After Celebratory Theater Announcement, Delays Push Back Ground Breaking
By John R. Adkins
jradproduction@gmail.com
Alberto Vasquez came to the Board of Trustees meeting excited to share the news: the Diego Rivera Theater was only days away from approval by the Division of the State Architect.
On Sept. 25, the Vice Chancellor of Facilities took to the podium and spoke of the recent meetings over the last couple of weeks with the DSA, certain that the green light for the project was only another “meeting or two away.”
Now, one month later, the college is still waiting on that approval.
Meanwhile, music department chair Madeline Mueller has been waiting 60 years for a performing arts center that suits the needs of the college community. And again she's reminded that she cannot hold her breath.
Mueller said a colleague in the music department searched through DSA's records to check the status of the Diego Theater and found the approval was “94% completed.”
“I mean, how much longer can they hold out?” Mueller said.
The college cannot finalize its contract with Rudolph and Sletten construction company until they receive approval from the DSA, nor can they schedule the long-awaited ground breaking ceremony.
However, the college did agree to a guaranteed max price of just over $155 million, which accounted for fluctuations in building material costs due to tariffs.
Adkins)
Runaway Goal Posts
“I can't remember a time that I haven't heard Mr. Vasquez say there's a delay in this or that, and I'm hearing for the first time we're really, really close,” music teacher Harry Bernstein said during the September board meeting.
Although apparently premature, Mueller presented necklaces with small shovels on them to be passed around at the meeting. The necklaces were commissioned by Michael Adams, a member of the City College advocacy group Higher Education Action Team (HEAT), back in 2017, and Mueller has worn
hers around her neck off and on ever since.
When former Chancellor Mark Rocha was at the helm, plans for an earlier iteration of the Diego Rivera Theater passed through the DSA's office, which led to the creation of the necklaces in preparation for the then-anticipated ground breaking ceremony.
“The irony is that this project in some form or another has been through DSA twice already with the same designers,” Mueller said. “But there was always something that happened with the school, or the money got weird, it was always something.”
Speculations surrounding the most recent delay all point back to the 30-ton Diego Rivera mural needing to be permanently secured to its stands in the public building.
“Yes, the free-standing mural could make you a little nervous, because if it did fall, [DSA] would be the ones liable,” Mueller said.
“Maybe it's Tuesday. Maybe it's next month. Maybe it's next year,” she sighed. “But I can't be negative this time. It's gotta happen.”
Editor's note: The tentative ground breaking date is now Nov. 4 but is subject to weekly delays until the plan is approved.
Free City Oversight Committee Continues to Uphold the Program
By Lev Farris Goldenberg lfarrisg@mail.ccsf.edu
Jing Li does not benefit from Free City. As an international student, they do not have access to the free tuition program that covers only San Franciscans and California residents.
But that will not stop Li from advocating for others to receive support from Free City, as they did on Oct. 10 at the Free City Oversight Committee meeting. Li and other students gave public comment to advocate for protecting and strengthening the program.
“Students are going through immense stress right now — they are facing xenophobia and fear-mongering,” Li told the committee. “So what are we doing for City College and the City of SF to protect and support our students?”
A New Deal
Li and Gauri Santhosh of CCSF
Students 4 Justice presented a draft of a renegotiated Memorandum of Understanding between City College and the mayor's office.
To review the recommendations, committee chair and City College trustee Alan Wong proposed the creation of an MOU subcommittee. The committee's goal, Wong said, is to have budget and MOU recommendations for the city by their next meeting, on Dec. 5.
Advocates of Free City say renegotiating the MOU with Mayor Daniel Lurie is critical to guaranteeing the program's future. In 2024, former Mayor London Breed slashed funding in half, effectively reneging on the original MOU signed in 2019.
Students 4 Justice recommended reinforcing a clause that calls for yearly funding obligations of $16.4 million (plus adjustments for inflation) for fiscal years 2026-29. Lurie's 2025 city budget appropriated $9.3 million for the 2025-26 school year, and recommended cutting that to $7.15 million in 2026.
The students also called for a
“Students
are going through immense stress right now — they are facing xenophobia and fear-mongering.”
Jing Li, City College student
renegotiated MOU to expand the program to cover additional education-related expenses beyond the Free City cash grant — which provides qualifying students with $46 for each enrolled credit — to include “previous tuition debt forgiveness, transportation, food, housing, childcare, scholarship, health, web, and student activity fees.”
Li and Santhosh cited multiple students in their network who had hundreds of dollars in student debt, which prevented them from returning to City College. They recommended striking the MOU clause that calls for students to repay the $46 per enrolled credit unit should they have to drop a class.
According to Vice Chancellor Lisa Cooper Wilkins, between the
By Marrion Cruz
At the Board of Trustees' June 2025 meeting, former Interim Chancellor Mitchell Bailey reported a $20 million surplus and proposed redirecting funds from low-enrollment or “non-productive” courses to support high-demand classes. Faculty and students have expressed uncertainty over which courses may face cuts. Some single-section classes, though small, remain essential to degree completion and transfer pathways.
Janel Hadden, from the Student Hiring Eligibility Process (SHEP) office and a faculty member at the college since 1997, said, “Every year, there are cuts to the budget.”
The Board of Trustees approved a $217.5 million budget for the 2026 school year, projecting a $4.47 million surplus at the end of the fiscal year, according to Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Yulian Ligioso.
During the Oct. 9 board meeting, trustees raised concerns about how the reserves are being built, suggesting that one-time dollars rather than recurring funds should be used to grow them. Ligioso noted that the college should use its surplus before drawing more money into its reserves.
The Participatory Governance Council (PGC) was scheduled to meet on Oct. 16 to discuss continuing the college's effort to manage a tight budget amid enrollment fluctuations and costcutting measures.
Hadden added that while the potential for class cuts remains ever-present, it “feels different” this time around.
At press time, The Guardsman is waiting on a response about changes in the academic courses for the fall of 2026 from David Yee, Vice Chancellor of Academic and Institutional Affairs.
Editor's note: The Budget Beat will continue its investigation into upcoming schedule changes and the management of the college's reserve fund.
Madeline Mueller and the rest of the community face repeated delays of the Diego Rivera Theater. Rendering courtesy of CCSF, LMN Architects, TEF Designs. (Photo Illustration by John
Staff
Editor-in-Chief
John Adkins
News Editor
Tabari Morris
Culture Editor
Abby Sigler
Op-Ed Editor
Henry Crowell
Sports Editor
Lloyd Cobb
Social Media Editor
Abby Sigler
Photo Editor
Isaac Ortiz
Copy Editors
Gracia Hernandez-Rovel
Elena Chiaruttini
Ellen Yoshitsugu
Writers
Ahmad Aimaq
Cain Gibson
Cooper McDonald
Finbar LaBelle
Karla Lopes
Lev Farris Goldenberg
Marrion Cruz
Qi Mai
Raeghan Green
Victoria Capree
Photographers
Karim Farahat
Tiffany Sainz
Illustrators
Cindy Chan
David Thomas
Graphic Designers
Cindy Chan
Sebastien Thugnet
Tiffany Lam
Advisor
Juan Gonzales jagonzal@ccsf.edu
Contact us
TheGuardsman.com info@theguardsman.com (415) 239-3446
Mailing Address
50 Frida Kahlo Way, Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Bungalow 615
Follow us
@TheGuardsmanCCSF
@TheGuardsmanCCSF
@TheGuardsman
@TheGuardsman
For even more articles, stay up to date at www.theguardsman.com
Join The Guardsman!
Contact Juan Gonzales at 415-517-4426.
FREE CITY
continued from page 1
2023 fall semester and the 2025 fall semester, 1,796 students reenrolled after their debt was repaid, including 445 in the current semester.
Li and Santhosh also called for a new MOU to extend Free City to undocumented students, regardless of California residency, and international students.
Program Pulse Check
Kelley Karandjeff of the Research and Planning Group for California Community Colleges presented the Free City College Program Annual Report for 2024-25. According to Karandjeff, the findings of the report support the students' demands.
The report shows the 2024-25 school year saw over 18,500 applications to the Free City program. Among eligible students, 93% took advantage of Free City.
According to Karandjeff, the program is trending upward, with increased participation every year since 2021-22. In 2024-25, 32,007 students benefited from Free City,
nearly reaching pre-pandemic levels of participation.
Last year also saw an increase in students who received the Free City cash grant, which benefits economically disadvantaged participants. Those cash grants have to be repaid if students drop classes after the deadline.
“The Free City repayment requirement may deter participants' re-enrollment,” Karandjeff said. “The more classes a Free City student dropped, the less likely they were to return the next term.” She contrasted this with nonFree City students, whose return rate stayed relatively consistent regardless
of the number of units they dropped. Based on the report's findings, Karadjeff seconded Students 4 Justice's call to eliminate the repayment requirement.
The committee also discussed the level of funding to request for 2026, and planned to consult with student advocates. A Free City audit report is slated to be finished by the end of October.
District 1 Supervisor and Oversight Committee member Connie Chan — not in attendance at the Oct. 10 meeting — has stated that Free City audit findings will be essential to presenting a strong funding case to the city.
“Our goal is to not get caught as we were last year … unprepared,” said English professor and committee member Alisa Messer. “It feels important to get ahead of next year.”
Patrick West of SFUSD noted that the committee was missing a representative from the mayor's office, who in the past has served as co-chair. Mayor Lurie has not yet appointed someone to fill the role.
The Maturity of Transformation: Adult Education Legacy
By Qi Mai qmai10@mail.ccsf.edu
Thomas Tu, a retired engineer in his 60s, drives two hours from Fremont to study photography at Ocean Campus. “It's worth it to take either a credit or a non-credit class at City College,” he said. “Other colleges couldn't answer my questions, but City College helped me see photography in a new way.”
At City College, adult education focuses on building foundational skills, vocational training and lifelong learning. Programs include Adult Basic Education, High School Equivalency, English as a Second Language (ESL), Career Technical Education (CTE) and Citizenship Preparation.
More than ten programs are offered across five centers and online platforms — most of them free, noncredit opportunities that serve thousands of San Franciscans each year.
John Adams Center
Despite the John Adams Center lacking an adult education program this semester, it still stands as a cornerstone of City College's adult education, innovation and career development.
In 2019, Dean Edie Kaeuper took the lead at the John Adams. She secured funding for repairs and expansions, adding two new buildings and improving campus safety. Guided by the commitment to “put students first,” she worked to boost enrollment and expand adult education offerings.
Students of all ages and backgrounds, local and international, find John Adams a welcoming and convenient place to learn. So, when budget cuts forced the closure of the center's ESL program in November 2022, students rallied in protest, showing their deep attachment to the place that had transformed their lives.
Evans Center
The Evans Center offers high-quality Career Technical Education programs that match San Francisco's labor market needs. These include Automotive, Motorcycle, Construction and Custodial Training.
The Evans Center is also home to the CityBuild Program, a collaboration with the City and County Mayor's office that provides workforce training and job placement for residents pursuing careers in construction. Over the decades, it has helped tens of thousands of students launch their dream careers — often with free tuition.
In his 40s, Ahmed Wadhah M. is working as a federal security officer. Yet, beneath the uniform and responsibility lies a lifelong passion he has never given up on: becoming a professional mechanic — just like he was back home in Yemen.
After moving to the United States, Ahmed worked hard to support his family, but he always looked for a way back to the profession he loved. In 2018, he heard from his roommate that City College had launched an Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Evans Center. Excited, he rushed to register, but the program was full, and he was placed on a long waiting list. Determined, he regularly called the program office to check on availability. Then, in 2019, the call finally came: a student had dropped out, and a spot had opened for Ahmed. His dream was within reach. But then, just days later, his immigration application had been approved and he could finally bring his wife and children to the states from Yemen.
“It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made,” Ahmed said. “I knew I had to choose my family. That always comes first.” He gave up his spot in the program and flew to Yemen to bring his family to the U.S. Since then,
to Liberate at the John Adams Center. Courtesy of City College of San Francisco.
he's been focused on raising his children and providing for his household. But his dream of becoming an aviation mechanic never faded.
Now, six years later, Ahmed is still waiting for the AMT program's return. “CCSF created this program for people like me. It's accessible, affordable, and gives me a real future — for me and my whole family.” As he spoke, a smile crossed his face, revealing the quiet pride of a man who's never given up on his dream. From security to skies, City College will help Ahmed Wadhah M. return to his dream career.
“This is the place for anyone who wants to learn a trade. The instructors are supportive, and the students are committed. I came here without ever having turned a wrench, and I'm leaving with training and a degree.” Eric Silver, a motorcycle technology student, said.
Before taking Construction Technology classes, some female students felt a little nervous, but they were thrilled with the hands-on learning and their diverse, friendly classmates. They learned about all aspects of construction, from blueprints to framing.
Dean Dr. Frederick Teddi shared that the center's biggest challenge has been limited space for its growing student population. This year, the Evans Center has planned a major remodeling project.
Empowering Education
Every year, thousands of adult learners come to City College not only to gain practical skills but to pursue career-oriented opportunities. City College's labor-market-driven programs enable students to advance their careers, reenter the workforce and earn while learning. Each year, a wide range of career events and fairs take place across City College campuses, connecting students with employers in multiple fields. These include the Ocean Campus Career Fair, CCSF Connect/Open House & Resource Fair, CCSF Connect 2025, Academic Contest and Automotive Pre-Apprenticeship. Enduring Values
If traditional education represents youth and discovery, adult education reflects maturity and transformation. Since 1935, City College's adult education programs have helped millions grow personally and professionally. The 1976 mural Educate to Liberate at the John Adams Center — restored in 2006 — symbolizes this lasting commitment.
Illustration by Isis Cordova
Educate
SoMa Houses the City's Largest Newsroom, Yet Its Residents Lack a Newspaper
By Marrion Cruz mcruz88@mail.ccsf.edu
On Fourth and Mission sits the college's unassuming Downtown Center, only a block from the San Francisco Chronicle's glowing headquarters. Even with a beacon of learning and the city's flagship newspaper at its core, South of Market lacks a press of its own.
Community nonprofits like SOMCAN, West Bay and United Playaz help fill the gap, producing newsletters and fighting to preserve SoMa's heritage against development pressure. But residents say these efforts don't substitute for comprehensive coverage.
“SoMa's diversity hasn't protected it from becoming invisible in San Francisco's media ecosystem,” said Alexa Drapiza, a community organizer and decades-long resident near St. Patrick's Church on Mission Street.
Coverage of the neighborhood comes in fragments. Mission Local reports on redevelopment battles, the Bay View covers housing and equity citywide, and the Potrero Hill View occasionally includes SoMa in its monthly print run.
“You have to live in the neighborhood to know what's going on,” said Chen, a Howard Street resident who requested an alias. He described daily walks down Sixth Street to
his job north of Market, where he often steps over unhoused residents. “It feels dehumanizing to have to do that.”
South of Market, Out of Print
Historically, SoMa relied on a strong tradition of hyperlocal journalism. Filipino community papers like the FilipinoSTAR and Philippine Daily Inquirer once circulated at the Mint Mall on Mission Street and the Bayanihan Community Center on Sixth. STARCO, a Chinese-Filipino corner store on Howard Street, stacked newspapers until it closed under zoning restrictions.
Other institutions stepped in when print papers faded. Bindlestiff Studio, a performing arts venue founded in 1989, became a cultural anchor. Balitang America, a 30-minute Filipino-language news program broadcast from 2002 to 2021, offered another outlet. But its shutdown left a void in the neighborhood's cultural storytelling.
Newsletters have helped stitch together SoMa's communities. From 1944 to 1976, Cable Tow: Gran Oriente Filipino, published in both English and Tagalog out of South Park, chronicled the Filipino diaspora in San Francisco. Earlier, Irish immigrants published South of Market Journals, written
by the South of Market Boys — one of whom, Anthony Rossi, later became mayor.
Community Under Construction
At the Mint Mall, Filipino families once lived in single-room occupancies above storefronts, with news circulating downstairs and by word of mouth in hallways.
The Bayanihan House, an SRO associated with Mint Mall, became another hub of community life. This resulted in its 1010 Mission lobby becoming the Bayanihan Community Center. Bayanihan is Tagalog for community; it translates as being of one community.
Meanwhile, SoMa's demographics and identity continue to shift. Since the dot-com boom of the 1990s, the neighborhood has drawn tech companies and AI startups. Even its name is debated — “South of Market” versus “SoMa,” and more recently “Gotham,” the pejorative label spotted on a tech billboard last week.
Chen still gets email newsletters from SOMA Pilipinas highlighting Yerba Buena arts events, which sometimes include announcements.
“I haven't seen one about the recreation center. Or why it's taking so long.” He said only a neighborhood paper can sufficiently track hyper-local projects.
Child Care Resources: The Support That Student Parents Need
Part 1 of 2
By Karla Lopes kcarval7@mail.ccsf.edu
Before heading to class, Sui Yu Chan's family routine is already in full swing. As a mother of three kids, ages 3, 6 and 11, weekdays consist of drop-offs at different schools and daycares, studying for her Child Development and Family Studies (CDEV) major, and working.
While managing to build a better life for her kids, Chan shared that the demands of parenting, school and work can be overwhelming, especially when kids are home during school breaks. However, the 12 hours per week of childcare support at City College's Family Resource
Center (FRC) help lighten her load.
“On days like these, I drop off all three kids, because I still need to do homework and study for college exams,” Chan said.
Xiaofang Nie, also a parent and CDEV student, receives vital support from the Drop-In program for her 8-year-old boy. Now that he is older and goes to school, Nie only needs a few hours of childcare during the week. But in 2018, when he was just 8 months old, the Parent Exchange Program (PEP), also offered at the FRC, made it possible for Nie to attend classes. “I could leave my baby with the FRC staff members, go to classes, and after that, I would come back here and pick him up.”
Building Support Networks
According to a survey conducted by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, students with children in the United States are less likely to complete college than other students, and only 37% of them graduate with a degree within six years of enrollment compared to 60% of students without children. The research also shows that those students face obstacles like time, poverty and economic insecurity.
The study also highlights that beyond academic and financial support, college childcare services promote gender and racial/ethnic
equity, as most student parents are women, generally single mothers, and people of color.
Tracey Faulkner, FRC Coordinator, was once a single mom and student. The year was 1995, and she was a student at City College, a single mom on welfare. Faulkner shared the challenges and endless waitlists to get childcare support for her kid in the late 90s. “It was because I had gotten the childcare that I was able to go to school,” shared Faulkner, recalling how she could finally get a spot for her kid at the City College preschool.
After some challenges to keep up with her studies, supporting other students on welfare, visiting food banks, paying rent and buying diapers, Faulkner kept believing in student parents' genuine motivation to study. Along with some other welfare students, Faulkner fought for their right to an education and for a space where they could support themselves. That movement, with the money from a Christmas grant, resulted in the creation of the first Family Resource Center at City College in January 1999.
Support Under Strain
For 26 years now, the FRC has provided crucial resources for City College families. The Drop-In and Parent Exchange Program are the two childcare programs offered by the center. The Drop-In program requires that student parents stay in the same building while their
children wait at the FRC playroom up to four hours per day. The space is limited and works on a first-comefirst-served basis. The PEP program provides up to 12 hours of weekly childcare for kids between 6 months and 5 years old, allowing parents to attend classes. In exchange, PEP parents must volunteer one to three hours weekly in the program.
Besides the supervised child care, the FRC also provides basic needs support, like free diapers, baby wipes, parenting and academic orientation. Student parents receive assistance with priority enrollment and other support services such as the Student Tutoring and Resource (STAR) center. Other childcare services are offered at different campuses, such as the Mission Center.
Despite the vital support it provides, the FRC faces ongoing limitations. The interviewees shared their desire for an outdoor play area for the kids and extended hours of childcare support, since the center currently closes at 3 p.m. and is unable to support students who need evening childcare. The program also faces low funding and a lack of faculty, which affects its ability to provide for the 20 families that currently rely on its support.
Editor's note: In a future issue we'll address what more can be done to relieve the strain on this vital community resource.
Lacking any neighborhood press, SoMa is a news desert within a city full of hyperlocal publications. (Illustration by Lindsay Santiago)
Illustration by Cindy Chan
Best Bay Area Lighthouses Worth a Visit
By Joan Walsh walshjoan@yahoo.com
Once vital for guiding ships through fog and surf, the Bay Area's lighthouses now attract visitors for their history, architecture and sweeping ocean views. Though their lights are fully automated today, several remain open for tours and self-guided walks along the coast. For anyone looking for a weekend adventure, these coastal beacons offer a scenic window into California's maritime past.
Fort Point
At the northern tip of the city lies Fort Point, a historic site that was a former seaside fortification. Positioned atop a stairwell on the top floor sits a cute little lighthouse. It served as a working lighthouse from 18641934 when construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began.
Tours are not available for the lighthouse, but 30-minute tours of the fort run daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fort Point is more of a tourist attraction than a lighthouse destination, but the fort is large and interesting to roam around. Other things to do around here include hiking up to the Golden Gate Bridge lookout, walking the bridge and having a picnic at the Crissy Field Beaches.
Open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Roof access closes at 4:30 p.m.
201 Marine Dr, San Francisco, CA 94129
Point Bonita Lighthouse
Just six miles from the start of the Golden Gate Bridge, Point Bonita is close to the city and easy to do for a quick trip.
It's unique as it is the only lighthouse in the U.S. that can be reached by suspension bridge and was the last manned one on the California coast to have had a lighthouse keeper until 1981.
Currently, the suspension bridge leading to the lighthouse is closed for maintenance indefinitely, although it is usually open for tours. While closed, it's still enjoyable to take the mile-out-and-back hike down to the suspension bridge through a spooky hand-carved tunnel.
It's located in Marin Headlands with numerous hiking trails nearby, as well as old military batteries, famous viewpoints of the city and the Marine Mammal Center. The Marin Headlands is very close to Sausalito, with tons of shops and restaurants.
Open Thursday through Monday, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Point Bonita Trailhead, Sausalito, CA 94965
District
Lighthouse
The Marina District Lighthouse is more of a showpiece and was never a working lighthouse, but it's worth checking out if you're in the Marina. Situated in a parking lot right after St. Francis Yacht Club, it serves as a beacon to the entrance of the touristy wave organ. The lighthouse is designed as an old Roman-style military watch tower with cobblestones from the streets of San Francisco. This is the easiest lighthouse to visit without a car.
5633 Yacht Rd, San Francisco, CA 94123
Point Reyes
Lighthouse
This 35-foot lighthouse is just an hour and a half from the bridge, winding through redwood forests and foggy farmland.
Alongside a fog signal building is a visitor center with exhibits about maritime history and local wildlife. After leaving the visitor center there is a half-mile walk, before a descent down 313 stairs to get to the lighthouse. The stairs can be closed if the wind speed exceeds 40 mph.
This location is considered one of the foggiest and windiest lighthouse stations. Some scenes from the 1980s horror film “The Fog” were filmed here.
Open Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
27000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Inverness, CA 94937
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
40 minutes past the Montara Lighthouse lies the Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The drive is scenic, passing by the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve with its spooky Cyprus Grove and Half Moon Bay's many farms. In the spring, right after the rains, a super bloom of mustard sprouts up, blanketing the hills to a bright, vivid yellow.
At 115 feet, the lighthouse is quite statuesque and impressive. It's one of the tallest lighthouses in the U.S. and the tallest in California (tying with Point Arena).
Currently, the lighthouse is undergoing construction, and no tours are available, but completion is anticipated for next year. The grounds are available to walk around and include a visitor center with exhibits and information boards, as well as a Fresnel lens on display. There are beaches nearby to explore with walking trails.
Pigeon Point is a lot more remote, and the cell service here is sketchy, but what a lighthouse! This one also has a hostel on site, which is famous for having a hot tub overlooking the ocean!
The grounds are open from 8 a.m. to sunset, and the gift shop hours are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
Point Montara Lighthouse
About 25 miles south of San Francisco, between the sleepy towns of Montara and Moss Beach, right off of Highway 1, is a blink-and-you'llmiss-it turn off for the Point Montara Lighthouse.
Established in 1875, the latest lens has been in operation since 1928, until it became automated in 1970.
At only 30 feet, it is one of the smallest on the list, but it makes up for size with beautiful views of the coastline, benches to sit and look out, and a trail to a beach cove. The grounds house a hostel run by Hostelling International, where one can stay in shared dorm accommodations. Parking on the grounds is for hostel guests only, but there is street parking, and the gate is always unlocked, so one can roam around to explore the lighthouse.
Hours of the hostel are 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. to sunset for the grounds.
8800 CA-1, Montara, CA 94037
Honorable Mentions: Mendocino Coastline
Point
Marina
Marina District Lighthouse (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Pigeon Point Lighthouse (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Point Bonita Lighthouse (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Lighthouse under the Golden Gate Bridge at Fort Point. (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Point Montara Lighthouse (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Point Reyes Lighthouse (Joan Walsh/The Guardsman)
Arena Lighthouse: The best lighthouse tour on the list. Visitors can walk up to the top of the 115-foot lighthouse and walk around its balcony.
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse: The best lighthouse for a walk, as there are plenty of trails nearby that look out to the ocean.
Math Teacher Grabs Mic to Lead Local Rock Band
By Sam Palma sampalma05@gmail.com
Y
ou can find Jean Nanjo on campus teaching various mathematical equations or in her office in Batmale Hall. If you've ever taken one of her courses, then you're most likely familiar with her professional teaching persona. What you may not know is that behind this mathematical exterior lies a lifelong musician who balances the dualities of teaching full-time and fronting an alt-rock band.
If you ask most students on campus about Jean Nanjo's musical past, some might give inquisitive looks — it isn't what you might expect from a math instructor.
But long-time fan and former student of Nanjo, Martin Langdonisi, knows how dedicated she is to both fronts. “It's inspiring how she's able to pursue her life and job with passion,” he said.
Musical Roots
Originally trained in classical piano, Nanjo's musical upbringing began at age 3 at her father's insistence. “My dad was crazy and wanted me to grow up to become a concert pianist and couldn't wait to get me started,” Nanjo said. “He found a teacher crazy enough to take a 3-year-old student.”
Though her father envisioned a concert-hall career, Nanjo wanted to
venture outside of classical music, exploring alternative opportunities for her musical talents. Little did she know, a chance encounter with a colleague would bring this dream to fruition. Enter, Keepers of Humanity.
Origin Story
Keepers of Humanity was formed in 2015 from the creativity and passion of friends looking to create music together. “I ran into a colleague and we just randomly started talking,” Nanjo recalled.
After Nanjo expressed her musical aspirations, the colleague informed her that his band was in search of a keyboardist at the time. Nanjo's classical background in piano would pave the way for cementing her role in Keepers of Humanity, eventually becoming the band's lead singer.
Though Nanjo's dream was starting to take shape, it wasn't without its doubts. “I never thought I'd be the singer, because classical music is a whole different beast,” she said. “That was always a fantasy, but I never thought it would happen.
Time Management
Though there are many positives to being in a band, it also has its challenges. “Getting your music into the ears of people is one of the hardest parts,” said the band's guitarist, Steven Bonaccorso. With all of the
Events Calendar
Mon, Oct 27
Pumpkin Carving Contest
8:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Chinatown/North Beach Center, Room 402
Tue, Oct 28
“Know Your Rights” by City DREAm
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
HBB, Room 140
CCSF men's Soccer vs. Ohlone
4:00 p.m.
Soccer Field, Ocean Campus
talanoa Series Presents:
Dr. Rama Ali Kased
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
HBB, Room 140
Thu, Oct 30
CCSF men's Soccer vs. Foothill
4:00 p.m.
Soccer Field, Ocean Campus
Fri, Oct 31
trick or treat
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Chinatown/North Beach Center Lobby
band members jugglling full-time jobs, three of which are teachers, balancing power chords with lesson plans also proves difficult.
“Being in a band is a commitment time-wise, and energy-wise, in terms of how much brain space it occupies,” Nanjo said. “The relationships in bands are a lot more intense than you might think. It
Sat, Nov 1
CCSF Football vs. Foothill
1:00 p.m.
George M. Rush Stadium
Mon, Nov 3
A Real Emergency: tales from the Ambulance
6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
John Adams Center, Room 306
Tue, Nov 4
Wellness Days @ John Adams
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. John Adams Center
Wed, Nov 5
3D Printing Workshop
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Rosenberg Library, Collaboratory R403
Thu, Nov 6
First-Generation Employer Panel
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Rosenberg Library, Collaboratory R403
Fri, Nov 7
CCSF Women's basketball vs. Fullerton
5:00 p.m.
Wellness Center, Ocean Campus
CCSF men's basketball vs. Redwoods
5:00 p.m.
Wellness Center, Ocean Campus
requires a lot of social-emotional energy as well.”
Nanjo described the sense of concentration and heightened energy that comes from performing.
“Teaching is a performative job,” she said. “So I think being a musician is not that far away because when I have a song, it's not that different than getting up and giving a lesson.”
Being in a rock band was always a dream for Nanjo, though she doubted her ability to fit in with the scene or write songs. Having achieved her childhood dream, she advises anyone with similar aspirations to just go for it.
Upcoming Keepers of Humanity performances can be found at keepersofhumanity.com.
From left to right: drummer Alexi Robins, bassist Rudy Choy, vocalist and keyboardist Jean Nanjo, and guitarist Steven Bonaccorso pose during a photoshoot for their EP release.
(Photo by Steven Gregory)
The Story of SF Public Transit: Death by 1000 Cuts
By Henry Crowell henrycrowell5@gmail.com
Nomatter the mayor or the state of the city, Muni service has been incrementally reduced since 2005. Next year, these cuts could become significantly larger if we don't do something about them now.
From midday trips being reduced to entire routes being severed, Muni has had to cut corners, and San Franciscans are the victims of a failure by our government officials to fund what is arguably the backbone of the city.
Although Muni has been able to stave off a major reduction in service through shuffling things around and the aforementioned corner-cutting, that major blow may be coming soon if we don't act. SFMTA is facing a $300 million annual budget deficit starting in July of 2026, which could mean many things for transit in San Francisco, not just Muni. All of which would be bad.
Former riders of the 53-Southern Heights, 26-Valencia, 10-Townsend and 3-Jackson are all too familiar with the predicament at hand. The 53 and 26 were discontinued in 2009
in the wake of a deficit, brought on in part by the 2008 financial crisis, as well as general budget constraints, while the 10 and 3 were taken out of service in April 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and were never brought back.
And while other lines have avoided deletion, they have had their hours cut and frequency reduced, such as the 33-Ashbury/18th Street or 31-Balboa, which had their
frequency for peak times cut by five and 11 minutes respectively, and both routes (along with many others since they were brought back after the pandemic) now end service at 10 p.m. as opposed to midnight.
Next year, the fate that befell those four routes may be the same for many of the lighter-used routes in Muni's system, as SFMTA states that if they end up having to close the deficit, they will have to:
• Suspend lower-utilized Muni routes
• Reduce frequencies by up to 50%
• Suspend historic train and cable car service (i.e., the F Market)
• Operate Owl service only between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Eliminate fare subsidies for seniors, people with disabilities, youth and people with low income
Those are just some of the
lowlights of the many actions SFMTA would have to take to eliminate the deficit.
This paints a bleak picture of public transit in San Francisco. BART is facing a similar budget deficit, which, if left unresolved, would force it to close numerous stations, run on hourly frequencies for its individual lines, end service at 9 p.m., and potentially result in no trains running on weekends. All of this would have major consequences for the Bay Area, in particular, traffic congestion, as BART's “Role in the Region” study found that “drivers could expect to spend an extra one to nineteen hours a week stuck in traffic in a world where BART no longer exists.” There is, however, a light at the end of the tunnel. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 63 on Monday, Oct. 13, which opens pathways for a ballot measure to shore up transit funding in the city. This brings it one step closer to being voted on by San Franciscans, and Muni and BART are one step closer to being at a point where they can look at improving service, rather than figuring out how to survive another round on the chopping block.
Artificial Intelligence: Undermining Education and Humanity
By Sofia Ferry ferry.sofia27@gmail.com
Beyond an academic setting, AI has always been concerning. Its interface runs on human creation. Such activities that we humans have always been completely capable of doing: visuals, comprehension and innovation. While we can say that it is only currently trying to imitate humans, who's to say it's not trying to become human? I believe that the start of the end of true human innovation and liberties begins with the apparent normalization of generative AI use.
Ever since ChatGPT became a household name upon its release in 2022, generative AI tools and
AI-generated material have been ubiquitous. City College of San Francisco campuses are not immune to this wave of influence, despite what it represents under the lens of academia.
Student-made flyers, campus promotional material that was swept under the rug despite the evidence against it, and even, in my own experience, professors are using AI for their Canvas modules. The existence of AI in academic settings is only one iteration of the current list of repercussions this technological advancement has unleashed. With the current sentiments of balancing safety and innovation on the policies in place, both general and academic, AI has already taken over.
Section 8 of City College's Code of Student Conduct, which deals with academic or intellectual dishonesty, defines that there are ethical and unethical uses of AI tools on school tasks. The Library Skills Workshop on Academic Integrity has a section titled “Ethics and Artificial Intelligence in Academics,” which provides this definition: ethical use would be following an instructor's policy, but its usage only extends to its intended purpose and “should never replace your own original work in any way,” and unethical use would be going against instructor policy, or claiming AI-generated material as your own work.
They also attach an article by The Conversation, “Should AI Be
Permitted in College Classrooms?
4 Scholars Weigh In.” The feedback of the featured professors varies in opinion, such as seeing AI's potential as a helpful tool, AI promoting convenience and reliance mentalities and the importance of considering the challenges it will bring to students' envisioned careers.
The existence of AI tools implies a desire to replace human innovation, instead of it simply being a tool. It is absolutely promoting convenience and reliance mentalities. Seeing AI-generated material in academic spaces, where the intention is to develop not only critical thinking but human skills, is an ostracizing experience. I often find myself upset at the sight of yellow-tinged, too-smooth textures of an illustration when I walk around campus.
All of this is just the tip of the iceberg of AI, with untold consequences. On one hand are the opportunities that AI takes away from human potential: creativity, livelihoods, wellbeing, and physical repercussions. On the other hand is how artificial intelligence is currently being weaponized, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) developing its surveillance arsenal through contracts with AI software companies.
The Guardsman wants to hear what you think. Have something to say about the state of the world, or the state of City College? We welcome any and all community letters, however we reserve the right to not publish any submission. If you are a student please include your name and area of study. Please make all submissions to editor@theguardsman.com
Physics Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, dubbed “The Godfather of AI,” gave a speech during the Nobel Prize Banquet. He focuses on the severe utilization of AI:
“Unfortunately, the rapid progress in AI comes with many short-term risks. It has already created divisive echo-chambers by offering people content that makes them indignant. It is already being used by authoritarian governments for massive surveillance and by cyber criminals for phishing attacks. In the near future, AI may be used to create terrible new viruses and horrendous lethal weapons that decide by themselves who to kill or maim. All of these short-term risks require urgent and forceful attention from governments and international organizations.”
With a perspective like mine, rooted in intersectionalities such as being Gen Z, holding onto youthful hopes, and hell, even being an aspiring creative, the mere sight of AI-generated material feels like a stab to my human soul.
Here's to hoping that the current regulatory policies on Artificial Intelligence will prove to be productive for human values and principles.
The Muni service is facing even more service cuts if voters don't act soon. Nov. 28, 2023
(Henry Crowell/The Guardsman)
Illustration by Cindy Chan
Afghanistan After US Withdrawal: Past Mistakes and the Need for a New Vision
By Ahmad S. Aimaq suhrab.aimaq2050@gmail.com
On Oct. 7, 2001, the United States and its allies launched military operations in Afghanistan with the aim of overthrowing terrorist groups and destroying al-Qaida. For millions of Afghan citizens, that
day symbolized the end of a dark era and the beginning of hope for freedom, education and reconstruction. Two decades later, Afghans have been left with a bittersweet taste in their mouths.
Without a Roadmap
The collapse of the Afghan
government in 2021 was more than simply a result of weak domestic institutions; it was a reflection of hasty decisions made without a clear roadmap. In the process, elected and civil society institutions were excluded from decision-making, creating a huge political vacuum that spread distrust and despair. This incident not only caused the collapse of the administrative structure but also drove many experienced and active members of society out of the scene.
However, instead of focusing on blame, there is now a need to review decision-making methods, power transfer policies, and the way international actors interact with Afghan society so that the past experience is not repeated.
Missed Opportunities
The United States and its allies played a major role in rebuilding Afghanistan over two decades, from building educational and media institutions to supporting infrastructure development and the participation of women in social and political arenas. Millions of students, journalists and entrepreneurs benefited from this space, and the country was set on a new path of progress. But leaving without a sustainable plan has jeopardized many of those gains. Afghanistan needs international cooperation more than ever, but cooperation that is based on the interests of the people, transparency and mutual respect.
Have Your Say: National Issues
By Kristian Mitchell kmitch79@mail.ccsf.edu
In this issue, we asked students, “What is the biggest issue facing this country right now?”
Security Vacuum
With the withdrawal of American forces, Afghanistan once again became a haven for international terrorist groups. ISISKhorasan expanded its activities, and several al-Qaida networks and Central Asian extremist groups reestablished themselves in the north and east of the country.
On the other hand, the United States faced a vast information vacuum after the withdrawal. The loss of air bases like Bagram and the loss of direct contact with field resources have severely reduced Washington's ability to monitor terrorist movements. The “over-the-horizon” model through which air operations are conducted cannot replace a field presence and local intelligence cooperation. This gap poses a direct threat to the security of Afghanistan, the region and even the world.
Role of Neighbors
After the U.S. withdrawal, competition between regional powers intensified. China looks at Afghanistan from an economic and security perspective, Russia and Iran are concerned about the possibility of extremism spreading on their borders, and Central Asian countries are seeking to ensure border security. At the same time, some countries have announced that they will reconsider supporting the Taliban if they allow the return of American troops. This situation shows that Afghanistan can
Angelica Campos Sociology
“I think right now, it would be funding for education. I feel like the federal government is trying not to fund schools like City College, UC, or CSU schools because there's a lot of free speech on our campuses, and I know that's true across the country at many institutions.”
“The biggest issue is division. Our president is just kind of doing his own thing, and nobody is stopping him. We have a president who can go on television and say it's these people. We need to go after the left, or go after these people. I don't think we've had a president, at least since I've been alive, that's been so in your face about his hate or his racism.”
only achieve true stability by relying on active diplomacy, balanced politics and mutually beneficial relations with all neighbors.
Rethinking Policies
The experience of past agreements has shown that excluding people and civil society from the decision-making process does not produce sustainable results. It is now essential that:
• Peace and reconciliation be inclusive and national, rather than limited, dialogue;
• The role of women, youth and diverse ethnic groups is ensured;
• And that domestic and international decision-makers are held accountable for the consequences of their decisions.
Looking Ahead
On the anniversary of the start of the war that began with the slogan of fighting terror and supporting freedom, important questions arise:
• Has the experience of the past two decades become a lesson for the future?
• Will the international community and regional governments this time place the real interests of the Afghan people at the center of decision-making?
• And can we hope that this time the path to peace will follow the path of rationality, mutual respect, and the will of the people?
Darwin Yu Cybersecurity
“Extremism. People are acting very violently due to differences in politics, culture, etc. A lot of groups are trying to stir up hatred towards their opposing groups. For example, after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, a lot of far-right groups were stirring up hate, which could've possibly promoted violence to counteract. Another example is ICE around the country acting unconstitutionally towards American citizens.”
Shanique benjamin Child Development
“Cost of Living. I feel like with the cost of living in San Francisco, you're only going to be able to afford a house if you're getting help from the government. It's like you need to be on the subsidy programs, or you have to be on welfare, or GA. And it is hard to find jobs, [due to] discrimination. It's like, if I'm applying for this job and it's only $19 or $20 an hour, that's still not enough to find a studio or one bedroom because they want you to make at least twice or three times that amount.”
mckenly Jenkins Biological Sciences
“The biggest issue is the gap in privileges between wealthy people versus people who are just getting by with minimum wage, or even with jobs that pay maybe $50k to $70k a year. There are a lot of benefits that are hard for us to get. US citizens struggle to get healthcare, versus the availability and opportunities that richer people would have. I just think it's a little unfair, and in my opinion, you could say this country caters more towards people of wealth versus the working people.”
Illustration by Cindy Chan
laniesha Janel Pedroza Nursing
Rams Dominate Chabot in a Master Class of Field Control
By Isaac Ortiz Dominguez isaacortiz117@gmail.com
The Rams breezed through Chabot College 5-0 in a onesided confrontation. Luz Hernandez scored a goal from a corner kick taken by Ashley Rabara; the ball descended low, and, in a defensive confusion from Chabot, the ball became elusive to them. Hernandez slammed the ball into the net in minute three.
Chabot, in a frenzy, tried to recover their bearings, but it seemed in vain as the Rams continued with a relentless pace. In minute 18, Chemnui Simpson scored a goal off an assist from Nelzy Dominguez, and she would go on to contribute to her hat trick.
In minute 26, Simpson scored another goal from an effortless penalty. Chabot continued their game in a very timid and scared fashion. Their main focus after the third goal was not to concede any more goals to City College.
The impregnable defense of City College contributed to an aura of an unbeatable opponent. The entire
team was on top of Chabot at every opportunity. The team was sharp in intercepting passes and recovering balls when the attack or midfield lost them.
“There's two parts of the game. It's not just attacking, as you have to defend, too. So we encourage our attackers, once the balls pass them, to come back and try to get it and win it and go forward again,” head coach Jeff Wilson said.
Simpson closed out the first half with another goal in minute 41 to secure her hat trick, and Sydney Grundland Lanuza got an assist. “That's the first hat trick I've gotten all season,” said Simpson.
Coach Wilson rotated players in and out during the second half, as the game was a done deal by the first half. “That's what we kind of preach, is that we do have large numbers, but we've got to work together. We have big goals, and you want to go far. You've got to be able to rotate players and everybody roots for one another,” Wilson said.
The second half was just as dominant as the first, though the strikers
did not finish a lot of their opportunities. The game could have easily ended 9-0 for City College.
The midfielders were doing an excellent job of sending short lobs just outside of the box for the strikers in both halves. Some were capitalized on, others weren't. The Rams were smart on the counter, catching Chabot off guard and sending balls as fast as they received them.
The keeper from Chabot really saved them from eating more goals; she was, in many cases, their savior in one-on-one confrontations with strikers. Chabot continued to play a very timid second half with not a lot of engagement on the Rams' side of the pitch. The defense continued to deliver a very tight game, with very few shots on target from Chabot.
Hernandez closed out the game by scoring another goal off an assist from Simpson; both played an exceptional game and steamrolled Chabot with very little resistance. “I feel like I've been working hard, really hard, this season, but I feel like I would never be able to do this without my teammates or support on and off the field. I feel like their support is really motivating,” Hernandez said.
Rams Fail to Break Losing Streak With 3-0 Loss to West Valley
By Marrion Cruz mcruz88@mail.ccsf.edu
City College's women's volleyball team fell to West Valley College in straight sets Wednesday night, opening their first conference of the season with a 3-0 loss (25-12, 25-10, 25-9). The defeat marked the Rams' 11th consecutive loss of the season.
Coach Josh Jung and Assistant Coach Justin Hoover used three timeouts throughout the match, encouraging teamwork and communication on the court.
Returning player Kaelani Faituala saw her kill percentage improve, while front-line players Samyra Soun and Jenny Chen contributed several key plays. Faituala brought a strong spike; both Chen and Soun delivered consistent serves and Chen made multiple assists across the net.
Spectator Jessa Robis, sister of Rams player Joy Robis, recalled the team's prior 3-1 match against Skyline, where the Rams took one set.
“I thought that was their come-up,” she said, expressing optimism for their progress.
On Friday, the Rams defeated Skyline 3-0 at home.
The Rams will play at San Jose on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
Chemnui Simpson gets her first hat trick of the season. Oct. 14, 2025
(Isaac Ortiz/The Guardsman)
Kaelani Faituala attacks in the game against West Valley College. Oct. 15, 2025 (Maria Krylova/ The Guardsman).
Jenny Chen serves the ball in the game against West Valley College. Oct. 15, 2025 (Maria Krylova/The Guardsman)
Despite progress made, the team effort was not enough to stop West Valley on Wednesday night. Oct. 15, 2025 (Maria Krylova/The Guardsman)