Volume 120 Spring 2014 Roundup Issue 9

Senate welcomes dean to campus Administrator will focus on comprehensive school success

Jessica Boyer Arts & Entertainment Editor

In between bylaw revisions and debates over he-said-shesaid conversations, a new dean of institutional effectiveness was announced at the Pierce College Academic Senate meeting on Monday.

Pierce College President Kathleen Burke introduced the new dean, Oleg Bespalov, as a member to the Pierce family and outlined his qualifications in a staff email on Monday.

College district leased, sold roughly 55 acres of Pierce farmland since 1987

Tim Toton Roundup Reporter

For nearly three decades, parts of Pierce’s farmland have been declared surplus and sold or leased for millions of dollars with a fraction of profits going back to the agriculture department.

Historically, the college is as immersive as its sprawling, flora- and fauna-filled meadows. It has welcomed the community to experience rodeos and Farm Walks, watch firework shows and hear Civil War cannons, walk corn mazes and hike trails, all while providing a living classroom to thousands of animal science students.

Leland Shapiro, chair of agriculture, has been at Pierce for all but three presidents.

“We used to be self-supporting here. If they take anymore land from us and we have an economic down, [the farm] will have to go,” he said.

Despite its storied campus, the Los Angeles Community College District has used Pierce land as a source of revenue, while school administrations have seen it as both a financial burden and a way to entice the community through their doors.

Pierce faced “financial insecurity,” as president Herb Ravetch stated in the 1982 Master Plan, but he significantly increased

Who: Temple Shir Chadash

farm funding and consolidated the agriculture department as a way to save money, Shapiro stated.

Ravetch was replaced by David Wolf in 1985 who saw two LACCD land deals take place by 1987 worth more than $4 million at a loss of nearly 21 acres -- 17.5 acres of farmland and 3.3 acres of arboretum.

“The 17 acres of alfalfa that used to be on the other side of the West Valley Occupational Center was my alfalfa field that I used to feed my cows,” Shapiro said. “When they sold that, the district, the board of trustees, promised us money to make up the lost feed. They broke their promise.”

The other development under Wolf’s administration was on the southwest corner of Oxnard Street and Winnetka Avenue, which razed Pierce’s upper arboretum.

“That was a part of the horticulture unit. They tore those down to build four or five homes – very expensive homes – and the money – the proceeds - was supposed to come back to help our horticulture program,” he said. “We never got a penny for that.”

Pierce is mostly funded on the number of Full-time Equivalent (FTE) students on its 426 acre campus. So if it cost more to educate students on the farm, the agriculture department must bridge that gap with fundraisers or sales of animal products like eggs, dairy and livestock.

“Our allocations are just much too small for

What: 17.5 acres of farm’s alfalfa fields leased then sold

How much: About $3.2 million

When: 1990

Where: Topham Street and Victory Boulevard

Why: Synagogue and tract housing

the kind of services we need to provide to our students,” Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher said. “I’m looking at the financial and operational component and trying to support that as best I can.”

President Dan Means abruptly shut down the school’s dairy farm in 1990, citing expenses. Students had run the dairy store since the school’s founding. It generated enough income to subsidize the chicken, horse, pig and sheep units, Shapiro stated.

“I said we brought in $100,000 in milk sales. He said, ‘I’m not looking at income right now, I’m just looking at expenses.’ How do you respond to that?” Shapiro said. “When you got rid of the dairy, there was nothing to carry the farm, and from that point we started losing money on a regular basis.”

The Roundup reached out to the administration for comments over a month ago, but President Burke canceled the day before the interview. It’s been rescheduled for May 8. Schleicher said in an email reply they “have not had enough planning sessions to fully envision what a college farm may look like in years to come.”

There have been 15 leaders from when farm acreage started dropping in the late 1980s. Shapiro said he and other faculty would complain that land atrophy worsened the ability to raise animals, grow crop and train students when the talk of developments would start.

Who: Ted Neumann

What: 3.3 acres of horticulture unit’s upper arboretum sold

How much: About $1.15 million

When: 1987

Where: Winnetka Avenue and Oxnard Street

Why: Large residential homes

Protester Gordon Murley, president of the Woodland Hills Homeowner’s Organization, said these deals did not contribute to students’ education stripped away the campus’s beauty and that one deal violated the U.S. Constitution.

Joe Cicero ran a farm stand and worked about 30 acres of land along Victory Boulevard for close to 10 years. Though he wasn’t without controversy, he was “a friend to the farm,” Shapiro said.

The ground lay fallow after Cicero Farms left in 1995 and other deals fell through. Financial woes and community pressure about the open land, produced a major proposal for an 18-hole golf course by entrepreneur Eddie Milligan and golfer Jim Colbert.

First articulated by president Dan Means, approved by Pierce College Council under E. Bing Inocencio, it was abandoned by LACCD just after Darroch “Rocky” Young took the school’s helm in 1999.

The golf course idea was sunk when Young’s 2002 Master Plan -- a detailed document projecting the college’s commitment over a span of years -- changed Pierce’s “unique urban land resources.” A farmer’s market and agricultural education center was part of the plan’s manifest. After two request for proposals in 2002 failed to secure a contractor for Young’s market idea, the land went dormant.

[See FARM, pg. 3]

Who: Los Angeles Metropolitan Authority

What: 4.04 acres of farm’s fields leased

How much: About $200,000 interest, 40 years

When: 2003

Where: Victory Boulevard between Winnetka and De Soto Avenues

Why: Orange line expansion

“Most recently, Oleg was the Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment at Patten University, and before then served in various research roles at the San JoseEvergreen Community College District, Bridgepoint Education, Temple University, Princeton University, and ETS,” Burke said.

Bespalov was introduced to the Senate by Earic Peters, vice president of Student Services, during Monday’s meeting.

“We’re very, very happy to have him on board,” Peters said.

Bespalov was greeted with an applause from attendees at the meeting after the introduction.

“I do have to say, he started two days ago and got his Pierce College shirt. I started six months ago and still haven’t gotten a shirt,” Peters added with a laugh.

Bespalov is passionate about collaborating with faculty and staff on research and planning, and is excited to be a part of the Pierce community, Burke said.

At a dinner party recently, Bespalov was asked where he was working. When he answered with “Pierce,” he was told the college was called “UC Pierce.”

“So I said ‘No, it’s not a UC,’ and they said, ‘No, no we call it UC Pierce around here because it’s that good,’” Bespalov said.

Bespalov will serve as chair of the College Planning Committee, according to Peters.

“I’ve realized the standards here are very high and I will work very, very hard to meet your high standards,” Bespalov said.

Tim Toton / Roundup

Freshly scrubbed goats graze in a field during Goat Wash Day on the Pierce College farm while a growing city lears over the hill April 8.

Jessica Boyer / Roundup Dean of Institutional Effectiveness Oleg Bespalov.

STREET BEAT

Are there enough campus events?

-Rimi

-May

Class crashing policy should prioritize early birds

Almost all college students will find themselves needing a class that’s closed. That’s where crashing comes in handy. It’s not that sitting through an entire class until your number is called while other possible sessions are filling up isn’t entertaining, but there must be a better way to conduct the process of enrolling a student that’s not on the roster the first day.

Currently, there are multiple methods professors use to allow crashing students into their classes. Since there isn’t a uniform “crashing process” followed by all teachers, certain methods, such as giving preferential treatment to previous students over others, gives an unfair advantage to certain students.

There needs to be a uniform policy for crashing a class that all teachers need to consistently follow. There cannot be exceptions to the rule or the system becomes biased.

-Patrick Meyers chemical engineering major

Budget time for fun with better planning

is coming up, and map out the time you need for each class.

The second thing on your list should be to get enough sleep. You know your body and what it is capable of handling, so schedule the amount of sleep you need each night. A well rested brain learns more quickly and effectively.

The most equitable and fair method to use when selecting which students to add would be to conduct a randomized lottery on the first day of class. Students who arrive prior to the start of the course wishing to add the class should be placed on a lottery list. No student arriving after the begin-

ning time of the class should be allowed to participate in the lottery. This allows all students who arrive prior to the class to have an equal chance of enrollment.

This is the most reasonable and non-biased process because it leaves the ultimate decision up to chance. Dropping enrolled students that do not show up for the first day of class and giving no students preferential treatment should also be a rule that all teachers follow.

The school offers a list of tips and strategies on their website to enhance a student’s chances of successfully crashing a course, which includes sending email to the professor before the start of the semester, being professional and courteous, attending the first day of class and showing up early, turning in your add slip as soon as possible, looking for other options if there are no spots available for adding and planning early for next semester.

The only other options if crashing is unsuccessful are to attend the desired class at another time, at another campus or waiting until the next semester.

This procedure will only work if there is a uniform acceptance and adherence by all faculty as well as clear enforcement by school administration.

Chipotle price hike means burrito buyers should shop around

Chipotle will raise prices this summer, the first increase in three years. Now really, Chipotle is great and all, but is it worth it?

Opinion

“Dear Kate, I ended up having to take 21 units this semester to finish my general education requirements and to transfer, and now I don’t have any time for my boyfriend or my friends. What should I do?” -Swamped Student

Dear Swamped, Way to be determined and take on 21 units in one semester! You are a brave soul.

Professors at Pierce tell you in the beginning of each semester that you need two hours of study/homework time for each unit you are taking. That means, in theory, the typical three-unit class should take nine hours of time out of your week. At half time enrollment, you are looking at 18 hours per week, 27 hours for nine units, and 36 hours – almost the equivalent of a full-time job – for a full time student taking 12 units. More units than 12, and you have to become a time management expert. It’s your only choice if you want to keep your sanity intact.

The first thing you need to do is make a weekly schedule. Rely on the syllabi that your teachers provide so that you are never surprised when a test or a heavy reading week

Third, cut back on television and unnecessary social media that tend to drain your time.

While school should be your priority at this time, taking a break and having some fun is important too. Schedule a few hours a week for your friends and boyfriend, but be wise about it. Don’t go out if you have a test the next morning or need to write a paper.

You have to take breaks to eat every day, so use that time to squeeze in some fun. Meet your friends for lunch or coffee to refuel before your afternoon classes or study sessions.

If you drive, use your commute time to catch up with friends or family on the phone – with a handsfree device, of course.

You will have to be extra organized with your time while you are in school, but remember, it’s only a season. It will be over before you know it, so keep your eyes on that light at the end of the tunnel.

Do 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, and wish to remain anonymous, your identity will be kept a secret.

They can raise prices and get away with it, because they know people will still buy their product. The only question is, is a burrito at Chipotle still worth the extra money?

Jordan Utley- omson

jthomson.roundupnews@gmail.com

Prices are speculated to increase by about five percent. This would make the average Chipotle burrito in the San Fernando Valley cost around seven to eight dollars. Bless the hearts and wallets of those who add avocado or extra meat.

The increase is hardly surprising considering the rise in cheese, avocado and beef prices lately. While the amazing weather and lack of rain is wonderful for some, the shortage of food caused by California’s drought and the subsequent sticker shock is not.

Thus, it is to be expected that Chipotle will need to offset costs somehow, and unfortunately, that means the customer has to bear the brunt of it.

This isn’t to say that Chipotle is some evil corporate boogeyman though. After all, the chief business of the American people is business. Without raising prices, Chipotle could operate at a loss and eventually find itself bankrupt. Just imagine a world without their voluptuous burritos.

Inflation is a natural part of economic progression, and much of it is the fault of the very same people that love Chipotle so much. The long lines, the countless burritos and bowls made throughout the week, the word of mouth among high school and college students – Chipotle notices all of this. Their chief financial officer even remarked that they “have a lot of pricing power.”

In this mediocre economy, no. Wages remain stagnant, trailing inflation. The unemployment rate is over 6.5 percent. Economic growth is stubbornly low. Last week, The New York Times lamented that the American middle class is no longer the world’s most affluent. This country never truly recovered from the downturn five years ago, and if the time between past recessions is any indicator, another one could be just around the corner. That isn’t to say that any money previously spent at Chipotle should just sit around and do nothing. Look for alternatives. Tell friends that, instead of the usual Chipotle outing, a cook-off at home might be more fun. Enjoy some time at a few markets looking for the most intricate spices and best meats, all while trying to minimize costs.

Or if eating out is a requirement, keep an open mind and try something new. For example, Yum! Brands – best known for operating fast food restaurants such as Taco Bell and Pizza Hut – is looking to cut into the fast casual market dominated by Chipotle and Subway.

Yum! Brand’s response to millennials’ fascination with restaurants like Chipotle is U.S. Taco Co.: a taco joint that will offer an interesting fusion of ingredients for tacos. Never seen a taco with gravy or lobster before? Get ready.

With extra competition in the fast casual market, Chipotle could possibly lower prices at some point out of fear of competition. So shop around and keep an eye on the receipt, otherwise don’t be surprised to pay for a 10 dollar burrito in the near future.

-COMIC STRIP-

“I would like to see more of the sports being promoted, and getting people to come out to the games.”

Photos by Kate Noah. Quotes gathered by Tracy Wright and Ethan Hanson.

Cartoon by Maria Salvador.

“We have always said [the farm] should revert back to the days when Pierce ran their own.”

Gordon Murley President Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization

“We were supposed to get originally $19 million [from bond money] to build a state-of-the art show-and-tell facility,” said Shapiro. “As there was money overspent on all the other projects, agriculture or animal science became very last, and we got very little of that $19 million.”

Then in 2005, the Foundation for Pierce College signed a twoacre lease with LACCD and hired Robert McBroom and his company Asylum Productions, Inc. to run a Halloween Harvest Festival, Christmas tree lot and eventually a farmer’s market as a way to fundraise money for its operations, Foundation officials said.

The Foundation is a fundraising and community outreach entity founded in 1970, which acts as a local fiscal agent for money earned or donated to the college.

Shapiro said that no money was promised from the Foundation’s lease and subsequent Pierce Farm Center, as it became known, but both organizations provided material support of farm operations by providing labor and equipment the college couldn’t afford or didn’t own.

The PFC is, in a much smaller way, the realization of Young’s agricultural education center

Final drop day is May 11 [5/11]

The last day to drop a class without a “W” is Sunday, May 11. All dropped classes are processed online and teachers are not responsible for dropping students.

“I drive by there and I say, ‘Where’s your agriculture?’ I don’t see a damn thing growing.”

Joe Cicero Owner Cicero Farms

“Foundations are unique

concept through community outreach.

“When we started it was supposed to be the Farm Center and a place for the corn maze. Then later McBroom took over the farm because the farmer quit,” said Floriya Borzenkova, the Foundation’s senior program director. “It’s hard for him to do this. The college has more [farming] knowledge, but at the same time the college doesn’t have enough equipment and money to take care of this land. If Robert is not doing anything, it’s going to be like grass and weeds and that’s it.”

However, the college exerted control over PFC after the lease with the district ended in 2010, and the with the Foundation agreement ended in 2012, because of “transitions” happening at the time, said Associate Vice President Larry Kraus.

“Our contract expired, so we don’t have any relationship with PFC right now,” Borzenkova said.

According to Foundation 990 tax records, the private / public relationship Young called out in his plan contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to their operational fund.

Documents the Roundup has collected through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) show that McBroom’s attempts to negotiate

News briefs

Administration conducts survey

An online survey will ask students how much time they require between classes and the best starting and ending times for classes. It can be found at www. surveymonkey.com/s/5TLTDGP.

because they are almost entirely funded by people who give a hoot.”

Dennis Washburn Executive Director, 2005 Foundation for Pierce College

“No other department is mandated, if you want to use that word, to make a profit.”

Leland Shapiro Chair of agriculutre Los Angeles Pierce College

“What’s interesting about Pierce is that it sits on a lot of land. It has the ability to grow into a major college.”

Michael S. Adler President Adler Realty Investments, Inc.

meaningfully on record.

In March 2014, the college took control over another Foundation fundraiser, the Topanga Vintage Market, which Foundation officials said surprised them.

“Our main source for the operational fund was the Vintage Market. We were planning for a long-term contract for a swap meet,” said Borzenkova.

“Open space, especially for families, doesn’t mean you go over to the mall. You gotta get out into nature.”

Robert McBroom Owner Asylum Productions, Inc.

know what was going on. Then she told us she didn’t read the letter- she didn’t read the letter. We tried to explain what’s going on and she told us, ‘There’s no money.’ Anything we tried to tell her or explain she said, ‘There is no money. There is no money. That’s it.’”

Asylum’s contract with the college were ignored.

In a Jan. 9, 2013 email, Schleicher intended to address only Kraus about a complaint from McBroom but he unintentionally included McBroom in the reply:

“… I do not see ANY compelling reason to continue with the Farm Enterprise as it is currently run, “Schleicher wrote. “We lose money on this enterprise from a P&L perspective and it does not support our college programs either. To move forward, we need to work on a Business Plan for a new venture to utilize our property more effectively such as a weekly swap meet and farmers market, or some other operation depicted and approved through a Business Plan. I would like to begin the process of notifying Mr. McBroom of my decision to close down the Farm now that the contract has expired.

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.

Do not disclose or engage a meeting with Mr. McBroom (his emphasis) until we have met to discuss the facts of the contract and equipment ownership. I want to keep our claims to a minimum. He is free to bid on future ideas and concepts we endorse that will maximize our profits and support the farm needs currently unmet in our 10100 [general fund] programs.” (Schleicher’s emphasis)

Asylum was served a 30 day eviction notice on July 10, 2013, by Schleicher who said PFC was “taking advantage of the college,” said McBroom in an LACCD meeting.

“I feel the same way about the farm center as I did when I initially came in. It wasn’t a strong relationship for the college,” Schleicher said.

They have been in mediation ever since. Neither party will talk

“Something’s wrong with the contract. The college took over. All the money goes to the college from the Vintage Market. They say the contract we have we cannot have.”

Kraus said the college is currently working with LACCD to resolve contract irregularities that Foundation officials say were vetted by the Enterprise office. He said the money from the Topanga Vintage Market goes to the college’s general fund and that there is no current plan to give that money to the Foundation.

The resulting loss of operational revenue from these two fundraisers is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year according to 990 tax forms and contract terms they shared with the Roundup.

“The board sent a letter to Kathleen (dated March 5, 2014). We had a meeting on [April 7], then [April 8] - she canceled the first meeting,” Borzenkova said. “Kathleen came and she didn’t

incident report

4-26 – Petty theft bike – An unknown suspect stole a bike that was locked against a pole in the Village.

4-26 - Burglary structure – An unknown suspect stole folk dancing costumes from the Storage Room 5604 in the North Gym.

4-27 - Student incident – A student volunteering at the Farm Walk was transported by paramedic to the hospital after passing out after possibly taking medication with an alcoholic beverage.

5-2 – Forgery/Identity theft – A student filled out forms on the Mall and later received a call from her bank informing her that fraudulent charges were made on her account.

On April 16, 2014, the Foundation’s board met to contemplate laying off longtime staff to temporarily keep their doors open. They deferred the motion to look at alternatives.

Whether the Foundation will have its contract with the Topanga Vintage Market restored has yet to be worked out.

Whether PFC and the college will continue joint operations is up to their lawyers.

“I didn’t say they didn’t provide a great value here, but also the value has to be the educational component and they are paying their fair share because I’m running a deficit right now of $3 million,” Schleicher said.

The last time Pierce lost a wellestablished farming operation on this corner, the crops died and plans for a golf course grew in its place.

“Pierce College is supposed to be known for basically growing on the ground – you got to show me where the things are being grown,” Cicero said. “If your selling bananas in there, where the hell’s your banana tree?”

April 20 - May 3

– Compiled by: Genna Gold

Digital sign to honor transfer students

Castro Roundup Reporter

transferring to give them some positive exposure and celebrate their achievement,” Clay said.

In the next week or two, students

that Pierce transfers and graduates students,” she said. Honoring students who are transferring out of Pierce seems

Jesus

– Compiled by Tracy Wright

Past president shares his leadership skills Darroch “Rocky” Young tells students his success story

Fostering an environment that’s open to discussion and provides the ability to see the long term goal are just some of the crucial components in being a visionary leader.

These are the words of Darroch “Rocky” Young, who was the Pierce College president from 1999-2003 and the namesake of Rocky Young Park. He spoke on the subject of visionary leadership to a group at the Great Hall on Monday.

The topic of his recently published book “A Walk Through Leadership” is tools and tips that could benefit leaders in any arena.

Young, who also served in faculty and administration positions at Santa Monica College and was Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), said the idea for the book came from his consulting work.

“I would be called into a college to help solve some narrow problem,”

Art Gallery students share their passions

Kayla Akil Roundup Reporter

It’s beguiling, it’s bold, but it’s beautiful.

Walking into an art gallery can bring many thoughts and feelings, but one thing that can never be denied is the emotions felt while looking at a particular piece whether elegant or exotic.

In the Pierce Art Gallery different artwork sits carefully framed on alabaster walls, some encased in special glass to protect the conditions of each piece and some laying in the open for viewers to pick up and observe.

The artwork in the gallery are not works from Picasso or Angelo, but from Pierce students whose art gives the gallery its unique aura upon entering the facility.

As the student showcase nears, Afshin Shidanshidy, a second year assistant and work-study student of the art gallery, busies himself with preparing the gallery.

“The art that is admitted can be any student’s art that was done through classes from last year spring up until this year that can be turned in,” Shidanshidy said.

“I like to see everything: sculpture projects, architectural models, 3D program presentation boards, and ceramics,” Shidanshidy said, adding that the art is then categorized and evaluated.

Students submit their artwork to the showcase as part of the curriculum of many classes in order to complete the semester.

“I’m looking to see variety of different types of pieces,” art professor Peter Kraus said. “You can tell what the young people need by their art, helps shape my curriculum.”

One of the art workers is a second year Pierce student, Jose Flores.

“I am looking for good art,” Flores said.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

Young said. “And we would work and we would solve that problem but it was clear that it would only be a matter of time and there would be another problem because the real issue wasn’t the specific problem we were solving. The issue was the leadership.”

To combat the narrow way of looking at problems, Young developed the idea of visionary leadership. The concept is to consider where you currently are and envision where you want your position and where you want to eventually be.

“We live in a society that’s very short term oriented,” Young said. “We don’t think long term whether it’s congress, or the board of trustees, there are tendencies to think in very short term segments and as a result there is not a lot of encouragement to be visionary.”

Having a vision was essential to Young’s message. Whatever organization one leads, the idea is to develop a big picture of how to make that organization distinctly better. That means, according to Young, not just improving what is

there but standing out from other similar institutions and having them copy your solutions or innovations.

Young provided ways to become a visionary leader and one main component was time management. He said his time as the Pierce College president showed him that the people who come to the president’s office are the people with complaints, and problems are what take up your time.

“You’ll never have enough time in a single day to do everything you want to accomplish,” Young said.

By recognizing this and practicing time management you can begin tackling problems in a more controlled and focused manner Young said.

Lizette Perez, 18, is a psychology major hoping to work with children.

“I think it’s important to manage your time, your students, and your work load,” Perez said. “I want to be a counselor and making time for everyone is something I always want to remember.”

Utilizing what you have available to you is one way to get around the common problem of things like

Meet your new ASO Electees

Student government shares goals and plans

Alex Oloo, ASO president

“I really want to make this a success and I’m proud of the students that we have. A lot of people motivated me and supported me all of the way and I don’t want to let them down.”

Jonathan Vazquez, ASO vice president

“I want to give people their own voice and some people in ASO have a dominant voice and are heard, while some are too shy to speak and they just don’t say anything. I’m happy to hear everyone.”

Michael McGee, ASO treasurer

“I wanted to really make sure the finances are in order by creating a budget each semester. I hope to bring a lot of excitement to the position next year.”

Lakshika Ruwanpathirana, ASO Club Council president

“I hope in my career and in my year as the Club Council president, that I can talk to the students and become a voice for them.”

underfunding or limited resources. Student success is linked to the well being of a community college and being able to have an open dialogue and work with institutions before and beyond a community college is essential, according to Young.

“I ways relished a radical idea,” Young said. “I thought I didn’t have a complete vision if I didn’t have at least one really radical idea in there.”

Young discussed cultivating an environment in which any idea could be brought to the leadership. Listening and genuine caring were some things Young highlighted in his speech.

“You’re trying to get to a place that welcomes ideas,” Young said. “If someone comes to you with an idea you can usually find something in it to support.”

Barbara Anderson, the dean of Academic Affairs and coordinator of the event, hinted at an idea that she and Donna Accardo, chair of the English Department, have in the works.

Club Calendar

Wednesday, May 7

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

Thursday, May 8

The Anthropology Society meets at noon in CNC 3808.

Alpha Gamma Sigma meets at 1 p.m. in BUS 3206

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

Monday, May 12 Film Club meets at 3:40 p.m. in BEH 1310.

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

Tuesday, May 13

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

Richard Zamora Roundup Reporter

Fidencio Marin / Special to the Roundup Former Pierce College President Darroch “Rocky” Young gives a presentation on leadership in the Great Hall on Monday, May 5.

Theater Review: ʻIndependenceʼ Play

Pierce College eater Department presents play by Lee Blessing, directed by Anita Adcock

The Pierce College Theater Department is deftly tackling an emotionally taxing relationship between a mother and her three daughters in playwright Lee Blessing’s “Independence,” which opened May 2 and will continue May 9 through 11.

The production, directed by Anita Adcock, stars Stephanie Alkazian, Elyse Hamilton and Sadé Reid as the oldest, middle and youngest daughters respectively. Leah Foster takes on the role of the mother who Foster proficiently balances between manipulative and sympathetic.

The play takes place in Independence, a small town in Iowa, and deals with issues of lingering resentment from a troubled past, abandonment and the caring for a parent. While the major tone of the play is a somber one, bits of humor are refreshingly sprinkled throughout without taking away from the seriousness

Weekly Concert: Cultural music performed

Dimitris Mahlis and Chris Wabich, better known as the duo Wahid, performed for an audience of more than 100 people in the music recital room on Thursday, May 1, providing a variety of original Middle Eastern melodies using an oud and frame drum.

The two-man group has been collaborating for 15 years, using their ancient instruments to convey the styles of Greek, Persian and Arabic tradition and culture with their own contemporary sound.

Music Adjunct James Bergman was delighted to have the revered group perform at this week’s concert, noting that the group brings their own type of diverse and particular sound which sticks to its roots while bringing their own signature elegance.

“Today, we have something a little different. Wahid’s music is Middle Eastern based,” Bergman said. “It’s a mix of a lot of different styles.”

With Mahlis on the oud and Wabich manning the frame drum, Wahid’s style of music can be compared to that of music played in the courts of Arabic and Egyptian royalty for sultans and pharaohs, or the laid-back olden compositions born of tradition from Middle

that is carefully built. The performance leaves one wondering if this family can truly repair their fragile relationship and how damaging their dynamic can be before someone ultimately decides that it is no longer worth trying.

Alkazian, in the role of the eldest sister, sees herself as an anchor for the family almost taking on the mother role as the story goes on. She and Reid, as the boisterous youngest sister, provide the polar opposite products of the environment in which they were raised and the two actresses deliver an adversarial chemistry that fuels the overall tension for the family.

Hamilton acts as the mediator between the siblings and their mother. With the eldest daughter out of the house and the youngest itching to leave, Foster’s character latches onto her middle child.

Foster portrays many expressions but subtly reveals that fear is the primary motivator for her actions.

This mother is afraid of being alone and resorts to some disturbing behavior to keep Hamilton’s

character at home. Hamilton remains timid and submissive even when she decides she’s had enough. Again, fear appears to be the character’s main motivation.

The fear of losing her daughters causes this mother to manufacture closeness with her family, rather

than allowing it to grow organically. While the entire play takes place in the family’s home, the content is engaging enough to hold the audience’s attention and indeed the house itself almost becomes the fifth member of the family. Just like each of the women have

a varied relationship with each other, so too do they have a different connection with the house. The set is well designed, giving the illusion of separate rooms and floors and acts as a safe haven or cage.

“Independence” will continue May 9 with shows beginning at 8

p.m. on Friday and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $15 dollars with tickets for students and seniors priced at $12. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 818719-6488 and by visiting www. brownpapertickets.com.

Students Enroll In ‘Fun’ Classes

Pierce extension o ers additional education

to Pierce Extension Director Cindy Chang.

Eastern cultures.

Percussionist Wabich has recorded music with the likes of Sheila E., Ludacris, and Sting, just to name a few, and is well-known for his dramatic flair displayed through his precise hand speed and amazing dexterity.

“Today, I will be playing the frame set, one of the oldest drum sets to exist,” Wabich said. “It’s tuned to a certain pitch unlike other drum sets. The sound is unique to our style.”

Playing five original songs, “Looking for Paradisi,” “Alexander’s Regret,” “Sunlight,” “Protofolia” and “Airlift,” Mahlis described why he decided to play these specific songs for the audience.

“These are the pieces we’ve been touring with,” Mahlis said. “These specific pieces take the listener on a journey.”

With multiple pedals connected to an amplifier, Mahlis uses both the manipulation of instrument and technology to create a sound that’s signature to Middle Eastern music.

Wabich’s drumming completed Mahlis’ style of extreme-paced groves with electric tempos, sometimes playing with both hands, or using only one drum stick for accented cymbal notes while simultaneously using his free hand to traverse the rest of his framed drum set.

Using a modified version of the original frame drums, Wabich explained how his instrument has transformed over the years due to advances in resource from universal use.

“The early Frame drums were made with rope and animal skin,” Wabich said. “They’re very nontraditional when compared to their original structures.”

For a deeper look into Wahid’s music and philosophies, visit www. WahidMusic.com where visitors can listen and purchase Wahid’s music.

For next week’s Concert at Pierce event, violinist Ji Young An will perform in the music recital room on Thursday, May 8.

With courses including MakeUp 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

“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

CSUN SUMMER SESSION

Summer 2014 Forecast:

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 does training for competitions, stroke work, kicking drills and gets about 3000 yards of swimming in each class, said SWAM Coach Deborah Hefter.

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com]

Brainstorms EXPECTED –May through August

summer Session 1

MAY 27–AUGUST 19 (12 weeks)

summer Session 2

summer Session 3

MAY 27–JULY 8 (6 weeks)

JULY 9–AUGUST 19 (6 weeks)

With a deluge of university credit courses to choose from, CSUN Summer Session can help you

 Accelerate your progress toward a degree,

 Advance your career, or

ONLINE

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.

http://summer.csun.edu

Richard Zamora Roundup Reporter

Jeffrey Howard Roundup Reporter

Nicolas Heredia / Roundup

From left to right: Stephanie Alkazian, Leah Foster and Elyse Hamilton, perform a rehearsal of “Independence” in the Performance Tent of Pierce College.

Jesus Castro Roundup Reporter

Erick Ceron / Roundup

Chris Wabich, (left) and Dimitris Mahlis (right) play in the Music Building, on Thursday, as part of the Wahid show, which is another performance of Concerts at Pierce, on May 1.

Diversity takes center stage

This year’s Diversity Day, hosted by the Pierce College Diversity Committee and the International Students Club, showcased a number of musicians playing covers and original songs, poets reciting both original works and those of others, and presentations spanning a wide array of interests and subjects. The event took place on Thursday, May 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Great Hall and included tables that featured food from various cultures and posters sharing the do’s and don’ts of traveling abroad. The event also offered a raffle, giving students free items for attending.

Clockwise from top left: Youttana Makaratad reads a poem that he created from the writing he found in bathrooms. Abdullah Alawaji speaks about a film he is going to show about his homeland of Saudi Arabia.

David Durrani performs a live set of original works and a cover. Students gather together to listen to live perfomances and view films for Diversity Day in the Great Hall.

Photos by Diego Barajas

Copy by Caleb Johnson

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

Member of women’s swim team juggles swimming and becoming a life guard

If it wasn’t for a dog she might not have entered the pool. She has loved the water since she was young, but never actually introduced to swimming until she got a little push.

“I learned how to swim when I was four or five,” second year Pierce College Chiara Perbil. “A dog pushed me in the water and I learned how to swim that way by getting out. Survival of the fittest, right.”

Perbil, 20, is a communications major and was a reporter for the Roundup last semester but decided to focus on swimming, as this would be her final year on the team.

“For any sport at the school you can only compete for two years so this was my last season that I just finished,” Perbil said. “It was emotional because coming into my last year I wanted to do better than I did last year. I was doing really well up until the point that I got sick.”

She got a dual ear infection with a sinus infection and she said if she didn’t take care of it, she could have had hearing problems.

“We had swimming on a Monday and I had a sinus infection and I didn’t know it,” Perbil said. “Because of the pressure it caused a lot more damage so when I went home I had to go to the ER.”

Perbil had to stay out of the water for three weeks and missed two swim meets during that time.

“My coaches were like, ‘When are you coming back? We need you,’ and then my doctor said, ‘If you don’t listen to us and you get back in the water you can cause reinfection and it can cause hearing problems.’ So it was scary,” Perbil said.

Perbil was able to make a full recovery and is ready for her new

position as a lifeguard for the Pierce College pool which involves duties that extend beyond monitoring the pools from the tower.

“During the summer it’s going to be very busy,” Perbil said. “There’s going to be swim camps for kids. We supervise the kids and we can even teach classes.”

Deborah Hefter, 28, is the swimming pool supervisor for Pierce and conducts the lifeguard training.

“They are required to take a lifeguard training course with me where we cover CPR, first aid, they learn about water rescues, about back boarding and ambulatory and in-water back boarding,” Hefter said. “During the summer we have swim lessons. Usually we’ll have about 300 students per day. We run

Scooby’s Corner Sports Column

Ethan Hanson Assistant Editor

When Pierce looked down and out, after an ugly showing in game one of the first round, there were a lot of questions about the status of the team.

Were they too shell-shocked from their performance that they were going to get swept? What happened to the bat of freshman stud Joe Moran who went 0-3 in game one?

Then the same old question appeared again: how are the Brahmas going to stack up in any situation with only eight pitchers and two definite starters in Harsa Prahara and Michael Knopf?

Women’s swim team member

about seven classes and I have two instructors per class so that’s 14 just teaching plus I have another five or six on deck running towers, running deck rotation, checking people in. It’s a pretty massive operation during the summer.”

Currently there are 30 lifeguards on staff with another 20 expected to begin soon. The process of becoming a lifeguard began in November said Regina Agopian, 18, a political science major and future lifeguard.

“We’ve been training on Saturdays for like six hours since March,” Agopian said. “Technically our evaluation and interview was in November. They had some stuff for us to do in the pool.”

Agopian has known Perbil since they were in vocal assemble in junior year in high school. Perbil still enjoys singing, as well as photography. She enjoys the drama of entertainment news and would like to work for E! News one day. In her immediate future Perbil wants to continue swimming and hopes to continue swimming at a university after one more year at

Pierce. Perbil hopes to continue swimming when she transfers to a university.

“I want to go to Cal Lutheran so hopefully I can go there,” Perbil said. “They have a club team and an actual swim team.”

She also has been riding horses since she was 10 years old. She has less time to ride these days but tries to put in some time and stay as active as she can.

“With swim team and school it’s hard, so sometimes I’ll just go and ride with a friend or something. I don’t go often but it’s always nice when you have the chance to get on a horse and just be free roaming,”

Perbil said. “I just like being an active person. If I’m not in the water I have to be doing something, so either that or the gym. I can’t just sit there.”

But along came the calm and collected Daniel Barazza, who during game one was almost an afterthought. Even though there were many negative thoughts swirling around him, like the fact he had struggled to get out of an inning and hadn’t pitched passed the fifth inning since the month of February.

His personality dictates the way he pitches. Quiet, soft-spoken and relaxed, he doesn’t talk a lot, when he does it is simple and with perspective.

Yet when the Brahmas needed someone to answer the bell after Prahara pitched a gem in game two, it was Barazza who stepped up. His calm demeanor in the face of elimination was the x-factor.

If the last series is indicative of how the playoffs are going to be and how the Brahmas are going to succeed, they will need another effort from the cool, calm and collected Daniel Barazza.

Nelger Carrera / Roundup

Womenʼs swim team member Chiara Perbil has always had a love for swimming, Perbil is currently working to become a life guard.

Richard Zamora Roundup Reporter

“I just like being an active person. If I’m not in the water I have to be doing something.”

-Chiara Perbil

Baseball team advances in playoffs

Brahmas advance to rst Super Regionals since 2006 a er losing opening game of three game series

Ethan Hanson Roundup Reporter

The theme of the year for Pierce’s baseball team was to bounce back harder and stronger after a loss.

Facing elimination, intense heat and needing two wins in one day in order to stay in the playoffs, the Brahmas looked back to that theme and prevailed in stunning fashion, beating Cerritos College in back-toback games to advance to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2006.

“I’ve been here 18 years and this has to be one of the more special days I’ve had,” Pierce head coach John Bushart said. “Those were two very great baseball games. We just got to continue to grow, continue to fight and keep getting better.”

The Brahmas won the first game of the double header 3-1 behind freshman pitcher Harsa Prahara, who pitched 7 1/3 innings and gave up only one run on three hits despite recording no strikeouts while allowing five walks.

The win tied the series against Cerritos at one apiece heading into game two. Pierce’s offense had been stagnant, scoring only one run in game one, got a clutch RBI base hit from outfielder Dylan Tashjian, who

in the third inning on a 1-2 count and runners in scoring position hit a single into left field that scored two runs. That was all the cushion the Brahmas needed in game two.

After Prahara came out in the seventh inning, freshman left hander Daniel Barazza pitched the rest of the game, going 2 2/3 innings without allowing a hit to pick up the save and help preserve the Brahmas first win of the series.

“He showed me a lot of maturity and he answered the bell in the first game,” John Bushart said about Prahara.

Both teams received a 20-minute break between games before having to come out and play the game three and the second of the day with temperatures reaching into the 90’s and topping out at 95 degrees. Despite being a little worn down, Pierce looked like the team that was more hungry.

Behind another solid pitching performance, Daniel Barazza, who closed out game two, started game three, pitched 5 1/3 innings, and gave up only two runs on six hits along with four strikeouts and no walks. The Brahmas outlasted the Falcons in the second game of the day, winning 3-2 and punching their ticket to the Super Regionals.

Barazza started the game in smooth fashion, pitching the first three innings without giving up a run or hit. Pierce later scored the first run in the top of the fourth

when Casey Ryan reached first base on a fielder’s choice with the bases loaded and one out.

The Falcons should have turned a double play, but due to a bad feed from shortstop Daniel Lopez to second baseman Victor Guadalupe who was off the bag, the Brahmas were able to score the first run.

“I felt confident today,” Barazza said. “My defense came up big.”

Barazza also got help in the outfield in the fifth inning from Brahmas outfielder Jeff Wright. Falcons first baseman Jose Romero was robbed of a base hit after he hit a hard shot into left field. The ball didn’t appear to be catchable, but Jeff Wright on the dead run jumped, crashed into the wall and made the catch to retire Romero and taking an extra-base hit away from him in the process. The play also stopped the Falcons from scoring and gave the Brahmas more momentum after the catch.

“Romero was a dead-pull hitter,” Wright said. “I just kept reading the ball, took three steps back, took three more steps back, took a good route to the ball, leapt and came down with it.”

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Falcons rallied back to score two runs.

Super Regionals: Pierce vs Oxnard

Head to Head

Friday

Pierce Oxnard

14-6 (.700) 10-10 (.500)

For full story and photos visit theroundupnews.com 12-8 12-8

Overall Batting % ERA

7-2 8-8

Home Away

and the humanities. A Catholic women’s college, you are invited to visit our beautiful hilltop Brentwood location to explore the Mount for yourself!

James Channell/ Roundup

Harsa Aditya pitches in the 3nd inning for Pierce College, he would get the win having one earned run over six innings for a 3-1 victory for game two on a three game series against Cerritos College on May3.