News Asg Committee Finds Mecha Violated Policies By Jesse Franz Rampage Reporter An Associated Student Government committee reported on Tuesday that it found MEChA to be in breach of administrative conduct code, subsections 11 and 15, pertaining to the use of language at a school sponsored event. The committee, chaired by ASG senator, Nathan Alonzo, investigated whether members of the MEChA club were in breach of the personal conduct policies of Fresno City College when they allegedly used foul language during the Rally for Community Unity event on March 14. In accordance with ASG’s findings, MEChA must present a formal letter of apology for their actions at the rally or appeal the ASG ruling by the April 26 ASG meeting. Alonzo said that if MEChA does not meet the deadline, ASG will “not allow the club to
participate in any event for the rest of the semester.” If MEChA further refuses to corporate with the ASG ruling, they risk having their club un-chartered for the fall semester. Clayton Richie, president of the CIT-0 club, had filed a report against MEChA at the weekly ASG meeting on March 29. Richie had asked ASG to endorse a letter of complaint against the MEChA club for what he perceived as inappropriate behavior at the Rally for Community Unity. Although ASG members voted not to support the letter, they launched an investigatory committee to decide if MEChA was in breach of the personal conduct policies of the college. Subsection 11 pertains to “Disruptive behavior, willful disobedience, and the habitual profanity or vulgarity” whereas 15 restrains students from “Lewd indecent, or obscene conduct… at District sponsored events.”
GAI RESIGNATION CONTINUED from page 1
Photo By Paul Schlesinger
signatures. While officials were reviewing the collected applicant support signatures, Gai’s name kept coming up as “not enrolled.” When confronted about this, Gai realized that his only option was to step down and send out his resignation letter via e-mail to his colleagues. “He’s not afraid to apologize,” Cabrera said. “If he knows he’s wrong, then he’s wrong. He’s not going to be arrogant about it.” Cabrera said she previoualy suggested that “there should be an evaluation on everybody in ASG. Now I understood why he didn’t want that.” For Gai, the resignation has not been easy. “This is something that’s really been troubling. I’m so upset and disappointed with myself,” he said. Cabrera said the situation will hurt how the ASG is percieved by the students and clubs they represent. “I know that there are people on campus that have been not in favor of ASG and they’re going
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Rampage Wins Awards at JACC Conference
Some supporters of MECha have made allegations that this investigation is intended to disBy Karina Ornelas region of JACC. couraging the candidates asso- “Through tremendous efforts, Rampage Reporter ciated with MEChA from runwe have accomplished our goals, ning for ASG office this month. and in my eyes, succeeded,” said The editorial staff for the Fresno Senator Alonzo discredited these current managing editor, Sydney City College Rampage newspaper claims. Excinia, who has been with the won several awards, at the 56th “That’s probably inaccurate, Rampage for two years. Excinia annual Journalism Association of and it’s unfortunate that those also said she is proud of the staff Community Colleges convention, allegations would take place,” she works with. held in Sacramento. Alonzo said. “ASG is only acting The event from April 7 to 10 The awards were made for work on it because a student brought opened with a keynote speech by completed during the spring 2010 it up. It doesn’t have anything Joyce Terharr, managing editor and fall 2010 semesters. The Ramto do with ASG or any special interest that people might think have against anyone else.” However, besides the issue “Through tremendous efforts we of whether MEChA will appeal have accomplished our goals, and this ruling or not, there is the question of whether or not this in my eyes, succeeded. investigation was illegitimately chartered because it was formed - Rampage Editor in Chief, during the invalid administration of resigned President Daniel Gai. Sydney Excinia This issue will be evolving in the coming days and weeks. Follow it exclusively at fresnocipage won an award in the General for content at the Sacramento Bee. tycollegerampage.com. plans concerning the possible reform of FCC’s smoking policy, as well as the recently passed Ram-Pantry, regardless of if these things were done under Gai’s signature during the time he was in office illegally. Of the remaining ASG staff Gai says, “They have to stay together, and there can’t be an internal power struggle.” Gai said he heard rumors that some ASG members are vying for his position. “They
to scrutinize ASG even more,” Cabrera said. “But we who have been here know what ASG is about. They know the work that goes into it and how much work you put into it.” According to Cabrera, the issue could spark routine evaluations of ASG members to make sure that they are doing well in their classes while still being able to stay committed to the student body. If a member is having trouble maintaining the required 2.0 cumulative GPA, Cabrera says -Daniel Gai that the ASG is supportive enough so they can “Do what [they] need to do so have to stay focused on student [their] academics don’t fail.” advocacy,” urges Gai. “Just beCabrera said, “Everybody’s cause I’m not there anymore does here for the same reason and that not mean that the strategic plan is is to receive an education.” She not in place. It’s still in place, you added that an evaluation “at least guys [ASG] just have to finish it.” once a month would be great.” Gai says that he will not be According to Cabrera, ASG is returning to Fresno City College now faced with the task of review- until the summer. He hopes to ing the progress that was made finish the classes he dropped and between March 8 and April 5. be able to start classes at Fresno It is possible that ASG will State in the fall. “I have to get my have to recommission the life back together,” he said. previously passed legisla“He was here for the students,” tion. Under the leadership of Cabrera said on Gai’s legacy. “He Rebecca Ashjian, previously helped a lot of students on campus the legislative vice president, like DSP&S students. He brought now standing in as President them in under his wing to make for ASG. sure that they felt comfortable, “We’re still focusing on to make sure they were being lisaccomplishing what we tened to. He tried to make everyhave to finish,” said Ashjian. body feel comfortable that way.” “We’re still moving, still on According to Cabrera, things track.” Gai implemented while presiAshjian says one of the dent was a stricter office policy things ASG is focusing on that allowed for a better work is a smooth transition from atmosphere, as well as moving the old administration to the to have ASG work alongside the new one. “We have a lot of administration to have a voice for potential ASG candidates the students. right now.” “No one’s going to forget who The ASG plans to stand Daniel Gai is,” Cabrera said. “For Daniel Gai speaking at the by the Rally for Community good or for bad, he’s done a lot of March for Community Unity. Unity, going through with great things.”
“I have to get my life back together.”
Excellence category, which covers the overall reporting, content, and design of the newspaper. Former copy editor, Andrew Veihmeyer, won second place in the News Writing category while former managing editor, Kyle Calvert, and current online and entertainment editor, Max Rosendahl, won General Excellence in the Enterprise Reporting category for their coverage of the Health instructor, Brad Lopez’s controversy. Current news editor, Aly Diaz, also won the General Excellence award for her series, “DSP&S In Crisis” last semester.
Each of the three days of the convention was filled with workshops and on-the-spot competitions for aspiring journalists. The JACC state convention gathers faculty and students from 45 California and Rhode Island colleges to exchange ideas with others and encourage the development of an enriched educational experience for journalism students and instructors alike. In her the keynote address, Terharr addressed the current state and effects of online media she encouraged journalism students to not only effectively report and
Photo By Paul Schlesinger
March 16, 2011
Rampage Team at JACC Conference Current art director, Austin Verburg, won first place for Editorial Cartooning and received Honorable Mention in the Critical Review category. Diaz and current production manager, Ramiro Gudino, won first and second place, respectively, for Online Student Designed Advertisement. The Rampage staff won fourth place in the Editorial Writing category for the Centennial Edition. Former production manager, Jessika Verdusco, won fourth place in the Inside Page Layout – Tabloid category. Additionally, Rampage reporter, Jesse Franz, won presidency of the Northern California
write, but also to accurately investigate a story. The JACC convention kept over 550 students and faculty busy, offering 13 on-the-spot competitions and over 70 seminar-styled workshops, led by journalism professionals from various well-known publications as well as instructors from various universities. Competitions incorporated many aspects of journalism, including writing, editing, editorial cartooning, photography, and layout. Keynote speaker Terhaar urged participants to embrace their role as journalists. She said, “You can create the future, and that’s a great place to be.”