Volume 120 Spring 2014 Roundup Issue 10

Baseball slides to an end for Brahmas e

Ethan Hanson Sports Editor

After an up and down season, the Pierce College baseball team made the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and advanced to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2006 before losing to rivals Oxnard College in two games.

In game one of the three game series the Brahmas committed four errors including three in the third inning and the Oxnard Condors routed the Brahmas 9-1 in game one.

“You’re not going to win a lot of games when you commit as many errors as we did,” Brahmas head coach John Bushart said. “We have to be a lot better than we are, especially against a team like Oxnard.”

Oxnard picked up where they left off against the Brahmas, beating Pierce for the fifth straight time after getting another solid performance from ace right-hander Luke Eubank. Eubank went eight innings giving up only one run on four hits to go along with 11 strikeouts.

“Today I felt good,” Eubank said. “I was hitting my spots and the defense was helping me out. I also threw more change-

Safety still a concern on campus Clery Act provokes stricter security protocols

Manuel Rios Roundup Reporter

Pierce College, along with the other nine schools in the district, continues to prepare and tighten precautions to ensure student and staff safety on campus, but many are still unaware of the safety measures that are available to them. Without adequate preparation and information, many students are rendered unable to take advantage of some of the services

Blackout stalls morning classes Generator used for backup power

Ethan Hanson Sports Editor

Morning classes were disrupted due to a blackout that occurred in the English Building Tuesday, May 13.

Campus electricians were unable to figure out what caused the blackout, but for three hours classes in session went without power. Brian Walsh, chairman of the History and Humanities Department, had to spice up his teaching style due to the blackout.

“There wasn’t really any issues,” Walsh said. “I just had to amp up my theatricality and it doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue.”

Walsh pointed out that the construction on the North Mall needs to happen at a quicker rate in order for the blackouts to stop.

the second round

ups today, but once again it came down to my defense.”

Eubank’s display was nearly unhittable for the Brahmas. His fastball was in command and his slider had the Brahmas off balance all game long. Oxnard head coach Jon Larson spoke highly of his pitcher’s performance

“He came out and did what he has done all season long for us,” Larson said. “I thought his fastball was lightning today.”

Pierce got off to a good start when Brahmas second baseman Quinn Conley hit a single into center in the first inning.

[See BASEBALL, pg. 7]

“It just highlights the urgency of completing the North Mall construction process,” Walsh said. “I doubt that any of us are surprised by any of this.”

The blackout had a bonus side for student Michelle McClain, a 23-year-old sociology major who was let out of class early because of the blackout.

“It was just lecture and we had extra time,” McClain said.

The blackout finally ended at 10:20 a.m. when Pierce workers were able to get a generator to bring power back into the classrooms.

Basketball player strengthens knee

provided by sheriffs on campus or respond correctly in the event of an emergency.

Pierce professor Michael Schilf explained the reality that some people on campus are not even familiar with the sheriff’s emergency numbers.

“How do you get students aware?

Personally I think the easiest and cheapest way to do it is instructors should be required to inform their students on the first day of class and have that number in their syllabus,” Schilf said. “That wouldn’t cost

any money and at least the students would be exposed to it. A lot of them probably still wouldn’t pay attention but the probability that more would pay attention is higher.”

Each school is equipped with their own emergency procedures, evacuation maps and regulations to protect everyone on campus while accommodating to the school’s dynamic in the face of danger.

Criminal Justice major Leydi Tovar said though she has never been in a dangerous situation on campus it’s never far from her mind.

“There is always that thought if someone crazy comes onto campus and just starts shooting,” Tovar said. “I feel pretty safe and that they are doing their job and arresting anybody who is causing distractions.”

The Clery Act requires colleges and universities that participate in federal financial programs to annually disclose information about crime on or near campuses, as previously reported in a November 2013 Roundup article titled, “Violent crimes on campus have reached new lows.”

[See SAFETY, pg. 3]

Diego Barajas / Roundup

Ryan Webberley, #14, of Oxnard College, slides into home base safe as Joe Christian, #16, stands waiting to receive the ball during the 1-9 defeat for Pierce on Friday, May 9.

Diego Barajas / Roundup

Unknown man detained in Parking Lot 1 on suspicion of collecting credit card information Thursday, May 8, after reports of forgery and identity theft occurred on campus. The man was later released.

season comes to a close for the team a er dropping two games in

Amira Fickewirth / Special to the Roundup Point guard Jr. Williams does one of his many rehabilitation workouts with an exercise ball at the North Gym on May 7.

Dear Editor,

Let me start by introducing myself. I’m Tavian Quinn, part time student at Pierce College, obtaining my AA in journalism. After several years I decided to continue my education, and I am extremely happy I chose Pierce. My professors are dedicated, knowledgeable, and very hands on, with many other positive aspects of my college experience. But there is one aspect that seems to go unnoticed.

I have been trying for weeks to schedule a full meeting with my counselor to discuss my educational plan, fall semester, and continuing to a four college. But there is no way to schedule an appointment in the office, or by phone. The only option is to schedule online. Which would be perfectly fine but, there’s a catch, you can only do this at 12 midnight.

I have been instructed by personnel in the office that this is the way the system works. But who does it work for? Like myself, many other

students have grueling schedules that don’t quite permit us to stay up until midnight. I know you’re asking yourself, did I attempt to try the midnight check in? The answer is yes. I was still not able to schedule an appointment. There was and article in the last edition of the Round Up about doing a lottery to help organize the way students add a class at the last moment. But this lottery is already the process to do an add.

Personally I think the problem goes way beyond that. It’s starting with students not being able to meet with their advisors promptly. By installing a better way of scheduling it would allow students to meet with advisors, prep early, and have less stress.

As I stated earlier I am enjoying my college experience at Pierce immensely, and have high hopes that this situation can be investigated. Thank you so much for you time.

Sincerely,

Tavian Quinn

Taking time to find the right career

zons is a great way to hone in on your personal interests.

Ignoring prerequisites poses academic obstacles

Dear Kate, I’ve been going to school for some time now but still can’t figure out what to major in. Can you help?”

-Puzzled Pupil

Dear Puzzled, You are not alone. The search for an enriching career is an issue that many people struggle with.

It seems unfair that a person fresh out of high school, at the age of 18, is expected to know what they want to do with their entire life. It’s a lot of pressure and no one should be expected to be able to come out of high school knowing exactly what their major should be.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that it’s your life. Do not go down a specific career path because your parents or anyone else want you to. Each person is different, with different talents and passions, and those are what should be helping you determine what you will be doing with your life.

Sometimes it can be confusing because of the numerous choices awaiting. It’s OK if you haven’t figured it out yet. Sometimes people are lucky and figure it out early on, but so many others don’t know until they’ve tried a few different options.

Pierce College offers helpful services for students seeking answers. The Career Center at Pierce has tools to help students figure out a good career match including a Career Exploration Research Sheet, which helps assess skills and interests according to the Career Center website. This could be a good start to get you thinking about where your talents and skills would best fit, and in what career you might thrive.

Something else to consider is to simply start taking classes you have never thought about before. Opening yourself up to new hori-

Pierce College offers more than 80 degrees and certificate programs, so you are at the right place to explore your options. Look at the course catalog and do some research into each program. Choose five that seem interesting to you, and start exploring them one by one. Sign up for classes you would have never considered and keep an open mind.

If you take classes and find out that you are not interested in a certain program, that’s a step in the right direction. Use the process of elimination to your advantage. You may not know yet what you want to do, but at least you’re starting to get a grasp on what you don’t want, which will help you narrow it down.

Two beautiful things about community college are the low cost, and the fact that you don’t have to get in and out in a specific amount of time. If you look around, you will find students of all ages. Many are back in school after years in a career they didn’t love to find something better and make themselves more marketable for a job they can be excited about.

So don’t put a time restraint on yourself. Work wherever you need to for now to pay the bills while you figure out what career would be best for you.

When you find classes that excite you and hold your interest, follow through and take more of those classes. Do a little research by talking to the teachers and see what information they have for you about jobs in their field. Being open to advice from professionals can be a key to success.

Whether you are 18, 81, or anywhere in between, it’s never too late to pursue your passions, whether they are old or new, and find out how you can use them to fund your life.

Do you have a question for Kate? Don’t shy away, ask Kate anything by sending an email to AskKateAnything@gmail.com. If you have a question of a sensitive nature, your identity will be kept a secret.

Students who are unprepared for advanced courses may in fact be handicapping their grade point average if they can’t cut it. Is it better to have more prerequisites for a class or should we treat students as adults and let them make their way through a class, without the fear of dropping or failure? Even those who meet the challenge add to their workload, and possibly their stress levels.

Pierce has an abundance of classes that any student can register for, but the qualifications for taking certain classes aren’t always in the forefront of a student’s mind. With the pressures of adding classes that fill up quickly in an overpopulated system, students are often left adding classes that they’re not quite ready for. Even though the schedule offers suggestions for classes students should take before enrolling in certain courses, in the heat of the moment this advice is often overlooked.

The college does offer assessment testing for the major academic subjects required to transfer so that a student can gauge where their aptitude for a subject lies. From that testing, it’s the student’s choice to select a class they can handle and hopefully pass. Some classes even require students to go through an assessment process before they are allowed to register for the class.

While some students may benefit from being challenged and taking a class above their specified level, many are left in a class that is beyond their compre-

hension and ultimately set themselves up for failure.

Not only does the student suffer from trying to grasp a subject they’re not prepared to handle, the other students in the classroom are left with less instruction while the teacher focuses more on the less-equipped student. Students owe it to themselves to be ready for the classes they take.

Students who plan ahead for the classes they intend to take have an advantage on those who are reckless with their schedules. It’s not easy to succeed without making a conscious effort to review the material which will be covered in classes with complicated subject matter. Rather than add to the necessary workload, it might prove to be easier to take a few preparatory classes, and save the anguish of getting a bad grade regardless of the amount of time and effort invested in studying.

It’s the responsibility of the college to provide classes for students to excel and transfer to a four-year university and it shouldn’t be any more stressful for students trying to figure out which classes they’re allowed to take. Regulations which help to put people in classes which meet their relative aptitudes will benefit the student body and teachers who will have less trouble relaying complex concepts to pupils.

Taking preparatory courses before tackling tough classes might be the most realistic way to achieve one’s academic dreams. The value of being prepared, after all, speaks for itself.

Recruiters operating outside policy donʼt belong on campus

Being stopped while running late to class can be a less-than-ideal situation for a student as a stranger eagerly insists on a bit of time and some personal information.

Students surround the campus throughout the week at Pierce College, giving recruiters the opportunity to reach out to target markets from the confines of the freedom of speech area near the mall marquee.

Some recruiters can also be found on campus approaching students away from the freedom of speech area and some students may come to question why they are roaming around campus.

Recruiters of any kind are actually not allowed to walk around campus. When they do, students or guests are encouraged to report those incidents to the Sheriff’s Department, in the parking lot by the Winnetka entrance to Pierce College.

Although recruiters may be unaware of the regulations for soliciting to students, policy states they are required to fill out a simple form found at the Student Services office in the Administration Building located at the third floor Room 4200. This grants recruiters instant access to recruit students walking across the mall as long as they stay in the free speech area,

designated in front of the new Library/Learning Crossroads Building.

The administrative assistant to the vice president of Student Services Judie Price, shared how effortless it is to gain entry on campus by filling out a form. Recruiter’s access to the free speech area on campus is only valid from the hours of 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and they are prohibited from distributing material that disrupts the orderly operation on campus.

Recruiters do not belong outside the designated area. They need to know if they do not adhere to campus policy they will be asked to leave the campus and will be reported to the Sheriff’s Department. Cases of criminal mischief have already occurred on campus as identity theft is a rising concern among college students whose personal information may be sought after by both recruiters and would-be thieves. Sensitive personal details are something that all students should avoid giving to on-campus solicitors, particularly money or credit card information. The campus will not be held responsible for a reimbursement or an unexpected loss.

Overall, students should become more involved in communicating to the Sheriff’s Department if they come across recruiters outside the free speech zone.

Students who are attending Pierce should not feel any discomfort leaving a class or walking through a campus because of someone soliciting them at any given time without their consent.

Cartoon by Maria Salvador.

Campus safety measures unknown to students

The 2013 Clery Report had Pierce tied with Los Angeles Harbor College for third safest school in the LACCD behind Los Angeles Valley College and West Los Angeles College.

A professor for 12 years, Michael Schilf has taught at Glendale Community College, Los Angeles City College and Pasadena City College and said that Pierce is not the safest campus.

“Pierce is so large. A lot of the other schools like Pasadena City College are really confined. Accessibility for public safety to be there is maybe quicker or maybe they are more visible,” Schilf said. “Glendale College, location wise, is a lot more condensed I suppose. I think maybe people feel on a campus that’s so spread out that they have more freedom.”

The district’s commitment to safer campuses got a boost in 2001 after the LACCD Police merged

with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Part of a greater effort to make the campus safe, Pierce provides blue emergency phones over numerous parts of the campus that connect directly to the on-campus Sheriff’s station. As reported in the Roundup in November, several of these phones were not operational at the beginning of this semester, but one is now being repaired in the Village area.

Each classroom is also required to have the Sheriff’s emergency number posted and Pierce now offers students, staff and visitors an escort service anywhere on campus.

A deputy for the past 21 years, on the Pierce campus for five, Alfred Guerrero says that it is up to the campus to inform students about safety procedures on campus and that he is only on campus “for the safety of all.”

“My job is to enforce the laws here on campus,” Guerrero said. “Keep the peace, attend meetings,

Fair informs transfers Representatives advise students on degrees

out this semester by receiving a slice of pizza and a bottle of water according to Salter.

be visibly safe, work on paperwork and anything else that might be needed on campus.”

Deputy Director of the Emergency Outreach Bureau, Tony Beliz, visits two or three schools per week to educate faculty and students on potential threats.

Discussed are student shootings, the psychology to why they occur, and the increasing threat of violence at schools across the country. A set of strategies are also presented to determine the credibility of a threat.

“The goal is two things: prevent a Columbine or a Sandy Hook and also help the kid graduate,” Beliz said during his Feb. 25 visit to Pierce.

Business major Hovsep Yacoupian said that he does feel safer during the day while on campus and hasn’t been put in a dangerous position.

“I still sometimes feel safe because thankfully there are police around the school that are protecting us,” Yacoupian said. “There are still

some times that you think that you might be in a little in danger.”

Despite procedures put in place by the Sheriff’s Department to protect the campus from potential threats, nothing is certain as Schilf learned the day he was assaulted by an unidentified man in the middle of his class during the spring 2013 semester.

Schilf said that a man entered his classroom wanting to speak with a female student but was immediately asked to leave and wait to talk after class.

When the man did not cooperate, he realized the visitor was a threat. It then became physical as Schilf had to hold him down until the sheriffs arrived on scene.

“He literally bull-rushed me, blew past me and opened the door and that’s when I acted immediately. I got him in a double arm-bar and then I pummeled him into the ground and I just restrained him,” Schilf said. “As he was screaming obscenities to me I was calmly just

saying ‘do not fight me’ and ‘I’m restraining you for your own safety and for the safety of my students.”

As the man continued to be belligerent, Schilf had to hold him down until the sheriffs were able to take control of the situation.

“I was a wrestler when I was younger so I knew the physics of how to take him down safely and I knew how to restrain him with an arm-bar but the students just stood around me in a circle and didn’t do anything,” Schilf said.

Students were unprepared for the situation, making the response time slower than it might have been off-campus.

“I think a lot of the students were scared, numb, sort of frozen, paralyzed, maybe because of fear but I also think a lot of the students just weren’t informed about the process. Fortunately there was a sign in the room, after about two or three minutes, someone called the number and then public safety arrived.”

Keynote speaker uncertain Graduation guest still undecided

Tracy Wright Editor-in-chief

The commencement speaker for the spring 2014 ceremony has not been determined yet, according to Student Services Vice President Earic Peters.

Peters said several people had been invited to speak at the ceremony and a few have declined due to scheduling conflicts.

“We were looking for speakers for this year and next,” Peters said.

Peters indicated a speaker would be chosen, to be confirmed by Thursday, May 15, 2014.

Of the nine colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District, only six colleges have confirmed commencement speakers.

Staying close to home is one of the main reasons many students from Pierce transfer to California State University Northridge and University of California, Los Angeles according to Transfer Center Director Sunday Salter. Departments from UCLA and CSUN set up tables on the Mall from 10 am to 1 pm to talk to students for the Transfer Fair on Thursday, May 9.

“Students can ask questions like ‘what can I expect to study if I choose your major at your school’ or ‘what gpa should I have to get admitted to your program,’” Salter said. The fair also served to reward those students who are transferring

“Some students might be offended but to that I say, ‘this should motivate you to come back next year, get your piece of pizza and let us know that you are transferring’,” Salter said.

Rashonda Turner, 25, a political science major who got accepted to CSUN this fall found their financial aid representative helpful in how the finances differ for their school.

“I went to the financial aid table and they really helped me with a lot of numbers, a lot of scholarship information and things like that,” Turner said.

There are some general tips for students who wish to transfer to any school according to Donia Davis. administrator for the school of theater, film and TV of UCLA.

“Follow the transfer plan at your school, complete the IGETC, make sure all your GE’s are out of the way because they have to be completed before you transfer,” Davis said. The representatives were able

to tell interested students the types of courses they can take at Pierce that satisfy requirements for various departments and programs, according to Administration Coordinator Ann Ward of CSUN.

“We can help them decide what type of program they want to go into,” Ward said. “There are so many different degrees they can earn, we can show them the different degrees we have.”

incident report

May

Last year, the featured keynote speaker was Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County supervisor.

Other keynote speakers for district campuses include the Honorable Kevin de Leon, a senator for the 22nd district, Ana Guerrero, chief of staff to mayor Eric Garcetti, The Honorable Mike Feuer, Los Angeles city attorney, The Honorable Toney Cardenas, congressman for the 29th district, Noel Massie, president of the United Parcel Service, Southern California District, and the Honorable Holly J. Mitchell, senator for the 26th district.

Pierce College’s 66th commencement ceremony will take place at Rocky Young Park on Tues, June 10 at 6 p.m.

(818) 719 - 6450 Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311

News briefs

Semester’s end party to be held [5/14]

The ASO is hosting a Student Celebration Day in their office May 14, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free food and activities will be provided to students.

Clubs to host spring celebration [5/15]

A Spring Festival is being thrown by the Club Council and ASO in Rocky Young Park Thursday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Compiled by Marissa Nall

Students can compete for cash [5/30]

A public speaking tournament will be held in Village 8342, Friday, May 30. Cash prizes, extra credit and refreshments are all being offered for participation.

Jesus Castro Roundup Reporter

Erick Ceron / Roundup

Patricia Garcia, UCLAʼs assistant director talks to students during CSUN/UCLA Transfer Day on the Mall.

A quiet place to relax any day

Botanical Garden on campus gives stressed students silent sanctuary for their studies

Martin Torres Roundup Reporter

Amid the floral designs and the pond where swimming turtles are surrounded by singing birds, students study in the peace and quiet of the botanical garden.

The idea of having a botanical garden came around in 1999 when Pierce College had two acres of land to play with between the Life Sciences Buildings. Formerly known as the quad, it’s now known as the S. Mark Taper Foundation Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden is home to a variety of plant life from Mexico, Australia, South Africa and even some from Saudi Arabia. Some of the plants in the garden include aloe elgonica, aloe conifera and silver torch cactus.

The garden also features the Evolution Walk, a trail path through the garden which demonstrates periods of time in the history of life. Each section has fossil records of that era, giving students a glimpse into which animals lived during what times. The distance from one side to the next represents the actual timeline of events.

Pat Farris, a biology teacher at Pierce, said they wanted to have a place where students can look at a different variety of Mediterranean plants and wildlife.

“We have different plants from Mediterranean areas,” Farris said. “We have different types of animals -- from grey egrets, snowy egrets and red tailed hawks.”

The drive to succeed in school e Center for Academic Success aids students

Many tools and resources are available for students to succeed on campus, mainly in the form of the Center for Academic Success (CAS).

The CAS’ main goal is to achieve academic success for students. They are committed to helping students achieve their individual goals, dreams and aspirations.

Race, age, physical ability and gender do not determine a student’s eligibility for help.

The new Center for Academic Success building is located under the Library/Learning Crossroads under the stairs. Inside is a wellorganized building with lots of chairs for students to receive help or study.

Each table is labeled according to the different school subjects. Mathematics, English, science, and philosophy tutors are available for about two hours to help students with any questions they might have.

The Pierce College CAS helps students reach their goals by providing hands-on tutoring. They provide students with one-on-one direct tutoring for the students.

Director of the CAS Crystal Kiekel said that she believes the center is great for students.

“I really feel that in our hearts,” Kiekel said.

There are paid and volunteer tutors in the center that cover the subjects. The CAS will be here for many years to come, according to Kiekel.

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“The Center for Academic Success is a permanent part of the school’s budget,” Kiekel said.

Crystal finished off by saying that there are graduating student tutors, Brahma internships, and a mentor at hand for one-on-one help.

“We also have English and math placement help to boost up the students’ scores,” Kiekel said.

Nicholas Ross, a masters of social work intern for the CAS director, said it provides individualized tutoring for mostly every subject they teach on campus.

“The CAS has private meetings to promote academic success,” Ross said.

He added that the CAS prides itself on tutor mastery, including extensive tutor training.

“Our overall goal is to increase academic success with our community,” Ross said, adding that they do that by providing

Farris also takes her Biology 10 class to bird watch at the Botanical Garden. She confirmed that there are bird feeders in the garden, but it currently costs too much to maintain it.

Every semester she takes 20 of her students to the pond located at the Botanical Garden and cleans the roots of the plants.

if they are not watered or taken care then the plants begin to struggle,” Peabody said.

He said that every type of plant blooms at different times of the year and each needs specific care.

Many students come to the garden to find peace and quiet. Some use this area to catch up on their reading., while others enjoy the nice breeze and fresh air that the outside provides for them.

With two wooden tarp shade areas around the garden, students can avoid the hot sun in the approaching summer season.

They are located at opposite ends of the garden -- one by the lake and one by the main path.

Jazmin Medina, 19-year-old graphic designer major, enjoys coming to the garden to read on one of the benches near the lake.

“Its quite nice. There’s turtles. I come to read out here where there’s shade,” Medina said.

Wednesday, May 14 Alpha Gamma Sigma meets at 1 p.m. in BUS 3206.

The Psychology Club meets at 1 p.m. in the ASO Conference Room.

The Political Science Club meets at 1 p.m. in the ASO Office.

The Philosophy Society meets in the ASO Conference Room at 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 15 Spring Festival starts at 11 a.m. in Rocky Young Park.

The Anthropology Society meets at noon in CNC 3808. Alpha Gamma Sigma meets at 1 p.m. in BUS 3206

students with academic support and guidance where they need it.

According to Ross, rush hour occurs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and he is enthusiastic about how Pierce has the resources to help their students succeed.

“I have never seen a college more proactive for student success in my life,” Ross said.

Tutors at hand are there to help for whatever questions students would like to ask. Eydin Dorri, a 25-year-old philosophy major and tutor, said he feels like he struggles alongside the students.

“I feel like I sometimes go through the struggle with them,” Dorri said. “Philosophy is tackling someone else’s facts.”

He said that philosophy could be a very hard subject for any student to tackle. The needs of students that he tutors vary from midterm examinations to finals preparations.

“I do wish that students would come by a lot during the semester, even if they already know the subjects. It’s good practice,” Dorri said.

Pierce student Kassi Carrillo said she finds the CAS a very helpful environment.

“It is way better than the other one, which use to be located near the bungalow area,” Carrillo said. She comes for tutoring at least two to three times a week, and says each tutor’s schedule varies and can be checked at the front desk.

“It helps you with your classes, especially when there are tutors around to help you,” Carrillo said. “They are very helpful and they are well-organized.”

“Looks kind of like a wrestling match,” Farris said.

Instructional Assistant to Horticulture Keith Peabody’s job is to keep the garden well-maintained.

“I make sure that the plants are watered, and cut when they need trimming,” Peabody said.

He said he sees different types of animals living in the area.

“There are mosquitoes, fish, ducks that come during the spring, and rabbits, ground squirrels,” Peabody said. “I love the whole design of the garden.” Peabody said although most of the plants from the garden could withstand days without water, they still need water on a regular basis.

“They still need to be maintained,

She said that it helps her get her mind off things and finding an area that fits her comfort zone helps her finish the book that she is reading.

Another student that frequents the area is Erick Carranza, a 23-year-old electrical engineering major, who enjoys walking by the garden in between classes.

“It’s cool to see the different variety of plants,” Carranza said, adding that it’s very relaxing and peaceful around the garden.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation Botanical Garden became possible through the work of three Pierce College instructors dedicated to making the garden a reality: Pat Farris, Kate Kuback, and James Rikel.

The French Club meets at 2 p.m. in the ASO Office.

We B.U.I.L.D. meets at 3 p.m. in the ASO Office.

Monday, May 19

Film Club meets at 3:40 p.m. in BEH 1310.

Habitat for Humanity meets at 4 p.m. in BEH 1309.

Tuesday, May 20

The Architecture Club meets at 3 p.m. in AT 3800

The Business Economics Students Association meets at 3 p.m. in the ASO Conference Room.

To add your club events to the calendar, contact cjohnson.roundupnews@gmail.com

Caleb Johnson / Roundup

Students Daniel Cervantes (left) and Nareg Sokonian (right) sitting in the garden during a passing period on Monday, May 12, 2014.

“We have different types of animals -- from gray egrets, snowy egrets and red tailed hawks.”

-Pat Farris Biology Professor

Martin Torres Roundup Reporter

Nelger Carrera / Roundup Director of the Center for Academic Success Crystal Kiekel.

Make-up, artistry, dogs: oh my!

Extension Program o ers unique classes for students

Jesus Castro Roundup Reporter

With courses including Make-Up Artistry and Dog Knowledge, Care, and Obedience Training, the Pierce Extension program offers many different types of classes for the community to participate in.

Most of the classes the Extension Program offers take place on campus have their own room locations and they each have their own registration costs according to Pierce Extension Director Cindy Chang.

“We offer educational opportunities for personal or professional development, skill improvement, upgrading cultural enrichment and recreational enjoyment,” Chang said.

People can take classes on fine art, crafting, dance, computers, exercise and classes that are for older adults according to Chang.

“All they have to do is go online or come on in, we can register them, they pay the fee and they go to

class,” Chang said. “Classes are not academic equivalent so there are no grades, units or anything like that.”

One of the courses offered by the Pierce Extension is called South West Aquatic Master, also known as SWAM, which is a competitive swim team that trains for competitions, stroke work, kicking drills and gets about 3,000 yards of swimming in each class, said SWAM Coach Deborah Hefter.

Members of SWAM swim specific intervals in a cardio workout, said course member Malcolm Scott.

“I’m just an old guy trying to keep from dying young,” Scott said.

One of the Pierce Extension’s purposes is “to offer the community educational opportunities in a nontraditional setting,” Chang said.

The Pierce Extension office is located in the Village in room 8200. Students can register through the website at www.extension. piercecollege.edu

“The Pierce Extension is a selfsustaining, user fee supported program which welcomes everyone in the community to participate,” Chang said.

Weekly Concert: Ji Young An

Concert at Pierce hosted violinist on ursday

Jeffrey Howard

French-Korean transplant Ji

Young An graced the Concert at Pierce series once again with fellow pianist James Lent, displaying her violin expertise with a trio of classical compositions in the music recital room on Thursday, March 8.

Performing at the Concert at Pierce events since they began nearly six years ago, An is renowned for her ability to convey the elegance and sophistication that classical music has to offer.

Close friend of An and Pierce Music Adjunct James Bergman began the concert by expressing his gratitude toward the active veteran and describing the program for the day’s presentation.

“Originally from Korea, Ji relocated to Paris at a young age,” Bergman said. “Today she will be playing a collection of compositions originating from France.”

César Franck, a Belgiumborn classical musician with French roots, composed the first arrangement “Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major,” which delivers more of an atmospheric sound rather than the coherence of a classical song.

An described the piece as ‘melodic,’ with the motif of the composition being the harmony between violin and piano.

The next composition, an excerpt from the opera “Thaïs,” tells the story of the prostitute Thaïs and the monk Athanaël who tries to change the luxuriousness and cupidity that her lifestyle entails.

In the excerpt titled “Méditation,” Athanaël’s campaign to purify Thaïs finally begins to make some leeway as she starts to reflect on her past.

“She has a moment where she looks back on what she has done, right before this piece in the opera,” An said. The composition gradually builds in emotion, allowing the listener to envision the resurgence of innocence that each person slowly loses as they become older and develop harmful vices.

Husband and collaborator Henry Shin attended the concert as a spectator, who was relieved

JOB BOARD

to hear his wife play, yet at the same time penitent about not being able to perform with her.

“I am happy to see her perform,” Shin said. “Yet I’m sad that I’m not up there with her.”

An ended the concert with a piece by a composer who had no French influence, but still a well-known classical Russian musician, Tchaikovsky.

Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35” is considered one of the most difficult violin arrangements in classical music, yet An skillfully executed the task without so much as a flutter or error.

When asked about her motivation for performing at the Concert at Pierce events, An’s response was simple.

“It’s the audience,” An said.

“That’s what gives me the energy I need to perform.”

Coming up next week is the second edition of the Pierce Student Concert, where the student body will be displaying their talents yet again May 15.

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Movie Night: Pierce phones home

Farm Center hosts ee weekly starlit cinema

Matt Gottesman Roundup Reporter

Woodland Hills locals cozied up at Pierce College’s farm to catch a free outdoor movie and peruse a weekly farmer’s market Friday, May 9.

The third night of the Farm Center’s Certified Farmer’s Market and Movies on the Farm featured an under-the-stars showing of “E.T the Extra-Terrestrial” and offered a place for independent merchants to set up shop on-campus.

Kelly Alexander, 22, who was selling Dolce Monachelli’s Italian bundt cakes, drove from Orange County after getting an invite from Agriculture Department Chair Leland Shapiro.

“This was a big mission for us,” Alexander said. “I think it would be a good market because there’s a lot of activities, you know? It just needs to be promoted.”

The farm keeps its rides up and running for the events, and ride operator Sydney Stecker, 17, said the nighttime cinemas attract a crowd.

“The movie that we’ve doing, it brings a lot more people,” Stecker said.

Cedrick Austin, 19, took a detour with some friends to check out the festivities.

“We came to see E.T. tonight. It was so crazy,” Austin said. “We were just driving by on the Orange Line, happened to see a huge sign out front.”

Leia Marino was selling cookies freshly baked by CaveGirl Cupboard. She said she anticipates business to pick up as the summer rolls in.

The next Movies on the Farm will feature “The Blind Side” Friday, May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Farm Center

“There’s more traffic tonight than any other night,” Marino said.

Adam Chase, 26, who lives a block from the intersection of De Soto Avenue and Victory Boulevard where the event took place, said he keeps an eye out for the farm’s goings-on.

“Most of the time we walk,” Chase said. “You can literally stand at the front and see how it’s gonna go.”

Nathan Mardigian, 29, who coowns Nuvo Olive Oil, gave a rundown of his company’s organic extra virgin offerings from his booth.

“There’s three different intensities, then we make a Meyer lemon and a blood orange,” Mardigian said. “A good olive oil should be fruity, pungent and bitter. A balance of all three.”

The Certified Farmer’s Market and Movies on the Farm event is scheduled every Friday from 5 – 10 p.m. through September 19. It’s free to get in and next week will feature the 2009 football flick “The Blind Side.”

The full list of summer night features and more information can be found at www.piercefarmcenter. com

We

Gina Woodring / Roundup

Pierce Extension student Claudia Vasquez learns how to work with an extensive palette of colors to perfect her make-up application techniques on May 3 at a class offered through Pierce Extension Program.

Roundup Reporter

Diego Barajas / Roundup

Ji Young An plays the violin alongside James Lent on the piano at the Thursday concert series in the Music Building May 8.

Preparing to dance

Students enrolled in modern dance rehearse for their upcoming performances on May 30, 31 and June 1. The performance will contain 16 dances that will feature ballroom dancing, salsa, bachata, modern dance, hip-hop and jazz. Each dance will be different and showcase the dancers’ talents. The class focuses on the technical moves that each dance requires. These moves are what make a dance beautiful and showcase the perfection that each dancer worked for. Aside from working on perfection, the class also focuses on self-expression through dance.

Dancers rehearse one of the dance routines for their upcoming show.

Center: Grace Camila, 19, started ballet at the age of 3. One person that inspired her to dance was her older sister, who was also a ballerina.

Bottom Right: Sandy Luque, 25, is choreographing two dance routines for the dance show at the Pierce College Art Complex.

Center Bottom: Ana Miranda, 19, and Marie Bayo, 19, rehearse at the dance studio for the dance show on May 30, 31 and June 1.

To watch the video interview of the dancers scan the QR code with your Smartphone.

Copy: Carlos Islas

Photo: Nelger Carrera

From the bayou to the valley Former Ragin’ Cajun brings Southern are to Southern California

Stacey Arevalo Roundup Reporter

On Aug. 28, 2005, Christopher Morgan stood in front of his house with his younger sister as he watched an oak tree that was more than 50 feet tall fall straight through his house and two more fall in his backyard. The day began to get really windy and soon more trees down his street began to get snap in half by a storm.

This was the day Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana.

“I remember it like if it was yesterday,” Morgan said. “No houses were intact, everything was gone. It looked like a war zone.”

Morgan lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a city he said wasn’t affected directly by the flooding from the storm but was still left without power for about a week and a half.

The area where he lived was shaped like an oval with only one way to come in and one way to get out. “Huge oak trees” as Morgan said, lined up all the backs of the houses. Three of those oak trees were what fell through the house he lived in with his family.

“When the levees broke, that’s when it really became real,” Morgan said. “Seeing all the water on TV, seeing areas that I knew in New Orleans, places that I had been to completely covered with water on TV was unreal.”

Since the majority of Morgan’s family lived in New Orleans, where the storm hit the hardest, a big group came to live with him and his family.

“There were about 25 people in a three-bedroom house for about a month until they were able to find a stable place to stay at,” Morgan said. “Some of my family members really just got back on their feet just within the last two or three years.”

Morgan is currently living in “sunny California,” as he called it, where the daily sight of palm trees still doesn’t cease to amaze him. He moved to Woodland Hills four months ago to attend Pierce College.

Morgan is currently looking to major in business management and

[From BASEBALL, pg. 1]

In the second inning, Jeff Wright got hit by a pitch which brought up designated hitter Angel Cruz, who in his first at-bat of the playoffs hit a single into left field that gave the Brahmas a 1-0 lead.

That was the only thing that the Brahmas got all day from Oxnard. In the bottom of the second with the score tied at 1-1, Pierce third baseman Alex Sawelson misplayed a pop fly in the field that allowed the Condors to take a 2-1 lead.

During the bottom of the third inning things only got worse for

Football team will miss defensive coordinator

a solidifier in its organization for decades. Most of all, he will bring a modern spin and a positive attitude for a team in dire need of a reboot.

Corner Sports Column

In order to create a legacy, the process can last years and sometimes even decades.

Even with the right amount of talent, a stone can go unturned. There are limits without organization and in the end no matter how good a coach is, a program may never live to its true potential.

Fortunately for Pierce, they had for defensive coordinator Juan Navarro. He was and is a role model for how a coach should be. Someone who is brass, tough, tenacious, but at same time listens, is observant and not afraid of change.

Students, staff and players might be thinking: a Brahma leaving to become a Monarch? Sounds like a traitor. Well that would be anyone’s first impression but the truth of the matter is Valley needs to become competitive. The monarchs need someone to help clean the mess, start over and give a new outlook on the east side of the Valley.

More importantly, this is coach Navarro’s chance to prove that he can not only be just a man who can work as a second general, but be the heart and the pulse of an organization. Who knows what this job will do for the Florida native.

If in a few years, he turns this program into a competitive team and a recruiting competitor that rivals Pierce, the job could be used as a platform for something bigger.

will be playing the safety position for Pierce’s football team this fall. He hopes to transfer to a Division I school, preferably one in the Pac12 Conference, like UCLA, and eventually go on to the NFL.

“Pierce was the junior college that put out the most amounts of players into Division I, with really no comparison to other schools,” Morgan said. “Now, the rest is history.”

He grew up playing football, baseball, basketball, track and soccer. He said he definitely misses the Cajun style food back home, the May crawfish boils, but most of all Mardi Gras.

As a former “Ragin’ Cajun” at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Morgan was a “redshirt” freshman

Pierce, who surrendered five runsfour of which were unearned. After a missed groundball by Sawelson, who committed two of the Brahmas four errors on the day, with the bases loaded Wright dropped a fly ball in left field. That allowed two runs to score and by the end of the third; the game was well out of reach.

“We came out lazy today,”

Brahmas outfielder Dylan Tashjian said. “We got to come out with more intensity and jump on them from the get go. We can’t wait until the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to decide we want to come play.”

for the team, which Morgan said was an accomplishment. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, student athletes are only allowed to play four full seasons, so players who are labeled as “Redshirts” can prolong their time with the teams without losing eligibility.

Juan Navarro, the defensive coordinator and associate head coach for Pierce’s football team, described Morgan’s body as long and athletic and said Morgan has a “good football IQ.”

“To play his position, you need enough muscle mass in order to prevent injury, and he needs to successfully build his body up to be at that level,” Navarro said. “He needs to continue to apply himself

Game two was tightly contested for both teams and required extra innings to determine the winner. Pierce looked to complete another comeback like did at Cerritos College, but the Condors would come out on top after a fielding error in the 12th inning ended the game. With the score tied at five and Condors outfielder Dustyn Cook at second, a ground ball hit to Pierce’s shortstop Austin Peters took a bad hop and Oxnard held on to defeat Pierce 6-5.

For full story visit theroundupnews.com

physically in the weight room and his life needs to reflect his focus.”

Navarro also described Morgan as a polite man with great communication and cognitive skills.

“He has tremendous potential,” Navarro said. “If he develops the adequate consistent behaviors, he’s going to turn out to be great in whatever he does.”

Bentley Easley, a 19-year-old sports management major at Pierce and Morgan’s roommate, also is new to California, having moved from Florida.

“He’s always laid back and down to have fun,” Easley said. “He’s a good roommate because he likes to clean up and make things nice and tidy. Plus he’s one of the best safeties that has come to Pierce to play.”

These qualities are what made him one of the most respected and recognized coaches in the state and a key reason why the Brahmas football team is one of the best at recruiting tremendous talent. In his absence it will be these qualities that will allow Pierce to have continued success for years to come.

Now he goes to Valley College, the crosstown rival of Pierce. A team that is literally struggling to hold its own, not just as a football team but as a school that produces competitive athletics. Seeing the program that Navarro has helped create, he will be the perfect addition for the Monarchs, who as a team went 4-6 and had an embarrassing 1-6 conference record including getting smashed by the Brahmas last year 42-9.

With Navarro as head coach he will bring in toughness, diligence and respect for a team that hasn’t been getting any. He will bring help build a legacy that really hasn’t had

Summer 2014 Forecast:

So with coach Navarro leaving, he turned Pierce into a team that literally breeds defensive linemen and linebackers and turns them into competitive Division I prospects. With his legacy, players will continue to come to Pierce because of the Brahmas’ reputation for success. Now he gets to do it for lackluster Valley program, desperately needing life like a flower that hasn’t seen the sun or a drop of rain in years.

A new era is dawning at Valley with Navarro in the lead. It will be hard for the former Brahma who will literally be building a foundation with his bare hands. A first look at the practice showed a lot of dysfunctionality, with the players in disarray and no true leader Navarro has his work cut out for him. Turning this undisciplined group of boys into a formidable bunch will take some time and hard work.

Brainstorms EXPECTED –May through August

summer Session 1

MAY 27–AUGUST 19 (12 weeks)

W

summer Session 2

summer Session 3

MAY 27–JULY 8 (6 weeks)

JULY 9–AUGUST 19 (6 weeks)

 Accelerate your progress toward a degree,

ith a deluge of university credit courses to choose from, CSUN Summer Session can help youREGISTRATION

 Advance your career, or

APRIL 2

 Soak up new knowledge for the sheer delight of it.

Whatever your academic goals, chances are you’ll find a class within the wide selection of courses offered—many of which are now available online. BEGINS

http://summer.csun.edu

Gina Woodring / Roundup

Chris Morgan, formerly of the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, and a 2014 Pierce Brahmas football player takes a break from his hectic schedule to discuss football at Pierceʼs Shepard Stadium

“When the levees broke, that’s when it really became real. Seeing all the water on TV, seeing areas that I knew in New Orleans, places that I had been to completely covered with water on TV, was unreal.”

Ethan

Hanson Assistant Editor

CSUN SUMMER SESSION

Running back to lead football team

A er taking a year o star running back hopes to highlight potent o ense

His feet tap the ground like a salsa dancer while at the same time working under duress as if there are bullets flying at him, making sure he never stops moving.

As he goes through the drills, with one quick burst he is off and running, knowing what is at stake this year. Not just for himself, but the family he has left behind to live out his dream of being a star athlete and maybe even someday getting to play in front of thousands of screaming fans in a packed stadium.

De’Shawn Jones is going to be carrying the torch this year for Pierce College. Jones, a native of Mt. Holly, NJ, has now grown into the kind of player the Brahmas have hoped he would become. A dynamic running back that not only punishes linemen whenever he hits a hole, but one that also has the ability to quickly burst outside, turn up field and leave the opposition in the dust.

Jones is a year removed from a season where he helped Pierce become one of the best offense in the state last year. Jones is ready to make a bigger impact this upcoming season with a much larger role to play in the Brahmas’ schemes. Despite only putting up 302 yards during the season, he was an allpurpose force averaging 27.5 yards a game.

Pierce offensive coordinator Jason Sabolic has marveled at Jones’ physical ability and thinks that the upcoming season will be the year when Jones reveals his true potential.

“Whenever I’m explaining to college scouts about De’Shawn, you can feel him running behind you,” Sabolic said. “If you were to have your back turned and you were to see him coming from behind you, you can literally feel him behind you. It’s an intangible that you are not going to find very often.”

Jones has undergone a lot of maturing in the process of trying to becoming a player that defenses fear. At 18 years old, Jones was 2,738 miles away from home and was unsure if he would be given a chance to prove his worth as a legitimate player.

“It is tough at the beginning but

this opportunity and experience that I have had is unforgettable,” Jones said. “The things that I have been able to see and go through and I don’t regret anything. This experience has made me who I am and a lot of things humble me now as well. I just want to work hard so my family can be happy and just one day make it.”

By making it, he means getting a scholarship at a four year college or university. According to Sabolic, it was taking a year off and grayshirting that helped strengthen Jones’ development as a player. Grayshirting meant that he could practice and participate in training with the team but not be allowed to play. Jones couldn’t play, but that didn’t stop him from working.

“By taking his freshman year off, De’Shawn was able to get bigger, stronger and faster,” Sabolic said. “He was able to get more comfortable and confident in his abilities and more confident in his team.”

For Jones, he has had a lot of companionship with wide receiver Oran Davis, who is also trying out to become Pierce’s quarterback this year. He and Jones both played last year for Pierce’s team, both very raw in terms of talent and skill but both with incredible potential.

They also happen to be dealing with being away from their families even though they are from two different coasts. Jones comes from the often snowy and cold state of New Jersey, Davis on the other hand is from the humid state of Georgia, growing up in Atlanta. Both he and Jones are now at Pierce and are often seen clowning around like brothers or being a force as a duo on the field.

“De’Shawn is like my brother,” Davis said. “We both struggled,

but the guy is like my brother. My brother from another mother.”

Jones is now trying to take himself and Pierce to the level that they were before when they won the 2013 American Division Bowl championship. With all the physical ability in the world including being able to run a 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, he is still growing as the Brahmas enter spring football. Enter new running backs coach Cordell Landers, who has been working with Jones to make him a sharper running back.

Landers has been introducing Jones to brand new drills. No longer just basic footwork drills on speed

and agility ladders, but being able to stay low, and utilizing and getting through small gaps in the defense.

“With Landers it is about falling nine times and getting up ten,” Jones said of his running back coach. “But he pushes me hard and helps me get to where I need to be and I’ve needed that this spring.”

Landers has only been a part of the Brahmas coaching staff for three months but he is already touting Jones not just for his skill, but for his passion and character as well as his ability to take instruction.

“De’Shawn is one of the best running backs I’ve had in the past six years in coaching football,”

Landers said. “He’s a kid that you don’t get to coach every day. I like his heart and I like his ambition. His willingness to be coached and to be pushed to the hardest and fullest extent and his attitude is what separates him from others.”

With Jones’ growth and maturity, the Brahmas are not just expected to compete but are a favorite to win another championship. He is older, he is wiser and he is stronger. Jones is exemplifying what has made Pierce College’s football program so unique in the past years. Taking athletic, but often raw, athletes and turning them into players worthy of being selected to

play at the Division I level. Since 2010, 81 Pierce football players have gone on to play at four year universities. Forty-nine of them have played or are currently playing at Division I schools.

Former Pierce College cornerback Tyrin Stone-Davis who is now on his way to the University of Illinois calls De’Shawn “one of the greatest running backs he has ever seen at the junior college level. With all the high praise and accolades being given it seems like it is Jones turn to be in front of the line and become another Division I prospect opponents fear.

Nicolas Herrida / Roundup

Running back DeʼShawn Jones sprints down the Pierce College football field in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“I just want to work hard so my family can be happy and just one day make it.”

-De’Shawn Jones

Running back for the Pierce College football team

Ethan Hanson

Roundup Reporter