DVC Inquirer 12-11-14 Vol. I Issue 7 by DVC Inquirer

The

INQUIRER Student Voice of Diablo Valley College

Volume I No. 7 Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 www.DVCInquirer.com

Voices call for a better tomorrow

• News 2, 3 • Opinions 4 • Sports 11 • Editorial 4 • Features 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 • Campus Buzz 4 • Calendar 2 • Police Beat 2 • Staff Information 2 • Copyright © 2014 The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

news 2

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

calendar Art Department Holiday Sale, Dec. 11 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m BFL-CCC Prints, ceramics and jewelry will be sold. Cash, checks and charges accepted. Jazz Combos Night, Dec. 12 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. M-101 A feature presentation of DVC’s various small jazz combos. $8 in advance; $11 at the door. Women’s Basketball vs. American River, Jan. 6 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Gymnasium DVC Women’s Basketball hosts American River College in a Big 8 Conference matchup. Women’s Basketball vs. Sierra, Jan. 9 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Gymnasium DVC Women’s Basketball hosts Sierra College in a Big 8 Conference matchup. Men’s Basketball vs. Sierra, Jan. 9 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Gymnasium DVC Men’s Basketball hosts Sierra College in a Big 8 Conference matchup.

police beat November 24, DVC Parking Lot 1 At 12:42 p.m., a student locked her infant nephew in the car with the keys inside. Another student called AAA and the door was unlocked. The infant was not injured. November 25, DVC Parking Lot 10 At 6:15 p.m., a staff member reported that her vehicle was broken into while it was parked on campus property. She reported that her purse was stolen from the vehicle. November 26, BFL Building At 12:30 p.m., a student locked her bicycle to the rack outside of the Business and Foreign Language Building. When she returned, the bicycle had been stolen. December 1, DVC lot behind Police Services At 2:30 a.m. unknown subjects vandalized several DVC Police Services Vehicles by spray painting on them.

Obama orders drastic action DANIEL MARACCINI Features editor

After nearly six years in office, President Barack Obama is on the verge of his first significant reform to the immigration system. Diablo Valley College faculty and staff are welcoming the changes. A key part of the action is allowing temporary residence to undocumented parents. If an undocumented parent has lived in the U.S. for at least five years and their child is a legal citizen or green card holder, then the parent is eligible for three years of residence. According to CNN, the action does not offer “a path to eventual citizenship or (eligibility) for federal benefits or health care programs.” Anthropology major Ayanda Moses views keeping these families together as a positive. “It's not harmful at all to allow a hard-working family to stay,” she said. ”If they were going to harm U.S. citizens they would have done it already.” The action also places emphasis on identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants who are potentially dangerous, such as gang members and felons. The controversy surrounding the reform effort is that it's an executive order. After years of gridlock concerning the issue, Obama is effectively bypassing Congress

FILE PHOTO / The Inquirer

Natalie Ruiz from San Francisco singing at a DVC Cinco De Mayo celebration in 2010. to implement this action. During his Nov. 20 public address, Obama spoke about this decision. “I continue to believe that the best way to solve this problem is by working together," he said. “But until that happens, there are actions I have the legal authority to take as president … that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just.” Students at DVC seem to be agreeing with the president’s action. Communications major Karla Xochicale is one of those students.

“For years, the GOP has not wanted anything to do with immigration reform,” Xochicale said. “Nothing was going to happen with the immigration reform if Obama waited for the Congress.” Psychology major Arman Mostaghimi points out that President Obama is not the first to use this action. “He did what many presidents have done before him by putting through executive orders in order to make a stand on something he believed in,” Mostaghimi said.

DVC student counselor Tedmund Munoz encourages students affected by the action to utilize school resources. “Since every student could be impacted differently, counseling would be a great start,” Munoz said. “A counselor could aid a student directly or make appropriate referrals depending on an individual’s situation.”

Contact DANIEL MARACCINI at DMaraccini@DVCInquirer.com

Affordable Care Act proves critics wrong ALICIA WATSON Staff member

Californians without coverage can still get it through Covered California, the state’s new health exchange created under the ACA. The 2015 open enrollment period began in November and continues through Feb. 15. CC is an online marketplace that helps consumers compare health insurance plans, purchase coverage and determine eligibility for federal subsidies like Medicaid. According to Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee, about 1.2 million Californians used the exchange to obtain coverage this year. CC officials hope to enroll half a million more for 2015. The exchange is open to all legal California residents. Despite widespread rumors, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for ACA coverage, nor are incarcerated individuals. The ACA mandate was accompanied by new consumer protections. Among them: health coverage can no longer be denied due to a pre-

THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, ATC-103 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 The Inquirer is published Thursdays during the school year by the Diablo Valley College journalism students. Unsigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and reflect a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff. Signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artist and not necessarily those of The Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or Contra Costa Community College District.

existing condition; coverage is guaranteed for all eligible applicants; there’s no annual limit on benefits; rates cannot be based on gender or health status; and young adults can now stay on parents’ health plans through age 25. Nursing major Aireonna Carranza, 21, is covered by a parent’s employer-provided plan, as is 18-year old automotive engineering major Nathanial Floris. Vanessa Terrill was also on her mother’s plan, until recently. “It got too expensive for my mom,” the 19-year-old Diablo Valley College student said, “so me and my sister got taken off.” Terrill’s family is now seeking a more affordable option. Affordability has been one of the top three obstacles to getting insured, according to CC officials. Prior to the ACA, pre-existing conditions and lack of employer-provided health plans were also barriers. The ACA targets these hurdles by imposing rate restraints, excluding pre-existing conditions as a disqualifying factor, and providing insurance access to those without employer

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF NEWS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITORS

Amrita Kaur Tyler Elmore Shane Louis Daniel Maraccini Kendall Brescia Amrita Kaur Tyler Elmore Shane Louis

plans. It also requires large employers to offer employee health coverage. Insurance plans and health services are provided by name-brand companies such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Health Net and Kaiser Permanente. Though many DVC students say they know little about the ACA, they generally support the legislation. “I know it’s making health care insurance affordable for a lot of people who need it and that sounds pretty good to me,” Floris said. According to a recent Gallup poll, young adults have made the largest gains under ACA compared with other age groups. The Gallup poll also showed the number of uninsured adults between the ages of 18 to 25 dropped to 21 percent in the first quarter of this year, down from 27 percent in 2008. According to an October article in the New York Times, that’s the lowest number of uninsured in that age group since tracking began in 1997. Contact ALICIA WATSON at AWatson@DVCInquirer.com

Staff STAFF WRITERS Cameron Chear, Marissa Dadgari, Elicia Locke, Natalia Kiedrzyn, Taylor Pagan, Taylor Saenz, Lucas Wanlass, Alicia Watson, Liyin Yeo, Zachary Dalton CORRESPONDENTS Andrew Barber, Wesley Iheuze, Raymond Martin INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Julius Rea ADVISER Mary Mazzocco

• Phone: 925.969.2543 • Email: inquirer@dvc.edu • Website: www.dvcinquirer.com • Printed seven times per semester •

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Controversial athlete seeks additional opportunity ZACHARY DALTON Staff member

A former University of Oregon basketball player accused of sexual assault studied and practiced at Diablo Valley College this semester Dominic Artis, 21, was released from the University of Oregon basketball team as well as being expelled from the university earlier this year after sexual assault allegations were made towards him. A Sept. 4 article by Hayden Kim of the Daily Emerald, University of Oregon's student newspaper, says Artis will attend DVC and redshirt with the basketball team for the 2014-2015 school year in hopes of returning to a Division I university next year. Neither Artis nor DVC's head basketball coach, Steve Coccimiglio, would talk about the situation. However, Coccimiglio told Andrew Greif of the Oregonian in September that Artis deserves a second chance and having him practice at DVC is an opportunity for him to get back to the next level. A report released by the Eugene Police Department detailed allegations that Artis and two other University of Oregon basketball players sexually assaulted a woman on March 9. On April 14, the district attorney decided not to charge any of the three men with assault due to lack of evidence, according to a Daily Emerald article written by Troy Brynelson and Victor Flores. Contact ZACHARY DALTON at ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com

ASDVC president resigns with weeks left in semester TYLER ELMORE Managing editor

With fewer than two weeks left in the semester, Associated Students of Diablo Valley College President Keith Montes resigned from his position. Montes sent an email to all of the ASDVC executive officers, stating that he is resigning due to family and personal reasons. They announced it at the Nov. 25 ASDVC meeting. Vice President of Executive Affairs Steven Wijaya will be acting as interim president until the spring election. “It was overwhelming at first, fortunately the executives and board members have been of great assistance,” Wijaya said. “Finishing this semester would have been impossible without their incredible support.” In addition to the open president position, the director of activities chair is vacant FILE PHOTO / The Inquirer and will be open for election. Student trustee Elijah Zinskin said there Former DVC president Keith Montes, pictured above, recently resigned are quite a few board members interested due to family and personal reasons on Nov. 25. in the president’s position. These positions will only open for already existing ASDVC think it trickled it too much.” While ASDVC hasn’t had a president quit members. Though Montes has stepped down, he mid-year in more than 5 years, they aren’t If no one was still vocal worried too much about the coming semes“It was overwhelming at first, is elected into in the ASDVC ter. the president’s meeting on Starting the first week of next semesfortunately the executives and position, it will Dec. 2. ter, ASDVC will be holding info sessions roll over into board members have been of great He con- around campus so students can understand the next semesstantly asked what happens within student politics. assistance.” ter when they questions and “It will be challenging indeed to do so,” would normally offered advice Wijaya said. “However, with a collaborative ~STEVEN WIJAYA vote for a new to his fellow effort across the board, I believe we will pull Vice President of Executive Affairs president. board mem- it through and start even stronger.” “It (Montes’s bers. resignation) created some inefficiency," Zin“If I can get everything worked out, I Contact TYLER ELMORE at skin said. "But overall in terms of subjective may consider running for it (president) TElmore@DVCInquirer.com value we have on the board, I don’t really again next semester,” Montes said. Advertisement

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opinions 4

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

The

Buzz

Editorial

If UC fees go up five percent, how would that affect your transfer plans?

NATE CHAVEZ, 19 Computer science

“I don’t think it would. College pays off eventually cause it’s an investment, and you really only get one shot.”

MAYRA REYES, 18 Administration of justice

“They shouldn’t raise our tuition just to get a better retirement. It just doesn’t help us in any way.”

ZEKE LUNA, 18 Pharmacy technician

“It would be kinda hard on my family as we aren’t as well off financially. It really feels like it’s nearly impossible for people to get in.”

EGOR ROSE, 19 Media design

“I wont be affected, but a lot of friends I know are going to UC’s. Many of them question where their money is going and where its being spent.”

ADAM HARLANDER, 18 Undeclared

“I’m not going to a UC as far as I know. It wouldn’t affect my transfer plans too much, but it still sucks for everyone else.” Interviewed by: Lucas Wanlass & Ryan Chan Photographed by: Marissa Dadgari

Courtesy of JESSE SUTTERLEY

Porcia Thurston and her son Darius march down Market Street in San Francisco on Black Friday protesting the lack of indictment in the Michael Brown death on Nov. 28.

Time to confront America’s unspoken struggle

The latest decisions not to indict white police officers in the killings of unarmed black men ignited protests across the country, but it also sparked a very difficult, yet necessary conversation regarding race in America. When a white politician like New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has the same concerns that many in the African-American community do, which is how to keep their black children alive, it is time for government and the public to start a dialogue. "What parents have done for decades, who have children of color, especially young men of color, is train them to be very careful when they have a connection with a police officer," de Blasio opened up to ABC's George Stephanopoulos on Dec. 7. Somehow the country forgot to continue to speak of racial issues when we elected and re-elected a black President. As a nation we thought there was no longer a need for important dialogue such as police brutality against black suspects versus white. We became desensitized towards the fact that racist slurs have become the norm even when it comes to the person holding highest office in the U.S.

Former Secretary of State Co- on fatal police shootings. lin Powell told Meet The Press in The 1,217 deadly police shoot2013 that Republicans continue to ings from 2010 to 2012 captured use racist attacks against President in the federal data show that Barack Obama because there is blacks, age 15 to 19, were killed at still a "dark vein of intolerance" a rate of 31.17 per million, while in the party, just 1.47 per according to “Young black males in million white the Daily Mail males in that age recent years were at a range died at the UK. "That slavehands of police. far greater risk of era language "It's differbeing shot dead by is being used ent for a white to describe police than their white child," de Blasio Obama as a told Stephanoresult of the counterparts – 21 times polous. party's shift greater, according to a "That's just to the right the reality in this ProPublica analysis of country. And - something leaders must federally collected data with Dante, address if they very early on on fatal police hope to win with my son, the presidenwe said, look, if shootings.” tial election in a police officer 2016," Powell stops you, do said. everything he tells you to do, don't The fact that police systemi- move suddenly, don't reach for cally discriminate in their profiling your cell phone, because we knew, method during a routine traffic sadly, there's a greater chance it stop or in face of resisting arrest, might be misinterpreted if it was is a well known fact. a young man of color." Young black males in recent There are a vast number of rayears were at a far greater risk of cial disparities in the judicial, politbeing shot dead by police than ical and social system in our countheir white counterparts – 21 times try; the shootings of unarmed greater, according to a ProPublica black men are just one example. analysis of federally collected data While it may be true that crime

and gang activity in minority communities is higher in comparison to other demographics, the issues are far deeper and more complicated than what media and politicians portray them as. A response that many have had is that black people need to stop killing each other. But poverty and a lack of opportunities due to systemic racism are important factors that can't be ignored. When white supporters of the cause permeate protests and social media, saying "Black Lives Matter" and "Stop Killing Our Children," it does not mean that suddenly there is no racial divide and everyone is friends. A far greater conversation needs to be held among people from all communities. Community leaders need to make a greater effort to open up the race dialogue, in order to understand the deep-rooted, underlying issues communities face. Our judicial system needs an immediate overhaul to ensure fair treatment of members of all communities and to get rid of the fear mongering towards certain races. We are all Americans and we all must be treated as such, regardless of color.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Students wear beliefs with pride

Muslim women dispel myths about headscarves and religious oppression TYALOR PAGAN Staff member

Covering one's self, a religious duty of the Islamic faith, is one that Muslim women choose to proudly uphold across the Diablo Valley College campus. DVC student Eman Elbeial, 20, recalls growing up in Egypt as a young girl and looking forward to the day she got her period. Entering puberty meant Elbeial was entering womanhood and becoming a woman meant she would start wearing a hijab just like all the other covered women she grew up admiring and desiring to be like. "I like to wear it," Elbeial says. She explains how her hijab protects her, how it makes her unattractive to men. This is important to Elbeial. Modesty is an important Islamic discipline instructed in the Quran. For some, this commandment is kept by avoiding revealing clothing. For others, modest attire is interpreted as covering the entire body, head to toe by wearing a burqa or niqab. For others, maintaining modesty is achieved by covering the head

with a hijab or shayla headscarf. DVC student Shazia Omari, 26, explains how for her, not covering her hair would be a sin. "It's not easy to wear it," she says. "I feel different, but it is a part of my Islamic faith." Asma Saleh, 20, is proud to wear her hijab, an outward symbolic representation of her inner beliefs and convictions. "It's a personal choice," she says. "It's not forced upon, but it is an obligation."

“Beauty is on the inside.” ~HANEEN RADHI Studnet

Saleh has been wearing her hijab since she was 12 years old. "It means 'me'," she says confidently. "It's who I am." Though Saleh doesn't notice any obvious judgment from society for expressing her faith, DVC student Haneen Radhi, 26, does. Radhi came to the U.S. from Iraq when she was 22.

"I get harassment everywhere, especially at DVC," she says. Radhi doesn't understand the criticism she receives from both students and teachers. She doesn't appreciate the assumptions people make. "This is my choice and I believe in it," she says, recalling how fellow classmates have labeled her as "the scarf lady" and how one DVC teacher pointed her out in class, announcing that she especially needed to read the book on women's liberation that was on the recommended reading list. "Why am I any different? Am I not the same? Am I not human?" she asks, questioning the torment. Radhi wears her hijab to protect her attractiveness. "I am smart. I am beautiful. I am lucky," she says. Radhi desires to be admired for who she is, not for what she looks like. "Beauty is not just on the outside," she says. "Beauty is on the inside. This is what the hijab represents." KENDALL BRECIA / The Inquirer Contact TAYLOR PAGAN at TPagan@DVCInquirer.com

DVC student Asma Saleh, 20 is proud to wear her hijab for her culture, but herself as well. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014.

Foreign students are faced with hardship CAMERON CHEAR Staff member

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Walking around Diablo Valley College is like traveling across the world, with no telling what different culture you might encounter. However, many native students do not fully understand what it’s like to be an international student. Part of what assists international students in their transition to the United States are the many clubs and programs available for them on campus. Programs such as International Christian Fellowship, bring together students of all different backgrounds so they can feel less alone in their adjustment. Hamees Momin, 17, mechanical engineering major, goes to ICF every Friday. “Most of them who go are not Christians,” he says. “It is just a gathering they do for international students, so they don’t miss their families. I have a twin brother and a small sister in Dubai, and I miss them a lot, but when I go to ICF it helps me forget about the distance and relive memories of them.” For Jeffrey Tiu, 20, communications major, the experience has been pleasant. “I was accepted by most of my classmates. One of the reasons has to be that I don’t really speak broken English, or at least I’m more fluent than other international students,” Tiu explained. For students who are proficient

in English and American customs, the adjustment is much easier. For international student Zarko Sadikovic, 20, kinesiology major, the adjustment was not so easy.Although his English is getting better, he says, “My ideas don’t go through in the way I want them too, and it is often very frustrating for someone to not understand you.” Business accounting major Felipe Almeida Alterthum, 19, compared professors in Brazil with those at DVC. “Here, the teachers care about you, whereas in Brazil, the professors don’t care about you at all. It’s not that they try to make you fail, but they don’t try to help you either,” he said. Programs such as ICF can make it easier. Gloria Zarabozo, advisor at the International Student Admissions and Services office, says that some changes can be for the better. Zarabozo advises students and faculty to be mindful of the challenges: "I would like more people on the campus from students through upper management to pause and put themselves in the position of an international student... Fearful that maybe they will do something wrong that might result in them not even being able to finish their studies here."

Contact CAMERON CHEAR at CChear@DVCInquirer.com

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014- Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Courtesy of JESSE SUTTERLEY

Protesters in Oakland light a mattress on fire during a rally for Michael Brown, the St. Louis teen who was killed by police officer Darren Wilson in August, on Nov 26. The protest grew larger after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo was not indicted in relation to Eric Garner’s death.

Race in America

Two non-indictments regarding the deaths of black men fuel Americans’ call for justice

TAYLOR SAENZ Staff member

Protests broke out across the country, even at schools that don't normally demonstrate, after Michael Brown and Eric Garner, both African American males, were shot and killed by white police officers. Diablo Valley College, Saint Mary's College and Stanford University are just some of the local schools whose students participated in protests after two grand juries decided not to indict police officers who killed the two unarmed men in separate incidents. While some protests have caused property and structural damage to cities, others have been peaceful and non-violent.

DVC student Dieudonne Brou spoke at the vigil held for Michael Brown at DVC Nov. 26 to express his feelings about the situation and to speak from a black male’s perspective on society’s perception of him. "Black lives have never mattered in this country, and many people seem to be naïve to this fact,” Brou said. “I also spoke about the necessity for the black community to unite and continue to fight against the injustices of this country, and reminded everyone that this so-called freedom comes at the expense of marginalizing and dehumanizing human beings around the world." Continues on Page 7

AMRITA KAUR / The Inquirer

Dieudonne Brou speaks to the crowd of DVC students at the vigil for Michael Brown on Nov. 26. TYLER ELMORE / The Inquirer

AMRITA KAUR / The Inquirer

Above, Keith Montes, former ASDVC president, asks students to have a moment of silence for Michael Brown and others who have been affected by police brutality during the vigil on Nov. 26. Left, Charlise Nwoha bows her head with other students in silence after sharing thoughts and experiences regarding race and culture.

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Protesters take over the streets of Oakland on Friday Dec. 5 to protest the verdict to not indite the police officer in the chokehold death of New York resident Eric Garner. People continue to protest in both Berkeley and Oakland chanting phrases such as “Hands up, don’t shoot!” and “I can’t breathe!”

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

Later that day, Brou attended a requesting $75 million from Conprotest in Oakland to show sup- gress over the next three years to port to the family of Michael provide 50,000 body cameras to Brown and show solidarity with police officers nationwide. The the people of Ferguson, Missouri body cameras are intended to imwhere Brown was killed. While at prove police relations with the the protest, Brou was arrested for public but their effectiveness has unlawful protest and failure to dis- not been proven. perse. DVC student Teryl McAlaster, On Nov. 19, DVC held a Fergu- who also attended the panel, says son panel with guest speakers Ce- she enjoyed it because it put a difphus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson, the ferent perspective on things and uncle of BART police shooting informed her on topics she didn't victim Oscar Grant, cultural critic know much about. and DJ Davey “It gave D and political “Black lives have never more of a back organizer Cat mattered in this coun- story on cerBrooks. Socitain subjects try, and many people and things that ology student Lily Yi felt ex- seem to be naïve to this I didn't realize tremely grateful that were going fact.” for being part on,” McAlaster of a discussion said. about such an McAlaster ~DIEUDONNE BROU Student important issue. said once you She thought the hear from peopanelists' passion and knowledge ple who have been at the riots and were inspirational. protests and have fought this fight, “Though my experience with their story adds to the picture. racism and prejudice are different “I also hope that our generafrom the experience of the Afri- tion is just feeling more engaged," can American community and the she said. "And I hope that we find police, it makes me compassionate ways to unify and start hopefully and understanding of their senti- boycotting a lot of things." ments,” Yi said. DVC student Essence Suggs Yi thinks body cameras could said knowledge is key regarding improve the behaviors of both the media influences on both incithe public and the police, but is- dents. sues about privacy and the future “If you don’t inform us corof accountability measures make rectly, we are just going to assume it difficult for her to come to a things, and we won’t think about conclusion. She understands the the other side to the story,” Suggs legitimacy of both sides of the said. “The media has such a negaargument and hopes that the con- tive impact on these situations beversation about working with the cause anyone can say anything they police and improving the justice want.” system continues. According to The New York Contact TAYLOR SAENZ at TSaenz@DVCInquirer.com Times, President Barack Obama is

Courtesy of JESSE SUTTERLEY

Citizens march on Market Street in San Francisco on Black Friday protesting both the non-indictment of officer Darren Wilson and commercialism.

Left, Oakland police officers create a blockade so that protesters cannot continue down Broadway. Right, CHP officers push and yell at protesters to get off of 880 freeway in Oakland on Friday Dec. 5. SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

TYLER ELMORE / The Inquirer

features 8

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Parkour group up and running TAYLOR PAGAN Staff member

Imagine getting from one point to another as proficiently as possible while only using the human body. According to Diablo Valley College student Charles Asberry, 22, parkour is the practice of doing just that. Asberry, along with four other parkour practitioners, are members of Diablo Valley Parkour, a free, public group dedicated to full body fitness training, often by the means of running, jumping, climbing, balancing and tumbling over, on and around obstacles. "It's for just about everyone," he says. "If you're looking for a positive change in your life parkour is a great place to start that change." Though some consider parkour dangerous, Asberry disagrees. In fact, for him, parkour has been both physically and mentally beneficial. By breaking physical barriers, Asberry has also been able to overcome mental fears. "Parkour can be and mean different things to different people," he says. To kinesiology major Sean Foley, 21, "parkour is more of a lifestyle than anything else." Foley, along with Asberry, got introduced to DVPK about four years ago. Together, they now lead the group. DVPK is just one of the many local parkour subgroups related to a larger San Francisco Parkour community. "It's the fact that everyone is so accepting of each other that makes me want to come back," Foley says. The best way to get in contact with the group is to join the DVPK Facebook page. However, Asberry says he also takes the initiative to talk about parkour to just about anyone and everyone he comes across. This is how DVPK member

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

Charles Asberry, left, and Nicholas Tam practice parkour on the DVC campus on Dec. 4 Nicholas Tam, 21, got involved. Tam has been a parkour practitioner for about eight months now, after one day meeting Asberry at DVC. As a hyperactive child, Tam had a hard time finding ways to release his extra energy. He now loves to do so by finding new ways to move while creating his parkour routines. "Discovering my body's limits and what it's capable of is just an extra perk," he says. When Tam tells people he does parkour, they always ask

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Contact TAYLOR PAGAN at TPagan@DVCInquirer.com

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him if he can do a back flip. Though he hasn't done one yet, Tam aspires to one day master the art of fluidity and weightlessness, a desired element in parkour. DVPK members attempt to get together once a week and as always, they encourage those interested in parkour to join the group. If you see them training across campus, they welcome you to go and say hi.

RYAN CHAN Staff member

As the hectic fall semester winds down, many students and staff have put spring plans in the back of their minds. However, the Associated Students of Diablo Valley College and the DVC Council have plans for big changes in the spring semester. Last Tuesday a proposal to renovate the Basement Cafe into a multicultural center, or MCC, was announced by Diversity Affairs Officer Lily Yi. According to the committee’s mission statement, the goal of the MCC is to, “promote core values, with an emphasis on social justice and cross cultural empathy and solidarity.” The MCC would feature a small library, a student art gallery and a movable stage to serve as a platform for speakers, open mic time and other events. The MCC would also serve as a venue for clubs and students to mingle and study. Additionally, provisions for a gender neutral bathroom would be included to create a more inclusive environment. The unisex bathrooms, which were originally proposed by ASDVC equity committee member Crystal Bedford, have been long awaited for those in the LGBT community. “The addition of a unisex bathroom in the MCC has garnered a lot of support in the LGBT community from groups that represent minority voices like the Spectrum Caucus," Bedford explained. "It’s something that a lot of the students have wanted for a while.” No dates have been set for ap-

proval of the project yet, but the the MCC could potentially open as early as the beginning of the spring semester. In addition to the proposals made by the ASDVC, the DVC Council is looking to improve campus facilities as well. As part of the Actionable Improvement Plan of the DVC Strategic Plan, provision III.C.1, will relook at the way in which devices like computers and projectors are replaced and upgraded in classrooms. Ted Wieden, the Senior Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at DVC, talked about the ongoing need to streamline the process of technology replacement on campus. “We have some projectors as old as 1997 that are looking at being upgraded,” he explained. “Currently we've been taking requests for infrastructure upgrades and computer replacements in program reviews. But with our new strategy plan, we would no longer need that requirement.” Students like geology major Bradley Silva, 22, were surprised to hear that there would be additional upgrades. “I heard that the Advanced Technology Center's computers had recently upgraded. But I didn't realize there would be more upgrades.” The plan is scheduled for review in January by DVC President Peter Garcia. If approved, students and staff can expect to see an increase in campus technology upgrades throughout the next semester. Contact RYAN CHAN at RChan@DVCInquirer.com

features 9

Thursday, Dec. 11 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Photo professor leaves negatives behind for positive teaching TYLER ELMORE Managing Editor

She has made a lot of friends just from being their teacher. Shaw’s energy when you walk When you hear Alice Shaw cri- into class is so vibrant it gets evtiquing her students' photography eryone ready for the day. you'll hear things like,“Wow! That Tomy Gates is taking his second looks great! Look how weird that class with Shaw this semester and looks!” it having a lot of fun. Students are constantly pushing “She is very helpful,” he says. the limits of traditional black-and- “Whenever I think I know everywhite images with different types thing there is to know about phoof developing tography, she and creative “I think Alice is more always comes ways to take something of an intellectual artist” with photographs. new.” To fit with Class often ~NORMA PARKER the black and starts with goDVC student white photoging through raphy theme, other people’s she is almost always wearing gray, work for inspiration, whether it but don’t let the color choice fool is professionals or other students. you. Shaw is one of the most col- Recently, she showed the class a orful professors at Diablo Valley blog called “Craigslist Mirrors.” College. A Bay Area native, Shaw Someone took all of the pictures grew up with parents who were that people post of craigslist for both artists, her father a ceramic listings of mirrors and compiled artist and her mother is a painter them into a blog. and a print maker. Some of them were completely “I started photographing when hysterical but Shaw challenged the I was 15,” she says. “So it has been class to look for the beauty in the a long time.” images. She earned both her BFA and Besides photography, Shaw also MFA at the San Francisco Art In- paints and does conceptual art. stitute. She now teaches film phoNorma Parker, a former student tography there. says her favorite exhibit she has Although she doesn’t have a seen of Shaw’s wasn’t even phopreference, she says she really likes tography. “She traced her hand teaching at DVC because she gets and then someone read something to meet people from all different while she did it," Parker says. "It walks of life. was really interesting.”

TYLER ELMORE / The Inquirer

Alice Shaw and student Sarah Reblando, look at film negatives on Nov. 18. “I think Alice is more of an intellectual artist,” Parker says. “She really thinks things out, nothing is just there.” Shaw has had art shows in New York, Israel and San Francisco. She has even had a piece shown in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. “It was fun to go to Israel,” Shaw says. “It was so far away and different, I really liked it.”

Aside from just art, Shaw travels a lot. “I went to art school with all these different people, and a lot of them moved back (to where they were from), and now I have these friends all over everywhere.” Although she gets to visit them, she says they often want to come stay with her here because they miss the Bay Area. Shaw’s next show will take place

at Gallery 16 in San Francisco. She will be showing her “Golden State” collection, which is black and white images with gold leaf, painted on them. Until her show debuts you can find her up in the very top of the art building, creating golden memories for more and more students. Contact TYLER ELMORE at TElmore@DVCInquirer.com

Passionate coordinator funds student dreams RAYMOND MARTIN Corespondent

Leslie Mills is one of those people who seems too good to be true, the kind of person you read about in... well, in a newspaper. “She’s one of the friendliest people you will ever meet,” says Lisa Martin, note-taking coordinator for disabled student services. “She’s passionate about her work and her school; I’ve seen her pick up garbage as she goes around.” Mills is the scholarship program coordinator for DVC and is so passionate about finding resources for her students that a journalism student couldn't interview her without walking away with scholarship applications.

“She’s one of the friendliest people you will ever meet.” ~LISA MARTIN Note-taking coordinator

“She’s the right person for the job,” says Ron Tenty, testing coordinator for disabled student services at DVC. “She’s got a big heart. I never see her without a smile.” Mills is the daughter of philanthropist parents and says that “It runs in the family.” She mentioned that she has a sister in a similar line of work. While growing up, Mills would read about her parents' exploits in the social column. Seeing their pictures at various charity events is strong in her memory. Since she was a child she knew helping people was “in her heart.” That is what led her to her work at DVC. It wasn't an instant jump into her current role as scholarship coordinator. She spent eight years working in various student services

Leslie Mills talks to a DVC student by the HSF building on Dec. 9. roles before ending up where she is, and has been for the last eight years now. “She knows her topic very well,” says Martin. “She’s a member of multiple committees and groups outside DVC because that’s how you build outside contacts and donors.” Mills' passion is her driving force, and is an enormous benefit to the DVC student body. She estimates that the scholarships available to students this year are valued at around $113,000, up from last year’s $71,000. This year's scholar-

CAMERON CHEAR / The Inquirer

ship season started in October and continues through Feb. 15. Mills says the two biggest obstacles she has are lack of exposure and convincing students to apply. “I have to get that ‘I’m not worthy’ mantra out, and the ‘I am worthy’ mantra in,” Mills says. “Students are surprised by how easy it is.” Contact RAYMOND MARTIN at RMartin@DVCInquirer.com

features 10

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

The DVC Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Singers, above, take a bow after their performance in Concord on Nov. 22.

Music department crescendos SHANE LOUIS Copy editor

lier in the day. The group has been together for 13 years and they all agreed Diablo Valley College's flourish- that they wanted to do the clinic ing music department continues and perform at DVC because it to grow under the direction and was fun. vision of faculty interested in the "We love playing together wheninspiration and development of ever we get the chance," drummer student musicians. Maurice Miles says. From the jazz bands to the orBassist Kevin Lofton says he enchestra and chamber choir, all joyed the clinic and getting to be three groups delivered excellent an influence on the student musiperformances near the end of the cians semester. "The students ask really good The Diablo Valley College jazz questions," Lofton says. program continues to expand viLincoln Adler, who plays saxosion and inspiration for 2015. phones for Times 4, explained the Professor Matt Zebley brings importance of live music. professional musicians from all "I think communicating with around the country to help inspire the audience is the most important his students. thing," he says. "It all boils down While he has to speaking to only been a part the audience at of the DVC “I think it’s cool to sing a level that they faculty for a in a different language can somehow year and a half, because after a while, absorb." he is driven to DVC Jazz give the stu- singing English can get Band tenor dents the best saxophonboring.” they can get. ist Matthew "We just want Bridges finds ~LUIS CARDOZA more people it important to Chamber singer playing jazz on interact with this campus," the profesZebley says. Off campus, Zebley sional musicians because it allows plans to take the band to the April him to see where he could be in jazz festival at CSU East Bay. the future. The DVC Jazz Band produced "We're looking at role models," a diverse set ranging from Latin he says. to funk to straight-ahead jazz, The Diablo Valley College Philand presented each one with skill harmonic Orchestra and Chamber showing the well-rounded ability Singers brought Bach and Tchaiof the group. kovsky to life at the first of three After the Jazz Band finished performances at 8 p.m. on Nov. 22 their set, the DVC Night Band in Concord. took the stage. Directors Brett Peppo, Owen They displayed expert handling Lee and Monte Barios rotated of dynamics and technique that though directing the group, and showed the skill of both the indi- all were able to evoke emotion and vidual and the group. style in the orchestra and choir. San Francisco-based jazz quarMusic majors Seth Coulman, 19, tet Times 4 brought a lively set to and Luis Cardoza, 18, both sing DVC in addition to their clinic ear- bass in the chamber choir.

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

Chamber singers Kristy Bouchard and Toran Davenport, above, perform with the chamber orchestra. Andrew La, below, solos with the DVC Night Jazz Band. "I think it's cool to sing in a different language because after a while, singing English can get boring," Cardoza says. "So it's cool to branch off into different cultures." Translation of the German lyrics were included in the program which helped the audience understand the meaning of the song. Students affirm the importance of understanding what the song is actually saying, even when it is in a foreign language. "He'll tell us what the words mean so that we can get into it," Coulman said. Cardoza and Coulman agreed that singing is important to both of their lives and musical expression and Cardoza says, "It's never too late to start." "The only thing that's stopping you is yourself," he says. For any students interested in joining choir Cardoza suggests "Talk to Brett (Peppo), and you can always just join concert choir." The chamber orchestra artfully maneuvered the intricacies of both pieces, with a few errors.

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

They made plenty of room dynamically for the vocalists to shine through. "I just like being in the music," says psychology major Kathy Gusenkov. "I to like be in the en-

semble and work together to produce the sound."

Contact SHANE LOUIS at SLouis@DVCInquirer.com

sports 11

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 - Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015

Lacrosse club fends off SBCC in state championship game

Courtesy of ANDREW BARBER

DVCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lacrosse club celebrates after their 15-9 state championship victory over the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros on Saturday, Dec. 6 at DVC . Advertisement ZACHARY DALTON Staff member

The Diablo Valley College lacrosse club won its second consecutive California Junior College Lacrosse Association championship title Saturday, Dec. 6, defeating the Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros 15-9. The Vikings looked strong early on, shutting out the Vaqueros in the first quarter and taking a 2-0 lead. In the second quarter, the Vaqueros managed to finally score, but it would not do much damage. The Viking offense continued to compile goals as they led 7-3 at the end of the first half. Although they had a promising lead entering the second half, the Vikings struggled to get anything going offensively in the third quarter. SBCC, on the other hand, gained momentum, rallying to score four unanswered goals to tie the game at 7-7 with just over a minute left in the third quarter. The Vaqueros grabbed their first lead of the game with just seconds remaining in the third quarter but it would be all DVC from there on out. Just two minutes into the fourth quarter, midfielder Cameron Toy was able to score from far out to tie the game again at eight. Toy's goal provided a spark for the offense, as seconds later attacker Nick Bunnell scored to give the lead back to DVC. SBCC would get few opportunities to regain the lead in the

fourth quarter, the Viking defense forced some key turnovers and goal tender Caleb Pryle provided some great saves. DVC scored a few more goals and control time of possession late in the game to secure the championship victory. DVC Coach Dean Wallahan thought it was a big test for the Vikings, as they had not played SBCC prior to Saturday's game. "We wanted to work on being disciplined and playing team ball," Wallahan said. "I think the third quarter got away from us a little bit, and hats off to Santa Barbara for coming out after halftime and putting a heck of a show on." Midfielder Akili Man felt as though the team's mentality coming into the game was that they wanted to win it. Despite taking an early lead, Man said the team was able to feed off SBCC's momentum to rally and pull off the victory. "Just them getting pumped got us even more pumped," Man said. "We just wanted to like get more goals, we wanted to shut them down. That's what we were thinking the whole time." Midfielder Bradley Garcia explained what the team did to overcome their slow second-half start. "I don't know how we lost it (momentum) but we definitely had the heart to come back," Garcia said. "It was do or die pretty much, we had to win."

Contact ZACHARY DALTON at ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com