Volume 117 Fall 2012 Roundup Issue 3

Anthropology comes naturally for professor

Violet Canelo/Roundup vcanelo.roundupnews@gmail.com

Anthropologists tend to travel often to expand their knowledge on humans from different cultural backgrounds, including one professor at Pierce College who has traveled around the world.

Anthropology professor Dr. J.S. Noble Eisenlauer has visited over 70 countries for recreational purposes and for anthropology research.

He is originally from Palo Alto, Calif. and has been at Pierce College for 16 years teaching archeology, magic witchcraft and religion, and medical anthropology classes.

“I enjoy teaching so much that it doesn’t matter. I will find a way to make it fun,” Eisenlauer said when asked what course he enjoyed teaching the most.

A student from Eisenlauer’s magic witchcraft and religion class, Chrissy Helgager, 20, said she thought the class was interesting and fun.

Eisenlauer says that anthropology came naturally to him.

“I think it chose me. Ever since I was a boy I was always fascinated in older things and was very fortunate because I traveled to many countries,” Eisenlauer said. “My mother would always seek out the museums and ancient ruins of every country we visited.”

Eisenlauer has visited England, France, Germany, Mexico and Peru, along with many other countries around the globe.

“We try to observe cultural relativism where we look at each culture as a unique thing and from that stand point there was something enjoyable that I found in every country, but I love Germany because of the family ties and the food.” Eisenlauer said when asked where his favorite place was.

Another student from his class, Chanel Maldonado, 20, was very interested in his travels.

“Professor Eisenlauer is very full of life because he has had a very interesting life. He has traveled to many places and is full of wisdom because of it,” Maldonado said.

One of the most memorable experiences for Eisenlauer was in Wuppertal, Germany where he rode the famous monorail built in the 1800’s.

Top left: The eagle points East on the weathervane atop the roof of the Weather Station as the “Woodruff 1000” sensor array rises thirty feet into the air on Friday morning.

Above: Director of the Pierce College Weather Station Jason Finley discusses changing out the paper and ink nubs on a cylindrical thermograph inside one of the station’s Cotton Region Shelter sensor array boxes.

“He teaches things you thought you knew, but you really didn’t,” Helgager said. “He doesn’t question anyone’s beliefs or religion, but questions what you know about it.”

“I remember it was quite an exited thing to be riding a train with a river right below me because the monorail is actually suspended in the air,” Eisenlauer said.

Dean resigns, still in district

Michaia

One of Pierce College’s academic deans has resigned from her position to work at East Los Angeles College.

Carol Kozeracki, dean of institutional research, planning and enrollment management, will begin her post as ELAC’s dean of Academic Affairs Monday.

“I’m so excited but so sad,” she said. “We have superb faculty and students here.”

At Pierce, Kozeracki controlled enrollment management analysis and institutional research, among other things.

As dean of Academic Affairs, on the other hand, she will help take care of all instructional aspects of ELAC.

“Usually, every five or six years, I get itchy to try something new,” she said.

In addition to once working as the dean of architecture, she has been the faculty adviser for Alpha Gamma Sigma and the Leadership Club.

“As a researcher, I don’t want students to just be a number to me,” she said.

It is still unclear whether or not the college will be hiring someone to replace Kozeracki.

Stay updated on all campus news at www.theroundupnews.com.

Right: Professor Emeritus of Geography/Meteorology and former Director of the Pierce College Weather Station William Russell stands under a 30-foot tall sensor array tower, known affectionately as the “Woodruff 1000” after station mentor and former Pierce College student Steven Woodruff Friday in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Bottom: Van Nuys Airport weather office manager and former Pierce student Steve Woodruff focuses early morning sunlight into a Campbell/Stokes Duration-of-Sunlight Recorder, instantly burning a hole through the data recording card under the large glass sphere.

At the Pierce Weather Station different generations of technology stand side by side, recounting a history of constant advancement.

For that reason, the station has dubbed its Oct. 11 event the launching of “the newest/oldest weather station in the country.”

Nestled behind overgrown bushes at the Southeastern end of the Mall, the Pierce College Weather Station has collected data for over 60 years,

and students will be able examine its newest advancements at the upcoming dedication event.

The event will celebrate the installation of new technology that was funded by an $85,000 grant.

Finding money for the grant was facilitated by Congressman Brad Sherman, who has been invited to the event.

The station was founded July 1, 1949 by botany professor Lee Haynes when the college was still known as the Clarence W. Pierce School of Agriculture.

Throughout its history it has been directed by different professors of meteorology with assistance from student volunteers.

“We have quite a following here because we have a very old station compared to many in the United States,” said Bill Russell, professor emeritus of meteorology and a former director the station.

In addition to its history, the station prides itself on its consistency.

“Ever since it began, there hasn’t been any misreport to the National Weather Service,” Russell said.

With its long history comes a record of advancements that have changed how looking at the weather is done.

Steve Woodruff, who started out at the weather station as a student volunteer in 1997, has seen a number of those changes.

Woodruff is currently a manager at the Van Nuys Airport weather office, and he’s worked on the weather stations that collect data from the Mars rover missions.

Once a month though, he still returns to do maintenance at the

Pierce weather station, and he has implemented many of the upgrades the station has seen.

In 1997, it would take him fifteen minutes to record data manually and call it in to the National Weather Service.

The availability of more automated instruments and the internet has reduced that time dramatically.

“There’s no time now,” Woodruff said. “It’s instant.”

Beyond just keeping up with the times, the weather station has garnered a reputation for being

When

“We’re the front-runner for the all the new technology,” Woodruff said. Its reputable history had led it to receive attention from not only weather services but also the US Navy and academic institutions in Europe and Asia, Woodruff said.

Noble Eisenlauer

Kevin Perez/Roundup kperez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Hernandez/Roundup mhernandez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Editorial Casting out your votes

Vote ‘YES’ on Prop 30

Every ballot counts, especially these days

Attack advertisements. Policy discussions. Debates, rinse, and repeat.

It is that time yet again. The United States presidential election has rolled around and the question of Mitt Romney or Barack Obama is now at the front of U.S. politics.

As Karl Marx once said, “The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them.”

We have come upon that time.

But many may be asking, “How are we oppressed?”

Simply put, people often take care of their own interests first, and the interests of the politicians are not in the interest of the majority of the working class.

In 2010, the average net worth of U.S. senators was $2.56 million, and 47 percent of the House of Representatives were millionaires, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Worst Case Scenario

If voters reject the tax initiative in November, the midyear trigger cuts will be effective Jan. 1, 2013:

• $5.4 billion from Prop. 98

• $250 million from UC

• $250 million from CSU

• $50 million from Development Services

• $20 million from granta to Local Police Department

• $10 million from Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

• $17.6 million from various other programs, including flood protection, state parks, and the Department of Justice California community colleges, if the November initiative fails, would lose:

• $209.9 million approved in budget ($50 million in growth/restoration and $159.9 million fir deferral payments

• $338.6 million of additional base revenue (or nearly 7.3%)

Source: The LACCD Final Budget 2012-13

It’s a real shame that getting an education in California is so hard these days.

So who is to blame for this crisis?

At this point, it really doesn’t matter.

We just desperately need money for our schools.

Over the past few years, California’s Department of Education has taken detrimental cuts to funding, severely crippling academic advancement in our state.

California is currently staring at an enormous $15.7 billion deficit that Gov. Jerry Brown is trying to alleviate with his new tax initiative, Proposition 30.

Numerous boards, committees, and organizations have focused their efforts to solving this growing deficit problem, but unfortunately their solutions seem superficial. Almost like applying a Band-Aid to a freely flowing, open wound.

If voters approve Brown’s Prop. 30 during this November election, they could cauterize this gaping gash that is bleeding our colleges dry.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the majority of Californians initially supported the initiative, but support has slightly dwindled since then.

If taxpayers back the initiative, that would raise sales tax by a quarter cent as well as raise income tax on earners of over $250,000 annually, for seven years.

Gov. Brown hopes that taxpayers will be able to generate $6 billion to $8 billion in revenue to complement the $8.3 billion the governor has already cut. This would finally get California out of the red, breaking even.

On the district level, the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), is finding itself with less and less every year.

In the LACCD’s 2012-2013 Final Budget, it outlines contingency plans for “worst case” and “best case” scenarios. Currently the district’s budget stands at $3.47 billion, with $46.6 million having been cut last year alone. College presidents have had to make cuts on their campuses in anticipation.

California voters need to support this initiative because these taxes are mere pennieson-the-dollar compared to the massive loss that will hit the LACCD and its students.

What we really need is educational reform, but for now Prop. 30 is California’s best shot at saving community colleges.

These cuts are putting students on the streets.

Last year, the LACCD reports having lost 5,800 students.

If this negative trend continues it will result in about 15,000 to 20,000 students being dropped from the LACCD within the next year, as stated in their budget.

Some arguments against Prop. 30 claim that this money would not go toward schools, but if this initiative does not pass, there won’t be much left of these schools.

The passing of Prop. 30 is essential to the survival of education in California and this crisis warrants a call to arms. Ignorance is the enemy and ballots are the bullets.

Student body governments need to support this initiative by rallying student voters and spreading the word.

Defend public education in California and vote ‘yes’ on Prop. 30.

By Austin Faber

That same year, the number of this country’s millionaires hit 3.1 million, according to the annual World Wealth Report from Merill Lynch and Capgemini.

Though these numbers have decreased slightly in the last few years, it still holds true that a large portion of our government comes from the upper class.

How can we logically expect the bosses to represent the interests of workers?

For those of the conservative persuasion, you will already disagree with these conclusions and be content with your decision.

For those of the liberal or possibly even far left, you now have to make a choice.

Would you abstain in protest of the system?

No, this is not the way to go. Regardless if you disagree with the current system, giving up the little power you have as workers would be a mistake.

Vote. Definitely vote. But that does not mean you have to vote for the two major parties.

You may feel the need to pick the lesser of two evils.

Rest your weary mind.

California’s electoral college members have consistently chosen Democratic candidates over the last two decades and beyond, according to the National Archives and Records Administration.

With your fears now stifled, another question arises.

Is a vote for a third party a waste of a vote?

A vote is never wasted, so long as you are voting with your conscience.

What is really important, though, are the propositions. These propositions have the potential to effect each and every student’s life. Even if you abstain from picking presidential candidates, the propositions should be given special consideration.

So get out and vote, exercise the power you have and be heard, and try and bring about some real change for once.

You fail the first test. The material is over your head. The professor’s teaching style and your learning style conflict. You work long hours to pay for school, and you can’t keep up. Life happens and you have to drop a class.

But you can’t drop without consequence.

A quietly announced change of deadline earns you a big, ominous “W” to forever remind you and admissions officers that you withdrew from a class.

This semester, a decision by the state of California shortened the drop deadline from Sept. 27 to Sept. 9 for all community colleges, allowing students only two weeks to drop without penalty of withdrawal.

A grade of “W,” or a withdrawal, counts as an attempt for that course and stays on your transcript forever, according to a press release on Pierce College’s website, Pulse Online.

Students who dropped late and were uninformed of the new deadline change will carry that ambiguous “W” with them as they apply to transfer schools, graduate schools and further education.

Though it does not affect grade point average, too many withdrawals may force admissions representatives to question a student’s determination and staying power, as my college counselor hastily reminded me after my first withdrawal.

And yet students were largely unaware of the new drop deadline.

It was announced just four days before the new deadline, and students were only notified by the

brief Pulse Online news release on the school website.

The drop date was also listed in a tiny column in students’ online class schedules. But if students weren’t paying attention to sidebars they might have missed it.

The decision was made to “better assist students who are struggling to get into the classes that meet their educational goals,” according to “Sept. 9 is Drop Deadline for Fall” on Pulse Online.

“With budget cuts and filled-tocapacity classrooms, the state has determined that there just isn’t room for students to take classes over and over again without completion, or to sign up for a class they don’t intend to finish—ultimately taking a seat away from a more serious student.”

As we all know, sometimes life throws even the “more serious student” a curve ball.

For those emergency moments of panic and frustration, we deserve at least one month of adjustment in the beginning of a semester, especially for incoming students.

If we don’t get our choice of classes at a reasonable tuition, we at least deserve that safety net.

The state may try to assist us by making more seats available in a scant selection of course offerings, but they would better assist us by funding additional sections instead of taking away our safety net as we try to navigate the painful state of our current education system.

All-day event shines light on propositions

The community was treated to an all-day event regarding the upcoming elections in the Great Hall Sept. 27.

“Day of Politics” was put on by Professor of Political Science Denise Robb, Ph.D., along with the Associated Students Organization (ASO), and the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society to vamp up awareness of political issues and encourage students to participate in an alarmingly diminishing democratic process.

Eleven guest speakers, including

district attorneys, former mayors, representatives of partisan groups and Green party presidential candidate Jill Stein, Ph.D., attended.

Throughout the day, League of Women Voters were on hand to explain different propositions that would be on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Representatives of the League believe in “fact-based information and open discussion.”

Propositions 31, 33, 35, 36, and 37 were broken down for the audience.

League member Rebecca Beatty stood at the podium eager to enlighten the audience.

First was Prop. 35.

If passed it will crack down on human trafficking, she said.

How initiatives or propositions reach the ballot

Any group of 10 or more qualified voters come together and write up a new law or revision to a current law.

Next, a quota, met through petitions, needs to be completed before the draft is recognized as legitimate.

The amount of signatures is equal to 5 percent of total votes in the last gubernatorial, or governor, election.

Finally, a title and summary is given to the newly created proposition.

It will now appear on the next electoral ballot.

Danny Duarte/Roundup

BY THE NUMBERS: Libertarian Rep. Pamela Brown, Ph.D., who is also a Pierce economics professor, holds up a sign during the “Day of Politics” Sept. 27 in the Great Hall.

definition of trafficking to include “pimps” and those who distribute obscene material depicting minors are branded as sex traffickers and offenders.

“In California vulnerable women and children are held against their will and forced into prostitution for the financial gain of human traffickers,” Beatty said. “Many victims are as young as twelve”

Prop. 37 was also discussed.

Through this bill, raw and processed foods that contain genetically altered ingredients would have to be labeled as such.

law to exclude non-violent, less serious crimes from the third felony.

“Our criminal justice system is addicted to incarceration,” Trujillo said when he first stepped up to the podium.

He defended the overall idea behind the law but feels the law needs improving.

“The intention of the 1994 [Three Strikes] law is on point,” Trujillo said.

However, 53 percent of criminals given life terms committed minor offenses as their third strike, according to Trujillo.

Some propositions discussed

Prop. 35

Human Trafficking. Penalties. Sex Offender Registration. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote means: Longer prison sentences and larger fines for committing human trafficking crimes.

A NO vote means: Existing criminal penalties for human trafficking would stay in effect.

Prop. 36

Three Strikes Law. Sentencing for Repeat Felony Offenders. Initiative Statute.

Danny Duarte/Roundup

DISCUSSION: Democratic Party representative Mary Ellen Early talks during the multiparty debate at the end of the “Day of Politics” on Sept. 27 in the Great Hall.

Currently human trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation,” according to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime website.

The bill would also expand the

However, there is a list of foods that would be exempt, which includes those sold for immediate consumption.

A restaurant, like McDonalds, which sells large quantities of genetically altered consumables, would not required to label their products if the bill is passed.

California legislature Deputy District Attorney Mario Trujillo and former Deputy District Attorney Steve Ipsen each shared their thoughts on Prop. 36, which focuses on the “three strikes” law.

Prop. 36 revises the three strikes

Completion in 2 years uncommon

Kashish Nizami/Roundup

knizami.roundupnews@gmail.com

As students hope for early registration, fight for classes on the first days of school, and create strategies in hopes to graduate within the previous norm of two years, Pierce College students spend more time in community college due to drastic budget cuts.

Pierce Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter stated that there are numerous reasons for the slower rate of graduation.

One reason Salter believes students are graduating at slower rate is because so many students are not up to the average college math and reading levels.

“Ninety percent of students on campus are below the college English and math levels that college students should be at,” Salter said. “So they have to have to take extra classes, [like] English 21, 101 and critical thinking, which takes up time. Math is worse.”

Another factor she feels ties into the slower graduation rate is reduction in sections for classes, while the approximate number of students attending Pierce College has stayed the same.

Second year football player Jaelen Strong said that it was especially difficult for him to get

classes while keeping up with playing a sport.

“It was hard for me to get classes,” Strong said. “By the time it was my day to sign up for classes, most classes were full.”

According to Salter, not all Pierce students can be full time because of how difficult it is to get the dwindling number of classes available, so they take classes at other schools or online.

“Because of budget cuts, the number of sections had to be cut,” Salter said. “That extends the amount time you are here if you’re trying to transfer.”

She added that students declared as science majors are impacted the most.

“Science majors definitely take more years to transfer than most other students,” said Salter.

The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) is a list of which classes a student needs to take in order to transfer to a University of California (UC) school.

The California State University General Education (CSUGE) is a list of requirements to transfer to a California State University (CSU).

Music major Michael Bovshow explained that the IGETC determines most of the classes he takes, since they are so difficult to get into.

“It’s all about strategy in your first few semesters,” Bovshow said. “I had to take classes that weren’t on the IGETC just so I could be considered for registration before a lot of other students in the following semester.”

These requirements have led to an overflow of these classes, despite the many that were cut.

However, Salter stated that students do have a lot of options to help them with the college process, such as choosing a major or which classes they should take, although many often don’t seek out proper resources.

Salter believed that students should drop by at least once a year schedule a meeting with a counselor or stop in just to make sure he or she is on the right track.

Salter conveyed her hope for Prop. 30 to pass in the November elections, directing more funds for education “in a positive direction.”

When asked how a student could realistically transfer after two years from a community college, Salter said that a student must put forth individual effort.

“To be a proactive, dedicated student who wants to transfer in two years you’ve got to hustle,” Salter said.

“What this proposition does is it fixes that last felony,” Trujillo said.

Ipsen begged to differ, and listed several crimes currently deemed non-serious or non-violent.

Solicitation to commit murder, transporting a bomb with purposes of mass destruction, child abuse, and torture of animals are considered serious felonies, according to Ipsen.

If Prop. 36 were passed criminals committing these crimes as a third offense would receive 4 to 6 years of jail time, according to Ipsen.

[See

A YES vote: Some criminal offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who commit certain nonserious, non-violent felonies would be sentenced to shorter terms in state prison.

A NO vote means: Offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who commit any new felony could continue to receive life sentences.

Prop. 37

Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Initiative Statute.

A YES vote means: Genetically engineered foods sold in California would have to be specifically labeled as being genetically engineered.

A NO vote means: Genetically engineered foods sold in California would continue not to have specific labeling requirements.

Source: Legislative Analyst’s Office www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/propositions.aspx

• All club applications for either new clubs or clubs looking to retrain their status are due Oct.

Banned for offensive language; racism; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit; and unsuited to age group

Banned for insensitivity; nudity; racism; religious viewpoint; and sexually explicit material

Banned for nudity, offensive language; and sexually explicit material

Banned for offensive language; religious viewpoint; sexually explicit material; and unsuited to age group

Banned for anti-ethnic; anti-family; insensitivity; offensive language; and occult/satanic violence

Banned for drugs; offensive language; and sexually explicit material

Banned for nudity; offensive language; and religious viewpoint

Books not suitable for reading National Banned Books Week sheds light on censorship and rst amendment rights

Natalee Ayala/Roundup nayala.roundupnews@gmail.com

Imagine not being allowed to read your favorite novel; maybe it’s one from the Harry Potter series, or perhaps it’s something a little more risqué like “50 Shades of Grey.”

Imagine that these books are banned, and your freedom to read them has been restricted.

That’s censorship, and it violates the First Amendment.

This week, the American Library Association (ALA) is celebrating 30 years of observing the freedom to read during Banned Books Week. And the Pierce College Library is celebrating too.

For the last three years, librarian

Paula Paggi used to take command and help bring awareness about Banned Books Week to Pierce.

Now, librarian Marisa Diehl is taking it over.

Diehl is the new librarian on staff this semester, and she actively tries to let students know about books that are being challenged.

“[Reading] is one of the things that everyone has the right to do,” Diehl said. “We all have the right to read whatever it is that interests us.”

Diehl created a display full of information about Banned Books Week, and she included facts about recent and past books that have been challenged. Students can view this informative display inside the display case mounted in the foyer of the library’s main entrance.

“[Banned Books Week] is meant to raise awareness about the fact that there are books that are challenged in schools and libraries across the nation,” Diehl said.

Since 1982, the ALA- with the help of schools, libraries, and bookstores- has annually held this event to raise awareness throughout the U.S. about books that are constantly being challenged to this day.

“It’s meant to raise awareness about the fact that that’s going on even though we live in a culture that really praises free speech and the First Amendment,” Diehl said. “But it’s also actually meant to applaud the folks that keep most of these books, that get challenged, on the shelves.”

In 2011, there were 326 books challenged in the U.S., as reported by the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Some of these challenged books include Maya Angelou’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, a classic that is included in some schools’ curriculum, as well as Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games”, now a blockbuster film.

Jessica Orellana, a 19-yearold student majoring in Marine Biology, is an avid reader.

“I love to read,” Orellana said. “If my favorite books were banned,

and I couldn’t read them anymore, I would feel useless.”

Censorship is the main reason for people wanting these books out of libraries and schools.

According to the ALA, books get challenged to be removed with the best intentions; those intentions include, protecting children from ideas and information.

“Because people are concerned about free speech and concerned about censorship,” Diehl said, “individuals do make a difference, do keep books on the shelves, do allow individuals to have access to

reading materials that some people may not want them to have the chance to read.”

During this observance week, libraries and schools all over the nation will be hosting special events, including exhibit and readouts. Due to budget cuts, the Pierce library will not host such events aside from the mounted display.

To learn more about which books have been challenged and about the schedule of events during Banned Books Week, Sept. 30 to Oct. 6, visit www.ala.org or visit Pierce’s library.

contact Ginny at ginnginnstone@gmail.com

Cellists showcased at free concert

Quartet brings its classical string air to life for students and faculty

time, then I never would have gotten the experience I have beyond it.”

For such intensive work, Jun isn’t even the lead cellist of the quartet.

Joon-Sung Jun, a member of the Los Angeles Cello Quartet that played a free show at Pierce College for students on Sept. 27, 2012, had a choice to make some years ago. He could serve a two-and-ahalf year tour in the South Korean army or claim first place in an international cello competition. He chose the latter.

“I practiced eight hours a day for six months,” Jun said. “I got second place.”

So, Jun tried again.

“I don’t want to say how much I practiced, but more than eight hours a day for six months,” Jun said.

Aside from winning that next competition and his pass on enlistment, he’s taken first place in no less than 10 other competitions around the planet for his cello playing.

Jun is also a cello professor at California State University, Long Beach, a chairperson at Shepherd University in West Virginia, and, according to his page on CSULB’s web site, he’s also played in a slew of philharmonics and symphonies.

Jun is grateful for the endless hours he spent woodshedding, and even for the outcome of that first competition.

“I’m really glad I got second place,” Jun said. “If I won the first

That’s left up to Ruslan Biryukov, another member of the quartet and founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra.

“To say his performance was incredible would not do it justice,” review site ReviewPlays.com said of one of Biryukov’s recent performances.

The musicians were aware that the majority of their audience wasn’t too familiar with classical music, especially cello quartets, which James Bergman, a music professor at Pierce, called “a rare, special thing.”

At the performance, Biryukov and his three counterparts swayed back and forth with their facial expressions dancing in time, hinting at the quiet, soulful conversations they were seemingly having with their centuries-old cellos.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” Biryukov said. “We laugh. We cry.”

Hope Easton, another member of the quartet, a Fulbright Scholar and graduate of the New England Conservatory, who has played on Celebrity Rehab and in Carnegie Hall, chimed in.

“We kill each other,” said Easton.

When the music begins, the four individual musicians meld into a single, powerful wall of harmony, according to Biryukov.

“It all happens together,” said Biryukov.

Garik Terzian, a member of the quartet who has performed extensively throughout the former Soviet Union, United States, Mexico, Spain, Ireland and the Czech Republic, asked Easton if she would ever consider selling her cello, a one-piece Landolphi made in 1776.

“I sold it once, then I bought it back,” Easton said.

Biryukov shared some thoughts on the idea that his audience, who didn’t all seem to be able to tell when to clap, might be more familiar with the radio than with Italian composer Luigi Forino. Biryukov said he believed most people couldn’t answer seemingly simple questions like, “Do you know what music is? Do you know what art is?”

“Music is the art of the symmetry of sound within the timing

ʻSkipʼping through electronic music

As electronic music becomes popular among college students today, the Music Department chair at Pierce College is bringing more contemporary music classes to the repertoire for students.

The department chair, Wayne Skip Perkins, Ph.D., is from Central Calif., and obtained his doctorate degree in music from University of California, Los Angeles. He has been teaching at Pierce for six years. Perkins was first interested in music at a very young age: first when his mother introduced him to the clarinet in the third grade, and then as a teen when he joined a rock band.

“When I was in high school, I got into rock ‘n’ roll bands and that is how I first made a living through music,” Perkins said.

He was inspired by different genres, including: rock ‘n’ roll, country western, and old blues.

Perkins then decided to teach at Pierce, and he has incorporated time and effort to help other students achieve their goals in music.

He has set up different workshops and programs where the student can work hands on in the

recording studios.

“[Perkins] has built a first rate recording studio on campus so that students are afforded hands on experience in the art of recording,” said Adjunct Instructor of Music Cathryn Tortell.

According to the department’s website, Pierce has two recording studios. One of these studios, called “The Cube,” is used by students in the electronic music workshops.

“It is a state-of-the-art recording studio,” Perkins said. “We have Pro Tools in it, a digital mixer, microphones, synthesizers, computers and mixing boards.”

Many students and colleagues

have mentioned that Perkins puts many hours into making sure the students have a studio that can produce quality beats for the future of music and the future of the students creating a contemporary sound.

“He puts in a lot of time setting up recording sessions with the students in music production,” said music professor assistant Ann Aubuchon.

With the help of the Music Department, Perkins says that many students have graduated and successfully made it into the music industry.

“There is a number of students

that have made their own recording studios and have recorded music,” Perkins said.

Perkins also mentioned that the budget cuts have taken a toll on our schools but he is very hopeful that Pierce and the Music Department will have the opportunity to add more contemporary music classes.

“A lot of the classes are being severely cut but we are looking to ramp up our commercial music endeavors as opposed to the classical music type of school,” Perkins said.

Perkins’ goal as music chair is to bring in new technology for the students to create new sounds and beats, allowing them to exploit their creativity and open new horizons in the art of music.

“Dr. Perkins is both highly dedicated and respected by his students,” said Tortell. “The faculty and staff are very excited about his new leadership role and the future of the Music Department.”

Besides music and helping students in the recording studio, Perkins enjoys riding horses and taking road trips in his truck.

With the different variety of recording studios, Perkins and the Music Department staff seek to encourage new students to enroll in the variety of classes Pierce has to offer in the artistic field of music.

progression,” Biryukov said. “Art is essentially a reflection of reality.”

Biryukov encouraged students to challenge their preconceptions of music and to give classical music a try.

“Classical music is scientifically proven to improve studying abilities,” Biryukov said, referencing a 1993 study on “The Mozart Effect,” which said that listening to Mozart consistently can improve spatial reasoning.

Oskar Gustowski/Roundup ogustowski.roundupnews@gmail.com

With over four weeks into the fall semester, the Art Gallery is empty due to annual maintenance, including repainting and reorganizing.

The several changes being made have to do with the way art will be displayed.

Scattered across the floor of the gallery are miniature models of the room. In each model, the partitionsmovable walls where artwork is displayed- are being rearranged.

With the light remodeling and new paint job, this maintenance might attract students to make a detour toward the Art Gallery.

As for some listening to get students into classical music, Biryukov suggested Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

“Make sure you listen to it with the text,” Biryukov said. “It’s basically pornographic.”

Pierce students and faculty can enjoy these free concerts, featuring student performers and profesional musicians, every Thursday, except Thanksgiving Day, at 12:45 p.m. in Music 3400.

It also doesn’t hurt that each show is free to the public.

Monika Del Bosque, an assistant professor of art, is the curator of the gallery. Together with Greg Gilbertson, the Art and Architecture Department chair, they coordinate the gallery. In terms of construction, not much is going to happen this year, Gilbertson said. Any plans for renovation are far from being drawn up. It may take several years before anything gets done, he anticipates. In the months to come, the stripped-down gallery will be filled with aesthetic works ranging from sculptures, miniature constructions, and various styles of paintings and photographs.

[See GALLERY RU online]

Matt Gottesman/ Roundup mgottesman.roundupnews@gmail.com

Martin Lester/ Roundup

(L to R) Ruslan Biryukov, Joon-Sung Jun, Garik Terzian, Hope Easton play a free show at Pierce College for students on Sept. 27, 2012.

Monica Salazar/ Roundup

Jay Lanton (right) performs at a music workshop at Pierce College on Sept. 27, 2012. The music workshop was put on by Wayne Skip Perkins, Ph.D., a teacher at Pierce College.

Violet Canelo/Roundup vcanelo.roundupnews@gmail.com

Football @ West L.A. Sept. 29 (W 52-35) vs. Moorpark Oct. 6 –7 p.m.

Women’s Water Polo @ L.A. Valley Sept. 26 (W 8-6) vs. Santa Monica Oct. 3 –3:30 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball vs. Mission Sept. 26 @ Cuesta Oct. 5 –6 p.m.

Women’s Soccer @ Bakersfield Sept. 28 vs. Santa Monica Oct.5 –4 p.m.

Took a different route for the win Pierce takes first road win 3-1

3-1, and undefeated in conference with the win against West LA being their second conference game.

Neither Armageddon nor West Los Angeles College could stop Pierces offense in a day game on the road, as they won 52-35.

Pierce had over 670 total yards in the game, with 226 of it coming on the ground.

“I expect nothing less than that from our offense, because we have so many great athletes on the field,” said assistant head coach Jason Sabolic.

This was Pierces first game of the season where they rushed for over 200 yards, and is the fourth game in a row where they have scored over 40 points.

“The passing game was such a threat that it opened up many holes for our running game,” said Sabolic.

Freshman Nick Arbuckle only had nine incompletions at he threw for 428 yards and six touchdown passes.

“Arbuckle is a tough kid and smart football player,” said Sabolic. “He was making all of the right reads of the defense.”

Joe Morris and Jaelen Strong reaped the benefits of Arbuckles great game as they each had over 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

“All of our receivers helped out Arbuckle to have the great passing game that he had,” said Sabolic.

According to Sabolic, he believes that this is his best receiving core he’s had at Pierce from top to bottom.

“As a whole they play really well together,” Sabolic said. “There are five receivers out their that can make plays on a consistent basis and be affective.”

Pierce improves their record to

Penalties were still a problem for Pierce as they committed 16 of them for 126 yards.

“The team is going to realize the punishment for these penalties is going to get harsher as the weeks go by, if we don’t fix it,” said Sabolic.

Pierce has committed over 60 penalties this year in just four games.

“The team has to learn now that penalties like the ones we are committing will not be accepted once they move on to the next level,” said Sabolic.

The workload of carrying the ball was spread out with four players carrying the ball at least five times.

“All the running backs are doing well so far this season, giving us a lot of diversity in our offense,” said Sabolic.

Sophomore Kenny Boggs led all rushers in carries with nine, for 47 yards.

According to Sabolic, the team would like to have a main feature back for their running game.

“We would like to have that main back for our offense, but the main focus for us honestly as a team is to try to get all these backs out of here with scholarships,” said Sabolic.

According to Sabolic the score wasn’t very indicative of how the game really was.

“West LA scored a lot of their points on our third and fourth string defenders,” Sabolic said. “We dominated them on both sides of the ball.”

Pierce next game will be at home next week against Moorpark College.

Waterpolo still undefeated

Pierce College’s women’s water polo team remains undefeated with a win in the team’s first Western State Conference match against Los Angeles Valley College on Wednesday, improving their overall record to 4-0.

The match, played at L.A. Valley College’s Aquatic Center, was won, 8-6, by Pierce College despite several lapses by the team, according to head coach Moriah Van Norman.

“I thought we were more prepared and it turns out we weren’t,” said Van Norman after the game. “The girls didn’t play that well today.”

From the start, Pierce’s defense allowed for the Monarchs to get in scoring position as Valley College scored in the first minute of the game and led 4-3 at halftime, much to the displeasure of Coach Van Norman.

“We’re not pressing to steal…we need to counter on this team,” said Van Norman during a short break in the game. “They’re out-swimming us every possession.”

Although Pierce took multiple shots on the goal in the first half, a majority of the attempts were blocked by the Monarch’s freshman starting goalie Mariquita Lopez Engelman.

However, in the second half the Brahmas outscored Valley College 5-2, to which Coach Van Norman credits the switch of goal positions.

“The sun was a huge factor,” said Van Norman. “I knew once we switched and the sun was in their goalie’s

eyes we’d be better.”

As Pierce’s offense attacked the Monarchs’ defense in the second half, freshman attacker Maggie Kurzeka praised the team’s mental approach.

“We kept our head up high and kept playing,” said Kurzeka after the game. “Coach kept us in the game and we never gave up.”

Kurzeka’s thoughts were echoed by her coach as Van Norman gave credit to her team’s effort in pulling out the win despite playing from behind in the scoreboard.

“Mental toughness played a part in us winning today,” said Van Norman. “The only positive was the game was everything but perfect and our girls were still able to win.”

Although the team holds a perfect record, Coach Van Norman noticed several errors by her team with conditioning being a factor.

“The team is tired and some people got lost in the shuffle,” said Van Norman. “We need to stay mentally focused the whole game, follow the game plan and even when you’re tired execute and be a contributing member.”

As the season progresses, the team looks to carry the winning streak into the next game and take it day by day.

“We got to keep winning every game to win conference so we’re tying to play as best as we can,” said Kurzeka. “We’re going to try to take the next game a little more seriously and just build on this game.”

The team’s next match is against Santa Monica College on Wednesday, October 3 at 3:30 pm at Pierce’s Steven E. Schofield Aquatic Center.

Carlos Carpio/Roundup

PASS: Maggie Kurzeka (5) throws the ball during the game against Los Angeles Valley College located in Valley Glen, Calif. on Wed. Sept. 26, 2012.

Carlos Carpio/Roundup

RUSH: Quarterback, Nick Arbuckel (4) runs the ball against the Wildcats on Saturday Sept. 29, 2012 at West Los Angeles College located in Culver City.

David Schub/Roundup dschub.roundupnews@gmail.com

Navid Khoi/Roundup nkhoi.roundupnews@gmail.com