AMPAGE Volume CXXV Issue 1
FREE
September 4, 2013
The Student-Run Newspaper of Fresno City College
Budget outlook improves for FCC BY KAITLIN REGAN
Editor-in-Chief kregan@therampageonline.com
The Fresno City College budget which was severely limited for the past six years because of budget cuts is going through what Tony Cantu, the college president, calls a “restoration.” The passage of Proposition 30 has opened new doors, translating into no cuts in course offerings or layoffs of faculty; the budget now shows room for growth, Cantu said. The vice president of administrative services said that there is a key difference between the 2013-2014 and the 2012-2013 budgets for FCC. “It is enormously better. It really is,” Cheryl Sullivan said. “We were really looking at cutting over 40 sections.” The numbers illustrate the difference. The FCC budget shows a $826,481 increase between 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. The amount in reserves for FCC this year is $2,988,000. Last year’s reserve is not available due to the fact that the 2012-2013 audit has not yet been completed. While the outlook on the budget is optimistic, it is not where it needs to be. Sullivan said that there is still a deficit from last year that resulted from the deferral system that the state has set up in order to slowly pay colleges the funding that they are owed. “The state does two things . . . One is called the deferral. So, in January they typically don’t have enough money to pay us, and so they start short paying us in January through June,” Sullivan said. The second issue that the college deals is related to Proposition 98 which mandates the state treasury to make K-12 “whole,” meaning that their funding is set and cannot be deferred, Sullivan explained. Unfortunately, the state has no such obligation to California colleges. “They can promise us $1 million and short pay us what they don’t have,” said Sullivan. Another crucial aspect of the budget was the role that redevelopment agencies played in the funding of the college. Assembly Bills 26 and 27 were responsible for the end of these redevelopment agencies starting in 2011. Assembly Bill 26 ended agencies altogether but AB 27 gave those agencies a way out by promising to devote a large portion of their property tax revenue to California schools. The college revenues, on the other hand, can be defined as somewhat mysterious. Sullivan said that the amount of funding the college receives depends on who is asked about l SEE BUDGET ON PAGE 2
FLOOD FORCES CLASSROOM CLOSURES Leaks in the top floor cause damage all the way down to the bottom floor.
Hazardous material precautions, such as the Negative Air Machine (Left), are a part of the cleanup process taking place in the Math and Science Building that flooded on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. (Photo/Karen West) BY TROY POPE
Editor-in-Chief tpope@therampageonline.com
It wouldn’t be the start of a new school year without a few hiccups. This year is no exception at Fresno City College. At least six classrooms were affected by a f lood caused by leaks in the pipes of the Math and Science
Building. A leak in one of the classrooms on the top floor caused damage from top to bottom. The bottom floor has some more severe damage and even a closed-off hazard area. “ We’re very fortunate that there was an instructor here on that
Saturday, and the dean was here ... Cheryl [Sullivan], the vice president of instruction were incredible in terms of coming in and dealing with the issue,” said Tony Cantu, president of the college. “ They were here Saturday, l SEE FLOOD ON PAGE 7
Indian Ambassador and Representative Jim Costa speak in OAB BY KEVYNN GOMEZ
Opinion Editor kgomez@therampageonline.com
The Indian ambassador to the United States spoke at a sit-down conversational event hosted by congressional Representative Jim Costa in Fresno City College’s Old Administration Building on Thursday. Ambassador Nirupama Rao discussed the shared interests of the United States and India along with historical similarities and future goals, while also making time to answer audience questions after her speech. In attendance were Deborah Blue, chancellor of the State Center Community College District, Tony Cantu, president of FCC and Eric Payne
and Dorothy “Dottie” Smith, members of the SCCCD Board of Trustees, a small audience of faculty, staff and students, and a handful of guests from the community. A key point of the conversation between Costa and Ambassador Rao was the democratic parallels between two seemingly disparate nations. The “world’s oldest democracy,” according to Rep. Costa, is found in the United States, and the world’s most populous is found in India, which merges a population of more than 1.2 billion people into one large and diverse country. “India is not just a nation-state; it is a civilization-state,” Ambassador Rao stated about the cultural and ethnic diversity found in the Southeast
Asian nation. Other similarities, according to Rep. Costa, include a burgeoning technology and import trade industry and mutual desires for peace. “We share the desire to have a peaceful land,” Costa said, underscoring the growth of this interest directly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the continuing threats of violence from terrorist organizations. Ambassador Rao began her work in international diplomacy in 1973 when she joined the Indian Foreign Service. She has also served as ambassador to China, Peru, Sri Lanka and l SEE AMBASSADOR ON PAGE 7
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Rampage Staff Editors-in-Chief Troy Pope Kaitlin Regan Production Managers Troy Pope Victor Aparicio News Editor Pabel Lopez Opinion Editor Kevynn Gomez
Arts & Entertainment Editor Patrick Forrest Sports Editor Jere Kirkland Photo Editor Karen West Artistic Director Lauren Baker Copy Chief Jordan Russell Copy Editor Akeem Spearman Multimedia Editor Ramiro Gudino Social Media Director Colby Tibbet Reporters Keaundrey Clark Brandalyn Hastings Zachary Kramer Daisy Martinez Jordan McCloskey Aidyl Molina August Promnitz Brian Robinson Sidney Thompson Photojournalists David Bennett Abel Cortez Cambra Chavez Thalia Gonzales Michael Monroy Ricky Sall Jackson Taze Raney Darlene Wendels Business Manager Kaitlin Regan Faculty Adviser Dr. Dympna Ugwu-Oju Tip Line: 559.442.8262 Twitter.com/FCCRampage Facebook.com/FCCRampage Instagram.com/FCCRampage YouTube.com/RampageNewsroom Send Questions or Letters to the Editor to:
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Budget
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the numbers. The counties send out two reports, one to the Department of Finance and one to the college. So, with the Department of Finance receiving report “x” and the college receiving report “y,” the future is difficult to predict. “Right now we’re looking at being short paid for last year as a district at least $1 million, as much as $6 million,” said Sullivan. “So, it’s not a small ‘x’ and ‘y’ factor, it’s a very large factor which wipes out almost everything we got in Prop. 30.” The college will just have to wait and see if what it receives is the $1 million that was part of what the state promised or the $6 million that is not part of the deal whatsoever. As far as campus services go, Sullivan remains confident that the budget is leaving room for restoration of services, without a cut to full time positions; adjunct faculty members are being hired back to “provide that breadth of additional classes.” This is a clear divergence from the last five years in which a couple of faculty positions and many classified positions had been lost, according to Sullivan. To support the increase of services, Sullivan said that the spending of the $2,988,000 reserve fund is going to be “very planned.”
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“We are going to be putting that money back in to make sure that our infrastructure doesn’t fall apart,” she said. President Cantu is optimistic about the budget increase. He said that the college received more funding for categoricals such as Disabled Students Program & Services, Extended Opportunity Program & Services and student success. “We also got some instructional equipment dollars that we have not seen for... six years,” said Cantu. “And there are some scheduled maintenance dollars, too, so it’s pretty exciting.” The money for the restoration will go to adding classes to the schedule. The money for the mentioned categoricals is on hold due to the wait for the state’s decision on an allocation for colleges that divides up a $196.7 million grant. This grant was approved statewide but the allocations have yet to be decided by Governor Brown. Both Sullivan and Cantu were also optimistic that there would not be a repeat of the February surprise that precipitated major cuts to the funding and operating services of the college for the 2011-2012 year. “Instead of getting the February surprise, we’re hoping to get more of a
reduction in deferral surprise, which would be kind of a really nice treat,” said Sullivan. Cantu has high hopes that FCC’s budget will remain strong even with the deficit due to deferrals. Instead of cutting services, classes and faculty, the college received an increased budget. The State Center Community College District’s budget was approved yesterday with a unanimous vote from the District Board of Trustees, but will need to updated with specific calculations regarding adult education, Proposition 39’s Energy Efficiency grant allocation , categorical restorations, Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) and enrollment growth and restoration. Ed Eng, the vice chancellor of finance for the district, was able to confirm, through his presentation,that the district would see a reduction in deferrals. Last year, the deferrals amounted to $30 million whereas this year’s projected budget states that the district will see only $15 million in deferrals. “It looks pretty strong right now,” said Cantu. “The likelihood of the budget changing drastically ... it’s not going to happen. I’m rather optimistic.”
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Students weigh digital textbook options BY ZACHARY KRAMER
Reporter zkramer@therampageonline.com
In this age of technology reading a magazine or newspaper is just as easy as waking up your computer or tablet and now that same ease of use can be applied to textbooks. Textbooks are being made available in a digital format as well as print and Fresno City College students are taking advantage of this new medium. “I prefer to use a digital textbook because it means that all I need to carry around is my laptop and the apps make it simple to highlight sentences and leave bookmarks,” said Fresno City College student Angelica Leilani. However, other students prefer using a printed rather than digital textbook. “The printed version is so much simpler than the digital version. Some of my teachers require a digital textbook because they prefer that method. But I would rather just carry around the book than have to get onto a computer or tablet every time I need to study,” said FCC student Nikki Diaz. The switch to digital may not always be the best choice financially though. According to Avery Johnson, a Barnes and Noble employee in Fresno, digital textbooks can be just as costly as printed books, especially if the cost of buying a laptop or tablet is added. The Nook sold at Barnes and Noble costs $199 and that may be a big chunk of money for a college student who is already having to pay for tuition and parking.
“The price typically varies depending on the book, so sometimes the digital version may be cheaper and sometimes it is the same,” said Johnson. “Buying a book used is usually always cheaper than the digital version and a lower price is what most people are interested in when coming in to buy a textbook.” Another thing to consider is that it is nearly impossible to resell a digital textbook which is a common practice for most college students at the end of the semester. So far, no option has been made to transfer ownership of digital textbooks from one person to another. So, reselling the book to mitigate the cost is not
really an option. For now, most find that the best way to find cheap books is online shopping. Using online websites such as the Barnes and Noble website or Amazon, students are finding new and used textbooks for as much as half off the cost of the original version sold in the FCC bookstore. For many students, price is the their biggest concern and is the main factor when deciding between digital and print. “Digital textbooks are great,” said Leilani, “but if I can find a printed textbook that is cheaper I would use that instead.” l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
More publishers are offering students the choice between traditional print textbooks and digital publications. (Photo Illustration/Michael Monroy)
NEWS
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
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FINANCIAL AID CHANGES COMING
BY AIDYL MOLINA
Reporter amolina@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College students are facing more strict regulations for financial aid eligibility. In addition, student loan interest rates, expected to climb, are staying at a low rate and a new repayment plan option will become available this academic school year. The Interest Rate Reduction Act of 2007 caused student loan interest rates to incrementally drop for the past four years. This bill expired July 1, 2013, potentially causing interest rates to nearly double at 6.8 percent. After President Obama signed the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013 on Aug. 9 of this year, the climb in student loan rates ceased. But there is further action to be done because college education is still at a very high cost “so I’m going to be looking forward to engaging this same coalition to see if we can continue to take additional steps to reform our higher education system,” he said in a transcript from the
White House. Undergraduates who take out any Direct loans between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 receive them at an interest of 3.86 percent. Further information can be found on the Federal Student Aid website. Also, the new IncomeBased Repayment Plan (IBR) is available for student borrowers who took out loans by the end 2012. This plan caps student monthly payments at 10 percent of their income compared to the standard of 15 percent in previous years, according to the White House. This year many incoming students rely on grants to pay for college expenses. “I rely on it for books, school supplies, clothes, and other necessities,” said Juan Quintanar, a first-year student in criminology. “If I lose those grants, I won’t be able to buy school materials and textbooks because they’re really expensive,” Nansing Leng said, a first-year student in biology. But such benefits become obsolete without com-
pliance to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy that remains enacted this year. The SAP policy has three major requirements. Students must complete 67 percent of the classes attempted per semester, graduate before a maximum time frame of 150 percent relative to program units, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Leng says “I will keep up with my studies, that way I don’t fall behind and lose grants I’m dependent on.” The SAP policy is examined and applied every semester after grades have been submitted, according to Financial Aid Director, Kira Tippins. What happens to students who fail to meet SAP requirements? Tippins said that students are given a warning during the first semester of disqualification. Then, if a student fails again consecutively, this results in the loss of funding. Andrew S.R. Vasnaik, a part-time student in the Disabled Students Program & Services, stopped receiving
grants about three to four years ago because of breaching the maximum time frame. “I would like to get it for books and school supplies but it just stopped,” Vasnaik said. He’s been in school for more than 10 years. And although he only takes one class per semester, his accumulated units over time disqualified him to receive grant funding. Vasnaik now only relies on his Social Security income, the Board of Governor’s fee waiver, and disability checks to sustain his lifestyle and education. Students can make an appeal to regain eligibility. Tippins said that students under mitigating circumstances determined by the U.S. Dept. of Education are able to regain eligibility. Necessary documents can vary from transcripts, death certificates, and hospital documents. Javier Aello, a fourthyear returning student was also denied grant funding because he reached his maximum time frame. But unlike Vasnaik, he was able to make an appeal and obtain financial
aid extension until last year. “I’m learning the complexities of the bureaucracy of school and so I’ve been consolidating those requirements,” he said. Students who f ile a successful appeal are held to higher academic standards. According to Tippins, these students must have a 2.5 GPA and have a 75 percent completion rate “because [they] have to cummulatively make up for that lost time to be able to complete [their] objective,” she said. The deadlines for appeals are always posted online, three weeks before the end of each semester. The Financial Aid office hands out bookmarks that contain SAP policy requirements which are also detailed online on WebAdvisor. Students are advised to take responsibility for monitoring their eligibility. “We want students to know that this is the most important piece when it comes to keeping your financial aid eligibility,” Tippins said. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
New ASG looks to build framework for change BY PATRICK FORREST
Arts & Entertainment Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com
A new year means new challenges and new goals for the Associated Student Government of Fresno City College. After lackluster participation during last semester’s election, the new group, led by new President Edward James, has high expectations of what they can achieve. “What we have to focus on isn’t building a legacy, it’s building a framework that can build a legacy,” said James. One of the pillars of that framework will be building awareness of ASG events and keeping an open line of communication with the student body. “Every senator and executive board member sits in classes,” said James, “so you need to get up in front of those classes and make sure that everyone knows what is going on on campus.” The school already has a lot of great resources for students, such as the library, Ram Slam and the Employment Resource Center. “We have to make sure that people know what is here on this campus for them. It’s not that Fresno City doesn’t offer things for student success,” said James, “it’s that the general student may not know about it.” Another plan for the 2013-1014 academic year is to start the long-discussed plan for designated smoking areas. “We will be implementing the designated smoking areas,” said James. “It’s a great project and the logistics are done. Now, all we have to do is put it in place.” Other plans range from creating meaningful communication between the on campus clubs to making sure events like Ram Slam never end. “We are going to be working with the library a lot this year, they want to know how they can better utilize that space to help students,” said James.
(From left to right) Communication Officer Francisco Gomez, Executive Vice President David Manyvanh, President Edward James, Legislative Vice President Melissa Lopez and President Pro Tempore Victoria Mosby on Tuesday, Sept. 3 2013. Gomez and Lopez are newly appointed. (Photo/Abel Cortez)
“We [also] want to work on institutionalizing Ram Slam to make sure that we always have that final exam assistance that can be so helpful.” Many of these goals are things that are continuations from the spring semester, when a lot of the goals were not met. This year’s new members have their work cut out for them, and only time will tell if they will be able to stand up to the challenge. “We are an entirely new group, just a couple of people turning over from last year and we are still going through applications. And I have no doubt that we will be able to build a great team that the student body will be proud of,” James said. The “entirely new group” is still not complete,
so for the near future ASG will continue its search for more senators. “We are still looking for new members and going through the applications that we have gotten already,” said Executive Vice-President David Manyvahn. “There will be times when have to patch things up until we find people to fill up the gaps that we have right now.” With only 10 out of a maximum of 21 senators, ASG is encouraging the student body to become involved in the organization. “This is something to serve the students,” said Manyvahn. “We are the voice of the students, and you should be ready to be that voice.” l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8
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Kevynn Gomez (left), Picture of Kevynn Gomez’s brusied arm (center), Dr. A. Brian Calhoun’s with a bloodied nose (right). Pictures of Gomez were taken on March 23, 2013 and pictures of Calhoun taked on March 22, 2013./Obtained by The Rampage, taken by Officer Chris Caldwell.
CALHOUN LOSES JOB OVER ALTERCATION WITH STUDENT Embattled instructor awaits trial on charges of misdemeanor battery.
Editor’s note: The Rampage acknowledges that Kevynn Gomez is the current Opinions page editor. Gomez has no input on this story or other related stories. BY TROY POPE
Editor-in-Chief tpope@therampageonline.com
The semester has started, but there is one less tenured professor on the Fresno City College campus. Dr. Brian Calhoun, an education instructor, was fired by State Center Community College District in May. Calhoun notified his colleagues of the termination of his employment in an email he sent to several FCC faculty members. With the subject heading, “It’s been a pleasure,” Calhoun declared himself the true victim in the altercation with 20-year-old student, Kevynn Gomez. “My filing of a formal complaint against the student under SCCCD Board Policy 5500, (Student Conduct and Discipline) for her swearing at me, disrupting the class, punching me in the face numerous times, breaking my glasses and knocking out a tooth has been ignored,” Calhoun said in his email.
Lacy Barnes, president of the State Center Federation of Teachers, declined to comment about Calhoun’s firing, stating, “SCFT does not comment on matters involving individual members.” Calhoun had been on administrative leave since the March incident that took place in front of OAB 216. Calhoun and alleged victim, Gomez, have shared drastically different versions of events, but the SCCCD police report is filled with witness statements that verify Gomez’s story. Calhoun’s email portrays him as an injured party. However, the witness statements in the police report show the opposite. “Dr. Calhoun grabs her and throws her against the wall and has full wrist control on her,” said Jacob Martinez, a student that witnessed the altercation. “She said ‘let go’ and he didn’t let go.” Martinez witnessed the incident
“...I was charged with misdemeanor battery, simply touching someone that does not want to be touched ... I was trying to obtain her name to report to authorities.” -Brian Calhoun
and claims to have helped physically pull Calhoun off of Gomez when the situation escalated. However, Calhoun claims that Gomez said “f--- off a--hole” and instigated the altercation. “...I was charged with misdemeanor battery, simply touching someone that does not want to be touched,” Calhoun said in his email. “I was trying to obtain her name to report to authorities.”
According to the police report, Calhoun explained that “he grabbed Gomez’s arm; he asked her what her name was ... [Calhoun] wanted her name so he could write a disruptive student report on her.” The police report continued saying that “Gomez went crazy and began to assault [Calhoun] ... Gomez punched [Calhoun] in the face three times before he could defend himself from her attack.” Eyewitnesses are clear about what they saw in their statements to the police. The following is a direct excerpt from the official police report written by Officer Chris Caldwell of the SCCCD Police Department: “Castro told me that an instructor walked into the class he was in at Old Administration Building room 216 and yelled at everyone to get out. [Michael Medrano], who is a substitute, asked if we could take two minutes to finish up a test. [Calhoun] said ‘no, get out.’ As Kevynn, (Gomez) walked past to turn in the test, she looked at the instructor and said, ‘Piss off [a--hole].’” “Castro said the instructor just snapped and went after Gomez. Castro said the instructor went out after her and grabbed her by her left arm and grabbed her around the neck with his other arm. Castro said Gomez tried to pull away and he wouldn’t let her go, Gomez punched or swung her arm at him and knocked his glasses off, [Calhoun] picked Gomez up and slammed her on the ground. Some other students pulled Gomez away and several other students got between [Calhoun] and Gomez and he still tried to go after Gomez.” Calhoun is appealing his termination and says that financial times are getting tough for him as a result. “Being fired means, of course, no salary or benefits,” Calhoun said in his email. Calhoun continued, “Also, I cannot collect my pension while in a lengthy arbitration process. Attorney
fees and living costs come directly from my savings.” Calhoun’s education classes are now being taught by several different instructors: Charmaine Fitzgerald, Edwardo Valero, K. Kaiser Clarey and
“Dr. Calhoun grabs her and throws her against the wall and has full wrist control on her ... he said ‘let go’ and he didn’t let go.” -Jacob Martinez
Sean Henderson, the director of Student Activities. Calhoun had his arraignment on June 19 to begin his legal process. Calhoun, Gomez and her attorney, Catherine Campbell, were not present at the arraignment. There is a pretrial hearing scheduled for today, and the jury trial for this case is scheduled for Sept. 25. Gomez is also suing Calhoun in civil court for violating her rights. Both FCC and SCCCD administrators have remained silent during this ordeal. FCC President Tony Cantu declined to comment on the matter, stating that it is a personnel issue. “The student in question made a ‘citizens arrest’ ... Battery is not a criminal felony charge, but it does come with a penalty if found guilty.” Calhoun said in his email. “I felt wronged and chose a jury trial that will take place in September,” Calhoun continued, “The student also sued me in civil court on charges as long as your arm (to include civil rights violations since she is Hispanic and I am not).” l TWITTER.COM/DARKTROY
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
NEWS
Kevynn Gomez: Moving Forward
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BY PABEL LOPEZ
News Editor plopez@therampageonline.com
When you first meet Kevynn Gomez, what you see are the Buddy Holly glasses, short hair and the Doc Marten boots she sports daily – all traits of a militant feminist who may be hard to talk to. Don’t be fooled by appearance. The real Kevynn Gomez couldn’t be more different from the one the public perceives. By her own admission, Gomez who is a student at Fresno City College and also on the staff of “The Rampage,” the college newspaper, has constantly run into problems with others’ expectations of her versus what she really is. She is a socially conscientious young woman who is passionate about life, social
it is about her mother and her mother’s family and how supportive they were. Her parents’ separation impacted her greatly. Gomez recalls relying heavily on her mother after her father had left the family. Gomez remembers being protective of her mother when her father would speak ill of her. “He was very negative towards our mother. It was terrible the way he spoke of her,” she said. “I was protective of her. I’m very much my mother’s daughter.” She would later make the choice to sever ties to her father. “The last time I spoke with him was over the phone when I turned 12 and basically told him ‘Don’t call us anymore,’” Gomez said.
Photos courtesy of Kevynn Gomez, (left)
Jodeci Velez, a childhood friend of Gomez, said, “Her family is very tight knit ... they’re really small so they had the opportunity to be close.” Gomez attended Ewing Elementary School. She was later accepted to Manchester G.A.T.E. along with her twin sister. Following her time in elementary school, Gomez attended Kings Canyon Middle School where problems with other students forced her and her sister to transfer to Fort Miller Middle School. “ T h e r e [were] fights everyday there between students,” Gomez said of her time at Kings Canyon. “There were girls there that didn’t like my sister and myself for stupid reasons.” FINDING HER PASSION Edition of the Sunnyside High School paper Gomez also justice and her writing. She describes herself as a regular woman with goals that include writing for a fashion magazine one day. EARLY YEARS Gomez’s story begins in Southeast Fresno in 1993 where she still lives to this day. She has a twin, Carlee Gomez, who has always been a major part of her life. Her parents Cynthia Gomez and Ralph DeSantiago separated when she was young. When she talks about her childhood,
remembers going through a rebellious phase at this point in her young life. “In middle school that’s when I started going through my bad phase, as a kid you’re angry at the world and you can lash out and not know why,” she said. Gomez said that by the time she completed middle school and entered Sunnyside High School, also in Southeast Fresno, she was maturing and getting out of the pattern of “acting out.” “I think my first semester was still the Kings Canyon environment of being a rowdy, troublesome kid. By my second semester, I had a 4.0 grade point average,” Gomez said. “That’s when I changed my path.” While she was a student at Sunnyside, Gomez found the journalism program where she worked for all four years of high school. At times, she was the sole writer on the staff. In addition to journalism, Gomez dedicated more of her time and energy to her schoolwork which she saw as a “confidence boost.” Barbara Riccardi, her journalism adviser at Sunnyside high remembers working with Gomez. “She was an excellent student and an awesome journalist,” Riccardi said. “Absolutely one of the best.” After graduating from Sunnyside, Gomez was accepted to Notre Dame De Namur, a Catholic university in Northern California. Gomez said the time she spent at the university taught her many lessons that she may not have learned in Southeast Fresno. She met people who were very different from the people she knew in Fresno. But by the fall semester of 2012, Gomez was ready to return to the “hood” as she calls her neighborhood and enrolled in Fresno City College. UNWANTED ATTENTION March, 22 2013 is a day that Gomez is not likely to forget soon. It was a day that started normally, but by that day’s end, she had been assaulted by Brian Calhoun, an education instructor at the college. She knows that this event will probably be a major part of how people at FCC see her. The case was widely covered by the media, including several blog sites such as “Jezebel” and “Three Sonorans” which described the assault as a “Latina version of The Trayvon Martin case.” Gomez has had f ive months since the incident to think things through. She said
all she wanted was to f inish her midterm exam and go on her spring break which started the next day. She had not sought out Mr. Calhoun. He had disrupted her class, causing enough chaos that they had been unable to finish their test. What ensued had taken her by surprise. “It might sound strange,” Gomez said, “but the way he was talking to the fill-in instructor ... was so degrading and belittling towards him. It sounds corny, but I Kevynn Gomez ,Rampage staff profile think it was a mater- photo (Photo/Ramiro Gudino) nal instinct.” Gomez felt she vulnerable fragile little girl behad to say something. She had cause I’m only 5 feet 2 inches.” no way of knowing that CalBut Gomez also said that houn would react the way he sometimes when men try to did or that he would refuse to get her attention, she may let go of her despite her pleas. throw some salty language She said most people have into her response to get them been supportive. to leave her alone. “It’s kind of the reason I’m Gomez looks forward so ready to get out of here,” Go- to leaving FCC and transfermez said of the attention she ring to a four-year college in has received from the incident. the upcoming semesters. She “It’s not really an environment plans to continue to work on I want to be in anymore. People her writing, keeping her goal ask questions, but they don’t re- of writing for a fashion magaalize they are being insensitive.” zine in sight at all times. Gomez admits that she “My goal is to go to a has had problems with men, San Francisco State, get my especially older men, including journalism degree done there, being verbally abused by men get a good job and get started in public transportation, get- on working in professional ting followed by men in cars on journalism,” Gomez said. “I the way home and even being am kind of ready to get out physically attacked by a man. of college. I feel like life is hard “I think even though I’m enough and I am just ready to 20 years old, people see me as get started.” a very young girl,” she said. “I l TWITTER.COM/PABELLOPEZ think people see me as a very
Photos courtesy of Kevynn Gomez, (right).
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NEW POLICE CHIEF ENACTS COMMUNITY POLICING New policy places visibility and communication at the forefront BY PABEL LOPEZ
News Editor plopez@therampageonline.com
State Center Community College District Police Chief Bruce Hartman, discusses new campus safety procedures from his office at Fresno City College, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. Campus safety procedures such as having notification emails sent to students and staff about upcoming testing of the emergency notification system on campus, ha been observed the first few weeks of school. (Photo/Darlene Wendels)
Soon after he became chief of the State Center Community College District police, Bruce Hartman vowed to bring significant changes in the way his department conducts its business. Now, he is making good on his word. In an interview last week, Hartman described new practices that are transforming the way the district police interact with the public it serves. “Communication is the most important part there is,” he said, “making sure that the communication line stays open.” For starters, the SCCCD police website now displays email addresses for all officers so that the public can contact them directly with questions and concerns. Additionally, students can now see police squad cars monitoring activities in the parking lots in the morning hours. Hartman has also ramped up the patrols to enforce parking rules. “We’ve had so many people [coming] in and not paying because I guess it wasn’t being monitored before,” Hartman said. “We need to make sure we know who is on campus.” A new program on the FCC campus now has law en-
forcement officers patrolling the student mall area and outlying areas on bicycles. Edward Perez, a construction management major, who attends both the Madera Center and FCC, says the addition of cops on bikes is very useful. “You feel a little bit safer here because you see the cops on their bikes instead of just patrolling in their cars,” Perez said. “I go to Madera Center and you don’t see any of that.” In the first weeks of the semester, students may have also heard the emergency phones in classrooms ringing and alerting them of the system’s efficacy. “The system was beginning to be in place but wasn’t functional yet,” Hartman said. “One of the first things that I did when I got here was to get these systems operational.” In keeping with the theme of adding and updating technology to the police station, Hartman has also made sure that the Internet police logs are updated every day and now include more specific information about the reports. In the past, the logs were often days and sometimes weeks behind, and lacked necessary specificity and details lack details.
“We are posting them immediately now. That is something that started over the summer,” said Hartman “The crime alerts are going to start to be posted, and they will have everything, dealing with current burglary issues, vehicle burglary, auto theft and anything of interest to students and what they can do about it.” Hartman is also looking to post the Clery Report online to let students know the statistics of crime on campus. The “Clery Report” mandates that educational institutions post crime statistics and keep them updated. Hartman is also continuing his work with companies such as Lojack to help track stolen electronics, especially laptops. “They will come in and provide a program and offer a beginner price and then make it available in the bookstore,” Hartman said. The police department is also offering new job opportunities for full-time students. Students would earn $9 an hour working on parking patrols and then move up the ranks of the police department. l TWITTER.COM/ PABELLOPEZ
College to celebrate Don Larson’s Birthday BY VICTOR APARICIO
Production Manager vaparicio@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College will be holding a celebration for retired instructor Don Larson’s 80th birthday on Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. in the Old Administration Building. The State Center Community College Foundation Board of Directors will be honoring Larson for his efforts and accomplishments as an educator, philanthropist and a long-time SCCC foundation board member. The celebration will also be a fundraiser for an endowed scholarship. Larson determines the criteria for who will receive the scholarship. The funds will be generated through the attendance fee Larson, born 1933 in San Francisco, graduated from College of the Sequoias in 1952 and University of California, Berkeley in 1954. Immediately after graduating in 1954, he taught at both Caruthers High School and Kerman High School. Larson received his master’s degree from Fresno State College in 1960. He also taught for six years in the Fresno Unified School District before finally coming to FCC where he taught for 35 years. A passion that Larson held for years has been basketball. He kept score for basketball games since 1948 at various schools including Kerman High School, Mclane High School and Fresno City College until 2009. He also served as co-chair of the Capital Campaign for the OAB in FCC campus as well as on the SCCC foundation since retiring in 1999. As instructor, he was committed to the success
of his students. He said his only disappointment was when he felt that he failed a student. “I always felt when a student didn’t succeed, some way, ‘what did I miss? Why haven’t I been able to help that student?’” Since retirement, Larson spends his free time going to concerts, plays, symphonies and operas. He also manages his World’s Fair collection located in the Special Collections Department of the Henry Madden Library at California State University, Fresno. The collection is second only to that in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. While Larson is confident in his decision for retirement, he misses his Western civilization class in particular which included a field trip to San Francisco. He enjoyed the reaction of students who hadn’t seen San Francisco before the trip. Larson is still an active member of SCCC foundation and intends to be around campus on occasion to watch sporting events and check on the departments. “There’s a lot of really good things that go on on this campus,” said Larson. The greatest pleasure Larson had was working with passionate people at FCC. “For someone who truly wants to be a school teacher and work with kids, this is about as good as it gets,” said Larson. “Because the [students and faculty] are here because they want to be here.” l TWITTER.COM/VICTORKID
Don Larson is a Fresno City College instructor who will be celebrating his 80th birthday on Sunday, September 8, 2013. (Photo/Karen West)
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THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
Ambassador
l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Bolivia. Rao also served as Foreign Secretary, the highest office in the Indian Foreign Service, until her end of term in 2011. Political science professor Dr. Sarbjit Johal who attended the event said that such FCC events are important for students to attend. “Students can see important people and hear perspectives from other countries,” he said. Cris Monahan-Bremer, director of marketing and social relations director facilitated the arrangements for the event. She said that she had received the request to hold the event in the OAB from Rep. Costa’s office. “We were very happy to do that,”
Monahan-Bremer said. “Jim Costa has been a real friend to this college.” Harpreet Kooner, an engineer for Fresno County shared concerns about the “brain drain” that plagues India. Kooner said she was excited to be part of the audience and the conversation. “It was very positive, I liked it, and we need to have more events like this,” she said. Kooner suggested more publicity to alert the community about these events. “I know a lot of my friends would be interested in coming if we had known about it a little bit more in advance,” Kooner said. “This was great.” l TWITTER.COM/THEONLYKEVYNN
Rep. Jim Costa and Indian ambassador to the U.S. Nirupama Rao speak and answer questions at a public conversation in the Old Administration Building on Thursday, Aug. 29 2013. Topics included democracy, foreign policy, education, brain drain, economics, violence and safety in the community. (Photo/Ramiro Gudino)
Flood
l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Sunday very, very late to make sure that everything got taken care of.” Sullivan said that things looked bleak on that first day. “Saturday when you walked into the flood, it was like ‘we’ll never have school again.’” The next day is was almost like it hadn’t happened,” Sullivan said. Carl Johansson, a biolog y instructor whose class was moved because of the flood said, “[The change in classrooms] reduced my lab size by two-thirds. That really didn’t have an effect on any students currently enrolled or on the waitlist.” Johansson said. Several students said the move was “a real inconvenience” and that they “didn’t know until the first day of class.” Zachary Potter, an engineering major, said his math course was moved. He didn’t check his school email, so he didn’t know about the move until the first day of school. Potter said his class was told that “it will be a couple of months in the OAB.” That apparently isn’t the case for every class. Chong Xiong, who is completing his general education requirements, said he was told that the relocation of his math class to OAB 125 is a “permanent move.” The total cost of the damage remains unknown, but State Center Community College District’s Vice
7
Chancellor of Operations Brian Speece said that the building is insured and the district is paying the $5,000 deductible. It will be “several weeks” before the classrooms with minimal damage will be set to reopen; several rooms on the bottom floor will be closed for considerably longer. Speece explained that the rooms with heavy damage require the replacement of floors, ceiling tiles and even the walls. In addition, there is a hazard area that is sealed off because those areas contained asbestos. Speece said that the heavily damaged areas will be closed for a “couple of months.” There are some rooms that have a higher priority than others in terms of repairs. Unique rooms like the chemistry lab are more important because they only exist in that building, whereas the basic classrooms won’t have as many issues if they are moved to a different location. The museum and the biology lab in S-120 are closed, and students in that lab were relocated to the Health Science building according to Speece. He is expecting that S-120 will be ready in two to three weeks. “The first one that we’re really focusing on trying to get back is a lab class,” President Cantu said. Sullivan declined to give an exact timeline for reopening the biology lab in S-120, but said that it is expected to be ready “in two weeks or less.” l TWITTER.COM/DARKTROY
Change in contract brings job security for adjunct instructors Fresno City College adjunct instructors are able to have more job security because of a recent change in contract that allows them to attain extra classes before full-time instructors. However, other aspects of adjunct employment remain stagnant. “For the first year ever, part timers get first dibs on those [extra] courses,” said Paul Gilmore, vice president of academic affairs at State Center Federation of Teachers and a full-time instructor at FCC. “Basically the idea is certain parttimers get to have first refusal of these extra courses up to their comparable
load.” Before the recent changes, it was a problem for adjuncts to get extra classes since full-time instructors were able to claim the classes first. This left the adjuncts to choose from what was left. “Once every full-time faculty has a full load, they meet their contractual obligation,” said FCC President Tony Cantu. “Then before [full-time faculty] get any extra classes, adjunct faculty get assigned [overload classes] first. That’s a major, major shift.” This contractual change not only offers adjuncts the opportunity for security in terms of extra money, but it also helps the faculty feel more like a unified community.
Illustration/Lauren Baker
Students with disabilities don’t know what options they have at their disposal on campus. BY LAUREN BAKER
lbaker@therampageonline.com
One persistent problem that remains is the absence of office hours for part-time instructors. Outside the classroom, most adjuncts try to provide help for students, but they are limited legally to where it can be accomplished. “By law, I can’t discuss your grades in public unless we’re in an area where no one can hear. Under FERPA, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, that’s privileged information,” said Michael Eissinger, a parttime instructor at FCC. Gilmore said that the conditions that plague adjunct faculty “are much bigger than this college and just this district.” “It’s not a way to run a college;
Several FCC programs are available to help students with classes and other college issues. BY KEVYNN GOMEZ
kgomez@therampageonline.com
it’s not a way to run a system of higher education in any country,” he added. “I think folks over the last 20 to 30 years have grown used to this. It’s almost like this is the new normal which is kind of a problem.” Others are hopeful for more and want to break away from this static dilemma, but still look forward to building a community. “As a faculty member I focus on that, we [want to] bring all faculty in to be part of that community,” said Gilmore. “Well, when half of your faculty is part-timers it’s more difficult, so there are other things we need to do.”
l TWITTER.COM/VICTORKID
The football season is almost underway. The Rams’ first game is on Saturday.
Photo/Karen West
Production Manager vaparicio@therampageonline.com
Photo/Victor Aparicio
BY VICTOR APARICIO
BY JORDAN MCCLOSKEY
jmccloskey@therampageonline.com
BEYOND THE PRINT THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
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JAMIE’S COCKAMAMIE STYLE
Jamie Nelson also known as “Cockamamie Jamie”, performing on My Urban Militia Stage at Catacomb Party in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. (Photo/Abel Cortez)
BY PATRICK FORREST
Arts & Entertainment Editor pforrest@therampageonline.com
A lifelong resident of Fresno, Jamie Nelson, better known as “Cockamamie Jamie” has made a name for himself doing solo sets and rap battles. Nelson’s eccentric onstage persona and creative showmanship will be on display at the Fusefest preshow on Sept. 11 and at Fusefest on Sept. 20. Starting out as a Christian rapper in a youth group, Nelson already had an interest and a love for hip-hop music. “That’s the way that that really got started, I took that rap part and it took off because I had a pastor that was
really encouraging and supportive,” said Nelson. Nelson owes a lot of his beginnings to his church and said that he believes that he may not be what he is today without it. “My first show was at the youth group Christmas talent show and I set it up and had the sound and light guy turn off all the lights. I just stood in the back with my hoodie on and did my Christian raps with a bunch of awkward youth group kids. After that, it all took off,” said Nelson. Although he is no longer a Christian, he still understands and appreciates the opportunities that the church and youth groups can provide.
Jamie Nelson also known as “Cockamamie Jamie,” performing with his Trix cereal for his song “Apartment Complex” on My Urban Militia Stage at Catacomb Party in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, July 20, 2013. (Photo/Abel Cortez)
“If that is your faith, and you want to try and be a rapper, join a youth group,” said Nelson. “You could get on stage immediately all you have to do is just say you have a rap and it’s about God, and right there you get a stage, a microphone, a PA system and people. That’s crazy, you can’t do that almost anywhere,” he said While listening to a lot of the original west coast rap, including artists such as E-40 and Snoop Dogg he got his chance to put his skills on display during the youth group events. He credits the support that he got during and after those performance to continuing the dreams that he currently chases. As half of the quirky rap duo “The Argyle Pimps,” along side Boney Beezly, the two rocked mics, stages and clubs for years before they disbanded in late 2011. “I would love to do another Argyle Pimps project, before it was just too long of a gap to come back. I don’t want us to be one of those groups that come back and it’s just not the same sound,” said Nelson. “If we do do it, I would want to know that we still have that same magic spark.” Although the two have broken up, Nelson stills holds a special place in his heart for his longtime partner Boney Beezly. “He was an all around dude,” said Nelson. “He was going into doing some acting and stand-up, he was all over the place and he had some serious skill with that stuff and I was just a one-trick pony. That’s what I could do, I rapped.” Jamie is never afraid to break the mold of what may be expected of him, using his
comedic and storytelling style to ride the edge with his onstage persona. And never was that persona more on display than at “Chief Rocka Battle of the Chiefs”. It was at this event, during a rap battle with Philthy Fresh that Nelson made the bold decision to urinate in his pants. “That pee was real and no one wants to believe it, they all want to tell me that it’s not humanly possible. But it really was, it just didn’t fit inside their view of what should be done.” said Nelson “They don’t think a grown man should be peeing in his pants, but their views on that don’t matter to me.” In the time since, mul-
“The good thing about it is that it’s kind of sketchy Bigfoot-like footage so you can’t really see my face that well. So it’s not like everyone who has seen it can just notice me on the street as that guy, but when they do it gets really annoying,” he said. On May 11, Nelson released “Survivor Series,” a nine track album filled with wondrous and over-the-top stories. His goal in music is to perform in clubs in the United Kingdom. Nelson is prepared to go for his dream at whatever cost, both figuratively and literally. “I don’t have delusions of grandeur about making it. I don’t care about all of that. I
“They don’t think a grown man should be peeing in his pants, but their views on that don’t matter to me.” -Jamie Nelson tiple media outlets including TruTv and WorldStarHipHop. com have featured the video, gaining Nelson a new level of recognition that he previously had not known. “That was one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen and it was pretty funny,” said Philthy Fresh, the opponent in the infamous battle. “But he had serious skill though.” After winning that battle, Nelson began to accept his internet celebrity.
could lose $1,000 and I could still say ‘I had fun,’” he said. But fans have no need to worry because even if he can leave for his dream tour as early as 2014, Nelson still would not drop the microphone and walk off the stage. “I’ll still keep doing stuff, because I am just like a 50-year-old wrestler,” said Nelson. “I’m just like Ric Flair, I’ll be 55 years old and still feel like I’m relevant.” l TWITTER.COM/FORRESTP8
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Irene’s satisfies appetite and budget BY LAUREN BAKER
Artistic Director lbaker@therampageonline.com
If you’re looking for a good eat that’s equally as satisfying economically, Irene’s Cafe is for you. It is located in the heart of the Tower District, and is a quaint local diner that offers an array of delicious food at a reasonable price. For less than $10, one can get a full plate of food and still have enough money for a generous serving of Irene’s hand-made ice cream, which goes without saying is money well spent. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The wait time is pretty minimal between ordering and receiving the food, and the service is excellent. They feature a patio with efficient shading, and the customer is given the option for self-seating upon entering the establishment, which is tropical themed as evidenced by the mural of toucans and lush plants on the side of the building. From there, you’ll have a menu full of dining options that span the globe. The breakfast menu is available Monday through Friday until 11 a.m. and until 3 p.m. during the weekend.
Breakfast options include the classic french toast combination, as well as omelettes and chorizo. The chorizo burrito is an exceptional item in that it’s prepared on a larger scale and made with potatoes, red peppers, cheese and, of course, chorizo. This comes with a side of Irene’s picante salsa and a dollop of sour cream. Since it’s made so large, it’ll keep you full for quite a while. The fact it doesn’t cost more than $8 doesn’t hurt either. Lunchtime usually has a featured item or special combo at a great price. They also feature an “express menu” where you can call in ahead of time and order from their selection of sandwiches and soup and salad combinations. They feature a great list Owned and run by Fresno native Irene Saul, Irene’s Cafe has been a local staple for 22 years to get a bite of sides to choose from as well, to eat while hanging out with friends in the Tower District of Fresno, Calif. including their homemade (Photo/Karen West) macaroni, potato, and pasta salads. Sandwich options range available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. the diner and they have an f lavor. Even the two dollar from your classic tuna sand- when the restaurant closes, assortment of f lavors, rang- single scoop is pretty big, and wich to their “Monaco,” which and the menu in its entirety ing from the classic choco- a side of their amazing french is hot pastrami and pepper- is available on their website. late, strawberry and vanilla fries alongside it is a pretty oni with melted cheese on a If you try anything at to mint-chocolate chip and choice combination. basque roll, according to their Irene’s Cafe, let it be the ice black cherry. For $3, you can menu. The dinner menu is cream. It’s handcrafted in get two large scoops of any l TWITTER.COM/ELBTHEHERO
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Revue gets the silent treatment BY LAUREN BAKER
Artistic Director lbaker@therampageonline.com
Fresno City College film enthusiasts and Tower District aficionados alike have something to appreciate on select days for “Silent Movies at Revue Cafe.” Three classic films of the silent era will be showing on select nights in August, September and October. Harold Lloyd’s “Why Worry?” was already shown on Aug. 10, but is worth looking into if wealthy hypochondriacs and giants strike your fancy. You can still catch Buster Keaton’s “Our Hospitality” on Sept. 7. It is a twisted love story of sorts in that the protagonist falls for a woman after returning to his homeland, only to find that her family has an agenda to kill every member of his family. Keaton is well-known for his own take on slapstick comedy, so this film will almost definitely be full of ironic twists and jokes. The final viewing will feature
Frank Capra’s “The Strong Man” on Oct. 5. This film is also an early romantic comedy starring Harry Langdon as a World War I soldier who falls in love with his American pen pal Mary Brown from abroad. In an effort to find her after the war, he obtains a stint as an assistant to a famous actor known as “The Strong Man,” and is coerced into taking the actor’s place when he injures himself right around the time he is finally able to meet the woman he traveled to meet. The event will also feature live piano music by Nate Butler, who is also hosting the events. Butler is a local seasoned entertainer well-known for playing piano at numerous events. He performs twice a month specifically for the “Silent Movies” event at Revue Cafe and also at Full Circle Brewing Co . Revue Cafe is located on the corner of 620 E. Olive Ave. Films run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day and are recommended for all ages.. l TWITTER.COM/ELBTHEHERO
Silent movies will be shown at The Revue with music by Nate Butler on Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Tower District of Fresno, Calif. (Photo/Michael Monroy)
Boom or Bust: The summer movie extravaganza BY SIDNEY THOMPSON
Reporter sthompson@therampageonline.com
This summer was filled with heavy anticipation for its movie slate, as hype machines such as “Man of Steel,” “Iron Man 3,” and “The Hangover Part III” all hit the box office. What seemed to be a deep movie class quickly separated itself as the summer progressed. Here are the five best and worst movies that made the list, along with their scheduled DVD release dates.
ie’s dark edge is what the “Superman” story needed, as it brought more intense and destructive action. Along with strong performances from lead actor Henry Cavill, Amy Adams and Russell Crowe, “Man of Steel” has the potential to be the next great superhero movie series. With confirmation of a sequel involving Batman, there’s more incentive to see “Man of Steel.” On DVD November 12
GOOD
2. “Fast & Furious 6”
5. “Despicable Me 2”
Brian and Dominic (played by Paul Walker and Vin Diesel) reassemble their savvy crew of drivers, at the request of CIA Agent Luke Hobbs (played by Dwayne Johnson), to track down a mercenary driver organization led by Owen Shaw. As it appears to be their biggest test yet, it comes with the biggest reward: a pardon for the crew’s crimes so they can stop living their lives on the run. The crew soon learns that nothing could prepare them for what happens next. Plot twists and high-powered action makes “Fast & Furious 6” a movie that you don’t want to miss. On DVD October 1
The world’s favorite Minions are back! According to Boxoffice.com, the sequel has been a major hit in the box office, ranking No. 2 in highest-grossing movies of the summer, according to Boxoffice.com. Although it has been widely seen as a disappointment compared to the first one, “Despicable Me 2” still shares the same laughs and charm, leading a weak class of summer children’s movies. On DVD October 1 4. “Fruitvale Station” “Fruitvale Station,” based on a true story, follows the last day of the main character, Oscar Grant, leading up to his tragic death on News Year’s Eve of 2008. With little advertising, “Fruitvale Station” hasn’t been a box office hit, as it has grossed nearly $15 million nationwide. However, boasting a 93 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes from top movie critics shouldn’t go unnoticed. DVD Release Date TBA 3. “Man of Steel” Superman has arrived. The mov-
1. “Iron Man 3” Was it ever in doubt? The third installment in the “Iron Man” series received rave reviews to match its prerelease hype, led by Robert Downey Jr. as the arrogant and fast-talking, yet so attention-grabbing Tony Stark/Iron Man. The box office numbers speak volumes, too. “Iron Man 3” is ranked No. 13 on the list of all-time domestic gross at more than $408 million nationwide, in addition to over $1 billion in worldwide gross, according to Boxoffice.com. It’s a must-see, as it makes the list as best movie of the summer.
On DVD September 24
BAD 5. “Turbo” DreamWork’s “Turbo” focuses on garden snail Turbo, who gains super speed after a freak accident and sets his eyes on winning the the Indy 500. With notable voices such as Ryan Reynolds, Ken Jeong, Snoop Dogg and Samuel L. Jackson, the animated action wasn’t enough to complement their voices. Even with the intended message for kids to dream big, “Turbo” didn’t get that message across in a very entertaining manner that will attract kids of all ages. DVD Release Date TBA 4. “Grown Ups 2” “Grown Ups 2,” with an allstar cast including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade and Chris Rock, is another victim of the unwritten rule about making sequels. Certain movies are good only once, and shouldn’t be attempted as a sequel. “Grown Ups 2” matches the description as it fell far short of the success of the prequel. It just simply wasn’t as funny as the original. DVD Release Date TBA 3. “The Lone Ranger” Disney’s “The Lone Ranger” follows John Reid, “The Lone Ranger,” (played by Armie Hammer) and Native American warrior Tonto (played by Johnny Depp) as they pursue notorious outlaw Butch Cavendish. The only thing to be appreciated in this movie is Depp’s
deliverance of the quirkiness that you expect from him. Other than that, the movie lacks a captivating storyline. With its $250 million budget, “The Lone Ranger” only grossed $87 million nationally, according to IMDB.com. DVD Release Date TBA 2. “After Earth” This on-screen ensemble of Will and son Jaden Smith was a major flop. In “After Earth,” humans were forced to leave Earth and live on planet Nova Prime. A father and son, played by the Smiths, crash-lands back on Earth over a millenium after humanity’s escape. And the son must navigate the unfamiliar planet and find help for himself and his father. Not even the best father-son duo could save this movie, as director M. Night Shyamalan dropped the ball on molding another great science fiction hit. On DVD October 8 1. “R.I.P.D. In “R.I.P.D.,” Ryan Reynolds plays a murdered police officer who joins a team of other dead officers working for the “Rest in Peace Department.” Reynolds, with the help of his partner (played by Jeff Bridges), sets out to find the man who killed him. This film immediately draws comparisons to a poor man’s “Men in Black.” Where are Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones? Neither may have helped, as “R.I.P.D.” proves to be neither worth saving, nor seeing. DVD Release Date TBA l TWITTER.COM/SJT_23
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
PRO
BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Reporter kclark@therampageonline.com
Athletes these days know the risk of using steroids. They are well informed of the risks and if they still want to use the drug then they should be allowed to. There is no problem with players taking steroids. If it were made legal in baseball there would be more home runs and that would make it more entertaining. Scores and attendance would rise, which would bring even the casual fan to the ballpark. So would the revenue for everyone involved, all the while America and its impossibly moralistic stance has to deal with it. If the players are willing to take the risk of hurting their bodies in the future for monetary purposes now and the chance for their families to be set financially for generations, why shouldn’t they be allowed to take steroids? Realistically the only thing stopping every player from taking steroids is the moral aspect. Players who take steroids are viewed as selfish because they only want the money, but in most cases the money they’re earning changes their family’s lives. Baseball players from other countries, especially poverty ridden ones, really don’t have a sense of American baseball history. Their connection to baseball isn’t as deep, so a kid can take a drug and get his family out of poverty for life while working to make a living. Realistically, why wouldn’t they consider this? An example would be the Dominican Republic. According to Fox Sports, since 1995 the Dominican Republic has had the most foreign-born players in the league. In 2012, out of 105 suspensions, 31 were from the Dominican Republic. The wealth from the big contracts they sign is one benefit from doing steroids. According to Sammy Sosa’s biography, he used most of his five-year $42.5 million dollar contract to start a charitable fund for his country for relief efforts during Hurricane George. Now where is the wrong in a man trying to do right for his country? Baseball executives didn’t have a problem with steroids in the 1990s because it put money in their pockets from TV partners, which in turn made the game more enjoyable for fans who
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SHOULD MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RELAX ITS RULE ON STEROID USE?
could watch from home. If the point of the game was to entertain the fans, then why not let the players juice up? Today’s American athlete is driven to success more than ever before. Big contracts, endorsement deals and worldwide popularity drive players to seek additional help to improve their game. The chance for money, power and fame is an incentive to make a person take “extreme measures” to get to the top of their respective sports. After a severe battle with cancer, Lance Armstrong took steroids and went on to win a record seven Tour de France titles. Without juicing, he wouldn’t have had the strength to come back and compete at a high level. Can you blame players who takes steroids when the highest-paid baseball player earned $2.3 million in the 1988 season, $6.3 million in 1994 and more than $20 million last year? With that type of increase, who wouldn’t take that risk? Baseball is America’s pastime. Hank Aaron’s 755 home runs and Roger Maris’s 61 home runs in a season mean something to the millions of fans who grew up following the sport. The fans and media don’t watch a player because he is the most likable guy in the league. They watch
CON
BY SIDNEY THOMPSON
Reporter sthompson@therampageonline.com
I am against the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball because they have left a permanent black mark on the MLB and have led to the league becoming increasingly more undesirable. Simply from a competitive standpoint, using PEDs is cheating. They create an unfair, illegal advantage against an opponent, which leads to mismatches that should never have been developed. This violates not only the code of
New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez is one of several baseball players to admit to using performance enhancing drugs. (Photo by Flickr user Keith Allison)
him because of what he can do on the field. Athletes are revered for what they can do in their respective sports, which is why children aspire to be professional athletes and parents push their sons or daughters when they’re young. Americans have grown up with the game, the records and popular players from their past combined with a passion that spans decades. To many Americans, baseball- especially its history- is representative of a simpler and purer world. Steroid users like Sammy Sosa, Mark Mcgwire and Roger Clemens may have tainted baseball but they also brought it back to prominence after two decades of irrelevance in American sports.
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baseball, but also the ethics of sports. Cheating, in general, goes against everything that sports are supposed to represent. Steroids in baseball diminish the feats of athletes who are not affiliated with performance-enhancing drugs . Players like New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s 256 homeruns and 1260 RBI highlighting a likely Hall of Fame career become overlooked in comparison to Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, and other high-profile stars who have been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs. Along with the constant allegations that surround famous home run hitters every year, the art of hitting a home run is not appreciated as much as it was before the 1990s. According to a June 2006 USA Today poll among baseball fans nationwide, 47 percent of fans believed that PEDs were the reason for an increase in the number of home runs
hit league-wide since 2001. If this is the case, in the eyes of the fans, the 70 home runs hit by Mark McGwire in 1998, followed by the 73 home runs hit by Barry Bonds, should be marked with an asterisk because of both alleged and admitted PED use during their careers. In 2005, the MLB significantly enhanced its suspension policy regarding PEDS, proving that steroids are truly a problem the baseball industry does not accept. According to MLB.com, the suspension for PED use in 2005 was light -- 10 days for the first steroids offense, 30 days for the second, 60 days for the third and a full year for the fourth. However, since 2005, suspensions are more severe -- 50 games for the first offense, 100 games for the second and a lifetime ban from baseball for the third. In addition to strict suspensions, the MLB also expanded its random drug testing system to allow for more spontaneous tests each season. The Biogenesis scandal that led to suspensions for stars Ryan Braun and Alex Rodriguez shows how the mindset has changed since the 1990s and that fans value the truth over inflated statistics. According to a Gallup poll taken in May 2006, when fans were asked if career home run leader Barry Bonds should have his batting records taken away if the MLB concluded that Bonds used PEDs, 52 percent agreed that his records should be stripped away. Another Gallup poll, taken in March 2002, asked fans if they believed that MLB players should be tested for PEDs, and an overwhelming 86 percent stated that players should be tested. It’s apparent that fans would rather have good, clean baseball then record-breaking statistics influenced by PEDs. A decline in viewership has resulted, as the NFL and NBA are far ahead of the MLB in both the national and global sports market. According to Nielsen Media Research, the 2012 World Series was the least-watched MLB championship series of all time, as only approximately 12.7 million viewers tuned in. However, since 1991, only 21.6 million viewers tune into the World Series each year on average. Recent history has been worse, as only 15.8 million viewers per season have watched the World Series since 2005. Many of the MLB’s issues stem from steroids and lead to baseball lacking it’s main purpose: entertainment. “The best” players are never really the best because of the manner in which they gained elite stature. Fans of all ages end up glorifying a group of cheaters who shed a negative stigma on the league and the sport of baseball collectively. As a result, major league baseball is less popular, more corrupt and now infested with PEDs. Is this what we call “America’s Pastime?” Let’s hope not. l TWITTER.COM/SJT_23
12
OPINION
Campus Voices
“How do you plan to be successful this semester?
Najee Morgan Counseling “Show up to all my classes, do all my work and ask questions if I need help.”
Frank Dominguez Criminology “Attending all my classes and doing all my work.”
Madoyln Idlet Public Relations “Attending class everyday and reading my textbooks.”
Marc Salinas Mechanical Engineering “Taking extra time to study, finishing homework on time, and just being prepared.”
WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY THALIA GONZALES
09.04.2013 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
CREATING COLLEGE SUCCESS BY RAMPAGE EDITORIAL BOARD editorial@therampageonline.com
It is now the third week of the semester and time to get serious with your classes . Even if this is your first semester, going to college is a life-changing decision that requires a lot of planning and much thought. However, all too often, people make the quick decision to go to college and end up skipping classes, receive failing grades and compromise their chances for a better future. Making the decision to attend college is not easy and requires responsibility, diligence and above all else, motivation. Two big questions you should ask yourself now are, “why am I here in college”? and “what do I want to achieve once I graduate?” If you don’t have a plan, goal or even know why you decided to come to college, you need to figure them out soon. W hether you are fresh out of high school or a 35-year-old mother of two, it is never too late to decide to go to commit to a college education. Despite the idea that college should be completed within a certain time frame, you must set your own pace and dedicate yourself to what your goals are. It’s important to take a step back and evaluate yourself as an individual and consider all the educational options you have as an adult. There are many alternatives available beside your “traditional” college atmosphere - which sometimes are greatly overlooked. Factors that should be considered are figuring out the career path you would like to venture into, the idea of possibly moving, your employment options and financial circumstances. Ultimately, choosing to attend a trade school, community college, state university or a private institution are questions that should be answered before making the big decision . Although some people know what they want to achieve in life, most do not. Having a college plan allows you to not only focus in certain core
areas but also enables you some time to explore your options. In college, exploring is a great way to tailor your personal choices that could possibly affect the path you chose for your future. Although “exploring” in college is such a vague term, it can sometimes entail much more than intended. Of course, college is a time to explore various subjects and expand your hobbies and social activities. However, avoid excesses such as par-
ties, drugs and sex which are often associated with going to college. It would be wise to explore your choices by taking elective classes, becoming a club officer or maybe even joining your student government. It’s up to you to review what is beneficial for you to delve into in college and it is up to you to build a college experience for yourself, thus creating a solid college resume. Some students choose to get their bachelor’s degree or doctorate degree while others plan to become certified in a specific trade or skill.
Depending on what you’re going for and what benefits you would like to achieve, your expected “time frame” varies. You, the student, must be the one to motivate yourself to achieve your goals. That motivation might mean seeking help when you are having trouble in your classes. The college has many available resources to ensure student success. The Tutorial Center on campus offers tutors in subjects ranging from accounting and anthropology to Spanish and statistics. If you start to feel the slightest bit behind in a class, take advantage of the free tutoring available through the tutorial center. Another great tool is the Writing and Reading Center. If you’re having trouble with a reading assignment or putting a paper together, this is the place to go. The Online Writing Center is also available. Be sure to check the college’s website for availability. Ta k e a d v a n tage of the numerous opportunities in your classes. Certain instructors give opportunities for extra credit; grab them. Also, there are workshops designed to help you complete your work. These workshops cover everything from writing in MLA format to writing good thesis statements. Those 50 minutes can change everything and may make the difference in your success. Every student on this campus can attain success. Self-motivation and the urge to succeed will drive you to where you need to be and help you ask for help along the road if you need it. Whether you are coming back to college or just starting, the future is yours. Take it seriously. l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
OPINION
13
Build the perfect army for fantasy football The do’s and don’ts of making your team invincible BY SIDNEY THOMPSON
Reporter sthompson@therampageonline.com
You’re on the clock. What do you do? Do you choose Baltimore Ravens’ running back Ray Rice, Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers, or Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson? Every owner of a fantasy football team faces a dilemma during their league draft. Here are a few tips to follow, along with common mistakes to avoid. DO: • Look For Production and Opportunities Fantasy football isn’t necessarily about the best players. Rather, it’s more about productivity and opportunities. For example, players such as New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady and Houston Texans’ wide receiver Andre Johnson may be two of the most talented players at their respective positions, but players such as Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck and Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Randall Cobb are projected to score more fantasy points during the 2013 NFL season, according to ESPN.com. It’s not that Luck and Cobb are better, but based on their team offenses, they are projected to get more opportunities to produce, as compared to Brady and Johnson. • Find Sleepers/Beware of Busts Every season, there are players that either exceed expectations or fall very short of them. Due to team injuries and upgraded roles, sleeper picks find their way into the spotlight and get an opportunity to produce at an unexpected rate. Busts, on the other hand, are usually players who lack
consistency, or are in a role that is possibly too large for them. Some of the year’s potential sleeper picks include Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receiver Cecil Shorts and Packers running back Eddie Lacy. Potential busts include New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Marques Colston and San Francisco 49ers’ tight end Vernon Davis. • Remember Tight Ends! Tight ends are usually overlooked in favor of other positions.
sometimes last-minute free agents you can add to your team before week one of the season. Plus, players who are free agents may have a big game, and you want to try to sign the player before the rest of the league trounces on him. You also have to be aware of your opponents’ dropped players as they may drop a player who’s struggling or injured, making a potential steal likely if the player returns to top form.
However, if you can find an elite tight end, it’s as good as (if not, better than) drafting another skills position. For example, if Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was a wide receiver, his projections (179 fantasy points, according to NFL.com) would make him the seventh highest-ranked receiver in the NFL. As only seven tight ends are projected to score over 100 points, drafting one of them could make a huge difference in your league. • Be Active on the Waiver Wire Just because the draft is over, it doesn’t mean that your roster is set. As soon as the draft ends, there are
DON’T: • Reach for Quarterbacks According to NFL.com, only seven quarterbacks (Brady, Luck, Rodgers, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos, Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, and Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers) are projected to score over 300 fantasy points over the course of the season. However, 11 other quarterbacks are projected to score over 225 points, leaving over half of the NFL’s starting quarterbacks as serviceable options for your team. Besides, quarterbacks are not usually
not the difference-makers, as much more emphasis is put on running backs and wide receivers. • Draft All of Your Favorite Players Drafting your favorite players will break your heart every time. The problem with drafting all of your favorite players is that you disregard everything, including projections, injuries, opportunities, and position needs on your team, just to draft a player that you’re infatuated with. This strategy will likely lead to drafting players too high and subjecting yourself to a weak fantasy team. • Believe the Preseason Hype Preseason is not a good predictor of regular season success. Because of the lack of repetition and meaninglessness of the game, stats and performances can easily be skewed. For example, New York Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez has generally had good preseason outings, with almost 1,400 yards, 10 touchdown passes, and a 86.6 passer rating in 17 career preseason games, according to NFL.com. However, the founder of the “Butt Fumble” is widely regarded as a lower-tier quarterback in the NFL. By default, you don’t need to ignore preseason outings, but you must be skeptical of them. • Ignore your Gut Fantasy football is unpredictable, and those who win their leagues have to make gutsy decisions. So don’t always follow the stats and projections, and make the choice that you think is best. Nothing is sweeter than that decision paying off for you. Best of luck! l TWITTER.COM/SJT_23
Makeup tips to make you glamorous
BY DAISY MARTINEZ
Reporter dmartinez@therampageonline.com
Makeup is meant to cover up those areas that we want to hide, or simply give a glamorous touch to your face. But how do we know what makeup is best for us and how we should use it? Knowing what brand is best for
you might take a couple of makeup samples if you have sensitive skin and have developed any type of reaction in the past. Staying with the same products you have used is probably a good idea, but if you want to try new brands just make sure they have the same ingredients. Mayra Medrano, a FCC student, works as a makeup artist from home doing for any kind of occasion. Medrano, like many, took a while before she found the right makeup for her. “I was constantly changing makeup because it either didn’t give me the coverage I wanted or it made me break out,” said Medrano. Medrano found that the only makeup that wouldn’t cause her to breakout was hypoallergenic, which is a bit more expensive to purchase. MAC is one brand she found useful. It gives her great coverage and she never breaks out with that makeup
brand. “I have very sensitive skin and have to be careful about what I put on my face,” added Medrano. “The price I pay for my makeup is worth it because I don’t breakout or get rashes,” she said. Many makeup brands carry hypoallergenic makeup. Covergirl, Almay and just about all the makeup you will find at your regular drug store. You can also get higher quality makeup like Chanel, Urban Decay, NARS, Smashbox and Lancome which can give you longer coverage and make you look fabulous. If you have pimples and want to find an easy and less expensive way to hide them, buy red neutralizer which is found at any local beauty store from brands like Covergirl and Maybelline. You also want to apply concealer to cover dark circles around the eyes. Concealer can also hide pimples and patchy lip tone.
It’s very important not to use concealer all over your face. If you do so you will lose the touch of the foundation. Try using only in small areas where it’s needed. Concealer should be one shade lighter than your skin tone. After you’ve covered your pimples and applied concealer then you apply the foundation. Something important to note about concealer: if you have lines under your eyes, it’s best not to use concealer. Under eye lines are thin and will not hold the heavy concealer. If that’s your case it’s best just to use foundation under the eyes to avoid making your lines more noticeable. If you have great skin try not to use a lot of makeup. Let your beauty show naturally. Also, don’t forget to cleanse your face using a facial wash, toner and moisturizer twice a day. You should also use a facial scrub and mask twice a week to look fresh.
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14
OPINION
09.04.2013 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
Sexploration with Troy and Lauren “Should you sleep with an ex-boyfriend?”
THE STRAIGHT PERSPECTIVE BY LAUREN BAKER
Artistic Director lbaker@therampageonline.com
There are many aspects one should take into account as a woman, both in personal and circumstantial aspects, when considering sleeping with an ex-boyfriend. For starters, any man that has any ounce of respect for you will not try to convince you to have sex “for old times’ sake.” Any woman who holds herself in high regard and both loves and respects herself wouldn’t indulge a man who only sees her as a “quick lay.” Any basic psychology class will tell you that the nature of a break-up will dictate the manner of the post-relationship. That being said, if he was a total jerk that wasted your time and your affections, then you should definitely reconsider this venture. You teach people how to treat you, regardless of who it is, and you should hold yourself to a higher standard than an easy lay or a rebound. It really all comes down to personal circumstance, the nature of the break-up itself, and if you were able to maintain a friendship afterwards. If you feel that there are still avenues to be explored with this person, then you owe it to yourself to pursue it. There’s nothing wrong with post-relationship sex so long as you and your partner are on the same wavelength
and you can handle it as a potential one-night stand. More likely than not, these situations are flings, or elongated “friends-with-benefits” situations. Whether or not you can handle this type of situation is dependant on you and what you know you can handle. But, if you feel like there is still something between you and this ex, something
that could possibly blossom into a new relationship, then by all means have your ex-sex. I would still strongly suggest trying to rebuild the relationship and get to know each other again before jumping into bed (if that is indeed the goal in mind). In the end, all that matters is that you know who you are and what you want. Don’t let a blast from the past cloud your judgement if you know in your heart of hearts it isn’t for you. l TWITTER.COM/ELBTHEHERO
THE GAY PERSPECTIVE BY TROY POPE
Editor-in-Chief tpope@therampageonline.com
That is a very complicated question. On paper, the answer is no, but there are always mitigating circumstances. Let’s assume that you’re single while asking this question, otherwise the answer is a resounding “no.”
Sleeping with an ex is complicated because at some point, you probably cared for each other. And if you don’t want those feelings again, then it’s risky business. Sometimes it’s hard to disassociate lust and love with an ex, and that’s the reason that - on paper - you should never have the regrettable sex. Are or were you in love with him, and might sex confuse the situation? Then don’t sleep with him. Are or were you in love with him, and is he in love with you? Then do it,
and try to rekindle the magic. Here is the complicated situation: If you guys are friends, or are at least amicably associated, will sleeping with him complicate the nature of your relationship? This is answerable on a caseby-case basis; there is no one answer to every situation. If you are looking to get back into a relationship and he feels the same way, then do it. If only one of you is, then don’t jump head first into bed. There are, however, mitigating circumstances.Is he going off to war? Knock one out for you two to remember each other by in case you never meet again. The same goes if he is simply moving away, never to return. If there is going to be a seemingly permanent distance between you, then the once-in-love stipulation can be voided. If you guys are both down for it, go for it. Having sex with your ex-boyfriend, and current friend, is almost always complicated. The physical relationship inevitably leads to a friends-with-benefits situation, which can lead to heartbreak or relationship woes if one of you starts seeing someone else. Think about the consequences that might occur, not about how hard up you are. I don’t want to say to not put yourself out there, but know what the pros and cons of recoupling are before you hop into bed again. l TWITTER.COM/DARKTROY
The Gamer’s Chair: New console reveals
BY VICTOR APARICIO
Production Manager vaparicio@therampageonline.com
The next generation of video game consoles is almost here. Sony announced that its newest member of its console family, the PlayStation 4 will be released to the American public on Nov. 15. Although Microsoft has not announced the exact release date of its console, the Xbox One, the company publicized that it will also debut
in November. The PS4 and Xbox One are powerful successors to last generation’s consoles. Both are capable of 1920×1080 resolution at 60 frames a second, multitasking applications, recording and sharing your gameplay and of course outputting games with highly detailed visual and audio fidelity. With so many similarities, why does it matter which one you purchase? Because Sony and Microsoft both have very different goals and philosophies. Microsoft has its eye on an entirely digital entertainment center for the living room, with an improved tracking camera for casual use and games, new features for interactive television shows and control a cable provider’s content through the console. Sony on the other hand
is focused on providing highquality gaming. In recent months, they have been adamant in getting independent game developers to put their creative projects on the console. Even during the PS4’s production, Sony collaborated with high profile first and third-party developers to provide feedback on what they wanted out of the console and controller. Fresno City College students were polled for which consoles and games the students were most excited to see released. Of the students polled, 52 percent are anticipating the PS4 console, saying the console is $100 less than the Xbox One. FCC gamers are also excited for the PlayStation Plus subscription service, which delivers free games, and expressed interest in the new
touchpad-equipped controller. Thirty-two percent of students look forward to the Xbox One, saying that they like the controller’s size and the ability to keep their account’s information from Microsoft’s previous console, the Xbox 360. Overall, students think the new system will provide a better gaming experience. The game lineups for the PS4 and Xbox One are brimming with franchises and new ideas like “Kingdom Hearts 3”, “DC Universe Online,” “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” and “Tom Clancy’s Division”. According to a poll of the anticipated next-generation games, it seems that many students will be trying to reach the top of their leaderboards when the new consoles and games premiere this fall. l TWITTER.COM/VICTORKID
THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM 09.04.2013
SPORTS
15
FCC track and field athlete shot outside of her home. Coach’s Corner
Obtained from Paris B. Turner’s personal Facebook account. BY SIDNEY THOMPSON
Reporter sthompson@therampageonline.com
The 19-year-old Fresno City College student who was shot in the head in July is recovering in an outpatient rehab this week.
Paris Turner, a track and field runner for FCC, was shot on July 22 in the early morning hours, during a gathering at her house on Alluvial and Bond Avenues. She was rushed to Community Reg ional
Medical Center in critical condition. Police has not charged anyone with the assault, but according to multiple reports, the assailant was not among the guests at the event and had fired a total of four shots from outside of the house. To assist Turner’s family during her recovery, friends of Turner organized a fundraising 5-kilometer run, called “The Defeet Violence & Defend Our Community Run” on Aug.11 at Woodward Park. Clovis West High School student Sawyer Lindsey, a former high school teammate of Turner, described her as a “role model.” Lindsey led planning of the fundraiser which raised approximately $5,000. “It [the Turner shooting] has been a big eye-opener, because you don’t think it happens to anyone around you ... Having it happen to someone so close to us is a big thing,” said Lindsey. Lindsey also said that many friends of Turner
were “very upset” when informed of the incident. Lindsey said students at both Clovis West and FCC volunteered at the 5K event. Although Lindsey has not talked to Turner since the shooting, she has stayed in constant communication with Clovis West head track and field coach Martin Palavicini, who visits Turner at least once every week and reports that she is walking, talking, and is not suffering from significant memory loss. Lindsey says that Turner remembers all of her family and friends who visit her and has seen highlights of the fundraiser run and messages from her supporters. The Turner family has not been available for comment. According to the Fresno Police Department, the shooting is still an open investigation and investigators are following several suspect leads. No arrests have been made.
Fitness tips for every student BY KEAUNDREY CLARK
Reporter kclark@therampageonline.com
Life of a college student can be very strenuous. Fresno City College Head Women’s Basketball coach Brian Tessler has solutions for how the average college student can stay in shape. • “No fast foods, even if you’re running late, always prepare a lunch from home the night before” • “When planning to diet don’t go to extremes in cutting of all junk or unhealthy foods, it takes time” • “Get at least 45 minutes to an 1 hour a day [of exercise]. [It] can be easily done with a weight-lifting, fitness, dance or regular PE class three times a week on campus. It doesn’t take a lot of money or a gym membership to stay in shape.” • “Even exercising at home doesn’t take much time, it can be done between commercials while watching your favorite prime-time television show.” • “No late night snacking, late night craving will add extra pounds in your sleep” • “Drink a lot of water, especially in the final days of summer. It helps keep your body hydrated.”
l TWITTER.COM/SJT_23
l TWITTER.COM/SLOCUM13
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8/7/13 11:03 AM
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SPORTS
09.04.2013 THERAMPAGEONLINE.COM
SUSAN YATES LEAVES LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE
The leader of champions retires after 29 years at the helm of FCC athletics BY AUGUST PROMNITZ
Reporter dpromnitz@therampaline.com
After 29 years of work at Fresno City College, athletic director Susan Yates retired on Sept. 1, 2013, leaving behind one of the most successful athletic programs in the state. “It was my honor and pleasure to be at the helm of this program,” Yates said at her retirement party on Aug. 29. Following the achievement of her master’s degree in secondary education at the University of San Francisco, where she participated in volleyball and badminton, Yates went to work at Clovis West High School and McLane High School . She served these schools as an athletic instructor and coach before being hired on at Fresno City College in the fall of 1984 as the coach for
“Most of the coaches here have huge egos and she did a good job balancing all those egos and keeping us together as a team where we weren’t divided into factions”
-Ron Scott baseball team. “All the credit she gets, she deserves,” said Scott of his former partner. She took on the role of being FCC’s sole athletic director in 2002, and oversaw one of the most accomplished athletic programs of any two-year college in California, leading the coaches and student athletes to victory, giving all the credit to them in doing so. Her legacy is further reflected by the coaching staff
This placard is a testament of former athletic director Susan Yates’ devotion to making the 19 sports programs at Fresno City College the best in the state. (Photo/ Karen West)
the women’s volleyball team, as well as instructor for the program. Later, she would add the title of golf coach to her resume at FCC. In 1999, she was promoted to co-athletic director alongside Ron Scott, the current coach of the men’s
that has worked under her for more a decade. “I can’t imagine a better coaching staff,” said Yates. “There may be equal out there, but there’s no better.” Her direction was recognized by the coaching staff. “Most of the coaches
here have huge egos and she did a good job balancing all those egos and keeping us together as a team where we weren’t divided into factions,” said Ron Scott, her former codirector and the current men’s baseball coach. Under Yates’ direction, FCC would go on to see women’s water polo and badminton added onto the FCC list of sports when most other community colleges in the state were clamping down on athletics. In 2007, she saw the construction of the Performance Center, the practice gym for FCC athletes to prep for their games. For her part, Yates earned the highest award for community college sports, the National Alliance of Two Years College Athletic Administrations cup five times in her tenure, finishing in first place three times, and twice in third place. Her pinnacle achievement would come in the 20112012 athletic season, when the Fresno City College Rams would go on to win the state championships in wrestling, men’s basketball, and men’s tennis. In addition to these three titles, 15 of the 19 Rams teams went into the postseason, and 11 won conference titles.Yates was recognized for her direction of this landmark season when she received the Junior/Community College Learfield Sports Directors’
Former athletic director Susan Yates, watches Fresno City College students use the Harold Zinkin Fitness Center on Thursday, August 22, 2013. In addition, to directing the 19 athletic teams at FCC, Yates also helped to get the Harold Zinkin Fitness Center built. (Photo/Karen West)
Fresno City College’s former athletic director Susan Yates (right) moves on to “another chapter in [her] life.” Women’s golf and softball Coach, Rhonda Williams is the new athletic director (left). (Photo/ Karen West)
Cup for the 2011-2012 season, the first ever recipient of this award. The crystal cup remains on display in the Performance Center she helped to build, and assures that she will retire on a high note. “She’s been very much a mentor for me,” says women’s volleyball coach Tracy AingerSchulte “and for what I want to try and achieve at this level.” Yates made it clear to all that winning was never her primary focus, but according to her, it was the well-being of the student athletes and the unity of the teams. “We just use athletics as the carrot to get the athlete to find their goals and to achieve their goals and degrees.” Despite her winning strategy and leaderships, Yates does have her regrets from her time at FCC. Most notably, she found dismay in any student athlete that never reached their full potential. It was a disheartening experience, and one that she did all in her power to prevent from happening.“You take that to heart,” she said “you take that personally. What did I not do, or what could I have done to help that individual succeed better?” But Yates took the pain and used it as a drive to help any student who would step into her office. In the countless students who worked
their way to victory, Yates often found her greatest source of inspiration. “I gain every day from those athletes,” said Yates, “the drive and the ‘never giving up’ attitude.” This was carried over to her life at home, where her role as a mother benefitted. She is the single mother of two daughters, Riley, 16 and McKenna, 12, both girls are highly athletic. While McKenna has been active in water polo, swimming, baseball and track, Riley has put her focus on gymnastics. She currently is a member of Break the Barriers, a gymnastics team that focuses on collaborations between able-bodied and disabled gymnasts, aiming to empower the disabled and boost self-esteem. With her retirement, Yates looks forward to spending time with her children, having been relieved of her balancing act. Yates, however, will always look back on her time, able to take pride in her greatest achievement. “The accolades we get in awards is one thing,” said Yates, “but it’s the little award when that student athlete gets that scholarship they’ve dreamed of, those are the fondest memories.” l TWITTER.COM/FCCRAMPAGE