The Collegian -- Published April 27, 2012

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Friday, April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

INSIDE

JH

Accessibility an issue on Delta campus by heidi haack crazietrekkie@aol.com

Culinary arts students provide good eats Page 4

Delta Drama presents ‘Crucible’ Page 5

Campus club treks to bay for festival Page 6

UPCOMING Summer semester registration May 10

Walking around San Joaquin Delta College campus, one can see many handicap accessible signs, walkways and paths.

If one looks closer, however, it can be seen the campus is not as accessible as it seems.

Multiple areas of the campus have very limited accessibility, such as the bathrooms.

Many of the women’s bathrooms – such as the first floor of the Locke and Shima buildings – are hidden down corridors.

While it is an easy 90-degree turn for most, simply using the restroom can be a hassle for persons with a disability.

Attempting to maneuver a wheelchair through those corridors can be a huge problem for those who use one.

Another problem is the elevators.

The main concern is nonhandicapped people using them.

Roy Juarez, Student Program Specialist and Mobility Supervisor, said he has seen students who are not clearly handicapped entering before a handicapped student.

Use of the elevators used to require a key, but in recent years they have been made accessible to all with priority going to Disablity Support Programs and Services students.

Handicapped parking is another area with issues.

Faculty member Deanna O’Dell, who uses a wheelchair, is unhappy with the disabled parking situation. She said she’s

PHOTO BY CHRIS HOWZE

ACCESSIBILITY: A DMV investigator, left, and a campus police officer, middle, check the handicapped placard of JoAnn Cataldo, a communication studies instructor, right, on April 24. Cataldo was legally parked in a handicap spot, top left. A sign marking a handicapped parking spot lists the minimum fine for placard misuse, top right. A sign warns handicapped people of a rough path near Shima, right.

seen “young” people get out of cars with the blue handicap placards as if they had borrowed the vehicle or placard from a relative.

“There had been days when I had to go home because there were no handicap spaces,” O’Dell said.

Recently, however, campus police have been taking steps to deal with placard abuse.

On April 24, campus police partnered with seven agents from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to run a thorough check of the parking lots.

The officers and agents were verifying users of the handicap placards were also the registered owners of them as well.

At least a dozen people abus-

FIND US

PHOTOS BY BRIAN RATTO

travel, and there is a slight grade by the koi fish pond,” she said.

The limited access of the campus is likely due to its age When Delta College was built in the early 1970s, it was twenty years removed from the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The act increased accesibility for persons with disabilities.

Danita Scott-Taylor, Director of Student Support Services, believes the issues definitely have to do with the age of the school.

“Any campus built prior to the 90s probably has accessibility issues,” Scott-Taylor said.

Voting set to begin for student government elections by eliana romero eliromero06@gmail.com

CAP program presents ‘Night of China’ May 5, Atherton Auditorium

ing placards were found.

Lisa Perez, a computer science teacher, said she’d like to see other aspects of Delta College changed.

“The route to get from the Shima parking lot to my classroom on the fourth floor [of Cunningham] is a pain every day; I have to factor in at least an extra 10 minutes or more before class,” Perez said.

Perez has serious problems with her knees and requires the use of a wheelchair.

She also mentions the surface of the actual grounds in the quad as an impediment.

“The brick laid out in the quad is too bumpy and makes for uncomfortable wheelchair

With Associated Student Body Government election season beginning, students say little information is leaving them with questions going into next week’s voting period. Those running for office have begun reaching out to students and passing out flyers. However, many students are not yet aware of the student government elections.

“I never saw anything about voting,” said student Carolina Quezada. “There is only one person that I ever heard was running for student government and that was last year. I’ve been here for four years and only heard of it once.”

There have been a lot of changes within the student government this past year.

Many officers were new to their positions.

Additionally, less money was spent overall this school year compared to previous years. Out of the $400,000 in ASBG reserves, only $60,000 has been used so far this school year, according to ASBG President Nicholas Aguirre. When Aguirre campaigned last year, he was hoping to bring a student health center or gym to campus, but wasn’t able to after the flea market was removed from ASBG’s control.

“We had to be mindful, because without any fund revenue and without the flea market we would spend $200,000 and there will be nothing left for next year’s board,”

said Aguirre. Even with the loss of the flea market revenue, ASBG has been able to aid the student community, creating three new scholarships for students participating in extracurricular activities.

The governing body also supported some campus clubs. ASBG also gave money to the Puente Club for its annual Southern California field trip and to the Writer’s Guild’s for the club’s April 14 writer’s workshop.

ASBG also provided food and entertainment for College Hour activities.

“We always do things for the students that will benefit them,” said Aguirre.

Some student government officers have

continued on PAGE 3

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opinion

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

EDITORIAL

The time to vote is now Delta College is in the middle of election season.

No, the GOP presidential candidates are not visiting the college.

Rather, the Associated Student Body Government (ASBG) elections are approaching, with April 30 slated as the first day of voting.

Not that you’d realize it by looking at the campus.

In the Shima courtyard, hanging from a clothesline, is the single piece of advertising on campus related to the elections.

Just one piece of paper, with a handwritten notice encouraging students to apply for ASBG positions.

One piece of paper, put up only days before the application deadline.

One piece of paper on a campus serving thousands of students.

By this time last year, the 2011 ASBG elections were already in full swing.

Candidates had signs up on bulletin boards for weeks leading up to the elections.

People were passing out business cards and flyers to encourage students to vote for their candidate.

We have to wonder, what happened?

Where is the election season fervor?

While it is true that the turnout for ASBG elections has been low in recent years, that doesn’t explain why the election committee seems to have almost completely given up publicizing the elections this semester.

The only addition to that single piece of paper in recent days are some “I’m a leader” flyers showing up on campus.

The election committee – and the ASBG in general – should be doing all they can to advertise the upcoming election.

Does the ASBG election matter as much as the November election for state and federal governments? No. But that doesn’t mean that it’s meaningless. The ASBG affects many aspects of a student’s experience at Delta.

We know the ASBG has established scholarships. The group has offered services, such as wireless Internet, to students. ASBG also funds food and entertainment for College Hour, as well as dealing with administration if students file grievances.

Yet all this is meaningless if the students are not aware of how to get actively involved in voting and campus politics.

If the campus body isn’t aware of the elections, students can’t sign up to run for open positions. If the campus body isn’t aware of elections, students can’t vote for who represents them in the student government.

We hope the ASBG will take steps to correct the lack of publicity for elections, and we urge whoever is on ASBG next year to begin publicizing elections earlier.

As for the rest of the student population? Remember to vote when April 30 rolls around. It’s important.

Planking has offensive past by champaign williams cwilliams060590@yahoo.com

Planking.

This unique activity requires one to lay stiff as a board on a random object, hands to the side and feet pointed.

It’s become a popular craze.

The more insane the object, the better the plank. The more dangerous the object, the more fun the plank.

This activity, however, might not be as popular if people were aware of the negative connotations it references.

Planking can be traced back to when America entered the slave trade in the late 1600s and began traveling to Africa in pursuit of slaves.

By the mid-1800s, the profit gained by slave traders were astronomical, making the long and arduous voyage across sea well worth the effort.

According to information gathered from campus databases, a slave acquired during the trade could be sold from anywhere between $800 to $1,200 in America. This meant that a ship carrying 800 slaves could potentially earn $320,000 to $960,000.

The price of a human life offered slave traders incentive to acquire as many slaves as possible.

Planking references the manner in which slaves were stored below ships, usually in cramped, uncomfortable conditions.

Some ships were made for the carrying of slaves, while others were merely adjusted in order to store the slaves below deck.

But all ships carrying slave cargo had this in common: slave decks that ran the entire length of the ship.

Wooden plank-like boards were used to hold slaves below during the long journey to America.

The slaves were shackled to the wooden boards, their bodies stiff and their arms to their sides. Sound familiar?

Slaves remained in this position for about two months as they voyaged across seas. Rarely did they move from said position to stretch their muscles or get fresh air.

Imagine being below a ship, shackled to wooden boards with hundreds of bodies surrounding you.

Everyone breathing the same air. The combination of defecation and urine, body odor and vomit mixing to generate a stench beyond anything you could ever wish to imagine.

Would this be a memory you’d want to be reminded of?

Many did not survive these difficult circumstances due to the number of slaves on board, disease and the length of the journey.

It’s difficult to understand why anyone would want to participate in an activity that held no humor for my African American ancestors.

This isn’t an accusation to those participating in the craze.

This isn’t an attempt to say that participants are deliberately trying to offend black people.

Today’s planking craze may not be influenced by slavery, but the similarities should not be ignored.

So, now that you know that planking does reference a heinous time for African Americans, and can remind them of the hurt and loss that was associated with slavery, my hope is that those participating in this craze will begin to take the feelings of others into account and perhaps find a better way to fill their time.

THE COLLEGIAN — SPRING 2012 Editor/news editor Matthew Wilson Feature editor Brian Ratto Opinion editor Evelyn Palacio Entertainment editor James Striplin Club corner/sports editor Christopher Howze Online editor Matthew Wilson

Staff Victoria Davila Ashley Gordon Michael Johnson Uri Piterberg Haley Pitto Eliana Romero Justin Tristano Champaign Williams

Adviser Tara Cuslidge-Staiano

Advertising The Collegian offers display advertising at competitive rates.

Editorial Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the entire Collegian staff.

Call (209) 954-5156 or email deltacollegian@gmail.com for more information.

Comments, letters and editorials with a byline represent the opinion of the writer, solely. This paper does not endorse or represent the opinions of the adviser, the mass communication department, the Fine Arts Division, the printer or San Joaquin Delta College administration.

Letters to the editor Letters raising issues and opinions not represented by the newspaper are encouraged, but should not be taken as a reflection of the opinions of the staff or adviser.

Mission statement The Collegian is a student run First Amendment newspaper that prides itself on its commitment to the students of San Joaquin Delta College while maintaining its independence of any outside influence.

The Collegian will reinvigorate the credo that the newspaper speaks for the students, checks abuses of power and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech.

3

feature

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

British poets visits campus by haley pitto hpitto2@hotmail.com

When you read a poem and look at the words that make it up, how often do you take the time to think about the history of that poem?

For Richard Berengarten, also known as Richard Burns, that poem and its history have had an influential impact on his life.

Berengarten, born and raised in London to a family of musicians, recently visited Delta College for a poetry reading on the second floor of the Goleman Library.

The reading was both in Spanish and English.

After, there was an open panel of questions as well as a chance to get an autograph from the poet.

The room was at full capacity, all eyes forward as Berengarten began to read an excerpt from his first poem, “Tree.”

The poem was inspired by Anne Waldman’s “Fast Speaking Woman,” which Berengarten described as a “magical chant about what it means to be a woman.” His own poem, “Tree” is 365 lines long, one line for every day of the year he said.

“I added another line to the poem this year because it’s a leap year,” Berengarten stated.

His poem has been translated into half a dozen languages, and his poem “Volta: A Multilingual Anthology” was translated into 92 languages with the 93 language being an English version that he translated himself. Berengarten spoke heavily about his love for all languages.

“One of the things I am really interested in is translation,” said Berengarten.

He said poetry gives things that would normally not mean anything to someone life and makes the reader care. “Poetry can be interactive,” said Berengarten. He encouraged anyone who is a writer or aspiring to be to “follow your inner voices” and use their hands. “Our hands make, our hands break, our hands are the agents of our design,” said Berengarten.

Berengarten’s readings were both insightful and deep.

When asked how he first became interested in poetry Berengarten replied: “I was sent to boarding school at 13 where I wrote a diary and eventually submitted it to the school paper where it was published and from then on I got over my fear of writing and discovered I was quite good at it.”

Berengarten said he is inspired by many different things and people in his life, but his main inspirations are Sappho and Rembrandt.

As of now his main focus is his current project of writing sonnets.

Sometimes he can get a bad case of writer’s block.

“This whole idea of writer’s block is rubbish; I look at my old poems and get bored so then I try something new,” said Berengarten.

That’s how writing sonnets came into play.

“You just have to walk away from it for a while, cook a meal and maybe go for a walk; eventually inspiration will hit you like a breath of fresh air.”

Berengarten is a Preceptor-Fellow at Downing College at Corpus Christi College. He also teaches at Emmanuel College, Jesus College, Pembroke College and Peterhouse, Cambridge.

SkillsUSA students win gold at statewide competition by michael johnson

mjohnson989@students.deltacollege.edu

SkillsUSA is a national skill organization that serves more than 320,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.

SkillsUSA programs include local, state and national competitions.

During these competitions, students compete in various hands-on skill and leadership contests. Delta College has previously hosted the SkillsUSA Region 5

Competition, a preliminary contest that included around 500 competitors.

Five Delta participants emerged from the challenge with gold medals for their expertise in a particular trade.

Those wins allowed the students to compete in the state SkillsUSA competition in San Diego where six students brought home more gold medals.

Now the students are entitled to participate in the national competition in Kansas City in June.

The SkillsUSA Championships is the showcase for the best career and technical students in

the nation. Participation in these competitions is an asset to the student and employer. “The program prepares you for the work force,” said Renata Zarapa.

Recently, SkillsUSA has added new contest categories to the event such as welding art/sculpture, fire fighting, community service and T-shirt design.

“We want more students with different skills to participate in the program,” said Jonathan Buyco, a SkillsUSA national competitor.

With 170 career and certificate training programs, Buyco said he encourages like-minded students to get involved.

THE COLLEGE COMPLEX by victoria davila and delia davila

THE

10 Percent

with Brian Ratto

Fighting LGBTQ+ homelessness

C

urrently an estimated 1.6-2.8 million homeless youth are in the United States, up to 40% of which identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ+).

One in four LGBTQ+ youth are kicked out for being gay.

There are a number of causes for their homelessness, from abusive homes, running away to avoid hurting their family and being kicked out...

READ THE REST OF THE 10 PERCENT @ DELTACOLLEGIAN.NET

ELECTIONS: Voting begins April 30 continued from PAGE 1 also taken it upon themselves to notify students about important issues that affect them, such as budget cuts and fee increases.

But there have been issues directly contacting students. “We can’t directly email students,” said Aguirre. “We have a general email where we list all the week’s events, but it’s a hindrance we can’t get to students on a specific issue.”

The ASBG has a Facebook page with nearly 200 friends, but it is not regularly updated. “In the past, the ASBG Facebook wasn’t utilized right, but to me whether we use it or not doesn’t show if we did a good job or not this year,” said Aguirre. “That doesn’t mean I’m not meeting the administrators or that I’m not telling them how it is and what we think.”

In support of students, some members of the ASBG, including Aguirre, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with Congressman Jerry McNerney to discuss pieces of legislation. One bill concerns a student loan forgiveness act, and the other is to prevent raising the student loan percentage rate.

A bigger issue for students on campus is a perceived lack of access to ASBG officers.

The posted hours for the ASBG office are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Every time I pass by the student government I noticed it’s never open when it’s supposed to. It’s supposed to open at 9 a.m. and I not once have seen anyone there at that time,” said Quezada.

“That’s very inconvenient for students who actually use and need their services.”

Aguirre said ASBG officers are not given keys to the office.

“If our advisor, Aja Butler, isn’t here then we have to call campus police or the VP’s office, and it’s a struggle to get into the office. I can’t count how many times we’ve been out there waiting around until 9:20 or 9:30,” he said.

Candidates can file papers to run through the end of today.

Last year 291 students voted, and they expect the same turnout this year.

However, this year a new system leaves paper ballots behind in lieu of online voting through the school’s website.

The elections run through May 3.

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feature

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

‘Spring Market Mixer’ gives Culinary Arts students real-life experience Culinary arts held their “Spring Market Mixer” on Tues. April 17, in Danner Hall.

Students enrolled in Culinary Arts classes prepared dishes from around the globe.

The event had stations themed to match the cuisine available, while a culinary student stood by ready to explain the dishes to the patrons.

Included in the evening was a wide variety of local wineries for tasting.

Delta college offers two Certificate of Achievements and Associate of Science degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY GORDON

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entertainment

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Arthur Miller classic ‘Crucible’ comes to campus by brian ratto

bratto2002@gmail.com

PHOTO BY JAMES STRIPLIN CRUCIBLE REHEARSAL: Anna Wescott and Max Rust during a rehearsal.

Delta Drama Department is currently rehearsing the American classic “The Crucible.”

Director Harvey Jordan suggested the school perform this play because of the challenging roles for collegiate actors and the powerful writing of the play.

The Crucible is the dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay during 1692 and 1693.

“The play calls for a unit set,” said Jordan “there are five locations where the play takes place and a unit set allows for this, with a quick change of furnishings.”

“The set is fantastic, it is a church, a house, a barn and the Gallows all in one,” said Paula Sheil, English Professor who is cast as Rebecca Nurse.

The cast and crew have been rehearsing in Tillie Lewis Theater for about a month now. Each rehearsal consisted of running through the scenes with scripts in hand, using lighting, sound cues and rehearsal costumes.

“When other productions have a tech week, where they add the sound cues for the cast to learn, we have been working with them from day one,” said Sheil.

Although Arthur Miller’s classic has been done by many casts at many different locations, this production is different.

“For this production I am trying to emphasize the explosiveness of the piece,” said Jordan.

Delta’s production will be using costumes that are both made here and rented from other theater companies, to accurately depict the era. The cast also has make-up requirements, especially those who are playing older characters in the play.

“We placed heavy emphasis on wigs and aging for the cast members that are college age, playing older characters,” said Jordan.

Steven Amaral, a drama major cast in the role of Thomas Putnam, is one of the actors that will be using wigs and make-up to portray the character.

“This show is a great opportunity for me. There are two young men in their 20’s that I get to do old age makeup on. One is about 80 and the other is 60,” said Carol Barry, makeup artist.

Showtimes for “The Crucible” are 8 p.m. April 2728 and May 4-5; 2 p.m. April 29 and May 6 in the Tillie Lewis Theater. Tickets cost $10 for students and seniors, or $12 general admission and are available at the box office located on the first floor of the Locke Center. Bring your student I.D. or schedule.

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6

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Japanese Club goes to San Francisco for festival by james striplin jstriplin1992@gmail.com

The Japanese Club took its second trip to the 45th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival on April 22.

From Stockton to Pleasanton, from Pleasanton to San Francisco, Japanese Club would travel by vehicle, BART and foot through the major crowds in the city partaking in Earth Day festivities and a nearby flea market.

After a few hours of traveling the club reached the Japan Center at the heart of the Blossom Festival. “I like how its the best representation of the Japanese culture,� said Eric Wombaugh. “I expect people not only to be doing what I’m doing (cosplaying) but present other parts of the culture.�

The Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco was originally held by Japanese business owners and community leaders in 1967 after being inspired the National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington D.C. To this day, the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is ranked in the top ten when compared to similar festivals in the world and is the second largest just behind the event in D.C. “My interest in the Japanese culture probably started with Toonami,� said Samuel Ochoa. “It

DELTA GOES TO FRISCO: The Japanese Club traverses the festival, above. Thousands gather during the Grand Parade, right.

PHOTOS BY JAMES STRIPLIN

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lead me into anime.�

The sheer mass of people stopped the cool bay air and could warm a large radius around the mall, as sightseers and anime fans alike flooded this shopping center.

Much like the event itself, stores became wealthy with customers as every diner and shop was filled, shoulder-to-shoulder with eager buyers.

For four days this went on from April 14 to 15 and April 21 to 22, but nothing drew in a crowd like the final day of this festival as participants gathered to see the Grand Parade.

The Grand Parade started at the Civic Center around 1 p.m. and ended in Japantown with the Taru Mikoshi, a shrine to a festival deity, which is said to give the most blessings when rocked back and forth from one side of the street to the other.

Also featured in the parade were the cosplay winners that were presented later on in the cosplay tournament that ended the Cherry Blossom Festival.

At the end of the day the group left tired and culturally rich with the festivities that ensued that day.

The Japanese Club plans on going to next year’s Cherry Blossom Festival and hopefully turn it into a traditional club activity.

Fashion show returns next month with ‘A Story Of Fashion’ presentation by evelyn palicio jpgr1964@comcast.net

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The annual Fashion & Interior Design Exhibit is a showcase of students work from the fashion and interior design programs here at Delta.

The event is free and open to the public. It will take place 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 5 in Danner Hall.

On May 11, the fashion show called “A Story of Fashion� is going to be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

On May 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be an open house, and exhibit with mini-shows.

Both events will be held at Lincoln Center in the former Flair Gifts location, between Flair Boutique and Campbell’s.

The majority of the models participating in the fashion show are, or once were, Delta students, according to Leslie Asfour, the fashion program director.

The designers, who are part of the Collection Design class at Delta, had an entire semester to put together an entire collection of six different looks. “For a student, this is the ultimate testament of creativity and talent, applied in a way that would be expected in the industry,� said Asfour.

When asked why people should go see the fashion show, Asfour responded: “To see some incredible talent, to be inspired, to support great educational programs in this community, to support culture and art. There are very few things of this caliber in Stockton.�

Tickets for “A Story of Fashion� are available this week $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP tickets.

CALLINGALL ALLCLUBS CLUBS CALLING Would you like to have a club or event featured in an upcoming issue of The Collegian?

Send an email to the Collegian editors at deltacollegian@gmail. com and let us know what your club is doing on and off campus.

7

NFL

sports

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net UP TO BAT: Jessyca Rico readies a swing against the Modesto Junior College Pirates.

Former Mustang to be considered in draft by uri piterberg

upiterberg465@students.deltacollege.edu

After a long and arduous journey, former Mustangs left tackle Amini Silatolu is expected to be selected in one of the first three rounds of the NFL draft, which began Thursday.

Silatolu attended Tracy’s West High School and originally played defensive line for head coach Steve Lopez.

He then decided to attend Delta College to complete his associates degree as he was not heavily recruited as a defensive lineman coming out of high school.

Upon arriving at Delta in 2007, Silatolu decided it was time to step across the line of scrimmage and try his luck on the offensive line, where his mixture of strength and surprisingly nimble feet would land him at left tackle.

The position change crossed Salitolu’s path with Mustang offensive line coach Bill McQuery, which was the beginning of his ascent from obscure prep defensive lineman to a potential high draft pick in the NFL. “He was my first real offensive lineman. ‘Coach Mac’ taught me what takes to play the position and is my foundation for what I’m doing right now,� said Silatolu of his former coach.

Silatolu enjoyed a decorated career as a Mustang, being named a 2008 first team All-American by the California Community College Coaches’ Association, and the Big 8 Conference top offensive lineman for the same year.

His success drew the attention of numerous Division I programs, and Silatolu eventually signed for the University of Nevada, Reno.

This is where the path to the NFL took an unexpected turn, as Silatolu’s failure to qualify academically ultimately prevented him from attending the school.

With his two-year junior College eligibility over and the Nevada offer falling through, Silatolu could not play in 2009, but did not want to take another year off from playing football and decided to sign with Division II Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. “I’ve never taken that much time off from playing and didn’t

want to miss any more time. Playing football is what I know and I wanted to keep doing it,� he said.

Even though he was playing at a smaller program, Silatolu began drawing the attention of pro scouts in 2010, who had originally visited his campus to get a closer look at then starting quarterback Zack Eskridge.

Starting at left tackle his junior year, Silatolu was named the Lonestar Conference cooffensive lineman of the year and helped pave the way for the 16th ranked rushing attack in all of Division II football.

In his senior season, Silatolu reached greater heights, as he was named a consensus Division II first team All-American, was once again named the conference offensive lineman of the year and was part of a unit that led the division in total offense.

By the time his collegiate career had come to a close, Silatolu had become a highly touted NFL offensive line prospect, as was evident by the fact he became the first player from his school to be invited to the Senior Bowl, which is the most prestigious of the allstar games in college football.

A hamstring injury prevented Silatolu from playing in the game which can help players from smaller schools raise their draft stock, as it gives them a chance to show NFL teams that they can compete with players from higher level programs.

Silatolu was able to attend the scouting combine, an event in which the top draft prospects work out for NFL scouts, coaches and general managers. he met individually with 27 teams at the combine, and later was invited to private workouts with 11, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and St. Louis Rams.

At one point in the weeks leading up to the draft, Silatolu found himself staring down the barrel of having to visit eight cities in seven days. “I don’t mind all the traveling and jet lags and all that stuff. I’m just enjoying the process and everything that’s going on. When I was in St. Louis I got to meet Trent Richardson and LaMichael James so it was kinda cool to get to meet those guys and talk to them,� said Salitolu of one of his team visits.

PHOTO BY URI PITERBERG

Softball ends season on spectacular high note by uri piterberg

upiterberg465@students.deltacollege.edu

The Lady Mustangs capped off a stellar regular season with a 6-0 win against the Modesto Pirates Tuesday, April 23.

The team stands at 33-7 with an 18-3 conference record that at the current time has them in second place behind Sierra College.

Scoreless going into the third inning, the Lady Mustang’s offense came to life, as the team tallied five runs.

The barrage of runs started with an RBI double from first baseman Erica Mireles, who leads the team in RBI’s for the regular season with 34.

Second baseman Mia King and shortstop Kristina Deanda added an RBI each, while a sacrifice fly from outfielder Taylor Davis brought Mireles home to score the fifth run.

With the offense clicking, freshman pitcher Kelsie Monroe turned in a dominant performance, allowing only two hits while striking out 13.The win elevates Monroe’s record to 23-4 for the season.

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8

news

Issue 13 • April 27, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Faculty talent show reveals hidden skills by champaign williams cwilliams060590@yahoo.com

Teachers. You see them inclass every week. Quite frequently they can be spotted around campus. And every now and then you might have an awkward runin with them at a local grocery store.

Unexpected encounters with teachers outside of their working environment can be at times awkward, but the Faculty Talent Show on April 18 was anything but.

A total of 15 faculty members, ranging from teaching staff to members of the Board of Directors, participated in the talent show, which was held in the Teacher’s Reading Room of the Goleman Library.

“Delta’s faculty and staff are enormously talented in multiple ways,” said Paula Sheil, English professor and Academic Senator.

“The untapped potential of our collaborations is very exciting.”

Students filled the room in support of their teachers.

Some sat on the floor and oth-

PHOTO BY CHAMPAIGN WILLIAMS

SHOWING TALENT: Travis Silvers, a music instructor, plays a guitar piece inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher.”

ers remained standing, but all were in high spirits as they observed their teachers in a different setting.

“I thought [the talent show] was excellent,” said Delta student William Hickman. “I happen to love music.”

Sheil emceed the event by announcing each act and encouraging the audience to relax and enjoy the informal production.

Teachers and students laughed

together as the different acts performed. Some presented original written work, while others sang traditional folk tunes and played cover songs on their instruments.

“It was just so soothing, I felt like it was a nice spring afternoon,” said Financial Aid Director Denise Donn. “It was very relaxed and you could just come along and show your talent.”

Donn participated in a humorous Haitian skit about a

woman in need of a horse. The skit was comical and included unexpected mistakes that allowed faculty to showcase their impromptu acting skills.

“It was not competitive or intense,” said Donn. “Even when I messed up I felt supported.”

The show was a success, encouraging faculty camaraderie.

“I think when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we have the opportunity to connect with others that we normally would not spend time with,” Donn said with a bright smile.

She then laughed while adding, “It made me want to invite everyone over to lunch.”

All in attendance were fortunate to witness their teachers and fellow co-workers doing what they enjoy.

“I hope there were some eyeopening moments when we all looked at the performers as people with something “additional” to offer,” said Sheil. “I hope teachers had fun. [And] I hope students recognize that we are all at Delta for the same reason: to become something more.”

Accreditation team observes Delta campus by chris howze vivilu266@aol.com

On April 20, the Delta College campus had a follow-up visit from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to check Delta’s progress since last year’s visit and find out whether past deficiencies have been dealt with.

During last year’s visit, according to Dr. Craig Hayward, director of planning research and knowledge at Cabrillo College and part of the ACCJC team, the board found two large deficiencies in Delta’s operational efficiency and course objectives.

The ACCJC team will write a report which will then be turned in confidentially to Hart sometime in the next month. Then the report will be sent to the accreditation board, which will publically release the results of the visit during the summer.

RISE AND FALL: A timeline of events leading to Marsee’s dismissal by justin tristano ju.tristano@gmail.com

It’s been nearly three months since former president/superintendent Dr. Jeff Marsee was dismissed from campus by the board of trustees.

While changes have been made, the student body population has seen little disruption to campus activities since Marsee’s departure.

Acting President Dr. Kathy Hart’s end time in her interim role remains open while the board, on April 17, asked staff to begin work in an effort to hire a new president. This time, the search will happen without the aid of a consultant, according to news reports.

In this issue, The Collegian takes a look at how this story developed over time.

THE BEGINNING After interviews and a public presentation with two other job candidates, Marsee is chosen unanimously for the position of superintendent/president of the college on Feb. 22, 2011. Marsee was employed then in the same position at College of the Redwoods in Eureka.

A quick Google search by Collegian staff on the day the hiring was announced brought up articles discussing College of the Redwoods staff dissatisfaction with Marsee, who was considered an ostracizing force on the campus. The Collegian noted that much in an article published in the Feb. 25, 2011 issue.

“A 2010 story in The Journal, a Hum-

boldt County alternative weekly newspaper, included quotes from campus staff at College of the Redwoods decrying his leadership, saying Marsee created a ‘hostile’ environment for staff…,” the article related.

The board of trustees, however, was not privy to much of the information about his background, members later said. “(We) wanted to visit where he worked before, but Pamela Fisher (a search consultant) didn’t want us to do that, which we used to do before,” said trustee Dr. Mary Ann Cox. Some of the trustees even went to search Marsee’s background on their own.

“A few of us did in fact look into his background, and were dissuaded from going any further,” said trustee C. Jennet Stebbins.

The board voted 7-0 for Marsee based on the previous experience that was known to them.

“He was the only sitting president who had applied,” said trustee Dr. Teresa Brown.

Marsee was to start in May. NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW ACTIONS There was calm until Aug. 17, 2011 when Vice President of Student Services Michael Kerns announced to the Associated Student Body Government (ASBG) that ownership of the long-standing campus flea market would be taken away from the student overseeing group.

“I will be transitioning the management of the flea market from the ASBG to the college foundation,” he told ASBG members

during a special meeting.

Funds raised at the flea market would now go to the Passport to College Foundation.

The announcement met resistance from ASBG. On Aug. 25, 2011, a “welcome back” barbecue held for students by ASBG turned into a protest against the move. The governing body had shirts made for students reading “Students Together Fighting United.”

Petitions were made available for signature.

Members of ASBG told The Collegian a lawsuit would be filed against the campus administration over the move. The lawsuit never materialized.

The flea market continues to operate out of ASBG control.

A CHANGE IN CONFIDENCE The beginning of the spring semester brought about a change in attitudes toward Marsee on campus.

On Jan. 25, the San Joaquin Delta College Teachers Association (SJDCTA) voted “no confidence” in Marsee. Ninety-six percent of the members who voted were against the president.

The campus’ California School Employees Association group also voted 119 out of 287 members in favor of no confidence. The ASBG followed suit as well.

On Jan. 31, the board held a special meeting to discuss “potential discipline, dismissal or release” of Marsee.

“There were many indications of the vote of no confidence,” said trustee Cox. The indicators weren’t just vocal. In the

February SJDCTA newsletter “Taking the Pulse” a small item credited to Dr. Elizabeth Maloney said “Marsee displayed a blatant disregard of SJDC Policy and Procedure.”

According to the article, Marsee “allowed students to remain on campus who had threatened staff” and consistently “dismissed claims of abuse, and harassment of students.”

Maloney said “he went out of his way to stir up conflict between employee groups by telling classified staff that adhering to contract language on faculty compensation will require classified layoff” in the newsletter.

At the Jan. 31 meeting the board did not come to a decision and instead recessed the decision for two days after Mike Hakeem of Hakeem, Ellis and Marengo told the members Marsee could pursue legal action against the campus if dismissed.

“As the Law firm representing Dr. Marsee, we are not here to threaten litigation but to advise the Board of Trustees to seek legal advice regarding the issues with Dr. Marsee,” he told the board.

The board delayed a final decision until Feb. 3, when less than a year after his hiring, Marsee was dismissed by another unanimous board vote. Hart was them named acting president.

WHAT’S NEXT The board advised campus officials that the members would like a new search for president to begin, this time without the aid of a consultant.

Marsee’s buyout will cost the college $350,000 in total.