The Inquirer, Volume 76 No. 6 - 5-13-2010 by DVC Inquirer

SPORTS

Iron Man 2

Point Reyes

DVC student at NFL camp

Blends high-tech with high-explosives ENTERTAINMENT

Page 4

Page 3

Javier Zotello interns as personal trainer for Oakland Raiders

FEATURES

Page 2

Thursday, May 13, 2010 Volume 76 Number 6

Election aftermath

www.theinquireronline.com

Jobs, hours sacrificed to get in ‘the black’ Lina Pervez Oksana Yurovsky Staff writers

Courtney Johnson / The Inquirer

Brian Donovan, vice president of legislative affairs-elect, hugs student Roxy Cappelini after all charges were dropped at the May 4 Election Committee meeting.

Whirlwind of accusations ends as committee tosses out all charges Ariel Messman-Rucker Editor in chief The latest chapter in the recent student government elections ended May 4 when the Elections Committee dropped all charges against three Progressive Democratic Students candidates. This included its unanimous decision of the previous week that found the three guilty of one Elections Code violation. At a tension-filled meeting, the committee split down the middle, one member voting to drop all charges, one voting to uphold them and two abstaining. That left the final decision up to committee chair Ben Pradya, who We cannot let can only vote in the case people continuof a stalemate. ously violate [the “I do believe that canElections Code] didates should be held and have no reaccountable for their acpercussions. tions,” he said. “However, I do believe - Adrian Briones that the Elections Code ASDVC was also not well written,” Activities Pradya said. Coordinator Pradya said his mind was swayed by an e-mail from Bill Oye, dean of student life and co-adviser to the ASDVC. He then read the e-mail into the minutes of the meeting. Although Oye didn’t tell the committee how to vote, he recommended some revisions to the Elections Code, including a rewrite of section 7.04, the section upon which the main violations against PDS were based.

Student Frank Runninghorse is handcuffed at the Latino Student Alliance’s Cinco de Mayo Festival after ASDVC Activities Cordinator Adrian Briones files a citizen’s arrest form for battery.

“

Travis Jenkins / The Inquirer

” Student activist cited for battery of ASDVC member

See ASDVC, page 6

News................ 1, 6 Sports....................4 Features................2 Entertainment........3

Christopher C. Long Staff writer Cinco de Mayo festivities outside the Student Union building May 5 were interrupted by the public arrest of Students for a Democratic Society member, Frank Runninghorse. Runninghorse, 56, was cited and released for battery and failing to register with campus police as a sex offender, said DVC’s ranking peace of-

Calendar.................6 Campus Buzz.........5 Staff Information.....5 Classified Ads........6

Editorial..................5 Opinions.................5 Police Beat.............6

ficer, Lt. Tom Sharp of campus police services. Runninghorse’s real name is Steven Orcutt, according to arresting officer David Farley. A long-time political activist, Runninghorse was the first Associated Students of DVC president to be elected in a campus-wide vote in 1995. He never held the office, howSee ARREST, page 6

Sonya Castro recently won the annual President’s Exemplary Service Award for Classified Employees and has worked at DVC for the past 10 years. But this does not protect her from a 50 percent hit to her hours, salary and benefits as senior office assistant in the Learning Center, a job she “loves dearly.” Castro is one of 18 nonteaching or “classified” employees at DVC, 27 in all district-wide, to have her hours reduced because of the budget crisis. We weren’t Another 16 told really employees, 12 much of of them at DVC, anything until are losing their it came down jobs entirely, as [to it]. is a counseling office supervi- Rose Desmond sor. The Contra Alternate Media Costa district Specialist governing board was to vote on the layoffs and reductions at a special May 12 meeting in Martinez, too late for The Inquirer’s press deadlines. English tutoring lab coordinator Heather Lee said a part-time employee in Castro’s position cannot fulfilll the responsibilities of a full-time office assistant, which is the Learning Center’s primary support position. “How do they do 100 percent of the work, with 50 percent of the time and compensation?” she said. Laid-off employees have the right to either bump a less senior classified employee from a position in the same classification or take the job of an employee who is paid by the hour. In the latter situation, the classified employee will be paid at the rate of the lesser position and have to pay a portion of the benefits. The decision will also be hard on the college’s hourly employees, many of whom have been at DVC for years, said Classified Senate President Jocelyn Iannucci. Classified employees must be notified at least 45 days in advance if their positions will be cut, but hourly employees are not required to receive advance notice. Those on the layoff/reduction list met last week with representatives from their union, Local 1, managers, president Judy Walters and her cabinet. “A lot of people…were completely blindsided,” Iannucci said.

“

”

See LAYOFF, page 6

TheInquirerOnline.com - Polls - Videos - Blogs - Slideshows - News

Days until finals

Thursday, May 13, 2010

2 Christian Villanueva explores Point Reyes View photos online at TheInquirerOnline.com

Christian Villanueva Staff writer

I had an Indiana Jones moment of excitement the first time I climbed through a hole in the top of a large outcropping and into a small sea cave that opens up to a small, secluded inlet on Sculptured Beach in Point Reyes National Seashore. Another large outcropping holds a larger cave with several small tide pools. The lower half of the cave is covered with iridescent sea urchin, starfish, and mineral deposits from water that drips off the ceiling. Where the cave opens to the sea, mussels cover the rocks. On the other side, another secluded cove is sectioned off by a long point jetting into the water. The headland, with its huge arch framing the view of the beach to the south, invites you to pass through. Except for a few days a month, when the tide is low enough to simply stroll onto the next beach, one must be ready to run between sets of waves. Even then it’s likely you’ll get wet, which is enough to deter most hikers from going farther. About halfway down, a stream snakes its way into the ocean. At the end, another archway, this one with a smaller opening and entirely covered in mussels, is also passable when the tide is out. Almost immediately a cave takes you inside a huge sinkhole. The most beautiful feature is a waterfall that gushes 20 feet down into a little pool on the beach below during the rainy season. It is one of only a few falls that do so in California. From the ever-changing,

constantly eroding cliffs that could have been the model for Gaudí’s “Sagrada Familia,” to sea caves that look like something out of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” there is so much unique geography in one place. The seclusion is unparalleled, in part because of its remote location, in part because it is a wellkept secret. Be sure to check the tide tables before making this trip; this cannot be emphasized enough. Some sections of the beach will be shut off completely during certain times of the month. More importantly, you can become cut off by the tide and trapped between the cliffs and the ocean. The frigid waters and strong currents are thought to have claimed the lives of two missing hikers earlier this year. You will likely have Sculptured Beach to yourself on weekdays, although few make it that far, even on a weekend. Now is a great time to go. Bright colorful wild flowers of all types are in bloom and young wildlife is abundant, including elk and bobcats. Last week I saw a dying seal, and years ago, I saw a beached whale. I also saw oyster catchers, with their jet black feathers and long brightred beaks, a brown pelican and flocks of 100 or so tiny sanderlings, moving almost in unison as they ran from the waves and then chased them back out. For this day trip, I suggest taking the whole day, stop on your way home and have some local oysters. Have fun, get lost. Contact Christian Villanueva at cvillanueva@ theinquireronline.com

Camera Operator Jessica Fisher pushes in for a dolly shot on May 8 on the set of “Marbles.”

Ready for a close-up DVC Film Club helps student filmmakers Scott Baba Features editor “Back to one!” Seth Craven shouts, and the scene is quickly reset. The camera is pushed back on its dolly to the starting position, its lenses carefully adjusted. The child actor, set in frame, makes faces at the camera as he waits. Welcome to Montair Elementary School, transformed for the weekend into the movie set of “Marbles,” a short film written and directed by Craven. He and his colleagues last semester formed the DVC Film Club to shoot student productions and

become a film showcase for students. Craven is its president. Starting out with only seven members, the club expanded to 16 after the screening of its first film. Every semester the club votes on screenplays submitted by their members, with the winning screenplay being filmed. This time it was Craven’s film “Marbles,” the story of a young boy’s attempt to overcome a bully. Before coming to DVC, Craven, 24, spent two and a half years studying film at the Brooks Institute of Photography. For him, the club is as much about teaching film-making as it is about producing films.

Director Seth Craven instructs a group of child actors how to act out picking their noses. Advertisement

A monitor allows the director to watch the scene in progress from the camera’s view. While at the Brooks Institute, Craven gained an appreciation for the apprentice-style teaching used at private film schools, where students are given minimal instruction and then thrown straight into thick of things. At the same time he sees some room for improvement in the system. “We’ve kind of changed that a little bit to where it’s more like you’re working under someone and watching and learning as you go,” he says. Craven recalls his “Ahhah” moment the first time he worked on a big movie set. “Like, this is what I want to do with the rest of my life.” Until then, he says, he was “just a kid who watched movies.” Craven seems to be inspiring his fellow club members.

“I love making films,” says First Assistant Director Alyssa Lempesis, as she hurries around the set, wrangling cast and crew to where they need to be. “I love movies, I love the process, I love working with a group to realize a vision.” Across the school, Jeremy Piper disassembles a c-stand from an earlier setup. Though this is not the glamorous part of movie-making, he doesn’t seem to mind. “I want to learn it all so that I can do everything,” he says. The DVC Film Club will be having a film festival on June 12 on campus in the Forum. Admission will be $5 and included will be a screening of some footage from “Marbles.” Contact Scott Baba at sbaba@theinquireronline. com

Photos by Courtney Johnson / The Inquirer

Thursday, May 13, 2009

Troy Patton Entertainment editor It’s that time of year again. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and, at least on the silver screen, everything seems to be rigged with a stick of dynamite. With explosions abound, “Iron Man 2” manages to fix the main problem I had with the first movie, which was its slow ramp-up time. The unfortunate thing about the first “Iron Man” was the movie didn’t really start until about an hour in. “Iron Man 2” deftly resolves that problem by introducing explosions into the equation right off the bat, in the hopes of quickly drawing in the audience. It worked, and the explosions continue in a fashion that would make Michael Bay have an embarrassing situation in his pants. But this movie is far from perfect. While the acting is, for the most part, spot on, character development outside of Tony Stark/Iron Man fall a bit flat, especially for the main villain Ivan Vanko, played by Mickey Rourke. Vanko begins the film as an interesting villain with a father

who has a mysterious connection to Stark. What could have provided an interesting story element is quickly stamped out and relegated to a simple case of, “The Russian scientist just wanted money, and the American scientist didn’t like that.” Fortunately there is enough action to make up for a less than stellar storyline. If something is not actively exploding in this movie, it either already exploded, or it is making something else explode. Despite the narrative’s shortcomings, “Iron Man 2” still stays entertaining thanks in part to Downey Jr.’s ability to maintain believable wit throughout as well as the film’s spectacular special effects. “Iron Man 2” is a bit like a Golden Retriever. It’s big and it’s a bit stupid, but despite its shortcomings it still manages to entertain. “Iron Man 2” won’t change your life, but it certainly will make two hours of your life a bit more entertaining. Contact Troy Patton at tpatton@theinquireronline.com Photo Courtesy of Paramount

Talent show entertains campus Annie Sciacca Staff writer “Fight gay bashing.” “An injury to one is an injury to all.” “Beat back bigotry.” “Stop the attack on gay rights.” The signs hung next to rainbow flags around Music room 101 on Friday night as DVC’s Queer Straight Alliance hosted its biannual variety show. “What’s going on DVC?” squealed Kimberly Mendoza, QSA president and show coordinator, at the outset. “Let me hear you go, ‘Hey, girl, hey,” she urged the crowd, echoing the title of the performance. The series of acts began with QSA members Rigo Machado and David Carson lip-syncing and dancing to Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.”

Machado strutted along the stage area in high heels, tight pants, and dramatic make-up. He was accompanied by Carson, who stomped through the audience in a black dress and sparkling hoop earrings. After the crowd went wild for their performance, the show continued with everything from a performance by the DVC dance club moving to a mash-up of popular songs to a solo performance of “Your Song” by Cameron Bean in a top hat and sun glasses, a la Sir Elton John himself. Mendoza said the QSA prepared for the show all semester, while also putting together such events as the Day of Silence and participating in the Inter Club Council talent show. Mendoza was pleased with the show and the audience turnout. “If no one’s complaining, home girl,

I’m happy,” Mendoza said, laughing and glancing around the nearly filled room.

“It’s fun,” said Cassie Carsten, a senior at San Ramon Valley High School. “I came last year and enjoyed myself.” Other groups came out to support the QSA, including the Latino Student Alliance and members of Students for a Democratic Society. Some of these club members – including LSA president Keith Montes and the band, Running Horse, which includes musicians from SDS – performed in the show. Though most of the performers were QSA members, it was not necessary to be in the club to perform, Mendoza said. “Anyone can be in it,” she said. “We’ll take anyone!”

Contact Annie Sciacca at asciacca@theinquireronline.com

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Green intern works out the silver and black

Trainer gains experience with Oakland Raiders

Javier Zotello made a quick transition.

Kamille Simmons-Turnquest Staff writer

plication process.

student to be selected for the intern-

Zotello works on lower body training

withknowing all these almost people at the ship. year Rob Seeley and Oakland Ryan with the Raiders 6 a.m. to 10:30 He“Working went from nothing aboutLast football to helping the Raiders get intofrom shape during the offprofessional level is really exciting,” he Allison, both students of Pierson’s, had a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He season.

said. “The intensity is on another lev- the same opportunity. is responsible for the set-up of training avier Zotello made a quick el.” According to Pierson, the Raiders rooms, helping the players to warm-up, In his first transition. year at DVC, Zotello is one of 10 people selected for a three-month, personal training internship with the team. “It’s an honor for [them] to be Zotello was concerned at first, be- seek out interns who are dependable helping to implement core workouts, able to perform at the professional level,” said the Raiders’ strength and conditioning assistant Chris Pearson who works with the interns. He went from knowing almost cause he knew so little about American and open to learning. and general equipment maintenance. nothing about football to helping the football. But he found that that knowl“Outside of his knowledge The Raiders’ assistant coach, PearOakland gettraining into shape during at DVC, Zotello, 28, moved from At work on aRaiders personal certificate Argentina in 2001, where he played and coached soccer. edge was not particularly relevant to and experience, Javier had a son, described Zotello as a hard workthe off-season. his internship. really good resume and cover. In his first yearsports,” at DVC, he Zotello “I’ve always played said.was “Then I“They started working out three years ago, and I got really into “He’s it.” an outgoing guy,” he said, “and go through a lot of different er letter,” she said. “He has one of 10 people selected for a threeexercises – rope training, Olyma great work ethic and he’s very knowledgeable on the field, month, personal training internship withhis sports medicine instructor Zotello learned of the internship from Shelly Pierson, who helped him with the application pic training, power lifting, is serious about which was impressive to me.” the team. “It’s an honor for [them] to be process. Zotello said he is most excited about free weights, and a lot the academics of able to perform at the professional levexpanding his knowledge of sports of core training,” he the program.” el,” saidwith the Raiders’ con“Working all thesestrength people and at the professional is Zotello really exciting,” he said. “The intensity is on another and personal training. said. “Forlevel me to appre- medicine ditioning assistant Chris Pearson who level.” “The coaches make sure you’re conexperience and ciates the effort works with the interns. learn all these Pierson puts stantly learning,” he said. “If you have At work on a personal training certifiquestions, they’ll as that much as different ways to in with her stuZotello was concerned at first, because he knew so little about American football. Buttell heyou found cate at DVC, Zotello, 28, moved from they know. get healthy and dents. thatArgentina knowledge particularly relevant to his internship. in was 2001,not where he played “If it wasn’t for “They give a lot of support and the fit is what I like and coached soccer. players really outgoing supher, the internbest.” “They“I’ve go through a lot ofsports,” different exercises – rope training, Olympic training,are power lifting, free and weights, always played he said. ships probably portive. It’s a fun environment.” Zotello and“Then a lot of core training,” hethree said. years “For me to experience and learn all these different ways to get I started working out wouldn’t be posis not the ago, and and Ifit got healthy is really what into I likeit.”best.” sible,” Zotello f i r s t Zotello learned of the internship from said. “She helps Contact Kamille Simmons-Turnquest DVC his sports medicine instructor Shelly Zotello is not the first DVC student to be forlike thea internship. Last year Rob Seeley and at ksimmons@theinquireronline.com us selected a lot. She’s Pierson, who helped him with the apRyan Allison, both students of Pierson’s, had the same opportunity. mentor.” Advertisement

Check out

TheInquirerOnline.com news updates - podcasts - photos

for breaking news via your social network Advertisement

Thursday, May 13, 2010

How do you prepare for finals?

Erique Gigante, 21 Undeclared “Full night sleep, studying, and lots and lots of cups of coffee.”

Inquirer applauds code changes The Election Committee did the right thing by finally dropping all charges against three Progressive Democratic Students candidates – Francisco Hinajosa, Nick Holmes and Brian Donovan – who ran for student government positions in the recent election. These charges were based on a section of the Elections Code that is ill-conceived, poorly written and probably illegal. As written, section 7.04 creates a situation in which candidates can be held responsible for the actions of someone unaffiliated with the election or the candidate’s campaign. This not only unfair to the candidate, but also violates the First Amendment rights of students who want to take part in the election by voicing their opinions. Bill Oye, dean of student life and co-adviser to the ASDVC,

Christopher C. Long / The Inquirer

said of section 7.04 in an e-mail message to Election Committee chair Ben Pradya: “It goes somewhat against common sense to hold a candidate responsible for the behavior of a non-candidate.”

Additionally, the section assumes everyone – candidate or not – knows the code and is willing to abide by it. And that means a candidate’s supporters must closely monitor their opinions, ’lest they harm the

standing of their candidate. Indeed, Pradya even admitted a candidate would be held accountable, if The Inquirer printed an endorsement editorial without first getting the article pre-approved by the Election Committee. The Inquirer would never do agree to such a draconian restriction, which flies in the face of the First Amendment’s protection of the press and the right to free speech. Pradya’s tie-breaking vote to toss out all charges of election code violations is to be commended. The next step is to replace section 7.04 with language that respects the democratic process, upholds the First Amendment and allows lively, unfettered debate.

Making music on their own terms Ana Meza, 21 Theater major “I procrastinate until the last minute and then pray to god I pass the final.”

Emerald Voughtony, 18 Nursing “I try to get a good night sleep and read over what we’ve done this semester and read old tests.”

Greg Champion, 20 Drama “I drink a lot and I’m not joking. I haven’t failed a final yet.”

Interviewer: Julie George Photographer: Travis Jenkins

Winner of the 2009 JACC Online General Excellence

Artistic expression on major record labels is on life support. Gone are the days when artists were free to express whatever inspiration they felt. But there’s an entirely separate entity that is free from the greed of an in“There’s an endustry known as the music “busitirely separate ness.” entity that is free It’s the indefrom the greed... pendent record known as the mu- label. Founded sic ‘business.’” by Teen Idles members Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, it originated first out of necessity as Dischord Records in the summer of 1980, Teen Idles having just broken up and MacKaye and Nelson wanting to release a record. Their only problem: no major label would ever release a record by a hardcore punk band. With $600 saved from playing gigs and shoved into a cigar box, MacKaye and Nelson designed their album cover and sent off the tapes to a pressing plant.

By December of 1980, Teen Idles’ “Minor Disturbance” E.P. was released. This event stood as a testament to MacKaye and Nelson’s strongest sentiment, to simply “Do it yourself.” That DIY mantra bridged MacKaye to form Fugazi in 1987, along with Joe Lally and eventually ex-Rites of Spring members Brendan Canty and Guy Piccioto. The group went on to release six studio albums, most recently “The Argument” in 2001. Over their 15 year active span, they grew a substantial following touring the entire US, South America, Europe, Australia and Japan playing venues with crowds of upwards of 1,500, and heavily influencing the independent music scene. Eventually this success sparked the interest of major record labels, but MacKaye politely declined, sticking to the strong ethics the band is known for. Ethics to try to land show covers no higher than $5 and to always have them open to all ages. If a crowd member started to act too rough to others, they were quick to hand them an envelope containing the $5 they had spent to get in, a stash of these envelopes they kept

in their tour van. As of 2002, Fugazi have placed themselves on an “indefinite hiatus” in order to focus on their families and other musical endeavors, possibly one day reconvening. As for Dischord Records, the same sentiment of DIY rings true today, 30 years later, as they still stand in their original locale of WashBrian DeAngelis ington D.C., and Staff writer still “sign” bands with just a simple handshake. It speaks volumes that Dischord Records can exist, let alone be successful. At the same time, it’s hard to imagine a world without at least some people out there willing to adhere to strong ethics and to construct something in an entirely organic fashion. Contact Brian DeAngelis at bdeangelis@ theinquireronline.com

Student finds personal peace amidst war I walked down a dirt road, the mist offering cool relief from the jungle heat. “I cherish peace In one hand, I because I have held a pail of experienced war.” rice, in the other, bottles of water. I heard the bells of the donkey before I saw the monk. He smiled as I placed the alms in his bag. “Sawatdee Khrab.” “Hello” was one of the few Thai phrases I knew. The monk pressed his hands together, bowed and moved on. I thought back to just two years before when I was patrolling down a dry, dirt road in the blistering Iraqi heat and holding the grip of an automatic rifle. I heard the roar of the engine before I saw the suicide bomber. Then I felt the blast, the sting of shrapnel and

the fear of death. I looked back at the monk and the donkey disappearing into the mist. I reflected on the events and people who had shaped my worldview. The losses I suffered in Iraq gave me heartbreak and bitterness. The joy I shared with orphaned children in Thai villages gave me hope. There, in the jungles of Thailand, I struggled to reconcile the turmoil with the tranquility. A suicide bomber seeks Paradise through mass murder. The Buddhist monk believes that giving alms is the first step toward Nirvana. How could such anger and compassion share the same world? What do they tell us of the fate – or promise – of humanity? It was a question I could have asked myself. Why would someone volunteer for war, and find peace aiding the less fortunate? I cherish peace because I have experi-

enced war. But academically, I am interested in international relations, even when war becomes a tool of foreign policy. These questions and paradoxes remain at the root of my in- Chris Clark tellectual inquiry. Staff writer War and peace have had a profound and personal impact on me. Whether I am studying politics or poetry, both influence my perspective and drive my curiosity.

Contact Chris Clark at inquirer@dvc.edu

We congratulate Jean Dickinson on her last issue as newspaper adviser. Thanks for everything!

- Inquirer Staff

Editorial Board

Staff

Editor in chief: Ariel Messman-Rucker News editor: Julius Rea Features editor: Scott Baba Entertainment editor: Troy Patton Sports editor: Curtis Uemura Opinions editor: Jonathan Roisman Co-online editors: Annie Sciacca, Christopher C. Long Copy editor: Nick Sestanovich Instr. lab coordinator: Ann Stenmark Adviser: Jean Dickinson

Photo chief: Chris Corbin Photographers: Travis Jenkins, Courtney Johnson, Kate Vasilyeva Cartoonist: Christopher C. Long Reporters: Oksana Yurovsky, Julie George, Carrie Soldati, Brian DeAngelis, Kamille Simmons-Turnquist, Travis Wonacott, Yuno Imai, Lina Pervez, David Matteri, Christian Villanueva, Chris Clark, Morgan Renteria, Josh Fathollahi

The Inquirer

Phone: 925.685.1230 ext. 2313 Fax: 925.681.3045 E-mail: inquirer@dvc.edu Web: www.dvc.edu/journalism www.theinquireronline.com

The Inquirer is published on 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 reflect a two-thirds

majority opinion of the editorial staff. All signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artist and not necessarily those of the Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or the Contra Costa Community College District.

Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, H-102 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Thursday, May 13, 2010

6 CALENDAR Thursday, May 13 Express Bar Norseman Last day until fall Matriculation Committee President’s Conference Room 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 14 Drama - Betty’s Summer Vacation PAC 8 p.m. Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble PAC 8 p.m. Saturday, May 15 Philharmonic Orchestra and Choirs PAC 8 p.m. Monday, May 17 Dessert Express Norseman 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 Saint Mary’s College Transfer questions Counseling center 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Chamber Ensembles Command Performance M 101 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 Fall 2010 Registration By Appointment

Corrections: In the article, “Scandinavian metal perfect for Vikings,” published in the May 6 issue of The Inquirer, the word ‘Scandinavian’ was spelled incorrectly in the headline. In the article, “Sports possibly saved by Title IX,” in the May 6 issue of The Inquirer, the attached contact information was incorrect. The contact information for the writer, Scott Baba, is sbaba@ theinquireronline. com. In the article, “‘Summer’ of Love,” in the May 6 issue, The Inquirer misidentified the character who was dancing “on a table during the game of charades.” In fact, the character was Mr. Vanislaw, played by Radek Antczak. CLASSIFIED PLACEMENT INFORMATION $1.50 a line 2 line minimum. 32 characters per line includes punctuation & spaces Copy and payment due the Monday before publication date. For more information call 925.685.1230 ext 2313 or stop by The Inquirer office.

ASDVC... Continued from page 1 “It goes somewhat against common sense to hold a candidate responsible for the behavior of a non-candidate,” Oye wrote, “unless it can be clearly proven that they were made aware of the behavior in advance and were in support of the behavior.” The charges were brought to the committee by current Activities Coordinator Adrian Briones, who lost the contest for webmaster to the PDS candidate. His complaints focused on Donovan, vice president of legislative affairs-elect, as well as Francisco Hinajosa and Nick Holmes, who lost for the positions of president and vice president of executive affairs, respectively. At issue was a leaflet handed out during the student government election by Frank Runninghorse, a DVC student and member of Students for a Democratic Society, to which both Donovan and Holmes belong. In the flier, Runninghorse endorsed the PDS coalition while criticizing the opposing UAID slate, specifically Briones and Presidentelect Katerina Schreck. In a moment of high drama, all of the PDS candidates, their supporters and Runninghorse jumped to their feet and broke into applause when Pradya announced all charges were being dropped. During the meeting, Briones continued to defend his reasons, saying the three candidates should

be held accountable to the code as it is written now, even if it is to be revised. “We cannot let people continuously violate [the Elections Code] and have no repercussions,” he said. Had the Elections Committee decided against dropping all charges, Donovan, who won the election for vice president of legislative affairs, could have been removed from office, although Pradya said this outcome was unlikely. “I have a right to free speech, that’s guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution,” Runninghorse said. “Yes, there was a crime committed during the election process, but it was Adrian bringing charges, trying to suppress free speech and democracy.” The Election Commit-

tee was also set to discuss charges brought by PDS campaign manager Keith Montes against the UAID coalition (Uniting ASDVC,

the Inter Club Council and DVC) – the slate Briones ran with – but Montes decided to drop his charges “in the spirit of what hap-

pened here today.”

[forcing] my whole body to move back.” Runninghorse disputes that description, saying he attempted to “place a piece of literature” on top of Briones’ folded arms. Briones recently lost the race to become ASDVC’s webmaster and also failed to make stick his complaints of election violations against candidates from the Progressive Democratic Students coalition, whom Runninghorse had endorsed. The Elections Committee dropped all charges against Brian Donovan, Francisco Hinajosa and Nick Holmes. Briones said Runninghorse has continually has-

sled him. “When I walk around campus he always yells at me and calls me ‘Nazi,’ ‘Füehrer,’ ‘fascist,’” Briones said. He said he no longer felt safe after the Monday incident. Briones said he had no idea of Runninghorse’s status as a sex offender, and it was not motivation for filing the battery complaint. A public record obtained by The Inquirer revealed that Runninghorse was charged in December 2005 with four counts of committing lewd acts with a minor aged 14-15 and one count of possessing sexual matter involving minors.

By law, these crimes are felony-level offenses. But Runninghorse’s lawyer got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor offense. As a result, his personal and identifying information is not required to be available on such public offender databases as the Megan’s Law website, said Contra Costa Sheriff’s Detective Kelly Challand. Challand said only felons’ information appears on such public sites. Farley said sex offenders who attend classes at DVC must register with campus police. Runninghorse refused to comment on his conviction or his failure to reg-

ister, saying only that he was “taking care of it right away.” Supervising Deputy District Attorney Bruce Flynn said his office had not yet received a report on the arrest, which is being completed by Lt. Sharp from campus police. No evaluation as to how the case will be prosecuted can be made until the report is submitted, he said. Editor in chief Ariel Messman-Rucker contributed to this article.

from 70 percent to 60 percent. Although he was a parttime employee before the reduction, Michael said the reduced paycheck is a big deal. “I have a family and kids,” he said. Rose Desmond, alternate media specialist, said she was not expecting her

workload to be reduced from 12 to 11 months. “We weren’t told really much of anything until it came down [to it],” she said. Desmond converts textbooks and other class materials into different formats, such as Braille and audio, for disabled students. The lack of staff will mean “students won’t be getting their materials in a timely manner,” she said. Union representative Nancy Ryanen-Grant said layoffs are the only option, despite classified employees offering to take pay cuts and furlough days. “We need to have fewer people,” she said, “not lots of people with less pay.” Transfer Center coordinator Regan Ronayne came to work last Friday only to be told to surrender her keys. She said she was escorted to her car

Courtney Johnson / The Inquirer

Members of UAID, PDS and the Election Committee listen as Ben Pradya, committee chair, discusses his reasons for dropping all charges. Below, Brian Donovan waits for the final decision. Contact Ariel MessmanRucker at amessmanrucker@theinquireronline.com

Arrest... Continued from page 1 ever, because it was discovered he had dropped below the minimum number of required units. ASDVC activities coordinator Adrian Briones, who was involved in an ongoing dispute with Runninghorse over alleged election code violations, acknowledged filing the battery complaint May 5 that led to his arrest. The allegation stems from an incident that Briones said occurred two days earlier when, he says, Runninghorse tried to thrust a flier on him. “He just grabbed a paper and rammed it in my arm,” Briones said, “basically

Contact Christopher C. Long at clong@theinquireronline.com

Layoff... Continued from page 1 Music lab coordinator Doug Michael said he was surprised when he was called into the meeting last Thursday. A DVC instructor since 1999, Michael teaches two classes and supervises lab activity. His lab job was cut

May 10, 2010 Parking Lot: A student used both hands to prevent being struck by a moving vehicle. Later the student wanted to file a report complaining of pain in his elbow. Silent Witness: Working together to solve crime The Silent Witness tip line provides a means of communication for members of the campus community to provide District Police with information ANONYMOUSLY without revealing their identity. Silent Witness hot line: 925-6851230 ext. 1999 Lost and Found is located at Police Service. People who have lost items or have found items may come into Police Services from 7:30-10:30 during the week.

Travis Jenkins / The Inquirer

Senior Office Assistant Sonya Castro sits at her desk in between helping students. and still does not know why she was terminated. Hired in August, she was still in the probation period. “I came in at 9 a.m., and I was gone at 10 a.m.,” Ronayne said. She had just finished decorating for a celebration for students who had been accepted to U.C. Berkeley. Donna Floyd, interim vice-president of student

services, said the current job cuts will not be enough to meet the deficit. More are anticipated for the 2010-11 school year, she said. Contact Lina Pervez at lpervez@theinquireronline.com Contact Oksana Yurovsky at oyurovsky@theinquireronline.com