Inquirer March 3 issue by DVC Inquirer

Earth, Wind and Fire:

Take a look at DVC’s wind ensemble as its next concert approaches on March 4. See page 3.

Out in Cold:

Inquirer Editorial Board discusses Modesto Junior College’s elimination of mass communication division. See page 5.

“Track is Back”:

Shelly Pierson takes over as the new track and field coach . See page 4.

Viking’s playoff shot: Check out basketball’s progress in the Big 8 conference. Go to TheInquirerOnline.com

Jordan Estrada Guard

The

INQUIRER S tudent V oi ce

D iablo Val le y C ol le g e

www.TheInquirerOnline.com

tudents on campus have had mixed reactions to the notion of increased fees and cuts to California’s education. “It pisses me off,” said current DVC student Mariah Martin, 20 of Danville. “I don’t think they should cut from schools, everyone should have a right to education.” Sarah Macy, nutrition major, came from a four-year college to attend DVC. “It’s the cheaper choice of going to a four-year,” Macy said. “Junior college is the cheaper choice with or without the fee increase.” FEES, Page 2

$17.8 billion

MIKE ALFIERI Copy editor

ASDVC unsure about $28,000 error MIKE ALFIERI Copy editor

ASDVC is unsure whether a $28,000 inconsistency in its reserve budget is an accounting error or not. The issue first came to light in the fall when officers learned of a discrepancy between ASDVC account statements and the bank account statements. ASDVC is also currently facing a $20,000 deficit in its operations account that covers student activities and services. When asked about whether the discrepancy was a management issue or an accounting issue, ASDVC Controller Chelsea Cheung said, “ There are too many uncertainties to make a judgment.” Progress on the issue has been moving at

$12.5 billion

$36/ unit

Students thoughts over fee hikes

$26/unit

Thursday, March 3, 2011

$100

million

161,141 students

Volume 78 No. 2

ASDVC, Page 2

DVC is in for a long road to financial recovery STEPHEN LANGSAM Staff writer

Diablo Valley College was projecting a $2.9 million deficit for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, but currently the state is projecting a much higher deficit of $5.2 million for the same time frame. In addition to the $2.9 million deficit for the ‘11-‘12 fiscal year, the long-term budget projection at the state is not good. Currently, projections indicate that: Firstly, DVC will not receive any money for cost of living adjustment or growth until 2013-2014. Secondly, DVC may not return to 2007-2008 funding levels until 2015-2016. Lastly, over the next five years community colleges could face reductions between 9.6 and 19.3 percent . On top of the gloomy news from the state, the college will face about $2 million COUNCIL, Page 2

• NEWS 1, 2 • SPORTS 4 • OPINIONS 5 • EDITORIAL 5 • ENTERTAINMENT 6 • CAMPUS BUZZ 5 • CALENDER 2 • POLICE BEAT 2 • FEATURES 3 • STAFF INFORMATION 5 •

News

CALENDAR Tuesday, Mar. 1 – May 1 Fall admission notification begins and continues for UC applicants Friday, Mar. 4 Multicultural Shadow Day UC Berkeley 9am–3pm Friday, Mar. 4 Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Performing Arts Center 6pm Saturday, Mar. 5 Philharmonic Orchestra Performing Arts Center 8pm Sunday, Mar. 6 Distinguished Lecture Series Dr. Bill Garrett DVC Library Building, the Forum 2pm Tuesday, Mar. 8 ASDVC meets to discuss next college president 3pm Tuesday, Mar. 8 Whistling Vivaldi Project Collecting Wisdom: Faculty Round Table BLF-CCC 12:30pm Wednesday, Mar. 9 Art Party DVC Gallery 6-8pm Saturday, Mar. 26 9th Annual Day of the Teacher Conference CSU East Bay Concord Campus 9am–2:15pm Thursday, Mar. 31 Deadline to apply for AA/ AS degree or certificate Tuesday, April 5 Storytelling Concert Trophy Room 6-9pm

POLICE BEAT Feb. 24, 2011 DVC Cafeteria: An unknown person stole a wallet out of a purse. DVC Bookstore: A student stole multiple items from the bookstore. Per the manager’s request, the student paid for the items. The student was issued a 626 advisement and is not to return to campus until he speaks with the Bill Oye, dean of student life.

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, March 3, 2011

OUNCIL from Pg. 1

per year in cost increases due to salary schedule adjustments, employee benefit increases, and increases in district assessments due to inflation. This situation was explained at the College Council meeting on Feb. 28. The college council committee headed by Dennis Franco delivered the following summary. The Diablo Valley College

Budget Committee developed a plan last November for the annual budget. The committee then forwarded its recommended budget plan to the College Council. The College Council then makes a recommendation to the college president who makes the final resource allocation decisions. The debt is continuing to grow as the state goes through its budget development pro-

cess. But DVC currently only has a reserve for the current fiscal year at the 2009-‘2010 fiscal year statistics. DVC is now responsible for the load bank and vacation liabilities of their employees. The load banking reserve is a reserve of funds for teachers who are taking on extra classes. While the district has accepted the responsibility for the liabilities as of June 30,

2010, they have very little funds designated to pay these debts. The total of the reserves is nearly $323,000. This is much lower than needed now because DVC’s share of these debts was approximately $5 million for the load banking and $1.8 million for the vacation pay. However, the budget committee still recommends using uncommitted carryover funds to establish a $50,000 reserve

to repair and replace broken equipment and to use more then $624,000 to augment the college’s emergency reserve. DVC is still projecting for a $2.9 million deficit for the ‘11‘12 fiscal year. Assuming that all of the $624,000 in obligated funds would be used to help cover the deficit for the next fiscal Contact STEPHEN LANGSAM at slangsam@TheInquirerOnline. com

SDVC from Pg. 1

a slow pace. Account statements from November and December were provided to ASDVC Feb. 1, though no accounting error was noted on them. Associate Chancellor of Finance Sierra Muindi, who was in charge of the accounts at the district, resigned recently, further delaying action. Cheung said the district was having trouble communicating with ASDVC because of the resignation. Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Kindred Murillo is currently overseeing the discrepancy at the district. “I was unaware of any communication problems with ASDVC,” Murillo said in a phone interview. Murillo believes the district has gotten to the bottom of the discrepancy and will be speaking with ASDVC on March 1 on the issue. “I believe it is an accounting issue and there is no reason to believe in any mismanagement of funds.” At the beginning of the school year, ASDVC had a projected operations budget of $72,000. Sticker sales from students account for most of the operations budget. But, since the fall semester, sticker sales have steadily declined. In the month of January alone, ASDVC brought in only $1,800 from the sales, significantly less than last semester. The money might be hard to make up through sticker sales at $8 a sticker and ASDVC has already dipped into their reserve fund to cover costs. The book rental program is believed by ASDVC to have further discouraged sticker sales, said Cheung, as many students have opted to rent books and stickers provide no discount for rentals. If the is-

IZZY BAJALIA / The Inquirer

ASDVC activites coordinator Derek Cheang, above, and President Katerina Schreck survey the audience during a Feb. 1 meeting as the discrepancy is discussed. sue doesn’t change, “it will not be a healthy situation for next year,” Cheung said. ASDVC Advisor Yvonne Canada fears additional staffing cuts in Student Life if the budget doesn’t change. “It’s not sustainable,” said Canada. ASDVC is already using $79,000 dollars of its reserve funds of approximately $180,000 to support two part-time faculty positions for ASDVC. ASDVC observed in its first session back this semester that the sticker sales had dropped by 60 percent. At that time 57 percent of the budget had already been approved. Cheung admitted their projections of a $72,000 to be “overly optimistic.” When asked where ASDVC was going to come up with the money to cover the deficit and the proposed operations budget, Cheung said “sticker sales.” “I don’t think so,” Canada replied when asked if it was reasonable for ASDVC to be-

lieve it could make the money from sticker sales alone. “We have to reevaluate the budget and consider cuts.” Director of Fiscal Services Judy Breza spoke to ASDVC on March 1 about the discrepancy. She assured ASDVC of accurate accounting at the district even though provided spreadsheets showed discrepancies in multiple accounts. “I honestly can’t tell you,” Breza responded to a question

about how the district can be certain of the funds, when provided records showed a discrepancy as early as June 1999. “We had to make assumptions,” she said in order to try to reconcile accounts. The budget for next semester was supposed to have been created Feb. 23, but has been delayed by the discrepancy. Contact MIKE ALFIERI at malfieri@TheInquirerOnline.com

REALIZE YOUR DREAM AT MILLS COLLEGE.

DVC Lot 3: An unknown driver hit a student’s car. Silent Witness: Working together to solve crime the Silent Witness tip line provides a means of communication for members of the campus community to provide district police with information anonymously. Silent Witness hot line: 925.685.1230 Lost and Found: Students can go into Police Services between 7:30 a.m. 10:30 p.m. during the week to handle lost or found items.

CLARIFICATIONS

Mills offers talented women who want an exceptional and personal education the ability to:

In the article, “Speaking out costs jobs, coaches claim” in the Feb. 17 issue of The Inquirer, Erin Buzuvis, Western New England College School of Law associate professor, commented on wrongful terminations in general instead of the case at hand.

• Transfer in fall or spring. • Get the classes you need to graduate on time. • Earn a merit scholarship from $8,000 to full tuition. • Transfer with no minimum number of credits. • Transfer without completing your GE requirements.

INFORMATION SESSION Tuesday, March 15 • 11:00 am–2:15 pm

MAKING THE WORLD MORE . . .

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

EES from Pg. 1

Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed increasing unit fees from $26 to $36 dollars for community college students and cutting $400 million from community colleges in the 2011-2012 budget. Brown’s proposed budget will cut spending by $12.5 billion and increase revenue by $12 billion. The budget deficit is pushing Californians to make tough decisions, and the Governor’s hope of balancing the budget is riding on the hopes of voters’ cooperation. Voters will be asked to extend existing temporary taxes, hoping to create a $1 billion reserve. “This is a disaster for California, considering community colleges continue to experience record demand due to high unemployment, returning veterans and record high school graduations,” said the California Community College League in a blog post. The cuts to the colleges will cost 161,141 students their funding, even after an allowance of $110 million added for enrollment growth. Tim Leong at the Contra Costa Community College District said in a phone interview there were many challenges faced by the proposed cuts. When it comes to determining if the district will cut further educational programs, Leong said, “everything will be evaluated.” The Contra Costa Community College district supports the fee increase party because tuition makes up a small part of revenue. Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Kindred Murillo said, “The State of California can no longer afford to provide community college higher education for $26 per unit.” The proposal to raise fees to $36 is an increase of 38 percent, and would generate $100 million. The fee increase comes on the heels of a 30 percent increase two years ago. Even at $36 dollars a unit, fees at California Community Colleges are the lowest in the nation. The next lowest is New Mexico at $40 a unit. When asked about the possibility of even higher tuition if the temporary taxes are not approved, DVC student Joey Johnson, 18, said, “That’s not a bad thing, I’d be ok with it.” The California Community College League went on its blog to say, “This certainly feels like the end of an era of sticker-price affordability in California’s community colleges.” Even with cuts, the Legislative Analyst projects an annual budget shortfall of $17.8 billion over the next five years. Contact MIKE ALFIERI at malfieri@TheInquirerOnline. com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Music at DVC still playing strong GERARDO RECINOS Sports editor

The sounds emanating from the music building almost never stop. It’s difficult to walk through the building without hearing students practicing their music. The symphonic band is no exception. To join the symphonic band one must first go through on audition process where the band coordinator evaluates each person’s abilities. The Symphonic band, lead by conductor and band coordinator Monte Bairos, puts on two formal performances a semester, with their first one taking place Friday March 4th at 8 p.m. “They work very hard, and they all want to put on a great performance,” said Bairos. The band has 45 members, most of whom are returning players. There are musicians from all different ages and skill levels in the band from intermediate to more experienced instrumentalists. The band’s shows are important to the music program’s success because most of the profit goes towards funding the music program. DVC Wind Bands in Concert will start off with an hour of the wind ensemble, and then followed by an hour of symphonic band. The wind bands will be performing a four-piece set list that was chosen by Bairos. The list includes the works of John Phillip Sousa, David Manslanka and Percy Aldridge Granger. “The group is strong this year and the music selection suits us well,” saxophone player Casey Strum says, “The upcoming concert should be a good one.” The symphonic band is performing a set list that is made up of four pieces each between five and fifteen minutes long. This is a testament to the hard work that the bands put Wind band set list 1. “American Hymn Tune Sketches” 2. “Cathedral Music” 3. “Martyr’s Mirror” 4. “Call to Victory” Symphonic Band set list 1. “March: Pathfinder of Panama” 2. “Give Us This Day” 3. “Spoon River” 4. “Folk Song”

toward their performances. The symphonic bands practice on Thursdays from 7:30 to 10 p.m. while the winds practice Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Despite all the work and commitment these musicians put toward the class, the class still only counts for one unit But in the end it is worth it because all these musicians love to play music. “I really enjoy symphonic band because of the great experience I get to have by playing with so many talented musicians,” says music student Angelica Lovio. “It’s great to have the opportunity to play so many classic band masterpieces” Contact GERARDO RECINOS at grecinos @TheInquirerOnline.com

Features

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Living out

Natalie Meany

loud

Speech team duo, Lelah Smick and Natalie Meany, head to national competition Graphic Illustration by Scott Baba

LISA DIAZ Staff writer

It was the sparkle of a glittery purple pair of flats that brought the Diablo Valley College speech team’s most dynamic, award-winning tandem together. Feeling shy and isolated at her first speech and debate tournament in the fall of 2009, Natalie Meany struck conversation with Lelah Smick by complimenting her flashy shoes. Now inseparable best friends and in their final semester at DVC, Smick and Meany are nationally ranked speakers and have collectively won 37 awards during their year and a half tenure on the DVC Speech Team. This April, the standout pair will compete in the American Forensics Associations’ National Tournament in Kearny, Neb. “Junior colleges never go to AFAs, and for us to get this far we had to work so hard,” Meany said. “I’ve spent so many hours working towards this. No one from DVC has ever gone. This is insane.” They will join the country’s top speech competitors, mainly from

four-year universities, and will perform their nationally qualifying interpretation speech. Interpretation speeches persuade and evoke emotion from the audience through the presentation of works of

Lelah Smick

drama, pieces of literature or poetry. In order for a speech to make it to nationals, the speech must win three awards, or legs, when presented at previous tournaments. As Meany and Smick aim to win their third leg for their duo interpretation of “Lost” by Mary Louise Walstead, they note the reason for the success of the piece is that it is about two best friends that are very similar to them. Often called “the wifeys” by coach-

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es and fellow teammates, Meany and Smick describe their inseparable friendship as “two puzzles pieces that fit perfectly together.” “Together they bring out the best in each other,” speech team coach John Hanecak said. Both have found a love for the art of communication and forensics, or using data to persuade. However, neither anticipated that the DVC speech team would have influenced their life in the way that it has. Horrified at the idea of public speaking in Elizabeth Simas’ spring 2009 Speech 120 class, Smick was determined to prove to herself that she could face her fear and have relative success. At the end of the semester, Professor Simas suggested joining the team. Skeptical at first, Smick decided to join the team the following semester. Smick made a rare accomplishment by winning an award at the Santa Rosa Junior College Tournament, her first competition. She then decided to compete in the next tournament at DVC, where she met Natalie Meany. Meany’s path to the team was different. It started in her Speech 120

class with John Hanecak, who told his students they would receive 80 points of extra credit for joining the team. Unlike Smick, Meany was not afraid of public speaking and had done musical theater for years. Three semesters later, Meany emerges as one of the team leaders, with 24 awards for her events and plans to study communications while apart of DVC’s speech pathology program. “Natalie has one of the most exemplary levels of energy and passion of any student I have taught at DVC in 23 years,” Hanecak said. “Like Lelah, the two of them are willing to take risks in their education and develop themselves.” In May, she will graduate with DVC’s new associate’s degree in speech pathology. While both plan to transfer to four-year universities, Smick plans to major in elementary education. “I am very thankful the speech team has given me such a big part of my life,” Meany said. Smick followed with, “Me too.” Contact LISA DIAZ at ldiaz @TheInquirerOnline.com

Sports

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Owners in turmoil with NFLPA, NFL, CBA, too many acronyms not enough money STEPHEN LANGSAM Staff Writer

ALEC GRAHAM / The Inquirer

Chazz Griffiths leads Viking runners during a warm up run at the beginning of practice on March 1, 2011.

Track team starts new season with fresh face SCOTT ANNIS Staff Writer

“DVC track Is back,” yelled Shelly Pierson, the new track coach. She hasn’t always been this excited though. In April 2010, the track and field program at DVC was cut due to budget cuts and low numbers. This was a sad day for all running lovers including Pierson. A few months later, it was reinstated. However, the team was unorganized and without a coach. DVC Athletic Director Christine Worsley found Shelly Pierson, a current employee with coaching experience, who was a perfect fit for the job. She was extremely excited to hear the news and to have the opportunity to get back into coaching. “As coaches, our goal is to instill a positive sense of self-efficacy in all our athletes while providing a path towards moving on to the next level in both academic and athletic abilities,” says Pierson on her goals as a coach. She wants to help the program in a significant way. She already led the Cross Country team to state for the first time in five years, and says that, “I do foresee huge potential for a few school records

to be broken this season for both the men’s and women’s teams.” There are 50 students on the Track and Field team, which is “the highest number in years,” according to Pierson and it looks to be a very promising season. Many of the athletes on the Cross Country team are also on the Track team. Her excitement to be back coaching couldn’t be higher. She spends time dur-

Track coach Shelly Pearson

ing the week and even a few weekends fixing the track equipment, so her athletes can have the best chance to succeed. It hasn’t been all good times for Pier-

son since she took over though. “Everything is very unorganized, and records need to be tracked,” Pierson said. “I have to do all the paperwork on top of my coaching duties.” She isn’t complaining though, just excited to be coaching, again saying, “There is a lot to accomplish and we will move towards doing that one task at a time.” In 2001, Shelly Pierson stopped coaching to spend more time with her family and newborn child. She couldn’t stay away from her love of running though and in 2005 she opened a private coaching fitness company. Pierson has worked at DVC for 12 years focusing on the personal fitness side of the sports medicine program. She became a full-time employee two years ago. “As a team our goal is to stay cohesive and work hard as a team to do our best.” Says Pierson Pierson has a lot of work ahead of her, but she thinks she is up to it. “I am blessed to have a team of fabulous athletes, and I look forward to working with them everyday.” Contact SCOTT ANNIS at sannis@TheInquirerOnline.com

With just days left on the This might seem like a weak old Collective Bargaining platform to stand on, but if Agreement in the NFL and you want to keep the Hall of no deal in sight, the National Fame players happy, and keep Football League Players Asso- the current and previous stats ciation and the owners are in of the decades intact, this the midst of a trial. It seems a is the platform you want to lockout is almost imminent. stand on. So why are the owners and So now it comes to the NFLPA still up in the air about owners, they want more monterms for the new CBA? ey and to get more money you The greed of the owners? need to have more fans. The selfTo get more ishness of fans you need the players? to have more The fans games, or a wanting more better product. exciting play? To the ownI think it ers, adding is all of the more games above. to the regular The NFLseason and PA wants decreasing the to keep the amount presame amount season games Stephen Langsam of games is the answer. Out of Bounds in the reguThey’re hoplar season, ing to put out while the owners would like a better product, the regular to add two more regular sea- season games over the preson games and take away two season, in hopes of getting of the pre season games. This more fans to the game, which is one of the main points of in turn makes revenue. disagreement between the two “The Replacements,” a parties. movie starring Keanu Reeves, The fans want more play, so comes to mind, I hope that’s the owners are trying to give not the case with the upcomthem that, but without the ing NFL season. The fans, consent of the players. owners and players all lose So you might wonder, are out. the players being selfish? No, the NFLPA is trying to Contact STEPHEN LANGSAM at preserve the structure of the slangsam@TheInquirerOnline. current NFL. com ‘Out of Bounds’ is written by Sports editor Gerardo Recinos as well as staff writers Scott Annis and Stephen Langsam. It is updated on The Inquirer Online.

DISCOVER A NEW PATH TO A CAREER IN NURSING. GAIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO SAMUEL MERRITT UNIVERSITY. • Complete your pre-nursing requirements on the beautiful 135-acre Mills College campus. • Receive a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. • Prepare for a successful nursing career with unique leadership seminars. • Gain guaranteed admission to the BSN program at Samuel Merritt University.*

INFORMATION SESSION Tuesday, March 15, 2011 • 11:00 am–2:15 pm

*upon successful completion of all program requirements

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Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Editorial

The

Buzz

How does divorce affect people?

NIRVESH SIKNAD, 19 Political Science

“I have had friends whose parents got divorced, and it sucks for the child. They don’t get [both] male and female influences. They only get one side.”

CRISTYN MONTERROZA, 18 Undeclared

“Yeah, of course, it is a change of lifestyle. It makes you grow up faster when it happens to you at a young age.”

Opinions

Modesto College sacrifices media students to save $8 million With our state embattled by a deficit that seems out of control, the idea of budget cuts and penny pinching is a reality we, as Californians, all have to face. Unfortunately, the hammer of financial ruin now looms over the Community College system as DVC has to face its budget problems with a 3 percent cut, which means cut classes and diminished programs. While it’s expected that schools will see cuts and fee increases to combat the economic shortfall, the situation being proposed at Modesto Junior College seems like the extreme end of the spectrum. The cuts that will be proposed to the Yosemite Community College District Board on March 9 will eliminate culinary arts, anthropology, German, French, Italian, and gallery management as well as the entire Mass Communication department, which includes journalism, film, television, radio, and recording arts. While something of a necessary evil in our current

economic environment, this proposal seems nothing more than a scorched earth policy on the academic level. What becomes of the students who want to go into radio, broadcasting, film, or journalism? The answer: they will simply be the sacrificial lambs in order to keep the rest of the school afloat. While the administration is seeking to find alternate courses to fill in the requirements for continuing students to transfer, these sorts of bandages may do more harm than good. Should a student looking to be a sound technician be able to transfer without taking all the pre-requisite classes? Apparently that is an acceptable reality to the administration at MJC. The potential effects of these cuts could range from an inconvenience to some to potentially crippling to others who may be left unable to complete their degrees or complete the prerequisites for transfer.

SCOTT BABA / The Inquirer

One of the more disturbing parts of this story is the justification given for the elimination. The rationale released by the college sums it up by saying, “Simply put, 20th century delivery mechanisms such as broadcasting and print media have lost much of their cultural relevance and employment po-

tential in this modern era.” This can really be said about many programs being offered by colleges today. Are the employment opportunities any more robust for a theater major? This comes off as nothing more than using the issue of unemployment to offer rationale for the discontinuation

of not only a few classes, but an entire division, in an effort stem off financial Armageddon. The reality of the situation is cuts are going to have to be made, but leaving a wide swath of your student body out in the cold isn’t the way it should be done.

Opinions

Physical necessity in education FRANK RUNNINGHORSE, 56 Political Science

“My parents got divorced when I was 14, and the break up was traumatic for the whole family. My parents got along better after, so it was for the better.”

RAELENE PORTILLO, 19 Business

“I’m going through a divorce and it takes around two years. Being young it makes you look bad with future jobs, money, and things like that.”

NIGEL HAIKINS, 18 Communications

“It made me a bad person. I did not have a father figure in my life.” Interviewer: Brittney Griffin Photographer: Mariana Ramos

According to the state of preserving general education bachelor’s degrees, our state’s California Education Code, courses and other courses economy would grow by $20 physical education courses that are critical for transfer- billion. Even though PE courses are considered recreational ring or obtaining degrees since they are in the highest generally are not required for and not general education. demand during this budget transfer, studies have shown, Helen Benjamin, Contra crisis. including one in the Journal Costa Community College of Exercise PhysiolDistrict chancellor, ogy, that people who mentioned this decregularly exercise while laration as a justifica“After all, it’s called: ‘Physical taking classes have a tion for cutting P.E. Education’ not Physical much better ability to courses at DVC at the Recreation.” perform academically. recent budget forum For instance, I am meeting. taking courses in After all, Peralta aquatic fitness and cardio Community College District Jack Scott, California Community College chancellor, kickboxing. I could not be states on their website that more confident about tackstated on his website that if 2 PE courses for students “do ling my classes since they percent more of Californians not accelerate their academic help me expunge stress and earned associate degrees or vocational careers.” gain energy. and 1 percent more earned The district’s priority is

That’s because, according to a Mayo Clinic study, exercise increases the production of “feel-good” transmitters, called endorphins, and regular exercise increases selfconfidence and lowers the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. Wouldn’t you think that

Contact BRIAN DONOVAN at bdonovan@TheInquirerOnline. com

Divorce: a painful opportunity So, do we really have a say As a frightened, young In fact, children of divorce child I spent countless nights are more likely to experience in the matter? No. The sufscared and alone. psychological issues such as fering is almost inevitable. As children we have to The world around me was depression, anxiety, and anquietly observe the dissipain complete chaos, and I was ger. timid and defenseless against It is an extremely difficult tion of a former love with no it all. concept to grasp at such a power to halt it. So, the question still Eighteen years and four marriages later, “Eighteen years and four mar- remains: how will this affect our ability to I am petrified with anxiety that constant- riages later, I am petrified with embark on the journey ly impedes me from anxiety that constantly impedes of love and marriage? Will we be more apmoving forward with me from moving forward with prehensive about pomy life. my life.” tentially spending the Divorce is what rest of our lives with brings all of this on. In the grand scheme of young age, and it seems to someone, will we prefer to be it all divorce is not an awful produce much uncertainty alone, or will we simply acthing, but unfortunately the due to the lack of stability in cept the fact that divorce is the home. natural and let our inhibitions aftermath is.

Staff

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

BRIAN DONOVAN Senior staff writer

the positive effects of exercise would help with students who are struggling with their classes and therefore help increase transfer rates? To me, the state is implying that the well-being of their 3.2 million community college students is not its concern. Physical preparation is just as important as mental preparation when it comes to education. After all, it’s called: “Physical Education” not Physical Recreation.

Julius Rea Troy Patton Favio Delgadillo Scott Baba Sean Wilkey Gerardo Recinos Alec Graham Mike Alfieri Kevin Hayes

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Brian Donovan, Taliah Mirmalek STAFF WRITERS Scott Annis, Pablo Caballero, Colby Carter, Lisa Diaz, Brittney Griffin Stephen Langsam PHOTOGRAPHERS Izzy Bajalia, Stevie Chow, Mariana Ramos DESIGNERS Yaeko Takada INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Ann Stenmark ADVISER Mary Mazzocco

BRITTNEY GRIFFIN Staff writer

guide us? Many of us are in the same boat, and the 40-50 percent of us that are children of divorce must break down these barriers. We must remind people that marriage and the conceiving of a child are subjects

to take under great consideration. Even if divorce occurs we must remind ourselves how our reactions will affect the children involved. We must think before we act. They can either grow to hate and resent us or respect the decisions we made. If we do not personally handle these issues with more care, who will? There is hope for our future generation, but all the power lies within our grasp. Contact BRITTNEY GRIFFIN at bgriffin@TheInquirerOnline.com

THE INQUIRER Diablo Valley College 321 Golf Club Road, H-102 Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 The Inquirer is published Thursday mornings during the school year by the journalism students of Diablo Valley College. All unsigned articles appearing on the opinions page are editorials and reflect a two-thirds majority opinion of the editorial staff. All signed columns and cartoons are the opinions of the writer or artists and not necessarily those of The Inquirer, Diablo Valley College or Contra Costa Community College District

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Entertainment The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Jazz, Rock

& Beatles Jatossha Davis, vocalist for the 60’s rock ensemble Last Minute, belts out a high note during the group’s final number.

he Performing Arts Center was filled with the sounds of the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll Feb. 24 as DVC played host to a concert featuring the music of the Beatles, as well as other hit acts from the 60’s and 70’s. Among the acts featured alongside the Night Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble were popular local groups such as The Pranksters, Ejector Seats, and Last Minute. Featuring jazzed up arrangements of Beatles songs, along with covers of songs like James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” the Jazz, Rock, Rhythm & Blues concert provided an audible blast from the past that was the perfect end to a “Hard Day’s Night.” Photos and Text

ALEC GRAHAM

The Night Band provided opening music for the evening, performing several arrangements of popular Beatles tunes.

Bassist Clyde Bird of Last Minute keeps the rhythm steady during one of the group’s R&B influenced covers.

The Pranksters contributed jazz standard Chameleon, as well as Bruce Springsteen’s Pink Cadillac to the list of chart topping covers performed this evening.

Alto Saxophonist Kyle Clark solos during the DVC Jazz Ensemble’s performance of Penthouse Dawn.

The congo, played by Percussionist Chris Haman, provided lation accents during one of the Jazz Ensemble’s numbers. Night Band Saxophonists Devin Dominguez, Austin Chanu, and Christian Ortiz switch to their flutes for one of their final songs of the evening.