Volume 116 Spring 2012 Roundup Issue 9

New buildings on the horizon

Six construction sites on campus have been eed om current holds

Michaia Hernandez mhernandez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Six Pierce College construction projects will be released early from the moratorium imposed by the Los Angeles Community College District on a number of building projects late last year.

The district had originally deemed 10 projects eligible for early release, but the administration decided to ask to be able to move forward with only six of them, college president

Kathleen Burke-Kelly said in a Pierce College Council meeting last month.

The projects that qualified were either a remodel of an existing facility or an infrastructure project, not buildings that were looking to add additional square feet, she said.

The six projects decided upon were the Performing Arts Building renovation, the Mason Avenue reroute, classroom modernization and technology upgrade of the classrooms south of the Pierce Mall, landscape and campus accessibility for both the South of Mall and the De Soto Avenue/Mason Avenue entrance, and

Eyes looking to the future

Daily News page editor educates journalism students in Great Hall

Monica Velasquez mvelasquez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Adaption to new technology was what journalism students were reminded of in The Great Hall on Monday.

Hammerwold was part of the Media Arts Department Speaker Series, organized by Amara Aguilar an assistant professor of multimedia.

“We bring these speakers in to share their experiences and create a dialog among what they are doing in the profession or other issues related to the media industry,” Aguilar said.

During his time with the students Hammerwold discussed how the Internet has impacted his career.

“The internet is the biggest threat to my profession and my career as a journalist,” Hammerwold said. He was also not afraid to tell students that people in the journalism field are losing their jobs.

“We lost 45 percent to 50 percent depending on what number you look at of journalism jobs in this country over the last four years,” Hammerwold said.

Hammerwold explained that professionals who are getting laid off are not willing to adapt.

“If you want a job and you have the right skills this is a prime time to be a journalist,” Hammerwold said.

He spoke of the importance of being adaptable.

“The internet is the single biggest opportunity for our profession and [their] career as a journalist.”

One of the recommendations that Hammerwold provided was to start a portfolio and have something to show that spans years of work as opposed to just a few months.

“No one wants to read your story, they want to be informed,” Hammerwold said.

At Pierce College COMMA Aguilar is aware of the changing times.

“In the Media Arts Department our focus is on the fundamental journalism skills no matter what format you’re using or what platform you’re using,” Aguilar said.

Steven Rosenberg, a web editor at The Daily News is using technology like Twitter to help him with news judgment.

“I watch it for breaking news and know how ‘important’ a story is by how often it appears in my Twitter stream,” Rosenberg said during an email interview.

While the idea of Twitter is new in regards to the days of the printing press Hammerwold feels that it is just another step of the process.

“I am a journalist,” Hammerwold said.

campus-wide utilities extensions.

Among the building projects, two deal with landscape and accessibility, one deals with a student learning environment, and one deals with parking lot improvements.

In taking them off the construction moratorium, the district will be expending a total of $33 million, according to the final expanded moratorium list released by BuildLACCD.

The four other projects that qualified, but were not chosen, for early release are the expanded automotive and new technical

education facilities, West Central Plant, and parking lot and roadway projects by the anthropology and geography building and for lots 5 and 6.

“There were some projects that we could have asked for, but there were still some issues with the remaining buildings,” Burke-Kelly said during the meeting. She cited the West Central Plant as an example. The plant is associated with the project to expand the automotive facility, but because of design awarding issues, it wasn’t one of the projects chosen to move

forward with.

“I think the president [BurkeKelly] is trying to be very fair and accommodating [with the projects],” Tom Fortune, chairman of the Industrial Technology department, said.

The campus now plans to proceed with looking for a consultant to help with the reevaluation of the projects, according to Project Deputy Director Ed Cadena.

“[We’re applying] the measure of master planning so that we can address not only budgets and educational projects, but also be

responsible to things the moratorium is speaking to,” he said.

The construction moratorium was implemented by LACCD so that they could evaluate whether or not they could afford to maintain and operate projects under its 14-year, $6 billion Building Program.

“In essence, the district’s evaluation of the candidates does show that there won’t be an increase in maintenance requirements,” Cadena said. “Some, [like parking lots] don’t even involve maintenance and operation.”

Mixing food and culture

Many gather to dance and eat at diversity festival

Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

Salsa music spilled through the speakers as a live band played for a large gathering of students during the Cultural Diversity Celebration.

Food trucks featuring Cuban, American, and Mexican food were lined up on campus, allowing students to try out various foods from different cultures.

“It’s interesting. I’m definitely into the music and I like the style they’re putting into it,” Anirudh Rai, who attended the event, said.

Andre Morris played the trombone for the live band, Latin Sol.

The lead singer, Angelo Salazar, is a Pierce student.

A group of students sat watching and listening while others started dancing.

“I think the music is bomb. I haven’t tried [the food] yet but I’m trying to get to it,” Angel Rosales said.

The Cuban food truck featured classic Cuban food such as black beans and rice, fried plantains

and other treats for those in attendance.

A May Day event was occurring simultaneously right next to the celebration so students were attending that as well.

Paige Reimer was there to support her friend and the cause.

“My friend is one of the people speaking about budget cuts and where our school’s money goes when it’s not going to the school,” Reimer said. “I just learned about May Day last Monday.”

Assistant Professor of Sociology James McKeever was at the event, supporting the May Day celebration and supporting students speaking their minds.

“It’s International Worker’s Day Rights, it’s celebrating all of the things we have, that we appreciate that workers and unions have fought for,” McKeever said.

Students weren’t just celebrating but also using the event as a time to speak against increasingly serious budget issues and budget cuts.

With a microphone and a mini stage, students protested with words.

With all of the incidents surrounding students protesting, Reimer spoke out about the fear behind it now.

“All the protesting that has worked in the past is now illegal and it’s really sad,” Reimer said.

Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would prevent students interest rates from nearly doubling. For more,

Jose Romero Pointer: Walter Hammerwold of the Daily News speaks to a crowd of Media Arts students gathered in the Great Hall.

Jasson Bautista

Headliners: Latin Sol perform at Rocky Young Park to gathered students during the Cultural Diversity celebration on May 1.

Jasson Bautista

Dance: Karen Melgar and Matt Amper Keyboard player of Latin Sol, dancing at the Diversity Day celebration on May 1.

Who will save higher education?

Rescuing colleges from imminent destruction

California community colleges have seen better days. Unfortunately, it seems that things are going to get much worse before they get any better.

Just this year, the California Community Colleges (CCC) system has been hit with multiple budget cuts resulting in a total loss of $502 million. This is 8 percent of the system’s funds.

Due to these cuts, community colleges have had to turn down an estimated 670,000 students statewide, according to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO).

The CCC system is the largest in the nation and with so many invested in the system, fiscal priority should be given to community colleges to establish a foundation for the state’s future.

These cuts have resulted in Pierce dropping 6,000 students from enrollment this semester. That’s about 25 percent of the school’s student population.

Administration has had to freeze the hiring of any new faculty, cut the winter session completely, and limit the summer to core classes.

Departments have had to operate with shrinking funds and even fewer sections with another 200 sections to be cut from the Spring 2013 schedule.

Come this summer, enrollment will increase another $10 per unit and the sad part is that’s not even half of our problems.

New limitations on Federal Pell Grants leave students with little to look forward to, but empty wallets, overcrowded classrooms, and higher fees.

On top of this, Pierce’s administration is preparing for the possibility of another 7 percent budget cut, as will be determined by the Nov. 6 general elections when voters will decide on a state budget plan.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget plan focuses on solving the state’s $9.2 billion deficit by implementing a temporary tax increase with the goal of resolving the state’s budget crisis by 2016.

Even if Gov. Brown’s ambitious plan is passed, community college students will have to hope that state revenues pick up and meet the target mark. If state earnings do not hit their target mark by Jan. 1, 2013, then $4.8 billion in cuts will automatically be made to the educational budget.

Unfortunately, there is not much students can do at the moment but educate themselves and inform others about the matter.

This financial nosedive would prove detrimental to Pierce’s daily operations. The English writing lab would no longer be available to students. The Chemistry department would lack chemicals. The print edition of this student publication would no longer exist.

Pierce should also consider having students pay their dues at registration. Too many students are dropping classes for whatever reason. This new procedure would encourage completion of courses and would also fill more seats that would normally end up empty. This means more money for the college.

In these tough times we need to be the change. At the very least we should vote. Voting is our right, responsibility, and duty. In order to make a difference we have to cast our ballots accordingly.

Ballot measure AB 1500 and AB 1501 or the Middle Class Scholarship Act, as it’s better known, would be great if the measure was not held together by “if.”

MCSA plans to cut fees by 2/3 while at the same time eliminating the way multi-state corporation’s file for taxes in California. It would also raise these corporation’s taxes.

Currently some of these corporations take advantage of a “loophole”. This means that these corporations have two possible ways to file taxes in the state of California.

The money that would go to community colleges, if this measure passes, would be $150 million and it would be left up to the school where and how the money would be used.

MCSA mission is to help provide financial aid to students who earn under $150,000 a year. That would mean, according to the MCSA website, a student in a CSU would have their fees cut from $5,472 to $1,970 and a UC student’s fees would be cut from $12,192 to $4,023.

This would be great for any student currently receiving financial aid; not only would our fees be cut, but our CC’s would have $150 million they could spend.

With that extra money the schools could decide to cut even more fees and make our education even more affordable or they could use that money to add more classes. Currently the measure does not clarify how the money, that the CCs revive, would be used; therefore they could use that money to open up or add more courses.

Opening up more courses would

be the ideal way to go since, as it is, community college fees in California are low and with the growing number of students and no preset outline on how to spend that proposed money it would wise to open up more courses. The downfall of this measure is in the fact that it would tax out of state corporations more and it would eliminate the two choice tax filing; something we voted for four years ago. If the measure passes there would be the possibility of these corporations closing down their shops and possibly moving to another state since this measure plans increase taxes by $1 billion.

Although that treat remains, MCSA would be beneficial to just about every college student. With the rising fees it would be great to get a break. The economy is on a slow recovery track, living expenses are going up, and textbooks are overpriced. This measure would ease the financial burden on parents and students.

West Valley Occupational Center provides career training to help people succeed in future jobs at low or no cost, but the possible closure of the school will limit choices in education.

West Valley is also one of the 400 California Adult Schools that assist parents, older adults, disabled adults and recent immigrants.

If the school closes its doors, not only are people left with less options of hands on experience before a real job but everyone working there will lose employment.

I recently spoke to one of my coworkers attending West Valley and he worries that the closure would be a setback for those in the process of getting a certificate.

The school is funded until June 30 and after, it’s future will be determined on the May revision of the state budget.

Though this may not sound like a certain decision yet, the $557 million shortfall in budget makes it impossible to believe that a school can surpass that.

According to the West Valley Occupational Center website, only some courses are transferable to other local California community colleges.

The time and money put into those classes will suddenly become a waste for many students, eventually they will have to retake them and spend twice the amount.

It’s bad enough for students to have less amount of classes and increasing prices but now the threat to close a career education school will leave students a step behind.

Yes, adults and students can count on private schools and community colleges for further need but it’s not like the financial status there is any better.

Around 30 other LAUSD schools will also be affected by this decision, according to the occupational center’s assistant principal, Don Kihara.

Many people may argue that adult schools are not necessary, or better yet, helpful because the possibility of adults to obtain jobs are slim.

But these centers provide much more then career training. A student can earn a high school diploma or GED, learn English, apply for internships and most importantly achieve goals and upgrade personal skills.

To someone elderly personal achievements are much more rewarding.

Everyone deserves a chance to improve and succeed at their own pace, whether it may be for a professional job or simply a hobby.

Save West Valley Occupational.

Maria

Hiring planned for fall

Pierce is looking to acquire 10 new sta and faculty

Aurora Ramirez aramirez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Plans of a hiring freeze were cancelled as the Academic Senate Committee is now accepting applications for 10 new hires, which are expected to be hired for fall 2012.

This was announced last week after the administration had already declared a freeze on hiring late March.

Racing for congress

Congressional district candidates speak of their views

sion the morning of May 3.

The current 30th congressional district representative is Democrat Henry Waxman.

Six candidates for California’s 30th congressional district informed the public of their opinions regarding contreversial topics at town hall meetings in the Great Hall.

The candidates, which represent three political parties, were each given two minutes to summarize their political platforms, and then answered students’ questions regarding illegal immigration, taxes and tuition increase.

The event, which was open to the public, was moderated by instructor of political sciences Denise Robb, Ph.D.

The candidates who participated were Democrat Vince Gilmor, Green Party’s Michael Powelson, Republican Mark Reed, Republican Susan Shelley, Republican Navraj Singh and Democrat Brad Sherman.

Congressman Sherman was not able to attend the debate the evening of May 1, to which he sent a representitive, and was hosted at the Great Hall for a question and answer ses-

The 2012 congressional elections will take place Nov. 6. These were the candidates’ platforms in regards to the following issues:

Illegal immigration

Powelson: “This country thrived thanks to immigrants,” he said. “It’s outrageous the way immigrants are treated in this country.”

Reed: “I’m for people who come here ready to work and seek a better life,” he said. “I’d vote for elements of the dream act.”

Shelley: “Right now, we need economic growth,” she said. “We just can’t pay for people coming here right now.”

Singh: “No country in the world has a better immigration policy than the U.S.,” he said. “But people who come here illegaly have broken the law. Do you want to tolerate that kind of behavior?”

Sherman: We support the Dream

Act. We need to pass the dream act, and make sure higher education is funded properly.

Taxing the people

Gilmore: “We should abolish income tax,” he said. “It’s unconstitutional and illegal.”

Powelson: “We should tax the wealthy more,” he said.

Reed: “It’s not fair to tax invetments and divorce,” he said. “When your children hit the ground, is it fair that they owe the counry $100 thousand off the bat?”

Shelley: “Income tax and property tax should be equal, but should only be 5 percent,” she said.

Singh: “All taxes should be lower,” he said. “If you’ll have lower taxes, you’ll have so much money coming to the U.S. you won’t know what to do with it.

Tuition increase

Powelson: “Let’s go back to free education,” he said.

Singh: “Education is becoming dust,” he said. “We need to stop tuition price from increasing.”

“The college has no money, and we’re still $4 million short,” President of Academic Senate Tom Rosdahl said in March when explaining the senate the reason for the planned hiring freeze.

The new hires are expected in the following departments: Library, Counseling, Speech, History and Math.

“As the district decides along with the college how many will be able to be hired, we then decide how many to go down on that list,” said Tom Rosdahl.

A total of ten new hires is the maximum the district is allowing any Los Angeles Community College to add as full time faculty members.

The committee will be accepting one librarian, one counselor, two speech professors and four math professors.

“We are going through a number of changes, changes on everything, especially on administration,”

President Kathleen Burke-Kelly said in this Monday’s Academic Senate meeting.

As a result, new committees will

be established to advertise the positions, which will need to be advertised for about six weeks.

Yet, some committee members feel there should have been new hires for other programs that help students.

“ I believe there should be new hires for the writing lab and academic success,” chair of Chemistry department Isidore Goodman said. “These programs are the ones that help shape our students to become more efficient.”

Pierce College business major Mayra Cruz feels there should be more help for students.

“It takes days, sometimes weeks, for us to have a chance to speak to counselors,” she said.

New vice president appointed

Johnson-Hawkins might potentially be interested in postponing her retirement.” Alma JohnsonHawkins, who is the vice president of Academic Affairs at LAMC, will be replacing Joy McCaslin, the current president of Student services. Among JohnsonHawkins’ previous experiences in higher education

are dean of Academic Affairs at LAMC and dean of the Workforce Education and Economic Development at East Los Angeles College.

She has over 30 years of administrative and faculty experience.

“She has a lot of experience with accreditation,” Burke-Kelly said.

Johnson-Hawkins is planned to work at Pierce

for the next year only.

“I know her and her work-style, and know she would be a good fit with the team we have thus far, which is myself and Anna Davies,” Burke-Kelly said when explaining the reason she chose JohnsonHawkins to be the vice president of Student Services at Pierce.

Contributing: Lior Haykeen

Sheriff’s Blotter

Compiled by Michaia Hernandez

Graffiti:

April 24 - Graffiti was reported in the men’s restrooms of the Math building.

Burglary:

April 25 - An overhead projector was stolen from BUS 3208.

Arrest:

May 2 - A male West Valley Occupational Center student was arrested on the south side of Victory Boulevard and jailed for outstanding warrants.

Courtesy of Mark Reed

Courtesy of Susan Shelley Ava Weintraub

Politics: Democrat Rep. Brad Sherman, Republican Susan Shelley and Republican Mark Reed.

Bus stop confessions

Riding along with the general public is no problem for professor

Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

You might be surprised to find your history professor sitting next to you on your bus ride home.

For the students of Brian Walsh, a history professor, this is a normal occurrence.

Walsh has been living in California for around 11 years and during his time here he has never owned a car, he said.

At first it was, as it is for most, due to a lack of funds.

But as his career stabilized and he started to make more money, everyone around him persisted on asking him why he didn’t drive.

This sparked a rebellion for Walsh.

“I just liked seeing how upset people got when they were telling me, ‘you don’t drive? You don’t have a car? You’ve got to get a car.’ I was like ‘no, you’ve got to get rid of your car,” he said.

Eleven years later, Walsh has a wife and child and they aren’t really affected by his bus riding habits, he said.

“It’s tough at times [not having a car] but I make the most of it,” Walsh said.

The financial benefits are still enough to keep him walking to the bus stop every day.

Pierce student Kohta Nishitani, 21, doesn’t think it’s surprising to hear about a professor riding the bus.

“That’s saving money. With gas prices going up it’s cheaper to ride the bus,” Nishitani said.

Walsh lives in South Pasadena, so to get to Pierce he takes the Gold Line to the Red Line to the Orange Line.

Although professor Walsh has to take three busses to get to work heon time most of the time.

He thinks of this in a positive light. It used to be worse, he said.

Before the Orange Line, Walsh used to take the Rapid bus down Ventura and walk up the steep hill to arrive at Pierce.

Timing is an issue though. When riding the bus, you have to start your journey an hour or two before those with cars.

“I do think I get up way too early [to make it to class on time], around 4 a.m.,” Walsh said.

While riding the bus he gains a lot of extra time, time he uses to grade papers, tests, and read the paper.

“Sometimes I see former students and current students riding the same bus,” Walsh said with a laugh. “It makes grading tests a little challenging.”

One concern for those riding the bus is safety and strangers trying to bother or talk to you.

“I was on the Orange Line when a driver got stabbed in the face, and a few of my stu-

dents were on the bus too,” he said.

According to Walsh the day of the incident, he was falling asleep when he heard something. When Walsh looked up he saw a man in the back cutting his own face open with a knife and smearing the blood on the windows.

When the bus driver asked if everything was OK the stranger walked up and stabbed him in the face.

Funding the right way

Kevin Perez kperez.roundupnews@gmail.com

The coming fall semester brings new changes to Pierce, as well as to Kanny Morgan, who’ll be stepping in as the new Associated Students Organization (ASO) treasurer.

After running unopposed with 454 students voting in favor and 42 students voting against her, Morgan feels confident that she’ll have no trouble fulfilling the duties of her new position.

“I know a lot about my duties, and [I’ve already been] involved in them,” she said.

She attributes her familiarity with the duties of treasurer to her friendship with Fernando Aquino, current ASO treasurer. “I wasn’t too worried about the duties I’d have to have,” she said. “It was just making it official by winning, I guess.”

Her confidence is backed up by her resolve to use her position to manage ASO’s funds responsibly.

“I want to spend our money wisely, and with the budget cuts the ASO is receiving less money because there’s less students attending,” Morgan said. One challenge she’ll be facing next semester is cutting $18,000 from the budget, she said. One way she plans on tackling this problem is by curbing wasteful spending.

“We’re just throwing money around that we don’t have,” she said.

The man had carved the word ‘haven’ into his stomach and began to flick his blood all over the passengers, including Walsh, he said.

“There are some weird encounters on the bus, cause there’s all sorts of people on the bus, especially people that don’t have money, but it’s totally worth it,” Nishitani said.

As part of her position, she’ll oversee that clubs on campus spend the money they’ve been given properly. She plans on making sure that the majority of the money allocated goes to events that affect the most students, she said.

Her colleagues at the ASO are hopeful that she’ll do a great job.

“I know she’ll do a good job. She’s a good student as it is,” said Calvin Montano, an ASO senator.

And as for what they’d like to her accomplish while in office, they hope that she lives up to her promises of fiscal responsibility.

“With the current budget crisis I hope she allocates the money wisely,” said EJ Tormes, the current Club

Council president. Morgan joined the ASO a year ago, and previously served as an ASO senator. She became involved in the ASO, she said, because she had many friends already involved in it. She’s majoring in business and plans on going into advertising or marketing or starting her own business. She hopes serving as treasurer would look on her transcript, she said, but added that she ran for treasurer primarily because of her commitment to the ASO. “I’m also dedicated to the ASO, and I care about where money goes and where we spend it,” she said.

Jasson Bautista Smile: Professor Walsh stands outside his history class to pose for a photo.

I do think I get up way too early, around 4 a.m.

- Professor Brian Walsh

Jasson Bautista

Treasurer: Kanny Morgan, the new Associated students Organization (ASO) treasurer, poses for a picture.

National grant awarded to three teachers

Aroura Ramierez aramierez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Three faculty members from the Pierce College Department of Art & Architecture participated in the 2012 National Endowment for the Humanities Institutes Grants for the summer of 2012.

Art Adjunct Instructor Nina Berson, Art Instructor Constance Moffatt, and Architecture Professor John Maloney, all of whom are part of the Pierce College Art & Architecture Department received the endowment.

The grants that were awarded to the professors were created in favor to support faculty development programs in the humanities for college and university teachers.

Each Professor will be studying a different concept of humanities.

The three different subjects will be Mesoamerica in Mexico and the Southwest, Leonardo and science in Florence, and lastly Etruscan Urbanism in Italy.

The institute’s goal is to broaden

the understanding of a subject to expand its’ humanities teaching. Led by teams of scholars, the professors will be guided in their complex subject.

Art Historian Nina Berson will be working on site in Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico between June 17 and July 23 of 2012, where she will study the relationship between Pre-

UPCOMING EVENTS

Free Concerts Art

May 10

Pianist Danny Holt

May 17

Percussion duo

May 24

Pierce student concert

*All concerts will be held in Music 3400 at 12:45p.m.

Spring Dance Concert

May 14-June 7

Annual Pierce College Student Exhibition

Award Ceremony & Opening Reception

May 17, 6-9p.m.

* Location TBA

May 18 and 19 at 8p.m. May 20 at 2p.m.

Location: Temporary theater complex

Tickets: $10

Columbian Mexican Indians and those that are founded in the southwest in “Mesoamerica and the Southwest: A New History for an Ancient Land.”

Likewise Architecture Professor

John Maloney will conduct his studies in Orvieto, Florence and Rome from June 5 through the 25 . Where he will be examining early urban planning and construction methods in “The

Legacy of Ancient Italy, the Etruscan and Early Roman City.”

Art Instructor Constance Moffatt will research how Leonardo Da Vinci joined art and science. She will institute her studies in Florence, Italy from June 25 through July 13.

“Learning more about what they already teach in the courses they offer makes me as a student give more credibility to their explanations and their view on the concept itself,” Pierce student, Mark Wong said. Nevertheless the National Endowment for the Humanities research that will be conducted by the professors are sponsored by the Community College Humanities Association and the University of Virginia/ Kunsthistorisches Institute in Florence.

“ I think that this is an a amazing opportunity for the professors and students as well,” aspiring art major, Diana Velasquez said, “Because what they learn through their studies will eventually be taught in the classrooms.”

Free cello concert

Hardly a chair was left empty in Music 3400 as cellist Ruslan Biryukov and pianist James Lent played together officially for the first time for the free afternoon concerts series held Thursdays.

Both have appeared separately at Pierce for the concert series in other semesters, but this is the first time they have played together for this occasion.

Both musicians love coming to Pierce because of the respect the audience at the concerts always show, and both would come to Pierce again.

“I always appreciate the students and enjoy the questions asked,” Lent said.

Biryukov and Lent have known each other for 10 years through the University of Southern California and through Lent accompanying Biryukov during various competitions.

Biryukov started playing the cello at 7-years-old, when he was forced to switch to a new instrument because his mother refused to teach him piano any longer.

“I was kind of happy,” Biryukov said.

After failing the entrance exam to a music school, he was contacted by the director of the school who informed him that he could receive cello instructions at one-twentieth the cost of continuing piano lessons elsewhere.

“I didn’t enjoy it at first, but I grew to enjoy it as I learned how to express myself through its sound,” Biryukov said.

Lent, on the other hand, has played piano his whole life since he was 8-years-old. He started playing because of his experience listening to his next-door-neighbor play, and received lessons from a neighbor across

the street. “It just made an impression on me,” Lent said.

Kinesiology major Mattew Mike,21, attended the concert for his music appreciation class, but even coming to the concerts has sparked his interest in the musicians that play at Pierce.

“I’ve never been to a performance before [my] music appreciation class,” Mike said.

Biryukov and Lent’s concert was just another reason for him to enjoy

the ability of professional musicians.

“[Their performance was] very powerful and passionate,” Mike said. “Both musicians played with a lot of feeling.”

Although members of the audience were impressed by the performance, Biryukov and Lent feel that there is always room for improvement.

“[Our performance] went pretty well, but there’s always room for improvement,” Biryukov said. “The performance can be wonderful, but it can never be too perfect.”

Brent Spector bspector.roundupnews@gmail.

Todd Rosenblatt

Cellist: Ruslan Biryukov plays his second free concert at Pierce.

Courtesy of Doreen Clay

The Winners Are: Art and Architecture Department adjunct instructors Constance Moffat, John Maloney and Nina Berson (left to right) will use their endowments to help further their studies and teach what they learn in the classroom.

2012 Dive team

FALLING FREE

Feeling weightless and falling gracefully back to earth is the addiction. Diving off a three-meter springboard is the fix. The Pierce College Diving Team, lead by coach Josh Foster, works hard at perfecting the difficult dives they must perform in competition. “It’s a lot of fun and freeing but it’s definately a mental sport,” said team member Danielle Williamson, 21. “It’s the hang time you spend floating in the air that I love,” said team member Mike Brown.

“It’s the hang time we are all addicted to.”

— Mike Brown

ABOVE: Mike Brown, 20, performs a reverse dive from the three-meter springboard.

RIGHT: Mike Brown’s diving flight takes him upside down before completing his dive.

James Howard, 19, in a tuck position performs somersaults as part of his dive.

Photos and essay by Ava Weintraub

Club reaches out with Bible talks

Maria Salvador msalvador.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Campus Advance Bible Talk club stems from the Los Angeles International Church of Christ, and is among the many ministries in the church spreading the word about Jesus of the Bible.

“It’s an outreach for students,” social work major Kimberly Lemos said. “Our main goal is to really help people gain a relationship with God or just help them find themselves, or whatever they’re looking for.”

Michael Suard, a new member of the club, said he enjoyed the meeting and would come again if his 17-unit schedule allowed it.

“It’s in between classes,” Suard said. “I [have] a biology class I just finished and then I’m waiting for football.”

Annette Chevez, a child development major, usually attends both meetings each week.

“There’s not really a big difference between both days. They’re both ‘Bible Talks,’” Chevez said.

Since more people began to show up, the club decided to meet on two different days.

“We realized that if there’s more of us maybe we can divide it,” Chevez said. “That way we have two ‘Bible Talks,’ not just one, so if people can’t go to a Wednesday [meeting], they can go to a Thursday one.”

Samantha Williams swilliams.roundupnews@gmail.com

Students who join the Honors program at Pierce College will be rewarded a priority standing in many colleges and the satisfaction of taking challenging classes, said Elizabeth Strother, director of the program.

According to Strother, majority of students in the Honors program strive to one day transfer to the University of California, Los Angeles. UCLA gives priority enrollment to students within the program.

Seventy-eight percent of the honor students who applied to UCLA from Pierce were accepted last year, while only 31 percent of non-honor students were accepted, according to statistics provided by Strother.

“There’s a huge difference there,” Strother said.

Pierce’s Honors program also gives its members an edge when applying to UCLA by being affiliated with the university’s Transfer Alliance Program (TAP). This program greatly aids students who will transfer to UCLA as juniors.

To be qualified to join the Honors program, one must have at least 12 credits that are transferable to University of California campuses and a grade point average of at least 3.25.

However, Strother believes that the most important requirement is a student’s eligibility to be enrolled in English 101.

Strother notes that the Honors program focuses heavily on writing and research. Chris Lauterdale, the senior office assistant for the Honors program, understands just how writing intensive the courses are.

“I was in the Honors program back in the dark ages,” Lauterdale said, laughing. “It really helped me with writing, research, presentations, and group work.”

The Honors program offers formal Honors classes that encompass most subjects. These classes, according to Strother, offer more vigorous coursework for students.

“It provides a more challenging experience at Pierce,” Strother said.

Some students, like Nima Ganjehloo, 19, an electronic engineering major, welcome the challenge.

“I’d join it because the competition for my major is pretty intense. I’ll probably sign up next semester,” Ganjehloo said.

However, not all students would jump at the opportunity to enroll in classes with more difficult and time consuming course work.

“I would not join the Honors program,” said Brandon Katz, 18, majoring in film. “I don’t think I would be qualified for it.”

Math requirements finished quickly

Kal Valasek kvalasek.roundupnews@gmail.com

The Statway program, started in Fall 2011, helps students finish their math requirements in two semesters instead of three.

The play of this program is to make sure students finish their math requirements in a more quickly and efficient manner.

“Instead of taking the three semester path of Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and Statistics, students take two semesters of Statway,” said Bob Martinez, instructor of mathematics.

The students will still be learning everything they will need to know for

their required math studies.

“Statway has very interesting material and students can finish their math sequence faster but at the same time receive very relevant and valuable information,” Martinez said.

The Statway program may sound like a shortcut out of Pierce, it still requires plenty of work.

“Statway is not easy, but it offers an alternative for students who otherwise might hit a barrier in the Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 sequence,” Martinez said.

There will be a total of 10 CSU transferable credits offered from theses classes upon a completion with an A, B, or C grade. This will be five credits per semester, according to the Statway Pierce College’s Journey PowerPoint.

UC schools are currently deciding whether or not if these credits will become transferable.

Students that plan to transfer and continue studying classes for liberal arts, humanities, and social science can use these credits.

However, there are limitations to what classes these credits are useful for.

If the major requires specific math courses like business or nursing the credits will not work towards them.

The classroom work consists of in-class lessons used for activities, discovery, and individual or group work, according to the PowerPoint.

There is an online web-based software to do additional homework called MyStatway.

Aside from the meetings at Pierce, the club has “fun nights” on Fridays, where they have small meetings similar to the on-campus ones, barbecues, bowling, karaoke, trips to the snow, or retreats.

The club has meetings Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the Christian Science Center along Zelzah Avenue and Lassen Street.

The club also meets for church service Sundays at Canoga Park High School at 10 a.m.

Currently, the club leaders are Matthew Mike and Alicia Bunn on Wednesdays, and Enrique Vargas and Lemos on Thursdays.

There are similar clubs present in other colleges such as California State University Northridge, Mission College and Valley College, according to Lemos.

People of different religious backgrounds and viewpoints are welcome to the club.

“Obviously we don’t know everything, we’re not perfect, so it’s more of a learning and teaching experience for us,” Lemos said.

The Campus Advance Bible Talk club meets Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. in EB 1260 by the Botanical Garden.

Jasson Bautista

Taking the positive from adversity

Baseball team’s head coach highlights his athletes’ never quit mentality

Melissa Trahin mtrahin.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brahmas baseball left the season confused, as to what went wrong.

Head coach John Bushart stumbled over words to try and find the right answer and still none seem to be it.

“I am still trying to figure it out,” he said. “It was a decently talented team and that is the frustrating part.”

Pierce carried a young team with more then half of them as freshman and most from successful high school baseball programs used to winning more.

“I don’t think we understood what we needed to do to overcome all the challenges,” said pitcher Ryan Blakely. “Most people on the team came to Pierce used to winning.”

During the season, Bushart made changes to try and help the team bond and improve, 6 a.m. practices were once their daily routine but later became unnecessary.

“The biggest challenge was coming together as a team and really bonding,” said pitcher Nick Murphy. “We just could not find ways to win.”

Aside from the losses, Brahmas suffered from injuries like Murphy’s, which kept him out for the last three weeks of the season.

Though it was just one player, Murphy was a key hitter for the team. Before his wrist injury his batting average was .500, the highest among Pierce players.

“That hurt,” said Bushart. “That is one of the reasons why our offense went down.”

Murphy’s injury started out with mild pains and quickly worsen when he tried to play through it.

“Eventually it hurt too much to swing, it was very frustrating because I wanted to play and help my team,” Murphy said.

Bushart is currently looking to recruit new players from different

high schools, and even though there are many options he is now more than ever being careful on his choices.

“When you don’t have a successful season you pay a little more attention to the recruiting and who you bring in,” he said. “Pitching is the number one thing.”

According to Bushart, leadership was missing but there were a few guys that stepped up and in the end got rewarded for their effort and accomplishments.

Pierce baseball coaches held a conference meeting last Sunday where they voted on first and second team all conference.

Blakely, Murphy, outfielder Kevin Torres, and first baseman Nick Schmidt made second team all

conference.

“It’s an honor, I worked very hard during the fall and even though I got hurt it’s nice that something came out of it,” Murphy said.

The Brahmas look forward to next year and will begin to prepare in September for a new beginning.

“The focus for the team has already changed to next year and getting back to playoff baseball where Pierce is meant to be,” said Blakely.

Regardless of the obstacles, Brahmas baseball stood strong and fought until the end.

“As a team, coaching staff included, we got to a point where we lost our fight, but these guys never quit even though it was pretty easy to,” said Bushart.

Swimming team falls short at state meet

Swimmers Lara Hagopian, Samantha

Elam,

and Blair Kroetz

represent Pierce at the California State Swimming Championship

Taylor Rouch trouch.roundupnews@gmail.com

After breaking eight Pierce College records during the season, the swim team competed at this year’s California Community College Athletic Association’s Swimming State Championship. The championships took place at East Los Angeles College April 2628.

Pierce’s swimmers Lara Hagopian and Samantha Elam made the cut.

Hagopian’s best races were the 50-yard and the 100-yard, she placed fourth in both.

“I feel like I really pulled through at state, I’m happy for how I did, for my first year especially,” said

Season by the numbers

36 games played

9-27 overall record (6-13 home) (3-15 away)

314 hits

12 home runs

179 walks

270 strikeouts

5.53 team ERA

Hagopian.

Elam’s best was the 1650-yard; where she placed second and the 500yard, where she placed third.

“It was a lot of fun but it was a lot of work, it was definitely way harder than last year,” Elam said.

Swimming team’s head coach Fred Shaw said he was proud of the team including male swimmer Blair Kroetz, who according to Shaw, improves immensely with every competition.

“The only people that get invited to the state championships are the 16 fastest people in the entire state of California,” Shaw said. Kroetz placed fourth in the 100yard, and five in the 200-yard.

“I’ve been at Pierce 20 years and this was by far the fastest

championship I’ve ever seen,” Shaw said. “A few years ago what it took to win the event, is what it takes to even be invited to the meet.”

Shaw wasn’t the only one speculating on how much faster the opponents were this time.

“The craziest part about it was the level everyone was at,” Hagopian said. “If you’re swimming at your own conference and you’re number one there you think you’re at a certain level, but everyone else over there is crazy fast.”

According to Hagopian, next season looks really promising for the team in terms of competing at a higher level.

“I am so excited next year we’re going to kick butt,” she said.

Jasson Bautista

Tobias: Brahma baseball sophomore infielder Christian Tobias.

Todd Rosenblatt

Base hit: Sophomore infielder Matt Sanchez belts a base hit in the Brahmas’ baseball game against College of the Canyons April 12.