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THE BIG NUMBER

83%

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ROUNDED percentage of incoming college freshmen who are unprepared to work at a college level

page 13

VANS WARPED TOUR FOUNDER KEVIN LYMAN RETURNS TO THE STUDENT CENTER

source: 2006-07 cohort tracked by the State Chancellor’s Office Scorecard

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

vol lxXvI issue 2

Blame it on the rain

Proposed increases for higher education

By Katie Jolgren Staff Writer • kjolgren@ccclarion.com

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Governor’s budget proposal looks promising for community colleges

By Joe Moreno Staff Writer • jmoreno@ccclarion.com

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elief for public education in California may be on the way following the release of the governor’s budget proposal for 2014-15.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget calls for total funding of $26.3 billion for higher education, reflecting an increase of $1.1 billion, or 4.2 percent, above 2013-14 funding levels.

“It’s certainly a relief to see a budget that has some positive figures as opposed to negative figures,” said Claudette Dain, Citrus College vice president

of finance and administrative service.

If the legislature approves the governor’s plan, state funding for the California Community Colleges (CCC) will also increase by 11.4 percent in 201415.

“I’m pleased to report that the governor’s budget proposal for Jessica Soto Clarion 2014-2015, which was released Chris Reyes, #23, goes up for a layup against East Los Angeles College in the second round of the on Jan. 9, 2014, is finally a posi- California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Regionals. See the story and more photos on page 10. tive one for community colleges,” said Geraldine M. Perri, Ph. D., Citrus College superintendent/president in a recent email sent to Citrus College employees.

CCCs provide open access educational and vocational - See Budget, pg. 3

SPOTLIGHT

SILVER SNAKES & LA BELLA

Joe Calixto shutterhappyjose

Los Angeles’ Silver Snakes and La Bella are two bands featuring Citrus alumni. See the center for more on these two bands.

class ENROLLMENT GOing THROUGH REnewal PERIOD

By Jessica Soto Staff Writer • jsoto@ccclarion.com

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he increase in class sections over the last year have kept Citrus College students coming back for more.

Enrollment rates have continued to grow in the last couple of years and with Citrus reaching 100.01 percent of seat capacity, this spring 2014 semester is no different.

Class sections were cut due to the recession in 2008. Since then Citrus has been working towards restoring those enrollment numbers.

Citrus College receives funding from the state of California according to the number of

“The state has enough money to grow, but now there’s not quite enough students to fill all the classes.”

-Dr. Sam Lee dean of language arts and enrollment management

full-time equivalent students (FTES).

One FTES takes 15 units in the fall and spring semesters of one fiscal year.

For the 2008-09 semester Citrus had 11,928 funded FTES. The 2012-13 semester had 10,668 funded FTES and Citrus has continued to restore those

numbers in the 2013-14 semesters to 10,905 funded FTES. The money provided by the state for FTES directly affects the number of sections made available to students.

“State budget cuts from 2008 – 2012 reduced the number of course offerings available from Citrus College and other community colleges creating a pent up demand for classes,” said Arvid Spor, vice president of student services and interim vice president of academic affairs.

With the passage of Prop 30 in November 2012, which called for a temporary tax increase, there is more funding made available for public education.

The extra funding from the state is what has made it possible for Citrus to add more than 200 sections in the past year.

- See Enrollment, pg. 3

he bigger of two storms to assault California touched down on Feb. 27, providing some much needed rain for the water-starved state but also releasing a slew of hazards upon its inhabitants, causing mandatory evacuations in several cities, including Glendora and Azusa.

After the Southern face of the San Gabriel Mountains was left vulnerable from the recent Colby fire with little vegetation left on the hillside and severely baked soil, nearly 1,000 homes north of Sierra Madre were in a required evacuation, especially residences between Yucca Ridge Road and Glendora Mountain Road in Glendora and above Ridge View Drive in Azusa.

Beginning Feb. 27 at noon, residents were told to evacuate - See Rain, pg. 3

Admin Building nearing completion

By Joe Moreno Staff Writer • jmoreno@ccclarion.com

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o put this capitol project into perspective, the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building and the U.S. Bank Building in downtown Los Angeles all took less time to complete than the current remodel of the Citrus College Administration Building.

Originally slated for completion in April of 2013, the Administration Building - See Admin, pg. 7

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NEWS BRIEFS

CITRUS COLLEGE

CLARION

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

QUOTE of the

ISSUE “We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.”

-Joseph Campbell

Announcements Anxiety Support Group Conducted by Stephen J. Avalos, M.F.T., learn to identify the onset of anxiety during the workshop.

Held March 12 and 16 at 1:30 p.m.

Located in the Student Services Building, SS 153.

For more information call (626) 914-8671

Club Rush

Club Rush will take place in the Campus Center Mall March 11 and 12. The event is set to start at 10 a.m.

St. Patrick’s Day in the Owl Café

Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with music, food and dancers at the Owl Café patio March 17 at 10 a.m.

Empty Bowls Project

Help raise money for hunger relief by purchasing a soup bowl made by the ceramics department. Held at the First Christian Church March 14 from 5 – 9 p.m.

Speaker Kevin Lyman

Vans Warped Tour founder and former Citrus employee, Kevin Lyman will be speaking at the Campus Center March 18 at 11:30 a.m.

Cesar Chavez National Blood Drive Challenge Come donate blood in the Campus Center March 25 - 26 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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State

Local

success fees

La Verne and Claremont battle over Golden State Water Co.

Cal States may begin using The success fees are an additional $200 to $500 that would hopefully insure more classes and programs and improve graduation rates. Five of the CSU campuses are considering these success fees. If approved these campuses would join East Bay, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Northridge, Pomona, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, and San Marcos, which are already using the fee. Critics of this fee are saying that the fee is a way to get students to pay more without raising tuition.

Despite the increase in funding for public education, universities have yet to recover from the years of cuts. Because of this they are being forced to look to students to help pay for the updating of classrooms and added class sections. An-

nual tuition at Cal State’s 23 campuses is $5,472. It has not risen in three years and room, board, transportation and other costs can bring the total up to $25,000 annually at some campuses. A new report from the non-profit California Budget Project found that even with the funding increases of $142.2 million in Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2014-15 budget for the Cal State and UC’s, the state would remain nearly one quarter below pre-recession levels.

The fee came before voters approved Proposition 30. Cal Poly student body president, Jason Colombini, 21, said “this [is] a fee from Cal Poly going back to Cal Poly.”

-Los Angeles Times

Global

Russia demands Ukrainian troops allegiance The military standoff continued in Crimea as invading Russian troops and supporters blockaded both the Ukraine’s army and naval forces. Russian troops and supporters demanded that Ukrainian units swear allegiance to Kremlin and Russia’s armed forces and surrender their units. Analysts said that the demands are an alarming sign that Russian forces are there to stay.

Russian commandos without insignia on their uniforms arrived in military trucks in the city of Bakhchisarai on Sunday

and set up positions around a Ukrainian army base in the center of the city. A Ukrainian soldier fired the first shot Monday morning after a group of Russian servicemen threw over several stun grenades towards the Ukrainian officers. Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Mykola Velychkovych claimed Russian forces intended to kill Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea that same Monday as a pretext for the Russian military incursion.

-Los Angeles Times

The City Council of La Verne unanimously agreed to study the possibility of operating Claremont’s water services program. The biggest issue with this is whether Claremont actually acquires portion of the Golden State Water Co. water system in the city limits. Claremont has offered to buy the Golden State holdings in its city and has threatened using eminent domain to acquire it if buying it doesn’t work out. La Verne’s water service to residents and businesses is provided by the water and utility division of the city’s Public Works Department with the exception of a small area served by Golden

State. Claremont’s attempt to acquire Golden State is being battled due to their refusal to release details on how they calculated the cost for water 54 percent higher than Pomona, 65 percent more than La Verne and 182 percent more than Upland. If Claremont loses the suit they will be required to pay the Golden State attorney fees which could be as high as $200,000. If Claremont cannot acquires the water system and if La Verne is enjoined in the Golden State lawsuit, Claremont will have to reimburse La Verne for costs incurred during the study.

-San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Coalitions request environmental impact report from Gold Line extension Two coalitions of cities that have been unsure of the route plans for the extension of the Gold Line from East Los Angeles have found something to agree on. The SR-60 and Washington Boulevard coalitions say Metro is taking too long to complete and release the environmental impact report on the two alternatives. Both routes run from the end of the Gold Line at Atlantic and Pomona boulevards and runs along the 60 Freeway, but one possible route goes south on Garfield Avenue and east on Washington Boulevard, ending at the

Whittier campus of PIH Health Hospital. The other runs along the 60 Freeway east and would end at Peck Road. The cost to prepare the report is about $15 million, and according to Laura Cornejo, project manager for Metro, the goal is to release the report by this summer. No matter what the document says about either proposal, it’s important to read the findings and address them, South El Monte Councilman Joe Gonzalez, chairman of the SR-60 coalition said.

-San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Battle of the Big Bands: 11

The annual Battle of the Big Bands will be taking place March 21 -22 at 8 p.m. Held in the Haugh Performing Arts Center, tickets are $10.

Glenn Miller Orchestra The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will be performing at the Haugh Performing Arts Center March 9 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: $34 Student/ Senior: $32.

Siro-A: Techno-Digital Comedy

Often compared to The Blue Man Group, Siro-A will bring their energetic show to the Haugh Performing Arts Center. Tickets: $30, Senior: $28, Student: $20, 16 & under: $15.

March 14, 8:00 p.m.

March 15, 1:30 p.m.

March 15, 3:30 p.m.

Women’s Basketball

Congratulations to Taylor Jackson, Olivia Montgomery and Jaelyn Wilson who were selected for the Western State Conference South Division First Team All Conference.

Israeli leader pushes back on peace plan President Obama attempted to get Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work toward a peace plan with Palestinians on Mon. March 3. Netanyahu pushed back against the recent suggestions from President Obama for Israel to try harder to make an effort as a U.S.-imposed deadline nears for both sides. Obama spoke to reporters on Mon. March 3 before he and Netanyahu met in the Oval Office. “The time frame that we have set up for completing these negotiations is coming near, and some tough decisions are going to have to be made.” Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of containing the Iranian nucle-

ar program without directly criticizing an interim deal, which would ease some economic sanctions against Iran.

An Obama advisor said Mon. March 3 the president will put similar pressure on Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas later this month during his visit to Washington.

Netanyahu has claimed that Palestinians haven’t come to the bargaining table with any flexibility and placed the blame on them. Many U.S. lawmakers backed Netanyahu’s contention that the U.S. should keep Iran as a top priority and voiced support Israel.

-Los Angeles Times

Mudslides cause an estimated $800,000 in damages Members of the community in the foothill cities came together to manage the damage left by the weekend’s storms.

Clearing mud from yards and pools, 30 missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arcadia shoveled mud and hosed off driveways. Mud from the hills smashed through the metal sliding doors of Rebecca and Brent Laidlaw’s property. “The mud just flung into the backyard, filling it up like chocolate cake mix,” Rebecca Laidlaw said. The mudslide hit the worst on Friday night when the mud rose up three or four feet. A neighbor lent the family a tractor and hired three Bobcat operators to handle the mud.

About 200 people helped Ridge View Drive resident Ed Heinlein save his Azusa home from nearly 600 tons of mud. Heinlein’s neighbors thought they heard a tornado when the first mudslide began to roll down the hills on Saturday. Heinlein estimates 50 to 60 nearby residents and more than a hundred city employees helped remove the mud once the storms ceased. Officials lifted evacuation orders in Glendora, Azusa and Monrovia on Sunday. City Manager Chris Jeffers estimated that the storm cost the city $800,000 in damages but expects a federal grant to cover $550,000 of the costs.

-San Gabriel Valley Tribune

NEWS

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

3

Budget - from pg. 1

programs to approximately 2.3 million students, with taxpayers providing approximately $14.5 billion of annual General Fund support to California’s higher education system, according to www.dof.ca.gov.

Revenues from Proposition 30, which raises taxes temporarily to fund education, as well as the improving economy, have resulted in a state budget surplus which may help facilitate an increase in funding.

The budget proposal is designed to address approximately $6 billion in deferred payments to education that built up during the recession which began in 2008.

“The deferral concept impacts Community Colleges because it’s less dollars in our pocket and again cash is king,” Dain said.

Unlike the state, which is able choose when they pay forward the money borrowed in deferrals as they please, Citrus College has commitments to employees and vendors that they must pay in a timely matter.

“When we don’t get the cash we need from the state, yet we need cash, we have to go out and get cash somewhere else,” Dain said. “We have to borrow.”

Borrowing cost community

colleges money in issuance costs, borrowing costs and interest payments, Dain said.

When the state withholds money through deferrals they pay no interest or borrowing fees to CCCs. To help pay off the “wall of debt,” $235.6 million in budget year funding would go toward paying down deferrals, combined with $356.8 million proposed in one-time funds to eliminate all remaining outstanding deferral debt owed to the CCCs. These figures cannot be viewed as new money though because the majority of this money is existing funding that was never paid by the state.

Therefore, deferral paybacks are not new money for additional courses or student services.

The budget also proposes a one time increase of $175 million, to be split equally between deferred maintenance and instructional equipment purchases. These resources will allow districts to protect investments previously made in facilities and improve students’ experience by replenishing and investing in new instructional equipment, according to the state’s website.

Joe Moreno Clarion

According to the budget proposal, $200 million will go to supporting student success programs and strengthening support for underrepresented students.

“It is gratifying to know that, at last, there will be additional resources from the state to fund programs and services that will promote greater student completion and success,” Perri said in her email.

A highlight of the budget proposes an increase of $155.2 million for growth in general purpose apportionments, which represents a 3 percent increase in enrollment.

The budget summary states

that all districts will be eligible for expanded access and that districts will be eventually restored to pre-recession levels.

Growth money is allocated by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office dependent upon need. To earn growth dollars, schools must generate full time equivalent students (FTES). To achieve this colleges offer additional courses, course sections and course offerings, Dain said.

“Hopefully it would mean that some of those classes that students have had a difficult time getting over the last several years, last several semesters, they’d have maybe a little

more availability in the class schedule,” Dain said.

Meanwhile, debate on the governor’s proposal is underway. On Feb. 12 the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) released “The 2014-2015 Budget: Analysis of the Higher Education Budget.”

According to the report, the existing CCC growth allocation formula is flawed, and information to date suggests that the enrollment growth proposal is likely too high.

“We recommend the legislature reject the governor’s proposal to have a new formula in place for 2014-15, and instead give the CCC Chancellor’s Of-

fice a reasonable period of time to develop a new allocation formula,” Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said in the LAO report.

The LAO’s critique of the governor’s plan is just the start of the debate on the budget.

The legislature will hold hearings regarding the budget from February to May. The Department of Finance will submit its May Revision Update on revenues and expenditures on May 14.

The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2014. The Constitutional deadline for passage of a balanced budget is June 15.

enrollment renewal Rain doesn’t help - from pg. 1

- from pg. 1

For the winter 2014 semester there were 202 sections made available to students, with a hike of 1,151 enrollments from winter 2013 to winter 2014. The target number of FTES was 734 and that number was surpassed by 121.

“I am very pleased with the successful winter session and being able to support the education goals of our students,” said Geraldine M. Perri, Ph. D., superintendent/president of Citrus College.

Each class offered has a cap on the number of students allowed to enroll in the course.

At the professor’s discretion the cap may be exceeded. Students who are in the percentage over the cap limit are called unfunded FTES. Citrus is paid $4,564.83 per FTES, and the unfunded FTES are essentially taught for free.

“At the end of the year, after a certain period of time, the state adds up all the FTES that they pay all the different 72 districts for, and if there’s money still left on the table that’s been budgeted . . . they divvy it up and they start paying the unfunded FTES for districts,” said Samuel Lee, dean of language arts and enrollment management.

This spring semester has 33,696 enrollments, which is

Joe Moreno Clarion

630 less than spring 2013. The fill rate percentages are higher than the previous year but the FTES numbers are lower. The target FTES was 4,554 and by census day Citrus came in 22 below its target.

“We think we’re going to be entering in the next five to seven years a period when it’s going to be harder to find the students,” Lee said.

Neighboring community colleges, such as Pasadena City College and Mount San Antonio College, are facing the same struggles.

“We think we are going be

entering a period where all our peer colleges are trying to grow because the state has enough money to grow, but now there’s not quite enough students to fill all the classes,” Lee said. “So now you’re scrambling to try and generate your FTES cap because you still need to match it.”

To accommodate the increasing enrollment administrators are planning on adding a few more sections to the upcoming semesters. This will help students get into classes that they need as well as help the college to reach its FTES goals.

their homes, with an evacuation center located at the Crowther Center in Glendora.

According to Chris Jeffers, City Manager of Glendora, very few people chose to stay at the evacuation center, with only two individuals appearing late on March 1.

According to experts, this was the biggest downpour to hit Los Angeles County in two years and local authorities were especially concerned of mudslides Courtesy of Lynn Jamison ravaging hillside homes and blocking Photo pictured above shows a mudslide that occurred in Glendora in 1969. roads.

Captain Eddie Lozano of Urban flood warnings were inches at the ridge. With an avGlendora Fire Station 151 one of many to be issued across erage rainfall of more than 21 states, “The city of Glendora the state, including strong inches in Glendora, this rainwas very proactive in prepar- winds, high surf and a 3:30 fall is helpful, but is in no way ing for this storm. The area was a.m. tornado warning on Feb. enough. assessed by the city and the De- 28 for East Central Los Angeles While the storm may have partment of Water and Power County. The observed tornado caused local communities to to determine where K-rails and funnel was later revealed to be prepare for the worst, it failed to sandbags should be placed to cold water spouts, according to pull the state out of a crippling lessen possible damage.” weather forecasters. drought crisis and storm sysDespite the mandatory evac- Local residents also experi- tems such as these need to beuation, many residents chose to enced power outages as the come more common in order remain in their homes, relying rain and wind knocked down to make an impact, according on the use of sandbags and the power lines. to experts. erected concrete K-rail barriers A total of 32,000 citizens lost According to Bill Patzert, a that were put in place as prepa- power, according to Southern climatologist for the Jet Propulration for the storm. According California Edison and the Los sion Lab, this is the sixth driest to city officials, nearly a mile Angeles Department of Water winter in California in 135 years and a half of K-rails were used and Power. with only half of the normal and the city “stopped counting Despite the deluge of sorely rainfall for the season thus far. after 50,000 sandbags,” Jeffer- needed rain for the state, this With numbers like these, the son jokingly states. rogue storm will not put much next storm cannot come soon “There is no such thing as a of a dent in the state of drought enough. mandatory evacuation. We can that California is currently fac- Jeffers also wishes to “remind say there is, but you have the ing, but it is a step in the right folks that our success depends right to stay in your home,” Lo- direction according to weather on residents staying informed, zano said. forecasters. and in situations like this it is “We suggest you leave, be- According to Jeffers, four best to stay tuned in and heed cause you are then putting inches of rain fell at the base of the advice of first responders.” yourself and us in danger.” the foothills with nearly nine

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The dream that won’t die The man behind the Vans Warped Tour speaks to students about not to waiting when it comes to their dreams

By Evan Solano Editor-in-Chief • esolano@ccclarion.com

By Sylvia Aparicio Online Editor • saparicio@ccclarion.com

A

sk students for a list of the most popular music festivals and chances are Vans Warped Tour will be among the top five.

Commonly referred to as “the tour that won’t die,” the annual punk rock music festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.

What’s more, the founder of the Vans Warped Tour, Kevin Lyman will be making a special appearance at the Citrus College Campus Center on March 18.

Lyman, 52, grew up in Claremont.

He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1984 with a recreation administration degree. During the ‘80s, Lyman worked at Citrus College in the student center.

Lyman began organizing punk rock shows on the Citrus campus after convincing the administration that the college could actually benefit from selling tickets and renting out space for shows.

Music mogul that he is today, Lyman focused on his primary goal: helping out bands.

After working on Lollapalooza in the early ‘90s, Lyman decided to create his own music festival to incorporate music and extreme sports. The result was the Vans Warped Tour, created in 1994, which took bands across the country to perform in outdoor venues.

The tour began as a showcase for punk rock bands but has featured various genres and musicians throughout the years. In 1995 it was sponsored by Vans the shoe manufacturer and has

Cut to: Film fanatics

By Dillon Cooper Managing Editor • dcooper@ccclarion.com

By Eric Burger Staff Writer • eburger@ccclarion.com

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he Citrus College Filmmaker’s Association is ready to help you kick off your screenplays and hone your skills as a writer.

Have you ever wanted to make films like Quentin Tarantino or Christopher Nolan? Do you enjoy discussing movies with eccentric and passionate individuals? If so, the Citrus College Filmmakers’ Association is the perfect fit for you.

The goal of the CCFA is to provide an outlet for creative minds to help students make their visions come to life and to discuss films.

“The Filmmaker’s Club is a good networking tool for serious filmmakers,” said treasurer David Borunda. “It can be a fun club where you can go and talk about movies and meet a bunch of friends.”

Borunda, who previously served

been known as the Vans Warped Tour ever since.

The first Warped Tour lineup included bands like the Deftones, L7, No Doubt and Sublime. Recently it has featured bands like A Day to Remember, Anti-Flag, Bayside and The Used.

Lyman also co-founded the Mayhem Festival in 2008 with his business partner John Reese. The tour caters to fans of various metal subgenres. Likewise, Lyman was contracted in 2002 to coordinate and run the Coachella Campgrounds, the annual three-day indie rock music festival that is held in Indio.

Lyman will be speaking March 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center.

Q: What will you be speaking about on March 18?

A: Chasing your passion and organizing and trying to build something around your life that you love to do. It’s about giving back, the charity work we do as a company and trying to inspire kids. Right now so many kids are walking around going “There’s no jobs,” but there’s more opportunities in the world than there ever were.

Alan Waddington and the music program. I think I always wanted to be a schoolteacher, to be honest. Probably around the time I started Warped Tour was the time I wanted to be a teacher.

Sometimes now, I look at Warped Tour as being the largest classroom in America. The tour is a breeding ground for a lot of the kids out there.

Q: What was your motivation behind booking shows?

A: I liked the live event experience.

There’s nothing better than live music, and I just started doing it because I saw that there was a need. I found myself working in clubs in Los Angeles and it was pretty fantastic. But I also knew I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life, working in clubs, so that whole experience of doing Warped Tour was going to be my exit plan. It was just a chance to go do something fun with my friends and the way I would want to do it, but go out on my own terms.

Now 20 years later, here I am.

Q: How important do you feel it is for students to go out there and get experience?

Q: How was your time at Citrus? A: The thing I talk about now is time. I

A: It’s interesting because I was going to school at Cal Poly and I was working at Citrus in the student center. I saw the opportunities of what we could do with Citrus College and the gymnasium. I convinced administrators to allow me to throw shows in the student center and bringing in speakers.

I brought in Hunter S. Thompson at one point. It was kind of shaking it up a little bit.

Q: What bands did you bring to the student center?

A: I had “Two Dollar Tuesdays,” and each band got a dollar, and the school got some money from it as well.

Bands like T.S.O.L. and The Three O’Clock. Bands from that era and pretty big name bands were playing in the student center. We’d get the place cleaned up before administrators came back the next day. We had Oingo Boingo in the gymnasium. We held the rehearsals for an artist named Howard Jones, who had the number one album in the country at the time.

I convinced the school to let them rehearse there, and they held a show for the students, which was very cool. I always had a great spot for Citrus and

don’t want my time wasted. You don’t want your time wasted. The only thing you run out of is time. I found that education gave me a basis, and something I felt I could go back to. At that point, having a degree on your resume was helpful with getting a job, as well as I think it is now, but it gave me a little bit of a comfort zone to go out and try Photo courtesy of Kevin Lyman things. I thought if everything else failed, at least I have that degree and Kevin Lyman has been the man behind the Vans Warped Tour for more than I can go out and compete and poten- 20 years. He is coming to the Campus Center East on March 18 to speak with students about chasing their passions to create careers doing what they love. tially get a job.

Q: How involved are you with choosing the bands?

A: One hundred percent. The most fun part of Warped Tour is to sit there and listen to music. The resources are a lot different now. I pay attention to the kids. I’m not booking the tour for myself. There are going to be some bands out there that I want you to see and I want you to hear that may not pop up Q: What music do you listen to as the most wanted-to-see band on when you’re unwinding?

Warped Tour, but I think that’s what A: I listen to Michael Franti, I listen to makes the tour great is the diversity of Mishka and I listen to things like that it. to be honest. That’s the kind of stuff I really enjoy.

Q: Is there a thought behind the cross of different genres at

“The filmmaker’s club is a good networking tool for serious filmmakers” -David Borunda CCFA Treasurer

as club president of the CCFA from fall 2010 to spring 2011, describes the CCFA as a good place to have fun while accomplishing the association’s goal of writing screenplays.

“We are a collective of creative people, wishing to advance their own interests and ability in creating film,” said vice president Leo Spengler.

Club Rush is scheduled for March 11 and 12 in the Campus Center Mall.

The CCFA wants their booth to spark debate, conversation, and create an atmosphere for moviegoers.

“If you have an idea for a film, we can try and help you get there,” secretary Shannon Walker said.

Several members own their own green screens, recording equipment and exotic costumes.

As well as making and producing films, the CCFA hosts movie nights for members to watch the season’s blockbusters at local theaters. Movie nights are designed to start conversation, and to enjoy the big screen with friends.

The CCFA is hosting its annual Student Film Showcase in May. The Showcase is designed to display the

Warped Tour?

A: Yeah, I think kids listen to everything, so give them a little taste of everything. You never know. This year with Terror or Every Time I Die or some of those bands, they’re going to get kids that wouldn’t necessarily go to see them, see them. These bands can expand and grow their fan base.

filmmaking abilities of Citrus College students. Anyone can enter, including members of other clubs who want to advertise for the fall 2014 Club Rush.

“The film club will be making our own films, talking about our projects and helping each other out,” Spengler said. “Anyone that would like to submit a film for the showcase, is more than welcome to show up to our meetings.”

The CCFA meets every Thursday at 2:40 p.m. in the Executive Board Room in the Campus Center. All Citrus students are welcome to attend.

“We are an outlet for creative people, attempting to advance filmmaking together,” Spengler said.

For additional information about participating in the Student Film Showcase, students may contact: President Brian Code: brianjeromecode@yahoo.com or Vice President Leo Spengler: leospengler@gmail.com

Q: Any words of advice for

students who are interested in a music-industry related career?

A: Utilize your time. When you’re in school do as many internships as possible. Being a college student, you’re supposed to be broke, so just be in the mix. You have to be patient. Things don’t just happen overnight. We’re in this world where people just expect to have overnight success, and it takes time. It takes building those relationships, and then when you get there, just go for it. It’s what I had to do. I had to be willing to lose everything.

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Admin Building nears completion - from pg. 1

renovation was launched in 2010 to repurpose the space for improved efficiency.

So what took so long?

“The major obstacle was dealing with the original contractor going bankrupt and having to work with the surety company in securing a completion contractor,” said Fred Diamond, Citrus College director of facilities and construction.

The surety company essentially serves as the “insurance company” that insures the bankrupt contractor’s work. The surety process alone took nearly six months to complete, Diamond explained.

“Other obstacles included having to reorder materials from vendors that were not paid by the original contractors,” Diamond said.

Now, after nearly four years of renovations, the Administration Building is set for completion in June at no additional cost to taxpayers, Diamond said.

The original cost of the renovation was set at $4.697 million and the new adjusted cost is $4.75 million, according to Diamond.

“The good news is when the contractor wasn’t working and everything was on hold, the dollars weren’t getting paid out either,” said Claudette Dain, Citrus College vice president of finance and administrative service.

“It’s not a funding issue or a financial issue for Citrus College that put the project on hold.”

The new Administration Building will house the president’s office, administrative services, the Foundation, human resources, finance, the mailroom, risk management and accounting.

The college must also install new fixtures and furnish the renovated building. Doing so will cost approximately $400,000 according to Robert Iverson director of purchasing and warehouse.

The Administration Building is being remodeled from a circa 1960s design.

According to Diamond, it will be robust with technology, a state-of-theart board room, fresh colors and finishes, an additional elevator, increased space, low-emissive dual glazed SOLARBAN window systems (treated with an invisible metal or metallic oxide coating, creating a surface that reflects heat, while allowing light to pass through), energy efficient lighting and a host of other updated features.

Diamond described the changes as “overwhelming,” adding the building will be energy efficient, comfortable and a point of campus pride.

The Administration Building remodel is just one of several projects funded

by Measure G, which was passed by local voters in March 2004. It authorized the sale of $121 million in bonds to upgrade campus facilities.

With the Administration Building nearing completion, Citrus College’s Measure G Bond Citizens Oversight Committee will now turn their focus to

Courtesy of R2A Construction

Above is an artist rendering of the completed administration building. The projected completion date for construction is set for June and the building will be open for students and faculty by fall semester 2014.

renovations of the Campus Center, the Educational Development Building and Hayden Hall, as well as the construction of a Fine Arts Building.

An issuance of a fourth set of bonds through Measure G to fund these projects is under consideration by the board of trustees.

The Fine Arts Building has been ap-

proved by the Division of State Architect, with a time limit of mid-2014 for the start of the project.

Failure to begin construction by August will cost additional time and money because the planning process will virtually have to be restarted.

“If we do not do this next bond issuance, Series D, as we’re proposing,

then we do not have the dollars for the Fine Arts Building,” Dain said.

The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet March 18 at 4:15 p.m. in the Center for Innovation Community Room 159 to consider taking action on this issue. The meeting is open to the public.

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SPOTLIGHT

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ELLA: A BHARDCORE LLOCAL BAND PAYING IT FOWARD

By Sylvia Aparicio A&E Editor • saparicio@ccclarion.com

By Michelle Arias Staff Writer • marias@ccclarion.com

H

ardcore music is commonly thought of as just aggressive and loud. However, one local band is using their music to send a message that, despite its sound, the hardcore/punk community is a positive outlet for change.

Hailing from the San Gabriel Valley, La Bella was formed in spring 2011 by Citrus alumni and current culinary school student, Andy Zambrano, 24.

One night in his garage, Zambrano was listening to hardcore band Dangers and punk band Comadre when he was inspired to start his own band.

He immediately began writing what would become most of La Bella’s EP. He looked to Comadre’s light flow and heavy undertones as inspiration for his new band.

Likewise, Dangers is another band that influenced all of the members in one way or another Zambrano said.

“Their quick non-repetitive song structure hits me hard every time I listen to them,” he said. “So naturally I want to incorporate that into our songs. Fast, danceable and to the point.”

The four piece is made up of Zambrano (guitar), Citrus student Cameron Hughes (vocals), Daniel Fernandez (drums) and former Citrus student John Montoya (bass).

The band incorporates a DIY attitude of early hardcore bands like Black Flag and Fugazi. While Zambrano uses chord progressions that are drawn directly from classical jazz as well as using Latin guitar arrangements similar to early At the Drive-In. The drumming also features more intricacies and flourishes outside of what is considered the normal hardcore milieu, said vocalist Cameron Hughes, 21, political science major.

“The DIY ethos is something that is extraordinarily important,” Hughes

said.

The band screen-prints all of their shirts and design everything they put together from patches to the packaging on the records they produce.

“Anytime that it is possible for us to actually have a hand directly in the process, we do,” Hughes said.

The band also makes an effort to only play all ages shows and to play at venues that are collectively run and non-hierarchical like Blood-Orange Info Shop in Riverside, The Dial in Murrieta, The Ché Café Collective located on the University of California, San Diego and Bridgetown DIY in La Puente.

“We try to make people understand that there’s no barrier between the people playing music in front of you and yourself,” Hughes said.

All four members have volunteered at Bridgetown DIY, a not-for-profit social center and art/music space, since 2011 and continue to do so.

Bridgetown DIY’s mission is to “empower the community through means of direct education, outreach and action,” according to their website.

Currently, the space primarily hosts shows, but is planning to provide free Internet access and free tutoring services for high school aged kids, Hughes said.

Zambrano says that working at the space is all volunteer based and never seems like work. Likewise, he said that it’s up to each individual to find time to dedicate.

If you’ve never been to a punk/hardcore concert and are planning to see La Bella live, Hughes says to prepare for it to be loud and abrasive.

Despite its aggressive appearance, Hughes says he sees it as being a posi-

Joe Calixto theshutterhapppyjose

Vocalist Cameron Hughes, 21, and guitarist Andy Zambrano, 24, during their show at the Nabolom Bakery Collective located in Berkeley, Calif. on Oct. 26, 2013. La Bella will be playing on March 9 at Aladdin Jr. II in Pomona.

tive thing and that it allows people who are frustrated with things in their lives a release.

“A lot of the stuff that gets people down or that is upsetting in your life can really eat you up from the inside and a lot of people don’t have an outlet for that,” he said.

“For us, this is a creative outlet where we can express our frustrations in a really positive way.”

The lyrical content of La Bella is both explicitly and implicitly political as heard in their songs like “Brukman Factory” and “Spontaneity in Am.” Hughes, who also writes all of the

lyrics said, “I try to usually talk about things that I observe in the world or that I know are going on and critique them and analyze them.”

“Punk has always been to me, a space to talk about things that you believe in and things that you want to express.”

La Bella has since released a self-titled EP/demo, a recording titled “Live on 88.7 FM KSPC” and “Recomposition” in 2012. They are currently working a full-length album, which they hope to release this summer.

La Bella toured California with the band Stresscase in summer 2011

“Punk has always been to me, a space to talk about things that you believe in and things that you want to express.”

-Cameron hughes

and toured the west coast summer of 2012. The band also completed a tour of the Pacific Northwest in the winter of 2012 and toured the United States in summer of 2013.

“Sometimes you have preconceived notions about places like the Midwest or the South or even on the East coast,” said Hughes. “But we had them laid out in front of us and totally destroyed and shown that they’re not true.”

“There are people who are like you all over the country, you can find similarities or connections in one way or another.”

La Bella has an upcoming show with Run With The Hunted, Seizures, Badblood and Left Astray on March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Aladdin Jr. II in Pomona.

To listen to their music visit http:// labella.bandcamp.com.

For future show information and band updates visit www.facebook. com/labelladiy.

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9

SILVER SNAKES, LOW AND BEHOLD

Joe Calixto theshutterhapppyjose

Frontman/ guitarist Alex Estrada talks about his heavy new album and some unique merch ideas his band has come up with

By Evan Solano Editor-in-Chief • esolano@ccclarion.com

P

aying the bills is usually the last thing any musician wants to think of before going on tour.

However, this is not the case for producer/guitarist Alex Estrada of Silver Snakes. While getting ready to take off on a full U.S. tour, Estrada braves the rainy L.A. traffic to handle last minute business details at his recording studio, The Earth Capital to chat with us.

Q: People familiar with you know your work with Cathedrals and Deadhead, what was your inspiration behind Silver Snakes, how did you guys get started?

A: I actually started Silver Snakes when I first joined Cathedrals. I was doing Cathedrals and I was in a band called Polygraph for a while and at the same time I was doing stuff on the side. It was actually just instrumental at first, it was just me with a guitar and a loop pedal and I called it Silver Snakes. It was just an outlet for the melodic stuff that I was doing. After Cathedrals broke up in 2010 I shifted my focus to turn this into a real band.

Q: There is pretty dynamic difference in your sound between your last album and “Year of The Snake”, what were some things you did to enhance your sound?

A: Everything on this record was done on instinct, purely on instinct.

The first record, those songs were old, some since 2005. That was the record I had to bring to the table and to work out with the guys, it was the record that we had to make as a band in the sense of staging and where we wanted to be and where we wanted to fit in. When we first started out we were like “cool, we’re like a rock band.” With that initial record, it was a lot of my riffs; we didn’t really have ideas bouncing off of each other. With this one, I feel like I knew the musicians I was playing with a lot better.

It was my first time playing in a band with Jared and Mike. It was my first time playing with Daniel as a drummer. Daniel has been my favorite drummer since I was 13-years old so being able to write songs and see the way they blossom with that collection of musicians is really inspiring. I had a sort of preconceived notion in the sense that I wanted to make our second record a more industrial record. I was trying to do this weird Nine Inch Nails sort of thing and I wrote a couple of songs, but it didn’t come together.

We were six weeks out from recording so I started over and I wrote 90 percent of the record in about six weeks. I brought each song to the table and we all worked them out together. There’s still stuff on there that had we sat on those songs longer, I would have added more elements and layers. But I’m glad that it’s the way it is because we captured exactly what was fresh.

I sit in my room all day, for this record I drove up to the mountains for a couple of weeks and just wrote and demoed up there. Within the first 24 hours of being in Lake Arrowhead, I wrote three songs that ended up being on the record. Those songs are

Alex Estrada (guitarist/vocalist), pictured above during Silver Snakes’ show at Thee Parkside with Greiver. Silver Snakes is currently on tour with Scale the Summit and The Ocean, they will play at the Lyric Theatre on March. 8

“All Your Eye,” “Red,” and “Sundance”.

Q: You have toured and recorded some pretty heavy bands, what do you think the crossover appeal to your music is?

A: I don’t know too well. I mean, there’s such a resurgence of the grudge and ‘90s rock thing. Half of it to me sounds like full pop punk and the other half are on the more authentic side of it, not to put any one down. The younger kids weren’t around for those bands that were important when we were younger. It’s sort of like they’re first experiencing it. I’m so out of touch with the mind of say, an 18-year-old hardcore kid. At this point, I have no idea if we would appeal to them at all. Those show that we played with bands like Harness, Backtrack and Xibalba last year.

Those shows were more fun for me than some other shows when we’re out on our own because we still play like a hardcore band. We play loud and we play with that energy and we have no desire to be a rock band. We go up there and I want to be heavier than the heavy bands. I feel like kids still appreciate it. I don’t know what the appeal is in sense of them buying our records, but who knows.

Q: Tell me about the title of the new album, “Year of the Snake”, is it a reference to the Chinese zodiac?

A: It’s a record that encompasses Year of the Snake. Those songs sum up that year. It’s a lot more personal that the first record. The first record was a lot more observational.

Q: Is there a central theme to YOTS? If so what is it, the songs in YOTD have references in to Native American culture?

A: I grew up listening to that. When I was a little kid I was obsessed with Native American culture. That music in particular, inspired the album. That’s why the first song on the album starts off with a drum circle. That’s the way that grand entrances are started in a powwow. I just wanted to do something that set the pace for the rest of the record.

Q: You have had a chance to play some of the newer songs live how has the response to the new songs been?

A: It’s been cool. It’s hard to gauge when we know that people haven’t really heard the record yet, but for us it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been playing the same songs for a long time now. Luckily we’ve done some releases before this in between records and we’ve been playing those songs too.

This is on another level. These songs are tuned down further. There are a lot of heavy parts and slower parts and specifically, it was intentional for me to simplify the vocals on this record as well.

Q: Tell me a bit about the production process of the album, you had some pretty big names help out production-wise, as a producer

yourself, who was it like working with guys like Brian McTernan and Jay Maas?

A: It was no sweat. We didn’t know Jay Maas was mastering the record until long after the mix was done. It kind of just happened overnight and it just panned out. We threw a lot of names out there for this record. We were talking to Magnus Lindberg from Cult of Luna and Kurt Ballou (guitarist from the band Converge) about it. We talked to a few different people and either things didn’t click or scheduling didn’t work out. The idea of Brian McTernan was thrown out there and he’s been around forever and he’s done records that we look up to and really influenced us as a band. Jay Maas did a really great job mastering it. He had it done in a couple of days and we were really happy with it.

Q: You studied recording at Citrus, what year did you graduate and what inspired you to take on producing?

A: I went for a while. I didn’t finish the complete program. I started the program there to learn how to record and then I actually had to leave the program there because I was too busy recording. It’s just what I grew up around. My dad’s a producer and musician and I grew up going to recording studios with him so it kind of just fell into place. I got my first four track when I was 14 and I recorded my friends in my bedroom. I’ve been at my studio for 10 years now. It’s become the only job I’ve had for the last decade and its really worked out in a strange and wondrous way.

Q: Since then, you have went on to record some pretty well known bands like Joyce Manor and Touche Amore, What did you do to branch out in the scene to make a name for yourself?

A: It’s all been word of mouth mostly.

I’ve known Jeremy Bolm from Touche Amore for at least 12 years. A lot of it is by association. That’s what we’re all tied into, the San Gabriel Valley music scene. The Touche Amore thing came about because I did the Dead Head demo before I was in the band and then they approached me about doing their first record. Through their drummer Elliot, I found Joyce Manor and they did a demo with me. I’ve worked with them on every single record they’ve done since.

Q: What advice would you give for students pursuing a career in the music industry?

A: I would honestly say, do your best to stick it out. I wish I would have. It’s one of those things where my studio and the way I record there are very specific to my style.

Q: What do you like to listen to when you are not performing, any artists or bands you have been really into lately?

A: I’ve been listening to the same

SILVER SNAKES “Year of the Snake”

S

Bridge Nine Records

ilver Snakes deliver an exciting and refreshingly deep album that is memorable as it is heavy.

The Los Angeles post-hardcore group has moved away from their safe-yet-enjoyable blend of catchy melodies and upbeat songwriting featured on their debut album for a heavier and elegantly darker collection of songs on their new highly anticipated LP, “Year Of The Snake.”

The albums opening tracks “Four Crowns” and “ Smokestack” perfectly juxtapose the dreary tone of the album and main songwriter Alex Estrada’s flawless sense of structure and tremendous riffs.

“Sundance”, the first single from “Year of the Snake” has some of the heaviest riffs that Estrada has introduced in his repertoire. The track has a wonderful blend of female vocals that amplify the haunting elements of the song.

“Grey Wolf Wild” and “Fox and Embers” are some of the more accessible tracks on the album, but still deliver hard hitting riffs and powerful vocals.

Estrada channels his inner stuff for god knows how long. Usually the rotation is Smashing Pumpkins Bsides, 16 Horsepower, Starflyer 59 and lately a lot of Om. Q: Ok, so I saw a post on your or Mike’s [Trujillo, bassist] Instagram about Brew Of The Snake and Beer Of The Snake, what exactly are those, and where will they be available?

A: Our guitarist Jeremiah brews beer.

He’s a home brewer and he’s insanely good. He also does coffee. When we’re on tour, everyone goes broke because

Smashing Pumpkins on some beautifully crafted acoustic tracks “Red” and “Vivora” that break through the wall of distorted guitars throughout “Year Of The Snake”.

The final tracks “Lock” and “In Our Bones” dance between strikingly articulated and heavy guitar arrangements and viscerally captivating lyrics, that fittingly closes out this powerhouse album.

This album is 44-minutes of dark, heavy 90’s alternative filtered through powerful and clear production compliments of Brian McTerrnan (Circa Survive, Cave In, Thrice) and Jay Mas (Defeater).

This album is a tremendous achievement for such a relatively young band. Masterfully capturing an noteworthy blend of vibrant guitar-work of band like Brand New and Balance and Composure with the crushing doom of groups like Pallbearer and Windhand, “Year of the Snake” sets the bar high for future bands and has earned it place in your top 10 of 2014.

- Evan Solano

they spend all of their money on beer.

Jeremiah decided that he would brew our own and that we would take it on the road with us to SXSW so that all of our friends could enjoy it. It’s incredible. It’s a very smooth IPA. It’s sort of fruity and its double dry hopped so it should be really bitter, but it’s really easy to drink. He also roasted a bunch of coffee and wants to do 72-hour cold brew and sell it at our shows. We’ve just been really into thinking outside of the box when it comes to merch ideas.

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Owls upset Huskies in double OT thriller

By Dillon Cooper Managing Editor • dcooper@ccclarion.com

I

n a packed, tension-filled East Los Angeles College gym, it was the visiting #11 seeded Citrus College Owls that escaped with an 86-81 win against the #6 seeded Huskies.

The Owls came out hot, starting the game on a 10-2 run with buckets from freshman forward Chris Reyes and a three by sophomore guard Daniel Cheek.

“In the beginning of the game, they came out and punched us in the mouth,” said Huskies’ forward Zach Hinton.

Citrus’ biggest lead was 11 points when they led 34-23 with 7:45 left in the first and would never trail in regulation.

The Huskies took their first lead at 3:40 left in the first overtime, when guard Davian Wilson converted a layup to go ahead 69-67.

They would be in the lead until there were 14 seconds left, when Citrus guard Dominique Walker hit a floater to tie it at 70 all.

“Bottom line is, we didn’t want to lose so we had to pick up the intensity,” Hinton said.

ELAC came out of the second OT shooting as they went on a 4-0 run but the Owls would take the lead with 1:36 to go when Cheek stepped up to the charity stripe and sank both of his free-throws to make it 77-76.

After the Huskies hit free-throws of their own, Citrus guard Steven Polee Jr. hit a huge three at the top of the arc to make it 80-78 with 1:00 to go.

ELAC forward Te’Shon Burton had a chance to tie it on the next possession, but Reyes rejected the shot and the Owls recovered the rebound.

After clutch free-throws by Walker to push the Owls’ lead to 84-81, the Huskies had a chance to tie with 16 seconds left, but Owls’ guard Jordan Jefferson pressured Wilson into a turnover and Jefferson would be sent to the line to seal the game.

“I was just feeling the win.

We shoot a lot of free-throws at practice, so every time I stepped up to the line I knew I could knock them down,” Walker said.

The free-throw line has not been Citrus’ favorite spot on the floor this season, but a 9 for 9 effort by Walker and Jefferson’s two freethrows to seal the game at 86-81 may give them confidence for the rest of the tournament.

“This win was huge,” said Owls’ head coach Chris Victor.

“This was playoff basketball at its best. Every possession was so important, down the stretch, double overtime, and this is how it should be.”

Reyes led the Owls with 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Jessica Soto Clarion That effort was matched by The Owls’ bench reacts to the referee’s decision not to blow the whistle for what they believed to be a travel. The Owls traveled to ELAC’s Cheatum, who had 27 East Los Angeles College to play the Huskies on Feb. 28, 2014. points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Cheatum left his heart on the floor for his last game at ELAC. “I hate to say it, but I think they outplayed us across the board,” Cheatum said.

“All we can do is learn from it. I wish I could have done a couple things better. It hurts to lose in here.”

With the win, the Owls will travel to #3 Mt. San Jacinto College today, March 5. The Eagles beat #19 Ventura College 78-56 in the second round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Jessica Soto Clarion Jessica Soto Clarion Regionals.

Daniel Cheek, #12, goes up for a layup against the East Los “Personally, I have a vendetta Dominique Walker, #10, drives the lane against Te’Shon Burton, #24. Walker finished with 15 points in the 86-81 win.

Angeles Huskies on Feb. 28, 2014. against them because I told them we’d see them in the playoffs when we lost to them earlier in the season,” Cheek said.

The Owls played Mt. San Jacinto on Nov. 16, 2013 in the San Diego City College invitational and lost 83-84.

The Eagles are 24-4 this season and are led by sophomore guard Dewayne Benjamin, who leads the team in scoring with 21.2 points per game.

“I know we’re ready, we’re hyped up. We’re going to come out real strong,” Cheek said.

Admission is $8 with a student or faculty ID and for children under 12 and $10 for adults.

Jessica Soto Clarion Dominique Walker, #10, looks to find Chris Reyes, #23, in the post in the 86-81 victory of the East Los Angeles Huskies on Feb. 28, 2014. Reyes would finish the game with 26 points, 17 rebounds and 5 blocks.

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11

Worst to First: A coach’s decade of dedication

By Joe Moreno Staff Writer • jmoreno@ccclarion.com

W

hen Jackie Boxley was hired to take over the Citrus College softball program in 2005, the Owls had won only one game in the previous season.

Fast forward a decade, and Boxley has helped guide the team to the top tier of Southern California softball.

“I wanted to start my own program and there wasn’t a lot of history here,” said Boxley, now in her tenth season as head coach.

It did not take long for Boxley to put her vision for the program into play. In 2005 she led the Owls to their second best season in school history. In 2007, the team broke the previous record for wins in a season with 36 and Boxley led the Owls to their first conference title in two decades.

Boxley was recognized by the Western State Conference and named Southern California Coach of the Year for the historic 2007 campaign.

Assistant Coach Terry Paredez, who has worked with Boxley for nine seasons, said that it is Boxley’s passion for the game that sets her apart from most coaches.

“She’s determined that every time we take the field, we’re going to win,” Paredez said.

“She’s determined to build a champion.”

This competitive spirit has helped Boxley claim a spot in the Citrus record book as the

“She’s determined that every time we take the field, we’re going to win. She’s determined to build a champion.”

-Terry Paredez Assistant Softball Coach

all-time leader in softball wins with 241.

A standout softball player at Cypress College, Boxley was named MVP of the 1991 state championship winning team.

Boxley also began her collegecoaching career at Cyprus. She spent five seasons as an assistant before putting in one year as interim head coach. In her one season as interim head coach, she was named Orange Empire Conference Coach of the Year for 2001.

When Boxley arrived at Citrus, the program was a stark contrast from that at perennial softball powerhouse Cyprus College.

“We didn’t get a lot of love from some teams early on,” Boxley said. “People didn’t want to play us. People didn’t want to come all the way up here because they thought it was too far.”

With input from Boxley, Citrus College renovated the softball complex, which opened in fall 2009. The facility features two fields with two state-of-the-art scoreboards, artificial field turf outfields, synthetic infield dirt and lights that allow for night games.

Without Boxley’s revival of the program, these renovations might never have come to fruition.

After earning Citrus’ first ever post-season series win, conquering three-time defending state champion Cypress Col-

lege in the California Community College Athletic Association regional round, it is safe to say that public perception of the Citrus softball program has changed.

“Now people want to play us,” Boxley said. “And when it comes time for playoffs, people don’t want to play us.”

Boxley graduated with a bachelor of science in child development from Cal State Fullerton and earned her master’s in education from Azusa Pacific in 2000.

Boxley’s teaching skills extend beyond the softball field and classroom to her coaching staff.

“Jackie’s taught me a lot,” Paredez said. “She’s taught me a lot about the game and she’s also taught me a lot about my own approach (to coaching).”

Boxley gives her assistants a chance to coach and involves them in the decision-making process. By allowing her assistants to participate she makes them feel wanted, Paredez said.

Having fun together and creating an environment where players and coaches can feel at home is vital to the culture of the Citrus softball program, Boxley said.

“We have to kick their tails at some point,” Boxley said. “We gotta push them as far as they can go but we have to keep it fun for them.”

Boxley does a great job of nurturing the players on her team, Paredez said.

Joe Moreno Clarion

Coach Boxley works with Sara Moore, #15 of Citrus College during the final inning of the Owls’ walkoff victory against Cypress College on Feb. 27.

“She is real heart-to-heart with us players,” said sophomore infielder Alyssa Lozano.

“If we got something going on, she knows. She knows when we’re down, when we’re up.”

The bond Boxley has developed with her players is paying dividends on the field as the Owls are 7-4 overall and have yet to lose this year on their home field, going 5-0 in home contests.

“She definitely pushes us to our full potential,” said freshman outfielder Haylie Roach.

“She knows how good we can be and definitely can bring out the best in us when we are at our worst.”

On Feb. 27 Citrus defeated Cypress College, then #3 in the state, with a dramatic 5-4 walk off victory. It was the Owls’ third consecutive victory against Boxley’s alma mater and just another sign of Citrus’ rise to prominence.

The softball program’s consistency is attracting more high school athletes and those who have played under Boxley can attest to her devotion to the program.

“Nobody came here for softball in the past,” Boxley said.

“Now people are coming here to play softball, so that’s a good feeling.”

“I have girls all the time that

call us and say, ‘Coach I wish this was a four-year school.’ So that’s all we need. That keeps us coming back,” she said.

Boxley’s intensity and passion when she waves her players on from the third base coaching box is something Lozano said she will always remember.

“Why would we not do this?

It’s so much fun,” Boxley said.

The next opportunity to catch Boxley waving the Owls around the bases is the matchup against College of the Canyons on March 13 at 2:30 p.m. The Owls look to remain undefeated at home. Admission is free.

Swimmers pick up momentum for the spring season

By Anne Marie Miranda Staff Writer • ammiranda@ccclarion.com

T

he 2014 Citrus College Women’s swim team plunged back into the sunny spring season for the second time after having a three-year dry spell.

“The goal this season is to build on that and be more successful and competitive in all the competitions that we enter,” said Coach Andrew Silva.

The well-built 23 person team has had three meets this season and they are already treading above the rest.

On Feb. 19 in Ventura at the 2014 Western State Conference Pentathlon, Sophomore Kirsten Pampu took the highest overall finish in 37th place.

On Feb. 25 Chelsea FujitaHaffner finished Top 10 in the fly events that featured the top swimmers from Southern California at the 2014 Mt. San Anto-

nio College Invitational.

“I miss my best friend every day of my life...when I jump into that water, I do it for him.

All of my worries and doubts are erased as soon as I dive in, that’s why I swim,” said Anna Benitez, 21, psychology major.

There were a large number of student athletes who participated with the team/program last season and they competed in conference competitions, invitationals and conference championships.

“We have a big group this year.

I look forward to seeing the progress they make and how the pre-season is helping them improve,” said Sara Zandihn the assistant coach of the women’s swim team.

The Citrus College Women’s Swim team closed their 2013 season with victories including a 103-85 win over visiting Santa Monica College on April 5 and proving that they were capable of another season of victory.

“Among the goals for this season are to finish higher in conference and to have a team point total put them in the position to finish higher than they did last year as well as having an individual swimmer qualify for state and beyond that get a relay qualify for state,” said Silva.

Swimmers practice with high intensity in the weight room and in the pool five days a week for two to three hours.

“We are trying to be as versatile as possible,” Silva said.

“That’s one of the ways we will be successful and competitive is if we have enough athletes that have a number of racing and competing at a high level in all strokes and disciplines.”

Even though students compete in individual races, swim is a team sport with heavy emphasis on establishing a culture and tradition of student athletes who want to work hard in the classroom and the pool, Silva said.

Anne Marie Miranda Clarion

Swim coach Andrew Silva addresses the team at practice on Feb. 27. The Owls next meet will be held at Bakersfield College on Mar. 14.

“They push each other to do better and train each other to do better and train each other as teammates and not just focus on the individual but on the team’s success as well,” Silva said.

“When it comes to swim, I try to find a balance between speed and endurance. It’s my first season in swim so I am excited to see how far I can go,“ Christina Tereszczuk, 19, communications major said.

There are 10 more meets this upcoming season so be sure to come show your support for the hard working swimmers.

Their next meet will take place at Bakersfield College on March 14 at 2:30 p.m.

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Wednesday, march 5, 2014

13

ASCC CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO BE VOTED ON IN SPECIAL ELECTION

By Jessica Soto Staff Writer • jsoto@ccclarion.com

T

he Associated Students of Citrus College have proposed five amendments, which are to be voted on by the student body Mach 5-6 in the Campus Center Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The ballot will require one yes or no vote. “Its all or nothing,” Adrienne Thompson, supervisor of student life and leadership development, said.

In order for the ballots to be valid there must be a minimum of 270 votes cast.

If passed, each change will be implemented into the constitution in the fall 2014 semester.

No amendments have been made to the ASCC constitution since 2005.

“At this point I hope the students support it and become attracted to the organization,” Mariana Vega, student trustee, said.

The amendments have been under construction since spring 2013. However, the executive board at the time failed to meet the deadline to submit the paperwork for a special election.

At the start of the fall 2013 semester, the new executive board officers took over. According to Thompson, the previous board “didn’t want to impose their will on the new board.”

As it stands now, GPA requirements for members of the ASCC executive board vary based on position. The commissioner and senator positions have a 2.3 requirement while the president, vice president, legislative liaison, secretary and treasurer are set at a higher GPA of 2.5.

Athletes on Citrus teams are required to maintain a 2.5 GPA, and it seemed

fitting that all members of student government be held to a higher standard as well, according to Alejandra Morales, vice president of ASCC. The unit requirement for executive board members of ASCC has been seven units but the constitutional amendment, if passed, would lower that number to six.

The reasoning behind this decision

is the difficulty enrolling in seven units when classes are for the most part three units.

Some members of the executive board would be taking two classes while others would have to enroll in three to meet the requirement.

Another amendment would require candidates for the vice president position to serve one semester on the

ASCC board prior to having been elected to the vice president position.

This would allow the ASCC president, who is already required to serve a semester on the ASCC board prior to term, and the vice president to get an idea of how they would work together.

Inexperienced vice presidents have previously not lived up to expectation, Morales said.

“Having a semester of experience improves that.”

Currently there are four commissioner at large positions. The proposed amendment would add a fifth position for “commissioner of inter-club council relations.”

This position would require the individual to be the communication between the ASCC and ICC giving the two groups a direct line of communication.

The final changes proposed for the constitution are language based, adding the responsibilities expected from the commissioner of activities as well as the commissioner of athletics, which was not previously written in.

“These changes are necessary and good for the future function of our board and the ASCC,” Tyler Hernandez, president of ASCC, said.

“They have been debated thoroughly by dozens of students and have seen many changes, now it’s time to see what the students think of our work.”

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Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Textcrooks: we’ve had enough

P

rofessors need to adapt to the times and create a new system for textbooks, which students can access the material inexpensively and without a hassle.

Teachers have a lot of options at their disposal, whether it is the material provided at the bookstore or online sites they refer students to.

With many of the new textbooks students are expected to purchase, teachers are now requiring that they also buy an access code for websites to take their tests or access additional class material.

This method is costly to the students, adding yet another charge to the cumbersome booklist they already need to purchase.

Although textbook websites can enhance the textbook, would it not be better to assign these types of projects as optional to students who do want to take their classroom experience beyond the basics.

This way students who cannot easily afford additional purchases would be able to decline without penalty, while those who use the website gain the credit.

While several classes do use excellent alternative software, Blackboard has proven extremely successful in the regards that it is an utterly free way to provide what the access codes charge for.

Besides the issue of access codes is the entire issue of textbooks all together.

The average student would annually save upwards of $1500 on school purchased textbooks each year according to a study done by cappex. com The books themselves are high-priced,

CITRUS COLLEGE

CLARION Editor-in-Chief Evan Solano

Managing Editor Dillon Cooper Online Editor Sylvia Aparicio News Editor Jessica Soto Sports Editor Dillon Cooper Ad Manager Jessica Soto Photo Technician Joe Moreno

with the average textbook costing from $100 to $200.

These figures leave many students with few alternatives other than to seek the textbooks at a more competitive price, thus depriving the campus of needed revenues.

One method of lowering prices is that professors order books with loose-leaf format which have a cheaper price than bound books with books attached.

A la carte textbooks have the advantage that they can be altered quite easily in order to fit the coarse plan, such as including only the specific chapters that the professors require.

These custom textbooks reduce the number of pages to chapters and topics

that the professors intend to stress.

This would guarantee that students are not paying extra for content that they will not be covering in the coarse.

The third way in which teachers could help their students is to place several copies of their textbooks on hold in the library, so that the material is available for students in need.

If a student did not have the textbook that day, or does not have the resources to purchase one in the first place, this would allow him/her to access the book for free with little hassle.

Teachers need to come together to create a standardized system for obtaining textbooks, in which students can access the material inexpensively

and without a hassle.

Our stated goal is to become a college of completion.

Professors work hard to make this happen including making carefully considered choices.

But to improve teaching and learning outcomes, students need access to affordable textbooks and supplementary materials.

If the cost of textbooks and access to publisher’s websites continues to accelerate more, students will continue the trend towards not buying books at all.

This is a lose-lose-lose situation that we all need to avoid.

Show me the money

Staff Writers Evan Solano Jessica Soto Dillon Cooper Katie Jolgren Joe Moreno Sylvia Aparicio Michelle Arias Cameron Wisdom Anne Marie Miranda Careesa Campbell Line Art Justin Williams Jose Rivera Photographers Anne Marie Miranda Dillon Cooper Jessica Soto Joe Moreno Advisers Margaret O’Neil Stacy K. Long Page Designers Evan Solano Dillon Cooper Jessica Soto Sylvia Aparicio Joe Moreno

E

ach semester students continue to empty their wallets to pay for unit fees, parking permits and of course the ever more expensive textbooks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, textbook prices have gone up 812 percent in the last 30 years.

But don’t worry, there are ways to buy your textbooks without breaking the bank.

Rather than spending $150 or more on a textbook, take the time to hunt online at websites such as Ebay.com, Halfbooks. com, Chegg.com and Slugbook.com.

For example, if you are taking Math 160 the required text is “Mathematics All Around”. The new version of that book is $180. A used copy can be found on Amazon.com for $68 and can be rented on Chegg.com for $37.

A more convenient renting option would be The Owl Bookshop because students don’t have to wait for the books to be shipped.

However, comparing prices could save you more money because shipping is usually free for renting.

Another cost-effective way to buy books cheap -- share the cost with a friend. Sharing really is caring. About each other’s wallets, that is.

If you are in the same class as a friend,

15

not only could you share the cost of the book but you also have a study buddy.

There is also the eBook option. Granted students must have a tablet to utilize this option, but in retrospect if you are going to spend $500 on books you might as well spend $350 on a tablet and buy the eBooks, which will save you 40 to 60

percent.

And let’s face it. In this age of technology sooner or later tablets and smartphones are going to take over school systems if they haven’t already begun to. So why not get a head start?

Buying textbooks doesn’t have to put a hole in your wallet. With multiple

alternative options being made available, students should take advantage.

Actually purchasing the textbooks and reading them can do a lot to help students pass classes and get the most out of each course.

So utilize these alternative options and get your textbooks.

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