynamic is seeing the people that are motivated to step into that role right away,” said Monreal.

The leaders that are ready as sophomores were taught as freshman and learned what it takes to run with the Rams on the pitch.

“Typically, I tell them that you’re going to get thrown into the fire, so throw yourself into that fire,” said Monreal.

The enthusiastic coaches encourage all their players to give the team and the game everything they’ve got, even if they aren’t successful the first time around.

“We’re going to see mistakes, but if our players are working hard and making those mistakes very loudly, we all learn from them. It becomes a lesson later,” said

Monreal.

She asks every one of her players to give their all and that requires a serious commitment from them. “If you’re too hesitant to get into the water, you’re never going to learn how to swim,” said Monreal.

The Rams’ will have their first home match this season against Bakersfield on Sept. 10 at 5 p.m. The regular season comes to an end in November, creating an endeavor that requires the Rams’ full commitment.

“I feel like a 100% commitment from the coaching staff and their requirement of 100% commitment from the players is really what leads to the success. That was really the reason that I wanted to be apart of this.” says Mike Coles, an assistant coach entering his second year with the program, helping refine the team’s athleticism and improve their nutrition.

He said, “It’s that attitude of being all in and being committed is what I think has created the success for them. There’s no denying that and I think there’s no slowing down.”

Women’s Soccer Beats the Heat and Las Positas Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

The Fresno City College women’s soccer team opened their season with a 1-0 win on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 against Las Positas.

Battling the heat as well as the opposing team, the Rams came out appearing sluggish in the first half, keeping the ball on the opposition’s side of the field, but lacking that extra drive needed to push through to get the opening score.

Head coach Oliver Germond credited the slow start to the game to the team figuring things out in their first matchup of the season.

“Credit to the girls. They did a good job. We [coaches] just gave them a couple pointers for the second half and just being more aggressive; looking for passing lanes and blowing out players,” Germond said comparing his teams’ first and second half performances.

Germond had high praise for his teams’ work ethic in battling not only the opposition, but the heat as well.

“We’ve been out here since July 8, so we’ve been training all of July,” said Germond. “All of July we were training in the morning, so it wasn’t as bad, but for the last two weeks we’ve been out in this weather and just getting used to it.”

Part of the goal in keeping the team fresh relies on substitutions early and often.

“The substitution rules here let us sub as much as we want, and so we take advantage of it; that’s why we have so many players,” Germond continued.

“Typically in soccer you can only sub a few players a game, but at the JC level, we

“

Credit to the girls.

They did a good job.”

lot of time working on fitness,” Germond said of their coaching style. “Our goal is to outlast the other teams and we try to put the other teams under a lot of pressure.”

“Our goal is to defend the midstripe rather than our goal,” Germond continued.

“We figure if we can keep the ball on the other team’s half as much as we can our odds of scoring goes up and then the odds of them scoring goes down.”

The remaining minutes of the game showed extreme bouts of pressure from the Rams on the scoring side, but very good goalkeeping by the Las Positas’

goalkeeper, saving nine goals in the second half alone, the only goal being allowed coming off of Rodriguez’s penalty kick.

The Rams hope to continue their winning ways when they match up with Citrus College in the New Balance Community College Showcase on Friday, Aug. 30.

The Rams next home match will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10 against the Bakersfield College Renegades. FCC came away victorious in their previous meeting last season, defeating the Renegades 3-0 in Bakersfield.

-Oliver Germond Rams' women's soccer Head coach

have free substitutions, so why not take advantage of it.”

The lone goal of the game came on a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Freshman forward Itzel Rodriguez scored unassisted in the top right corner of the goal, just clearing the outstretched arms of Las Positas’ goalkeeper Maleni Morales, giving the Rams their one and only goal needed to claim victory.

The Rams came out in the second half showing much more pressure, keeping the Freshman forward Itzel Rodriguez scores on a free kick in the 55th minute during the Rams' Aug. 23, 2019 match ball on the opponents' side. against Las Positas. The Rams came away with a 1-0 win in their first matchup of the season. Photo/Ben Hensley “That’s always our goal. We spend a

8.28.19 SPORTS 11

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Caviglia and Rams Looking Forward to 2019 Season Ben Hensley | Sports Editor bhensley@therampageonline.com

The FCC football team has been hard at work all summer preparing for another exciting season of Rams’ football.

Coming off the heels of a disappointing 24-7 loss against Laney College in the semifinal game of the CCCAA State Championship, the Rams look to improve on a season that held both challenges and disappointment, as well as the rise of future FCC star players.

“This is a good, hard working football team,” head coach Tony Caviglia said in anticipation of the teams’ scrimmage against Chabot College this Thursday.

“They just come to work, and it’s a good sign.”

Looking ahead to a season that sees them play American River, who come off a runnerup performance in the NorCal conference to Butte College - a playoff contender from 2018, and eventual state champion Laney College, the Rams will hope that their work ethic is able to push them over the top during a three week stretch which sees them play all three of those opponents in consecutive games.

The three teams combined record in 2018 was 27-8, led

by Laney who posted an 11-2 record.

“Our schedule is a dogfight every week,” Caviglia said of the schedule, which boasts multiple bowl teams, as well as the two playoff competitors. “Our first two games we’re playing quality opponents. We have to go up to Santa Rosa and play. They’re

much improved.”

Siskiyous also looks to be a challenge for the Rams, who had their game last year rescheduled due to the northern california fires.

The Rams, coming off a 9-3 season which saw the Rams post a 5-0 mark in conference play, will look to sophomore quarterback and conference player of the year Jonah Johnson to lead the team in his first full season under center.

“Offensively, it all starts with our quarterback Jonah Johnson,” Caviglia said. “He pretty much took over the team at the midway point.”

Johnson, coming off a labrum repair surgery in 2018, posted a 61.4 completion percentage, completing 102 of 166 passes for 18 touchdowns against only two interceptions.

He also ran for 302 yards and two touchdowns in ten games played.

“He’s had a tremendous offseason. We’re really excited to watch him play,” Caviglia continued. “He’s going to be one of the most special guys we’ve ever coached.”

Coming off a season which saw him play in all 12 games, Rico Rosario looks to be the other head of the offense out of the backfield. The sophomore running back comes off a season totalling 688 yards on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards per carry paired with seven touchdowns.

“

we don’t have a bad year, and we haven’t had a bad year -Tony Caviglia Head Football Coach

“Rico is a year better, a year stronger, a year faster, and he’s gonna be exciting to watch,” Caviglia said enthusiastically about the running game.

Freshman Chris Bailey looks to start at the tight end position, and has been praised for his size, versatility and receiving ability.

“He’s tall, lean, got great hands, good blocker. It’s hard to find those tight ends that can do a lot of different things,” Caviglia said of his 6’4”, 240 pound freshman.

One thing every great team needs however, is leadership.

Without leadership, both from the coaching positions as well as fellow players, a team is no better than the talent it has. To harness that talent, teams need not only commitment, but leadership as well.

For the Rams, leadership is in no short supply.

“We’ve been together [coaches] for a lot of years,” Caviglia said in support of his coaching staff. “We have the same staff back from last year, except we added Wylie Brand, a former player, who’s gonna help us coach the tight ends.”

“The core group has been together, and that’s the beauty of Fresno City football, it’s continuity; we don’t have a bad year, and we haven’t had a bad year.”

Former players also have a huge role in implementing new students into the system that Caviglia has built as well. He attributes much of the success of the team to sophomores being

great leaders to the incoming freshmen.

“I just remind them every year, ‘remember when you came to Fresno City for the first time and how your head was swimming and looking for help,’” Caviglia said of his returning players’ ability to lead moving forward.

“You like to have a sophomore player that’s been through the rigors of college athletics and college academics to help and guide them, and our sophomores have done that.”

Caviglia speaks very highly of his sophomore players and their ability to keep the new players involved and comfortable in the new environment as a college athlete.

“Well we’ve pretty much had everybody here this summer,” Caviglia said. “The strength gains that we’ve had in the weight room are fantastic.”

Caviglia speaks highly of his players ability to become bigger, faster and stronger and their commitment to being the best players they can be.

Overall, the Rams look to be prepared to face a difficult season that lies ahead of them. Looking to defend their title as Central Valley Conference champions.

The Rams first official home game this year will be on Sept 14, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. against Siskiyous College.

The Rams will be hosting a scrimmage against Chabot College this Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at Ratcliff Stadium.

Receivers and defenders run drills in preparation for the Rams' preseason scrimmage against Chabot College. The Rams first action at Ratcliff Stadium this season is against Chabot on Aug. 29, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Photo/Ben Hensley

Volleyball Ready For Another Run Adrian Marin | Reporter amarin@therampageonline.com

The Rams’ Women’s volleyball team kicks off the upcoming season later this month and with that comes a new sense of hope and optimism for the team. The Rams are coming off a very impressive season which saw them go 29-4 along with capturing their 12th consecutive CVC championship.

After a loss in the semi-finals last year to American River College, the Rams now turn the page and have their eye on securing their second state title in a span of four years.

The Rams return eight players and will be looking for the sophomores to guide the team along the way. Along with a freshman group that has been described as fiery, fierce and confident, the expectations for the Rams this season are already growing.

With a squad that is extremely similar to the 2016 State Championship winners, coach Roblee says she’s just ready to get to work.

“We are going to be very balanced and we’re very excited about that,” said head coach Kieran Roblee..

The rams will look for returning sophomores Kenidi MacDonald and Julie Castleman to have productive seasons as well as senior Marina Gonzalez, who is coming off a season which saw her get AllState at the state tournament last year.

Two freshman to look out for this year are Lexi and Julia Pagani, who come in from Buchanan High School.

“I’m confident in what they bring, they’re fiery and aggressive” said MacDonald referring to her new teammates.

“

We are going to be very balanced and we’re very excited about that."

-Kieran Roblee

Women's Volleyball head coach

The Rams have also developed a win the day attitude, which has helped keep them focused on the big picture and their own goals.

“We have to perfect the little things like watching film and being responsible off the court,” said sophomore returner Julie

Castleman.

For now though, the Rams will try not to look ahead and will be taking it day by day says coach Roblee. “Adapting to the new energy will be a season long process, something that I must work on,” said MacDonald when referring to the day-byday steps. Coach Roblee also added how the team must stay focused on the end goal and not get side tracked by anything that may appear.

The Rams kick off their season on Aug. 30 on the road against none other than American River, in a rematch of the 2018 CCCAA Volleyball state championship.

ARC is coming off a 25-7 record with a 13-3 conference.

12 SPORTS 8.28.19

therampageonline.com

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