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Dancing to ‘Anthology of the Cuban Spirit’ Arts, page 4
WHO’S NEWS Film maker presents at City
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City Works Press seeks aspiring artists Arts, page 3
CityTimes
Volume 62, Number 7
Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945
City College President supports Prop 92
Katie Dunn City Times “The melting pot analogy has now become a tossed salad. Nobody assimilates,” said one Latina woman showcased in Carlos von Son’s documentary film, “Border Piece.” The film shown on Nov. 14 revolved around the 2006 border crisis and controversy of undocum e n t e d workers in America. Carlos Von Son Documenting the parades, protests and conflicts between the anti-amnesty citizens and those that support it, Von Son sheds light on a controversial battlefield of intolerance. The film was what Von Son called an unbiased “chronological documentary” where each event taped occurred in real time order. The events shown were taped through the year of 2006 and early 2007. In the film, many illegal immigrants spoke of their determination to work in the United States. “We only came here to work, nothing else,” said one man who had recently crossed the border illegally. In order to survive, immigrants may spend many days and nights determined to cross the border. The cause? Their families living in poverty. To balance the documentary, people against illegal immigrants in America were also interviewed. One man said that he didn’t like to see “Americans not getting work the ‘illegals’ are taking.” Supporters responded by saying the jobs illegal immigrants were taking were those that Americans wouldn’t do. “We are not terrorists, we are workers!” Protestors yelled as they walked the streets of San Diego. One supporter
See FILM, page 2
INDEX Calendar..................................... 2 Arts.........................................3-4
November 27, 2007
Alissa Wisniewski City Times
Danny Penera CityTimes
Students interested in the experiments visited chemistry student Kristy Wishmeyer’s table during National Chemistry week.
Experiments conducted in Gorton Quad in honor of National Chemistry Week Danny Penera City Times Mathematical equations and obscure jargon, are some images that come to mind when the word “science” is uttered. Students at City College did their part to void those stereotypes while celebrating National Chemistry Appreciation Week on Tuesday, Nov. 13. Every November, Chemistry classes at City College honor National Chemistry Appreciation Week by performing experiments in the Gorton Quad. Tuesday’s celebration consisted of students from City College Professor Theresa Bolaños’ classes working stands where passersby could conduct chemistry experiments with real world applications. People from all age groups participated in the events. These activities were visited by both college professors and children from the daycare service. Participants walked away with many things not usuallly the result of a chemistry class experiment. Stands like the silly putty table reassured people that not all chemicals are for serious functions. Aside from the silly putty stand, the super ball, quicksand, and slime stands aimed to entertain those who stopped by.
Danny Penera CityTimes
Chemistry student Kristy Wishmeyer mixes chemicals for her experiment. The experiments offered an increased stock of information. All the experiment stands were run by one of Bolaños’ students and although some technical terms were used, no formal knowledge was needed. Each of the students gave a brief explanation of what they were doing and guided participants step by step. “This was the chemistry class’s way of showing off some of the fun applications of chemistry,” said Bolaños. Even the people who had conducted the experiments countless times where having fun.
Chemistry student Sebastian Law enjoyed doubling mixtures and using various colors to fulfill his own scientific vision. Other students, like Kristy Wishmeyer, who worked the slime experiment, remained enthusiastic throughout the day despite performing the same experiment numerous times. It is this very enthusiasm and enjoyment that epitomizes what National Chemistry Appreciation Week is all about, showing that Chemistry is truly valued, if not all over the nation than at least at City College.
$15 fees per unit could be on the horizon for California community college students. Come February, voters will have the power to support or oppose Proposition 92, a new K14 funding legislation that seeks to remedy the shortcomings of Prop. 98, the current legislation passed in 1988. Prop. 92 will codify in the Calif. constitution three primary functions. City College President Terrance Burgess supports the new legislation. “It’ll stabilize the split between K-12 and college funding … make it predictable,” said Burgess. Funding is currently placed in a large pot, then disproportionately distributed to K-14 education levels. Community colleges usually receive between 10 and 11 percent of the funds with the rest going to K-12. About 40 percent from the Calif. general fund goes to K-14 funding each fiscal year. K-12 enrollment determines the amount of funding and every student is guaranteed funding. Community colleges have an enrollment cap so every student over that cap is funded out of the schools’ pockets. “We can’t turn students away so we incur costs without having money for it,” said Burgess. Under Prop. 92, the pot will be divided into two parts. A designated amount will go to K-12 and a separate amount will be provided for community colleges. Funding for community colleges will be decided by calculating the young adult population growth rates, up to five percent. Prop. 92 will also place a ceiling on student fee increases. According to the Calif. Legislative Analyst’s Office, fees have fluctuated between $11 and $26 per unit over the past decade. This fee would lower to $15 under Prop. 92 and limit the Calif. Legislature’s ability to increase this fee. They would need a two-
See PROP 92, page 2
2
NEWS / CALENDAR
City Times
November 27, 2007
Record numbers choosing to go abroad, survey says Sabrina Porter The Tartan (Carnegie Mellon U.) (U-WIRE) PITTSBURGH - The results are in: More college students are using their passports and foreign tongues than ever before. The number of students at U.S. colleges and universities choosing to study abroad increased 8.5 percent over the past academic year, according to a survey released Tuesday by the Institute of International Education. This is a 150 percent rise compared to 10 years ago, the survey said.
Prop 92 Continued from page 1 thirds vote from both houses to do so. “(Fee increase) would be modest … it won’t go past the cost of living,” said Burgess. Financing for education derives from the general fund, local property taxes and student fee revenues. Though schools
Film
Continued from page 1
stated that majority of these illegal immigrants come to America with the sole intent of sending their earnings back to Mexico to their families. Gasps escaped from the audience, as new scenes of protests flashed across the screen. “The film was inspiring and motivating,” audience member Saba Gebretsadik
In addition, student enrollment in foreign language courses at colleges and universities has increased 13 percent, according to a study by the Modern Language Association that was also released Tuesday. The study surveyed approximately 2800 colleges and universities that regularly teach languages. The first survey, Open Doors 2007, is an annual report of the study abroad activities of over 200 universities. The study also reported an increase in the diversity of the countries in which students are choosing to study.
Nationally, student travel to Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East increased by 26 percent, 19 percent, and 31 percent, respectively. Europe continued to lead the way, accounting for just over 50 percent of the students’ choices of destination. These trends are clearly seen in the Carnegie Mellon data. According to the Office of International Education, the number of students studying abroad has increased from 215 to 260 since 2002, and by 10 students in the past school year alone.
The most popular destination continues to be Western Europe. “This is a natural place for many of our students to go,” said Lisa Krieg, director of the Office of International Education. “It is often English-speaking, within a student comfort zone, and historically popular and well-known.” Although few students choose to study in the Middle East through external programs, the exchange program with the Qatar campus has increased the number of students studying in the area.
would secure nearly $70 million less than with this lower fee, students’ financial lives would be easier. Restructuring the governing bodies of community colleges is another key element of Prop. 92. According to Burgess, it’ll institute “local oversight that’s responsible to the community.” The current system is comprised locallyelected boards of trustees who manage the colleges in their districts. A Board of Governors, or BOG, also exists and supervises the statewide chain
of schools. The community college system would also be formally acknowledged under Prop. 92, something not awarded by Prop. 98, and would join with the Calif. public school system. The BOG would have a higher level of autonomy and more control over the budget. Opposition groups believe an increase in state funding of education would lead to less flexibility in the legislature. They worry that other programs, such as health
or correctional, will fight over remaining funds and suffer because of it. The largest opposition group is a coalition that included the Calif. League of Women’s Voters, the Calif. Teachers Association, and the Calif. Business Roundtable, among others. More information on this group can be found at www.noprop92.org. In support of Prop. 92 are groups such as the Calif. Federation of Teachers and the Community College League of Calif. For information on groups in support of Prop. 92, visit www.prop92yes.com.
said after the viewing. Her parents were also immigrants that came from Ethiopia around 1980, which she said gave her personal understanding on the process. “It’s very expensive to gain citizenship, and the price goes up all the time.” Gebretsadik said that she thought we needed to come to a compromise with the illegal immigrants and make the cost of citizenship much lower and more attainable. “They need to do something about the process, it’s too expensive and these people have nothing.” said audience member Janel Valdez. “This is why they are crossing illegally all the time.”
Feeling tension from the minutemen, Von Son tried to remain neutral throughout the film. He said he wanted the audience to have the full benefit of deciding on what side of the fence they stood. In 2005 Von Son developed Dionisio Productions, and produced an award winning film, “Ofrenda Desnuda” prior to “Border Piece.” “We’re independent so we really have very little resources,” said Von Son. To
make his latest documentary he used half of his retirement fund. He will be visiting other colleges and universities to promote his film after the final edits are made. Von Son has also developed a non-profit organization called the Educational Media Performing Arts Organization, or EMPAO, which will help propel his documentaries and efforts to highlight the issues surrounding our social problems with different cultures.
See ABROAD, page 4
CALENDAR
Compiled by Shevaun Brandom Send items to City Times, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101, e-mail citytimes@gmail.com, call (619) 388-3880, or fax (619) 388-3814
November
December
n Nov. 26 Regester for spring classes
n Dec. 7, 2p.m., Dec. 8, 8p.m. Make Your Money Count D121v
n Nov. 28, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m College Book Sale Event at Gorton Quad
n Dec. 7, 2p.m., Dec. 8, 8p.m. Dance Concert, $10 student, $15 general Saville Theatre
n Nov. 28, 2:30p.m.-3:30 p.m. Disneyland’s CareerStart and College Programs Mesa College L-608 619-388-2370 aluoma@sdccd.edu
n Dec. 7, 8p.m., Dec. 8, 2 & 8p.m. Anthology of the Cuban Spirit Saville Theatre, $10 student, $15 general
n Nov. 28, 11:15am Environmental Awareness Week Lecture Saville Theatre n Nov. 29, 11:15am Environmental Awareness Week Lecture T-311
n Untill Dec. 17 Toys drive donations, for Polinsky Childern’s Center age range infants-tennagers Campus police department n Untill Dec. 6 Toys for Tots donations L121 Cal works
November 27, 2007
NEWS / ARTS
City Times
3
Chapbook contest opens windows for aspiring artists Aysha Johnson City Times This year’s fourth annual Student Chapbook contest has arrived once again after being started five-years-ago by the staff in the City Works Press. This opportunity-filled contest is held every year at City College, giving students the chance to broadcast their talents in creative writing, poems, fiction, and artwork to the public. After speaking with Jim Miller, the coeditor of City Works Press and Director, San Diego City College International Book Fair and the San Diego City College Literary Center, it was revealed that the students are the actual judges of the contest and the faculty judges the Chapbook; The judges include Tracy McGee and Chris Baron, and Kelly Mayhew the English Associate
Professor Assistant Chair, English, Philosophy, Humanities and Labor Studies. The chapbook is judged based off of creativity and sharp wittiness. It consists of short stories, a maximum of five poems, a maximum of two fiction and non- fictional stories ranging up to 2,500 words, and a maximum of five artwork pieces. The artwork includes a black and white photograph, 81/2 x 11 of ink drawings, illustrations, graphics, cartoons, and computer-generated art or photographs. The manuscripts must be original, totaling 20 to 40 pages. The deadline to submit a book is Dec. 17, 2007. All submissions are placed in the City Works mailbox in mailroom A-8. The submissions began Oct. 1, 2007, and are being accepted from students, staff, and faculty at San Diego City College. “We try to include everyone in this opportunity,�
City College to Donate toys to the Polinsky Children’s Center Shevaun Brandom City Times Walk around campus and you may see flyers announcing holiday collections, from can food drives to toy drives. This year the City College Campus Police is collecting toys for the Polinsky Children’s center. Collection bins will be placed on each district campus as well. The Polinsky center was founded in 1994, and provides emergency shelter to children in San Diego County. The children
in the center range from infants to teens. Last year members of the San Diego Chargers participated in a donation drive where children were taken shopping by select Charger players. On December 18, representatives from SDCCD and the San Diego Chargers will present the gifts to the Polinsky Center. For more information, please contact Campus Police at (619) 388-6405. For direct donations to the Polinsky Children’s Center, please contact them at (858) 514-4600.
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explains Miller. The winner of the contest will receive cash and will be showcased on the City Works website with a biography and a selection of his or her work. He or she will also recite at a public reading. $150 in cash will be given to the student with the best cover design, $100 for the best poem, $100 for the best personal essay, $100 for the best fictional short story and $100 for the best photography or art work. “No one leaves empty handed,� says Kelly Mayhew co- editor of the City Works Press. The reading will also feature renowned Christopher Buckley and a local writer by the name of Scott Tinley. “It’s open to
CityTimes Volume 62, Issue 7 November 27, 2007
former and present students at City College,� said Miller. This opportunity only last until February 23, 2008, until it is upraised next year. Last year’s winner John Rowan had his work placed in the City Works Website and had the honor of his chapbook being declared the best. The chapbook contest opens doors for upcoming writers who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to expose their work to the public. The City Works Press has published the works of more than three dozen national and San Diego writers and artists. This contest gives many of them the chance to appear in print for the first time.
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NEWS / ARTS
City Times
November 27, 2007
Saville Theater to host ‘Anthology of the Cuban Spirit’ Dec. 8 San Diego City College dance department presents “Anthology of the Cuban Spirit”, directed by Alicia Rincon. This concert features the work of student, faculty and guest artist, Silfredo LaO. Concert dates include Dec. 7 and 8 at 8:00pm and an earlier presentation on Dec. 8 at 2:00pm. This concert will premiere at the Saville Theater. Ticket prices include $15.00, general admission, and $10.00 Military and Senior. Each year, City College Dance presents their fall semester concert inviting both student and faculty choreography. Directed by Rincon and joined by guest artist Silfredo LaO, this fall’s concert works
partially on the theme “Anthology of the Cuban Spirit.” Assistant Professor Terry Wilson presents a trilogy of songs performed by the timeless Beatles. The work suggests images of playful, romantic and hopeful themes, supported by some of the most popular songs from that era. With a full cast of over 15 dancers, the stage will be filled with dancers, patterns, entrances and exits celebrating the uplifting sounds of one of the most influential bands of the century. Terri Shipman offers a celebratory work accompanied by the composer A. R. Raman. Shipman calls her piece “An Endless Celebration” and portrays her work
Cosmetology celebrates 4th annual cut-a-thon City College Cosmetology Dept. hosted its’ Fourth Annual Veterans Day Cut-a-Thon on November 6, which also catered to those adversely affected by the recent wildfires. The event lasted four hours and featured free haircuts from cosmetology students. “This year we also wanted to do our part to help any of the fire victims. A haircut can be a great morale booster for all.” said Patricia Grooms-Jones, associate cosmetology professor. — Whitney Lawrence
Cari arthur City Times
Student Joseph Shannon get his hair cut by cosmetology student Kim Campbell.
as uplifting and celebratory, with an Eastern Indian influence. This piece is sure to embody the athletic, sensitive quality so commonly found in Shipman’s work. Debi Toth-Ward conceived “GRASS, METAL, WATER” inspired by the sculpture of Daniel Birnbaum and accompanied by composer and vocalist Momilani Ramstrum. Toth-Ward describes her dance as an exploration of two elements from nature (grass and water) and one element (metal) from man, and their contrasting qualities. Grace Jun, UCSD Phd. candidate and artistic director of B.K. Soul, presents “Strugglin’” to the music of Public Enemy. Jun looks forward to see her large cast
take the stage and present the strong and crafted qualities of her Hip Hop/Modern blend.
Abroad
While nationally, more students take Spanish than any other language by a 40 percent margin, the language just rounded out the top three at Carnegie Mellon. At Carnegie Mellon, with 386 and 276 students apiece, Chinese and Japanese are the most popular languages, followed by Spanish and French at 228 and 162, respectively. Arabic is not offered at the university. The most popular languages studied, such as Chinese and Japanese, coincide with the foreign countries that the greatest number of students call home. According to university data, the undergraduate student body is 20 percent AsianAmerican and 11 percent international students, many of whom hail from Asia. “I think that having a sizeable international population affects everyone at the university,” said Aaron Ong, a junior electrical and computer engineering major and president of the Singapore Students Association. “It creates a lot more awareness on international issues, and also educates everyone on cultures and languages from around the world.” However, Krieg reminded students that these statistics are just “pieces of the pie” of the university’s globalization. She cited international student population, study abroad, and the language program as just a few of the many aspects that make our university unique. “For me, when I think of our ‘global’ university, I think first of our innovative and entrepreneurial faculty,” said Krieg.
Continued from page 1
Krieg also said that international students often choose to study abroad in countries other than their country of origin. Students are enthusiastic about their choice to study abroad. “I can’t imagine not going anywhere over my four years,” said Alexa Beaver, a sophomore chemical engineering and Hispanic studies double major. “It’s just such a great opportunity that you’ll never get at any other time in your life.” Beaver plans to study in Spain this summer. According to Open Doors, summer study and periods of less than eight weeks are the most popular type of program nationally; at Carnegie Mellon, most students opt to go for a semester. While study abroad has its appeal for many, others choose to exercise their foreign language skills on campus. An estimated 1347 of roughly 6000 undergraduates are enrolled in a foreign language class this semester, according to the modern languages department. This percentage is reflective of national trends reported by the Modern Language Association. “I can’t imagine not knowing another language in today’s world,” said Beaver. “I feel like we have become so global that knowing how to speak in just one other way is invaluable.” The number of students studying foreign languages has increased, particularly for the 10 most popular languages, according to the MLA study. Spanish and French, the two most popular, increased by 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively. However, the biggest changes included Asian and Middle Eastern languages. According to the MLA, the number of students studying Arabic, Chinese, and Korean increased 127 percent, 31 percent, and 57 percent, respectively. This year, Arabic broke into the top 10 most popular languages for the first time. Carnegie Mellon students’ language choices deviate slightly from the national picture.
Rincon, program director, and guest artist Silfredo LaO feature the provocative sound of the band Luna Llena in their combination of live music, video and dance. A moving history of the Cuban experience relates the music and dance of the turn of the century, which explores the art form and how it emerged into the sounds and dances of today. And finally, the dancers of City College will contribute their talents and experiences as they explore the art of choreography and theater.
An estimated 650 foreign researchers and faculty come to Carnegie Mellon every year both to interact with students through teaching and to study in individualized research fields. “What really fascinates me most,” she added, “is that because of our globalization, our school is more generally more known outside of the U.S. in India, Korea, and the other countries from which our international students originate.” Ong believes that Carnegie Mellon has become truly globalized. “There are so many cultural events that are around the school,” Ong said. “We don’t just see internationals at these events, and that says a lot about our school and its international values.”
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