Ohlone loses twice in tourney – Page 8
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Fremont, California
Vol. XXXVI No. 9
No school
Berkeley versus Ohlone
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Composer comes to town
If you would like a top'o’the mornin’ on Saturday that does not involve Advil or driving the porcelain bus, you may want to go easy on the Guinness on March 17, otherwise known as St. Patrick’s Day. Cabbage should also be consumed in moderation, in keeping with potential Bay Area smog alerts. Should you ignore this advice, you have a whole week to recover. Yes, folks - next week is Spring Break. This translates into: no school and no Monitor, so don’t show up on campus. Just be back on Monday, March 27. No beer then, but there's always the cafeteria.
By MORGAN BRINLEE Staff writer
Story on Page 4. Internationally renowned composer David Fanshawe is on campus for the rest of the week and will be a special guest at this Saturday’s concert. Photo by Mojhgan Mohtashimi.
China trip meeting dates set By JEROME ENGELBERTS Editor-in-chief President Doug Treadway and Vice President Jim Wright have announced an opportunity for Ohlone student leaders to travel to China. The trip is part of the exchange program between Ohlone College and its sister universities in China. Student leaders on campus and in the community are invited to apply for enrollment in a special 10-day course representing the first student delegation to Ohlone sister schools in Shanghai, Hangzou and Taizhou in Zejiang Province, China. The final selection of students to take the trip will be based on their leadership roles and responsibilities on campus or in the community. Apart from good academic records, they will be required to
Ohlone owes Enron over $100K
submit an essay and recommendation letters to be considered. The trip is scheduled to take place between the end of May and the beginning of June. Students will travel together with Ohlone administrators in what is to be the first phase of a student exchange program with the Shanghai Theatre Academy, Zhejiang Changzheng Technical College and Taizhou TV and Radio University. “This trip to China will definitely be an intense, 10-day learning immersion experience that is sure to enlighten, educate and inspire our students as well as our Chinese hosts. The students in China are craving to know more about the American education system and lifestyle,” said Campus Activities Student Services Assistant Rene Wong Gonzales.
All students interested in applying are obliged to attend one information session on either of the following dates and times: on Thursday, March 16 at 10 a.m. or Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m. in Hyman Hall, Room 119, where applications will be available. The three-credit course, China in the Global Economy: Information Technology, Cultural Issues, is being offered by the Business Administration, Computer Science and the Interdisciplinary Studies departments. Dean Walter Birkedahl will oversee the 10-day course, which will enlighten students about China’s rising educational, economic, social, cultural and political systems. President Treadway will be featured as one of the lecturers, along with local professors.
During the trip, students will have the opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas with Chinese scholars, students and business professionals. Also scheduled are visits to historical and cultural sites in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Taizhou which are meant to highlight Chinese culture and lifestyle. Round-trip airfare, sleeping accommodations in student dorms of Hangzhou and Taizhou will be provided by Ohlone and the Chinese host universities. Students are required to personally pay for the cost of their passport, visa, course fees, and program fee. The estimated cost to each student is $300. If students would like more information, contact Renee Wong Gonzales at (510) 659-7311 or at rgonzales@ohlone.edu.
At a recent College Board meeting, trustees approved a payment of more than $100,000 to the energy company Enron for unpaid bills. “A lot of California Community Colleges are in the same energy purchasing group...the whole group sued Enron,” said Ohlone President Doug Treadway. Three years ago, Ohlone, along with 36 other community college districts, were advised not to pay their energy bills under the suspicion that Enron was overbilling the college. “We were advised to not pay our bill for quite a while because the bills were all wrong. [An] expert consultant advised us to not pay until the bills could be audited,” said Vice President of Business Services Deanna Walston. After a consultant audited the colleges’ bills and found evidence of the energy company’s corruption, the schools joined together to sue Enron for overbilling them. The college was originally billed $277,409 by Enron but the audit of the bills proved that the energy company had indeed billed the college too much; Ohlone owed only $126,491.24 to Enron. In mid-February, a lawsuit settlement between Enron and the Community College League decided that the colleges among the 36 districts involved with the league would pay the true amount each college owed to Enron within 10 days of approval by their college boards. “Our accounting department should have already issued a check,” said Walston. It is expected that it will be the end of March before all colleges in the league have their board’s approval and mail their respective checks, added Walston. In a brilliant move of planning, Ohlone officials set up a $200,000 liability fund when the college was first advised to stop payment to Enron for their services in preparation of such a lawsuit and payment, so Ohlone will not now be obliged to scramble for the money. The money left over in the fund will go back into the college’s reserve.
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Opinion
monitor March 16, 2006
Associated Collegiate Press / National Scholastic Press Association All American 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Regional Pacemaker 1988 Journalism Association of Community Colleges First in General Excellence, Northern California Fall 1994 General Excellence 2005 2000 2004
Editor in chief: Jerome Engelberts Anna Nemchuk News editor: Opinion editor: Omer Ahmed Features editor: Joyce Leung Sports editor: Nick Zambrano Photo editor: Mojhgan Mohtashimi Staff writers: Frankie Addiego, Naomi Balagot, Rahul Batra, Morgan Brinlee, Sean G. Crawford, Thomas Hsu, Ira Lazo, Chris Marshall, Danelle Meyer, Gabriel Vila Ad Staff: Frankie Addiego Photographers: Wayne Chow, Jerome Engelberts, Rostislav Tsvetanov Graphic Staff: Wayne Chow, Jason Montalvo, Chirag Patel, Ying Yam Ad manager: Danelle Meyer Adviser: Bill Parks Printer: F-P Press
Offices are located in Room 5310 on campus, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont 945395884. Call (510) 659-6075. Fax: (510) 659-6076. E-mail: monitor@ohlone.cc.ca.us Opinions expressed in the Monitor are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of the staff, the college or the Associated Students of Ohlone College. Unsigned editorials reflect the majority view of staff members. Advertising material is printed herein for informational purposes and is not to be construed as an expression of endorsement or verification of such commercial ventures by the staff or college. The Monitor is funded by the district, by the Associated Students of Ohlone College, and through advertising revenue. The Monitor is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Community College Journalism Association, California Newspaper Publishers Association, College Media Advisers and Society of Newspaper Design.
Opinion
The intelligence behind Intelligent Design theory By Jerome Engelberts Editor-in-chief Disclaimer: The author is making an attempt at humor. No Christians were harmed in the process of writing this article. It’s merely a levitatious look at what some refer to as “Intelligent Design.” First: the upside, God did all of this design in seven days, starting from scratch. No Home Depot, no contractors. No biotech, either. No pencils, no beer napkins. By today’s standards, God did all of this work as a rank amateur. While on that note, he didn’t pull any building permits either. Once we find out which jurisdiction this falls under, God will
be facing some back fees. Ok... the downside. He rested on the seventh day (Sunday), and he started work again on a Monday. We all know what kind of work gets done on Mondays. Intelligent or not, let’s take Monday’s effort with a grain of salt. That would be the Heavens and the Earth. He also separated light from darkness but didn’t do such a bang-up job in Finland and Antarctica. Tuesday and onward through the week, he kind of got into accessorizing. A plant here, a tree there; some animals mucking up the place. Stubbed his toe, got angry, created mosquitoes. Hey, God’s only human, right? But also: The
duck-billed platypus. What was God smoking? Or was it more of a “let’s see what I can make out of the spare parts I didn’t use. Something that didn’t pass Beta testing? Finally, God made man in his own image. Allowing for evidence as far as some evolution, say... Homo Australopithecus, we know that God had A) lots of hair, B) Opposable thumbs - on his feet, C) a relatively small cranial capacity that was still large compared to apes and was working on becoming bipedal. That would explain the platypus, and other errant species like the whelk, the sand flea, and Tom DeLay. Okay, we now have man, and
God in his infinite wisdom creates woman. Undoubtedly this is to keep man on his toes. They live in the Garden of Eden, which is like a 5-star nudist colony, but with all of the bears and none of the picnic baskets. It also features a tree that dispenses knowledge via apples. Now we’re expected to believe that the woman was actually coaxed into eating one of these apples by a snake. It didn’t take any coaxing, trust me. The snake was a scapegoat, because it was Jewish. It was a Gonif Constrictor and didn’t know from getting the blame for stuff that women actually did. Next thing you know, God boots Adam and Concubine (no mention-
ing of matrimonial vows in Genesis) out of Paradise and into the real world next door. According to theologians who claim to know, this was a nice balmy area called the Rub’ al Khali, where the men are men and the camels are nervous. Summary: God is a guy who spends a week, comes up with the platypus, the whelk and a tree who offers wisdom through fruit. When confronted with the results of infesting all of the above with mankind, it all goes South owing to a snake. He then proceeds to kick out the natives who have been gullibly tricked into committing a no-no, and KEEPS the snake. Mm-hmm. Intelligent design.
I say “unfortunately” because I consider myself a gamer. With 13 years of experience, I feel that I can honestly critique the state of the videogame industry and the present makes me nervous about the future. This is because, compared to literature and film, videogames fail on a number of fronts. Characters and plot are often secondary to cheap thrills, visual designs are usually
cliché and little to nothing is gained intellectually. The majority of games only provide a couple of hours of mindless distraction, if that.” This is very likely because videogames aren’t created for the purpose of creatively, effectively or intelligently telling a story. Grand Theft Auto III was not created to portray its main character’s criminal lifestyle. It was created to give the gamer an extremely interactive playground to
rampage in. While entertaining, it doesn’t make the game a worthwhile piece of art. Hope for the medium is not lost. It is likely that videogames are still in an adolescent stage. Film and radio have been around for more than 100 years. Written literature has its origins in prehistoric oral transitions. Pong was only released in 1972. Videogames are still quite young but some games already express the
great potential that exists. The first honestly worthwhile game I encountered was Xenogears for the original Playstation. The game had an eclectic array of influences from Celtic folk music to Gnostic theology to Freudian psychology. Its script was a 680-page allegorical tome that made MobyDick seem like easy reading. More recently, God of War for Continued on Page 3
A New Hope for the future of an infant medium By OMER AHMED Opinion editor A Long Time Ago in an Ancient Philosophy Class Far, Far Away, I was told that videogames hold no real value; that time squandered on games could be better spent on more worthwhile activates. Unfortunately, I agree for the most part.
Campus Comment > > >
What do you think is the origin of existence?
Danielle Raab Japanese and Studio Arts “Peanuts.”
Mickey Huang Undeclared “Particles just decided to get together and have a party.”
Irum Manchanda Law “We come from water, Yaar*.” * Urdu for friend
David Govang Engineering “Eris, the goddess of discord and chaos.”
Adnan Khan Undeclared “Rain drops.”
News/Opinions
March 16, 2006 MONITOR
ASOC plans to refurbish campus
UC Berkeley Freshquest survey offered at Ohlone
By GABRIEL VILA Staff writer
By IRA LAZO Staff writer
Imagine a campus filled with people at all hours of the day, talking and laughing as they enjoy a friendlier and more picturesque Ohlone College. Certainly not what we have at the moment, but with the help of ASOC’s Jackie McCulley and Ken Steadman, this dream could become a reality. For the past two weeks, these two ASOC Senators have been assigned to “Project Quad,” a campus beautification and improvement committee detailed to one purpose - to acquire and deploy benches, tables and chairs all around campus. “The tables we’re looking at are these Plastisol dipped tables,” said Ken Steadman at last week’s ASOC meeting. “It’s this sort of wire mesh table that’s been dipped in plastic to make it really durable.” The sort of tables and benches that the ASOC has been looking at are prevalent in schools and parks. These Plastisol-coated tables have the benefits of being as durable as concrete tables at a fraction of the weight, making mobility and shipping both easier. In addition, the tables will come with holes which could accommodate umbrellas to provide shade and shelter. “For the umbrellas...we were thinking about getting them customized,” Jackie McCully said during the committee’s meeting Tuesday morning. “We’d have to go through
the ASOC to get them, but we could get them in the school’s colors. It’s a possibility.” The tables and benches will come in a plethora of designs. From circular tables to elliptical, from square to the traditional rectangle, these tables will eventually adorn the campus at all levels. Many of these new tables will be wheelchair friendly, having extended tops and bench-less sides. The selection of this outdoor furniture will, of course, be affected by the ultimate color choice of the Ohlone campus. Refitting the buildings has already been well under way, as one can note from the wheelchair access points at the bottoms of Buildings 4 and 6. Re-painting the campus will begin as early as this summer, and possible color palettes have been selected. These color palettes will be on display in the ASOC room at the bottom of Building 1 sometime this week. The cost for this venture could run quite high. Estimates as high as $50,000 have come out of the ASOC room; however, this money could come from any number of sources, not the least of which would be state grants. The ASOC could potentially fund only a fraction of the overall cost. “There are many projects going on to make our campus more appealing,” said Heta Desai, the ASOC treasurer. “This will help students to hang out or to stay at school, and it will feel more like an active campus.”
Videogames fail Continued from Page 2 the PS2 proved to be another example of the heights videogames can achieve. On top of being a good game technically, the story has a literary edge. Drawing from Herculean myth and twisting it darkly, God of War presents Kratos, a protagonist that is not a hero and barely an anti-hero. He is a murder and a sadist. The player only feels sympathy for Kratos when his history is revealed but it is still obvious that the man was evil and powerhungry before his misfortune. It is
left unanswered whether Kratos should be hated, pitied, loved or possibly forgiven. The ambiguous nature of Kratos is created so masterfully that one cannot help but be reminded of Faulkner’s Light in August or Shakespeare’s Richard III. Videogames, on average, don’t have the same artistic integrity as other media, but with constantly evolving technology and the occasional truly wonderful title to learn from, games might one day be a really worthwhile medium.
There have been many flyers and posters pasted around school, boasting about winning a free Apple iPod if a student would complete a survey on such and such website dot com. What’s going through students’ heads is that maybe it is a scam, a scam to get their email in order to fill it up with unnecessary spam and other such junk mail. However, such is not the case with the flyers posted around Hyman Hall and the Ohlone library. This survey is legitimate. The University of California in Berkeley has actually decided to survey the students of Ohlone College to see how they use technology like iPods, cellphones, blogs, and email both in and out of school. The Freshquest project is aimed specifically at students aged 18 or 19 and in their first year in college, in order to see how they integrate new and old technological devices into the way they live their lives. This survey is being funded by the MacArthur Foundation and is meant to help both educators
and software design companies to redirect and regroup ideas for educational and computer programs. The objective is to find a way to make learning exciting again, by incorporating the ever-expanding world of media along with public schooling. The questions will range from what students think work to what does not or what could be improved with technology, from the way people surf the internet, chat on the web and email each other, to the way big companies such as Apple or Microsoft design their programs. Students at UC Berkeley took this same survey last spring and the results will all be stored in a database with strict confidentiality. It is hardly uncommon for anybody to have an iPod anymore and, if questioned, most students either have one or have something just like it. Imagine a world where lectures made by one’s teacher could be downloaded from the Internet, directly into one’s iPod and listened to at the student’s discretion. This, and so much more could change if the survey is completed and the results implemented. It is
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completely confidential and the researchers who will be accessing the survey will know the student only through a code - no names, addresses or other such junk in one’s mailbox. One upside to filling out a 15minute survey would be the chance to win an iPod in the raffle after the survey is complete; the prize is completely legitimate, and is NOT a scam. The other benefit is if the student is contacted to participate in a focus group or an interview, he/she will be paid with a $40 gift certificate. The survey has no specific deadline; however, to have a better chance at winning that lucky iPod and or a gift certificate, the survey must be completed before the end of March. Still not convinced? Check out http://groups.sims.berkeley.edu/ ikids/freshquest for more information on the main objectives of the program or visit http://ohlone.notlong.com/ to take the actual survey. More information can be found at the Ohlone library and the bulletin board at Hyman Hall. Good luck and good surfing!
Student burned by acid By FRANKIE ADDIEGO Staff writer On Friday, March 3, a bottle of nitric acid burnt the hand of Minh-Tran Nguyen, a lab technician at Ohlone. The incident took place in Room 2310, which Ohlone uses as a chemistry lab. The acid splashed onto Nguyen’s face and chest when it landed in the sink. While Nguyen’s injuries were not fatal, the laboratory staff scrambled to ensure her safety and summoned emergency workers. In addition to her normal chores, Nguyen was performing the tasks of another lab worker, Ai Nguyen. Lead lab technician Van Nguyen was the only other worker there.
According to the accident report, the head lab worker, “immediately took Minh-Tran to the eye wash nearby...and helped Minh-Tran rinse with copious amount of water.” Some sodium bicarbonate was also applied to the skin. Meanwhile, instructor Maria Grant arrived from a nearby room to help Nguyen wash her face, including her right eye, which was affected by the 70 percent nitric acid HNO3. Grant also helped remove articles of clothing that may have been contaminated by the chemicals. The accident report said that, “they had been rinsing for almost 15 minutes when the emergency workers from the fire department arrived.” Nguyen and Grant were
successful in decontaminating the lab worker’s eyes. The chief lab operative tried to take Nguyen to the emergency room. Unfortunately, it was closed. Math, Science and Technology Executive Assistant Irene Benavidez notified security soon thereafter. A fire truck arrived about 10 minutes later, according to the accident report. Nguyen was taken to Washington Hospital in Fremont, where a Dr. Omerberg examined her. According to his diagnosis, there was a possibility of temporary blisters forming on her skin, though no permanenet damage was done. She was prescribed ointment and Vicodin for any pain.
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Features
monitor March 16, 2006
Ohlone vs. Berkeley: the grass isn’t greener State of Illusion By Chris Marshall Staff writer Sometime last fall I felt I needed to take a break from getting my bachelor’s in Mass Communications at UC Berkeley. Mulling it over for a while, I decided to take off the spring semester and spend the time back at Ohlone. This decision confounded a few of my friends, as they could not imagine why I would want to return to my community college. The answer is simple: Ohlone offers, in terms of hands-on experience and learning, many things Berkeley does not. I can hardly begin to extol Ohlone’s hands-on approach to many facets of education. The journalism, broadcasting and multimedia educational experiences offered at Ohlone do not compare to the mass communications education I have participated in at Berkeley. Both programs are so different however they really shouldn’t be compared. However, I can say with certainty both programs are essential for an education in media and, at a perfect school, should be taught concurrently. Berkeley is a great school; I appreciate the challenges offered there, however most of the benefits are intangible -- prestige and eventual opportunity. In terms of class
content, the mass communications major has been all theory so far, a somewhat unwelcome change to what I was used to at Ohlone. For instance, in my class about the First Amendment and the press, the sole reading material was an entire book on Sullivan v. New York Times, the landmark case in which it was decided that in order for a newspaper to be guilty of libel, said newspaper must have printed the
offending material with intended malice. Now there is no argument that this court case is essential knowledge for those in the mass media field, but in what way does studying court case after court case make one a better writer. And this is what Ohlone offers that Berkeley does not. Spending a few years at the Monitor really prepares one for working
as a journalist. The experiences I have had and the knowledge I have gained were really priceless. This sort of hands-on education just isn’t offered at Berkeley. Sure, there is the Daily Cal, but it is not offered as a class and a sight worse than the Monitor in terms of quality. I must praise Bill Parks and Gary Kauf for really elevating teaching to new heights. I argue that both what Berkeley
offers and what Ohlone provides are equally important, and essential for making a good journalist. It’s a shame both are not taught concurrently. One needs the intense knowledge offered by the classes at Berkeley coupled with the handson, practical knowledge programs like The Monitor and the TV station give to students. So why did I decide to come back to Ohlone for a semester? Because it had been long enough since I worked on a newspaper that I figured it was time to refresh my skills. Writing, like any other skill, especially news writing, atrophies over time when not practiced. Focusing on my classes at Berkeley didn’t leave time for practice so I consider my semester back at Ohlone to be time well spent. The diminishing of practical skills is something I believe affects most college students and especially college professors. Learning and teaching about a field of work is nothing like actually working in the field. This is a shortcoming of our educational system. Only some colleges like Ohlone offer courses comparable to working in the field, and even then it is usually only for a select number of fields. Berkeley and Ohlone both have their benefits and faults, but for only $26 a unit, the experiences and practical knowledge offered by the Monitor and the TV station are second-to-none. I’ve learned the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Women’s History Month Women and sex: while the flesh is willing, the mind must agree EDITOR’S NOTE - In honor of Women’s History Month, the Monitor has decided to run a series that delves into issues still pertinent to women in 2006. The series will run through the month of March with a new topic and Q & A every week. By Joyce Leung Features editor By ANNA NEMCHUK News editor Does a woman mean sex? When a woman has sex, does she own, love, consist of sex? Does she give of herself until she is nothing but a barren husk, worn down to a nub by her lovers, burdened by children until she is a small pebble on a seashore, rounded, smooth, inobtrusive? Or does she gain as she gives, growing lavish with love and lust, voluptuous at the caresses of hands and mouths, the best of the maiden, the mother, the crone, content as a cat plumped in a sun spill? The course of a woman's mind, no more than love, never did run smooth - there are as many takes on love and sex as there have ever been reasoning minds in this world. English Professor Jennifer Hurley was interviewed this week about hers. Q: In relation to established social mores, do you think currently maturing young women
have different attitudes and/or behaviors as compared to the previous couple of generations? A: I have noticed a shift. When I was in college in the early ‘90s, most women I knew were proud to consider themselves as feminists, and they were much more concerned with expanding their minds than perfecting their looks. Now, many college-age women seem obsessed with their appearance, and even the smart, outspoken ones are horrified by the term “feminist.” I think it’s because they associate the word with ugliness, and for women today, living in this insidious media culture, the worst thing you can be is ugly. Sometimes I think that women today would rather be beautiful and dumb than brilliant and average looking. Q: Your thoughts, please, in regard to the popular opposition given against abortion – that it is being used as contraception instead of a last-ditch measure? Also, has increased quality of and access to birth control changed women’s sexuality, either in form or frequency, and the relative merits of this? A: I can’t imagine many women use abortion as a method of contraception, especially with so many birth control options available. Women such as myself, who never experienced a world without the pill, take it for granted that we have control over reproduction. It’s hard for me to imagine not having that
control. I think the pill competes with the washing machine for the most empowering technological advancement for women. Q: In your opinion, how effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and the spread of diseases are abstinence measures, especially as compared to contraceptives, whether barrier, hormonal or surgical? A: I think that the right-wing view that abstinence can prevent teens from having sex is incredibly unrealistic. It’s denying that people of sexual maturity are sexual beings. Q: What do you think of homosexuality/transgenderism/ BDSM/“other” variants on sexual behavior? A: I really don’t care one way or the other what people’s sexual preferences are. It is very important to me, however, that people do not face discrimination for those preferences. Q: Pick a literary heroine and describe how she would behave, in terms of sex, in today’s world? Conversely, perhaps compare how a modern woman would react to the sexual mores of a world described in a literary work? A: One of the strongest literary heroines, in my opinion, is Edna Pontellier, the protagonist of Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening. The novel was a scandal when it was
published in 1899, and I think its ideas are still revolutionary. Edna Pontellier is a woman who resents her obligations as a wife and mother, who wants to live alone as an artist and enjoy sexual relationships with men without marriage or other forms of commitment. Even today, a woman like Edna Pontellier is controversial. The notion still exists that women are morally suspect if they pursue sex simply for the pleasure of it and not as part of a relationship. Women cling to this notion as well, and I think it’s because there are so few models in the media of women who live fulfilling lives (professionally, personally and sexually) outside of a marriage or long-term relationship. Q: On that note, what are the rules of conduct for sexual behavior between university professors and students, and are those a reflection of general social restrictions/conservative morals? A: No, I don’t think prohibitions against professor/student relations are a reflection of conservative morals. I think such prohibitions serve as a protection for students against sexual harassment and abuse. Q: America seems currently to be leaning to the right politically and religiously - is this a serious trend? A: It is a serious trend. I agree with Cynthia Katona’s comment last week that women are becoming
dangerously complacent about their rights, particularly about their right to abortion. Women have made a lot of important gains in the workplace, but unfortunately, now many “liberated” working women are saddled with demanding full-time jobs as well as more than their share of the child care and housework. I think the next important battle for women is government-subsidized child care. Q: Have you ever found a certain mode of dressing so utterly distracting to other students as to be completely inappropriate for the classroom? A: Yes, I do find that some female students dress inappropriately for the classroom. I’m pretty horrified when I look up from my desk and find a pair of scantily clad breasts less than three feet away from my face. I guess these women are seeking attention, and I think it’s sad that this is the method they’ve chosen. Q: Does the media in general portray sex in a positive, reasonable manner? A: I think it’s funny how sex as portrayed in films is always desperately passionate, with people violently ripping each other’s clothes off or banging each other into walls. I can’t help laughing when I see scenes like that. They don’t seem sexy to me in the slightest. Q: Chalk - aphrodisiac or laundry bane? A: Definitely a laundry bane.
Features
March 16, 2006 monitor
‘One World, One Music’ African Sanctus By Joyce Leung Features editor While attending Mass at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem in the mid ‘60s, composer David Fanshawe heard the most miraculous sound. Chants from a neighboring mosque had wafted into the cathedral. “It was all happening at the same time in harmony. Two faiths praying with each other but neither hearing the other,” Fanshawe recollected. As he sat listening to these two separate and often clashing factions harmonize, the well-traveled musician saw the possibilities of melding the music of two very different cultures. His most notable piece, “African Sanctus,” being performed by the Ohlone Chamber Singers this Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Smith Center, is just that, an unlikely infusion of the Latin mass and traditional African music. Featuring a special guest appearance by Fanshawe, this production also features West African drummers, an accompanying choir, a rock band and over more than images taken by the composer during his journey across the African continent. Citing music
as an international ambassador, Fanshawe insists, “African Sanctus has got much more to do with expressing the harmony that music makes between peoples.” And this is exactly what choral conductor Dennis Keller saw in Fanshawe’s composition. “With the college’s push for international education we thought this would be a great piece to do.” Fueled by ambition and his love of travel, Fanshawe set out in 1969 with only a backpack and a stereo tape recorder to Africa, a land he had often dreamed of as a child. Traveling up the river Nile in a symbolic cross-shaped pilgrimage, from the Mediterranean to Lake Victoria and from the mountains of West Sudan to the Red Sea, Fanshawe battled bouts of typhus and fled from a genocide in Uganda in the ‘70s. His journey was certainly not an easy one. However dangerous or perilous, his travels are his muse. “If I wasn’t a traveler I wouldn’t have become a composer. I would have nothing to say,” said Fanshawe. “It’s the travels that inspire me.” His next work, “Pacific Odyssey,” is influenced by his trips to the Pacific West Coast, namely Hawaii. “Once a traveler, always a traveler,”
Can women, men really be friends? By Mojhgan Mohtashimi Photo editor Platonic love: an “affectionate” relationship between people of opposite sexes. Is it possible? Can a woman and a man maintain a close bond without ever entertaining the idea of making passionate love to each other? Can they engage in a harmonious relationship in which they are simply “mentally affectionate” with each other? An array of answers were offered this Wednesday by the panel in this month’s “Cutting Edge Hot Topic” discussion, presented by the EOPS in Room 2133. Returning Hosts Roun Tamaki and Ivy Brawner welcomed special guest Leta Stagnaro, Dean of Health Sciences and Technology and Entrepreneurial Programs at the Newark Campus, to engage the audience in an hour long exchange about whether women and men can be just friends. Audience members were much more involved with this topic compared to the gathering for the last discussion, expressing their own views and prior experiences with platonic relationships. Much of the exchange took place
between members of the audience and Brawner, who immediately declared that it was impossible for boys and girls to be just pals. “If you’re friends with somebody, you’re going to develop some kind of attraction,” he insisted. “There was [some kind of attraction] that drew you together in the first place.” Tamaki and Stagnaro both disagreed with Brawner’s point of view, positing that it is very possible for men and women to have a close relationship without being involved intimately. “I think it has to do with how you define friendship with two people,” countered Stagnaro... “how those two people see their friendship..., so yes they can be just friends.” In the end, whether men and women could potentially maintain a healthy platonic relationship depended on personal views held by members of the panel and the audience. The extent to which one might express physical affection depends on the personal boundaries that we have. Organizers of “Cutting Edge” hope it will develop into a TV show that will be carried on Ohlone’s Channel 28.
said Fanshawe. “My motto that grew out of my music is simply ‘I love the world.’” Fanshawe will also be lecturing this Thursday and Friday at noon in room 2133. For tickets contact the Smith Center Box Office at 510-659-6031 or visit: www.smithcenterpresents. com. Tickets: $15 Adults $10 Seniors/staff/students/kids For more information on Fanshawe or “African Sanctus,” visit: www.africansanctus.com Sanctus History Since its first performance by London’s Saltarello Choir in 1972, “African Sanctus” is now increasingly being incorporated into many educational syllabuses and choral repertoires from such noted examples as: the South African Broadcasting Choir in Johannesburg, the Los Angeles Master Chorale conducted by Roger Wagner, the Sydney Philharmonia Choir at the Sydney Opera House, the Paul Hill Chorale at the Kennedy Centre, Washington and Carnegie Hall in New York.
A Masai girl sings to her favorite cow, Kajiado, in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Her voice, along with those from well over 50 African tribes, contributed to composer David Fanshawe’s “African Sanctus.” Photo provided by David Fanshawe.
Student Rep. Company One Acts (in-a-box)
The Theatre and Dance department’s leading student actors, directors and designers will showcase their talents in an evening of zany comedy and searing drama. See tomorrow’s Oscar winners today March 15-16 at 8 p.m. in the Nummi Theatre. “Nobody Famous” directed by Amy Leigh Cantrell “The Sniper” directed by Nick Zambrano “Childhood” directed by AJ Hamilton “Only the Library” directed by James Devreaux Lewis
Hosts Roun Tamaki and Ivy Brawner stand beside special guest Leta Stagnaro. Photo by Mohjgan Mohtashimi.
For tickets and more information, contact the Smith Center Box Office at: 510-659-6031 or visit: www.smithcenterpresents.com. Photo by Mohjgan Mohtashimi.
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March 16, 2006
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Campus Events March 16-17 One Acts In-ABox (Student Repertory Company Performance) -- 8 p.m. in the NUMMI Theatre in the Smith Center. The Theatre and Dance Department’s leading student actors, directors and designers will showcase their talents in an evening of comedy and drama. Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for adults at the box office or by calling (510) 659-6073. 16 Women’s Softball -- 3 p.m. vs. College of San Mateo at Ohlone. 16 Pizza Night Out-- 5 to 9 p.m. at Pizza Depot located at 43450 Grimmer Blvd., Fremont. This event is a fund raiser hosted by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation. Entertainment will feature Mission Gold Jazz. 17 Discover China -- 10 a.m., in Hyman Hall Room HH-119, mandatory meeting. Are you an student who’s a leader on campus or in the community? Join our Ohlone College Student Delegation to China. The trip is being offered as a 3-unit course. The 10day trip is scheduled at the
end of the Spring Semester and before the start of the summer session. Roundtrip airfare, sleeping accommodations in student dorm of Hangzhou and Taizhou will be paid for. The estimated cost to each student is $300. For more information call (510) 659-7311. 17 Last Day to Petition -- to complete a class on a credit/no credit basis for Spring 2006 semester. 18 Ohlone Chamber Singers: African Sanctus -- Sixth Annual Masterworks: Voices past and present. 8 p.m. in the Jackson Theatre. Show will present composer David Fanshawe’s landmark production. Featuring a rock band, accompanying choir, ethnic drummers, and 200 images taken by the composer during his symbolic pilgrimage across the African continent. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. They are available at the box office or by calling (510) 659-6073. 19 Hollywood’s Magic Mirror -- 2 to 4 p.m., at Niles Silent Film Museum. Located at 37417 Niles Blvd., Niles. Put on by American Association of University Women, a journey using vintage hats reveals how the sil-
ver screen has always reflected the changing lives of American Women. This trip to sound stages, costume closets, and dressing rooms of movie town traces the changing lives of American women from the ’30s to today. Tickets are $15. For reservations or more information call (510) 728-9700. 20-26 Spring Break -- holiday break. No classes. 23 Men’s Baseball -- 2 p.m. vs. Monterey Peninsula College at Ohlone. 23 Women’s Softball -- 3 p.m. vs. Monterey Peninsula College at Ohlone. 25 Men’s Baseball -- Noon vs. City College of San Francisco at Ohlone. 28 Transfer Event: San Jose State University -Meet with rep Paula Armsted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Make an appointment by visiting the counseling window in Building 1 or by calling (510) 659-6110. 29 Transfer Event: University of California, Santa Cruz -- Meet with rep Ebony Lewis between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Make an appointment by visiting the counseling window in Building 1 or by calling
(510) 659-6110. 29 World Forum: The Israelli/Palestinian Conflict -- Noon to 2 p.m. in the Epler Gymnasium. Dr. Noel Kaplowitz will present the Israeli perspective. His research has included hours of interviewing with Arab and Israeli leaders and officials on their national self-images, perceptions of the other, and attitudes towards issues in conflict. His articles have been published in many journals. This event is free. 30 Transfer Event: Cal State East Bay -- Meet with rep Louise Martinez between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Make an appointment by visiting the counseling window in Building 1 or by calling (510) 659-6110. 31 Highschool Theatre Festival Art Show -- All day in the Smith Center. This year, during the annual High School Theater Festival, the gallery will present selected artworks of the high school students participating in the festival. Come and watch high school students compete.
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31 A Latin Experience: Benefit Dinner -- 6 to 10 p.m., at Newark Pavilion 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark. Put on by the Ohlone College Foundation, support the underrepresented students in the biosciences with an evening of food, friends and festivity. Beginning with a complimentary wine reception and later a Latin feast, this evening ends with pulseracing Latin dancing. For more information and tickets call (510) 659-6020.
CLASSIFIEDS WEARE HIRING Teachers and Aides for Preschool Centers. Our locations are in Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark & Union City. Please call Arlein @ 866-994-7823 or fax your resume to 650-994-7825 or e-mail it to calstaff@sbcglobal.net. FREE Satellite TV System FREE installation. Get up to 4 receivers with remotes for up to 4 TVs. Over 300 channels available. For information, call 800-784-7694. Please mention special promotion code: A33496003
Read the Monitor Online at http://ohlone.edu/org/monitor
The Monitor invites your comments. Letters should be 250 words or less and include your name and relationship to Ohlone. Letters become property of The Monitor and may be edited for spelling and length. Campus Events listings are free for college-related events. To have your event added or to place an ad, contact Danelle Meyer at (510) 659-6075 or e-mail monitorads@ohlone.edu
Thursday, March 16, 2006
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Ohlone loses two in Madness tourney By Nick Zambrano Sports editor and Naomi Balagot Staff writer
This past weekend’s horrid weather was not a factor for Ohlone’s March Madness Softball Tournament as the games went on as scheduled despite the winds and the come-and-go rain. The Lady Renegades looked to defend their 2005 tournament title as they took on Porterville College in the first round. Representing Ohlone in the war on the rubber was Isabel Ramos. In five innings pitched, Ramos had three strikeouts, two hits and two walks. The Lady Renegades had numerous opportunities to put runs on the board, but let them slip by. In the first inning, Jessica Soderholm singled for Ohlone’s first hit. After stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball, all Soderholm needed to score was a base hit or a sacrifice fly. However, after a Missy Cross strikeout and Kristina DaSilva popup, Soderholm was stranded at third. In the third, Ashley Marra got on base because of a Porterville error, but was left stranded. In the fourth, Ramos walked her
Ohlone catcher Meredith Ang, unable to hold on to pitcher Isabel Ramos’ delivery, looks down to see the ball slip right underneath her. Photo by Ross Tsvetanov
said Ohlone Head Coach Donna Runyon. “I would like people to beat us knowing that we have 21 outs to figure out a way to beat them.” In their second game, the Lady Renegades fell to Feather River College 3-0. On the mound for Ohlone was Tiffany Chan. In her losing effort, Chan had one strike-out, three walks in six innings pitched and was also two for two at the plate and had one stolen base. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Coach Runyon pulled Liz Wagner in favor of pinch-hitter Ashley Gibbs. Gibbs battled with Feather River pitcher Nicholle Ellis in a 10-pitch at-bat but unfortunatley struck out on a change-up. After Gibbs, Valerie Briones connected with a bunt-slap single. Trying to make something happen, Briones was caught stealing second. Up next was Jessica Soderholm, who hit a bloop single. Then on a Missy Cross double, Soderholm advanced to third, bringing up clean-up hitter Kristina DaSilva. However, the game ended with DaSilva who grounded out, ending Ohlone’s only opportunity to score, and the game. Up next for the Lady Renegades is College of San Mateo, today at 3 p.m.
pitching counterpart, Ashley Block, and on two wild pitches let her advance to third. Porterville’s Ashley Vasquez then brought Block on a single to score the game’s only run. With pinch runner Liz Wagner on third in the fifth, the game was on catcher Meredith Ang’s shoulders. Trying to keep to her team’s hopes
alive, Ang slapped a shot to right center. However, a diving collision between Porterville’s outfielders sealed their fate. In the midst of the collision, the ball was caught and the game was over, Porterville 1, Ohlone 0. Normally, softball games have seven innings of play, however be-
cause of the tournament, a time limit of an hour and half was imposed. Because of the time limit, Ohlone did not have an extra two at-bats to build their comeback. “In a 1-0 ball game, you need every inning and every out of every inning to try to manufacture a run if you’re not going to hit the run in,”
fade. Fokken became disinterested, gained weight and even picked up smoking. Even after immigrating to the United States, the passion was nowhere to be found. But it wasn’t until at the age of 40, that Fokken would get the chance to run again and find his long last passion. His daughter had asked him to run a race with her. That race was a marathon taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a great moment for Fokken. Running side by side with his daughter, and finishing within one second from one another really made the race very special. From then on, Fokken began to feel the passion to run he once felt long ago as a kid growing up in German. Not even a seven-month injury to his tibia would slow him. Fokken has been competing in many marathons throughout the country and even the world. He has competed in the Napa marathon three times, the San Francisco once, the
Boston marathon once, and even the Athens, Greece marathon one time. The Athens race was very memorable for Fokken. Competing in the city months after it had hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics, and running past the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium was overwhelming. “It was an incredible feeling,” Fokken said. “The culture of Greece and its history is something I’ll never forget.” Running is something that is always going to be in his blood. Currently at age 60, he is still running and competing. “I want to go until I’m 80!” he said. “I enjoy running marathons. I can’t just go for a little jog every morning.” For the past four years, Fokken has been a part of the Mission Peak Striders and is currently a computer technician at Ohlone. He has been in this country for 27 years now, and loves what he does. He has also qualified to run in the Boston marathon in 2007.
Hartmut Fokken, with the medal he earned upon completing the Napa Valley Marathon. Photo by Ross Tsvetanov
Hartmut Fokken: Ohlone’s running man By Rahul Batra Staff writer
Preparing for a marathon is very demanding, challenging and is tedious work. It takes full commitment, will power and the endurance to achieve the stamina needed to run. Running 26.2 miles is no walk in the park, so to speak. Only a handful of people have the endurance to do it. There is, however, one runner at Ohlone that has been doing this for a long, long time. His name is Harmut Fokken. Born and raised in the Frankfurt area of Germany, Fokken began running at a very early age. Around 13, he caught the running bug after competing in a 1000m race at the county level. Since then, running has been a passion for him. During his time in the military, Fokken would compete in 400m relay races. However, after leaving the military at the age of 24, the passion to run began to
Peterson turns team around from 2005 season By Rahul Batra Staff writer The Ohlone men’s basketball team showed great promise this season under Head Coach John Peterson and his staff. Each coach understood the college’s philosophy of seeing players grow as students and people. The team was developed to give more high school athletes the opportunity to play the sport at the collegiate level while building a stronger program for the college. The Renegades improved on both sides of the ball from last season. Their offense improved by making key three pointers, lay-ups, and sinking free throw opportunities.
Their defense was tremendously solid. Protecting underneath the hoop so that opponents couldn’t get through to make a lay-up or draw a foul, focusing on man-toman defense to allow opponents to shoot with the shot clock winding down, and making steals and forcing key turnovers is what was very impressive. The Renegades also had a very tough practicing regiment. Their practices each week negated their social life, sacrificing their sleep and eating to focus on a season with a tough schedule. The Ohlone men’s basketball team finished the season at 21-12. In the regional playoffs, tenth ranked Ohlone lost to seventh ranked Siskiyous in an intense,
exciting game. That however, did not mean the season was a disappointment. Coach Peterson was very happy with his team. “Terrific,” Peterson said. “Every year you want to compete for a league title. We did that. They were great to coach and great to be around.” Sam Kim was Ohlone’s only sophomore this year. Kim was essentially the leader for Ohlone this year. He was one of the most dominant players every time he set foot on the court. Along with Kim being the only returning player from last season, he also provided the skill and determination the Renegades
needed to have a successful season along with a winning record. There will be many universities throughout the country that will be very lucky to have a baller like him. This season saw some thrilling victories including a home win in overtime, which saw Ohlone shut out Canada in OT to put the game away. Other wins included an impressive home victory against rival Chabot and against powerhouses Contra Costa and Foothill. This season for Ohlone was very promising, exciting and enthusiastic. Tremendous amount of support from family and friends allowed the Renegades finish strong this season. Even though the loss to
Siskiyous may be a disappointment to some, there was a moral victory to celebrate. Reaching to that level and playing a very tough team, with tremendous pressure, is something to be proud of. All their hard work they put in each day, through thick and thin, showed their promise and success this year and hopefully for many years to follow. If you followed the Renegades at all this year, you know it was a great season to watch. Only losing two players this offseason, Ohlone will come in next year with the main ingredient ready to go to compete for next year’s league title. Chemistry. Look for another impressive season, come tip-off 2007.