Rampage Fall 2011 Issue 2

Rampage

Fresno City College Volume CXXI, Edition 2

September 21, 2011

FCC Honors Mexican Independence Fresno City College celebrated the kick-off of Latino Heritage Month with the celebration of Mexican Independence Day on Friday, Sept. 16 at the free-speech area. Festivities included a mariachi band performance with guest vocals by FCC student Jackie Avila and EOPS counselor, Sonia Lupian. The folklorico club also performed traditional dances in front of the crowd gathered. The events coincided with club rush which was held at the same location. More photos and video of

Photos By Paul Schlesinger

the event will be available online.

Instructors Fight For Students Unaware Reinstatement of Sabbaticals of Budget Facts B F L y

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opez

Rampage Reporter Are you aware that your tuition bill could go up next summer?

How much do you know of the budget shortfalls facing the college?

Do you know the implications of the recently passed ABX1 32?

If you know little or nothing about these issues, you are not alone. Fresno City College students are generally unaware of the consequences of ABX1 32.

According to a snap survey conducted on the campus on Friday and Monday, 96 out of 100 students were unaware of the bill or what it entails.

The assembly bill, passed through the California legislature,

establishes an education funding system in which the superintendent of public instruction apportions qualifying school districts state aid funds in an amount that is not to exceed its revenue limit. The signing of the ABX1 32 will defer fee increases from Jan. 2012 until after the summer of 2012, thereby leading to cuts in more classes and reduction in the number of students who will be able to enroll in classes.

If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the ABX1 32 bill will increase the price of each college credit unit from $36 to $46 after the summer of 2012. California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott

See STUDENTS on Page 2

By Tomas Kassahun

Rampage Reporter

In 2006, Philosophy Instructor Wendell Stephenson went on a sabbatical leave which allowed him four months off from his usual teaching load.

In those four months, Stephenson did the most intense and productive scholarly thinking he has ever done. The time off helped Stephenson to enhance his teaching as he was able to read, research, develop ideas and write papers to use for his courses at Fresno City College.

When Stephenson resumed his duties, he returned with more ideas that helped him to teach his students more effectively and to interact better with his colleagues.

“I actually worked harder during during their leaves and how these my sabbatical,” said Stephenson plans would ultimately benefit who described long days of re- their students. searching and reflections; he was “The board decided on their often working from morning to own without negotiating with us to night. give us zero sabbaticals as opposed Now Stephenson and other to the 12 they have been giving instructors teaching across cam- us,” said Stephenson. “When puses in the State Center Commu- they unilaterally decided to give nity College District are fighting us zero, the union protested. We to restore sabbatical leaves, which believed our contract required that are intended to give an instructor they negotiate with us over any time off from teaching every seven reduction of sabbaticals.” years in order to do research and Representatives of the State enhance their teaching.

Center Community College DisAt last week’s Board of Trustees trict had argued that the sabbatical meeting, faculty members rep- leave provision in the collective resenting FCC, Reedley College bargaining agreement provides and the North Centers spoke about them with discretion regarding the actual costs of denying faculty sabbatical leaves. Many recounted See SABBATICALS on Page 3 what they had planned to achieve

NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT Folk Music

SCCCD Music Student Dies

See Page 6

See Page 8

See Page 11

Rampage Exclusive

VIEWS

SPORTS Water Polo

See Page 16

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News

September September 21, 07, 2011 2011

Campus Briefs

By Alexis Abrahamson Rampage Reporter

Music Dept.

Offers Program For Kids

It is a big week for FCC and its music majors! Fresno City College and KIDmunity are coming together to offer after school music for kids in K-6 grade. Music director for KIDmunity, Catherine Cooper and FCC professor Julie Dana are the two in charge of this amazing event. This will give young students a chance to have an affordable, life learning experience with the community.

Activities for the students who join will be learning different types of music from around the globe, music reading, learning instrumental percussion and recorder, different types of melodies and rhythmic forms, introduced to understanding the basics of the guitar, develop their singing voices, and joining together in a concert at FCC. Advanced registration is strongly recommended. Registration forms & fees may be mailed to: Fresno City College Music Department, c/o Julie Dana, 1101 E University Ave., Fresno, CA

93741. Forms may also be placed in Julie Dana’ss FCC mailbox in TA-103. There will be a registration period today, Wednesday, September 21, from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Registration will be on a first-come first-served basis.

When dues are paid, the student will be registered for a secure spot in the class. Checks should be made payable to FCC Choral Music. KIDmunity Music is a nonprofit venture and the registration fee of $60 covers administrative costs and the purchase of music and classroom materials.

They offer need-based scholarships. Direct questions regarding fees or scholarship availability to: Catherine Cooper (559)797-1543

FCC Job Fair

On Sep. 28th Fresno City College is having a job fair for students to meet employers hiring immediately or within 60 days of the job fair. Places like China Peak are looking to hire about 300 new employees for the winter, as well Money Mart who is looking for store managers they can train.

These will all be paid positions and not just internships. It is recommended to dress nicely and to bring your resume with you .

The fair will be at the cafeteria from 9 a.m. to 12. Call (559) 4424600 EXT. 8005 with questions.

Students Unaware

Continued From Page 1

praised the legislation. “This bill [ABX1 32] gives colleges and students adequate time to prepare for increased fees if they become necessary,” he said.

Many students at FCC are aware of budget cuts and the reduction in services and number of classes but seemed oblivious to the passing of the ABX1 32 bill. FCC student, Anthony Lujano, expressed his lack of information on the bill. “I didn’t hear about it or see anything on the news,” he said. Another student, Kevin Marchini, also said

Fresno City College

he had no idea about the bill.

Associated Student Government (ASG) president Cindy Quiralte said that ASG is working on informing more students on the budget crisis.

“We have been speaking up in our classes individually. We are planning on doing more of that. We are coordinating on more events in the free speech area as well as just generally reaching out to students and letting them know,” said Quiralte.”I do challenge students to take the initiative, and once they have information, share it. We

Fresno City College Blood Drive

Instructor Proposes Shorter Semester

By Ramiro Gudino Rampage Reporter

The Central California Blood Center will be having a blood drive on campus today, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donor trucks can be found in front of the Administration Building, the Book Store, and the Health Sciences Building. Donors will receive local business coupons.

Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old. Donors are encouraged to eat a good meal and drink water within 4 hours prior to donation. Donors must have a photo ID and social security number for registration.

FCC ArtSpace Gallery

Once again the art students at FCC are showing their skills at the Art Space Gallery on campus. If you never checked out the FCC’s gallery, you should take this opportunity to see some beautiful work.

It is FREE to look, so why not support our fellow students. The last days for the show are are today Wednesday Sep. 21 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and tomorrow, Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. It is in the AH-101 building. need students to be aware of these issues so we can unite and have a strong argument for education.”

Other than the speaking tours, ASG has not taken additional steps to inform the student population on the passing of this bill. There was nothing posted on ASG’s official Facebook page regarding the budget meetings.

Daesha Black, ASG president pro tem, explained the reason for the shortcoming. “We are trying to find someone to actually be in charge of that because we don’t have anyone in charge of the Facebook yet,” Black said.

She also admitted that there are not a lot of people on

Fresno City College health science instructor Dr. Brad Lopez is advocating a 16-week semester for the State Center Community College Districts’ multi-campus system.

Lopez’ proposal would shorten by two weeks, the California community colleges’ traditional 18-week semesters. Contact hours between instructors and their students would stay the same but the duration of individual class sessions would be extended.

As of 2008, 54 of California’s 141 community colleges were on

Letter to the Editor This Friday, September 23, 2011, is designated as the day for “informing Californians of the valuable historical and cultural contributions, past and present, of American Indians.”

Our ways are sustainable and in harmony with life. Let us remember, for life, in all of its forms.

-Richard D. Iyall, Cowlitz campus who know about the impending budget crisis. “It’s really our job as ASG to let the students know what is going on on campus. I went in and spoke to my classes and told them about the reserve money and told them what was going on,” Black said.

“They [students] were shocked.

Teachers were shocked. I do hope that in the future students can be more aware of what goes on behind closed doors in those meetings about the budget.”

The reporter can be reached at flopez@therampageonline.com

Rampage 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

Editors Managing Editor: Sydney Excinia Production Manager: Ramiro Gudino News Editor: Jesse Franz Views Editor: Dylan Domingos Entertainment/Online Editor: Max Rosendahl Photo Editor: Paul Schlesinger Art Director: Austin Verburg Business Manager: Sydney Excinia Copy Editor: Tomas Kassahun Faculty Adviser: Dympna Ugwu-Oju

Alexis Abrahmson Nathan A. Alonzo Elizabeth Amaral Sasha Bell Laura Bradley Tutmosis Brown Annette De Dios Marcel Dilworth Dylan Domingos Daniel Engelhaupt Sydney Excinia Jesse Franz Kristoffer Goka Emillio Gutierrez Maddie Hagobian Moriah Jones

Tomas Kassahun Frank Lopez Pabel Lopez Paulo Nino Karina Ornelas Brendan Raley Dylan Picazo Nicole Randazzo Kaitlin Regan Philip Romar Mia Barraza Martinez Max Rosendahl Jordan Russell Paul Schlesinger Joshua Sheppard David Thammavongsa Danielle Velarde Austin Verburg

Contacts Rampage Office rampage-business@fresnocitycollege.edu Adviser dympna.ugwu-oju@fresnocitycollege.edu

Fresno City College 1101 E. University Ave. Fresno, CA 93741 Office: (559) 442-8262 Fax: (559) 265-5783

Visit our web site for updates www.therampageonline.com

a compressed schedule. Three of those were on quarter system, comparable to that used by UCs. Lopez said that a shortened semester would benefit students and help the college save money.

“This opens up time between semesters. Not only summer, but in the winter. … There was a time 15 years ago we did that. We had short-term classes between fall and spring semester. A couple of my students told me if it hadn’t been for that they would’ve had to go another semester just to take one or two classes to graduate.”

“They save money on gas because they don’t have to go to school that often, and for families, they save money on babysitting.

Plus it gives them more time to work part time so they can pay for increased tuition. I think it’s paramount that students be surveyed.”

Reedley psychology instructor, Lacy Barnes, president of the California Federation of Teachers, SCFT Local 1533 said that the district is open to exploring the idea. “It’s not just about faculty teaching X number of hours but also about services provided to students and instructional support.”

Dr. Lopez said he was initially skeptical but having taught eight week summer courses, was confident his lesson plans would not need to be changed drastically. In 2008, he adjusted his lesson plans to fit the 16 week model. He said he helped his students cope with the the slightly faster paced class converting his lectures to PowerPoint presentations and encouraging study habits by providing handouts of the presentations students could make notes on, and encouraging them to highlight parts of their textbooks during lectures.

In 2009, a task force from the Santa Rosa Junior College All Faculty Association and Academic Senate explored the possibility of a compressed semester at their college. Their investigation overall found benefits to students and faculty.

The Santa Rosa report showed that students had a 1-2 percent increase in success rates; they used the winter intersession and completed their programs faster, and were able to transfer more smoothly. Faculty and administrators appreciate the additional time to prepare for classes, process grades, and bring closure to previous term activities before the start of the next academic term. Additionally, the 16-week semester aligns more closely with the UC and CSU formats.

California Code of Regulations defines a college year as July 1 through June 30 and is not opposed to a 16-week semester.

An academic year is 175 days of instruction, excluding summer, winter, or other intersessions. A district cannot adopt a schedule with less than 32 weeks of instruction during an academic year.

These polices limit the minimum semester length to 16 weeks.

The reporter can be reached at rgudino@therampageonline.com

News

September 21, 2011

3

New Law Impacts SCCCD Budget

By Paul Schlesinger Rampage Reporter The State Center Community College District’s 2011-2012 Budget, passed by the Board of Trustees on Sept. 12, could be significantly undermined by the new state legislation ABX1 32 which forbids the mid-year tuition increase, a revenue source the district had calculated would offset the expected reduction in state funding.

If signed by the governor, the bill would delay the planned midfiscal year “trigger” fee increase of $10, raising tuition rate from $36 to $46 per unit, a $20 per unit increase in one year.

In a press release by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office, Chancellor Jack Scott congratulated the state legislature for passing the bill and stated that the fee increase delay gives “colleges and students adequate time to prepare for increased fees if they become necessary.”

Michael Guerra, Vice-President of Administrative Services at Fresno City College said that the assembly bill is “strategic in that students can prepare for increases for the Fall term.” Guerra said that it was “unfortunate” that the only option for community colleges was to raise fees.

FCC student trustee, Christo- Deborah Blue, the district should from unexpected revenue from pher Coronado, said the legisla- see an estimated $7.7 million the state in the form of restorative decision “shows that the reduction in state funding and an tion funding, lottery money, and legislature is responsive to student overall $9 million district budget state mandate monies, many in concerns and the student voice.” shortfall. Depending on how the district question the district’s The postponement of the pro- much cuts occur, Guerra says that priorities. posed fee hike raises questions Fresno City College could absorb Lacy Barnes, president of the about how community colleges 50 percent of the district’s budget California Federation of Teachwill make up the expected mid- shortfall. ers, SCFT Local 1533, said that year reduction in state funding. A The district plans to cover the other districts across the state, decrease in state funds to com- budget shortfall by spending $4.5 such as the Los Rios Community munity colleges could come as million of its $41 million reserves, College District, plan on spending soon as this December, according of which $500,000 comes from the down their reserves to weather this to the 2011-12 fiscal storm. budget that was SCCCD, on passed in June the other by the California hand, contin“It’s important for us to take a look at where Legislature. ues to mainAccording to our priorities are as a state.” tain a fiscally provisions in the -Cindy Quiralte conservative California budapproach to get, if the state Asg President its budget, only receives $2 spending billion of the exlittle of their pected $4 billion reserve funds in revenue by December, the state state lottery fund. while cutting classes and services.

Department of Finance has the According to interim Vice ChanFor instance, between the fall of authority to cut funding to com- cellor of Finance Edwin Eng, the 2010 and the fall of 2011, Fresno munity colleges by $30 million. In plan to spend some of the district’s City College lost 276 sections or the worst case, if the state receives $41 million reserve fund comes a classes, according to Interim Vice less than $2 billion, an additional year after planning to spend $1.5 President of Instruction Kelly $72 million could be cut from the million of the then $33 million Fowler. Library and Student allotment to community colleges, in reserves for the 2010-11 fiscal Learning Support Services Dean, bringing total projected cuts to a year.

James Tucker, said library hours possible $102 million reduction The district did not spend any were reduced at the beginning in funding to community colleges of its reserve funds; instead, an of the spring of 2010. Instead across the state. additional $7 million was added of a closing time of 9:00 p.m., According to the SCCCD bud- to the surplus funds. Although Eng the library closed at 7:30 p.m. get released by the chancellor, explained that the $7 million came on Mondays through Thursdays,

reducing hours of operation by each day. Friday hours were cut by two hours, and the library went from closing at 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday hours were completely eliminated due to the elimination of Saturday classes.

With the prospects of mid-year funding cuts, FCC will continue to keep reductions “as far away from instructional programs and services as best we can,” said Michael Guerra. He added that the college is “constantly reviewing options”.

Barnes said that students have been the ones to sacrifice the most during this budget crisis and that she has been asking the trustees for a little more understanding of their “rationale” for not spending down the reserves but has not been “successful at getting an answer that makes any sense.”

Associated Student Government President Cindy Quiralte stressed that education should be a first priority and not something to cut. “It’s important for us to take a look at where our priorities are as a state,” Quiralte said, urging students to get involved and speak to their legislatures about fee increases and cuts to higher education in the state. “It is important for students to be active.”

The reporter can be reached at pschlesinger@therampageonline.com

Fiestas Patrias In Downtown Photos By Paul Schlesinger

Fresnans celebrated Mexican Independence Day during the weekend at the Fulton Mall in downtown with a street fair in a celebration called Fiestas Patrias. Roughly translated, it means holidays of the Fatherland.

There were performances by different kinds of bands with sounds that ranged from cumbias to traditional Mexican Banda music. The catchy tunes made dancing easy and many people caught the dancing bug.

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September 21, 2011

News

Financial Aid Woes

By Maddie Hagobian Rampage Reporter

Students complain about lags in processing their Financial Aid Vanessa Torrez’s academic progress has literally come to a stop while she waits for her financial aid check. She is unable to buy much needed textbooks and must depend on friends and their schedules.

Torrez is also very concerned about the amount of her aid. Last semester information on WebAdvisor had confirmed her check would be over $1,300. But when her check arrived weeks later, it was substantially lower at $1,041.

A long line of other disgruntled students wrap around the entrance to the Financial Aid office, and they are not there for benediction. They are spending hours, an average of one and two hours each time, just to be told that their financial aid is “pending”, time which some of the students say could be spent completing school work.

Some students say they have wondered how they are supposed to maintain their academic standings when they are unable to purchase the textbooks and supplies needed to succeed in their classes.

According to Sonny Silva, former Interim Financial Aid Director, [Silva resigned this position after the interview] Fresno

City College currently has 30,000 FAFSAs on file for 2011-2012. “A high percentage of students here at Fresno City College receive some form of Financial Aid,” Silva said.

Students receiving financial aid get it in a variety of forms ranging from grants, scholarships and loans. Federal Work Studies may be awarded to students to pay for books and other supplies. Many FCC students are still waiting on their Federal Work Study awards.

Left essentially without the quintessential supplies, many FCC students say they are frustrated and unsure of where to turn.

Now in the sixth week of school, books are becoming vital to the coursework and the statuses and students’ grades. Most students interviewed for this story said they have not yet received their financial aid checks, although WebAdvisor continues to confirm the approval of their application and the amount of the check. Students are disheartened to find out there is no set date for the arrival of the checks. In some cases, the dates have since passed.

Torrez describes the whole process as “a hassle”. According to the FCC website, students who enrolled in later short term classes or waitlisted in their classes will receive checks that are considerably smaller than what is shown on WebAdvisor. Payments may increase or decrease depending

on how many units the student is enrolled in 10 days prior to the disbursement date of the check.

Darelle Harvey is another discontented student who has waited in the massive financial aid line and telephoned multiple times only to be told that a financial advisor is unavailable and that his check is still pending. Even the Financial Aid website acknowledges that Financial Aid assistants may take up to three business days to call back.

Three days seems too long when a student’s education is at stake, complained many of the students

standing in lines.

Instructors are making accommodations to help the students who have not acquired the necessary books and or supplies.

They are holding copies of the textbook on reserve in the library and some are even scanning pages for Blackboard.

Baldo Velázquez says he has taken advantage of professors’ generosity. Velázquez said that instructors in three or four of his classes have provided the appropriate material on Blackboard, without which he would have fallen be-

(http://scftunion.org) and signed electronically by 78 members of faculty, was also delivered to the members of the board by Stephenson himself.

In his letter, Stephenson described his dismay at the board’s position regarding sabbatical leaves, “You apparently think sab-

The reporter can be reached at mhagobian@therampageonline.com

Fresno City College currently has 30,000 FAFSAs on file for 2011-2012.

Illustration by Laura Bradley

The Fight For Sabbaticals Continued From Page 1

hind. Many students say financial aid is worth it when the money arrives, but that the college should do more to ensure that the funds are delivered as close to the beginning of the semester as possible.

Students continue to apply for Financial Aid semester after semester. They may apply as many times as they want. However, students’ eligibility is determined by how many units they have attempted in the past as well as their overall academic standing.

”It has nothing to do with the value of sabbaticals. If the economy gets whether to award sabbatical leave better, I believe the intent of the or not. They maintained that the board is to provide sabbaticals.” sabbatical leave provision sets In July, faculty members whose forth an application and approval sabbatical applications had been process but does not guarantee that approved by the various colleges the district will grant any particular and recommended to the district number of sabbatical leaves. received a letter from the SCCCD Additionally, the district conchancellor, Deborah Blue. Blue had stated that she There’s a conscious effort to cut back, but the district valwould not ues sabbaticals and has for decades. And there is still an recommend intent to find a way with sabbaticals to the board to fund the sabbati-Randy b cal leaves because of the district’s b u d g e t batical leaves of such little worth shortfalls. tended that the collective bargainto the faculty, the students and the Stephenson acknowledges the ing agreement language regarding colleges that make up SCCCD.” general economic malaise. ”We financing up to a maximum of Lacy Barnes, president of the realize the state budget is bad and 12 sabbatical leaves shows that State Center Federation of Teach- that painful cuts have to be made— while there is a ceiling on the ers, Local 1533, said, “It was a we’ve already acknowledged maximum number of sabbatical blow to the morale of the fac- this by foregoing a long standing leaves that could be granted, there ulty.” She added that she has never contract salary formula—but this is no floor. seen this occur in her 20 years with is a very painful cut that brings The case eventually went to an the district. in very little given the benefits arbitrator who ruled in favor of ”There’s a conscious effort to foregone by denying sabbaticals,” the board, stating it is within the cut back, but the district values he argued. district’s legal right to not fund the sabbaticals and has for decades.

Several faculty members quessabbatical proposals.

And there is still an intent to find tioned the accuracy of the chan “When the ruling came, a way with sabbaticals. It may not cellor’s claims about the budget, it galvanized many of us in the be 12, but Dr. Blue and the board especially in light of the revelation faculty,” said Stephenson who value sabbaticals,” said Randy that the district added $7 million then wrote a letter urging the board Rowe, Assistant Vice Chancellor to its surplus account in the same to restore sabbaticals. The letter, for Human resources at SCCCD. year. still posted on the union website

Stephenson’s letter stated, “You are willing to save what we calculate to be at most $181,699.20 per year . . . on the assumption that 12 full-time faculty are granted sabbaticals in a given year with current part-time faculty replacement costs.”

Communication instructor, Jerry Thurston recently filed a sabbatical proposal in order to establish a “safe zone” program at Fresno City College. The program is designed to make the campus safe for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population. Thurston said he had hoped to visit other campuses and look at how they implement their safe programs.

Although Thurston’s proposal was approved by the sabbatical committee at Fresno City College, it was not funded by the district.

“A lot of people think sabbaticals are just a paid vacation for professors, and that›s completely incorrect. We have to do a serious proposal and then we have to demonstrate to the community when we come back that we did the things we said we would do,” Thurston said. “And it has to contribute to the campus community.”

Stephenson also said he worries that the public may have the wrong perception of sabbaticals and that there may be doubt in the public’s mind about the value of sabbaticals which is important because the board is selected by voters.

“It may be because the average

workers think they don›t get sabbaticals and yet they are paying for somebody to get time off. I sympathize with that,” said Stephenson.

“I would like for sabbaticals to be more widely available, but college education is a distinctive field, where a premium is placed on staying as current as you can with the research being done in the field.»

To show how tedious getting a sabbatical leave is, Stephenson’s letter laid out the process of receiving a sabbatical in the district. Faculty members are required to turn in an application that demonstrates their service to their respective colleges, either since joining the college or since their last sabbatical. If there is not enough evidence of service to the college, the application is denied.

The application obliges each faculty member to describe his or her sabbatical project and to show how the project will benefit the college and the students, as well as how it will enhance the quality of the faculty member’s teaching at this or an another campus site.

After completion of their sabbatical leave, instructors are required to show what they gained during their sabbatical leave.

Even with the present stalemate, the union remains hopeful.

“If not all of them now because of the difficult budget,” said Stephenson, “then when the budget turns around, we hope they restore all of them.”

The reporter can be reached at tkassahun@therampageonline.com

News

September 21, 2011

5

Lopez Defends His Record Claims His Rights Were Violated

By Jesse Franz

Rampage Reporter

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ment for academic freedom for instructors to inform students of what risks there are, and 3) is critical thinking, and the last two are state laws.

We’re required to give both sides of an issue, and then let the students make up their decision. So to have a group or one or two students, in this case just one, come forward and say you can’t say Dr. Brad Lopez addresses his recent lawsuit against Fresno City College that? Just because environment”, as Fresno City Col- that all the instructors and all this you don’t like the information, is lege said you did? district can have restoration in that why it shouldn’t be stated? : No. Not any different knowing that they can say what : What kind of reaction did than all the controversial is scientifically valid, and people you receive from the other subjects that I discussed. Then I need to hear it, and let the students faculty member, students, and the was misquoted as well. I said here make up their own decisions. public in general? are what some people have done. : Do you wish you would : Well, most of the neigh- One option is to seek means to pick have handled anything bors, friends, and people a different life style, that’s it. And differently at the time? that I don’t even know, students that some people who have gone : No. Not really, I’m just that I had even as far as 25 years through another life style, say a sad for the students who ago wrote strong letters of support heterosexual life style, they’ve decided to take action, beyond just and sent them to (Then Fresno City tried to get some other people the complaint level of listening to College President) Dr. Azari, and who have a homosexual lifestyle information that they just happen copied the people who are looking to convert, and they choose not to not agree with. at the case. And that’s what the to or they choose to do so. That’s : Some people have been public doesn’t know. And once their choice. critical of your choice we’re all done with this, I will : Do you think there may to be represented by the Pacific release them, without names. have been cause for any Justice Institute, an organization One thing that you never saw or homosexual students to feel dis- which heavily supported Prop. read, was, I got a stack of letters criminated against by anything 8. What would you say to these from students as well as people in you’re teaching? people? the community that supported the : Not any different than .: Each group and attorneys assertions that I made. those who feel like they’re within a group will have : Do you believe that you when we’re teaching obesity. ‘Well their own opinions on certain created a “hostile learning you’re discriminating against me items, same way, whether it’s in

Photo by Karlton “Tut” Brown

In Feb. 2010, a student of Dr. Brad Lopez’s Health 1 class filed a complaint that he had taught antihomosexual lessons. Lopez denied the allegations however, claiming, “Everything I teach is within the scope of Health Science 1 on this campus.”

Nevertheless, a month later in March, 2010, Fresno City administrators found that Lopez violated a campus anti-discrimination policy by telling his students that homosexuality was a mental disorder and should be treated with psychotherapy. He subsequently received a permanent mark on his record.

A year and a half later on Aug. 30, 2011, Lopez filed a lawsuit against Fresno City College in an effort to expunged from his record of the incident.

Still awaiting his day in court, Lopez tells his story to the Rampage in a rare one-on-one interview. : Can you briefly explain why you think the students filed the original complaint against you? : They felt insulted that I was insensitive and so forth. But that’s nothing new, because in Health 1 cover a lot of controversial issues. For example, dealing with heart disease, I go over the things that do it, and people get offended with that too.

But they want to know how to prevent it, so I tell them and they make up their own mind. Saying I’ll make changes in my lifestyle or I won’t…

One of the strongest groups is when I talk about controlling weight. Obesity is a serious problem in our country right now, and is affecting the youth. As a result some of them say, ‘you can’t tell me how I should eat and how I shouldn’t eat.’ I said, ‘I’m not, I’m just saying what happens, what can happen’… they feel like they are picked on. Here’s what I’ve noticed is the difference. The difference between what happened and all the other students that get offended, by whatever topic we may be covering, is that they just take the information in stride and learn from it and say, ‘Well ok, I’ll either change, or I won’t change, but they never attack me in person like this student did.’ : What information did you give that you think was the primary cause of this incident? : The same information that was given at all the hearings over Proposition 8, the same arguments. I didn’t dream up anything new, I’m not that smart. I used the same information that was given at all the hearings. I gave the information that’s reported in the literature, and that’s it. I only spent like, maybe 8, 10 minutes on it, because I have so many other things to cover, and these students didn’t like it. They said, ‘You can’t teach that here.’ What?

I’m required to teach it. I have to, for three reasons. 1) There’s the first amendment and the fourteenth amendment of the U.S. Constitution to freely tell people what’s at stake, and 2) we have a require-

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U N I V E R S I T Y®

Transferring?

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because I’m fat.’ ‘You’re discriminating against me because I have a different sexual lifestyle than other people.’ ‘You’re discriminating against me because I don’t eat right, and I like eating junk food, and I’m going to, and I think you’re discriminating against me.

The difference, I think that those groups are mature, and one group wasn’t. : Have you changed your teaching material since the incident? : No. But I have a new assignment. I’m not teaching Health 1 anymore. I’m teaching Pharmacology and Medical Information. : If you could talk to the students who filed the complaints against you right now, what would you say to them? : I would say to them that I’m praying that they would be more responsive and more mature in accepting information that has been given at hearings, that has been given in literature, that supports the data, and I would ask, wouldn’t you agree that students should hear all sides of an issue, instead of just only those you would like to be heard? : What do you hope the end result of your lawsuit is? : That instructors rights and the business of the first amendment, fourteenth amendment, academic freedom, and critical thinking, be restored so

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congress, or the administration of the president, or the governor of this state. So I respect those differences, but that doesn’t preclude what position I would take if they’re willing to run with the information, and the lawsuit.

During that time, when the Pacific Justice Institute contacted me, first I asked, ‘well how’d you find out about it?’ They said, ‘Well we saw it in the Mercury Bulletin in San Jose. Within three days I had two other law firms call me and want to represent me. And I asked them why? Why do you want to represent me pro bono?

They said, “Well we’re tired of the ACLU making legislation without going through the legislature. And we don’t agree with the ACLU. In fact, we’re vehemently and unalterably opposed to much of what the ACLU does. “ And I was listening saying woe! : Are you seeking any monetary damages in your lawsuit? : It’s about two things mainly. And that’s to have my record expunged from misinformation and secondly to restore for all the instructors, and all the campuses within this district, that first amendment, freedom of speech, the fourteenth amendment equality, academic freedom, and critical thinking are required by state law.

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The reporter can be reached at jfranz@therampageonline.com

6

September 21, 2011

Entertainment

Music serves as historical time stamp

By Kaitlin Regan

Rampage Reporter Music has been a conduit for self-expression and causal confrontation since music was first used in religion and by troubadours. Troubadours originated in Europe during the middle ages.

During that time they composed and performed Occitan poetry, a form of lyric poetry that can be seen in music across the ages.

Before secular music arrived, music was used for religious practices and observances. From hymns to ceremonial beatings of drums, music was first and foremost an expression of faith.

The faith based musical styles quickly turned into folk music and blues.

Folk music, being an extension of folklore, brought about the tales and traditions of the underprivileged classes. It was a way for the people to pass the time and enjoy music while simultaneously telling their story both personally and as a community.

Folk music had a heavy influence on the 1950s and the artists crossing that threshold.

The 50’s held icons that to this

date inspire a sigh of reverence and a flashback to greatness.

With talents such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Frank Sinatra the 50’s was a prime example of how music, given the right exposure, can reach out to people. But has it changed?

There is a key difference between the ‘50s and the 1960s that lies in public history. There was a transition between the rigid focus of acceptability of the ‘50s to the relaxed feel of the ‘60s. The ‘60s held legends of their own as like of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix who made their marks in history. There was also surf rock as played by Dick Dale, the pioneer of the musical art form and later by The Beach Boys.

Surf rock encompassed the use of a form of “wet” spring reverberations, used in Fender amplifiers.

Sliding into the 1970s, there was a shift in the music scene.

With Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac bursting in, there was little chance that music would ever be the same again. Freddy Mercury of Queen had an uncanny ability to reach

out to fans and touch them with his music. Music of the ‘70s exploded with variations of Metal and Hip-Hop creating more of a melting pot.

With artists such as those setting the bar so high, the 1980s had a lot of work to do when it came to changing lives and identifying a generation. Even though the ‘70s held some great musicians, the ‘80s stepped up with talents such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, U2 and Van Halen.

The 1990’s happened to be a defining point for the young adult generation of today. Having been subject to the words and sound of

Elvis and Eminem

Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, 2Pac and R.E.M., the young adults of today have heard their voices being amplified in songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are”. Kurt Cobain spoke for the millions that could not voice their pain.

With the difference in sound becoming more evident, the face of music changed yet again. There was no longer just Rock and Roll as it was in the ‘50s. The ‘90s opened up a gateway into the world we have now of Pop, Rock, Metal, Rhythm and Blues, Rap, Hip-Hop, Alternative and so much more. Certainly some of those were present before,

Illustration by Austin Verburg

but today there are many more options out there.

Finally we reach the 2000s where music fits no definition, no expectation and certainly no limit.

Artists such as Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Coldplay, Outkast, The All-American Rejects and Slipknot have blasted their way into history as well. Riding up to current times, songs such as “Not Afraid” depict the change of Mathers’ life and how he rose up from the shadows of his problems and was “not afraid to take a stand”.

Furthermore, the recording industry and internet have changed the face of music and its availability altogether. What once had to be purchased in records stores can now be found online with a single click. Record labels are also using the internet as a means of discovery for their artists. Music and its industry lie literally at the fingertips of the public.

Music has changed from being a method of religious expression to a flood gate of opportunities. It is now the means of self-expression, social angst and discontent, a way to tell a story and much more. The change was brought on by changes in thought over the centuries.

Many people began to see things differently and as history dictates, change is not seen easily. Music serves has a historical time stamp on the thoughts of the generations.

This reporter may be contacted at Kregan@therampageonline.com

Living it up In Fresno, on a Budget

By Jordan Russell

Rampage Reporter T h e r e ’s n o d e n y i n g t h a t , economically, times are tough. This is especially true for students, whose budgets seldom allow for such frivolities as movie tickets or trips to the opera. Fortunately, Fresno is home to several inexpensive entertainment options.

UA Clovis Towne Center 8 Tickets at this theater only cost $3 all of the time. Seriously.

There is a bit of a catch, though.

Movies don’t usually arrive at the “cheap theater” until a few weeks after their release. Many times, movies stay there even after they’re released on DVD, which is great, because this means you could see the movie at the theater for what it would cost to rent it on DVD. And for what it’s worth, their popcorn is second to none.

Estate Sales

Indoor kin to yard sales, estate sales happen on weekend mornings and are often treasure troves of vintage goodies. These sales take place inside the homes of people who are looking to sell nearly everything. These people are often dead.

Home interiors are kept relatively intact, allowing the shopper an interesting peek into the life of a stranger. Books, clothes, vinyl albums, jewelry, dishes, and knickknacks galore are usual estate sale fare. These are offered at very reasonable prices, and what’s more, items are usually half-price on Sundays.

Ads for sales can be found in the Fresno Bee’s classified section or at http://fresno.craigslist.org/ under the “Garage Sale” section.

So make a list of promising sales, arm yourself with Googled directions, grab some coffee (or tea, or whatever morning beverage you prefer) and hunt for those bargains!

Arte Americas

Fresno’s resident museum dedicated to all things Latin offers free admission on the first Thursday of every month. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., people can browse any of the museum’s exhibits. Current exhibits showcase Mexican folk art and the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Visitors can also view an extensive collection of handcrafted items in the “Tiendita” gift shop. For more information, visit arteamericas.org.

Clovis Historical Museum

History buffs rejoice! The Clovis Historical museum is free to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum exhibits a variety of memorabilia related to the history of Clovis and the Central Valley. Features include relics of Pioneers and Native Americans, a special “Veteran’s Room” honoring local veteran of World Wars I and II and much more. For more information, visit clovis-museum.com.

Fresno Philharmonic

The Philharmonic offers up a variety of performances to suit many musical tastes. No matter what your taste is, you must know that these performances can be

seen for free. How, you ask? By volunteering as an usher.

Anyone can volunteer to be an usher. It is a fairly simple job that involves taking tickets, handing out programs, and escorting folks to their seats. As a reward for your outstanding ushering, you get to take a seat during the performance in any available seat and enjoy the music. And guess what else? You can volunteer for as many shows as you want. For the complete 2011-2012 performance season, as well as a volunteer application, visit fresnophil.org/volunteer.html.

Fresno Grand Opera

The arts community is apparently in dire need of ushers. Why else would they offer the chance to see amazing shows for free and only asking a couple hours of your time in return? The Fresno Grand Opera also has a volunteer program, though it’s slightly different from the Philharmonic’s.

Simply contact the Fresno Grand Opera office via telephone at (559) 442-5699. Tell them what show you’d like to volunteer for, and they will get back to you with information on which performance you will work. Then, you get to enjoy the Opera’s dress rehearsal as an audience member.

The dress rehearsal is a complete practice run of the performance. It runs exactly as any performance would, as it is the final opportunity to practice before performing in front of a paying audience. I have seen several dress rehearsals, and I can say that they are just as superb as the performance you would pay big bucks to see.

Specific information, along with a performance schedule for the 2011-2012 season, can be found at fresnograndopera.org/ushers.html

Fresno State’s John Wright Theatre

The student theatre company housed at CSU Fresno produces unique, quality shows that cost little to see. Students with valid identification can purchase tickets for only $10. Considering this season’s excellent line-up, which includes the new social media satire/thriller “T.I.C – Trenchcoat In Common,” Ntozake Shange’s play-turned-Tyler Perry film “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf,” and Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” And this is just the first half of the season. A complete lineup and purchasing information can be found by visiting csufresno.edu/ theatrearts/performances.

Philip Lorenz Memorial Keyboard Concert

This series of piano performances brings world-renowned pianists to Fresno State’s Concert Hall.

Students can experience these stellar performances for only $5, with a valid identification. To purchase the $5 individual tickets you can visit the Fresno State Music Department box office, which is adjacent to the concert hall, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

You can also arrive at least one hour before a performance is scheduled to begin and purchase tickets then. For a detailed list of performances and ticket

purchasing information, head to keyboardconcerts.com.

The Public Library System The library isn’t just for book lovers. It’s also for music lovers and film lovers. Yes, the San Joaquin Valley Library System owns a plethora of CDs and DVDs, all yours for the borrowing. Don’t have a library card? No problem – valid photo identification will get you one. Library card in hand, you can use the system’s online catalog to search for whatever your heart desires.

To access the catalog, visit sjvls. org and follow the link for Fresno County Library, then select the “Catalog” link. When you find something you’d like to check out, you can request that it be sent from wherever it is to your local branch.

A word of caution: make sure you know your four-digit PIN number. You must enter it, along with the barcode number on your card to request anything. If you don’t know it, ask a librarian to look it up for you.

Speaking from experience, you will find almost everything from classic blues and Italian neorealism to gypsy punk rock and modern indie flicks. And the best part? It’s all completely free!

This reporter may be contacted at jrussell@therampageonline.com

Entertainment

Reviews Age of Betrayal

7

September 21 2011

Book:

By Emilio Gutierrez Rampage Reporter

Honest history has a flare for the dramatic.

Jack Beatty’s “Age of Betrayal: The Triumph of Money in America” is one such history. It’s like watching an episode of the HBO series, Mad Men - corporate back-handedness at its dramatic finest, but without the veneer of charismatic suaveness to soften the ruthlessness.

The author’s history begins at the start of the Civil War, pushes through Reconstruction, and centers itself in America’s ‘Gilded Age’ - an era in history when this nation, torn by the tragedy of war, was most impressionable As corporate money infiltrated the ranks of government and the press, says

Beatty, it floundered the opportunity to steer the country in a populist direction.

No well-written history would be compelling without excellent research.

Here is an excerpt from the chapter, The Politics of the Future, page 318: “… Senator [John J.] Ingalls revealed the cynical heart of Gilded Age politics when asked for his thoughts on the clamor for reform in Kansas… he told the New York World… ‘Government is force. Politics is a battle for supremacy… This modern can’t about the corruption of politics is fatiguing in the extreme. It proceeds from the teacustard and syllabub dilettantism, the frivolous and desultory sentimentalism of epicenes.’”

As far as language and the book’s

construction goes, Beatty’s writing shifts between sessions of concise and clear prose to incidences of chunky bits.

This is to be expected, as it is a history.

Expect immense amounts of details broken apart by author’s commentary and summarizing statements.

Age of Betrayal is certainly not a weekend reader. It is a little novelesque at 389 pages, excluding notes, acknowledgements and introduction.

Still, the history within those pages is invaluable, unmatchable by any textbook and a must-read for anyone even minutely interested in politics.

All-around: 8/10.

This reporter may be contacted at Egutierrez@therampageonline.com

http://images.indiebound. com/426/032/9781400032426.jpg

FCC Theatre Presents: The Illusion

By Pabel Lopez

Rampage Reporter The Fresno City College theater department will be performing “The Illusion” by Steven Kushner, a play adapted from Pierre Corneille’s “l’Illusion Comique.” The play will be running from Oct 7 through Oct 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fresno City College theater.

Theater professor Janine Christl will be directing the piece.

The original piece written in 1653 was ahead of its time in its use of theater and story telling devices such as: play within a play, and mixing of tragedy and comedy.

The play deals with a father who longs to see his son after 15 years and turns to a magician to find him. The father is shown three different versions of his son’s fate.

The adaptation by Tony Kushner uses contemporary version of 17th century language and moves the story to modern times.

Each year the department works together to bring something new to the student body. They look at what would be right for the student population, what has been done in the past, and what they need to fulfill in the future.

“I liked that we have a bit of period and it would be something different for our students than what we have done in the past couple of years,” said Christl. “The piece is something that hasn’t been done by many other schools.

This is not a typical production for a college theater.”

The play has several themes including one of love and love lost as the father looks for his son.

“Another big theme we are working with is one of

living your life without knowing where we think we are the ones plotting it out but are we? And what is an illusion and what is true? Love falls into that as well because it’s something that isn’t tangible so there is a big kind of thrust forwarding the show about what is real and what isn’t,” said Christl.

The preparation for the play started before the beginning of the semester.

Dave Meacham stage manager says “The director and stage designer throw ideas around for at least 2 to 3 months before it actually goes into rehearsal.”

Lights, sound and stage add to the quality of the play and are a major part of the theater going experience.

Meacham has two assistant stage managers and a full theater class that helps to build the set. “At this point it’s probably about 30 to 40 people working on it before it goes into production so it’s a lot of love and sweat, but no blood yet,” said Meacham.

Part of the play takes place in a cave so making the stage look like a cave required some creativity on the part of the scene shop. Clever light tricks and

textures for the set were used.

Josh Hansen, a third year theater major, plays three characters in the play: Pleribo, Adrastc, and Prince Florilame. He has been working on the play since Aug 24, the first day of rehearsal.

Hansen has found it challenging to wrap his head around the 16th century language. At some points, it’s hard for him to actually understand what is being said.

Hansen says of his characters “There’s a lot of attributes that I do connect with a lot and there’s some that I just have to reach in and play a character and find because I’ve never had to deal with situations like that.”

Christl said audiences can expect a play full of adventure. “It’s fast paced.

If they are fans of the lord of the rings, there is a lord of the rings-esque feel to it because of the cave and the wizard and the magic. If they are into 17th century period pieces, it’s a blend of contemporary theater and classical theatre,” said Christl.

This reporter may be contacted at Plopez@ therampageonline.com

The Lion King 3D Helps You Feel the Love Even More

By Daniel Engelhaupt Rampage Reporter

In 1994, Walt Disney Pictures came out with the timeless and immortal animated classic, “The Lion King.” It was met with much praise by critics and enjoyed by families, children, and people young and old.

And now 15 years later, the Walt Disney Company is re-releasing their most beloved animated masterpiece. This time audiences will get to feel the magic, watch the coming-of-age tale of a lion who tries to find his rightful place as king of the Pride lands… in 3D.

Now, questions have been raised as to how a traditionally animated movie can be converted to be viewed in 3D. It’s not uncommon for a computer generated film to be converted to be viewed in 3D. For example, Disney re-released the first two installments of the Toy Story franchise in 3D two years ago. Those two films were animated in threedimensional environments which in a way makes it easier to convert it to 3D. But the two-dimensional “flat” picture that “The Lion King” presents, offers an incredible movie-going experience to see it in 3D. Disney could never have been spot on. The

3D presented in this film was without a doubt mindblowing. Much like how James Cameron’s “Avatar” 3D experience brought the viewer “into” the story, the 3D in this film does the same thing.

Right from the first moment of the sun-rise at the beginning of the movie, you can immediately feel the depth of the wide shot of the plain. With the feel of depth, you feel like you aren’t necessarily there in the African plains, but in a real-life painting representing the Pride lands of Africa.

Of course a 3D presentation isn’t complete without the typical gag that has

objects on screen “pop” in the two-dimensional ani- With the re-release, not just out at the viewer. The first mation. Don’t be surprised in 3D, but also playing in being the wide shot of the if this wouldn’t become a 2D as well, new generations blue bird, Zasu, flying to- new trend for Disney to re- as well older generations ward pride rock. As the the release their other classics can enjoy a timeless Disney classic. camera follows the bird, in 3D. it feels and looks like it’s Overall, the movie still This reporter may be right in front of your eyes has the same funny, magi- contacted at Dengelhaupt@ and almost like you’re fly- cal and touching moments. therampageonline.com ing right behind him. With these two examples and all the other scenes where objects “pop” out, makes one think that this is what Disney had in mind all along.

It is quite amazing how the conversion to 3D makes the characters feel http://screencrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/upthree-dimensional loads/2010/06/the-lion-king-3d-22-6-10-kc.jpg

Entertainment Fresno is Folk Music country

By Jordan Russell

Rampage Reporter

Fesno is home to a vibrant music scene that incorporates many different genres. One that is often overlooked, however, is folk music.

Fresno’s folk music community is a vibrant one. Dozens of concerts a year are brought to town, free workshops and bimonthly dances are held, and a recording label has been established for local artists in the folk genre.

The Fresno Folklore Society is the driving force behind this activity. Founded in 1977, the FFS is a non-profit organization whose mission is, according to its website, to “promote the music and dance of many cultures,” as well as preserve “the folk arts, especially traditional music, in California’s Central Valley.” They accomplish this mission in several ways. A free “Folksinger 101” workshop happens every Monday night at The Brick Wall, a venue just two blocks away from Fresno City College.

Tickets to any event cost only $15 for students, and a complete line-up can be found at fresnofolklore.org<http://fresnofolklore. org>.

The FFS also sponsors bimonthly group dances at California Arts Academy. On the first Saturday of the month, a free evening of English Country Dance is held. On the second Saturday of the month, the square dance-like Contra is featured. The Society suggests a donation of $6 for Contra dances.

Fresno Folklore Recordings is the newest undertaking of the Folklore Society. “Basically, what we’re doing is some restoration of older material, we’re also doing some new recording, and we’re also doing some contract work for other local non-profits,” said Ono. The label’s goal is to provide local artists in the acoustic and traditional genres with a quality, easily accessible, community-based recording opportunities without great cost.

Guitarist Ciro Hurtado performs in concert The workshop, hosted by long-time FFS member Steve Ono, teaches basic folk music guitar skills. It is recommended that a person have a basic working knowledge of the guitar, but advanced technical or vocal skills are not required. “It would be nice if you could carry a tune, but folk music doesn’t even require that,” said Ono. “What folk music really requires is that you have something interesting to say.”

Many of the performers that the FFS bring to town have very interesting things to say.

In April of this year, for example, legendary folk singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, preservationist, and activist Peggy Seeger played an FFS-sponsored show at Frank’s Place. Other notable performers include singer-songwriter Dan Hicks and renowned

at

The Brick Wall

Photo by Paul Schlesinger

September 21, 2011

According to the label’s website, folklorerecords.com<http://folklorerecords.com>, “Any genre of traditional or modern acoustic music of any ethnicity will be considered for signing.” The criterion for what constitutes “traditional or modern acoustic” is relatively broad. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be traditional folk music,” said Ono, “We’re just not interested in heavy metal or rap, per se.

Mind you, if somebody came in with some urban folk, like acoustic instruments with rapping over that and no effects, that’d be Okay.” Anyone interested in participating in this project is strongly encouraged to contact the FFS through their website, fresnofolklore.org<http://fresnofolklore.org>.

The overall goal of the Fresno Folklore Society is to preserve the rich cultural heritage

Photo by Paul Schlesing-

8

The brick wall also hosts Fresno Folklore Society guitar sessions on Mondays. bluegrass quartet the Larry Stephenson Band.

The variety of music represented in FFSsponsored concerts is just as astounding. Past concerts have featured a flamenco ensemble, an Irish piper, and an old-time banjoist. The current fall series includes a Peruvian guitarist, a master storyteller,a fiddler, singer, and songwriter from Canada’s Ottawa Valley.

of the Central Valley. “Everybody’s got some kind of musical heritage, and we just want to encourage people, particularly young people, to claim it as their own,” said Ono. “One of the things that we want people to understand and, hopefully, get involved in is that this is the culture of our nation. ” This reporter may be contacted at Jrussell@therampageonline.com

Entertainment

September 21 2011

9

A Strange Ride with Primus’ Green Naugahyde lines and cartoonish vocals, outof-tune experimental guitar riffs Rampage Reporter from Larry LaLonde, and heavy but precise drumming from Jay Lane, Primus epitomizes the large gap in Release Date: Sept. 12, 2011 Record Label: ATO Records, popular music that has been widening since the release of their last Prawn Song Experimental/Alternative rock album “Anti-Pop” in 1999.

“Prelude to a Crawl” opens the group Primus is either too weird to album with sonic experimentation like or too unique to be disliked.

They’re dorks and they let you and blends into fast bass-slapping know that with the music they and scratchy guitar with “Henneproduce. They have fun with their pin Crawler.” Claypool sings in his weirdness and they want you to be often used toad-like voice and the band jumps into a very cartoony and aware of it.

I can honestly say that I have melodic break.

Claypool writes about American never had as much trouble describing any musicians work as I have consumerism in “Eternal Consumphad while describing Primus’ music. tion Engine.” The song opens with Green Naugahyde is their seventh Indian percussions and rhythms. studio album and the first one that The song has a spooky Indian carnival sound that sets up Claypool’s Primus has released in 11 years.

With Les Claypool’s bouncy bass voice as he mocks Americans obsessed with materialism by singing, “Here in the USA we sure do like to spend our pay.

The more I make the more I buy, slinging out the pieces of American Pie.” The song ends with Claypool repeating “Everything is made in China.”

Primus jumps into a funky rhythm that has the fun but heavy sound with “Tragedy’s a’ Comin’.” It has the fun and silly sound of the old Primus albums.

Claypool uses “Eyes of The http://blog.earbits.com/online_radio/wp-content/ Squirrel” to poke fun at how uploads/2011/09/primus-green-naugahyde.jpg

By Frank Lopez

the Internet has everyone connected and how Americans waste their time viewing trivial content. “Barry swings his bat, piano playing cats, big mouth drunken whores. The eyes of the Squirrel are watching drama that’s for free on reality TV, where’s that tuna casserole.”

There is the morbid heavy synth and bass bumbling of “Jilly’s on Smack,” a song about a female heroin junkie that dies.

The strongest and most fun track on the album is “Lee Van Cleef.”

The song is about the old days when Claypool was young and everything was fun. The song is supported by a repetitive but incredibly catchy and bubbly bass line.

A really weak point in the album is the two-minute song, “Green Ranger.” It has a repetitive drum beat layered with a fuzzy synthesizer droning in the background while high guitar notes twinkle throughout. Claypool lazily sings “green ranger” through most of the song.

“Hoinfodaman” is another satirical song that attacks product advertisement. The song starts off with a hard rock guitar riff and a powerful and steady drumbeat as Claypool sings “How ‘bout one of them footlong sandwiches. Got some tasty cola right here. Now look at the Chevy go, she’s faster then greased up lightning.”

“Extinction Burst” is probably

the weirdest track on the album.

It has strange vocals, really fast bass and guitar work, and very surrealistic lyrics. It takes familiar melodies and vocal styles from the rest of the songs on the album and almost serves as an entire recap of the album.

The album closes with a funny and short melody called “The Last Salmon Man.” The organ work sounds like something that would be featured in an old movie about pirates at sea and the only lyric is the song title.

Primus strays away from their older and sillier sound and gets a bit heavier and serious. The lyrical content is much more topical and socially observant than other material on Primus’ previous albums. They are much more mature with their music and lyrics. Old Primus fans might me dismayed with Primus’ progression into music that is still strange and amusing but much more refined and technical.

They are no longer doing what just sold in the past, but they are venturing into different musical and poetic horizons. Primus is not selling out to themselves or the public. I would recommend Green Naugahyde, but if you are not familiar with any of Primus’ previous music, it’s going to be a strange trip.

This reporter may be contacted at Flopez@therampageonline.com

10

September 21, 2011

Entertainment

The D-Pad

By Austin Verburg

Rampage Reporter Video games have integrated themselves into our society. More than speculation could easily say they aren’t going anywhere.

Since gamers are a regular part of entertainment consumerism, different types of gamers have thus spawned.

The Casual Gamer: This type of gamer enjoys gaming, but is content to do it in small amounts.

They may or may not own a console, but whatever they do own, they only play it on their own whenever they have time or have friends over. Casual gamers can be into any type of game, but typically prefer the games that do not require a lot of time put into them for them to reach their highest enjoyment level; such as party games. Any system works for this type of gamer, though some of these gamers are probably perfectly content with their N64 or PS2.

The Competitive Gamer: This type of gamer plays to win.

For this gamer, it’s all about the fun in dominating the opponent.

If this type of gamer is playing a game’s campaign, they may be tempted to just skip the campaign cut scenes so they can get back to filling the enemy with bullets.

Otherwise, they usually stick to the multiplayer. Games that attract this gamer would be titles with prominent multiplayer features like “Call of Duty” or “Halo,” or sports titles like “Madden.”

The Interactive Gamer: This type of gamer focuses on video games as a story-telling medium.

By Laura Bradley

Gameplay is obviously an important feature, but if this gamer isn’t interested in the characters he meets or the events that take place throughout the campaign, they’ll grow bored with it fast.

This gamer likes to base the personality of the character they play as on themselves, so games that allow a customizable main character are appealing to them. Games that attract this gamer are role-playing games with deep storylines, such as “Mass Effect” or “The Elder Scrolls.” MMOs like “World of Warcraft” or the up-coming “Star Wars: The Old Republic” intrigue this type of gamer as well.

The Genre Gamer: This type of gamer may play video games a lot, or on occasion. But when they do, it is only spent playing one type of genre, whether it’s a shooter or a platformer. This gamer prefers to give support to just one genre or franchise. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t play other games at all, but that they have a lot of loyalty and dedication to something they know they enjoy.

The Universal Gamer: The term “fan-boy” does not in any way apply to this gamer. Whether it’s a night of multiplayer or a couple hours completing a game’s campaign, this gamer just loves video games. If this gamer does not own every system available, it is because of financial setbacks.

This gamer is practically in love with the gaming industry and wants to see all the ideas that come from the many different companies that support it.

This reporter may be contacted at Averburg@therampageonline.com

Phillip’s Korner If you’ve been looking for a job w it h o u t m u c h success, here are 10 tips that could get you the job of your dreams.

1.

PLEASE,

wear decent clothes t o yo u r j ob interview. That should be a no-brainer, but I remember seeing somebody coming to a group interview with his shirt off. No, he didn’t get the job.

2.

Don’t

just turn in the appl i c at i o n and think that’s a wrap. Call the people, every weekend. (Not every day) Call and ask if they are hiring, even if they’re not.

You never know because people lose their job and get fired ALL the time.

3.

When

you turn in your appl i c a t i o n or resume, dress up, because some places will interview you on the spot.

heard around my house, and boy am I ready to share them Don’t Judge Me is slice of with anyone looking for a life style comic strip that I good laugh. Between the have been wanting to do for stuff my boyfriend says and a long time now. There are a the antics my friends and I few things that can only be are always up to, there’s a Rampage Reporter

4.

Remember,

the part on the appl i c a t i o n where they ask for your “Desired Salary” is a trick question.

5.

Sell yourself.

(I’m not

t al k i n g about Hookerism or Prostitution) Make yourself sound like an interesting and hardworking person.

6.

Do NOT forget

to mention any volunteer jobs that you’ve ever had on your application. That REALLY gets your interviewer interested in you.

7.

Give

them your c ell phone number , NOT yo u r h o u se p h o n e number if you are never home.

lot of funny to go around.

Along the line will be some book and game references that I hope you’ll know, because what’s a comic without pop-culture references, am I right?

By Phillip Romar

8.

Rampage Reporter

Change

your voice mail to something professional . J ust s tat e you r n a m e , number, and ask them to leave a message.

DO NOT RECORD YOUR MESSAGE WHILE YOU’RE AT A PARTY!!

9.

Keep your head up. Look your

interviewer dead in the eye and smile . (N o c reepy smiles)

10.

Remember, y o u ’ r e

t r y i n g to get a job, not a date. Don’t hit on your interviewer if they’re the opposite se x . C o m pl i m e n t s will NOT boost your chances of getting the job.

This reporter may be contacted at Promar@therampageonline.com

All installments of Don’t Judge Me are based on real events that occurred to the characters portrayed in the panels.

This reporter may be contacted at Lbradley@therampageonline.com

Views

September 21, 2011

11

Anything Your Campus Can Do, Mine Can Do Better Alexis Abrahamson Rampage Reporter

by

F

resno City College has been around for 101 years and until fairly recently was the only major community college for Fresno residents. Willow International Center, soon to become Clovis Community College, is offering alternatives to area residents.

Granted, the distance between the two sites is about 20 minutes, but it is still worth the journey. FCC has history, variety of programs and size on its side, but Willow International Center carries the freshness of new classrooms and smaller classes and less stressful parking. Each center has enough benefits to keep you engaged, but there are some distinct differences that you should be aware of.

Enrollment process at FCC

Let’s be honest, it is hard to get into a class now than ever before. With the budget cuts and the class caps reduction, getting every class you want is nearly impossible. Even being first on the waitlist does not guarantee you a spot in a class. There may be more courses to choose from, but you have about four times as many students to fight them for.

Enrollment process at Willow International Center If you enroll for classes within the first couple of days of your enrollment priority date, it is almost positive that you will be able to

get a seat in the class. There are not as many varieties of courses, but there are plenty of classes to choose from.

The lines for books and registering for classes are shorter, enabling you to ask more questions of the staff. If you want a more hassle free environment Willow is the way to go, especially if you are a first time student and need a lot of hand holding.

General Environment at FCC You can’t beat being in the center of the Tower District; you can walk or ride your bike to Teazers on your break and be back in time for your next class. FCC prides itself for the artwork and trees that provide shade throughout campus.

“The FCC campus is a great place because there are areas to hang-out with friends in and outside of school, plus a lot of areas to be alone and chill out,” says FCC student, Leng Mathew Her. There is more diversity here as well; it is almost impossible not to run into someone you know. The FCC campus also offers plenty of spots for students to sit while completing their homework.

Environment at Willow International Willow is lacking in the comfort level department; there are very young trees with no shade, and two big buildings to look at. One wonders if it wasn’t designed by the same architect that designed the Fresno County jail.

It has a more government feel to it that makes you want to get

your classes done and go home.

Trees and seating areas make a big difference, so hopefully they will start focusing more on the outside than just the basics.

Counseling at FCC It is surprising that a place where students are supposed to plan their future makes one feel like you’re standing in line at the DMV. There is a long wait to get a number for a counselor, and if you are not a new student or on probation, the likelihood of getting an appointment is slim to none.

You are greeted with a counselor at the front of the building to see if you are even allowed to see one. If you are allowed to pass, then you wait in a long line for a number to get on the list. After that, you are instructed to sit for one and a half to two hours until your name is called. The counselors will give you the basics that you need to know, but if you’re looking to get into any college other than Fresno State, most counselors have little to offer you.

Either you will be told to talk to the preferred campus counselors or the counselor will just go on the college website with you and print out the courses they provide.

Basically, good luck getting help.

Counseling at Willow International The counseling office may be half the size of FCC, but it seems like the people there have a better sense of what to do with the time that is given. The staff at the front desk is very friendly and will answer any of your questions right

Music Student Dies in Auto Accident Sydney excinia Rampage Reporter by

Lyudmila Shelest, a Fresno City College music student, died in an automobile accident on Friday, Sept.

16. She was 24 years old.

Shelest began singing for the FCC choir in 2008, gaining the admiration of music instructor and mentor, Julie Shelest, 24, was killed in an automoDana.

“Lyudmila was a genuine person, a bile accident on her way to school heart of complete gold,” Dana said. Friday Sept. 16.

“She walked the walk and talked the talk; she touched more lives than I can even begin to tell you.”

Shelest worked as Dana’s choral assistant and assistant conductor and devoted much of her time to her passion for music. “She lived for faith and music,” Dana said. “She was a person of great faith, a woman who accepted and welcomed everyone.”

According to Dana, Shelest was in the midst of preparing to transfer to Fresno State in hopes of pursuing a career in choral conducting.

Memorial services for Shelest will be held at the House of the Gospel at 3941 E. Mono on Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Burial services are scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.

Photos are compliments of Julie Dana.

Lyudmila Shelest with her brother, Aleksey Shelest.

there and then if you need help with something basic.

If you even just need help choosing classes, you are allowed to see a counselor to help with what you need. Usually the longest you will have to wait is maybe an hour or so, but usually you will be seen in about twenty minutes. “There are fewer students so I can get the information I need,” says Willow International Center student, Heather Savage.

The counselors seem very informed and will help you look up any colleges you are interested in and will help you choose the classes you need quickly. This is how a counseling center should be for students who need help with anything, not just the bare minimum.

Events at FCC Since there are a lot more students and clubs at FCC, there are more events. Hardly a week goes by without an activity around the fountain or in the free speech area.

There are club rushes, at least every other month. Often, there’s live music and dancing that provide a unique FCC rhythm. All these events make the campus more alive and fun to be in with friends.

FCC also has more sporting events for students to attend; there’s the stadium for college spirit. You can’t just compare the sites when it comes to events.

Events at Willow International There is rarely anything going on at Willow International Center.

This is because the campus does

not have as many clubs or sporting activities. Most club revolve around a certain class. There is no stadium or pool. Just the classrooms, small cafeteria, and library are to offer.

Library and computers at FCC The library at FCC is efficient and looks beautiful with its old architecture. There are a lot of books to check out and plenty of computers to choose from in the media center. “The library is a great place to go when you really need to get your homework done.

It makes you concentrate on the task at hand,” says FCC student, Christopher Amellano. The only bad thing about the Library is that it is very hard to concentrate in the huge room. The brick walls and tiled floor make every page turned seem 10 times louder than normal.

What is even worse is that students use the library as a social hall.

Library and computers at Willow International The library may not be as big or as ornate as the FCC library, but it is a lot newer. There are more places to lounge around and read in private. There are rooms for students to study in groups, which is easier than meeting up outside of school. The computer lab is huge and on the opposite side of campus. There is always an open computer and you don’t have to check in to use them.

The reporter can be reached at AAbrahamson@therampageonline.com

Ask Your Student Trustee

Fresno City College is a part of the multi-

campus district known as the State Center Community College District (SCCCD).

Our district spans a wide geographic area from Oakhurst to Kingsburgh and hosts a significant electorate. Voters elect stewards or “trustees” to represent their concerns and needs. Each accredited campus is also afforded a “student trustee”; this ensures the student “voice” is participant.

While each campus operates independently, all are dependents [of] the district.

The role of Student Trustee is an opportunity for students to communicate their voice effectively. As your Student Trustee for 20112012 it is my goal to actively engage the student with the district and the district with the student. Going forward, the “Trustee’s Corner” will be an opportunity for direct student interaction within a collaboration of the district Chancellor, the campus President, and myself your Student Trustee.

Respectfully, Christopher Coronado

Q

: Why did our district declare a surplus of $7 million when needed services to students were cut? : PRESIDENT CANTU: The

A

district has previously stated their position regarding fiscal planning. However, from an administrative perspective we reviewed an approach that incorporated reduction in instructional availability that also remained committed to savings by not filling various vacancies.

Q: Why is our district refusing to

fund sabbatical leaves for our instructors? Should we read this as a statement that our administration does not recognize the benefits of sabbaticals? : TRUSTEE CORONADO: At the

A

Board of Trustees Meeting on September 6, various faculty members voiced compelling reasons for favoring sabbaticals- chief among these reasons was an “instructional benefit” for students. During a sabbatical a professor engages in valued research and reflection that is brought back to the classroom for the student; some professors even making remarkable scientific observations [with] students. Trustees Barreras and Caglia seem inclined to agree, asking if the budget could be “amended” to accommodate sabbaticals at a future date.

Q

: What can you do to make students realize they are a valued part of the SCCCD family? : TRUSTEE CORONADO: This

A

is a personal goal I have set for myself, and [this] editorial is an attempt to build a “bridge” between the student and district. The Chancellor is very receptive to a “culture of communication.” The acronym SCCCD should be just as recognizable to the student as FCC. Our next step in the process is a tangible connection with the district where the Chancellor would attend “town halls” presented by Student Government.

Communication is the best tool against misinformation.

Students and Faculty can voice their questions and concerns by sending an email to Fresno City College’s Rampage at rampage-business@fresnocitycollege.edu

12

September 21, 2011

Views

Campus Voices

Kaitlin Regan Rampage Reporter by

David Thammavongsa Photographer

What do you think is the biggest issue in the 2012 elections?

Anthony Drials,

Art

Wha-Meng Vang, Business Accounting

Chris Richards, Business Management

“There are not enough people that will vote.”

“I’m so busy that I haven’t had the time to keep up with politics.”

“One issue is us understanding what we’re voting on.”

Anna Maynez, English

Chris Camacho, Chemistry “I’m not really into politics, but if anything, I would say education.”

Caitlin Carlson, TA Special Ed “I would say jobs because a lot of places are going out of business and the economy is making it really hard to find work.”

Marisa Rodriguez, Criminology “First of all, regarding safety in our country because it is necessary and terrorism is real.

Second, making certain that we have jobs.”

Madison Silva, Psychology “I’m not really much into politics, but one issue would be finding somone with a good, strategic plan to fix the economy.”

Jennifer Vo, Psychology “I wouldn’t know; I’m not into politics.”

Nicole Zamora, General Ed “Right now I’m not too sure what it is, but I think there will be a big debate on whether to keep Obama or get someone else.”

“I think it will have to do with everyone’s political views and the fact that there are so many political parties to choose now. It’s not black and white anymore.”

Kevin Friesen, Independent Studies

Kendral York, Undecided

“They will probably never get out of the debt issue.”

“That’s hard to answer, there are too many. I couldn’t say.”

Mitchel Patrich, Criminology “Issues dealing with the people as a community and following through with creating jobs.”

Joel Torres, History “Jobs, because there are a lot of people here on campus that financial aid doesn’t cover and they need jobs, so they’re going to take out student loans, which are going to put them in debt.”

David Hoetker, Small Business Management “Definitely jobs.

Companies have the power to create jobs, but they don’t have the incentive, the government push, to do so.”

Jessica Vaquera,

Electrical Engineering “The biggest issue would be getting our jobs back.”

Michael Stever, General Ed “The biggest issue is going to be jobs.

The valley needs jobs; people need jobs.”

Arcelia Jimenez, Public Relations “It’s important now because of the Dream Act that many students will have a chance to go to school and make their dreams come true.”

The reporter can be reached at KRegan@therampageonline.com

Views

September 21, 2011

Should College Athletes Be Paid?

Pro

by Jesse

Franz Rampage Reporter

Imagine an owner of a company that

is predominantly made up of unpaid interns. These interns are subject to some of the most physically demanding duties in their work environment, and risk blood and body everyday. At their work place they are constantly verbally and physically harassed often in a demeaning matter, and are evaluated solely on their superficial talents. Despite the fact that their boss occasionally makes more $100 million, he refuses to pay his interns. The interns therefore, without enough time in the day to work another job, fall deeper into poverty.

Now, most would agree that the above stated working environment is something that should not be endured by anyone.

However, it is. Not only has it become an excepted work place in our society, but every Saturday 100,000 fans cheer for it at America’s coliseums.

College football players in the NCAA risk their well being everyday for no pay. They put on pads and a helmet to play games that rack in millions for their schools, yet often return home to a family that could not even afford to attend the game. The schools they play for dangle the ever elusive promise of a better life through a good education in front of them, however instead of the athletes using the school to strive for a better

“All these student athletes want to do is learn, live, and play the games they love as they have since they were kids. However, as grown adults with their own monetary and life stresses, the only way to get back to those days is to give them their fair share of hundreds of millions of dollars that college athletic programs make riding on their backs.”

-Jesse Franz

life, it is undoubtedly the schools who use the athletes to fuel their institutions bank accounts.

The only way to break the tide of schools using players to further their own gain, is in fact to pay them their fair share. No one is proposing that an 18 year old freshman recruit should be paid the million dollar salaries that have come to be common place, but to fair pay of it’s employees in any institution is ethically paramount.

A flat and equal salary between all players would suffice. It would insure that economic powerhouses like Texas and Alabama did not buy a decade’s worth of national championships, while still enabling the players to provide for him or herself, and help provide for their family.

Some may claim that paying college

“If paying college players truly cuts at the fabric or endagers the “sanctity” of the game that much, perhaps it is a necessary cut that will bring sports into the 21st century once and for all.”

-Jesse Franz

players cuts at the very fabric of the game. Well in that case, perhaps televising college games should be outlawed, as to keep money as far away from the sports as possible. If the effort is to stop money from entering the game, the most simple solution is to make it illegal for schools to sell merchandise, or even tickets to the game. However, that will never happen, and that is the double standard of NCAA. If paying college players truly cuts at the fabric or endangers the “sanctity” of the game that much, perhaps it is a necessary cut that will bring college sports in to the 21 century once and for all.

In any other work environment, the treatment that college sports players receive on a daily basis would be deemed unacceptable. However, trapped in tradition we have accepted the subjugation of our young athletes, smiling as we say that our tradition dictates that we must watch your family slowly suffer the depression of poverty.

All these student athletes want to do is learn, live, and play the games they love as they have since they were kids.

However, as grown adults with their own monetary and life stresses, the only way to get back to those days is to give them their fair share of the hundreds of millions of dollars that college athletic programs make riding on their backs.

The reporter can be reached at JFranz@therampageonline.com

R

emember the 3rd grade? Remember when we played sports because we wanted to and not because anybody paid us a dime? Maybe it was just the feeling of freedom, or the time we loved to spend with our friends, but whatever the reason, it was not that complicated. We just loved to have fun.

As we grow older, sports become more serious and some of us decide we are not cut out for it. Nevertheless, the value of sports never have to change. Even for the college athlete who appears on our television screens every weekend, the meaning of sport must be much like it was since the beginning.

What can diminish this value is the love of money. While $1 million can give a student athlete a million reasons to play the game, there are a billion other reasons to play the game. And no amount of money compares with these reasons.

Remember college sports is not a career. For a select few it can be, but for the moment it remains a game. Yes, it is a great tool for students to further their education. But the value of sports goes even beyond that.

College athletes play the game not for contracts, but rather for the simple reasons. It sounds ludicrous to some, but there is something magical about the simple act of cutting a net. There is a common ground found in a smelly locker room. On a long bus ride in the middle of nowhere, a bond unlike any is created.

Let us also remember the point of sports is for more than one’s own personal gain. Remember it is for places such as Wichita State, Ball State, and Fresno State, who would otherwise be hardly on the map. It is for mom who’s in the stands wrestling with tears, for dad who cannot believe that is his little girl who yesterday did not have a chance against him or maybe it is for the man

“Above all, it is for the memories that remain long after the money ends. What fans remember is not the amount of money any athlete made, but rather the stories that will be preserved for a lifetime.”

-Tomas Kassahun

who wishes he was a father after all. It is for 70,000 fans who have spent their hard earned dollar in hopes of a catching a moment they will talk about for the rest of their lives. It is for the ups and downs and for the strength gained somewhere in between.

Above all, it is for the memories that remain long after the money ends. What fans remember is not the amount of money any athlete made, but rather the stories that will be preserved for a lifetime. They

13

Con

Tomas Kassahun Rampage Reporter

by

remember the odds that were shattered.

They remember the student who didn’t care if he was the only black guy on the team. And maybe they remember the athlete that missed the game winning

“Let us play for the love of the game, not the love of the money.”

-Tomas Kassahun

free throw, but the athlete remembers his teammates who had to lift him of the floor afterwards.

I would love for Andrew Luck to get paid because it would allow me to use the real Andrew Luck when I play the NCAA video game. But I am willing to put that selfish desire beside me. What I want more is the integrity of the game.

It is hard to imagine college students negotiating with their schools. It is even scarier to imagine what an 18-year-old can do with a few million dollars in hand. The baggage that comes with the responsibility of cash is likely to follow.

As it is, the NCAA is struggling to clean up the image of college sports.

Some student athletes are no longer seen as students, but rather as celebrities.

Some get more air time than the Kardashian sisters combined. Heck, some date a Kardashian while the average college student tries to get the number of the girl in Algebra. At times, it seems as though success is determined not by academics, but instead by athletics.

The distractions of a college athlete are already insurmountable. They are already hounded by so called friends and lovers who see the potential in them. Before the mansions and the Mercedes, these student athletes need time to distinguish who wants friendship and who wants everything else.

If college athletes are paid, there is no telling how much they will make. If it is not the school paying them enough, you can count on Nike to sweeten up the deal. At that point how many college athletes have reason to take their education seriously?

For future NBA stars, college is a lot like grandma’s house. They attend college for a year only because the NBA requires it. When their short visit is done, they are off to bigger and better things.

Let us not take the madness to a new level. Let us play for the love of the game.

Not the love of the money.

The reporter can be reached at TKassahun@therampageonline.com

14

Sports

September 21, 2011

Sour Victory for FCC Footballv

By Marcel Dilworth The Fresno City College football team defeated West hills College 44-37 in a game that gave Head Coach Tony Caviglia his 100th victory for the Rams.

The losing West Hills coach was proud of his team’s performance.

At the end of the game, he said to his players a “You ran out of gas, but it wasn’t because you weren’t fighting.”

On the other hand, the winning Rams’ coach was very upset with his team’s play as he vigorously pointed out their errors to them in the locker room. He later spoke about the pros and the cons of his team’s play. “I thought we played hard; we didn’t play really good, but we played well enough to win,” said Caviglia. “We missed blocking assignments and we missed tackles, but we had a lot of success with our vertical passing game. We had a great goal line stance.”

The Rams scored first at the 12:45 mark in the first quarter when linebacker Calib Justice intercepted a pass intended for a Falcon’s receiver, and ran it back 46 yards. The Falcons were down 10-0 before running back Nick Green ran the ball into the end zone from 16 yards out. The Rams were up 17-14 when the Falcons briefly took the momentum and the lead in the second quarter by

Photo by Brendon Raley

Rampage Reporter

scoring 14 points within a 27 second time span. The first of the 14 points came when Green muscled the ball into the end zone from the one yard line on a drive that went 46 yards in six plays.

The Rams fumbled the ensuing kick off after two Falcon players made two big hits on returner Tayathi Mankin on the Rams 26 yard line. West Hills’ Pritchard Denni scooped up the fumble and ran the ball 26 yards to put the Falcons up 28 -17. Rams quarterback Lance Orender moved quickly to put his team back on track when he

completed a 46 yard touchdown pass to a wide open Kyle Novack on their next possession. “I did my fake handoff, looked up and saw that Novack was wide open, so all I had to do was make an easy throw,” said Orender.

The Rams went into halftime down 34-31 and came back into the game poised to regain and hold their lead. Caviglia shared what he told his team at halftime.

“We regrouped and showed the players what West Hills was doing to us,” said Caviglia. “We also made a few adjustments and

vowed that we were going to play better in the second half.”

And that is just what the Rams did. Their defense only allowed three points in the second half, and their offense went vertical to regain hold of the lead.

Orender completed the last two of his five touchdown passes in the third quarter. He completed a 35 yard pass to Travis Leroy and a 41 yarder to put the Rams up by seven points with 55 seconds left in third quarter. “It was good to comeback and finish the game outright,” said Caviglia. “Just to

West Hills College to three points in the second half on Sept. 17. ram defenders hold

be able to play good defense in the second half, and to win the game spoke volumes about the attitude and temper of this football team.”

This reporter can be reached at mdilworth@therampageonline.com

Men’s Soccer strikes back Photos By Paul Schlesinger Rampage Reporter

The Fresno City College mens soccer team are 4-3-2 after defeating Cañada College 5-0 on September 16. The Rams will play West Valley College on September 21 in Saratoga, Calif. and won’t play another home game until Sepetember 30 against the College of the Sequoias.

Sports

Home Game Schedule

Waterpolo

SJ Delta

September 21

Volleyball Soccer

Reedley College College of The Canyons Volleyball College of the Sequoias Men’s Soccer College of the Sequoias Women’s De Anza Soccer

They V-Ballin’ young talent leads volleyball team

By Nathan Alonzo

Rampage Reporter The Fresno City College Women’s Volleyball team kicked off their season two weeks ago, facing some of the top volleyball programs in Northern California.

“It has been trial by fire,” said Head Coach Tracy Ainger-Schulte. “We have had to take on some of the top teams right off the bat.

There are some good teams in the north right now.”

The Rams come onto the court with one of the youngest teams in recent years, with eight of the Middle blocker, Kamiya Dickson 12 players on the roster being freshmen. Only two members of a total success until we have that the team are returning athletes state title,” said Ainger-Schulte.

Alex Paredes, and Michelle Clark As far as player expectations will serve as the experience on the go, Ainger-Schulte and the rest court this season. of the coaching staff expect a lot Paredes is a former First-Team from the two returning sophoFresno Bee All-Star out of Cenmores, yet more of the expectatral Valley Christian. Paredes tions will be on the incoming received All-Conference honors freshmen. According to Aingerat the end of last season, and was Schulte, what the coaching staff also selected as a First-Team is looking for is the way in which All-American by the American this group will buy into the proVolleyball Coaches Association. gram and understand what it is Clark comes from local volall about. leyball program Reedley High According to some players the School where she had an outbar has been set pretty high for standing career as a setter and this season. “We want to go uncontinues to serve that same role defeated,” said freshman Kamiya for the Rams today.

Dickson.

This group of athletes is also So far this pre-season the Rams one that is regarded by the coachfocused not only on the game iting staff as a group that is very self, but also on the way in which physically talented. Some of the the team is coming together. “We strengths according to Dickson are working together well,” said are passing and hitting. “We have freshman Celina Huerta. “At first a lot of offensive weapons,” said it was not that great, but now it Ainger-Schulte. is,” she says.

“There’s a lot of talent out Last season the Rams ended the there. That’s for sure,” she said. season with an overall 24-3 reAlthough there are only two cord. The team also added another players from the previous seaCentral Valley Conference title son’s team, the Rams are lookto their list of accomplishments ing to continue their success and by going 14-0 in CVC play. The work towards the goals that they Rams’ season came to an end late have already established for this in the playoffs with a loss to Santa season. “We won’t look at it as

Rosa City College.

In CVC play last season the only team that was close to competing with the Rams was two games behind in conference record (College of the Sequoias) at 12-2 and behind as well in the number of wins and losses that they had at 16-5.

This season the team on the horizon that seems to have the best chance at possibly upsetting the Rams sometime during CVC play is Porterville College.

“I know their coach is confident, we saw a little from them early on,” said Ainger-Schulte.

“They are pretty athletic, and they are always gunning for us.”

This reporter can be reached at nalonzo@therampageonline.com

15

September 21, 2011

September 21 September 23

3:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

4 p.m.

September 28

6 p.m.

September 30

2 p.m.

September 30

4 p.m.

champions on the rise

By Nathan Alonzo

Rampage Reporter Fresno City College’s Junior College State Champion wrestling team will meet at the West Hills Invitational in Lemoore, Sept. 24, 2011.

Eight starters from last year's line-up returned, four of which are state champions. The list of state champs includes 165-pound Tigran Adzhemayan, 141-pound Kevin Rojas, 149-pound Conrad Rangel and 174-pound Martin Fabbien.

“This is the best place in wrestling in the state of California,” said Head Coach Paul Keyshaw.

“FCC is the winningest program in the junior college system in the history of the state of California.”

The Rams, according to Keyshaw, have won 11 state titles.

FCC has also made a reputation thanks to a strong coaching staff.

Keysaw was named the State Tournament Coach of the Year, and assistant coach Sal Garcia was named the Assistant Coach of the Year.

The Rams have 15 scheduled matches this season, the majority of which will take place on the road.They will head to Cuesta College for the Meathead Invitational and to Santa Rosa City College for the North Dual Meet Championship.

“We try to go out and wrestle the best people in the state to get ready for the state tournament.

We don’t have much control over our schedule, so we are going to do the best we can to win a state title,” said Keysaw.

This reporter can be reached at nalonzo@therampageonline.com

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September 21, 07, 2011

Sports

Rams Drown Pirates

The women’s water polo team cruised into a 13-8 victory over the Modesto Pirates in a Central Valley Conference meet Wednesday, Sept. 13.

The Rams broke into an early lead with outside shooter, Jenna Sartuche (#12), scoring three of the five first-quarter points.

Both offenses stalled in the second.

Rams goalie, Loren Rocha (#1), blocked six of eleven shots, holding the Pirates to just one point, while Anneke Herrin (#11) and Ashley LeForge (#3) split four forced turnovers.

“We call her [LeForge] our utility player,” said coach Janell Odom. “She does a little bit of everything.”

The Rams came out strong in the third, scoring before the end of the first minute.

A rebound by Herrin set up a second chance opportunity and a fresh shot clock. Sartuche would finish the broken play, skipping her shot underneath the arms of the Pirates goalie. The team would rack up three more points before the end of the quarter.

The Pirates, on the other hand, would only score

Explore Your

By Emilio Gutierrez Rampage Reporter photo by

Brendon Raley

once in the third.

“Defensively, we’re coming along,” Odom said. “We definitely need to learn how to communicate better.”

Modesto would match the Rams, point for point, in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late.

This marks the first victory for a fresh women’s water polo team full of new faces, bringing them up to 1-2.

“Nine out of 11 are brand new – freshman. One red shirted last year, and one is returning,” says Odom.

“I think we have a strong team with a lot a potential and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in the end.”

The next game on the docket for the Lady Rams will be at home, against San Joaquin Delta College, Sept. 21.

For more information, check out the calendar in the Student Life section at www.fresnocitycollege.edu, or contact the Athletics Office at (559) 499-6065.

This reporter can be reached at egutierrrez@therampageonline.com

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