Big and beautiful Voluptuous porn star visits campus
Page 2» Volume 107, Issue 10
COURIER Pasadena City College
The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena Since 1915.
Online edition pccCourier.com Facebook PCC Courier Twitter @pccCourier April 11, 2013
Black Monday Crash in registration system leads to free-for-all admissions chaos
A line of students desperate to add classes extend all the way to the street on Monday. The Lancerlink system, which had been getting two million hits an hour, crashed when
NICHOLAS SAUL Editor-in-Chief
Registration for Extended Spring turned into a free-for-all on Monday when students who could not register online showed up in person to try to sign up for classes. School officials say there is no clean solution to the chaos.
Senior vice presidents Bob Bell and Bob Miller held an emergency meeting with admissions clerks saying all that can be done is to keep students calm, have more clerks man the front lines, and to just simply wait it out. The problem was that students wouldn’t “wait it out,” and they were taking their frustration out on the registration staff.
Lissett Matos / Courier the classes for Extended Spring were available to the entire student body at the same time.
“We can’t do anything from a technology perspective,” Miller said. “There’s no doubt this was poorly handled.” On Monday, the registration system, Lancerlink, had been getting over 2 million hits every hour, with over 400 hits per second. Normally, the first day of registration will see fewer than 50 hits per second, according to
Angry students cause registration clerks to flee
Dale Pittman, the director of management and information services. The significant increase in hits is because priority was not a factor in registration and all 26,000 enrolled students had access to the server at the same time. Because Extended Spring classes would still technically be taking place during the current Spring
CHRISTINE MICHAELS News Editor
Registration clerks fled their posts after feeling threatened by angry students who couldn’t access the online registration server for Extended Spring classes on Monday. An emergency meeting followed with two administrators to work out a game plan over how to deal with the chaos at the Student Services Center. The handful of workers was so overwhelmed, they marched to President Mark Rocha’s office to complain about problems with both the ancient Lancerlink registration server and the manual registration process. Dina Chase,
dean of admissions and records, and Associated Students President Simon Fraser and an AS vice president accompanied the workers. The clerks met in the President’s Conference Room. Senior vice presidents Robert Bell and Robert Miller spoke to the staff. President Rocha did not attend the meeting because he was preoccupied, according to secretary Mary Thomson. Clerk Jeannie Sullivan said she felt very threatened by the students in line at the registration office. “They are targeting us. They were threatening us and cussing us out,” she said. “We are doing what we can and what we are
instructed to do.” The staff heard students making violent threats, prompting them to call in the campus police to patrol the registration line. Sullivan mentioned a Facebook PCC Memes image of someone holding a gun posted Monday that read, “Say ‘start over’ to me one more time! I dare you, I double dare you!” Miller called Police Chief Don Yoder to keep cadets and officers at the Student Services Center until registration closed. “Campus police will be there from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the next few days,” he said. Bell apologized to the staff. “I am incredibly apologetic. Continued on page 11
Continued on page 10
President extends olive branch to staff CHRISTINE MICHAELS News Editor
Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Frustrated registration clerks fled to President Rocha’s office on Monday demanding a solution to the chaos created when computers were overloaded during Extended Spring registration.
semester, the school was unable to create priority schedules. “I understand that this would be a magnanimous crash if we didn’t have priority,” Bell said. Simon Fraser, associated students president, felt administrators didn’t take the necessary steps to prevent the studentwide problem. “I still don’t buy
President Mark Rocha extended a peace offering in the form of a letter to faculty just days after a contentious Board of Trustees meeting in which many individuals read letters highly critical of him and his policies. His letter included two promises to help fix the hostile climate on campus, along with his sympathies to faculty about working under stressful times. “Two things I promise: I am here to listen and we start this process of hearing today. As I hear you express dismay at the current campus climate, I want you to know that I share your feelings and your deep concerns. The current climate is not good if it distracts even one of you from putting your full energy into the service of your students.” At the Board meeting, of the 15
public comments, 13 were directed at Rocha and his administration. Before public comment began, Board President John Martin advised the audience to keep public comments professional and to keep a civil discourse. “If there is ever a place that civil discourse needs to happen it’s on community college campuses where freedom of thought is so highly prized,” he said. The majority of the speakers kept their comments professional and closely within the threeminute time limit set by the board. Another letter read and written by Instructor Lauren Anderson blamed Rocha and his administration for putting an image of the faculty in a bad light for students to inappropriately believe. “Many of my colleagues are Continued on page 9
AS elections to be held April 16-17 BENJAMIN SIMPSON Staff Writer
The annual AS elections will be held at the Office of Student Affairs and online on April 16 and 17 “The Associated Students is the student government on campus, they represent the students,” said Joseph Garcia at the second candidate forum.
Students can vote from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on both days in CC105. Online voting at: elexpert.net/VotePasadena/ The third and final candidate forum for Chief Justice, and the four remaining vice presidential positions will be held at noon on Thursday in the Galloway Plaza. Continued on page 3
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News
Courier
April 11, 2013
Registration crash adds stress and pressure VIVIAN MEZA Staff Writer
Hundreds of students who were overwhelmed by their inability to get into the college’s online registration for Extended Spring registration waited in line for hours for help in the L building on Monday. “What happened to the organization? How did this get so haywire?” said Paul Priego, chemistry. Priego waited in line for hours in order to add classes. Students began lining up early in the morning trying to register for classes manually. Many students, like Anastasia Gershman, communication and sociology, woke up early to register. While standing in line, students continued trying to register online using their respective portable electronic devices in hopes of being able to add a class. “I haven’t gotten in yet. It’s 11 a.m. [and registration] started at 7 a.m. I’ve tried to log in a total of like 115 [times],” Gershman said. With no other alternative, students gave up class and work just to manually add classes. “I’m lucky. If I had work today, I
Concepcion Gonzalez Students wait in line on campus trying to register for classes because they couldn’t get into the registration system. Students waited as long as three hours.
wouldn’t be able to do this at all,” said Sarah Belknap, mathematics and computer science. “I feel bad thinking of all the students that are not waiting here in this line. They’re not going to get their classes because they have jobs
and they expected it was going work as advertised.” Counselors advised students not to give up on the system. “Some students are getting classes. Classes are open; be patient and keep trying,” said Armando
Duran, counselor. For several students, it was their first time experiencing issues while trying to register. “This was the first time that this has actually happened to me. I woke up at 6:30 a.m. today and tried to register at
7 a.m. There were over 500 people online, so I couldn’t [get] in. It’s ridiculous. There should have more people helping out ,“ said Kristin Min, accounting. The line receded at some moments, but grew in number to the point that students were lined up down Colorado Boulevard. Some students waiting in line were disappointed. “It’s a complete mess to be honest,” said Brandon Grainger, criminal justice. “My first problem was that there was no priority for [registration] when it’s supposed to be used for people who need to get out and need to transfer.” In this moment of frustration, the prominence of PCC diminished in the eyes of many students. “Why did I pay cash for these classes, and why do I bother coming here instead of [going] to Mt. SAC?” questioned Gershman. “Why do I bother coming here instead of coming to [Santa Monica College]? [PCC] was convenient and by reputational alone, this was supposed to be the best choice.” “Obviously I backed the wrong horse. I am regretting my time here”, she said.
New movie showcases Jackie Robinson’s legacy ADAM MITCHELL Staff Writer
The story of a PCC legend is moving to the big screen. “42” a film about Jackie Robinson is having a special screening for some PCC students and faculty. Jackie Robinson was more than just an athlete; he was a man who changed the culture of a nation. His influence extends far beyond the baseball diamond, and his legacy is still felt here in Pasadena where his journey began. In conjunction with the Arclight Pasadena and PCC an advanced screening of “42” has been scheduled for Friday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. The first official showing isn’t until 11 a.m., so lucky PCC students and faculty who scored advanced tickets can see the film before anyone else in the country.
Robinson attended PCC from 1937 to 1939 and in his time here he not only played baseball but also football, basketball and track. Head baseball coach Evan O’Meara said, “baseball was probably his third best sport.” Jackie broke his brother Mack’s broad jump record here at PCC and Mack competed in the 1936 Olympics, said Larry Wade head track and field coach, “These are two athletes we [at PCC] should be very proud of.” Echoing that sentiment O’Meara said, “You really have to go back to what Pasadena was like, and Altadena where he grew up. Understand [there] was not much difference between this area and the deep south.” Through his abilities, he was able to attract the attention of UCLA coaches, “which was very signifi-
Benjamin Simpson/Courier Jackie Robinson's jersey from his time at PCC and sports hall of fame bust on PCC campus, PhotoIllustration.
cant for a black kid from Pasadena,” said O’Meara. From there he went onto the military
and then to his historic signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
The first African American to play major professional sports in America, Robinson is a shining figure for PCC, and senior vice president Dr. Robert H. Bell said, Robinson was a revered figure by Dr. Bell’s father and his father spoke often of Robinson’s accomplishments. Dr. Bell’s time was after Robinson’s playing days but he remembers fondly his father’s thoughts on Robinson. “The trials and tribulations he went through as a man in his chosen profession [shows] the strength of his life, and that reflects here at PCC,” said Bell. His legacy lives on here at PCC. “The glory that comes from him and spills onto this college is extraordinary because of what he accomplished in his life,” said O’Meara.
Porn star speaks about body image PAUL OCHOA Staff Writer
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Bullying, body image and sex were the topics of discussion on March 27. when adult film star Kelly Shibari spoke to professor Hugo Schwyzer’s Humanities 3 class. Shibari is the third adult film star to visit PCC this semester as part of Schwyzer’s guest speaker series. “She has the advantage of being the third speaker with the chance to connect with someone about ending shame, finding pleasure and transforming body image,” said Schwyzer. Shibari’s talk with the class was different from the previous two speakers in that it not only had a more personal feel to it [Shibari recognized students in the audience and even hugged one as well] but the main topic was body image and the way we view ourselves. Don’t say someone’s pretty so I must be ugly. Say they’re pretty and so am I, said Shibari. Shibari who is a heavy-set adult film star; which in the industry is known as a bbw (big beautiful woman), told the class about her own personal experiences with body image issues. “I was always a chubby kid. In Japan growing up, once you’re picked on, you’re picked on until you graduate. [But] now I’m like I make money being fat and having sex as my job, so F-you,” said Shibari. One student in attendance asked Shibari about struggling with judgment from other people because of the way you dress or sexual orientation.
John Novak / Courier Kelly Shibari shows her vintage cigarette holder which she uses as a wallet to Natalia Guerro, Tatiana Zavala March 27.
“Judgment is so toxic, and the only thing you can do is not judge other people. If it makes you angry it’s not a bad thing, but what you do with that anger is what’s important,” said Shibari. Tatiana Zavala, psychology, felt that Shibari was supportive and sensible. “She gave a really encouraging message and was down to earth, helpful and empowering,” said Zavala. Darryl Brown, sociology, felt Shibari was not only educational but helped clear up some things in regards to stereotypes. “It was very educational; it covered a lot of areas I needed to clear up regarding stereotypes with bbw’s as well as the rest of the porn industry,” said Brown.
News
April 11, 2013
Courier
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Associated Students Candidates The third candidate forum will be held today at noon at the Galloway Plaza. Statements from the third forum and more information on the first two forums is available at pcccourier.com Students can vote yes or no for candidates running unopposed. Unopposed candidates must receive more yes votes than no votes to be elected to office. Candidate statements were all made during the candidate forums.
Simon Fraser - Student Trustee
Snefuru Hines - Student Trustee
“I am running for Student Trustee because I realized during my term as AS president that the board hasn’t been receiving the right information. The board hasn’t been making the right decisions, and I believe as a student trustee, I will be in a position where I can fully question decisions in those board meetings by President Rocha, I can question his administrative team, and I can make sure that the facts come to light, and that the board of trustees makes a fully informed decision.”
John Fraser - President
“I am running for Student Trustee because I love my fellow students and they deserve so much more than what they get. By me being the voice of these students and getting suggestions from my peers, we can succeed in so many different ways.” “I would like the students to know that we have power with our voice and we have power with our action. With me as student trustee I will basically be the catalyst to your power to your actions. I want to take down any obstacles that get in our way.”
Robert Gordon - President
“I firmly believe that the Associated Students need to be recognized as a political entity and not as a leadership program, and I have taken that approach with all the policy moves that I have made this year. As the drafter of the resolution of no confidence I do believe that I am in the best position to be moving forward with that, and to maintain both diplomacy and discourse with the Board of Trustees.”
Charles Camacho - Vice President for Business Affairs “I’d like to get the experience working with students and understanding what the students need out of the monetary aspects of being a student. I realize it’s hard. I realize you have a job; I realize you have a lot of units and I understand that. I would like to work for the students to make their experience at PCC better. Things cost too much around here; I would love to subsidize that. I would love to help get students scholarships, and I would love to help the PCC experience be a great one.”
“The reason why I decided to run for AS President is because I really admire what the current Associated Students has been doing. I admired their passion; I admired their dedication to the students, but I felt that now they have taken that step, attacked the administration, attacked the board of trustees, and called them out. Now is the time for progression, to push things forward. We made the statement, now it’s time to put things into action.”
Austin Kang - Vice President for Business Affairs “I want to make PCC more affordable for students, I want to make the funding the students get more transparent, so that students know where the funding goes. I also want to help, if you have a lab fee. I want to help subsidize that cost. And also I want to work on ICC funding.”
Erick Peraza - Vice President for External Affairs
Nick Alderete - Vice President for External Affairs “The reason I am running for Vice President of External Affairs is because I believe that to implement integral positions exacting long term change for student success, meaning that we can go up to legislators to push for beneficial goals that will help the students in the long term. As you can see, last semester we passed Proposition 30 and that was mostly because of student support. I wanted to implement things that students can change; legislation and education.”
“I want to be able to go out there into the community or the colleges to see what they do, so I can bring it back and incorporate it with PCC. I want to make a better campus for everyone, and that is why I am motivated to be the next Vice President for External Affairs.”
Valerie Roque - Vice President for Internal Affairs “This is currently my second semester and I am the ICC representative for Fuentes. If I am vice president, I want to make sure that every student feels comfortable with the vice president, so I want to interact more with the representatives, so that in the Inter Club Council meetings they feel comfortable with me. I just want to make sure every student knows that they have a voice at Pasadena City College.”
Marisol Salcedo - Vice President for Internal Affairs “For the last semester I have been involved with the ICC, currently I am president of the Paralegal Association. I notice that there has been a lot information that was not accessible to students, primarily with clubs. So I felt the need to come in and say that I need to take some action in assisting so that the clubs have better information and make sure they have the most fun on campus.”
Eric Bustamante - Vice President for Academic Affairs “In the event that I am elected this next year I hope to ease the situations that students may face, be that financial or problems that they may be having in the classroom with teachers. I need for students to come to me as well as me reaching out to them, so that we can form a partnership to find issues that need to be resolved. In the next year I hope to create scholarships, and other opportunities so students can increase their success.”
Miranda Alvarado - Vice President for Student Services “I am running because there are so many student services out there that students are not aware of. We have doctors, we have psychologists, you can even get tested for ADD here. We have so many amazing services here; I really want to advertise them as much as I can. What I want students to know is that I am ready to lose sleep so that I can to really represent you guys to really make these services available to you as much as I can”
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Courier 2012 JACC General Excellence Award Winner EditorinChief Nicholas Saul News Editor Christine Michaels Assist. News Editor Teresa Mendoza Online Editor Anthony Richetts Assist. Online Editor Madison Miranda Opinion Editor Emily Chang ‐ Chien Assist. Opinion Editor Raymond Bernal Arts & Entertainment Editor Paul Ochoa Assist. Arts & Entertainment Editor Vivian Meza Features Editor Luis Rodriguez Assist. Features Editor Shelly Maldonado Sports Editor Philip McCormick Assist. Sports Editor Jonathan Biles Photo Editor Buren Smith Assist. Photo Editor Matthew Chan Chief Photographer Justin Clay Online Photo Editor Antonio Gandara Assist. Online Photo Editor John Novak Scene Editor Concepcion Gonzalez Staff Writers: Tiffany Herrera, Adam Mitchell, Tiffany Roesler, Andrew Salmi, Benjamin Simpson, Karla Sosa
April 11, 2013
Opinion
Courier
Is North Korea bluffing? Military threats are legitimate Country is just full of hot air JONATHAN BILES Staff Writer
North Korea has asserted itself into the headlines of international news over the past week. As a country with an already tumultuous relationship with its neighbors, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has decided to test the world’s patience by increasing threats of military action. North Korea started its media onslaught by releasing numerous propaganda films depicting the destruction of American cities, along with parades and massive displays of “military might.” North Korea has recently vowed to restart its nuclear program and is apparently planning a fourth nuclear test on April 10. North Korea has also requested that all countries – Great Britain and Russia – evacuate their embassies in the event of a conflict following the nuclear test. British and Russian officials decided to stay in Pyongyang after the request, but then were told that if fighting followed the April test, their safety would not be guaranteed. South Korea and the United States are both treating these threats as credible. Kim Jang-soo, South Korea’s chief of national security, said in his daily press briefing that North Korea is
releasing these “headline-grabbing messages” to sway public opinion and cause anxiety. “We are open to every possibility and thoroughly prepared,” Kim said. “Whether it is merely rhetoric or not, we maintain military vigilance.” A potentially favorable development for the U.S. and their allies is the new imposition by China – North Korea’s sole diplomatic and financial ally. China is normally supportive of North Korea, however, China released a statement on April 6 urging them to halt its recent slew of threats. "We oppose provocative words and actions from any party in the region and do not allow troublemaking on China's doorstep," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. While South Korea has yet to detect anything out of the ordinary, Kim Jang-soo has his own warnings for Kim Jong Un and the North. “If limited war is to break out, North Korea should bear in mind that it will receive damages many times over,” Kim Jang-soo said. Without the support of China, the likelihood of North Korea attacking anyone is greatly reduced. The retribution for anything even remotely resembling an act of war from North Korea would be swift and lethal.
VOICES:
RAYMOND BERNAL Assist. Opinion Editor
Another day, another propaganda campaign by North Korea. These headline chasing photo-ops and rhetoric have become so routine, one can set clocks by them. How many times does the world have to see these laughable images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un or his predecessor and father Kim Jong Il, saluting the troops with some awkward salute, looking at “the enemy” through binoculars, or flexing their antiquated military muscle with parade after parade? Former U. S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman recently said in an interview about North Korea’s headline strategy: “The North Koreans have a way of manipulating not just regional headlines, but also global headlines and then asking for concessions, and sadly people step-up and give them concessions. This just continues in cycles, and here we are again." “These external provocations that we are witnessing are pretty much indicative of internal political challenges. Which is to say the young 29-year-old Jong Un is further trying to consolidate power among the central military and political elite,” said
Huntsman. North Korea seems to be a master at bluffing with a bad hand. But, this time even Chinese President Xi Jinging seems to have had enough of his neighbor’s nonsense and petulant, childish behavior. Xi recently said in a stunning speech: “No country should be allowed to throw a region and even the whole world into chaos for selfish reasons.” To complicate matters, almost the entire Korean peninsula — Japan, South Korea, China, and North Korea — have new untested leaders, who are still sizing each other up. Even the United States has a new secretary of state. But, no one seems to be engaging North Korea in substantive, constructive talks in place of political rhetoric. The Six Party Talks, which also includes Russia, have to restart in earnest if we want to put an end to this bombastic propaganda madness. Real international diplomacy must be interjected soon. Former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman shouldn’t be the only person talking to Jong Un. Though Rodman via a CNN interview did deliver an important message to President Obama from Jong Un: “Call me.”
How was registering for Extended Spring?
Staff Photographers: Jordan Harris, Teresa Mendoza, Caitlin KellyThompson, Lissett Matos, Mary Nurrenbern, Benjamin Simpson Faculty Adviser Mikki Bolliger Photography Adviser Rachel Fermi Advertising Coordinator Anthony Richetts
“I felt like it was the hunger games and someone should be saying, ‘May the odds be ever in your favor.’” Alyssa Esparza, music
“[I didn’t register for spring or summer], but some classes I have...I had to crash and wait for people to drop.” Dylan Bergstedt, photography
“[The server] was backed up. ... Now I need approval from a teacher to add a class. It is a hassle.” Nancy Khella, sociology
“I heard from friends [that they] were having trouble, so I decided not to try. I didn’t want to waste my time.” Giovanni Martinez, architecture
“[It was] difficult, everyone was rushing at the same time. … [The school] should have been more prepared.” Danny Perez, art
“I was trying to [log in, but was told] I had to wait. … [I finally] had to log in every 10 seconds to get in.” Elijah Samuels, photography
“It was frustrating. [I tried] from 11 to noon…gave up until 8 p.m., but I did get the class I wanted.” Cindy Estrada, biology
“I hated it. No one had registration dates. I went from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until I got my class.” Giselle Gracia, pre-veterinary
“I started at 7 a.m. and didn’t get a class until 8 p.m. I still didn’t get [the class] I really needed.” Michelle Ramos, undecided
[The day] was difficult. [There were] too many flaws in the system, and it [impacted] our ability to serve the students. Dee Adams, admissions & records clerk
The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College Journalism Department and is a free‐speech forum. Editorial opinions and com‐ ments are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the institution and its administra‐ tion, 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. Phone: (626) 585‐7130 Fax: (626) 585‐7971 Advertising: (626) 585‐7979 pccCourierAds@yahoo.com Office: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., CC‐208 Pasadena, CA 91106‐3215 The first copy of the Courier is free. Additional copies are $1 each © Copyright 2013 Courier. All rights reserved.
ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked: Are you concerned that N. Korea will attack America? Results as of 5 p.m. Wednesday: 21% Yes 78% No
vote at pccCourier.com
Reporting by: Adam Mitchell, Photos by: Concepcion Gonzalez
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 e‐mail to changchien_courier@yahoo.com.
Corrections The Courier staff endeavors to ensure accuracy in all aspects of its report‐ ing. If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at (626) 585‐7130 or via e‐mail to saul.nicholas@yahoo.com.
April 11, 2013
Opinion
Courier
5
Best of the Web
Comments recently posted to stories published online The following comments are in response to “AS cites continuing problems with transfers” “Associated Students are supposed to represent the students, not their own twisted delusions of grandeur. I am curious as to how they came up with their no confidence vote. PCC is a school of about 25,000 students. Did they poll ALL of the students and receive a 100% approval for their vote of no confidence? I think not. As such, there are students that they are representing falsely. Therefore, AS is not representative of the entire student body at all. Did they just poll some of their buddies and come to their conclusion? Six of them felt that way so they try to pretend all 25,00 students feel that way? Between Marheine and Fraser, PCC has an absolute misunderstanding of what shared governance is all about.” Hawk Feather “The argument that we did not conduct polling of 100% of students, nor receive 100% support for an action, is levied against us whenever a group – usually the top level administration, or the Board of Trustees – dislikes an action that we have taken. It is also a false argument, and it shows no understanding of the process we undertook. We are elected to represent the students – we poll to the best of our ability, but not having staff nor release time, and a requirement to maintain 9 units of college credit, it is an impossible task to poll all students – especially since the college has roadblocks in place that prevent us from effectively reaching all students. We have to do the best with the information and resources we have, and what we believe is in the best interest of the students. We are elect-
ed by the students annually for that very purpose. I have been very open in asking for any student to come forward and talk to me, or email me with their thoughts on our actions. I said on Lancer Radio, whether you agree or disagree with me, the best way you can help us represent you is to be part of the process and tell me how you feel. And, to this day, I have yet to be told by a single student that what we did was wrong. In fact, I am told repeatedly that AS should keep up the good work – verbatim, often times. I stand by the actions as appropriate, considered, and with wider support than even I had realized.” Simon Fraser
at PCC. For a faculty member to be advising the Courier for 6 years straight, it must mean he’d been doing a fine job. Why all of a sudden dismissed? Melissa Michelson
Here’s the problem: student government is “pretend” power; no reason to get drunk on it. You get to have a voice at the table, but the decision-making is not in your hands. That is what the Board of Trustees is for – making the decisions. Rocha gets to advise, student government gets to advise, but the Trustees make the decisions. Here’s the problem
The following comments are in response to “President wants college to ‘move forward’”
The following comments are in response to “Courier adviser put on administrative leave” “WHAT is going on!?! That is on the lips of many of the faculty here at PCC. We are very concerned for our colleague, given what seems an uncanny and timely dismissal, immediately following the Courier’s valiant and comprehensive press coverage on the votes of no confidence, [Academic] Senate meeting from last week and PCC’s candid voices across campus that things are just not right here
“The thuggish moves continue. Are these the desperate flailings of a drowning administration? One can sympathize with Rocha and the Board wanting to silence this award-winning student newspaper. Remember, it was the press that brought down President Nixon. Goodbye, Rocha–no matter how the paper annoys you, you’ve just violated the First Amendment!” John P. Zenger
“Did Mark Rocha offer any evidence for his claim that ‘teaching and learning are improving’ since he came on board? Or his assertion that the no confidence votes are ‘misleading’? Your accompanying article about the Associated Students’ experiences with transfer problems and Rocha’s unresponsive administration is necessary reading alongside the president’s comments. Simon Fraser and John Fraser are excellent spokespersons for the students. It is shameful that Rocha tries to paint the Associated Students as irresponsible rather than honestly addressing their questions and criticisms.” Faculty member “See, Faculty ‘member,’ you just want there to be a narrative that is one-sided. You make me laugh. Gosh, I sure got a kick over all the
whiners commenting on the Pasadena Sun editorial. Bunch of fools, don’t even realize that an editorial is an opinion piece. This, from college students and faculty. Funny, yet sad at the same time. There are many who support Dr. Rocha and his administration. What is pathetic is that faculty wants a $1 million bucks for NOT teaching.” See… “Don’t forget when Simon Fraser and the AS Board presented a no confidence vote, Rocha said that the vote only represented ‘six people,’ not all the students. If any group of people on campus represent or understand students’ best interests , it’s AS. I mean students are going to them for transfer advice over our own administration. Tsk Tsk Rocha.” Concerned Student Students should read the article in the Pasadena Sun. The Sun reporters think that the no confidence vote is very much all about contract negotiations, and about how some faculty members are trying to preserve their $100K+ salaries. ‘Faculty union leaders have also brought formal unfair labor practice charges before the Public Employment Relations Board, alleging that elimination of the winter session was an unfair change in working conditions (as well as a loss of income). A hearing is set for July, said union President Roger Marheine.’ I’m not sure how to spin that to make it look like what’s going on has nothing to do with negotiations over salaries. Bear Stearns Visit pccCourier.com and post a comment to one of the online Courier stories. Make your voice heard!
Illustration by Emily Chang-Chien
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Teresa Mendoza / Courier Stephanie Grant from Cerritos long jumps 4.36m in the second flight at the Pasadena Games in Robinson Stadium on March 23. Grant also competed in the pole vault placing 11th with a height of 10.46m.
Let’s get physical Time to glove up and get ready to bat in the 4th inning for the PCC women's softball team. Lancers defeated L.A. Harbor decisively at Robinson Park by a score of 11-3, on Thursday March 28. Matthew Chan / Courier
Teresa Mendoza/Courier Lancer Caleb Wood places 4th witha javelin throw of 52.32m at the CSUN Invitational, on Saturday, March 16. Wood also represents PCC in the discus throw.
Top: Benjamin Simpson/Courier Christopher Anderson dives from the 3-meter board in the Pasadena Invitational at PCC on Friday, April 5. Anderson placed 7th in a field of six teams and 25 competitors with a score of 169.2 and 12 points. Bottom: Teresa Mendoza / Courier San Diego Mesa athlete Alia Ismay competes in the pole vault placing 9th with a height of 2.66m at the Pasadena Games in Robinson Stadium on Mar 23.
Matthew Chan / Courier PCC Lancer softball #6 Porchia Jackson slides home against ECC Compton Center in home game at Robinson Park April 4, 2013. Lancers dominate ECC by a score of 9-1.
Lissett Matos / Courier Badminton "birdies" stacked for the El Camino, game that the Pasadena Lancers won 19-2 in the Hutto-Patterson gym, on Thursday, April 4.
Lissett Matos / Courier Pasadena Lancer Alec Tatum, forward, attempts to make a shot, falling against Long Beach player, in the Hutto-Patterson Gym on Jan.30. Lancers won 74-70.
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Courier
Photographers put on professional show PAUL OCHOA Arts & Entertainment Editor
It was a packed house on Saturday as students, faculty and the general public gathered into what was once an old yoga studio but has now been transformed into an art exhibit titled, 135 A Collective. The exhibit not only featured students’ artwork but it was put together by the students themselves; advanced photographers from PCC. The exhibit was a do-it-yourself project. The Kutzer Management Company and Peter Kutzer loaned the space to the students. “We’ve had it for two months. It was called Yoga Blue, and the students painted the space which used to be blue [and did] the lighting,” said Betsy Kenyon, adjunct faculty and project director. The goal was to make the exhibit have a professional feel. “We wanted it to feel like an art gallery and not an art fair,” Kenyon said. The artworks ranged from interactive fine art to photos, with visitors encouraged to interact with the artwork. One piece, by Emma Rosenthal titled “This is Home,” was set up like a room with doors, lamps, and the walls covered in tiny photographs of different houses in Los Angeles. Michael Allen, film, commented on the originality of the piece. “I’ve never seen anything like this; it’s really cool,” Allen said.
Another piece by Miguel Esperanza, titled, “The Church of Heaven/ Hell,” was a cluster of religious flyers posted on a glass wall which read, “Hurry, Be Saved, and Pay Me,” on the piece. “Whenever you get those flyers, you don’t find the time or need for them, but I wanted to use that medium of worthless pieces of paper [which] still have some content to them,” said Esperanza. As the night went on more people began showing up, examining the artwork, having fun, touching the artwork, sitting in it, and taking pictures of it. English Associate professor Joseph Sierra was impressed with the quality of the artwork. “I don’t go to a lot of [these things], and I’m really impressed. I forget sometimes how talented the students are,” said Sierra. Kyle Walters liked the variety in the exhibit. “I liked it. Each room has its own feel; you can tell what the artist is going for,” said Walters. Joe Futtner, dean of VAMS, hopes to continue these types of events. “It was a wonderful act of coordination among the faculty members, Leslie Fisher, the city of Pasadena and me, but I don’t want to take any of the credit. I hope this is the beginning. We are hoping other classes in the future [continue these types of events],” he said.
Benjamin Simpson/Courier Art Gallery visitors stand on the sidewalk in front of the 135 art opening in a storefront at 200 South Lake Ave on April 6. The 135 A Collective: Exhibition is a show of PCC student photography and mixed media in a vacant storefront that the students painted and converted into a gallery for the show. Left: Emma Rosenthal inside her piece 'L.A. Paradise Chimera: This Is Home'.
LancerPoint director eager to start work MADISON MIRANDA Staff Writer
Glasses, dark hair, and a beard that highlights his friendly and open smile, Mark Gutierrez is excited to start working as the Director of Enterprise Applications Services at PCC. While he is eager to begin heading the LancerPoint staff and supporting its launch, Gutierrez admits that his short time on campus has been overwhelming. A large stack of files already sit on his desk awaiting his perusal. "I’ve only been here a week," he said. Gutierrez worked in a similar position at Rio Hondo College for 25 years before coming to PCC. He was the Banner Technical Project Leader there for the program called Access Rio, which is its version of LancerPoint. "I was looking to move into management," he said as explanation for the job change. It was also a shorter commute; he lives in Chino with his wife of 28 years. Gutierrez met his wife when they were both attending Rio Hondo. They have two children who are both college students; his daughter attends Mt. San Antonio College and his son goes to Chaffey College. Very recently Gutierrez earned his BA in business administration from New Charter University, an online school.
Gutierrez’s job is to help PCC transition from the current registration service, Santa Rosa, to the new LancerPoint system. From there, he will be in charge of the staff running LancerPoint. "Pretty much everything will be done through LancerPoint," said Gutierrez. As he explains it, LancerPoint will have a feature called the Portal. The Portal will include registration services, access to the library website, a hub for clubs to communicate and a place where faculty will post their grades and class rosters. Portal will also be linked to Canvas, a website where teachers post assignments and discussions for their class. "The goal is to have [students] log in once and be able to access all the services," he said. According to Gutierrez, Portal is scheduled to launch this summer. During his first week here, Gutierrez hasn’t encountered any major problems. "There are always bumps in the road, but no show stoppers so far." While the Late Spring issue has been a problem for some, it has actually benefitted the LancerPoint staff. According to Gutierrez, it bought them time to find more staff members. "It gave us time to bring in more staff because [the number of staff we have] now is not sufficient to support LancerPoint," he said.
Arts & Entertainment
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Workshop emphasizes writing as therapy MADISON MIRANDA Staff Writer
Famous author, journalist and radio commentator Adam Lam held a writing workshop on Wednesday about expressing emotions through writing. He read from and promoted his newest book Birds of Paradise Lost on Thursday at noon and again later that evening. Lam’s infectious laugh, warm smile, willingness to share his wisdom and the inflections he used when reading his characters’ words kept the events light and those who attended enthralled. In the workshop, Lam spoke a little of his past and how it has helped shaped his writing. He shared a radio segment he did on being a Vietnam refugee at the age of 11, and how it was dif-
ficult for his family to express their emotions so they used singing as a medium. The theme of the workshop was bravery. “You have to be brave,” said Lam. “You have to have the courage to speak up and say what needs to be said.” Lam encouraged those who attended to write a letter because he says it is the most beautiful form of writing. He wanted the audience to open up and say the things they wished they could say. One of his suggestions was to write to either a former or future self. “When you find a way to express yourself, you find that you know yourself a little bit better,” said Lam. A portion of the workshop consisted of attendees sharing the letters they had written. He explained that writing is about
exploring the meaning of life with others. “That’s the magic of writing.” Lam also gave a few tips about putting emotion into writing. “If you cry before the reader, they are not going to cry,” he said. “You have to lead them to tears.” According to Lam, holding back is a more effective way to move the reader. Lam also spoke of the creative writing process and how for him, once something bothers him, he has to explore it through writing. He said it takes a powerful writer to face his own demons, and that is a pathway to freedom. “That’s why I love writing, because I can’t afford therapy,” he said with a laugh. His readings were also based on emotion. Lam read a few passages from his book then held question and answer sessions
afterward. Vietnamese sandwiches were provided, and signed copies of his books were raffled off. Sam Reed, environmental engineer, came to the reading in the Creveling Lounge for extra credit, but stayed for the food, and enjoyed the experience. “The story felt complete,” said Reed. “It touched on a lot of different emotions, and I liked that.” Lan Lingdorf, a friend of Lam’s and performer on Broadway, attended both the workshop and the readings. She admires Lam’s journalistic detail and ability to make realistic conJustin Clay/Courier nections. “He’s able to find the Award winning author Andrew hope and the humor in every- Lam hosting a writing workshop in the C Building on April 3. thing, no matter how dark.”
Professor’s dark past propels his crusade GALEN PATTERSON-SMITH Contributing Writer
Professor Hugo Schwyzer is a dynamic man with a complicated past. The controversy he brings to his work environment draws mixed emotions from students and staff alike. When Schwyzer invited adult film star James Deen to speak, it caused a serious reaction from the administration, which led to Schwyzer inviting another adult film star, Jessica Drake to his class. To some, this behavior may be considered conduct unbecoming of an educator, but if you know Schwyzer, this attention is exactly what he’s searching for. “I’m really convinced that what I’m called to do is fight
shame,” said Schwyzer. When it comes to fighting shame, Schwyzer is no stranger. He admits to being addicted to drugs and alcohol, which led to having sex with a number of his students, including four on one school trip, during which he was a designated chaperone, according to the magazine, The Atlantic. Schwyzer hit what he refers to as “rock bottom,” which triggered an attempted murder/suicide on his girlfriend and himself in 1998. Shortly after, Schwyzer decided to clean up his act. “People are deeply troubled by my past,” Schwyzer said. Fortunately for Schwyzer, this all happened after he was granted tenure, thereby eliminating
the risk of termination. However, Schwyzer maintains that he has made amends to those who were negatively impacted by his past. Today, he teaches a variety of classes within the social sciences division at PCC. His students tend to enjoy his charisma, his energy and his feminism. “He showed me that even a white man can be a feminist,” said Heather Wright, a former student of Schwyzer’s Wright believes Schwyzer is passionate about feminism, and she confesses that he was the one that showed her what feminism really is, and its true meaning. However, some students remain skeptical about his behavior, years after taking a
class with him. “I liked how he taught history like a story, but I always felt like something was off about him,” said Manuel Jaimes, a former student of Schwyzer’s. “I’m also a little bitter that he didn’t bring any porn stars into my class,” said Jaimes, and added “porn is a part of history too.” Schwyzer was born in Santa Barbara and raised in Carmel, California. He comes from a family of teachers and a feminist mother, who kept feminist literature around the home. Though this indicates a nurturing in feminism in his early life, Schwyzer has never been as proactive about it as he is now. He has
helped organize feminist events in an effort to bring equality to society. However, movements like “Feminists against Hugo Schwyzer” have attempted to plague Schwyzer’s life. The effects of their efforts are still unmeasured, although Schwyzer admits to being vaguely familiar with their existence. A passionate educator with a dark past, Schwyzer believes he has found a place in society combating shame head on, and helping his students overcome shame in their lives. “The question is, whether or not [my past] is a disqualification of feminism,” said Schwyzer.
President extends peace offering Continued from page 1
hurt and astounded by your lack of understanding about what we do for this campus each day,” she said. “Students have been exposed to inappropriate examples of lies, deceit and false claims from the administrators. Students have been asked to believe that their classes have been cut due to faculty salaries. The community has been led to believe that the faculty is greedy and selfish, out for nothing more than personal gain. These smoke and mirror tactics are forms of propaganda to hide the lack of performance on the part of your administrators.” Roberta Tragarz, a staff member at Mt. San Antonio College, came to the meeting to read a letter from her and Rocha’s former colleague, Margaret Manson from Santiago Canyon College. Before she got to a section of the letter in which Manson’s letter described Rocha’s behavior as “aggressive,” Martin interrupted her and warned that she not make her comment personal. “I want to make sure this does not get personal. I don’t want it to get to a personal level,” he said. The next public comment speaker Instructor Melissa Michelson, continued to read the rest of the letter, which described Rocha’s “aggressive behavior,” but she was not interrupted. Several faculty and staff members questioned whether Martin’s warning and interrup-
tion during public comment could be a violation of the Brown Act, which lists policies and procedures for public governing bodies, such as the board of trustees. The Brown Act states, “Any attempt to restrict the content of such speech must be narrowly tailored to effectuate a compelling state interest. Specifically, the courts found that policies that prohibited members of the public from criticizing school district employees were unconstitutional (Leventhal v. Vista Unified School Dist. (1997) 973 F. Supp. 951; Baca v. Moreno Valley Unified School Dist. (1996) 936 F.Supp. 719.) Rocha’s letter to the faculty asks for the community to work together towards healing the hostile atmosphere on campus, with changing the structure of administration. “There are colleagues who … may have made up their minds that the path to healing is to make a change in the administration. It may come as a surprise to you to hear that I completely agree with this view! But not in the way some may think. In my humble view healing will come to PCC not by changing yet again the personnel of this administration, but by changing the very nature of administration itself. And together, we must set about this project right now.”
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April 11, 2013
Courier
Campus restrooms a hotbed for hook-ups RAYMOND BERNAL Staff Writer
If you’re looking for some action in one of the men’s restrooms on campus, it’s as easy as tapping your foot. At-least that’s what one website instructs its subscribers to do. An individual can find countless telephone numbers and instructions written on restroom stalls about what to do if he wishes to engage in sexual activities. In a stall located in the third floor men’s restroom in the C Building, instructions read “Tap 4 Action.” By tapping your foot, it notifies the person in a neighboring stall that you’re looking for action and would like to “hook-up.” Campus police officer Alan Chan said, “We get calls about something going on in a particular stall, but by the time we get there, they are gone.” Chan says that the second and third floor men’s restrooms in the C Building are generally the hotbed for casual sex. “I can guarantee you there’s a website out there that probably lists that building and that restroom regarding that activity,” Chan said. The Courier was able to confirm that indeed there is a website that lists locations to go on campus if one desires to engage in casual sex. At www.squirt.org, a mostly gay men site for cruising and sexual hook-ups, a person can find not just the third floor men’s restroom in the C Building listed but also the men’s locker room in PCC’s Aquatic Center. The site has plenty of instructions, pictures and lists detailing the best stalls to use and best times to go. “On the third floor of the C Building, that’s where all the fun happens,” according to the website. In referencing PCC’s Aquatic Center, the website instructs its subscribers to; “Enter and choose a row, the further left of the door the better. Campus police check every now and then, if questioned just say you’re showering after PE class,” the site said.
Other local colleges are also mentioned on this site, East Los Angeles College, Santa Monica College and UCLA just to name a few. PCC alone has had over 40,000 hits. ELAC Officer Hector Runao said: “[These issues] happen more then they should, but when they do happen, we tell them to go someplace else and remind them that they can’t do this on campus.” Santa Monica College also has similar issues of lewd conduct on their campus. Sgt. Ray Bottenfield said; “We’ve had some issues occasionally and depending on the circumstances the individuals involved might face felony charges,” he said. “I‘ve heard that the men’s restroom on the third floor of the CBuilding and the men’s gymnasium restroom are popular places for people to hook-up, especially at night,” said Daniel Smith, chemical engineering. “But I tend to just laugh all this off, and I must admit I do enjoy reading the witty poetry people write on the stalls.” Sarah Flores, facilities services supervisor, could not confirm if sheet metal was used to coverup holes made by individuals who peer into neighboring stalls. Figures from facilities services regarding the cost to repair damage to the restrooms were not readily available, according to Flores. “But we do get calls often, sometimes daily, regarding vandalism and graffiti,” she said. In trying to gauge some of the causes for these restroom rendezvous, psychology intern Stephanie Haibloom said: “Individuals involved seem to be engaging in poor impulse control. They can’t wait to have an intimate relationship with another person; they just want instant gratification with random strangers.” Also these people are not thinking about sexually transmitted diseases, Haibloom said. “Possibly because of the age of the student; they may not even think about STDs or AIDS because young people still think
Antonio Gandara / Courier A stall located in the third floor men’s restroom in the C Building instructs individuals what to do if they wish to engage in casual sex.
they’re invincible. [They think] that wont happen to me, that will happen to the other guy,” she said. Most of the hook-ups involve men in men’s restrooms and men’s locker rooms. “The only times we have issues with women’s restrooms is if a male like a boyfriend walks into the women’s restroom. But, not so much two females inside a stall,” said Chan. As to what type of people have problems containing their sexual impulses. “I don’t think there’s a particular personality type that would be more prone to this kind of high-risk behavior than any other personality type,” said counseling psychologist Dr. Richard Beyer. In the cases involving men sometimes individuals might be struggling with their own sexuality issues, John Helmer psychology intern, said. “Because they aren’t able to accept their own sexuality or because they get messages from society or from the people
Continued from page 1
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munity for this behavior a lot more than we do the straight community,” said Fraser. “You look at the history of arrests, the history of prosecutions, you will find that the gay community is much more targeted by police sting operations than the straight community is.” One might say it’s a rite-ofpassage for Peggy Sue and Jimmy to be engaging in inappropriate conduct in the back seat of a 57 Chevy down by the lake, said Fraser. “But, it’s a double standard if two men are engaging in the same conduct,” he said. “Because these types of prosecutions ruin lives, if you’re going to apply the law apply it evenly. Don’t discriminate in your application of the law,” he added. Beyer said help is available in psychological services. “They have to want to be able to change. We can help them be more responsible in their sexual activities,” said Beyer. “But, they have to ask for the help.”
Chaos ensues after Extended Spring registration system crashes
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around them that it’s wrong to have those kind of [homosexual] impulses, that may tend to push them underground to hook-up with people where no names are exchanged and no one would know,” said Helmer. Chan emphasized that it’s a misdemeanor for any person who solicits anyone to engage or who engages in lewd conduct in a public place. “[If found guilty] it will be up to the discretion of the court whether that individual has to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life,” he said. There may also be some administrative consequences such as suspension or expulsion said Chan. “Historically when homosexuality was criminalized, the gay community didn’t have places to meet people except in [public] restrooms. But, now having sex in stalls seems to have been a hold over from that period,” said Simon Fraser, Associated Students President. “We criminalize the gay com-
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that the school couldn’t have done something to get priority,” he said. To help mitigate registration problems the AS officers have asked students to fill our a questionnaire where they’ll fill our their names along with the classes they need so that they could forward that information to the administration. In August 2012, the school purchased a $10.5 million administrative system to replace Lancerlink and would boast vastly superior technology and be better equipped to deal with a
free-for-all enrollment situation. This new system, Lancerpoint, was supposed to be implemented for the Summer One session. However, because of the changes in the academic calendar, students enrolled in Summer One could not use those credits for Fall ’13 transfer. Hence the college created Extended Spring; a session within a semester. PCC has always had the ability to add classes within a semester. However, this has been done only for a few class sections and for a select number of students. It has never been tried on the scale of an intersession.
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Swimmer breaks records despite back injury CHRISTINE MICHAELS Staff Writer
Emily Frederick swam her fastest to the finishing line, literally. As she got out of the pool, she heard the roar of applause from the stands. She didn’t know it, but Frederick had broken yet another Pasadena City College swim record. “I didn’t even know I broke records until after I got out of the race,” she said. Now, a few weeks later, Frederick slowly walks to the Aquatic Center, her roller backpack in tow. It’s been the first time back at the poolside in a few weeks, ever since she suffered a slipped disk in her back. She is soft spoken and quiet when she talks about her successful first year on the Lancer women’s swim team. “Well, I’m just recovering from an injury,” she said with her head down. Frederick looked back up with a smile and continued, “I’m actually feeling better now. I hope to be [at the next swim meet].”
Despite her injured back, Frederick continued to swim and break six school records, which have been unbeaten since 2003. They include the 100 and 200 IM, the 50 and 100 freestyle, considered competitive events by swim and diving coach Terry Stoddard. But to him, staying safe and not injuring herself further was more important than breaking records. “She’s an excellent swimmer,” he said. “But swimming is just a grain of sand on the beach of life. Her health is paramount.” But to Frederick, the real rush to swimming comes from the relay races. “A relay is like an adrenaline rush because it’s not just you,” she said. “It’s three other people counting on you [to win].” Stoddard believed Emily and the women’s swim team overall, were very strong this year. “We have a really strong group. It’s ironic really that it’s taken 10 years to be faster,” he said. “[It] shows the magnitude of some of [the team’s] accomplishments.”
Stoddard also said the team is strong, so far breaking five additional school records also unbeaten since 2003, even though there are significantly less swimmers than last season. “[The] problem is with depth,” Stoddard said. “Because of [the cancellation of] winter intersession we lost [many] returning swimmers.” The men’s swim team is now eight members strong, compared to last season’s 20. The women’s team dropped from having 20 swimmers to four, according to team members Frederick and sophomore Michael Chiodo. Frederick, who was home schooled from the fifth grade throughout high school, said she is looking at the bright side of a smaller, close-knit team. “Practice is my social life,” she said. “Now, I have a bunch of friends on the team … we’re like a family,” Frederick chuckled and continued. “The guys are kind of like my brothers, too.” Chiodo was glad the group was
Benjamin Simpson/Courier Emily Frederick sits on the edge of the PCC pool on March 26.
close-knit, but it also has its downside. “Individually, we’re all doing really [well]. We usually get first place in our races,” he said. “But we’re losing meets because the teams are small.” Freshman swimmer Darrin Smith also believed the teams were strong, especially Frederick. “She beats us occasionally. It’s some-
times embarrassing,” he chuckled. Frederick believed that despite the teams’ cutbacks, they were still doing well because of the teamwork and support everyone shows each other. “They’re all really good,” she said. “We’re just one big happy family.”
Lancer baseball swept by Cerritos, struggles continue ANDREW SALMI Staff Writer
PCC was beaten by Cerritos in the first two games of the series 72 on April 2 and 7-0 on April 4, capping off an extremely disappointing offensive performance. After losing the series finale 4-1 to Cerritos on April 6, the Lancers were swept for the third time in South Coast Conference play this season. Head Coach Evan O’Meara was well aware of the team not being able to get into any offensive rhythm whatsoever. “I think the word “anemic” would be used to describe the offense,” said O’Meara. “Most of the players that I have are players that are not used to seeing this caliber of pitching. We just need to
continue working on adjustments.” In the finale on April 6, Lancers sophomore starting pitcher Spencer Stute pitched very well until he got into trouble in the fifth inning, causing a run to score after a wild throw on a pickoff attempt to first base. Another Cerritos run scored after on another failed pickoff attempt to third base. This time by sophomore pitcher Trevor Gleason, who also pitched solid innings in relief of Stute. “I felt great and thought I was having my best outing this year,” said Stute. “I was cruising until I got to the fifth inning, but the coaches pulled me out.” On April 6, the Lancers did manage to score their lone run in the first inning when sophomore
shortstop Josh Clark scored on a wild pitch by Cerritos pitcher Dylan Algra. Despite not being able to get more than seven hits in each of the three games and only amassing a total of three runs, the Lancers had hits in each game by Clark, freshman left fielder Kori Grant and sophomore first base-
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This all falls on me,” he said. The server got an average of over 400 hits per second, much higher than the average 50 hits per second, according to Dale Pittman, director of management information services. The high traffic led to a slow down of the server. "The server is oversubscribed," he said. The staff agreed that the enormous numbers of students who could not get on the server to register could have been avoided if priority registration was put in place. Chase said she had been concerned about the Extended Spring registration fiasco for weeks. “We knew that the system was going to have problems if everyone registered at once,” she said. Fraser argued that there should have been a way to set priority registration for Extended Spring. “I don’t quite buy that there was no way to do priority registration for this,” he said. Bell said that because spring semester was still underway, Lancerlink’s outdated system would not allow for priority registration to be done a second
time during the same semester. “I was told we couldn’t schedule a second priority registration period. We did seek that out,” he said. “I understood this would be a crash of magnanimous proportions.” The group discussed whether people could be trained to perform registration input at the last minute. “You have to have that special skill,” said Sullivan. “You can’t just train someone at the last minute.” Miller said the entire fiasco could not have been completely avoided, but suggested having staff work overtime could help get more students through. Chase argued that there were not enough trained clerks to work the lines. “We just don’t have the staff!” she exclaimed. “We did consider that initially, but the staff couldn’t handle manually inputting information into the system.” Miller said in retrospect, the situation could have been handled better. “This was poorly handled. No doubt, this was poorly handled,” he said. “You have my sincere apologies. If God is with us, hopefully this will pass.”
other that we have to continue just swinging the bats and eventually hits will come,” said Halstead. “The pitchers have to continue doing what they’ve been doing and as hitters we have to give our pitchers a cushion. Mt. SAC is a good team. They beat us 31-1 last year and we never forgot that. We’re aiming for the upset.”
PROMISE YOURSELF SUCCESS
Clerks flee posts after threats Continued from page 1
man David Halstead. After losing 9-0 in their series opener against rival Mt. SAC on April 9 at Jackie Robinson Memorial Field, the Lancers are major underdogs to get a win the remainder of the series. However, Halstead is confident in his teammates in having the potential to pull off an upset. “We’ve just been telling each
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COUR IER
April 11, 2013
SPORTS
Softball annihilates ECC Compton TERESA MENDOZA Staff Writer
Strong PCC hitting led the Lancer softball team to a lopsided victory against ECC Compton Center, 9-1 at Robinson Park on Thursday, April 4. “We really just concentrated this week on having fire every inning,” said Head Coach Brittany Williams. “We weren’t passive at all; we played very loose and relaxed.” The trio, shortstop Katelyn Thordarson, third baseman Audrey Serna, and first baseman Natalie Ficocelli helped the Lancers batter the Tartars, batting two RBIs in the South Coast Conference game that was called after five innings. “As a team we played hard and didn’t give up,” said Thordarson. “We just hit a point where we weren’t doing so well, but we got our stuff together and we’ll play well for the rest of the season.” The charged fifth inning ended with the Lancers scoring four runs. The first two batted by outfielder Marilyn Ayala and centerfielder Jazmin Hernandez. Outfielder Monica Enriquez’ RBI-double brought home Hernandez from first base and Porchia Jackson from second base ending the
game 9-1. “I was in it to win it,” said Enriquez. “I was happy we won because we worked really hard. I feel proud for what we did as a team.” In the first inning, Thordarson’s RBI brought home Enriquez scoring the Lancer’s first run. Serna's RBI-single followed giving the Lancers a 2-1 lead. Compton’s shortstop Katelyn Meredith hit an RBI-double in the first inning for the Tartars' single run.Coming off a tough loss on Tuesday against ELAC, this victory brings the Lancers to 6-10 in SCC play. “We scored a lot of runs and took extra bases,” said Williams. “In this game, we attacked every inning and scored every inning.” Despite several SCC losses the team stays positive encouraging each other. Thordarson said the players have learned to keep the energy up in the dugout even when they’re not doing well because it translates to the field. “Let’s go 15, send it to Altadena,” shouted the crowd at Thordarson who was getting ready to hit. “Cheering keeps us focused and we know that somebody’s [got] our backs,” said Thordarson. “Hearing someone say to keep going, it’s all we need.”
PCC Lancer softball #6 Porchia Jackson slides home against ECC Compton Center in home game at Robinson Park on Thursday. Lancers dominate ECC by a score of 9-1. Matthew Chan / Courier
Badminton wins 41 straight games ADAM MITCHELL Staff Writer
The Lancer badminton team picked up another conference win against El Camino College, bringing the tally to 41 straight victories. PCC cruised to the 19-2 in the HuttoPatterson Gymnasium on April 5. Head Coach Bill Sanchez said, “We did well, [we are] doing ok, most kids played pretty well today. It was our 41st straight win.” Halfway through the conference season, the Lancers are earning a victory every time they step on the court and are moving one step closer to a 5th straight conference title. With good play from Angie Ortiz, Grace Espinosa and Alejandra Palacios, PCC won every doubles match. Ortiz quickly handled her singles opponents winning 21-8, 21-17, and then winning her second matchup 21-4, 21-6. Palacios also cruised taking all four of her singles matches 21-9. “I played well, I won all of my matches,” said Palacios. “[We are] getting much better from earlier in the season; we are [heading in the right] direction.” It is a good direction to be heading, sit- Angie Ortiz lunges for the shuttlecock, helpting atop the SCC conference at 6-0, with 6 ing the Lancers get 41 straight victories. Lissett Matos/Courier more games to go.
Column
In golf, some traditions should change JONATHAN BILES Assist. Sports Editor
When you combine the most beautiful 365 acres in America and the most prestigious sporting tournament in American sports, you get the Masters. Among the blooming azaleas and dogwoods, the "tradition unlike any other" is held every April at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Located on a former indigo plantation, the club was founded in 1933 by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and has been played there every year since 1934. The Masters is the only golfing Major tournament - the others are the British Open, U.S. Open and PGA Championship - that is played in the same place every year. There's a familiarity, a sense of pageantry about Augusta that is unrivaled. While the course is world-renowned for its lush beauty and excellence, the club itself hasn't been able to avoid controversy. The ways of the "Old South" are still present in Augusta, but the times are slowly changing. The "tradition unlike any other," the most hallowed grounds of American sport, is finally breaking with tradition. This year's 77th playing of the tournament comes with two new members - the first female members in the history of the club. South Carolina businesswoman Darla
Moore and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were inducted last fall and finally played their first round on the course during "Masters Week" as full members. Rice has a 16-handicap - an enviable one for any golfer - and she just so happened to sink a 40-foot putt on the 18th hole during her round with Phil Mickelson on April 7. Before Rice's stint as Secretary of State, she was the Provost of Stanford from 1993 to 1999, and the most prominent athletic alumnus during her tenure was Tiger Woods. He too is a member at Augusta. Not because he was invited, but because he's won the Masters four times. Woods hasn't won a "Major championship" - the four annual tournaments that are the highest accomplishments in golf - since 2008. And with 14 total Majors, Tiger has to start winning if he wants to catch Jack Nicklaus' 18. Tiger is a 2 to 1 favorite in Augusta and has already won three of the four tournaments he played this year. He's not "back" from the deep slump that occurred after his extra-marital affair, but he's close. The 77th Masters with the club's checkered past have already made history by inducting Rice and Moore into its exclusive society, but this week in Augusta, Tiger Woods can etch some more of his own history and inch closer to becoming the greatest golfer of all time.