The Skylien View, Volume 27, Issue 4

Page 1

The

Inside View

Entertainment: Find out what Gellert Park has to offer on page 10

Features: See why this magazine is so special and find how how it has survied for 40 years on page 6

HAITI NOW March 18th, 2010

Volume XXVII - Issue 4

www.theskylineview.com

Skyline hosts benefit concert for Haiti by Michael Lin The Haiti Now Taskforce sponsored a benefit concert for Haiti earthquake relief on March 13 in the Skyline Theater. Local neo-soul group Tone 7 headlined the event. They were preceded by two opening acts--dance troupe For the Love of Art and the band First Born. Concert organizers estimated that roughly 100 people attended the event. “We had a lot of people buying tickets, but not necessarily everyone could come,” said Rakefet Avramovitz, co-chair of the Haiti Now Taskforce. “I felt like it was really successful. We’re still counting and we still have money trickling in, but I would say by the end we’ll probably have about $3,500.” The Haiti Now Taskforce is comprised of members from Associated Students of Skyline College, Aca-

Courtesy of Tadashi Tsuchida

Clockwise from top right: For the Love of Art, Christian Etienne, Marie Etienne, Christelle Etienne, Rakefet Avramovitz, John Saenz, First Born, For the Love of Art and Tone 7 in the background.

demic Senate, Classified Council and Skyline College Management. The event showcased groups with various local ties. There were present and former Skyline students in For the Love of Art and First Born, and a faculty member in Tone 7. For the Love of Art performed three dances while First Born rocked out six songs and Tone 7 played seven songs. There were a variety of speakers during the concert, including Skyline President Victoria Morrow and Avramovitz, who is also the president of Classified Council. Haitians Christian and Christelle Etienne, twins currently attending Skyline College, and their mother, also spoke. According to Avramovitz, the twins had not intended to speak that night.

Haiti - continued on page 2

Courtesy of Tadashi Tsuchida

From left to right: John Ulloa, Tone 7.

Budget cuts walkout stirs up campus community Rally inspires Skyline to take action against current fiscal crisis by Alessandro Fillari

Skyline students and faculty walked out on March 4 as part of the Statewide Day of Action. Hundreds of faculty and students took part in the demonstration against the educational budget cuts in California and rally organizers sought to spread the word and gain support from the community. Coordinated by members of Associated Students of Skyline College and the Skyline Against the Budget Cuts group, the rally attracted interest not only from people around campus, but also from local news networks like ABC 7, who came to cover the event. The proposed budgets cuts will see increases in education costs for colleges across the state. Community colleges in particular will have $800 million in cuts. During the rally, faculty and students spoke to the crowd about the budget crisis, the protest on campus and the culminating march in downtown San Francisco, which took place later on in the day. “You have to speak up for your own education,” said Pat Deamer, a Skyline math professor, during the the rally. “They [politicians] need to know that the history of community

Skyline students, faculty and staff gather on the quad in front of Bldg 6 for the walkout and rally.

colleges started off with no tuition at all. It has had to change because of budget cuts and the cost of living.” The protest gained a considerable amount of interest and participation from students around campus. Many were outraged with state officials and were willing to take action. “When you write your letter to your legislative officials, don’t be polite,” said Jamie Ball, a Skyline student majoring in liberal arts, at the rally. “By all means, let them know. Don’t pull any punches. I

am disgusted with what’s happening and I am ashamed to be a citizen of California. We deserve better than this.” Throughout the rally, organizers and the crowd marched throughout campus and into various buildings chanting phrases such as “Hey hey, ho ho, the budget cuts have got to go!” Some faculty at Skyline College were proud to be taking part in the movement. Many of them saw it as history in the making.

“It takes a lot of courage for students to stand up and walk out,” Katharine Harer, the Honors Program Coordinator and English professor. Skyline doesn’t seem highly politicized but it’s great that they did it for an important reason. It sends a message to students that they’re involved in a statewide movement.” The feelings were mutual among students around campus. Several students expressed pride for their campus and the community

Courtesy of Tadashi Tsuchida

during the rally. “I believe that the rally was successful at Skyline College,” said Sarah Figueroa, an anthropology major. “The students and community who participated in the walkout really united and, in their solidarity, were able to experience a sense of accomplishment in being active citizens. I was so proud of everyone who participated, proud of our teachers and administrators for embracing our demonstration and proud of the group.”


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