The
I
INQUIRER
Student Voice of Diablo Valley College
Volume I No. 6 Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014 www.DVCInquirer.com
Will UC tuition go up again? President proposes hikes if state doesn’t increase funding. See Page 8.
DVC alumnus is new board electee
Tim Farley will represent Ward III of the Contra Costa College District. See Page 4.
Foreign athletes excel in an American sport Two students from different countries are fluent in the language of U.S. football. See Page 7.
SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer
• News 11, 12 • Opinions 8, 9, 10 • Sports 6, 7 • Editorial 8 • Features 2, 3, 4, 5 • Campus Buzz 8 • Calendar 11 • Police Beat 11 • Staff Information 11 • Copyright © 2014 The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
features 2
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Students programmed for success CAMERON CHEAR Staff member
“Quite simply, it’s the largest, oldest, most prestigious programming contest in the world” says Diablo Valley College student Daniel Awai about the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), International Collegiate Programming contest. Awai, 24, is a computer science major, and the president of the ICPC team at DVC, one of the few community colleges competing in this highly esteemed international contest. In fact, Awai says that the contest “attracts more than 2000 universities across all six continents. The top four schools in our Pacific region are Stanford, UC Berkeley, British-Columbia and Washington University.” ICPC includes the most competitive schools in the world Awai says. “It’s really catered for four year schools. And not just four year schools, but ones that can have at least one graduate student on their team. So, the odds are really stacked against us.” DVC turned out to be the only community college at the event. DVC’s regionals took place at the University of San Francisco on Saturday, Nov. 15 for the Pacific region. Each team was given a problem set that dealt with things like data structures, discrete math and graph theory. The goal is to complete the problem set as quickly and accurately as possibly within
Courtesy of DANIEL AWAI
Dzmitry Tsurankou works on the problem set at the ICPC at the University of San Francisco. the five hour time limit. No Internet or calculator use was allowed. What makes a successful ICPC team? “It turns out that they only have one programmer,” Awai says. “The other two are either going to be mathematicians or one of the stem fields, such as physics.” ICPC is not strictly a contest for computer science majors, but rather an interdisciplinary DVC event that caters to anyone who enjoys solving puzzles. The ICPC team practiced in the Advanced Computer Tech-
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nology Center after hours, solving problems similar to the ICPC and learning to work together as a team. “We’ve been practicing for about a month and a half, with practice sessions once a week,” says Dzmitry Tsurankou, a 20-year-old computer science major. The grand prize for the first four placing teams is full time salaried positions at IBM, so many teams practice all year long, with dedicated coaches to fully prepare their teams. John Adney, president of the
DVC computer club “Bits n Bytes,” says he doesn’t expect the team to beat a four-year school like the University of California in Berkeley, but he says “We expect to be one of the only community colleges there, and we definitely expect to beat some four-year schools.” Awai says the competition has been great for “being able to collaborate with other students and work on a common project, which gives you different viewpoints on how to address problems that you never would have thought of be-
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Hackers place in top 10 DANIEL MARACCINI Features editor
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fore.” Team name “J2FE” from DVC finished in 7th place, only behind the UC Berkeley and Stanford teams, while another DVC team “Last Lunch” finished in 10th place. Both teams beat out a Stanford team and many other four-year schools such as USF, showing once again that DVC “continues to punch well above [its] weight class.”
Diablo Valley College computer science students Minos Park and Ashkon Honardoost placed in the top 10 and won the award for Best Beginners Hack at the annual Cal Hacks hackathon. The event, which took place from Oct. 3-5 at University of California Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, has become one of the premier collegiate hacking competitions. Using a limited amount of equipment and teams of up to four people, students have 36 hours to create software and hardware projects. Park, 19, and Honardoost, 19, created the project called Motion Gesture Authentication. It uses a device called Leap Motion to create a new way of entering passwords. Through the device, hand gestures are tracked at a rate of 120 frames per second. When the correct series of gestures is made with the correct hand profile, the password is unlocked. “(The program) recognizes my hand print and bone structure,” Park says. “And it knows that it is my hand because everyone has different bone structure and handprint. “The idea is that it’s much better than a fingerprint password,” Honardoost says. “If someone steals your fingerprint, you can’t really do anything to change (it).” A solution, Honardoost says, is found through their program’s passive and active biometric authentication.
“It’s both a copy of your hand so it’s passive, and then the active is you putting your (hand gesture) in.” Perhaps the most impressive is that this was the team’s first major hackathon. Cal Hacks featured over 1500 students from some of the best universities in the country such as Princeton, Stanford and UC Berkeley, and while 300 groups entered the competition, not all finished. Honardoost says the most difficult part was figuring out their device. “It was really hard learning to use the device’s source code as we hadn’t really dealt with anything like it before.” After demonstrating to the judges, Honardoost and Park were selected to the top 10 and were asked to present to the other participants. “I swore I could have felt my head rushing with adrenaline,” Park says. “I was really tired after 36 hours of hackathon, but that announcement made it all worth it.” Their Best Beginners Hack award, which was given to the best first-time hacker team, also earned Park and Honardoost a professional programming software called Unity 3D Pro Suite as well as a $5,000 development platform license and an all-expense-paid trip to MHacks at University of Michigan. “This was a good test of our skills. It’s nice because we could compete with these top university students even though we’re from DVC,” Honardoost says.
Contact DANIEL MARACCINI at DMaraccini@DVCInquirer.com
features 3
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
‘Nightcrawler’ creeps into view TYLER ELMORE Managing editor
But within the first 15 minutes of the movie, Bloom runs into an accident videographer while driving home that propels the “Nightcrawler” may have been Jake Gyl- whole story. lenhaal’s best role to date. It is just one line that changes Lou’s entire The fact that you leave the theater with character. a lingering feeling that he is following you You may hear this in a journalism class, home, I think is evidence director Dan Gil- and it honestly could’ve been the tagline of roy did exactly what he was hoping to do. this film: If it bleeds it leads. In an interview Lou, inspired ultiwith Indiewire, Gilmately by the money “Gyllenhaal’s acting was the roy stated that Gylbut also the intensity lenhaal lost 25-30 best part of the film. He made of the job, enlists anpounds for this role. it so you would never want to other street urchin “It was very much named Rick, played meet him in person.” Jake’s idea and imby Riz Ahmed, to plementation to lose drive around the the 25-30 pounds greater Los Angeles he lost in the film and the genesis of that area looking for wrecks, robberies, murders was that he had this symbolic totem animal etc. of a coyote and a coyote is, as we all know, Aside from the actual brutal accidents he they’re perpetually hungry and lean,” Gilroy filmed, what was really disturbing was the Courtesy of OPEN ROAD FILMS said. lack of emotion. The idea of Gyllenhaal as a coyote is so Lou is a class-A sociopath: he shows Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a street urchin turned crime videograreal. Throughout the film he is scavenging neither empathy nor sympathy for anyone pher in new movie “Nightcrawler.” for “blood” like a hungry coyote in the des- throughout the movie. ert. He is an extortionist, misogynist, and he the film. He made it so you would never “Nightcrawler” is sure to be a crowd Louis “Lou” Bloom (Gyllenhaal) is a obviously has other under lying emotional want to meet him in person. pleaser and Gyllenhaal’s role has the potenyoung “street rat,” that in the opening scene problems. He was so real and that was the scariest tial for some rewards this upcoming award is stealing some chain-link fence. He is also willing to stoop to blackmail part of the movie. season. He inevitably gets caught by a security and possibly even murder to get the lead While the movie might not end up being guard, and then jumps the security guard for clip. more than simple entertainment, the story Contact TYLER ELMORE at his watch. Gyllenhaal’s acting was the best part of was exciting and the acting was top notch. TElmore@DVCInquirer.com Advertisement
Alumnus is elected to governing board DANIEL MARACCINI Staff member
By the end of his second term in 1998, Farley had two sons and decided against running for a With a decisive election victory third-term. earlier this month, Tim Farley is “Now that my sons are grown, set to become the newest mem- my wife and I are empty nesters” ber of the Contra Costa Commu- he said. “So when (CCCC Board nity College District Governing trustee) Grilli died last year people Board. encouraged me to apply for apA Diablo Valley College gradu- pointment.” ate himself, And while Farley will his application represent was not sucWard III on cessful, accordthe governing ing to the San board. He will Jose Mercury be sworn in News, Farley's by his former recent camDVC English paign clearly professor Bill won 67 percent Harland on of the vote. Dec. 10. Erin Hallissy, “(DVC) a former Farprofessors ley colleague TIM FARLEY like Bill Harland at St. Mary’s, is and others encouraged me to go confident voters selected the right to school. And I was really, re- person for the job. “He cares ally pleased that they saw the tal- deeply about how (students are) ent and promise in me, and that’s doing, the support systems that what I want to do,” he said. they have as they pursue higher Since 2007 Farley has been education and the ways that they the Director of Community and can become more well-rounded Government Relations at St. scholars and citizens,” she said. Mary’s College. “I want to make sure everyFarley, has a degree in political body knows the opportunities science from University of Cali- that are available to them,” Farley fornia Davis. said. “Whether (students) want He has served as a delegate to go to a four-year school, (or at several National Democratic complete a) certificate program, Conventions and was a member I want to make sure that the stuof the Electoral College during dent success occurs.” the 1996 presidential election. Farley also served two terms on Contact DANIEL MARACCINI at the Martinez City Council. DMaraccini@DVCInquirer.com
features 4
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
The rise of EDM in America sets an exciting tone for rave goers CAMERON CHEAR Staff member
Imagine you are part of a wild mass of people, dancing and moving to the music that comes blaring from the DJ's throne. The sweltering bass pounding throughout the auditorium shocks and puts your heartbeat in a nervous frenzied sync. Hundreds of colors waltz before your eyes. Flames shoot out of the ground in front of your face. All this stimulation comes together at once. The music begins to build, the crowd gets louder, and you wait for it all to peak. This is just a sampling of my experience at Escape All Hallows' Eve, a rave music festival in San Bernardino, California on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. These events wouldn’t be possible without the explosion of Electronic Dance Music in recent years. What was first launched as a small sub-genre of music quickly
began expanding and forming it's own sub-genres, such as dubstep, trance and trap. The rave culture is alive and evolving constantly. Generally, it is acceptable for women to wear bras and underwear with dozens of bracelets on their wrists. Whereas men are more conservative, wearing mostly tank tops, jerseys and floral button-ups. Or those in full body character suits, such as the Cookie Monster. Since the beginning, a drug culture has been associated with the EDM scene, specifically the drug MDMA or ecstasy, which has many parents worried. Nic Higuera, a 25-year-old Diablo Valley College student majoring in computer science, explains that "It really is your choice. I saw tons of sober people who weren't on anything. You can't prevent people from doing drugs at a major music event, it's been that way since major music events started and it's not just EDM. The same
CAMERON CHEAR / The Inquirer
The menacing dragon eyes watch ravers in Slaughterhouse, the main stage at Escape All Hallows Eve where “Chainsmokers” performed on Nov. 1, 2014. goes for rock, hip hop, everything. It's just a part of the way things are, and to overlook that is a very ignorant mindset." The rave experience has many components to it, but as DVC
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If anything, it was truly unforgettable and unlike anything I have ever experienced. Contact CAMERON CHEAR at CChear@DVCInquirer.com
‘Call of Duty’ returns to form LUCAS WANLASS Staff member
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student Danielle Powers, 19, says, "The people you are with can make or break your experience, and I encourage everyone to share the experience with people that are truly special."
Activision's newest installment "Call of Duty Advanced Warfare" was released for all next generation consoles on Nov. 3. This is exciting or depressing, depending on which side of the flame war you're on. The game, which has been at center stage in the eyes of most gamers for the past decade, has started to die out after this 11th installment. "Call of Duty Advanced Warfare" is definitely the farthest reaching game to date, introducing new settings, gameplay and weapons. The game’s most notable advancement is its new range of movement. All previous "Call of Duty" games have restricted movement to running and jumping. However, with the introduction of exoskeletons, movement has taken an additional vertical approach, with the ability of jumping over buildings, turning invisible, and running at high speeds. The heads up display (also known as hud) has been completely overhauled. Now it’s formatted as holographics, surrounding your primary weapon, which virtually removes all clutter. Diablo Valley College student Jesus Aguiler, 19, said, "previously
the range of movement, and general shift from its modern roots is refreshing and gets rid of much of the problems previously had." “Infinity Ward” has an uncanny ability to make the technology in their games very believable. In the game, it actually feels like the smart flying grenades and exoskeletons could exist. Customization has taken a leap forward, taking into consideration details like what type of boots your character wears, and the highlights in their hair. To be clear, this is still largely the same “Call of Duty” that has consistently dominated the market: it still has that fast paced gameplay, with bullet fests and explosions. Its last two installments, “Call of Duty Black Ops 2” and “Call of Duty Ghost” have dropped significantly in sales when compared to their early predecessors. The same can be said for the game’s multiplayer. In the past it was the most played game on Xbox Live, but in recent years, it has steadily been dethroned by games such as "Minecraft," "Halo," "FIFA" and more. An end to the series is coming, most likely within five years, so get your fill before its gone.
Contact LUCAS WANLASS at LWanlass@DVCInquirer.com
features 5
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Students invest in new club
Mission is to prepare members for financial future SHANE LOUIS Copy editor
Diablo Valley College's Investment Club provides a focused learning environment for students looking to prepare for their financial futures. President and founder Adrian Grobelny, 18, said "I wanted to start this club to really focus on investment and teach kids critical skills, how to make smart investments." Grobelny has always been interested in news but got into investment in high school and pursued it from there. For four years, he attended Young Entrepreneurs at Haas, a University of California, Berkeley business program designed for high schoolers, where he was able to make and maintain connections with business graduate students. "A big part of it is being supportive and teaching each other stuff that you know about investment and just learning from each other," Grobelny said. “We're going to bring in speakers, like investment bankers, day traders, people who have a lot of experience with investment, so they can share the knowledge that we don't have," Grobelny said. Fernando Reyes, 23, enjoys having guest speakers that are unique to this club, "because there are a lot of other clubs who have guest speakers who are not as distinguished or personable." At their Nov. 11 meeting, members heard from professor Kevin Bowman on economic growth and stock. The group also participated in stock pitches, where members look at current news and reports from a company and briefly present to the group why they should or should not invest in that company.
SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer
Investment club president Adrian Grobelny welcomes members to the DVC Investment Club meeting in Pleasant Hill. The group seeks to use these practical activities to help students succeed. "We want to help students create their own portfolio," Grobelny said. The club will run simulations so that members can become familiar with the process of trading in the stock market and offer help. "I really like this club because it focuses on something more specific," said 18-year-
old business and economics major Shireen Aboukhalil. "And personally, I want to learn more about investments because that is something that I'm interested in." The specificity and educational focus is what makes the group really unique. "I hope to walk away with a better understanding of financial markets and apply it toward my professional and personal development," Reyes said.
This club is open to any DVC student and Reyes says it's for "anyone who wants to further their understanding as well as have a leg up on the competition when they transfer." The group will meet on most Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Up-to-date information can be found on the group's Facebook page. Contact SHANE LOUIS at SLouis@DVCInquirer.com
Gallery features ‘amazing and disgusting’ art Lempesis received a Bachelor of Arts in art practice and this past year she received a Master of Fine Currently on display in the Dia- Arts in studio art at University of blo Valley College art gallery is California, Davis. "Soft Nudge" by Alyssa Lempesis. Gallery coordinator Arthur The exhibit showcases biomor- King says that Lempesis' show is phic sculptures and video work the first in what they are hoping to inspired by mysterious organisms become a series of DVC alumni and imagined insides. spotlight shows. Lempesis, 25, describes her cre"We wanted to have the opations as seductively strange, as portunity to be able to feature her if the lumpy here as an ex“I have always waves, rubample to show bery hunks and our students," been drawn foamy fraghe says. "You to things that ments of her take classes, art were graftyou go on, you inspire a sublime ed or grown pursue, you can discomfort” together, befind your way, coming fantasyou can dis~ALYSSA LEMPESIS tic fictions. cover what you Artist "I love are meant to do things that are as an artist and bizarre or uncomfortable," she what you can contribute to the says. "I have always been drawn to larger art culture." things that inspire a sublime disKing describes the show as comfort. The senses are stirred by amazing and disgusting. tactile desire, a soft nudge to expe"Alyssa's work is an amazing rience an intimate encounter with exploration into the unknown, or an absurd fabrication." unexplored, or often shunned arLempesis attended DVC in eas of ourselves," he said. 2010. After transferring to the Lempesis says she hopes to siUniversity of California, Berkeley, multaneously inspire feelings of TAYLOR PAGAN Staff member
AMRITA KAUR / The Inquirer
Artist Alyssa Lempesis demonstrates how to make her art to DVC students on Nov. 12. attraction and discomfort. "Be sensitive to the things that you feel passionate about and continue to be curious," she advises fellow aspiring artists.
"Soft Nudge" is open in the DVC art gallery until Wednesday, Nov. 26, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. An
artist's reception will be held on Nov. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. Contact TAYLOR PAGAN at TPagan@DVCInquirer.com
sports 6
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Photos courtesy of ANDREW BARBER
Midfielder Jakob Ternes avoids a Dominican defensemen on Saturday, Nov. 15 at DVC. Below, Jared Malin presents Lauren McCullough’s mother with a jersey the club retired in her name.
Lacrosse club outlasts Dominican in overtime Game benefited American Cancer society in honor of late DVC swimmer ZACHARY DALTON Staff member
Diablo Valley College's lacrosse club defeated Dominican University for the first time ever Saturday, Nov. 15, beating the Penguins 11-10 in a sudden death overtime. Saturday night was special as the team honored former DVC student and swimmer Lauren McCullough. McCullough had recently lost a battle with a rare form of cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. The game was a benefit for the American Cancer Society and it was the second year the club held it. Prior to the start, the club retired the number one jersey in honor of McCullough. Players wore jerseys with yellow ribbons on one side, a symbol for Ewing Sarcoma awareness. Yellow ribbon decals were also displayed on each of their helmets which read "LaurenStrong." Lacrosse club advisor Terry Armstrong feels as though the game was amazing but the most special part of the night was the honoring of McCullough. "That's something that we've been looking forward to all year," Armstrong said. "We're going to continue to spread Lauren's word that she wanted to be spread about Ewing Sarcoma, and we're going to be her voice as long as Viking lacrosse is around." Saturday's victory improved the Viking's record to 12-1 overall but it did not come easy. The Vikings were limited to only one goal in the first quarter but some strong defen-
sive play kept the game close. Dominican looked as if they were pulling away in the second quarter, putting together a couple scoring drives. DVC attacker Abbott Pratt managed to score a clutch goal with only eight seconds left in the quarter cutting Dominican's lead to 4-2 at halftime. Pratt's goal seemed to give the Vikings momentum. Pratt scored another goal just 45 seconds into the second half and from then on the Vikings began step up their game on offense. Attacker Nick Bunnell was able to tie the game at 7-7 with a goal coming just under the 10 minute mark in the fourth quarter. Bunnell's goal was the start of a run that looked to seal up the victory for DVC. The Vikings scored four unanswered goals, giving them a 10-7 lead. With under two minutes left and facing defeat, Dominican scored three goals to tie the game. The tying goal came with only 0.4 seconds left forcing a sudden death overtime. In overtime, it did not take long for DVC to secure the victory. Midfielder Jakob Ternes was able to maneuver around the Dominican defensemen and find the net, putting an end to the thrilling game. Ternes believes the game was a great cause for McCullough and very emotional. He feels as though the team did a good job overcoming the slow start. "We looked at each other in our eyes and said 'you know what we gotta bring it right now,'" Ternes said. "Our sideline in the sec-
ond half got really loud, just real helpful to us by that intesity they bring out." Pratt said the win was huge, especially for McCullough. "I think everyone played for her (McCullough)," Pratt said. "I think it was just a
great team win, everyone came together." The Vikings will play against the University of California, Davis at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 at DVC. Contact ZACHARY DALTON at ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com
sports 7
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Cultural barriers broken American football attracts international students to DVC ZACHARY DALTON Staff member
American football is one of the most beloved sports in the United States, yet in other parts of the world it is not really played. It may not be as popular, but there are still small leagues that give people the opportunity to play. Marc Anthony Hor and Ammon Green came to Diablo Valley College from other parts of the world to play football. Hor, 21, is a defensive tackle from Mannheim, Germany and Green, 26, is a fullback from Auckland, New Zealand. They both played football prior to coming to the U.S. but Hor feels as though it is very different playing here. "Technique-wise, it's on a whole other level," Hor said. "It's like way Courtesy of ANDREW BARBER harder." He gained interest in the game by playing flag football and when Marc Anthony Hor (78) blocks his opponent from advancing down the field during the game against Santa Rosa on he was 15, he began playing tackle Nov. 14. football. Unlike many people growing up Green began playing football in is simple. in Europe, Hor between rugby "To hit someone as hard as I “You do have to be a seasons. said he had nevcan," Green said. "That's my prier really played He consid- mary goal." lot more disciplined soccer except ers there to Head coach Mike Darr has had for in his free (in football). If you try be quite a big players from different countries in time. to make a big play you difference be- the past and said sometimes there The fact that tween the two are a few barriers when bringing might put the other sports. people with international students into the different body guys short and hurt the "You do have program. types are able to be a lot more In the case of Hor and Green team...” to play football disciplined he feels they have been fantastic appealed to (in football)," and that the two of them have ~AMMON GREEN him. "Big guys Green said. "If picked up everything very quickly. Fullback can play, small you try to make "They haven't led us to make guys can play," a big play you a tremendous amount of adHor said. might put the justments for them," Darr said. "I've always been a big guy, so other guys short and hurt the team, "They're both mature, focused yeah, soccer wasn't really an op- whereas in rugby you can make a young men." tion for me." big play and make up for it." Courtesy of ANDREW BARBER This is Hor's first season at DVC If the opportunity arises to play Ammon Green, playing special teams, makes a hit against and he hopes to eventually transfer at a four-year university he would Contact ZACHARY DALTON at and play at a four-year university. gladly take it, but his goal for now Santa Rosa on Nov. 14. ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com
DVC defeats Santa Rosa in fourth-quarter thriller ZACHARY DALTON Staff member
The Diablo Valley College football team came out victorious in a 44-41 thriller against the visiting Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs Friday, Nov. 14. The Vikings struggled to get things going early on; SRJC scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter, taking a 14-0 lead. DVC was able to gain momentum when quarterback Adam Wood connected with wide receiver Efrain Montalvo on a 53-yard touchdown pass. Following the scoring drive, defensive lineman DJ Moffitt came up with a huge interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
SRJC lead 20-18 at halftime. five minutes left, Wood drove the team Despite having made downfield setting them the game close the Viup at the goal line. “I gotta thank kings did not manage to With 2:21 left Wood take the lead until halfscrambled into the end our defense, wow, way through the fourth to take a 44-41 lead. they just kept giving zone quarter. DVC’s defense denied Moffitt batted down a us opportunities... They SRJC a chance to come pass that was recovered with a big fourth provided some huge back by defensive back Jerek down stop. Rosales in the end zone Wood may have scored momentum boosts” for a touchdown. the game-winning touchThe Vikings lead 38down, but he gave a lot ~ADAM WOOD 34, but the game was far of credit to the defense. Quarterback from over. SRJC retook “I gotta thank our dethe lead with a quick fense, wow, they just kept touchdown. giving us opportunities,” Wood said. “They DVC regained possession with just over provided some huge momentum boosts.”
Wide receiver Justin Williams feels the team’s performance Friday was one to remember. “We actually played as a team instead as individuals,” Williams said. “Best game we ever played today, best game.” The team displayed a lot of resilience not only coming back from the early deficit but to score when it mattered. Quarterback Adam Nesheim explained the team has had to come back in many games this season and they knew how to deal with it. “We knew that we had to fight back with a chip on our shoulder,” Nesheim said. Contact ZACHARY DALTON at ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com
opinions 8
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
The
Buzz
Are you working on Thanksgiving?
Editorial
ALVIN INFIELD, 18 Undeclared
“We should be able to have the choice to work or not without penalty.”
Graphic illustration by WESLEY IHEZUE
EDWARD EMONO, 23 Dental Hygiene
“At least let them get paid more. They already get paid so little.”
Education: A human right —except in America? UC president proposes a hike in tuition fees again
NATALIE LEE, 30 Nursing
“Thankfully I do not have to work on Thanksgiving, but some people like clinic workers probably should.”
NICOLE HUNTER, 28 Business
“I wouldn’t want to work on holiday. I’m against the idea of having to work on Thanksgiving and I’m boycotting Black Friday.”
PARM THANDI, 18 Business
“Personally, I’ve got a day off. But more people should get a day off to spend time with their family.” Interviewed by: Cameron Chear & Ryan Chan Photographed by: Zachary Dalton & Natalia Kiedrzyn
Here we go again. News of the tuition hike proposed by UniverWhen all adults of working age are considered, the U.S. is still sity of California President Janet Napolitano has students questioning one of the highest-educated countries in the world. But when this age the worth of their degree, again. group is considered, we are falling behind," according to an article How much more of an increase are UC students to expect? published by The Huffington Post in March. According to the Associated Press, the average annual cost of a Parents and students are increasingly struggling to pay for college, UC education for California residents pursuing undergraduate degrees financial aid has become a pain for many to go through and there is and graduate degrees in academic as opposed to professional discinot enough money to go around anyways. plines would jump from $12,192 to $12,804 next fall and $15,564 in Young people are increasingly questioning their choices to get a fall 2019. degree or go straight to work after high school. Since the economic downturn, the state has slashed its funds for Though there have been small demonstrations and protests, such UCs by nearly $1 billion. as the one at UC San Diego, overall there has not been enough uproar Even though some of the funds have been restored to the UC by people to change the system. system, state funding remains $460 million lower than it was six years San Diego6 News reports Rep. John Garamendi, D-Fairfield, a ago. former member of the UC Board of Regents “There is no greater cure to poverty and California State University trustee, saying Governor Jerry Brown told AP, that state funds for UC will go up by 4 percent "I've met families who scrapped everything than a good education, each year over the next two years if they could afford to send their first child to there’s no easier way to tank tuition rates remain frozen through June college, only to see the siblings denied their of 2017. chance at their American dream.” economy than to make a great However Napolitano said the 4 “There is no greater cure to poverty state’s universites inaccessible.” percent increases are not enough. She also than a good education,” he said. “There's no noted financial aid fully covers tuition for easier way to tank an economy than to make nearly 55 percent of UC undergraduates. a great state's universities inaccessible." ~JOHN GARAMENDI US Representative The Los Angeles Times reports, “UC It is a well known fact that access to needs more money to help cover rising free or extremely affordable college educacosts of retirement benefits, fund recent tion enables people to get out of the cycle of pay increases in employee contract settlepoverty. ments, hire more faculty and raise the number of California underIt enables people to contribute to the economy by giving them graduates by 5,000 over five years from the current 166,250." higher purchasing power due to increased wages and better jobs. Though the debate was sparked by the tuition increase for UCs, it So what will it take for our system to go back to the fundamentals does raise the topic of the cost of higher education in America. of equal educational opportunity for all? According to the Department of Education, for the 2011–12 What will it take for students to stand up and demand a low cost academic year, annual current dollar prices for undergraduate tuition, college education so they don't have to worry about hundreds of thouroom and board were estimated to be $14,300 at public institutions, sands of dollars in debt by the time they are 27 years old? $37,800 at private nonprofit institutions, and $23,300 at private forIt will take a Government who realizes the value of an educated profit institutions. people, versus more military might. Between 2001–02 and 2011–12, prices for undergraduate tuition, It will take a president who will fight for an overhaul in the eduroom, and board at public institutions rose 40 percent, and prices at cational system so that one day soon education can be free or very low private nonprofit institutions rose 28 percent, after adjustment for cost. inflation. Above all, it will take students who are willing to make their voices The international organization, Organisation for Economic heard and fight for their rights to a better, more equal and debt-free Co-operation and Development found that “The U.S. ranks 14th in future. the world in the percentage of 25-34 year-olds with higher education (42%).”
opinions 9
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Dogs help vets in recovery With Veteran’s day just passing take their own lives. That’s 22 suius on Tues. Nov. 11th, many peo- cides a day, a suicide every 65 minple may only see this as a day off utes. As shocking as that number school or work, but for the veter- is, the real number may actually ans who have served our country be higher.” suggests Program Dithis may bring rector of TADpainful memoSAW, Bart Sherries of their wood. time in battle. With so many A condideaths per day, tion called what can we do Post Traumatic to help? SomeStress Disorder times the best (PTSD) affects medicine is not a growing numfound in a pill ber of veterans bottle, but in unreturning from conditional love war. by man’s best PTSD can friend. occur from any Richard Steintraumatic event berg, a Vietnam KENDALL BRESCIA such as combat, veteran that sufPhoto Chief assault, or difers from PTSD saster; for our and diabetes veterans, this disorder can mean said, “Animals know more about life or death and in many cases body language than we ever will soldiers are too afraid to seek help. I’m afraid.” Restless nights reliving the His companion, Kira, knows nightmares of war, daily tasks like when Richard has low blood sugar waiting in line at the grocery store, before hecan even feel it. going to a concert or simply drivIn addition, Kira can also sense ing their car can trigger an anxiety when Richard is beginning to have attack. an anxiety attack. Our hero’s are the ones in need Many organization are exploring of saving. the need to help our veterans cope And that’s where foundations with PTSD. like TADSAW (Train a Dog Save For example, WCC is leading a Warrior), Warrior Canine Con- the way when it comes to raising, nection (WCC, Paws For Veterans, pairing, and training dogs for disand many others come in to lend a abled veterans. furry paw. According to WCC, “They be“Every single day, 22 veterans gin their journeys to become ser-
vice dogs for disabled combat Veterans at the WCC Puppy Enrichment Center in rural Brookeville, Maryland. During the first few months of the puppies’ lives, a team of Warrior trainers and civilian volunteers spend many hours socializing them, which is a critical step in their training.” Recently WCC added a West Coast location in Menlo Park, California helping the veterans find themselves again. WCC Research Director Meg Daley Olmert is also the author of Made for Each Other: The Biology of the Human-Animal Bond(DaCapo, 2009). The book was a result of 15 years of research where she explains,”Friendly interaction with dogs can release a powerful brain chemistry that inspires our profound sense of attachment to them. This chemical reaction can also reduce fear and anxiety, and increase a sense of trust in each other.” Veterans are benefitting and so are the dogs. Going through training together, highs and lows, both dog and owner learn to trust one another and helps our veterans overcome their PTSD. Nathan Nail, a Paws for Veterans Trainer and retired Marine can attest to the benefits of having a canine companion after nearly committing suicide, when his dog Rocky took action and snapped Nail back to reality. “I wouldn’t be here had it not
Photo Courtesy of Warrior Canine Connection
Sandy helps a veteran ease his pain left over by battle at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center in Menlo Park. been for my service dog,” he said With so many deaths already happening overseas, we are losing an increasing number of warriors at home as well. Despite this, these organizations are taking action and recognizing
the amazing power that love and acceptance can bring to a hero in need of help. All thanks to mans best friend. Contact KENDALL BRESCIA at KBrescia@DVCInquirer.com
You choose: cheap gas or clean water
Californians have a growing thirst for 11 oil and gas waste injection sites due to cheap gas and clean drinking water, but un- evidence suggesting companies were pumpless we reign in the current fracking boom, ing toxic fracking waste into drinking water our thirst for clean water may soon go un- aquifers. quenched. These are just the ones we know about. Fracking is the controversial process of Since well inspections began less than a blasting highly pressurized sand, chemicals year ago, hundreds of sites have yet to be and water deep below the earth’s surface to checked. fracture rock and get at fuel trapped inside. But it’s not just intentional pollution causThis cutting edge technology provides ac- ing problems. cess to previously unreachable deposits and A recent study at Stanford University cites energy companies are grabbing up leases. compromised well integrity as the source of Supporters claim that most fracking leaks. increased fuel production “The real threats are made possible by frackfailures in the steel and ing can lead the country cement casings of wells,” to energy independence the researchers reported. and a recent study by “Studies have shown that the International Energy casings fail between one Agency states that frackand 10 percent of the ing is driving down U.S. time.” gas prices. One of the country’s But the true cost of most coveted fracking fracking far outweighs prospects is California’s anticipated benefits. AcMonterey Shale reservoir. cording to the Center Much of it lies directly for Biodiversity, evidence below the fertile Central ALICIA WATSON is mounting that toxic Valley, which produces Staff member chemicals used in fracking more than 80 percent of are making their way into the nation’s food supaquifers and drinking water. Accounts of ply. Still, fracking continues to expand here, such occurrences are rampant throughout where farmers rely heavily on underground the East and Midwest. aquifers to survive water shortages like the Now it’s happening in our own back yard. current drought. ProPublica reported that in July, state ofDespite the risk it poses to our most valuficials ordered an emergency shutdown of able resource, fracking continues to expand
Graphic illustration by WESLEY IHEZUE
throughout the state with minimal oversight. California Senate Bill 4, passed in September 2013, requires limited monitoring and public information. A more potent bill, which would have stopped fracking until the state had time to fully understand its risks, failed to pass the Senate in July. This is despite public polls showing a majority of California voters support a fracking halt. It seems California legislators prefer a wait and see approach. But we can’t afford to wait. Once our wa-
ter aquifers are poisoned, there’s no turning back. If fracking continues its free-for-all operations, millions of Californians could be left without clean drinking water. The time to act is now, by pressuring our legislators and reducing our own fuel consumption. We can wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, but can we wean ourselves off of water? Contact ALICIA WATSON at AWatson@DVCInquirer.com
opinions 10
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
YikYak displays student ignorance What was created to be a fun of themselves or they saw it some and friendly chat app has turned where else that they post on the into a hostile and racist environ- app. ment for DVC students. One “yak” read, “I have sex daiWhen I first saw the advertise- ly. I mean I have dyslexia.” ment about YikYak, I thought that Another read, “If you can’t it was a phone service provider. imagine dropping the mic after the However, it is actually an app final sentence of your essay, your similar to Twitter. conclusion needs to be stronger.” Users post thoughts on a forum A lot of “yaks” tend to be about with a maximum character count sex, weed or wanting a relationof 200, which is 60 characters ship. Some even tend to be very more than Twitter. The biggest vulgar in language, yet there is the difference, though, is YikYak is even darker side of the app. completely anonymous and the With anonymity comes a lot of “yaks,” posted by others, are based bigotry, prejudice and intolerance. on your personal location. It is a known fact that students There is no sign-up, login or from all over the world attend personal questionnaire. DVC, especially from Asia. Due YikYak says in their “About” to its anonymous nature, “YikYaksection that it was created for col- ers” seem to take more liberties by lege students, but if you attend a being politically, socially and raschool like DVC that is next to a cially offensive. high school, One “yak” “yaks” from read, “It’s my nearby high last year at school stuDVC... It’s been dents will come great studying through. abroad in ChiDoug Gil, 20, na.” said he used it There were just to kill time. many people “(YikYak who comis) just one of mented on it those things and expressed you check in “laughter,” on during some while others down time, commented TYLER ELMORE an awkward “And that’s why Managing editor silence or in I transferred bed right after to UCSB. Gloyou’ve scrolled riousness of though all the new pictures on In- beautiful WHITE people!” stagram,” Gil said. Users can like or dislike “yaks,” There are definitely some funny this “yak” received a disturbing 27 jokes that people either thought likes.
Graphic illustration by WESLEY IHEZUE
Although this is extremely racist and unnerving, it doesn’t stop there. Posts like “I want to just hit all the Chinese people in the crosswalk.” Or “All these Chinese are so annoying.” are common. First of all, not all Asian students are Chinese. Second, it is ignorant to group everyone into one small group which includes probably less than 50 people. Third, with comments such as the one’s mentioned, the lines between humorous and offensive get blurred, and ignorance breeds intolerant behavior. As DVC students, we can feel privileged and proud to have so many different types of students
from all walks of life among us. It enhances the learning experience when you open yourself up to other cultures and get exposure to other people’s knowledge and experience. As we are getting to see more and more, the Internet and anonymity gives people the feeling that they should say offensive things to others. Regardless if it is racist or even “cyber-bullying,” there is a weird sense with young people that they should say things online that they normally wouldn’t say out loud to someone’s face. One person posted a “yak” that said “I feel like white people don’t talk to me because they think I’m one of the Asians that don’t speak
English.” Someone followed with a commented, stating “You must be unfortunate looking.” Honestly, what does that even mean? These types of “yaks” just create an even more hostile learning environment for students who are already in a foreign place where they potentially don’t know anyone. What conceptually could have been a great idea for people to communicate with each other at a college campus, has sadly turned into something rather disturbing. If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it at all. Contact TYLER ELMORE at TElmore@DVCInquirer.com
Veterans and war victims face the same fate
As I awoke to a cloudy Bay Area sky, a The most obvious difference: one is a cacertain melancholy swept over me. sualty of war, the other, a self-proclaimed It is a day like any other, yet I know I protector. The lines between savior and ocwon’t have to fight my cupier are often blurred, way through the urban and humans like to battle of traffic, schools choose sides. are closed, federal and As a child of war, livstate workers are off. ing in a place like the Bay It is Veterans’ Day. Area is surreal. Life is relI was never in the atively easy; it is comfortmilitary, but I have lived able; it is mostly uneventthrough war. I have never ful and often mundane. been part of a combat How can someone who unit, yet I have lost more has lived through bombpeople than I can count ings and a rain of missiles on one hand. relate to someone whose I didn’t go through worst day consists of lack a war zone, yet I have of funds in the bank acAMRITA KAUR lived in one. I can feel the count to buy a video Editor-in-chief angst, fear and hopelessgame? ness that one feels, being Can someone who has in the middle of it all. lived in a refugee camp, The lives of most survivors of war are safe, yet imprisoned behind 10-foot barbedintertwined with those of military members wire fences, relate to someone who lives in a around the world. 6,000-square-foot home, yet complains their We have both faced enemies; we have room is too small? seen what it looks like when humans do One can’t. horrible things to other humans. Children of war are masters at adapt-
ing and blending in. But we see the world What will happen to the thousands of through a different lens. Such children are combat soldiers when they return home? hyper-aware, alert and not easily shaken. What will happen to the millions of disSuch children have post traumatic stress placed people who are victims of war? disorders but a stranger could never tell. What will happen to the millions of chilSuch children often function well in society, dren who have not known a day of peace but they live in their own since they took their world. first breath? “We cannot yet enVeterans who have No one knows. We been through combat ex- tirely predict the conse- cannot yet entirely preperience similar feelings; dict the consequences quences our civilization our civilization will face a lack of relatability. Some, if not most, ex- will face in a few years, in a few years, after the perience difficulty adjustwars of the past decade after the wars of the are over. ing to civilian life. They come back from two, But we can already past decade are over.” three, four tours of Afsee glimpses of the inghanistan, Iraq and other ternal scars surfacing, in conflict zones. the form of veteran suicides, the breaking They have witnessed the worst of man- apart of families, domestic and social viokind! lence, severe mental disorders and physical There ‘s a war raging inside them, thoughts damage in our society. of staying put or re-enlisting. Thoughts of Perhaps soldiers and victims can find insecurity and angst. Thoughts and feelings comfort in each other. The world will need which are too complex for our society to to practice patience. know how to deal with. War does not discriminate; it is cruel to Contact AMRITA KAUR at AKaur@DVCInquirer.com all involved.
news 11
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
calendar Personal Statement Review, Nov. 21 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Career, Employment, and Transfer Center Opportunity for you to have someone (usually a counselor) read your Personal Statement and offer suggestions and feedback. Cross Country - California State Championships, Nov. 22 all day Pool DVC Cross Country travels to Woodward Park in Fresno for the California State Championships. UC/CSU Application Lab, Nov. 24 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Career, Employment, and Transfer Center This drop-in lab will provide you with hands-on assistance for any question or concerns you have about the UC or CSU application process. Ask the Librarian, Dec. 1 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. San Ramon Campus in the LEARNING COMMONS Get help on how to research library databases, tips on researching a term paper and how to web research for a class.
police beat Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 Financial Aid Office At 9:00 a.m. reported person disclosed that her SSN was used to apply for financial aid. Monday, Nov. 10 - Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 DVC Faculty Offices room 239 At 9:00 a.m. on Monday and 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday unknown subject(s) smashed the sliding glass door to room FO 239. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 DVC Overflow lots Parking lot 7A&B Student reported a computer case being stolen from his car while it was parked in the overflow lot unattended. There were no suspects or witnesses. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 SRC DSS Computer #LC18 At 11:00 a.m. police removed a student for viewing pornographic material on a campus computer in the Learning Commons.
Fun fair draws clubs and students together RYAN CHAN Staff member
The Diablo Valley College Fun Fair drew students and clubs together for food, fun and games on Nov.12 at the Margaret Lesher Student Union Building. The event was planned by the Associated Students of DVC to promote clubs and interaction with students across campus. Students and staff were invited to hang out with DVC’s clubs to mingle, chow down on snacks, and play games set up by the clubs, like the candy ring toss and the foam javelin throw. Many clubs came to promote their causes. Zainab Asif, vice president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, was promoting her club for DVC’s San Ramon campus. “We're here today to promote awareness and support for our club," Asif said. "We help students transfer into other universities, though normally we don't come out to the DVC campus. However we figured there would be a lot of people around the fair today that might be interested in joining.” The Architecture Club showed up in full force, promoting its 3D printing display, and showcased a life-sized photo booth cleverly styled after Tetris blocks. A highlight of the fair was the DVC Dance Club’s street dance performance, performed by Flo Barrerra, Brandon Guzman and Mac Kevin Ragar. The trio showed off an array of hip-hop dance styles and daring acrobatic moves. DVC Dance Club member Khoa Le, hoped the performance would help raise awareness of the club. “The club was actually asked to perform for the fair, and we told them we’d be happy to," Khoa said. "We were pretty stoked to partici-
RYAN CHAN / The Inquirer
DVC dance club members Brandon Guzman and Mac Kevin Ragar perform at the ASDVC Fun Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 12. pate. Our club practices different choreography every day, so it was good to finally show off a little." Some clubs weren't happy with the location of the fair, citing the remoteness of the student union building. Although attendance at the event was fairly sizable, the location was not as accessible as those of previous years' fairs. Due to ongoing construction, students had to navigate past parking lots or around the pond, to reach the fair. “Having the fair at the student union building is kind of awkward,” Rexy Adrianto, vice
president of the Earth Club said. “The library would have been a much better place to hold the fair. But it’s understandable since it probably would have been too loud.” Sophia Zhang, Vice President of the DVC Judo club, praised the idea of the fun fair. “It’s fun, easy, simple and brings people together," she said. "The fair really promotes collaboration for clubs, and I just wish this could happen more often.”
Contact RYAN CHAN at RChan@DVCInquirer.com
Burglars strike at DVC faculty offices TAYLOR SAENZ Staff member
Faculty members at Diablo Valley College are experiencing an increasing number of office break-ins this fall. On Sep. 2, the sliding glass doors of faculty office 214 were smashed and the instructor's rolling suitcase was stolen. On Sep. 20, unidentified subjects struck again, smashing the sliding glass doors of faculty office 128. The most recent break-in occurred on Nov. 11, when the sliding doors of faculty office 239 were smashed.
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.
So what is being done to help DVC faculty still feel safe? Chair of the English department Antonia Fannin attended the Faculty Senate meeting on Tuesday Nov. 11, and addressed the issue of the break-ins. “I thought our faculty colleagues should be aware,” she said. DVC President Peter Garcia said that he and DVC police Lieutenant Chad Wehrmeister have been discussing the incidents and are working to resolve the issue. “I guarantee you that we have taken a number of police measures," Garcia said. "We haven’t been successful yet, but we are taking
Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR COPY EDITOR FEATURES EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF NEWS EDITOR SPORTS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR
Amrita Kaur Tyler Elmore Shane Louis Daniel Maraccini Kendall Brescia Amrita Kaur Tyler Elmore Shane Louis
this very seriously.” Garcia believes that these break-ins are theft-motivated rather than acts of vandalism. “It very much appears to be smash and grab...,” he said. “It looks like they are looking for something of value.” “We are looking at a number of possible interventions, but because of the nature of the crime we are not going to talk about what those interventions are.”
Contact TAYLOR SAENZ at TSaenz@DVCInquirer.com
Staff STAFF WRITERS Cameron Chear, Marissa Dadgari, Elicia Locke, Natalia Kiedrzyn, Daniel Maraccini, Taylor Pagan, Taylor Saenz, Lucas Wanless, 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 •
news 12
Thursday, Nov. 20 - Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014
Students have mixed reviews of the new ‘yes means yes’ law ALICIA WATSON Staff member
A new law signed by Governor Jerry Brown will mandate the way state colleges and universities investigate reports of sexual assaults occurring on campus and at school-sanctioned events. Students at Diablo Valley College have mixed reviews and want more information about it. While most of the requirements overlap with existing federal law, California Senate Bill 967, known as the “yes means yes” law, sets a legal standard for determining whether consent was given by both parties involved in a sexual encounter. It defines consent as “affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.” Without it, an encounter is not deemed consensual. The law states that alleged consent given while incapacitated due to intoxication, does not meet the standard. DVC Police Services Lt. Chad Wehrmeister believes the bill is a “huge win.” In the past, he said, intoxication was often used as a defense. “This clearly states that that is not a defense." Wehrmeister be-
lieves people will now think twice before engaging in risky behavior. Computer science major Ryan Morris doubts the law will alter behavior. That, he said, requires cultural change. Psychology major Alejandra Serrano feels that sexual assault is not taken seriously. “There aren’t as many consequences for people as there should be," she said, "and it’s blamed on the victim.” “It probably happens more at the university level," said business administration major Lorrie Mae Joaquin. "But … you have athletes where there’s clear evidence they have raped somebody and there’s no repercussions.” Furthermore, she said responsibility for preventing sexual assault is unfairly placed on victims rather than perpetrators. “We live in a culture where it’s like ‘okay, well, carry a whistle.’ Or ‘use the buddy system.’ You see posters that say all that stuff to a victim to prevent getting raped, but nowhere do I see posters that say, ‘hey, don’t rape!’” Some students feel the consent requirement is impractical. “I understand that the new law tries to protect women from abuse," said business administra-
Need to Know Under Senate Bill 967, “Affirmative consent” means affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. Colleges and universities must adopt an affirmative consent policy in order to receive state funds for student financial aid.
State Sen. Kevin de Leon, right, sponsored the consent legislation. Courtesy of KEVIN DE LEON
tion major Jeramie Legge. "But I think at the same time that’s not always a question asked between consenting adults.” The students all said they need more information about the law. “You can make laws until you’re blue in the face,” Joaquin said, “but if you’re not promoting that message … what’s the point?” She’d like to see fraternities and other student groups spread the
message. “We need to somehow promote the fact that it’s not cool to be doing that kind of thing.” Students will be asked to help develop DVC’s educational campaign about the law, which is planned for spring semester rollout, according to Newin Orante, Vice President of Student Services. Though sexual assaults at col-
leges are rising nationwide, there were no reported incidents at DVC in academic years 2010 through 2012, according to the 2013 Campus Crime Awareness Report published by the Contra Costa Community College District Police Department.
Contact ALICIA WATSON at AWatson@DVCInquirer.com
Got guacamole? State braces for avocado shortage go to restaurants such as Chipotle if they stopped selling guacamole. “Even if the prices for guacamole were Are California’s avocados in danger of to go up, I would not pay it,” Lawrence said. being left off some restaurant menus? “I’d have to learn to live without it if it was According to KKTV News, scientists such a high cost.” predict climate change will bring hotter DVC student Sydney Russell states she weather and cause a 40 percent drop in Cali- would still go to Chipotle, but not as often. fornia’s avocado production over the next “Guacamole is like a staple ingredient of three decades. Chipotle,” Russell said. “Even if the prices for This could be a probRussell also feels gualem for restaurants such camole too guacamole were to go expensiveisandalready as Chipotle, which uses would not up, I would not pay pay any more for it. 35 million pounds of avocados per year. Fairfield Chipotle it. I’d have to lean to Manager Chipotle has been the Felicia Kenny recent discussion of the live without it if it was said about six months possible avocado shortago the company was such a high cost.” age, and whether or not notified that there could it would keep the item be a shortage of avoca~AMBER LAWRENCE and hike up the price, or dos, but fortunately, ChiDVC student temporarily suspend the potle resourced the avoitem. cados and was still able Avocado trees need approximately 40 to to serve guacamole to its customers. 50 inches of rain per year, according to SF “The company is really good at knowing Gate Home Guides. when a shortage is going to hit, and they Young trees in the summer need several will let us know ahead of time,” Kenny said. applications per week of between 5 to 20 She also reassured customers that they gallons at each irrigation. would not be charged more for guacamole Without enough water, avocado trees can than the current $1.95. suffer from root rot and can turn yellow and Instead, the chain would temporarily susare smaller in stature, which is not good for pend the service of guacamole if the time avocado production. comes. Diablo Valley College student Amber The drought in California is resulting in Lawrence said she would be less likely to avocados being imported from other counTAYLOR SAENZ Staff member
TAYLOR SAENZ / The Inquirer
Choawanee Jirasritumrong, produce employee at Raley’s straightens avocados so that they do not bruise on the shelf on Nov. 16. tries such as Chile and Mexico, according to Raley’s produce employee Choawanee Jirasritumrong. “In California’s off season, we get our avocados from Mexico, which is good because they don’t travel too far and they are still good quality,” Jirasritumrong said. Avocado production might be okay at the
moment, but if the drought continues, we could be looking at outrageous prices at our favorite restaurants and grocery stores.
Contact TAYLOR SAENZ at TSaenz@DVCInquirer.com