el Don - March 29 ,2010 by el Don

el Don SANTA ANA COLLEGE

ViEWS: College protests have sparked more than controversy across the state, and some say students are expressing themselves in poor taste. 9 STYlE: Avid readers can now access a world of virtual books in an instant. Read up on the pros and cons of three current models. 6

SPORTS: Pitcher Katlyn Harp and the Dons’ defense lead softball to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Orange Coast College Pirates. 10

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010 • VOLUME 87, ISSUE 8

Living in a virtual reality in dEPTH PaRT 2: For some, cyberspace is a hideout from real-world problems By Kathie Espinoza el Don Editor in Chief

MOnica ORTiZ el Don

Tina Lam, SCC ASG president led the way with signs and red fist in air for education, protesting the $14 tuition increase.

‘Where’s the FUNDING?’

Please see INTERNET, Page 5

Initiative promotes graduation

Michelle Wiebach el Don News Editor

STaTE: As budget cuts crumble, higher education students unite in a statewide rally.

In a show of solidarity, students from Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon colleges joined protestors statewide Monday decrying California Legislatures’ slashing of higher education budgets and skyrocketing tuition costs. About 80 students marched side by side from district headquarters on Broadway to SAC to voice disapproval to board members and district officials at a scheduled meeting. The rally was one in a string of protests

during March where students and educators spoke out against mounting costs and a host of cuts impacting colleges. Last year the legislature cut higher education by 20 percent, forcing California’s universities and community colleges to cut thousands of courses, raise fees, dump student programs and furlough employees. Community colleges now charge $26 per unit. Protestors held up signs opposing a proposed increase to $40 per unit.

Please see PROTEST, Page 4

It’s been two weeks since Casey’s Internet went down. He checks his e-mail from his Blackberry and just downloaded an application so he can talk to his friends via instant messenger. Before his computer crashed, Casey spent nights making friends on message boards like 4chan.org, a popular website that hosts multiple forums with topics ranging from literature to porn. Everything he needs is a click away. “I’m awkward. It’s easier to be myself when the person I’m trying to impress is on the other side of the country,” Casey said. At 24 years old, Casey has more friends online than he

Universities shrink time spent attaining four-year degree By Felipa Penaloza el Don Staff Writer

MOnica ORTiZ el Don

Student Nate Selvidge wonders where the funding has gone for RSCCD college campuses before the meeting.

A new initiative is expected to increase graduation rates at the California State University system within the next six years. The initiative announced by the Board of Trustees is also meant to raise the graduation rate across all 23 CSU campuses by 8 percent by 2016. The rate is intended to increase the number of minority and low-income students.

Please see GRADUATE, Page 3

NEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

COMMUNITY PROFILE

FAREWELL TO EDDIE HELPS STUDENTS $150 ticket price goes toward fund to save classes By Meg Faulkner el Don Staff Writer

Blanca Valdivia el Don

Chancellor Eddie Hernandez served RSCCD for 13 years.

Chancellor Eddie Hernandez retires in June. The district faces unprecedented financial woes. Now the Board of Trustees is trying to save course offerings through its Farewell to the Chancellor event scheduled for April 29. Trustee John Hanna said Hernandez’ retirement almost went uncelebrated because of concern about lack of sponsors and participants, and costs.“Yes, times are tough and people aren’t spending like they used to. But we’re talking about one of the best CEOs in the country,” Hanna said. “He deserves a farewell.” Hanna likened the farewell event to the annual Chancellor’s Ball, a fundraiser that generates sponsorship revenue used to support scholarships. Last year’s Chancellors Ball raised $80,000. Instead of scholarship dollars, funds raised through the Farewell to the Chancellor event will go to the general fund and be used to save classes. Tickets to the dinner range from $100 to $150 with proceeds divided between SAC and SCC and sponsors are able to specify the school or even the program. Private sponsors have been tougher to find this year, but Hanna said he hopes that the board will be able to show corporations the value of their sponsorships.

“An organization like St. Joe’s can donate, and designate that their donation will go straight to the nursing and allied health programs, which then frees up money for programs that don’t have outside support,” Hanna said. Thinking beyond the fundraising dinner, Hanna sees public/private partnerships as a viable alternative to shrinking state budgets. Such partnerships are not new, he notes, citing the Northgate Market scoreboard by the SAC soccer field. A scoreboard like that could have cost the school thousands of dollars; instead, Northgate market picked up the tab in exchange for the advertising opportunity. Similar arrangements have worked elsewhere. For example, at the RSCCD building offices are leased to offset property maintenance costs. At a recent Academic Senate Meeting, Hanna described the fundraising plan and urged members to develop partnerships with the private sector, not only through the Chancellor’s dinner, but as a general strategy for the future of the college district. “I’m trying to backfill money that we’re not getting because our budget’s been cut. The Republicans don’t want to raise taxes, and the Democrats don’t want to relax regulations to cut costs. We have to start thinking differently. We have to stop the politics and do what’s best for students,” Hanna said.

CAMPUS, LOCAL & STATE

News You Can Use Transfer Time

Tax Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is an IRSsponsored community program that performs tax returns free of charge. Returns are done by IRScertified volunteers at California State University, Fullerton on a first-come, first-served basis. A single applicant must earn $40,000 or less per year, a family of three or less must earn $45,000 or below and a family of four or more must earn $50,000 or less, per year. For more information, call 657-278-8681. -Dawn McDougall

Iphone fun

Used Books

Wishing Stars – Disneyland app for Apple’s iPhone challenges guests in 14 different quests within the Disneyland park in Anaheim, Calif. Quest difficulty ranges from easier, for kids and families, to harder, for Disney experts whether age 8 or 80. Users can take Disneyland trivia challenges and play games while waiting in line to gain star fragments. To complete a quest, users must collect all pieces of the wishing star. -Portia Bode

The Used Book Sale returns to SAC this spring, with a variety of “alreadyloved” literature available at affordable prices. The sale takes place Tuesday, April 20, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the book store patio. For anyone cleaning out their bookshelves, the SAC Bookstore also accepts donations on the day of the sale. All proceeds go to scholarships for SAC students. -Dawn McDougall

Make an appointment in the University Transfer Center, located in S-110, to talk to a university representative from California State University Fullerton, California State University Long Beach, Cal Poly Pomona, University of California Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz. For information on appointments, dates and times visit the transfer center or call 714-564-6165. -Michelle Wiebach

Cesar Holiday Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College will be closed Wednesday, March 31, in recognition of Cesar Chavez Day. Students can use the day off to find out who Cesar Chavez is and why he is important. Spring break begins the follow- Bare for a Day ing week April 5 thru 11. Join TOMS enthusiasts -Felipa Penaloza April 8 and go a day, a few hours, or even a few minutes barefoot. Communities around the country are kicking off their shoes and going barefoot to raise awareness about not having shoes, like the children in developing countries. For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair is given to a child in need. So get together with friends and go barefoot and experience cuts, scrapes and bruises like those who can’t afford shoes. -Michelle Wiebach

Vote in ASG Elections

Don’t miss classes

Associated Student Government elections take place April 14 and 15. Come to the quad and exercise your right to vote for new ASG members including president, vice president, treasurer, and various senate positions. -Michelle Wiebach

Second 8-week classes begin April 12. The last day to add a class with instructor’s signature is April 16. -Felipa Penaloza

NEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

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Graduate: new policies could change the college experience Continued from page 1 “The goal of this initiative is to not only increase the number of students who complete their degree, but to also help those from traditionally underrepresented communities who may need additional support to finish. After all, that is the end goal — a college degree,” CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jeri Echeverria said. However, in order to achieve this goal, the plan could include policies that change the college experience. These include mandating earlier declaration of a major, reducing the number of general education courses, restricting students from dropping classes, and limiting registration for freshmen. “As the largest public university system in the country, it is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything possible to help our students be successful in earning their degree,” Echeverria said. CSU’s overall six-year graduation rate is roughly 46 percent but the long-term graduation initiative is intended to bring the rate up to 54 percent. This is in line with the top quartile of national averages of other similar institutions. The graduation initiative comes as a result of drastic budget cuts in the CSU and University of California systems. Having more students graduate in less

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time saves much needed money. The $584 million reduction in state support for the 2009-10 school year resulted in an increase of tuition at CSU Fullerton to $4,800 a year for an undergraduate student and a series of furlough days, forcing CSU and UC employees to go 11-24 days without pay. A proposal for new funding for community colleges will trigger a $14-perunit fee increase. This means with current fees at $26, SAC students could pay up to $40 per unit. “I think it’s insane because we have a lot of the population that is low income,” student Oscar De la Riva said. In order to protest the budget cuts and fee increases, students, teachers and administration from all levels of education came together March 4 for a Day of Action. “It makes me mad because they don’t know how it feels to be in a class with 40 plus students,” Valley High School senior Virginia Estrella said. On the SAC campus, where multiple general education courses have been cut because of the worsening financial situation, Dean of Students Lilia Tanakeyowma said, “The fact is that the budget has been bad and it’s still declining. How do you get worse when you’ve already reached the bottom?”

10/21/09 3:14:15 PM

NEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

David Deridder el Don

Students and ASG members from both campuses like Nadia Lopez (right), assemble and rally, in front of the Johnson Center before the District board meeting.

Protest: district trustees encourage students to stand up to Legislatures Continued from page 1

MONICA ORTIZ el Don

ASG President Alex Flores tells the student body about the threat of increasing fees and the rally to protest budget cuts.

Trustee Phillip Yarbrough is angered by the cuts and urges students to not let Legislatures raise tuition.

Daniel Hubert el Don

“I do believe in these economic times that it will affect students,” Norman Fujimoto, vice president of academic affairs said. “Many will take fewer classes and some may take none.” As the nation’s largest higher education system, the state’s 112 community colleges have faced continuous budget cuts, adding up to $520 million in 2009-2010 alone. The next fiscal year is equally bleak, as California faces a $20 billion budget deficit for 2010-2011. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers are looking at a variety of program cuts to close the deficit, many of which are targeted at education. For the first time in three years the governor is recommending increasing higher education spending by 12 percent, restoring some of the monies lost, but the state’s colleges would still receive less funding than in normal years. “The biggest frustrations I have are that the cuts are being imposed on us at the state level,” Trustee Phillip Yarbrough said. “The $40 a unit cost will cripple the school.” College officials are prioritizing classes by focusing cuts on recreational classes, theatre arts and sports programs. “You make me pay more, and then you better give me more,” SCC ASG President Tina Lam said in front of the board of trustees. Last spring, classes were cut by more than 12 percent, and the upcoming summer session has been cut by 15 percent. Earlier this year, the college’s popular Intersession, which ran during January, was axed in another money saving effort. As a result of shrinking courses and escalating fees, class sizes and waitlists have doubled and SAC enrollment has plummeted by about 20 percent. With another tuition increase on the horizon, SAC’s enrollment will continue to free fall, officials said. “I think you’re going to have multiple effects,” SAC President Erlinda Martinez said. “Students will reconsider if they want to continue on in college or drop out.” The district was forced to cut back and is now looking at three main course areas; transfer classes,

job training and basic education, Yarbrough said. “I was held back another year because of cut classes,” said criminal justice major Annabel Vargas, who has been here for three years. Students are taking the brunt of the budget shortfall and like others statewide, some decided that they need to stop objecting and take “Students action. need to be The chant, “No more cuts” at various echoed throughout the camLegislatures’ pus as students marched with fists held high, holding protest offices. Students signs and posters that read, need to demand “WTF” for “Where’s the fund- accountability.” ing?” and “Get your hands out of my pocket.” John Hanna “This is a sign that things RSCCD Trustee have to change,” SAC ASG President Alex Flores said. Some students wore shirts representing their campus, while others painted their fists red as a symbol and in support of the “March in March” rally in Sacramento that same day. Trustees John Hanna and Yarbrough joined students at the campus rally, showing their support and urging students to send a message to the state capitol. “Students need to be at various legislators’ offices,” Hanna said. “Students need to demand accountability.” “Fight against the $40 units,” Yarbrough said. SAC Associated Student Government President Alex Flores and SCC President Tina Lam encouraged everyone at the rally to participate in a text message campaign in which the goal was to get 1 million students to text state leaders. Students and supporters in near unison whipped out their cell phones and texted “No more cuts” to a number that sent all messages to California’s legislators. “It [the rally] truly identified our students as a district,” Martinez said. “It’s really good they advocated.”

NEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

Internet: college students are vulnerable to addiction Continued from page 1

MERi SiMOn MCT

Excessive internet use can indicate underlying psychological issues.

does in real life. He surfs the web until four or five in the morning. He’s never met any of his best friends in person. He’s logged countless hours playing Runescape, World of Warcraft and a bevy of multi-person role playing games online. Most days he doesn’t even realize how much time is being wasted. Casey, who doesn’t think he has a problem, says, “I don’t have anything better to do. If I wanted to go outside and talk to people, I would.” College students are particularly vulnerable to Internet addiction because many of them have yet to develop a firm sense of identity. The transition from adolescence to adulthood that occurs during this age leaves a large percentage of the college set feeling lonely and depressed. The internet serves as a coping mechanism. It’s a great escape from academic stress and social strife. When you’re online you don’t have to worry about midterms. Bickering friends don’t exist and you can make yourself the coolest person in the room. “People plagued by social anxiety find it easier to communicate with people who have similar interests online. However, this produces a unique problem: the ebb and flow of real-life conversation becomes lost or even remains unlearned, leading to increasing difficulties in real-life interaction,” Psychotherapist Jonathan J. Kandell said. N A T I o N A l U Among 18,000 respondents, almost 6 per-

Summer Sessions

cent indicate signs of compulsive Internet use, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Internet Studies. “I don’t really use the Internet to escape from things. I check my e-mail, go on Facebook and catch up with my friends. I probably spend two hours a day online,” SAC student Alyssa Gomez said. Web addiction sets in when surfing the Internet is used as a crutch to avoid underlying psychological issues. Internet use aids in a person’s avoidance of the problem and creates a buffer between the conscious mind and the negative thoughts and feelings the underlying issue generates, Kandell said. Rehabilitation programs for Internet addiction have been popping up to help those who cannot curb their use of the information super highway. reStart, a center in Washington on five acres of land, boasts a 45-day program completely free of Internet access and full of therapy and outdoor expeditions. The program offers both outpatient and inpatient treatment and can only accommodate about six clients at a time. Although clinics have been established and many are coping with Internet addiction, it has yet to be classified as a disorder and some medical professionals are still skeptical. For now, Casey continues to glance anxiously at his Blackberry every few minutes and check his e-mail every half hour. “It just feels weird. Without a computer I feel like I’ve been disconnected from the N I V e r s I T y ® world,” Casey said.

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6 HOTLINES

Reviews & other stuff

BURNING UP The Jonas Brothers have taken over the Disney Channel, The Billboard Charts and millions of teenage girls’ hearts all across the country. What’s next for the boys who have done it all? Easter service at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 4. If you’re planning on attending the service, gates open at 8:30 a.m., but show up earlier if you want a seat. If you don’t plan on going, your best bet is to stay as far away from Anaheim as possible. Tickets are available at Saddleback Church on a firstcome first-served basis. - Joseph Elizalde

TO-DO LIST

The Drive by Truckers’ latest album The Big To Do is yet another classic compilation of American emotions and edgy guitar riffs. Not quite as melancholic as the previous album, the band continues to assault us with guitars and reminds the listener that no matter no matter how hard life gets, it can always be worse. Their unique literary and lyrical style reflects classic outlaw country songs. This is truly the rock’n’roll of the blue collar worker and a country in a recession. - Carlos Alfaro

STEP UP

Ever had a dream of rocking out in front of sold-out crowds or recording a live studio album? Then the time has come to put down that Guitar Hero controller and give it a shot. UK metal band DragonForce is looking for a new lead singer after giving former vocalist ZP Teart the ax. Warm up those vocal chords and log onto DragonForce.com to get ready for what could be the biggest audition of your life. -Joseph Elizalde

STYLE

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

slim PICKINGS

The digital book revolution has begun with no sign of losing its momentum By Mike Organistko el Don Staff Writer Will printed books eventually be replaced by electronic versions? It seems likely, now that the era of the Kindle, nook and iPad is upon us, with iPad hitting Apple stores April 3. Each device allows readers to download from among thousands of electronic books, or e-books, in seconds via a wireless 3G satellite connection. Books typically range from free to $9.99, and thousands can be stored on each portable device. With so many e-readers on the market, how does someone choose the right one? It all depends on the needs of the reader. One of the first was Amazon’s Kindle. Now in its second version, the Kindle 2 ($259) remains the most recognizable brand and arguably has the most reliable device on the market. With more dependable software, the Kindle trumps the newer and more glitch-prone nook ($259). The Kindle’s 6-inch diagonal E ink electronic paper display is the same as the nook’s. It holds 1,500 e-books, and its battery lasts one week with wireless on. The upgraded Kindle DX ($489) has a 9.7-inch screen that automatically rotates pages between landscape and portrait orientations and holds 3,500 e-books. The nook is Barnes and Noble’s attempt to compete with Amazon’s e-book success. From its slow-response touch screen scrolling control to its awkward user interface, the nook’s construction was rushed to compete with other ereaders last Christmas. Finding content can be frustrating scrolling through several menus to locate new downloads. Nevertheless, the nook has outdone the Kindle with a sharper 6-inch E ink electronic paper display and a 3.5inch color touch screen LCD, free wireless 3G and Wi-Fi connections. It holds 1,500 e-books and has an expandable microSD slot allowing up to thousands of extra books to be saved. Its battery lasts ten days with wireless off. Its hardware is solid, leaving room for software improvements in the future. For customers willing to take a risk, the nook may pan out as a better investment than the Kindle. Apple’s iPad will revolutionize the way e-books are read, but is the $499-$829 price tag worth it? Consumers need to spend at least $629, more than double the price of a Kindle or nook, just to get a 3G model, making the base model iPads much less mobile. The iPad is in a class of its own and cannot be compared side-by-side with the Kindle or nook, although it is not just a tablet or laptop computer but also a reader device. This oversized iPod Touch utilizes a 9.7-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen multi-touch display for e-reading and browsing the web. However, backlit displays, used on computer monitors, cause more eyestrain than nonbacklit E ink displays. E-books are available at the familiar App Store. iPad capacity, depending on version, ranges from holding 12,000 to 48,000 e-books. Battery life is 10 hours with a Wi-Fi connection. Why would anyone pay $259-$829 for an e-reader when e-books can be read on a cell phone, laptop or MP3 player like an iPod touch? It really boils down to frequency of use, features and comfort. Some prefer to save their cash and use their current devices, while others may invest in an e-reader that is easier on the eyes and has longer battery life. Whether one chooses to invest in these technologies, wait for new ones to surface or stick to printed books, one thing is evident — the e-book revolution will not be over anytime soon.

LIFE

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

LIFELINES

Health & wellness

SICK AND TIRED

Suffering from a lingering cough left over from that nasty cold going around? Here are five tips to help rid yourself of all the hacking. Stay hydrated; drinking liquids help keep mucus membranes moist. Drink hot tea to soothe your throat and lozenges to decrease your coughing reflex. Steamy showers help to loosen secretions stuck in the nose. Avoid using scented products which can cause chronic sinus irritation. If all else fails take medication like Benadryl which will dry out mucus in the lungs and clear airways. -Jeanae Goss

EAT FRESH

LOL’s and ROFL’s have never been so tasty, as participating Subway Restaurants pilot text ordering. In order to make fast food faster, customers have the option of ordering their favorite sandwiches and drinks via text. It is the perfect solution for avoiding long lines and lengthy, awkward phone orders. Standard text messaging rates apply. -Joe Baca

BLESS YOU

According to WebMD, a sneeze expels a stream of air at about 100 mph and the sudden motion can aggravate an existing problem, like back or neck discomfort. Suppressing a sneeze by pinching the nostrils or closing the mouth could rupture an eardrum or damage the middle ear. Not only these injuries but also traffic accidents including fatalities have been caused by sneezing. -Portia Bode

NICHOLE

MONTAN

E Z MC T

ansr T y l l exua S l a n o th. ti n a o N M s s i s e April waren A e s a e Dis mitted

STDs By MyStudentHealthZone.com MCT Campus

There are more than 25 different STDs affecting more than 15 million men and women in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In all, an estimated one in five Americans has had an STD, and nearly two thirds of those occur in people younger than 25 years old. STDs are spread via sexual and intimate contact, which includes vaginal and anal intercourse, as well as oral-anal and oral-genital contact. The viruses or bacteria that cause STDs travel from person to person in semen, vaginal fluids, or blood. Some STDs enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth, anus, or genitals. Others flourish in the mucous membranes of the genitals or the delicate skin around the rectum and genitals. You don’t have to have sexual intercourse to become infected with an STD. Someone can get herpes or genital warts simply through skinto-skin contact with an infected area or sore. If left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can lead to longterm problems, such as infertility. However, preventing STDs or early detection and treatment can help

control the spread of these diseases and, in many cases, the development of serious health problems. Anyone who is sexually active or considering becoming sexually active should also have regular physical exams, including annual gynecological examinations for women and genital examinations for men. Check-ups allow doctors to screen for STDs and perhaps diagnose diseases before they reach an advanced stage. If you think you may have an STD, or if you have had sex with a partner who may have an STD, see a doctor right away. Waiting to see a doctor may allow the disease to progress and cause more damage. Many sexually transmitted diseases can be cured with medications. When STDs are diagnosed and treated promptly, the uncomfortable symptoms and serious complications associated with the infections may be prevented. If you’re concerned that you might have an STD, you can call a national or local STD hotline (start by checking your phone book). Trained specialists can answer questions and provide referrals at all hours, and every call is confidential.

PREVENTING STDs If you choose to have sex, these steps can help reduce the risk of getting an STD: Have an honest discussion about sex and STDs with potential sexual partners before you have sex. It’s best to choose a time when you can talk calmly, instead of waiting until you are in a sexual encounter. You cannot tell if a person has an STD unless that person tells you.

Use a latex condom every time you have sex. This is the only birth control method that will help prevent most STDs.

Avoid sex during menstruation. Women may be more likely to contract or transmit an STD when they have their periods. Women should also avoid douching, which destroys natural, protective bacteria in the vagina.

Do not use intravenous drugs. Some infections, such as HIV, can be passed from one person to another through the use of contaminated syringes, as well as through sexual contact.

VIEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

el Don SANTA ANA COLLEGE

Editor in Chief Kathie Espinoza eldoneditor@sac.edu News Editor Michelle Wiebach eldonnews@sac.edu Sports Editors Allison Lujan Hugo Pacheco eldonsports@sac.edu Views Editor Amy Ellison eldonviews@sac.edu Photo Editor Blanca Valdivia

Adviser C. W. Little Jr. little_charles@sac.edu

MAILBOX POLICY

El Don encourages the expression of all views. Letters should be concise, signed, include a contact phone number and may be e-mailed to the appropriate editor, or mailed to SAC el Don, 17th at Bristol St., Santa Ana, CA 92706. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the views of Santa Ana College. Opinions with a byline are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of el Don or SAC. El Don reserves the right to refuse advertising and does not necessarily subscribe to the views of the advertisers. For advertising rates and information contact Allene Symons (714)564-5617. Fax (714)564-0821. e-mail eldonbusiness@sac.edu

OLIVER DOULIERYMCT

STAFF EDITORIAL

The

Debate

Continues Health care passed in a historic vote in Congress, but arguments over the controversial legislation remain.

AMY ELLISON elDon

Business and Advertising Manager Allene Symons sac.edu Symons_Allene@sac.edu

Last week President Obama signed a healthcare reform bill into law. While healthcare reform has been a hot button issue since day one of Obama’s presidency, there are still a few kinks in the bill that need to be worked out. While it is a landmark accomplishment for healthcare to be provided to all Americans, some of our freedoms are at risk. For instance, we will lose some of our freedom to choose our healthcare provider, our doctors, and what kind of treatment we will receive. We will be mandated to buy into the government plan. The negligence of the insurance companies fueled the fire behind the urgency of the bill, and Americans were sick of getting the run around from their providers. But now, the IRS will be the insurance company, and bureaucrats will determine who gets what treatment. It’s the same thing under a different name. Many have waited for the day when we would have universal healthcare, but it still comes at a price. People will be penalized for refusing care under the government plan, up to $2,250 per family. The new law will also levy a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning salons. It will also tax soda, cigarettes, junk food and vending machines. It’s a relief to see the government being proactive about the obesity epidemic in America, but taxing things that aren’t controlled substances that adults can choose to partake in is crossing the line. We shouldn’t have to pay $6 for a bag of Doritos just because we know they’re bad for us. Legislation will also hinder our economy and will likely cause a rise in national unemployment levels. Small business owners could be forced to downsize to 49 employees in order to prevent paying a fee for not providing coverage. In the long run this hurts the economy because many small business owners will not be able to afford coverage or fines, and some large corporations will probably choose to pay the lesser fine rather than provide employees expensive coverage. On the bright side, students who are still dependent on their parents can remain insured until age 26 as long as they take 12 or more units. Also, insurers will be unable to drop coverage when a person becomes ill. So, yes! Healthcare for all! But at what cost?

VIEWS

SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

Students push back Making a spectacle to fight for a higher education Opinion by Kathie Espinoza el Don Editor in Chief

EXPRESSION Some say students who protest act too entitled for their own good

Opinion and Illustration by Amy Ellison • el Don Views Editor

pparently, if kids today don’t get what they want, they cry. Protesters at college campuses across California say they are against budget cuts and rising tuition costs to cover the difference in the budget shortfall. The press coverage of the demonstrations is nation-wide, and the bill is adding up. Meanwhile, taxpayers who fund state schools are being asked to foot that bill as well. These protests are counterproductive. While they attract lots of press, they cost thousands. Classes are cancelled; campus and city security is increased, and taxpayers see college students as entitled brats. College is a time for maturing adults to explore their political power, but as a fellow student, I think these actions are pathetic. At UCLA, UC Berkley, and UC Santa Cruz protesters attracted heavy attention from the press and police, and helicopters hovered overhead to monitor the events. Students were arrested for charges like damaging property, threatening law enforcement, trespassing and creating a public nuisance. Classes had to be cancelled, and students who wanted to go to class instead of waste their time protesting were turned away. How much did that cost the state? Professors are joining in on the fun too, some even going as far as to require their to students protest or lose class credit. Where do they get off doing that? If a student is morally opposed to the protest, they should not be required to go and teachers should set a good example—not get arrested.

Students are barricading themselves in classrooms and writing out lists of demands before they will agree to come out. This looks more like criminal behavior than a peaceful protest. If students want anything to be done, they should get together and put something on the ballot or work to persuade administrators to cut from the top, rather than lay off teachers and cut classes students need to graduate. State schools have different funds for construction, operations, etc. Money cannot be transferred from one fund to another. Why not change that? Most schools have millions in unused dollars for construction; meanwhile, operation budgets are sparse. If you want to get something done about the budget, work on changing that. Sitting in the middle of the street, blocking commuters for hours, is immature. That kind of behavior is childish, and if students want to be taken seriously, they need to face the fact that everyone is struggling, and everyone needs to do their part to pick up the slack. Education is a right up to the 12th grade, but college is a privilege. Half the point of college is learning to work hard and earn your place in society. If the state is in financial trouble, the schools will be too, it’s part of life. California has the cheapest tuition rates compared to the rest of the country, so quit complaining and be thankful for that. The conduct of these protesters is showing how society is shifting from hard-working adults to sniveling cry babies. It’s time to take a hard look at ourselves and realize it’s time to grow up.

I did not participate in the protests against the rise in tuition fees, but I fully support the students who did. There comes a time when enough really is enough and when that time comes, we have to stand up and make a stand against what we believe is wrong. Maybe to some we seem like spoiled brats, but to others, demonstrating is a part of our democracy. Most of us are kids who work to put ourselves through school, often relying on grants and scholarship dollars to pay our tuition. I am one of the lucky few with parents who pay my way and even they are feeling the budget crunch. Unfortunately, there are always the predictable bad apples who forget the meaning of the phrase “peaceful protest.” They cross lines and try to turn the universe on its side because they think it’s what they should be doing. How sad for us that misinformed youth have turned the budget protests into such a negative spectacle. Let’s get one thing straight: these citizens are protesting budget cuts. They’re pissed off because fees are going up while class offerings are going down. Protesting is a right. We have the right to protest and students are choosing to exercise that right. That’s the beauty of America. You may not like it, but you need to get over it. Yes, they can work on getting initiatives on the ballot and speaking to lawmakers, but these walkouts and sit-ins show the world the passion we have flowing through our veins. Have you ever loved something so much that you would go to any lengths to prevent it from being taken away? Have you ever been so caught up in the heat of the moment that you have done something that seemed a little foolish later on? So have we. Yes, I know community college is so much more affordable than universities, and we’re lucky to pay a relatively small amount, but why do you think we’re here in the first place? We can barely afford this tuition. Fee hikes are forcing us to work longer hours and take fewer units. Yes, college is a privilege, we are working hard to protect that privilege and we want our voices heard now. What better way to get that attention than screaming at the top of our lungs to defend something we hold dear? And what about those tea party protests? They sucked up just as many tax dollars as student protests. While those demonstrators were running around with misspelled signs and Uncle Sam hats covered in glitter, police kept them safe. While mobbing city halls and civic centers, tax dollars were paid to make sure no one got hurt. Complain all you want, but people who protest will continue to do so. They’re also going to lobby for changes to funding by making phone calls, handing out petitions and getting everyone else informed. Why? Because they are going to exhaust every option rather than twiddle their thumbs and wait for someone else to do the work for them.

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SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

SPORTSLINE People & events

Players named Scholar-Athlete Dons’ quarterback Jordan Thomas and linebacker Sean Kurtz were named Scholar-Athletes at the 40th Annual National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Awards Dinner held in Anaheim. The NFF honors athletes who have Thomas a 3.5 GPA and are named First-Team All-League or Conference. Thomas and Kurtz were the only players representing a community college. Last season Thomas averaged 185.1 passing yards per game for a total of 1851 passing yards and a 53 percent completion. Thomas was the first player from Santa Ana College to be named Offensive Player of the Week for the Southern Conference by the Southern California Football Association. Kurtz was a leader on defense with 29 solo tackles in 10 games played. –Allison Lujan

Golf swinging for OEC win Men’s golf lost 371-406 at Cypress College on Monday. The round also included Santiago Canyon College and Palomar College who ended the day with team scores of 377 strokes and 384 strokes, Jones respectively. The loss drops the team to a 0-10 record in the Orange Empire Conference. The Dons’ last conference win came in April 2009. Sophomore Derek Jones led the Dons with a 76 on the par 72 Cypress Golf Course. Freshman Jimmy Sandford was a stroke behind him with a 77. Sophomore Brett Sterbens rounded out the top three for the Dons with an 82 on the day. Cypress had two players finish under par with freshman Caio Barbosa at 70 strokes and sophomore Jin Kim at 71 strokes. Next, the Dons face Riverside College for the second time this season at Victoria Golf Course, Wednesday at 8 a.m. –Allison Lujan

First baseman Crystal Sanchez had seven putouts.

Harp retired 14 consecutive batters, allowing only three hits total.

Right fielder Ashley Ross scored an unearned run.

Dons’ defense sinks Pirates

Pitcher Katlyn Harp leads team to a 3-1 victory, gaining her ninth win Story by Allison Lujan Photos by David DeRidder

Pitcher Katlyn Harp got her ninth win of the season as the Dons’ defeated the visiting Orange Coast College Pirates 3-1 Monday. Harp got off to a shaky start in the first inning as Pirates’ catcher Katrina Gaar singled and scored on an RBI single from right fielder Summer Comstock making it 1-0. She retired the next 14 consecutive batters, only allowing another single from Garr in the sixth inning. “I was just thinking about pitching my best and not letting them hit anymore,” Harp said. This season, Harp has been instrumental on the Dons’ defense. With a 2.16 ERA, she received Honorable Mention for the California Community College Sports Information Association’s Athlete of the Month for February. “She’s one of our hardest workers,” said Co-Head Coach Jessica Rapoza.“Our team trusts her when she’s on the mound.” On offense, Dons’ shortstop Sarah Steinbeck tripled while left fielder Nicole Mendoza and third baseman Sarah Singh were

walked. With the bases loaded and no outs, Santa Ana was unable to capitalize, leaving all three runners on base. The Dons tied the game in the second inning when center fielder Nicole Warnick scored on an RBI single from Mendoza. But with the bases loaded again and one out, a similar scene unfolded when all three runners were left on base at the end of the inning. “We needed to simplify and get little hits instead of looking for that one big hit,” said Rapoza. “We have to remember, we just need to get around the bases.” Santa Ana took the lead in the fourth inning when right fielder Ashley Ross scored an unearned run on a fielding error from OCC. Their last run came in the sixth, when pinch runner April Marquez scored on a wild pitch. Steinbeck and catcher Melba Valencia lead the team with 19 hits apiece. This was the second time the Dons have beaten OCC this season. The two teams will meet again on April 21. Next, the Dons visit Fullerton College in an Orange Empire Conference game, Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Shortstop Sarah Steinbeck had a triple in the first inning.

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SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

SAC Baseball 2010

Apelian leads oﬀensive assault in 12-7 victory over Saddleback By Jermaine Ruvalcaba el Don Staff Writer

DAVID DERIDDER el Don

With a team leading 3.32 ERA, relief pitcher Nicholas Perez threw three innings against the Gauchos for his third win of the season.

Dons’ right fielder Gary Apelian stepped up to the plate in the fifth inning with his team holding on to a tight lead. He stared the pitcher down, then delivered a three-run home run to put the game away, giving Santa Ana a 12-7 win over visiting Saddleback College. The three-run shot was a part of the Dons’ five-run fifth inning March 20. Apelian has been one of the Dons’ best players on offense. His .429 batting average and 13 RBIs in the month of February earned him an Honorable Mention Athlete of the Month from the California Community College Sports Information Association. In the seventh inning, outfielder Taylor Richardson finished the offensive assault when he crushed the first pitch into the left-center field scoreboard. Richardson, the team’s leading hitter, was an offensive force with just a triple shy of the cycle. He went 3-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. “I just saw the hanging curveball and knew right away it was gone,” Richardson said. Pitcher Nicholas Perez was awarded the win over the Gauchos, sending him to a perfect 3-0 on the season. Perez, who leads the team with a 3.32 ERA, pitched 3.1 innings of relief, allowing five hits and two earned runs.

Starting pitcher Ben Burke was pulled after giving up five runs, four of those earned, on four hits and four walks in 4.2 innings pitched. With the win, the Dons sweep the threegame series against the Gauchos outscoring them a combined 43 runs to 26. “I’m proud of when they scored runs, we came back with runs,” said Assistant Coach John Bryant. “Any time you can get a win in this conference, you’ve got to take it.” An altercation in the first inning at second base between Dons’ catcher David Peterson and Saddleback second baseman Sean Parvin resulted in both Parvin’s ejection and a spark to the Dons’ offense. Santa Ana opened the inning with five runs to put them up 5-2. They maintained the lead the rest of the game. “I kind of slid into his glove and didn’t take my foot off because I wanted to keep my foot on the base,” said Peterson. “He pushed me off second base and said a few things that he shouldn’t have said.” Peterson added three hits and two runs of his own. Shortstop T.J. Yasuhara also had a strong day adding four hits, three RBIs and three stolen bases. “That’s the thing about our line-up. Just because someone doesn’t have a hot day, we have someone else to step up,” Richardson said. Next, the Dons welcome East L.A. College, Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Hugo Pacheco contributed to this story.

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SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don • MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2010

KING

THE HILL

Conference Pitcher of the Year CHRISTIAN MEZA wants a State Championship with the Dons before becoming a Cal State Fullerton Titan By Jermaine Ruvalcaba Photo by David DeRidder The pitcher stands atop the mound. Everyone’s eyes are on him. He concentrates on one thing: the mitt. He has one goal in mind: throw the ball for a strike. Christian Meza has been throwing his whole life. Like every young athlete, it started at home. “Ever since I was a kid, my dad put a bat in my hands,” said Meza. “My dad would always make me throw oranges across the living room just playing catch to teach me how to pitch.” For his dad, the game of catch meant more than a bonding experience with his son. He wanted Christian to be a ball player, every father’s dream. Eduardo Meza would take his young son, glove in hand, to baseball games at Goodwin Field. It’s the home of the Cal State Fullerton Titans. From that, Christian set his own track. He played high school ball at Loara High in Anaheim, where he became an All-League pitcher and two-year letter winner. Meza then came to Santa Ana College where he quickly blossomed into the Dons’ ace in ‘09. His freshman year started with a few wins and quickly became a perfect 10-0 record. It would take over three months for a team to finally defeat him. Christian made 15 starts in ‘09, finishing with two complete games, 93 strikeouts and a .226 opposing hitter batting average. The Dons’ left-handed ace mounted an 11-1 record with a 3.49 ERA. For that, he was awarded the Orange Empire Conference Pitcher of the Year. He was also named a Southern California All-American. His success helped Santa Ana advance to the State Championship. Meza’s win over Palomar College in the State Super Regionals sent the Dons to the final four. “I didn’t expect it,” Meza said about his success. “It was as good as it gets being part of the four best teams in the State Championships.” Though the Dons didn’t win a state title in ‘09, they found the guy to take them back. “He is a competitor. He is our returning ace. He is our guy,” Head Coach Don Sneddon said. The 19-year-old has one goal in mind this season: win state. “I set a high bar. I want to go back to Fresno,” Meza said. Regardless of what happens this season, Meza will continue throwing at a higher level. He signed to continue his academic and baseball career at CSUF, that same team he and his father would watch back in the day. In 2011, Christian will pitch on Goodwin Field. For now, Meza remains the king of the hill at Santa Ana. The eyes are on him. Yet, he does what he does best, throw into the mitt for strikes. Hugo Pacheco contributed to this story.