Volume 77 No. 6

HARRY POTTER 7: COMPETENT, NOT STELLAR

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Copyright © 2010 The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, December 2, 2010

DVC Scrapping classes Styrofoam become Committee pushes for material switch a bit greener ANNIE SCIACCA Editor-in-chief

JULIUS REA News editor

In the spirit of environmental consciousness on campus, DVC is now gearing some of its curriculum toward ecological responsibility.

Engineering instructor Joe Valdez has created a new associate of science degree in environmental science, which is available for the first time this semester.

The degree centers on environmental concerns that have an impact on the human race, ecological systems and energy diversity.

“We didn’t have a program dealing with the issues of water resources, water conservation and energy in California,” Valdez said. “It’s a hot topic.”

The associate degree in environmental science includes courses in engineer-

DEGREE, Page 2

ASDVC discusses possible executive position

DVC is entering the Green Age, it seems, with the removal of environmentally-unfriendly materials at the top of its ecological agenda.

DVC’s Sustainability Committee has proposed a resolution to eliminate the use of Styrofoam containers from the The Sustainability ComCrow’s Nest, Basement Café and the mittee is charged with cafeteria. promoting ideas for en“The purpose is to encourage, forcevironmental awareness fully, DVC Food Services to stop serving and sustainability on food and drink in Styrofoam containcampus. ers,” said John Freytag, an instructor of Styrofoam contains caroceanography and marine biology at cinogenic compounds, DVC and Faculty Senate corresponding and its effects are detsecretary, who has been working with rimental to the human the Sustainability Committee. reproductive system.* The 20-member Sustainability Committee is charged with promoting ideas for environmental awareness and susStyrofoam is not biotainability on campus. degradable, creating The committee is concerned largely a problem in landfills, with the health dangers that Styroand it breaks down into foam presents, particularly with hot small pieces, which are food and drink. It also contains carcioften ingested by aninogenic compounds, and its effects are mals.* detrimental to the human reproduc*Attributed to oceanography tive system, Freytag explained. instructor John Freytag Another worry for the committee is the environmental impact of using Styrofoam products. Styrofoam is not biodegradable, creating a problem in landfills, and it breaks down into small pieces, which are

Need to Know

STYROFOAM, Page 2 GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT BABA & JULIUS REA

New program eases wallets Bookstore allows textbook rentals to reduce student financial stress next semester

JONATHAN ROISMAN Editor-in-chief

SCOTT BABA Staff writer

While most of us are focused on final exams and winter break, a few students at DVC are taking the time and initiative to help create a more environmentally friendly campus.

The Associated Students of DVC are considering forming a new executive officer position, tentatively called the Minister of Environmental Affairs, who would pursue and promote ideas to keep the college environmentally conscious, ASDVC President Katerina Schreck said.

“The position’s main purpose is going to be for student green advocacy, working with the college Sustainability Committee and forming [an ASDVC] Sustainability Committee,” Schreck said.

The Sustainability Committee at DVC has proposed a resolution to remove Styrofoam containers from the Crow’s Nest, Basement Café and cafeteria, and has been endorsed by ASDVC. Schreck created the ASDVC Sustainability Committee, currently an ad hoc, in November in hopes of brainstorming

In an effort to cut rising academic costs to students, the DVC bookstore will be renting out textbooks in addition to selling them starting next semester.

The program, which the school began piloting at the beginning of November, will expand to cover almost all the textbooks the school carries, and allows students to rent textbooks for a semester for significantly less money than purchasing.

Bookstore manager Bill Foster, who has been running point on the rental program, said that the savings would be sizable.

“New rentals will be 55-60 percent of the new sales price, to students,” Foster said.

“If it was a $100 book they’d be able to rent it for $55. If it’s available used, and it would normally sell used for $60, we’d rent it for $35.”

Foster said that the bookstore had been considering renting books for two or three years, but had only recently been able to find an acceptable program model – specifically one that didn’t require instructors to make a multi-year commitment to the same book.

The rental program will also continue

ASDVC, Page 2 • News: 1, 2

• Features: 3

• Entertainment: 4

• Opinions: 5

KEVIN HAYES / THE INQUIRER

Baron Bredenberg, senior inventory and receiving clerk, stacks books for the upcoming semester, most of which will be available for rental.

to use the same primary wholesaler the bookstore already uses, so there will be no change in costs to the bookstore itself – most of the savings will be student savings.

“It’s pretty much revenue neutral for us.

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• Campus Buzz: 5

We won’t make any more money and we won’t make any less money. We’ll make as much as we always have,” Foster said.

“In the long run we hope to save the

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• Sports: 6

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News

CALENDAR Thursday, Dec. 2 Communication and Outreach Work Group BFL Community Conference Room 10 – 11:30 a.m.

St. Mary’s College Rep Counseling building 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. by appointment 12 – 1 p.m. drop-in Brown Bag Lecture Series Stress Relief Hypnosis SU room 204 12:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 3 Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Concert Tickets are $7 advance; $10 at the door.

PAC 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 4 Emeritus College Holiday Brunch and Boutique BFL Community Conference Room Tickets are $25 10 a.m.

Emeritus College Holiday High Tea BFL Community Conference Room Tickets are $25 2 p.m.

Drama - ‘Fuddy Meers’ PAC 8 p.m.

Philharmonic Orchestra Concert Tickets are $7 advance; $10 door.

8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 5 Drama - Fuddy Meers 2:30 p.m.

Celebration of Light Concert PAC Tickets are $7 in advance; $10 at the door 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 6 Club A-3 ‘Give A Can a Day’ food drive 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 13 to Friday, Dec. 17 Finals See the Finals Schedule at www.dvc.edu

POLICE BEAT Nov. 18, 2010 SRC Overflow Parking lot: A student’s personal items were stolen from his vehicle.

Parking Lot 6: A car accident occured near Stubbs Road.

Bus Stop: A student with pre-existing medical conditions made suicidal statements. American Medical Response transported the student for treatment.

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

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-ing, biology, chemistry and math. These courses match those in CSU and UC environmental science programs, Valdez said. “[Instructors and administrators] are for it because it’s an interdisciplinary degree, the first on campus, and it utilizes courses already existing,” he explained.

Joseph Gorga, assistant professor of biology, teaches “Environmental Science,” a required class for obtaining the degree.

He said environmental science is a broad subject with many opportunities for students.

The degree helps students understand the function of the ecological system and human impact upon these systems at a local, regional and global scale.

“Many decisions professionals take and make

S

In the article, “Textbook posting law creates tension” in the Nov. 18 issue of The Inquirer, the attached photograph should have been attributed to Carly Jones.

In the article, “Vikings head to Grafitti Bowl” in the Nov. 18 issue of The Inquirer, Travis Jenkins should have been attributed as a contributor.

have all kinds of impacts.

We tend to minimize or not look deeply at what those impacts are,” engineering instructor Seyyed Khandani said. “It’s important to raise awareness of how those decisions create environmental and social side effects and impacts.”

He and Valdez have created new courses that will factor into the degree.

Instructors began teaching DVC’s first environmental science course, “Water Conservation,” in summer 2010.

“Water Conservation” is currently a contract class paid for by Swords to Plowshare, an East Bay non-profit providing employment, counseling and housing services for veterans, explained Valdez, who created the class.

Next year, the class will be state funded and will be available in the fall 2011 catalog.

Valdez said the class has had many speakers from the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Contra Costa Water District. The class also sets up a model of sprinkler devices for different landscapes.

“The students need to be more informed about the issues of water and energy in California,” Valdez said.

Khandani created another environmentallyfocused class, “Energy, Society and the Environment,” which is offered this spring.

“During the past 23 years, this is the first class of its type which is multidisciplinary,” Khandani said.

“Energy, Society and the Environment” is an interdisciplinary social science and was approved as an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum and DVC social and behavioral science requirement.

Khandani said he believes environmental education can influence and improve all types of decision making. “[The] BP oil spill didn’t have to happen if there were proper procedures to operate the rig and well,” he explained.

According to an August 2010 New York Times article, community colleges are offering more environmental education courses and degree programs for “a new generation of environmental smart manager” for the changing economy.

Assitant professor Gorga said environmental education will lead to the technologies needed to mitigate current environmental issues worldwide.

“Everything is interconnected,” Valdez said. “And it’s important we just start looking at it all.” jrea @TheInquirerOnline.com

TYROFOAM from Pg. 1

often ingested by animals, Freytag said.

The Associated Students of DVC voted to endorse the Sustainability Committee’s resolution almost unanimously in their Nov. 23 meeting. The Faculty and Classified Senates will each vote on the item next week. If the resolution is approved, the governmental bodies will send their endorsement of the cause to the College Council, Faculty Senate President Laurie Lema said.

The cost of the switch to non-Styrofoam products may limit the way DVC Food Services can implement it.

In an attempt to find a solution for the financial component, Freytag said, the committee is considering using paper products, instead of compostable ones, which are significantly more expensive than both paper and Styrofoam.

Even using paper products presents a sizable cost increase for Food Services.

The added expense is the department’s main concern, said George Delfabro, food services manager.

To switch from Styrofoam to paper products would cost an estimated additional

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Garbage cans full of styrofoam would no longer be a common with the switch to environmentallyfriendlier containers.

40 to 50 cents for one “clamshell,” or food container, and one cup, Freytag said, noting that with thousands of meals sold, the cost adds up.

“My goal is to keep it below 50 cents, but it’s important to know that the cost will be passed on,” Freytag told the ASDVC in last week’s meeting.

Karen Ockander, a firstyear DVC student, explained that although she would be willing to pay an extra 25

to 75 cents per meal for non-Styrofoam containers, she does not believe that other students will think the cause is worth the extra cost.

“A lot of people are paying to go to school [by] themselves, so they probably want to avoid extra costs,” she said.

ASDVC discussed the possibility of subsidizing the cost of the switch, but as of now, the financial aspect has not been resolved.

“I am only going to recommend that the board consider this if the other senates are going to help subsidize the cost too,” Schreck said. “I do not believe that ASDVC, the students, should be the only ones paying for this, especially because everyone will be benefiting, and not only the students use the food services on campus.”

from Pg. 1

students somewhere on average $100 to $150 a semester,” Foster added.

There are limitations that renting books places on the renter. If the book is lost or not returned, the student will be charged for the full price of the textbook, and there are terms and conditions that renters must agree to before renting a book which, among other things, involve not marking books or taking notes in them.

“A lot of people freak out when they see the long list of things that they have to agree to,” said Bill Jason, a bookstore operations assistant. “We had one girl look at it and just throw up her hands and say ‘Never mind.’”

Richard Tash, a construction instructor, said that he wouldn’t recommend renting textbooks for his own class because there’s a lot of paper and pen interaction with the books.

Tash said, “There’s a lot of writing that needs to be done in books: highlighting, notes, and in the back [of the book] there are quizzes and tests for the students to do.”

DVC student Marcela Gama, 21, said that she would probably start renting books next semester.

“When people buy and sell back their textbooks, they don’t get as much money back,” Gama said.

Richard Curtice, a 19year-old English major, said that he already rents books at Barnes & Noble and recommends it.

“I feel like it works better than buying because it’s cheaper, and I don’t have to worry about what to do with the books after the semester’s over,” Curtice said.

Susan Lamb, vice president of instruction, indicated that she approved of the program. “Generally I think it’s a good thing,” Lamb said. “It gives students options, and anything that gives students options is a good thing.”

asciacca @TheInquirerOnline.com

sbaba @TheInquirerOnline.com

SDVC from Pg. 1

ways to make the school greener, such as removing Styrofoam on campus and

adding more solar panels.

She said she wants the committee to determine whether the environmental affairs officer would be

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feasible as a long-term po- of legislative affairs last officers in spring 2011, or spring but had to resign if it would be picked in sition. house, Schreck said.

Committee chairman before taking office.

If the board decides to He said the committee Sean De Witt said the first ASDVC Sustainability Com- and board position would create the position this mittee meeting was Nov. help students gain envi- semester or next, it would 25 in the Student Union ronmental knowledge that be filled by an interim could help not only them- who would be picked by quiet room.

“I hope to promote and selves, but also their com- ASDVC. Donovan said increase the he wouldn’t be knowledge of The position’s main purpose is disappointed the students and going to be for student green if the position general popuadvocacy, working with the wasn’t formed lace around DVC college sustainability committee until fall 2011 on the subject of because there is green sustainand forming [an ASDVC] already a camability on the Sustainability Committee. pus-wide sustaincampus itself,” Katerina Schreck ability committee said De Witt.

ASDVC President that is working “Environmental toward making DVC more technology is my passion. munity.

Schreck said there environmentally friendly.

I believe it’s a key feature He expressed concern, wasn’t an exact timetable of the future.”

Former ASDVC member for the creation of the en- however, that the new Brian Donovan proposed vironmental affairs posi- board position could be the idea of an environ- tion, but she said it could neglected.

“If unchecked, this pomental affairs officer ear- happen as early as this sesition would just become lier in the year. “[It] actu- mester.

As of now, it is undeter- another position to put on ally started as an idea I was campaigning on last mined whether the new your transcript.” semester,” said Donovan, position would be voted on who was elected to the by students in the annual jroisman position of vice president election with other ASDVC @TheInquirerOnline.com

Located in Pleasant Hill

Features

Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Life in the

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Promised Land Guest writer Heath Attia learns firsthand what it feels like to live in the state of Israel.

Editor’s note: Heath Attia is a former DVC student currently living in Israel.

Heath Attia Guest writer

Israel and Palestine’s history and politics are complicated, but it is my daily life while living in this foreign land that interests me the most: not politics, not activism – just living with the people.

Around the world, people are exposed to the constant media coverage of Israel and its problems. I came to Israel to see everything beyond the TV screen, to actually feel the situation from the inside and to try to gain insight about the people living here.

I am currently living in northern Israel on a kibbutz – traditionally a Jewish collective community – in the Jezreel Valley, about 15 kilometers from the West Bank and even closer to Hafia, the main city of northern Israel.

This kibbutz, called HaZoreah, is surrounded by both Jewish and Arab cities and villages. It’s a nonreligious, basically secular kibbutz where people both work and live.

Everyone contributes to the community and helps one another by working.

No job is more important than the other, and the income stays exactly the same. Whether a person cleans dishes or manages the factory, she will receive the same pay.

What makes this kibbutz so unique are the people GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY SCOTT BABA

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living and working within it. Besides the people who call Ha-Zoreah home, there are also volunteers from all over the world who come to work and live in the kibbutz for a period of time.

I work as a carpenter and spend most of my days working with Arab people from every background.

Some are Bedouin Muslims, who live in the neighboring villages. Others are Christian, mostly coming from Nazareth, which is across the Jezreel valley.

I cannot explain in words how refreshing it is to be interacting with Jews and Arabs on something outside politics and religious debates. We sit and eat together; I try speaking Arabic and Hebrew, and they all try English. Everyone is always laughing and having a positive experience.

Ha-Zoreah is a special place, but it’s outside of the kibbutz that I call the real Israel.

Every week I have been traveling around Israel and Palestine to explore. Being in Israel, I notice a stark contrast between the land and its people.

Israel’s geography is amazing – the North is lush with green forests, mountains and valleys. The weather is cooler than in the south but much higher in humidity. The southern half of Israel turns from the lush greens to the pale sandy colors of the Negev desert. The dry heat and rocky desert floor make me feel thousands of miles from the North.

The people of Israel are also different, but they are

not divided by north and south. Each village, city and territory has a different people and culture.

One city can be populated

by Muslim-Arabs or Jews, and only a short walk can take me to a Christian-Arab village or Bedouin camp.

Israel is divided inside its own borders by different territories, and each territory is controlled by a different political and religious entity. Israel is a very small country – think of New Jersey – with a lot of different people living very close together. Most territories where I have been have the Palestinian flag, but are still a part of Israel and at peace.

For the time being, I have learned to stay far from politics when visiting each place. Instead, I just observe how the people are living, and that explains much more than a heated political debate.

Right now I am still learning about this place and its history, but I believe the people of Israel and Palestine are capable of either peace or continued conflict.

My experiences are unique to myself, I can see the good in all people here, but they get caught up in politics and lose their sense of humanity. This is still the Middle East, and this country is still very new. The future is uncertain, but I have hope for both the Israelis and Palestinians.

TheInquirer @DVC.edu

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Entertainment The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

TROY PATTON Entertainment editor

The Harry Potter film series has been a bit of an anomaly in the film world since its first release in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Nine years and five more films later, the common consensus among critics is that the series can be summed up with a shrug of the shoulders and a resounding “meh.” On the other hand, the movie series has grossed over $5 billion, so take that how you will.

In the end, the movies have been good for what they are, taking a popular book series and translating them to the big screen, competently enough that its fan base doesn’t try to blow up Warner Bros.’ corporate offices.

In the continuing adventures of “Harry Potter and the pivotal plot device,” director David Yates brings the series to a close with “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,” the first chapter in the two-part adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s 7th book. Will this film finally be able to rise out of the trenches of mediocrity that has pl0.agued the other movies in the series? In short, not really, but the film didn’t make me want to gouge out my eyes either.

One of the real problems I had with this movie is its reliance on the actors to properly emote the anger, angst and hopelessness the characters are supposed to be feeling at the time.

These moments usually fall flat, not because the acting is bad, but because the moments run on for too long. You can only show one angle of Harry “savior complex” Potter brooding at the camera for so long before it looks stupid and you start glancing at your watch.

In every one of these instances I waited for the characters to say something insightful or let off a quick quip to end the scene. What I got instead was almost a “deer-in-headlights” effect. It’s like the actors were teleported to a Broadway stage, they called for their next line and it never came. The technique was distracting, and I found myself thinking, “What are you waiting for? End scene already.”

Ultimately, many of my complaints come from choices made by the director. Like with other films in the series, a lot of plot points are not thoroughly explained, due to the time constraints of adapting a book for the silver screen.

For instance, the story of Regulus Black and his relation to Voldemort are

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quickly glossed over. On the other hand, audiences get a five-minute montage of different images of the countryside as Harry, Ron and Hermione are on the run from Voldemort’s “snatchers.”

While these vistas would probably make great background images for a corporate PowerPoint explaining the virtues of avoiding sexual harassment lawsuits, this isn’t “Sexual Harassment and You” so it comes off as nothing more than, “Hey they went to a place with a river. Now they’re in a place with lots of trees. Hey look, now they’re in a place with snow. Oh, there’s another river.”

These things do not work in the context of a film. What does work, however, works very well. The action sequences are thoroughly exciting and the special effects are used tastefully.

While the battles between Harry and friends and the forces of evil could easily devolve into a maelstrom of sparks and whooshes akin to an overactive gun fight with fireworks, neon-spell effects are kept to a minimum and instead are replaced with small controlled explosions where missed spells hit. It’s less “Star Wars” and more “Indiana Jones,” if you’re looking for a comparative shortcut.

The acting of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, playing our three-main characters, is adequate and has remained consistent throughout the series. If you were fans before, their performances won’t disappoint you this time.

Now that he is actually alive and not some corporeal ghost thingy, Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is also well done, although I became distracted by the increasingly prevalent series of veins that seemed to appear on his head as the film went on, and his oddly bulgey brain pan. While my first thought was that he should see a urologist because his blood vessels appeared inflamed, Scrotumort’s screen time is thankfully kept to a minimum.

All in all, it’s hard to be too angry at “Deathly Hallows.” It managed to take a world that previously existed on the pages of a book and turn it into a fullyrealized world on the brink of destruction. Because of that feat, the consistently-solid acting, impressive special effects and Emma Watson’s increasing attractiveness, the film is a success and a must-see for any Potter fan. tpatton @TheInquirerOnline.com

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Opinions The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Editorial

The

Buzz What’s the worst excuse you’ve ever heard from a student for failing to turn in an assignment?

Neil Chlarson History instructor

“An ex-boyfriend sent a virus to my computer and it ate up all my homework.”

New TSA security measures are intrusive Since Sept. 11, 2001, in response to potential radical terrorists, airport security has entered a heightened state of paranoia.

The latest craze: the Transportation Security Administration’s new highly detailed and humiliating full-body scans.

If you were planning to fly to a snowy destination during winter break, you may want to reconsider.

Now, instead of walking through security with minimal embarrassment, travelers must go through full-body scanners, and those who refuse will be subject to uncomfortably thorough pat-downs.

Airports across the country – including the Oakland and San Francisco International airports – are using this new technology. The highly-detailed body scans capture images of the passenger in the nude by use of technology that can see through clothing, with no blurring of the areas usually covered even by underwear.

But in order to agree to this newfound “security,” we must also be willing to forgo many of our civil liberties. Both the body scanners and the invasive

pat-downs go against our constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy.

A Nov. 22 article from RawStory.com, via “Business Insider,” reported that ABC News producer Carolyn Durand opted for the pat-down instead of the body scan and claimed that the TSA agent felt inside of her underwear. Although one could argue that these are the inappropriate actions of a single TSA agent, the fact remains that when the individuals that make up a system can’t be trusted, the entire system becomes suspect.

The TSA has promised us that images of our naked bodies will not be saved or made public. But, as proven by the 35,000 leaked images put on the internet

by Gizmodo, the U.S. Marshals in a Florida Federal Courthouse saved the images on their scanner.

All the personal privacy issues aside, the technology itself presents a health risk. In a letter to Dr. John P. Holden, assistant to the president for science and technology, a group of scientists and faculty from the University of California, San Francisco point out that the TSA’s claim

Heidi Goen-Salter English instructor

“I didn’t realize it was plagiarized because my sister wrote it for me.”

Sara Hong English instructor

“I didn’t do the homework because I was in Vegas.”

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SCOTT BABA / THE INQUIRER

that the scanners present no radiation risk is, at best, a poorly researched one.

The scientists argued that although the radiation received is no worse than the claimed “two minutes at altitude,” the radiation received at altitude is spread throughout the entire body, while the scanner focuses the majority of its rays entirely on the skin and therefore is significantly more concentrated.

It’s currently unknown whether that kind of concentration increases the risk of cancer – but that’s

the problem. The research hasn’t been done, and the machines can’t truly be considered safe until that happens.

The TSA is an appalling reactionary system that acts only when a possible terrorist-related incident has occurred. All airports need to discontinue the use of this invasive technology and find better ways to protect citizens.

In 1759, Benjamin Franklin made a timeless statement: “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

And we seem all too ready to give up our civil liberties for a little peace of mind.

After the terrorist attacks that brought down the World Trade Center, paranoid airport-security measures increased, and while this has lessened over time, the TSA continues to create new ways to protect us from potential terrorists that often do more harm to travelers than it does safeguard them.

Opinions

Live Nation nickels and dimes fans Most concerts and sporting events are expensive, but they’re even more costly when everyone associated with the event tries to gouge you.

Service charges. Processing charges. Building facility charges.

Shipping charges. That’s how a $30 ticket becomes a $50 ticket.

Live Nation Entertainment has a stranglehold on most concerts and major sporting events in the United States. If you want to see your favorite band or basketball team, you usually have to go through them.

Live Nation is one of the country’s largest ticket wholesalers.

They recently purchased Ticketmaster, another large ticket wholesaler, essentially creating a legal monopoly. Live Nation owns or operates more than 100 venues worldwide where the artists and

athletes perform and play.

I expect to pay extra from thirdparty sellers looking to make an extra buck off good seats, but not from the direct seller.

First they tell you what the face value cost is for the ticket. Let’s say it’s $30. Not too bad, I suppose. But that won’t be the final cost when they charge your credit card.

First comes the 30 percent service charge. Looks like Live Nation forgot to tell you the face-value price doesn’t go to them. Now it’s a $39 ticket. The next level of hell is the processing charge. You’re charged just for ordering the tickets. Tack on another $5, and we’re up to $44.

Oh, but the fun hasn’t stopped just yet. The venue needs some extra cash, so why not charge you for walking in the door? Say hello

Jonathan Roisman Editor-in-chief

to the building facility charge – that’s another $5.

We can’t forget how they’re going to deliver the tickets to you.

Why pay shipping when you can print them from home? You thought that was free? Sorry. Now they’re charging you $2.50 to use your paper and ink to print your own tickets.

That $30 ticket is now $51.50.

That’s an example of a recent hockey game I went to in Anaheim. Not all events charge building facility fees and you can usually get your tickets shipped for free through the post office. And to be fair, the service charges vary.

But because of Live Nation’s grasp on many entertainmentbased events, you will very rarely pay the actual face value price from the direct seller. I expect to be gouged from third-party vendors like StubHub, but we have to draw the line somewhere.

Mr. Smithers from “The Simpsons” was right when he said service charges are “a policy that ensures a healthy mix of the rich and the ignorant.” jroisman @TheInquirerOnline.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Achievement gap

Nancie Kester Music instructor “I went to Starbucks and my latte exploded all over my homework.”

A few weeks ago, DVC and other colleges’ administrations met at the Crown Plaza hotel in Concord, where they were joined by CCCD Chancellor, Helen Benjamin. The topic: the widening achievement gap and why many don’t go on to either graduate with an AA or transfer to a university.

Instead of taking the obvious step of asking the students in question directly as to what hinders their progress (and thus address deficiencies in constituent communication, outlined by the

recent accreditation memos), they decided to remove themselves from the answer.

For one, since ours is a community college district, there is the opportunity to earn certificates, degrees or the right to be accepted to a state university in some cases, but there is no obligation to do so. I’ve encountered many in my classes who have already earned bachelor’s, even master’s degrees.

Some people are just taking one or two classes to satisfy work requirements or to just better themselves.

Editorial Board

Staff

EDITORS IN CHIEF Jonathan Roisman Annie Sciacca

BUSINESS MANAGER Ryan Beck PHOTO CHIEF Travis Jenkins STAFF WRITERS Brian Donovan, Kevin Hayes, Parjanya Holtz, Soledad Lopez, Christian Magdaleno and Jasmine Burch PHOTOGRAPHERS Carly Jones

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INSTR. LAB COORDINATOR Ann Stenmark ADVISER Samanda Dorger

This is the right of the people, however, so unless the administration takes more proactive steps to encourage and support their thousands and thousands of students to churn further through the system, it will take a major re-thinking of the concept of community college in order to require everyone who applies to finish a specified education path.

But for those who do wish to proceed, many are stuck in a seemingly endless holding pattern of unnecessary stress, prohibitive costs and rising fees at the com-

munity and state college levels, lack of class availability, parking and assistance resources, long lines that ultimately lead to being turned away due to “budget cuts” or “staff reductions” and unresponsive administrators.

Those who run the district should spend more time at their schools instead away from them at hotels, even if it turns out the hotels were free.

Christopher C. Long Student

THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, H-102 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 The Inquirer is published Thursday mornings during the school year by the journalism students of Diablo Valley College. All unsigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and relfect a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff. All signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artists and not necessarily those of The Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or Contra Costa Community College Disctrict

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Sports

6Najee gets full ride to SJSU The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, December 2, 2010

KEVIN HAYES/ THE INQUIRER

Khufu Najee streches out with his teammates before starting their practice on Thursday, November 23.

First-year guard signs letter to play at San Jose

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GERARDO RECINOS Staff Writer

Basketball players are athletes with speed and strength, and Khufu Najee possesses both.

Najee, a 6 foot-3 inch tall guard, now playing for the Vikings, was this season’s first DVC basketball player to sign his letter of intent to play college ball at San Jose State University next year on a full-ride athletic scholarship.

Najee, 18, a freshman, played only a handful of games at DVC before signing his letter.

As a star basketball player at Berkeley High School, Najee managed to keep a 3.45 cumulative GPA when he graduated, as well as being a first team all-league selection.

He was offered the scholarship to play college basketball at the Division I school because he did well both on the court and in the classroom.

Head basketball coach Steve Coccimiglio said he is happy to work with Najee.

“The fact that Najee will only be with us for one year is not a factor,” Coccimiglio said. “At the two-year level you build your team hoping to have returning players, but it is not critical. I recruited Khufu with the hope that he could earn a Division I scholarship in one year and I am happy for him.”

Najee’s teammates said they’re happy for him, even if it means only having him on the team for one season.

“He works hard and he plays well,” teammate Louis Lowe said. “He is still a team player. He isn’t cocky and is one of the hardest workers on the team. Because he was the first to sign his letter of intent, it pushes everyone to work toward a scholarship.”

Najee, who is currently averaging 12 points per game with 7 rebounds in a starting role, is providing help to the Vikings who currently lead the Big 8 Conference, not having lost a game, Coccimiglio said.

Najee said he knows that his situation is a difficult one. He’s leaving a team after just one season, so he will miss the opportunity to bond with the team over the two seasons players are eligible for at the community college level.

GERARDO RECINOS/ THE INQUIRER

Khufu Najee works on his jumpshot during basketball practice.

Najee said his coaches care about their players, and he appreciates that they understand the circumstances he is in.

“I love my coaches because they are trying to prepare me for the next level,” he said. “They don’t treat me any differently than the other guys. They help me a lot.”

Najee, who is taking four courses at DVC, has had to transition from being strong academically in high school to the strains of college and said he attributes his success in the classroom to playing basketball. “[Playing] basketball helps with life skills including school,” he said. “In college you don’t have to go to class, your homework is more to studying. It’s easy to want to skip class, but I feel like I’m good with my self determination. I want to succeed in school and basketball.” grecinos @TheInquirerOnline.com

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