DVC Inquirer, spring 2014, 3-6-14

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The

INQUIRER Student Voice of diablo Valley college

Volume 85 No. 2 Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014 www.TheInquirerOnline.com

Music to your ears An editor’s take on local venues. See Page 12.

Twerk it

Miley Cyrus at the Oracle Arena. See Page 11.

Good run!

Season wrap-up for men’s basketball. See Page 6. Social media users feel empowered. See Page 3.

The Inquirer

Bryan Pepperell and Dr. Jill Owens examine a student’s mouth during an initial exam before being accepted for teeth cleaning on March 4, 2014.

Bachelor’s degrees could come to community colleges News editor

California legislators are preparing to draft a bill that would allow California community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees for certain, high demand majors. Legislation SB850 was brought up earlier this year in January, and if it passes community college students may be able to enroll in the program as early as fall 2015. This is hardly a radical piece of reform, instead, it is part of a nationwide trend to include many high impacted vocational baccalaureate degrees. Currently, 21 other states offer limited bachelor's programs at community colleges. Tish Young, the dean of the biological and health sciences department feels that although DVC may not be participating in this program yet, it's dental hygiene department is more than ready to accommodate a bachelor's program.

Pay hike? Minimum wage proposal gets mixed reviews ALLAN KEW

President Obama motioned for Congress reform the minimum wage nationwide, while also raising the minimum wage of federal workers to $10.10. Students working at minimum wage could experience as much as a 39 percent bump from the current amount they make per hour. In California, where the minimum wage will rise to $9 this July, this proposal amounts to a 12 percent increase. Brenda Bach, a DVC student making minimum wage, said she was in support of a higher minimum wage, explaining she would be able to save more money for the basic necessities of being a student. “Who wouldn’t love that?” Bach expressed. Jolean Russo, another student, felt a new wage level, “would be great." However, other students like Olivia Beck, were more impartial. Beck said that while she is a sup-

porter of the proposed mandate, she currently makes a comfortable living part-time due to the hours she works. “I’m doing ok with minimum right now," she said. The shrinkage of the job market is among the major fears of a national raise. In theory, with a higher minimum wage, businesses that already pay the minimum wage would be forced to cut back on production by laying off workers and scaling back hours. According to Bruce Koller, a professor of economics at DVC, a raise might lead towards a virtuous cycle. While a number of people may become unemployed, those remain employed may make more and, creating more demand, lead to an expansion of business and the renewed need for labor. Another possibility is that those who pay above the minimum wage may be forced to raise their wages to equal the growth of the mandated limit. This also may lead to

WAGE, Page 2

a huge number of units in their major." Students in this department feel DVC is more than ready for an opportunity like this. Kyle Trettenero, a 24-year-old dental hygiene major, is in favor of this bill. "With all the faculty we have and the new clinic we use... I think DVC is ready for this," he said. Another dental hygiene major Michael Vu, 23, believes that students like him are ready for the next step, given the work load they are undertaking. "What we are doing already is pretty high in standards," Vu Page 9

World renowned chef presents delicious demo Canonne, co-founder of the French Pastry School, demonstrates to students the process of making Pate de Fruits, and caramels with salted butter on March 4, 2014. Chef Canonne is using DVC’s culinary facilities to prepare for the 2014 American Culinary Federaion a western regional conference which is on March 5, 2014

The Inquirer


NEWS 2

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2104

calendar Friday, March 7 The Lonely Beach: Normandy, Seventy Years Ago Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 Jazz Combos at the Jazz Club Music 101, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, March 17 Bood reading- Shake Down the Stars San Ramon Campus, W212, 2 p.m. Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23 Spring Break

police beat Wednesday, Feb. 12 SRC/ School Parking Lot Between 12:00 p.m. to12:10 p.m., a student reported a hit and run after a suspect hit his car on campus and left the scene without stopping. Friday, Feb. 14 Performing Arts Center Between 7:35 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., two men were in a dispute when one of the men pulled out a pocket knife. Tues, Feb. 18 Library Complex, Bike Rack On Saturday, February 15, a student secured his bicycle to the bike rack under the library and left it unattended for 4 days. Between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., the student reported his bike missing upon returning to the rack on Tuesday. Book Center, Bike Rack A student reported his bike stolen from campus property between 11:00 a.m.to 2:00 p.m.. There were no eye witnesses to the theft. Thurs, Feb. 20 DVC Parking Lot 7 At 1:09pm, a male suspect was arrested for violating his probation conditions of staying away from the DVC campus. The subject was also found to be in possession of stolen property and was arrested and transported to Main Distribution Facility.

DVC program enhances basic skills nee Taylor, explained that Kurzweil's ability to highlight the text in different colors helps improve her memory and also helps her What was once aimed to help build stronger papers. students in the Disability Support Shaneena Davis, 31, has been Services, will now be available for using Kurzweil at DVC for the struggling students in basic skills courses. gram to be helpful with her studKurzweil 3000 is a software proies. gram that converts text to speech, "I like it," she said. "For me, which helps students learn through I get intimidated by large books visuals and sounds. with a lot of words in it, so it’s According to Nancy Deason, a kind of hard for me to focus and learning disability specialist and liread it, but with Kurzweil I feel aison to the English department, comfortable because it’s actually this program helps students who reading it to me and then I can have reading disabilities, low vision follow along as I’m reading it and or attention issues. then it’s easier for me to retain the Deason explains that students ANDREW BARBER/ The Inquirer information..." can download Kurzweil 3000 on Hayder Radhi, civil engineering major, demonstrates Desmond explains that Kurztheir personal computer or it may Kurzweil using the highlighting tool in the program on Feb. weil is currently available for on even be used on campus in con20, 2014 in the High Tech Center at DVC. campus use in labs such as the junction with their textbook stored High Tech Center, English lab in digital form. and the quiet room in the library. Rose Desmond, alternate media specialist, She also explains that while this Along with mutual student sentiment, Desprogram is useful for those with disabilities, it described that the program allows students to also proves to be handy for those without dis- choose a male or female voice to read to them dents succeed. and they may also control the speed of that abilities as well. "That's why I enjoy my job so much, it's be"We have a legal mandate to provide this voice. Students may highlight the text within cause I have my students come back and say, service to students with certain types of dis- Kurzweil and extract what is chosen to place in 'if it wasn't for this, I would not succeed,'" she abilities," she said. "However, because the tool a different document. said. "When I hear the success stories in the By pulling the notes into a new document, could be so effective for English as a second students that say, 'I just could not made it withlanguage learners, students who may just be Kurzweil is able to read it back to students, out having my books in this;' that's why I'm slow readers... it has a lot of applications for which can be helpful since hearing the text here. I'm here to help them succeed." students. So we're trying to spread it to more, aloud word by word is better to catch mistakes. For more information on how to obtain this Hayder Radhi, a civil engineering major who to non-disabled students." program, contact Nancy Deason at (925) 969Deason also emphasized that this program has been using Kurzweil for a year and a half, 2172 or ndeason@dvc.edu. appeals to people who learn in different ways, echoed this sentiment explaining that this prowhether it be through visual, auditory or kin- gram offers many helpful tools and is simple Contact RACHEL ANN REYES at esthetic learning; Kurzweil is able to apply all to use. rreyes@TheInquirerOnline.com Addictions studies and sociology major, Reof this. RACHEL ANN REYES Editor-in-chief

WAGE From Page 1

reduced hours and unemployment. An opposing theory proposed by Dr. John Schmitt of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, is that a raise might cause higher ed by the employer or as a natural response by the employed. Oscar Dominguez, director of the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center, stated that small businesses would feel the effects of such legislation, but these businesses would, “adjust to the new reality.” Many conservatives are against raising the minimum wage, believing it goes beyond the level of government intervention they believe is satisfactory enough. In the House of Representatives, where Republicans have a majority, the likelihood of a bill passing are slim.

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 appearopinion 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.

Nevertheless, both parties beneminimum wage, DVC political science professor Scott Macdougall of having tried, and the Republicans can claim they prevented this mandate from happening. If the bill passed with support from a group of Republicans, the consequences would fall upon the Republican party, where now exists a split between moderates and conservatives. Macdougall says that this scenario also entails big business being convinced. “The Republican party is the party of business… so you have ALLAN KEW/ The Inquirer to convince business this is in their best interests,” he said. DVC student Brenda Bach at A’gaci, where she works

part-time for minimum wage on Feb. 27, 2014.

Contact ALLAN KEW at akew@TheInquirerOnline.com

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR ONLINE EDITOR NEWS EDITOR OPINIONS EDITORS ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR PHOTO CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Rachel Ann Reyes Benjamin Davidson Tyler Elmore Collin James Sasan Kasravi Regina Ortanez Gustavo Vasquez Amrita Kaur

Staff STAFF MEMBERS Andrew Barber, Josh Bradshaw, Aurora Byrne, Malachi Harris, Wesley Ihezue, Allan Kew, Keanda Lewis, Ayaka Matsuno, Vivian Natalia, Aliya Recania, 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 •


opinions 3

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

The

Buzz

California may be split into six states — what do you think?

Editorial

Community colleges are an ideal stepping stone for those who want to succeed. From taking courses for transfer and gaining associate’s degrees to just being a place of higher education, community colleges are local and

MITCHELL DIAZ, 24 Business

“I think it is a little ridiculous because we are an established state and splitting it will do more harm than good”

JANELLE SPARK, 20 Undeclared

“The idea is kind of idiotic. I believe the general consensus is that a lot of the newer states’ economies will be hurt by this split.”

JAMILLAH WESLEY, 37, Addiction Counseling

“I think us being one state (united) is the best choice. This proposal sounds like a waste of time and money”

and universities. But a new bill could change the image associated with California community colleges. According to an article from San Francisco Chronicle (SFGate) published on Feb. 2, 2014, Sen. Marty Block, D-San Diego, proposed SB850 which would allow California community colleges to run an eight-year pilot program offering Bachelor’s degrees in high-demand High-demand degrees such as nursing, respiratory therapy and dental hygiene could be a few of the many Bachelor’s degrees that will be offered at California community colleges. Currently, 21 other states already offer these degrees at community colleges. The purpose of the bill is to meet the needs of employers. Bachelor’s degrees are often reor it is simply not offered at public universities. According to a report from the California Community College Baccalaureate Degree Study Group, state public institutions award slightly more than 110,000 Bachelor’s degrees each year and private institutions award 40,000. To meet the projected demand by 2025, the state would need to immediately increase the number awarded by almost 60,000 per year— about 40 percent above current levels. Associate’s degrees are not enough to combat the growing need for people to be prepared for the workforce. The higher education system in California has been set for a while and major changes could disrupt the initial purpose of that system. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the Master Plan for Higher Education was cre-

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

ated in the 1960s as a way to segment degrees, offering associate’s at community colleges, master’s at California State Universities and doctoral at the University of California. DVC President Peter Garcia, who remains unsure over whether this bill will pass, expressed that our college and district would “be interested in examining it.” If this bill were to go through, a community college Bachelor’s degree could be essentially equivalent to the same degree from a university. So why bother even going to a CSU or UC if you can get the same degree at DVC for less? According to the same Chronicle article, “Block said students would pay less than CSU’s $5,970 yearly tuition but more than the $46 a credit charged by community colleges. What all of this comes down to is funding. We will need more money to fund such a big change.” That’s the kind of question that probes the discussion as to what California community colleges will become if we offered Bachelor’s degrees. We praise the idea of getting more students into school and offering them the opportunity

to gain a worthy degree at a local college and at a lower cost, but we remain cautiously optimistic towards all of this. Some high-demand classes are already hard enough to get into, so will bringing Bachelor’s degrees to community colleges open up more sections? With the possibility of more sections and look to expand our campus? Students already pay $46 per unit, but with added Bachelor’s degrees, will prices go up for all students? elor’s degree could mean in the long run — supplying employer demands, essentially creating a one-stop shop for students with different goals— but we think the road to a picturesque college could be rough. Without a doubt, if this bill were to pass, California community colleges will change. But will it change for the better? We hope so and we look forward to seeing where a program like this might take DVC.

Opinions ANTONIO GARCIA, 27, Nursing

“If there is good county to county communication it may work but the idea is kind of silly.”

KEVIN KRISTANTO, 19, Media Studies

“It will be less balanced because of all the separate states will have drastically different incomes...It will be bad.” Interviewed by: Joshua Bradshaw Photographed by: Wesley Ihezue

The popularity of this trend could be attributed to many facIt is most commonly referred to tors, one of which could just be as the act of taking the prevalence a photo of oneself, of owning a cell a self-portrait of phone with a camsorts, where subject era, but in an artiand the photogracle from the Times pher are one and on Sept. 06, 2013, the same. some social scienConversely, Urtists claim that it ban Dictionary oflies in the conceit fers many other of our young genalternative and coneration of social siderably less favormedia users and able ones, such as, that “the self-por“a ridiculous practraits are an extentice of narcissism.” sion of their selfBut despite the absorption.” REGINA ORTANEZ criticism it has been However, it can Arts & features editor receiving due to its be argued that the seemingly conceited nature, there’s no denying of what makes our generation is that it is also an ever increasingly so interesting: our ability to conpopular trend sweeping across the trol our image. globe via numerous social media There has never been a generasites, like Instagram. tion with this amount of control

or say in their outward self image, which is undeniably amazing.

Everyone knows what Photoshop is now,” said Pamela Grossman, the director of visual trends at our generation has revolutionized Getty Images. in order to present ourselves in a “Everyone’s seen the wizard beway that we control. hind the curtain in advertising, in It is our generations way of tak- Hollywood. ing command We know over how we how the ma“[ are perceived. chine works. It is both a way to start a conversa- And so we’re rejection of the tion about our society’s gravitating tophotoshopped ward people, beauty standards...” images and exand over-styled images that periences that the media uses to show what we we deem to be authentic, unvarshould look like and a way to em- nished and real.” brace the reality of our self image. - to show the world who you are ty and self love in a society where and what you are doing, it is a we are constantly fed idealistic and way to start a conversation about doctored images of cultural beau- our society’s beauty standards and ty standards that are near impos- whether we choose to accept or sible to achieve and told that who reject them. we are now isn’t good enough. Contact REGINA ORTANEZ at “I think we’re collectively rerortanez@TheInquirerOnline.com bounding from perfection fatigue.


opinions 4

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Do you remember the continent of Africa? You might remember it as the boot-shaped continent, or that place from about the guy who was dragged out of a bus, murdered, burned, and had part of his leg eaten by a disturbed individual?

in the American consciousness. a US Senate resolution condemning Kony, and the deployment of Green Berets for a special operation with Ugandan Military, the CAR military, and several other countries’ militaries to search for Kony, as reported by CBS

not getting involved, has in some ways, been hijacked by the problems of the War on Terror. In the case of Kony’s young followers and with Rwandan genocidaires, the incentive to leave behind their violent pasts and move beyond the violence is to instill in them an idea greater than themselves: god, a respected

starving children; these are some of the dark images of Africa conjured in the American mind. In the midst of the regions of Central, Eastern and North ments and factions of primarily Islamist terror organizations. Warfare is not isolated to battles on

Yet previous to the video, the US paid little to no attention to Kony or his Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Rwanda’s genocide proved to be another case where the impossible became true. Yet with Rwanda, it can be argued that the effects of “Attention seems globalization brought the genocide to the forefront to be drawn only of the American conver-

out of evil. When violent forces lose their legitimacy, the people who support these causes will leave and the threats will disintegrate. War isn’t needed; surgical precision of removing the legitimacy of the rebel and terror organizations is a most plausible force for removing these cancers. There needs to be a new ‘War on Terror’. It needs to take form in an civic audience willing to protest, participate in relief, give charity or aid, and through that audience not turning blind eyes to outside problems. But just these active mentalities are not enough to stop bombs and bullets from maiming and taking lives.

bombing campaigns, close-quarter urban combat, terror campaigns in rural villagwhen the fact is es, and rising sectarian tension between those of different creeds and beliefs. thrust into our faces.” While such terrible Moreover, terror campaigns cause reatrocities occurred, the ALLAN KEW ciprocal violence against those whom worst in some ways is the victims can target as their aggressors’ political or religious ignorance until after the fact. kin. The genocide in Rwanda was a catalyst that brought attention to the problems Africa faced. the Central African Republic (CAR) in fear of reciprocation AIDS, poverty, and inequality were topics that followed scourges will help invite action in helping those with the from Christians in the country who suffered from attacks by in importance in the American psyche. But still these topics an Islamist faction the year previous. are forgotten. The cries of pain and suffering should not have to be the Ultra-nationalism and ethnocentrism are massive probWhat was a tearjerking commercial becomes an annoy- American alarm clock for the problems of Africa. lems that have been a root cause for many of the world’s ance. What once was disturbing violence now seems normal But why are we not up in arms about the problems of most terrifying tragedies. Americans can be knowledgeable though its savagery is acknowledged. Africa, which threaten so many people who are supposedly of such things, but why not right now? Attention seems to be drawn only when the fact is thrust only separated from us by six degrees? - into our faces. We are ignorant the rest of time for many Contact ALLAN KEW at akew@TheInquirerOnline.com sation that seemed to bring to a legitimate problem to light reasons, but one is the isolationist mentality. The idea of

Child labor is still a prevalent problem

Look at the sneakers on your feet, the phone in your hand, the clothes on your back, the food you eat, or even the stuff in your house. Do you know where you got any of these from? Not the store that you purchased it from, but the country in which they were created? Generally speaking, it probably came from a country with very relaxed labor laws so it can be manufactured cheaply. These same countries exploit workers, children in particular, forcing them to live in dangerous conditions while sometimes suffering both sexual and physical abuse. Regardless of your opinion of international manufacturing, forced labor, especially child labor, is unacceptable and has to be stopped.

This still represents 168 million children that are currently in need of help. China used to be the go to target when someone mentioned child labor, but focus has shifted more recently. That does not mean China has abolished it completely, they are just better at hiding it than before.An article published in The rising issue behind the Chinese technology boom. Foxconn, a very large electronics manufacturing company, has reported to be displacing students from their homes and forcing them to construct electronic devices as part of Notable products that are constructed with this labor

Wii and Nintendo Wii U and labor is the exploitation of many Apple products. workers under the age of An interview with one of 18. That typically includes these workers revealed that poor living conditions and JOSH BRADSHAW dangerous work environments.In recent years, the hospital that we were very number of child laborers has fallen. tend this work program. According to an article published in The Foxconn themselves even admitted that they had broken the law by making these number of child workers across the world same students, and even younger school now stands at 168 million, a one-third drop children, work overtime and night shifts. China will not end their child labor until it Such a substantial drop in child workers becomes an economical issue because right has to be good news, right? Well, yes and no. now, it is making them too much money. Yes, there has been a substantial drop, but The new biggest offender of child labor now belongs to Uzbekistan, taking children that there are still over 168 million children out of school to pick cotton for months on working and living in inhumane conditions. end.

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

equivalent to two weeks pay. Furthermore, The people of Uzbekistan, including the

document their working conditions in any way or form. This exploitation has reached the attention of foreign leaders and activist groups, but so far very little has been done to actually stop the forced labor. This very same cotton that is being picked

by elementary students may very well be the cotton you have in your clothing right now. Never assume that just because you bought it for department store prices that it was manufactured ethically or humanely. Millions of children are stuck in an environment that they have no control over. Just because you never hear about it, does not mean it is does not exist.

major step to stopping this abuse is to raise awareness of what is actually being done to the apparel or luxuries we buy. Next time you are in a store, check the Contact JOSH BRADSHAW at jbradshaw@TheInquirerOnline.com


opinions 5 Asking for Answers:

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014 One of the latest trends on the Diablo Valley College campus is

Dear Answers, that. The second way to get some work experience under your belt would be to start with volunteer work or a local internship. The American Red Cross, Monument Crisis Center and the Rainbow Community Center are just a few of the local agencies that would be thrilled to help you gain some work experience which will help you get a job and will also look good on transfer applications. Internships are also a great way to get

This is my second semester at DVC and I like going to school here, thing is, I’m always broke. I hadn’t planned on working, since my parents pay for my rent, school and give me a little bit extra to live on, but it really sucks that I can’t afford to buy clothes or go out with my friends. I don’t have a lot I do? -Stuck at Home Dear Stuck, Your dilemma is a common one for college students, you want to be successful in school, yet it would also be nice to make a little dough so you can have fun with your friends. It is absolutely possible to be successful at school and work part-time, you just need to practice good time management. Keep a calendar or white board handy where you record all of your assignments, when they are due, and when you are going to buckle down and work on each assignment, especially the larger papers that are assigned well in advance of their due dates. So we’ve addressed how to keep school a top priority, but it seems the meat of your if you don’t have much in the way of employment history. our career and transfer services, which is exactly what I did, to make sure I had the best information to pass along to you. the Student Services Building, right next to

WESLEY IHEZUE / The Inquirer

the counseling department. They are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and again from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. I spoke with Sarah Boland, who had a lot of great advice for student job seekers. She stressed that the most important thing you should know as a DVC student is: “your reputation precedes you. The employers that recruit with us are coming here because they already know that you are smart, skilled and extremely employable.” This is surely the most important thing for you to remember while job hunting, our school does have a great reputation, and that alone will open doors for you.

The cool thing about DVC is our proximity to many small businesses and retail outlets. If you are looking for a job that is walking distance from school, there are a lot of options such as Ross, TJ Maxx, Target, Toys ‘R’ Us, Safeway and an entire mall of retailers always needing employees. If you are really concerned about work history there are two things you can do. The you have done like volunteer work, camp experience, leadership roles, or even helping All of those things likely developed useful and applicable skills, and if you are having trouble recognizing what those skills are,

don’t pay, they may qualify you for better paying jobs after just a short investment of your time. My last recommendation is for you is to attend the Career and Employment Services Job Fair on Wednesday, March 5, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. in the DVC Cafeteria and Trophy room. There will be over 50 employers with ongoing, summer and internship opportunities. Bon Appetit (a Google cafe), Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation District, Play-Well (an organization which teaches kids engineering concepts using Lego’s), Wells Fargo and Home Depot are just a few of the companies that will be scouting for employees just like you. Happy job hunting!

Here to answer your pressing questions. Relationship issues? Family tension? Wondering how to get involved on campus? If you ask, I will do my best to answer. Submit questions to AByrne@theinquireronline.com, with “Asking for Answers” in the subject line.

Letters to the editor Thank you for covering the debate over the Faculty Senate resolution on the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges decision to close City College of San Francisco, potentially displacing 80,000 students. The resolution was not just about standing in solidarity with the students, faculty and staff of CCSF, but more broadly, was a call to ensure a fair and robust accreditation process, which is critical to ensuring an excellent education for students. We need a great accreditation process; yet, given the severity of the sanction on CCSF, and other colleges, many prominent education organizations and politicians have expressed concern over the recent actions by the ACCJC. Even the Department of Education – which oversees the ACCJC – found the ACCJC out of compliance in several areas. Right now, the closure has been stopped by a judge to I did not author, and was passed in a similar form by four other local community colleges – brought these well-founded concerns to our Faculty Senate. Through the democratic process, the Faculty Senate decided that the resolution did not have merit. The English Department was the only department which voted in favor of it, though there were individual faculty in other departments that expressed agreement. “Winning” was not the primary purpose of this resolution: rather, it was to raise awareness in faculty and student bodies, and create a thoughtful conversation.

Senate, in terms of creating a civil dialogue on this issue, it was a success. Now that we have a conversation, I hope The Inquirer continues it, reporting on the accreditation process objectively and thoroughly, as you have thus far. -Adam Bessie English instructor

gotten worse and worse, making students who are enrolled in classes late because they are circling the parking lots to no avail. This problem increased in the fall of 2013 when classes between classes from 15 minutes to 10. This is not enough time for students leaving campus to walk to their cars, incoming students to take their place, and then walk to their classes without being late. There should be 15 minute gaps once again between classes, but not by shortening lectures. This way, the stress of students being late is reduced and the school will meet the required full hour and twenty minute lecture times. campus with all of the construction zones is already difThe small shift in the course schedule will be just one more thing that can help students out. -Danielle Lincoln DVC student

One of the latest trends on the Diablo Valley College campus is the use of electronic cigarettes, but the surfacing debate is whether they should carry the same restrictions as real cigarettes. Both faculty and students are affected daily by the use of cigarettes. The discrepancies between real and electronic cigarettes nicotine in water vapor, which is then inhaled. The FDA cannot regulate e-cigarettes at this time because they do not contain tobacco. And because no tobacco is burned, electronic cigarettes do not produce an odor or smoke. Real cigarettes are banned on the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses with the exception of parking lots by DVC Procedure 2045.01, which attributes this to “the serious health risks associated with smoking…” These include addiction, cancer, damage to every organ in the body and death. We need to take it a step further, though, because there is a problem here that is deeper than common courtesy; we are allowing drug use. Like tobacco cigarettes, electronic cigarettes still contain nicotine; nicotine is still a drug with addictive properties and negative effects, and if DVC is an institution committed to a healthy learning environment, then the consumption of drugs should not be a part of our campus. Keep all cigarettes in the parking lot and out of our classrooms. -Shane Louis DVC student


SPORTS 6

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Season’s end split second shots DVC Men’s recap

A.B Najee sets up his shot on the basket in this game against American River College. Justin Yeargin (20) tries to drive past Modesto’s forward on Feb. A.B Najee is (Far Left) excited after making a three point shot late in the second half, winning 75-66, spot. Eric Ellis(10) goes up for a shot on the basket in this game against Amercian River College on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2014. DVC won 64-45.

Season Overview With an overall record of 545-215 Steve Coccimiglio and the Vikings had an up and down 2014 season finishing (28-14). Due to a lot of injuries. Connor Jean is the captain and second leading scorer and has been out, A.B Najee has been out for two weeks due to a torn hamstring. But the Vikings managed to stay strong and play with a lot of heart and make it to the playoffs. The Vikings (8-6, 20-8) received the #17 seed in the North, and matched up in the first round of the playoffs against conference rival #16 San Joaquin Delta (8-6, 14-12). Unfortunaetly the Vikngs lost to #16 San Joaquin Delta 62-58. This year’s team has been a predominatly sophmore based team. With sophmore players leaving like Connor Jean, A.B. Najee, Justin Yeargin,

Kunle Fashola, Devon Pouncey, John Ocon and Tom Witzel it’s going to be pretty hard finding players to fill in their positioons. But with a great winning history and a championship won in 2010-2011 season the Vikings recruiting for those positions should be filled quick with great talented players to help out the returning players coming back such as Jermaine Edmonds, Joe McNiff, and last but not least Freshman guard Eric Ellis. With them hopefully stepping up next year and learning from the sophmore players they currently played with the Vikings shoud return healthier and stronger than ever.

Connor Jean (12) drives past his opponet against American River College. DVC won at home onThursday, Jan. 14, 2014. .

Photos by ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer


sports 7

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Women stay sharp in The DVC Women’s Basketball team is proving to have a successful season as they move on to the 2nd round of playoffs and clocking in as the #11 seed. After their win against College of Sequoias with a score of 62-51, the team moves forward to the 2nd round of playoffs where they will face Santa Rosa Junior College. The Vikings will play against the Bears this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in Santa Rosa.

Above, Jopiera Irvin attempts to block Modesto player throw in of the ball in the second half. The Vikings Feb. 21, 2014.

The playoff game occurred after the printed article. For updates and information go to www.TheInquirerOnline.com. Photoa by ANDREW BARBER / The Inquirer

Left, Adrianna Williams makes a pass around Modesto College player. The Vikings Feb. 21, 2014.

Left, Kiera Scott dribbles Right,


news 8

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Guaranteed admission to a California State University campus is granted to any California Community College student who completes their general education, major requirements and obtains an Associates for Transfer degree. This was made possible by the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, SB 1440, which passed in late 2010. According to DVC counselor Merv Maruyama, “of all of the community colleges in California, DVC offers the third most AS-T and AA-T degrees.” According to the California State University website, these nior standing into a CSU campus, priority admission consideration over all other transfer students when applying to CSU bachelor’s degree program, a 0.1 bump up to your GPA in impacted campuses out of your local area, guaranteed completion of your bachelor’s degree with 60 semester units and eligibility for winter or spring admission for CSU campuses that require completion of the AA-T

or AS-T. DVC currently offers AA-T or AS-T degrees in the following subology, anthropology, history, studio art, journalism, art history, mathematics, business administration, music, communication studies, physics, early childhood education, political science, English, psychology, geography and sociology. DVC is trying to add many more approved AS-T/AA-T degrees to that list. Maruyama also enthusiastically mentioned, “the best part of the degree really comes after you transfer. DVC engineering student Chris Mason is pursuing two AS-Ts in mathematics and physics. “There are a lot of great things about the AS-T, it streamlines you into what you are going to be doing,” he said. As long as you completed the major requirements, CSUs guarantee that after transfer they only require 60 more units to graduate.” DVC counselor Cheryl Carter stressed the importance of having an AS-T/AA-T degree for transcampuses out of our area.

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The GPA boost provided by the degree has really supplemented the applications of students resulting in more students getting into competitive campuses such as Cal Poly and San Diego State University. Sheeva Rostami, a communications major at DVC is currently completing her AA-T degree in communications studies. “I think pursuing your AA-T is important, because it gives you a better understanding of what you need for your major, helps you stay on track with course planning, and when it comes time for transferring it gives you a little something more that other students may not have,” she said.

ANDREW BARBER/ The Inquirer

Sarah Boland (left),

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news 9

Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

DEGREES From Page 1

GUSTAVO VASQUEZ / The Inquirer

Dental hygiene students Carolina Naruse and Reanna Rodriquez reviewdental x-rays in class on March 4, 2014. Recently proposed California bill SB850, would allow community

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said. Young shares the same sentiment as many other students in this department, saying, "this would [be] giving students credit for what they deserve. They are doing bachelor's level work and only getting an associate's." Traditionally, California's Board of Education has limited community colleges to provide only associate degrees. But with recent tuition costs going skyward, this may become an increasingly prevalent trend in California's education system. Other states have attempted this program with varying levels of success. Washington, for example offers a limited, though diverse, selection of bachelor's degrees in technology, health sciences and applied accounting. The cost per unit for upper division courses is sigcommunity colleges costing $224 per credit compared to an average of $570 per credit for the price of tuition at their state colleges. DVC will offer a path to trans-

fer their dental hygiene students bachelor's training, launching this summer. Los Medanos College and Contra Costa College are in a similar situation with their nursing programs, which are highly impacted at every CSU. Offering upper division classes in a discipline such as this would relieve pressure off universities and make getting into them less competitive. Maitreyee Chandra, a faculty member in the biological and health sciences department, believes this is a practical alternative to the costs that comes with a four-year college. "Community colleges are more geared to lower and middle income students, and with high tuition at state universities, [bachelor's degrees] will help all students from all socioeconomic levels and promote their learning," she said.

Contact COLLIN JAMES at cjames@TheInquirerOnline.com

ASDVC relaunches textbook exchange

A DEGREE OF POSSIBILITIES

REGINA ORTANEZ Arts and features editor

Lowering the costs of textbooks is listed as the number one goal for Associated Students of DVC for the spring 2014 semester. The program has now been altered with the intention of promotion throughout the campus, both for the program and ASDVC's sake, as many students on campus are not aware of it's existence or of it's efforts to try to improve student life for DVC students. Consequently, ASDVC board members Elijah Ziskin and Felicia Novia have begun an effort to try to relaunch the textbook exchange program under ASDVC. "The Textbook exchange program was an old program in the Student Union building," explains Novia. "However, it was not very popular among students." The program has already been in effect for a number of years “I’ve never heard of this at DVC. program, so it sounds "Upon increasing distress and rising concern to purchase afreally interesting and fordable class material, your stuI’d be willing to try it dent representatives here in Diablo Valley College have received out.” the pleasure in strategizing new methods on reducing textbook ~RAVEENA BIRDEE prices for your classes – and proDVC student viding on-campus resources in selling and buying your books at a much more reasonable cost," Ziskin said. "We offer a card system," Ziskin continues, "through which a student at the front desk in the Student Union Building, and submitting basic

HEALTH & HUMANITIES • PSYCHOLOGY • LAW & LEGAL STUDIES BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP • MUSEUM STUDIES

the card system." ASDVC recognizes the great number of students struggling with being able to afford the books required for their classes and in response, aims to stress the textbook exchange program during both the beginning and end of each semester, coinciding with DVC bookstore buybacks.

ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE

When asked whether she'd consider using the textbook exchange program in lieu of the DVC bookstore buybacks, Raveena Birdee, 19, replied optimistically, "Probably," she said. "Just because I've heard that the buyback doesn't actually give you back that much money. I've never heard of this program, so it sounds really interesting and I'd be willing to try it out."

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Contact REGINA ORTANEZ at rortanez@TheInquirerOnline.com


arts & features 10 Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Student parents get peace of mind a handy option for child care BENJAMIN DAVIDSON Managing editor

teacher.”

to the community, but it incorHaving a babysitter is one thing porates other areas of study on – but knowing your child is in campus as well. Linguistics, psygood hands is another. chology, horticulture and culinary Being a student parent is de- arts are just a handful of places manding, and one of the more that the center interacts with on prominent concerns is being able campus. to have a place for your child to Tim Leong, the Contra Costa stay during the day. For the stu- Community College school disdent parents of DVC, this can trict’s public communications be achieved without even leaving campus. program development as a comThe Early Childhood Educa- bination of student interest and tion Center at DVC is a student community needs. lab, as well as a fully operational “If community needs were child care facility where the chil- not met, the students would be dren of student parents are free studying for degrees to get jobs to play, learn and expand their that wouldn’t be available,” Leong minds while doing inside and out- said. side activities, at a cost that stuIn order to have your child be dents can afford. a part of the program, all student DVC student Michelle Bara- parents are required to take a tanhona is grateful for this program. dem parenting class that is usually “Being able to have a program like this is amazing for me, and ity of schedule. for other parents as well,” she Rates for the program range said. “For me I wouldn’t have from $1.75 to $2.50 an hour, debeen able to get my A.S., A.A., pending on the age of the child, and A.S.T. if it weren’t for this with some optional fees for lunch, program.” and snacks With a cametc. Being able “Being able to visit my to visit your pus like DVC, children are small fry is what gets me little ones in able to do through the day some- between class many things breaks is just that a normal times, I don’t know what another aspect day care center I’m going to do when I that makes the could never ofprogram so transfer.” fer – ranging unique. from walks to According the duck pond, ~ELIZABETH BOWMAN to Symonds, DVC student to having exthere is an perienced stuenrollment dents from the waitlist that is dental program teach kids about re-created every semester. hygiene. Other campus related “The waitlist is kept for the - current semester we are in,” Symoting outside play and encour- monds said. “Being at a commuaging the kids to get in touch with nity college, people come and go, the environment. so the time varies.” Joan Symonds has been the diElizabeth Bowman, 36, is a rector of the program for over 20 nursing major who is getting years, and has a vested interest in ready to transfer in the fall. the center due to her one-on-one “Being able to visit my small relationship with the kids, and all fry is what gets me through the of the student teachers and aides day sometimes,” Bowman said. “I that work within the program. don’t know what I’m going to do “We have people from all over when I transfer.” the world here, and at one point I think I counted 16 languages,” Symonds said. “There is no doubt in my mind that it (the exposure to diversity) has made me a better Contact BENJAMIN DAVIDSON at bdavidson@TheInquirerOnline.com

GUSTAVO VASQUEZ / The Inquirer

DVC student Michelle Barahona picks up her two daughters, Keyla and Kianna, after early childhood education program. Advertisement


arts & features 11 Thursday, March 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

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Nothing short of hysterical stage play, Miley Cyrus threw an event akin to a high school house party within the walls of Oakland's Oracle Arena. With the October release of her new album "Bangerz" and the scandalous performance at last year's Video Music Awards, the anticipation for this tour was absurd. I initially bought these tickets, which, by my standards were extremely overpriced, for my 15-yearold cousin as a Christmas gift. I knew going into it that I may come out deaf from all of the high pitched screaming, but I was also pretty interested in seeing how hard Miley was going to crush the image of Hannah Montana. The show opened with an artist that I was personally excited to see, Sky Ferreira, who could be described as an indie-pop artist. Her performance was the most low-key of the three, but nonetheless, a well sung and performed set. Next came Icona Pop, to whom could be compared to as having voices like the munchkins of "The with a lot of techno remixes and up beat lyrics, but in all actuality, the crowd didn't really liven up until they played their hit single "I Love

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song of their set. With a long intro that included a screen of Cyrus' face and a long tongue-slide coming out of it, she opened up the show with the title song from her album "Bangerz," which on the album, has a verse done by Britney Spears. It didn't take long to notice that this performance was not going to be so much about the music as it was the theatrics. Aside from the risqué clothing and cursing, there was a lot of gyrating and thrusting in what has become typical Cyrus behavior. What was more disturbing was the animations that were projected onto the screen behind her. Many of which were her face, but one in particular was very reminiscent of Rihanna's

"Disturbia" music video. To the popular indie-band ALT J's "Fitzpleasure," Cyrus jerked and convulsed while being very scantily clad in just black tape and bondage type apparel. It was more uncomfortable that artsy, which I believe was Cyrus' intention. The highlight of the night was when Cyrus moved her band to the back of the auditorium and played a short acoustic set. She performed covers of four songs: "Jolene" by Dolly Parton, "Hey Ya" by Outkast, "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1" by The Flaming Lips and "Landslide" by Fleetwood Mac. A lot of people seem to hold the belief that Miley Cyrus is just another Britney Spears, but this perent. Her diversity and the extent of her knowledge of music was clearly visible with these pieces. After the acoustic set, she returned to the big stage, closing her set with the song "Someone Else" on a giant hot dog. Cyrus then had comprised of her singing her two chart-toppers "We Can't Stop" and of the night being "Party in the U.S.A.." but not without with an excess of confetti, pyrotechnics and dancing national monuments, followed by Cyrus being lifted up in the middle of the stage only to put on some fake "hillbilly" teeth and thank everyone for coming. With my ears still ringing and nightmares of fuzzy, twerking Miley Cyrus left an impression on the Bay Area that could only be described as a horribly fantastic experience. I just hope that I never have to see a 13-year-old in spandex ever

again. Contact TYLER ELMORE at


arts & features 12 Thursday, March. 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Large number of music venues near campus Editor’s guide to nightlife BENJAMIN DAVIDSON Managing editor

If you enjoy live music, you would not have been disappointed this past weekend, as there was no shortage of options in Concord and Martinez. nightlife looks barren in terms of live music, but for the weekend of Feb. 27 - March 1, there were a couple of local performances that happened relatively close to campus, and for little or no cost to attend. We attended three of the local venues – so without further ado, here are the reviews. Armando’s – Martinez, CA An old school feel really embodies this small family owned bar located in downtown Martinez, no more than a 13 minute drive from campus. Found right along the train tracks down near the marina, Armando’s has an intimate and close-to-the-music feel that is complimented by a small wooden stage, and with posters and pictures of music legends past that line its walls and ceiling. We attended on a lower-key night, that was featuring a jazzy type band in – which made for a rejuvenating experience, beings I have a soft Coincidentally, there was a family that happened to be visiting from Louisiana that night, and one of the women got up and sang a which, the band promptly found the tune and played right along with her, as if she were part of the band. Reasonably priced beer and wine were the only expenses we noted, aside from the $10 cover

at the door, and optional donations to the bands’ hat, which was passed around the tables in front of the stage. “There absolutely can be a line out the door and halfway up the do’s regular. voiced his vested interest in the family business, “we’ve been open for a little over eight years now, strictly 21 and over, and absolutely Vinnie’s Bar – Concord, CA Catering to a much younger one street over from Todos Santos Plaza, and just under a ten minute drive from campus. Unlike Armando’s, Vinnie’s music venues tend to feature local cover bands such as Maria’s Fault, and Crosstown 5 – who played on Friday Feb. 28, with cover songs ranging anything from classic rock to Lady Gaga. full bar and menu are what Vinnie’s has to offer aside from the for food and drink, as there was no entrance fee, just a few security guys who check to verify that you are of legal age before going in. dancing shoes, and maybe even some earplugs, because Vinnie’s can get pretty loud, depending on who is playing. E.J. Phair Brewing Company, Concord Alehouse – Concord, CA For those of you that aren’t 21 start. One street over from Vinnie’s is this delightful Irish pub. Unlike Vinnie’s and Armando’s, this venue is more centered on the

BENJAMIN DAVIDSON / The Inquirer

Vinnie’s regular Jonathan Jackson takes shots at the pool table while Crosstown 5 plays in the backgound. dinning, with music as an accomavailable for families and couples alike, especially catering to those in the mood for traditional Irish food, including reuben sandwiches, jaegerschnitzel, and corned beef hash. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this pub gladly open it’s arms to anyone who wants good food or a stout ale. shared her thoughts on the live music, “I really like that it brings in people, it makes a fun environment for me because people BENJAMIN DAVIDSON / The Inquirer

“The only negative is that it is a little loud, so it is hard to talk to

Timmy G and Matt Neal play an accoustic on Saturday, March 1 at E.J. Phair Brewing Company

most enjoyable thing about working there was, “the beer, what else

had everyone moving to the beat

The casual, yet cool atmosphere set the stage for the dueling guitars of Matt Neal and Timmy G swept through the open pub and

Chili Peppers and Uncle Kracker – all with a bit of an Irish accent. Live music is all around us, and it really depends on personal preference when you are choosing a

place to go out to for the night, and all three venues sported some talented musicians, with decent food and drink. Contact BENJAMIN DAVIDSON at bdavidson@TheInquirerOnline.com

Students unearth DVC’s permanent collection TYLER ELMORE Online editor

“When I saw that it was on the catalog, I jumped at the opportunity to get in... This kind of class doesn’t come around that of-

artists, past students, and some current students at DVC. It was curated by the ART135 class and was displayed on Feb. 24 and 25, with the reception commencing the showing at 6 p.m. on Feb. 25. Many of the pieces were taken from around the school to be put together in one

It allows students to dive into very specialized work with art pieces and learn the professional skills necessary to be able to

pieces, they also needed to be remounted, re-matted and just generally cleaned. One of the strange ways the class cleans pieces actually utilizes the students’ saliva. Tereese Abuhamdeh, 19, who is currently enrolled in the ART-135 class, says, “you can’t mix harsh chemicals with the oil on the canvas so the only way to clean the dust off been offered in seven years.

earlier in your career. In this class, students have the opportunity to curate, conserve, and mount pieces. This class aims to help students who would like to work within the art community and museum community get an introduction into what the business is actually like. “This class prepares you for every job that you could possibly have, or at least the most popular jobs, within the art (and) mujobs that a preparator would do, or a curator would do by picking out the pieces to go The class takes place on Friday from 12:30

GUSTAVO VASQUEZ/ The Inquirer

From left to right: Tara Baghdassarian, Mandy Wang, Elle Mitchell and p.m. to 6:20 p.m., and is run by three profesKristin Koblik. is open to everyone on campus whether fortunately, we don’t think that we will be

able to hold this class every spring semester because it is such a specialized class, we are hoping that we can have it every three or

Contact TYLER ELMORE at telmore@TheInquirerOnline.com


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