COURIER VOLUME 108 ISSUE 4
The independent student voice of PCC. Serving Pasadena since 1915
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT PCCCOURIER.COM
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE
September 19, 2013
WHAT’S INSIDE: GET SPOOKED! Take a sneak peek at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights PAGE 7>>
Electron microscope blows up education opportunites
VETERANS
Delay in benefits leaves some veterans in dire straits Raymond Bernal Staff Writer
Matt Chan/ Courier Left, PCC chemistry student Paul Priego preps a sample tray before placing it into the Pro X desktop scanning electron microscope. Middle, A sample viewed on screen by the electron microscope, which can magnify up tp 100,000x. Right, a brand new $130,000 Phenom Pro X electron microscope. Benjamin Simpson Staff Writer
This semester PCC chemistry students will be building particles so small that they change color. For instance, gold actually ceases to have its signature color on the nano scale. Instead, it’s red. All of this is thanks to three new nano particle machines purchased with the $5 million Science, Technology, Engineering and Science (STEM) grant. One of the reasons for acquiring the new equipment, according to Professor Jared Ashcroft, is to connect students with science. “What if we make chemistry kinda cool,” Ashcroft said. “I wanted to bring [in] more modern technology. Instead of trying to force students
BOARD Philip McCormick Managing Editor
Three candidates are running for the Area 1 Board of Trustees seat and have begun campaigning ahead of the election scheduled for Nov. 5. Three new candidates—Dianne Philibosian, Alex Keledjian and Ross Selvidge—are vying for the open seat currently occupied by Geoffrey Baum, who will not be seeking reelection. Philibosian has 40 years of experience as a university administrator and professor in the CSU system and said she would
to do well, what if we try to motivate them to like it.” “If you can get the students cool instruments, cool stuff that they can use, hopefully students will start liking science.” The three new machines are a Phenon ProX Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), an Atomic Forces Microscope (AFM) and a Nano Particle Size Analyzer. The SEM, which costs $130,000 can magnify samples up to 45,000 times, has resolution down to 40 nanometers. There are one billion nanometers in a meter. Despite the amazing amount of magnification, the machine itself looks like a nondescript computer tower.? The bottom half opens and a prepared sample inserted.? The
image comes up on a screen next to the microscope, where it can be zoomed in and out, printed and molecularly analyzed. The Atomic Forces Microscope (AFM), which costs $25,000, looks like a small scanner. ?It works on the principle of the atomic, or molecular forces that hold together particles. It has a tip that is two nanometers wide, smaller than what can be viewed in the SEM.? The tip moves up and down with the different positive or negative charges in the sample.? The scientist receives a 3D image on the X, Y, and Z axis which can be used to create a visual representation of the length, width and height of the sample. The Nano Particle Size Analyzer ELECTRON page 6
A certification paperwork backlog in the Admissions and Records Office (ARO) has caused a delay of benefits and put hundreds of student veterans in dire straits, school officials said. Some student veterans said these delays in benefits left them homeless and without food, forcing them to live out of their cars with no money to pay for classes, textbooks and other course materials. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a benefit of financial support for education and housing for veterans who are eligible and certified, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The financial benefit is about $2,100 a month. More than 630 veterans currently attend PCC and about 300 utilize this benefit, according to Patricia D’Orange-Martin, Veteran Program Coordinator at the Veterans Resource Center [VRC]. “I’m eligible for this benefit but because of the certification backlog in that office [ARO] as of now I’m not receiving these benefits so I’m basically living in my car,” said student veteran Dexton Kotora, political science.
Justin Clay/Courier Student veteran Dexton Kotora, forced to live in his car while awaiting Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, at PCC’s Parking Lot No. 4 on Wednesday.
VETERANS page 6
Three candidates running for Area 1 Board seat like to see more PCC students university bound. “During my 14 years of service on the PCC Foundation Board, I developed a deep appreciation of the true gem we have in our community,” Philibosian said. “PCC offers private school quality in a public setting. My primary commitment will be to continue that legacy for generations of students bound for university and for the workplace.” The candidates have all stated that they intend to help the students as best they can. “We need to maintain the
current quality of education at student. I’m bringing a different will be prepared to collaborate PCC,” said Selvidge, who went type of perspective and a differwith students. to PCC when he was younger. ent pair of eyes and a new way “They will be responsible for to try and think about what our setting policy that will be effect“Students have to be able to 30,000 plus students need.” ing 30,000 [students.],” he said. concentrate on classes. I hope it gets better.” Student Trustee Simon Fraser “I look forward to working with Keledjian, 18, who is the said that he hoped whoever wins whoever is elected.” youngest applicant running for the seat by far, said that he believes that being a student currently at PCC gives him a tremendous advantage. “It’s a huge plus,” said Keledjian. “I’m the only candidate who has been affected by their winter intersession cut, by the budget cuts, by the protests. Left, Dianne Philibosian, middle, Ross Selvidge, right, Alex Keledjian All of that has affected me as a
NEWS
2 COURIER
September 19, 2013
Board members aim for more transparency Christine Michaels Editor-in-Chief
The Board of Trustees agreed to work on fostering more open communication and transparency with the district and its own members at its bi-annual retreat on Saturday. Many trustees brought up concerns about how to communicate to the public to explain decisions they make for the district. Trustee Geoffrey Baum believes the Board already works as a cohesive unit to make difficult decisions. “I think we really adhere to the principles. The board articulates supporting the decision. We’ve taken on some very controversial decisions,” Baum said. After more than a year of tumultuous interactions between students and the Board involving decisions to make major calendar changes and the approval of the $10.5 million administrative information system Banner, many members of the community still wait for a clear explanation from the Board for its decisions. Retreat facilitator Cindra Smith pointed out the Board’s ability to vote together as a
Corey Harris / Courier Board of Trustees meeting at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. Discussing topics to better the Board.
strength that many boards in the state she worked with have difficulty doing. “The board is a unit and you all know that’s the only way of having authority,” Smith said. Transparency for the Board, however, was also a problem among its members. Trustee Linda Wah brought up concerns over open communication among the Board members. “I don’t know that we really have honed our own skills that when we have an issue with each other that we speak directly with
each other,” Wah said. “There’s so much miscommunication based on assumptions.” Many trustees referred to the approval of the new Rosemead satellite site as an example of the miscommunication. According to Trustee Berlinda Brown, Board President and District 6 Trustee John Martin released an email a few months ago asking board members to consider potential satellite campus sites. A few weeks later at the Aug. 26 meeting, the Board approved the Rosemead site in Martin’s
district. “It was kind of offensive to me was that I was asked to find a place that could be potentially in my district,” Brown said. Board President John Martin explained he did want to work on more open communication with the trustees, but he did not mean to offend anyone with having the Rosemead site put up for a vote so quickly. “I tried to run this thing as straight and honest as can be,” Martin said. “I made a tremendous mistake because enrollment management said we need to
[add more class sections]. I allowed it to be a consent item, it was a fundamental mistake.” Smith commended the Board on its ability to discuss problems its members had together. “Your commitment to really work together is commendable because you are willing to discuss the difficult topics and have a real discussion,” Smith said. Wah believed the Board still worked very well together. “We talk about working together as a team, we work as a village,” she said. “We can all actively work together.”
Faculty Association argues unfair labor practice Police Blotter Christine Michaels Editor-in-Chief
The Faculty Association (FA) accused the Pasadena Area Community College District of forcing an unfair labor practice on faculty members for changing the start and end dates in the academic calendar at its Sept. 12 meeting. After the cancellation of the winter intersession at the Board of Trustees Aug. 29 meeting last year, many members of the community argued it would have major repercussions in teaching and working conditions for faculty. As a result of the calendar change to a three-semester system, which went into effect last year, the spring semester started in January instead of mid-February, and faculty members said they were given short notice of a
major change in its schedule. According to FA lawyer Lawrence Rosensweig, the association had the right to file a Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) grievance for an unfair labor practice because of the calendar change, not because of the cancellation of a winter intersession. “The issue at PERB was whether the District argued in good faith over the calendar,” Rosensweig said. “And under PERB precedent the district has the right to cancel classes including winter. They don’t have the right to change starting dates of faculty.” According to Gail Cooper, the district’s General Counsel, the district and the FA were still in litigation, and the district could not comment on PERB. “The parties are in the process of preparing closing briefs,”
Cooper said. Instructor Kay Yee explained that many other community colleges canceled their winter intersessions, but they did not change their entire calendar. “There are a number of other colleges that got rid of their winter but did not change the calendar, and when Prop 30 came through, they were able to implement the winter session,” Yee said. The San Diego Community College District is among those that kept a winter intersession after the passage of Proposition 30. Rosensweig explained that the District only had to prove that they changed the calendar in good faith. A defense the District could try to advance during PERB litigation would be that the calendar change was mandatory without a winter
intersession in place. “[The District] has the right to cancel the winter session. We had to change the dates for the spring semester, it was an inevitable result,” he said, explaining the district’s argument. “It’s obvious they changed the dates.” Instructor Mary-Erin Crook asked what steps the faculty could move forward with if the PERB litigation goes in its favor. “If they found in our favor could we have class action? Could we strike?,” she asked. Rosensweig explained that the outcomes of PERB being in favor of the FA would be that the District would have to act in good faith. “You could strike. I’m not saying you should,” he said. “There is no educational justification.”
District strongly opposes two-tier tuition bill AB955 Christine Michaels Editor-in-Chief
The Pasadena Area Community College District will not implement a two-tier tuition system which would force students wanting high demand classes to pay more per unit, according to a statement released Sept. 13. Concerns arose in the community over California Assembly Bill AB 955, which states that community colleges with two intersessions could raise tuition for certain courses up to the nonresident fee. According to the PCC website, the nonresident fee per
unit is $193. But administration officials insist students have nothing to worry about since the college no longer meets the two intersession requirements to pilot a two-tier system. At the time the bill was written, the college was eligible for a two-tier program, and it is still currently listed on the bill as one of the eligible colleges. The bill is expected to be signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday. The AB955 legislation explains that if an eligible college chooses to run a two-tier system, it may charge students taking “extension” courses a nonresident fee.
“The governing board of an eligible community college district may charge students enrolled in an extension course a fee that covers the actual cost of the course and that is based upon the district’s nonresident fee rate for the year the course is offered,” the bill states. President Mark Rocha released a statement on Monday reassuring the community that the district will not implement a two-tier tuition system. “To be clear, the consistent and long time position of the administration and the Board for over a year has been in opposition to AB955, the so-called two
tier tuition bill that would allow community colleges to charge a higher fee for intersession classes,” Rocha’s statement reads. “Two tier tuition will not happen at PCC under any circumstances.” Student Trustee Simon Fraser explained he was upset that the college is still on the list of eligible colleges for a two-tier system on the bill. “I was disappointed to see PCC’s name on the list. We could still be on the pilot list if the governor signs the bill. The point is we won’t,” Fraser said.
September 9
Cadets reported an unknown man writing on a wall on the third floor of the R building. Pictures were taken of the vandalism. No one was apprehended. September 11 A man was reported soliciting for money and shouting out to passing vehicles on Colorado Blvd. near Lot 1. The man was seen carrying a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a disposable razor in the other. The man left the area before officers arrived. A woman reported her Mexican passport stolen from the women’s locker room of the W building. September 12 Staff reported three PCC Band member’s wallets and various items were stolen from GM142 while they were in practice. The thefts took place between 7 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. September 13 A custodian reportedly fell in the elevator of the C building. The accident reportedly took place on the second floor and the PCC employee was transported to Huntington Memorial for treatment Compiled by Daron Grandberry Correction: The results of a vote by the Academic Senate were incorrectly reported as being tabled in a Sept 12. story. The statement regarding program reviews was actually approved by the Senate. We regret the error.
OPINION
September 19, 2013
Courier
2012 JACC General Excellence Award-Winner Editor-in-Chief Christine Michaels Managing Editor Philip McCormick Online Editor Madison Miranda Opinion Editor Raymond Bernal Asst. Opinion Editor Aubrey Quezada Arts & Entertainment Editor Paul Ochoa Asst. Arts and Entertainment Editor Samantha Molina Features Editor Emily Chang-Chien
COURIER 3
More classes should be offered Samantha Molina Staff Writer
California needs to improve course availability at community colleges and let students complete their education. Proposed in the bill written by assembly member Das Williams, D – Santa Barbara, AB 955 would allow community college districts to “establish and maintain extension programs at specified community colleges during summer and winter intersessions.” In a report conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California it is shown that since budget cuts made between 2007 and 2012, academic course
offerings have dropped by 21 percent and summer offerings have dropped by 21 percent and summer offerings by 60 percent. Due to courses being cut, class sizes have increased. By offering classes during summer and winter break students would be able to transfer or graduate faster and that would in turn open additional spaces in classes during the fall and spring sessions. Poor class availability has allowed students to collect high debts because they are not able to complete their education in a timely manner. “The lack of available classes places students in debt because it takes them additional years
to graduate,” Williams said in an interview with The Daily Californian. “Despite tuition increases for some classes, shortening the time students spend in school will keep student debt from rising. Even if you have no costs from fees, student debt is continuing to rise just to get done with community college, where it takes longer to complete a program.” Students are afraid that AB 955 would privatize summer and winter intersessions, creating a two-tiered system. Although tuition during the summer and winter intersessions would be raised from $46 per unit to $200 per unit, the bill stated that the community
college districts would expand financial assistance for low-income students enrolling in extension courses. In an interview with the Santa Barbara Independent, Williams said, “there’s three ways you can go: you can go with raising fees overall, which I don’t agree with. You can go with full funding, which will take six or seven years if it ever happens at all. Or we go with my plan, which I don’t view as a perfect option but better than the alternatives.” AB 955 is not a perfect solution to California’s overcrowding problem at community colleges but it is a step in the right direction.
Lifestyle Editor Luis Rodriguez
Student Loan Forgiveness Plan is a good start
Sports Editor Andrew Salmi
Tiffany Roesler Staff Writer
Photo Editor Antonio Gandara
Congratulations America. We have surpassed the $1 trillion mark in student debt. If that isn’t bad enough, students are finding Online Photo Editor themselves having to empty their pockets John Novak once more to pay off their remaining school Scene Editor balances. This time, however, it’ll sting a Matthew Chan little less with President Obama’s newer Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Staff Writers: Just call it a mere glimmer at the end of Bryan Acosta, Justin Clay, this dreary, deep debt tunnel. Aerika Dave, Daron Grandberry, Tiffany Herrera, Talia This program aims to help students who Karaalp, Tiffany Roesler, Benjamin have responsibly been making payments Simpson on their student loan cover the remainder of his or her student debt from his or her Staff Photographers: direct loan. Justin Clay, Bianca Kruspodin, However, someone is only qualified for Corey Harris Rene Henriquez, Teresa Mendoza, Mary Nurrenbern, Anthony Reyes, Rene Rojas, Meg Symanow, Caitlin Kelly Thompson, Daniel Valencia
VOICES:
this particular forgiveness program if they are a full-time employee in a public service career, have already made 120 on-time qualifying payments, and got the direct loan after October 2007. The first set of loan balances will not be forgiven until October 2017. So the teachers, police officers, nurses and even clerks at the DMV can benefit from this forgiveness plan if they are willing to go through the complex process and, of course, are eligible. But what about the rest of the student-debtors? Well, there’s always the Income-Based Repayment plan, which is a federal loan repayment plan that calculates your monthly payment based on income, family size, and state of residence. But whatever loan service you use is also a determining factor in order
to qualify. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, IBR has two advantages. First, loans are forgiven after you repay them for 25 years, even if your loan is not completely paid off. Second, if you have a subsidized loan and your monthly IBR payment is less than the interest that accumulates, the government will pay the difference for the first three years that are being repaid through the IBR program, so the overall balance won’t increase. With both forgiveness plans now available, students can feel a little more hopeful about not being buried alive in their school loans. It’s nowhere near the solution America needs for reducing student debt, but it’s a good start.
Do you think the financial aid office is giving out checks in a timely and effective manner?
Faculty Adviser Nathan McIntire Photography Adviser Tim Berger Advertising Coordinator Daniel Nerio
The Courier is published weekly by the Pasadena City College “I haven’t received Journalism Department and is a free-speech mine yet. I have to borrow money for books forum. Editorials and comments and I have to scramble are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the to find the best rates position of the institution and its to rent textbooks administration, student governonline.” ment or that of the Pasadena Area Yovana Alcantar, Community College District. business 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.
“They’re doing the best they can. Maybe it’s a matter of needing more hands on deck but if students don’t have the money they can fall behind and lose motivation because it’s hard to focus when you’re worried about finances.” Carlos Ramirez, adjunct professor
“I understand they have issues with so many people here, but how can we afford to come to school if we don’t get it on time?” Brenda Aguilar, deaf studies
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
“I’ve heard they’ve been incredibly late. Sending out notifications would be useful instead of having students running around panicking.” Bryce Van Ross, mathematics education
“There’s a large magnitude of students applying and such a huge influx that they’re probably overwhelmed. Maybe they can prioritize getting it out to students who need it more.” Kris Oskierko, medicine
ONLINE POLL RESULTS Online, we asked: Do you think the federal minimum wage should be raised? Results as of 5 p.m. Wednesday:
Yes, people are paid peanuts!: 69 percent It should stay the same.: 26 percent It should be lower!: 4 percent
Vote at PccCourier.com
4 COURIER
September 19, 2013 COURIER 5
SCENE
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
OLD PASADENA
Matthew Chan / Courier Gold Bug is a shop on Union Street hidden behind Colorado Boulevard that sells artwork that may cater to someone looking for something odd and unique. The shop sells a range of items from petrified insects to old antiques or even spiders in uniquely dislplayed glass dioramas, Sept. 16, 2013.
Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Pasadena City Hall is a long standing old landmark completed in 1927 located on Garfield Avenue, north of Colorado Boulevard, Sept. 15, 2013. City hall is a great example for those interested in 1920s archecture.
Matthew Chan / Courier Located at the western edge of Old Pasadena on Colorado Boulevard, the Norton Simon Museum houses an expansive collection of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century to a collection of South East Asian art, Sept. 16, 2013. The Norton Simon proves to be a great place to visit for the art enthusiast or art the student in the need of inspiration. Justin Clay/Courier King Taco on north Arroyo Pkwy on Sept. 10, 2013 in Pasadena Calif. King Taco is a hub for all of the people coming out of the night clubs in Old Pasadena.
Concepcion Gonzalez / Courier Crossroads Trading Company is a clothing retailer right on East Colorado Boulevard, Sept. 13, 2013. Since 1991, Crossroads has specialized in selling new and recycled clothing where people can buy, sell and trade clothes.
Matthew Chan / Chan Across the street from the Norton Simon Museum on Colorado Boulevard, the Pasadena Elks Grove Lodge has been an Old Pasadena landmark for over 100 years, Sept. 16, 2013. If you’re a photography major looking for a deal, the Elks Grove Lodge holds a monthly camera show with vendors selling new and pre owned equipment at bargain prices.
Caitlin KellyThompson / Courier A new shop off of Colorado Boulevard, which use to be a sneaker store, has opened and it’s perfect for SoCal and Old Pasadena. Their ice cream sandwiches should cool you off on a hot day, Sept. 15, 2013.
Caitlin KellyThompson / Courier Pottery Barn celebrating Halloween in an interesting way. They will scare you into savings, Sept. 15, 2013.
FEATURES
6 COURIER
September 19, 2013
Decorated veteran shares story of life-saving canine Aubrey Quezada Staff Writer
Imagine tossing and turning from a horrific nightmare, heart pounding and covered in sweat, then being gently awoken by a cold nose and soft fur nuzzling at your neck. “It’s love on top of love and it’s the best way to wake up from something like that,” said retired Army Capt. Luis Montalvan, who penned his memoir “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him” with Bret Witter. Hosted by the Veterans Resource Center, Montalvan, a decorated Army veteran who won two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and the Combat Action Badge, was on campus Sept. 17 to present his award-winning memoir to faculty and students, many of whom were also veterans. In his New York Times best-selling memoir “Until Tuesday,” which was published in 2012, Montalvan tells the story of the injuries he sustained, both physical and psychological, and of the service dog named Tuesday who helped him Benjamin Simpson/Courier along the road to recovering and Luis Carlos Montalvan and his helper dog Tuesday talk to reinserting himself as a functioning students at the Creveling Lounge on Sept 17. Montalvan member of society. “After a couple tours of duty in spoke about his 17 years in the military and his bestsellIraq and 17 years in the Army, I ing book “Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the was burnt toast… I was drinking Golden Retriever who Saved Him.”
VETERANS
a liter of rum a day, reeling from the effects of PTSD, holed up in a Brooklyn apartment,” Montalvan said. Montalvan said that it was hard to cope with his shift in identity. “To go from being physically and mentally tough to being broken and disabled is a psychological shift that many don’t ever make,” he said. In November 2008, Montalvan was suffering from several physical injuries as well as a brain injury and crippling post-traumatic stress disorder when he met Tuesday, a golden retriever who had been trained to assist the disabled. Now he and Tuesday are best friends and Tuesday assists him in everyday tasks like getting ready in the morning by fetching his shoes or cane. “The more amazing things he does are psychological,” Montalvan said. “He knows exactly how I’m doing. He can smell my perspiration, he can distinguish whether it’s fear-based perspiration or joy-based perspiration or relatively okay perspiration.” According to Montalvan, Tuesday can anticipate things like when he is about to have a panic attack and provides him the comfort he needs to help prevent the attacks. “To know that I was going to get a dog that I could not only give my love but would also love me and help me live my life, get out of my apartment and just live was
life affirming. It was salvation,” Montalvan said. Alana Johnson, biology, who attended the event, said that her grandfather, a World War II veteran, recommended the book to her when she was going through a difficult time. “Even from a non-veteran’s standpoint, it can be inspirational, especially to someone trying to overcome psychological disorders,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to understand the emotional distress [veterans] go through when they serve in a war and continue to suffer through when they come home, so any form of therapy and relief they can get is great,” Johnson added. Montalvan’s memoir won the 2012 USA Best Book Award in the Autobiography/Memoir and the Audiobook Non-fiction categories and he was a finalist for the 2012 APA Audie award alongside Michael Moore and Tina Fey, according to Patricia D’Orange-Martin, coordinator of the Veterans Resource Center, who introduced Montalvan before his presentation. Montalvan is also a vocal public advocate and has received the 2011 Voice Award and the 2011 Invisible Hero Honors Award for his efforts to educate the public about the trauma that veterans and people with disabilities experience, said D’Orange-Martin.
Continued from page 1
Many student veterans insist problems with obtaining According to officials at the VRC, the certification financial aid persist. process consists of students taking or emailing their “I served six-and-a-half years in the military as of proper documents for certification to the Admission February 2013. I submitted all my [certification] paand Records Office. perwork months ago, but it never went through,” said These documents include their certification letter of student veteran Oscar Martinez. “If I don’t get my beneligibility, which they get from the VA, and transcripts, efits like I’m supposed to, I’m going to have to dropout educational plans, class schedule, placement tests of PCC and switch from a part-time to a full-time job among others forms. to take care of my wife and a baby that’s on it’s way.” “That office is six to four weeks behind even getting “We don’t get these benefits for free. We pay into it the paperwork to the VA,” said a clearly frustrated while in the service,” Martinez added. A.J. Glasgow, the president of the PCC veterans club. According to VA regulations, the college has until “How difficult can it be? All it takes is a simple fax or Sept. 25 to get all student veterans who apply for beneemail, just the push of a button.” fits certified. Student veteran Spencer Major, anthropology, said Major said he will go on a hunger strike if there are that the administration assured student veterans two still vets without certification after Sept. 25. years ago that certification issues would be resolved. “I do not believe that the college has shown that they Robert Bell, Senior Vice President and Assistant Suare going to fix this problem,” said Major. perintendent of Academic and Student Affairs, visited With the help of local churches and other instituMajor’s class at the time. tions there is some emergency help at the VRC and “Two years ago Dr. Bell came to speak to our class an array of programs for veterans to utilize, D’Orwhich had mostly veteran students and promised us ange-Martin said. that certification problems will never happen again at “If veterans need help with issues of health, homePCC,” said Major. lessness, financial or any other issues, help is available Bell declined to be interviewed for this article and his here at the VRC,” she said. office referred press inquires about veteran certification D’Orange-Martin said under-staffing at the ARO has issues to Valerie Wardlaw, Interim Director of Public contributed to the problem. Relations. “The office of admissions and records doesn’t have “The Administration responded immediately to dethe manpower but they are trying very hard to fix this lays in the certification process of our student veterans problem,” she said. … and [we] added additional staff members to prevent Carol Calandra, Veterans Resource Center Case Manfurther delays and requested assistance from the PCC Justin Clay/Courier ager, provided what she called a simple solution. Foundation to make emergency funds available for any Student veteran Dexton Kotora, forced to live in his car “The solution to this certification problem is simple: affected student veteran,” a statement released by the while awaiting Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits, at PCC’s Parking take the certifying official out of the admissions office college reads. Lot No. 4 on Wednesday. and bring the official here to the Veterans Resource Major disputes the college’s statement. of trust and ensuring consistent and sustained support Center,” Calandra said. “Its that simple!” “It seems to me that they are placing a band-aid over Santa Monica College seems to have no problem this issue once again,” Major said. “They know it’s going from campus leadership. They also include steps to coordinate and centralize certifying students veterans. Martha Romano, the sole to be an issue almost every semester to get us certified campus efforts for all veterans and call for schools to full-time certifying official at SMC, said in a telephone and they keep placing band-aids over the problem.” develop systems that ensure sustainability of effective interview with the Courier this week that the certificaLast month President Barack Obama addressed the practices for veterans. tion process has been quick and easy at her institution. Disabled American Veterans National Convention to According to the U.S. Department of Education “I have already certified all my 450 students veterans announce his “8 Steps of Success” program which he said includes “specific steps that schools can take to truly website, Pasadena City College is listed as one of the 250 here at Santa Monica,” she said. “Once all the paperwork schools that have signed up to participate in “8 Steps of is submitted I can certify my vets in a couple of minwelcome and encourage our veterans.” utes.” Success”. The “8 Steps of Success” include creating a culture
LIFESTYLE
September 19, 2013
COURIER
7
Universal Horror Nights’ opens new maze Philip McCormick Managing Editor
Justin Clay/ Courier
Creative Director John Murdy next to a ghoulish prop from Insidious 2 on Sept. 13 in Universal City, Calif.
Entering the front door of a two-story house, hair stands on end as a baby walker next to the stairs starts to come alive and moves across the floor. A woman screams for her son to run as strobe lights send visitors running for the exit. This is just the first room in the newly added “Insidious: Into the Further” maze at Universal Studio’s Hollywood’s “Halloween Horror Nights.” “We’d never done a paranormal maze,” said John Murdy, creative director of the mazes. “James Wan [director of “Insidious” and
“Saw”] inspired me to bring the world of “Insidious” alive. These are very physical ghosts in the movie and that made it work.” The first real scare comes in the second room and it’s taken straight out of a scene from the first installment of the “Insidious.” In the middle of the room is a table with four characters from the movie. An old woman sporting a gas mask sits in one of the chairs around the table, jittering and shaking at times, entranced in a séance. All of a sudden, cameras and the lamps around the dark room start flashing on and off, until the Red-Faced Demon from the
movie jumps out. “The animatronics around the table distract you from where the real scare is going to come from,” Murdy said. “It’s just a really creepy room to be in” The rest of the maze features smoke and scent machines that emit a “rotting corpse” smell, and a lot of well-placed performers who will jump out and scare anyone they get the chance to.Other mazes at Halloween Horror Nights will include an encore from “The Walking Dead,” “Evil Dead: Book of the Dead,” and a maze inspired by Black Sabbath’s new album 13. Halloween Horror Nights opens this Friday night.
All talk and no game: online drama Paul Ochoa Staff Writer “You guys are a bunch of stupid, pussy, ballsacky… (insert racist and homophobic slurs here.)” is not something one usually hears someone say. That is, unless you have ever set foot in the virtual world that is online gaming, where such language is an everyday thing. Hector Garcia, film, had just that combination of profanities and slurs hurled at him while playing HALO one day. So what is it that makes someone feel they can spew such vile things at complete strangers? Robert Randall, psychology instructor, says that violent video games have something to do with the problem. “Some true experimental
ELECTRON
research has found that playing a violent video game does have short-term effect of increased [violent] behavior,” said Randall. Julio Cristales, computer science, feels the lack of actual human interaction is what makes people think they can sling insults at each other. “The reason they are terrible is because you are not meeting them face-to-face. They are just trying to vent and feel powerful,” said Julio Cristales, computer science. “Some people are not mature enough to handle online gaming and invest too much in the game, so when they lose a match they don’t like it,” Garcia said. “Not to mention the ego’s a fragile thing and if you’re mature enough to handle it you should take some time to reflect on that.”
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looks like an oversized thermos with a plastic straw sticking out of the top. It measures the size of each particle and the number of particles. It does this by passing the particles through an electric field and collects the data by measuring changes to the resistance to the field. “What is great about this class is [that] it gives you the opportunity to actually use the instruments,” chemistry student Paul Priego said. “Having to figure it out, rather than having things handed to you.” One of the reasons for purchasing the SEM, according to Ashcroft, was not just for students to get familiar with the instrument, but also to teach about scientific methodology. “Science is about obtaining information,” he said. “Whether or not you get the right answer at the end isn’t important. Did you analyze it correctly?” “The real goal is to make sure the students don?t write that they are successful when maybe it wasn’t successful,” he said. “Because there is a very high probability that it won’t be successful the first time.” Ashcroft also discussed that teaching students to analyze their results correctly will lead to more creative scientific thought. At the moment nanotechnology is mostly being used in the
material sciences, creating stronger lighter materials, like better bullet-proof vests, lighter sailboat sails and golf clubs. But Ashcroft discussed the breakthroughs in nanotechnology medicine that are hopefully around the corner. Gold nanoclusters may be used as host materials for antibodies to be introduced into the body, enter individual cells and specific light used to heat up the cluster, killing the cell. Cancer cells could be killed in this way. “The thing about medicine is that it takes 20 to 30 years from inception to the idea to come to fruition,” Ashcroft said. “It has been about 15 years since these ideas. I would not be surprised in the next 10 years you would see a nano drug.”
Matthew Chan / Courier Instructor Jared Ascroft hopes that the new microscope will inspire students towards the sciences.
So what do you do when you are playing online and someone starts badmouthing you, your mother, and your dead dog? Some people like Garcia makes full use of his mute whenever this becomes a problem. “There are two ways to handle it: you egg them on or you mute them. I muted him,” said Garcia. Sometimes the mute button is not enough and in order for justice to be properly served, the authorities must be called in. In the online community the authorities are the moderators of whatever game it is you are playing. Julio Cristales does just that whenever players get too out of hand. “I usually just mute them and it doesn’t get to me but if it [gets too] bad I just report them,” he said.
Anthony Reyes / Courier
Josh Adler gears up in the WiFi Lounge for a battle between some of the internet’s most competitive opponents on Wednesday.
Not everyone online is an obscenity-screaming monster, however. Losing for Nick Farwell, networking, is no cause for verbal attack. Instead he takes it as a learning experience. “You are just a player, you are
nothing special,” he said. “I play for fun and if I lose, so what. It is just training me on how to become better next time.” Next time you’re playing online and you get upset, just remember there are people on the other side of those microphones.
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SPORTS
COURIER
September 19, 2013
Volleyball now winless after forfeits Daron Grandberry Staff Writer
After an impressive 2-0 start to the young season, the women’s volleyball team looked prepared and poised to pick up where they left off. Unfortunately for the Lancers, the program hit a few bumps in the road early on in the season season. The weekend got off to an awful start with news that the team had to forfeit their opening two wins at the Rio Hondo Quad Tournament last week due to a CCCAA by-law violation. Wins against Victor Valley and Rio Hondo were forfeited as a result of eligibility forms not being filed in the required spot on CCCAA’s website. With exciting victories in the Rio Hondo Quad tournament, the women’s volleyball team entered last week’s play with a reverse record of 0-2 instead of the undefeated record they worked hard to obtain. Looking impressive and prepared in their opening game against No. 14 Cypress College, 25-22, the Lancers went on to drop their next three in a close defeat, 23-25, 21-25, and 22-25. Despite another standout performance from sophomore outside hitters Nora To’omalatai, 19 kills and 15 digs, and Thula Parks, 15 kills and 11 digs, the Lancers could not overcome the Chargers of Cypress College. “We went up against some of the state’s best and we had our moments,” said interim head coach Bill Sanchez. “We let that Cypress match get away from us, but now we’ll face that team again at home. The goal now is to imTeresa Mendoza/Courier prove in all facets of the game.” PCC’s outside hitter Thula Parks (1) tries to spike one past the hands of Cypress’ Kiki Sophomore setter Tiffany Roesler Atuatasi during the El Camino Quad Tournament on Friday at El Camino College. also came up big with 41 assists despite
the defeat. “Tiffany improved on her setting, moving the ball through the offense instead of just focusing on one player,” said assistant coach Kari Post. “We spent all our energy in that match and got tired by the time we faced Santa Barbara.” In their second game of Friday’s El Camino Tournament, the Lancers played a familiar foe in Santa Barbara Community College. Last year it was the Lancers who eliminated SBC in the first round of the SoCal Regionals. However, in the El Camino tournament it was all Santa Barbara, which won in straight games, 26-28, 16-25, and 14-25. Santa Barbara, a team with more height, returns eight players to their 2013 squad listed at 5 feet ll inches or taller, including the 6 foot sophomore Madison Waddell (3.85 kills/set) and 5 feet 11 standout RS Jenna Anderson (2.46 kills/set). Despite the Lancers lack of height, competing at a high level is something this year’s team knows they’re capable of doing. “Although we play against a lot of taller teams, height didn’t really play a factor in our losses this weekend,” said outside hitter Thula Parks. “We just need to work on our conditioning and work at getting those loose balls that we’re more than capable of.” “Tournament settings test your stamina,” Sanchez added. “We lost our legs a bit versus Santa Barbara, but we battled them in that first game.” The women’s volleyball team will attempt to get revenge against Cypress College in their home opener at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Late interception robs Lancer football of win Philip McCormick Managing Editor
The Lancers looked poised to earn their first win on Saturday night, leading 17-0 for most of the first half, but an Orange Coast College Pirates interception late in the fourth quarter was the difference in the game. The final score was 27-23. “We looked very strong in the first three quarters,” head coach Fred Fimbres said. “There are a
lot of positives that we can take from Saturday’s game, but we are not happy that we didn’t win the game.” The fatal interception came when Lancers quarterback Darrian Cazarin was hit in the pocket as he was throwing the ball. It was intercepted by a Pirates lineman who returned the pick 42 yards, leading to a 2-yard touchdown run. “We had just stopped them on a fourth down,” Defensive
Coordinator Carl Lopez said. “We had the momentum, but one of them blitzed and one of their guys happened to get past the front line and hit [Cazarin.] It was unfortunate timing, and we ended up having to try to play against the clock.” PCC started out in a groove, marching 71 yards down the field in the first quarter with a series of plays that took more than eight minutes off the clock and led to a touchdown pass from Cazarin to Jake Holguin.
A field goal and a rushing TD from Cazarin gave the Lancers a 17-0 lead until late in the second quarter. Building on its outstanding play from the first game, PCC’s defense held OCC to 13 rushing yards in 30 attempts, while lineman Dalyou Pierson led the team with seven tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack. “In order to be a competitive, championship-level defense, you have to be able to stop the
run,” Fimbres said. “[Pierson] is a leader of our team. He does a great job on defense and we expect him to improve and continue to do better.” The Lancers will hope to grab their first win at El Camino College. “We just need to execute a little better on our game plan,” Fimbres said. “We are going down the right road. We just need to clean some things up and get better.”
Women’s soccer falls to Pierce College Benjamin Simpson Staff Writer
In the dying seconds of the game, Cassandra Saavedra’s header swept past the keeper only to bounce off the post. It was a fitting end to a game where the Lancers had their chances but could not find that elusive finishing touch as they lost to LA Pierce College by the score of 1-0 at Robinson Field on Sept 13. “It’s a game of inches,” Coach Reggie Rivas said. “We hit the cross bar at the end. Unfortunately [it] went their way this time, not ours.” The Lancers had their chances, but that elusive piece of luck was not on their side. Other than the
header off the post in the last seconds, Saavedra had two shots into the side netting. In the first half Isabella Montano had an open shot on goal but was not able to keep it down and it cleared over the crossbar. In the second half Sara Oceguera headed the ball at point-blank range towards Peirce’s goal, but somehow their goalkeeper Jenna Koziol was able to get a hand on it and deflect it out. The rebound fell to Oceguera’s foot, but again Koziol was able to keep it out of the net. With 15 minutes left in the game, Helena Macintosh was clear running down the edge of the 18-yard
box when Pierce’s keeper Koziol came out to intercept. Macintosh chipped it over the keeper’s head, but the ball landed on the top netting. “I was at a really awkward angle so I tried to chip it back in but obviously it didn’t go in,” Macintosh said. Pierce’s goal was a simple cross and tap-in at the 65th minute, with Shawnie Moore crossing from the left, to be finished by Melissa Galmez.After the game Oceguera discussed her chance at an equalizer. “I was a bit nervous,” she said. “It thought it was really going to go Benjamin Simpson/Courier in, but it didn’t. That’s experience PCC’s Karina Costilla advances the ball during that I have to gain.” Pasadena’s loss to LA Pierce College 1-0.