DVC Inquirer 9-25-14 Vol. 1 Issue 2 by DVC Inquirer

The

INQUIRER

Food court in session The new and improved cafeteria brings a fresh feel to campus. See Page 5.

Student Voice of Diablo Valley College

Volume I No. 2 Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8 , 2014 www.DVCInquirer.com

Farm to fork New class is taking students to the root of the dinner table. See Page 4.

Bring your own bag Plastic bag ban will affect Pleasant Hill patrons. See Page 3.

Above the law The Editorial Board discusses how society deals with celebrity punishment. See Page 6.

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

news 2

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

calendar

Accred. team to visit DVC first week of October

Art Exhibit “Women, Power and Spirit”, Sept. 10 - Oct. 24 Library Mon-Thurs: 8 am - 9 pm Friday: 10 am - 3 pm Saturday: 12 pm - 4 pm Sunday: Closed Community College Accreditation Evaluation Pleasant Hill and San Ramon Campus Oct. 6 - Oct. 9 TAG Drop-in Lab San Ramon Campus E-160 Sept. 29 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Counselor assistance will be available for students’ TAG applications College Rep Visit, Sept. 30 10 am - 12 pm Career, Employment and Transfer Center U.C. Santa Cruz; St. Mary’s (San Ramon 10 am - 1 pm) ASDVC Meeting, Sept. 30 2 pm - 4 pm Student Union Weekly Meeting of the Associated Students of DVC Soccer vs. Modesto, Sept. 30 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Soccer Field DVC Soccer plays Modesto JC in a Big 8 Conference match College Rep Visit, Oct. 1 10 am - 1 pm Career, Employment and Transfer Center San Jose State University transfer information will be given Volleyball vs. Modesto, Oct. 1 6:30 - 8:30 pm Gymnasium DVC Volleyball plays Modesto JC in a Big 8 Conference match Three Way Jazz, Oct. 1. 8 - 10 pm PAC A jazz concert- $8 in advance, $11 at the door Football vs. Sierra, Oct. 3. 7 - 10 pm Viking Stadium DVC Football plays Sierra Colleg in a non-conference match Symphonic Band, Oct. 3. 8 - 9 pm PAC The Symphonic Band performs $8 in advance, $11 at the door

AMRITA KAUR Editor-in-chief

TYLER ELMORE / The Inquirer

Customers wait in line at the Apple store for the release of new products in Walnut Creek on Friday Sept. 19.

iPhone 6 sells over 10 million in first weekend RYAN CHAN Staff member

Bigger and bolder than their predecessors is a typical trend among new Apple releases. But with the recent announcement of the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, the Apple Watch, iOS 8 and Apple Pay, this year may just top the rest in terms of big. And with an impressive 10 million units sold over the weekend, the iPhone 6 is off to a strong start. How impressive are the latest gadgets? It depends on who you ask. But first, a look at the latest iPhone lineup. The iPhone 6 has a wide, 4.7 inch display in 1,334 x 750-pixel resolution, and is touted to have a five-anda-half hour battery life, runs iOS8, and beginning in October, Apple Pay integration.Available in silver, gold and grey, it’s priced at $199 for the 16 gigabyte model, $299 for the 64 GB model, and $399 for the 128 GB model. The iPhone 6 Plus features a massive 5.5 inch display and 1,920-by-1,080-pixel resolution, a six-and-ahalf hour battery life, and will also support iOS8 and Apple Pay. The iPhone 6 Plus starts at $299 for the 16 GB model, $399 for the 64 GB model, and $499 for the 128 GB model. Kevin Hettenbach, a 22-year-old criminal justice major and former iPhone user, is not impressed. “I probably wouldn't buy the new iPhone because of portability issues and size,” he said. And it’s security that concerns Carley Bettencourt, a 20-year-old nursing student. “I really like my iPhone,” she said. “But I would only really buy the new one if the security was good.” Apple claims that the new iOS 8 operating system

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.

does feature enhanced security that prevents hackers and law enforcement from accessing information from Apple devices. This comes only weeks after nude photos of high profile celebrities appeared illicitly on the internet, calling into question the integrity of iCloud security. Yet some students are reassured by Apple’s promise. “The new password encryption on iOS 8 is great,” Deberah Schlagel, a 40-year-old film major, said. “Especially in an age where so much of your data is stolen, sold, and mined.” Time will tell just how secure the new system is. And consumers will also have to wait for the muchhyped Apple Watch. The company’s response to Samsung’s “smart watches” is slated to release early next year, and will feature a sleek touch display that allows access to phone, music and other apps. A touch dial display on the side of the watch will allow interaction with additional features. Users can touch and swipe the watch like a regular iPhone or speak into the microphone. But perhaps the biggest announcement of things to come is the Apple Pay payment platform, which will enable users to pay for purchases with their iPhones instead of credit cards. Yet again, questions of security arise. “Anything that goes up on the cloud just isn't safe,” Michael Incerti, a 20-year-old psychology major said, again referencing the leaked celebrity photos. While it’s yet to be seen whether students will come to embrace the new line of Apple gear, there’s no denying that it’s already piqued a lot of interest. Contact RYAN CHAN at RChan@DVCInquirer.com

Contact AMRITA KAUR at Amrita@DVCInquirer.com

Staff

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, NEWS EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR, OPINIONS EDITOR TECHNOLOGY EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Diablo Valley College will undergo an accreditation evaluation process from Oct. 6 - 9 with the visit of 12 members of the accreditation evaluation team. Every six years, community colleges in California undergo an evaluation process which takes a deeper look at the institutions' practices and suggests areas of improvement. The team consists of faculty and administrative members of various member colleges in California. The evaluation process will start on Monday, Oct. 6 at the San Ramon campus and will kick in to full gear on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Pleasant Hill. DVC President Peter Garcia and Ted Wieden, Accreditation Liaison Officer, had a preliminary meeting with the team chair and assistant in August to finalize the visit. A 520-page document called "Self Evaluation Report of Educational Quality and Institutional Effectiveness in Support of Reaffirmation of Accreditation" was created by faculty and administration to get a head start on areas of improvement. DVC administrators do not foresee any issues arising from the evaluation. "I don't see any red flags right now. Will we get recommendations for improvement? I guarantee it. It's a good thing, they see things we don't," said Wieden. "I don't think any college goes through without recommendations. It's healthy." As for the accreditors' visit, the administration is asking the student body to be kind to anyone who is wearing an accreditation visitor's badge, and to help direct them when asked. "Be engaging and help out," Wieden urged.

Amrita Kaur Tyler Elmore Ryan Chan Kendall Brescia Shane Louis

STAFF MEMBERS Cameron Chear, Marissa Dadgari, Elicia Locke, Natalia Kiedrzyn, Daniel Maraccini, Taylor Pagan, Taylor Saenz, Lucas Wanlass, Alicia Watson, Liyin Yeo CORRESPONDENTS Andrew Barber, Katie Akeson, Wesley Ihezue, Ray Martin INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Julius Rea ADVISER Mary Mazzocco

• Phone: 925.969.2544 • Email: inquirer@dvc.edu • Website: www.dvcinquirer.com • Printed seven times per semester •

news 3

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Pay per bag

New law requires charging for bags in Pleasant Hill RAYMOND MARTIN Correspondent

Pleasant Hill says BYOB or pay the fee. In a unanimous decision, Pleasant Hill City Council members agreed to adopt an ordinance banning single use plastic bags citywide.To help people ease into the change, the city is going to be doing a promo campaign to spread awareness and give out some free reusable bags. The campaign's slogan is BYOB -bring your own bag. Shoppers will be encouraged to bring their own bags or carry their items. If they still want bags they will have the option to purchase recycled paper bags or reusable plastic bags for $.10 each. The proceeds from bags purchased at checkouts will go to the store. The ban will go into effect on Feb. 4th, 2015, after which single use plastic bags are no longer allowed. The ban was passed as part of an ongoing effort to focus on environmental issues and sustainability. "They'll be distributing about 12,000 bags," Public Information Officer Martin Nelis says. "About 3,000 have already been distributed." Nelis also said that in the upcoming weeks letters will be sent

out to Pleasant Hill businesses, of- probably will sign it, yes." The bill ficial notifications of the ban. is expected to be signed by the end The months leading up to the of September. ban should give The passing of a businesses time to city ordinance with an Need to Know prepare, and to use almost certain stateup their current supwide bill may seem Gov. Jerry Brown has redundant, but there ply of disposable until the end of bags. In the event are a few differencSeptember to sign that a company still es. For example, the the bill that would has too many bags Pleasant Hill version ban nonreusable plas- is intended to effect left, they will have tic bags in the entire all businesses simulto apply for an exstate of California. tension to use the taneously to stop the remaining stock. usage ASAP, whereas California would The idea of a the state bill will be give $2 million in plastic bag ban is not in phases (grocery loans to plastic bag a new one. Pleasant stores and pharmacies factories to levy Hill is certainly not in 2015, liquor and the switch to the first city to enconvenience stores in making reusable act this sort of ban, 2016). bags. in fact, they are only Whether you love the 6th City in Conthe free garbage bags San Francisco, Los tra Costa County or hate the sight in Angeles and other (following Walnut gutters, single-use major cities in the Creek, San Pablo, El plastic bags are soon US have adapted this Cerrito, Pittsburg, to be part of Califorlaw already. and Richmond). nia's past. There already over As administrative 100 jurisdictions in assistant Jessica MarCalifornia that are enacting single- tin says, "I'll miss the challenge of use bag bans, and on Aug. 29, a looping 15 bags over my arms to statewide bill passed both state as- carry all the groceries in one trip." sembly and senate votes. The bill is awaiting signature by Gov. Jerry Brown who said during Contact RAYMOND MARTIN at RMartin@DVCInquirer.com this year's gubernatorial debate, "I

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KENDALL BRESCIA / The Inquirer

Diablo Valley students are still using plastic bags for books at the bookstore, but not for long. California’s new law will be requiring patrons to pay 10 cents per bag. Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014.

New exhibit empowers women The star of the exhibit, and Jester's personal favorite, "Artemis" the Greek goddess of hunt, was highlighted for her self-sufficiency and independence. Diablo Valley College's art exhibit "Women, Power "I am impressed with what an artist can do with and Spirit" celebrates the feminine side of both pow- paper," viewer Betty Bortz said. er and spirituality. Tatiana Cafaro, a humanities major, agreed. Philosophically inspired by Carl Jung's psychology, "I love the different textures. It adds a beautiful Tibetan Buddhism and Native American spirituality, depth," she said. Catherine Jester, disability support services counselor Jester describes her art as a personal journey used and artist, hopes to instill a positive, strong image for finding personal strength and believes that she of females in the minds and hearts of her viewers taps into a universal message relatable to all. through her mixed-medium creations. “'Women, Power and Spirit’ praises aspects of me Jester attempts to combat [Jester], aspects of all women “Spirituality and religion and I would go even further mainstream media's degrading depiction of women through has been hijacked by the and say aspects of all human beher art. ings,” Jester said. male.” “It’s empowering to view Jimmy Xie, new to DVC women in a powerful way,” she this fall, says that he is glad his ~CATHERINE JESTER said, “not as dependent, but as teacher mentioned the “Artist’s Disability Support Services Counselor independent; not as needy, but Reception.” as resourceful and strong." “Everything looks so unique Raised in a masculine-faand special. The ‘Tree Woman’ vored, Judeo-Christian home, Jester has been search- is my favorite,” he said. ing for “the feminine side of Divine." The exhibit can be viewed until Oct. 24, 2014 at “Spirituality and religion has been hijacked by the the Pleasant Hill campus library. male,” she said. Jester had the opportunity to discuss these concepts with attendees during a special artist's reception on Sept. 18, 2014. DVC librarian Ruth Sison, in reference to the exhibit says, "I'm so surprised with how wonderful it Contact TAYLOR PAGAN at TPagan@DVCInquirer.com turned out." TAYLOR PAGAN Staff member

features 4

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Going from farm to table

DVC students learn to cultivate food in an urban setting ALICIA WATSON Staff member

On a gently sloping hill overlooking tiered planting beds, 30 students gather within a makeshift amphitheater of recycled Eucalyptus logs. In the early morning sun they sit, listening to the speaker below, as he lays out the day's plan. Before long, they’re moving about, digging, shoveling, and hauling things up and down the terraced hillside. Welcome to Urban Farming, DVC’s newest Culinary Arts course. With a nod to the budding interest in sustainable food and locally grown fare, the class allows students to experience the entire life cycle of fruits and vegetables, ultimately taking them from farm to table. “Response has been great,” Chris Draa, Culinary Arts Department Chair, says. "Chefs are all interested in taking something from the ground and cooking and serving it as soon as possible." Instructor John Matthesen, agrees. “They like farm to table stuff because it’s really what’s happening in the industry these days. A lot of restaurants have small gardens or buy from urban farms. So it’s a resume builder for students.” Culinary Arts major Maria Ellis do Amaral says what attracted her to the class was an interest in gardening. But not just any gardening. “Gardening the way they do it here,” she says. “No chemicals, no machines. Just hard work.”

Through combined lecture and handson activity, students learn everything from composting and soil preparation, to seed starting and garden planting, to harvesting and serving food—all keeping within the seasonal plant cycles. All the plants are organic, and sustainability is a key principle of Matthesen’s teachings. It’s a popular buzzword these days, but what does sustainable really mean? “What is the definition of sustainability? It’s all over the map,” Matthesen says. “But to me, it means don’t use up resources that can’t be replenished.” Planted early in his students’ minds, this philosophy is cultivated and applied throughout the semester. An example is the bamboo plant cage at the crest of the hill. “Where I cut it,” Matthesen says, pointing to the jagged end of a bamboo stalk, “it grows back. So it’s a very sustainable product. Like a blade of grass. “Whereas if it was a redwood tree and I cut it down, it’s not growing back. That’s not sustainable.” Soil enrichment is another area where sustainable practices are applied. Instead of commercial fertilizers, students use compost made from DVC’s kitchen scraps, as well as crop rotation and earthworms--grown right on the farm--to aerate and enrich the soil. The worm farm is one of the things that surprised and impressed Culinary Arts student Matt Wolfe. “I thought it was real interesting,” he says. He’s now thinking about building a worm farm for his home garden. “Everything I’ve learned so far has been

A group of Bay Area individuals learning the basic skills, as well as some secrets on maintaining a healthy home garden at Rodgers Ranch Urban Farm in Pleasant Hill Friday, Sept. 19, 2014.

KENDALL BRESCIA / The Inquirer

awesome,” student Briana Verdugo, says. “It’s only the second class but we’ve already learned about different (plant) species, and compost, and just tons of stuff.” And for those working toward a Culinary Arts certificate, the course addition is timely. The American Culinary Federation, the organization that grants accreditation to Culinary Arts programs, recently made urban farming class a program requirement. So there’s something for everyone on this

urban farm. A career stepping stone. A brush with nature. A green environment, and a sustainable food source. “It’s healthier for us, it’s healthier for the environment, it’s healthier for our local economy,” Verdugo says. “It’s good all the way around.” Contact ALICIA WATSON at AWatson@DVCInquirer.com

Eating real food at a really good price is for the love of cooking, or they hated their job and just wanted to bake for a living. On occasion, it is also a sentimental story. The novel concept of eating "real" food comes to a Fernay McPherson, chef and owner of Minnie festival near you and it doesn't break the budget. Bell’s Southern Movement, says “I’ve had a passion The Eat Real Festival is an annual event where local for cooking since a child. My great aunt Minnie and restaurants and street food proprietors come together grandmother Lillie Bell were my inspiration to cook, to promote eating real “homemade” food. which is where the name of my business came from. It also is a great place for people to spend time to- They were two southern women who threw down in gether and eat delicious foods from various styles and the kitchen and I loved it.” cultures. McPherson chose to serve a For those who have a smaller braised short rib sandwiches and “They were two budget for eating out and enterbread bites. southern women who corn tainment, this is a great event Homeroom, a popular mac to attend without spending too and cheese restaurant in Oakthrew down in the much money, as many dishes were attended the Eat Real feskitchen and I loved it.” land, under ten dollars. tival for the fifth time. All of the 50 food vendors are Emily Fleet, Homeroom's ~Fernay McPherson local to the Bay Area, whether general manager, said that the Minnie Bell’s Southern Movement they are strictly a food tent, truck reason they went into business or have a restaurant location was as easy as “We wanted to around the bay. share great mac and cheese with the world!” Jessica Nguyen, founder of Bicycle Banh Mi says Homeroom served their classic Gilroy Garlic mac. when they are brainstorming the festival menu, they The festival usually takes place at the end of Septhink about what they are most known for and what tember in Jack London Square in Oakland. they themselves would crave while attending a big Aside from this festival, there are year-round lofood festival. cal food truck and vendor meet-ups such as Off the "We wanted to offer something fresh (spring rolls + Grid, which serves various locations on a daily basis. root slaw), authentic (banh mi) and comforting (fried With such opportunities as the Eat Real Festival chicken),” she said. around the Bay Area serving any time of the year, TYLER ELMORE / The Inquirer Bicycle Banh Mi served a coconut milk and cilantro there is no reason for the “top ramen diet” anymore. Jaime, Mariana and Elena (last names not provided) of battered fried chicken banh mi, traditional vietnamese Homeroom in Oakland, prepare the first batch of Macaspring rolls and a tri-color root cole slaw. Contact TYLER ELMORE at TElmore@DVCInquirer.com roni and Cheese for the Festival on Saturday Sept. 20, 2014. Every business has a cool start up story, whether it TYLER ELMORE Managing editor

features 5

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Students eat up the new cafeteria SHANE LOUIS Copy editor

Diablo Valley College's new Hospitality Services and Food Court Building offers many new options for hungry students, and gives culinary students new opportunities to hone their skills. With its brand new design and features, this new HSFC Building is a great place to hang out, grab a bite, and study. Downstairs is the food court, which has an area to purchase food, and lots of seating. For Joshua Levy, a 19-year-old physics major, this is a huge improvement from the old cafeteria. "This is much better. It's more comfortable, aesthetically beautiful, and there's a great selection of food." The selection of food is great, with something for everyone. "The food is very diverse. You have the Asian food, the Italian food, the white people food," said Stacy Wang, 18. Upstairs, the DVC Culinary Department prepares a variety of dishes available to the student body from the express line, bakery shop and the Norseman, which is modeled after a high end restaurant. Culinary students and faculty seem to be the most excited about the new building. New work spaces and equipment fill the upstairs area. "Everything works, everything

was falling apart before," culinary student Carol Phillips said. Jimmy Smith, a 36-year-old culinary student, said these are some really privileged kids who get to use all this fancy new equipment. "We're not cramped together anymore," Brianna Carbajal, a 21-year-old culinary student said. Every Thursday, the bakery has a half-off special from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. And culinary student Victor Ilog confirmed that they now accept credit and debit cards. The culinary staff is looking to see how they can expand the program to make full use of the new facilities with such events as celebrity chefs in the demonstration room, or wine-maker dinners in the Norseman. Chris Draa, Culinary Arts DeSHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer partment Chair and baking and Brianna Carbajal, Sadie Moe and Grace Foley, culinary arts students, make cupcakes in pastry instructor, has been teachthe new demonstration room of the Hospitality Services Food Court Building. ing full time at DVC for the past 15 years. Transitioning into the new space, he said, is daunting new tables and new equipment ery. student population. They can go because there're always glitches to and that kind of thing that we've "Construction would keep downstairs for one type of meal work through for the first couple been really looking forward to." them away. Just the fact that the and upstairs for another type of of semesters. For the general student popula- pastry shop was right next to the meal." Draa is still excited about the tion, this new building provides vending machines, people would While the culinary arts departnew facility, and especially the easy access to both the food court never come." ment and the food court are two new equipment. downstairs, and the express line, Draa put an emphasis on the separate entities, Food Services "I've got a few new ovens that bakery and Norseman restaurant educational aspects of the arts cu- manager George Delfabro said he are high tech, that I've never had upstairs. linary program, distinguishing it has three culinary students who before, so I'm extremely pleased "We're hoping that so many from the food court downstairs. work the in the food court, so with that," he said. "There's a more people will come to try our "The type of things that they there is some overlap. chocolate machine that I'm really food," Draa said. cook and serve are different than happy about, that I never dreamed In the past, it wasn't easy for what we're teaching up here, Contact SHANE LOUIS at SLouis@DVCInquirer.com of having. And basically it's just students to get food from the bak- which can only be good for the

App spices up virtual dating for students TAYLOR SAENZ Staff member

If you're not already a full blown addict, you will probably soon give into the Tinder flame and the way you view dating will reach another level. You can now chat with, date or even hook up with the people you desire in your area, all from the comfort of your iPhone. What is Tinder? Tinder is a matchmaking app where both men and women browse through Facebook profile pictures of the opposite sex in your area. If any pictures seem appealing, the individual can “like” the picture and hope the recipient does the same so you can strike up a conversation. The app was launched in September 2012 and was initially designed for college campuses. The founders of Tinder, Sean Rad, Whitney Wolfe, Jonathan Badeen, Christopher Gulczynsk, Joe Munoz and Justin Manteen, promoted the app as more of getting the chance to meet and potentially date people in your area. After being in use for the past two years, the app has slowly become more of a hook-up and casual sex app. Each person has a profile, which displays their first name, last initial and age. The person then has the option to add interests and a little "about me" section. The profile does display your location which could be totally creepy, says UC Davis student Danielle Aguirre. “I think the app is safe if you

SHANE LOUIS / The Inquirer

Tinder matches users up with compatible people in their vicinity. are just curious, but on the other hand it could be very easy for anyone to obsess and follow you,” she says. Tinder, a million dollar industry, has caused a lot of controversy. From invasion of privacy, to safety issues, Tinder seems to have a love-hate relationship with a lot of people. One of the most current issues regarding Tinder is the infamous “tiger-selfies.” Young men have recently been taking selfies

with exotic tigers in order to have a more appealing profile picture on Tinder. This became so popular that the New York State Assembly passed a legislation prohibiting direct contact with the animal, furthermore stopping these “tiger-selfies.” DVC student Ariana Westbrook shared her thoughts about Tinder’s controversy. “I think when you sign up for apps like that, you know what you are getting yourself into; it’s your choice,” she says.

Student Jessica Rudd had similar feelings toward the matchmaking app. “If people start to get crazy and start stalking you, you could always just delete the app,” she says. San Francisco State student Marina Lopez is very fond of Tinder and has been on numerous dates off of the app. One of her dates even resulted in a relationship that lasted for a few months. Lopez says they eventually broke up and she went back to use the app strictly for hooking up. "One time I coincidentally hooked up with guys that were roommates and I continued having sex with both of them without them knowing about each other," she says. Some concerns for the app aren’t about the safety, but the idea that this generation doesn’t know how to socialize anymore. Francisco Hurtado, a DVC student, has never even heard of Tinder before but doesn’t really like the idea. “It takes out the whole social factor of meeting someone,” he says. Others don’t really seemed to be bothered by Tinder. San Francisco State student Samantha Krome says apps like tinder are “less than formal” for dating, but for the purpose of casually meeting up with people, Tinder seems to function pretty well. Tinder may not be for everyone, but one thing is certain, it is the start for a whole new world of dating. Contact TAYLOR SAENZ at TSaenz@DVCInquirer.com

opinions 6

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Buzz

The

Editorial

What do you think about the US going back to war?

ARLENE DEL BENI, 53 Psychology

“I think that war is one way to solve this problem, but it will not work without coming together.”

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

Athletes and violence

Severe crimes go unpunished for celebrities ARIEL FERREIRA, 22 Political Science

“There are too much problems in the Middle East. We should have never left..”

RYAN TORNAI, 26 Geographic Information Systems

“It’s a bad situation, we can’t just let it go on.”

We've all heard of money and greed overshadowing justice in the realms of politics and economics. But not many of us are aware or even come face to face with the kind of profit mongering that is involved in the world of professional sports. Athletes, like celebrities, are revered by media and fans. The consequence of such idolization results in a society where things like domestic violence and sexual abuse go unnoticed, unmentioned and above all unpunished. The recent cases of Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Ray McDonald, all NFL players, are a blunt reminder of how the greedy leadership of the sports world are willing to lie and deceive the public and simply ignore any issues and wrongdoing that would arise from players misbehaving. Rice, Peterson and McDonald are not isolated incidences. Too many have, in the past, committed acts of sexual abuse against women or have been charged with child or spousal abuse without facing hard consequences from their employers. A report published by USA Today highlighted the disparity on how 85 of the 713 charges against NFL players brought by police were domestic violence.

Not only is the media lagging in the reporting of star players and their misbehaviors, but industry commissioners are significantly turning a blind eye towards these issues. The average person, when arrested on a first time offense of domestic violence, may be subjected to trial and face jail and probation time. Athletes have not been held adequately accountable to the charges against them in cases of violence, until recently. There are rules in sports which punish players for unsportsmanlike conduct on the field, meaning when a player gets too rough, there are penalties. The same, however, does not seem to apply when a 200 lb. running back knocks out his petite fiancee in an elevator; especially when two separate videos of the incidence were brought to the attention of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Hope Solo threatened her young nephew and was charged with domestic violence -- but those charges were dropped completely, because she is a great contributor to the world of women's soccer. The not so surprising factor in all this came out to be where the women (victims) were being scrutinized for either provoking the violence against them or continuing their relation-

ship with their abuser. According to a contributing article published in Mother Jones by Tracy Treu, the wife of Raider center Adam Treu: "I'm so fed up by people blaming Janay Rice. We're asking for incredible bravery, and we're giving little compassion to this woman. Because it's so easy to say 'Well, she's the fool who married him. Why doesn't she just leave?' There are just so many components to it that people aren't aware of." These incidences in the sports community have moved sponsors like Anheuser-Busch, a brewing company, to threaten the removal of their endorsement of the NFL if they don't get their act together. Various other sponsors, media outlets and fans have finally screamed loud enough for the industry to start implementing new rules of engagement and harsher punishment for players. The world of sports has one prime motto: to win at all cost. That win should not come at the expense of innocent victims who end up paying the heavy price of silence and servitude. As a society, we should be very conscious of the pedestal we place our celebrities and athletes on. Instead of blaming the victims, we can very well voice our concerns to the media and the sports industry to implement real-life consequences.

Letters to the editor

LEE ARCHEY, 21 Nursing

“I do agree with going to war against ISIS to show that their actions are not acceptable.”

ANNA-SOPHIA PRETLOW, 17 Spanish

“I feel we should not interfere.” Interviewed and photographed by: Inquirer staff

There are no health clinics on campus

Students at DVC do not have a place to go for medical emergencies or emotional support on campus. DVC fails to provide basic health services like Band-Aids, mental counseling and violence prevention programs to its large student body of 20,000. And the absence of a health center deprives students of the basic care they need. According to the 2014 DVC Self Evaluation Report for Accreditation, our school’s mission statement includes commitment to student learning and promotion of “personal growth and lifelong learning.” Health centers play an essential role in promoting growth and learning by providing important

resources such as medical aid and emotional counseling; physical and emotional well-being provides the basic foundation for academic growth. I propose that we promote student safety and well-being by initiating an effort to create a health center on campus. As a student who once sought emotional support on campus but was unable to find any, I believe this to be a pressing issue that affects the overall well-being of our student body. Whether it’s through a petition to the school board, a volunteer based club or a partnership with an outside organization, we need to address this issue. ~Lily Yi DVC Student

‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ affects drought

The California drought is something that has currently affected our state. We have been severely impacted with reservoirs being completely drained of its water, as well as lakes and creeks. Recently an “Ice Bucket Challenge” (IBC) went viral to support people with (ALS) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a disease which attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that controls voluntary muscle movement. Numerous Californians are participating in this challenge even though we are in a serious drought. While people dump water on themselves for IBC, they are also nominating other people to take this challenge, following a video post on social media so that others can see. After the IBC is complete, people donate money to the ALS association to help researchers find a cure for the disease. Even with the drought going on

people continue to participate in the challenge. The National Report states that “81% of California continues to suffer extreme drought conditions and thirty million gallons of water are wasted on the Ice Bucket Challenge daily in California alone.” California should think of a more productive way to participate in the IBC. California State Universities like Chico, Sacramento, Humboldt and Sonoma ditched the ice buckets and jumped into the schools’ pool in an effort to conserve the water that is being wasted on a daily basis and that could soon be detrimental to our future. If all schools in California brought awareness to the drought issue, little by little we could all contribute to the bigger picture. ~ Cindy Lopez DVC Student

opinions 7

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Russia moves to invade Ukraine

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

What we have feared in night- new elections. This dispute has mares has become a reality today. been intense, much more than we We are witnesses of a civil war in can imagine or we could expect. Ukraine. Ukrainians hear broadcasts Knowing who is fighting is vi- about how Russian soldiers have tal to figuring out why the Russian been ordered to take over the army has invaded Ukrainian soil, Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and and why the Odessa. They government in feel abandoned Moscow authoand they want rized military to know how intervention in other countries this country. can stop aggresWhile the sion and save pro-Russian Ukraine. camp in this What is war wants to shown on TV connect East is only a small Ukraine to Ruspiece of the sia, the prohorrifying realEuropean camp ity. On Jan 22, strives for in2014, the day dependence. of Unity of NATALIA KIEDRZYN Thousands of Ukraine, police Staff member people gathshot and killed ered, wanting six people durformer Ukrainian President Viktor ing street clashes. A civilian jet was Yanukovych to leave or schedule shot down in July and, according

to Ukrainian media, over 1,000 Russian soldiers have already invaded the country. It is also worth thinking how the situation will influence life and economy of other countries. Turbulence in Ukraine might increase the pressure on markets in Europe and the rest of the world. Economic difficulties such as high debt, low foreign currency, changeable exchange rate and high demand for external financing might influence the general situation of emerging markets. Many politicians in West Europe are afraid that this situation is going to stop gas distribution to their region. As an European I feel very uncomfortable with this situation, because we've been down this road before. Europe did nothing with Hitler until it was too late. When there was finally resistance, his army destroyed everything in its path. If it hadn't been for Russia and the United States, Hitler's

Germany would have very well succeeded. The landscape of Europe would be completely different today, and not for the better.

“Obama is right: the Cold War is over. But a lot has changed with Putin since the Cold War and we have a lot of catching up to do.” Ukrainian Premiere Arseniy Yatsenyuk declared that the presence of the Russian army in his country means that Russian President Vladimir Putin has started a war in Europe. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have agreed that Russia's actions cannot remain unanswered. Is this the beginning of World War III? There is no other solution but urgent diplomacy to de-escalate

and to get international peacekeepers to the border region as quickly as possible. Obama is right: the Cold War is over. But a lot has changed with Putin since the Cold War and we have a lot of catching up to do. We shouldn't forget that Russia is and for many centuries has been the largest country in the world and that it acquired its territories by imperialist expansion often accompanied by genocide and ethnic cleansing. When Putin says, "We have always respected the territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state," I wonder whether is he being truthful, or is the speech a smoke screen for further aggression? We don't know, and I am not here to defend one side or the other. I am here to defend clarity, consistency, honesty, and international rule of law.

Contact NATALIA KIEDRZYN at NKiedrzyn@DVCInquirer.com

Sanctions hurt economies on a global level Despite multiple statements by people with access to information about Iran’s nuclear program, including the CIA and Mossad as well as quotable statements from the Iran's leader and recently elected President Hassan Rouhani, people still presume Iran is looking to weaponize their nuclear program. For people in favor of sanctions, this is enough to back sanctions that have systematically impoverished the average Iranian, leading to shortages of medicine, rising food prices, and the destruction of the Iranian middle class.

“Iran’s industry, once dependent on American manufacturing, started to develop on its own, producing its own cars and missiles.” Sanctions on Iran are not new. The United States has had sanctions on Iran since the 1979 hostage crisis. These sanctions banned all Iranian products except some carpets, food items, and

information material. These sanctions got worse under President Clinton, who banned trade and investment with Iran after it signed a contract with Russia to construct a nuclear power plant. This squashed the trade between the two that grew after the conclusion of the IranIraq War. But these sanctions, in many ways, have backfired. Iran’s industry, once dependent on American manufacturing, started to develop on its own, producing its own cars and missiles. Iran is now ranked the 12th largest automobile exporter and their economy, before the recent bout of sanctions, was 19th in the world. According to proponents, the point of these sanctions is to “bring Iran to the negotiating table.” Well, Iran has been coming to the negotiating table. Back in 2003, Iran sent a fax to the State Department offering a broad proposal for dialogue on everything from full cooperation on their nuclear program to fully accepting Israel’s existence. It was rejected. Currently, the U.S. is trying to impose more sanctions ahead of the next nuclear talks.

The rationale is to promote human rights, in the region. but even Iranian dissidents like Akbar Ganji The Iran sanctions have been termed by have denounced the sanctions, according many analysts as economic warfare, ecoto the National Iraniannomic policies followed American Council's webas a part of military opsite. erations and covert opIf anything, the point erations during wartime. of sanctions was summaWith this in mind, rized on a 2011 episode young Iranian-Americans of a Chicago radio show like myself and other by Illinois Republican members of our student senator, Mark Kirk. body are wondering: "Are When asked whether we at war with Iran?" the sanctions are directed According to most of at the government or the the mainstream news, no. people, ThinkProgress. But this isn’t diplomacy; org quotes Kirk saying we’re destroying the lives “It’s okay to take the food of millions and encouragMARISSA DADGARI out of the mouths of the ing others to do the same. Staff member citizens from a governWe are fostering an ment that’s plotting an atenvironment that allows tack directly on American soil.” Norway to cancel residence permits for A government, might I add, that he says is Iranian students and Apple to refuse to sell not a legitimate representation of its people. iPads to Iranian-Americans in 2012, under This is not diplomacy; it is collective pun- the guise of following international sancishment. What is it collective punishment tions. It is unjust. for? The Iranian Revolution, most likely, Contact MARISSA DADGARI at MDadgari@DVCInquirer.com which cost the United States its biggest ally

sports 8

Thursday, Sept. 25 - Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014

Women’s soccer loses in close game DANIEL MARACCINI Staff member

The Diablo Valley College wom- deflected by the Ohlone defense. en’s soccer team kept it close, but The ball landed in the Ohlone box a late goal by the Renegades of close to Scannell, and she wasted Ohlone Community College left little time putting it in the back of them on the losing end of a 2-1 the net. But the celebration proved game. to be short lived, after a number of The loss moves the Viking re- close calls for both teams, the Rencord to 3-3-1 on the season. egades broke the tie and the DVC The Vikings fell behind the Ren- defense for a second goal. The egades early after allowing a goal kick, which landed off the crosswithin the first bar, left some “I was happy we did spectators with 15 minutes of the match. The give ourselves a chance doubt as to strike set the whether or not in the second half.” it crossed the tone for much of the first half, line. ~CAILIN MULLINS as the Vikings “I knew right Head soccer coach struggled to away it went maintain ball in,” said DVC possession and press for an equal- head coach Cailin Mullins. The izer. sideline referee seemed to know But scrappy defense and a few too as he waved through what stellar saves by goalkeeper Me- proved to be the game’s difference. gan Elms kept the Vikings within Though several narrowly missed reach going into halftime. shots by DVC kept the atmoWith the second half came a dif- sphere tense, the final whistle left ferent tone for the Vikings as they them with their third defeat in quickly went on the attack and four games. notched an early goal of their own “I thought we did good” Mulafter a strike by forward Ashley lins said about the loss, “it wasn’t Scannell. enough, but I was happy we did The equalizer came when a cross give ourselves a chance in the secby DVC forward Julia Curran was ond half.” ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer

Goalkeeper Megan Elms reaches for the ball in their game against Ohlone on Sept. 19.

Contact DANIEL MARACCINI at DMaraccini@DVCInquirer.com

DVC athletics advocates overall academic success ZACHARY DALTON Staff member

Collegiate athletes are not exempt from academic responsibilities. Here at Diablo Valley College, coaches expect their players to excel not only as athletes, but as students also. Talent does not determine your eligibility to play, academics do. There are plenty of resources on campus for athletes to fulfill their academic requirements. Coaches are more than happy to work with players to ensure they are successful in doing so. Head football coach Mike Darr offers his players help whenever they are in need. “If they have a test, paper or presentation coming up, they have the ability to bounce ideas off me,” Darr said. “We take all the new players in our program and meet with them one on one to avoid any problems with academics.”

“It’s all about getting to the next level” ~JOHN ROEMER Men’s water polo head coach

For some athletes, it is tough to find a balance between schoolwork and their sport. Being a college athlete requires you to stay on top of your studies, while practicing almost everyday and traveling long distances for games. Playing men’s water polo at DVC requires trips all over the country. The players are in charge of managing their studies on these trips and head coach John Roemer says they do not have any trouble doing so. “Every single kid I have had in six years has transferred to a four year school,” Roemer said. “It’s all about getting to the next level.” Roemer expects his players to maintain at least a 3.0

ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer

Head coach Mike Darr signals to his players from the sideline on Friday, Sept. 19. GPA, while many other sports require their players to hold a 2.0. Last year, his team’s average GPA was a 3.5. Mihailo Vuja, who plays right flat on the men’s water polo team, spoke about the academic requirements to play on the team. “One of the major things for our team is having a really high GPA, both of our coaches really stress the importance of it.” Vuja said.

Darr feels as though his athletes need to work just as hard in the classroom as they would on the football field. “They are not here just to catch touchdown passes; they are here to be complete student athletes,” he said. Contact ZACHARY DALTON at ZDalton@DVCInquirer.com