PCC Courier 01/23/2014

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PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

COURIER

VOLUME 109 ISSUE 1

WHAT’S INSIDE: STRIKE A POSE

Eat invisible cake and play catch with a mime.

PAGE 7>>

HONOR THE ROSE

See how every rose has its horn with the PCC honor band.

PAGE 6>>

SPEAK OUT! Do you think the “Affluenza Defense” holds water?

Vote at PccCourier.com

January 23, 2014

IT’S CLUB WEEK Photos by Nagisa Mihara and Barney Soto/Courier Student -run clubs met in the quad this week to show off their diversity, uniqueness, and skill sets. Some that were represented include the salsa dancing club, the fencing club, and the engineering and math clubs.

New board president brings no-nonsense attitude Paul Ochoa Staff Writer

With a no-nonsense approach to the job, new Board of Trustees President Anthony Fellow hopes to change the school for the better with his simple take on politics.

“I think that politics need to get back to the basics,” Fellows said. “I just want to be honest and do the best I can to help the college.”

Fellow, who is no stranger to politics, has served as a vice mayor and city councilman in El Monte, president of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors, vice chair of the Metropolitan Water District Board of Directors, and as vice chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Former Board President and current Trustee John Martin said he looks forward to working with Fellow because of his and passion and previous political experience.

“He’s so capable, it’s nice when someone is both intelligent, passionate and nice to work with,” Martin said.

Politics aside, Fellow is also the author of three books. A former journalist at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Fellow currently serves as chair of the Department of RadioTV-Film at Cal State Fullerton.

Senior Vice President Robert Bell feels that Fellow’s background in education is going to contribute to his success in the new role.

“He is going to be an outstanding president. He understands how colleges work, how colleges work well and how they don’t

PRESIDENT page 2

Benjamin Simpson/Courier New Board President Anthony Fellow at the Board of Trustees meeting in the Creveling Lounge on Jan. 15.

Former Courier adviser Academic Senate outraged over job fair returns to campus Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer

John Peters II Asst. News Editor

Former Courier adviser Warren Swil was reinstated as an instructor at the college this Spring and is teaching classes in the Courier newsroom, despite admitting to showing nude photos of himself to a student and facing a lawsuit against alleged sexual harassment and grade retaliation.

Swil was placed on paid administrative leave last March after Courier staff member Raymond Bernal accused Swil of showing him nude photos of himself and unfairly lowering his grades after Bernal turned down Swil’s sexual advances. The incident led to a months-long investigation that concluded with Swil’s reinstatement.

“I’m delighted to be back teaching, but I can’t say anything beyond that,” Swil said.

General Counsel Gail Cooper declined to comment and referred

The Academic Senate expressed concerns about the hiring process for the Faculty Job Fair at its regular meeting this week, arguing that new online faculty don’t have the proper expertise to teach useful courses.

Eduardo A. Cairó, President of the Academic Senate, said the lack of online teaching experience and training for new online faculty recruited at the job fair on January 18 is unfair to students. He also said the Administration broke college policy by creating its own list of faculty hiring priorities.

Matthew Jordan, Interim Associate Dean of General Education, said all faculty at PCC have to meet minimum qualifications and that the administration did not violate college policy in identifying faculty hiring priorities.

The Faculty Job Fair flyer

File photo by Lissett Matos Warren Swil outside the CC building on March 29, 2013.

the Courier to Robert Bell, senior vice president of academic and student affairs, who said that Swil is not prohibited from being in the same room as Bernal.

“Professor Swil has been made aware of the requirements of his

SWIL page 2

states no online teaching experience is necessary to teach the seven online classes listed.

“It is common for 30% of online students to drop or fail a course,” Cairó said. “We can expect an increase in students receiving a non-passing grade for students who receive instructors with inadequate experience.”

Jordan said new hires must meet all minimum qualifications required of all professors to teach at Pasadena City College.

The standards are the same whether they teach in the classroom or online.

Cairó said professors for the new online courses will only receive a quarter of the previous required training for online instructors before being “tossed” into an online environment and then expected to complete the training at the same time they are teaching the course.

JOBFAIR page 2

NEWS

2 COURIER

POLICE BLOTTER

Campus goes smoke free Janel Leonard Staff Writer

January 8th Staff reported two males sitting on the grass and possibly smoking marijuana. The responding officer concluded that there were no narcotics involved.

The two parties involved were transients that went by “James” and “Kickstand”. Both men were escorted off campus.

January 9th Police received a report of an irate woman making a scene in the “L” building.

After observing the situation, the responding officer stated that the woman was mentally unstable, and took her to the police station, where she continued her tirade.

She claimed that she was homeless, shared her conspiracy theories, and said that she wanted to file a complaint.

The female was given a complaint form, along with resources and information for homeless shelters.

January 13th One of the facilities carts was reported in the dirt at the stadium. The responding officer noticed visible damage to the cart. Video surveillance showed two juveniles taking the cart on a joy ride. Suspects have not been located.

January 14th A verbal dispute erupted in the “L” building between two students over a spot in line. The responding officer counseled each party and the argument was resolved.

January 15th A female suffered a laceration to her forehead after falling on the exterior stairs of the bookstore. The victim was transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital.

Compiled by Matthew Kiewiet

BOARD Continued from page 1

work well,” Bell said.

Making more efficient Board of Trustees meetings a priority, Fellow has already changed the way the room is set up for the meetings, stripping it of its flashy décor and setting it up in a basic manner where the Board is the focus.

Fellow addressed critics of the Board, stating PCC’s recent naming as a top community college in the country as proof of success.

“It’s not like we haven’t been successful,” he said. “A lot of people criticize [the Board] but PCC was named the top community college in the country.”

Fellow hopes that by the end of his term as Board President, PCC is a better institution than it was before it.

January 23, 2014

In the first week of the new semester, no citations or tickets have been given since the new smoke free policy went into effect.

Campus police have been gracious thus far by providing people with warnings and handing out the smoke-free flyers to smokers on campus.

This allows any smokers a fair chance to familiarize themselves with the new policy. However, they will soon start giving out citations without warning to those caught having a smoke break on campus.

The fine for a smoking citation is $25, and the fine will increase $25 each time you receive one.

Students who wish to get their first fine dismissed must enroll (within 2 weeks) in ‘Let’s Clear The Air’, a class that The Health and Safety Services Department is now offering to students who seek help in quitting.

While attending classes you will have access to free nicotine replacement therapy.

Photos by Josh Balmadrid and Andrew French (Top) A “smoke free” poster greets students as they enter the campus near Harbeson Hall.

(Right) A student smokes off campus near the tennis courts.

Senate disapproves accreditation plans reorganization, specifically this and this is a little bone of regarding governance. The contention because the adminislooming accreditation process tration is claiming the Academic requires certain standards of the Senate does not need to sign off Members of the Academic school in terms of the educaon it,” Haley said. “We’re claimSenate voiced their opposition tional efficiency it provides as an ing, yes this does effect faculty to the college’s re-accreditation institution for learning. functions.”. plans, insisting that the adminisThe administrative reorgaPasadena City College has a tration went over their heads in nization plan calls for a drasshared governance policy that putting the plan together. tic change of combining the calls for intelligibility and comTwo members of the Acacurrent 15 divisions into 6.

For munication amongst its governdemic Senate spoke-up at the faculty, this could mean they ing bodies, which include both Jan. 15 Board meeting, Daniel have significantly less of a voice the Academic Senate and the J. Haley and Professor Eduarand less efficiency in their ability Board of Trustees. do Cairo, the president of the to educate, thus causing a trickle “We did not have sufficient group. Haley, Treasurer of the down to student’s quality of actime to evaluate it because by the Academic Senate, addressed the ademic performance, according time this (Administrative reorneed for the organization to be to the senators. ganization plan) was given to us involved in the decision-making “We haven’t signed off on they had already started the proprocess of the administrative gone on a boating trip and printed JOB FAIR SWIL a group of photos to show Bernal that included a naked photo of Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 Swil, according to court documents. return to the college faculty, Jordan said the seven new on“Swil pointed to the naked including the clear expectation line courses are model courses picture, smiled, and asked Mr. that he engages in professional created by other professors.

Bernal what he thought about the behavior and treat all students The new instructors act more picture,” the documents read. with respect,” Bell said. as facilitators of the course Bernal tried to change the Bernal confirmed that college material and interactions with subject after being shown another officials informed him that they students. Their training regroup of pictures. He alleges that had made arrangements in light quirements differ from that of Swil seemed disappointed and of his anticipated discomfort in professors who develop their said, “Let’s keep this between you regard to attending classes and own online courses. and me” as Bernal left the office. working on the newspaper in the “We have knowingly created The lawsuit states that Bernal same room that Swil will be teacha situation by staffing courses did not immediately report the ing classes in. with undertrained instructors incident because he was unsure of Bernal filed a lawsuit against and…our students deserve whether or not Swil had made a Swil last month and Swil was better,” Cairó said. sexual advance. “The conduct of served his lawsuit papers while At a meeting between the Defendant Swil as herein alleged teaching his class on Jan. 16.

Academic Senate’s Faculty was despicable and constitutAccording to the allegations, at Hiring Priorities Committee ed oppression and malice, thus the beginning of the Spring 2013 and the President, two lists of entitling [Bernal] to an award of semester, Bernal asked Swil how faculty hiring priorities were punitive damages against Defenhis winter vacation went and was presented. dant Swil,” the lawsuit states. invited into Swil’s office.

The list of 11 new faculty ~For more, read online at pcccourier.

After closing the door behind to be hired created by the adhim, Swil told Bernal that he had com.

Emma Koffroth Staff Writer

cess of reorganization,” Cairo said. “It appears as if they move forward with something and then tell us about it. This type of restructuring should have been thoroughly vetted through the college in a way where there could have actually been some faculty input.”

Despite the many concerns and frustrations that the Academic Senate has had with administrative decisions, Superintendent Mark Rocha responded to these troubles with confidence in his plan at the board meeting but did not address the alleged disregard of faculty input. ministration violated college policy, Cairó said, referring to Faculty Procedure 6100.10 (1.A.).

“The Academic Senate will form the Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee to assess and rank requests for new or replacement positions,” the procedure states.

Senator Kris Pilon said not following this policy could negatively affect the school’s accreditation review.

“Nowhere in those procedures does it state that the Administration can’t come up with a list,” Jordan said.

Jordan said the policy actually states that the president receives the Faculty Hiring Priorities Committee recommendations. If the president differs, he will meet with the committee, then act on their recommendations. He acts based on what he feels is best for the students, Jordan said.

OPINION

January 23, 2014

Courier 2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner Editor-in-Chief Christine Michaels Managing Editor Philip McCormick Asst. News Editor John Peters II Online Editor Justin Clay Asst. Online Editor Tiffany Roesler Opinion Editor Raymond Bernal Asst. Opinion Editor Tiffany Herrera A&E Editor Samantha Molina Asst. A&E Editor Lucy Patrikian Features Editor Aubrey Quezada Asst. Features Editor Monique LeBleu Lifestyle Editor Paul Ochoa Asst. Lifestyle Editor Janel Leonard Sports Editor Daron Grandberry Asst. Sports Editor Andrew Salmi Photo Editor Antonio Gandara Online Photo Editor Benjamin Simpson Social Media Editor Concepcion Gonzales Staff Writers: Jessica Arceo, Matthew Kiewiet, Emma Koffroth, Arianna Locatell, Mary Nurrenbern, Robert Tovar, Kristina Wedseltoft Staff Photographers: Joseph Adajar, Josh Balmadrid, Victoria De La Torre, Andrew French, Nagisa Mihara, Hannah Pinelo, Billy Skelly, Barney Soto

COURIER 3

Is new fee waiver policy justified?

Daniel Johnson Staff Writer The recent decision by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to implement minimum academic requirements in order to maintain a fee waiver is meaningless window-dressing that will likely make little difference in improving the quality of the state’s community colleges.

Obviously college students should be held to a minimum academic standard, and we are.

At PCC, if a student falls below a 2.0 GPA for two consecutive terms, that student can be disqualified from continuing.

It would appear then that by the time a student is eligible for fee disqualification, he or she would also be facing expulsion from the school.

Therefore the new policy is enforcing rules that are already being enforced at the school level.

Since the state’s higher education system continues to face serious fiscal troubles, implementing redundant policies is an unaffordable luxury.

The officials in charge of enacting this new policy indicate that implementation could be costly.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office noted in its announcement of the new policy.

“Districts are required to establish appeals processes that students can use to demonstrate extenuating circumstances.”

NO

Schools that have had budgets repeatedly slashed and services cut will now have to implement new procedures to handle appeals?

This cannot possibly be a good use of administration resources, and suggests that this decision could cost more to implement and maintain than it saves.

Of course, there are times when drastic actions must be taken to solve public funding problems.

If reducing the number of fee waivers made a measureable difference in the funding of California’s community schools, it may be a viable solution. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

A 2012 Public Policy Institute of California report states that student fees are only six percent of total California Community College revenue.

The report addresses the issue of fees in detail.

“Even if the Board granted fewer waivers, student fee increases—even at the high rate experienced recently—would not compensate for the sharp decline in CCC revenues,“ the PPIC report read.

We have a new policy that does not save money, saddles administrations with the burden of implementing an appeal process, and enforces a rule that is essentially already being handled by the individual school’s academic standards.

One would hope that the Board could find better uses of its time and energy than coming up with solutions that don’t solve anything.

VOICES: Net Neutrality:

Daron Grandberry Staff Writer The California Community Colleges Board of Governors made themselves very clear by approving new changes to fee waiver provisions last week.

“Shape up, or pay out of pocket!”

No, this isn’t your mother speaking, but if you depend on fee waivers from Uncle Sam you better make sure those grades are up to par or you may be left feeling like the ugly stepchild, with empty pockets.

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors voted to require that students maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for two consecutive terms and complete at least half of their units to receive a fee waiver.

With the unstable finances of our government, the California Community College Board of Governors have appeared to take another step toward saving tax payers and the government money, a change that doesn’t seem to have many opposed.

“I don’t think that’s asking too much from the students at all,” business major Susie Jackson said.

“The government is sending a message, and hopefully it motivates those students who need an extra push to do well in school.”

According to California Community College Chancellor Brice W. Harris, the new policy, which takes effect in fall of 2016, will work with statewide enrollment priorities to encourage students to focus on their classes and seek help when they face diffi-

YES

culties.

“We will do everything in our power to help students on financial aid succeed, but students need to know that they have a responsibility to keep up their end of the bargain,” Harris said.

“This policy provides students with incentives to meet standards that will ultimately help them achieve their educational goals,” Harris said.

“It benefits students and it is responsible stewardship of state resources.”

I like incentives just like the next student, but since when does the government tell us the truth?

Does the government really want to see us students succeed, or is this just another way of saving money?

Students in foster care are exempt, and the board agreed to consider other exceptions.

In addition, students must complete at least half of the credits they attempt each semester, another important factor especially at PCC where classes are always full.

Hopefully the new regulations will encourage students to sign up for classes they need, and not just to get more financial aid.

However, with other provisions still to be considered, the number of students affected are still unknown.

Uncle Sam doesn’t want to be the bad guy, but he doesn’t want to pay students to stay in college forever.

All college students should already strive to be better than a 2.0 already. No one strives to be average.

Do you think the internet should be equally accessible?

Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photography Adviser Tim Berger “There should be equal access because most things today require the use of it.”

David Dalati, biology

Reporting by: Christine Michaels

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Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its reporting. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585-7130 or via email to michaels.courier@gmail.com

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Letters to the Editor The Courier welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be about 300 words and may be edited

by Courier staff. All letters must contain your full name and a correct daytime phone number.

Letters can be delivered to the Courier office in CC 208 or sent by email to raymondjbernal@gmail.com

Photos by: Billy Skelly

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Note to Readers

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The whole reason why people go there is because it’s free!”

Christian Morales, undecided

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All rights Reserved.

Thomas Vanila, humanities

“It’s the internet and it should be equal for all.”

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“Yes, it’s important because what if you want to go on a website for homework and you can’t get to it?”

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The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free-speech forum. Editorials and comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administration, student government or that of the Pasadena Area Community College District.

The Courier is written and produced as a learning experience for student writers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department.

“Yes...If the internet is censored, it provides only the privileged with full access.”

John Fraser, political science

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SCENE

4 COURIER

BACK TO SCHOOL

JANUARY 23, 2014 COURIER

(Benjamin Simpson/Courier) Students are greeted back to school by a huge plume of smoke, created by the Colby Fires. The smoke made a shroud covering most of the PCC campus.

(Benjamin Simpson/Courier) Students wait for bus passes on the steps outside the library during the first week of school on Tuesday January 14, 2014.

The I-Tap card is available for $35 to all students who enroll in over 12 units and allows free transportation on public transport.

(Barney Soto/Courier) Students gather around a PCC hallway waiting for their teacher to start class.

Students entering and exiting the PCC Bookstore as they look for their school books and supplies on the first week of school Wednesday, January 15, 2014.

The first week is always busy and full.

(Benjamin Simpson/Courier) Students wait for bus passes on the steps outside the library during the first week of school on Tuesday January 14, 2014.

(Victoria De La Torre/Courier) Students gather around the PCC bulletin board, looking for such things as classes, roommates, computers, equipment, etc.

(Daniel Valencia/Courier) As of the beginning of the new year, PCC became a smokefree campus. Fines for smoking go from $25 till $75.

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FEATURES

6 COURIER

Dreams come true for Honor Band Kristina Wedseltoft Staff Writer

The Tournament of Roses Honor Band has been marching in the Rose Parade for 85 years and for students across Southern California participating in it can truly be a dream come true.

Kyle Luck, the Director of Bands at PCC, has been leading the band for the past 8 years and is continuously excited by the never-ending improvement.

“It’s a really good group… great marching group,” Luck said “This is one of the best bands we’ve ever had this past year”.

To make the experience more exciting, this year the band received 300 brand new uniforms due in a large part to the PCC Foundation.

The Honor Band is composed of the PCC Lancer Marching Band and high school students from a wide variety of band

January 23, 2014

programs across Southern California. This year about 583 high school students auditioned and only 153 students were accepted to participate in the Honor Band.

“The competition was very intense for every spot,” said Luck. “At our first rehearsal I mentioned to the members that for every one of them who received an acceptance packet, two to three other students received rejection letters. I stressed that point to emphasis what an honor it is for them to be selected.”

Paola Martinez, the flute section leader, has been playing in the Lancer Marching Band and Honor Band for five years and described the audition process as “intense and nerve wrecking.”

Auditions for the Honor Band are held in mid-October and once the members are chosen, practices are held each Sunday during November. Then once winter break begins, practices are

held every day.

“The hardest part for many is attendance. The students need to be early in order to have all you need and to get into the bus because we can’t wait for anyone” Martinez said.

“In less than two months we go from a band of a bunch of kids who’ve never played together to a top flight musical performing ensemble” Luck said

proudly.

With the competition as high as it is among the Honor Band, students cannot expect an effortless audition.

“We’ve had some students that unfortunately didn’t come in prepared the next year,” Luck said. “In fact we had the most I’ve ever had of students this year who were in the previous year and didn’t get reselected.”

While being a part of the Honor Band is an intense process and requires a lot of dedication, Martinez described it as “the greatest opportunity I have ever been given.”

The Honor Band marched down Colorado Boulevard playing “When You Wish Upon A Star,” which Luck described as the “hardest piece of music (we’ve played) in all my years.”

would know that it’s uncomfortable.”

Since January 2014, PCC has enforced a new 100 percent smoke-free policy which does not allow students to smoke tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Even smokeless devices like vapes are banned since they

are non-regulated.

Non-smoker Wyatt Van Dyck, a sophomore at PCC, said that he believes this is a good thing.

“It’s either all or nothing”, he said. “No one really paid attention to the designated smoking sections and smoked wherever they wanted anyways. Second

hand smoke is a serious thing, and I’m happy to not be exposed to that anymore.”

Another student, Vinit Bhayani, said that he thought it was fine the way it was before, and although he does not smoke himself, his friends who do smoke, are “pissed” and constantly saying they need to smoke after class.

“I hate the new policy,” says Rita Avedikian. “I want to know exactly how many people smoke on campus and how many don’t.

I feel discriminated against and think they should at least have one smoking section on campus—just one.”

The school’s health department issued a survey to 11,904 individuals—8,212 of whom were students. Of that sample size, only 2,160 people replied, and only 21 percent of the respondents were students.

The study found that 61 percent of respondents were in favor of the new non-smoking policy, and 72 percent were in favor of the tiered citations.

PCC’s Health Services department is providing smoking classes called “Let’s Clear The Air: Quit Smoking Services” to help students who want to quit smoking on campus.

They are providing refundable sessions, free nicotine replacement aids, and individualized plans for students who are interested in kicking their habits.

However, most smokers are aware of the fact that smoking is harmful to your health, and believe it’s their choice whether their allowed to smoke or not.

Nevertheless, Jo Buzcko said that this is definitely a permanent change. The only way it can change is that it will take the next step and turn into a tobacco-free campus, she said.

Smokers have thus far abandoned their previous smoking spots on campus and found places near campus to have their nicotine fix. One of the popular ones is the sidewalk on campus near the staff parking lot on Bonnie. Others are near Burger King or Starbucks.

Smokers can be seen lined up in groups on the sidewalk having their own smoke breaks. Which begs the question: is PCC’s attempt at helping students have a healthier environment and lifestyle working, or is it just pushing smokers onto the sidewalks?

Photo Courtesy of Kyle Luck The PCC Tournament of Roses Honor Band performing at the Pasadena Rose Parade on Jan. 1.

New smoking policy brings mixed feelings to campus Lucy Patrikian Staff Writer

“We just want to be healthier,” says Jo Buczko co-chair of the health and safety committee here on campus, “and if you ever walked behind a smoker you

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Josh Balmadrid/Courier Vapemastaz is an electronic cigarette store near PCC for smokers who need an alternative way of getting a nicotine fix.

A&E

January 23, 2014

COURIER

7

Miming class opens doors to new worlds Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer

Imagine taking a college course where you get to play with balls, eat a whole cake and do absolutely anything your heart desires. There’s just one catch: it’s all an illusion.

In the Mime Fundamentals class, taught by Whitney Ryd-

beck, students focus on developing the body as a tool for non-verbal communication by learning the techniques of creating and portraying characters entirely through gestures and bodily movements.

“Everything is in the imagination. You can create different worlds, environments and characters and tell stories as you

Nagisa Mihara/Courier Professor Whitney Rydbeck demonstrates how to throw a baseball in slow motion during the Mime Fundamentals class on Tuesday, Jan 21.

would with words,” Rydbeck said.

Miming trains an actor’s body so that they can twist and change into different characters and do anything they want to do, according to Rydbeck.

Rydbeck works very closely with his students and pays attention to each movement they make, from the way they open and close their hands to the direction their eyes are looking and the expressions on their faces.

“It’s about physical control and accuracy of movement…

You make the illusion much stronger when you use your whole body. The audience watches what we’re doing, each movement, and the more truthful we are in the movement, the more they see and the more they expect from the illusion,” Rydbeck said.

David Coorough, an aspiring comedian who did improv comedy in high school, said that he is taking the class to improve his comedy on a more physical level.

“I can say funny things. That’s

easy, but now I’m learning to convey those things with my body,” Coorough said. “The main [challenge] is keeping my balance. I’m not very balanced and it’s difficult because we have to move certain joints and center in on one thing. It’s hard when you’re used to moving quickly.”

Though miming may seem like a simple thing to do, it involves a lot more than face paint and pretending to be trapped in a box.

Rydbeck teaches his students to isolate the different parts of their bodies and explore the movement of each part before the next part starts to move.

“Miming is important for conveying scenes. It helps make your performance better because you become more aware of your physicalities and have better control over your body,” said aspiring musician Laura Toyne, who did improv with Coorough in high school.

Rydbeck has been teaching miming at the college since 1975.

“In the ‘70s and ‘80s this was a very sexy class,” he said.

According to Rydbeck, miming is a form of silent comedy that has been around as early as the days of Ancient Greece. It started to lose popularity when street performers who weren’t trained actors came along thinking it was easy and they could make some money doing it.

“Miming sort of got a bad reputation after that. All these people came out and demanded money and it got obnoxious and miming because this pushy, ugly, silly thing,” Rydbeck said.

“People started making fun of it. It lost its sense of art and lost its recognition as an art form. It started to become ridiculous.”

Despite the decline in its popularity, Rydbeck still teaches his students how important it can be to their acting craft.

“It teaches actors how to use their bodies to tell a story.

Miming is an art form and it’s very valuable, not just to theater.

It’s good exercise in the sense that you are getting more control over your body and posture,” Rydbeck said.

Women in film: underrepresented and oversexualized Monique LeBleu Staff Writer

A recent study, amongst a series of four performed in the last decade, shows a decrease of women represented in film, along with a simultaneous increased pervasiveness of sexualization and objectification of women and girls.

The study report, entitled ”Gender Inequality in 500 Popular Films”, was conducted by four professors of the Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, University of Southern California (USC), and focused on gender in 100 top grossing films from the years 2007 to 2012.

The USC study’s emphasis was on the number of speaking parts and occurrences within each film by both men and women, where content was analyzed using gender “prevalence, demographics and hypersexualization,” according to the findings of Annenberg professor Stacy L. Smith, a member of the study group and author of the report.

With a cumulative analysis of 500 films containing more than 21,000 speaking characters, the study found that male characters outnumbered female characters in those films by a rate of 2.5-to1, with a 1-to-4 ratio of females to males in film narration roles.

These findings came as no surprise to Pasadena City College professor Kathleen E. Green, who teaches “Women in Film” as part of her rotating curriculum in her English 49 class.

“No,” laughs Dr. Green. “I wish I’d found them surprising.

Those of us who have been studying film for a long time are not at all surprised by this data.”

The USC study also showed that men outnumbered women by 5 to 1 behind the camera, which included directors, writers, and producers. Spanning the 5-year sample of films, those that were helmed by women were more populated with girls and women in their characters on the screen and with reduced female sexualization.

At Pasadena City College, Dr. Green says her course “Women in Film” further examines women behind the camera, in writing, producing and directing roles, as well as their influence in reflecting women’s issues.

“Part of what we are doing is looking at the stereotypical vision of women that are represented and the stereotypical images of women that are represented,” said Dr. Green. “We are seeing if the works written and directed by women are any different, which they tend to be.

And most of the things covered in [the] class are not just films that are by women, but about women’s issues.”

Additionally, in regards to the increase of hypersexualization of women and girls in film, the USC study found that females were likely to be shown in sexier clothing, or partially naked, by more than 20 percent above that of their male counterparts. In 2012, this was found to have increased in characters/actresses in ages ranging from 13 to 20, with the increase of teenaged girls featured in “alluring apparel” by 22 percent from 2009 to 2012, and girls featured with some nudity up to about 32 percent.

Many of the films that have had a wider audience appeal are often commonly labeled with the term “chick flick.”

“[That] is a term that is derogatory when it’s used an out group thing,” said Dr. Green.

“But it is inherently demeaning to try to suggest that women’s issues or women’s concerns are somehow less worthy.”

Green said the study has provided more tangible, quantitative data where there was none.

“Its a good piece of information to have and it let’s you see broader social trends,” said Green.

“If you do the same [research] - count the same things every year for 20 years - that can be very persuasive evidence. I guess the question is, ‘what does this new generation of women do with this evidence?’”

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8

SPORTS

COURIER

January 23, 2014

Softball opens against Antelope Valley Baseball Tiffany Roesler Staff Writer

“One more, together.”

That is the Pasadena City College Women’s Softball team’s 2014 motto and end of practice reminder that each player is willing to give something extra for a team member, a concept imposed by new head coach Monica Tantlinger.

In less than a week the team will host Antelope Valley College in the 2014 season home opener. The Lancers finished off the 2013 season 15-25 overall and 7-14 in the South Coast Conference under coach Brittany Williams.

The new roster is composed of veterans from both the 2013 and 2012 seasons—including players who didn’t see much of the field, and new—young faces. The list may read as a mix of athletes who have yet to feel the pressure of collegiate level play, but add a strong, mature mindset and aggressiveness and it’s a recipe for success.

It especially helps to have key players returning like second baseman Audrey Serna, third baseman/ shortstop Katelyn Thordarson, and catcher Allie Lacey.

“There are some nerves but a lot of energy and excitement as well,” Lacey said. “A lot of girls

have never played at this level of competition but I think that our team will be able to rally around each other and be ready for the challenge ahead.”

All-SCC second team selection Serna and All-SCC first team Thordarson led the team with batting averages of .408 and 26 RBI and .392 with 29 RBI, respectively, while being just as solid in the defense department. Lacey contributed with a .274 batting average, 20 RBI, and fielded a .926.

“Lacey is going to be our

commander on the field in the catching position,” said Tantlinger. “She brings a consistency for us day in and day out in her approach with her work ethic and attitude, [while] her physical ability behind the plate will help to bring an ease to our pitching staff.”

Also returning for the 2014 season is first baseman Sara Quintero, right/left fielder Vanessa Contreras, shortstop Maddy Gianoli (2012), pitcher Casey Ramirez (2012), and infielder Viviana Ordaz (2012).

Quintero, another all-around player, fielded .956 and batted a .284 with 24 RBIs in the 2013 season.

“We have been working hard in fixing all of the small things to make big things happen,” Serna said. “Coach Monica is helping our team blossom into a beautiful bouquet of flowers.”

New additions to the roster include freshman Breanna Rodrigo, who is emerging as top pick for the pitcher spot, and freshman Elizabeth Luna.

Teresa Mendoza/Courier (File Photo) Kayla Moore slides into home plate, as the ELAC catcher attempts to tag her out during the PCC vs. ELAC game at Robinson Park on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

Team effort propels men’s basketball Daron Grandberry Sports Editor

Despite a 14-point halftime deficit, the Lancers men’s basketball team (16-5, 4-1) proved they could handle adversity with a 8477 conference victory over ECC Compton on Wednesday.

The Lancers battled back to defeat the Tartars and remain atop the South Coast North Division.

“Our conference is pretty tough,” Swanegan said. “I believe playing on the road early in the season has helped us tremendously because we’re a road-tested team and we know what it takes to win on the road and in close games.”

Freshman guard Adrian Miles and sophomore Jeffrey Dockett were big for the Lancers down the stretch.

Miles recorded two key steals and scored seven points in the final six minutes of play.

With 5:40 remaining in the game Miles tied the score at 65-65 on a big corner three that changed the momentum in the Lancers’ favor.

Dockett finished the game with a teamhigh 31 points on 4-6 from three point range. sophomore forward Taj Spencer recored another double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Miles finished the game with 14 points on the night against ECC Compton.

“Right now he (Miles) is progressing pretty well in terms of shot selection,” Swanegan added. “He hit some big shots for us and you can tell he’s really starting to come into his own.”

With a difficult non-conference schedule behind them, Swanegan believes his team has been tested in order to prepare them for the tough South Coast North.

Although the Lancers are led by the sophomore tandem of Spencer, 18.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and Jeffrey Dockett, 15.8 points,

3.8 assists, the development and emergence of new starters like shooting guard Adrian Miles and 6-foot-7 center Faruk Oyalade are just as important as the team’s star duo.

In their 70-63 win against defending CCCAA state champion Mt. San Antonio College, Miles recorded a team high 19 points, scoring 14 points in the second half.

“AJ (Miles) has really stepped up for us when we needed him most,” Spencer added.

“He’s probably the most consistent shooter on our team and he brings a fire and burst of energy and athleticism to our team.”

With Spencer on the bench in foul trouble against Mt. SAC, Oyalade sank 11 of 16 free throws in the second half (12-for-18 overall), tallied 14 points and pulled down a teamhigh nine rebounds.

Miles and Oyalade combined for 27 of the team’s 42 second-half points and Swanegan admitted to being impressed with the development of his freshmen.

“Against Mt. SAC we were really tested but we never gave up.” Swanegan added. “We have a good group of young talent, and right now everyone is starting to understand what we expect of them.”

Since being added into the starting lineup, both Miles and Oyalade have helped the Lancers on both sides of the ball. Miles is averaging 10.3 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 39% from behind the three point arc. Oyalade is averaging 7.1 points and 7.2 rebounds playing next to standout forward Spencer.

“We have a team that plays hard and plays well together,” Swanegan said. “I still don’t think we’ve reached our full potential yet, but they are figuring out how to play at this level and learning every game.”

“AJ (Miles) is a threat anywhere on the court,” sophomore forward Rashad Smith added. “You have to guard him and respect his shot because he can drain threes all day.”

In their overtime victory at home against Los Angeles Trade Tech, the Lancers almost let a 19 point lead slip away.

Spencer recorded 32 points and 11 rebounds, the Lancers were able to overcome a four point overtime deficit and outlast the Beavers 88-87.

Dockett finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Oyalade added 10 points and five rebounds before fouling out. Miles put together a well-rounded effort with eight points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

“We’re on a pretty good roll right now, Swanegan added. “We let Trade Tech back into the game, but we kept our composure in the overtime.”

Ranked No. 12 in Southern California, the Lancers have won nine of their last 10 games.

Billy Skelly /Courier Taj Spencer dunks during PCC’s victory over LA Trade Tech on Jan. 17.

ready for 2014 Andrew Salmi Assistant Sports Editor

After a 2013 season with very little to smile about, the Pasadena City College Lancers baseball team returns key members from last year’s team who should make immediate contributions toward a fresh start in 2014.

With only four wins and 32 losses during their 2013 season, the Lancers can only focus on improvements right away with their new roster.

“Many errors we made were a matter of focus,” said head coach Evan O’Meara. “This season we need to continue working on making adjustments.”

The Lancers lost two of their best players on offense from last season in sophomore first baseman David Halstead and sophomore shortstop Josh Clark. Halstead led the team in hits with 31 on the season, adding two home runs and a .282 batting average after playing in all 36 of the team’s games. Clark had 11 runs batted in on the season and led the team with eight stolen bases in nine attempts.

Pasadena will return vital contributors on offense and defense this upcoming season. Bobby Fraijo, who had 22 hits on the season returns to play shortstop and second base for the Lancers.

Catcher Cameron Silva is also a noteworthy player returning after leading the team with 13 runs batted in and tallying 25 hits in 33 games. The offense is optimistic that they can capitalize by getting more runners on base and having players step up at the plate with runners in scoring position.

Not returning this season is catcher Corey Richards, who unfortunately will sit this season out due to his recent heart surgery. Having to wait to play baseball again has been quite tough on him.

“It’s been difficult because you spend every day with your teammates and now I’m not with them at all,” said Richards. “This year the team has depth. If one player goes down with an injury, they will have someone else able to step up in a tough situation.”

Starting pitching and a lack of consistent run support from the offense was a constant problem for Pasadena last season. The Lancers lost a few of their top pitchers including sophomores Trevor Gleason, Spencer Stute and Evan Stransky.

However, Pasadena returns knuckleball pitcher Tim Shiba, who had a 5.14 ERA in 11 starts for the Lancers in 2013.

The Lancers open up their 2014 season on the road against LA Mission College on Monday, Jan. 27 at El Cariso Park in Sylmar. The game’s first pitch will be at 2 p.m.