Volume 115 Fall 2011 Roundup Issue 8

ROUNDUP

New ASO leader

Calvin Alagot calagot.roundupnews@gmail.com

Febe Ruiz is the new Pierce College Associated Students Organization (ASO) president after former president Gabriel Mellibosky resigned due to personal reasons, according the ASO club advisor.

Ruiz, formerly the ASO vice president, assumed the presidency last week, according Saenz.

The ASO has not had a president serve a full term for the past three years, according to Saenz.

As vice president her work is primarily focused on dealing with students and campus life, such as facilitating the weekly ASO Senate meetings.

In addition to being one of the ASO clerks, Ruiz’s duties now include attending multiple weekly and monthly meetings, such as the Student Affairs Committee (SAC) meetings in Los Angeles and the Academic Senate meetings on campus.

“It’s exciting because I’ve had the opportunity to experience being vice president and now president,” said Ruiz. “It’s more work, but I’m excited, I’m looking forward to learn.”

With Ruiz now busy representing Pierce students on the district level, ASO senators nominated Shane Mooney, current ASO senator, as vice president during a special election at yesterday’s ASO Senate meeting.

“He’s one of our most active senators, I completely believe in Shane,” said Ruiz. “He’s definitely here for the students and here to do work, he’s proven that.”

Mooney, who was the only person nominated for vice president, had to step resign from his positions as president of the French club, vice president of the political science club, and chair of the environmental/public welfare committee in order to become ASO vice president.

“I had to step down because there’s a conflict of interests,” said Mooney. “I’m enthusiastic about the possibility of making a big difference on campus,” said Mooney.

The recent economic downturn has forced an increasingly large number of college students to apply for financial aid to pay for tuition, school-books, and other expenses.

During the last five years the amount of applications has nearly doubled from 11,408 during the 2007/2008 school year, to 22,510 for the 2010/2011 school year, according to report released in October by Financial Aid Director Anafe Robinson.

The total dollars administrated has also doubled; from $14,019,988 to $38,416,352, according to Robinson.

“One of the reasons that student applications have gone up is the economy is pretty bad,” said Robinson. “So they look to financial aid for assistance.”

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the primary method students use to acquire financial aid funds from the government.

In order to receive district priority when filling out the (FAFSA) application students must submit it by May 1. However, some students miss their deadline and still expect their money during the first week of school.

“It ain’t happening,” said Robinson.

As a result of the high demand for financial aid this semester, Robinson and her staff have closed the Financial Aid Office during Fridays so they can work on the large number of student files.

“We had a lot of applications and what students don’t understand is that the review of the files is manual,” said Robinson.

Pierce is not the only college in the district dealing with a large number of financial aid applications.

The number of financial applications at Los Angeles Mission College has also doubled; going from 5,145 in 20072008 to 10,728 for 2010-2011, according to Financial Aid Director Dennis Schroeder.

With the increase of applications comes the increase of total dollars administrated, which has more than doubled over the last five years; going from $7,829,320 in 2007-2008 to $18,167,250 for 2010-2011.

“I Applied for Financial Aid in June 2011 and [I’m] getting $300 this semester for 5 units,” said Maria Sanchez, 20,

accounting major and Pierce student. “The process for my situation was good because I didn’t have to spend my money that I don’t have on my books”

Similarly, East Los Angeles College has also seen a growth in student applications, from 13,926 for the 2007/2008 school year to 29,633 for the 2010/2011 school year.

Students at Pierce are also eligible to receive the Cal Grant and Pell Grant, which have also increased over the last five years.

See Financial Aid, Page 3

File Photo President: Febe Ruiz is the new ASO president at Pierce College.

Jose Romero Financial Aid: Pierce student, Paula Salvador, 22, poses for a photo illustration.

The long way up

Ramp ends at stairs, now it’s time to build one up the Art Hill

The Grand Staircase, leading to the Art Hill, shows little mercy to those who must climb it, and even less to those who are physically disabled.

The Special Services Student Handbook states that all students with disabilities must meet the same academic and other requirements as non-disabled students.

This includes getting to classes.

The Art Hill should be compliant with ramps and elevators for students who have mobility and physical disabilities.

Some of these students who are coming from or going to other classes on campus must take a longer route because they are unable to ascend or descend the staircase.

For disabled students with vehicles, there is a ramp that leads to the dirt lot beneath the performing arts center. However the lot only provides two handicap parking spaces.

From the Mall, the alternative route is up Brahma Drive and Stadium Way. Even though there aren’t any stairs to

avoid, it still has a bit of an incline that could be dangerous for those who aren’t riding in the shuttle bus, which also takes disabled students.

According to the President’s First Monday Report for November, a design-build project has been proposed to function as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pathway from the mall to the visual and performing arts complex at the top of the hill. It is the future Digital Arts and Media Building, which is scheduled to take the place of our current library.

However, there is currently a budget issue that delays this project.

It’s a costly one, a 25 to 30 percent over the $38 million budget issue.

The Pierce College Council is scheduled to review this building Thursday.

So while the big dogs are trying to figure things out, these students need to find a better way to get to class.

For now, students have to rely on each other.

If they happen to be running a bit behind schedule, they could ask a friend to help them get to class, whether it

COMIC

Requirements must be raised

To be an Assosciated Student Organization senator all you need is ve units and a 2.0 grade point average

The requirements for any Pierce student to become an Associated Students Organization (ASO) senator should be raised and changed so it becomes more of a challenge.

An ASO senator has to be among the top students on campus academically so they can represent a student body which they already lead with their academic performance.

It will ensure that a hard working student who is committed to successfully reach his or her own educational goals represents the student population before school officials.

To become an ASO senator, not only at Pierce but at the other colleges in the district as well, a student has to be enrolled in a minimum of five units.

This normally translates into one challenging class that accounts for five units or maybe two or three which would translate into less challenging classes for the student.

The five unit minimum should be raised to at least seven or eight units so the student is obligated to take more challenging classes and show his or her own dedication towards their future.

In addition to the five minimum units to be a senator, the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

means pushing their wheelchair up Brahma Drive or giving them a ride up to the building.

The Special Services program also provides a van equipped with a wheel chair lift to transport students using wheelchairs to and from the art, drama, and music buildings.

However, since it is college, student services are the student’s responsibility.

Students who average a ‘C’ in their classes do not have the sufficient responsibility and

Rodrigo Carbonel

commitment level in school to represent the student body. If he or she cannot even represent their own interests in the classroom they cannot represent others. Because let’s face it, who would want a ‘C’ average president.

The cumulative GPA for a student who wants to become an ASO senator should be raised to at least a 3.0 to ensure the student has enough criteria to make the right decisions to actually benefit the student population.

The majority of those so called senators who get involved in the student senate only do so to fill the blank space underneath the extracurricular activities or student senate portion in their college application so it looks nice, not because they actually care about their fellow students who they are supposed to represent.

rcarbonel.roundupnews@gmail.com

No Bus Pass —COLUMN—

Students who relied on transit program le stranded

How long do you usually waste your time to find a parking place at the Pierce? How many times have you come to Pierce to park your car and couldn’t find a spot? How many times have you reached your class late because you had to park so far?

One of the biggest problems that students deal with each semester is parking.

During Spring 2009, Pierce College offered the I-TAP program (Transit Access Pass) as a low-cost transit pass that allowed students with 12 units or more to purchase Metro passes for six months for $15. The I-TAP pass was good for the Metro bus, Metro Rapid and Metro rail. It encouraged students to use public transportation for a low price to travel to school and around town.

It was a useful decision to decrease the traffic and help students reach the school.

Some students, who used Metro before, were able to save money, and some other students, who used their cars to come to school, were encouraged to use the Metro. They did not need to think about traffic or gas or waste their time finding a parking space.

This program had some

Arash Rod

educational aspects, too. It taught students to use public transportation for making a healthier environment and helped to decrease traffic, especially during rush hour. The I-TAP program also helped students think more wisely about using their money.

Traffic at school was more tolerable during that time.

During this year’s spring semester the I-TAP program was offered with a small cost increase to $20. For Fall however, Pierce did not offer this program. The I-TAP program not only helped school traffic, but with increased unit expenses.

arod.roundupnews@gmail.com

CORRECTIONS

In volume 15 issue 7 dated Nov. 9 in the story entitled ‘Unit cap extends to district’, students wishing to take more than 18 units must fill out a

form and submit it to the Admissions and Records Office one week before school starts or during the first two weeks of school.

Maria Salvador

Maria Salvador

Congressman addresses local community

California representative answered questions at Town Hall style meeting in Great Hall

Shannon Ma sma.roundupnews@gmail.com

Congressman Brad Sherman faced a hostile crowd while answering questions regarding taxes and recent budget cuts that have caused tuition increases, during a town hall hosted in the Great Hall today.

I never promised to make anyone’s life better,” said Sherman. ‘I only promised to fight for what I think is right.”

Sherman, who was elected in 1996, was adamant about his attempts to pass legislation that could help California.

“If we export more products than we import our jobless rate would be down to four percent,” said Sherman. “This would increase California’s income and lower the need to raise tuition costs.” He spoke to students and staff members about the importance of voting and said it could affect fee increases, during an event hosted by adjunct instructor of political science James Dawson.

“[Fee] increases make it tougher for you to do what you need to do,” said Sherman. “When I was in college it was

Financial

Cal Grants are the largest source of California state aid and they provide aid to undergraduates, vocational students, and those in teacher certification programs in California. The number of these applications at Pierce has increased from 833 to 980 between 2007 and 2011. The money available for the Cal Grants has also increased from $930,917 to $1,238,274.

Pell Grants, which provide grants

only $9.”

A student asked Sherman what he could do to bring back the ITAP program offered by the Metro Transit Association.

The ITAP program offered low cost transit passes for college students until the program ended last semester due to a lack of funds.

“I did work to help get the bus way built,” said Sherman. “I will call them tomorrow.”

Sherman encouraged citizens who feel under represented to vote more.

“Through organization you can actually have an impact on the government,” said Sherman. “An awful lot of people who voted in 2008 did not bother to vote in the 2010 elections so it’s not that people changed their minds, some people just didn’t vote.”

When asked about his opinion concerning the controversial Occupy Wall Street protests, Sherman expressed his mixed feelings of support and hesitation.

“I like the sentiment of occupy Wall Street,” said Sherman. “But, at the same time I can’t endorse everything that’s said by everybody that’s in a tent when they themselves don’t agree on everything.

Instructor of Political Science Denise

aid programs keeping up with demands

to low-income undergraduate and certain post baccalaureate students, have also increased from 3,460 to 7,343 during that time while the funding has risen from $7,663,848 to $23,849,274, according to Robinson.

East Los Angeles College Financial Aid Manager Linda Fong and her staff are also facing problems with processing applications, for they too, have now closed their doors during Fridays as well, to finish student’s applications.

“It’s not a win-win situation when

student don’t turn in the application on time,” said Fong. Ericka Garcia, 19, psychology major, and a student at East Los Angeles College, was one of the many students to receive their money during the second week of the fall semester.

“I rely heavily on my financial aid money since I don’t have a job at the moment,” said Garcia.

However, for every student who does receive their money early, there are other students who do not receive it on time, and that is where Nereyda

Salazar, who attends Los Angeles Valley College, comes in.

“It was a long wait before I finally got my money this month,” said Salazar “I complained, but they just told me to wait and I was getting frustrated because I wasn’t working and needed to pay for books.”

Both East Los Angeles College and Pierce College have dates on their perspective websites so students can meet the deadlines for financial aid applications and receive their money on time.

Robb asked about the new filibusters in place that allow senators to delay the voting process.

“The filibusters are the single worst thing,” said Sherman. “We now have more checks, more balances and more delays.”

Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Sociology James McKeever spoke out at the end of the meeting to challenge the audience’s mind set.

“Even though this is a state issue, Obama constantly talks about giving more money to community colleges,” said McKeever. “Either Obama is a liar and he can’t do that, or there is something he might be able to do about the budget cuts federally.”

Sherman had no comment to this statment.

At the end of the meeting Sherman presented the Student’s Organized for Success (SOS) with a flag that had been flown over the US Capital.

The SOS, which helped promote the event, requested that those interested in the topics covered to continue the discussion in the free speech area of the Mall.

“I think the event was helpful,” said McKeever. “But he didn’t focus on issues of education.

Contributing: Kevin Reynolds

“I recommend students submit their FAFSA from Jan. 1 to Mar. 2 each year along with required documents by the May 1 deadline,” said Robinson. “This means that they will receive their financial aid during the first week of Fall semester.”

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ASO making the change to green

Gina Gutierrez ggutierrez.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Associated Students Organization (ASO) announced to the Academic Senate that they are planning to be environmentally friendly for the remainder of the school year.

Environmental Awareness Day is scheduled for Nov.17 in the Great Hall from 3p.m. to 6p.m. The event is organized by the Public Welfare/ Environmental Committee. It will feature guest speakers from Greenpeace and Heal The Bay.

“We will have vegan food, and guest speakers,” said Febe Ruiz, ASO Vice President.

At the event, students will have the opportunity to sign up for a beach clean up day which will take place Nov. 19 in Malibu. The last ASO event will take place in December, and it will be a lounge event, where students will be able to study and tutor each other for the upcoming finals.

Sheriff’s Blotter

Carlos Islas

cislas.roundupnews@gmail.com

• Nov. 8 Automotive vandalism near Mason Avenue

• Nov. 9 Student incident reported in North Gym 5602

• Nov. 9 Tagging vandalism near Art building

Lynn Levitt

Brad Sherman: Congressman Brad Sherman takes a question, in the Great Hall at Pierce College, in Woodland Hills, Calif. Nov. 9, 2011. Photo by Lynn Levitt.

[financial aid, from page 1]

It was June 1967 in the Republic of Biafra, during the Nigerian Civil War, when then-14-year-old Leland Shapiro helped a family hide in his home from the Nigerian army.

Because of helping the family, he was ordered to leave the country. He went to Israel for a year and a half, but it wasn’t long before he was driven out for war reasons. Eventually, he made it to Los Angeles.

As a young man, he learned the importance of helping others from his grandfather who, upon coming to the United States, was treated miserably, he said.

“His story taught me compassion for other people,” Shapiro said.

Ever since he was a kid, his roots pulled him toward teaching and helping both people and animals.

Now, Dr. Shapiro, 58, is the chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources department and the director of the Pre-Veterinary Science program.

He has been teaching at Pierce College for the past 40 years, and he says he loves his job. In fact, he says that he still wants to teach for five more years.

“I am the most fortunate teacher,” Shapiro said. “Every one of my students works very hard. If I would’ve won the lottery, I would still be doing what I do now.”

He has had 179 students who are either going or have gone to veterinary schools, but he plans to get to 200 students before he retires.

He has taught 35 different classes while at Pierce and has gone on to write 16 different books on Veterinary Science.

In addition to that, Shapiro is also a member of the board of directors

for the Society of Veterinary and Medical Ethics.

Under his leadership, the PreVeterinary Club has, since 1987, partners with the Walking Shield American Indian Society for the organization’s annual holiday drive,

providing clothes, food, and school supplies to those in need.

“I get a lot of help from the [Pierce] administration, faculty members, and students,” he said.

“Without them I couldn’t do it.”

In addition to providing supplies

to kids, the drive encourages the kids to pursue education.

“I can help people by providing an education,” he said.

He also finds a way of encouraging education here on campus.

All the proceeds he will get off his last book - which he hopes to get published by the end of the yeargoes to a scholarship his department set up through the Pierce College Foundation.

“[The scholarship] will help people pay for books and tuition,” he said. “I would like to give other people opportunities to get an education.”

On July 6 of this year, Shapiro was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, one that was successfully removed 13 days later in an eighthour surgery procedure at CedarsSinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Even though Shapiro is still recuperating and regaining full control of mechanical functions. like breathing, swallowing, and talking, he is still very much active at teaching and guiding his Pre-Veterinarian students to a better future.

“I love coming to work,” he said. “When I was in the hospital, I told the doctor, ‘You don’t understand. Going to work is going to make me better.” He even describes Pierce College as “a family.”

“When I was in the hospital, lots of faculty and administrators visited me,” he said. “We don’t consider each other as colleagues, but as family.”

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For many people, light means safety especially at night.

With the end of daylight savings time, there are certain areas around campus that students, faculty and staff should avoid because of poor lighting.

S. Mark Taper Life Science Botanical Garden

After dark, the only light in the Botanical Garden comes from the exterior hallways of the surrounding buildings.

Computer engineering major Daniel Adame, who takes a computer science evening class, admits to not feeling safe in this area.

“When I’m walking toward the Mall, it’s pitch black and hard to see,” said Adame. “There are a lot of trees around and you never know what can happen. It doesn’t feel like the safest place to be.”

Due to the recent time change, student Kim Kennedy no longer walks around campus at night alone.

“I don’t really feel that safe,” she said. “I always get scared because

this area is kind of creepy, especially when I’m by myself and all the construction that is going on.”

Mason Avenue/Stadium Way

The path that leads from the Mason Avenue entrance toward the Performing Arts building and down to Parking Lots 4 and 5 is arguably the darkest part of campus at night.

The streetlights that are in Parking Lot 4 are not yet synchronized with the time change causing a 20-minute gap, between 6:40 and 7 p.m., when there are no lights.

Sociology major Elizabeth Gasper, 19, recalls parking near Parking Lot 5 for an evening statistics class that she took last semester.

“I hate walking near that area,” said Gasper. “There’s literally no light, and no one was around. I don’t even see the sheriffs.”

Automotive Department students often work on assignments until 11p.m., according to Automotive Technology major Vance Waskielis, 20.

“I walked an older classmate to his car because it was so dark,” said Waskielis.

Club 411 Ars Poetica uses music to bring students together

Ars Poetica, a newly-formed club on campus, was founded with the purpose of giving students a way to express themselves through music.

“We are community artists collaborating collaborating in events to showcase our talents and establish outselves into the art world,” said Edgar Rodriguez, club president.

The club has previously cosponsored a Halloween event in the Great Hall.

Ars Poetica currently has 15 active members.

One of the projects the club is currently planning is a CD compilation of original songs.

Members are also planning an event they call “Storytime.”

“It’s an event dedicated to having artists explore the art of storytelling,” said Rodriguez.

Ars Poetica sometimes hold jamming sessions during their club meetings. Members bring their own instruments,

and the group spends part of the meeting playing music. The club meets Thursdays at 4 p.m. in room 3401 in the Music building.

An unlikely duo

Concert series continues with flute/guitar collaboration

Aflute and guitar pair, Duo Amantis, performed for the latest installment of concerts at Pierce with Renaissance and Baroque musical arrangements in the 3400 Music Building.

The duo met in 2006 while attending the California Institute of the Arts and their name is derived from a piece named “Lachrimae Amantis” which means the lover’s tears.

Duo Amantis began with a piece by a Portuguese artist Hector Villa-Lobos with Tara Schwab on the flute and Michael Kudirka on the guitar.

The song, titled “Distribuicao de Flores” consisted

of dramatic banging along the guitar frets, juxtaposed by the ethereal sounds of the flute. Forceful and sudden crescendos followed by soft melodies evoked the feelings as if being taken to a dramatic scene from a Shakespearean play.

To introduce their second movement, Schwab played a typical chromatic scale to give the audience a reference point as to how a typical scale should sound, followed by the unique scale that included extra high-pitched notes and sounds.

“This piece is really unique because the composer uses new scales. There are really no pieces prior to this that asks the flute to do this, so I got to make up the scale for all of these notes,” said Schwab.

Maurice Ravel originally composed their final arrangement, “Le Tombeau de Couperin”. This elegant

piece partnered a flowing and connected melody between the guitar and flute and sounded as if the music had been written in cursive.

Although music from the Baroque and Renaissance era were originally written for a lute, the predecessor to the guitar, Kudirka chooses to modernize the music by playing it on his handcrafted guitar by local classical guitar maker Greg Brandt.

“I use this guitar for pretty much everything except for when I play renaissance, then I’ll use a lute,” said Kudirka.

Those looking to break away from what’s typically heard on the radio today will find these classic sounds as a refreshing break that will challenge and surprise the eardrums.

“As a guitar player myself it definitely taught me

technique,” said student Alvaro Camarena, 20 after the concert. “It inspires you that that can be you if you keep on playing and never give up.”

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Victor Stephen Kamont

MELODIES: Former California Institute of the Arts students Tara Schwab and Michael Kudirka, together forms ʻDuo Amantis, perform at Afternoon Concert Series in room 3400 in the Music Building.

Shannon Ma sma.roundupnews@gmail.com

Answers from new ASO president

Lior Haykeen lhaykeen.roundupnews@gmail.com

semester.

Lynn Levitt

Febe Ruiz, 21, who is taking over as Associated Students Organi zation (ASO) president following the resignation of Gabriel Mellibosky, sits down with the Roundup to talk about her plans, intentions, and the budget crisis.

Q: A: Q: A:

What actions do you plan to take as the ASO President?

I want to inform the students about the budget crisis that we’re facing.

A lot of students don’t know that the winter and summer sessions have already been cancelled. They also don’t know that there have been 40 classes added to the sping semester. The one thing I want to leave behind is the students informed of where we’re at as students. I want to get creative about what we can do to help ourselves, like petitions or writing letters to our government.

What specifically do you plan to do to inform students?

The board and I have been talking about having an event at the Great Hall before the semester ends that will be led by students and let students know about budgets, classes and more. The semester, however, is wrapping up quickly, so if it’s not done this semester it will definitely be done early in the spring

Bond reports

James Hermon jhermon.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has created a “Dashboard Report” that will allow both officials and the public to monitor the usage of bond funds.

Pierce College President Kathleen BurkeKelly sent out an nine-page e-mail titled “First Monday Report” to faculty and staff last week.

The document outlines the steps the college is taking as it relates to moving forward with construction that is paid for by bond money.

The first Dashboard Report, which was released on the district’s website Nov. 3, reflects

Will you be here next semester?

No, I will be at Cal State Northridge.

Do you think the addition of 40 classes to the spring semester will compensate for the loss of winter and summer sessions?

I think it’s great that they’ll be adding 40 new sections, but I also think that canceling winter and summer sessions do push some students back. The cuts affect students’ education. I don’t think they should have completely cancelled winter and summer sessions.

What do you think about the recent cancellation of the Institutional Transit Access Pass (ITAP) program?

Q: A: Q: A: Q: A:

We’re actually trying to bring this up again in this Friday’s Student Affairs Committee, and discuss that with the other ASO’s. I have seen how it has affected a

a projected $145.3 million over-expenditure for August and $89.7 million for September district wide, according to Burke-Kelly.

“Although these reports are in flux, I think it is worthwhile to review the projected overexpenditures as we understand them today to consider any possible impact on the Pierce College bond fund allocation,” said BurkeKelly in the report.

The e-mail elaborated on the history of the bond funds, including a detail chart that breaks down all the funding associated with the bond project.

LACCD Chancellor Daniel LaVista will meet Dec. 6 with the Bond Steering Committee, which Burke-Kelly is a member of, and with the Board of Trustees Dec. 14 at the Capital Construction Board Committee meeting to address the deficit, according to Burke-Kelly.

lot of students here at Pierce, and I know that a lot of students would love the ITAP program to be brought back. We have a lot of students here who commute, and it could help many students access education. I am definitely for it. It’s only a matter of where we can pull the money from.

Q: A:

What is it about ASO that draws you into it?

I love working with peers who are my age. I felt like I didn’t want my college experience here at Pierce to be usual. I wanted to make it more memorable and meaningful, and leave a footprint behind in issues that do matter.

When I saw ASO as an opportunity to learn about leadership and the issues that are ongoing with the students, I felt like a wanted to serve in this capacity, be a part of the voice, stand for students and their rights and help in making this campus a better place.

Q: A:

paid position, not on the senate or an actual board member. After I got to know more about ASO, what we stand for and what we do for the students, I ran for vice president.

Q: A:

How much of your time do you devote to ASO?

I’m here most of the day everyday Monday through Friday. It’s a daily job, but I have to balance it out with my full-time school work, involvement with my church, my family and paying bills. I feel like when you love something a lot you will find the time to invest in it.

Q: A:

How long have you been a part of ASO for?

I have only been a part of ASO for a year now. I started off as a clerk, a

What do you want the students to know about you and the ASO?

I want them to know that we’re accessible. I encourage students to come in, ask questions, get involved and talk to us about ideas for events they would like to throw. We are here to help students with any issues, anything from environmental issues, academics, and social and cultural issues. Students should know that we, as students, have the power. Without the students, the school wouldn’t be here.

Building, and the Horticulture building. Representatives for each of these departments gave a presentation to the members of the PCC Nov. 10 to show why their department should be allowed to keep most of, if not all, of what has been proposed.

The Pierce College Committee (PCC) will deliberate next Thursday to make a decision regarding the troubled bond project construction.

Several of the upcoming construction projects will not be able to be completed as planned due to new cost projections from Build LACCD, according to a report from Pierce College President Kathleen Burke-Kelly.

The projects up for discussion included the Automotive Expansion project, the Digital Arts and Media building, the Green Technology

The Horticulture building was set to be started close to a year ago. But, due to internal issues with the construction company the project was never started, according to Dean of Research, Planning and Enrollment Management Carol Kozeracki.

“This issue effects all the projects that haven’t been started,” said Kozeracki. “Unfortunately we’re on that list still.”

The PCC will meet Nov. 17, at which time they will decide what to propose to BurkeKelly.

Something to cheer for after all

Football team to keep Victory Bell a er defeating Valley at new Shepard Stadium

Keeping the Victory Bell for a third year in a row, the Brahmas’ football team won their first and last home game of the season.

Enthusiastic fans filled the renovated stadium cheering the Brahmas to a blowout victory over the L.A. Valley with a score of 47-17.

On a play action pass, a huge block by tight end Beau Sandland created an opening for runningback Gregory Wanamaker to get a first down on a 19-yard gain.

“I feel like we played with a great positive attitude,” said Wanamaker. “I’ve been here for two years and this is actually my first game ever playing on this field, it’s a good memory for both me and my team to leave with.”

Quarterback Jake Basmagian completed more than 50 percent of his passes going 12 for 22, threw two touchdown passes on 212 yards, and rushed in the end zone for two touchdowns.

His longest pass of 45 yards resulted in a touchdown scored by wide receiver Martin Hill.

“Coach Martinez made it a point to say that tonight we were going to make history,” said Basmagian. “The season didn’t go the way we wanted it to but we had to defend the bell because it was the last thing that we had to fight for.”

Pierce was penalized 20 times, the most they had all season, resulting in a loss of 191 yards.

“This win erases all the tough things we had to go through this year,” said assistant head coach Jason

Sabolic. “Getting that 1-0 feeling at home is great because we didn’t get to play at home all year. It makes everything worth it.” Pierce had two fumble recoveries, one of which resulted in safety Johnnie Daniels running down the field into the end zone for a touchdown.

Cornerback Kasseim Everett is leaving this tough season in a positive note. “It was a good year, no matter the record,” he said.

Jake Minster said he’s just glad the team got to go out on a good note blowing out rivals L.A. Valley.

“It’s a good going away present for our sophomores and a good momentum for our freshmen coming back next year,” Martinez said.

SPIKE: Brahmasʼ freshman Danetta Boykin goes for the kill as Santa

Catie Roberts try to block the attempt.

Conference champs

dominated the first two sets against West L.A. with scores of 25-5 and 25-6.

“We’re just playing some very good volleyball right now,” said Mardini.

With two games left in the regular season, the Brahmas’ volleyball team obtained the Western Southern Conference Championship on Friday.

They earned this after defeating Santa Monica City College on Wednesday and West L.A. on Friday in three straight sets respectively.

The team keeps on racking up wins as their winning streak increases to 25 in a row.

“It was a team that we were expected to beat, and we did,” said head coach Nabil Mardini of West L.A. Pierce College came strong out the gates as they

Lindsey Kuramoto led the team on Friday with 19 assist.

“At all different areas of the game we are doing a pretty good job,” said Mardini.

Pierce won the third set with a final score of 25-10.

“We’re serving and passing very consistently which is helping us win so many games,” said Mardini.

The #1 state ranked Brahmas will face Citrus College for their final home game of the regular season on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.

“The regualar sesason is just meant to establish home court through out the playoffs,” said Mardini.

BRAHMAS THE OF WEEK

Soccer Football Volleyball

Angela Tafoya

TACKLE: Brahmasʼ running back Josh Johnson breaks the tackle of L.A. Valleyʼs free safety Motu Veaveaalagi and offensive linemen (L to R) Alex Flandez, James Sparks, Neemia Vitale on Satuday.

Alexandria Smith asmith.roundupnews@gmail.com

Angela Tafoya

HOLD: L.A. Valleyʼs Winston Rose attempts to tackle Brahmasʼ wide Joseph Morris.

Javier Zazueta

Monicaʼs Lani Mikaele and

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