C I T Y C O L L E G E O F S A N F R A N C I S C O ’ S N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 3 5
Volume 153, Issue 2
TheGuardsman.com
february 8- February 21, 2012
78 classes cut at last minute– many at full capacity
PHOTO: BETH LABERGE, PHOTO EDITED BY: PETER HERNANDEZ/ THE GUARDSMAN
Roger King teaches a conceptual psychics in Science Hall on the Ocean Campus February 1
By Thomas Figg-Hoblyn THE GUARDSMAN
City College lost $13 million from state budget cuts during the fiscal year, forcing school officials to chop 78 courses from the Spring 2012 schedule – many of which had already been filled to capacity. Darlene Alioto, President of the Department Chairperson Council, had to cancel three history classes in her section that she says were full. “My 9 to 10 a.m. class had 38
people in it,” Alioto said. Physics Department Chair, Diana Markham had a Physics 10 lecture and a Physics 10 lab cut this semester, both of which are transferable to four-year universities. “They were both totally full,” Markham said. Currently there are 538 students in Physics 10 lecture classes, with only 135 lab spaces available.
ON THE INSIDE
Dueling abortion marches face off downtown
CULTURE: LION DANCERS REV UP FOR PARADE Page 5
COLUMN: FOR-PROFIT SCHOOLS PREY ON VETS
Page 4
SPORTS: SWIM TEAM SHAKES OFF BAD SEASON Page 8
Markham is holding a “Celebrating Physics” open house on Feb. 16 from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by a fundraising dinner. Her department has raised $10,000 to pay for two physics classes. Leo Paz, department chair for the one of only Philippine Studies departments in the country said that 25 percent of his section has been cut. Paz heads Paz said he appealed to have a Philipino language class with a
traditionally lower enrollment cut instead of a more popular Filipino Family course. His appeal was denied. Min Ta, a City College administrator, said the initial cut of Spring classes was as high as 4 percent “across the board.” This would be followed by a second cut of 32 classes. Registration for Spring 2012 had already been underway for several weeks when some classes
taught by retired faculty or those with less than four semesters teaching were cut, regardless of enrollment numbers. Chairpersons did their best to balance their programs in face of this by targeting only low enrollment classes, Alioto said. She added that many students enrolled in the canceled courses were veterans, guardian scholars, and recent high school students that had been granted early registration. Student veteran Marc Salgado discovered his Engineering 38 had been cancelled the very first day of class. “A guy walked into the room and said ‘sorry class in cancelled’,” Salgado said. “I needed that class to transfer to San Francisco State.” Salgado is in his fourth semester at City College, majoring in civil engineering. There were no alternatives available due to all other comparable classes being full, he said. Giovanni Valdez, also an engineering major, found out the same day his Energy 3 class had also been cut. Valdez said he was able to find an online class as an alternative. “Maybe that is the way of the future, to save money,” he said. Following extensive cuts,
By Lance Kramer and Oz Litvac THE GUARDSMAN
Tens of thousands gathered for the eighth annual West Coast Walk For Life on Jan. 21 to spread their message against abortion before marching down Market Street, where the group closed off the city’s main thoroughfare. The walk was met with some opposition by pro-choice advocates at Powell and Market, where San Francisco police arrested four demonstrators and then cited and released them. Police officials said they gave two citations for vandalism, one for failing to obey a police officer and one for resisting arrest. Beginning at Civic Center around 12:30 p.m., Walk For Life co-founder Eva Mutean introduced speakers Lori Hoye, Rev. Clenard Childress, Dr. Vansen Wong and Silent No More representative Jacquie Stalnaker. “If you were born after 1972, you are a survivor of the abortion holocaust,” said Hoye. She explained how an abortion in her family affected her and her decision to join the Walk For Life. Former Miss West Virginia Jacquie Stalnaker, a Walk For Life regional coordinator from Birmingham, Ala., told the crowd about a time when she was forced at gunpoint by her boyfriend to have an abortion. “I held that secret for 22 years,” said Stalnaker. “For 22 years it affected every relation-
LANCE KRAMER / THE GUARDSMAN
VINCENT PALMIER / THE GUARDSMAN
ABOVE: The “Walk for Life” began at Civic Center and continued down Market St to Justin Herman Plaza on Jan 21. BELOW: Sophia Zen speaks at the pro-choice rally nearby.
ship I was in.” Moments before the march began Rev. Childress addressed the crowd. “I always want to remind you that you are the salt of the earth, and God has ordained you for such a time as this.”
The Walk For Life, preceded by a 9 a.m. Catholic mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, came one day prior to the 39th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, considered a milestone in the women’s rights movement.
COURSE CUTS Page 3
Members of the Archdioscese from throughout California attended the mass, along with many other Catholics from throughout the West Coast. The Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers welcomed attendees. Tour buses lined Geary Blvd. and Gough St. in front of St. Mary’s and the mass quickly became standing room only. After the service, people took to the streets and to their respective buses to make the short journey to Civic Center Plaza while carrying hundreds of signs, some reading, “Change Roe v. WadeYes We Can” and “A Person Is A Person, No Matter How Small.” Roughly 50,000 pro-life demonstrators came together in front of City Hall to get their message out, and organizers encouraged the participants at the event to sign petitions in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade. The 1.8 mile march continued to Justin Herman Plaza and closed Market Street for about two hours. Pro-choice activists made numerous attempts to block Market Street to prevent the Walk For Life marchers from arriving at Justin Herman Plaza. “When abortion is illegal, women die,” shouted a small group of pro-choice demonstrators, who continued with chants such as, “Racist, Sexist, AntiQueer, Walk For Life get out of here!” Email: news@theguardsman.com
2 | February 8- February 21, 2012 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
NEWS
Occupy West, a day of direct action in SF By Thomas Figg-Hoblyn THE GUARDSMAN
Occupy Wall Street West demonstrators took over the streets of San Francisco on Jan. 20 in a day of action, closing down banks, shutting down intersections and occupying buildings. Police seemed unprepared as numerous actions kicked-off simultaneously across the city. At 8:03 a.m., while security and management watched from inside, protesters blocked both entrances to the Bank of America at 345 Montgomery St. with a human chain of retired people, workers, carpenters and school teachers, including Julie Searle of Teachers for Empathy and Justice. “We are here today focused against for-profit foreclosures and evictions on San Francisco, and the link between big banks and the devastation of our social fabric,” said Searle. Targeting the banks At 8:05 a.m. protesters blocked the Wells Fargo entrance around the corner on California Street. Just after 11 a.m., a graffiti covered MUNI bus operated by protesters pulled up in front of the occupied Bank of America on Montgomery Street blasting “California Uber Alles” by the Dead Kennedys. Demonstrators converged upon the scene blocking traffic in all directions, chanting, “Bank of America shut it down, we want justice we want it now.” Emotions escalated when a small band of police arrested a protester. Police found themselves trapped by a crowd of occupiers shouting, “Let him go.” Within minutes a cavalry of motorcycle police marched into the crowd single file with batons raised. Pushing occupiers to the ground they freed the other police officers then retreated to the protection of a large formation of riot police. As riot police marched on the crowd from the west, approximately 30 motorcycle police advanced from the east. Occupiers were cleared from the streets and the detained man was loaded into a sheriff ’s van.
After the police left, occupiers took the intersection back. At 3 p.m. Occupy SFSU, Occupy CCSF and teachers from City College representing AFT Local 2121 occupied the state building at 455 Golden Gate Avenue. Patti Chong-Delon, a counselor at City College said the union was there to support the students. “The banks are taking advantage of the students,” she said, “and education should be accessible to everybody. Parents’ homes should not be mortgaged to pay for education.” While highway patrol officers looked on demonstrators threw hundreds of phony $1 million bills into the air, and chanted for almost an hour. Kitty Lui and Giovanni Valdez from Occupy CCSF explained that the fake bills represented tax payer money that goes to war and corporate profits rather than public education and social services. They will march The group put Gov. Jerry Brown on notice, promising to occupy the Capitol on March 5 as part of “Occupy Education.” They blasted Brown’s proposed tax initiative which would raise the sales tax with no guarantee that the money will go to education and social services. Protesters voiced their support for the the Millionaires Tax, a ballot initiative supported by the California Federation of Teachers that would increase taxes on millionaires to restore funding for education. The day of action ended strong as occupiers gathered at Justin Herman Plaza at 5 p.m. and then marched up California Street before congregating in front of the occupied Bank of America. The crowd swelled to over a thousand as occupiers packed Montgomery Street between California Street and Pine Street. Frederico Villalobos, a liaison for Occupy SFSU said, “It’s not just about the tents anymore, it’s much more than that.” email: tfigghoblyn@theguardsman.com
VIDEO - POLICE SHOVE OCCUPIERS Watch as police shove demonstrators and detain a man. Video by Thomas Figg-Hoblyn. youtube.com/TheGuardsmanOnline
City College News in Brief
Network security tabled at Board Meeting A network security presentation was tabled by the Board of Trustees on Jan. 26 until more information becomes available. Several Information Technology staff members voiced concerns about how the security breach was handled, saying that they were shocked to find out about it in the Chronicle and that there was a lot of misinformation presented to the public The Guardsman reported on the virus story in the last issue and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Student film to show at the Roxy Theater “Default,” a documentary about students struggling under heavy loans, premieres at the Roxie Theater on Valencia St., Sunday, Feb. 12. The film debut will feature a panel discussion with the producer Serge Bakalian, Kyle McCarthy of Occupy Student Debt and Lauren Asher, executive director of The Institute for College Access & Success, according to SFindie.com. Director Aurora Meneghello says she began working on the film in 2007 while at City College. The film starts at 12:30 p.m., admission is free.
Childcare for student parents hit by budget cuts Transitional Kindergarten, mandated by the state of California to serve children not ready for elementary school, was dissolved in the new 20122013 budget released by Governor Jerry Brown. As a result, childcare slots at the City College Child Development Center may become more scarce. The Center expects to see many of its current pupils to stay in the program another year, said CDC Department Chair Kathleen White.
Cal State East Bay Get the classes you need to complete your degree! Apply for Fall quarter 2012 now through March 1 (classes start in late-September). Apply online at www.csueastbay.edu/apply. Admission requirements and application deadlines can be found at www.csueastbay.edu/deadlines. Graduate students may need to submit a supplementary application to the department offering their program; for details, visit the Graduate Admission Web site at
Pre-admission advising appointments are available at CSUEB’s Hayward Campus Welcome Center. Call 510.885.2556 for an appointment. For pre-admission advising at the Concord Campus call 925.602.6700.
Close to 50 CCSF and SFSU students gather in lobby of the State Department building for a speak out against budget and class cuts, as well as increased tuitions, on Jan. 20 in San Francisco.
THE GUARDSMAN
Board of Trustees endorses Millionaire’s Tax The City College Board of Trustees officially endorsed the “Millionaires’ Tax” initiative, at their monthly meeting on Jan. 26. “I’m kinda tired of chipping in,” said Trustee Jackson, referring to a sales tax increase in a different tax proposal. “It’s time for the 1% to pay more.” Vice Chancellor of Finances and Administration Peter Goldstein said that although initiatives such as the “Millionaires’ Tax” and the oil extraction tax would provide new revenue for City College, they are not guaranteed sources.
www.csueastbay.edu/graduate-admission.
CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
By Sara Bloomberg and Joe Fitzgerald
Where All Your Possibilities Come Into View. H AY WA R D
C O N C O R D
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News
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | February 8- February 21, 2012 | 3
Faculty upset about how cuts were made
Editor-in-Chief Joe Fitzgerald News Editor Sara Bloomberg Culture Editor Lulu Orozco Opinion Editor Kevin Brown Sports Editor Taylor Clayton Online Editor Jon Bechtol Multimedia Editor Clarivel Fong Photo Editor Beth LaBerge Copy Chief Susan Boeckmann Calendar Editor Catherine Lee Social Media Editor Peter Hernandez Advertising Editor Peter Ho Network Manager Phillip Ng Staff Writers Peter Hernandez Catherine Lee Jon Bechtol Lance Kramer Thomas Figg-Hoblyn Lucas Pontes de Almeida Oz Litvac Alex Schmaus David Pan Anthony Fusaro Al Gutierrez Staff Photographers Vincent Palmier Augustine Wittkower Clairvel Fong Illustrator Jessica Kwan Multimedia Sergio Berreno Augustine Wittkower Copy Editors Jen Verzosa Aaron Turner Jon Bechtol Sonny Roberts Kevin Brown Faculty Adviser Juan Gonzales
Mail: 50 Phelan Ave Box V-67 San Francisco, CA 94112 Phone: (415) 239-3446 Email: email@theguardsman.com
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“We have always been cooperative, let us do the cutting,” Paz said. “Just tell us how much needs to be cut.” During the Jan. 26 Board of Trustees meeting, City College chancellor Griffin and Board members John Rizzo, Steve Ngo and Chris Jackson stressed working together to overcome state deficits. VINCENT PALMIER / THE GUARDSMAN Leo S. Paz, Chair of the Philippine Studies dept., on February 5. “City College is getting killed COURSE CUTS page 1 by state budget cuts,” Griffin said. tion of Teachers’ contract, they department chairpersons affected would not have had to cut highly During the same meeting, the by the cuts requested Alioto draft enrolled classes on December 21. Trustees unanimously approved a letter to formerly express their Department chairs also a resolution supporting the frustration over the last minute requested that City College “Millionaire’s Tax,” a state ballot order for additional cuts to the administrators allow them to initiative that seeks to restore Spring 2012 schedule. manage future reductions in public education in California. The letter asserts that if chair- accordance with what they deem In Aug. 2011, the Trustees persons had been allowed to abide best for their respective depart- approved a resolution to put a by the current American Federa- ments. parcel tax on the Nov. 2012 San
BUDGET QUICK FACTS
$27 MILLION
That’s how much less funding City College recieved since the budget cuts began.
Editor’s notes
Historic budget and access changes to community colleges called “The Student Success Act of 2012” are now being debated, analyzed, and written into law by the California Senate on Higher Education Commitee, the end result of a year long project by the Student Success Task Force. The California Community College Student Success Task Force was formed by Senate Bill 1143 in the wake of historic budget cuts to the community college system. Its goal was simple– research and publish a document with recommendations on ways to ration what was left of a decimated education budget. The recommendations they crafted were presented to the California Senate Committee on Education by Jack Scott, the chancellor of California community colleges. If put into law, the recommendations would essentially limit access for part time students and students who wish to veer from strict education plans. The recommendations would also place a unit cap on financial aid. For a full list and explanation of the Task Force recommendations, check our Volume 152 Issue 8 paper at issuu.com/theguardsmanonline . The Guardsman newspaper led a letter writing campaign against the recommendations against the Student Success Task Force in that issue, leading over 15 CA community college newspapers in simultaneously publishing editorials against the Task Force. The letter writing campaign generated hundreds of emails, letters, and spread the word of numerous petitions, all of which were seen and read by the Task Force itself and the CA community college Board of Governors at their Jan 9 meeting, culminating in over three hours of public comment against the Task Force’s recommendations. There is still more that you, the reader, can do to let political leaders know how you feel about the Task Force recommendations. To get more information on the Task Force and how the recommendations will affect students, visit http://www.ccsf.edu/ academic-senate . The Senate Committee on Education will be meeting over the next two months to discuss the Task Force’s recommendations, implementing them in the form of a bill by a deadline of March 1st. The laws would have sweeping effects on all 160 colleges in the CA community college system, which represent 25 percent of community colleges in the United States. Below is a list of dates when the recommendations to be turned to law will be discussed. These meetings are open to the public, and any student, faculty, or general citizen can attend to hold their officials accountable in laws that they are drafting and advising.
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403
The number of students enrolled in Physics 10 lectures and can’t get into labs.
Francisco ballot. Peter Goldstein, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration, said City College’s annual operating budget is approximately $27 million less now than it was before budget cuts began. Goldstein said City College currently faces another $2 million in cuts from state-wide student fee shortfalls, and could face losses of an additional $8 million, should Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax initiative fail. “Ultimately we all need to come together and work as adults,” Griffin said. “Losing almost $30 million is the worst event that City College has ever faced.” email: tfigghoblyn@theguardsman.com
78
The total number of classes cut for the Spring 2012 semester.
Techno Files: Twitter’s new censorship rules cause global ire By Peter Hernandez THE GUARDSMAN
Tweeters worldwide have been emblazoned with fury after the Internet microblogging service announced new censorship procedures on offending updates in specific countries on the same platform that enabled revolutionary events like the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall St. The company blog announced on January 26 that when a government flags a Tweet, an alarm would read that the user or the Tweet alone would be withheld, followed by the country in which it was censored. “In short, we believe the new, more granular approach to withheld content is a good thing for freedom of expression, transparency, accountability— and for our users,” wrote the company on their blog. “Besides allowing us to keep Tweets available in more places, it also allows users to see whether we are living up to our freedom of expression ideal.” Like a carefully worded and crafted 140 character Tweet, the 3,640 character blog post spurred a frenzied reaction leading to a #TwitterBlackout two days later. The blackout prompted fervent Tweeters to abandon a passion they insist on protecting. “I’m joining the #TwitterBlackout & won’t tweet tomorrow. Time to go back to getting news 12 hours after it happened,” wrote Omar Johani of Saudi Arabia. The move signals a maturity of a growing company that aims to appeal to new markets. “The Internet is not a virtual
space, and cyberspace is not a planet which can float above all jurisdictions forever,” said Zeynep Tufekci, an assistant professor at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The company has long touted its transparency. As the first U.S. company that fought to protect user information during the Wikileaks case, it was also the only to announce the case’s defeat. More than 100 million active users have already begun to feel censorship taking place when copyright violations, deviations from terms of service, or spam issues occur. Until their new practice is implemented, those censored Tweets will be removed worldwide rather than in its affected country. Some attribute this new policy to new business investors in Saudi Arabia and pressure from oppressive governments, where pressure has been felt similar to Google censoring its search engine for the Chinese market. China has blocked Twitter since the 20th anniversary of the Tienanmen democracy protests in 2009. Twitter has also partnered with the anti-censorship website ChillingEffects.org, a pairing that Twitter insists will encourage transparency when a Tweet is indeed censored. The changes mark a subtlety between their past practices that were often unannounced. Offensive Tweets would sometimes be simply deleted without notice. email: phernandez@theguardsman.com
Key meeting dates for Task Force implementation:
CONSULTATION COUNCIL California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office 1102 Q Street, 4th Floor Sacramento, CA 95811 February 16, 2012 - General discussion of recommendations to Senate Committee on Education
BOARD OF GOVERNORS March 5-6, regular meeting with public comment Sacramento- http://tinyurl.com/nw43bz
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Education Committee meets every Wednesday at 9:00 am in Room 4203 in the Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA. http://sedn.senate.ca.gov/
4 | February 8- February 21, 2012 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
OPINIONS Think for yourself, dammit It’s astounding how many college students are afraid, or unable, to think for themselves. Last week my class was discussing our first assignment writing an original paper analyzing a speech. Rather straight forward. Yet the few students who spoke in class had questions about the “supporting sources” required for most other papers.
They were asking how we should use outside sources to support our statements. Again and again the teacher had to gently explain, no, this is your OWN argument. Viewing other sources can be helpful to generate ideas, and you can quote them if you really want to, but this is all YOUR THOUGHTS discovered by doing the assignment.
VIDEO - OCCUPY SFSU THROWS $$ AT GREED Watch as protestors throw fake million dollar bills into the air in the lobby of a Calif. state building. Video by Sergio Beryoutube.com/TheGuardsmanOnline
Cue my confusion: Do so many students really lack the confidence to let their ideas stand on their own? Public education has degenerated into an institution based on remembering and regurgitating outdated and arguably irrelevant “facts” handed down to students from the on-high, all-knowing, distinguished elders. College should teach us how to achieve mentally-stimulating, independent thought - not just how to practice the skill of repeating whatever we are told. Such domesticating education leads to classrooms full of young adults who may be able to reiterate others’ thoughts but are incapable of speaking for themselves. Yes, it’s important to cite credible evidence to support what you’re saying. But isn’t it just as
important to have something to say? You are an individual, an expert in your own unique perspective. Speak up and share your thoughts and experiences. Be curious and bold, don’t just echo the claims of others. Embrace thought-provoking risks by challenging your own ideals. The loss of independent thought may stem from lack of engagement. Don’t just sit there in silence when an instructor asks a question. Pay attention and challenge the teacher if they say something you disagree with. You’re taking this class for a reason, as is everyone else in the room - and your peers probably appreciate your view of things more than you’d think. In some cases (probably
more than ANY college would like to admit), this is the fault of the teacher. Teaching needs to be far more interactive than a droning lecture, or showing a film, or assigning readings from a textbook. It should entail more classroom involvement that forces learners to create answers that we’re not just quoting from a book. Our educational institutions need to fulfill their responsibility and provide us with an empowering education. In some general education classes, though, our best bet is to hunker down and doodle over those pages of notes. Which is incredibly unfortunate: we deserve better. The most important thing we can ever learn is how to think independently. email: editor@theguardsman.com
By Tyler Dylan Brown www.theguardsman.com
What if you witnessed a hate crime? For-profit colleges prey on veterans’ G.I. cash
To all Asian Americans: What would you do if you witnessed a hate crime? Would you continue walking away from the scene as if you saw nothing? Would you pretend that nothing happened? Would you call 911 to request assistance? Or would you be bold enough to intervene and risk also being a victim of the hate crime? I would not walk away because if I witness a hate crime I feel partially responsible for its
outcome, and my decision could spell life or death for the victim. Consider the case of Atul lall, a 32-year-old East Indian industrial designer who was brutally beaten outside a grocery store by three men who accused him of being a terrorist. No one helped him, and by the time the cops arrived he had already lost his teeth and suffered a broken jaw. This traumatic experience created within him a crippling fear of public places, and it could have been avoided if a courageous individual was pres-
ent to diffuse the racial violence. I know what I would do: I would jump in and call out those three ignorant bigots while filming the whole hate scene on my cell phone. Then I’d do whatever it takes to distract the assailants by luring their attention away from the victim so he could escape safely. I know exactly what I’d do if I ever witness a hate crime, but enough about me—what would you do? email: editor@theguardsman.com
SOPA and PIPA should have passed By Augustine Wittkower CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect IP Act are hulking draconian bills that would impugn upon our freedom, and strangle the innovations that a free Internet provides us, and they should have passed. What’s that? I can hear your screams of indigence all the way from the office I’m writing this from. That’s how I know I’m right. SOPA and PIPA would have allowed the government to censor search engines, social networking comments and delete entire websites on a whim, but they were killed in congress through the herculean effort of
both “little-guy” individuals contacting their congressman and massive web giants like Wikipedia and Google altering their websites to oppose the bill. But what have we really accomplished? Sure SOPA and PIPA are shelved for now, but the lobbyists and the malleable congressmen they control are still in office, so elements of these bills will contimue to sneak their way undetected into more passable legislation until the free web we know now is slowly chipped away and regulated into oblivion. These acts will keep being pushed through congress for as long as the corporate media interests paying for them are
Letters to the editor
secure in their untouchability. We needed SOPA and PIPA to pass. We needed those ridiculously over-reaching, webcrippling bills to become reality because it may have snapped us out of this do-nothing, occupyeverything directionless malaise we find ourselves in today. Stop protesting, start voting. Vote with your ballots, vote with your dollar bills. Don’t support companies that don’t support you. Don’t vote for someone because they’re a “lesser evil”. And finally, whatever you do, don’t believe everything you read. email: editor@theguardsman.com
One of the greatest yet least known threats to student veterans are for-profit universities which lure vets to their institutions with false promises in order to get their guaranteed government financial aid. Veterans are big money for these schools because the Post9/11 GI Bill ensures their tuition will be paid in full and on time. Shortly after I returned home from service in Iraq, several forprofit schools such as Academy of Art, The Art Institute, University of Phoenix, Heald College, and Devry and Kaplan Universities aggressively solicited me and other veterans — at all hours of the day and night — promising the world if we enrolled with them. In order to establish an artificial bridge of trust, many of these schools hire other veterans as recruiters who get paid a commission for every veteran they sign up. These schools will falsely claim to be accredited and will even lie about guaranteed job placement upon graduation. “Our degrees are just as accredited as those from ivy league schools.” said for-profit school recruiter Alex Martinez. Out of curiosity I contacted a
number of employers and asked them if they would hire anyone who had a degree from one of these schools, and I’ll just say that being laughed at and hung up on is putting it gently. In fact the unemployment rate for graduates of for-profit universities in this country is staggering. I would never go to one of these schools because they are a scam. I know how sly and convincing their recruiters can be, and it infuriates me that there are civilians with the audacity to reward veterans for ripping-off other veterans. For-profit universities should be avoided because they are academically questionable and unethical business ventures that lure veterans to their worthless, unaccredited and overpriced programs simply to raid their educational benefits.
email: editor@theguardsman.com
Write and tell us your opinion! We’d love to hear your thoughts and concerns and if you agree or disagree with us. Letters to the editor must be under 250 words and may be edited for content. Send letters to: editor@theguardsman.com
Culture
1 | December 6 2011 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
CULTURE Dance for the New Year By Lucas Pontes de Almeida THE GUARDSMAN
The performers practice arduously for weeks and perform all year round to make the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade on Feb. 11 an unforgettable beginning to the Year of the Dragon. Named one of the world’s top 10 parades by the International Festival & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is the largest celebrations of its kind outside of Asia. The Parade celebrates the beginning of a new year according to the Lunar calendar, which is used by billions of people throughout Asia. In Chinese culture, dragons are mythological creatures who control elements such as water, and are said to represent power, strength, and good luck. Over 100 teams will take part this years festivities. Dragon Dance Team The Dragon Dance Team from Mills High School is participating in this year’s parade. Passionate about her culture, senior Jessica Lan from Mills High School joined the team four years ago. “I first joined because it looked cool,” Lan said. “It’s important for me because I could also connect
The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | February 8-February 21, 2012 | 5
City College Events Calendar By Catherine Lee THE GUARDSMAN
to my culture. Joining the Dragon team makes me proud of my culture.” She encourages those who have never attended the parade before to go and experience the fun. “It’s fun to see all the performances,” Lan added. “We work really hard to provide this one day of performance.” Lan suggested the best place to watch the parade is in front of Macy’s at Union Square. Lion Dancing Troupe Another troupe is the West Coast Lion Dancing Troupe from Daly City. They have been regular performers in the parade every year since 1988. The troupe’s leader and founder, Tony Shiu said the main goal of the West Coast Lion Dance troupe is to pass on the traditional art of Chinese lion dancing, performing in the parade is the best opportunity to share these traditions and embrace the culture. “It’s the highlight of our year, we perform all year round and we practice weekly until the Chinese New Year Parade, where it allows us to show our culture to others races” Shiu said. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m at Second and Market streets, following Geary to Union Square, Post to Kearny streets and finally dispersing at Columbus avenue . email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com
WeD/Feb. 8
Tue/Feb. 14
Free Campus Support Groups begin Feb 8-13 @ Student Health Center: Join a support group for help with procrastination, anxiety, domestic violence and more. (http://www.ccsf.edu/NeW/en/ student-services/student-healthservices/psychological-services/ support-groups.html)
Valentine’s Day Ultimate Date Tour – 3pm and 4pm @ The exploratorium: Couples can take a heat picture to see who’s really hot, and take the guided tour to dissect the flowers of romance, and (cow) hearts, in a special guided tour .
College Transfer Info Fair – 10am to 1pm @ Multi-use building: 40 public and private universities respond to questions and inquiries – ask everything! THur/Feb. 9 Free film & discussion “Something Like a Phenomenon: Hip Hop as an Agent for Positive Change?” – 3pm @ SFPL (Main branch): “rize” film screening that highlights black expression through film art, with panel discussion. Fri/Feb. 10 Free Concert of Duke Ellington tunes – 11:30am @ Pierre Coste Dining room (Ocean campus): Songs from the 1920s arranged as piano solos, performed by Madeline Mueller. MON/Feb. 13 Art show by Rodger Jacobson, Kay Russell, & Helen Stanley: Retrospective/Introspective – 12:30 to 4pm @ Ocean campus Art Gallery (reception: Feb 14, 4pm): Painting, sculpture, collage and multimedia by retiring art department faculty.
BETH LABERGE/ THE GUARDSMAN
ABOVE: The West Coast Lion Dance Troupe performs the Lion Dance at the Dim Sum King Restaurant in Daly City, on Feb. 4.
Student Spotlight
Test Anxiety Workshop – 1:30pm @ Health Center building, room 204: Free single session workshop to cope with test stress and improve study habits. Preregister at 415-239-3148.
Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight 6pm @ Justin Herman Plaza: Annual get together of fun and feathers when hundreds of strangers convene for 3 hours to swap soft blows to the head. Singles and couples encouraged, but swooney couples are special targets. WeD/Feb. 15 Panel “Which Way Forward to Progressive Change” – 7pm @ First unitarian-universalist Church, SF: Program explores how activists can devise strategies to bring a more just, peaceful, and humane society; moderated by rose Aguilar (KALW host) (http://tinyurl. com/884qgtp). SAT/Feb. 18 Annual “Big Lebowski” Party – 9pm @ CellSpace: Only $5 with costume or free with indieFest ticket. The dude will abide with DJs, white russians, bowling, and a costume contest. SuN/Feb. 19 Warren Hellman Memorial – TbD @ Ocean Campus: contact cfregly@ccsf.edu to volunteer to help or get event details: The iconoclast who gave SF the best free music festival, Hardly Strictly bluegrass, and the nonprofit news outlet, The bay Citizen, deserves all the encomiums planned for this event.
Are you a student and an artist, chef, musician, photographer, or writer? Submit your sketches, photos, songs, poetry and recipes... any original pieces to entice your desired paramore. Two students will be featured each issue. Submit your work to gorozco@theguardsman.com or drop your submissions at Bungalow 615
Left, “Not Enough,” by Carmen D. MelendezLugo “My name is Carmen D. MelendezLugo. I am an art student at City College, and a print maker. My piece is titled “Not Enough”. It is about living through poverty, and poverty as the act of violence that it really is. It is also a commentary on society’s poor job of supporting people. This print was made in 2011 using different techniques such as linoleum cut and monoprint.” Carmen’s artwork will be on display at the 33 Gough st Administrative Building of City College Feb 16 to April 6. PHOTO BY BETH LABERGE/ THE GUARDSMAN
Above, “Surrealist Painting,” by Rich Knittel - created in Intermediate Painting (ART 140) “I have a BS from the U of Wisconsin - Stout, and a MBA from the U. of Connecticut, but what I always loved doing was painting, so I retired early and am taking painting classes at City College. And I’m having a ball.” Photo by VINCENT PALMIER / THE GUARDSMAN
Culture
6 | February 8-February 21, 2012 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
Valentines Day Things and Flings By Lulu Orozco THE GUARDSMAN
In matter of love is it always necessary to wine and dine a la mode? This years Valentines day should be a much needed escape from the classic heart shaped box of chocolates and into a fun and effortless be-my-valentine, without clearing out the bank. According to the National Retail Federation report, last years Valentines craze reached an average of $15.7 Billion. While the average person spend a roughly $116.21 on Valentines day merchandise. The survey also reported that the average man expects to spend
$158.71, almost double the $75.79 the average woman is expected to spend. Which means the average person falls into one of two categories. The type that usually waits to make last minute dinner reservations, and ends up scavenging the drug store for that sadly oversized Valentines day card and six piece chocolate box. While the romantic of the bunch, orders the perfect makeout Netflix, take-out Chinese and plans for dessert include a microwave, and theres nothing wrong with that.
.This Valentines day ditch the fancy DYI 3 course meal and find the perfect things and flings for a not so predictable Valentines Day that will reassure you money can’t buy love, but a 15 floor rooftop might. Boy and girl about town The city is full of hidden gems and locals only spots. For those of us who like to feel like we have a members exclusive access pass, Macondray Lane in Russian Hill is just that, plus the hike. Located between Green and Union street with only a two block radius that stretches from Leavenworth to Taylor st lies a hidden scenery of charming cottages and beautifully arranged gardens. If this doesn’t win your sweetheart over, the view of Alcatraz Island will. Its a small walk but well worth the find, the perfect place to share a few cupcakes with
your friends, confess a feeling or simply enjoy the city you live in. However, if your not feeling “up” for the challenge, you may want to consider the 15th floor rooftop deck located at 343 Sansome street. This rooftop deck lives in the Financial District, where to your advantage stands the great city view of the Transamerica Pyramid and its surrounding skyline neighborhood. The ample seating and wide open space makes this place your ideal pent house brunch for two. Things and flings Unfortunately expectation is higher on Valentines day but don’t fret the big stuff instead try something thoughtful and well planned out. Try a Valentines day basket, or a do it yourself message in a bottle. Personalise your surprise
gifts with pictures of places you’ve been too, plan to go, old movie tickets and of course pictures of both of you together. Remember to pack your own lunch in a brown paper bag where ever you decide to go, but make this a goody bag filled with your valentines favorite candy, truth or dare cards, a sketch pad and some pencils. Enjoy the scenery while you sketch each other, and blush to your valentines truth or dare questions. You can even write a short non-fiction 100 word story about the day you both met, starting with the line, It was a brisk and rainy day. After all, the meaning of Valentines Day should be about enjoying the person your with, not for what they surprise you with but how they choose to express their love and gratitude. email: gorozco@theguardsman.com
Romantic spots: -Macondray Lane (Russian Hill) -15th floor rooftop deck (343 Sansome)
Sweet gift tips: -Try something thoughtful instead of expensive -Make it personal. It’s sweeter when it’s something only you could have made. JESSICA KWAN/ THE GUARDSMAN
Library Exhibit: Coloring Outside the Lines
SHANE MENEZ/ THE GUARDSMAN
SHANE MENEZ/ THE GUARDSMAN
Above left: A student passes through the “Coloring Outside the Lines exhibit in the Rosenberg Library. Above Right: “Maintaining,” by Nate Creekmore from the exhibit.
By Oz Litvac THE GUARDSMAN
On display in Rosenberg Library is an exhibition titled, Coloring Outside the Lines: Black Cartoonists as Social Commentators. Curated by Kheven LaGrone this exhibit features more than 10 different cartoonists with works that depict a side not so commonly seen by many. The exhibit will run till April 7. Cartoonists have become the voice of youth, representing everything true in a mostly funny but nonetheless controversial manner. The exhibition features work by Jerry Craft, Barbara Brandon-Croft, Darrin Bell and Keith Knight. Like most artists, cartoonists have also felt the controversy behind their art, “hopefully I can get people starting a dialogue,” said Kieth Knight in a phone interview. “You should never censor yourself,” he added. The cartoons displayed are by no means a joke despite their funny way of shedding important light on social, political and racial issues. Each artist brings their own style into a collective effort in hopes of reaching audiences with the often ignored truth. “I would like to push my black community out of our comfort zone,” said Kheven LaGrone in a phone interview. The K Chronicles, a semi-autobiographical weekly comic strip by Knight, earned him the most respected award of the industry in 2007, the Harvey Award. Knight is a prolific cartoonist and author of books such as, “The
Knight Life: Chivalry Aint Dead”, and “What a Long Strange Strip It’s Been”. Darrin Bell is a staff cartoonist at U.C Berkeley’s The Daily Californian and has been drawing for the newspaper since the 1990’s. He is a regular contributor to newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Oakland Tribune. He also has several awards under his belt. Jerry Craft, creator of Mama’s Boyz, a comic strip syndicated since the 1990’s has also been recognized in the cartoonist world and has won many awards.. Craft has done work for Marvel Comics, several issues of Sweet 16 as well as illustrations for seven children’s books. Also featured in the exhibit is work by Brumsic Brandon, a veteran cartoonist who has been submitting cartoon strips to mainstream publications since 1940. His daughter, Barbara Brandon-Croft who’s work is also in the exhibit continues his legacy. The first nationally syndicated African American cartoonist Morrie Turner, has a piece in the exhibition dated from 2009. It serves as recent proof to his extreme passion for a cause he has dedicated his life to since his work first received nationwide attention after the assassination of Martin Luther King. Kheven LaGrone will be having a panel discussion and lecture from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m at the John Adams Campus Auditorium, for more information you may visit the City College Library website.
BACHELOR’S
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GET THERE Notre Dame de Namur University makes transferring simple and gives you access to the classes you need to graduate on time. With smaller class sizes, hands-on advising, financial aid, and a convenient location mid-peninsula, Notre Dame can help get you where you want to be.
Apply now for fall 2012. To learn more, visit www.ndnu.edu or call (650) 508-3600. 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont CA 94002
SPORTS
Three former Rams to SF Prep Hall of Fame By Taylor Clayton THE GUARDSMAN
Al Vidal, Gary Attell and Holly Doudiet are three of the 11 former high school athletes who will be inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame this year on May 19. The SF Prep Hall of Fame, founded in 1982, recognizes extraordinary performance and leadership in high school sports. All three also played sports at City College and went on to win numerous awards in various sports. After graduating from Mission High School, Al Vidal spent two years in the US Army and then enrolled City College where he played basketball for the Rams during the 1956-1957 school year. He credits City College with building a strong foundation for his achievements in sports. During his time at City College, the Rams basketball team was loaded with talent, according to Vidal, and he joked about how much playing time he received from his head coach. “I spent most of my time on the bench rooting,” Vidal said. “ We were the Big 8 champs, we had
an outstanding team.” “City College really helped me with the GI Bill and getting my feet off the ground after the military,” Vidal said. “They gave me my push towards the chance to become a principal. I spent all those years at (different) school sites as the dean, assistant principal, principal. And City College is where I started.” After one year at City College Vidal transferred to San Francisco State. Vidal was also a referee for the NorCal Basketball officials for 21 years during his time as jr. high school principal, until he decided to devote all his time to being the principal at Washington. Vidal also became a coach and was involved in many administrative positions. He became the president of the San Francisco Unified School District’s athletic program, was involved in the California Interscholastic Federation-Northern Section, became an office consultant for the Academic Athletic Association and founded the George Washington High School Hall of Fame. Other Hall of Fame honorees Gary Attell and Holly Dudiet are highly decorated as well. Gary Attell was a star second baseman at St. Ignatius High
February 8-February 21, 2012 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com | 7 VIDEO: COACH RUSH ON OPPORTUNITY AT CCSF Watch Coach Rush talk about how City College saves “at risk” students’ lives. Video by Augustine Wittkower.
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School from 1956-1959, winning two All-Athletic Association (AAA) Championships in 1958 and 1959 and was named to multiple All-Star teams. He played at City College in 1961 before transferring to San Francisco State, where he won 1st Team All-Far Western Conference (FWC) honors while batting .417. He helped lead the Gators to two league championships in 1962 and 1963. Holly Doudiet, who attended Washington High School from 1999-2003, did not just dominate one sport, she dominated three: softball, basketball and golf. Her accomplishments for softball include being named to two 1st Team All-Academic Association teams in 2000 and 2002, as well as leading Washington High School to AAA and Transbay Championships. She hit a record four home runs in a single game during her time there. In basketball, Doudiet was named the Most Valuable Player in 2000, named to the 2001 AllAA 2nd Team, won a Sportsmanship Award, and lead GWHS to an AAA league title. In 2002 Doudiet was named AAA player of the year. Doudiet didn’t stop after basketball and softball. In 1999, as a freshman, Doudiet was on her school golf team that won AAA championships in 2000 and 2001. She played basketball for a brief moment at City College and is currently at the school studying to pursue a firefighting career.
Rams football players honored for academics
SARA BLOOMBERG / THE GUARDSMAN
Members of the Rams were honored for their outstanding academic achievements at the Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 26. Coaches George Rush and Michael Parodi accompanied the
By Sara Bloomberg THE GUARDSMAN
After an undefeated season, the Rams were honored by the Board of Trustees January 26 in a special resolution that acknowledged the accomplishments of the team in 2011, including their State Championship winning game on December 10. Board President John Rizzo pulled out a red Rams sweatshirt and donned it for the rest of the meeting. Head Coach George Rush beamed with pride as he described the many accomplishments of the players off the field. Several members of the football team will soon be transferring to other universities across the nation, some on full scholarships. “I’m so proud of these guys,” said Coach Rush. “I’m proud of what they do in school because they have the academic wherewithal to accept these scholarships and not just play football.” Email: sports@theguardsman.com
Email: tclayton@theguardsman.com
Softball looking for answers as season nears By Jonathan Bechtol THE GUARDSMAN
The City College women’s softball team has endured some tough seasons recently. With a combined record of 3-32 in conference play since 2009 the program is searching for answers. The team has been practicing for a month at Fairmont Field in Pacifica and the players’ chemistry is budding nicely as their spring season approaches. Of the 13 players on the roster, only one returns from last year’s team: Yennifer Mendoza, the team’s starting pitcher, who has asserted herself as a leader. “I have to be a leader on this team and I’m trying to do that, leading by example,” Mendoza said. “As a pitcher, everyone is relying on you. I like the aspect of the position where I’m in control and can put my team in a good position.” Head coach Jack McGuire said that inexperience is the team’s weakness. “There are four players who have never played organized softball in their lives and others who haven’t played in years,” said
McGuire. “The focus is on getting better with every day, every practice.” Although only four players on the current roster were in the softball class last semester, the team has still found a way to fill out its 13-player roster through recruiting and getting the word out. The team will add another player next week. Freshman Camille Bustos hasn’t played organized softball in a year and she’s missed the game since her time off. “I really enjoy the game, the feeling of getting a hit and running the bases, it’s great,” Bustos said. “Our team has a really good bond, too. It’s fun.” Helping head coach McGuire are assistant coaches Mike Uland, Jimmy Collins, Scott Peradatto, Coleen McGuire and Jack Wolf. On Jan. 28 the team played in a double-header exhibition game against Mendocino College. The Rams lost both games, 3-12 and 4-12. The team shined at moments, nevertheless both games ended early in the 5th inning because of the 8-run mercy rule. Natalie Viola hit the team’s
MICHAEL A NERO / THE GUARDSMAN
Yennifer Mendoza #7 winds up for a pitch during warm ups at Carter Field out at Pacifica on Feb. 3.
first home run, a 2-run shot into center field. Jamie Hom batted 4-6, adding 2 RBIs and a steal while Mendoza hit 2-4 with a walk and two RBIs in the doubleheader. Mendoza shrugged off the exhibition losses and was upbeat
about her team. “We have talent,” she said, “it’s a matter of putting it together for the regular season where I think we can be a solid team. I love the team.” The team has eight more exhibition games before league play
begins with a road game on Feb. 21 at Chabot College. The Rams play their first regular season home game at Fairmont Field against Ohlone College on Feb. 23 at 1pm. Email: jbechtol@theguardsman.com
8 | February 8-February 21, 2012 | The Guardsman & TheGuardsman.com
SPORTS
UPCOMING BASKETBALL GAMES:
WOMENS VS. SKYLINE DOUBLE-HEADER 5 P.M. JAN 25
MENS VS. SKYLINE 7 P.M. JAN 25
Swim team aims for better season; recovers from losses By Lucas Almeida THE GUARDSMAN
City College women’s swimming team held an intra-squad meet in the Wellness Center on Feb. 3 in preparation for the program’s third year of existence. Head coach Phong Pham expects his team to reach higher goals and perform better after last season’s disappointing fifth place finish in the conference. “Our goal is to go to top three in the conference this season,” Pham said. “I think our expectations are to qualify at least two individual swimmers for the state championship and two relay teams for the state championship.” The Rams return four swimmers from last year’s squad, including Carrie Guilfoyle and Roselyn Sretpisalsilp, co-captains this season. Guilfoyle, who could not swim in the intra-squad meet due to a cold, watched the preseason meet cheerfully, excited to be one of the co-captains of this year’s team alongside Sretpisalsilp. “I love it. It’s exciting,” Guilfoyle said. “We are really friendly and we are always competing at practice which makes it fun.” As one of the leaders of the team, Guilfoyle has confidence that this year will be a successful one, not only for her individually, but for her teammates as well. “For the team I’d like to see
SHANE MENEZ/ THE GUARDSMAN
City College women’s swim team looks on as teammates practice during an intra-squad meet on February 3 at the Ocean Campus.
each swimmer improve individually and achieve their own personal goals,” said Guilfoyle. “I think that’s what’s great about the sport of swimming, you don’t have to win but you can do great things for yourself and it feels equally good.” Guilfoyle’s best event is the 100-meter butterfly and she
says she hopes to drop her time enough to qualify to the state championships. Sretpisalsilp enjoys the 100-meter backstroke and hopes to beat her times from her first season in order to make it to the state championship. Newly-appointed assistant coach Alyssa Stember was a star in the California Community
College Athletics Association Swim and Dive Championships for last seasons Rams swim team. Stember finished seventh in the state and 14th in the nation in the 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke. She was considered for All-American status last season and was the Coast Conference champion in both events.
Coach Pham said he wants his swimmers to achieve All-American Status this season. The Rams will hold their first swim meet at home on Feb. 10 when they will face Laney College. The meet starts at 12:30 p.m. Email: lalmeida@theguardsman.com
Baseball optimistic about 2012 By Anthony Fusaro
more runs in the top of the third to open up their early lead. The Rams, as they did throughout the City College baseball head entire game, fought back scoring coach John Vanoncini cited the two runs of their own in the third, impact of returning experienced to make the game 4-3. players as the reason for an optiLaney added two more runs mistic outlook on the Rams 2012 to their lead in the top of the campaign. Unfortunately, his 4th as the Rams headed into the team had a rough home opener to bottom half of the inning. Sophokick off its 2012 preseason, losing more shortstop Anthony Lazalde to the Laney College Eagles 12-7. delivered a hit to drive in Castl“I was happy with [the teams] lanos, then Lazalde promptly effort,” Vanoncini said after the advanced to second off a passed game. “The guys didn’t quit and ball and stole third. This set up they fought all the way through.” an RBI single by one of the Rams The game was close early on, top returning hitters, Right fielder with the Rams grabbing a 1-0 lead Cody Silveria, cutting the Laney in the bottom of the first as first lead to one. baseman Tim Cusick drove in After a scoreless fifth, Laney freshman Tony Castellanos from pulled away, scoring one run in second on a hit and run play. the sixth inning and three in the The Eagles answered with an seventh, making the lead 10-5. inside the park homer to right City was never able to mount a field, which had no fence up to threatening comeback and was stop the ball, in the top of the defeated. second to tie the game. After the game, Coach John The Rams were held score- Vanoncini talked about his team’s less in the bottom half of the effort. “[We] left the ball up... And inning, then Laney added three at this level if you leave the ball THE GUARDSMAN
up, their going to hit it,” Coach Vanoncini said after the game. The season still is bright for the Rams, who are a major improvement from the 2011 injury plagued team which posted a disappointing 5-30 (2-20) season. The team returns right fielder Cody Silveria, who hit .324 last season before being sidelined by an injury. Another reason to be enthusiastic about this year, Coach Vanoncini mentioned, is the addition of some new freshman players such as third baseman Kyle Martinez and Tony Castellanos. Castellanos showed signs of good things to come in his first game in a City College uniform, reaching base on 4 of his 5 plate appearances including a double and a stolen base. The Rams will finish their preseason with series against Los Medanos, Napa Valley, and Gavilan this February before opening Coast Conference play against Mission Feb. 28. Email: afusaro@theguardsman.com
Upcoming Games: Rams baseball Date
Opponent Place
Thurs. Feb. 9th Sat. Feb. 11th Tues. Feb. 14th Thurs. Feb. 16th Sat. Feb. 18th
Los Medanos Los Medanos Napa Valley Napa Valley Napa Valley
Fairmont Los Medanos Fairmont Napa Valley Napa Valley
Time 1pm Noon 1pm 2pm Noon
CLARIVEL FONG / THE GUARDSMAN
Ram’s RF Cody Silveria #50 runs to first base on Feb. 3 in Pacifica. Rams finished with a loss of 15-7, Laney.