PCC Courier 09/26/13

COURIER VOLUME 108 ISSUE 5

The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena since 1915

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM

September 26, 2013

WHAT’S INSIDE: Treat Yo’ Self!

See the decadent selection at the Bittersweet Treats.

PASADENA CITY COLLEGE

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A lancer without a lance... 90th anniversary

Tiffany Roesler Staff Writer

A knight has his shining armor, a Trojan has his sword, and a Lancer has a lance – or so that’s what history has taught us.

However, Pasadena City College’s very own mascot Larry the Lancer finds himself lance-less, his implement replaced with a toy sword as the weapon that accompanies the historically inaccurate mascot.

In fact, we can’t even find Larry. “[He’s] kind of like a Trojan,” said Head Dance and Cheer Coach Siria LoVett. “I don’t know anything about why he doesn’t have a lance.”

A sword has a long, sharp blade with a handle attached, while a lance is a long, heavy-duty spear or pole meant for a mounted warrior. Larry carries a plastic sword, so he can do no lancing.

Throughout the mascot’s history at PCC, Larry has had a reputation for cheering with his sword one season, and other years, he’s just not there.

The mascot is part of the Cheer and Dance team, so LoVett needs someone who can be just as dedicated to the team.

And sometimes that just doesn’t happen.

“Sometimes we’ll have someone wear it every now and again for an event or something like that. Right now we don’t have one, but you can wear it,” joked LoVett.

The fact that Larry is without a lance and currently missing in action has not really caught the attention of many people, especially those involved in the school’s athletics.

causes campus confusion

Justin Clay Asst. News Editor

Visitors to PCC’s website are greeted with a message welcoming everyone to its 90th academic year.

At the opening of the semester students and staff were welcomed with a large banner in front of the Week of Welcome tent also celebrating the school’s 90th academic year.

The only problem is that chronologically this is only PCC’s 89th academic year.

Whoops?

PCC was founded in 1924 as Pasadena Junior College with the first academic year being 1924-25, which would make this academic year the school’s 89th.

Or is it?

Bobbi Abram, executive director of the PCC Foundation, insists that this year is PCC’s 90th.

“The college was officially founded in September 1924, so the first academic year was 1924-25. If one counts each academic year since, the result is that the 2013-2014 academic year is PCC’s 90th academic year,” Abram wrote in an email.

“Regardless of how many commencements we have had, there is no confusion that this is our 90th academic year and 2014 is our 90th anniversary.”

But indeed there is some confusion about the academic year. In fact, at a recent board of trustees meeting, trustee Jeanette Mann mentioned that the John Novak/Courier college was celebrating its 89th anniversary, with President Mark Rocha’s response that the college is Larry the Lanceless Lancer in the storage room at the Associated celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Students Offices on Friday.

“Indeed, our first academic year was 1924, we are

FA demands Courier adviser’s reinstatement Christine Michaels Editor-in-Chief

The Faculty Association accused the administration of discriminating against Courier adviser Warren Swil by prolonging an investigation into allegations that he sexually harassed a student and demanded that he be returned to work in a letter sent out on Monday.

The letter written by FA President Roger Marheine was sent to Robert Bell, senior vice president of student learning

services, and claimed the college had enough time to complete a thorough investigation of a sexual harassment complaint against Swil.

“More than sufficient time has elapsed for you to have completed any investigation of complaints against him, and it is quite clear that you have found nothing of substance,” the letter reads.

The FA also claimed that the District discriminated against Swil because of his sexual SWIL page 2

SPEAK OUT!

LANCELESS page 7

ANNIVERSARY page 2

Fresh math courses offered Benjamin Simpson Staff Writer

I’m not a math person.

When am I actually going to use this?

The two phrases above are heard over and over again when Liberal Arts majors take math.

But the PCC Math Department has two experimental classes this semester with big plans to change not only how math is taught, but how students learn it.

The two new classes are Quantitative Literacy I and II, also known as Math 250 and Math 150. Roger Yang, assis-

Courier/ Benjamin Simpson Zach Hanson (L) and Phaelan Blackmon work together in Professor Linda Hintzman’s Math 250 class in the R Building on Sept. 18.

tant professor of mathematics and one of the directors of the new courses, discussed how the name might put people off the

Art Exhibit showcases the work of campus faculty in two galleries at once.

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course, but he joked that ‘Real Life Math’ would not be a good university transfer name.

The name describes the

GO TEAM!

LET’S GO TWICE

Do you think the Lone Shooter posters are promoting campus safety effectively?

Vote at PccCourier.com

New softball coach brings experience and passion to the field.

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MATH page 6

NEWS

2 COURIER

September 26, 2013

Police Blotter Senate talks about accreditation Sept. 16

A man was reported pushing a woman and throwing her property on the street near Lot 11. The man was approached and sent to jail by the Pasadena Police Department.

A gaseous smell was reported in the Community Education Center. A natural gas line reportedly ruptured while the Gas Company was digging in the area.

Repairs were made.

A student reported getting scammed for $10,000 by a man wearing professional attire and claiming to be a Bank of America representative.

A shuttle driver reported a drunk man sleeping on a bench in Lot 7. Officers approached the man who became hostile. The man was put in jail by PPD for resisting arrest and public intoxication.

Sept. 17 A white Single Propeller Plane was circling around the Quad and B Building at around 500 feet. PPD attempted to identify the plane. For now it is considered an unidentified flying

object (UFO).

Two people were found smoking out of a bong in a car in Lot 5. They were cited for possession of marijuana.

A woman reported a man who was an old classmate bumped into her and grabbed her by the wrists. The man attempted to kiss her then stated she would have been his girlfriend and he was never going to forget her. Campus Police searched for the man and came up empty.

Sept. 19 Two men were reportedly yelling profanity at students in the library.

The men then walked away and headed toward the L Building.

Two men entered an occupied classroom in the V Building with a boom-box playing music. When the instructor asked the men to leave the men yelled profanity.

Officers escorted the men off campus.

A student injured his foot with a crowbar in the IT Building. The student was treated for injury. ~Compiled by Christine Michaels

Madison Miranda Online Editor

The Academic Senate has started to prepare for the spring 2015 site visit that will determine the fate of PCC’s accreditation. Stephanie Fleming, one of the senators, spoke for more than 20 minutes at the Senate’s Sept. 23 meeting about the upcoming site visit.

The presentation was complete with handouts and charts showing past areas that needed to be improved.

The chart dates from the 1996 accreditation areas that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) suggested the campus work on to the 2009 accreditation recommendations.

“Accreditation is a sixyear cycle,” said Fleming.

Although the final decision isn’t made until the end of the cycle, there is a midterm report that is due at the three-year mark.

“The midterm report was already submitted and approved by ACCJC,” she said. There is a committee of faculty that writes an internal report that is submitted as the midterm report.

In order to stress the

SWIL

importance of the site visit, Fleming spoke of how the Community College of San Francisco (CCSF) had its accreditation terminated in 2013.

According to Fleming, CCSF’s accreditation was terminated due to a failure to meet some eligibility requirements. In 2012 the ACCJC found 14 deficiencies in the institution and in 2013, there were 11 of those deficiencies that had not been resolved.

According to a 2009 letter to PCC from former college president Paulette Perfumo, PCC’s accreditation was not in jeopardy despite the fact that it was placed on warning by ACCJC. “Being placed on “warning” status is the least severe of the of the several sanctions the commission might have applied, and is issued when the commission finds that an institution has a practice or procedure that raises a concern and warrants focused attention by the institution,” reads the letter. The warning was issued because of recommendation number one.

“Specifically, the college needs to implement a consistent data set program review and process improveContinued from page 1

Benjamin Simpson/Courier Stephanie Fleming at the Academic Senate meeting in the Circadian Lounge on Monday.

ment,” the recommendation reads. Accreditation was reaffirmed and the warning removed in Jan. 2011.

Professional Development Day, Oct. 1, is going

to focus on meeting accreditation goals. Instructors will spend the day making plans to improve the five areas PCC has been suggested to enhance.

in August because of a and his students, and Swil’s harassment of Courier staff orientation. Swil is a gay sexting scandal involving investigation involves a sex- member Raymond Bernal man. him and amateur porn star ual harassment complaint earlier this year. While the In an emailed statement, Christina Parreira.

Later that from a student.

District investigates the General Counsel Gail Coomonth Schwyzer admitted “The situations of the claim, Swil is on paid adper said the discrimination he had been sleeping with two are different.

Mr. Swil ministrative leave, according allegation is “unfounded.” his students. is on paid administrative to Cooper.

Swil also sent a letter “The way the college leave pending an investi“The purpose of the paid to the Fair Employment has handled the far more gation into allegations of leave is to separate the acand Housing Department egregious sexual misconmisconduct,” Cooper said. cuser and the respondent so claiming he was discrimiduct of Prof.

Schwyzer is “Mr. Schwyzer is on medthat an investigation can be nated against and treated the clearest example of the ical leave.

No accusation conducted without risk of unfairly. In the letter, Swil PACCD’s discriminatory of sexual harassment has retaliation and for the prosaid his treatment regarding treatment of me to date,” been made against him by tection of the participants the investigation has been Swil wrote. “I was marched anyone.” and witnesses,” Cooper said. far harsher than that of off the campus like a comMarheine’s letter to Bell Adjunct instructor Na“Navigating Pornography” Photo courtesy of Simon Fraser instructor Hugo Schwyzer, mon criminal for no reason also stated that Swil was than McIntire is currently Man is arrested on campus by the UU Building who is under investigation whatsoever.” suffering “financial and the Courier adviser. He on Sept. 16.

Cooper said the two emotional harm” because is contracted through the after admitting to allegedly investigations are not he was not at work. end of the academic year sleeping with his students The District is still regardless if Swil’s investisince 2011. Schwyzer volun- comparable, since Schwyzer’s investigation involves investigating a complaint gation ends prior to that. tarily left the college earlier misconduct between him made against Swil for sexual p.m. in L-110.

Today Transfer workshop College Council meetANNIVERSARY Continued from page 1 from noon-1 p.m. in ing from 10 a.m.-11:30 L-110 a.m. in the Circadian. we are in our 89th acation,” said Melissa Michel- uation as it says on the celebrate its 90th year in University rep. demic year, and 2014son, assistant language graduation pamphlet.”

2014.

September 30 visit- University of the 2015 will be our 90th professor.

Adding to the confuIt appears the campus is General transfer adRedlands from 11 a.m.-1 academic year. If PCC “I think there is confusion, the brochure for celebrating its 90th birthvisement from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in L-110. claims otherwise, it would sion because last graduaPCC’s Project 90 it clearly day whether it is mathep.m. in L-110.

University rep. visitbe pure contemporary fic- tion was the 88th gradstates that PCC will matically correct or not.

University rep. visitNational University CSU and CSU Los from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Angeles from 10 a.m.-11 the quad. a.m. in L-110.

General transfer Transfer workshop advisement from 2:30 from noon-1 p.m. in p.m.-6:30 p.m. in L-110.

L-110.

Transfer workshop University rep. visitfrom 5 p.m.-6 p.m. in general transfer adviseL-110. ment from 2:30 p.m.Photo from pasadena.edu 6:30 p.m. in L-110.

Friday ~Compiled by Tiffany General transfer adThe official PCC website displays a banner commemorating the school’s “90th academic year.”

Herrera visement from 8 a.m.-4

Upcoming Events

OPINION

September 26, 2013

COURIER

3

Courier Financial Aid Office in need of reform

2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner Editor-in-Chief Christine Michaels Managing Editor Philip McCormick Online Editor Madison Miranda Asst. News Editor Justin Clay Opinion Editor Raymond Bernal Asst. Opinion Editor Aubrey Quezada Arts & Entertainment Editor Paul Ochoa Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor Samantha Molina Features Editor Emily Chang-Chien Lifestyle Editor Luis Rodriguez Sports Editor Andrew Salmi Photo Editor Antonio Gandara Asst. Photo Editor Anthony Reyes Online Photo Editor John Novak Scene Editor Matthew Chan Chief Photographer Benjamin Simpson Staff Writers: Bryan Acosta, Justin Clay, Aerika Dave, Daron Grandberry, Tiffany Herrera, Talia Karaalp, Tiffany Roesler, Benjamin Simpson Staff Photographers: Justin Clay, Bianca Kruspodin, Corey Harris, Rene Henriquez, Teresa Mendoza, Mary Nurrenbern, Anthony Reyes, Rene Rojas, Meg Symanow, Caitlin KellyThompson, Daniel Valencia Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire

Philip McCormick and Raymond Bernal Staff Writers

Complaints upon complaints keep accumulating every year about the Financial Aid Office, as students get told one story about their financial aid and something else happens.

The FAO needs to get its act in order and try not to make as many unacceptable mistakes that seemed to be negatively impacting student’s lives.

LancerPoint was supposed to solve a lot of these ongoing

problems and make things easier for students in need of financial aid. Instead, it has been a mess and financial aid has been thrown into fray.

One of many problems is when the staff at the financial aid office is told to tell students to check their message inbox on LancerPoint for financial aid updates, but even they don’t know exactly where this mysterious “inbox” is.

It’s unacceptable that vital messages were sent to students via LancerPoint months ago, yet students were unaware of these

important messages until months later.

The answers to all questions can’t be “check LancerPoint,” because if that is the case then why do we have a financial aid office in the first place?

Answers to student’s financial aid questions depend on which financial aid clerk you ask. One clerk gives one answer while another gives you a totally different answer to the same question.

Lack of proper training at the FAO is a serious problem.

It’s understandable that there is a learning curve, for all of us,

associated with the new LancerPoint system.

Proper training of office personnel is a good start to help elevate some of these problems.

It would be extremely helpful for students if clerks understood LancerPoint so they can properly inform students of LancerPoint notifications.

Overall, there has to be a more efficient way of communicating with the students on these important matters. It is unacceptable for students to be left in the dark where their financial aid is concerned.

AB 60 can be a good law for everyone’s safety Samantha Molina Staff Writer

The passing of California Assembly Bill 60, also known as the Safe and Responsible Driver Act, is not only a great advancement for public safety on the road but also a significant step towards immigration reform.

CA AB 60, introduced by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville, will permit undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. These licenses will be marked with DP, driver’s privilege, instead of DL, driver’s license.

The bill will make living and providing for their families easier for immigrants. They will no longer have to be scared to drive to work or do simple tasks such as taking their children to school or grocery shopping.

“A driver’s license will ensure that hard-

VOICES:

working individuals are properly trained, have insurance and can drive to work without fear of getting pulled over and losing their vehicle and their livelihood,” said Senator Ricardo Lara, D-Long Beach, in a press release from Alejo’s website.

The bill not only benefits immigrants but also the safety of all Californians. Undocumented immigrants will also have to pass the required tests and must be insured, making the roads safer for everyone.

“Immigrants working and taking care of their families have been looking over their shoulders, driving in fear, for far too long,” Senator Kevin de Leon said. “Finally, we will be able to safeguard our roads by requiring all drivers to be properly trained, licensed and insured.”

Immigrants make up a large portion of California’s workforce and with the ability to drive legally they will be able to work their

jobs and help local businesses profit.

“I have personally dealt with issues of my workers being pulled over and harassed because they did not have a driver’s license,” said Bill Stokes of Stokes Brothers Farms in Lodi. “This bill will give these workers the legal right to drive our roads and highways and prevent the harassment of many of our state’s hardest worker.”

“Immigrants who drive legally are more likely to work, spend and contribute to the economy,” Alejo said in a press release.

The Safe and Responsible Driver Act is a huge step toward immigration reform and will only benefit the state in the long run.

“This bill will enable millions of people to get to work safely and legally. Hopefully, it will send as message to Washington that immigration reform is long past due,” Governor Jerry Brown said in a statement.

How do you feel about undocumented immigrants being allowed to have a CA driver’s license?

“This is the land of opportunity. To have restrictions on illegal immigrants having a driver’s license won’t work.”

Patrick Han, business

“California shouldn’t allow them to have licenses. It’s not fair to those who have struggled and are citizens of this country.”

Gabe Reyna, theater arts

“Everyone should have equal rights, whether they are documented or not.”

Michael Rambuon, business administration

“I don’t believe your residency affects your ability to drive, so yes immigrants should be able to get driver’s licenses.”

Jade Molina, art

“No, I don’t believe that immigrants should be here at all especially illegally and undocumented.”

Aubriana Shaw, geology

“There shouldn’t be any undocumented immigrants in the first place. If I was to get hit by one then my insurance goes up and I get points against my driving record while they have no record and nothing to hold them accountable.”

“I don’t see the big deal. They are here working, plus everyone needs a way to get around.

Not to mention we have bigger things to worry about.”

Sarah Champion, unknown

“Undocumented immigrants shouldn’t have a driver’s license.

Anyone coming into this country should be documented then have the privilege to drive.”

“Illegal immigrants are going to drive anyway so California should let them so that we can all be more safe on the road.”

“I can see why it would hinder them, but anything intended to help illegal action is not cool.”

Sebastián Mendez, music

Photography Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Coordinator Daniel Nerio

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

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

Phone: (626) 585-7130 Fax: (626) 585-7971 Advertising (626) 585-7979 Office: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., CC-208 Pasadena, CA 91106-3215 © Copyright 2013 Courier.

All rights Reserved.

Daisy Gomez, sociology

Nicole Hager, biology

Safsoon Essagholian, international business

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 raymondjbernal@gmail.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) 585-7130 or via email to michaels.courier@gmail.com

Reporting by: Aerika Dave

Photos by: Caitlyn KellyThompson

ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked:

Should undocumented workers be allowed to

get a CA driver’s license?

Results as of 5 p.m. Wednesday:

YES: 56 %

NO: 43%

Vote at PccCourier.com

4 COURIER

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

SCENE

Colleges from all over the state and across the country were on campus Monday in the quad as part of the school’s annual University Day.

y t i s r e v i n U ay D

Daron Grandberry Staff Writer

University Day at PCC exposes students to various academic programs and to the institutions offering them. These events provide students the opportunity to meet with admission and outreach staff and departmental representatives.

“The director of transfer services, Dina Chase, did a great job getting representatives from schools across California,” said Seth Franklin, nursing. “There are even out of state schools here today, I’m a little surprised. I didn’t expect to see any out of state schools here today.”

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Although transferring may be a year or two away for some, students like Stephanie Marquez, nursing, are still grateful for the opportunity University Day offers.

“As a nursing major I’m very interested in Loma Linda University,” Marquez added. “I’m still a year or two away from transferring, but I’m glad PCC has University Day because I’m able to get free and important information that I otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Students like Maria Mancias, engineering, are looking to move away from home, but Mancias admits she doesn’t want to go too far.

The usual local colleges were on campus from UCLA to Azusa Pacific and Loyola Marymount University.

Out of state colleges were also represented like the University of Nevada and Seton Hall University, which is located in Orange, New Jersey.

“I’m looking at the UC’s for now,” Mancias added. “I was thinking either UC Irvine or UC Riverside because they’re far away, but still in state. I’m excited because I see Riverside is here.”

For students like Erica Stewart, nursing, having options is always a key to figuring out what college to attend.

The college application and transfer process can be a very draining experience; however, PCC students took part in University Day with optimism, not letting the heat in their way.

“I’m looking at Cal State Los Angeles or UCLA,” said Stewart.

“UCLA has always been a dream school of mine, but I know without scholarships it can be very expensive. Cal State Los Angeles is my other option because they have a good nursing program, and it’s close to home.”

“It is hot out here.” Stewart admitted. “But my future is very important and I’m trying to get as many advantages as possible.

I’m appreciative PCC gives us the opportunity to speak with different representatives.”

Beginning Oct. 1 students interested in transferring or applying to any UC or Cal State university for the fall 2014 term are allowed to do so.

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COURIER 5

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6 COURIER

September 26, 2013

Faculty exhibition premiers in ‘Two Places at Once’ Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer

A towering structure of wooden beams put together to resemble boxes stacked upon boxes looms over you as you walk into the Boone Family Art Gallery in the newly constructed Center for

Daniel Valencia/Courier (L) Captain Steadfast Chinworthy is a puppet created by Phillip Morrison. (R) Chinese porcelain sculputre created by Keiko Fukazawa.

the Arts building. Painted in red on a little white box are words proclaiming it to be a “cave of lamentation.”

The structure is a mixed media artwork by Lynne Berman, an adjunct professor in the Visual Arts and Media Studies division, entitled “International Complaint Center at Pasadena” that allows patrons to drop off complaints about anything in a box placed on a table in the middle of the structure.

The “Complaint Center” is just one of the many works of art featured in PCC’s annual faculty art show “In Two Places at Once.”

According to Brian Tucker, gallery director, the title of the exhibition refers not only to it spanning two art galleries—the Gallery on the Quad and the new Boone Family

Art Gallery—but also to juggling the roles of both a teacher and an artist.

Joseph Futtner, interim dean of visual arts and media studies, said that showcasing the work of professional artists who are on faculty is essential to giving students a real sense of the people they are working with and who they might want to work with.

“It shows students that their professors are working in a way that is sympathetic to their own approach. It also gives them a chance to see an individual instructor’s development over the years,” Futtner said. Marking the first-ever two-gallery art show at PCC, the exhibition features work from 47 different artists and designers on the faculty at PCC. “It’s encouraging to art

students to really pursue their major and stay true to what they want to do,” said student Alex Bagsic, business, who works in the gallery.

Bagsic’s favorite piece is a print by Roland Percey entitled “Ode to Jimmy Dean.”

“When I first saw it, I was really confused as to what it is and I thought it was intestines. I love people’s reactions when they find out it’s a pig, especially some vegetarian’s reactions. They’re so funny to me,” Bagsic said.

The exhibition, which is the first one held in the Boone Family Art Gallery, will be on display through Oct. 18 and a reception for the artists will take place on Pasadena’s semi-annual ArtNight on Friday, Oct. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to both galleries is free.

The beast that is ‘Netflulu:’ A commentary on modern T.V. entertainment Luis Rodriguez Staff Writer

After a long day of classes, many students plop down on the couch to see an episode of their favorite TV show on Netflix, but then the next episode automatically starts playing.

Before long, hours have passed and homework remains untouched as viewers get swept into an impromptu marathon of “Dr. Who.” A clear victor is emerging in the oversaturated home entertainment market in the form of on-demand internet applications.

“Because of the internet you don’t have to own a TV station to be in the content distribution

business,” said William Foster, communications instructor.

Foster pointed out that Netflix has changed from its earlier days by getting into the episodic television business. Prior to 2007 Netflix would only mail out discs which made watching seasons of TV shows cumbersome.

“In the very early days of television history a season would be 36 weeks long,” said Foster.“The definition of how long a season is is going in the direction of HBO and Showtime, so instead of being 22 episodes where the industry was, we’re going to see more of the eight and ten episode shows like “Game of Thrones.”

Amanda Rosenblum, physics, watches programs exclusive to

Rockstar breaks ground with GTA5 Justin Clay Staff Writer

Boasting the biggest opening day sales in gaming history, Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 5 hit shelves with the buzz of a Hollywood blockbuster.

GTA 5 is Rockstar’s largest and most ambitious project since the series began in 1997.

The game offers a staggering amount of content. When not committing various street crimes around the fictional state of San Andreas, players can distract themselves with a myriad of activities, including watching television, playing sports, buying and trading in a virtual stock market, visiting bars and strip clubs and even deep sea diving. In a break from the tradition, the game features main protagonists, which the player can switch between at any time. This is an interesting twist to the narrative and the transitions between the characters are seamless.

The three protagonists: retired criminal Michael, ambitious street hustler Franklin and violent sociopath Trevor, come

together in a tale of a trio of men whose mutual aim is to make money at all costs.

Visually, GTA 5 is one of the most interesting games produced for the current generation of gaming consoles. Driving through Downtown Los Santos really looks and feels like driving through Downtown LA. Many of the famous landmarks and individual neighborhoods of LA have been beautifully rendered, giving the setting an amazing sense of authenticity.

While driving around some of the rural areas around Los Santos, I noticed that some of the in-game radio stations lost their signal the further I got away from the city. Small touches like that make the game feel like being in a living, breathing world.

The control scheme works well, although I wish that Rockstar would have given users more control over the button configuration, as the driving and shooting mechanics might take a little getting used to. GTA 5 delivers a well paced and often times hilarious experience, and is surely to be one of the top candidates for game of the year.

Netflix like “Orange is the New Black” and “House of Cards.”

“House of Cards” a Washington, D.C. political drama that premiered in February, earned a total of nine Emmy nominations, making digital distribution a real contender in the market.

“We’ve talked about [cutting cable] because we just watch Netflix,” said Rosenblum.

Busy class and work schedules can leave students little time to work with a network show’s specific airtime.

“I pay for Hulu. I split it with my girlfriend so it’s only $4 a month,” said Loi Tong, mechanical engineering.

“There’s a lot of good shows in the fall I can catch up on

MATH desire to help students become literate with numbers. Like students should be able to write a cover letter, students should be able to understand the calculations behind buying a house or interest from credit cards. Yang went into the background of why the classes were created.

“The traditional education system is geared toward Calculus, which two thirds of our students don’t need. So we called the new track the SLAM track (Stats and Liberal Arts Math) rather than the more traditional STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) track.”

In the traditional STEM math track, students would take Pre-Algebra (402), then Beginning Algebra (125) then Intermediate Algebra (131) before moving on to university transfer courses. With the new Liberal Arts math track, students can take Quantitative Literacy I and II before moving to transfer courses. The new track is composed of two rather than three classes, making the track faster.

“I was taking 402, this class condensed how long I have to be there because it combined

Photo Illustration by Antonio Gandara “Netflix frenzy”

when I want, like ‘Revenge,’ Tong added.

At $8 for a subscription to Netflix, the savings can really

add up after ditching satellite or cable.

When you play the game of thrones, you win—or you die.

continued from page 1

Math 125 and 131, so it takes away time I have to spend here and I can transfer sooner,” said Noelle Miller who is in Math 150.

But the idea is not just to fast track Liberal Arts students through math. “We wanted to get away from the typical math class where the teacher lectures and students scribble notes,” said Linda Hintzman, an assistant professor of mathematics who is one of the directors of the new classes.

“We have found that [students] can sometimes say it in words that other students understand better than the way I explain things,” Hintzman said.

But Yang and Hintzman are trying to do more than just have the students work in groups— they are trying to change the pedagogy: how PCC teaches the students.

“We are trying to make big changes. Who knows if it will stick?,” Yang said. Two years in the making, the new courses will focus on both teaching math, and how students learn math.

Yang discussed “Bloom’s Taxonomy” of how and why people

learn. In two parts, one part is cognitive, or how people learn, from the bottom of the scale, which is memorization, to the higher skills, which are how to analyze, evaluate and be creative.

The new classes are trying to not just teach memorization, but also the higher skills of analyzing and evaluating. The goal is to teach a growth mindset, rather than a rigid mindset. In other words, the classes try to take students who say “I’m not a math person,” and teach them how to learn math.

“I don’t need to teach them mathematics, I need to teach them how to learn mathematics,” Hintzman said. “It’s not so much the math content, but how you learn math, which is probably different from how you learn history or how you learn English.”

“We are all really excited, we believe in what we are doing.

We believe this is going to be worthwhile,” Yang said. “Let’s try to build the best thing we can build. If we come up short, hopefully it is still really good.”

LIFESTYLE

September 26, 2013

COURIER

7

Bittersweet Treats just around the street Aubrey Quezada and Philip McCormick Staff Writers

The savory aromas of fresh coffee and baked goods, reminiscent of the smells wafting out of the family kitchen, greet visitors as they walk into Bittersweet Treats, a bakery across the street from PCC, owned by Linda Chen and Danielle Keene, a runner-up on Top Chef: Just Desserts.

Despite everything being made in-house, from the mousse filling and buttercream frosting that they use in their cakes to the

Caitlin KellyThompson/Courier

The Chocolate Crunch Cake made by Danielle Keene.

syrups they put in their espresso drinks, the real draw of Bittersweet is the intimacy between the owners and their customers.

“I love the regulars that come in,” Chen said. “Pasadena people are so loyal to their local businesses, so you’re going to see the same faces and you’re going to get to know their stories, and everybody has wonderful and beautiful stories.”

The bakery manages to tone down the sweetness of their desserts while still capturing the rich flavors of treats like red velvet whoopie pies and peach cobblers.

Their niche is creating old-fashioned classics with a modern twist, Chen said.

A must-have on Bittersweet’s menu is Keene’s award-winning, orgasmic Chocolate Crunch Cake, which is a four-layer chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse that has chocolate pearls mixed in to add a little crunch, covered in a toasted meringue frosting.

“They have really good treats and coffee here,” Curtis Choi, automotive technology, said. “The [chocolate crunch] cake is great and well deserving of the awards it has won.”

Concepcion Gonzalez/Courier Bittersweet Treats offers a plethora of housemade goodies, priding themselves on creating old-fashioned classics with a modern twist, Wed. Sept. 25.

As if it couldn’t get any better, the house blend coffee, created especially for Bittersweet by Lamill Coffee in Alhambra, mingles perfectly with their desserts.

According to Chen, staff from Lamill stop by on a regular basis to make sure the taste of their blend is to their satisfaction. If

not, they make suggestions to Chen and Keene to help them improve the taste of the coffee.

“They made all these different blends for us to try and we brought our own desserts and had a dessert and coffee pairing to see how they would taste. So, the ultimate way to have our

house blend is with our dessert.

If you have it together it’s like a slice of heaven,” Chen said.

Chen and Keene wanted to have a very home-like atmosphere in their store and they feel like they achieved that.

“We make it how your mother would have made it,” said Chen.

SPORTS

New softball coach fires up field Daron Grandberry Staff Writer

The future of PCC softball looks very bright with the addition of Monica PlattsTantlinger to the athletic family.

Platts-Tantlinger replaces former head coach Brittany Williams, who has moved on to coach Division III softball at Finlandia University in Hancock, Michigan.

A graduate of Cal State Fullerton, Platts-Tantlinger was also an All-Foothill Conference player at Antelope Valley College in 2002-2003.

Although the Lancers’ softball program didn’t live up to its expectations last season, PlattsTantlinger is ecstatic about the head coaching opportunity.

“It’s been a goal of mine for a while to run my own program and be the leader of a school that is right on the cusp of greatness, and I really feel that describes the ladies here at PCC,” PlattsTantlinger said. “This softball program is right on the edge of being something great.”

A fiery ball of excitement and energy, Platts-Tantlinger has years of experience as an assistant coach on both the community college level as well

LANCELESS

as Division I. The Lancers will be the first head coaching position for PlattsTantlinger “This program excites me because I have the same underdog mentality.”

Platts-Tantlinger added.

“If I can motivate these ladies and make them believe we’re capable of greatness, we could be going to the playoffs.”

For Platts-Tantlinger, accepting the head coaching position is about much more than just winning games on the field. While her main objective is to win games, Platts-Tantlinger is about building a successful program on and off the field.

Matthew Chan/Courier New softball coach, Monica Platts“I will bring fire and Tantlinger also teaches a cardiovascular passion to this program.” conditioning class in Robinson Stadium, Platts-Tantlinger said.

Sept. 19.

“Sometimes athletes have knowledge and excitement that the skills, they just lack the Platts-Tantlinger possesses is direction and motivation. If you already motivating. give them something to believe “Coach Platts-Tantlinger in and strive for, then those skills is definitely a passionate and automatically become weapons exciting coach and player,” against the opponent.”

Thordarson added.

“You can tell For standout returning shortshe has experience on multiple stop Katelyn Thordarson, the levels.”

Continued from page 1

“Never really thought about our mascot before.

I’ve always felt like I was representing Pasadena, not a Lancer mascot,” said PCC alumnus and the men’s soccer administrator Greg Altounian. “It’s a bit odd. Larry should have a Lance.”

Other’s feel a little more strongly about Larry’s costume problem.

“I feel like we’re a low budget, wannabe USC,” said football player Cederic Craine. “I think it’s

wack as hell. I feel that it’s humiliating. It’s insulting.”

Luckily, there may soon be a reason for Larry to finally come out of hiding. Lovett said she has interviewed a candidate who wants to don Larry’s armor and wield Larry’s floppy sword. And maybe when Larry takes the field, lance-less or not, he’ll inspire PCC athletes to return to start lancing their opponents once again.

COLUMN

Blame it all on Larry and his stupid sword Philip McCormick Managing Editor

After numerous seasons of horrendous play, most of the Lancer sports teams have ended their seasons with losing records.

This semester, football is 0-3.

Water polo is worse, dropping its first four games. Volleyball has been unlucky with a 1-5 opening to the season (having to forfeit its first two games, which were wins.)

Now, the problem has become obvious: all blame goes to Larry “The Lance-less” Lancer.

“I knew something was wrong with our defense,” said Terry Stoddard, head coach of water polo. “It’s good to know what the problem is now.”

PCC’s mascot has shirked his duties lately. Instead of being at games cheering on the Lancers—which is his only job—he’s been noticeably absent, perhaps because he’s desperately searching for his lost lance. Larry has had to make do (at the games he does make it to) with a sword that looks as if it came out of a random McDonald’s happy meal box.

So is Larry’s lack of a lance the reason for losses piling up?

“If it will answer the questions we have,” said Fred Fimbres, head coach of the football team. “I will personally buy Larry a platinum lance and deliver it to him.”

Football recently lost 43-7 to El Camino College, getting

rolled over early in the game.

Who’s to blame?

Larry, of course.

Whose fault was it that the women’s volleyball team was ineligible and had to forfeit their first two games?

The guy slumped over in the corner, without a lance.

Larry has not made an appearance at any of the games yet this season (for any sport), but Fimbres couldn’t blame him for that.

“It’s dangerous to be Larry,” Fimbres said. “It’s very hot out here and he would probably faint.”

Others sports, however, are not having such a bad time without the fearless mascot. In fact, women’s basketball has been consistently played well in its past few seasons.

“We aren’t missing Larry at all,” assistant coach LaNette Dillard said. “He has done a fine job by us by not showing up and staying away.”

Maybe Larry needs more than just a lance, though. With so many losses piling up, our mascot could use a new look if and when he finally returns.

“He needs a white horse,” said Tracy Bodis, assistant cheer coach. “I mean, we are kind of like a baby USC. If they have a horse, why can’t Larry?”

If you would like to throw some support behind our mascot in searching for his lost lance, visit www.facebook.com/ helplarrythelancer.

8

SPORTS

COURIER

September 26, 2013

Water Polo drops two back-to-back Luis Rodriguez Staff Writer

The women’s water polo team dropped its first two games against the Rio Hondo College Roadrunners and East Los Angeles College Huskies at the Aquatic Center on Sept. 18 in its season openers.

The final scores were 16-6 against Rio Hondo and 10-9 against ELAC. Things didn’t bode well when Rio Hondo scored its first goal in the first seven seconds and then maintained a healthy lead throughout the game.

“That was a bit of a surprise for us,” said Lancers head coach Terry Stoddard.

“I think that they were very, very aggressive, and we let that affect our game.”

Roadrunner Kelci Carcamo, center forward, scored ten goals for Rio Hondo, effortlessly hitting the back of the net time and time again.

The Lancer’s eventually started scoring in response but couldn’t catch up.

“I just got frustrated so I made goals,” said Jazmine Hernandez, utility, who Benjamin Simpson/Courier scored two goals.

Scarlett Bonilla shoots and scores at home in the Aquatics Center against East “We had opportunities,” said Stoddard.

Los Angeles College.

“We had five power play opportunities

that we missed. It’s our home court and home goal. We should have put those in the back of the net. They get letting behind bother them.”

The loss was chalked up to first game jitters since the team is almost exclusively made up of freshmen.

“There’s things we need to work on,” said Camille Saurenman, wing.

The Lancers then had to jump right back in the water and put up a valiant effort against ELAC in a back-and-forth game.

With four minutes left in the fourth quarter the score was 9-9 but the decisive goal came from ELAC not long after.

“We weren’t prepared for a double header,” said Stoddard. Team captain Mariana Silva said that they were worn out after playing Rio. “Unfortunately we didn’t get over the first game. They did a lot of things a lot better in the second game,” said Stoddard.

Stoddard said they would go back to the drawing board and he wasn’t OK with starting with two losses but he’s happy that the team is together and committed to winning.

Volleyball splits home-opener Daron Grandberry Staff Writer

With their backs against the wall, the Lancers volleyball team could have easily given up against state No. 15 Cypress College (4-3) in its home opener at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium.

Although the Lancers defense and freshmen looked much improved, they lost their first two games against Cypress (25-27 and 21-25).

In the opener, the Lancers got out to an early lead in the first two sets. In game 1 the Lancers led 15-11 and in game 2 they led by as many as seven points (13-6).

Once again the sophomore duo of Nora To’omalatai and Thula Parks led the Lancers both emotionally and statistically. The pair rallied the Lancers on both the offensive and defensive ends, lead-

ing the unranked Lancers from two games down to defeat Cypress in the final three games (25-23, 25-12, and 16-14).

“Nora and Thula plugged away and do what they do,” said head coach Bill Sanchez. “Our whole rotation hustled and didn’t get down after mistakes.”

Parks recorded 25 kills and made 22 digs while To’omalatai nearly matched her with 25 kills and 21 digs, to go along with three aces.

In their two home games, the Lancers freshmen have shown improvements in both their defense and serve-receive.

In their second home game of the season the Lancers took on another powerhouse in the state No. 11 Orange Coast College.

Against Orange Coast, the Lancers gained a much needed lift from freshman libero Saige Spence (Pasadena High).

Spence was a nightmare for Orange Coast on the defensive end.

Spence finished with one of the highest single-match totals in PCC history with 36 digs and was also impressive on serve receive.

“We showed desire and that ability to not quit,” said Sanchez.

Sophomore setter Tiffany Roesler once again had an impressive day with 50 assists (113 in the home opener alone). Roesler leads the South Coast Conference in assists per set (10.13).

Ultimately, OCC’s height, including three players at 6-feet or above, gave the Lancers too many problems. OCC finished with 18 team block kills to only 6 made by the smaller Lancers.

Although the Lancers were unable to stay undefeated at Hutto-Patterson Gymnasium, John Novak/Courier their freshmen class looked to be Thula Parks hits the ball during Volleyball’s game progressing very well. against Cypress. The Lancers won 3-2.

Women’s soccer defense holds on for a draw Benjamin Simpson Staff Writer

Benjamin Simpson/Courier Cassandra Saavedra connects with the LA Valley College goalkeeper. With the defense holding strong the games ended in a draw.

Three goals in five games.

That is the number of goals the women’s soccer defense has allowed since the beginning of the season.

While the offense has still yet to find its rhythm, the defense held LA Valley College to a scoreless draw away at LA Valley on Sept. 20.

It seems that Coach Reggie Rivas is building this year’s squad from the back forward. The defense, headed by Bailey Shaw, has kept opposing teams away from the goal.

When asked why they were doing so well, Shaw said, “I think that the girls are getting along with each other, and able to communicate well. We also have a great goalie that works

her butt off. I think that before we start winning we have to build in the back and work up.”

In the two prior games, the midfield was having problems connecting their forward passes with the forwards. But that was not a problem in this game as the passes were right on the mark for Amanda Papic, Cassandra Saavedra, Lizbeth Rodriguez and Helena Macintosh.

Although Macintosh left with an injury in the middle of the first half.

Alexandra Martinez’s corner kicks were dropping right in the center of the box, but no one was able to put them away.

Two pieces of the puzzle— defense and midfield—for this year’s team seem to have connected, and once the third element—scoring goals—comes together, they could be a team to be reckoned with.

In the second half especially, the ball almost never left the LA Valley half, as the Lancers pushed forward over and over again.

“Defense is doing great, we are keeping possession. We dominated this game, we were all over them, we had our chances,” Rivas said.

In the first half the Lancers received a penalty kick, which was taken by Isabella Montano.

She hit the ball hard and low toward the right corner, but the ball hit the post and bounced out wide.

“We are going to score, the ball was right there on the line, multiple times,” Saavedra said. “We are going to do fine.

During the league we are definitely going to be better than last year. We are there, it’s just that we can’t score.”