monitor Vol. XLII No. 13
ohlonemonitoronline.com Fremont, California
December 8, 2011
Task Force cripples community colleges Campus newspapers denounce recommendations
All I want for Christmas is:
As I’ve grown older the magic of the Christmas season has gradually faded away and a deeply rooted cynicism has instead replaced old traditions. I don’t believe that life is like a fairy tale where every girl is a princess and receives her own fairy-tale ending. Magic isn’t real. It is an illusion. Life at its very essence includes complexities that makes it so intriguing and that much more worth engaging in. Santa Claus is the biggest seasonal farce of all. The idea of a fat old man coming down your chimney is not cool. That is some extreme creeper status. Seriously, hide your kids. Hide your wife. As it is I’m a fun size (short) which would otherwise make me a good Keebler elf, but regardless of the season, I don’t want any man telling me what to do. During this season of giving, material items hold greater value. I’m not pretending to put myself on a pedestal that I don’t want something. True, it would easy to revert back to being a little girl and fill the rest of this space with a list of all the material things that I want, but I don’t need a professor to teach me what I learned long ago. Over time, possesions will in fact lose their luster. In a way, it would be nice to have some of the magic back: the foundation that anything is possible if you wish it to be so. Adults have become nothing but caged birds who lack the ability to ask and demand what their hearts truly long for. Yet, children do it naturally. The key to unlocking the present is in believing in the power that magic has. That is a challenge in the face of harsh realities. So, in hopes of restoring some magic and perhaps finally getting out of the box of apathy, I’ll suspend my attitudes of disbelief and be truthful that all I want for Christmas is you...
MONITOR EDITORIAL
In conjuction with community colleges across the state of California, the Monitor is publishing an opinion editorial against the 22 recommendations made by the California Community College Success Task Force. For more coverage please see page 4.
Over the course of this year, Community College Chancellor Jack Scott has assembled the California Community College Success Task Force or SSTF. SSTF’s agenda is to reform community colleges across the Golden State and the SSTF recommendations are complied in a 75-page document. The 22 recommendations that the Task Forces will present in January are problematic on every front despite claiming they’re being made in the best interests of the 112 California community colleges. Where we find ourselves is at a critical economic crossroads where education arguably plays a vital role in who we are and how we make our mark in an ever changing world. The Task Force fails to address the problems that are in the community college system and effectively
wants to implement the destruction of the foundation of how community colleges function by shoving them into model of onesize-fits-all, which won’t be beneficial towards long term success of students or adequately serve the community Courses offered will be streamlined and have a primary focus on basic skills, leaving little to no room for specialized skills education. These unprecedented changes within the community college system strip away self governance. The recommendations are contradictory to the fact that California prides itself on the ideology of diversity. We, at the Monitor stand united in opposition to the SSTF recommendations has made. The STTF fails to solve the problems that face community colleges and will mean more steps to climb in pursuit of higher education.
Graphic illustration by Simon Tang and Amy Scott
OPINIONS
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ohlone college
monitor HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE Editor-in-Chief: Manika A. Casterline Features editor: Amy Scott Sports editor: Kyle Nordeen Opinions editor: Joe Nichols Photo editor: Simon Tang Staff writers: Ben Rosete, Ashley Lam, Jamie Lam, Navin Krishnan and Sally Huo Distribution manager: Joe Nichols Photo staff: Jessica Kuester, Theodore Domingo, Sophia Vaughn and Nichole Merrilees Ad manager: Jamie Madamba Ad staff: Japneet Kaur Adviser: Jeanie R. Wakeland Printer: FP Press
Contact us: Offices: Room 5310 Call: 510.659.6075 E-mail:monitor@ohlone. edu Read: ohlonemonitoronline .com facebook.com/profile.php ?id=139929860675&refid= 22&ref=pb
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Regional Pacemaker 1988 Journalism Association of Community Colleges General Excellence Fall 1994 General Excellence Fall 2000 General Excellence Fall 2004 General Excellence Fall 2005 Opinions expressed in the Moniare 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 Collegeand 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. tor
OHLONE MONITOR STAFF
The plight of an exchange student By SALLY HUO Staff writer
In the 21st century, technology is highly developed, which brings nations closer to each other. Thus, studying abroad is becoming popular for students. About 260,000 American college students studied abroad in 2008-2009. Around 100,280 international students as full-time students studied in the United Kingdom. In 2004, China had 114,663 students were studying in the other countries. Ohlone College has had an international program for a long time. About 300 international students from around 30 different countries are studying at Ohlone College recently. As many international students come to Ohlone College, many questions arise. Various students, especially Chinese students, always ask: “How I can get in UC Berkeley or UCLA? Which instructor is easiest for second-language students?
“We had a hard time to schedule many internationals students who wants to take the easy instructors’ classes, particularly English classes, but the point is that they are taking the easy class right now,” said Wayne Takakuwa, international students’ counselor. “However, they probably will not get anything and still do not know how to write the academic paper at the end of class.” “After they transfer to a university, they still have troubles on how to do the paper work correctly or professionally.” Many universities already complained that transfer students do not have high quality. Thus, they are rejected by some popular major transfer schools, such as the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley. “Many international students want to go to UC Berkeley or UCLA because those universities are famous in their home countries when they are go back to have jobs in their country,” said Takakuwa.
“However, in the United States, for many companies it does not really matter where you graduated from.” “Many engineers in Silicon Valley graduated from San Jose State,” he said. International students counselors always recommend that international students who want to go to famous universities should take time – maybe as long as three years – to study at Ohlone College. They also encourage international students to take some
ESL classes to improve writing skills faster before taking the regular English classes. “I do not really care about which class I am going to take or which instructor I am going to have, as long as the class is not in the morning like 7 o’clock,” said Wenyu Zhao, an international student. “In my home country, if you graduate from Berkeley or UCLA, you probably can get a nice job with a high salary,” said Sichao Jiang, an international student.
Campus Comment >>>
How are final exams stressing you out?
Jennifer Faggiano
Austin Bates
Mike Smith
Tayilar Henderson
“I have to read 300 pages by Tuesday.”
“I only get four hours sleep because I’m studying.”
“They make me edgy. They are coming all at the same time.”
“They make me very angry.”
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OPINIONS GPS: Enforcement tool or privacy invasion?
December 8, 2011 monitor 3
By JOE NICHOLS Opinions editor
The Supreme Court is now hearing arguments on the warrantless use of Global Positioning System tracking devices by police. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, along with several other groups, have filed a friend of the court brief against the use of GPS tracking devices without a warrant. Warrantless use of GPS trackers by police and federal law enforcement are a blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment,which protect citizens from unjust search and seizure.
This kind of tracking is a violation of a private citizen’s reasonable expectation of privacy and civil liberties. When police obtain a search warrant have to show probable cause or a reasonable belief that a crime is being, will be, or has been committed. This is applied to surveillance, and needs to be used in the case of GPS. When law enforcement uses other types of invasive surveillance technology, such as a wiretap, it is required to obtain a search warrant after showing probable cause. Law enforcement has replaced older beeper-assisted, direction-finding tracking de-
vices with new GPS trackers. GPS provides more information that the beeperassisted tracers are not able to, such as exact longitude and latitude coordinates, as well as altitude and heading information. GPS, with the proper software, allow police and other law enforcement to track and log a vehicles every move within inches. This is also very intrusive. GPS removes the human element from surveillance – something that opponents to its use say is a violation of privacy without a warrant. The older beeper-assisted trackers required law en-
forcement to actually follow a car, as the older trackers didn’t provide any more than directional information and signal strength. The use of GPS is a type of intrusive tracking that needs oversight so that it is not abused by law enforcement. Judicial oversight would also provide guidelines on when and how GPS trackers should be used, and provide penalties should law enforcement step outside of the set guidelines. New GPS tracking devices no longer need batteries. The device can be hardwired into the target vehicles electrical system.
This means that the GPS can be used indefintely. To be able to indefintely spy on someone could be considered entrapment. Ben Franklin once said, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Congress should enact legislation setting up guidelines on when and how local, state and federal law enforcement can use GPS trackers and related tracking software. The law should also provide penalties should a law enforcement agency circumvent the set guidelines and protech citizens’ rights.
United States too involved in foreign conflicts
By BEN ROSETE Staff writer
The state of the economy, unemployment, climate change, security and education are just some of the many issues the United States faces today. With more immediate problems continuing to develop, the American public has come to question the responsibilities and commitments the nation has to other countries. Is the involvement of the United States in foreign affairs and conflicts necessary? Is it justified? Does the government need to be as active in monitoring global events? The simple answer to this question is yes. The United States needs to be active in foreign affairs, both for its own benefit and that of its allies and partners. However, the reality is that the country will have to
reorganize its priorities and concerns in order to remain a powerful influence globally throughout the 21st century. The position of the United States as a leading world power in the 20th and 21st centuries has without a doubt had a major impact on global affairs. For better or worse, the United States has maintained a, strong, but inconsistent stance in matters of foreign policy, applying force in some situations and while in others, ignoring what is most important. From political conflicts in Latin America to crime in the Horn of Africa, the unbalanced treatment of foreign policy by the United States has cost the nation valuable gains. Multinational terrorism, security in the Middle East, the industrialization of the Third World and the emergent Arab Spring are some of the issues which have become the most
important to the foreign policy of the United States, but also those which it has had the most difficulty controlling. One example is its involvement in the Middle East. With continuing conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, has the American government exceeded its own mandate? In the debate between Israel and Palestine, is the intervention of the United States valid? Because of bias, both in government and in the general population, the interests of the United States cannot be served. For instance, problems with trade and the exportation of oil resources in the Middle East might be remedied if policy in that region was changed. The situation between Palestine and Israel is an instance where more effort has been placed than necessary on part of the United States. In addition, the recent move by the United States to
remove funding for UNESCO, because of the group’s acceptance of Palestine as a member state was a controversial decision. The fact that the funds given by the U.S. to the committee make up more than a fifth of its total resources casts more doubts on the way the American government operates globally. Another point of conflict on foreign policy has always been military spending and the deployment of troops to other countries. Over the years, the War on Terror has become a conflict more against ideals than against groups, and has led to controversy and dissent within public opinion. The ongoing intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan has succeeded in furthering mistrust between the Western World and the population of the Middle East. Yes, in many ways, the
United States, should and needs to remain active in foreign affairs, however, it must operate with the goal to support rather than intervene. Public awareness is essential both within the American population and in the cultures to which the U.S. reaches out. A more balanced understanding of priorities will help the United States to not only improve trade and diplomatic relations with other countries, but also to expand its own resources and solve its internal problems. By taking a different stance on certain issues, by balancing its opinions, by giving more attention to foreign aid and policy, the United States will have a better chance of having a more positive influence among both allies and opponents globally. The ballance will only hlep the United States international image, but the images of its allies abroad.
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NEWS
Task Force plans to alter community colleges By BEN ROSETE Staff writer
After more than 12 months of work, the Student Success Task Force has almost completed its agenda and legislation for the state government to change community colleges. The Task Force has complied more than 20 recommendations in text for the state Legislature. These recommendations will first be presented to the Board of Governors of the California Community College system before being approved and given to the state. Some of the main work that has been undertaken by the Task Force includes chang-
ing community college policy related to the admission of students. For some low-income students, the modification system might make it more difficult for them to gain admission in a school and receive financial aid. Other controversial points include having students lose priority registration status if they do not declare a major after three semesters or on academic probation; limit aid to students who have taken more than 110 units; and centralizing curriculum and control of community colleges at a state level rather than the current system of local districts.
This may be a possible consequence of changing the present need-based system in favor of one that formulate its recommendations and has been receiving feedback from several sources. The 20-member group, with representatives from different areas of the state, is entrusted with making recommendations to the state authorities on what students and faculty want and don’t want on their campuses. “Our task was to research and provide recommendations to the legislature regarding performance based funding and whether or not it was possible, or should be recommended at this time,” said
Kevin Feliciano, who serves as the president of the student senate for California community colleges and is a member of the task force. Feliciano was nominated and accepted to join the Student Success Task Force on behalf of the California Community College system. Currently, he is the only student within the assembly to have the right to vote on issues and proposals presented. “The Student Senate California Community College has positions on 12 of the 22 recommendations. In my capacity as a member, I represent those positions first and my personal opinion is second.We are working on
a document of our positions based on what the final report looks like.” The task force came into being after the approval of Senate Bill 1143 by State Sen. Carol Liu (D-Glendale) in 2010. The bill changed the means by which community colleges received money from the state and allowed for further changes to be made to the existing system. “We are in month 12 of a 12-month process. Wednesday we will be finalizing our recommendations to send to the CCC Board of Governors for approval and then the Board of Governors will present it to the Legislature on or before March 1.”
Unique community defined by deaf program By ASHLEY LAM Staff writer
said Pauliukonis. This gives students the opportunity to pursue many different fields of interest. The Deaf Studies Program David Harvey, who is hard of defines Ohlone. It is what hearing, is currently a student makes Ohlone a unique comin the Deaf Studies Program. munity and sets Ohlone apart Harvey has been at Ohlone from other schools. for two years. Currently he “Ohlone is one of the largis taking English 151 B and est two year Deaf Education Public Speech. programs in the country. “I attended Gallaudet UniOhlone is well known both versity (in Washington, D.C.) locally and internationally,” for two years and did not finish said Nancy Pauliukonis, an my major. When I went back English professor in the Deaf home, I realized jobs were Studies Program. Photo by Joe Nichols impossible to find so I came Pauliukonis said, “There back to Ohlone College and are many international stu- David Harvey start a new path,” he said. dents that come to Ohlone to “Currently I am working on learn the ASL.” the Deaf Studies program, to get my associate degree in Over the years the Deaf deaf students now can easDeaf Studies, but after I get Studies Program has under- ily transfer to other schools that, I will go to art school to gone a great deal of change. once they finish their time at get a degree in management The program has developed Ohlone. and culinary arts. Since I was into a strong and cohesive “We set up a program so a kid, I have always dreamed Deaf community, holding a that it works with the state of of becoming a chef,” said strong presence on campus. California. Our graduates can Harvey. He is also an active “We used to have a program obtain work at CSD, Califorfor ASL and Interpreting nia Schools for the Deaf in member on the ASOC board. “I like working with the combined. It was a three- Fremont and the California ASOC. Most of them are easy year program. Now we have School for the Deaf in Rivergoing and most of them do two separate programs. ASL side,” said Klopping. not know sign language, but and Deaf Studies is now a “The Deaf Preparatory they are willing to learn. We two+ years program. It is program prepares students communicate through writing also a certificate program for mainstream classes. The or typing on a computer,” said and a degree program,” said Deaf Program students may Harvey. Sandra “Bunny” Klopping, a take college transfer classes, Harvey explained his role in professor in the ASL and Deaf such as English and math, the ASOC government. “I am Studies Program. in order to prepare them for part of the ASOC parliament; With this development in the mainstream classes,”
I have to make sure everyone is following the right process. It is a challenge for me so I have to pay close attention.” On Nov. 23, Harvey attended an ASOC meeting at 4 p.m. in the Student Center. “We meet every week for an hour,” said Harvey. As he walked into the meeting confidently, clad in his white-button-up shirt and white purple vest, it is clear that he knew his way around. He took his usual seat in the room and talked to his friends beside him through sign language. There were two interpreters who met Harvey at the meeting who helped him translate what others are saying. The friendly buzz stopped when the meeting began with the tapping of a gavel. After roll call was taken, throughout the meeting, the interpreters switched in communicating with Harvey, relaying what others are saying. Harvey stayed engaged and attentive during the meeting, as he participated in student votes and took a stand where he felt it was necessary. Harvey opened up about his challenges as a student, especially as a member of the ASOC. “For me the biggest challenge is that I am deaf and
I am involved with ASOC. Not many members of ASOC know about the deaf culture and the deaf community. The interaction between the ASOC and deaf community creates a bigger picture,” Harvey said. “Not many students understand how the deaf can function by themselves.” “As a student that is why I am here, to show them that we can do the same as hearing students.” Damien Spillane, who is hard of hearing, got his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, at Gallaudet University. Now Spillane is at Ohlone and he continues to pursue Communication Studies. Spillane is currently taking a variety of classes, including ASL 103, Deaf Culture, Critical Thinking and Persuasion and Career Communication. “Ohlone classes are great. I have two deaf classes and two mainstream classes with interpreters,” said Spillane. Spillane explained that he takes classes with the help of other students taking notes of what the instructor is saying. “People are very friendly and sensitive to cultural diversity. The services in general are great and I love Ohlone,” said Spillane.
the first week of the term,” said Patrice Birkedahl, public information officer at Ohlone. “Right now, there are plans to work through the month of January and the start of the next semester, including the week of Dec. 26.” In the past few weeks, contractors have been working on finishing four main projects on the campus as well as on repairing a broken pipe in the main quad. “The main task being undertaken right now and over the next few weeks is
“In addition over the break, there will be people working on shaping the concrete core for the ramps and stairs around Buildings 5 and 6 on campus.” “We expect that with that project, we will be done in two to three weeks,” said Birkedahl. Work in and around Building 9 on the Fremont campus is also scheduled to continue through the pause between semesters. “Most of the efforts in that area are regarding the con-
struction of a new elevator to help mobility and accessibility,” said Birkedahl. “Once that is completed, then there will still be some work on modeling and finishing pathways, gates to the swimming pool and general landscaping.” Plans have been made to begin construction of the main solar array at Ohlone is scheduled to begin in early in spring. However, the work will be limited to the fields on the south side of campus.
Construction to be completed by spring semester By BEN ROSETE Staff writer
Students and staff can look forward to a spring semester largely without construction work on campus. Current plans are in place for work on the Fremont campus to be in its final stages by the first week of the new term. “For the most part, work in and around the Fremont campus will be done by the start of the spring semester. Definitely, the projects we have now will be done within
related to the system of wells beneath Ohlone built for the below-grade water intrusion project,” said Birkedahl. “During that time, we hope to be able to finish building the final well. After that, the system will need to be approved by the Alameda County Water District before it is operational.” Construction of the wells began during the summer. They will be used to extract and collect water runoff on campus before returning it to the local aquifer supply.
NEWS
December 8, 2011 monitor 5
Students engage in vibrant campus life The Holiday Winter break is a time to relax and catch up with loved ones. From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, let the sounds of the season be celebratory... DRESS & TIE
Performed by Charlene Kaye featuring Darren Criss
“I’ll wear that dress if you wear that tie and baby we’ll dance through the night. Cause no one’s got what we got going.” ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
Performed by Michael Buble
“I just want you for my own. more than you could ever know.” THE NEARNESS OF YOU
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald
“It isn’t your sweet conversation that brings me this sensation. It’s just the nearness of you.” HAPPY CHRISTMAS (WAR IS OVER)
Performed by John Lennon
“So, this is Christmas and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun.” WINTER SONG
Performed by Sara Barielles & Ingrid Michaelson
“My love’s a beacon in the night. My words will be your light to carry you to me.” BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
Performed by Glee Cast version
“I’ll hold your hands their just like mine. My mother will start to worry. Beautiful, what’s your hurry?” LAST CHRISTMAS Performed by WHAM
“This year to save me from tears, I’ll give it to someone special.” JUST A KISS
Performed by Lady Antebellum
“Just a shot in dark that just might be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life. ” THE CHIPMUNKS SONG
Performed by The Chipmunks
“I still want a hula hoop.” AULD LANG SYNE
Performed by Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis
“Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? ” COLD DECEMBER NIGHT
Performed by Michael Buble
“I want something to last forever. So, kiss me on this cold December night.”
Photos by Nichole Merrilees For some students, it’s not all work and no play when they are passionate about what they are learning. Top: Christine Chong relaxes by reading during her time between classes. Center left: Serena Sanders glides her fingers gracefully along the piano. Center right: Alice Alfaro checks her newly developed pictures against the light. Bottom left: Juliana Sisneros taps her way during practice and Francisco Hernandez strums his electric guitar in a practice room.
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FEATURES
Captain Ahab’s ‘Moby Dick’ is whale of a tale
A student review of Herman Melville’s timeless literar y classic By EDMUNDO RUIZ Correspondent
Herman Melville is a pillar of American literature. Though the times he lived in did not recognize the depth and originality of “Moby Dick,” we as a culture have been blessed with a timeless classic that will continue to entertain for generations. Originally titled “Moby Dick, or “The Whale,” the great American classic is dedicated to another giant of literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne, whom Melville felt was a genius. What is it about Moby Dick that seizes the soul? What can we learn from a very rational Captain Ahab and his one senseless obsession? Revenge drives all that follows this absorbing psychosis into a collision with a giant,
crazed and intelligent sperm whale. It is interesting when the reader find this majestic animal only exists in three of the one hundred and thirty five chapters of this lengthy novel, and yet the entire story centers around this great moment of clashing between nature and humanity. Ishmael, the main character of the story, narrates from a first-person point of view. We find a famous opening in the first paragraphs in which Ishmael professes his love for the sea and its ability to heal the wounds that culture inflict upon his being. Boredom and apathy plague his thoughts. All he can do is take to the sea as its essence soothes Ishmael in a way that the dry
parts of the world cannot. His relationship with the characters of the story cover the full range of human experiences, from the bizarre friendship with a canni-
throughout his body and tends to behave more compassionately than his ‘civilized’ counterparts. In the surrender to Ahab’s mission to destroy Moby Dick, or the reverential view of the great whale itself, the reader can find bal who has tattoos refreshing metaheavily spread phors detailing the human mind in accord and conflict with moral ideals. Captain Ahab is a most peculiar aspect of this story, though everything about “Moby Dick” is peculiar. It seems as though his philosophies are sound and justified, except for the most important one of all; Illustration by Amy Scott the irrational reason to de-
stroy a creature that Melville portrays as almost human in its perceived malice towards the great captain. Anyone who reads this story may reflect on this particular point, as it is worthy of reflection. It penetrates a very interesting aspect of the reader’s mind; the reader may find he or she shares the same feelings, only attached to a different object for a different reason. Like every great artist, Herman Melville is blessed with great insight that the reader is led to through brilliant writing. This novel is meant to be meditated upon, as every aspect is rich with messages that light up some of the darkest reaches of human thought. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys great philosophy dissolved into poetic prose.
Christmas Events Calendar Christmas Extravaganza Concert
Where: Smith Center When: Dec. 10 Time: 2 p.m. Admission: Adults, $15; Seniors, staff, students $10 Contact: http://www2. ohlone.edu/instr/music/images/flyer_owo_ dec.jpg
Berkeley City Ballet “The Nutcracker”
Where: Smith Center When: Dec. 17 & 18 Time: 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $25; Seniors, staff, students $20; Youth 12 & under $15 Contact: (510) 8309524 https://www.berkeleyballet.org
Jazz/Rock Combos 26th Anniversary Fall Concert Where: Smith Center of “Christmas When: Dec. 9 at the Mission” Time: 7 p.m. Admission: Adults, $15; Seniors, staff, students $10
2011 Holiday Train of Lights Where: Niles Train Station, Fremont When: Dec. 8 at 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.; through Dec. 29 Admission: $25 Contact: (510) 9968420
Who: Ohlone Chamber Singers Where: Old Mission San Jose When: Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. & 18 at 4 p.m. Admission: General, $15; Students & seniors (with I.D.) $ 10 Contact: http://www2. ohlone.edu/instr/music/images/flyer_ocs_ dec.jpg
FEATURES
December 8, 2011 monitor 7
Ohlone Music Circle rocks out under the palms By THEODORE DOMINGO Photographer
You may play music on iPhones, iPods, iPads, laptops, or on PCs, but would it be nice for to play actual music, like an instrument perhaps? Throughout much of the month of November, Ohlone College held its first ever music session every Mondays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. outside the Palm Bosque. This was a student-only event was set up by Ohlone students D’Antonio Goode, Esther Myers and Sally Bright. They were provided with a good amount of decent music instruments such as the cabasa, ukulele, bongo drums, melodica and the glockenspiel. It is what many call a jam session, but it usually consists of having a group of people sit around in a circle and just play some instruments, much like a campfire sing-a-long, except it is held in the daytime, and there was no fire. Many Ohlone students who participated in this event had a lot of good vibes in getting to play other instruments and knowing others around them. Freshman Cody Amundson said, “Every time I walk by here I always think of it as a hippie group.” Photos by Theodore Domingo On the top left: Ohlone student and music circle event organizer Sally Bright plays the cabasa during one of the events. Center top: Freshman Alex Semenac blows on the melodica playing a jaunty tune with it during the Ohlone Music Circle event. On the top right: Freshman Taylor Johnson plays the ukelele. The students gathered on the lawn of the Palm Bosque for the first jam session of many for the Ohlone Music Circle. Students also brought their own instruments to the session.
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FEATURES
Casa del Pomba blazes bright in the dark night By AMY SCOTT Features editor
For Christmas cheer and good tidings at the holidays, look no further than Deacon Dave Rezendes’ Casa del Pomba, or House of the Dove, in Livermore. His yearly lights display is now open for the season, and this year’s display has been named “The Sounds of Christmas.” For 29 years, Deacon Dave has opened his home to the public every winter holiday season. The deacon and a team of volunteers decorate his family property for Christmas season. The preparations for the yearly Christmas light display begin every year in August. Every year, a count of the LED lights used for the display is recorded. This year, his home and garden has been decorated in 343,200 lights. The high winds experienced in the Bay Area wrecked several thousand lights from the display. However, volunteers were able to replace and repair the lights in time for the grnd opening. At 6 o’clock sharp every night, the lights are turned on and the gates open for visitors to walk though to enjoy. Guests enter through the greenpeaked roof house at the main gate, and inch their way along the path in Deacon Dave’s front yard, until they
Top photo, the “believe” sign towers over guests as they enter the display. At right, a lonely statue gazes out on a pond painted by brightly colored bushes surrounding it. Bottom right, Casa del Pomba is draped in LED lights.
exit out the second gate. The path is short, but the display is packed with different displays. Visitors can also play “Spot the Mickey” by trying to find the seven Mickey Mouses (or perhaps Mice?) hidden throughout Casa del Pomba. There is no entrance fee to walk through the gardens and view the lights, but there is a donation box along the path for visitors to contribute to charity. Several webcams are placed through out the property for those who can’t make it to the property, but still want to enjoy the lights display. Along the path, guests can view the inner lights draped along the hedges, several mannequin Christmas displays spread through out the tour and a waterfall.
Casa del Pomba Hours Sun. – Thurs.: 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Fri. & Sat.: 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Dec. 25: 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Dec. 26 -Dec. 30: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Dec. 31: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Lights remain on till midnight unless there is heavy rain and or strong wind. Jan. 1: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The display will be officially closed for the season. For more info: www.casadelpomba.com
Photos by Amy Scott
Jazz it up and rock it out at Ohlone Smith Center By ASHLEY LAM Staff writer
This semester, the Jazz and Rock sections of Ohlone’s music department will present their final show of 2011 on Friday Dec. 9 in the Jackson Theater. The audience will experience will enjoy a full night of varied entertainment, said Tim Roberts, one of Ohlone’s music professors. He said he’s looking forward to the Jazz/Rock Combo concert. “We always like to mix up
styles, giving students the opportunity to play music that’s new to them or outside their normal comfort zone,” he said. “It’s always fun to see new students get their first taste of playing on a big stage with professional lights and sound.” Ohlone students in the music department have been preparing for this concert for the whole semester, Roberts said. “With just one rehearsal each week, we’ve been working on some of these tunes all semester. But we’ve had other gigs to do earlier in the term,
including one show at Mission Pizza, and one for the League of California Community Colleges at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, plus a couple of gigs by the Guitar Ensemble, a subset of Combo,” said Roberts. The concert begins at 7p.m. but its ending time is not scheduled, as this is the nature of the concert. “This is always a big, long show – 42 songs – with 71 performers in various combinations of bands and ensembles. So we’ll be there for a few hours. The audience will get its money’s worth,”
Roberts said. This year’s Rock/Jazz concert differs from previous years because it will be separated into two different sections. On Thursday, there will be a set of songs made famous by Bay Area artists. On Friday, following the intermission, there will be modern music in addition to three songs written by Ohlone students performing at the Jazz/Rock concert, said Roberts. As for next semester, Roberts explained when the Jazz/ Rock concert will take place.
“Combo reconstitutes itself anew every semester, and the music is new every time. However, commercially oriented music majors take combo every semester, so there’s a lot of carry-over from term to term. And some adult members of the Thursday night section have been taking ombo for as many as 10 years. It’s a great creative outlet,” said Roberts. The concert will take place in the Jackson Theater and will start at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under and $10 for senior citizens and Ohlone students or staff.
NEWS The benefits of the community college option
December 8, 2011 monitor 9
By JAMIE LAM Staff writer
What benefits do attending community college include? That’s a question many students are asking in the wake of economic hardship. Can they reach the same level of achievement and accomplishment without paying outrageous amounts annually at bigger, more established universities? The Obama administration created a $2.5 billion fund for community colleges in 2009 to ensure more graduates and to encourage those who seek higher education to do it. “Many students here at Ohlone are motivated to do great things,” said Nishant Kalonia, 17, who attends UC Berkeley after spending three years at Ohlone College. The American Association of Community Colleges said community colleges “serve a wide variety of needs.” Kalonia attests to this point. After studying at Ohlone College for three years, he successfully applied to his desired college and was accepted. “I chose Ohlone so I could have a variety of classes to choose from,” said Kalonia.
addition, the teachers are interactive and helpful, each having their own unique way of teaching, and the resources Ohlone offers are top-notch,” said Lau. Rohit Vinjamuri, 16, a sophomore at Alsion’s early college program, chose Ohlone to challenge himself. “My high school didn’t offer any higher math classes, and Ohlone was the closest educational facility that would provide for my math class. Since I was taking classes here at Ohlone anyway, I decided that I would enroll in several other classes that would perhaps further my education.” Both feel further prepared for life at college. “Dealing with college professors and Photo by Sophia Vaughn handling a tougher curriculum is different, but something I Some of the youngest Ohlone students come from have come to appreciate due the early college program that is connected to Alto the benefits I’ll reap later sion Montessori, includes Isaac Daviet, Samanatha in life,” Vinjamuri said. Mejia, Michiko Zerda and Rohit Vinjamuri. Community colleges don’t just appeal to a younger crowd. Ambitious high school first semester at Ohlone. Dennis Smith, 60, said he has students can also benefit “At Ohlone, one is guaranalready achieved a great deal from attending community teed to learn extensively due at Ohlone. colleges. As a 15-year-old, to numerous divisions of each Brittany Lau attends the early subject.” college program at Alsion “The large campus is pleasMontessori, doing biology, ant, especially at Newark, music theory, musicianship where eco-friendly techniques and pre-calculus courses her have been implemented. In
Faculty member of the month Janel Tomblin-Brown dances in By JAMIE LAM Staff writer
Janel Tomblin-Brown, Associate Professor and Director of Dance in the Theater and Dance Department at Ohlone College, was recently granted the honor of Faculty Of The Month for December. “I love being here,” said Tomblin-Brown. “I’m so passionate about my students and their experiences – not just the veteran dancers who’ve returned to learn with me, but the new students who discover dancing is something they want to do – they’re lots of fun.” When the Smith Center first opened, Tomblin-Brown was teaching dance at Ohlone College, Evergreen College and San Jose State University. As the dance program expanded, Tomblin-Brown joined the national search for a dance director. She was appointed as the director in 2001. Teaching jazz, tap, choreography, production and contemporary dance styles, Tomblin-Brown also directs the dance shows at Ohlone. With various showcases throughout the academic year, Tomblin-Brown assists the huge production in spring and the smaller showcase in the fall. “The Ohlone Dance Popu-
lation is quite far-reaching. Our program has become so large and so full of dancers,” said Tomblin-Brown. She has established dance company Bliss with Cassie Begley, which put on a controversial production this past September called “Fashion Provoked.” With Sergio Suarez, Tomblin-Brown also started dance company Fresh Dynamics. This past year, she accomplished a cultural exchange through her dance companies in both international settings, such as China, to local high schools, like Independence High School and James Logan, as well as local elementary school James Leitch. “Dance breaks language barriers,” said TomblinBrown. “We shared dance,” said Tomblin-Brown. Perhaps the best part of the award would be the honorary parking spot the Faculty of the Month receives, but Wayne Yuen, head of the subcommittee who determined the Faculty of the Month, has reported he has heard complaints from faculty winners who say they have not been able to park in the spot during their allotted month. “I’ve sent out numerous announcements in the past about how it is reserved.” “People, sometimes other
Janel Tomblin-Brown faculty, still park there,” said Yuen. This inconveniences the winners, who expect to be able to have the spot only to find it taken. They might have to hunt down another parking spot and be late for their appointments. “I think that just shows a lack of collegiality,” said Yuen. Yuen already sent out an email to everyone on the announcement list and still did not seeing positive improvements to the problem. “To be fair, a few people who have parked in the spot have complained that the sign that indicates the spot is for the employee for the month isn’t clear as to which spot it was marking since it was straight,” said Yuen. While someone could spray-paint the spot, Yuen says he is thinking about moving the spot to behind the motorcycling parking, to the upper level of lot W.
He does not see any limits to what he can do in the future. “Ohlone does not make a college education easy, but it makes education possible, and perhaps most important, Ohlone makes a college education desirable.” Fresh out of high school, Eric Chen, 18, plans to go far with the associate degree he is working towards at Ohlone College. “I know what I’m working towards and I’m saving my parents and me a lot of money by going this route.” The costs for attending community college are exponentially less than those who choose to attend larger universities. Students from out of state also have to pay varying costs, especially those from overseas nations. Students may not be able to get into the classes they need to graduate, even while the costs are rising. While many community college students are grateful at their chance for education, some still would prefer alternatives.
History professor Kirshner to retire By ASHLEY LAM Staff writer
Professor Alan Kirshner has earned the respect of many students and faculty during his teaching career at Ohlone and his retirement for later this semester. “I respect Kirshner’s intellect and his ability to make an impression on his students. Many times his students have talked to me about Alan. They usually say they learned a lot in his classes, despite his continual expounding about himself, his views of the world, his children, and his degree,” said Bill Parks, the former adviser for the Monitor. Parks spoke about his first impression of Kirshner as a teacher. “I have known Kirshner since I started advising the Monitor in 1992. Kirshner was involved in the faculty senate and the teacher’s union.” “He was a good news source, always informed, outspoken and honest.” “He was often frustrated by our journalistic shortcomings, but he always respected our efforts and he supported our freedom of speech,” Parks said. Kirshner’s style of teaching has also been unique. “I prefer an indirect approach to teaching.” I force students to think about the material--critical thinking. I never viewed teaching as parroting the instructor or the textbook,” said Kirshner. Kirshner is also active in serving the Fremont commu-
nity in his own time. He volunteered his time, and became a part of the Board of Directors in organizations such as the Tri-City Democrats, public school Site Councils, among many other administrations. It is clear that if Kirshner decides to retire, he will be greatly missed not only by students, but greatly by faculty members as well. “I feel that with Kirshner’s retirement, Ohlone will lose one of its best, most distinctive teachers and characters. It seems like we used to have more interesting characters hanging around the quad.” “DeWitt, Halland, Katona, Harlan. Not easy-smiling corporate types. I’m talking about more bright, memorable people.” “Noisy, opinionated, funny, observant, outspoken, energetic. Kirshner is one of those. I will miss him,” said Parks. Over the years, Kirshner mentioned that a number of people have asked him when he was to retire, right after returning from his emergency operation in 2007. In response to this, Jim Wright, Ohlone’s Vice President of Academic Affairs wrote, “Your recent evaluation documents are a testament to a lifetime of positive and meaningful influence.” “You must be honored when you think about the thousands of past Ohlone students who owe some of their awareness of themselves and some of their ability to think in the world to you and your teaching.”
10 monitor December 8, 2011
CAMPUS EVENTS
December 9 - Last Day of Instruction Before Final Exams 9 - How To Read Nonverbals Room 2133 1 p.m. 12 - Fall 2011 Final Exams
6 - Spring 2012 Priority date for 10th-12th grade applications in order to be ready for first day of 10th12th grade registraiton 6 -Women’s Basketball - De Anza College (away) - DH 6 - Men’s Basketball Chabot College (away)
12 - Sell Textbooks to The Ohlone Bookstore
13 - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, StarStruck Theater (Jan. 6-22 - specific dates and times to be announced)
12 - CANCELLED General Education Subcommittee Meeting
13 - Spring 2012 Deadline for K-9 applications; no exceptions
12 - Inter Club Council (ICC) Meeting Room 7101 4:30 p.m.
13 - Spring 2012 Registration begins for 10th-12th grade students with a completed application
13 - Fall 2011 Final Exams
13 - Women’s Basketball Monterey Peninsula College (home) - DH
13 - ASOC Meeting Room 7101 4 p.m 14 - Fall 2011 Final Exams 14 - CANCELLED Sustainability Committee Meeting 14 - Board of Trustees Business Meeting College Administration Room 7101 6 p.m.
13 - Men’s Basketball - Skyline College (home) DH 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday - Ohlone College closed 18 - Men’s Basketball Canada College (away) 18 - Women’s Basketball Hartnell College (away)
15 - Fall 2011 Final Exams (December 10-16)
20 -The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, StarStruck Theater (Jan. 6-22 - specific dates and times to be announced)
15- Sell your Textbooks to the Ohlone Bookstore - December 12-16
20 - Spring 2012 Last day that students are added into classes from the waitlist
15 - Last day to return Textbook Rentals to the Ohlone Bookstore is Dec. 16
20 - Women’s Basketball Cabrillo College (home)
16 - Fall 2011 Deadline to request printed full grade report for pickup 16 - Men’s Basketball West Valley Tournament (away) 16 - Fall 2011 Last day of semester 16 - Last day to return TextPhoto by Kyle Nordeen book Rentals to the Ohlone Bookstore is Dec. 16, 2011 Renegades basketball will be on the boards throughout the winter break, both at home and on the road. 16 - 38th Annual Nutcracker, Berkeley City Ballet Jackson Theater 22 - Women’s Basketball January Jackson Theater 1 p.m. - City College of San Fran7:30 p.m. cisco (home) 18 - Anniversary of Christ2 - New Years Day Holiday 17 - Men’s Basketball mas at the Mission, Ohlone 23 - Winter Break Holiobserved) - Ohlone College West Valley Tournament Chamber Singers day - Ohlone College closed closed (away) Old Mission San Jose Dec. 23 - Jan. 2 4 p.m. 4 - Men’s Basketball - Foot17 - 38th Annual Nutcrack28 - Women’s Basketball hill College (home) - DH er, Berkeley City Ballet 18 - 38th Annual Nutcrack- Mike Gervasoni Tournament Jackson Theater er, Berkeley City Ballet 4-Women’s Basketball - San 1 p.m. Jackson Theater (away) Jose City College (home) 5 p.m. 31 - Men’s Basketball - San DH 18 - Men’s Basketball Jose City College (away) West Valley Tournament 21 - Fall 2011 Grades 6 - The Adventures of Tom (away) available via WebAdvisor; Sawyer, StarStruck Theater grades are posted as they (Jan. 6-22 - specific dates 18 - 38th Annual Nutcrack- are received and times to be announced) er, Berkeley City Ballet
21 - Men’s Basketball - City College of San Francisco (home) - DH 23 - Spring 2012 semester instruction/classes begins 23 - Spring 2012 Registration begins for Kingergarten-9th grade students 25 - Men’s Basketball - Las Positas College (away) 25 - Women’s Basketball Mission College (away) 27 -Women’s Basketball San Jose City College (away) - DH 27 - Men’s Basketball Foothill College (away) 30 - College Council Meeting Room 7101 3 p.m. 31 - Spring 2012 Last day to drop full-term class and be eligible for a refund
SPORTS
December 8, 2011 monitor 11
Renegade baseball team ready to take the field By KYLE NORDEEN Sports editor
their team this year and they are going to help me develop these guys into the type of The Renegade baseball system or program that we are team has proven to be quite looking for.” a special program these past Second-year centerfielder couple of season. Rich Bermudez and third-
Photo by Kyle Nordeen Center fielder Rich Bermudez, among a host of other returning Renegades, has been touted as one of the leaders for this year’s baseball team. The team won the state championship in 2010 and was state runners-up last season — and expectations among the players and coaches are high. The team just wrapped up their Fall Ball schedule, made its final cuts to its roster and is ready to get the season started. “Our chemistry was good and our overall work ethic was really good,” said head coach Julian Russell. “A lot of guys, by the end of the fall, really bought into our system and it’s going to be a good spring for us.” The past two seasons have yielded very tight-knit squads. The experiences they shared and gained by making it deep into the playoffs the past two seasons are invaluable for the younger guys joining the team this season. “I think our chemistry is already developed this year, more so at least than last year,” Russell said. “The guys are pretty close. This year’s group is pretty family oriented, team oriented at this point.” Leadership from the sophomores and upperclassmen has been one of the most influential factors in quickly developing the team’s identity and cohesiveness. This is just area where the experience gained from participating on the team in either of the last two seasons will prove to be invaluable. “There’s a good group of older guys that have really helped us develop as a team so far,” said Russell. “They already knew what to expect, but we also had a talk earlier in the year about letting them know that it’s
year starting pitcher Scott Benton, along with a host of other returning players, have emerged as a pair of leaders for this season’s group. Both also appreciate the trust that Russell has in them by turning to them to help guide this group. “I definitely take the responsibility of the coach expects me to do,” said Bermudez. “We have a good group of guys, we’re all hungry and with the help of a couple other guys on the team, we can try and go back to state. That’s our ultimate goal.” “I definitely take that as a positive,” Benton said. “I respect that position because I know that our captains the past few years have played pretty big roles in coming together as a team, which has been pretty big for us.” While there is always a high turnover rate when coaching a junior college team, the formula for success Russell
enforces remains. “It all comes down to pitching and defense,” said Russell. “Our pitching is pretty old and our defense, a lot of position guys are returning from last year’s team. If we can pitch and play defense, we’ll have a shot.” Past success is definitely something to be proud of and is something nice to reflect on,
but with passing season, you have to come out and earn it. These guys know that nothing will be handed for them and that teams will be coming at them with everything they have. “Coming into every year we say, ‘Hey, we haven’t won anything this year,’” said Benton. “We haven’t done anything, so we got to earn everything we have. It’s not going to just
come to us. Coach Russell has definitely done a good job of keeping us hungry and aggressive.” “We’re coming together early,” said Bermudez. “We’re buying in early and that’s the road to success right there.” The team will begin their 2012 schedule on Feb. 3 when it takes on Reedley at home. Only two more months until baseball is back.
SPORTS
12 monitor December 8, 2011
Basketball from the land down under Softball primed for 2012 By KYLE NORDEEN Sports editor
Adapting to life as a college student is no easy task. Be it a four-year university or a junior college like those of us at Ohlone, we are required to become even more responsible for ourselves in order to get the things that we need done. Life as a student athlete is even more challenging, requiring the time management skills and determination to excel both on the field/ court and in the classroom to maintain your eligibility. Now try to imagine adapting to that life — in a place you’ve never been — more than 8,000 miles away from your home. That is exactly what Jarrad Jackson and Nick Clarke are doing this semester, leaving behind their home of Perth, Australia in order to advance their basketball careers here at Ohlone. “We were both looking for a junior college to attend and we picked California as the destination,” said Jackson. “It’s very similar to our climate back home in Perth.” Jackson, whose father is from Chicago, has never been to the United States before coming to school here, said
another influential factor in their decision to play for head coach John Peterson was another Australian born player that played here, Scott Kenny. “We looked on the internet and saw that there was an Australian here before,” said Jackson. “We thought it was just going to be easiest to set up because they’ve already been through that.” Coach Peterson and his staff don’t really do any recruiting to these kinds of locations, so it all comes down to the guys wanting to come here. “They’ve all contacted us,” said Peterson. “It was all random emails. To be honest, I don’t really know how they found us.” Both Clarke and Jackson attended the Willetton Senior High School back home and currently live together along with Ashley Stephens, who is also from Australia, Oivind Lundestad, who is from Norway and Lauri Toivonen, who is from Finland. Being accustomed to life here, especially on their own with a group of guys their own age, has been quite the experience for them. “Of course it’s different,” said Clarke. “You miss your family… but we kind of have our own
By NAVIN KRISHNAN Staff writer
Photo courtesy of Jarrad Jackson/Facebook Jarrad Jackson (right) and Nick Clarke (center), along with Oivind Lundestad (left) have been adapting to life in the United States while honing their skills on the basketball court at Ohlone. little international house. I was living with my mom back home,” said Jackson. “But now you have five 20year olds living together and you couldn’t ask for better roommates.” While they are from all over the world, the fact they have all left their homes to play here has helped them form quite the special bond. “We are more drawn to each other,” said Clarke. “The guys from America have their own
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group within the group and the same with us. All of our classes are together as well.” Clarke is still undecided on what in particular he wants to study, but knows that he wants to do something sports related, while Jackson is planning on getting his bachelor’s degree in education. What they both have in common, though, is a desire to advance their skills on the court. “There really isn’t a collegiate system back in Australia,” said Clarke. “They have universities, but they don’t have sports associated with them. So to come here, at this age, is to improve your game.” Coach Peterson has noticed the differences in the styles of play from these foreign players, but has found them to be extremely coachable. “They’ve certainly been coached better,” said Peterson. “It’s not even close. Their understanding of how to play and how to play as a group is more advanced.” Just as Peterson has taken note of the difference in coaching these players have received, they have noticed that the game of basketball here is completely different. Peterson notes that there is a lot more one-on-one and individual play here in the states, while the game in Australia and abroad is more team based. “It’s really different for me,” said Jackson. “It’s so much faster and everybody seems like they’ve had too many Red Bulls, just running around.” “It’s a lot more athletic,” said Clarke. “Everyone here is a lot more athletic. Back home you have two or three guys who are as athletic as some of the guys on the team.” Both plan on returning to Australia at some point to continue their careers. They know, though, that playing here will really give them an edge in honing their talent.
The Ohlone softball team is locked and loaded to produce another dominant, winning season. Teams have a consistent and reasonably healthy habit of winning. “We always have a goal to win a conference,” said head coach Donna Runyon. Any player, coach or program believes winning is the cure-all solution. The toughest part about winning is the preparation. “We have to work for the first two or three weeks on fundamentals, things that we’ve discovered. We need to work on our skill; the skill that we’ve had and that we don’t have that we saw the whole semester,” said Runyon. The softball team has had plenty of time for trial and error during the course of scrimmaging. “Fall semester, we had fall ball and it showed us a lot of what we’re good at and what we’re not good at,” said Runyon. “If we want to [do well] we have to work on the things that we don’t do well.” Something that must be clicking in order for the Renegades to succeed this season, said Runyon, is pitching. “Well, pitching is always a key to any success for softball. I have two sophomore [pitchers] coming back and I also have a freshman. Brittany Wright from California High School. The two returning sophomores are from Newark Memorial and Castro Valley high schools,” said Runyon. Of course, every piece of such a cultured team is important. “I have a returning catcher who’s an all-league player,” said Runyon. “I also have a shortstop from Washington High School.” Runyon indicated her sophomore outfielder is also key to her team’s success. Such a consistent tradition of winning is bound to be recognized on any level. “We have won nine Coast Conference championships in a row. We’ve gone to regionals, and the last few years we’ve gone to super regionals,” said Runyon. “In 2009, we made it to the big show. We were in the final eight. Last year we were ranked No. 3 going into the playoffs. To get us over the hump, I think they just got to believe.” In a team with such unconditional winning, the focus of the season is an inalienable goal: keep the winning streak alive.