Volume 122 Spring 2015 Roundup Issue 7

@roundupsports

Academic Senate votes in new leader

Former president supports new direction

SHARLA SMITH Roundup Reporter @sharlamsmith

Change is in the forecast for Pierce with new officers elected to both the Academic Senate and the Associated Students Organization, interviews underway to fill open positions of employment, and a plan to preserve all Pierce farmlands.

The senate announced the winners of its election at a meeting on April 27.

Anna Bruzzese was defeated incumbent Kathy Oborn in the race for Senate president. Oborn held the position for two years.

“I’m very excited and I look forward to working with the faculty.

I hope to emphasize an inclusive, inviting spirit, and focus on collective goals,” Bruzzese said. “I see myself as a representative of the senate. I’m not here to serve my own interests. My goal is to represent people, not myself.”

Oborn said she supports the decision that the faculty made.

“The faculty has spoken, and this is what they want, so I’m all in,” Oborn said. “I support the process 100 percent.”

Denise Robb, chair of the Foundation for Pierce College, said a lack of protection of the campus’ farmland led her to ask the senate for support on a feasibility study.

“We’ve lost 35 acres of the farm already in the last 40 years, and it almost became a golf course a few years ago,” Robb said. “The farm is not protected, there is no deed restriction, and there is no agricultural conservation easement.”

The senate approved support of Robb in her efforts to preserve the farm, and the use of the land for agricultural and educational purposes, but the approval

[See PRESIDENT, pg. 5]

Pre-vets share passion

Annual Farmwalk shows community what life is like on the ranch

ASHLEY LʼHEUREUX Roundup Reporter @LHeureuxAshley

The 39th annual Farmwalk at Pierce College showed the San Fernando Valley a way of life rarely seen in large cities.

The event, which takes place each Spring semester and is a major draw for both students and the community at large, is meant to boost involvement in the college and interest in the agricultural and animal science programs.

“Pierce is our little corner that’s still staying agricultural,” said Ariana Rahman, a student volunteer at the event. “The Farmwalk gets all these valley and city people away from it for a moment or two.”

Cows, horses, chickens and goats were on display for attendees to interact with. Agriculture booths were set up. One such booth taught how to grow drought-tolerant plants and another gave water conservation tips to attendees.

Rahman said the Pierce Farmwalk is a valuable educational opportunity for the community, and added that it creates interest in what she described as an important part of the Pierce campus.

“The Farmwalk is kind of our way of showing the public our agriculture and animal programs we have at Pierce College,” she said. “It’s the only place where the public can learn about these kinds of animals hands on.”

Pre-veterinary students are uncertain about the speculation of the farm closing, but donations are still needed to maintain the

Publicist for Getty to present at college

J. Paul Getty Trust Senior Communications Specialist Amy Hood will talk about the world of public relations and journalism as part of the Media Arts Department’s speaker series.

Hood attended Pierce College before she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Hood’s presentation is Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall.

Will you attend the talk? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter with #PierceSpeakerSeries

ʻTo Kill a Mockingbirdʼ stage adaptation premiers May 1

Pulitzer-Prize-winning novelist Harper Lee’s classic tale about racial injustice has been adapted for stage by Pierce College’s Theater Department,

The show will run in the Performance Arts Building May 13 and May 8 - 10. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 p.m., while shows on Sundays are at 2 p.m.

Tell us which show you will see on Facebook and Twitter with #PierceTheater

Teachers donate shoes to school children

land. The public has been vital in keeping the Farmwalk event running for past the 39 years.

“We’re trying to do our best by raising money for the farm and get enough people to give donations,” Vice President of the PreVeterinary Club Marie-Victorine Mckeown said. “There is a donor that will match our donations if we meet $20,000 in donations.”

Because students work on the farm, there is no obligation to hire people.

“We still need to pay for the feed, we depend on the public quite a bit,” pre-veterinary student Lilly Sardari said.

Pierce is one of about 30 schools that offer veterinary programs.

“The farm is very important to us to get the hands on and animal experience and makes us more competitive for when we apply to vet school,” she said.

Getty showcases student artwork

Pierce photographers display pictures to public at Brentwood museum on College Night

LUIS AYALA Assistant A&E Editor @luisayala2323

Students from across California rushed inside the Getty Center to get a chance to see local college student’s the artwork, which was a part of the Getty Master program, on April 27th.

The exhibition featured drawings, paintings and photography by students from different colleges around Los Angeles, including photographs from

ten Pierce College students. Sociology major from East Los Angeles College, Jose Rodriguez attended the event with friends as they saw a post on Facebook about it.

“I think it was pretty cool to see that students, not just from my school but other schools, could have their art up for everyone to see in the public,” said Rodriguez. There were additional activities that took place during College Night. A drawing demonstration was held and anyone that wanted

to participate was instructed to draw the subject that was in the middle.

“I’m not really good at drawing, but it looked like fun so I gave it a try and enjoyed it even though it was not easy,” said nursing major Emily Wang, who studies at Los Angeles Valley College and was there supporting her friend that went as a class assignment.

Other activities included taking photos of the display stations or views from the Getty, or one could even

[See GETTY, pg. 3]

-Photo courtesy of Admissions and Records

Pierce’s chapter of the American Federation of Teachers union will donate 100 pairs of shoes to a local elementary school.

The shoe drive continues through Thursday, April 30.

Contact Margaret Duncan at (818) 719-6493 or Henry Chang at (818) 710-4340 to request a commitment card to donate.

How many pairs of shoes will you donate? Let us know with #PierceShoes

A virus that deletes fils from USB storage devices such as flash drives and hard drives has infected the computers at the Library / Learning Center for the second semester in a row.

Warning signs have been placed on infected machines. #PierceComputers

Thursday concert series plays on

The Music department’s Thursday concert series continues with jazz trio Mahlis-Panos Project. The acoustic triumvirate will perform Thursday, April 30, at 12:45 p.m. in MUS 3400. The concert is free and open to the public.

Are you going? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter with #PierceMusic

Titus Littlejohn/Roundup

Val Tamme wrangles a calf at the team penning event during the Pierce College Farmwalk in Woodland Hills, Calif. Sunday, April 26.

FARM

Skylar Lester/Roundup

Spectators gather in the lobby of The Getty Museum to view student artwork on display for College Night on April 27 at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, Calif.

BEAT

What would you replace the Farm Center with?

Earthquake prep needed

As the world mourns the more than 4,000 people killed in the 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, Angelenos should view the catastrophe as a wake-up call.

According to a recent study conducted by the Southern California Earthquake Center, the chances that California will sustain an earthquake of magnitude 8 or above in the next 30 years is about 7 percent.

In the past, Pierce College has participated in the annual California Shakeout drill, intended to educate residents statewide in the proper response to a large magnitude quake. The event is conducted once a year, but Pierce was not involved in 2014. There is no reason the campus should not be conducting a drill once a semester or more.

California, and specifically Los Angeles, is one of the most active centers of seismic activity in the world. According to the CalTech Earthquake Data Center, there were 26 earthquakes of varying intensities between April 22 and April 28. Pierce College is located about five miles from the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which killed about 60 people and levelled much of the California State University, Northridge campus.

If a temblor that size were to strike again, there’s no telling how much devastation it could reap.

Pierce College’s current earthquake procedure plan is vague at best. The one page list instructs readers to “remain calm,” “take

cover away from windows,” “evacuate to a designated campus evacuation area,” “render first aid to the injured,” and lastly, to report the names and locations of injured people to the campus Sheriff’s Department.

To remain calm during a magnitude 8 earthquake seems much easier said than done, particularly if one does not know the location of a “designated campus evacuation area.” That information is listed in each classroom, to be fair, but is not required reading. With the last drill a year-and-a-half ago, unless one takes the time to review the emergency preparedness manual in its entirety, he or she is unlikely to know those critical protocols and locations in the event of an actual emergency.

The idea of the everyday Pierce student having the knowledge to render first aid to those injured seems a bit farfetched, and to assume the Sheriff’s station has the phone lines or manpower to answer the flood of phone calls from the faculty, staff and more than 22,000 students on campus is worrisome. Add to that the very real possibility that cell phone towers will be overloaded and landlines may be damaged in a heavy quake, and it spells a recipe for disaster.

So while Pierce may have an emergency plan, the question remains: is it tenable? We shouldn’t have to wonder how many students know what to do when the “Next Big One” hits. Every single person on campus should know exactly how to respond when the time comes.

Does music help or hinder studying?

Another benefit from playing music is that it has the ability to keep the mind from zoning out. Focus is a key factor in being successful when trying to learn new information.

Undecided

–CORRECTIONS–

Volume 122, Issue 6

Page 1: The date of Getty publicist Amy Hood’s presentation was incorrectly listed April 20 in the #Piercewire. The correct date is April 30. See this issue’s #Piercewire on the front page for more information.

ASHLEY LʼHEUREUX alheureux.roundupnews@gmail.com @LHeureuxAshley

Music has been scientifically proven to stimulate brain activity that would be essential when studying. Listening to music while preparing for the next final would only improve thought quality, leading to a better chance of passing.

People study differently, but there are certain ways of boosting attentiveness. Most people enjoy listening to music, so adding something of interest to a stressful task like studying is appealing.

There is a concept called the Mozart Effect that shows that music without lyrics actually improves the concentration of the cognitive process. This method also blocks out any background noise that could distract a student from focusing on the material at hand.

However, depending on personality and music taste, the Mozart Effect may not suit everyone. Therefore, whichever music is most pleasing to you will work just as effectively.

Music also has a dramatic impact on mood that could convenience the studying task. Since studying brings a tense atmosphere, relief from that stress with the cheerful sounds of music would be a smart balance.

Overall, the presence of entertainment while spending hours reviewing chapter after chapter will make every study session less painful. It will create the illusion that the learning process is something to enjoy, especially when there are multiple tests in one week.

The key to success when studying with music is choosing a suitable playlist. And once the list of songs is perfected, there will be a better understanding of your learning ability.

The volume level and genre of music is also an important aspect to consider when creating the right way to study. Just as there are different methods of studying, there are many different ways that music can help with that procedure.

Next time the stress of homework or tests becomes unbearable, put on your favorite tunes and relax. The harmonies and melodies are only trying to help your brain learn.

SAL FARIAZ sfariaz.roundupnews@gmail.com @S_Fariaz

When you study without music, you are more likely to retain what you have studied.

In a study done at the University of Wales, they placed people in five different rooms with five different types of noise and recorded how they did on a test they had on the material studied.

One room was silent, one played music of the subjects’ choice, one played music the subject detested, one looped a single word to mimic a continuous background noise and the last room played a variety of words to simulate an environment with a conversation taking place.

The results showed similar test scores between the two music rooms and the conversation room. The biggest difference was seen comparing those rooms to the quiet room and the one with a word repeated continuously.

People listen to music while

studying because they hope it will help them remember, concentrate or eliminate distractions around them. This seems as if it will work until we realize that lyrics are distracting.

When listening to music with lyrics, as many people do, it accesses the language processing centers of the brain, according to University of Phoenix. This makes studying even more difficult when you try to read for meaning.

The Mozart Effect is a theory that states when you listen to music without lyrics, like classical music, it will actually raise your overall intelligence. This is a myth and the original study showed an improvement in spatial intelligence of it’s subject, which helps more with realistic problems instead of test knowledge.

Classical music is just a more calming, less destructive noise to listen to while studying.

It comes down to the person asking his or herself if making study time feel shorter and more enjoyable justifies the decision to make studying less effective. If the answer is yes, then put your Beats back on in your corner of the library.

If your answer is no, you will be better off in a quiet and comfortable area to study where you can give your text its full, undivided attention.

The deadline is 11:59 p.m. the Sunday prior to the issue date.

Editorial Policy:

The Pierce College Roundup position is presented only in the editorials.

Cartoons and photos, unless run under the editorial masthead, and columns are the opinions of the creators and not necessarily that of the Roundup.

The college newspaper is published as a learning experience under the college journalism instructional program. The editorial and advertising materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, are the responsibility of the student newspaper staff.

Under appropriate state and federal court decisions, these materials are free from prior restraint by the virtue of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Accordingly, materials published herein, including any opinions expressed, should not be interpreted as the position of the L.A. Community College District, the college or any officer or employee thereof.

Editorial Board deems not to be a letter.

“I think they should build more classrooms. I think that’s a good idea because there are a lot of students at Pierce and it’s hard for them to get the classes they need.”

- AMALI CURRY

Business Major

“Keeping the Farm Center isn’t a bad idea, but having more classrooms and making this more of a university by adding size and depth would make it a much more acceptable campus.”

-JAMES LUCCHESI Political Science Major

“The fact that the administration and other parties would like to change the Pierce Farm into another structure would be a foolhardy attempt at best.”

-JORDAN STOKES

Linguistics Political Science Major

“More parking or a cafeteria. Instead of the food trucks, we could have real food and a place to eat. ”

-XHAANIA WRIGHT

Communications Major

Quotes gathered by Jordan Williams | Photos by Malik Walker

I would suggest they should make a carnival or a miniature amusement park. ”

-JOSHUA MARKARIAN

Musicians with a cause

UCLAʼs Armenian Music Program raises awareness about their culture, genocide

UCLA has always had a love for music.

“Music has always been a huge part of who I am since I was young,” said Sauder.

Between the sounds of turning pages and plucked strings, the VEM quartet played music reminiscent of early 1900’s Armenia.

A Thursday Concert was held this week with the VEM Quartet and soprano Danielle Bayne, performing traditional Armenian music in the Performing Arts Building at Pierce College.

The VEM Quartet consisting of Nicolette Kocsardy, Luke Kim, Stephanie Nagler and Nicole Sauder, represents the newly created Armenian Music Program at UCLA, which, thanks to a kind donor strives to raise awareness for Armenian music, as well as the Armenian Genocide. The four members of the Quartet strive to create an appreciation for Armenian music throughout the community through musical performances such as the Thursday Concert.

Nicole Sauder, a violinist in the quartet and a second year graduate student at

“You can work out your anger and emotions, it’s a unique opportunity to create something.”

Cellist Luke Kim, second year student at UCLA, took a moment in between songs to briefly explain the various ways he can play the cello to achieve different pitched sounds.

The pieces performed by the quartet varied from dramatic pieces such as ‘The Violet’, an song about a flower who the wind comes to take to the ocean, but the flower says it cannot come as it will wither and die if it is plucked and taken away from it’s homeland. To more comical pieces, like a song called “Dearly Beloved”, an Armenian folk song about a boy who sold his family’s goat to buy a lute to impress a lady friend.

When Danielle Bayn takes the stage, the spotlight flashes brightly on her as the room falls silent. The music plays, and her voice fills the room with song providing a haunting performance of a piece called

Flea market pulls out all stops for

‘They Say’ a song about trying to rekindle a lost romance when one person has moved on.

The second year Master’s student is currently majoring in Music with Opera at UCLA and has had a passion for singing since she was 10 years old.

“I’ve been taking singing lessons for thirteen years,” said Bayne.

“Music is such a great way to express oneself. It helps us get certain ideas across

JEFFREY HOWARD A&E Editor @JeffreyGhoward

Cloudy weather didn’t stop fortune hunters from scavenging for loot at the one-time only ‘Saturday Super Swap’ vintage market April 25, which usually takes place on a Sunday but shifted schedule for the farm walk.

With reduced entrance fees and an Instagram photo contest, the Topanga Vintage Market ‘Saturday Super Swap’ had a large turnout with all vending spaces selling out and vendors free of the usual “vintage only” restriction.

Even with the vintage only restriction lifted, plenty of merchants still filled their shops with old and newer collectibles items, bringing in a category of product that Topanga Vintage Market co-founders Patrice

Curedale and Lori Rotblatt labeled as “fresh vintage.”

“This was a big challenge for us to put one on a Saturday and get shoppers to come. We have a whole following on Sunday,” Rotblatt said. “This was a big effort on our part, so we’re pleased to see people coming to shop.”

The friendly banter among vendors and customers highlights one of the most important aspects of the vintage market, the community.

The people are the substance that makes the Topanga Vintage Market come alive, and there stories are sometimes more valuable then the goods that they sell.

High School students Samantha Salo and Grace Sahani were two off the people that happened to fit in the category of non-vintage, selling goods to support there fund raiser to keep Indian students in school in India.

“These bracelets were made in

India, and we’re selling them to raise money to help education in the rural parts of India,” Sahani said. “A lot of [Indian] kids, especially when they get to the high school level, are forced to drop out of school to work. We’re supporting them to stay in school and get a good education so they can have a

that are harder than just telling someone.”

Nicolette Kocsardy, also a violinist, is currently at UCLA as a full scholarship graduate student majoring in Violin Performance and teaches music to all ages

“Before this quartet, I had no idea about the Armenian Genocide,” said Kocsardy.

“It was a huge devastation just like the Holocaust and I feel people need to know more about it. By spreading Armenian music like today, I feel that will help.”

The performance ended with a mighty roar and applause from the audience, with one audience member thanking the quartet for dedicating their show to the memory of the Armenian Genocide.

The next concert will be held on April 30 in Music 3400 with Mahlis-Panos Project taking their place center stage. Concerts are free, and guests should arrive by 12:45 p.m and be seated as doors will be locked the 1 p.m.

stations or views from the Getty, or one could even snap a self-portrait at a designated selfie station.

There was also live music provided by the UCLA-based band the Eva B. Ross Foundation.

Dance major Nancy Estrada from UCLA wanted to see the different forms of art and enjoyed the music the most.

“This band had a lot of good energy. I go to UCLA and I’ve never heard of them, so I’m glad I heard about this event and was able to attend it,” Estrada said.

Lauren Sanchez was not a student but decided to go to the event because she liked her past experiences at the Getty.

“I have been to the Getty a couple of times and really liked it but I did not know about this College Night that they held. I came with my friend that invited me and had a lot of fun and will be on the look out for future events here,” said Sanchez.

brighter future.”

As far as the actual costumers, the ‘Saturday Super Swap’ attracted multiple personalities, from Grandkids to Grandparents, and people you wouldn’t normally see shopping anywhere else.

Buzzing down the aisles was a group of females that brought about

a certain nostalgia that matched the vintage market feel. Led by Rebecca “Bonebraker” Bonebrake, these girls were all members of San Fernando Roller Derby league, and they made sure to wear their skates for the occasion.

“We’re here to spread the word, have some fun with some of the

other girls in the league, but mostly just make people aware that San Fernando valley has there own roller derby league,” Bonebrake said.

At the end of the day, the vintage market isn’t just about who can make the most money, but the interactions with real people.

David Paz/ Roundup

(Clockwise) Danielle Bayne, Nicole Sauder, Nicolette Kocsardy, Stephanie Nagler, and Luke Kim begin to play for the VEM String Quartet concert in the newly remodeled Performing Arts Theater April 23. Woodland Hills, Calif.

one-time-only Saturday event

Topanga Vintage Market rescheduled due to farmwalk, uses opportunity to launch ʻSuper Swapʼ

Stadium hits possible delay

PCC announces start dates and delays in ongoing campus construction and renovations

HARRY BENNETT Roundup Reporter @hb3reports

Construction updates were the highlight of Thursday’s Pierce College Council meeting, with news of the stadium, fiber optics and North of Mall projects presented to the president’s advisory committee.

The Shepard Stadium project is underway and tractors continue to fill the sides of the gridiron with dirt, but it is uncertain if the construction will be completed by the initial deadline.

“We have run into minor issues with the contractor who requested for an extension,” Pierce College project director Ed Cadena said. “We are currently working it out with them to find a way to finish on time for next season.”

Cadena also briefed the PCC about the progress of other construction projects on campus, including the campus-wide fiberoptic Wi-Fi project. Originally

scheduled to begin in March, the construction is now set to start within two weeks. Cadena said the north of Mall project is still on track to begin July 31.

“It has been exciting to have contractors and architects be able to finally work on plans we have had for a while,” Cadena said.

Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher spoke on behalf of the campus Sheriff’s office about the cadet program’s rising popularity.

“The cadet program is growing in popularity for students who want to get into the law enforcement field,” Schleicher said. “It acts as almost an internship for students who can get hands-on experience before applying for LAPD or the Sheriff’s department.”

According to Schleicher, the crime rate has been low at Pierce, but surveillance systems around campus are still in consideration to increase safety.

“The campus police station is happy to announce that Pierce has been kept relatively quiet of

any criminal activity,” Schleicher said. “They are looking to install surveillance systems to create an even safer environment for students and staff.”

Assistant Administrative

Analyst Christine Valada’s request for the PCC’s approval of seven parking spaces designated for electric car charging was unanimously approved.

“Pierce currently has about a

dozen faculty members who drive these cars. Several of these owners have come forward and said that their commute is too long to make it to work and back home without charging it at school,” Valada said.

“It is just the beginning of this type of technology, and I believe the need for these stations will become greater in the future.”

The next PCC meeting is scheduled for May 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Firm begins audit of Foundation Foundation board says motive behind probe is administrative ʻgrudgeʼ

An audit of the Foundation for Pierce College, first approved by the Pierce College Council budget committee in March, reportedly began before the PCC voted to approve the investigation into the foundation’s finances.

The probe is being conducted by the same firm that performs the foundation’s required annual audits, including its 2014 assessment. Senior board

Director Floriya Borzenkova and board Chair Denise Robb of the foundation said they are confused by the reasons for this new audit, and said they don’t understand why it is happening.

“They employed the same company that audited us the last two years,” said Borzenkova. “A man from the accounting firm came to our office before the approval from PCC. I gave him our financial statements, and he has our books, but I haven’t heard from him.”

Robb said it was “strange” to have a second audit so soon, and to use the same firm to execute it.

“They just audited us three months ago and it was fine, but

now they hired the same company to audit us again,” she said. “If the same company finds anything then they should sue themselves because they’re the ones who just did our audit.”

Pierce College President Kathleen Burke said this audit differs from the required audits conducted annually.

“There are different types of audits,” Burke said. “A general audit is conducted every year, but now a forensic audit is taking place to address questions and allegations regarding millions of dollars that were donated to the foundation. What happened to that money?”

The budget committee

Guaranteed Transfer Guaranteed Transfer

estimated the cost of the audit at $17,000 at a meeting in early March, and approved the motion to proceed. That figure was then approved unanimously by the PCC at its meeting March 26.

haven’t been any indications of wrongdoings by the foundation. She said she is offended by the accusations, and that they hinder the foundation’s purpose.

“We’ve never had any

not,” Robb said. Burke said any mention of a grudge is “simply not true,” and said that previous board members quit because they were unable to meet the $2,000 annual fundraising minimum required by the foundation’s bylaws. Borzenkova said those claims are incorrect.

“Some board members paid their dues before they quit,” Borzenkova said. “The problem is the people who are on the board are volunteers and are very successful, and they are used to getting respect.”

The most recent annual audit was performed by Stern, Kory, Sreden & Morgan. The results of the independent auditors’ report, dated Dec. 10, 2014, is a part of the public record.

The report, available through the Pierce College website, does not list any concerns about the foundation’s financial solvency. According to that document, “the financial position of the Foundation for Pierce College as of June 30, 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.”

An action item form filed by the budget committee on Feb. 27 said the audit is justified, is in response to allegations that the foundation misused funds, and will look back 15 years into the foundation’s financial documents. Borzenkova and Robb said the reasons for the audit remain unclear.

“I don’t know much about it because they won’t tell me what’s going on,” Robb said. “They said it had something to do with [Robert] McBroom from the Farm Center. He was saying that money was misspent, but they already settled with him, and I thought everything was over and he was leaving.”

Robb said that if questions surrounding the McBroom contract with the foundation are indeed the reason for the audit, the investigation should focus on the college itself.

“The contract that he has is with the college now, not the foundation, and we haven’t been part of that deal for a long time,” Robb said. “It could be that the college should be audited.” Borzenkova said there

indication that we’ve done anything wrong and that’s why we’re confused,” she said. “The words ‘misuse of the funds’ for me are very offensive. That means it already has happened and makes the foundation look suspicious due to the allegations.”

Borzenkova added that those allegations may hurt the credibility of the foundation.

“This is a community college, and it’s given that name because it has a tight relationship with the community,” Borzenkova said. “People know what’s going on, and when they see that we’re being accused of misusing money, people don’t trust us. It’s hard to work in an environment like this.”

Borzenkova said she believes Burke is angry about the use of money from a legacy fund called The Presidents’ Beautification Fund, and that is part of the reason for the audit.

“It was part of the reason,” Borzenkova said. “Because of our different views, but it was a long time ago.”

According to Robb, the use of the fund money, which she called legitimate, has created a division between the foundation and the administration.

“The president is still angry at the previous board, but she has to put the students before her anger, and realize that they’re gone,” Robb said. “She has to stop holding a grudge against people that no longer work or volunteer here.”

The administration’s anger is misplaced and is damaging the foundation’s reputation, according to Robb.

“If she doesn’t let this go, she’s really hurting the foundation, because she and Rolf Schleicher are telling people that the foundation is in trouble and we’re

Mike Cornner, a former foundation board member, said that Burke was incorrect in her assertion as to why members quit. He said he left because he didn’t think that the foundation was able to function and achieve reasonable goals, in part due to the administration.

“The college president wants to control it totally, and that’s not the way it’s supposed to be set up,” Cornner said. “The only way I would have stayed on the board was if there was a complete change of attitude by the college president, which seemed unlikely, or a change in administration with people that were supportive of the kind of work that foundations do.”

Burke maintained that the reason for the board members’ resignations was their failure to meet fundraising requirements, and said she was told so by unnamed former board members.

“I want to see the foundation function as it is intended,” she said. “The foundation’s mission is to raise funds for the college.”

The foundation is ready to move on and place the focus back on students and fundraising, according to Borzenkova, who said she understands that it is necessary for the foundation and administration to come together.

“To be able to raise money, and for the foundation to work properly, we have to work together with the administration,” Borzenkova said.

Robb said the college could have found a better use for the $17,000 that is being spent on the audit.

“We have nothing to hide, but it’s a waste of the college’s money,” Robb said. “I don’t understand why they want to waste the college’s money like that, but they have a right to waste their money.”

Scott Aaronson / Roundup

Shepard Stadium construction faces delays and may not be complete by the Fall season at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

SHARLA SMITH Roundup Reporter @SharlaMSmith

“If the same company finds anything then they should sue themselves, because they’re the ones who just did our audit.”

-Denise Robb

Associate Professor of Political Science

Farm Center faces legal action

Administrators will rely on legal teams in dispute over order to vacate Pierce

MARC DIONNE Roundup Reporter @marc_d_photog

The Pierce College Farm Center was set to be vacated this month by its operators, the McBroom family, but they remain on the property pending a possible visit by Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez amid talks of legal action by the administration.

The deadline to vacate was April 15, but wooden sets and other items are still on-site. Farm Center Director Robert McBroom said the family needs more time to relocate to another location.

“Allow us the appropriate transitional time,” McBroom said. “We internally have been disassembling all the non-visual areas.”

Los Angeles Community College

District Board of Trustees member Nancy Pearlman said the McBroom family is required to leave as per a settlement agreement signed last year. She said that although the McBrooms are legally required to vacate, it is not an eviction.

“We discontinued the operations,” Pearlman said. “We did not officially evict them.”

Pearlman said the McBrooms had enough time to leave the campus

-Robert

and that the college now needs to determine the land’s future.

“They had 18 months to make the transition,” she said. “The plan is this college needs to sit down to decide what to do with this land.”

Pearlman is one of several senior administrators who said development on the land is not part of ongoing talks.

“There is no discussion of any sale or elimination of the land,” Pearlman said.

City Council Member Bob Blumenfield said he supports the agricultural applications of the Farm Center.

“I am very committed to keeping this area a farm,” Blumenfield said.

“It reflects our history in the valley.”

Blumenfield said if development is proposed despite administrative and district statements to the contrary, he would use his bully pulpit to oppose use of the land for

purposes unrelated to agriculture education.

“If all of a sudden there’s some radical change, then I’m going to be concerned about it. I’m going to do everything I can to try to figure it out and find a positive solution,” Blumenfield said. “The first step is communication and transparency and accountability. If somehow things go off the rails, then that’s when we all have to step in and try to figure out how to rectify the

Town Hall arrives this week Event

sees students work to solve array of social crises

MONICA SALAZAR Roundup Reporter @salazarmonica8

Participants in the multidepartmental Town Hall at Pierce College will meet on Friday, May 1, where students will present research and propose solutions to a range of social issues.

Since the start of the semester, 500 students from the English, anthropology, geography, political science and criminal justice departments, among others, have conducted research and written papers about the Town Hall topics. The six issues chosen for the event are immigration, climate change, gender inequality, homelessness, criminal justice and mental health.

English professor Marra Kraemer has prepared two English 101 classes and one English 202 class to participate in the Town Hall event. Kraemer’s students were assigned to choose from the topics of gender inequality, homelessness or immigration.

“My classes have been doing research along with discussing and performing mock debates

about each of their topics,” Kraemer said.

Business administration major and ASO Treasurer-elect Roxanne Keramati will participate in the event as part of a political science class. She said she has thoroughly researched the topic of criminal justice with a specific focus on racial profiling.

“We turned in a five-page paper of a bill that had to do with the issue that we addressed,” Keramati said.

“And essentially, we just research the bill and see what we can do to possibly help that specific issue.”

Keramati said her research has been intense and time-consuming but has made her excited for the event.

“The great thing about the Town Hall is that we will have a lot of professionals working with the students,” she said. “There’s the opportunity that students who come up with the great ideas are able to voice their opinions and put their ideas out there.”

ASO Treasurer Michael McGee assisted associate professor of political science and Town Hall organizer Denise Robb in creating the Town Hall Facebook page to

publicize the event. He posted links to articles, current events and podcasts on the page to help students research their topics.

“I’m now finishing up the Town Hall website and entering the bios of each of the experts participating,” McGee said. “Many of them are Pierce faculty, as well as Pierce alumni in the field.”

McGee said the preparation and collaboration with Robb has made him optimistic about the event.

“I look forward to all the great research and ideas of the students, and the success that comes with it,” McGee said.

Kraemer believes the event is of critical importance and would like to see the Town Hall continued in the future.

“I really hope it can be an annual thing,” Kraemer said. “I think it’s really important for the student body, and it’s a good way for students to start flexing their American democratic citizen muscles and start thinking about how they themselves can change the world.”

The Town Hall will be held in the Great Hall on Friday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Academic Senate elects new faculty president

doesn’t commit any actions by the senate. Its purpose is intended as an endorsement to conduct the feasibility study.

“The main point is that it can’t be used for commercial private development,” Robb said. “We’re looking into the idea of saying that our farm will only be used for agriculture, education, or agricultural education, and can’t be sold for condos or shopping malls.”

Pierce President Kathleen Burke gave an update on the hiring process to fill 30 open positions at Pierce.

“30 is a lot to do in one year,” she said. “We’re already processing through interviews and I’m already about a third of the way there,” Burke said. “We’ve made

nine offers and we’re waiting on information on a tenth.”

Current ASO President Alex Oloo announced the newly elected executive officers of the ASO will see David Do take over as president, Barbara Lombrano as vice president, Carlos Castaneda as club council president and Roxanne Keramati as treasurer. Turnout was low, but Oloo said that student voting at other colleges ranks lower than Pierce. He said the ASO will focus on getting students more involved in future elections.

“Our number of student voters is the highest in the district,” Oloo said.

Career center director Joanna Zimring-Towne announced to the faculty that volunteers will be

situation.”

Pierce College President Kathleen Burke said the administration will take legal action against the McBrooms if they do not vacate the premises, citing the signed settlement that set the April 15 deadline.

“They are in violation of the agreement,” Burke said. “I am putting it in the hands of our legal team.”

Robert McBroom said he would like to work through the

issue with the campus and receive more time to relocate, but said the administration has been unwilling to talk about the matter. He said he wants the Farm Center land to remain zoned for agricultural and educational use, and added that it would be difficult for any new plans to be finalized while a legal battle seems imminent.

“I wanted to keep this an internal affair,” he said. “Nobody wants to enter into a quagmire.”

needed for the annual Go Days event. The event will be held on the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the start of fall classes, and aims to welcome new students to Pierce.

“We provide information and resources to help students be successful in their first semester,” Zimring-Towne said. “We have workshops on how to transfer, financial aid information, how to pick a major, good study habits, and how not to get in trouble academically.”

Zimring-Towne said the event has a positive effect on incoming and current students.

“It’s a great event,” ZimringTowne said. “Our students get a lot out of it, and so do the volunteers.”

Joseph Rivas/Roundup

Farm Center director Robert McBroom talks to people at the farm during the Pierce College Farmwalk on April 26 in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“Allow us the appropriate transitional time.”

McBroom Farm Center Director

[From PRESIDENT, pg. 1]

Community takes in farm life

Above: Tara Tomlinson and her grandson Isaiah Martinez, both from the Antelope Valley area, get close with baby goats inside the goat petting zoo. “We came out here because there was little to do in our area,” said Tomlinson.

Right: Harper Hamlin learns how to milk a cow at the Pierce College Farmwalk on April 26, 2015. The Farm Walk featured a variety of activities for children and adults pertaining to agriculture and animal husbandry.

Skylar Lester

Curious parents asked Pierce student volunteers questions while children laughed and screamed with excitement as they fed baby goats inside the goat petting zoo. At the equine center, people cheered riders on horseback who corralled cattle during the penning event.

Pierce Collegeʼs annual Farmwalk opened the farm to the public and educated people to an agricultural life within an urban city environment.

Activities included guided tours, cow milking contests, rodeo events and petting zoos that introduced and promoted Pierce Collegeʼs agricultural program to the community.

Left: Families were able to tour the farm during the annual Farmwalk. The Farmwalk allows people to learn what the farm offers to the community and campus by opening its doors to the public.

Photo: Edgar Amezcua

Photo: Mohammad Djauhari

Photo:

Mohammad Djauhari / Roundup Brad Flanders corrals cattle during the equine penning event.

Sophomore opposite Corey Pitt spikes the ball during a home game against Golden West College on Wednesday Feb.

Menʼs volleyball to host playoffs

California Community College Athletic Association honors Pierce with bid to hold championships

One of the reasons the administration is hesitant to approve, is the potential financial setback the championships would pose.

Pride, publicity, and pressure all play a role in being the host of the men’s volleyball state championships. For the first time in the history of the Pierce College men’s volleyball team, home court may have a huge advantage.

Head coach Lance Walker was honored to receive the bid to host the tournament from the California Community College Athletic Association. Lance is prepared to take on the task of being the host school, but must wait for the approval of the administration.

“As far as the CCCAA, they voted and it’s been determined that we are going to host for the next two years,” Walker said. “As far as our administration here at Pierce, we’re still waiting on them to confirm that they’re okay with it.”

“Sometimes when you have state championships, or when post season play comes to a school, people think that it’s more work, and wonder if this is going to be a financial burden,” Walker said.

“We’re not looking to take this on to create more work for other people. We’re looking to show one of the great things that Pierce has, and that’s volleyball.”

Assistant coach Bronson Oliveira is optimistic about Pierce hosting the tournament.

“We’re 95 percent sure that it will be held here at Pierce,” Oliveira said. “We’re finalizing some things, but it’s pretty much guaranteed. We’ll host the semi-final matches, the finals, and then an all-star showcase.”

Walker is looking forward to the next two seasons and said he has already begun talking to potential players.

“We’re getting ready to do some

heavy recruiting, but we’ve already got into the mix and started talking to some players,” Walker said. “I think the next two years are going to be a pretty awesome time for volleyball at Pierce.”

Walker is grateful to host the tournament but feels even more determined to win the championship

Player Week of the

What do you think about how your team did this season?

“We had our ups and downs. But there was a lot of good. Some things needed improvements. We could have got some wins earlier. We did well in conference despite not being in the playoffs. We have a lot of talent coming back.

Do you model your game after any specific professional athlete?

“I model my game after Derek Jeter. I grew up watching him play. My entire family are fans of the New York Yankees. I try to play hard, 100 percent like he does. I try to model my game after Jeter’s overall game and leadership out on the field. I try to be vocal when I have to.”

Do you have a pregame ritual?

In his last season as a Pierce College Bull, sophomore starting center fielder Joe Moran had an on base percentage of .317 with five doubles and four triples. In the last game of the season, Moran went 1 for 4 but hit the gamewinning single in the bottom of the 10th inning to win the game against Cuesta College on Friday, April 24. Quotes gathered by Carlos Islas | Photo by Andrew Caceres

“I do. I have a playlist I go through while on my way to the field. Before I step onto the field I listen to one specific song, it’s “Alright” by Logic.

How did you feel having the game-winning hit in the last game of the season?

“It was awesome, especially because I had a rough year. There’s nothing like having your team storm you after getting the gamewinning hit on your last at bat with the team.”

in his home gym.

“I think a little more pressure is going to be added being the host team,” Walker said. “Our goal is to make the final four.”

Oliveira said the championship games will bring publicity to the college. People can go to the gym for the games or watch online,

which makes it possible for anyone in the world to see them.

“It’s great for publicity,” Oliveira said. “We’ll be live streaming all of the matches, and it should bring in some college coaches, high school coaches, and high school programs into our gym to watch the final four.”

Pierce athletic director Bob Lofrano thinks that having the championship games at Pierce will be a great opportunity for the school and the community.

“It’s quite an honor, not only for the school, but for the community to have the men’s volleyball state championships here in 2016 and 2017,” Lofrano said. “Just think of all the young volleyball players that will want to come watch the best community college teams in the state vie for the championship at Pierce.”

As a former volleyball player who played for Pierce, Pepperdine, and also overseas, Walker knows what it feels like to play in championship games and win.

“My coach at Pepperdine would

say it’s a significant and emotional event for a player to be involved in the finals,” Walker said. “You prep the entire year to get to the finals and hopefully compete at the highest level against the best team on the other side of the net.” Walker said that for about the last 10 years, the finals have mostly been held in Irvine or Long Beach, which was a midpoint for teams coming from Santa Barbara and San Diego.

“When you host the state championships you have a huge advantage, and Irvine and Long Beach were winning a lot of state championships those years,” Walker said.

Walker, Oliveira, and Lofrano are ready to put in the time, effort, and hard work that it takes to host the tournament.

“Men’s volleyball is one of the oldest and most successful programs at Pierce,” Walker said. “We’re looking to bring a positive light to our historical program and build on the foundation that has been laid.”

Mohammad Djauhari/ Roundup

18. Pitt had nine points and six kills to propel his team to a 3-0 win.

SHARLA SMITH Roundup Reporter @sharlamsmith

Scott Aaronson/ Roundup Freshman libero Kevin Trejo talks to his teammates before a game.

@Roundupsports #BRAHMABRIEFS

-Compiled by Sal Fariaz

Pierce tennis players represent the team at Ojai tournament

The Pierce College tennis team sent three of its players to the Ojai tournament that took place on Thursday, April 23 to Sunday, April 26.

Artiom Dimitriov, Kiran Devaraj and Nick Kerhaus represented Pierce along with 127 other students from other colleges. Dimitriov made it to the quarterfinals where he lost to his opponent in a tightly contested match on Saturday morning.

“This was by far the best matches I have ever had,” Dimitriov said. “I am just mad I didn’t finish it how I would have liked.”

Devaraj and Kerhaus played in doubles at the tournament, which was compiled of 64 teams. Devaraj and Kerhaus lost in the second round.

Pitcher is West Point-bound

Multi-talented athlete chooses military school instead of sports

CARLOS ISLAS Roundup Reporter @CIslasRUnews

A“natural” in sports is someone who can pick up a baseball bat or a basketball and immediately be great. They make the most difficult plays look easy and they don’t break a sweat.

Freshman pitcher Pierson Ro is a natural in two sports, but instead of seeing how far his skills on the field and the court can take him, he’s putting down the bat and the ball and picking up a uniform.

Ro plans to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point in the fall.

“I didn’t know about West Point at all until my senior year, but once I did some more research I learned that it was definitely the place for me.”

Ro is from Korea Town and graduated in 2014 from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. Ro didn’t begin his athletic career playing baseball, instead he played basketball.

Ro credits his growth spurt as the reason why he decided to focus on basketball and put baseball on the back burner.

His love for baseball stems from his days playing little league and only picked up the sport again in his senior at Fairfax.

“I was a four year letterman at Fairfax,” Ro said. “I played little league and was a pretty decent baseball player, but I stopped playing to focus on basketball since I got so tall. It just made sense to play basketball, but I missed playing baseball. I actually didn’t start playing baseball again until my senior year.”

Baseball wins finale with walk-off single

freshman outfielder Jason Rowe in the 6-5 win against Cuesta College on Friday, April 24 at home.

Despite a rough season for Moran, head coach Bill Picketts said he felt good for him.

Picketts honored his sophomores and played them and made various position changes.

“I got all my Sophomores in and honored them,” Picketts said.

ROSADO Sports Editor @Rosadolynn

The Pierce College baseball team made the last game for its sophomores a 10 inning walk off and one they’ll never forget.

Sophomore center fielder Joe Moran was the hero, hitting the game winning single to bring in

Sophomore starting pitcher Matt Rowe went three innings and gave up three earned runs on five hits.

Pitching in relief was freshman Pierson Ro, sophomores Pablo Gonzalez, Elliot Keene, Sal Johnson and starting outfielder Casey Ryan.

The Bulls were trailing by one run in the ninth inning and tied the game with sophomore infielder Quinn Conley scoring on a wild pitch by Cuesta pitcher Dan Beavers.

In the bottom of the 10th, J. Rowe doubled and reached third on a ground out by freshman catcher Evan Yeager.

That’s when Moran got his last at

bat as a Bull. “I feel that I tried to do my best to help out the team,” J. Rowe said. “It felt good”.

Because of such a memorable last game, the players remained optimistic and were happy to just knock Moorpark College out of its playoff contention with the victory.

Ro decided to give baseball another shot and find out if he could still play. To Ro and his coaches surprise he showed a lot of potential, so much that he made the baseball team.

“I was pretty surprised,” Ro said. “I knew how to throw and still had some mechanics down for the most part.”

Ro did not have to start from scratch, but he did have to go through the difficulties of learning the mechanics of pitching all over again.

It was around this time too that

Ro was awarded the “West Point Leadership Award.” The award, according to Ro, is given to varsity athletes that exemplifies strong academics, athletics, and leadership qualities.

After graduating Ro planned on continuing his basketball career at Occidental College, but after talking it over with his family he came to the conclusion that Pierce would be a better option for him.

Once he had his mind set on Pierce, Ro’s focus shifted back to baseball and he planned on learning from the coaching staff.

In his first practices with the baseball team Ro admits that he was not as good as the other players and struggled a bit to prove why he belonged.

“When I first came to Pierce it was pretty tough. I was not as good as the other guys, I was probably one of the worst pitchers actually, but then after hard work and staying patient I ended up being a solid pitcher. Learning to pitch at Pierce is one of the toughest things to do. It’s probably harder than studying for an exam or final.”

Picketts also recognizes the success of his first season as the head coach and looks forward to what his current freshmen and the new one’s will bring next season.

“Regardless of not getting into playoffs, not reaching our goals, it was still a successful season,” Picketts said.

JOB BOARD

“I am excited for next year with my freshmen.” Moran leaves the baseball team with good memories and good impressions.

“It was a great way to end a season in general,” Moran said. “The coaching staff is awesome. This season was a great experience.”

Alan Castro/ Roundup

Freshman pitcher Pierson Ro shows his pre-pitch stance on Joe Kelly Field on Monday, April 20.

LYNN

Titus Littlejohn/ Roundup

The Pierce College baseball team celebrates a 10th inning walk off in its last game of the season at home on Friday, April 24.