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CLARION CITRUS COLLEGE
A First Amendment Newspaper
ccclarion.com
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Candidates pursue trustee position BY
BOARD MEMBERS SEEKS TO REMOVE FELLOW TRUSTEE
Jessica Soto / Managing Editor
Candidates for the Area 1 seat on the Board of Trustees look to take advantage of controversy surrounding incumbent Gary Woods who was a no-show to the forum. Cristina Cruz-Madrid, Barbara Dickerson, Shawn Millner and Lorenzo Rios are the candidates challenging current trustee Gary Woods. Woods, who has served on the Board of Trustees since 1982, is being accused of living outside of his district. Bruce Langford, Citrus College Faculty Association president and Candidates Forum moderator, opened the event by reading a statement from Woods that pointed out his 32 years experience on the board as well as his 42 years as an educator. In his statement, Woods said that he did not receive any official notification of the forum taking place and that he found out via reporter the day prior. John Fincher, past president of the CCFA, said otherwise. “I personally mailed the invitation to his Azusa address,” Fincher said, later noting that each candidate received notification via email as well. Former Azusa Mayor Cruz-Madrid conveyed that “all of [the candidates] that are running are very well qualified and they will all do better than the incumbent.” She said that she would bring leadership and a way of doing things differently. Dickerson is vice president of the Azusa Unified School Board and executive director of Neighborhood Homework House. “I have come to know the dreams, concerns, [...] and fears of several of the families in Azusa,” Dickerson said. Millner, a member of the city’s Planning Commission said that she feels strongly about helping her community grow. “I knew that a decision not to run would be me admitting that the needs and representation of our community have been properly addressed, when in fact it has not for some time,” Millner said. Rios is a retired utility worker from Rancho Santiago Community College District in Santa Ana. Rios’ understanding of shared governance is that “the college leadership direct its resources to the students who are our primary concern.” Cruz-Madrid expressed her desire for a stronger leadership, Rios believes that there needs to be a broader focus on the student veterans. Dickerson said that Citrus needs a workforce that is stable and unstoppable, while Millner believes that the problems facing Citrus are not insurmountable. The election will be held on Nov. 5.
vol lxviii issue 2
Scott Lewis / Staff Writer
In front of a full house on Tuesday, Sept. 10, attorney Christopher Keeler of Fagan Friedman & Fulfrost presents his report regarding the issue of residency of Gary L. Woods to the Citrus College Board of Trustees. Following Keeler’s report providing evidence that Woods does not utilize his property in Azusa as his residence, the Board voted 3-2 in favor to authorize the school district’s legal council to ‘sue in quo warranto’— to have the California Attorney General’s office determine whether Woods is ineligible to hold office based on residency outside of his trustee area.
Fall enrollment BETTER than expected BY
Christian Rodriguez / Editor-In-Chief
C
itrus College has reached 96.36 percent seat capacity for fall 2013. Arvid Spor vice president of student services said that it was somewhat a surprise considering how much Citrus College grew in terms of sections, 200 hundred more than fall 2012. There is also a belief that the number of high school graduates has peaked and now in a downward slope. “Our peer colleges have been adding sections so we figured we might struggle to get 100 percent and having the summer session come in lower than expected had us think even more so.” Dr. Sam Lee said. This year 35,415 students enrolled in Citrus College’s fall semester, with an increase of 6602 from last year’s 28813 fall session participants from last year’s 4,125 summer session participants. With the increased funding from the state Citrus College could afford to add more sections, had Prop 30 had not passed addition of 200 sections would not be possible. “With the passage of Prop 30, many schools are out there actively promoting larger offerings,” Lee said. Prop 30 was an initiative that raised taxes on personal income on annual earn-
Citrus Community College District Summary of Funded FTES 12,200 12,000 11,800 11,600 11,400 11,200 11,000 10,800 10,600 10,400 10,200 10,000
11,882
11,739
11,928 11,618 11,343 10,684 10,668
10,905
06-‐07 07-‐08 08-‐09 09-‐10 10-‐11 11-‐12 12-‐13 13-‐14 Courtesy of Judy Rojas
ing over $250,000 for seven years and increased sales tax by one-fourth cent for four years. 89 percent of the tax revenues are allocated to K-12 schools and 11percent are distributed to community colleges. Lee explained that community colleges are funded by the state of California based on the concept of the Full-Time Equivalent Student (FTES). “So if a student takes two semesters, fall and spring, 15 units each term, that together equals one full-time equivalent student: two semesters, 15 units. Now you could take five students each taking three units for two semesters, and that would equal one FTES.” Lee said. Each fiscal year Citrus College has to
meet a certain number of FTES to receive funding from the state. The target for this fall session was 4640, which based on the latest reports produced an additional 128 FTES. Many factors contributed to the enrollment numbers. One of those being the call centers run by students ambassadors who called students with alerts of open classes and warnings of roll out dates and unpaid student fees. To encourage the continual growth of enrollment and FTES there have been talks of creating a Wingspan App to make it easier for students to keep track of classes and important dates.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
QUOTE of the
ISSUE “All that we see or seem. Is but a dream within a dream” -Edgar Allen Poe
Announcements Library A new best sellers collection has been added to the library. The books are on display for the time being in the front lobby.
Transfer Degree Information Workshop Sept. 12 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Career/Transfer Center SS281 RSVP required
NEWS BRIEFS
Local
State
Organizers failed to prepare for heat
Mt. Diablo State Park Wildfire doubles in size
The Don Bosco Invitational, a high school cross country meet, held Saturday morning at the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area in Irwindale required students to be taken to hospitals for heat-related illness. Joe Carrillo, one of the four EMTs volunteering at the event stated that, “this event had poor, last-minute planning.” Temperatures reached
more than 100 degrees Saturday, Sept. 7 and although races took place in the morning the heat was still an issue. Don Bosco Technical Institute Athletic Director Chris Shockley said that officials took the necessary precautions in preperation for the heat. Carrillo said the event was “dangerously mismanaged” despite his warnings.
Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Global
Football Game Sept. 14 Citrus vs Moorpark Students get in free with ASCC sticker
Club Rush Sept. 18 - 19 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Campus Center Mall
Banned Books Week Sept. 22 - 28 The library will be displaying books that have been banned over the years to commemorate this event.
Jessica Soto / Managing Editor
Vocational Nurses graduating class of 2013 Laura Zermeno, 22, president of this semesters Vocational Nurses graduating class, poses with her 3-year old daghter Jayde Zermeno after the Vocational Nursing Pinning Ceremony. The Nursing Pin is recognized as a part of the nurse’s uniform and it symbolizes the completion of the Vocational Nursing Program. A faculty speaker, Connie Boquiren, embraced the success of her students during the ceremony. “Being a final semester instructor allows me to see the beautiful butterflies that came from caterpillars,” Boquiren said “Congratulations on reaching this milestone.” The ceremony closes with a candle lighting ceremony and the Florence Nightingale Pledge. This signifies the transfer of knowledge from the nursing faculty to the students. The nursing program has a semester prerequisite and once admitted is a one-year program. Zermeno, along with her fellow graduates, understands the sacrifice that the program requires. “You realize you can do more than you thought you could,” Zermeno said “it will make you or break you.”
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Bashar Assad suggests retaliation if US strikes Syrian President Bashar Assad reportedly warned of possible retaliation against the United States should the country intervene in his nation’s civil war. In an interview with CBS’ Charlie Rose, Assad denied deploying lethal nerve gas against his own people but avoided answering whether he had access to chemical weapons or not. Assad had a message to the American people that it has not been a good experience fighting wars in the Middle East therefore they should not get involved.
For weeks the White House has been attempting to rally support for a punitive strike against the Assad regime. The Assad regime is accused of killing 1,429 in a chemical attack near Damascus. The fear of a U.S. strike is that it would bring support to the rebels in Syria which include extremists groups with links to the Al Qaeda terror network. The ambiguity of trust is among the chief concerns discussed by critics of a U.S. strike.
Although there are concerns about the Fukishima nuclear crisis the International Olympic Committee voted in favor of Tokyo to host the 2020 Summer Games. Tokyo beat out Istanbul and Madrid for the opportunity and promised that the radioactive leaks would have no effect on the games. The choice of another “repeat” city -- after London 2012 -could blow back on the U.S. who might potentially place a bid for the 2024 Games to come back to Los Angeles. Tokyos bid representatives addressed the reports of
the contaminated water that has leaked from the Fukushima nuclear plant since the March 2011 earth quake and tsunami. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the IOC that the situation was under control. No American city has hosted the Summer Olympics since Atlanta in 1996. The IOC and the U.S. has spent much of the last decade bumping heads over sharing revenue. With the 2020 location just being decided, the bidding process for the 2024 games is a long way away.
Source: ABC News
Tokyo chosen to host 2020 Olympics
Source: Los Angeles Times
Approximately 100 homes and other structures have been evacuated as a precaution as officials work to build containment lines around what has been dubbed the Morgan fire in Contra Costa County. As of Monday, Sept. 9 the fire has nearly doubled to 1,500 acres. An additional 500 firefighters were called to assist the already 300 officials already assigned to the fire. Containment of the fire has remained at 10 percent. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Source: Los Angeles Times
Dead baby boy found in dumpster Sheriff’s detectives are awaiting the autopsy reports to determine if the baby boy found in a dumpster in South El Monte was born dead or alive. The 20-year-old mother gave birth by herself in her house Wednesday, Sept. 4 around 9 p.m. The woman also went by herself to the hospital where medical personnel determined the woman had recently given birth. The woman admitted to giving birth and stated that she took the baby to another hospital and left it with the hospital staff. The hospital officials contacted other hospitals and were told there was no record of a baby being surrendered. Sherriff’s were notified and deputies went to the 2600 block of Chico Avenue where they found the body of the baby boy in a dumpster near the mother’s home. The investigation is ongoing. Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
National Porn to blame for job losses The pornography business has gotten accustomed to being blamed for the country’s moral ills, now it is being blamed for the economic woes as well. Employment in the motion picture and sound recording industries plunged in August, causing 22,200 lost jobs. Some have attributed the job losses to the pornography business. After an H.I.V. scare the industry temporarily shut down, this occurred around the same time that the Labor Department conducted it’s monthly survey. The theory could make sense but there are multiple reasons to be wary of this idea, one being the pornographic film industry may not employ 22,200 people even when things are going well. The Los Angeles Times reported that the industry only generates 10,000 jobs annually. Another reason was because performers in these X-rated films are independent contractors which means they would not be counted in the Labor Department’s payroll. Source: The New York Times
news
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
NEW INTEREST IN STUDENT LOANS BY
Jessica Soto / Managing Editor
T
he number of college students struggling with loan debt will continue to increase now that congress has passed the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013. The bill, signed into law by President Barack Obama on Aug. 9, allows for federal student loan rates to be market-based. This means student loan rates will likely rise within the next decade. The previous loan rate, which expired June 30, was fixed for the life of the loan at 3.4 percent. Legislators have been working at finding a solution to student debt but also attempting to take politics out of the equation. The federal interest rate for undergraduate students is currently at 3.9 percent. For graduate students it is 5.4 percent and for parents at 6.4 percent. Starting in 2014, interest rates for federal student loans will be capped at 8.25 percent for undergraduates, 9.5 percent for graduates and 10.5 percent for parents. The last time student loan rates were market-based was 2002-2007, where Congress set a lower fixed rate at 3.4 percent. This fixed rate expired on June 30, 2012. Congress then passed a one-year extension through June 30, 2013. After the extension period ended and Congress missed its deadline to deal with the issue, the student loan interest rates
doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. The new bill that is retroactive to July 30, 2013, brought that doubled interest rate back down to an affordable rate for the time being. It is only because the government can borrow money cheaply at this time that students are saving money with this new interest plan. If the economy improves in the coming years as expected, it will become more costly for the government to borrow, and that cost will be passed down to students. “It will make it more difficult [on students] because there has always been low interest rates for student loans,” said Julie Martinez of the Citrus College financial aid office. This expense is expected to trickle down to the students, allowing the federal government to make a profit in the long run on the backs of students. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D. Massachusetts) spoke out against the loan rate in a statement saying, “If we can invest in big banks by giving them low interest rates on government loans, we certainly can do the same to help students get an education.”
Stafford loans, the subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans offered in financial aid packages to students, are the most popular option. Subsidized loans free students from paying interest charges, whereas unsubsidized loans require the student to pay the interest on the loan. In comparing federal student loans and bank loans for students the interest rates are closely matched, capping out across the board within 2 percent of each other. Student bank loans do require a co-signer; however, federal loans do not because they are distributed directly to the students. Banks do not have the subsidized loan option; therefore stu-
dents who do take out bank loans will have to pay all of the interest that accrues over the lifespan of the loan. Right now college students have the option of continuing to take the federal loans with the market-based interest rates that will continuously fluctuate as the economy flourishes and diminishes. Or students can take out bank loans with rates that are predetermined to the banks. All loans have interest rates so when it comes to being a college student in need of a loan, it’s all about thinking smart.
SEARCH FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS RAGES ON BY
Dillon Cooper / Sports editor
“If they [the candidates] can do the job and learn our culture, they get my vote.” -Nicki shaw
T
he search for the next vice president of academic affairs at Citrus College is about to end. The filing period for the position opened on July 12 and closes today. Irene Malmgren, Ed.D., served Citrus College as instructional vice president for eight years before moving in May to a similar position at Mt. San Antonio College. The vice president of academic affairs serves as the chief academic officer of the Citrus Community College District and is responsible for educational policy and academic programs. Citrus College is looking for an experienced and energetic leader who is committed to teaching and learning, according to the job description provided by the Office of Human Resources. The salary range is $151, 505 to $199,371, plus benefits. If the person selected for the position has a doctorate from an accredited institution, he or she will receive a 2.5 percent increase. Nicki Shaw, professor of kinesiology and curriculum chair for the Academic Senate, has a challenge for the candidates. “I want them to be as good could as Dr. Malmgren rely to have the on bestwhom interests we of the
Professor of kinesiology
Arvid Spor Courtesy of Citrus College
students,” she said. “If they [the canddates] can do the job and learn our culture, they get my vote.” Interim Executive Dean Martha McDonald said that "she would like the next vice president of academic affairs to be energetic, collaborative and innovative. All deans work collaboratively toward achieving the mission of the college.” The vice president of academic affairs is responsible for planning and leading the instructional program, advancing the growth and global competitiveness of the district through education, according to the job listing. The vice president directs preparation of class schedules, works closely with the vice president of
Debate hosted for Constition Day BY
McClatchy Tribune
student services, and serves as the link between the Academic Affairs staff and Administrative Services in budgeting academic programs. In addition, the vice president will serve as the primary liaison with the Academic Senate and takes part in the hiring of faculty and staff, according to the job listing. “Ideally, the next VPAA will not only be able to weather this rollercoaster economic climate and the consequent shifting impacts on higher education, but she/he will also help Citrus continue to evolve while preserving our commitment to student success,” Academic Senate President Lisa Villa said via email. “…the ability to communicate with all the constituent groups evenly and effectively will prove to be a critical attribute,” Villa said “A candidate with too narrow a scope of experience even within higher education would not be desirable.”
The vice president of academic affairs should have the ability to work in a shared governance environment and have previous experience as a full-time teacher at the post-secondary level, according to the job listing. Citrus student Alejandra Morales, 21, vice resident of the Associated Students of Citrus College, would like the next vice president of academic affairs to be “reaching out to the students, reaching out to us, making sure the students are heard.” A selection committee will review the applications and prioritize those who will be invited to be interviewed. Each applicant may be required to conduct a presentation on a topic selected by the committee and may be required to submit a sample of his or her writing. In addition, Citrus College will soon be looking to fill the void that will be left by Carol Horton, vice president of finance and administrative services. Horton is set to retire in March of next year. To view Citrus College job listings visit employment.citruscollege.edu
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Jessica Soto / Managing Editor
The celebration of America’s Constitution is approaching. Tuesday, Sept. 17 is the anniversary of the ratification of the constitution in 1789 and as of 2004 this day has been used as a day to educate Americans on the constitution. To recognize this day Citrus is hosting a Constitution Day Public Forum called “Privacy v. Safety.” The scheduled panelists are Hans Johnson, president of Progressive Victory in Washington D.C. and Ben Shapiro, columnist, lawyer and radio personality. The oderator for the forum will be Dave Milbrandt, MA, Professor of Political Science at Citrus College. Johnson has advised organizations and campaigns in every state of the union Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Canada. His expertise is in labor, gay rights, religious extremism, and trends in state politics. Ben Shapiro was hired by Creators Syndicate at age 17 to become the youngest nationally syndicated columnists in the U.S. His work has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Chicago Sun Times and many other publications. The forum is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. in CI 159.
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
FEATURES
Wednesday, September. 11, 2013
Sowing the Resource Seeds for STEM Success
BY
Scott Lewis / Staff Writer
T
he fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics present exciting opportunities that can launch you into a lifetime of constant discovery. Choosing a STEM major is a big decision. However, multiple resources are available to ensure success not only at Citrus, but wherever your academic career may take you. With the myriad of opportunities available, many students may not know where to begin. So here are the keys to the gate of your STEM educational experience. First, if you are considering a STEM major, be sure to consult with a STEM counselor to create your Student Educational Plan. Your SEP will be the blueprint of your academic career at Citrus. Your STEM counselor will be able to help you target transfer schools and point you to opportunities for workshops relevant to your major. Citrus has five STEM counselors: Debbie Boudreau, Becky Iott, Leo Pastrana, Raul Rodriguez and Emily Versace, who also serves as the (STEM)2 coordinator. After you meet with your STEM counselor, you’ll learn about the different programs available to you at Citrus, all of which start at the STEM Academy.
McClatchy Tribune
Many resources are only available to the students in the STEM Academy, which requires that you complete a short application on the Citrus College website. You’ll be asked for basic information, including your Student ID, Citrus College email address, which mathematics and English courses you’ve completed, and which major you are interested in. The application process is painless and opens up many doors. Once you are accepted into the STEM Academy, you will have access to workshops, guest lectures, paid summer research
experiences, and invitation-only events. One of the most robust programs that STEM Academy students have access to is the (STEM)2 grant program, which stands for Strengthening Transfer Education & Matriculation in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. (STEM)2 is a collaboration between CSU Fullerton and three other nearby schools, including Citrus College. One of the goals of (STEM)2 is to encourage and facilitate STEM majors in community colleges to transfer to four-year universities.
This five-year grant provides funding for Supplemental Instruction (SI), summer research experience for undergraduates (REUs), STEM Counseling, as well as (STEM)2 peer mentors. One of the most valuable components of this program is the transfer arrangement that Citrus College has with CSU Fullerton. As a participant in (STEM)2, you receive special consideration in acceptance to CSUF, priority registration once accepted, special orientation for STEM transfer students, and continued mentoring and support. Even if you are not a STEM
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major, there are resources available to every student on campus to ensure success in STEM courses. The STEM Center, located in MA 129, is where most Supplemental Instruction sessions are conducted for a wide variety of math and science courses. Next door in MA 130 is the Math Success Center, where free tutoring is available for every math course offered at Citrus. There is a long road ahead of the STEM major, but you do not have to travel it alone. Meet with a STEM counselor, enroll in the STEM Academy, and take advantage of the multitude of resources available through (STEM)2. Equipped with these tools, STEM students will find themselves better prepared for the exciting journey their academic path lays out for them. STEM Counseling: (626) 914-8530 citruscollege.edu/stem/counseling
RACE to STEM: citruscollege.edu/stem (STEM)2: citruscollege.edu/stem2 STEM Center:
MA 129 M – Th 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Math Success Center: MA 130 M – Th 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
fEATURES
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
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Former student trustee earns his pathway to success BY
E
very year, tens of thousands of undocumented students who have grown up in the United States, graduate from high school without the ability to participate in American society though they have lived here the majority of their lives. While federal law guarantees undocumented students a free public K–12 education, they face incredible challenges when pursuing higher education. Yet despite these formidable obstacles former Citrus College student trustee Crescencio Calderon defied the odds and has become an example that with perseverance and passion it is possible for undocumented students to receive a higher education. Nearly 40 percent of undocumented students live below the federal poverty level. Most live in constant fear of deportation and involuntary family separation. Calderon was born in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico in 1991. During his early childhood years he would be raised by his mother and only see his father only during Christmas and New Year’s and a few days spread throughout the year. His father would work the majority of the year in California and send money to support his family. The day would come Calderon had opportunity to visit his father in the United States by traveling north with his uncle. During this period of his life he did not understand the implications that came with unauthorized entry to the United States. To him the concept of a dividing line between Mexico and the United States was nonexistent, it was sim-
Chrisitan Rodriguez / Editor-In-Chief
paper,” Calderon said. It was not until he was in high school that Calderon became aware that he was not a citizen and that he was residing in the United States illegally. His chance for legal employment was close to zero. Without a Social Security card, he could not apply for a driver’s license, much less financial aid for college. When Calderon graduated from high school he knew that he wanted to do something with his life. During his senior year, he Cresencio Calderon met with an adviser from Citrus College. He was surprised when ply the other side: “el otro lado.” his advisor encouraged him to Once he arrived in California, continue his education at Citrus he experienced a culture shock. College. She informed him that it The number of Asian Americans was possible to seek higher educawho lived here surprised him and tion in spite of his undocumented he realized how little Spanish was status. spoken throughout the community. That simple conversation Unable to communicate in Engopened doors that he had imaglish Crescencio felt isolated. He ined were closed. But financially he did not know even simple phrases was still held back from enrolling, such as “Where is the restroom?” so over the summer he applied for Gradually he learned English and dozens of scholarships to attend began to understand American Citrus College while juggling jobs culture and Californian economics. with his father. Calderon would “No one comes to this counsoon establish himself as a deditry just because,” Calderon said. cated Citrus student. “There are strong motivations beGradually Calderon became hind it. My motive was my father.” aware of other undocumented Eventually his family would students in the same situation. make the same crossing north. Some were also club presidents Once he learned English, he began and officers in student government to understand that he was not not only at Citrus College but the legally a citizen. university level. He considered “I felt like an American. I spoke them role models. the language. I pledged allegiance Calderon with several other to the flag of the United States of students founded H.O.P.E, a club America. I spoke English to my created to inform other undocufriends, teachers, everybody. I mented students about AB 540, dressed like an American. I felt and to serve as a support group. like an American… just not on
Simplifying federal financial aid BY
H
Jessica Soto / Managing Editor
igh school students who are headed to college are constantly reminded that by their senior year they are going to have to learn the financial aid system, beginning with the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a form that is used by, both undergraduate and graduate students to determine their eligibility to receive federal aid. Having to find the money to pay for school can be overwhelming but the FAFSA makes this easy by providing an easy to follow form for students to fill out. Federal financial aid comes in three forms: grants, loans and federal work-study. Information regarding the FAFSA can be found at the financial aid office or at the Citrus College financial aid website. The website can be used for information regarding the FAFSA as well as scholarships, loans, grants and the links to print financial aid documents that the financial aid office no longer has available. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa. gov or printed out and sent in to the address on the forms by mail. The completed FAFSA is processed and sent to the colleges selected by the student. To fill out the FAFSA the student must set up a PIN number to protect the personal and financial information that is required on the form. The form will ask for basic personal information, such as address and Social Security number. It then asks for a list of prospective colleges or the college of attendance. The next few steps are the most tedious because they require parent information as well. The student will need to enter parent(s) basic personal information fol-
lowed by their financial information as well, such as their income. One of the most important steps of the FAFSA is the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This is where tax information gets inserted and is then used by financial aid offices to determine what the student may or may not qualify for in the upcoming academic year. After the form is completed, the student and the parent(s) will sign. If the student is using the online form this is done with the PIN number created at the beginning of the filing process. Once submitted, the FAFSA information is shared with the designated colleges. From there the respective financial aid offices will determine how much federal aid an applicant may receive. When filling out the FAFSA be sure to allow at least 30 minutes to complete the near 130 questions as well as time to gather tax information which is a task in itself. Keep the deadlines in mind. Financial aid typically runs on a first-come first-served basis. So although the FAFSA for the 2013-2014 school year can still be submitted until June 2014 it is recommended that the form is submitted as early as possible. It is highly recommended to fill out the FAFSA because whether it is in the form of a federal loan or a grant, there is always a chance for students to receive some form of financial aid. The Citrus College financial aid office is located in the Student Services building; the office is open Monday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
His message was and is that as long as they have the passion and discipline, anything is possible for them. He would not let lack of papers hold him back from accomplishing his goal of graduating from college. Calderon also served as vice president of community services of Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and then ran for student trustee so he could represent the student body of Citrus College at board of trustees meetings. In spring 2013, Calderon was accepted to UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Clara University, UC Los Angeles, UC Berkeley, Sacramento State, CSU Fullerton, and Cal Poly Pomona. He chose UCLA in order to stay close to and reach out to underrepresented communities in Los Angeles. After earning his BA in political science, he plans to go to law
school with a career focus in public administration for a nonprofit organization. He has served as a leader to his fellow AB540 students and as a great friend to his colleagues in ASCC and students on campus. “Crescencio Calderon is one of those men you meet rarely in your life. Incredible student, hard worker, compassionate, driven and all around an amazing guy,” said Tyler Hernandez president of ASCC. Calderon has proven that the United States is truly of land of opportunity, “To be an American means opportunity, liberty, a second chance,” Calderon said. “This nation truly allows a peasant to become a king.” Calderon and hundreds of other like him have proven themselves and deserve more then what AB450 offers, they deserve a pathway to citizenship.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013 Daniel Ortiz Height- 5’6 Weight- 135 Year- Freshman High school- Arcadia Hometown- Arcadia
Grayson Iwasaki Height- 5’7 Weight- 150 Year- Freshman High school- South Hills Hometown- Covina
SPORTS
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Benny Martinez Height- 6’0 Weight- 160 Year- Freshman High school- Ganesha Hometown- Pomona
Shusuke Kajiwara Height- 5’7 Weight- 130 Year- Freshman High school- Hokachiku Hometown- Japan
Austin Amato Height- 5’7 Weight- 145 Year- Freshman High school- Diamond Ranch Hometown- Diamond Bar
Antonio Bernal Height- 5’8 Weight- 135 Year- Freshman High school- Gladstone Hometown- Azusa
COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
BRINGING THE MEN’S SOCCER TEAM FORWARD BY
Dillon Cooper / Sports Editor
I
n a sport with low scoring results, it takes a special type of player to bag a goal. Drive, vision, creativity, speed, agility, strength, and intelligence are qualities a forward needs to score goals. Aggressive play, like every craft, takes dedication and hard work. Not everyone is able to strike fear in the hearts of an opposing defense. The Citrus College men’s soccer team has five such players that fit the bill. Daniel Ortiz, 20, is a quick forward who thrives on through balls. “Any sport I have ever played, I like offence. I like scoring,” Ortiz said. Ortiz attended Arcadia High School and played four varsity seasons for the Apaches. When he was a senior, Ortiz was on the 2nd team All-Pacific League. “I like really direct through balls, just beating people with speed,” Ortiz said. “As forwards, we need to need to support the other forwards, other midfielders, just keeping the ball moving.” A second Citrus forward, Grayson Iwasaki, 18, describes his playing style as aggressive. “I always want to go. I want to go score goals,” said Iwasaki. “It’s just my mentality.” During the offseason, Iwasaki has been working on building his strength to better hold off opponents while waiting for support from his teammates. “I always look forward to scoring goals. When I do, I get back and try and do it again,” Iwasaki said. Iwasaki scored two goals in the game at San Diego Mesa on Aug. 30, which the Owls won 5-0. Another Citrus forward that has a need for speed is Austin
Amato. Amato, 21, said speed and experience are his main strengths. Amato got the Owls to a great start by scoring the first goal of the game against San Diego Mesa on Aug. 30 and his first goal of the campaign. “I’m not the youngest guy on the team, but I’ve been playing a while,” Amato said, his ability to make the right decisions at the right time is a skill he has developed from playing soccer for many years.
“The forwards need to be aware and combine with each other to get behind the opposing defense.”
-Fred Bruce-Oliver
Men’s Soccer Head Coach
Amato described his playing style as “definitely fast.” “First thing I feel after scoring a goal, whoever my teammate was that led me in, I got to show my love for him,” Amato said. Forward Shusuke Kajiwara, 20, a freshman from Japan, loves to dribble. One of Kajiwara’s strengths is his short-distance speed. “I am very quick,” Kajiwara said. “My job is to score goals.” Kajiwara scored in the 53rd minute of the second half against San Diego Mesa on Aug. 30 and also scored the Owls only goal in a 2-1 defeat to Cuyamaca on Sept. 6. Antiono Bernal, 21, has been a forward since he started playing at a young age. “I’ve always had a thing for scoring goals,” Bernal said. Bernal described his strengths as his speed and his strong shot.
“We [forwards] need to create plays,” Bernal said. “Sometimes you don’t have the option of being able to turn around and need to look for the open man,” Another forward who has been playing forward since the age of 8 is 22-year-old Benny Martinez, who played two varsity seasons at Ganesha High School. Martinez’s strength is his ability to create space for his teammates. He is good at turning around defenders with the ball. “I like to create space and connect passes with my fellow teammates,” Martinez said. “I spent the offseason working at the gym and on my footwork.” Martinez can hold up the ball while waiting for support from his wide players. Martinez can dribble and shoot with both feet. “I hold the ball up as much as I can for the wingers,” Martinez said. “I pass it to them and turn the defender to create space.” Men’s soccer coach Fred Bruce-Oliver wants his forwards to work together on offence and defense. When the Owls lose the ball in the attacking third, BruceOliver wants them to track back and put pressure on the midfielders. “The forwards need to be aware and combine with each other to get behind the opposing defense,” said Bruce-Oliver. Bruce-Oliver urges his forwards to attack the ball if they do not have it. The men’s soccer team’s next home game is a conference matchup on Sep. 17 against L.A. Mission at 4 p.m. The game will be played at Citrus Stadium. Admission is free.
THREE RUNNING FOR QUARTERBACK POSITION Tyler Pruszynski Height- 6’1 Weight 173 Year- Sophomore Hometown- Azusa, CA High school- Bishop Amat D.O.B. November 8, 1992 COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION BY
Sarah Cha / Staff Writer
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ith a new season coming into play, Andrew Cameron, Larry Cutbirth, and Tyler Pruszynski are the three quarterbacks being considered for the starting quarterback position for the Fighting Owls. Cameron, who was a red shirt last season, is shorter than his fellow teammates yet possesses speed, agility and strength that he uses to his advantage. “I’m not 6’6” but I use my mind a lot more on the field,” Cameron said. At Diamond Bar High School, he prepped three varsity seasons for the Brahmas where he was an All-Sierra League honors as a junior. As a senior, he earned the All-Hacienda League and All-San Gabriel Valley honors. Having a previous experience at the college level, Cameron played in 2011 for the Graceland University Yellow Jackets where he threw 10 touchdowns while passing for over 900 yards.
Andrew Cameron Height- 6’0 Weight- 190 Year- Sophomore Hometown- Corona, CA High school- Diamond Bar D.O.B. November 30, 1992 COURTESY OF CITRUS COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
To enhance his performance in play, Cameron has been taking measures to better himself for the upcoming season. “I’ve been hitting the weight-room really hard this past season,” Cameron said. “I’ve gotten a lot faster speed-wise and my arm strength went up.” Cutbirth prepped for four varsity seasons for the Eagles at Etiwanda High where he passed for 2,226 yards, threw 36 touchdowns, and rushed for 6 touchdowns. He also was an All-Baseline and All-Inland Empire selection as both a junior and a senior and was a second-team All-State selection counting the All-CIF honors as a senior. “The quarterback position allows me to be in control of the game,” Cutbirth said. “I like having the ball in my hands.” Although Cutbirth’s strong suit is not with divvying up and reading the defense, there are attributes that he feels he can bring to the vacant position. “I run as far as I could pass and I’m very diverse on the field,” he said.
Larry Cutbirth Height- 6’5 Weight- 215 Year- Freshman Hometown- Fontana, CA High school- Etiwanda D.O.B.- August 27, 1993 PHOTO BY: Evan Solano/PHOTO TECH
Tyler Pruszynski made appearances in four games for the 2012 season for the Owls where he threw a pair of touchdowns and one interception. His high school experience includes prepping three varsity seasons for the Bishop Amat Lancers, completing 62.5 percent of his passes for a total of 356 yards. “I chose the quarterback position because I’m not athletic enough for line-backer or wide receiver, but I’ve been playing this position all my life,” he said. “It is second nature to me.” His proficiency is the deep ball, has a quick release and his ability to read the defense well, are some of Pruszynski’s strengths. “I’m pretty strong,” Pruszynski said. “It’s hard to take me down.” The Owls first home game is on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. against Moorpark. Students get in free with an ASCC sticker. General admission is $6.
A&E
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Wednesday, September, 11 2013
9
Album Reviews: Radio Clarion BY
Nine Inch Nails “Hesitation Marks” (Colombia)
When rumors first surfaced of a new Nine Inch Nails release, it had been five years since main man Trent Reznor famously and abruptly pulled the plug on the iconic musical act. He had spent the years since the bands’ 2008 final release “The Slip” working on a variety of soundtracks and one-off projects, mainly with cohort Atticus Ross, with whom he received an Academy Award for the score for “The Social Network.”
“Hesitation Marks” is the Nine Inch Nails comeback album fans have been anticipating, combining the dark, multi-layered exploration on his 1999 double CD “The Fragile,” and the pitiless aggression of 1994’s masterpiece, “The Downward Spiral.” To best understand the significance of this release, one must take a brief look into the band’s distinguished past. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Nine Inch Nail’s iconic debut release “Pretty Hate Machine,” which gave rise to a steel-edged dance-punk hybrid known as industrial to a mass audience. Reznor’s innovative use of electronics on “Pretty Hate Machine” still sound remarkably fresh and relevant today with the rise of EDM and dub-step, and its infiltration into pop music of today. With “Hesitation Marks” Reznor bridges much of the earlier work from the early 90’s and introduces it to a new generation while taking Nine Inch Nails to new ground, both thematically and sonically. Reznor has toned down much of the unbridled anger from the band’s earlier albums and in
a glimpse at both his present and future. Legend, along with executive producer Kanye West push the boundaries of R&B/soul to the next level creating an immersive experience about love, hope, and commitment. The album starts with a great cover of Bobby Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes,” in which Legend starts the classic tune in a more melancholy vibe, but then proceeds to give the song a brighter feel as it progresses. While he does experiment at times John Legend with more artful arrangements than in “Love In The Future” previous albums, there are tracks like the (Colombia/GOOD music) beautifully written “Dream” and “All Having first emerged in 2004 with his debut Of Me” where he simplifies and breaks “Get Lifted,” John Legend took the hip it down to where it is just him, his voice hop/R&B world by storm with Grammy and his talented piano playing. award-winning solo albums. The tracks seem very dynamic. After taking some time off to record with West’s influence on the album can be hip-hop superstars The Roots, and tour with felt on “Made To Love,” which sounds R&B star Sade, he has returned after a fivelike a track that could have easily found year hiatus with his fourth solo album “Love its way on West’s misunderstood 2008 in the Future”, a musical love letter dedicated album “808s & Heartbreak.” to Legend’s fiancée. On songs like “Wanna be Loved,” While the record features Legend’s suave, Legend shines alongside the great sophisticated voice paired with his classic oldproduction featured on the tracks. school charm, he serenades and gives listeners
The 1975 “The 1975”
(Vagrant/Interscope)
Long mohawks, leather jackets, torn shirts - If you were to search pictures of the band The 1975 before listening to a single note on this album you would be taken by surprise. Though they look like a young brash 80’s style punk group, the music this Manchester-based group creates on their debut album is more in the vein of Phil Collins than The Ramones. Their music is heavily electronic based, but infuses some amazing
Evan Solano / A&E Editor
pop-influenced hooks and guitar melodies. Rarely is a band’s first album this well rounded and listenable from start to finish. But even with 16 tracks, the fresh soundscapes and staunch songwriting keeps this album from getting stale or dragging on. Established in 2002, the band have been refining their sound for years in Europe, releasing various EPs covering a wide range of music, from synth-heavy pop tracks to darker, atmospheric songs. Fans who have been following the band will recognize tracks from their previous EPs like “The City,” and the anthemic “Sex,” an infectious song that blends the atmospheric ambiances of bands like M83 and the vibrant guitar-heavy songwriting of Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. One band The 1975 could definitely call an influence would be fellow British genre-defying act, The Police. The song “Talk!” sounds like the band’s homage to Sting and company. The group takes their cues from 80’s acts like New Order and U2
its place created a more composed and more disturbing atmospheric and minimal sound. The album kicks of with the danceable onetwo punch of “Copy Of A” and “Came Back Haunted,” two tracks that effortlessly silence critics who claim Reznor has lost touch with what made his early releases so dark and honest yet irresistibly intriguing. The album has its share of surprising moments as well. The track “Everything,” which sounds more in line with Joy Division and The Cure, is a great example of Reznor’s broadening vision on this album. Lyrically, the album still touches on a lot of isolation and pain that Reznor’s music is widely known for. “While I Am Still Here” and “Find My Way” are lyrically deep songs that touch on a darker side of Reznor’s psyche explored on albums like “The Fragile.” His desolation and misery seem more defined here than in previous efforts, more determined and relevant, it’s opaque but not impenetrable. Reznor is not afraid to bare his soul, but does so in a more refined manner than he would have 20 years ago. There will be a divide on this album of
“You & I” is another song that showcases the amazing range John Legend has been known for throughout his past four albums. One of the highlights of the album is the collaboration with Rick Ross “Who Do We Think We Are.” The song has a great vintage sample that invokes the spirit of classic 70’s R&B luminaries like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Ross’ contribution is interesting, and although the track did not require his presence, it shows that Legend is not afraid to collaborate with artists who would be outside his element. “Love in the Future” is among Legend’s best work; it reintroduces John Legend as an innovator and icon who is keeping the spirit of classic R&B alive while also blending elements of hip-hop to inject new life into his classic, retro sound. Thanks to a combination of mature production and genuine songwriting, John Legend delivers a unique twist on contemporary soul and R&B.
as well as contemporary indie acts like The National, Bon Iver and The Neighbourhood. There is a sense of cohesiveness throughout the album. The band goes from more upbeat lively songs like “She Way Out” to introspective and soulful tracks like “Pressure.” The album features some superb vocals from frontman/guitarist Matt Healy. His uniquely accented voice gives the songs a distinctive feel, slower tracks like “Robbers” and “Menswear” are where he truly shines. The bands music is energetic yet thoughtful. This band defines what great indie-pop music should be. In a time when most songs are purchased individually, it’s unique to come across an album in which all the tracks can be enjoyed as a whole. The group’s name is almost 40 years old, but they have created a record that feels timeless. For fans of: Foals, Young The Giant, Fall Out Boy and M83. The 1975 are one of the U.K.’s best kept musical secrets.
people who love it and people who hate it. After being gifted with gems like “The Downward Spiral” and “The Fragile” fans have come to expect each new release to be compared to those two records. But this is not “The Downward Spiral part II,” although “Hesitation Marks” does a great job of keeping one foot in the past; it is an album that also launches Nine Inch Nails forward, keeping relevant in a scene where so many legacy acts tend to get stale and jaded. There is a great sense of rejuvenation and creativity that springs forth from this album. This is a wiser, and more calculated effort from a man who has always pushed the boundaries of conventional electronic music. “Hesitation Marks” is the album that will solidify Reznor’s legacy as a legitimate rock icon forever.
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Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Forum
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Coping with the crippling fear of failure
Scott Lewis / Staff Writer
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ailure. There’s that feeling again. Your palms are sweating; your fingers are visibly shaking. Your heart is pumping so fast that you can actually feel it inside your chest. Looking around the room, you see other students who seem to be getting along just fine. All the while, you are experiencing a sudden urge to explode. Simultaneously, you want to run and hide in the tiniest cave. “What if I’m wrong? I don’t want to look stupid in front of everybody.” With that shame-filled thought, you keep your mouth shut and try to struggle through the rest of the class. This scene is all too familiar for many of us—not only in college, but throughout our entire lives. Somewhere in our past we became paralyzed by fear of failure. It eats away at our self-confidence and damages self-image. We obsess over how we appear to others rather than what we can accomplish. Far worse, we can easily convince ourselves that we won’t be able to accomplish goals that are well within our grasp. The problem is that we don’t understand that we need to fail. We will fail. We will be wrong. We need to come to terms with that. Now, we need to understand that failing at something does not make US a failure. Let’s take a
Scott Lewis / Staff Writer
look at why we must fail and why it’s good for you to do so while we’re in the classroom. First and foremost, we are in a class to learn. The goal is to gain useful knowledge of the world and develop a set of skill sets that will help you better understand how to approach it. The classroom should be a safe place for us to be wrong. Though none of us like to be laughed at, most students will not remember what any mistakes we had said by the end of class. Instead, we are given this opportunity struggle. Raising our hand or participating in a class discussion, even if we’re wrong, generates positive outcomes. Now we know that what was thought was true is not and can work towards understanding what is really is correct.
Secondly, doing homework— even if it is not collected provides an opportunity for feedback, either positive or negative. Nobody enjoys having a homework assignment marked up with red ink, drawing our attention to what we did wrong. However, we can use this feedback to create something better. Let’s not let our eyes glaze over when we catch that glimpse of the poor markings. When we admit defeat on something that we haven’t reassessed, we are denying ourselves the opportunity to grow and become more proficient at that concept in the course. A few semesters back, I recall getting a slew of questions wrong on a final exam. They were all tied to one concept in the course. I had answered questions wrong
on several previous quizzes and homework assignments, but since I had earned an overall “A” on those, there didn’t seem to be much of a point to look into what I got wrong then, and it really bit me during finals. I hadn’t wanted to look stupid in front of the class. Asking for clarity on the homework, even when the professor openly encouraged us to do so, was far too embarrassing, even from a professor that was almost begging us to ask questions. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and ignored the concepts that I got wrong. I not only cringe on behalf of myself and my final exam, but on behalf of my fellow classmates that were in the exact same boat as me. We didn’t want to look stupid. No one wanted to openly admit not understanding a core concept of the course. If just one of us had spoken up about our failure to understand the topic, all of us would have learned something—and maybe even earned a higher final grade. Lastly, our failure does not harken the Apocalypse. Fire and brimstone will not rain down from the sky because we bombed a midterm. There is no reason to give up. This is the perfect time to take time to step back, review what happened, and see how we could have done it better. Maybe we skimmed over that chapter in the textbook; maybe we didn’t
read the textbook at all. Perhaps we should have given more time towards studying—both alone and in a group. Sometimes things happen that are completely out of our control. Beating ourselves up will not help. Ever. As we find ourselves in a situation where we begin to struggle, don’t chalk that up as a failure. It’s not a failure—yet. We have ample time to recognize our struggles and address them to move forward. Failure, especially in school, does not happen out of nowhere. It’s not as if we go 13 weeks and find ourselves suddenly failing a class. We need to take it upon ourselves to mark our progress within our classes. Speak with professors, preferably within the bounds of their office hours to see what can be done to ensure success in the course. If we find ourselves in a position where we are failing, or have failed a class, we can do ourselves an enormous favor and meet with a counselor. The counseling staff at Citrus is here to guide us and ensure we have access to all of the tools necessary to create a successful academic experience. Many tools are provided, but we must take them in our hands in order to sculpt the future we want. Failure is not the bridge falling apart, but a chance to reassess the path to where we want to end up.
would should insults at each other and spit at each other to prepare themselves for the resistance and abuse they would inevitably face in public during their sit-ins at restaurants that refused to serve African Americans at the counter. “March” is a groundbreaking
work. John Lewis is not just the first congressional member to pen a graphic novel, but a real life hero and role model fore the civil rights activists across all generations.
An American icon helps the youth visualize the civil rights movement in Comic Sans BY
Chrisitan Rodriguez /Editor In Chief
T
he 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for jobs and freedom was Aug. 28. It was also the 50th anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lincoln Memorial. In order to educate and inspire a new generation of young Americans, civil rights activist John Lewis was persuaded by storyteller Andrew Aydin and graphic novel artist Nate Powel to create a trilogy depicting his experience. Lewis, 72, was one of the original civil rights activists who participated in the March on Washington. Lewis, who grew up as the son of a sharecropper in Alabama, would grow up to be an American icon and one of the key figures of the civil rights movement. In 1986, Lewis was elected to the House of Representatives and has represented Georgia’s fifth district ever since. In 2011, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. The graphic novel trilogy March sets the scene at Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, also known as “Bloody Sunday.” Some 600 civil rights marchers headed east out of Selma Ala., on Route 80 during “The Selma-
to-Montgomery March” for voting rights. They only got as far as the Edmund Pettus Bridge where state and local lawmen attacked them with billy clubs and tear gas and drove them back into Selma, despite their attempts to peacefully negotiate terms. The story then flashes forwards to the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration, as Rep John Lewis is sharing his memories of their march with a visiting mother and her two sons. Following their initial introduction, Lewis begins to reflect on his life growing up as a sharecropper’s kid in Poke Country, Ala. He explains to the boys the inequality he experienced as a child and the stark differences of life of African Americans in the North as opposed to those in the South. He would note that he was sensitive to the effect that these differences would have on members of his family. He notes the tension that his Uncle Otis emanated as Lewis made his way north to Ohio to visit family and the precautions they took to avoid trouble. Lewis expands on his spiritual journey and his experience as a civil rights activist. A pivotal moment was how, as a young man, he met Martin Luther King Jr. for the first time.
He remarks on his time as a leader of the Nashville sit-ins and chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), to his election to the House of Representatives. March Book One is a breath of fresh air and eye-opening piece of work with those unfamiliar of the trials that civil rights activists faced 50 years ago. It is not just violence that stuns young readers but the inequality that Lewis and countless others like him faced every day. The historic facts leave younger readers at a loss for words. Co-writer Andrew Aydin currently serves in Rep. John Lewis handling telecommunications and technology policy in his Washington D.C. office. His work with Lewis has launched his career as storywriter. Artist Nate Powell uses black and white to convey the gravity and intensity of the peak moments throughout the novel. Black backgrounds magnify the emotional power the civil rights movement and aid him greatly in his re-creation of a dark time in American history. “March Book One” offers rare insights on what leaders of the civil rights activist did to prepare for their protests. In one of the most disturbing moments of the novel, members of The Fellowship of Reconciliation, F.O.R.,
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
Editorial
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
11
Fear of war should be settled with a vote
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ill President Obama receive a yes or no vote from Congress to strike
Syria? On Aug. 31, President Obama made the decision that the United States should take military action against Bashard al-Assad’s regime in Syria. Congress has made it clear that they want their voices to be heard before any rash decisions are made and Obama wants Congress to debate this issue extensively then vote on it. A call to action has been made and in his speech on Aug. 31 Obama stated that he believed “all of us should be accountable as we move forward and that can only be accomplished with a vote.” There has been speculation that our Commander-in-Chief is actually the “Avoider-in-Chief” and that by going to Congress he is blatantly going against his own words. In his speech on Aug. 31 he also stated that he was not elected to avoid hard decisions and that he knows it is within his power to take action but he is pushing for congressional authorization even though it is not necessarily required for such limited action. Flashback to this day 12 years ago, Sept. 11, 2001, the day that caused America to go into survival mode and changed the way that we
look at the world. The terrorist attacks that day were acts of war and actions had to be taken against those responsible, no American was arguing that fact. On Oct. 7, 2001 the war in Afghanistan began. However the military action in Iraq did not take place until two years later. Rumors that Saddam Hussein was housing weapons of mass destruction gave President Bush all the reason he needed to strike. Saddam Hussein and his two sons were given 48-hours to surrender, they did not. On March 20, 2003 the Iraq war had begun. Curveball was the code name given to the Iraqi defector Rafid Ahmed Alwan, who claimed that Saddam Hussein had used biological weapons labs to avoid detection of his weapons of mass destruction and even though there was no actual proof of these alleged weapons of mass destruction, President Bush used this testimony to justify the war in Iraq. The ghost of Curveball is what is haunting the decision to take action in Syria. The American people are afraid of Iraq 2.0 taking place. Americans have had enough of being lied to and enough of war. It seems quite fitting that Constitution Day is approaching as President Obama advances the decision
Christian Rodriguez
to take military action against Syria to congress for authorization. So although the President has the power to strike Syria the decision to go to congress is the most constitutional decision. The power of authority to declare war was assigned to Congress by the drafters of the Constitution in 1787. On Sept 17, 1789 the Constitution was ratified and as of 2004, this day each year has been recognized as
Constitution Day, celebrated across the country, it is a day for Americans to get educated on the constitution that protects all of us. The aftermath of the Afghanistan war and the upcoming withdrawal from Iraq has given the American people some relief. But now there is the chance of provoking yet another war. Taking the constitutional approach to this decision is what is
best, it allows the people a chance to speak with their representatives so that their voices could be heard. To have your voice heard contact the local representatives. Our congresswoman Judy Chu can be emailed using this website, chu.house. gov/connect-with-me/email-judy. Our voices should be heard, so speak up and speak loud.
Congress must pass a federal shield law
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n his first day of office on, Jan. 20, 2008, President Barack Obama promised to make his administration the most transparent ever. However, in reality the federal government has been incredibly aggressive in hounding individuals who have leaked classified information and in the name of national security stolen private information from journalists without their knowing or consent. More than 225 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” We live in an age where every nation is connected by communication technologies and websites like WikiLeaks offer hundreds of thousands of documents just a click away and that are just as accessible to the international public. It is understandable that the United States government may be hesitant to enact a shield law. However, reporters need to be able to protect their sources that could focus the spotlight on injustices that the average American citizen would otherwise have no idea existed. In order to do so journalists must be able to protect their sources identities and sources have to be confident that the reports are able to do so. By having such protections in place, whistleblowers can feel confident in reporting such injustices without putting their lives and careers in danger, journalists have to be able to protect the identity of their informants without fear of arrest or incar-
Christian Rodriguez
ceration on contempt of court charges. As it is now journalists have little protection if the federal government corners them with subpoenas forcing them to reveal confidential sources and/or turn over notes, photos, or recording for federal prosecutions. Journalists seek protection from these subpoenas for a variety of reasons. If journalists cannot guarantee the confidentiality promised to their informants, those sources will refuse to provide information that often is vital to important investigative reporting. A subpoenas request for confidential, unpublished information also interferes with a journalist’s ability to gather news. These subpoenas in turn force journalist to become the investigative arms of the government and robs them of their time and
money in court proceedings. Several journalists have already paid the price for upholding their promise of confidentiality. New York Times reporter James Risen was dragged to through court to testify in the criminal trial of former Central Intelligence Agency official Jeffrey Sterling, who has been indicted for leaking classified information to Risen for publication in his book, State of War. The court ruled that Risen did not have the right to keep the identity of his source confidential. Risen has made his stance clear and has vowed to go to prison rather than break his vow of confidentiality in the courtroom. It’s not only reporters that vulnerable against federal intrusion.Entire news organizations have little protection against the same treatment. A prime exam-
ple ofthis is government wiretapping and forced cooperation of Verizon to monitor journalists at the Associated Press. A few months ago we learned that the Department of Justice, in an unprecedented intrusion on the work of journalists, had obtained records for twenty telephone numbers belonging to the Associated Press or its reporters, spanning from April and May 2012. The telephone records revealed the phone number of each and every caller on those lines for a period of weeks and therefore the identity of scores of confidential media sources. This breach of privacy irrevocably damaged the reputation of the Associated Press and violated their right to privacy. The seizure of these records came to light only because the government has a special set of
guidelines that requires it to notify any media organization of a subpoena for its records within (at most) 90 days. The AP only learned of the seizure of its phone records, after the fact, and only because of this special policy. But the problem of course is that the federal government has an unrestrained ability to monitor journalists without their knowledge and consent. Journalists would have an incredibly hard time finding inside sources much less a whistleblower with an inside scoop on an administrative scandal if they feel their identities would be revealed. Protecting the reporters right to grant anonymity to their sources ensures the possibility of discussing important matters of moral, legal and strategic issues without endangering their lives or those of their families. Without this protection, whenever a source wants to reveal secret information on government activities, he/she has to seriously weigh the consequences for speaking out against an internal injustice. It is in the best interest of all Americans for journalists to have the right to protect the anonymity of their sources. Such a law cautions the higher institutions of this country that any unethical actions will be noted and revealed and would prevent criminalization of those who choose to speak out against such acts. It is this federal protection of journalists that progress as a nation can be made.
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Spotlight
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Citrus College Clarion ccclarion.com
The “NOT ALONE” panels were set out at 10 a.m. and by 2 p.m. the boards had been covered with heartfelt messages meant to inspire and show fellow students that they were in fact, not alone.
Lisa Wade Ph.D. expresses the importance of friendship and discusses how gender roles play a part in an individuals ability to have close friendships.
Students walking past the “NOT ALONE” wall display stopped to write on Post-it notes and read what had already been posted on the wall, some even took photos.
Students rally to write words of encouragement on World Suicide Prevention Day Written and photographed BY
P
revention begins with awareness. World Suicide Prevention Day brings this awareness, providing commitment and making an effort to prevent suicides. Citrus College recognized this day by posting up panels that spelled out "NOT ALONE." Student government from the Associated Students of Citrus College hosted the event and spent the day encouraging students to write words of encouragement on Post-it notes and stick them to the panels. There was also a speaker present in the Campus Center to enlighten students about the importance of true friendship. Lisa Wade Ph.D. mentioned having at least two close friends can significantly reduce the likelihood of depression, nearly cutting it in half. Her research showed that individuals have a "pernicious tendency to trivialize friendship." The idea that friendship is meant for adolescents and the transition into adulthood consists of friendships with the intention of finding a spouse. Friendships are constantly evolving, but some topics of discussion can still be too hard to talk about. Suicide is a taboo subject, but times have
Jessica Soto / Managing Editor changed and it is time to have that talk. Helping a friend in need comes from showing a genuine and serious concern for their well being. "[By] just inviting disclosure," Wade said. "And laying the foundation by also making yourself vulnerable is a really good place to start." According to the World Health Organization, for every 20 failed suicide attempts there is one that is successful. Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide, and more than 1 in 3 people who die from suicide are intoxicated. Information desks were set out by the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Aurora Behavioral Health Care, Gay Straight Alliance, the Vet Center of Los Angeles and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The information given out brought awareness to Citrus students about the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses as well as depression which can lead to suicide. The take away for students is to be aware of what your friends and family are going through. Suicide can be prevented as long as the proper precautions are taken. If there are any concerns that a loved one may be a threat to themselves, give them words of encouragement and ask them to get help.
Hundreds of Post-its were placed at the end of the event offering expressions of love and support for other students to read on World Suicide Prevention Day.
Vet Center Combat Call Center 1-877-927-8387
24-hour Suicide Crisis Line 1-877-727-4747
GLBT National Hotline 1-888-843-4564
National Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE