DVC Inquirer 2-6-2014 by DVC Inquirer

Desire2Learn in full swing: The district makes switch to a new online course platform. See Page 2.

Have at thee! Hamlet shines in most recent school play. See Page 8.

Electronic privacy: Data collecting, and why it is not something that should be condoned. See Page 5.

The

INQUIRER S tudent V oi ce

D iablo Val le y C ol le g e

Volume 85 No. 1 Thursday, February 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014 www.TheInquirerOnline.com

Calm before the drought sn Fre o

Shaver Lake Heights Mutual Water Company, plus a community district

onom

New bill boosts community college budget RACHEL ANN REYES Editor-in-chief

BUDGET, Page 2

Kern

Three Kern water associations, and Camp Condor

ndoci

Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing to increase California community college funding by about $1 billion as part of the 2014- 2015 budget. According to a Contra Costa Times article from Jan. 14, this money could allow more students to enroll, freeze unit fees at $46, hire more counselors and add more classes. Interim Vice President of Instruction Rachel Westlake is optimistic about the ability to expand, explaining that DVC has had to make many cuts and turn away students who couldn’t get their needed classes in recent years. This money could provide more opportunities to those students. But the outcome of this money is dependent upon the need for students to be in school. “It’s as good as (long as) we have student demand,” Westlake said. “If there are students out there who need the classes and if this money is giving us that ability to serve those students, then it’s a good thing. If we find that there aren’t students out there who are wanting this, then we either have to evaluate whether we are doing the outreach that we need to the students who are not coming or we have to evaluate whether the demand is really there.” Beth Hauscarriague, dean of counseling and enrollment services, echoes similar sentiments about having turned away students for a long time, and with this potential money going towards community colleges, the school needs to gain back students that have been turned away. “We’ve increased our marketing efforts and sending information out to the county residents and encouraging, reminding them that we’re here… we have great faculty and we have these great classes,” she said. Hauscarriague finds that this money could continue to add to the ongoing growth the college is going through. For example, DVC has already begun adding more courses to the schedule, including late start classes this February. She’s open to the possibility of adding even more courses, especially those that are in impacted departments, such as science, math and English. But the ability to add courses depends the space that is available for them on campus. “It’s not just about money, if we get more funding. It’s also about what space we have on campus and when we have the space available,” she said. “If we are to capacity at a certain time, maybe that means we can offer classes at non-peak times, but it’s pretty challenging when you have such popular and impacted classes that your facilities and your space limit you on how many sections you can of-

City of Cloverdale, City of Healdsburg

City of Willits, Redwood Valley Community Water District, plus a community district

These are among the communities and water districts at risk of running out of water in the next one hundred days

California turns to water conservation in reponse to shortage Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey COLLIN JAMES News editor

California is on the brink of one of the worst droughts that it has experienced in decades. Despite the rain over this past weekend, California’s drought will hardly be any less catastrophic. Across the state as a whole, precipitation is down to about 20 percent of normal levels and this has prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency. In short, a full-fledged water crisis is expected for California’s 38 million residents. The state faces a water shortfall that will more than likely mean

higher food prices and costs of living. This has many students worried and caused them to alter their behavior. Haya Hilton, a 20-year-old student has had this issue in the back of her mind. “I’ve been telling [my family] to turn off faucets while brushing their teeth,” she said. The biggest fear for students is that water will start to be raDROUGHT, Page 3

news 2

Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

calendar District-wide platform shows promise Saturday, Feb. 8th Hamlet Performing Arts Center, 8:00 p.m.to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 Advanced Piano/Piano Ensemble Recital Music 101, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Sac City Gymnasium, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Sac City Gymnasium, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 Swimming & Diving - Las Positas Invitational Away event, All day Women’s Basketball vs. Modesto (Sophomore Night) Gymnasium, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Modesto (Sophomore Night) Gymnasium, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

police beat Tuesday, Jan. 14 DVC Library Complex At 11:41 a.m., a subject was contacted for being on campus in violation of his probation. The subject was found to have several warrants and was arrested. A search of the subject’s backpack revealed several items of drug paraphernalia. DVC Bookstore At 1:17 p.m., there was a report of a male subject who was placing textbooks into a backpack. The student was detained and paid for the textbooks. Tuesday, Jan. 21 DVC Library Complex, Bike Rack Between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., a student reported that someone cut his bike lock and stole his bicycle from the bike rack underneath the library. Wednesday, Jan. 22 DVC Parking Lot 8 At 10:45 p.m., a student reported that his vehicle was stolen from campus. There were no witnesses.

AMRITA KAUR Staff member

Spring 2014 has kicked off with the districtwide implementation of the online learning platform Desire2Learn, also known as D2L. Although the program has been in use since spring 2013, only a limited number of instructors and students were using the system. This semester, however, the program has seen a growth in usage for almost every subject and classroom across Diablo Valley College in both the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses. On initial implementation, the launch experienced some snags and had a slow start, but with time and further training, most of the bugs have been worked through — the result being a more stable, user-friendly, easy to navigate online instructional program with mobile phone notification capability. The smart-phone generation can rejoice. With the first month of the semester coming to an end, many students and instructors have had the chance to use the system, but not necessarily by choice. English instructor Maggie McKenzie spoke of her experience and highlighted some pros and cons. “Some pros are that we don’t have to use our own servers for assignments,” McKenzie said. “This system is more streamlined and stable than WebCT before it. My students can store their assignments and stay on track. But the cons are, unlike WebCT, I can’t personalize it and D2L still does occasionally go down, maybe because more people use it now. But the training workshop for D2L has been great and very helpful, I highly recommend it.” Neal Skapura, the instructional technology coordinator at DVC, explained that the program began in fall 2012. He was one of the first instructors to implement D2L in his English-126 course. Skapura holds weekly workshops for instructors on how to use D2L. The instructors then use that know-how to help guide their students in the classroom. “All the instructors and professors need to do in order for their students to be successful

GUSTAVO VASQUEZ/ The Inquirer

Instructional technology coordinator Neal Skapura demonstrates to instructors how to use D2L on Jan. 27, 2014. The recent push to D2L has made instructors learn how to use the new program. using D2L, is spend six to ten minutes in the classroom on training at the beginning, just to help them find their way to specific tools,” Skapura said. “Students can then use the links to pull up assignments, discussion threads and set-up notifications to receive information directly to their cell phones per SMS or email. It is very efficient and convenient. The student help menu button on D2L is a great way for students to get access to tutorials in the system, if they get stuck.” Across both campuses instructors and students gave positive feed-back about this new change, adding to the plethora of tools and resources available to them for a more efficient learning experience. Sunyoung Woo, an international transfer student from Korea explains the benefits of online work. “In Korea we didn’t have anything online, so it was hard to keep up with schoolwork only in the classroom,” Woo said. “I want more help to find where to set-up notifications and sometimes I forget to check D2L for my assignments, but it is convenient and good to have.

Face to face class is better, but this is also very good.” D2L already has some fans. Ryan Benney, 18, says all his classes, including art history, use D2L and he loves it. “It’s easy to use, it has everything I need like assignments, notes, discussions and the syllabus,” he said. “It’s very convenient.” Many students also like the SMS notifications, in case they forget to check D2L. Jana Junelle Marquez, 18, even uses D2L for her jazz history class. “I like that I get text messages about my grades to my phone, that’s so cool,” Marquez said. “It’s convenient. I hope it’s here to stay.” Skapura affirms that plea. “It is here to stay,” he said. “It was a year long process to find the best system out there. We stopped using WebCT because the code was out-dated. A panel of 20 faculty members voted Desire2Learn as the best system for us and I really think it is.” Contact AMRITA KAUR at akaur@TheInquirerOnline.com

BUDGET From Page 1

fer." In addition to concerns about finding space for classes on campus, there is also concern for finding faculty for those courses. "But always taking into consideration that it’s not just: get increased funding; it’s also finding faculty to teach those classes and having space to put them as well," Hauscarriague said. "So we have some limitations that go with that very welcomed increased funding, it’s a puzzle that you have to put together and sort it all out to see how all the pieces fit to make the best schedule for students.” DVC President Peter Garcia finds that while this potential money adds to the growth of campus, it adds little to the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). According to Garcia, COLA addresses the loss and purchasing power that has been experienced as a result of inflation. COLA reflects the quality of services given to DVC. Garcia notes that the college hasn't received COLAs in five years, but the 0.86 percent that Gov. Brown is proposing as an increase will be a good beginning to fund services. If Gov. Brown were to focus more on

THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, H-102 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.

COLA, rather than growth, services such as longer library hours, more tutoring and counseling would be areas on campus that would benefit. In regards to freezing unit costs, Garcia finds that this was a good decision. “Freezing enrollment costs is a great move… for students who pay out of pocket- it makes a difference,” he said. Generally, Hauscarriague remains positive towards this potential money heading for the college. “I think we’re incredibly fortunate, it’s been a very long dry spell and we’ve been through pretty tough times both with budget reductions and reducing the size of our staff here at the college… turning away students because we didn’t have the seats in classes and we couldn’t offer the classes that students needed," Hauscarriague said. "So certainly I find this to be a very hopeful… and excellent opportunity for us to take advantage; to offer some really great programs and really great classes for students and see them graduate or transfer.” Contact RACHEL ANN REYES at rreyes@TheInquirerOnline.com

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF

Rachel Ann Reyes Benjamin Davidson Collin James Sasan Kasravi Gustavo Vasquez

Staff STAFF MEMBERS Andrew Barber, Josh Bradshaw, Aurora Byrne, Tyler Elmore, Malachi Harris, Bronchey Hodges, Wesley Ihezue, Amrita Kaur, Allan Kew, Keanda Lewis, Vivian Natalia, Regina Ortanez, Mister Simmons Jr., Tara Tashayod, INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Julius Rea ADVISER Mary Mazzocco

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

news 3

Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

DROUGHT From Page 1

-tioned. Marine biology major Dylan Heiross expressed his concern and ways he can alter his behavior. “If it continues, the price of food will go up and water rationing maybe mandatory,” he said. “I’m taking shorter showers and drinking bottled water.” East Bay Municipal Utility Distrcit, the utility company that supplies much of Alameda and Contra Costa counties with water, is preparing to reach out to the public to ask them to reduce their water intake. A public announcement is expected on Feb. 11 to ask residents to voluntarily cut their water consumption. East Bay Mud is also providing free water saving devices and tips for the public. Students like Aileen Semjam, 19, are worried about the cost of food in the long term. “There will be less crop land in California, and our food supply will need to take in more imports,”she said. The recent rains brought less than half an inch of rain to the area. In a statement provided by East Bay MUD’s public outreach official Nelsy Rodriguez, “[The rains] had a very minimal impact on our water levels. We will need another 30-35 inches of precipitation this season to fill our reservoirs to not have to declare a water shortage emergency.” The drought is also set to bring in a lot of strain to the local environment. Currently a series of tunnels are being dug to bring more water to California’s Central Valley from the Sacramento Delta. Doing so will damage the fishing industry

that exists there, but may help control the cost of food. Bay Area residents, who currently receive their water from the Mokelumne River may be getting their supply from the Sacramento River as those sources dry up, according to East Bay MUD. Robert Wright, who volunteers his time for the horticulture department at DVC, made the most of the relief by setting up water collection barrels near the green-houses. Wright and the rest of the horticulture department are preparing for the worst. “A lot of what we are doing is to save water,” Wright stated. In addition, the horticulture department will be hosting a workshop on Feb. 28 to teach people how to garden during the drought. “We are trying to be water wise and to use water at least twice.” He also finds that a lower water supply will lead to higher food costs, especially in locally grown produce. Water prices may augment prices up to three times for food this year alone. Much of DVC’s landscaping is being supplied by recycled water. This water is treated after being used in sewage and is rich in nutrients and nitrogen. Fed by “purple pipes,” this water is unsafe to drink but perfect for watering plants. “Everyone is competing for this water because of the nutrients and nitrogen [in it],” Wright said. “It provides water for the ball fields willow trees and toilets in the new buildings.” Contact COLLIN JAMES at cjames@TheInquirerOnline.com

Third annual poker tournament raises sports funds Diablo Valley Men’s basketball Coach Steve Coccimiglio plays in the third annual DVC poker tournament on February 1, 2014. Serving as the main fundraiser for the DVC athletics, the poker tournament yielded more thasn the goal amount for the athletic program. A total of eighty two players participated in the tourmament for prizes and raffle to support the college players.

ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer

Improve your body & sharpen your mind

Physical Education Activity is now

We have an activity for everyone

fitness dance individual & team sports aquatic combatives

Kinesiology (KNACT)

Many kinesiology activity courses offer beginning, intermediate and advanced courses. If you’ve taken a course previously, take the next course, gain knowledge, and improve your fitness level CSU & UC transferable elective units CSU - Up to 12; UC - Up to 4 Look for KNACT courses in the schedule or contact department chair Ralph DePew at rdepew@dvc.edu for more information

Opinions 4

Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Editorial

The

Buzz

How would you feel if a student smoked an e-cigarette in class?

LONNIE ORTIZ, 24 Childhood education

“It would probably bother me inside of the classroom... just because it’d be all over the place while I’m trying to learn.”

MATT HESS, 20 History

“I really wouldn’t mind because it is an e-cigarette and it’s not a regular cigarette.”

GABBY HINSE, 18 Business

“It just seems kind of taboo to smoke in class. Outside, I don’t really care because I don’t think it really gives off smoke.”

Stepping off the path to Sandy Hook Widener University, Liberty Magnet Technology High School, Purdue University, South Carolina State University, University of Oklahoma. These schools may or may not sound familiar, but these are just few of many schools that have experienced the grief and fear associated with campus shootings. According to the Associated Press from Feb. 3, there have been at least 11 school shootings on campuses across the nation this year alone, ranging from K-12 schools to college universities. According to the American news reporting website The Daily Beast from Dec. 12, 2013, there have been at least 25 school shootings, about one every two weeks, since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. While we have a tendency to assume these things can’t happen to us, our college is no special exception and it’s fair to ask how prepared we are for a similar tragedy on our campus. Lieutenant Chad Wehrmeister of DVC campus police emphasizes that police officers have trained and prepared for the possibility of there ever being a shooting on campus. They are ready to deal with critical incidents and have lockdowns planned if anything were to happen at school. “The police department is on the college campus to facilitate a safe learning environment,” Wehrmeister said. He also finds that recognizing people who are at risk can sometimes be a more important factor than the situation itself. While many big factors in preventative efforts seem out of our control, issues like gun control and mental illness that are currently a part of the national discussion on school shootings, there are still things we can control that might prevent these types of situations from happening. In fact, some of those things are already underway.

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

Newin Orante, vice president of student services details an initiative in creating a team on campus that will be proactive and preventative in emergency situations and would be geared towards helping both students and faculty on campus. He credits Dean of Counseling and Enrollment services Beth Hauscarriague and Dean of Student Support Services Emily Stone for spearheading this initiative. Orante explains that there are three components to this idea: helping students who are in need of mental health services, preventing dangerous situations from occurring on campus, and a larger part in dealing with other agencies in the event of catastrophes. If identifying a process and forming a team is done in a timely matter, Orante believes that marketing to and informing of the public could begin as early as this summer. “When students and our college community as a whole are informed about what options are available to them, then they can have the confidence that whether something occurs off

campus (or not)...there’s resources for them. I think it’s a step that we want to go to and that’s what Beth and Emily are working on right now,” he said. We commend and take pride in our campus security, which is even in talks about an emergency response team. But we feel that it’s especially worthwhile that we appreciate the extra preventative step that DVC is taking to not only better the college, but to provide extra safety and security to the thousands of students and numerous faculty members on campus. Whether or not this proposed preventative measure manifests into something bigger may not be up to us. However, with the alarming amount of school shootings happening all over the nation, it’s definitely an initiative that we believe needs to be taken seriously. We want to see this kind of action succeed and taken seriously. Because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Opinions

Net neutraility ruling a reason for worry DAVID JENKINS, 19 Environmental science

“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind it because apparently, its not actually smoke. It’s just vapor.”

LAURA MCCKORMICK, 32 Broadcasting

“It’s ridiculous that they would smoke the e-cigarette in class.... but there’s no smell, so you feel like you can’t complain.” Interviewed by: Regina Ortanez Photographed by: Gustavo Vasquez

A recent court ruling has much of the internet up in arms, and for a good reason. In the case of Verizon v. the FCC, a Washington DC circuit court ruled that the FCC could no longer enforce their policy of net neutrality on the telecom companies that provide internet to their customers. The FCC adopted a policy of net neutrality in 2010 to prevent Internet service providers from restricting access to certain websites while favoring others. Every website is treated equally in terms of the user’s ability to access it. In essence, it allowed the users of the internet to decide which webpage they would like to visit based on its content and not its accessibility. However, the recent court decision could very well change all that. The ruling stripped the FCC from preventing telecom companies from acting as gate keepers and allows them to set broadband

speeds on websites individually. The current CEO of AT&T, This has taken the power away Randall L. Stephenson, has reasfrom the people who use the in- sured the public that this will not ternet and into the hands in com- be the case and stated, “I don’t panies like Comsee the court rulcast and AT&T. ing changing how One fear from we or anyone else advocacy groups operates.” like the Save the InBut these stateternet Campaign is ments do not rethat these telecom flect past actions companies can limby other telecom it access to popucompanies. Comlar sites by locking cast is the worst content behind offender of net premium plans. Usneutrality, finding ers would have to innovative ways to pay extra fees to restrict access to view their favorite competitors like sites, like YouTube Hulu and Netflix COLLIN JAMES or Netflix, in addiwhile promoting News editor tion to paying for their own Xfinity their internet serbrand. vice. While this is a major inconEven if the premium internet venience for entertainment access, plans never surface, the new rules it would stifle access to education on internet regulation only make on the internet. censorship inevitable. Verizon,

whose most recent controversy included assisting the NSA in their infamous data collection efforts, could dodge responsibility by preventing their customers from accessing news sites that cover them negatively. The end of net neutrality is more than the end of streaming movies and television off Netflix uninterrupted for hours on end. It is the end of the internet all Americans have grown accustom to; rampant with pornography and piracy, but at the same time ripe for innovation.” It was based around a very simple business model that provided unrestricted access for just monthly fees, but all of that is now in jeopardy. Now, a platform that is used by hundreds of millions of Americans will be in the control of a handful of corporations. Contact COLLIN JAMES at cjames@TheInquirerOnline.com

opinions 5

Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Data collecting discreetly affects consumers How often do you use the internet in This technique allows the host website your day-to-day life? Do you casually surf to look at key characteristics of the visiting the web, or is your entire life stored in cyber- computer such as what plugins are installed, space somewhere? what internet browser is being used, what Regardless of your internet usage, some- programs are installed on your computer one is keeping a record of your browser and even what fonts you like using. history, personal information, buying habits All of this data generates a unique sigand dirty little secrets. nature that is saved under a No, it is not the National profile that can be matched Security Association. In fact, to you later. it is internet advertisers and This is completely unacpublishers who are after ceptable, no one should be your personal information. allowed to make a profile Understanding how your without my permission. data is being collected is As a rule of thumb, anycritical when it comes to thing you don’t want peostopping the collection altople to know should not be gether. posted online. There are Regardless of who is some temporary solutions to tracking the information, this problem like using safe it is extremely unsettling to search plug-ins or browsers find out it is happening so to view the internet anonyfrequently. mously, or even using the JOSH BRADSHAW The old way of tracking private window features built Staff member relied on cookies, a digital in to most internet browsers. code that is stored on your This is not going to stop computer. Since cookies do not work on the data collection completely, but it will mobile phone applications, and internet slow it down drastically. browsers are making it easier to remove Another way publishers, advertisers and cookies, advertisers and marketers had to marketers collect your data is by keeping rethink their data mining strategies. tabs on social media websites, like Facebook. According to a 2013 Forbes article writWhenever you add profile information or ten by Adam Tanner, fingerprinting is the check-in to a location, you have just opened new technique that publishers are turning yourself up to data collection. to because it will not be removed when the According to an article posted to PC cookies are deleted. World entitled,“The 5 biggest online privacy

JOSH BRADSHAW / The Inquirer

threats of 2013,” even uploaded and tagged photos can be used to create a facial recognition database. Now your data will have a face and everyone else in the photo will eventually have their data matched to their face as well. For some people this is not an issue, but for others it is extremely unacceptable. Regardless of your feelings on this topic, if you use a social media website you cannot stop the data collection. If it bothers you too much, just delete your profile and move on with your life. All of this data mining is seemingly going unchecked. If this information makes you

uncomfortable, it should. Your privacy is being breached and it should be protected. You would not let a stranger into your house to go investigate your hobbies or eating habits, so why should data collectors be allowed so freely into your personal information? The advertising and publishing companies are quite literally stalking us, and we are letting them. Next time you use the internet, just remember that someone will be watching your every move. Contact JOSH BRADSHAW at jbradshaw@TheInquirerOnline.com

Students should act on Obama’s plans

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

Navigating ‘the friendzone’

Dear Answers: I have very strong feelings for my best friend, but he doesn’t see me that way. He definitely treats me differently from other girls and gives me a lot more attention… How do I bridge the gap between friendship and something more than that? Dear Wishing for More: It sounds like you actually aren’t sure about how he feels, so if you really want a chance at romance, you are going to need to talk to him. The best approach is to start with letting him know how you feel, without coming on so strong that you’re overwhelming. Perhaps go to a movie, then follow with coffee. You will both be relaxed, and more apt to communicate. Let him know what a great friend he is, and how highly you think of him. If he still seems receptive, tell him that you are open to taking your relationship to the next level. If he has been crushing on you, he will be relieved to know that you feel the same way. If he doesn’t share your feelings, things could get awkward for awhile, but the more gentle your approach, the less likely that there will be a negative impact on your friendship. If he really is your best friend, your honesty will bring you closer, whether it be as friends or as a couple. Relationship issues? Family tension? Wondering how to get involved on campus? Submit questions to AByrne@theinquireronline.com, with “Answers” in the subject line.

The year 2014 appears to be the year of leveling op- backlash from the fiscally conservative. portunity. The strongest demographic that can be won in this In his State of the Union Address on Jan. 28, Presi- fight is the student population. According to the Center dent Obama attempted to rally support for policies that for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Enwill help strengthen the middle class. With his main goal gagement, 51 percent of the youth demographic (18-29) being the building of “ladders of opportunity into the voted in the 2008 election, compared to the mere 24permiddle class,” the President pushed for high hopes that cent that voted in the 2010 midterms. his administration’s agenda will be achieved. I will not go into my own thoughts as to why these For DVC students, the goals of the State of the Union statistics are what they are. But what I do know is that as are indeed ideal for tackling the rising costs of living a demographic, students make up around 15 percent of and tuition. While many of these ideas are idealistically the electorate. Students are a major plurality in districts possible to legislate, a large majority and in states with upcoming elections. of these propositions will face large What does this have to do with the State of amounts of scrutiny by conservatives the Union? The president knows he faces an and economists worried about tamuphill battle this year, with a midterm election pering with the free market that will most likely overtake every important The president stressed that all levissue the Congress will endlessly debate. So els of education need reform, and he is following the example that conservatives the availability for higher education constructed with the Tea Party Movement should rest on academic achievement following his first election. rather than financial worth. He is going to try to appeal to the electorate One of his strategies is a call for rather than his fellow politicians. By signaling attacking student loan debt. He that the responsibility to help the middle class urged reform in the handling of stuis being neglected by a bickering Congress, dent loans, while proposing a cap on the president has moved to recreate the kind monthly payments for student loans of feverish effect that Gay Marriage has had to only 10 percent of the individual’s on the state level. Allan Kew monthly income. Students are the golden resources that await Staff member DVC students should find this prouse. If we create uproar and pursue an agenda posal to be one of the most rewardas a collective group that threatens to sway ing objectives of the next year, but such action will more an election, then the eyes of Washington will fall upon than likely encounter much resistance in the House of us. Disregarding my bias, students should be advancing Representatives. whatever cause they believe is right, and should create Another important point for DVC students is the local groups that connect with other colleges and univerpresident’s declaration that he will use an executive order sities in the city, county, state and nation. to raise the minimum wage for federal workers to $10.10. We can decide who will represent us and what they will While hoping that his fellow politicians in Washington pursue as our representatives. That is the fundamental would work together to create legislation on the issue, aspect of being a democratically elected representative. the president made clear, as he did repeatedly throughAnd as the President’s State of the Union attempts to out the address, that such legislation would meet tough convey, it’s our time to take the reins of change and make opposition. our futures better. As controversial and politically divisive as the funding for the Affordable Care Act was and still is, a mere Contact ALLAN KEW at akew@TheInquirerOnline.com mention of a higher minimum wage will evoke a massive

sports 6

Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

New softball field is ready for opening season KEANDA LEWIS Staff member

A new semester and a new field starts off the semester for the DVC softball team as they welcomed in a new home field for their 2014 spring season.With a new team and a brand new field this season is looking great for the DVC Vikings. With a whole new layout and many new amenities, the team showed their excitement for the new season during their first couple of practices. The new field is rebuilt with a whole new layout including a new drainage system, sod and grass. The field also includes a brand new windshield and backstop surrounding the facility. It is equipped for the team with player cubbies and new dugouts for both the home and away teams. Fans of DVC softball will also be pleased to hear DVC’s softball team (above and bottom right) tests out the new field during a practice session on Tuesday, Jan. 28. that the field includes new and improved bleachers. With the new season starting, the new home field is already getting positive feedback from both the coaches and athletic department. Division secretary Marisa Greenberg explained the many amenities that were done to the field and said that everything is new and improved. When asked about the new field and how much more improved it was compared to the old layout, the coaches had nothing but wonderful things to say about the new home field. Coach Angie Goularte loves the field said that “the drainage is so much more better and will make practices easier without the flooding.” She said the softball players are taking pride of the facility and are happy to have a new field. Coach Goularte is excited to see where the season takes them. With great chemistry and a brand new home field this season is looking great for the DVC softball team. The first home game on the new field was on TuesKEANDA LEWIS/ The Inquirer day, Feb.4 against San Francisco Community College.

The new dugout (left) were included in the remodeling project in addition to the new scoreboard and playing field.

Contact KEANDA LEWIS at klewis@TheInquirerOnline.com

Doctor of

Physical Therapy Earn your Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree in just 31 months from Azusa Pacific University, and gain a solid, generalist perspective of patient care. All you need is a bachelor’s degree in biology, physical education, applied health, or a related field.

Program Benefits Prepares you for entry-level positions in orthopedics, neurology, cardiopulmonology, clinical electrophysiology, pediatrics, geriatrics, and sports medicine. Qualifies you for leadership positions in hospitals, private clinics, sports clinics, rehabilitation centers, pain clinics, government agencies, home and community health care programs, and research projects. Enables you to join one of the fastest-growing sectors in health care.

CALL // (626) 815-4570 CLICK // apu.edu/dpt EMAIL // graduatecenter@apu.edu 14951

arts & features 7 Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Art exhibit lightens up library GUSTAVO VASQUEZ Photo Chief

Faculty and members of the community marked the end of a DVC art exhibit on Saturday, Feb. 1. "From the New Time Zone," showcased 93 pieces of work from artist Boris Lyubner. His art consisted of charcoal, watercolor and oil paints. The show consisted of multiple portfolios, landscapes, figuratives, and the largest: pet portraits. It was displayed in the DVC Library from Nov. 25, 2013 through Jan. 31, 2014. Lyubner started doing art when he was 8 years old in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He attended the Saint Petersburg Academy of Art before immigrating to the United States in 1989. His teachings in design were more traditional in Russia than what was happening in the United States.

“When I immigrated to this country in '89, all drawings were drawn by computers. I was coming from Russia and there weren’t no computers," Lyubner recalled. Several DVC students showed their support for the artist by attending the reception which also included his friends and family. Steve Carlson, an industrial electronic technology major, attended the reception and described Lyubner's work. “A lot of color, lively. The pictures are tastefully done," he said. Sasha Rozenberg, a member of the denGUSTAVO VASQUEZ / The Inquirer tal lab technician program, said, “his work is very professional and his artwork is also Artist Boris Lyubner, with the help of DVC student Sasha Rozenberg, pack away a very vibrant, he pays a lot of attention to portion of the 93 pieces which were in the exhibit on Saturday, Feb 1, 2014. the feelings and emotion you get from the painting." medium to work with because you can’t go students and faculty, enjoyed my work and I “My favorite paintings are of the dogs back and change it, unlike oil paintings." appreciate it." because I am a dog lover. He’s also done a Lyubner also personally expressed his Contact GUSTAVO VASQUEZ at gvasquez@ watercolor painting of my dog and surpris- gratitude by mentioning, “it’s been fun to TheInquirerOnline.com ingly, watercolor is he said the most difficult show my work here and I hope you guys, as Advertisement

Learn Spanish and earn CA community college credit while discovering the beautiful country of Guatemala! This program offers Spanish instruction and optional volunteer internships. Call Paul Bardwil 916.386.1957 email: pbardwil@aol.com • • • •

Roundtrip airfare Spanish instruction $2,975.00 for 4 weeks Family stay with meals Excursions to beach, volcano, and shopping markets

E YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

SAME USF, JUST CLOSER.

AND LESS FOG. CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE

TRANSFER TO A DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM IN PLEASANTON • Small Classes

• Financial aid and scholarships available

• Outstanding faculty with academic and real world expertise

• Classes start in January and August

• Convenient campuses in Santa Rosa, San Jose, Pleasanton, and Sacramento

APPLY NOW 925.867.2711

www.usfca.edu/pleasanton

Mills offers talented women who want an exceptional and personal education the ability to: • Transfer in spring or fall. • Get the classes you need to graduate on time. • Earn merit scholarships totaling up to $20,000. • Transfer with no minimum number of credits. • Transfer without completing your GE requirements.

VISIT PROGRAM: February 20 • 11:00 am–2:15 pm Learn about our programs, meet our students, and tour our campus. san francisco

s a n ta r o s a

san jose

sacramento

pleasanton

MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .

Oakland, CA admission@mills.edu www.mills.edu/transfer RESERVE YOUR SPACE AT WWW.MILLS.EDU/VISITPROGRAMS.

arts & features 8 Thursday, Feb. 6 - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Editor’s guide: an exciting look at off-campus nightlife BENJAMIN DAVIDSON Managing editor

By the time you are done reading this sentence, five people will have paid for a movie ticket in Contra Costa County — and possibly even popcorn and a soda. Of course the only reason it wasn’t six people is because you are probably too overwhelmed by all of your options to actually pick a good spot to watch the premiere on the big screen. Or you are at school or work, wishing you were at the movies, relaxing. In either case, that is why an Editor’s Guide is here to shed some light on local nightlife. And fortunately enough, the cinema that tops all the others is conveniently located right in our own backyard — North Concord. As a matter of fact, it is the only drive-in between South Santa Clara and East Sacramento — 70 miles in either direction. My name is Benjamin Davidson. As both an avid member of the Inquirer’s editorial board, and a born and bred Concord native, there is a long list of things that I’d like to share with those who frequent the greater and lesser parts of Contra Costa County. So let me shed some light, or better yet, welcome the night, for all of the thrill-seekers out there who are looking to expand their spectrum of life after dark. And we’ll start with one of the most nostalgic date-night classics of cinema — the drive-ins. For those that may not know, this is a place where you are able to take your car, your friends, your date, your snacks or even your blankets with you to the movies, all within the comfort of your own vehicle. So if you are in the mood for a bit more privacy, or just want to bring your own food, go for it. They do have a snack shack that offers baseball game-esque snacks but it’s

BENJAMIN DAVIDSON/ The Inquirer

The Solano West Wind drive-in, the only theater its kind in the East Bay. not quite where you would want to bring your date to for a decent meal. Although they do not allow barbecues, firearms and pets, that is counterbalanced by the complimentary jump-start that the employees will give you in the rare event that your car battery runs out of juice. Open rain or shine, and accommodating charge cards, the drive-ins are the by far the best deal that you can get for late night entertainment -- not to mention a majority of all movies run in tandem as double features. You provide the speakers, and thus control the volume. The audio quality depends on your FM Stereo quality and it is tuned directly through your car FM stereo. If you don’t

have an FM stereo, bring a portable boom box; channeling it through your smartphone is also an option. And with the recent updates to an all-digital movie display system, the picture has much improved since their previous movie display. So whether you are looking for a late-night entertainment option, or you simply want to keep your pajamas on, the Solano West Wind drive-ins are a more than a viable option for students and community members alike looking for a little bit more out of their nightlife. Contact BENJAMIN DAVIDSON at bdavidson@TheInquirerOnline.com

‘Hamlet’ steeped in intrigue and emotional depth

AURORA BYRNE Staff member

"Hamlet," as performed by DVC’s drama department, offers an intriguing, multidimensional portrayal of one of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Director Nicole Hess-Diestler and assistant director Maiya Corral successfully reinterpret this classic as an emotional and character driven drama. The story is of young Hamlet, whose father has just died, and whose uncle promptly marries his widowed mother. Hamlet struggles with feelings of grief and betrayal, desperately seeking someone to blame for his pain. As his suspicions grow, his relationships begin to suffer, causing him to withdraw internally. The more unstable he becomes, the more his loved ones attempt to reach out to him, causing him to question the motives of even those he had trusted most. Grief, madness and the various ways in which we cope with loss, are brilliantly explored in this sophisticated reinvention of a classic. This adaptation takes place in Denmark, South Carolina, bringing the drama closer to home, causing the story to become more relatable to a contemporary audience. Gordon Belanger’s performance in the title role of Hamlet allows us to feel his suffering, and understand his obsessions and

AURORA BYRNE / The Inquirer

Center, Nate Smith, playing Claudius, and Cassandra Grove, playing Queen Gertrude, rehearse with the cast on Jan. 28, in the PAC. gradual loss of sanity. It was as if we could feel his heartache, and wanted to protect him from the unintended consequences of his actions. Belanger had many winning scenes, but one of the most dramatic comes early in the play, when Hamlet believes he is being visited by the ghost of his dead father. Belanger was so convincing in his depiction of another worldly possession that I got chills and found myself gasping aloud.

The entire production was skillfully cast: Cassandra Grove as a regal and elegant Queen Gertrude, an earnest and protective Laertes played by Tyler Liams and an optimistic sweetness to Allen Miller’s Horatio. All the actors gave good performances, with standout performances from Jeremy Dorado as Polonius, and Kailah Cayou as his daughter, Ophelia. Cayou shows us a delicate vulnerability and innocence, which captured the spirit

of Ophelia beautifully, enticing us to follow into her soft sweet descent into madness. Dorado’s performance as Polonius was absolutely seamless, from beginning to end. He embodies his character so fully, in mannerism, in tone and even in the subtleties of his facial expressions. Dorado’s talent is palpable, with nuances in his performance which bring depth and humor to his character. The set design was excellent, with shimmering weepy willows reminding us of the southern setting, and smooth transitions from scene to scene, which kept our attention in the story, as did the subtle musical score. Music was soft and used only sparingly, an excellent example of ‘less being more.’ The costumes were well constructed, and Queen Gertrude’s dress was absolutely beautiful, with luxurious fabric and style. The attention to detail in all aspects of this production are impressive, though the true genius here is in the range of emotions we experience along with the characters. This is not a show to miss. “Hamlet” runs on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. starting Jan. 31 - Feb. 16 at the Performing Arts Center at Diablo Valley College. For tickets call (925) 969-2358 or visit the drama department website at dvcdrama.net. Contact AURORA BYRNE at abyrne@TheInquirerOnline.com