PCC Courier 03/08/12

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Pasadena City College

Student at Egypt riots Page 2

Transparency vs Censorship Page 4 Volume 104, Issue 3

The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena Since 1915.

Online edition pccCourier.com Facebook PCC Courier Twitter @pccCourier March 8, 2012

Winter session’s fate weighed NICHOLAS ZEBROWSKI Staff Writer

A proposal to consider cutting winter intersession was scheduled to be discussed by the Board of Trustees on Wednesday.

As the Courier went to press, the board had not made a decision on this item.

“If Jackie Robinson were with us today, he would be protesting [the cuts] with us,” said Roger Marheine, English professor, told the board.

Starting at about 4 p.m., security around the Campus Center building was boosted as it was on Feb. 22 when a large crowd demonstrated inside the board meeting room, and in the Quad outside.

The item in which the proposal of a Trimester Academic Calandar for the 2012-2013 year was contained, was near the end of the agenda.

Background materials provided to the board stated: "For one year only in 2012-2013, the

For up to the minute coverage, visit Courier online

pccCourier.com District will assure that the number of class sections (271 sections) that were offered in the winter session 2012, will be moved to the summer semester and therefore added to the 201213 class schedule.

"These additional classes will be high priority courses needed by students for graduation and transfer."

Word of the removal of the winter session had spread across campus. On Wednesday morning, blue fliers reading, "PCC Plans to cut Winter 2013," appeared on campus inviting students and faculty to appear at the Board of Trustees meeting and voice their concerns.

"We're going to allow overflow," said Officer Tyler James

Robins earlier in the day. "If there are more people coming in, they'll broadcast the meeting in the Piazza."

Few attended the meeting Officials had already shown strong disapproval of the discussion to eliminate winter.

"The appearance of the proposed ‘trimester' in the next Board of Trustees' packet, without the idea first being vetted in shared governance committees or even negotiated with the Continued on page 10

‘Intimidation’ at meeting assailed by Senate leader

Protesters gather for the March in March rally at the California State Capitol on Monday.

About 5,000 demonstrators from colleges all over California assembled to protest the recent cuts in state funding.

NEIL PROTACIO AND ANDER AROSTEGUI Staff Writers

Gabriela Castillo/ Courier

Local group joins protest at Capitol MERCY FABILA AND CICELY CHISHOLM Staff Writers

More pictures / Pages 6, 7

Thousands of students from various California colleges, including a large group of students from PCC, walked the streets of Sacramento to protest the cuts in funding to higher education at the state Capitol on Monday.

The event's primary goal was to voice students' support for Gov. Jerry Brown's measures to increase taxes on the wealthy in order to provide more funding for higher education.

Students have been building up their excitement for weeks in light of heated protests.

"I want to be able to transfer and not worry about student loans and class cuts for the future," said Derek Vuong, engineering, at the final meeting before heading to Sacramento.

"I'm going because of the budget cuts affecting everybody," echoed Loyanee Lopez, psychology. "I hope to get or point of view across."

Speak out!

Should taxes on the rich be raised for in support of education? vote at pccCourier.com The massive group began its march at Southside Park, one mile away from the Capitol building. Buses dropped students off who were there to repre-

In an open letter addressed to the Board of Trustees, the administration, faculty and staff, Academic Senate President Edward Martinez said members of the Senate had been "intimidated" by events surrounding the group's Feb 27 meeting.

Many Senate members had expressed anger at the time, the Courier reported on March 1.

"Some members of the Senate To read the full Board, including text of the the Senate letter, visit Secretary an the Senate Treasurer, Courier online were angered that our normal procepccCourier.com dures were so blatantly interfered with and that a situation of intimidation had been created," Martinez wrote.

"Both of these officers and other representatives left the meeting in protest.

Roger Marheine, as an English division representative, moved to cancel the meeting, but I had to overrule the motion after a vote since it had not been properly agendized."

At a meeting of the Senate Executive Board on Monday, Martinez declined to elaborate on the

Continued on page 10

Continued on page 10

Community Colleges Chancellor, ex-PCC chief, to retire NICHOLAS ZEBROWSKI New Editor

Jack Scott, former PCC president, announced Tuesday that he would be retiring from his position of California Chancellor of Community Colleges as of September this year.

He assumed his position at the helm of the nations largest system of higher education in January 2009.

Scott plans to spend his retirement in Pasadena, and is looking forward to spending more time with his eleven grandchildren, he said in an interview. “I plan

to take it easy, no nine to five work…consulting, reading, maybe some writing.”

The former PCC leader said that his greatest achievement as Community College Chancellor was the implementation of a community college-to-CSU transfer system in 2011.

“I look forward to seeing more [of] PCC,” Scott said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. “There will always be a warm spot in my heart for PCC and the time I spent there.”

Scott added that he is retiring because he feels he has had a fulfilling career and wants to relax

with his family and travel. Scott also said that he hopes students can pursue the best education possible, even though the state has made some serious mistakes handling higher education.

Commenting on Scott’s retirement, PCC President Mark Rocha said, “Jack is a monument to our school and the state.” He added that Scott is a “Mt. Rushmore; type landmark character.”

Rocha said that Scott’s retirement came as a surprise, but that Scott has served 58 years for the state and done a great service to us all. “[PCC] and the state are in a much better state [after Scott].”

Rocha said.

Scott served as PCC President from 1987 and was elected in 1996 as state representative to the Senatorial District, which includes Pasadena, Glendale, and Burbank.

His highlight achievement at PCC was the completion of a $100 million master plan bringing the colleges needs into the 21st century, according to the Chancellor’s website. Also on the website, it says during Scotts presidency at PCC, “the college balanced its budget, laid-off no Continued on page 10

Courtesy of California Community Collge Chancllors Office Former PCC President Jack Scott

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News

Courier

March 8, 2012

Special 12 week program to help students affected by class reductions Intersession to target students close to a transfer, officials say BRANDON DREXEL Staff Writer

Anthony Richetts / Courier Students march across campus March 1, protesting section cuts and the new add code system which limits faculty with to only five add slips.

Protest marches down Quad CHRISTINE MICHAELS Staff Writer

About 50 demonstrators took the Quad on March 1, protesting the administration's lastminute decision to cut classes a week before the semester started.

The goal of the protest was to inform the students about the class cuts and the add code limitations started this semester, said history major Sam Resnick.

Protesters on Thursday first gathered on the raised grass platform outside the Campus Center, holding signs and chanting into bullhorns, inviting students to join them.

Among those students was Brittany Ulloa, biochemistry.

"I am here because I want to get classes back," Ulloa said. "We want to continue education the way we planned it."

Undeclared major David Nunes-Childes said: "[Students] get the bad end of the stick. [Students] are having more difficulty getting classes."

Protesting students were not alone in this demonstration, as members of Occupy Los Angeles joined the rally.

"There is under funding of education by the wealthy in this country," said Pablo Oliva of Occupy LA. The wealthy should contribute more, he added.

The protesters marched down to the Quad during Club Week and circled the area before making their way to the C Building where campus police were already waiting for them.

Anthony Richetts / Courier Students protesting as they march down the alley between the C Building and the V Building.

In an e-mail sent earlier to the faculty and staff, Vice President of Administrative Services Richard van Pelt told employees that [officials] were aware of the protests and that safety precautions were taken.

The protesters settled on the C Building steps and engaged students in dialogue, speaking about class sections and the current problem of add code limitations.

For the first time this semester, instructors were given only up to five codes for students to add their classes. Previously, dozens of codes were provided.

Student Tamar Boehm was one who couldn't get an add code. "I have a class that has 30 seats, but only allows 16 students to register for it," she said.

A special 12 week program called Spring Forward will aid students whose schedules were affected by the recent cancellation of classes, college officials said.

“The session is targeted to address the 428 students whose schedules were impacted by the class cancellations that occurred just prior to beginning of the semester,” said Robert Bell, vice president of instruction.

Bell went on to say that the classes that will be offered will have the primary focus of assisting those who only need one or two classes to graduate, transfer or obtain a certificate.

“In bringing these classes forward in this special session, the hope is to assist other students who are near completion as well,” said Bell.

Bell’s office will try to contact all affected students to inform them of the program and offer them the classes they need. In order to avoid conflicts with student’s current schedules, the classes will be offered via online instruction as well as weekends.

According to Crystal Kollross, the interim director of institutional planning and research, one of the main goals of Spring Forward will also be to seek out students who are close to a transfer.

Two hundred nineteen of the 428 affected had completed 35 units or more, said Kolross, but were not in classes needed to transfer in 2012.

“If we can find students that

were detrimentally affected by the cuts, those are the ones we could target for Spring Forward,” Kollross said. “But we just don’t see that in their transcripts.”

Kollross said that the Spring Forward program will be used a pilot to get students who just need that one class to transfer.

“We want to get those students who don’t have financial aid and don’t want to stay any longer, Kollross said. “It’s not just about those 45 classes that were cancelled.”

The number of classes cancelled has differed in light of heated protests. Kollross clarifiec, however, that the total sections cancelled is 45.

“Some of the sections cancelled were time changes,” Kollross said. “When an instructor requests a change in time, the section will have to be cancelled and another will have to be added.”

Other sections that were reinstated were classes that took place in surrounding high schools and also ESL classes.

“Some of the ESL sections were set up for international students,” Kollross said. “But we needed to add more because of time conflicts.”

The Spring Forward program will begin on March 26 and conclude at the same time as the spring semester, June 17.

Once the classes to be offered are determined a list of the classes and the information students will need to register will be posted on a special link on the PCC website. Currently, there is a link on the PCC website for information on the Spring Forward.

Freshman on global, arrives in Egypt during riots CHRISTINE MICHAELS Staff Writer

At first glance, undeclared freshman Joshua Aldecoa seems to be an average student who skateboards in his spare time. That is, until you hear about his five – month hitchhiking journey from Germany to Israel, including a stop in Egypt, where he found himself in the midst of a violent rebellion against the military regime.

In October, Aldecoa, 18 years old at the time, witnessed the first two days of Egypt’s citizens rioting in Tahrir Square, protesting the authoritarian rule of the military regime.

“People were yelling with megaphones, there was an older guy next to me making Molotov cocktails and throwing them…it was intense,” he said.

Aldecoa was stuck in the middle of the second major rebellion since the Egyptian people overthrew former dictatorial president Hosni Mubarak in February 2011.

He remembered having tear gas thrown at him.

“I couldn’t breathe, my eyes were tearing…I had my scarf wrapped around my eyes because I couldn’t see,” he said.

There were children being carried into

emergency tents after the riot, “It was sad to watch,” said Aldecoa.

Friend Laine Perine was enticed to hear Aldecoa’s story when he narrated it on the sidewalk in front of the IT Building.

Aldecoa had planned his venture because he “wanted to see for [himself] what was going on, [in the Middle East] instead of just hearing it on the news.”

After saving up $2,500 from his job as a waiter at the Vintage Café in Whittier, he quit, packed his bags, and flew to Germany with some friends.

Cory Liggins economics major said, “It’s amazing how he made his money stretch that long. I’d spend all of it in a week tops.”

“I loved Germany. It was cheap and there was good food,” Aldecoa said while eating Middle Eastern okra dish.

Via e – mail, Aldecoa’s German instructor at PCC, Lydia Mc Donald praised her student. “[He] seems very interested in learning the language, and I’m glad that his experiences in Europe motivated him to start studying German in a formal classroom environment,” she said.

“Using a foreign language in the country itself is always an exciting opportunity to get

to know its people and culture.”

From Germany, Aldecoa hitchhiked to Spain, which he described as “one huge party.”

Then he continued to hitchhike to France, Denmark, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, where he slept at the country’s border until the next morning, when he went to Turkey.

From Turkey, Aldecoa traveled to Georgia, Armenia, Iraq, Cyprus, then Egypt and Israel.

During his 136 days of travel, Aldecoa once stayed at a hotel with some people he had met, but otherwise slept in parks, or stayed at the homes of the natives’ he met along the way.

“You meet a lot more cool people that way…you get a real feel for the culture,” he said.

“I love to travel, I’m a travel bug,” Aldecoa added with a smile while lighting up a cigarette, “I want to travel to places that nobody has gone to before.”

He can’t stay home anymore, Aldecoa said.

“I want to explore more countries, and grow from there.”

Courtesy of Joshua Aldecoa Joshua Aldecoa in front of the Pyramid at Giza in Egypt.

News

March 8, 2012

Courier

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Enrollment down by 8.7 percent KAREN GUZELIAN AND NEIL PROTACIO Staff Writers

Following numerous section cuts and hundreds of students being unable to get their classes, a major decrease in student enrollment has occurred this semester.

Although enrollment has been decreasing since 2009, this spring enrollment has decreased

by 8.72% compared to last year.

As of Feb. 29 there were 23,084 students enrolled at PCC, according to Crystal Kollross, interim director of institutional effectiveness and enrollment management. That is 2,204 students fewer than last year’s Feb. 28 number of 25,288. “The head count has gone down,” Kollross said, “but that’s a trend.”

On the other hand, the number of Full Time Equivalent Students

has passed its 19,634 cap set by the state. A FTES is one student taking 12 units, or two taking six, or three taking four each. The state pays only for a limited number of FTES. “As of [Feb. 29], we are 250 students over capped,” said Kollross. The school, according to Kollross, is paid $4,652 by the state for every FTES. In order to pay for those additional students, PCC will now

have to dig into its reserves, an act that President Mark Rocha has said was required after Proposition 98 — a funding model that the state followed — was removed in 2008.

Records show that while the state has lowered the cap on FTES funding each year, PCC has continued to ignore the cap and fund those FTES out of reserves. In addition, the school has continued to fund additional

sections, leaving PCC with a $2.9 million deficit in 2011-2012.

“The state has downsized us over the last five years by nearly 3,000 FTES,” Rocha wrote in an email, “but we are still spending as if the college is the size it was in 2007.”

The funding cap will continue to drop, says Kollross. Next year, the funding cap is expected to drop by 1,150 FTES.

Study Abroad in Beijing for Spring EDWIN LEE Staff Writer

The study abroad program has been expanded this semester to the reaches of Beijing, China where students and instructors are learning from the different culture and gaining a rare experience of the Far East.

Funded by the student program fees and PCC Foundation, Dr. Cathy Wei professor of the Languages division and Daniel Raddon assistant professor of the PCC Business and Computer Technology division are the two instructors visiting Beijing with the 14 students. “This is a wonderful life-changing experience for the students,” said Raddon in an email.

Upon arriving in Beijing on Feb. 20 at Beijing International Airport, the program began with a visit to Tianan-men Square, the Forbidden City and Qianmen Street. As reported in the travel logs, inspired architect Teresa Sung and Business Major Nancy Nghia wrote, “Looking at photos of the Forbidden City doesn’t

compare to seeing the architectural details up close.

Experiencing the palace in real life was awesome and showing how amazing the artist were back then. It was a humbling experience... As we walked through the city, it felt like we were experiencing history, we could almost hear the royal officials announcing the arrival of the emperor.”

“With the coming of the second week, the honeymoon phase is over,” said Daniel Tong, business major, the courses are beginning to get underway, he said, with daily dictation quizzes and homework each night.

The students are staying in dorms at Capital Normal University, Raddon said.

“The dorms are nicer than some of the university dorm rooms in the U.S,” he added “these dorm rooms house two people with their own bed and desk with a private bathroom, internet connection, telephone and television.”

“Food is delicious and cheap,

Photo courtesy of Cathy J. Wei Study Abroad students and staff at Tiananmen Square on the first week travel in Beijing. This is the first program ever to go to China.

and with restaurants selling 15 dumplings for 3 Yuan (about 50 cents)” said Daniel Adamczyk, business major. “It makes good

deals in Los Angeles seem virtually non-existent.”

The program will last until April 29 with more visits

planned to locations such as the Military Museum, Capital Museum and the Urban Planning Bureau.

Graduation fund to create more sections RAYMOND PECSON Staff Writer

Announced by PCC President Mark Rocha at the Feb. 22 Board of Trustees meeting, The “Graduation Fund” aims to create more sections needed to graduate.

According to an e-mail from Rocha that was read at the Academic Senate meeting last Tuesday, he said that the fund will focus on offering extra “high-demand” classes to students.

Bobbi Abram, executive director of the PCC Foundation, explained that the fund was created in response to the outcries of students angered by recent class cuts. She added that the success of the fund will ultimately depend on the generosity of donors.

“It costs [about] $5,000 to save a class,” said Abram. “The more the graduation fund grows the more classes [will be added].”

Mon-Shane Chou, Associated Students Vice President for Public Relations, said in an email that the fund is a smart way of helping students who’ve been failed by the system.

“There are questions that [still]

need to be answered regarding how [the] demand of a course is measured [and] how enrollment to these sections will be administered. [But] these new and strategic ways of approaching class enrollment has potential and could be the start of what our college needs to best serve its students,” Chou said.

According to Abram, Rocha has pledged to donate a portion of his salary to the fund himself.

Rocha will take a week-long furlough during Spring Break and donate that week’s pay, totaling $4,370, to the fund, she said. Abram and other members of the Executive Committee will also donate an equivalent of two day’s pay, amounting to about $8,000. She also added that members of the Management Association, full-time faculty and staff are also to consider donating.

“The graduation fund is a handle where people can grab a hold of [the problem] and help it up.

It’s well within our power to do it…it requires for us to open our heart,” Abram said.

In addition to the donations, “Spring Break campus shutdown” will be in effect from April 16-22. PCC will be closed

and shut down during that week to produce a savings in utilities and operating costs of about $25,000, said Rocha.

A total of $1 million in savings is the estimated figure that would come from the initial steps of the Graduation Fund, according to Rocha’s e-mail.

“For every $1 million in the graduation fund, we could offer an additional 200 class sections [needed to graduate],” Rocha said.

The Graduation Fund is now students targeting solely approaching graduation. But as more money is raised, it’s a possibity that the benefits of the fund could trickle down to all students, Abram said.

Photo illustration by Gabriella Castillo The new graduation fund proposed by President Mark Rocha aims to create more sections necessary for transfer or graduation.

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Courier

2011 JACC General Excellence Award Winner Editor­in­Chief Neil Protacio News Editor Nicholas Zebrowski Assist. News Editor Paul Ochoa Online Editor Galen Patterson­Smith Assist. Online Editor Ander Arostegui Arts & Entertainment Editor Jessi Alva Assist. Arts & Entertainment Editor Mary Nurrenbern Opinion Editor F.E. Cornejo Assist. Opinion Editor Philip Mc Cormick Sports Editor Nicholas Saul Assist. Sports Editor Linda Pineda Features Editor Mercy Fabila Assist. Features Editors: Cicely Chisholm, Christine Michaels

Editorial

Transparency yes: Censorship no Despite of all the budget cuts, class cancellations, revealed salary figures, teacher reassignments and student protests, we believe that PCC is still a great college.

In fact, all of the turmoil proves that everyone who is connected to PCC is passionate about its future.

However, there has been a lack of transparency on the part of the administration and the Board of Trustees.

Because of the public relations nightmare their decisions have created, they have resorted to censoring the voices of PCC students.

There is no question that the administration and board have a vested interest in the continued success of PCC. However, during the broadcast of the Feb. 22 Board meeting the customary live video stream was cut at the very moment that the protest inside the meeting room began. That was blatant censorship. It countermanded the transparency that the administration and the board have repeatedly promsied to provide.

The public, including students, needs and deserves to have access to Board meetings, whether by broadcast or in person, no matter

Cutting the live video stream from the Board meeting was tantamount to silencing the voice of the protesters. the climate of the meeting. Several students were denied physical access to the meeting and had to resort to standing outside the building or watching the proceedings online.

Board meetings are always streamed online live. The only time it may be acceptable to turn off the camera is when the board is in closed session, as Director of Public Relations Juan Gutierrez told the Courier, because technically there is no meeting to telecast.

However, if the live feed has historically continued even during the closed session of the board with the camera focusing on the audience or the American flag, why was it shut off on this particular occasion? All of us have the right to know what went on during

Online Photo Editor Louis Cheung Scene Editors Buren Smith, Max Perez Social Media Editor Justin Clay Multimedia Editor Natalie Sehn Weber Staff Writers: Antero Barrantes III, Brandon Drexel, Dustin Earl, Jesus Gomez, Tiffany Herrera, Amar Kasopovic, Edwin Lee, Michael McGrath, Raymond Pecson, Brenda Renteria, Luis Rodriguez, Karla Sosa, Colin Sum Staff Photographers: Kevin Balmadrid, Katherine Bussey, Megan Carrillo, Nikki Debbaudt, Minela Dela Cruz, Steven Fuel, Ya Ling Hsu, Ronald Johnson, Teresa Mendoza, Anthony Richetts, Sasha S. Tracy, Steven Valdez, Blair Wells Faculty Adviser Warren Swil

Teacher welcomes participation by students To the students: We hear you. Your protests led to some surprising changes; I’ve never seen a school respond to a situation more quickly. We want you to continue to make your voice heard.

One other way to tell us your needs is through your Associated Students representatives. They expressed to us what your needs are. Communicate with them; they’re in rooms where decisions are made.

A large part of the current frustration is because if we can’t give you your classes, you can’t move on with your lives. But these changes don’t always happen so quickly.

The math department has massive projects going on to streamline the curriculum and make it more relevant to more

students’ educational goals, and other such efforts are being made across the campus.

We have programs in place (like Chem Jam and Math Jam) that are designed to get more people into, through and out of PCC in an efficient way by offering extra assistance and guaranteed classes.

While the campus is clearly divided, I can’t pick sides, for I don’t see different sides. From what I’ve seen I would say: 1. Every employee on campus wants every student on campus to achieve his or her educational goals, and in an efficient way.

2. It is clear that there are problems.

3.The situation can be improved.

No. 1 will always be true. I’ve never heard a teacher or admin-

The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free­speech forum.

Editorial opinions and comments are those of the authors and do not neces­ sarily represent the position of the insti­ tution 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 writ­ ers, photographers and editors in the Journalism Department.

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Additional copies are $1 each © Copyright 2012 Courier.

istrator say, “I wish we could turn more people away,” or, “Not enough of our students are failing out.” No. 2 isn’t always true, but only because problems aren’t always so obvious. And clearly No. 3 can be said on any campus in the country.

The divide is not in that we have contrary goals, but that we don’t all agree on how best to achieve our shared goals. We all think we have the best solution, but whether that comes from a student or a staff member, we can’t try them all at the same time.

Sometimes we pick the wrong one and have to fix it. Sometimes choices are so poorly made that the fix is to replace the person making them. Sometimes we pick the right one, but it still isn’t perfect, so people suffer anyway.

In any case, it’s rare when a big change happens within the span of a semester, but we’re trying to make things better.

Some of us are doing everything we can to get more people through here. If someday you have to protest again to make your voice heard (provided we maintain respect for one another and it doesn’t lead to violence), then so be it.

But, I also encourage you to take a moment to look around and see what good things are happening. I want you to know that even through all of this, I’m proud to say that I work at the best campus I’ve ever set foot on.

We will get through this.

Matt Henes Mathematics Instructor

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Photography Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Coordinator Anthony Richetts

the entire proceeding.

In contrast to Gutierrez’s statement, Vice President of Information and Technology Dwayne Cable told the Courier that if he’d been asked to turn off the feed, he would have. He said it would be a bad thing for the community to draw the wrong conclusions about students and faculty based on the protests.

We are the community and we had the right witness all of the proceedings on Feb. 22 and draw our own conclusions, whether they put PCC in a negative light or not. That right was taken from all of us.

Regardless of who gavethe order to shut off the camera, it is obvious that everyone on the Board and in the administration was attempting to censor the voice of protesters.

Is that what they consider to be the best for PCC’s staff, students and the community?

Board member Bill Thomson told the Courier that the protests were “threatening to the board.”

Many others feel that through censorship the Board is threatening to them and the future of PCC. This kind of action should not be repeated.

Letter to the editor

Photo Editor Gabriela Castillo Chief Photographer Daniel Nerio

March 8, 2012

Opinion

Courier

Proposition 8 opinion articles spur robust online debate Editors note: The following comments were posted in response to the opinion article “ Marriage is a religious sacrament, not a legal issue.”

(March 1) A religious sacrament? Yes as far as a given religion might be concerned but a religious. ceremony is NOT what a civil marriage is. No marriage can be recognized without a marriage. license issued by a county government.

That is what this struggle is about — gaining the legal protections and legal recognition that is inherent in a marriage. In this context, any discussion of religion is not relevant and confuses the real issue. Gay people ARE NOT asking for society’s approval, but demanding that their rights be recognized and not arbitrarily withheld because of someone disapproving of homosexuality.

Frank Cardinalli

ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked: Do you think the class cuts were well managed?

Results as of 11 a.m. Wednesday: 10% Yes 90% No

vote at pccCourier.com

“If marriage is a religious sacrament, then you need to make divorce illegal.”

Jen Kritch Marriage is a legal contract.

That’s why you have divorce….another contract.”

James McCaslin Is marriage a federalized institution? Yes. Did the U.S. Supreme court rule that marriage is a civil right in 1965 in the Loving vs.

Virginia case? Yes. Is the government supposed to

support equality and protect it’s citizens and their civil rights because all people are created equal?

Yes. Given all that, it’s not a religious issue. It’s a legal issue.

Mo Dane Why shouldn’t it be the “legal” union that’s named marriage, if people are going to be so childish as to insist the word cannot encompass both?

Plenty of atheists and agnostics get married, and call it that.

John Seregent

Note to Readers 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 Cornejo_courier@yahoo.com.

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) 585­7130 or via e­mail to Protacio_courier@yahoo.com.

March 8, 2012

Op­Ed

Courier

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Class cuts cost some students more CHRISTINE MICHAELS Staff Writer

With over 20,100 Full Time Equivalent Students attending PCC this semester, along with the class cuts and limits to adding classes, finding a spot in a class is a trying task. For the 1,501 international and out of state students, identified by the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Enrollment Management department, the most difficult obstacle is the heavily and unnecessarily burdensome cost of attending classes at a community college.

International computer science student Ashish Ingoe is in his second semester at PCC. Botswana native Ingoe lives with his sister who is an international student at CSU Los Angeles.

Like every international student attending PCC, Ingoe must be registered for a minimum of 12 units each semester, and he must pay at least $3,564 each semester for those 12 units. Ingoe is registered for 13 units this semester, a total cost of $3,818.

According to the International Student Tuition and Fees section on the PCC website, international students must pay a minimum of $3,564 per semester. An average instate student has to pay only $432 for 12 units.

What is most upsetting is that international students

Those from abroad who pay far more in tuition than in-state students risk losing their visa status and employment. will not get financial aid, since it is exclusively available to U.S. citizens.

That is not the only restriction for coping with the high cost of college tuition, “[International students] are allowed only to work on campus, except in economic hardships,” said Ingoe.

With the stressful 12 unit requirement for international students to keep their U.S. visas current, they must also maintain a GPA of at least 2.0.

“I have a 3.5 GPA, but that’s only from one semester here. I’m taking more units this semester,” said Ingoe, “and I’m looking for a job, but I’m limited to only the on - campus [jobs].”

It seems the entire community college system is doing everything possible to discourage international students from attending. International students are not funded in any way by the state.

Out of state students may not have to hassle with employment restrictions and financial aid qualifications as much as international students, but the tuition fees for them are still at least $238 per unit, according to the PCC website. To qualify for financial aid, an out of state student must register for 12 units, which can be a heavy load for some.

Another problem for out of state students confronts those who had paperwork lost, thus having the state assume that students who have been residents of California are instead newcomers to the state. One of these students is undeclared major Ana Delacerda, who has been in foster care.

“My custody files were lost, so I was marked as no longer being a current resident of the state,” she said. She is taking 14 units this semester, but she has financial aid.

“It’s ridiculous,” she said. “I don’t even know why it’s that expensive with it being $238 [per] unit. You’re already an out of state student, with other bills, and the school wants you to pay more.”

In the end, it is fair to say that although resident students don’t have priority registration, the ridiculously high cost of attendance for out of state and international students certainly gives them the right to get the classes they need to keep their eligibility as U.S. citizens as well as residents of the state.

Release of each employee’s income was necessary PAUL OCHOA Asst. News Editor

The gross incomes of all PCC employees were released on the school’s website after a public records request from two news organizations.

The document shows how much every PCC employee makes, including the president, vice presidents, faculty and student workers and any other person’s employed by the college.

The posting of the compensation reports comes at a time when many at PCC feel that administration officials are making too much money when money is scarce and classes are being cut. It is time

VOICES:

this information was released.

The release of the gross earnings may be seen by some as a way to divide students and faculty who, for the most part, have been on the same side when it comes to classes being cut and faculty being fired.

The theory is that when students see how much certain professors are making, they might feel as if the faculty has its own agenda during this “educational crisis”.

Considering that the faculty contract is coming up for negotiation, this might be a way for the administration try and show students that certain faculty members have their own goals for the protests

and that cuts to certain classes were necessary because of the high salaries professors are paid.

The release of all PCC employees’ annual gross income also comes as a blow to employees like student workers who are not making anything close to the major players and those who are not comfortable with the public knowing how much they are making.

Someone who is working part time and making $8 an hour might not want everyone to know his or her gross income for the year, but it is a small price to pay to see how much faculty and administrators are making during these harsh economic times. Besides, state law

requires it.

The release of the gross earnings should make this “Educational Crisis” at PCC a bit more interesting now that the public knows exactly how much every employee is making.

Since the teachers protesting with students are on the list, perhaps students might see them as having their own agenda, and the whole face of the movement might change.

Regardless, if it gets stronger or divides students and faculty the release of the gross incomes of each employee was something necessary and was required by state law.

Were the protests against class cuts effective?

“Protesters are doing it for the right cause. Hopefully it does not turn violent.”

Chanice Norman, General Education

“They didn’t let Rocha talk because they were screaming.

The administration has to do certain things to keep school running.”

“It was the best thing to do for the community. We have a voice and can change things. Students should be more involved.”

Mariel Blum, Environmental Science

Koloneus McClaren, Business

Eddie Fuentes, Business

“I think as of right now, they are being effective. They are bringing in a big crowd of students.”

“Some things need to change in the way they are protesting, for it to become more effective.”

“The protest looks like it has a lot of followers, and I think that shows its effectiveness.”

I think a lot more people could show up, and that would make it more effective.”

Maria Rodarte, Theater

Eron Aguilar, Undecided

Hilary Bremner, Cognitive Science

Robert Storey, Film

The budget should be cut.

Teachers are losing jobs and that is not a good thing.”

“This is less education for me. I will have to take more classes next semester.”

Ja-ron Williams, Criminal Justice

“It’s good to know our school has a voice and we are trying to get what we need. I am glad that the teachers support us, it affects them too.”

Sacha Guevara, Psychology

Reporting by: Mary Nurrenbern and Philip Mc Cormick, Photos by: Max Parez

SCENE

Courier

March 8, 2012

7

Protesters assemble posters on a table at Southside Park in Sacremento on Monday.

Groups from many college campuses all over California gathered in the park before the march to the Capitol.

Gabriela Castillo/ Courier

March in March

Gabriela Castillo/Courier Protesters gather for the March in March rally at the California State Capitol on Monday, March 5, 2012. About 5,000 protesters from colleges all over California assembled at the Capitol to protest the recent cuts in state funding to California colleges.

Gabriela Castillo/Courier A swarm of protesters marches towards the Capitol from the west, down Capitol Mall in Sacremento on Monday. The march began at 10 a.m. and ended with a rally at the steps of the Capitol.

Gabriela Castillo/Courier Daniel Mateo, 20, PCC math major, holds up a protest sign at the Capitol on Monday. He was one of over 100 PCC students and faculty who traveled to the Capitol to take part in the "March in March".

PCC delegation participates in state-wide protest

Gabriela Castillo/Courier Protesters holding flags and signs march down Capitol Mall towards the Capitol.

Gabriela Castillo/Courier Myra Whyttington, 19, PCC political science major, and Auriana Duffy, 22, PCC forensic science major, hold up signs as they march towards the Capitol on Monday.

8

Features

Courier

March 8, 2012

Club Week shows diversity of campus COLIN SUM Staff Writer

Club Week activities and presentations drew throngs of students to the Quad during the second week of the semester.

Associated Students Vice President for Internal Affairs Daniel Perea, said clubs were there to build relationships.

“Some clubs have [presented] great events,” said Perea.

“Currently there are 68 clubs chartered and others who express an interest will need to fill out paperwork.”

The AS set up a booth from Feb. 27 through March 1, and provided students information on scholarships.

It also held a “free food” event, during lunchtime hours Fen. 28 and March 1 to promote Club Week.

Students had to visit a certain number of clubs and have a form checked out in order to receive the food.

“Free food is great,” said Michael Sniffin, film major.

“It makes students listen to what clubs have to offer. But [some of] the people in charge of the booths think students care only about food, not the clubs.”

Dominique Calderon, art, said she likes joining clubs and meeting different people who share similar interests.

She is one of the newer members of the Japanese Visual

Animation Club, and is interested in the Germania Culture Club.

“Club Week gives everyone a chance,” Calderon said.

“Walk around and you’ll see the opportunities each club offers.”

Harlan Entler, computer science major and public relations officer for the Campus Crusade for C’thulhu club, said Club Week is a good opportunity for cross-club activities.

He is also interested in the Salle Lancier Fencing Club and would like to see an activity between the two clubs.

Some members from each are interested in fencing and the “Magic: the Gathering” card

game, he said.

Nicholas Schauer, nursing major and current president of the “animation” club, said club week is enjoyable and he met many new people.

He is also interested in the Campus Crusade for C’thulhu club, mainly the board games it offers.

Marlon Roma, architecture major and member of the Intervarsity Fellowship Chrismtian club, said Club Week was a lot of fun and had high energy.

It was also a way to socialize with different people. Roma is also interested in the “fencing” club. “It’s a cool skill to have,” he said.

AS officials’ new blogs aimed at their peers

Freshmen improving math skills KARLA SOSA Staff Writer

Goal is to increase transparency ANTERO BARRANTES III Staff Writer

Associated Students Board members have since fall been posting new blogs to the AS website with information for students, written by students with similar interests and concerns.

The main AS objective for the blogs is transparency, in which there’s openness, communication, and accountability on issues of concern to students, bloggers said.

AS Vice President of Public Relations Mon-Shane Chou explained how a connection is forged between the AS and the student body.

“When everyone is involved, there is a sense of shared governance,” said Chou. She sees the blogs as a perfect opportunity for this.

Chou explained how student government implies a distance between student officials and other students. AS is an associa-

Teresa Mendoza/Courier Students walk and wander by the various club stalls during Club Rush in the Quad at PCC on February 29.

Natalie Sehn Weber/Courier Mon-Shane Chou, vice president for public relations, plays a video project posted on her blog page in the CC Building on Tuesday. The video included students’ views on education budget cuts and was recently presented to state legislators in Sacramento.

tion where everyone participates in shared governance, Chou said.

“There has to be a student interest,” she said. Without student initiative, there’s no participation. “There is only so much we [in the] AS can do.”

According to Chou, student

feedback to the blogs is largely positive. The students want the information. “It’s pretty intuitive,” said Chou. “Usually there’s always something to blog about.”

Although students may get college news from other sources, some value the blogs.

“I keep up with the issues by reading the newspaper, but I’m also interested in looking into the blogs,”said Yousef Tobgy, administration of justice. He realizes the importance of being informed, and is open to new sources of information.

“The more of us, the bigger the voice,” said Natasha Nicholson, sociology. Nicholson is aware of AS news but points out there are still students who are not informed. “Then again, there’s only so much AS can do when getting the news out there,” said Nicholson.

Chou encourages Tobgy, Nicholson, and others to read the blogs. “[They’re] written by students just like you, and that’s why posts go up late,” she said.

The blogs were made possible with the new AS website, as.pasadena.edu, which was set up in the fall semester.

Chou and AS Chief Justice Simon Fraser are the top two bloggers on the site. “The website along with the blogs is about 70 percent of what I do, Chou said. “It’s part of the job and the responsibility of public relations”. ”This is more than a one person job, where having ranges of people who blog can create equilibrium,” she said.

The Math Department has been helping incoming freshman improve their math skills since 2006. Math Jam is a free summer program lasting two weeks.

The purpose of the program is to help students who struggle in math. Most students don’t like math, and tend to not do so well on the placement exam.

Math Jam starts two weeks before fall semester begins.

Students don’t focus only on math, they also learn about the many other programs that are offered at PCC. They take tours around campus so they can get familiarized with their surroundings.

Ann Davis, an instructor who helps in Math Jam said, “Students aren’t always learning about math every day. [They] learn a little bit of everything.”

According to Co-Director Dr. Brock Klein, Math Jam helped 325 students in 2011 with more being expected this summer.

Three to four math teachers are in charge of teaching pre- algebra, beginning algebra and intermediate algebra. Tutors work one on one with students or sometimes in groups.

“This program really does help. The math department is working to improve the math skills of students,” said Davis.

Since the program is expecting more students this year, it is going to do something different: there will be two sessions, one in the morning from 9am to 12pm and then from 1pm to 4pm.

Klein said, “This year we want to spilt the groups, and if it works then we’ll do this from now on.”

The directors of Math Jam have seen a huge improvement on the students’ math skills.

According to the Math Jam website, 100% of students would recommend Math Jam to their friends.

“The tutors involved in Math Jam are previous students that were part of the program,” said Klein.

Other community colleges in California have adapted this program, including out-of-state community colleges.

“There are about 20 colleges in California that have started their own Math Jam program,” said Klein.

Arts & Entertainment

March 8, 2012

Showcase to be held in Art Gallery

Ander Arostegui/ Courier

JESSI ALVA Staff writer

Cutting edge Design Tech method of creating a class for just a certain skill” Bird explained.

The program’s goal is to prepare students to be on the cutting edge of technology while enjoying and acquiring skills that will benefit them for life, added Avila.

This instruction method is applied in all basic classes that students in the program are required to take together.

“Although these classes teach the regular curriculum, the learning process is more handson”, Avila said. “Students are presented with a problem and then motivated to learn the necessary skills to solve the problem”.

Jay Cho, mathematics instructor, collaborating with the program has noticed the positive effect of this teaching method.

“Since students are already interested in the solution to the problem they are more eager and motivated to acquire the necessary knowledge and apply

Critical thinking skills offered along with technical know-how.

ANDER AROSTEGUI Assistant online Editor

After attending a conference on student success in 2010, Architecture Instructor Deborah Bird and Engineering Instructor Salomon Avila, saw a need for targeting the needs of design students jumping into an everchanging and over-competitive technological world.

Students struggle to find the necessary classes to advance in their studies and be up-to-date with the necessary new skills.

With this in mind, Bird and Avila developed the Design Tech Program.

“Students need to learn critical thinking along with the technical and creative skills necessary in these competitive fills, in contrast with the obsolete

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Campus to join ArtNight events

Students’ projects from last semester’s Design Tech Program are displayed.

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it”, he said.

Jasmin Fabela, 19, fashion, was looking for a pre-algebra class.

While searching the class catalogue she came across the Design Tech program in its first semester of existence.

Sandra Gonzalez, 20, Mechanical Engineering, points out, “ being part of it [the program] doesn’t only give me the skills that I need but a different view on design since I have to collaborate with other designers with completely takes and views on design .”

The program started last fall with a high level of success ,28 out of 32 students completed the first semester.

On their second semester they had guaranteed enrollment in entry-level classes in a chosen discipline during the second semester of the program.

Faculty and students in the Visual Arts & Media Studies division and professionals will participate in the city of Pasadena’s ArtNight on Friday.

Pasadena ArtNight is a free evening of art, music, and entertainment presented at 12 different locations in Pasadena, including PCC, the Pasadena Museum of History and the Armory Center for the Arts.

Students from the advanced level art classes, including the advance film class will show case their works that are already on display at the Art Gallery on campus.

“All students who are interested in art and music should stop by and check out what some of these students have to show,” said Brain Tucker, Art Gallery Director and an instructor in the Visual Arts and Media Studies division. “ You might just find something that catches your eye.”

Professional artist Erin Cosgrove will screen her satirical short animations in Room 122 of the R Building. Cosgrove is a professional artist who got her MFA in Art from UCLA in 2001.

Books that she has published will be on display in her showcase.

Among the students who will display art is Inga Mitinyan, film. With the help of Carlos Lemus and animation artist Eduardo Remez, Mitinyan created a 25 second animation loop that lasts eight minutes.

“I wanted to show a love story in 25 seconds,” said Mitinyan. “ I also wanted to show that [love] can repeat itself over and over again, hence the loop going on for eight minutes.”

The untitled animated film will be on display in the gallery through the end of March.

ArtNight is sponsored by the Pasadena Arts & Culture Commission . Four bus shuttle routes will be available for the public to use for free after 5 p.m.

This is to transport the public to the other 11 locations that are hosting events. Locations and directories to what will be displayed can be found on the artnightpasadena.org website or by calling in the ArtNight Hotline at 626-744-7887.

Last fall, Art Night Pasadena had an attendance of around 14,000 people.

10

March 8, 2012

Courier

Intersession cut proposed to board union demonstrates the same incautious behavior that lead to the disastrous disruption of the last Academic Senate meeting," said Martha Bonilla, an English instructor and also the Academic Senate secretary, in an email.

Simon Fraser, chief justice of the Associated Students, said that they will strive to continue to fight for the intersession.

"We campaigned on keeping winter and we will continue to follow through on that campaign to keep winter," said Fraser.

According to General Counsel Gail

Cooper, the trimester calendar is a part of the District's proposal for new PCC Faculty Association contracts for 20122015.

"The District will negotiate this and several other aspects of the proposal with PCCFA in the coming months," wrote Gail Cooper in an email. "As stated in the District's proposal, a trimester calendar model will result in savings to the District and will enhance the ability of the District to increase enrollment seats at less cost."

According to Cooper, the public hearing will be set for the Board of Trustees on April 4.

Cuts protested in Sacromento Continued from page 1

ent the UC, CSU, and community colleges.

Prior to the rally, PCC students and faculty wore custom shirts to give recognition to the college and planned to march together in a group. Participating schools did the same.

According to coordinator Carrie Afuso, 94 PCC students and staff attended the protest. Some studentsbecame involved with the rally with a personal goal in mind: to represent others who could not make the trip to the state's capital.

"Even though my classes were not affected, I want to do it for my friends who will be going to college in the future," said Arian Davoudian, 21, film production major at PCC. Alba Hernandez, a 21 year-old former PCC student attending CSULA, took part in the protest to represent students who are not aware of the affects of the budget cuts.

"I have friends from many campuses and I'm just emotional when I see everyone here. I just hope more people get involved," said Hernandez, a liberal studies major. "I'm representing for those who have no idea how difficult it will become and also for minorities. I'm here for change."

Other students from California's higher education institutions were present at the march as well.

"This is a strong movement. I feel really proud that I am here," said Mt. San Antonio College student Skyler Rendon.

"All levels of higher education are here.

This rally means that students are committed to affordable education," said UC Merced student Jon Ly, 20, political science. "It is a large event and it shows just how important it is to fulfill educational goals."

After completing the mile-long march to the Capitol, students of all ages camped out on the steps of the building.

Across from PCC 626-578-9512 Open til 10pm nightly

and

Senate blasts officials’ behavior Continued from page 1

letter. " We have nothing further to add.

We already send a response to Mr. Rocha's letter."

Martinez added that the Senate was an independent organization "It is the Academic Senate that will decide when and where we meet. We will decide the circumstances of our discussions," he wrote. "Furthermore, I must make it clear to the College President that he is a guest at our meetings."

In a Feb.29 letter to the Martinez, PCC President Mark Rocha had apologized.

I write to offer my sincere apology to you and the Academic Senate for the events that occurred last Monday's meeting. Pure and simple the situation was mishandled and I assure you it won't happen again.

The Senate meeting on Feb. 27 came as a surprise to many of its members as campus police were dispatched to guard the doors of C233, the usual location of the Academic Senate meeting. Chairs were removed and members of the administration were present, seated front row. A video camera was also present to record the meeting.

The setting, according to Senate members, set an intimidating tone that prevented the group from functioning properly.

"The atmosphere was not comfortable, not collegial, and not appropriate for the Senate to carry out its responsibilities," said Roger Marheine, President of the Faculty Association and also an Academic

Senate representative for the English Department, in an email to the Courier after the meeting.

Marheine had motioned to postpone the meeting to a later date in order to accommodate other members but the Senate was told that the vote to adjourn was invalid under the Brown Act. The meeting was forced to continue despite the fact that the Senate secretary, treasurer, and two representatives dismissed themselves in protest.

In his letter of apology to Martinez, Rocha stated that the "situation was mishandled." Rocha had requested to move the Senate meeting to the Creveling Lounge, but later discovered that there would be a conflict with the Associated Students Townhall. Campus police were then dispatched to the C233 location after having informed Rocha about their concerns regarding fire code regulations in the room and security.

"My intention was to insure the exact opposite of what occurred, that is to insure the broadest possible participation and comfortable environment for the Senate meeting," Rocha wrote.

Martha Bonilla, secretary of the Academic Senate, addressed Rocha at the meeting, saying that his request to move the meeting was more of a command.

"If you would like us to move, it would be a good idea to present that request at the first Senate, put it to the road of the faculty and its representatives rather than command our movement," Bonilla said at the meeting, before dismissing herself from the meeting.

-Sp

l a eci

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Chancellor Scott to retire in September Continued from page 1

members of its faculty and staff, and maintained an educational program of high quality.�

It also says that PCC had reserve funds of more the $6 million when Scott retired.

He was also the first person the be honored as President Emertitus of PCC

Scott holds a Ph.D in American History from Claremont University.

He formerly held positions as President of Cypress College and Dean of Instruction at Orange Coast College.

After being elected to the state Legislature he authored 146 bills that were signed into law.

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Pasadena, CA 91105 *Cheese extra. Š 2012 The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.

March 8, 2012

Courier

11

First year head coach out to prove herself LINDA PINEDA Asst. Sports Editor

At age 26, the new head coach of the women’s softball team Brittany Williams has already accomplished great lengths, and turned some of her dreams into reality.

“I have wanted to coach since high school, so this is like a dream come true for me,” said Williams in an email.

While Williams says finishing her education and coaching are her greatest accomplishments, at times she feels underestimated for her youth as head coach.

“I do think that I am underestimated at times, but I can’t complain because it usually works to my advantage,” she said Sophomore player Alexandra Ballesteros admits to finding Williams really young. “[Williams] is really young to be a head coach, but she knows her game and knows what she’s talking about and is doing good

Steven Fuel / Courier PCC women softball new coach Brittany Williams 1st season in 2012. Practice on drills March 5, 2012. As the Lncers get ready to play Long Beach College.

at coaching us,” said Ballesteros.

This season will be Williams’ second season coaching the Lancers, but her first year as head coach.

She began coaching as a pitching coach for Lafayette College, a Division I team in Pennsylvania.

Williams says she values the PCC team, and enjoys stepping out onto the field every time.

Softball team can’t score in two games CICELY CHISHOLM Staff Writer

The women's softball team lost to East Los Angeles College with a score of 8-0 on March 1 at Robinson Park.

The loss was the second after an injury to sophomore leading hitter Kayla Moore, causing her to be out for the week due to a muscle strain. The first loss was against Cerritos College on Feb. 28, with the same 8-0 score.

"We hit the ball hard throughout the game. We just didn't have the luck," said Brittany Williams, head coach.

Moore's absence seemed to have contributed to the loss as she has proved to be the team's pitching ace and hitter, having the most hits on the team.

Sophomore center fielder Brittany Skoien achieved a triple in the first-inning.

Freshman pitcher Casey Ramirez did prove her ability as a pitcher, filling in Moore's place well.

"Casey Ramirez kept us in the game. She pitched well enough and kept [ELAC] off balance basically the whole game," said Williams.

“I have a great time coaching here at PCC. I lucked out in my first year and ended up with a fantastic group of student-athletes who work hard and have a

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Blair Wells / Courier First baseman Natalie Ficocelli makes contact on a pitch

By making a few errors, the Lancer's actually gave the Huskies four runs, giving them the upper hand to carry out the rest of the game and win.

According to Williams, Moore will be out for the next few games, but is working with the trainer for a fast recovery.

"Basically, the plan [for the next game] is to do the small things right, like run the plays, and we'll be in a good spot. I tell the girls to take care of the ball as it leads to wins," said Williams.

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The Shatford Library will be running a food drive where students can waive current fees by donating canned goods from between March 3 and 23 during library business hours said Access Services Librarian Pearl Ly. “A lot of people are food insecure.” The food drive aims to help those whom are in need of food. Although there are an abundance of donations during the holidays, there is a dry spell during the months with out them, Ly said. Students who donate can waive up to $20 in current fines at the library for $2

per can donated. The fine waiver does not cover lost book replacement fees, processing fees, or damage costs. All food donations will be accepted at the front Circulation Desk on the main floor of the library.

In reference to students who have current library fines of $5 or more. The library wants them to come back,” said Ly. While the fines block students from checking out books from the library, they do not restrict students from the online research databases and e-books.

The library has posted a link on its website where the details of the Food for Fines program can be found.

1DWLRQDO 8QLYHUVLW\

Library trades food for fines CHRISTINE MICHAELS Staff Writer

passion for the game,” she said.

Player Jasmine Villalobos says she enjoys softball practice more with Williams as a coach.

“Honestly, [Williams] is the

best softball coach I’ve ever had.

I get excited to go to practice everyday, it’s not a drag because she makes it fun,” said Villalobos.

Williams’ love for softball began at a young age.

“I started playing softball when I was seven years old…I played every sport there was to be played, but I fell in love with [softball] and have played year round ever since,” she said.

Williams went on to play on a USA Athletes International team that toured Holland in 2008, and for three years played on the Division II Sonoma State University team.

Upon graduating from Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo, she attended Arkansas Tech University before transferring to Cypress College, where she redshirted due to an arm injury in 2006.

That same year the team went on to win the state championship.

Coach Williams hopes to send her sophomore players off to four-year universities, and make a good impact on them.

“I just hope to make a difference in the lives of the young women I get the opportunity to work with,” said Williams.

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March 8, 2012

SPORTS

Jackie Robinson’s legacy honored Baseball team rocks 1938 vintage jerseys in tribute game

NICHOLAS SAUL Sports Editor

NICHOLAS SAUL Sports Editor

In celebration of Black History Month, the men’s baseball team honored PCC’s most famous and most decorated alumnus Jackie Robinson by sporting his throwback uniform in a Feb. 28 home game against Irvine Valley.

The Lancers would eventually lose the tribute game, 13-5, but the sentiment was not lost on the players.

“They were really excited to be in the Jerseys,” said Head Coach Evan O’Meara on his player’s thoughts. “They certainly know the history and significance of Jackie Robinson, and getting to play in that type of jersey on a day that honored him, was great.”

Present at the tribute game was President Mark Rocha, Athletic Director John Woods, PCC alumnus and former MLB all-star and world champion Darrell Evans, and Jackie’s niece, Kathy Robinson Young, who spoke before the opening pitch.

“I had never seen my uncle’s PJC uniforms,” Young said. “It really is an honor to call someone uncle after what had been presented.”

The game itself was not much of a competition as the visiting Lasers of Irvine Valley were hitting with ease and pitching an

Women’s basketball playoff run ended

early no-hitter.

The score was 12-0 in favor of Irvine Valley until PCC scored five runs in the seventh inning.

PCC centerfielder Manny Pantoja was the lone bright spot as he hit for three RBIs in a largely poor team performance.

“I know they want to win, they never want to lose, it’s not in their DNA,” O’Meara said.

“And they don’t need me to remind them that they got beat on a day we really wanted to have a strong showing.”

Coach O’Meara indicated that despite the loss, Robinson’s historical significance was honored nonetheless: “I’m always touched by how connected baseball is to the fabric of our history and how it is that a man like Jackie changed the face of baseball, but the face of America,” he said.

Ronald Johnson / Courier

Blair Wells / Courier Top: The Robinson family seen with the Lancer baseball team and Jackie Robinson’s replica jersey.

Above: Sophomore outfielder Brandon Spicer swings a strike.

Swim team splits wins as Liu continues to impress PHILIP MCCORMICK Staff Writer

Anar Nyantaisuren / Courier A Lancer swimmer takes early position on the blocks. The swim team beat El Camino but came up short against Chaffey at the PCC Aquatic Center.

Cario Liu led the PCC swim team in the dual meet Friday, March. 2. against El Comino College and Chaffey College, but the team came up short against Chaffey.

“I was a little bit disappointed in the men’s performance,” said Head Coach Terry Stoddard. “I, felt though, we could have pulled out one of the relay races, and losing both really set us back.”

The Lancers found themselves down by 40 points at the 10minute break.

“It’s really difficult to come back that late in the meet, when you are down by 40 points,” said Scott Wong, who got first place in the 100-yard breaststroke.

Stoddard said the difficultly was because the team did not have any divers for the diving

events.

When a team doesn’t have anyone in an event, the other team is going to get first, second and third place without having to really compete, he added.

On a brighter note, Liu came in first in all his events at the meet. “[Liu] is a really good swimmer,” said Sandra Rios, Liu’s teammate. “He has earned the nickname ‘the fish’ because of how good of a swimmer he is.”

Stoddard praised Liu and Courtney Jensen for doing well in all of their events.

The women’s team didn’t do as well as the men’s team. “I kind of expected that,” said Coach Stoddard. “They were in [over their heads] against those teams. We have more [swim] meets ahead of us, though...

We’ll get back in the water and be ready for them.”

The women’s basketball team lost a playoff heartbreaker at Ventura College on Feb. 25.

Coming off of a last-second, miracle win over Antelope Valley just days before, the Lancers were unable to continue their Cinderella playoff story, coming up just short, losing 55-50 to the highly favored Pirates.

“I’m saddened that we lost,” said Head Coach Joe Peron. “But I’m happy with the effort we gave.”

The first half saw a stagnant Lancer offense unable to convert points in the paint; missing easy baskets from point-blank range.

The team shot an abysmal 24 percent from the field but managed to put up four three-pointers, keeping them within striking-distance.

Coach Peron commented on his team’s poor shooting performance: “We can get to the paint when we want; we just need to quit settling for jump shots,” he said.

Game-winning hero from the previous playoff game, Stella Ghazarian, sunk another buzzerbeating three, this time in the waning seconds of the first half, quieting the rowdy home crowd and foreshadowing events to come. At the half, the score was 27-24, Pirates.

The second-half saw a defensive workshop put on by both teams as baskets did not come easy and set the stage for another close game.

Lancer all-state guard Marquetta Stokes managed to make it to the free throw line five times, sinking 7-10 freebies and keeping the Lancers in the game.

Stokes, who recorded 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block, was PCCs best player, but was not enough to overcome the stalwart defense of the Ventura Pirates.

“It’s really tough because I know we could have had them,” Stokes said.

Unlike the first half, the Lancers were unable to sink any threes, going 0-6 for the half.

Despite this, the game was tied, 50-50 with a minute left and the ball in the Lancers possession. The Lancers set screens and the ball wound up in clutchshooter Ghazarian’s hands, looking to go 2-2 for miracle shots.

With the playclock winding down Ghazarian heaved up a hail mary but the ball rimmed out and the Pirates secured the rebound. The Lancers playoff run was ended.