The Collegian -- Published Feb. 24, 2012

thecollegian Issue 9 • Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

INSIDE

One free copy JH

Hart takes control of campus

Well-liked administrator named acting president/superintendent earlier this month by brian ratto

bratto2002@gmail.com

Upcoming show promotes environment Page 4

Valley Brew jazz club has soul Page 5

Baseball season off to good start Page 7

UPCOMING Degree application deadline March 5

Dr. Kathleen Hart has had many leadership titles over her tenure at Delta College, from assistant division chairperson for communication skills to vice president for instructional services.

And now, she’s acting president/superintendent.

With the recent board of trustees action removing Dr. Jeff Marsee from the position, Hart is now at the helm of the community college district.

“Large complex organizations, like Delta College, go on despite upsets in the administration,” said Hart.

As the college looks to move forward, Hart is taking the reigns and helping the college through the process.

Within days of taking office Hart had sent out an email ceasing all plans of reorganization, which Marsee had started.

Hart also met with the executive team, to ensure business would go as normal.

Hart has a bachelor’s degree in English from Purdue University, a masters in English and Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from Bowling Green University. She also has a Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Michigan.

In August 1994, Hart was hired as the Assistant Division

PHOTO BY CHRIS HOWZE

TAKING THE HELM: Acting president/superintendent Kathy Hart discusses her plans for the future of the college.

Chairperson for Communication Skills.

In that position she was tasked with scheduling classes for English, speech, English as a Second Language, basic skills, math and the Migrant Transition Program, as well as following up on the reading writing assessments of the students in these programs.

“I remember when Dr. Hart first came in as Assistant Division Chairperson, she was well liked, and still is today,” said English instructor Jim McBride

As she now is the acting president, she has outlined the goals that the campus came up with.

The four goals are: developing action steps to acheive the acreditation recomendation, putting together a collective group of students faculty and staff to work on the recommendations, reporting quarterly to shared governance committees, and acheiving the recommendation.

“Each goal has been given a champion, or manager, that will be in charge of developing

a set of action steps,” said Hart.

These champions will also come up with ways to measure the success of the goal. The process will also be monitored with quarterly reports made.

Hart not only wants faculty, staff and administration help with the process, she would like to get the students involved as well.

“I would like to see more of [the everyday student] get involved their voice is not getting heard, we have just the same voices being heard,” said Hart.

continued on PAGE 8

SJDC Forensics event showcases team’s speech skills by eliana romero deltacollegian@gmail.com

Mustangs vs.

Lassen College at Nick Cecchetti Field, 2 p.m., March 2

FIND US PHOTO BY ELIANA ROMERO

BRINGING WORDS TO LIFE: Tareka Mclellan-Hudson performs a dramatic interpretation at the event.

SJDC Forensics team held a showcase on Thursday Feb. 16 in the Atherton Auditorium to demonstrate the team’s efforts in persuasive and extemporaneous speaking, prose, dramatic and poetry interpretation, and debate.

“The students who showcased their events have been members of the Forensics team for two semesters or more and are qualified performers, who are either in the speech and debate class, or were recruited by

the coaches,” said ASBG and Forensics President Nicholas Aguirre.

Cassandra Sinclair, who recently took second place at the Northern California Forensics Association in prose, interpreted a literature piece an Iranian girl’s struggles with the difference of values and morals in America.

Novice competitor Tareka McClellan-Hudson performed a dramatic interpretation about a woman who was more occupied in being a pillar of character to her community than being one for her own home.

The platform events showcased real events occurring in today’s world, but the highlight of the showcase was the debate.

Open competitors, Nicholas Aguirre and Adam Smith were up against debate coach Kathleen Bruce and Dr. Bill Ferraiolo.

The topic of the debate was that the college financial aid system is broken in California.

Bruce and Ferraiolo were arguing in support of the topic, while Aguirre and Smith were opposing it.

The teacher vs. student de-

continued on PAGE 8

2

opinion

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

EDITORIAL

Substitute policy vague, open for interpretation Substitute instructors.

Many of us have had them or known someone who has.

Many times we enjoy substitutes because they are a break from the typical class routine, but what do we really know about them?

Here at San Joaquin Delta College the policy on substitutes seems to be up for interpretation because it is so vague.

Teachers must be absent more than a week to request a substitute per the Faculty Handbook for the 2011-2012 school year.

So if a teacher is gone longer, he or she may have to cancel teaching class or hand responsibility over to a substitute.

According to the faculty handbook: “If a substitute is approved, you should provide instructions for the substitute.”

Some substitutes choose to teach their own way and ignore the syllabus or original teacher’s lesson plan.

We feel this is a ridiculous notion.

While these substitutes are in the classroom, they are not the real teacher nor do they have the same rules or grading style.

We have to wonder if the substitutes do this because it is easier for them to grade assignments when they know what it is that they are specifically looking for.

If this is the case, this is not the policy listed.

According to the Faculty Handbook 2011-2012, if a substitute is needed, the teacher requesting the substitution should contact the Division Office for assistance.

In certain divisions faculty members can

make prior arrangements with a Boardapproved instructor before getting the Division Dean’s approval.

There is a strict policy in place against requesting a substitute without the Division Dean’s approval.

The Division Dean must approve all substitutes and verify credentials.

This is where the policy gets hazy.

The policy does not state if the teacher needs to have had schooling in the area they are filling in for or basic teaching credentials.

This prompts the question as to if the substitute teaching policy needs to be changed to include more details on what it is specifically that substitutes can and cannot do and what students can do if they do not like a certain substitute.

People can forgive, but should they forget when it comes to abuse?

Chris Brown’s Grammy win, performance raises the question of whether apology is enough

by evelyn palacio jpgr1964@comcast.net

What disgusted me more than the “Who is Paul McCartney?” trend on Twitter after the Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, were the “I’d let Chris Brown beat me” tweets.

Yes, the incident between Brown and fellow entertainer Rhianna happened three years ago.

Yes, there are two sides to every story.

But since when did abuse ever become funny or attractive?

Domestic violence is not something that should be taken lightly, no matter how long ago

it happened.

Many of Brown’s supporters are claiming that because the episode occurred in the past, people should move on.

I wonder if they would be saying the same thing if they were talking about their mother or sister?

The Grammys already have a bad reputation for giving awards to people who don’t deserve them.

Most of the time they award the most popular instead of the most talented.

But letting Brown, who in my opinion has zero talent, perform and accept his award

on the same stage Rhianna also preformed on, is a new, much worse, low.

Not because of his “music,” but because Brown’s actions are absolutely disgusting.

Brown is acting like this is his great comeback.

Do we really want to applaud a comeback from someone who isn’t really sorry for what they did?

Brown shows no remorse for what he did.

He beat a woman and was only given probation, yet he prances around actually trying to defend himself; “Hate all you want because I got a

Grammy now! That’s the ultimate f*** off!” Brown tweeted.

Seriously?

What is society coming to?

I agree that we should not dwell in the past.

But the way Brown is going on about his situation just shows what an immature, pathetic, disgusting, person he is.

At least Rhianna has kept quiet on the subject and has not tried to defend her own wrongdoings.

Brown, for whatever reason, is still admired by countless of young people. Young people who will think it is OK to beat anyone because in a few years

Advertising The Collegian offers display advertising at competitive rates. Call (209) 954-5156 or email deltacollegian@gmail. com for more information.

Editorial Unsigned editorials reflect the position of the Collegian staff.

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.

time all will be forgiven and forgotten.

Those tweets by Brown’s fans and supporters more than prove how people are stupidly blinded from the truth and what is right by the glamorous lights of fame and fortune.

Abuse is abuse. It is really disturbing how people do not seem to understand this.

Instead of acting like what he did was something positive that helped him grow into a better person — which he obviously has not — Brown should just keep quiet and focus on actually becoming a better human being.

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 Christian Covarrubias Mary David Victoria Davila Ashley Gordon Heidi Haack Michael Johnson Lorie Anne Lane Uri Piterberg Haley Pitto Eliana Romero Justin Tristano Champaign Williams Adviser Tara Cuslidge-Staiano

Letters to the editor Letters raising issues and opinions not represented by the newspaper are encouraged.

We reserve the right to edit letters to 250 words.

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 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

A ‘songversation’ in Stockton with India.Arie

by ashley gordon

agordon.news11@gmail.com

Four-time Grammy award winning India.Arie came to Stockton’s Bob Hope Theatre Feb. 18 to have a “songversation.”

More than 1,800 attended, to hear about her 10 most important lessons of the decade.

Her stop in Stockton was only her second concert appearance since Oct. 2011.

“My bank account was on the rise, but my emotional account was bankrupt,” said India.Arie.

The performer said she has been taking time to get back in

touch with herself and helping with causes all around the world.

India.Arie came up with a “songversation” in which she does not only sing, but also speak with the audience in hopes that “whatever [they] came to get [they] would receive.”

The artist mentioned to the audience that she sings about empowerment and fearlessness.

“I don’t sing about it because I know it, I sing it because these are things I want to learn,” she said.

Her stage was fixed with one chair and a table that had root oils and crystals. Her all white gar-

ment was made by her mother.

At the pinnacle of her success, sadness in the midst love found India.Arie. She said the clothing of her mother keeps her as humble.

Her lessons of the decade come from years in the music industry.

India.Arie, now 37, entered into the business at 23, and she was surprised at the sharks that were in the industry.

Her last life lesson was quoted from a proverb that reads, “Through prayer there is a bigger fish ready to eat the big fish that is trying to eat you.”

Her first: “Be yourself.”

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE: India.Arie at the Bob Hope Theatre in downtown Stockton on Feb. 18.

Teachers association has new office space in Holt by brian ratto

bratto2002@gmail.com

UNION SPACE: Inside the SJDCTA office located in Holt 244, left. The California Teachers Association logo at SDJCTA office, top.

PHOTOS BY BRIAN RATTO

THE

10Percent

with Brian Ratto

Fighting for marriage Editor’s note: Brian Ratto, 27, is a Manteca native living in Stockton.

He’s also a gay man. Ratto came out more than a decade ago. In doing so, he joined an estimated 10 percent of the country’s population as a homosexual. This column is written from his perspective.

T

he year 2008 was a big one for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in California.

California was fighting whether or not LGBT people should have the right to marriage.

California’s Proposition 8, was a ballot proposition and constitutional

Delta College faculty has one organization to make it easier to focus on their students: the San Joaquin Delta College Teachers Association (SJDCTA).

As a constituent group of the college the SJDCTA acts as the voice for the teachers.

“As the advocacy group for the fair treatment of teachers here at Delta College, we [the SJDCTA] want a well ran campus, for everyone from students to staff,” said Jim McBride, chief negotiator for the SJDCTA.

amendment that stated “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Sadly, the proposition passed with 52-percent of the votes cast being in favor of banning same-sex marriage.

Since the ban on gay marriage originally passed in 2008 there has been a number of states that passed gay marriage into law: Vermont, Iowa and, most recently, Washington to name a few.

In an article published in the Advocate, an LGBT magazine, in Feb. 2012, Jennifer Eherntraut Sergo, the cousin of Tyler Clementi (an 18-yearold Rutgers University student who committed suicide after being bullied for being gay) spoke about how the joy she and her husband are able to share, and the LGBT community cannot is unjust.

“No relationship is more or less important than ours,” Eherntraut Sergo said.

“Why could we experience this immense joy because of our sexual orientation?”

I agree with this statement.

Just because I am gay does not make the love I have for my boyfriend any less than the love my best friend has for her boyfriend.

When I think about a loving relationship I do not think about the gender of the two people in the rela-

In Fall 2011 new officers were elected.

Dr. Elizabeth Maloney, a psychology professor, was elected president.

Within a few months the SJDCTA had a new office on campus.

The old office was a shared space, with the California School Employees Association (CSEA), on the third floor of Budd.

“The old space was not used much,” said McBride.

After Maloney was elected, she saw the need for a space to meet in and plan events.

tionship I think of the love they share.

Across the country politicians have been battling over same-sex marriage to win public office, none more fiercely than Rick Santorum, republican presidential candidate.

“We have a serious issue about trying to get moms and dads to marry and stay together,” Santorum said, during a campaign speech on Feb. 14. “I don’t see [allowing gay marriage] as encouraging that. I think at least from my perspective it tends to water down marriage.”

Allowing same-sex couples the right to marriage, will not “water down” marriage.

What waters down marriage is the 55-hour marriage of Britney Spears to Jason Alexander and the 72-day marriage of Kim Kardashian to Kris Humphries.

I have nothing against these celebrities as people, I just disagree with them being able to marry so nonchalantly.

Recently the 9th District Court of Appeals voted two to one ruling California’s Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

This is a huge victory for the LGBT community.

But there have been huge setbacks for marriage equality across the nation as well.

The office is a small 10-by-10foot space with two smaller offices on one side.

This space is located in Holt 244.

“Dr. Maloney, petitioned for a SJDCTA office and we were given this place,” said McBride.

This office gives teachers a place to go to with grievances and a space to store items related to the SJDCTA. The office is open Monday through Friday. Exact hours of operation are available on the SJDCTA website, deltacollege.edu/ org/sjdcta.

New Jersey legislature just passed gay marriage into law, yet Gov. Chris Christie, as promised, quickly vetoed the bill.

This makes me want to fight for marriage equality more.

Before 1967, it was illegal for interracial couples to marry in the United States.

The case went from the state of Virginia courts to the U.S. Supreme Court and the ban was lifted because people fought for it.

My fight for marriage is just the same as the interracial couples fight in the 1960s.

I want to have the same legal rights given to me that my grandparents had when they were married.

I know some will say that marriage is a religious joining of man and woman.

Yet, I can’t believe all marriages are based on religion.

With all the issues our government has currently, why are so many people worried that allowing homosexuals to marry would destroy our county?

If anything, the money earned off the marriage license and divorce fees would help the government.

Marriage is something all people have the right to It’s also something this gay man will fight to have.

4

feature

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Exhibit showcases San Joaquin Delta waterways

Show concept conceived by gallery director to educate community by mary david

mdavid023@yahoo.com

PHOTO COURTESY LINDA GASS

PHOTO COURTESY TAO URBAN

EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY: Clockwise from top, “San Joaquin-Merced Revival” quilt by Linda Gass.

“Demeter,” means “mother Earth” in Greek and is an ancient Greek goddess of agriculture

by Esmeralda Ruiz. “San Pablo (Waterbar 2)” by Tao Urban.

After two years in the making, the Delta Waters art exhibit will be held in the L.H. Horton Jr. Gallery March 1-29.

Delta Waters is an environmental art display portraying varying aspects of the San Joaquin Delta waterways.

Eight different artists, in multiple mediums from photography to sculpture, will present interpretations of the impact and splendor of the Delta.

The art pieces will vary in content from scenic to scientific pieces, all sharing the primary theme of the Delta.

Patricia Watts, the founder and west coast curator of Ecoartspace, will be a guest curator for this exhibit.

The exhibit concept was conceived by Gallery Director Jan Marlese with the intent to present students and the community with works that engage and educate viewers on two concepts: preservation, and education.

“The purpose of the exhibit is to portray the environmental impact that we have through the heavy water usage that is happening in the delta, as well as the beauty of the delta and its habitat,” said Marlese.

A primary goal of the exhibit is “to be able to show students and the community how the arts talk about the delta through a visual media.”

She stresses the impact of the Delta and our daily uses of the water. “40-percent of all of California’s water usage comes from the Delta...that is a ton of water.”

Moreover, Marlese said Delta Waters is by far the most important exhibition of her career as gallery director.

There will be a panel discussion March 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tillie Lewis Theatre, which will be free and open to the public.

A few artists will be present, as well as Paul Ustach, Barbara Barrigan-Parrila, and Lloyd G. Carter, three panelists who are involved in the field of environmental discipline.

The purpose of the panel discussion is to combine the scientific aspect of the exhibition to the visual aspect.

Some art pieces presented at the exhibit will be available for purchase.

The opening reception will be held on March 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the gallery.

Visit deltawaters2012.org for more information on the exhibit.

DELTA WATERS PHOTO COURTESY ESMERELDA RUIZ

THE COLLEGE COMPLEX

by victoria davila

Opening Reception: March 1, 5-7 p.m.

Delta Waters Panel: March 8th, 11 a.m..-1 p.m. San Joaquin Delta College – Tillie Lewis Theatre, free and open to the public

5

entertainment

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

COMMENTARY

What’s Lucas thinking?

Writer fears director is harming film series with latest releases by chris howze vivilu266@aol.com

B

eginning this year the“Star Wars” series will return to theaters.

This time in 3D. One film per year is slated to be released each year beginning with what is now the first of the series, "The Phantom Menace."

George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars," is adding content to make the films what he considers better.

But the question is, should artists be allowed to tinker with their work after publication? “Art is never finished, only abandoned,” the famed-artist Leonardo daVinci once said.

And it appears Lucas has taken that quote to heart, but quite possibly in the worst way. Lucas has made an imprint on cinema that is so pervasive and deep, that many forget his reach.

If not for him and the revolutionary work of his company Industrial Light & Magic, three quarters of the films released since 1978 probably would have never been possible.

In recent years a dark shadow looms over his legacy, and it’s because of none other than Lucas and the paths he’s gone down as a business man and filmmaker.

Lucas strived from the very beginning for complete creative control, to ensure that no big mean studio will come in and damage the integrity of the film.

Admirable goals, but there lies a problem, when you have all that power, who stands up to you to tell you when you’ve drifted, which is all too apparent with the "Star Wars" prequels.

Since the birth of home media the "Star Wars" films have received changes with each new format, some small, some very noticeable and all are simply not overindulgent.

It would be easy to com-

plain about Greedo shooting first and what not but instead break it down into a few core tenants.

1. The purpose of a prequel is to shed light on backstory to better enlighten the story we already know and if one has to change prior work in order for new work to make sense, then this new work fails on the prequel premise.

2. Go ahead and change the movies, they are technically your movies, plenty of filmmakers have done similar things, such as Steven Spielberg with “E.T” or Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner” and it’s whopping five alternate cuts.

But where they are still safe is in the fact these filmmakers acknowledge those other editions and have them out there for purchase even if they’re not their preferred cut.

Lucas acts as if the original editions never even happened and forces consumers to buy his “Special Editions."

He’s gone so far as claiming the original negatives have been destroyed.

3. Are they really his films to change? Films aren’t made by the talents of one person alone, it takes hundreds and thousands of people to make a complete package, so where does Lucas have the right to remove scenes, music, special effects, or even whole performances, when they were the blood and sweat of other individuals?

Art once it’s entered culture shouldn’t be tampered no matter who it is.

If da Vinci asked if he could do a second painting of the Mona Lisa and that the original be destroyed, would we allow it?

On what purpose would it be necessary?

Sure the artist might have complaints but he already unleashed it to the world and “flaws” to one man might hold meaning to another, that’s what makes it art.

PHOTOS BY CHAMPAIGN WILLIAMS

JAZZ AT THE BREW: Simon Rowe, Patrick Langham, Bill Vondhaar and Brian Kendrick play at the Take 5: Jazz at the Brew club Feb. 14.

Stockton feels the Simon Rowe Quartet soothes the soul with jazz at Valley Brew by champaign williams

cwilliams990@students.deltacollege.edu

The atmosphere at Stockton’s newest jazz scene was mellow. A hint of excitement filled the air on Valentine’s Day. The lights were dimmed, but candles flickered.

A soothing jazz track played in the background.

The standing-room only crowd slightly opened up as members of the live band prepared to perform.

Welcome to Take 5: Jazz at the Brew, a live music club now open at Valley Brew off the Miracle Mile.

The club has a unique connection to the Delta campus, as jazz director Brian Kendrick plays drums in two of the bands, including the Simon Rowe Quartet (SRQ), which played for the Feb. 14 grand opening.

“Take 5 is a welcoming place for any age,” Kendrick said. “It is important to have a cross pollination between the different age groups.”

And cross-pollinated it was, with a blend of age and ethnicity.

Simon Rowe, director of Brubeck Institute and pianist for SRQ said it was such a “thrill to have so many community members come out to celebrate.”

The quartet played an assortment of love songs, telling a story of love found, lost and redeemed.

“It’s been wonderful seeing all of the support for the first night,”said Patrick Langham, saxophonist and director of jazz studies at the Uni-

BEAT

versity of the Pacific Conservatory of Music. “We need to keep spreading the word because I think there are a lot of people that would love to be here who weren’t here tonight.”

The jazz club will feature one of three groups twice a week.

Those groups are the SRQ, the Patrick Langham Group (PLG) and the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet (BIJQ).

Kendrick, Langham and Rowe’s union started long before the development of the jazz club.

“The alliance between the University of the Pacific and Delta College is really important,” Kendrick explains.

“Delta’s jazz program has received a lot of support from the UOP Conservatory of music, and more and more of [Delta] students are transferring to the conservatory.”

Kendrick said “supporting each other” is really important.

That said, Take 5: Jazz at the Brew’s opening night was a success.

With live jazz and a variety of food and beverages the restaurant proves to be a place the community will enjoy.

“I don’t play music to be famous,” Kendrick said. “I do it to express my love for humanity.”

With a slight shrug of the shoulders and a small smile Kendrick adds, “[And] people like to hear live music.”

Take 5: Jazz at the Brew will be performing live jazz on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m.

The cover charge is $10 for the public and $5 for students with school identification.

6

club corner

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Student body government revitalizes College Hour Recent event showcases music, poets

by michael johnson creating events that are hip-hop artist Lunnie. mjohnson989@students.deltacollege.edu

College Hour, brought to the campus population by the Associated Student Body Government, is a one-hour event set out to promote student life and campus activity.

For years, students may have seen the time as a way to get free pizza.

However, the coming together aspect of it has been around for several years.

The time is now under the direction of Vice President of Student Affairs Bronche Taylor.

Taylor intends to breathe new life into the affair.

“I am committed to

entertaining and address social issues,” Taylor said.

A College Hour was recently held on Feb. 16.

Since February is Black History Month, Taylor took time to mention and pay homage to the positive African Americans of our past.

Taylor promoted peace and success among all people too.

The event included games, food, a fashion show and live musical performances with the smooth dulcet tones from Delta’s jazz ensemble to the rugged and empowering lyrics from Stockton’s

“Next month’s topic will be Women’s Suffrage so the hour long event will honor women and the contributions they’ve made to society and the role they’ve played in our history,” Taylor said.

College Hour is held every third Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the quad area near Danner Hall.

FOOD, FASHION AND FUN: Student entertainment filled the quad with poets, singers and other performers, top.

Bronche Taylor emcees the day, bottom right.

Students participate in a fashion show at the most recent College Hour, bottom left .

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Pride promotes safe sex at event

Valentine’s Day giveaway offers free condoms, advice by justin tristano

dinator.

During the day the club passed out more than two-hundred-plus pamphlets and a countless The Delta Pride club passed out condoms as amount of male and female condoms.

The condoms were donated by Planned Parpart of it’s annual safe sex push in the quad for enthood, as well as some of the Valentine’s Day. information.

The purpose of which was to The AIDS Foundation dospread information about safe nated several of the pamphlets, sex to fellow students who get Would you like to have as well, so students who were inintimate on the holiday. a club or event featured in terested could learn about sexu“With Valentine’s Day coman upcoming issue of The ally transmitted diseases. ing up and you know couples There were also magazines Collegian? like to have fun,” said Brian targeted towards the homosexWick Delta Pride president.

Send an email to ual community and informaThe purpose of the event was the Collegian editors at tion on the clubs activities for to inform students that they deltacollegian@gmail.com students to learn what they do can get intimate without riskand let us know what your throughout the year. ing their health. The booth inclub is doing on and off “Pamphlets were chosen becluded brochures to inform and campus. cause they were appropriate for help prevent the spreading of what we were doing and it is Sexually Transmitted Diseases. nice to have information there “There was a person I met for people to use,”said Wick. who didn’t know what safe sex was,” said Robert Martin, Delta Pride co-activities coor-

ju.tristano@gmail.com

CALLING ALL CLUBS

PHOTO BY JUSTIN TRISTANO

SUNNY (AND SAFE) DAY: Members of the Delta Pride club distribute information and free condoms to passersby on Valentine’s Day in the quad area near Danner Hall.

7

sports

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Baseball starts season after championship strong by uri piterberg

upiterberg465@students.deltacollege.edu

PHOTO BY URI PITERBERG

IN PLAY: Bobby Ramos winds up for a pitch during the baseball team’s Feb. 21 home game against Cabrillo College.

Few things are more challenging in sports than to repeat as champion.

That’s the case for Reed Peters and the Delta baseball team, which goes into this season with a target on its back, trying to maintain the same hunger that led to last year’s title run.

The Big 8 conference is loaded with a handful of top 20 teams, making the path to back-to-back titles a difficult one, but Peters remains confident in his team. “The good thing that we have is there’s a lot of competition amongst our players, in terms of the backup guy is almost equally as good as the front line guy, so everybody is pushing each other and the

front line guys know that if they’re not getting the job done there is somebody behind them that will,� said Peters.

The Mustangs come into the season returning 13 starters from the team that captured the state title, including pitchers Bobby Ramos and Mark Scott.

Scott’s record currently stands at 2-0, while Ramos fell to 2-1 after losing the first of a three game set to Cabrillo College 3-2, despite striking out 6 batters.

According to Ramos, his hot start can be attributed to the team as a whole having hit the ground running and producing across the board. “Everyone did their job. The closers came in and did their job when I was pitching and basically tore it up. The guys are hitting the ball, putting it

in play and getting runs scored and doing a good job so far,� said Ramos.

Delta is third in the conference in runs scored and has a collective earned run average of 2.86.

Offensively, sophomore third baseman Stephen Patterson has lead the charge for the Mustangs with a batting average of 5.71 and 11 runs batted in.

The Mustangs’ record stands at 4-2, with a 14-2 loss at 19th ranked West Valley College out of Saratoga being the major blemish on an otherwise strong season start.

The loss did provide a reminder for the Mustangs that no games will be easy this year. “West Valley is a good team, and when you don’t show up ready to play, anybody can beat you,� said Peters.

Football players sign with four-year universities by christian covarrubias deltacollegian@gmail.com

As the football season came to an end, many Delta College players caught the attention of four-year universities throughout the country. “We have always done well with moving players on to four-year universities. There has been a recent spike in the number of Division I scholarships, these stats tend to ebb and flow,� said Doug Murray, assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator.

Out of the eleven players transferring from Delta next season, one stands out the most.

All American #91 Josh Banks accepted a full ride scholarship to the University of Washington in Seattle.

This is a huge step for banks’ considering university of Washington is in the Pac-12, considered a powerful conference in Division I football.

It is a college athletic conference that operates in the Western United States.

Schools within the Pac-12

have won more NCAA National Team Championships than any other conference in history.

Banks played defensive tackle and led the Mustangs in tackles for a loss and sacks during the most recent season. “I am glad I came to Delta, playing here has increased my college football intelligence ultimately preparing me for this huge transition,� Banks said.

Banks is a local, who played for St. Mary’s High School. He led the Rams to the CIF San Joaquin Section Division I championship where the team beat Pleasant Grove 36-14, according to the University of Washington’s sports department.

Other big names that are transferring are starting Quarterback Sam Hutsell who led the Mustangs in passing with 2,284 yards last season. Hutsell will be transferring to University of Nebraska – Kearney.

Linebacker Nick Largent who led the team with 106 tackles last season. He will be transferring to Dixie State University.

MOVING ON, MOVING UP Josh Banks, University of Washington; Depray Celestine, University of Mary; Daniel Colli, Kansas Wesleyan University; Gary Gellerman, University of Mary; Sam Hutsell, University of Nebraska - Kearney; Jason Johnstad, Kansas Wesleyan University; Nick Largent, Dixie State University; Louis Maldinado, University of Mary; Damion McMiller, Texas State University; Mason Russell, University of Texas - San Antonio; Kevin Speer, Dixie State University

PAY OFF

YOUR EDUCATION Tuition costs shouldn’t stop you from reaching your goals in life.

By joining the Army National Guard, you’ll receive the money you need to help pay for college as well as the skills and training you need to get the career you want. If you’re looking to get through college, with the Army National Guard, you can!

Staff Sergeant David A. Nunez 209-410-8318

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2/3/12 1:30 PM

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news

Issue 9 • Feb. 24, 2012 • deltacollegian.net

Campus police reaches out on the web by heidi haack crazietrekkie@aol.com

PHOTO BY JUSTIN TRISTANO

GOING GREEN: The E-MEGA electric vehicle, on loan from Electric Vehicle International, being charged in the Delta police department’s parking lot.

Police testing new electric vehicles by lorie anne lane deltcollegian@gmail.com

For two weeks, San Joaquin Delta College District police has been testing battery powered vehicles loaned from Electric Vehicle International (EVI) on the Stockton campus.

According to Sgt. Mario Vasquez, “The vehicles are really nice and very efficient.” There are two models, a regular model and the newer E-MEGA. The regular model is open cab and features an older version of the battery and can reach speeds of 30 mph. It includes a police package with a siren and costs $9000.

The newer E-MEGA is closed cab and includes more features, such as air conditioning, heating and a CD stereo. It uses lithium phosphate batteries, has a range of up to 50 miles, and can reach a maximum speed of 35 mph.

The E-MEGA costs $31,000.

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is offering a $10,000 special grant for the purchase of an electric vehicle.

When asked what she thought of the new vehicles, student Yahaira Lopez said, “I think it’s better than using gas because gas pollutes the air and thinking money wise, people won’t be wasting money on gas.”

Class supply cuts continue by james striplin jstriplin1992@gmail.com

Classes will be experiencing more budget cuts to supplies this spring at Delta College.

Since the economy took a dip, California has been on a frantic struggle to pull itself out of debt and lower unemployment.

As a result, Delta’s programs took a five to ten percent decrease in their budget for supplies last year and will be taking the same cut this year.

“It’s kind of a trickle-down effect,” said Salvador Vargas, Dean of Applied Science, Business, and Technology.

“Once they [the state] figured out they would have problems funding college, they began to make cuts.”

Before these cuts, instructors could use as much money as they required to teach these courses.

But since Delta College has been tightening its belt, instructors can only take their fraction of the supply budget, and wait to request more at the end of each year.

“The budget cuts limit the number of consumables that we can use in the labs drastically affecting the ‘real world’ experience of the various labs,” wrote Diesel Engine Instructor Dan Carter in an email interview.

“Instead of actually doing some of the labs I am forced to demonstrate how a particular lab would be played out if we actually had parts to use.”

“The faculty has to be more creative with the supplies they use,” said Vargas.

Fortunately for students, businesses interested in these programs donate money in hopes of hiring pupils as future employees.

“Faculty in the trades have partners in the industry that often donate to the programs. On occasion, suppliers have donated obsolete gaskets, tooling and parts which help fill the void,” said Carter.

Such an example is the welding program receiving $3,000 worth of supplies in donations from the Hobart Brothers, a welding products manufacturer.

Social media, without a doubt, has become an integral part of the western societies’ culture.

And now the San Joaquin Delta College District Police Department is no exception.

The department has set up a Facebook page dedicated to the department.

The website is updated regularly with information about arrests made by the district police, pictures of officers and police vehicles and various safety tips.

It already has over 500 “likes.”

David Main, director of police services and programs, encouraged the development of the site after officer Jim Bock brought the idea to him.

“When Chief Main arrived, I approached him with the idea. He expressed his strong commitment to keeping our community informed and encouraged its development.

Without his input and dedication, it would have never come to fruition,” said Bock in an email interview.

The pages’ official kickoff was announced via a post on Jan. 26.

All the posts on Facebook are simultaneously posted to the department’s Twitter page as well.

Because of Facebook’s extreme popularity, it is a useful tool for the district police to get important information out to the students

and staff.

“Although our goal is to get information out, we strongly encourage both positive and constructive feedback and suggestions from our community. We believe that this interaction will foster a stronger bond with the community and assist us in getting accurate and relevant information delivered in timely manner,” Bock said.

Another important aspect of today’s social media tools, are the applications that are downloaded onto smart phones such as the iPhone.

The department is also looking into the development of their own “app.”

“We are currently examining a potential smartphone application (for Android and iOS) which will provide emergency information, safety tips, crime reporting, anonymous tips and much more to anyone who chooses to download the application. This application will also provide direct links to our police website, Facebook and Twitter pages. Additionally, users will be able to contact district police by simply pressing a button within the app,” Bock said.

With social media sites being on the forefront of many peoples’ minds, a San Joaquin Delta College District Police Facebook page is believed by the department to be an essential new development.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ sjcddistrictpolice.

HART: Acting president says communication issue on campus continued from PAGE 1 Hart is planning to talk with the Associated Student Body Government to get more student involvement.

This is one step in fixing the communication issues on campus which Hart has noted has been an issue at Delta College for a while now.

“It’s difficult and also ironic that with as many different communication tools that we have and as instantly we can communicate that is has be-

come increasingly difficult to do so,” said Hart.

The campus faculty, staff and administration have a campus-wide email system to communicate.

The system allows for multiple ways of communication, via email, instant message and even placement on another’s calendar for meetings.

The campus can also reach the students through their student email.

“Every student has and email, we know that, but if the student does not check the email we cannot communicate with them,” said Hart, “maybe we should go back to the old ways of communication, like making phone calls.”

Overall, Hart wants the campus to come together as a unit and solve the problems by better communication, following proper procedures and stronger planning, she said.

ners.

The showcase was well-received by those in attendance.

Student Darlene Varquez said “I thought this showcase was very interesting because it’s very informative about the world as it is now. For example, the interpretations were about everyday events, and the debate was very informative about our school’s financial aid system,

so we were able to understand how we all see things.”

SJDC Forensics competes in many state-wide events for novice, intermediate, and open competitors. “We just want to show students here at Delta what we do and how well we do it because we really are one of the best Northern California teams in the region,” said Aguirre.

FORENSICS: Debate ‘very informative’ about financial aid continued from PAGE 1

bate was informative, serious, and funny all at once.

“The good thing about this showcase is that it shows what debate really is. Because people think it’s very serious we wanted to show them that it’s also very fun. It’s not just a serious, boring thing,” said Professor Bruce.

Despite Aguirre and Smith’s efforts the audience declared the professors to be the win-