Experience 10-14-11

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Course repeats reduced 3 chances to pass begins this summer

By SAMUEL A. GONZALEZ Staff Writer

Club Day in the outdoor quad LMC’s student clubs will get together for Club Day on Tuesday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come to the outdoor quad and check out LMC’s diverse student clubs to find one that’s right for you. Music, food and fun will be provided.

Beginning next summer, students at all California community colleges will have only three chances to pass non-repeatable credit courses.

Students will be blocked from registering for a course that has been repeated three times, and they will have to file a petition if they want to take the course again.

Currently, the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, governing community colleges, allows

students to repeat courses up to three times with a W and up to four times to fix a substandard grade.

Because of reduced funding from the state, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors proposed reducing the number of times students can repeat courses so the state does not spend so much money on students repeating the same class.

The Office of Administrative Law has approved the governing board’s proposed changes and LMC

is now getting ready to implement those changes for next summer.

According to the new regulations, students with three W’s or three failing grades in a non-repeatable credit course will be blocked from registering in the same course for a fourth time. Courses dropped early without a W appearing on a transcript will not count against repeatability.

Non-repeatable courses are generally courses that lead up to, or

“It will affect students next semester because we’re advising them of this in spring.”

—Robin K. Armour

See PASS, page 6

Talk to a transfer representative Representatives from fouryear colleges and universities visit the LMC Transfer Center often throughout the semester. To make appointments, call 439-2181 ext. 3124.

CSU East Bay n Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. by appointment and 12-1 p.m. drop in.

San Francisco State n Oct. 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment.

Sacramento State n Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. by appointment.

UC Davis n Oct. 25, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment.

UC Berkeley n Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. by appointment.

Academy of Art University n Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Info table near cafeteria.

St. Mary’s College n Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Vote for your student leaders Student government elections open Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. and close on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. Students can vote online at www.losmedanos. edu/lmcas. Student Life will have a computer set up for voting in the Student Life office. Students can also vote at the Student Life table on Club Day.

Choose your major yet?

Are you undecided on your major or career path? Want to know what you can do with your major, how much money you can make, or if you will even find a job after you graduate? The Career Center’s Choosinga-Major Workshop will help answer these questions and more. This workshop takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1-3 p.m. in the main campus library, second level, Room L-214.

Space is limited so reserve your spot today.

Financial aid workshop Reserve your spot for a financial aid workshop at the Pittsburg campus library, 2nd level, Room L-213 on Thursday, Oct. 19. This workshop highlights all financial aid options available to students.

Assistance will also be available for completing the FAFSA on the web. Be sure to bring your social security number, most recent Federal 1040 tax form and student PIN number. If you are not a U.S. Citizen, bring your alien registration number. For more information call Financial Aid at 439-2181, ext. 3139.

Photo by Lisa Cassidy

A small group of protesters solicit support in the form of car horns in front of the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco on Tuesday.

Occupy Wall Street Protest spreads to San Francisco

By MARK FRANCIS Staff Writer

The “Occupy Wall Street” movement, which began on Wall Street in New York City, has a smaller offshoot protest in San Francisco, with protesters, and homeless people, camping out in front of the Federal Reserve building.

Occupy Wall Street is generally a protest of the current economic and political issues which are plaguing the country. Sup-

port for the protest has grown to include diverse groups of people from different backgrounds.

On the night of Oct. 6, it was a quiet setting, with many protestors beginning to set up a campsite after a long day of protesting their issues.

The night was very different from the daytime vibe one can get; it was subtler and welcoming for would-be occupiers.

Photo by Mark Martinez

See SF, page 6 The one percent activists chat with a curious pedestrian Tuesday.

AA transfer degree approved

By BRANDON RIBERGAARD Staff Writer

A new Communications Studies AA transfer degree was approved by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office last month. This transfer Photo by Brandon Ribergaard degree is effective immediately.

Los Medanos College has recently A new speech communications degree will help received approval by the state for three out students like debate team members Adriana new degrees in psychology, sociology Daigle, Ryan Blumenthol and Ashley Curry. and communications.

The psychology and sociology transfer degrees studies at any California State University.

The idea behind designing and passing these were approved earlier this year.

“Because the Associate Degree for Transfer degrees is to help students make their education is a new state-wide program, we are currently more efficient and to graduate and transfer in a waiting for more information on how these new shorter amount of time.

“The Senate Bill 1440 passed by Senator Alex programs will impact students,” said Estelle Davi, Padilla is designed to help streamline the transfer behavorial science instructor.

This is the first degree for speech or com- process. Teachers feel like not enough students are transferring,” said Gil Rodriguez, Dean of munications studies here at LMC. “This is a particularly big achievement for the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The requirements for the new communicaspeech department because we did not have anything before. We are improving the college tions transfer degree are more specific than the in a very important way,” said Communications requirements for a standard AA degree, where students have to take classes that do not relate Instructor Kasey Gardner.

Completing any one of these disciplines guar- to their major. antees students a transfer spot in communication See AA, page 6

College district revises free expression code

By CALLIB CARVER Staff Writer

Earlier this semester, the Contra Costa Community College District revised the Student Services Procedure 3025, which is titled Freedom of Expression.

SSP 3025 states what is allowed and not allowed in the way of freedom of expression, speech, and so on.

“SSP 3025 was created in 2004 and needed an update,” said district public information officer Timothy Leong. “The revision was not made just by the district officials, it went through a normal revision process, which includes many channels. Having to be approved by students and staff, the district board, and so on.”

After reviewing SSP 3025, the majority of the changes were changes in the wording and language of the free speech policy. For example, the free speech policy used to read ‘free speech areas,’ but now has been changed to ‘limited free speech areas.’

Leong described this change as a way to protect the district’s buildings and grounds from disturbances, while leaving certain areas open for the exercise of free speech.

The district does not want demonstrators to bring out bullhorns or scream across the college campuses and offices, thus disturbing the work and learning environment.

Essentially, that is what the Freedom of Expression SSP 3025 states in a more clear and precise manner.

It also states what people can and cannot do, as well as how to obtain permission.

“We want to make sure students can express themselves, but [we] must protect the operations of the district, and the education environment,” said Leong.

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Madeline Henderson

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Mad Maxx

Disgruntled rants

College from an older perspective

HDTVs killed the movie theater star

Life on campus is not as bad as I thought it would be for older students trying to accomplishing something later in their lives.

I attended Laney College in the late ’70s.

I was majoring in journalism and working on the school newspaper. I also was taking a broadcast journalism class and I really enjoyed working with cameras.

I attended college for four years and then I had to return to being a mom and a working lady. In 2010, I decided to return to school and accomplish the goal that I aimed for 35 years ago — to receive my associate’s degree in journalism.

My family thought it was a good idea, but wondered whether I could handle it. They were concerned about the spinal injury in my back and whether I would be able to do the school work after such a long time away from academics. I told them I didn’t know but I was willing to give it a try.

My first semester was terrible because I had forgotten how to register and I didn’t know what classes to take, so I enrolled by mistake in the Honors Mass Communication class. It was a nightmare because I didn’t understand what was going on. My instructor asked me if I wanted to drop the class since it wasn’t working out for me. But I am such a determined person and I like challenges — and the class was definitely a challenge. I told her I would stick it out until midterm to see if things turned around for me.

By the time midterm testing came around my instructor asked me again if I wanted to continue on with the class. I really thank her for being honest but said I wasn’t going let this situation turn me around from wanting to come back to school.

I thought about when I was going to school in the ’70s, and I don’t remember an Honor Roll, but if there was one it surely must have passed me by.

Well, anyway, I ended up with a big fat F in the class. But I really thank my teacher for being honest and patient with me.

My next semester was not so bad because I knew what I was doing when it came to registering for classes, and I definitely stay away from anything honors. Second semester was a lot easier because I chose classes that would not stress me. My grades were passing and I was starting to fit into campus life.

God is good because of how he has placed people into my life that I enjoy being around.

There is a Christian group that meets on Wednesdays and those who attend have a chance to meet other students.

Sometimes I get discouraged but I have an “angel,” a young student who just happens to pop up when I need her and offers words of encouragement. It brightens my day and gives me the strength to continue to do what I came to LMC to do.

Most of my classmates are young and full of life. In the newspaper office they keep me laughing, but I have to be careful of jokes because I have never been the type who likes to joke because sometimes it can get out of hand. I like being around the young students because they keep me young.

I have met a lot of nice students and teachers who have been a help to me due to my physical ailment. I was really surprised to see how the young students at LMC are so helpful in opening the doors or letting the disabled students go to the front of the lines, and even stopping to ask if you need help. It shows they are being raised at home to respect people, especially the older students.

As I walk around the campus to my classes or to go interview someone for the newspaper, I feel so blessed to be able to have this opportunity once again in my life. I know I still have a way to go before I will walk across the stage and receive my A.A. As long as I can keep the faith and a good attitude about school, I will be able to say that day “Hallelujah, I did it!”

Going to the movies is a great pastime for students during the weekend. What was once an affordable activity has since become a costly venture akin to visiting a renowned restaurant chain.

A dinner and movie for two can cost over $50. Students are already having a hard time dealing with the costs of school, many of which have to work jobs to pay rent, maintain their cars and afford those fancy smart phones.

As the costs of HDTVs decrease, more and more households are able to keep up with technology, making dinner and a movie at home a more cost efficient date for couples or friends.

In this crappy economy with jobs decreasing and unemployment rising at crazy rates, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that movie theaters are gradually increasing prices for tickets. I don’t get how they think people can afford to pay more for movie tickets when it’s already a struggle for many of us.

I used to pay $5 for a matinee in high school and I went to the movies frequently. Now that movies are $10 at night and $8 for matinee, I hardly go anymore. I have a feeling many people share that same sentiment.

HDTV prices are going down in cost fairly quickly. Even Blu-ray discs are a lot cheaper now, costing no more than DVDs. The home theater experience isn’t unaffordable like it was 10 years ago.

People don’t really need to go out to the movie theaters unless they’re looking for a social experience on a screen that is too big to fit inside a house. You pretty much have to sneak your snacks in to the theater to avoid the expensive prices for popcorn and a drink, which is actually where theaters make most of their profit.

Many movie theaters around this area aren’t even up to date in technology. It’s sad when you’re getting a better high-def experience at home than you are at an old theater that’s still running on an analog projector, with little blips popping up all over the screen and the screen itself has a huge tear that you can’t help but stare at.

I have an even harder time paying $15 perticket to see a movie in 3D. Most 3D movies aren’t even filmed with 3D cameras; instead they are placed through a conversion process with unimpressive results. I always research a film to see if it’s even worth the extra cost of 3D. Theaters are using 3D to pull people out of their homes because they know damn well that HDTVs are bad for business. Except now 3DTVs are getting cheaper and are selling surprisingly well.

I don’t know how movie theaters will survive in the years to come, but if they keep increasing prices, then I fear for them. I don’t want to see theaters fail, I’m just angry that they’re trying to empty my pockets. Going out to the movies is a fun experience and seeing movies on a huge screen is something that can never be replaced at home unless you are, of course, rich.

Even more exciting to me is the drive-in theater. There’s still a few operating in California, such as the West Wind Solano drive-in in Concord. The only downside is that you can only go late at night when it’s dark out. I just love being able to sit in the comfort of my car and bring my own food and drinks to enjoy.

Plus you get to see two movies for like $6.

You don’t have to worry about idiots talking too loudly or playing with their cell phone around you, though there is the occasional moron that won’t turn his headlights off and let’s not forget the screwball with the laser pointer. Drive-ins are a dying medium for watching movies that will hopefully be revitalized so long as we continue to support them. Give your wallet a break and spend a nice evening at a drive-in theater or stay inside and watch a rented film.

Hopefully theaters will see a decline in ticket sales and they’ll adjust prices that actually make sense for the condition of our economy.

Cartoon by Jesus Chico

Editorial

Get academic act together

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or many college students one thing that all students have is life getting in the way. Some students are able to deal with it and others fold under pressure. Repeating, failing or dropping the same class more than three times has consequences. Not only does it look bad on your college transcript but more importantly if you want to take that certain class again you have to file a petition. If you don’t have a good enough excuse, then you won’t be able to repeat the class.

This wasn’t the case before, but now due to budget cuts this will take effect Summer 2012. It’s important to do the best you can with all your classes, pay attention and attend every class. Also, pay attention to the drop dates and know your limits when considering how many classes to take. The decisions you make now will affect you later on so make sure you make the best choices for you, otherwise you might regret it.

Letter to the Editor

Police services here to help you out Dear Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and inform everyone of what is happening with Police Services these days. My name is Ryan Huddleston and I am the new Police Lieutenant here at LMC. I am very excited for the opportunity to work with all the great students, faculty and staff here on campus.

I grew up in Pittsburg and started my law enforcement career right here at LMC as a student Police Aide. Since then I have served as a Patrol officer, Detective, Sergeant and now Lieutenant.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Wilma Sanchez for writing her letter to the Editor at the LMC Experience newspaper (9/16).

One of the questions Ms. Sanchez raised was that of our Police Aides “hanging out” together during their shifts. Does this happen from time to time? Yes, sometimes our aides are assigned to jobs that require more than one of them to work together at the same time. While this may appear as if they are not “doing their jobs,” it is often safer to have our staff working with a partner.

Another point Ms. Sanchez mentioned is the current locations of the police office located at the main entrance of the college. This particular space provides our officers to remain visible and accessible to the public while they complete their paperwork. In addiction, we routinely staff this office in the beginning of the semester to assist new students with directions and information.

Unfortunately, we do not have the budget or personnel to staff this office all hours of the day.

Life so many other departments throughout the College District, the current budget crisis has affected some levels of our service. This happens to be one of those areas that were affected.

Voices

We at Police Services understand that our office is hard to find at times. Being on the basement level of the main college complex is not ideal. We have had discussions with the college administration to move us to a location that is easier for our community to find and access.

The District and college believe that having the ability to find us whenever you need is very important.

We will continue to work with the college to find Police Services a permanent home so that we can continue to provide the best service possible.

In recent months Police Services have made significant strides in getting our staff involved and working directly with the community.

We now have a police officer assigned as a liaison to the Student Life office, so we can hear and properly respond to the concerns of our students.

In addition, we have made great strides to improve what was once a non-existent police bike program. In the past two years we have seen our bike program grow from zero to six bike officers. These officers were once in patrol cars. By getting our officers on bicycles, it allows them to be more visible and accessible to our community. Our bike program is still growing and we hope to equip more of our staff in the near future.

If at any point you would like to discuss your concerns, please come see me. Or you can reach me at my extension 3122.

The first few months here on campus have been great. I want to thank the faculty, staff and students for welcoming me back home to LMC. I look forward to serving you for years to come.

— Lt.Ryan Huddleston

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Member California Newspaper Publishers Association

“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Editor in Chief ........... SAMUEL A. GONZALEZ Perspectives Editor ........... MARK MARTINEZ . and SHARRON QUEBEC SCOTT Campus Editor ..................... NICK CAMPBELL

and MARK FRANCIS

“Yes. I just wasn’t motivated in school. I also have a lot going on in my life.”

— Michelle Margolis

“No, I almost passed with almost flying colors.”

— Andrew Stallard

Features Editor .......... ANGELICA GONZALEZ.

and SKYE SALA

“I had to retake a lot of courses.

Sometimes, I withdrawed and another I failed.”

— Kamila Little

“Yes, I took math and the teaching standards weren’t my thing.”

— Tyrone Hall

“Yes. It was too much and life got in the way.”

— Taniyah Scoitt

“Yes, I’ve had too many work and girl distractions.”

— Angelo Torres

Sports Editor .................... LAURA CRABTREE Photo Editor .............................. LISA CASSIDY Assistant Photo Editor.............. JESUS CHICO The LMC Experience is published Fridays by the journalism program. The newspaper serves as a laboratory for journalism classes and as a First Amendment forum for campus communication. Opinions expressed in the Experience are solely those of the students and do not represent the views of the college.

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Campus Newswatch Attend special UC preview days UC Santa Cruz Preview Day This Saturday’s campus tour opportunity is a great way to learn more about UC Santa Cruz’s world renowned academics, campus and student life, the UC admissions and selection process for Fall 2012, and the distinctive living and learning communities. There will be three tour opportunities at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. To make reservations, go to http://admissions.ucsc.edu/visit/preview-day/index.html

UC Davis Preview Day Preview Day, a free informational program for prospective students, their parents and school counselors, will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Participants will have the opportunity to: n Speak with advisers from academic departments at the Majors & Activities Fair. n Talk with current students about life at UC Davis. n Learn about academic opportunities offered by each of our four colleges. n Enjoy lunch in one of their residence hall dining commons, or at popular student gathering spots on and around campus.

You’ll also have the chance to learn about admissions, financial aid and advising resources at information sessions throughout the day. Make reservations at: http://admissions. ucdavis.edu/previewday/

UC Merced Preview Day Preview day allows students to connect with UC Merced students, faculty and staff. Learn about majors and departments, financial aid, housing and more. Reservations are required, to make one please visit: http://admissions. ucmerced.edu/preview-day.

Visit Cuba for New Year’s Eve

Celebrate a joyous New Year’s Eve in Cuba with the sizzling rhythms and passion of music and dance – the soul of the Cuban people.

The trip will be led by Professor of Anthropology Lenore Gallin, who has directed five previous trips to Cuba. The trip will last from Dec. 27 to Jan. 11.

For further information, contact Professor Gallin at 925685-1230 ext. 2772.

Check out the ELP scholarship

Interested in transferring to a four-year university in a science major? Want a $7,400 scholarship to prepare at UC Berkeley? An informational session will be held October 17 at 3 p.m. in Science Bldg., Room 225 for the Environmental Leadership Pathway program.

ELP is a one-year program sponsored by UC Berkeley and the National Science Foundation to prepare 25 Bay Area community college students to transfer and thrive at competitive universities in science majors. Classes, training and research are conducted at the UC Berkeley campus.

The program includes: n Environmental Science Class Studies (3 units) - spring n 8-week paid summer internship in a UC Berkeley lab – summer n Teaching Environmental Science (4 units) - fall This program seeks students with excellent GPAs and financial need that are interested in science majors.

MSA’s Halloween Hookah Night

Los Medanos College’s Muslim Student Association invites you to come and lounge with friends for a hookah bar fundraiser at Wicked Mirage Hookah Lounge in Concord on Thursday, Oct. 27, starting at 6 p.m. Bring your friends, wear your costumes and don’t forget to metion that your representing LMC’s MSA. Wicked Mirage is at 3425 Chestnut Ave. in Concord. For more information, e-mail sehrarahmany@ yahoo.com or stop by the next MSA meeting. MSA meets every Monday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Music Room 710 or in the Library Conference room. All are welcome.

Check into Pan-Am scholarship

The 2011 application is now available for the Pan-American Round Table of Contra Costa and Alameda Scholarship.

Requirements: n One of the applicant’s parents must have been born in a Latin country. n Speaking of the Spanish language is preferred although is not a requirement. n The applicant must be a college or university student.

Applications must be received with current official transcripts, essay, resume and recommendations no later than October 21st, 2011 to Pan-American Round Table Contra Costa and Alameda, P.O. Box 351, Livermore, CA 94550.

Come to heal and connect

The Healing Circle provides a unique opportunity for both students and staff to share their stories; helping others while they help themselves. Through information, discussion, and support; we provide a comfortable and safe place for sharing feelings related to the stress of balancing college and personal life. Tuesdays 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning October 18 Room 473 (upstairs from Admission department) If you need further information, please contact Phil Gottlieb at ext. 3382, or Francis Moy at ext. 3136.

Apply for a scholarship for 2012

Vanguard Minority Scholarship Program gives out meritbased scholarships up to $10,000 to students who are entering either their junior or senior year of college during the coming 2012 Fall and Spring semesters.

For an application or more information, please visit the Vanguard website at www.vanguard.scholarshipamerica.org

LMC Alumni Raider ticket sale

The LMC Alumni association has teamed up with the Oakland Raiders once again this season to offer you tickets at a fantastic rate!

Best of all, when you purchase these specially priced tickets LMC receives $20 of each ticket sold! Proceeds go to support the LMC Bookstore’s textbook rental program.

So come and support your Oakland Raiders and Los Medanos College.

Contact Claudia Acevedo at 439-2181 ext. 3130, by email cacevedo@losmedanos.edu, or by fax 432-3261 for more information.

— Compiled from press releases and staff reports

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“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”

3 A natural-born math leader

— Anthony J. D’Angelo

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Professor Tue Rust adds it up

By IRVIN TRIGUEROS Staff Writer

“Most of us have very interesting pasts, few of us have boring pasts. One thing I love about our LMC students is that everyone has an interesting past. Almost everyone has a past of what I call a ‘hero’s journey,’ meaning everything’s fine, all of a sudden something isn’t right, and that leads to some kind of real challenging situation,” said Professor Tue Rust. “And then throughout that challenging situation, if you have mentors, if you have people around you, they point out, ‘wow look, you’re good at this!’ Because not until you are in a challenging situation do you realize what your gifts are.”

Rust, 34, who started his fifth year as a full-time instructor this fall, is a blond man of a slim build, but he is full of energy and charisma. The natural-born leader is also an independent intellectual that thinks outside the box.

Involved with teaching for more than 10 years, Rust started out as a tutor in San Jose as part of a start-up tutoring business, where he was asked to be president and was in Rust’s words a “master tutor,” training other tutors. In his time there, he started up a summer school program.

While studying for his master’s degree at San Jose State University, he also taught parttime. When he graduated from Berkeley, he did not know what he wanted to do. But his mother was an elementary school music teacher, and his father was a “teacher-wannabe” who never formally taught, so teaching became an inherited choice for him.

While starting off his teaching career at LMC in 2007, he met former English instructor Catherine Cook, who introduced him to the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, a transfer preparation program that helps students who are focused on succeeding and transferring to four-year colleges.

At the time, he met the AVID Program Coordinator Karl Debro, who he would later look up to as a mentor and thus develop a great amount of respect toward.

“He will say that we were equal. But no, he’s proven himself. I have kind of yet to,” said Rust. “Whereas I’m [learning to] ‘talk the talk,’ and learning [to] ‘walk the walk’, he has ‘walked the walk,’ and I continually look to him for guidance on how to lead big change.”

Besides teaching in the AVID program, “he’s helped with the mentor program that we’ve done,” said Debro. “He’s helped with being a member of the AVID team, and the board that makes the decisions about what the program should focus on.”

Debro said Rust has an energetic, open-minded, and friendly personality that keeps the college’s best interests in mind.

While their relationship in education remains professional, Debro still admires Rust.

“I think we’re friends you know, [though] it’s not like we hang out. We have a lot of dialogue around what are the issues facing students at school and what we can do about them, we see a lot of things in common” said Debro.

During his first few years at LMC, Rust explored the dark realities of student enrollment for Math classes within community colleges, including LMC. “Students who have had the least support in their education, enter at a very low level. You know, when 30 [to] 40 percent out of our students’ fail a math class each semester, each level down you start, removes 50 percent of our students,” said a soft-spoken Rust. “So most of our students […] interested in Math 12 [or] Math 25, they are not going to make it out. When I learned that only 5 percent of Math 12 students even get to take a statistics course, or any transfer course, only 5 percent – so only one class out of 30 – will make it out, that was just really See RUST, page 6

Photo by Irvin Trigueros

LMC Math Professor Tue Rust assists students with group assignments during class.

“Not until you are in a challenging situation do you realize what your gifts are.”

— Tue Rust

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“Ads are the cave art of the twentieth century.”

— Marshall McLuhan

Exhibit features abstract art

‘Feral Order’ shows off local talent

By CHUCK BUCK Staff Writer

Los Medanos College’s new art exhibit, “Feral Order,” brings contemporary abstract artwork to the community. The monthlong show opened Tuesday in the art gallery, located on the first floor of the library.

A reception for artists and visitors will be held Oct. 27 about two weeks after the show’s premiere.

Gallery Director Judi Pettite said that with “Feral Order” she aims to bring the nature of the contemporary abstract movement to the students and the greater college community.

“I chose the title because I think it speaks to the wildness of abstraction — and the artist’s desire to order it, formalize it on the picture plane in a way that is perhaps arresting or engaging to the viewer,” said Pettite.

The show features four professional female artists from around the Bay Area who, said Pettite, “Exemplify different variations on order and disorder... each has a very unique perspective.”

Jennie Braman expresses her perspective with mixed media of all kinds. Carolyn Martin uses alternative mediums such as gunpowder and gold leaf. Elise Morris explores the natural world. And Hadley Williams explores the floral world in abstract.

The topics they explore relate thematically to each other, and Pettite said the artists’ statements are available for reading at the gallery desk.

Pettite has been working at

LMC as the drawing instructor for a few semesters but she has recently taken over duties as galler y director after former painting instructor David Tallitsch departed. She said she selected the current theme based on her personal interests as an abstract artist.

One of the artists, Carolyn Martin, is actually a former student of Pettites. In fact all the artists featured in the gallery are professional acquaintances of hers.

The gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday every week from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more information you can call the gallery at 439 2182 ext.

3463 or you can email Pettite at jpettite@losmedanos.edu.

Photos by Jesus Chico

The abstract art of Jennie Braman (above and top) and Elise Morris (left) are shown in the art gallery for the new exhibit, “Feral Order.” The show will run through Nov. 10 and the reception will take place on Oct. 27 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Marquee Slow Film Food Festival presents two movies The Slow Food Film Festival is back at LMC for its annual showing. This year two films will be presented, both by Ian Cheney. The films are called “King Corn” and “Truck Farm.”

“King Corn” tells the story of two friends who soon reveal how much of the nation’s food is

composed of corn and the reasons why. “Truck Farm” is about a traveling, edible exhibit that brings a rural experience to urban students.

Both of these films will be shown on Oct. 21 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Science Building, Room 136.

African-American drama shown on campus Los Medanos College will hold another free screening on campus in the Social Justice Film Series on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m., “The Color Purple” in Library Community Room (L-109). The Color Purple, based on a novel of the same name by Alice Walker,

is an African-American drama film following the life of Celie Johnson as she struggles with poverty, sexual and physical abuse. The Color Purple stars Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery and Rae Dawn Chong. The film runs for 2 hours and 34 minutes.

Photo by Mark Martinez

Adam Mauricio, Daniel Montgomery, Crystal Maciel, Chris Lanzafame and Michael Landski performed at last week’s String Chamber Ensembles Concert in the Recital Hall.

Playlist of upcoming events for music lovers Throughout the school year, the LMC Music Department produces various student and faculty performances, along with guest artists. All LMC music events take place in the Recital Hall, Room CC3-720. A few upcoming events include: n LMC Jazz Concert, Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., $10 general, $5 for students and senior citizens. n LMC Concert Band Concert, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens. n Music Teachers’ Association of California, Oct. 22, 3 p.m., Free event. n Choral Experience Concert, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m., $5 general, $4 students and senior

citizens. n Music Teachers’ Association of California, Nov. 6, 3 p.m., $20 family, $10 general and $5 students. n LMC Concert Band Concert, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens. n LMC Concert Band Concert, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. $5 general, $3 for students and senior citizens. n Music Teachers’ Association of California, Nov. 19, 3 p.m., Free event. n Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., $10 general, $5 students and senior citizens.

— Compiled by Angelica Gonzalez

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“Excellence is not a singular act but a habit. You are what you do repeatedly.”

— Shaquille O’Neal

Athletes compete for an invisible crowd: Get some spirit Among the seven sports LMC supports, our athletic program receives a decent chunk of the school’s money.

But if they receive such a decent chunk, why is it we are lucky to get a handful of people at any athletic competition?

You could walk into the gym for any volleyball game or basketball game and find maybe 15 people in the bleachers.

You could hit up the softball and baseball fields on a spring afternoon to find a maximum of 20 people in attendance.

You could enter the stadium for any soccer game and be lucky to find another

20 people in the stands and, although football is our biggest program, you’d be damn lucky to find 50 people at any home game.

At most, the highest amount any student would have to pay to attend any game would be about $5.

The athletic program at LMC has many people who donate several hours a week to train our fellow Mustangs.

Aside from the coaches, there are athletes who put in the extra time and effort to sport the Mustangs logo across their chests.

And for what? Or even who? These

Laura Crabtree Really?!?

athletes and coaches dedicate their time to perform and support LMC, only to be let down when a handful of people show up to the actual event.

Why is it that the number of students attending athletic events is so low?

Maybe nobody takes a junior college

seriously, although we do compete in the Bay Valley Conference. Our athletes are just as competitive as any other school.

High school football games get more bodies in the stands than any LMC football game.

Is it because the advertisement is better in high school? Maybe we should actually be pointing our fingers at Student Life for not better advertising our home games.

This also leads to our school mascot.

Has anyone ever seen the Mustang?

Does our Mustang have a name? Why

isn’t the Mustang at games pumping up what little crowd we have?

Shouldn’t we also have a half time show at our football games? Yes, but instead we leave our audience to be bored twiddling their thumbs in the stands waiting for the start of the third quarter.

Not a single student at this school has a right to roam the halls bad mouthing our athletic program unless they can show some school spirit and attend a game.

Maybe with some support we would see more wins.

Mustangs demoted to ponies after a hard loss Photo by Lisa Cassidy

Shawnna Moyer (5) takes the ball down field.

Game ends in a tie

By JESUS CHICO Staff Writer

It’s mid season and the women’s soccer team sparked an interesting game against Napa College last Friday.

Many people have been talking about the things that took place at the game, about how LMC could have taken the game, and others talking about the more physical aspect of it.

That Friday brought quite a chilly climate for the game in the afternoon, but the intensity of the game definitely heated up quickly.

The first half of the game was going great for the Mustangs; they were attacking like warriors and giving Napa a run for their money. You could see the quality and effort they put in their practice. It all reflected in the game. It felt like the Mustangs’ luck was finally shifting, or at least it sure felt like it, watching Shawnna Moyer scoring the first goal of the game for the team.

This feeling was missed very dearly by the Mustangs; the feeling of scoring and being ahead of the game. Napa was not amused by their early triumph, the game started to get a bit more intense as they were going back and forth with the ball, guarding and attacking.

Both teams had an opportunity to cool off as they hit half time with the score board at 1-0.

With the upper hand, the Mustangs had to keep their cool down and play it to the end. Unfortunately for them, Napa was not having it. The rules didn’t seem to affect the way the other team was playing because you could see a lot of pushing and shoving from them.

It seemed like the Mustangs were doing a great job at defending and on their way to a glorious win, but the luck they had earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air. Napa tied the game with an unexpected goal second half.

To top it all off, a fight almost broke loose when some girls were pushing, which provoked other girls to get involved. No real fight happened, but the game ended in a tie.

“Practice the way you play or play the way you practice. I think if we become a bit more committed at practice we could do further damage to our competitors,” said student Jessica Urbina about the game.

The women’s soccer team didn’t leave as winners but at least they didn’t go home losers.

The next home game is Oct. 21 at 3:30 p.m.

Photo by Lisa Cassidy

Running back Devontae Anderson (22) tries to find a gap against the wall of San Mateo Bulldog defenders in last Saturday’s game.

Football loses their fifth straight game

By DRAYTON JOHN Staff Writer

Photo by Lisa Cassidy

Quarterback Mike Behr (16) tries to complete a pass to receivers.

It was another heartbreaking loss for Los Medanos this week, losing an astonishing 61-0 to the College of San Mateo’s Bulldogs. The Stangs have been on a steady downfall this season, not winning a single game to date.

The Bulldogs went 8-3 last year and finished rank 21 in JC Gridiron’s “Dirty 30” national poll, all three losses of which went to nationally ranked teams. CSM went into Mustang Stadium with a 4-1 record, losing to an undefeated Fresno City College in week one, another nationally ranked team.

Speculations as to why the Stangs aren’t winning this year include a lack of recruits, a very young team, having a freshman quarterback fresh out of high school, a mostly freshman offensive line, or having only 57 players on this year’s roster. The Mustangs have also been plagued with injuries, losing a quarterback, a sophomore left tackle and a star defensive player.

At the start of the game, the Stangs looked solid with a nice return for about 20 yards of kickoff return, but as soon as the offense came out of the field, quarterback Mike Behr (16) threw an interception which quickly turned the game 7-0. Another flop for the offense was on a 4th down punt where a botched snap flew over the head of kicker Bobby Cook (37) for another Bulldogs score.

As a whole, the Mustangs did not perform very well, allowing the Bulldogs 421 yards rushing, 96 yards rushing, 19 first downs, and were 7-7 inside the red zone.

The Stangs did, however, give the Bulldogs a scare, with 13 first downs, 64 yards rushing, 119 passing, but were 0-2 inside the red zone. Will Lewis (20) also gave the Stangs a head of steam with an interception, unfortunately this did not give the Stangs enough momentum to bring any points to the board.

The offensive line was also not very effective this week, having to play without their o-line captain, Sophomore left tackle Zach Bangert (53), out with an apparent shoulder injury, leaving only one sophomore on the line, center Jesus Ochoa (52).

He had to cut his game short with another shoulder injury in the latter half of the game, leaving the o-line without any sort of seniority. The o-line gave up four sacks to the Bulldogs.

“Honestly, they have no heart. I see a select few with a lot of heart, but its not enough to win games, it needs to be the entire team. They give up too easy, and they are much too hard on themselves.

They should be playing like it’s their last play, because you never know, it could be. Being brutally honest, they need to realize they’re being selfish about making plays, instead of just doing their See LOSS, page 6

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From page 1 Some protestors danced, joked, held philosophical and political debates, and laughed amongst friends. But in the end, they all had a reason to be here, even if that reason was different from one another. “[There] are a lot of individual reasons [for] why people are here,” said Adam Hudson, a Stanford graduate, political activist and Occupy protester.

“But generally, the people here recognize that they are getting screwed over by the rich and power ful elites who control the country and they have had enough of it.”

“That’s what the whole ‘1 percent vs. 99 percent’ thing is about,” said Hudson. “1 percent of the American population controls somewhere between 30 percent - 40 percent of the country’s wealth and that translates into enormous political and economic power.”

Hudson took it a step further, “which means their class gets richer and richer, while everyone else suffers and people see this through massive unemployment, underemployment, increasing pover ty, rising food prices, disappearing job benefits, etc.”

LMC art student Keno Igano shares the same thoughts and ultimately supports this movement.

“I feel largely satisfied knowing that we as a people are actually using our voice, that we know what we want and are willing to fight for change,” he said.

Even as the police are trying to stop this act, Igano still supports that 99 percent.

“It is unfortunate that the police are trying to stop this peaceful act, even though they are part of the 99 percent, [they] at any point could very well lose everything in the same way,” said Igano.

Igano hopes that people, “Soon realize that there is something wrong and we as a people with a voice should rise up to take down the problem whether cop or teacher, nurse or fireman, we are all in jeopardy of losing our homes and the future of our children.”

And as a result of this issue, it has snowballed into something much bigger than anyone can imagine, spreading to other cities across the country with major financial influences, with a few of them being in the Bay Area.

Hudson looks back and thinks that the “pressure was building for a while.” Believing that the “frustration has been building up pretty much since the financial crash in 2008.”

But even then, he thinks it goes back much further.

“The roots of our economic situation really go back to the 1980s with the ‘financialization’ of the economy, deregulation of Wall Street, more tax cuts for the rich and, even then, people were criticizing those moves made by then-President Ronald Reagan,” said Hudson.

Hudson, isn’t exactly sure if people can call this a movement, a revolution or even an uprising.

“It’s more like an awakening,” said Hudson. “An opening up of space.”

One individual at Occupy SF called it a start of an “evolution” rather than a “revolution.”

But to be there in person at Occupy SF, there’s “a real sense of community,” said Hudson.

He further explained it as being “very free and communal” like there is a “huge sense of camaraderie and trust,” and that, “you could leave your stuff somewhere and not worry about someone else taking it.”

Hudson states that, “they tried to get them to move and even took their stuff, but they got it all back.”

On average, expect to see around 50 to 100 people there, with some people being an activist and some not.

If any LMC student is interested to see and be a part of Occupy SF or any of the other Bay Area ones someday, Hudson makes it’s clear.

“First, educate yourself. Learn about what’s going on. Don’t trust the mainstream media.

Look for alternative news outlets, particularly on the internet,” he said.

For the Bay Area, there are around five places to visit. There is no wrong day for going to an Occupy movement; it is constantly ongoing with apparently no end in sight.

“When you go there, just talk to people,” said Hudson.

“Everyone is really cool and friendly. You’ll learn from them and they’ll learn from you.”

A.A. From page 1

“Really, 1440 is at the core of making our education system more efficient. It increases the speed and likelihood that students can transfer. The hope is that they will be well prepared when they transfer and finish their degree on time,” said Gardner.

The Child Development and Drama Departments are currently working on transfer degrees, as are many other disciplines waiting to be approved by the state for next year.

“A student comes to a community college to transfer and we know that it is taking most students two and a half years to finish here. And then transfer to a four-year university where it is also taking two and a half to three years. That is almost six years. Who wants to attend school for six years? And, we can’t afford for you to be here that long. Every year you are

LOSS From page 5

job. And by doing their job they will get the best of both worlds, by standing out and winning games.” Says Chase Elsberry, a sophomore redshirt.

Penalties also contributed to the harrowing loss, with LMC having a total of eight penalties for 65 yards.

The fact of the matter is that CSM is a solid program, having produced eight NFL football players and five all-star coaches.

Each year, between 15 and 25 Bulldogs receive some sort of

RUST From page 3

appalling to me.”

Rust explained however, that this situation is the same throughout the country and is not unique to LMC, citing that LMC has an advanced math program that passes students.

Despite these hardships, Rust continues to stay optimistic as a math instructor today. When students leave his courses, he can still focus his energy on the students he has left.

“When they’re with me, then I’m all on them,” he said.

When he was growing up, Rust experienced two events in his life that led to him being the man that he is now, one of which involved managing other students in a youth marching band in his teens.

“When I was 14, I became a co-leader for this band, and this band was full of 12-19 year olds. So I would be in charge of all of those people in the band,” recalled Rust.

Being the dynamic leader that he was, even in his youth, he conducted and led the band as its drum major.

“So by the time I was probably 15 or 16, I was well versed in leading hundreds of people in a group effort and how to deal with dynamics. So from then on, I just always found myself in leadership roles, or rising into leadership roles wherever I went,” he said.

here, is a year someone else can’t get in,” said Gardner.

Margaret Her tstein, the Administrative Assistant with the Office of Instruction, was one of the core people involved in the process of getting these degrees accepted by the state.

“Margaret deserves a medal.

She launched the program onto the website to get these degrees approved,” said Rodriguez.

Alex Sample and Estelle Davi worked on the sociology and psychology degrees. And Kasey Gardner was the driving force for the Communications degree.

Gil Rodriguez and many others also deserve credit for their work on this project to make Los Medanos a state of the art institution. To better understand this process and to learn more about how to graduate in an efficient and timely manner, please visit the counseling office.

Any of our counselors are more than qualified to answer your questions.

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Photo by Irvin Trigueros

The other experience was witnessing his parents’ “awful marriage” and the divorce that followed, Rust said he had to learn about being a grown-up, early on as a little boy.

The result of this particular event, he said, set the tone for him to becoming a responsible leader.

“From a very early age, I was worried about money. I was worried about taking responsibility, washing dishes without being told to, working at a young age […],” explained Rust.

Rust compliments students at Los Medanos College, who he feels are capable of proving themselves to be leaders as well.

“Ever y single student I’ve found at LMC is a proven leader.

Because they’ve gone through these hardships, they’re in a community that largely did not support going to a community college, and yet they do so. They decide not to work in order to go to community college,” he said.

“They decide to – in a public school system that has largely not been too useful to them – to continue to try to become an educated citizen. To me, that’s proof that they’re a leader. So I love teaching at LMC because I know that every single person who steps through that door has proven themselves to be a leader. That’s not true, in some of our more wealthy community colleges.”

Rust is always dedicated and

count as general education, or courses that count toward a major. These are called nonrepeatable because once a student passes them, they can’t take them again.

The idea for this change is to ensure that courses don’t fill up with repeat students ,who often have priority registration, and to make way for newer students who need to get into those courses.

Currently, community colleges recieve funding from the state for each time that a student is allowed to repeat a class.

That means that the state is funding colleges for students, called appor tionment, who repeated classes multiple times under current regualtions.

After a student has reached the maximum number of times that they can take a class, the state no longer sends apportionment funds to the school for those units. Apportionment is based upon full time equivalent students, which means any student or number of students who are taking a total of 15 units.

Counselor Marco Godinez said that the counseling department has been updated on the changes and that they will soon be telling interested in teaching students the elementary levels of Algebra in MATH 25. In his circle of other interests though, he likes playing the saxophone, role-playing and world creation.

“It started in role-playing, where you can create your own world and make your own environment, and play around with that,” he said. “And I find that those skills I bring, honestly, to campus, that’s why I’m able to think outside the box, very easily.”

The ideas of role-playing and world-creating influenced his philosophy.

“I’m not too interested in changing the world as much as changing my immediate environment, to make it utopic.”

He spends the best of his free time, with his family, his 8-month-old son Cadan, and his wife Liu, a Chinese immigrant, who he says is much more intelligent than him, and extremely talented.

“I really do enjoy supporting Liu, and her effort being an immigrant.

You know, it’s very challenging. Trying to support her and her desire to have the same kind of life style – that someone who is born here would have access to – is becoming a real strong passion of mine.

And now that we have a son, you know, just spending time with him, playing with him, and watching him laugh, it’s great.”

healthy

“Personally, I don’t like limiting people to a certain number of times they can take a class but with the budget ... I don’t think we have a choice.””

— Marco Godinez

all students about them.

“Personally, I don’t like limiting people to a certain number of times they can take a class but with the budget the way it is I don’t think we have a choice,” said Godinez.

Robin Armour, Director of Admission and Records, said that students must be aware of drop dates and drop early without a W if they perceive a problem completing the course successfully. Those who decide to continue should take advantage of tutoring and counseling services to ensure that they pass the classes they enroll in so they won’t have to repeat.

“It will affect students next semester because we’re advising them of this in spring. Students will be notified that their only allowed three attempts. We’ll still follow old regulations but we’ll have programing [in the online registration process] to let students know,” said Armour.

Students who want to take a repeated course for a fourth time will have to file a petitition to repeat. Petitions are granted based upon whether the school gets funding from the state for that student. But that doesn’t mean that all petitions will be denied based on whether or not there will be state funds.

Petitions will be granted if the student can document extenuating circumstances, if someone in their family died or if the student was in the hospital, for example.

“If a petition is granted because of extenuating circumstances we do get apportionment,”said Armour. “There has to be some severe situation that caused them to have a problem with the class. We look at each case individually.”

Students who know that they will need to petition to repeat a course should contact the admissions office as soon as possible to learn about what they must do. The community colleges’ board of governors did a report on students who repeat courses as part of their proposed change to title 5 regulations. They looked at data from 1992 to 2010. They found that students who repeated courses under the current regulations were less likely to succeed in those courses.

lifestyles

HELPING YOU thrive

Diabetes

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By Mary Klemm, DO aking changes to your diet and lifestyle, even small ones, can help you prevent Type 2 diabetes. Type 2

diabetes is a disease that develops when the cells of the body become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas

cannot make enough insulin, which causes high blood sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps your body’s cells to get needed energy from sugar. When insulin doesn’t do its job, too much sugar builds up in the blood. Over time, the extra sugar can lead to problems with your eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. While some risk factors for Type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled, such as family history or race, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing the disease. And it’s never too late to start.

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football scholarship to four-year colleges. They intend to be in the running for the conference crown, having to play Butte College and San Francisco City College, both of which are legendary football schools in the Junior College system.

Luckily for the Mustangs, playing these first five games was not a part of their conference series, so they still have a shot at victory. To overcome their struggles and defeat Merced College this Saturday, they will need to be more focused and pick up their first win of the season.

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A group of soaked students and instructors stand outside the math buliding due to an alarm malfunction that took place on Monday, Oct. 3 around 6 p.m.

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Follow the LMC Experience on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/ ExperienceNews

Maintain a healthy weight. Your risk for Type 2 diabetes increases as your weight increases. If you are overweight, losing as few as 10 pounds can reduce your risk of developing diabetes.

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Exercise regularly. Participate in activities that raise your heart rate such as walking or cycling, shooting baskets, swimming leisurely, dancing, mowing the lawn or sweeping the floor. Try to do at least 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week or at least an hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity.

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Eat healthy food. Eat a balanced diet including whole grains, nuts, lean meat, and vegetables.

Limit alcohol and saturated fats, and avoid sugary foods, red meat, soft drinks, and fast food.

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Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. This may reduce your chance of having complications from diabetes.

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High blood pressure or HDL you suffer from hypertension or high cholesterol, treat it.

This article is proudly sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

Mary Klemm, DO, is a Physician Site Leader for the Antioch Medical Center.