Have artwork?
To protest or not? Debate on page 6.
Like to see it in the next issue? Please send your artwork to cbalingit@theinquireronline.com by Thursday, March 15!
Food from the grassroots: More on page 3.
The
INQUIRER S tudent V oi ce
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Volume 79 No. 2 Copyright © 2012 The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College www.TheInquirerOnline.com
D iablo Val le y C ol le g e
Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday 21, 2012
Thousands march to call Budget cuts into on legislators for change student DANIELLE BARCENA News editor
Thousands of students from across California gathered in Sacramento on Monday, Mar. 5 to demand the protection of higher education for all during the “Fund our Future” march and rally, which resulted in 72 arrests. The cost of “education is simply growing at an unsustainable rate,” Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said. “We have got to fix it, we can’t just talk about it.” Approximately four to five thousand students arrived by the busloads to Sacramento Monday morning. They gathered at Southside Park, many holding signs with their demands and dressed in their school colors and logos. “Enough is enough!” UC Berkeley student Cindy Fung said. “It is time for our legislature to stand with us.” A loud and peaceful march was made to the capitol, where the students voiced their concerns peacefully. “Education is our right!” a speaker from City College of San Francisco said. “Now is the time to make sure that this right is not taken away from us!” Several speakers addressed the energetic crowd once they reached the capitol steps. Along with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom , other speakers included Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Speaker of the Assembly John A. Pérez and representatives from many of the attending colleges. At the commencement of the rally on the capitol steps, Gregory Washington, President of the California State Student Association, encouraged the audience to send a twitter message to Gov. Brown asking for his support. “We’re gonna send a message to Governor Jerry Brown.” Washington said. “Why don’t you support our future? Why don’t you support higher education?” Though Brown did not make an appearance at the event, speakers who did attend encouraged the students’ presence. “California is watching you and the people of our state agree with you; we need to fund higher education,” Pérez said. “You have a right to be mad,” Steinberg said. “Too many people are getting big tax breaks when the cost of higher education for you is going way up.” The students were keen to the political rhetoric that they have heard before and chanted “Show us! Show us!” when speakers showed empathy. Steinberg gave students clear examples of how he and others were trying to meet their demands. He spoke to his proposed legislation, SB 1052 and 1053, regarding affordable textbooks. “It should not cost twelve hundred dollars to buy a set of textbooks for the year.” The Millionaire’s Tax was another point that Steinberg raised. “You have the chance in November to pass a revenue measure to put more money in to higher education.” Steinberg said. Many of the protesters were holding signs in support of the Millionaire’s Tax throughout the event. “If we make the millionaires pay their fair share of taxes, we can take care of schools, communities, make things a little more pleasant,” Beverly Roberts, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment member said. Pérez also gave examples of what action he was taking to support higher education. “I propose the middle class scholarship. We’re gonna close a corporate loophole that only benefits out of state corporations,” Pérez said. “We’re gonna use that money to reduce fees at UCs and CSUs by two thirds…Then we’re gonna take $150 million and sent it to community colleges.” “We need to get back into investing in our
CAPITOL, Page 8
“Fund our education” services rally and march allows students to voice their demands for their educational futures
DANIELLE BARCENA News editor
MIKE ALFIERI / The Inquirer
Angry students drown out the speeches of politicians at the state Capitol, as thousands showed up in Sacramento to protest on Monday, March 5. Students from all over the state from San Diego, to Humboldt banded together for a show of force in hopes of getting politicians to support them.
The Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District voted Wednesday, Feb. 22 to reduce three full-time equivalent positions at Diablo Valley College due to a lack of funding. Among the positions are two deans and a Senior Academic/Student Services Manager – three positions that work closely with students. “Students need support resources and engagement opportunities to help them achieve their goals.” Bill Oye, Dean of Student Life said. Oye’s position, which is slated to be eliminated, involves heavy student interaction. He is responsible for overseeing the student union building, various school policies as well as student government and clubs. “I also act as the liaison with police services and am responsible for ensuring that students have access to information about health and insurance resources off campus and to voter registration.” Oye said. The Governing Board’s resolution did not address how students will be able to continue to receive the services that the three positions provided. “It was not clear how these duties would be redistributed, however, President Garcia asked the students to work with Bill Oye and me to determine how they will use their reserves and financial resources to support programs and services for student leaders.” ASDVC Counseling Faculty Member Yvonne Canada said. Some students expressed their concerns over these position eliminations, fearing how they will be affected by the lack of support that may arise. “I use the counseling center, I use student services. I think there are better places in the budget to cut,” Brian Catanese, 27, business administration student, said. Catherine Michelle Funes Guzman, chemistry engineering student, said, “It’s depressing. I realize there is a crisis but there are better ways they could handle this.” The Contra Costa Community College Governing Board item that was voted on Feb. 22 stated, “It is the opinion of this board that it is necessary to eliminate certain services performed by management employees due to a lack of funds.” Terry Armstrong, Dean of Counseling and Student Services is the other dean to have his position eliminated. He works with the counseling center to help students set and meet their academic goals. “Fortunately, this elimination did not have anything to do with my effectiveness, personal honor or productivity as a dean, but rather from an intense pressure relative to the severe budget situation in which we find ourselves and district [and] college priorities.” Armstrong said. While Nicola Place, Senior Academic and Student Services Manager could not be reached for comment, her position was one of the three voted on for elimination. The Governing Board’s resolution states that each employee of the eliminated position must be notified by Mar. 15 that they will not be reemployed with the district effective June 30, however the employees may be eligible to transfer into other positions within the district. “As I understand it, by voting to support the recommended eliminations, then there would still be some additional steps, a March 15 notification letter and a second letter in May, before elimination is implemented. Assuming SERVICES, Page 4
• NEWS 1, 4, 8 • SPORTS 2 • OPINIONS 5, 6 • EDITORIAL 5 • ARTS & FEATURES 3, 7 • CAMPUS BUZZ 5 • CALENDER 4 • POLICE BEAT 4 • STAFF INFORMATION 5 •
2
Sports
Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Martial arts classes make their presence felt on campus
Point guard Brian Goins was named AllConference and lead the Big 8 in scoring with 18.6 points per game. Goins is only the second player in DVC history to be named All-Conference for both his freshman and sophomore year.
GABRIEL AGURCIA Staff writer
Vikings’ season success despite early playoff exit MIKE ALFIERI/ The Inquirer
TOM RIZZA Sports Editor
It’s not hard to find out about the winning tradition of the men’s basketball program at DVC. All you need to do is take a step in the gymnasium and see the walls lined with championship and playoff banners. The 2011-12 season saw a continuation of that tradition, with the Vikings finishing in the Sweet 16 of the CCCAA Men’s Basketball State Championship. The Vikings ended the season with a stellar 24-6 overall record and 10-4 in conference, which is great considering the Big 8 was the most competitive conference in the state with five entrants into the state championship tournament this year. “We were disappointed in fallMIKE ALFIERI/ The Inquirer ing to Santa Rosa twice this season,” said head coach Steve Coccimiglio. “Those two close games One of many dunks by Forward Tyerelle Phillips. Phillips against Santa Rosa kind of told was the team’s third leading scorer, averaging 11.2 points the story for the Big 8 this year. per game and earning All-Conference honors. Other than that, we had some signature wins this year that we are juries happen to every team, but Carter is the only player having very proud of.” we just didn’t have the depth to committed to a school, and is preThose signature wins included compensate. A team has to have paring to join the Wolf Pack at handing the highly touted Citrus depth to go deep in the playoffs. University of Nevada, Reno. RonCollege their only loss of the sea- I’m happy with who has commit- nie Baker and Tyerelle Phillips are son. The Vikings also beat their ted to come back, but with only being highly recruited as well, but rival Fresno at their home gym three returning freshman, depth have yet to make a decision. and finished high in the Chevron is going to be the focus moving “We don’t have an All-Conand Thanksgiving preseason tour- forward.” ference player returning,” said naments. The close of the 2011-12 sea- Coccimiglio. “We’re going to be “We peaked with the win son will prove to be an end to an a young team and play time is against Citrus,” said Coccimiglio. era, with a group of All-Confer- going to be competitive. I think “Then in January we started to get ence sophomores moving on to we’ve definitely become a destihit by injuries here and there. In- greener pastures. Center Raphael nation for talent. Players come in
and see what kind of tradition we have here, and they would like to be a part of it. With new talent coming in, it should be exciting to watch.” Damon Jones, Devon Pouncey and Andrew Garner are the returning freshman. Pouncey was the recipient of the Most Improved Player award for this season. Coccimiglio says that nothing is going to be guaranteed, and is instead leaving positions up for the taking. If there is one player that DVC will truly miss, it’s Brian Goins. Goins led the conference in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game and making 52 threepoint shots. He is only the second Viking to ever be selected AllConference twice, the first being Mo Charlo in the early 2000s. Although the ballots have not been turned in, Coccimiglio believes a performance like that will earn Goins an All-State title. “Brian is the type of player you’re going to see once every 15 years,” said Coccimiglio with a reminiscent sigh. “It’s been a great experience coaching him and looking down the road, I can see great success for him in the future.” Overall, this season saw nothing new out of the Vikings, just the time-honored success our campus has become accustomed to. And Coccimiglio intends to keep it that way. “Our team bonded well and it was exciting to watch, for me and I think for the fans,” said Coccimiglio. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t get as deep into the tournament as we would have liked, but next year will be exciting in its own right.”
What’s well rounded, underappreciated, and is expanding quickly? If you guessed a balloon, try again. But if you happened to guess the DVC martial arts program, you would be correct. While not yet as popular as the American cornerstone sports of football, baseball and basketball, the DVC martial arts program is steadily growing. Most of the classes are at or near full capacity. The reasons for the influx of students vary from person to person, but two constants may be current students putting in a good word to their friends and peers, and the instructors. Tae kwon do instructor Arnoldo Bolanos and jujitsu instructor Carol Harris are both experienced and long tenured martial arts teachers. They bring enthusiasm to the table, as well as making sure that all students learn a lesson. Jessica Kao, president of the tae kwon do program, talked about how great a teacher and person Bolanos is. She said that he pushes students without going overboard. “He really cares for his students,” Kao said. Second year jujitsu student Araceli Montoya vouched for Harris, saying, “She has enthusiasm for what she does and what she teaches, and that’s hard to find in faculty these days. She’s fun, but she doesn’t deal with nonsense, and you actually learn.” Bolanos believes students join for several different reasons: to instill confidence, keep in good physical, mental, and spiritual shape, help to relax, and prepare for other daily tasks. Bolanos also says that martial arts “teaches respect and teamwork and that it compliments other athletics.” Bolanos also touted the skill level of the tae kwon do program, which placed first overall in last year’s National Collegiate Tae Kwon Do Tournament, outdoing programs from bigtime universities such as Stanford and Cal. The expansion and success of the martial arts program has its members enthused, but there is a consensus that more can be done. The main gripe is a lack of promotion and advertising from the administration. Bolanos sees a major imbalance in how the administration values athletics, with martial arts being designated to the “less important” delegation. Kao and Montoya relayed how they and their fellow students are frustrated by the administration’s major emphasis on football, baseball and basketball in contrast to its apparent indifference toward martial arts. Can martial arts ever gain the same level of popularity as America’s favorite sports? Probably not, for the simple fact that it’s not the money making machine that football, baseball and basketball are. However, that doesn’t mean it should be grossly overlooked. In a perfect world all programs would be respected equally. However, in this world full of biases, stereotypes, and preconceived notions, the least that can be done is to give every program a fair chance. Because you never know, a loose outfit and colored belt may be your calling, instead of shoulder pads and a helmet.
Contact TOM RIZZA at trizza@TheInquirerOnline.com
Contact GABRIEL AGURCIA at gagurcia@TheInquirerOnline.com
DVC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2012
McCabe
Goucher
Graham
Chaplin
Searls
Seven inductees remembered
Photos by ALEX BRENDEL/ The Inquirer
Former head football coach Ed Hall receives his plaque at the 2012 Hall of Fame dinner.
Since its inception in 2005, the DVC Hall of Fame has been honoring the notable athletes and faculty that have contributed to the tradition of DVC athletics dating back to when the school was established in 1949. This years inductees include Ed Hall, Kelly McCabe, Scott Goucher, Angela Graham, Len Chaplin, Kevin Searls, and Tom Greerty. Ed Hall served as the head football coach from 1983-94. Hall’s distinguished career includes a 79-39-2 overall record, two GGC titles and three bowl appearences. Len Chaplin served as head water polo coach from 1986-2005 and won 10
state swimming titles. Angela Graham was a softball pitcher from 1999-2000. As a sophomore in 2000, Graham led the Vikings to a BVC title and was named the MVP and All NorCal selection. Kevin Searls earned All Conference and All Nor-Cal selection in 1976 and 1977 for cross country and coached DVC cross country for 12 years. Scott Goucher was selected twice as BVC Conference Pitcher of the Year and is second all-time at DVC with 21 career wins. Tom Greerty was a defensive lineman for DVC from 1964-65 and earned First Team All GGC honors. Greerty was not available for the ceremony, and is not photographed.
March 8-21, 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Concord sushi Growing bar serves locally: savory Organic seafood CHRISTA BALINGIT Arts & Features Editor
Students looking for good sushi, decent prices and a lively atmosphere will find just that at Momoyama’s Sushi Japanese restaurant located in Concord. This restaurant is in a hidden area on Monument Blvd. It sits between a hair salon and a café. It takes a little bit of effort to find, but customers who like good sushi will find it well worth it. After entering the restaurant, I found myself wanting to stay. The place was full and the atmosphere was vibrant and lively. I was greeted almost immediately and didn’t have to wait long until I was seated. The lights were dimmed and the whole place had a Japanese ambiance to it. The staff was very efficient and friendly. My menu was given to me promptly and my order was taken almost the minute I set my menu down. I ended up ordering three rolls: the Hawaiian roll, the Sexy roll and the California roll. Even though all of the rolls were superior in taste, a personal favorite of mine was the Sexy roll. Other than the fun name, the roll itself was phenomenal. It has avocado, crab meat crunch topped with grilled eel. The roll was served warm without being too hot. The prices were moderate, the least expensive roll being $3.95 and the highest priced roll running at $10.95. While the prices seem high, they give you appetizers and a roll on the house as a thank you for choosing their restaurant. The appetizers include a bowl of green beans, a bowl of miso soup and a small salad. The calamari roll was the roll given to me on the house. All of the rolls were fresh, delicious, and a little bigger in quantity than other sushi restaurants I’ve visited. Not only were they larger in size, but they added a few more pieces to each roll, depending on what you ordered. Not only was the food flawless, but the service was impeccable. I received my order within five minutes. I’ve been to many sushi restaurants and I’ve never had it delivered to me so quickly. Before my sushi even arrived, though, I was given a bowl of miso soup, a bowl of sweet peas and a salad as an appetizer. What I really enjoyed, though, was that it all of these specific items were complimentary. I was also given a free roll, which was a calamari roll, as a thank you for coming in. This is apparently a courtesy they give to customers frequently, just to show the staff ’s appreciation to its customers. I was checked on repeatedly throughout the night and empty dishes were taken promptly after I cleared them. Overall, I found this restaurant to be extremely satisfying in every way. The service was great, the food was superb and the environment was extremely welcoming. Those looking for a wonderful sushi experience can find it at 1800 Monument Blvd #D in Concord. Reservations can be made by calling (925) 686-1888.
Contact CHRISTA BALINGIT at cbalingit@TheInquirerOnline. com
3
Arts & Features
options comes to DVC
Photos: Courtesy of SARAH BERKSON / Special to The Inquirer
Joan Symonds, left, tells student Amelia Ruiz-Tagle, right, where the strawberries will be.
Students and teachers combine their efforts to create an edible and meditative garden for all of campus to enjoy ASHLEY ROSE Staff writer
DVC’s Early Childhood Education, also known as ECE, community is working together to create an organic garden on campus. The garden is more than merely rows of evenly spaced vegetables. It’s a diverse permaculture program which allows students to practice theories learned in the classroom while exposing children to the marvels of nature and the origins of food. Keith Mikolvich, an English professor at DVC, has a one year old son in the preschool, The preschool also acts as a lab where the ECE class can practice what they learn. Mikolvich describes permaculture as a program dedicated to creating a permanent culture in agriculture. Soil cultivation, rock laying, weed picking, bed tending and general garden maintenance are done by parents, students, children, and ECE staff. “It’s a labor of love of parents and students and all of us,” said Joan Symonds, who is a professor at the college and the ECE director. Paula Valenzuela, who is currently a student, has a four year old in the ECE program currently. “For me, its comfortable to work here. It’s going to be beautiful when we’re finished here” said Valenzuela. Fruits and vegetables harvested in the garden are used in the classroom to teach cooking and nutrition to the preschool’s children. In a lesson designed by student teachers to teach children about plants’ roots while encouraging nutrition, carrots are juiced and used to make carrot juice. The pulp gathered from the juicing process is then collected to be made into carrot muffins later. Student teachers are responsible for creating lessons plans based on the children’s questions of how plants
grow and what plants need to grow. The program encourages everyone to be involved in the learning process though inquisition. “Its not just opening up their heads and pouring in knowledge,” said Symons The ECE center was a cement dominated landscape when Symons first became director in 1994. It was her concern that children are becoming more disconnected from nature that led her to begin an on going project to transform the playground. Enlisting the help of DVC’s Buildings and Grounds, Horticulture Department, and limitless volunteers, Symonds had the original playground demolished and transformed into an areas dominated by lawns of luscious green grass and fragrant rosemary bushes. “My goal is to become a model of how we can incorporate permaculture and nature in early childhood education programs,” said Symonds. Amidst the chaos of construction, Syoms finds solace in a place she refers to as the Meditation Garden. The area will be located between the two preschool buildings. The intention is that the garden becomes a place where students and teacher can go just to reflect and relax. She said it’s an area she hopes to transform into a peaceful and relaxing retreat for adults and children. Behind stone benches carved into the landscape, young espalier apple trees offering different apple varieties line the perimeter of the space. The stones are carefully placed by Mikolavich, who earned the name “rock whisperer” for his ability to find the perfect spot for different rocks. The rocks also indicate the place for spring plantings of strawberries and herbs. Samantha Fraguas, an ECE major and student teacher in the ECE program, helped start the program at the preschool that teaches children the growth stages of a bean. “I think it’s great because it teaches children to make to make the connection to where their food comes from,” Fraguas said. “It allows them a chance to see things they’ve
Christina Wong, a student in the pre school, takes her plant to water it.
never seen before.” While she’s not sure if the children will remember everything they’ve learned, she said that she’s “planting a seed” and hopefully at one point they will remember. The organic garden has become an inspiration and a goal that students, teachers, and children can work toward together. Contact ASHLEY ROSE at arose@ TheInquirerOnline.com
Former DVC employee’s book encourages Americans to become innovative leaders CHRISTA BALINGIT Arts & Features Editor
Cooke said. “We’ve developed economies that are carbon intensive. We need to find alternatives to this. Eventually we will run out of carbon based energy completely or After serving at Diablo Valley College self-pollute our world so no one can live for 26 years, a previous public relations in it.” director is now pleading with Americans The book said that in Europe and Asia, through his newest book to change their sustainable communities, smart green way of life for a betgrids and emergter future. ing environmentally Grant Cooke, who sound technologies served as director are becoming comfrom 1979-2005, remon. cently co-authored “America is lag“Global Energy ging behind,” Cooke Innovation: Why said. “Lately we have America Must Lead” been failing to come with Woodrow Clark up with innovative II. ideas. The second His book urges half of the 20th cenAmericans to trantury was ours. The ~Grant Cooke sition from being a 21st century is all Author of “Global Energy Innovation: carbon reliant econabout China. They Why America Must Lead” omy to a carbonless are now the innovate one. leaders.” “Since 9/11, Cooke said that America has been in other countries have acknowledges the a mild depressive state,” Cooke said. “We need for alternative resources, and urges have questioned our ability to lead the Americans to take action too. world. The book calls for Americans to “Europeans and Asians understand the start to renovate and shake themselves of problem,” Cooke said. “They are much the angst that has come over our nation.” more advanced. We lack a national will. We Cooke writes about how we’ve devel- are lagging behind. This book is really just oped an economy that is carbon intensive. a call for action.” “Americans use excessive amounts [of Politics is a topic Cooke was always incarbon] to enjoy a care-free lifestyle,” terested in.
“Eventually we will run out of carbon based energy completely or self-pollute our world so no one can live in it.”
He was trained in political science at UC Berkeley. Eventually, he found himself at DVC, where he would remain for more than 20 years. “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” Cooke said. “This happened to be a topic I have knowledge about. I had a long and satisfying career at DVC, but I was ready to do something different.” After leaving DVC, he decided to use his marketing and public relations skill to become successful in the energy efficiency industry. “I had a knack for designing programs and good communcation skills that made me successful,” Cooke said. He has written state wide programs for college energy efficiency in Southern California, luxury hotels, and for a preschool. “The one I wrote for the preschool was my favorite,” Cooke said. “That certain area tends to be ignored. It’s the program I’m most proud of.” After meeting Clark, the two began to write the book together. The two met while working on a project together for sustainable communities. Now that the two completed the first book, Clark said that there will definitely be a second. “The first book states the problem,” Clark said. “The second will be about giving more solutions to the problem. The problem is simply that the planet is too hot, has too many people and does not have enough resources. Things have to
Courtesy of GRANT COOKE
change. There just isn’t a leadership to do it.” Regardless of where one stands on the issue, readers will find themselves more knowledgeable about this specific topic. Cooke and Clarke both clearly state the problem and possible solutions to help prevent what they see as an unpleasant future. Contact CHRISTA BALINGIT at cbalingit@TheInquirerOnline. com
4
NEWS
CALENDAR
SERVICES From Page 1
Monday, Mar. 12 Introductions and Conclusions at SRC San Ramon Campus, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m. Architecture Lecture Series - Katherine Miller Engineering Technology Building, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar. 14 Resume Workshop Career, Employment, and Transfer Center, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, Mar. 16 Drama Event: “The Crucible”
Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
that those move forward, then the three positions would be eliminated at the end of June, 2012.” Oye said. The positions will continue to exist throughout the rest of the spring semester and the employees may seek retreat rights to continue their employment with the district in the future. “I do have a FSA in Psychology, and as my position is being eliminated,
“It’s depressing. I realize there is a crisis but there are better ways they could handle this.” ~Catherine Michelle Funes Guzman Chemistry engineering student
then following the procedure for the retreat process to faculty makes sense for me at this time.” Oye said. Armstrong also foresaw retreating into another position within the district. “I anticipate retreating as a…tenured counselor.” Armstrong said. “On the positive side, students will get another damned good counselor who cares deeply about their success!”
DANIELLE BARCENA / The Inquirer
Above, Terry Armstrong watches on his students during a DVC Lacrosse scrimmage early in the Fall 2011 semester. Armstrong’s position was one of the three dean eliminations that will not be renewed after the Spring 2012 semester. Left, Dean of student services Bill Oye, is involved with many student organizations on campus. Though he plans on retreating into another position within the district, Oye’s dean position is one of the many student services positions that were eliminated by the district.
Inquirer staff writer, Aidan Herrick, contributed to this article through the collection of student interviews.
Performing Arts Center, 8:00 p.m. Contact DANIELLE BARCENA at Dbarcena@TheInquirerOnline.com
Wednesday, Mar. 21
Student Union Conference Room, 2:30 -3:45 p.m.
POLICE BEAT 2/13/12 A DVC staff member reported that her office in the liberal arts building was broken into between Feb. 9 and Feb. 13. Items were taken from the scene. No witnesses or suspects were reported. A student reported to police services her stolen cell phone that she believes was taken from an unsecured locker in the women’s locker room. 2/15/11 Authorities arrested a student for using a disabled placard which belonged to someone else. The student was cited for misuse of a disabled placard and released at the scene. Authorities confiscated the placard. 2/21/12 A student was caught in the bookstore stealing two candy bars. The student was referred to the Dean of Students. 2/23/12 A bike was stolen from a bike rack in parking lot 8, near the bus stop. When a student was contacted for stealing food from the bookstore, paraphernalia, marijuana and a felony controlled substance were found in a search of the subject’s property.
Coakley Passes
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Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The
Buzz
Is protesting an effective process? Why or why not?
STACEY SANDRATO, 17 Business
“It works because people get to talk about the issue and do something.”
JASON KNOTT, 33 Horticulture
“Yes. It makes the world more aware of what we have to say. It is also unifying.”
BADER ALJISHI, 22 Computer Engineering
“I believe in the most appropriate form of protest depending on the situation at hand.”
On Tuesday, February 7, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Prop 8 as unconstitutional. In their majority decision, Judge Stephen Reinhardt wrote that Prop 8 “serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.” Individuals such as Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage disagreed with the ruling, writing for the National Review Online that the ruling was a “breathtaking exercise in ill-natured illogic.” This is of course ridiculous. The ruling was the right course of action and is logical from both an economic and social standpoint. In an economic environment where many things are be-
“I believe in protests because they give face to a cause.”
Interviewer: Hakeem Montes Photographer: Pablo Caballero
JACK DILLON / The Inquirer
would change is the health of LGBT couples. The aforementioned 2012 Williams Institute study also notes that allowing gay marriage brings about good tidings for health: “Same-sex couples gain social support from their families and a greater level
of commitment to each other when they can marry.” In addition, the same study notes that health benefits are even greater than being in a civil union: “Although lesser forms of legal recognition for one’s same-sex relationship had positive health effects for the gay men studied, being legally married boosted emotional health to a greater extent than being in a legally recognized domestic partnership or civil union.” The Prop 8 ruling should also serve as a warning to religious organizations which spend their funds on political causes. According to a 2009 article from the SF Gate, the Church of Latter-day Saints reported spending nearly $190,000 in assisting the campaign on Prop 8. While this is chump change compared to some of the donations of private individuals (the New York
Times reported in a November 2008 article that a grandson of one of the LDS church founders donated a million dollars to the campaign), this is contentious because the actual church itself took a political stance. By overturning the proposition, the money that went into campaigning for it ultimately undermined the goal, which is an amusing irony. Obviously, the recent court decision didn’t make gay marriage legal in California; presumably Prop 8’s backers will take this debate to the Supreme Court. It’s too early to say for certain what the final result will be, but if the judges consider the relatively minor social ramifications of gay marriage (mainly, gay people will get married to each other), they would make the right choice.
Letter: Textbook fees are too high For many full time college students, it may already be financially difficult to pay for 12 or more units of classes. This only leaves time to work a part time job that possibly pays for other expenses such as rent or the essential items like food. When all is said and done, we are then forced to fork up any extra monies to cover our course materials like textbooks. Most teachers require textbooks to be purchased for their
classes. There are only a few options students can use to obtain books: the internet, where you can buy and rent textbooks for 75% of the full price, or the school bookstore, where you are forced to pay full price for a brand new textbook that you will only need for one semester. The issue with this is that publishers are constantly creating new editions every few semesters making it impossible to re-use current textbooks.
“School and living fees are costly enough. If only there was a way to make the current textbooks last longer...”
School and living fees are costly enough. If only there was a way to make the current textbooks last longer so they can be re-used and sold for a much cheaper price. It would even be beneficial if the rental fees were cut down to only 25 percent of the purchase price instead of the 75 percent currently charged. President Obama recently gave a speech on January 27 to college students at the University of Michigan. During this speech
he said, “College is the single most important investment you can make in your future.” Why then is it so difficult to afford necessary materials? We as college students are already struggling with tuition fees. We need to change the amount we spend on textbooks in order to focus more on our education, not the “extras” that come with it. Sincerely, Terah Matts, student
Letter: Transfer troubles due to funding Feelings of stress, anxiety and anger kicked off another frustrating beginning of the semester at DVC. When attempting to register for classes last winter on my priority date, every class I needed to take was already full. Not even a spot on the waitlist was available. Being that it’s my last semester at DVC, all of the classes I needed were required
in order for me to transfer next fall to a university. Of the classes I needed to finish two of them had only one section available. Being highly motivated to transfer, I decided to be resourceful and look elsewhere. I was sadly disappointed when there were no comparable classes available at the four local community colleges. With nothing
available at other colleges I was left with no other option but to suck up my pride and to beg and plead with professors to let me into their classes. I was successful in adding some classes due to my determination and in some cases luck in winning a lottery. However, life isn’t always perfect as I was unable to get the classes that I
needed for UCLA’s Communication major (which is hard enough to get into with a 10.73 percent admission rate for transfer students). I began to think, “What can we as students do about our school’s lack of funding so that we can get the classes we need and transfer from DVC in two years? Should we host fundrais-
ers? Allow more companies to sell and promote their products on campus?” I don’t know what the solution is, but I strongly feel that we as students can do something to help improve the situation by taking action. Best regards, Rebecca Rainford, student
Opinions
Society should stop its slut-shaming style
On February 23, a Georgetown University law student named Sandra Fluke advocated in Congress for insurance companies to make contraceptives for women more affordable. Cool, right? Talk show host Rush Limbaugh reacted to this in an mature, respectable manner. Just kidding, from February 29 to March 2, Limbaugh called Fluke a slut and made several jokes
about her perceived promiscuity. One such statement came on February 29, when Limbaugh said, “What does [Fluke’s testimony] make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She’s having so much sex she can’t afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex.” As if this weren’t childish enough, Bill Colley, a conservative talk show host from Delaware’s WGMD radio station, made several totally sensible tweets and blog postings, such as “I’m told President Obama had no trouble tracking down her telephone number. It’s on every men’s room wall in Wash-
ington.” Really? It’s 2012 and a woman can’t talk about sex without a grown man calling her a whore? Can women not express their sexuality in a mature manner? What century is this? Why is this such a huge problem? In addition, judging from the music reviews I’ve written before, I’m also a part of the problem. I criticized Lana Del Rey for being sexually charged while merely noting that J. Cole was “boasting too much” when he described
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ing cut, legalizing gay marriage would create a decent cashflow. In 2008, a study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law predicted that having gay marriages in California would put $64 million into the state budget and would also bring $684 million to the state’s wedding industry. It should be noted that this study was conducted when Massachusetts was the only other state that allowed same-sex couples to marry. A later study in 2012 from the Williams Institute noted that 24,000 same-sex couples living in California would likely marry if permitted to do so, which would give a boost of $290 million and create 2,600 jobs. Of course this is a drop in the bucket compared to the many economic woes that California faces, but any little bit helps, right? However, one thing that
Letters to the editor
JOHN KESLER Opinions Editor
LIMES PRECLARO, 18 Music
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Editorial It’s time for gay marriage
LISA COLINDRES, 26 Business
“Yes, because they have been proven to work throughout history.”
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Opinions
Brian Donovan Hakeem Montes Andrew O’Connor-Watts Danielle Barcena John Kesler Tom Rizza Christa Balingit Mike Alfieri Dalila Abdelhadi Tim Khousnoutdinov, Raneem Taleb-Agha Alex Brendel Colleen Wallace Pablo Cabellero
STAFF WRITERS Gabriel Agurcia, Ruslan Gurvits, Aidan Herrick, Karin Jensen, Brandon Kersis, Ian McShea, Melissa Natividad, Chloe Quinones-Crosby, Yunhee Roh, Lorena Rojas, Ashley Rose, Sean Wilkey PHOTOGRAPHERS Mike Alfieri, Alex Brendel ART AND DESIGN Kellyn Borst, Jack Dillon INSTRUCTIONAL LAB COORDINATOR Ann Stenmark ADVISER Mary Mazzocco
his sexual encounters or prowess. Despite Cole’s many uses of pejorative terms for women (which adds to the issue too), I unconsciously found his display of sexuality to be easier to take than Del Rey’s. Why is it? This problem is known as slutshaming, which the Choices Campus blog (run by the Feminist Majority Foundation) defines as “publicly or privately insulting a woman because she expressed her sexuality in a way that does not conform with patriarchal expecta-
“It’s 2012 and a woman can’t talk about sex without a grown man calling her a whore? What century is this?”
tions for women.” Note how “patriarchy” is included in the definition. Think about all the various derogatory words for women (such as the four I’ve mentioned already) as opposed to the derogatory terms for men. I can only think of “dick” as an insult that applies exclusively to men, and it is not sexual in nature. The best solution I can think of is for people to try to stop using those words, since they enable a patriarchal, slut-shaming thought process. This childishness really has no business in any sort of discussion, political or personal. Contact JOHN KESLER at jkesler@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 relfect 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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6Protesting: Valid or Ineffective? Opinions
Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Say you are a concerned citizen, not specifically partisan, but one who may stand behind these often empowering and moving messages: People need to stand up for what they believe in and exercise their rights. We need to protest the injustices dictated by government and private interests. We need to fight for issues like adequate funding for social programs and public education. Mobilization of the masses is what can save society from the few who refuse to play nice. You may feel that these sorts of calls to action seem to resonate well during these trying, times. And rightfully so, you say. However, despite having such positive aims and wielding such rhetoric, the truth is that there is a painful reality that lies beneath the surface of contemporary democratic life in the United States. This truth goes beyond progress and hope, and hits deep within America’s identity, and you should, as the concerned citizen, should care. As political analyst Matt Taibbi comments: “There was a time when mass protests were enough to cause Johnson to give up the Oval Office and cause Richard Nixon to spend his nights staring out his window in panic. No more. We have a different media now, different and more sophisticated law enforcement techniques and, most importantly, a different brand of protester.� What he is
Valid: It can bring about change that aids society
MIKE ALFIERI / The Inquirer
Protesters at the Fund Our Education March in Sacramento on March 5, 2011. the professional and intellectual camp, however, then I would advise first gaining access to positions of power within the political system and then gradually helping to enact internal and outward systems change. Do not trust the establishment, because they have taken your rights as citizens to direct the societal debate. To make a difference, you have to be a threat. So read more, study more, and understand that the “party� has been over for a long time; then act. Contact TIM KHOUSNOUTDINOV at tkhous@TheInquirerOnline.com
Some clarification on communism AIDAN HERRICK Staff writer
Communism. That dark and dreaded word has struck many Americans with fear and disgust. With a few exceptions, most students I asked about communism either wrote it off as a delusional philosophy or simply refused to comment. And really, why shouldn’t they? The communists we learn about in school (such as Joseph Stalin, Chairman Mao and Pol Pot) were responsible for the deaths of millions. From the early 1900s until the late 1950s, America was going through what was called The Red Scare, wherepeople lived in fear of communists attempting to overthrow their democracy. This all culminated in the Cold War and the arms race, which cost billions of dollars and continued until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989. What could possibly be good about communism? Well, let’s start small. When was the last time you went to a potluck? The communal sharing of food is a communist practice, spanning back to before it had a name. Diablo Valley College, like all California community colleges, was initially set up as a free institution until education budgets were slashed and administrators felt they needed a salary larger than $100,000. This is an issue that pure communism avoids by having no leaders. The weekend and overtime are also things obtained from communism, won by the com-
munists, socialists, and anarchists of an often overlooked chapter of the labor movement of the early 1900s. Even the very ideas of American democracy and unity were heavily influenced, if not directly borrowed, from the Iroquois Nation. According to Native American historian Bruce Elliott Johansen, the Iroquois implemented many communal practices, such as distribution of land and food. American Revolution heavyweights such as Benjamin Franklin and Tom Paine both respected the Iroquois and acknowledged that they borrowed from their ways. So how have the influences such ideas gone largely unnoticed? In almost every class I’ve taken concerning history, the idea presented tells that Americas story is one of constant progress, challenged only by “un-American ideas.� After World War II, with Europe and Japan shattered by war, Russia was the only power left that could challenge America on the world’s stage; hence, the things that made us different were exaggerated and distorted on both sides. While our parents were told Khrushchev wanted to blow up the world, Russian children were told that a Russian invented the light bulb. This bias exists today. When I play Modern Warfare or Battlefield, guess who I’m supposed to be shooting at? You guessed it, Russians. Anything that could aim a critical eye at our capitalism, our bipartisan democracy, our materialism, is an “un-American� gauntlet thrown against the idea of America’s perfection and, as far as the education system is concerned, an issue not worth discussion. Well I think it is. I think the
idea of reappropriating funds from war to education, healthcare, and welfare is worth discussing. I think being able to vote for a third party candidate would be worth discussing. I think a world with no leaders is worth discussing. I’m not afraid to honestly consider radical concepts. Are you? Contact AIDAN HERRICK at aherrick@TheInquirerOnline.com
“had a dream.� About how our slave owning, manifest destined “founding fathers� rose against tyranny to liberate the property owning, 21-year-old white males from the British Crown. Our society in general celebrates the brave actions of those who stood in defiance against the status quo of the past (especially when these narratives are convenient to maintain the current status quo) and shun those who question the status quo today. Human rights activist and slave abolitionist Frederick Douglas once said, “Without struggle there is no justice.� He also added, “power concedes nothing without a demand.� Would women continue to have an increasingly equal role in our society if the feminist movement and the sexual revolution of the 1960’s and 1970’s didn’t push the boundaries of social norms during the time but instead waited for legislation to come? Nearly all the rights and privileges we have came from class struggle, not from campaign slogans of “change we can believe in.� The 8-hour work day, paid overtime, collective bargaining, workers compensation; none of these would exist if workers did nothing but complained about their working conditions. For every insecure power tripping cop who is going to get an adrenaline rush from swinging clubs while getting overtime pay
and guaranteed retirement benefits, please take note of this reality. However, I should note that protesting only works if there is force behind it. Whether that force is economic or cultural, it needs to persist over weeks and months to be effective. The Arab Spring and the Occupy movement are perfect examples of persistence while the March-in-March is a good example of “venting some steam� for one day. According to Dictionary.com, to protest is to express or declare objection, disapproval or dissent, often in opposition to something a person is powerless to prevent or avoid. This definition is flawed as throughout history, the entire purpose of protesting has been for the people to enact change, not wait for someone else to do the change for them. Politicians of the status quo in this country have historically conceded after an appeal to their self-interest. Whether that selfinterest is financial or purely for political survival, they will bend if the conditions exist and the right amount of pressure is applied. Don’t just demand change. Instead, become that change and seize the power from the establishment. Protesting works, apathy doesn’t. Contact BRIAN DONOVAN at bdonovan@TheInquirerOnline.com
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Ineffective: It fails to persuade a stratified society
defiance with. On top of that, the organizational qualities were topnotch to effectively and consistently get the message across. Unfortunately, those valuable components no longer apply in the same way. You can see this through how today’s active BRIAN DONOVAN Editor in chief and energetic youth seem to be increasingly angered and disillusioned with the lack of meaningful societal response. Without adapting, they continue employing much of the same strategy to address a 21st century issue within the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. My recommendation, if I were of the activist mindset, would be to channel that largely constructive energy into better organization with the goal of targeting We all heard in elementary the flow of the economic system school and throughout our lives itself. If I were recommending about the civil rights movement a course of action for those of and how Martin Luther King Jr.
LEARN
TIM KHOUSNOUTDINOV Copy editor
referring to is the reality that simply grouping together in often haphazard ways won’t cause the same societal tension for change that it once did. America has “matured,� especially in regards to the marriage of politics and economics―now largely dominating the direction of our society. So has consumerism, having taken hold of most people as intellectualism and passion for real system-wide improvements were replaced by pleasure, individualistic conformity, and complacency. To continue this tragic diagnosis, I’d like to point out how individualism has become the new conformity, how the media has learned to control the flow of information and dismiss most protesters, and how massive deficit spending has created a monster out of America’s military-industrial complex, warping the economy to focus more on ever-increasing profits for a tiny group of capitalist elites. If you don’t believe me, then look at popular culture and clothing, watch the news (if you can even call it that anymore), and the wars our country wages all across the world, most recently and publicly, the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then do something somewhat un-American. Ask a politically aware foreigner of what they know of the US and how our behavior has impacted their country or region. For the most part―if you have been in the dark about these matters― you will be shocked. I would like to return to the issue of the unfortunate ineffectiveness of domestic public movements. If one asks a fellow student or passer-by on or near the DVC campus what they envision protests to be, you’ll most likely get the mental image of a scene from a 60’s era news-reel covering the now legendary antiwar and human rights protests. Those memories were of a time when large public demonstrations could shake the foundations of society. Aside from questioning the established way of things with radically different appearances, our political system’s strength was weak enough to be in open
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Arts & Features
March 8-21, 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Wellness center satisfies health plan for all SEAN WILKEY Staff writer
Fitness has become a most strenuous daily routine; organizing our own exercise schedules, planning proper diets, in addition to other activities leave us exhausted. With such dire physical needs, how can we properly organize an exercise plan that works for us? The Pleasant Hill Wellness Center offers a plan that promises results in just a few weeks, including improved health and diet. Though I lacked the diet and exercise plans of an athlete, Tricia Robinow, my wellness advisor, confided that the center’s health plans accommodated all cases. All customers are given drinkable aloe and immediately assigned a wellness coach, who then ascertains their metabolic health. Tests discover how well each person take care of their physique and the resulting calculations serve as an indicator as to how well a patron “ages.” After filing out report cards, customers are then given a unique blend of smoothies, based off of popular desserts. A smoothie, a shot of aloe and tea all cost $5. If the patron chooses to pre-pay a $50 package, they will get two free smoothies. This juicey theory worked for me. I have been feeling energized every day, even after workouts. From someone who has experienced the satisfying results of better health, discover the benefits the Pleasant Hill Wellness Center can offer. Pleasant Hill Wellness Center is located off campus, near the Used Bookstore and Flora’s Gyros. For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can contact them at (925) 288-0828. Appointments can also be walk in. Contact SEAN WILKEY at swilkey@TheInquirerOnline.com
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NEWS
Thursday, March 8 - Wednesday, March 21 2012
The Inquirer - Diablo Valley College
Students from colleges accross california showed up in thousands on the doorstep of the State Capital, to protest high tuition and cuts in education in Sacramento on Monday, March 5.
Rising tuition, rising Anger
Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov., speaks to students and vows to stand by and support them in their quest for affordable education.
Monday’s March to California’s State Capitol roused spirits in students who hope for a stop to fee increases and reduced access to higher education. From accross the state thousands showed up to voice their frustration and hoped to change the course of college education. The scene of the protest as it played out is chronicled in these photos. (Photos by Mike Alfieri/ The Inquirer)
A CHP Officer stands by and watches protesters at the rotunda inside the Capital. A deflated banana slug, brought by UC Santa Cruz students lays on the lawn during Monday’s protest.
Two large pencils frame the state Capitol in the background. Geoffrey Wildanger, UC Davis graduate student, places flyers on a statue inside of the state Capital
CAPITOL From Page 1
people…that…starts with higher education,” Newsom said. Once the speakers were through, the crowd dispersed, ending the “Fund our future” events. Around 12 p.m. students started back to their buses to be chartered off. A couple hundred protesters stayed behind for the “Occupy the Capitol” event. Protesters allowed entrance into the Capitol after going through security. California Highway Patrol was posted throughout the building and around the Rotunda, where about one hundred protesters occupied. The protesters held a general assembly that went on for about four hours until the public hours for the Capitol ended. Protesters started on creating a list of demands to vote upon introducing to legislators, such as opposing the student success act, dropping all charges on Occupy protesters and banishing nuclear research. California Highway Patrol officer Sean Kennedy reported that of the 72 people who were arrested, 66 of them were cited for violating penal code 602 for trespassing and released shortly afterward. Six people were booked in Sacramento County Jail; three resisted arrest, two violated govern-
ment code 14685 for hanging a banner from the second story of the Rotunda and one individual was caught with a switchblade outside of the Capitol. The March in March is a student organized and executed protest where California students voice their concerns regarding their desire to keep all education available to those who want it. Students have kept up this March since 2009 , where they originally protested in support of solely community colleges. “We built this envy of higher education for the world fifteen plus years ago, that master plan…and its time to read our own history.” Newsom said Monday. “Its time to recommit ourselves to that foundation and formula for success that’s the conveyer belt for talent – higher education.” Contact DANIELLE BARCENA at Dbarcena@TheInquirerOnline.com Contact MIKE ALFIERI at Malfieri@TheInquirerOnline.com