Volume 24. Issue 6
October 28, 2013
www.thebreezeonline.com
ASCC President removed in closed meeting RYAN GELUZ
Former Student Body President Kevin Coduto says he was punished for invoking his right to free speech. The ASCC Campus Council removed Coduto from office by a two-thirds majority vote in a closed session on Oct. 21. Despite reporter protest, Coduto, journalists and the public were not allowed to be present during the deliberation proceedings. The council cited disciplinary procedures as the reason for the private meeting. This was the second closed session in two weeks on this issue. Student governments are required to comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act, which, under section 54954.5, allows closed sessions only under specific circumstances, none of which applied in the recent closed sessions.
See ASCC on page 5
KIMBERLY JOHNSON
Former ASCC President Kevin Coduto disputes his removal from office at the Philosophy Club’s “Silenced at Chaffey” event on Oct. 23.
Governing Board Election on Nov. 5 Get to know the candidates
Page 6
Dreamers find acceptance Page 4
News - New health care exchanges open Page 3
/chaffeybreeze
A & E - Guerrilla Girls on campus
Page 8
@chaffeybreeze
Reviews - The Fifth Estate
Page 9
/chaffeybreeze
Editorial - A week of learning
Page 10
@chaffeybreeze
2 | Interest
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
JANET TRENIER
Puppets were roaming the Rancho campus on Oct. 23. Joshua Matthew Bunch, technical theatre major, Justin Silva, theatre major, and Jacob Cornett, undecided major, are all part of the “Avenue Q” production. To read more about the show, go to www.thebreezeonline.com.
November 6-14
November 16-21
Other Events
Wednesday, November 6 Veterans Day Event
Thursday, November 14 Campus Explosion Concert
Wednesday, October 30 Pizza with the Presidents
Honor veterans at this recognition event. 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Wignall
Hosted by the Christian Club. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sports Center Yard
Free food and drinks provided. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Fontana campus
Thursday, November 7 Night With Santa Application Deadline
Thursday, November 14 Coffee Night
Wednesday, October 30 CSU Application Workshop
Saturday, November 16 Middle/High School Robotics Expo
Thursday, October 31 Women in Politics
Designed for currently enrolled students with children (aged 2 to 10 only) in need of holiday assistance. Deadline: Noon at Student Activities
Thursday, November 7 Coffee Night
Free coffee and discussion with ASCC members & clubs. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Chino campus in the Quad
Free, interactive robotics experience for students and parents. Register at www.chaffeyrobotics.eventbrite.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sicosky Gym
Monday, November 11 Veterans Day Holiday
Wednesday, November 20 Food Pantry
No classes held.
Wednesday, November 13 Pizza with the Presidents Free food and drinks provided. 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Student Activities
Free food for students in need. Bring registration receipt. 1 to 3 p.m. at the Chino campus
Thursday, November 21 Coffee Night
Free coffee and discussion with ASCC members & clubs. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the CAA Lobby
ASCC
Crime Log
The ASCC student council has approved funds for the 2013 Night with Santa event. Applications are now being accepted at the Student Activities office and at the Chino and Fontana campuses.
Oct. 11 — Hit & Run: Property Damage Oct. 14 — Battery Oct. 14 — Petty Theft: Bldg./Vehicle/etc. Oct. 15 — Hit & Run: Property Damage Oct. 15 — Burglary Oct. 17 — On Campus: No Consent Oct. 17 — Sex Penetration: Foreign Object Oct. 21 — Harassment: Phone Call Oct. 22 — On Campus: No Consent Oct. 22 — Petty Theft: Bldg./Vehicle/etc. Oct. 23 — On Campus: No Consent
The Food Pantry provides food for current students in need. The motivation of Student Activities is based on a compassionate hand out and hand up as the dignity of each student served is respected. In order for Chaffey’s student government to accurately represent students, ASCC requires all members to be current Chaffey students with at least 6 completed units.
Call (909) 652-6233 to sign up. 2 to 3:30 p.m. in BE-113
Free coffee and discussion with ASCC members & clubs. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fontana campus Student Center
Congresswoman Gloria Negrette McLeod discusses the state of women in politics. CCFem discussion after. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Wignall
Thursday, October 31 Halloween Costume Contest
Contest sign-in: 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Rancho Cucamonga and Chino campuses in the Quad
November 7-10 Avenue Q
“South Park meets Sesame Street.” Get your tickets from the Theatre Box Office or the Bookstore today!
Member: Journalism Association of Community Colleges Editor-In-Chief Valeen Gonzales (909) 652-6934 thebreeze@chaffey.edu Managing Editor
Interest Editors
Design Editor
Andrew Coons
Danna Fakhoury Jake Baylor
News Editor
Member: California Newspaper Publisher’s Association
Kim Gonzales Genesis Zamora
Layout Manager Robert Ortiz
Copy Editor Baseline Magazine Editor
Reviews/Video Editor
Julie Cosgrove Visit the online magazine at; www.thebaselinemagazine. com
A&E/Photo Editor
Adviser
Co-Photo Editor
Journalism Coordinator
Jocabeth Salvador
Features Editor Janet Trenier
Hanajun Chung
Kimberly Johnson Michelle Menes
Doug Walsh
Neil Watkins
Staff Writers & Photographers
Jay Adamson, Gloria Arguinzoni, Dulce Balandran, CJ Caldwell, Eric Chavarria, Dominic Galvin, Eric Garcia, Ryan Geluz, Christopher Haidl, Manar Hijaz, Calvin Huang, Desiree Hallstrom, Mashayla Kizzee, Toinyetta LeSure, Erica Lmuth, Andrew Marquez, Kirk McConnell, Glory Pina, Olivia Rodriguez, Anthony Santiesteban, Melarie Solorio, Scott Stone, Nicholas Tito, Virginia Tuitavake, Michelle Weaver, Sean Urciuoli, Nancy Yeang
The Breeze is published up to eight times a semester by the journalism students and members of the Associated Press Club at Chaffey College, 5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737. Telephone: 652-6934/6936. Opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff and should not be interpreted as the position of the Chaffey College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof. Letters and guest columns for or against any position are welcome. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (fewer than 300 words) and are subject to non-substantive editing according to guidelines established by the Associated Press. The Chaffey Breeze is a member of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, the California Newspaper Publishers Association and the Associated Press Club.
News | 3
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
California governor shoots down new gun law ERIC GARCIA
Sandy Hook Elementary. Santa Monica College. Aurora Century movie theatre. Washington Navy Yard. It seems like every time you turn on the television, or open up your web browser, there is a breaking story about a new mass shooting. In an effort to halt this wave of violence, gun control activists have pushed legislation onto the desks of lawmakers, sparking one of the largest and most heated debates on gun laws in American history. Although no one wants to put himself or herself, or loved ones, in harm’s way, progun activists have come forward to remind the American public that there is a fine line between government regulation and freedom. So where can the line be drawn? How can safety of the people be weighed against the liberties of the individual? At a meeting on Oct. 11, Gov. Jerry Brown was faced with a number of proposed laws that had some gun activists “up in arms,” resulting in protests stemming from a perceived assault on their Second Amendment rights. Among the most controversial proposed legislations was SB 374, which banned all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, adding many items to the growing list of assault weapons already outlawed in California. “Those definitely shouldn’t be there,” philosophy major Cristopher Armijo Ayyoub said. "They’re rifles that are used for war. The only people who need to kill that many people are soldiers. Why would any person need that here? I’m all for having a shotgun or a pistol in your home and
maybe even a rifle, to do some hunting, but there is no need for a semi-automatic weapon. You’re not hunting animals with that, and you shouldn’t be hunting people.” While Brown ultimately elected to veto the bill, some students echoed the sentiment of Second Amendment rights activists, and stood behind the decision. “There have only been a few instances where nut cases went out and shot up a whole school,” biology major Blue said. “They should focus on a lot of other things to help mitigate that problem besides taking away guns. It’s in our constitution for a reason. It’s in the Bill of Rights for a reason, and I think that reason is so that people will have the right to be able to defend themselves from any threat.” Although gun-control activists were unable to pass SB 374, they did manage to strike several blows to pro-gun legislation by passing several smaller bills. The most prominent will require long gun purchasers to obtain safety certificates, ban high-capacity magazine conversion kits, and extend the gun ownership probationary period for those who have expressed violent tendencies to psychiatrists. Some students feel an individualized approach to gun regulation is the solution to gun control, despite opposing views throughout the state and the entire nation. “I feel that guns don't kill people, but people kill people,” pharmacy technician major Jarius Issac said. “I feel that if you have the right mental state, and you’re not out for blood, then you can own a gun. But if you’re not thinking right, or you tend to get angry easily, then you probably shouldn’t have an assault rifle. It should be
MICHELLE MENES
Governor Jerry Brown signed 11 new gun laws and vetoed six others on Oct. 11, 2013. One of the bills he vetoed was SB-374, which would have banned all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines.
based on every person’s circumstance rather than the sentiment of the whole.” Though students are divided on their views regarding regulation, both sides expressed little concern over the safety of the Chaffey campus, even in light of the recent shooting at Santa Monica College in June. “Yeah, it’s been at the back of my mind,” Blue said. “Like ‘oh shoot, what if there’s a school shooting?’ But I’m more worried about the test I’ve got today than a school shooting.” Ayyoub was equally unaffected. “That’s ridiculous,” he said. “Beyond Rancho Cucamonga being one of safest cities in the United States, to shoot up a school, that takes specific intent, and that’s already a little too far out there for me.” With both sides adamant about their
Students react to new healthcare plan
MANAR HIJAZ
Healthcare providers in the Inland Empire are trying to get information out on the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as ObamaCare, as new health care expansions took effect on Oct. 1. Providers are looking to help enroll patients in the new system that seeks to provide insurance to 5.3 million Californians, 300,000 of which live in San Bernardino County. Clinics are scrambling to get people educated on the new health care overhaul. The San Bernardino County Community Clinic Association is facilitating this process after it won a $990,000 grant to provide outreach and education programs about the ACA. Republicans continue to voice their opposition about the ACA, criticizing website problems preventing enrollment in the program. There have been numerous complaints about login problems, lengthy delays, freezing and overall collapse. President Obama has acknowledged the problems with the central website that was launched earlier this month. “There's no sugarcoating it,” Obama said from the White House rose garden. “The website has been too slow. People have been getting stuck during the application process. There's no excuse for the problems.” He did, however, promise that the problems are being resolved and continued to defend the ACA. Many students have differing opinions on the benefits and disadvantages of ACA and the effect it will have on insurance coverage. “There are pros and cons [to the new health care laws],” Student Health Services Director Kay Peek said. “Benefits include lower monthly premiums, tax credits and extension for people who are on a family
insurance plan to 26 years of age." The ACA prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and requires that insurance companies cover the cost of unexpected emergency room patient visits. “In many respects, the Affordable Care Act is making insurance companies do the right thing by patients,” Peek said. Some students advocate for the ACA and are noticing the helpful aspects of this act. “Depending on your economic status, ObamaCare can be very beneficial,” child development major Erica Prodigalidad said. “It opens up opportunities for people in the medical field.” “The Affordable Care Act is very beneficial, especially to people who don’t have health insurance,” computer engineering major Anthony Bustamante said. Despite many benefits provided by the ACA, there is no denying that there are also perceived downsides in its provisions. One of the downsides Peek pointed to was that by March 31, 2014, everyone must have health insurance or they will have to pay a penalty. Individuals who meet poverty requirements will be eligible for free health care coverage from the government. “What is considered poverty level to be qualified for free insurance is very low,” Peek said. Peek believes that ACA does nothing to address the leading health care problems the United States is facing. “The health care system is in a very sad state, and the Affordable Care Act doesn't offer long-term solutions,” Peek said. “It doesn't solve the major health care issues.” Even more problematic, she said, is the lack of infrastructure to support the new health care overhauls. “You can’t pump everyone in the system without the existence of infrastructure
to support that,” Peek said. “There is going to be a delay in services because of this.” Some students are aware of the problems ACA creates. “The Affordable Care Act has many flaws and needs a lot of revisions,” business major Crystal Mierly said. “For a lot of Americans, their health care rates are increasing as a result of this act.” Other students are against the ACA all together. “I think it’s a terrible idea,” biology major Jason Ravenscroft said. “It's an extension of the entitlement policy that Obama has been running for the last eight years. We can't afford to keep our government open, but we are handing out insurance to people who are not paying for it.” The good news is that with or without the ACA, students can enjoy many health services offered on campus. “Students who are currently enrolled in a class, even a one-unit class, have free access to the Student Health Services,” Peek said. Services include health evaluations and treatment of short-term illnesses and injuries, Pap smears, X-ray referrals, birth control counseling and prescriptions, lab tests, physical exams, professional counseling and many others. There is no charge to students for consultations with medical doctors and nurse practitioners and minimal fees for additional services like immunizations. Peek believes the ACA will be good in the long run after better planning, resulting in more favorable opinions from the medical community. In the meantime, she suggests that students visit the Student Health Services for their health concerns. “Chaffey is a microcosm of world health,” Peek said. “We are always out in the community trying to find services at a cheaper and more affordable price for our students.”
respective views, the only thing certain is that the battle for gun control will be lengthy and heated.
Bicyclists get 3 feet MANAR HIJAZ
A new bill requiring drivers to maintain three feet of distance when passing bicyclists was signed into law last month. After vetoing earlier versions of the law in 2011 and 2012, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a simpler version of the Three Feet for Safety Act, which establishes an exact distance of three feet required of vehicles while passing bicyclists. The bill was endorsed by the California Bicycling Coalition and sponsored by the city of Los Angeles. If traffic and road conditions prohibit drivers from keeping a three-foot clearance, drivers must slow down to a reasonable speed and only pass when the bicyclist is safe. According to the California Bicycling Coalition, violators of the law will be punished by a $35 base fine which increases to $154 after additional fees. However, the new law does not take effect until Sept. 14, 2014. Chaffey College cyclist Mustafa Nazem believes this is a necessary law. “I think the law is great because the safety of bikers is very important since we do not have much protection if we are hit by a car,” Nazem said. “Like pedestrians, bikers should always have the right of the way.” Other students, however, believe that cyclists create dangerous situations on their own. “Honestly, I always see bikers cut cars off and go into the middle of the street,” science major Noor Subie said. “If they are going to create a law requiring cars to keep a distance from bikers, then they should have a law requiring bikers to be safe cyclists too.” “I think it’s fantastic that our lawmakers have enough time on their hands to enshrine common sense as law,” English instructor Chris Cotton said. “What sane person doesn't already leave as much room as possible when passing a biker?” The California Bicycling Coalition believes the new law is necessary to protect bicyclists. California will join 21 other states that have similar laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
4 | Campus Features
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
SAFE: A new club for Dreamers JULIE COSGROVE
The Student Alliance for Education, or SAFE, has found a new purpose in seeking an ASCC club charter this fall. Originally organized to help undocumented immigrant students seeking a college education, the club’s vision has grown in response to recent changes in the law that seems to hold much promise for immigration reform. They have been called Dreamers, for their dream of eventually finding a way to the rights and privileges of legal immigrants to live, work and eventually become citizens of the United States. Recently, the Obama Administration and the state of California have moved them closer to their dreams, but although they feel enthusiastic about these changes, doubts and uncertainties persist. The federal deportation waiver (DACA), for example, is granted only for two years with no certainty of extension and while their parents can now apply for driver’s licenses, there is still fear about stepping out of the shadows. The state of California has passed the “Trust Law,” a ban on holding undocumented immigrants for deportation if they are arrested for minor and non-violent offenses. But the Dreamers know that real change must come from the federal level. On Sept. 26, the founding members of SAFE met to plan and choose officers. English major Tanya Mora, was chosen president, broadcast major Joel Constantino, secretary, criminal justice major, Cinthia Rodriguez, vice president and Miriam
JULIE COSGROVE
from left, Miriam Martinez, Daniela Puentes, Kathy Aguilar, Tanya Mora, Cinthia Rodriguez and Joel Constantino meet to chose the officers of SAFE, the Student Alliance for Education.
Martinez, treasurer. Later, sociology major Gabriel Magallanes joined. Many in the group were not only AB 540 students (undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition rates in California colleges) but had already been approved to receive the DACA waiver. In just one year, their lives had changed dramatically. Instead of paying $800 to $900 in college fees, they received the BOG waiver for tuition. They all had found jobs to help with the cost of books and expenses. And they all felt more comfortable and more accepted, had work permits, social security cards. “I don’t have to worry about paying for books, or buying food on campus,” Mora said. She asserted the nearly $1,000 of college expenses that in-state students incur was impossible for her hard-working parents to manage. They all agreed that they were much more comfortable, no longer felt as such outsiders, even felt less of a burden on their families. “Our
parents work really hard,” Rodriguez said. Mora, Constantino and Puente chimed in, “Really hard.” “And they don’t get respect,” Rodriguez added. Hanging unspoken was their hurt to see their families go without respect and acknowledgement of their contributions. So eventually the question of guilt came up in the conversation. Joel’s father wants badly to return to Mexico to live but will stay and work in the United States until Joel himself is well established. Rodriguez also acknowledged her family’s preference for Mexico. It is especially difficult when family and friends of her parents’ generation get together and reminisce about the past they left behind.. “When they start talking, it’s really hard,” she said. And so the children are motivated by parents who work hard for their sakes and who have sacrificed so much to give them the opportunity to study and work in the United States.
They want to use the two years they have with the DACA exemption to help other young people understand DACA and pursue opportunities in college. The club can be a place where students come together. Rodrigues pointed out, however, that those who fell outside the specific cut-off dates for DACA are still living in fear. Magallanes added, “My hope for the club is to provide a space where under-represented students can have a voice,” she said. They agreed the club can allow the students a chance to use their voices collectively for these concerns. But nothing is certain. And politics are fickle. No one in the group knows for certain if DACA will continue beyond the next presidential administration or the next congressional election. No one in the group knows if immigration reform will actually come to pass. All they know is that DACA itself has limitations, for those over the age of 30 and under the age of 15.
navigating the currents of life, business or career. An impromptu online survey of political science graduates shows that they often leverage their skills and achieve success in wide ranging fields, from the program manager of the U.S. Treasury, to the dean of the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, to the manager of advertising and marketing at ESPN Digital Media, or even the senior producer of the CBS News Early Show. First year political science major, Dean Kating, shared his thoughts on what a political science degree can do: “It can open up a lot of stuff. I mean, you can go into politics, representative of Congress. Obviously, if you’re good with political science, you could run for president. What I’m hoping to do is to get a law degree; go to law school to be a lawyer —intellectual property law.” Law and politics are certainly
the most common intended career choices for those pursuing a political science degree, but Political Science Professor Monica Carter emphasizes the more flexible skill sets political science teaches: “[...] what it does is teach you how to think way more than it might be in other degrees, so for example, if you want to go to law school, which is, most lawyers are political science majors, it is teaching you how to analyze, how to negotiate, how to compromise, all of which you need to be as a lawyer.” Carter emphasizes that political science is a “starting point” from which to launch a variety of careers. However, she also notes that a political science degree is particularly relevant in certain careers or empowering individuals to address community concerns and effect positive change. Other common careers for political science degree holders include
consumer advocate, policy analyst, journalist, city manager, foreign service worker, diplomat, financial planner, political consultant, public relations director, lawyer, urban policy planner, human rights advocate and business administrator. Albert Chiang, former Chaffey student and a political science graduate from Pomona College, shared his own personal experience: “The most useful things were writing, learning how to write and communicate effectively and organizing your thoughts, and understanding not just the argument that is going on, not just facts, but the motivation and why someone might be taking a position in any situation — including in business or even in music. [It’s] just being able to see where people are coming from, and coming at a project together and negotiate what you want from it and what they from want from it. Basically it’s helpful for collaboration.”
Political science major: What is it good for? CALVIN HUANG
Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, and Henry Kissinger — these are the names one expects to hear when speaking of political science majors, a field that immediately conjures up images of politicians, diplomats and political analysts. It’s a specialized field with limited career paths — hardly the type of education one expects to be broadly applicable or to impart useful lifelong skill sets. But one would be mistaken to assume this. Politics is an inescapable part of daily life regardless of what industry one works in. Political science majors study the transfer and distribution of power, decision making, organizational management, negotiations, and analysis skills used for assessing and determining social policy on a national level, but such skills are equally effective for
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
ASCC
Campus News | 5
(Continued from page 1)
Though the ASCC cited a personnel exception, validating the closed meeting, the Brown Act states that an employee “shall not include any elected official” or “member of a legislative body.” President Carlotta Bohon cited a violation of Article III of the ASCC Constitutional By-laws as the cause of removal on Oct 21. During and multiple times after the meeting, she declined to elaborate further. “He was in breach of Official Decorum,” John Machado, ASCC adviser said. “The rest is all confidential. Under the Brown Act, I can’t legally tell you. I’m not going to go to jail for it.” Coduto released a statement the same day, saying that his removal was now bigger than him. “I am extremely saddened by the outcome of the entire situation,” Coduto said. “My removal from office, however, is a strategic victory in my continued fight for free and uncensored speech for students and individuals as I will never stop pursuing justice.” Members of the ASCC Campus Council would not provide comments to a reporter from The Breeze after the meeting, many saying they “did not have permission” to comment further and that “all questions should be directed to Susan (Stewart, Director of Student Activities) and John (Machado).” Coduto’s removal is the latest in a string of events set into motion by his endorsement of Zafar Inam, a candidate for the Chaffey College Governing Board. Those events included Superintendent/ President Dr. Henry Shannon’s visit to a recent ASCC meeting, where he called into question the ethics of Coduto’s endorsement. The ASCC released a public statement on its Facebook page stating reasons for Coduto’s removal. “This action was taken due to Mr. Coduto’s failure to fulfill his responsibilities as outlined in Article III, Official Decorum, in the ASCC By-Laws,” the statement said. “This decision was reached after ASCC provided Mr. Coduto with a remediation plan with which Mr. Coduto failed to comply.” An email drafted by Machado after a second closed session on the 17th detailed the steps of the above-mentioned remediation plan. “ASCC President/Student Trustee Kevin Coduto must present a public letter of apology both in writing and verbally at the next Governing Board meeting on Oct. 24, 2013,” the email said. “The written apology will also be submitted to the college newspaper, The Breeze, for publication.” The apology letter required that Coduto: “(1) apologize for his statement printed in The Breeze calling the actions of Dr. Shannon “highly unprofessional and disrespectful;” (2) apologize for his false and misleading statements in written and verbal communications to the Chaffey College community in regard to his plans to vote in the upcoming Governing Board elections although he is not a resident of the district and therefore cannot vote in the election; (3) state that he had not informed the ASCC Campus Council of his actions pertaining to political endorsement and campaigning for a candidate in the Governing Board election; and (4) apologize for placing his personal political agenda ahead of the well being and success of ASCC.” “If he refuses or does not complete the request, the Campus Council will vote on his removal from office,” the email said. Coduto refused to comply, and was
ousted on Oct. 21. At a Pizza with the Presidents event on the Chino Campus on Oct. 23, Shannon was asked to comment on Coduto’s removal. He responded with an analogy of blind men in a room touching different parts of an elephant. “You are only getting one side [of the story],” Shannon said. However, he declined to elaborate further. Machado released a statement on the ASCC Facebook page and in an email to several Chaffey faculty members defending the silence of ASCC council members, staff, and administration. “Student organizations at public universities and colleges are entitled to the full protections of the First Amendment, including the right to exclude students who disagree with the purpose and mission of the organization,” Machado said. “The Supreme Court unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to this principle in Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 U.S. 640 (2000).” Attorney Adam Goldstein of the Student Press Law Center disagreed. He released a letter in response to Machado, authorizing Coduto to share it “however he liked.” Coduto responded directly under Machado’s comment on the ASCC Facebook page. “I don’t know whether it’s worse to think the adviser might be intentionally lying or that he honestly doesn’t know why this rationale fails,” Goldstein said. “The Dale case was about private entities. The ASCC is a government actor.” On Oct. 24, the ASCC Facebook page no longer included Machado’s statement, Coduto’s reply and student comments about the issue. There is no longer an option for the public to comment on the page. “Rights exist to protect people from the government, not to protect the government from the people,” Goldstein said. “I hope for Chaffey’s sake they get informed quickly about their shortcomings, because I’m embarrassed for them. It shouldn’t be possible to be this bad at basic governmental obligations and actually work for the government.” Coduto defended the ASCC council’s right to decline to comment after the Oct. 21 meeting. Though he felt the meeting was brought into closed session illegally, he said the members present were still “technically in closed session” and that “they had every right” to stay quiet. The former president alleged intimidation and bullying on behalf of the administration for the alleged wrongdoing. “I don’t believe he [Machado] knew he was [wrong] in going into closed session,” Coduto said. “I was never my intent to give the impression that I was speaking for anyone other than myself. It certainly was not my intent to generate any friction between ASCC and the Chaffey administration or Board.” Coduto retains the position of Student Trustee, as removal would require a 10 percent written vote by the student body, according to Chaffey College Administrative Procedures, section 2105. He was seated at the Oct. 24 Governing Board meeting without apparent incident or public comment. “The Governing Board meeting went on like any other amid a few surprised faces,” Coduto said. “Nothing regarding the issue at hand was discussed.” It remains to be seen whether Coduto will be officially reinstated as President at the next ASCC campus council meeting on Oct. 28.
MICHELLE MENES
Regarding Coduto’s removal from office, ASCC President Carlotta Bohon declines to comment, while Superintendent/President Dr. Henry Shannon tells the parable of the elephant and the blind men at Pizza with the Presidents on Oct. 23 on the Chino campus.
MICHELLE MENES
ASCC adviser John Machado and ASCC Senator Corey Stevens at Pizza with the Presidents on Oct 23 at the Chino campus.
6 | Features
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
3 candidates vie for 2 seats on C Kathleen Brugger
Zafar
Chino, or Fontana Campus you have the opportunity to fulfill the graduation requirements by attending only one campus. * Online courses, Weekend Courses, High School dual enrollment with Chaffey College, Partnerships with State Universities in our area, Priority Registration to our veterans, Success Centers for student academic assistance. Hurtles: *Budget: State does not send monies to Community Colleges in a timely manner. Therefore, we must somehow make up for the short fall. Proposition 98 -11% was for Community Colleges. That amount of money not seen for years. * Tuition: Tuition rates are set by the State. Each increase makes Chaffey College less accessible for those seeking a community college education.
How do you plan to remedy the issues that come with a growing student population faced with fewer classes and changing policies? *Chaffey College has added 178 sections for the 2013 fall class schedule. *Collaborative meetings with staff and faculty working to address needing more classes and changing policies. Pizza With the Presidents is an opportunity for students to talk about concerns and issues with the ASCC President and Superintendent/President, Dr. Shannon. *Staff Reports to the Governing Board on timely, “How To”, and include a tentative timeline for implementation.
Occupation: Chaffey College Board Member
What is one of your favorite quotes:
Occupation: Engineer/Teacher
What motivated you to get involved in the Chaffey College Governing Board?
*”Chaffey College is a World Class Institution”! Paul Gomez
I was approached by a Chaffey College Faculty Member to run for an open seat on the Governing Board. It was believed I could bring my experience as a School Board Member to Chaffey College. Being a Chaffey College graduate, and having experience on the OntarioMontclair School Board I worked with budgets, personnel issues, and had a good relationship with staff. The teachers bestowed an Honorary Membership for Delta Kappa Gamma Theta Phi Chapter a cherished honor.
* I believe Science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician; he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.” Marie Curie
What motivated you to declare your candidacy for the Chaffey College Governing Board?
Tell me about your greatest achievements and biggest roadblocks you have faced throughout your service on the Governing Board. Achievements: *Presenting the idea of looking into a program called Certificates of Participation to upgrade computers and software for Chaffey College. My idea became a reality. *Measure L passage by the community brought the monies needed to build and repair campus structures. * Working with the surrounding cities has brought forth benefits to our students within the communities they live. Whether attending the Rancho Cucamonga,
What are your favorite pizza toppings? *Cheese and Pepperoni
If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would that be and why? Person: * Madame Marie Curie Why? She is one of the most famous female scientist including the present time. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and in two different fields Physics and Chemistry. Her husband Pierre’s discoveries plus Marie’s eventually lead to the development of x-rays. Marie broke the glass ceiling for future women to pursue scientific careers. She is credited with coining the word radioactivity. Absolutely amazing!
As a recent Chaffey College graduate, my candidacy is based on my desire to give back to the current and future students at our college. We need someone on the board willing to come up with innovative ideas and a fresh perspective to solve many issues students face at Chaffey College. Many students are not able to reach their educational goals either due to shortage of classes or lack of counseling in getting a clear direction to reach their career goals. As a recent Chaffey graduate, I am uniquely positioned to understand the needs of Chaffey College Students because I encountered many of these problems not too long ago. I will also make sure that every Chaffey College student can have the freedom to voice their concerns, opinions and suggestions without fear of retaliation, censorship and adverse action. We have to work together to build a strong bridge of collaboration, coordination and transparency between students, faculty, governing board and the community. I will work to make it possible for ALL students to reach their maximum potential and achieve their career goals.
Tell me about your greatest achievements and the biggest roadblocks you faced as a former Chaffey College student. As a former Chaffey College student, I faced three major roadblocks:
All candidate answers/statements have not been edited.
1. I felt a lack of direction from the counseling department when I enrolled at Chaffey College. I was not given a clear direction and guidance on careers paths and opportunities that existed locally.
Features | 7
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
Chaffey College Governing Board Inam
2. I always had trouble parking, especially in the first several weeks of the semester. I would sometimes get to class late because there weren’t any parking spaces available. I’ve always been critical about the number of open parking slots for faculty and school administration. Why not open some these slots for students during busy peek hours?
Katie Roberts NAME: KATIE ROBERTS
OCCUPATION: Retired Police Captain
Over 18,000 students depend on Chaffey College for a comprehensive and affordable education. The delivery and scope of their education depends upon the direction given by Governing Board members and executed by staff. During my twelve years of the Board of Trustees, I helped facilitate major changes:
3. I always had trouble registering for required classes due to lack of sections available as well as a poorly created school website. I would stay up late until midnight so I can be first in line to sign up for a class. Sometimes the website would crash because much of my fellow students were also using the same strategy in signing up for classes. Chaffey college website needs some serious upgrades.
· New learning centers were established to ensure students’ academic success.
My greatest achievement at Chaffey College was that I eventually graduated and transferred to Cal Poly Pomona and later received a Bachelors and Masters degree in engineering. I was able to find my career path and direction by getting help from some great professors and fellow students who led me into the right path. I was fortunate to have a great support network. I do not believe every student has a support network. I am running for the Chaffey governing board, to help build a better network of collaboration and coordination including an effective counseling system.
· The community passed Measure L allowing for new campuses in Chino and Fontana; and the enlargement and rehabilitation of the Rancho Cucamonga campus. · Chaffey College was able to serve all those who applied during an economic crisis. · Curriculums were modified to meet the needs of the local workforce. · Alliances were established with four year Universities to ensure our students admittance.
How do you plan to remedy the issues that come with a growing student population faced with fewer classes and changing policies?
· Partnerships were formed with K-12 making the transition into college a reality. · Drawing upon my career in law enforcement, procedures were put in place to protect students, faculty and staff.
Chaffey College has expanded campuses in Chino and Fontana. It is one thing to build more buildings, but if we are not utilizing them efficiently or effectively for students needs and expanding classes, then just building new structures will not serve Chaffey’s students well. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Chaffey College has a success rating of 34% based on the number of students graduating or transferring within 3 years. This means that only 3 out of 10 Chaffey students graduate or transfer within 3 years. Chaffey College cannot rely on high enrollment numbers and be satisfied with poor graduation and transfer rates. Chaffey students take more than 3, 4, even 5 years before they either graduate/ transfer, or just stop attending college because they can not enroll in required classes. That’s not right and we can do better. Chaffey College needs a better and effective counseling system that will help create concrete educational road maps for students so they are not wasting their time. As soon as a student enters Chaffey College, they should be guided towards a path of their choice which will result in a rewarding career.
What is one of your favorite quotes? “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
What are your favorite pizza toppings? Ground beef, chicken and mushrooms. I love mushrooms!
If you could meet any person dead or alive who would it be and why? I would love to meet our 16th President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln stood for what was RIGHT rather than what was popular at the time. President Lincoln did not believe in “status quo” and worked hard to fight for change, justice, freedom and equality. For more information, call my Cell # (909)-605-3564 or visit Electinam.com
Because Roberts did not return the questionnaire from The Breeze, the following is copied from the Voter Information Guide published by the San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters.
The next four years look bright but challenging. Partnerships are needed and classes need to be restored. Chaffey College is a world class institution with a great future. I’m proud of what we have accomplished and ask for your vote of confidence on November 5th.
Election Day is Nov. 5 Don’t forget to vote. To find your polling place, go to: http://www.sbcountyelections.com/
8 | Arts & Entertainment
Turn Up the Vote, turn up the arts
KIMBERLY JOHNSON
Graffiti artist Luigi Valarezo scans over his and and fellow artist Chris Garcia’s finished mini-mural depicting the word “create” at Turn Up the Vote on Oct. 20.
KIMBERLY JOHNSON San Bernardino Generation Now, a collective of youth political activists, hosted a free and family friendly festival on Oct. 20 as a platform for city council candidates to address the community. Of the 11 mayoral candidates, Karmel Roe, Rikke Van Johnson, Richard T. Castro and Concepcion Powell were in attendance. Each candidate addressed the audience in short, informal speeches, briefly covering their visions for the community. To view speeches from each of the 11 candidates and aid in making an informed opinion election on Nov. 5, visit www.youtube.com/user/SBgenerationNOW/videos. As the candidates wrapped up the conclusion of their speeches, the hiss of aerosol cans became the dominant sound. On the other end of the San Bernardino
Court Square, several graffiti artists were hard at work executing a series of minimurals depicting various themes relating to San Bernardino and the current efforts to rebuild the bankrupt city. Local artists BEHVSE, Rings of Smoke, Gilbert G909, Luigi Valarezo, Chris Garcia and Master Creation were among others lending their time to the cause. Phrases like “rise,” “create,” and “go vote” were strung throughout their work, much to the community’s approval. “I think what they’re doing is good for the community,” San Bernardino resident Gabriella Navarez said. “We need events like this where the kids can see music and art. Exposure to that is like a luxury for these kids.” To view supplemental photos from the event, artists profile, other information on SB Generation Now: www.facebook.com/ SBgenerationNOW.
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
The current state of the arts CHRIS HAIDL Students and faculty have painted the picture that several art departments are suffering due to a lack of funding. Classes have been impacted as well as the needs of majors within the Visual and Performance Arts program. “We need more funding for the arts because a lot of students have different talents, including broadcasting, editing, photography and painting,” Drew Kuethen, host of Otaku Radio, said. The station broadcasts from the Rancho campus every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. “The school should provide more classes so they can fine tune those gifts and use them to make a career,” Kuethen said. Adjunct instructor William Mittler added a different opinion on where the problem begins. “I have had five deans here,” Mittler said. “I work at five other schools and have never changed deans in the same time period, so there is no consistent direction or voice for the arts. The current dean is also the dean of the English department, and splits his time.” The was not the only concern he had. “My biggest worry is safety issues concerning class size for tech classes,” he said. “I am fortunate enough to work with a great team of instructors and classified employees. We all donate our time to the students. Even though I am an hourly employed adjunct, I donate my time to give students opportunities in tech as do others.” However, music major Michelle Gabriel sees good things to come. “In the music departments, they’re
expanding in fall 2014, adding private teaching for music students and more classes for choir and musicianship, I believe,” she said. She still has concerns for this year. “Right now, we’re at this awkward middle stage that is hardly functional,” she said. “For example, music majors need a certain amount of performance credits for an AA, but right now you’re only allowed to take choir and jazz band once each, which will be a setback for some students.” Faculty in the music program have their own opinion on funding for the arts. “I have been at Chaffey as an adjunct professor since 2008,” music department adjunct instructor Brandon Bernstein, Ph.D., said. “Over that time, I have seen the music department go from three to four full-time faculty to one. I’ve seen other departments get more funds for technology and new hires while the fine arts program got little to nothing. Unfortunately, this is more than a Chaffey problem. Increasingly, the arts are being viewed as secondary to math and science in our country. Many politicians and school administrators seem to dismiss the arts as disposable pleasure instead of a necessity.” Arts funding seems to have a future, evidenced by fundraisers like Grammy Award winner Arturo Sandoval’s performance, a benefit for the arts on the Rancho campus. The adopted budget for Visual and Performing Arts program, the allocation has gone from $3,857,290 during the 2012-’13 school year, to $3,156,407 for the 2013-’14 school year.
Guerrilla Girls occupy the stage JULIE COSGROVE
A capacity crowd of 295 filled the theater on Wednesday evening to be regaled with humorous stories, wise-cracking observations and startling statistics on the sad state of women and individuals of color in the world of art. A slim figure dressed in black and topped with a gorilla mask represented the Guerrilla Girls, the anonymous group of feminist artists who aimed to change the world of art. She hammered the fact that women and people of color fail to receive equal treatment in museums and galleries, but in a manner that drew laughter, applause and the occasional snicker (when she discussed the role of vibrators in the
treatment of female “hysteria.”) The program was the brainchild of CCFem, the campus club that has spent the last two years fund-raising with activities and bake sales to bring the Guerilla Girls. “Words can’t describe how it feels, but it was all worth it — all the hard work we did for two years — to see this happen!” CCFem President Maria Gonzalez said. Guerrilla Girls was the highlight of week one of CCFem’s occupation of the Wignall Museum of Art. Other events will include a performance and discussion by the L.A. Art Girls on Oct. 28, discussions with Christine Satki of Su Casa on Oct. 30 and with Congresswoman Gloria Negrette McLeod on Oct. 31. These events start at 12:30 p.m.
DANNA FAKHOURY Members of CCFem pose with Guerrilla Girl Kathe Kollwitz following a private Q and A session held in the Wignall Museum on Oct. 23.
Reviews | 9
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
‘The Fifth Estate’ leaks nothing new to audiences HANAJUN CHUNG
Bill Condon’s “The Fifth Estate” is one of the most expensive, showy, and superficial timeline assignments ever presented as a film, a 128-minute docudrama on WikiLeaks and its founders. Playing on the idea that it’s press beyond the fourth estate (i.e. people), the film is a conventional rise-and-fall as one could imagine if they had no understanding of the history of WikiLeaks. On that basic informational level, the film does its job. It makes sense, since it was based off of two books written about the site (“Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World’s Most Dangerous Website” and “WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange’s War on Secrecy”). The story chronicles Australian cypherpunk activist Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and German activist Daniel Berg (Daniel Bruhl) throughout their turbulent worldwide journey in operating WikiLeaks through protecting whistleblowers and leaking important, classified information to the public. While the controversy surrounding WikiLeaks is political, “The Fifth Estate” is actually like a lighter version of David Fincher’s 2010 film “The Social Network”: two friends create something big and revolutionary, only to have said creation consume or threaten to go out of control. Whereas Fincher’s film is a wellacted, ironic deconstruction of friendship and power, “The Fifth Estate” only teases certain themes and ideas and leaves them undeveloped. The film does this quite often. There’ll be scenes featuring Assange and Berg ar-
guing over their mission of protecting whistleblowers, without ever explaining why any of that matters in the context of the film. In reality, people understand the severe and controversial nature of the activity, but it’s lacking for a film to repeat the stakes without properly presenting them. In reality, whistleblower Bradley Manning’s story is tragic. In “The Fifth Estate,” it’s barely a plot point. It’s so focused on presenting information and data that it fails to tell a compelling narrative. Condon’s CGI transitions to present clippings, tweets, snapshots, images and many other forms of stock footage or information blasted on the screen to remind audiences that things are serious and real. It’s an interesting visual theme, but it’s more distracting than actually engaging. There’s also this weird surreal sequence involving office desks that Condon refers back to that’s more awkward than symbolic, more appropriate for his former “Twilight” entries than this. Is this seriously the guy who directed “Kinsey” and “Dreamgirls?” There is, however, a saving grace to the film: the acting. Across the board, the cast delivers solid performances. The majority of the performances are understandably foreign (since the film takes place mostly in Europe), utilizing talented thespians such as Britain’s Peter Capaldi and David Thelwis, as well as Germany’s young Daniel Bruhl. Bruhl is especially great in portraying Berg. His performance that the audiences can finally understand the story from a close yet different perspective, since most of the press has centered around Assange.
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS SONY MOTION PICTURES. COPYRIGHT DREAMWORKS PICTURES & RELIANCE ENTERTAINMENT
Benedict Cumberbatch (left) and Daniel Bruhl (right) in “The Fifth Estate.”
The film’s best element is also it’s best actor: Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange. Comparing the footage between his performance and footage of Assange results in something uncanny and brilliant (including a specific clip of Assange dancing alone). It’s uncanny because Cumberbatch truly transforms into Assange. But the expressiveness in the performance provides psychological insight during a moment that’s already public knowledge and is engaging, working to add another level of reality in the scene to what’s essentially a giant reenactment. During the opening of “The Fifth Estate” and subsequently scattered throughout the film are scenes that hint at revolutionizing the spread and exchange of information for the better. It’s not there, but what is there entertains enough to remind audiences of the silenced horrors that go on overseas and how much power that information possesses.
For those looking for the truth behind WikiLeaks, the Internet is the preferable recommendation. The Good: The acting. Specifically Cumberbatch. The Bad: It’s terribly uninspired. The Weird: Overall: C-
Alex Gibney’s documentary “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks” is recommended over this. It does a better job telling the overall story behind WikiLeaks.
10 | Opinion
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
Editorial: In favor of transparency and open meetings We expect that our faculty members know more than we do, but, This has been a week of questions often, they are learning too. and allegations, sleepless nights and The Brown Act violations at the whirlwind days, but mostly it was ASCC meetings prompted us to beweek of learning. come experts, almost overnight, on The Breeze learned a lot about California’s open meeting rules. how things are and how things Amid criticism from a faculty should be. member, we have stood firm in the It isn’t always easy to be the assurance that the law is on our side. voice speaking out against someMany are probably wondering thing, especially for students. why we made such a big deal about VALEEN GONZALES
the closed sessions as they didn’t affect any of us personally. But those closed meetings did affect us personally. As journalists, we are committed to delivering accurate and objective coverage to our audience. We search for the truth, especially in government, and when doors are closed, we are unable to do our job. As a publication that is protect-
ed by the First Amendment, The Breeze stands by the First Amendment rights of all Americans. We may only be college students, but if we don’t look out for look out for each others’ rights, then who will? To all of our supporters and critics, we say thank you. The support keeps us going and the criticism pushes us to be our best and always seek to uncover the truth.
Corporate personhood and political donations good for America? Money in politics is one of many problems in today’s political arena
ANDREW COONS The concentration of wealth that has accumulated in the accounts of the most prosperous Americans at the expense of the middle class has reached a sickening level. “In 2012, the top 10 percent of earners took home more than half of the country’s total income — the highest recorded level ever,” according to an article by The New York Times. That increase has been at the expense of those in the working class, who have both struggled financially and contributed the most productivity the country has ever seen. “The minimum wage today, if it reflected productivity ILLUSTRATION BY: CJ CALDWELL gains over the last 30 Former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is known for saying “corporations are people.” years, should be between $19-$20 an than performing the duties they were elect- vidual limits on campaign donations will hour,” according to an article by Reuters. ed to do. increase significantly, almost assuredly reThis is the result of a 40-year shift in The donors, especially those with cor- sulting in a flood of even more money into politics, in which Republicans have man- porate interests, are not helping these poli- the political system. aged to consistently push government in a ticians out of the goodness of their hearts. The prevalence of money in politics has conservative direction. They are essentially buying votes where it created a symbiotic cycle of influence, in By labeling federal regulations and most benefits their companies financially. which the corporations donating the most consumer protections as unnecessary in an The Citizens United ruling of 2010 ex- money eventually see the most benefit and ideal free-market environment, they have acerbated this problem by upholding the earn even more profits to spend in the proeffectively dismantled worker unions and rights of corporations to make political ex- cess. given even more control to the wealthiest penditures, citing First Amendment priviThere is some good news, however. Apentities, many of which donate generously leges of entities legally viewed as people. proximately 80 percent of people believe to those tasked with oversight. This opened the floodgates for groups there should be limits on corporate donaIn any other setting, this would be ap- like the American Legislative Exchange tions, and roughly 65 percent of people propriately labeled as corruption, but le- Council, which almost exclusively re- support limiting of individual contribugalized bribery has continued to thrive in ceives money from some of the country’s tions, according to a poll conducted by the American politics. largest corporations (ExxonMobile, AT&T, Associated Press. PolitiFact confirms that more than 90 Koch Industries, just to name a few) and It is true that money in politics is one of percent of winners in Congress spent more uses it to ensure that legislation favorable many problems in today’s political atmomoney than their opponents. to its collective interest is passed. sphere. However, its existence is the most Members of Congress are well aware To top things off, the Supreme Court damaging to the average citizen. It needs to of this fact and spend the majority of their will soon vote on McCutcheon v. FEC. If be addressed immediately. time securing funds for re-election rather Shaun McCutcheon wins this case, indi-
Corporations as people helps with political transparency ROBERT ORTIZ
A corporation, by definition, is a company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity and recognized as such in law. Corporations at their very core are run by people. Without the people, the corporation is nothing. People can donate to any candidate they wish, because they agree with the ideas that the candidate represents. The only difference between a corporation and a person is that the corporation is many people as opposed to one. A corporation just wishes to keep its livelihood and ideals intact, just like a person. Some laws do unjust harm to corporations, and they should have the power to fight those laws or regulations. Considering corporations as people also helps with transparency in our politics. As it stands now, donations to candidates are public knowledge. This includes which corporations donate. Let us be honest. If corporate donations were banned, they wouldn't stop. It is naive to think that if it were banned, everyone would play along just because the law says so. Corporations would find other ways to give to the people who will help them. This would only create one more layer that political watchdog groups would have to sift through to find out just where the money is coming from. Money in politics is a different issue entirely. Banning only one specific group will do nothing to ease the problem. The problem is not where the money comes from, but rather with the person it is given to. A politician who can easily be swayed by a big check is unfit to lead us. To fix our system we should start with the politicians and not their funders. It is not fair to single out corporations as the entire cause for the ills in our political systems. As I stated earlier, money in politics is really the issue. The public perception that corporate personhood will lead to a corporatocracy style of government, a government system run entirely by private corporations, is a fear-mongering notion. The idea that corporations are people is not an evil notion. The people behind these corporations, however, can be. This issue is not black or white, but many complicated shades of gray. In closing, reversing the legal ruling labeling corporations as people would hurt transparency and unjustly punish a group simply because it has more money than your average person. I must state it again. The problem with our political system is not where the money comes from, but rather whom it is given to.
Letters to the Editor | 11
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
Students write letters to voice their concerns over ASCC President’s removal The Philosophy Club changed the theme of its Oct. 23 meeting to “Silenced at Chaffey College.” With just 24-hours notice through social media and word-of-mouth, the meeting drew 65 students and faculty. “When I found out what had happened I felt powerless and like the administration was trying to silence the entire student body,” Philosophy Club president Patrick Jimenez said. “I knew we had stopped censorship last semester by organizing and being vocal, and I thought that would be the only way to be heard this time.” Jimenez led the discussion, which included a recap of the situation by Coduto and several students voicing objection to his removal from office. Attendees were reminded that the Breeze always accepts letters to the editor. Below are the letters that were received by press time at 2 p.m. on Oct. 24.
Time for a change This is not the first time that Chaffey College’s Administration has failed the students of this wonderful institution, this is not to speak ill of Chaffey, which is filled with amazing students, professors, and faculty alike, all of whom i have the utmost respect and admiration for, bringing this school to become one of the top community colleges that one could wish to attend. The Administration, however, has failed to give students answers, and this is not the first time. It is time for a change, we cannot continue to have the people making decisions for our academic future putting themselves in situations where they are continually displaying bullying tactics and avoiding important questions, this is not acceptable from students, not from teachers, not from the ascc, but has up until this point been acceptable from the administration. If our words and pleas for change come from a stance of ignorance, then i assure you it is due to a lack of information from our ‘higher ups’. It is important that these wrongs are corrected. Kevin Coduto needs to be reinstated as our President. -Billie Guerrero
Won’t give up To whom it may concern; As a Chaffey student, I would like to know the valid reason why Kevin Coduto was removed from his presidential seat. The student body voted for him, so we have the right to know. We all want to hear it from the non-students who suggested this and pressured the A.S.C.C. Students to vote against him on his impeachment. We think it’s unfair he got terminated from his seat if his seat for having his own opinion and freedom of speech. All I have to say is: my friends, family and myself are supporting him and we are going to vote change this November 5th. We’re voting for Zafar Inam to be our new Chaffey College Governing Board because he has great innovated ideas for our school. We won’t give up and we’re gonna let our voices be heard. Karla Figueroa
Lack of respect Because of an utter lack of transparency in Administration proceedings, I was forced to inquire about the impeachment (removal) of Kevin Coduto on the Chaffey Facebook page. As a student, I should *never* have
been forced to do this. I would like answers, promptly and clearly-the kind of answers that the Administration should have already plainly provided. This should not be a herculean feat-this is the bare minimum of what *any* administrative body should be prepared to provide, should they have any value for accountability at all. Currently, I am disappointed in the lack of respect for students, and the impeachment of Kevin Coduto during what was a closed session. If the rationale and violations were grievous enough to warrant such measures, they should be made crystal clear to the public. This transparency would go a long way toward restoring faith in College leadership after past fiascoes regarding censorship of various projects of artistic expression. Professor Machado’s statement was not helpful either-it contained several serious and disturbing mis-citations of Supreme Court case law that left me with even more unease regarding sensible, accurate application of law and policy by campus leadership. If the administration’s actions have truly been justifiable, then they have done nearly everything they can to ensure public perception to the contrary. It is sad to me that the current leadership seems to be litigation-motivated in an environment that is ostensibly based on *free*, open expression of ideas. Unfortunately, this event has been contextualized as the latest in a string of poorly handled incidents. Basic respect for due process is all that is asked for here. It should be easy enough to comply. When violations of the law are not properly cited/explained, people are left to draw their own conclusions. The current climate of cynicism and disillusionment with Administration leadership should be easily avoidable. I do not feel served by any of this. Chris Smith
Ambiguous rule Silence is the enemy. To ASCC Advisor Machado and Chaffey College administration, your silence on the matter concerning the removal of ASCC President Coduto can only lead to speculation. The information that we, the student body of Chaffey College, have received is vague at best and very troubling. Your silence on this matter can not continue if you hope to maintain credibility and the trust of the student body. The allegation that Mr. Coduto violated Article III of the ASCC By-Laws has only served to draw attention to a very ambiguous rule. Transparency alone will rectify this matter. To the Students of Chaffey College, you voted in the election that elected Mr.
Coduto. You made your voice heard in the democratic process and that process has now been subverted by a secret vote. Do not stand idle while your rights are trampled on by an administration that appears to have used strong-arm tactics to get their way. Make your voice heard. Signed a concerned student, Nathan Lunn
Advocate for students As Americans, we enjoy certain fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to vote, to assemble, to practice religion, and to be a nation free of tyranny. Speech is one of these freedoms, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. One of our nation’s founding fathers, President George Washington, once said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” In April, Chaffey students turned out in record numbers and elected me to serve as their student body president. The oath of office for this position requires the President to act in the best interest of the Associated Students of Chaffey College. This responsibility includes speaking out on issues that affect Chaffey students, engaging in civic affairs, and participating in our democracy as an advocate for students. In August, I was approached by Mr. Zafar Inam, who is a candidate in the upcoming election for the Chaffey College Governing Board. He is challenging two incumbents. Unlike any of the current board members, Mr. Inam actively sought my input on matters that are important to students. After giving the matter much thought, I decided to personally endorse Mr. Inam. Upon doing so, I came under scrutiny from Chaffey’s administration and student government faculty advisors. At issue is the proper use of a student officer’s title when making such endorsements. I identified myself as “Chaffey College Student Body President Kevin Coduto”. This is very similar to the format commonly used in endorsements from city council members, mayors, school board members, congresswomen/men, and other elected officials, so I felt it was appropriate. The use of such titles is commonly understood to be simply for identification and does not suggest the individual is speaking for their entire organization. For example, the three current board members who are not up for election have publicly endorsed the two incumbent board members and have used their title as the current Chaffey College governing board members, yet nobody would suggest that they are representing the entire Chaffey
College or the entire district. I am an elected official, so the same rules and customs apply to me. Unfortunately, the Chaffey administration has chosen to suppress my free speech rights, and retaliated against my endorsement by orchestrating an impeachment on frivolous grounds by bullying and intimidating my fellow student government officers. My actions have not violated any written Chaffey policy, the California Education Code, or any other regulation. In fact, my actions fall under the protection of the First Amendment as well as Education Code section 66301, which protects the free speech of students. My actions also are protected by the Supreme Court case Tinker vs. Des Moines. The administration and the faculty advisors have knowingly and intentionally curtailed my First Amendment rights, so it is my ethical responsibility to stand up for these rights, even under persecution. In the Tinker case, the Supreme Court observed “State-operated schools may not be enclaves of totalitarianism, and school officials do not possess absolute authority over their students.” Unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of totalitarianism being practiced by the Chaffey administration. In addition, the kangaroo court they organized to impeach me acted in closed session, which was a violation of the Brown Act. Looking back, I wonder whether I would have received this much attention if I had publicly endorsed either any of the two current board members running against Mr. Zafar Inam. Would there have been warnings by Chaffey College’s administration to abide by certain unwritten “rules” and “Chaffey College ethical codes” during student government meetings? Would there have been an attempt by Chaffey’s administration to deem me as being disrespectful towards them? Would I have been questioned at all if I supported the establishment? A strong relationship between the students, administration, and Governing Board of Trustees is crucial for the prosperity of Chaffey College. I am saddened to see that these relations have tarnished as a result of my support for Mr. Zafar Inam. I hold a high amount of respect for the Governing Board members, and although we may disagree with the choice of candidates to endorse, I hope the board members will join me as fellow elected officials in affirming our right of freedom of speech by making public endorsements using our titles, just as they enjoy these freedoms to endorse one another. I also call upon the Governing Board to investigate these abusive actions by the Chaffey administration. Let us not be dumb and silent, so that we may not be led, like sheep to the slaughter. Kevin Coduto
12 | Letters to the Editor Deeply troubled We cannot be silenced. I have seen Adviser Machado of the ASCC claim that he is defending the freedom of speech of the members of the ASCC to remove any member they deem fit, according to the rules. He claims that liberal groups must remain liberal, libertarian groups must remain libertarian and so on. I am deeply troubled that Adviser Machado does not feel a similar level of concern for the freedom of speech of the entire student body who took the time to elect Kevin Coduto our President. I have no doubt that many members of the ASCC and student body at large could perform remarkably as President. The issue here the student body did a great job participating in an election that should stand. ASCC is not a libertarian group or liberal group. The ASCC is a body which is supposed to be an independent voice for the entire student body. As a student leader, I want to know that the ASCC can always remain independent of the Administration and officials within Student Activities, especially considering that ASCC is funded by our student services fees. Of course, I could support removal of an officer in certain circumstances. If Kevin Coduto or anyone can be demonstrated to have violated rules enough to justify removal, then so be it. However, that process should be open. It most certainly should not conducted in the guise of a closed-door meeting which removes all of the participants from just scrutiny by the student body. Based on everything I have read, the closed door meeting in which Kevin Coduto was removed, quite obviously violates the Brown Act which governs all public legislative bodies in California, including in community colleges. Kevin Coduto is an elected official, and is thus guaranteed the protections of an elected official, regardless of if or if not he serves in a dual capacity as an employee. I cannot see into Adviser Machado’s motivations. I do not know if he advised and allowed this closed-door meeting which made the vote secret and kept Chaffey College journalists out because he was unaware of the rules or because he has no regard for them. In any case, I feel obligated as a concerned student to say that Adviser Machado should do the right thing and resign his post. What I consider to be his dereliction of duty as Adviser easily goes beyond any rationalization that we have been made aware of, to remove Kevin Coduto from his post. Exactly why was Kevin Coduto removed? As an individual, I can only assume that it was because of pressure leveraged, directly or indirectly (through Machado and potentially others) by Dr. Shannon after Kevin Coduto acted well within his constitutional rights to endorse a political candidate for office who is running against allies of Dr. Shannon. This is the only theory I can come up with. I hope that I am wrong. Yet, if I am wrong, I want to know exactly why the people I would then be misjudging are not making this information readily available. Where are the results of the investigation which should have been conducted against Kevin Coduto? Why was Kevin Coduto not given a chance to defend himself? Why do members of the ASCC tell me they cannot speak on the matter and then refer me to Adviser Machado? Why does the Adviser then tell me he
thebreezeonline.com | October 28, 2013
cannot speak for the students in ASCC and refer me back to them? I am not asking rhetorical questions here. I am simply restating the questions in my e-mails which are now going unanswered by Adviser Machado. I know he is reading his e-mails though. I have seen his e-mails on the very issue which he has sent to others, forwarded to myself. As the ASCC Adviser, I would think Machado would feel a more urgent obligation to be answerable to the student body. In any case, obstruction on the part of some, cannot keep the majority silent. So, it seems like we can be ignored. I promise you, we cannot be silenced. Sincerely, Patrick Jimenez
Great concern Hello my name is Timothy Strathman, and I am technically a student and philosophy major here at Chaffey College. You see I am taking a history class here mainly for the love of learning. This semester the main reason I have been coming up here is to escape distractions as I work on my College Senior Project along with working on my graduate studies applications. Needless to say I am far removed from most activities that take place here at Chaffey at this point. So I would not consider myself the usual student that writes into the Breeze. I am writing this though with great concern about the process that removed Kevin Coduto as A.S.C.C president. I have no personal interest in the matter as I do not know Kevin or really what he has done. It may be the case that the allegations against him are correct, that he overstepped his role as he endorsed a candidate and made it seem that the entire ASCC was backing this candidate. It may even be the case that he should be removed. My issue is the ambiguity of the process and no clear distinctions of why this is occurring. The ASCC should represent it’s students so I would think that if the responsibility of the meetings would be to be very open and clear as to the happenings of Chaffey College. I attended the philosophy club meeting discussing this and most of the allegations were very vague and done through email, when it is the students that elected Kevin Coduto. Thank you for your time. Timothy Strathman
No wrongdoing To the Editor: I was surprised when I learned that our ASCC President/Student Trustee Kevin Coduto had been removed from office as a result of the closed session held by the ASCC council members. I find it outrageous that the candidate Chaffey College students choose to represent them has been removed from this position with little to no information conveyed to them as to how this outcome was decided. I have been trying to educate myself about both sides of the story, however it has been quite difficult due to the ASCC‘s unwillingness to discuss the situation. After reviewing the evidence I have managed to gather, I feel that Coduto committed no wrongdoing worthy of this treatment, and has only acted in the best interests of the students of Chaffey College.
I believe it is necessary for the ASCC members and their advisor to provide a specific reason to the students regarding Coduto’s removal. If they cannot sufficiently justify their decision, Coduto should be reinstated to the presidency immediately. Katherine Yuhas
ministration, and I will not be silenced in my disapproval. As a student who attends this college, pays the required fees, and cares about justice, I demand accountability from the administration, the board, and the advisers to ASCC, and I have a great desire to see Kevin Coduto, the official that had been elected into his position by several hundred other students, back into his office. Madiha (Maddy) Khan Philosophy Major
Demand accountability To the editor of The Breeze: As a Chaffey student, I continue to be appalled by the lack of decency and respect towards Chaffey College students by our administration. In my three years at Chaffey, this is the second incident in which our governing board and administration has tried to use their power to silence and control the actions of students. Both have happened within the past year. The first was during the spring semester in which the copies of Volume IX of the Chaffey Review were pulled off the shelves, a violation of students’ First Amendment rights, after they were deemed inappropriate and threatening. Fortunately, the students of Chaffey College were not silenced. Unfortunately, the administration and board continues to attempt to silence the student body. The second incident was the recent removal of Kevin Coduto, former ASCC President, from office under an illegal, closed session after consistent pressure from the governing board and Dr. Henry Shannon. Instead of encouraging students to engage in with the campus and the community, the administration chooses to actively undermine its own students if their opinions conflict with the status quo. I witnessed, firsthand, the meeting in which President Shannon made inappropriate comments to ASCC and Kevin Coduto prior to Coduto’s removal. He had come under the pretense of discussing a way to aid students, but, to everyone’s surprise, began addressing Coduto’s recent behavior. He manipulated his words to make the actions of our former president seem extremely inappropriate, even though he had committed no crime. For those spectating, it was obvious that his presence at the meeting was not to inform or caution, but to threaten. As a student observer, I felt that this was an unfair attack that could have been handled in a more professional manner. I would like a clear answer to why the person I voted to be my president has been removed from office, not the vague answer that ASCC has provided. The reason students have inadequate details about this event is that ASCC violated the Brown Act by excluding Kevin Coduto, the public, and the student newspaper The Chaffey Breeze. ASCC has stated that this was a personnel matter and that Coduto is an employee; however, Coduto is an elected official, so this does not apply, and the session should have been public. We, as students who pay for our classes and are involved in our campus activities, deserve real answers about why our elected official has been removed from the office that we elected him into. My past three years at Chaffey have been one of the greatest experiences of my life as I have thoroughly enjoyed campus activities and the lessons provided by several fantastic, educators. I am also, however, a concerned student and member of the community. I love this college very much and am disgusted by the recent actions of our ad-
A mystery As a student at Chaffey College I find that participating in school activities and voicing my opinions as a student is both beneficial and necessary for creating a great school experience on campus. As a student of both philosophy and law I believe strongly in the democratic process and the laws created to protect that process. The way in which our student body president Kevin Coduto was removed from office is not only morally unjust, but also illegal. The way in which Kevin Coduto’s removal from office was carried out, in closed session, is illegal according to the Brown Act. Kevin Coduto was put into office through students of Chaffey democratically electing him into power. Beyond the injustice done to Kevin Coduto, this is an injustice to all students of Chaffey College which ASCC, our student body government, represents. ASCC is meant to be the voice of the students and for them to be overtaken by Administration removes the power we have as students to make our voices heard. The reasons for Kevin Coduto’s removal from office still remain a mystery. It has been said that the removal from office came about because of Kevin Coduto’s choice to endorse Zafar Inam, but John Machado, adviser of the ASCC, has said the opposite. An email sent by John Machado stated that Kevin Coduto was removed from office due to “his lack of decorum and NOT because of his decision to endorse a candidate [running for a position on the governing board]”. The question then becomes, in which ways has Kevin Coduto violated ASCC’s official decorum? If it has been found that Coduto violated his oath to uphold decorum then the reasons for that must be made public. They have yet to be made public, but the punishment has been carried out. Finally if the decision to remove him from office was due to his endorsement of Zafar Inam then it is a direct violation of Kevin Coduto’s right to freedom of speech which is clearly protected by law. We cannot allow the administration to circumvent our rights as students and we cannot remain silent on this issue. Signed Chris Armijo Ayyoub
Letters to the editor for or against any position are always welcomed. Letters should be kept as brief as possible (fewer than 300 words) and are subject to non-substantive editing according to guidelines established by the Associated Press.