City Times — Sept. 8, 2009

Q STREET SCENE Hot music and scorching temps dominate downtown San Diego

ARTS / PAGE 4

CityTimes www.sdcitytimes.com

Covering the San Diego City College community since 1945

Volume 64, Number 2

September 8, 2009

Students slapped with higher tuition fees

By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times

By the first day of school, 168 City College Students had been dropped from classes for not paying the tuition difference of $6 per unit.

The notice sent out on July 28 informed students that California State Legislature had increased tuition from $20 to $26 per unit,

and if they had already paid their tuition they would have to pay the difference by Aug 20. Any student that didn’t pay the fee increase would be dropped from their registered classes.

“I commend our students who did the right thing on time and for being responsible. The number of students dropped (from classes) districtwide is lower than presumed,” Denise Hollis, admis-

sions supervisor, said. “Only those students that ignored the notices (about the tuition fee increase) were affected.”

Hollis and the admissions department were ready for those students coming in to speak to them, upset over being dropped from their classes.

“We were biting our nails and nervous, thinking that students would go off on us, wanting to

be put back in their classes, but it’s been orderly and all students impacted have been remarkably calm,” said Hollis.

Sgt. Jordan Mirakian mentioned that in an attempt to keep order and to watch out for possible students getting too upset, campus police were asked to be present during the first week of school around the admissions and financial aid area.

According to Financial Aid Supervisor Greg Sanchez, no one really got “out of control.”

Although the majority of City College students paid the additional fees, some students are still not accepting the increase in tuition. “[I] had no other choice but to pay the tuition difference.

See Tuition, page 7

College cuts shuttle

By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times

Due to budget cuts, the City College daytime student shuttle stopped running on Sept 3. The shuttle transported students to campus that parked their vehicles at Inspiration Point parking lot, near Balboa Park.

For the first two weeks of the semester, the shuttle did run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. because the $1,250 needed per week to have the service was sponsored by the Administrative Services Department. Vice President Jerry Davis said he “wanted the shuttle to run the first two weeks of school” to give students time to plan accordingly.

“Otherwise there would not have been a shuttle since the beginning of the semester,” Davis said. The shuttle service was previously paid by the San Diego Community College District office.

In efforts to resume the shuttle service in the spring semester of 2010, Debra D. Picou, San Diego Community College Police Dept. supervisor, submitted a petition

See SHUTTLE, page 7

CARLOS MAIA City Times Oscar Torres, an Alcohol and Other Drug Studies student major, takes one of the last steps off the school shuttle at Inspiration Point parking lot. Sure Ride shuttle driver Guillermo Sedillo says that about 200 City College students ride during his daytime shift.

DSPS tech center gets update

By JOHN BALCHAK

City Times

JOE LEONARD City Times Annette Caar, a psychology major student, is checking in for her appointment at the DSPS center.

Index

Take Note.................................2 News...................................... 3 Arts........................................ 4 Opinion................................... 6 Sports.................................... 8

A student selects a voice from the list on her computer screen and prepares to demonstrate.

“I can choose male or female, high or low tone,” she says. “It can read the text on the screen and answer basic questions.”

She clicks on an icon and a round microphone appears. She speaks into it. A disembodied man’s voice answers in a professional tone.

“Tell me a joke,” she commands.

“Knock, knock,” replies the voice.

This speech recognition program is part of San Diego City College’s High Tech Center, the campus computer lab assembled to assist students with disabilities and special needs.

Behind its push-button activated door are eye-opening examples of technology at its most useful, offering an array of learning opportunities for students. It was created as part of the college’s Disability Support Programs and Services, the department responsible for implementing the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Inside

Q FOR HUMANS ONLY

Sci-fi summer thriller does not disappoint

ARTS / PAGE 5

The center’s two main rooms contain more than a dozen computer stations equipped with accessibility features and other accompanying hardware. A few additions to the standard computer set-up are obvious, such as the screen magnifier, colored keyboard and enlarged trackball mouse.

Other less familiar equipment includes a closed circuit camera that enlarges any printed matter onto a monitor in real time and a high speed scanner that transfers an unbound book onto a data disc, which can then be read to a visually impaired student by a computer using optical character recognition.

Jacobs has become an expert with these assisting tools as both a student and instructor. She graduated from City College in 1997 with a degree in computer information systems, and later became an instruction assistant at the High Tech Center.

According to Jacobs, learning disabilities made mainstream academic structure difficult for her, but with the comprehensive help of the DSPS, she was able to achieve success.

“Concentration was difficult. I would start things and not finish them. I needed to have several

projects going at once,” Jacobs said. Now she is using her experience to help disabled students in this, “most complex lab on campus.”

One of the methods of customizing material for disabled students is kinesthetic learning, the concept of creating an experience more vivid than simple reading and lecture.

“The more senses used, the higher the percentage of learning,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs explained that two or more applications may be used to engage an alternative student.

“We have students with multiple disabilities and have to accommodate everyone. They have different ways of processing information and we find ways to help them.”

Student Marylou Valencia has utilized the High Tech Center to continue career. She is a grant writer who has lost much of the use of her right arm and leg. Her work station is adapted for her with extended table space and a footstool.

“I used to type 90 words per minute, but now it’s more like 30,” Valencia said. She now uses speech-to-text software that transposes her spoken words

See DSPS, page 7

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City Times

TAKE NOTE

TakeNote

September 8, 2009

Fashion-naughta By Michele Suthers

Compiled by Michele Suthers Get your event in the paper. E-mail us at citytimes@gmail.com or call (619) 388-3880

n Sept. 8 Last day to drop and be eligible for refund of enrollment fees and/or nonresident tuition n Sept. 8 Jazz Live presents The Coryell Auger Sample Trio 8 pm-9:30 pm at the Saville theatre Free event n Sept. 8-10 Club Rush 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Gorton Quad n Sept. 9 Chancellor’s Forum 3-4 p.m. D-121 A&B Students encouraged to attend.

Sign up for workshop 54407 n Sept. 9 Student Rally 1 p.m.

Park blvd. & A St.

n Sept. 9 Women’s Soccer 3 p.m. at Saddleback n Sept. 11 Women’s Soccer 4 p.m. at Los Angeles Valley n Sept. 11 Women’s/Men’s Cross Country 4 p.m. Palomar Invitational n Sept. 11 Women’s Volleyball 6 p.m. Orange Coast College Harry West Gymnasium n Sept. 12 Women’s Volleyball Cuyamaca Tourney All Day n Sept. 12 Auditions for Bye Bye Birdie Noon at the Saville Theatre C St. at 14th St.

FYE program offers ways for new students to succeed

By CHAD TEICHMAN Contributor

For many incoming freshmen, going to college can bring on a sense of nervousness. The First Year Experience Program at San Diego City College aims to ease those nerves by providing students with the necessary resources to succeed during their first year in college.

The program aims to help those students who may have a difficult time in their first year in college. One main requirement is that the student be enrolled in a remedial level math or English class, below 100-level.

City College began taking applications in early summer and recently completed the application process with one-on-one interviews, something they had not done previously.

“This year we tried something different with the interviews,” FYE program director Marilyn Harvey said. “It was exciting to see the response we had from students. We still had students coming in up to the last minute, interested in interviewing.”

“The program has been very successful,” Harvey said. “We have been able to carry most of our [classes] from beginning to end of the program. Our student

evaluations have been extremely positive as well.”

A large part of the program’s success is due to the counselors who are assigned a class of 25-30 students each year, according to Harvey.

“Each student enrolled in the program takes a success class first semester with their counselor. This teaches them time management skills, motivation and how the entire system works,” Harvey said. “The second semester they take a career exploration class. This helps them to choose a major and helps them set career goals.”

Even after completion of the

program, many students continue to consult with their counselors to keep them on track for graduation or for transfer to a four-year university.

The program offers many perks, including priority registration, which allows those enrolled in the program the opportunity to register for classes early.

However, recent budget turmoil has affected the program, allowing the availability of four 30-student classes as opposed to five.

“There have been some challenges due to the budget cuts,” Harvey said. “The ultimate goal in the long term is to grow the

program so that everyone in their first year at City will be enrolled in it.”

She noted that there is a freeze on hiring additional staff or purchasing equipment for the department.

“Our funding is down 32 percent for next year. We hope that half of that will be made up for with stimulus dollars,” Mason said. “No one wants cuts, but boom years can't be counted on. We have to adjust to make it work.”

Mason also commented on the dedication and competence of DSPS and High Tech Center.

“I love it here at City College.

September 8, 2009

CityNews

City Times

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New building to benefit school programs

By NICOLE EDMERSON City Times

The new Vocational Technology facility construction site, located a block from San Diego City College, will offer an overall expansion to many departments and is slated to be open as early as next spring.

“This is the first academic facility that’s being built from scratch,” said City College President Terrence Burgess.

One of the programs that will be in the new building is the Nursing Program, which is one of the biggest programs City has to offer. As of now, there is a twoyear wait list for both the Registered Nursing (RN) and Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) programs.

“There is a very high demand, with the new facility we’ll be able to double the student nurse population and administer two cycles a year,” said Burgess.

“The Cosmetology and Photography programs will be in the new building as well,” said Burgess. This semester, City College has a student body of about 17,500. With the new building City will be able to house at least 25,000. “We’re all very excited about the extra parking structure, it will be beneficial to all students,” said Burgess. “We look forward to this expansion, and many more such as Humanities and Science to follow with a substantial amount of excitement”.

Burgess also mentioned that the entire first floor of the building would be the new location for the campus police.

“There was a delay in the beginning but we’re now back on schedule,” said Lawrence Howard, the senior project engineer with Rudolph & Sletten.

“The 247,000 square foot facility is ten [floors] high, and also has a parking structure that will hold 700 additional parking spaces.”

Howard said that the deadline for the project completion, of April 1, 2010, would be met.

“With the new facility comes new technology; it will be a student friendly facility,” said Assistant Professor Dometrives

NOEMI TRACY Contributor

Laborer Edgar Aguayo fastens an aluminum plate that will hold sheet rock to support one of the walls of the new Vocational Technology building.

Armstrong of the RN program. It will also offer simulation labs that will make it easier for students to understand the course and the type of work they will be doing after graduation.

“The simulation rooms will be set up like a real hospital room, they’ll be able to get hands on training,” said Assistant Professor Dinnah L. Didulo-Mansangkay.

The new facility will also offer “Smart Class” classrooms, which will have projectors, clickers and individual computers. There will also be PDA’s with all the textbook material needed. The hallways will have chairs and study

areas for the students as well.

“We’ll have bigger rooms and more teachers, the students will have their own space to study,” said Professor Mansangkay.

“Technology has finally arrived,” said Professor Armstrong.

When asked how will the CTC building benefit the Campus Police Dept., LT. Jack Doherty replied, “In the CTC building there will be a significant amount of more space.”

“I currently share an office with the Sgt., we have cramped lockers, and have to share the restroom with the T building

faculty.”Doherty said. “In the new building we’ll have our own restrooms.” The current space is very small for the 18 to 20 officers he currently has.

“When students have to buy parking permits, and there are more then 3, the other students must wait in the hall because of the lack of space.” Doherty continued.

“The reception area will be larger as well making it more comfortable for the officers and the public to conduct business. In addition to having their own restrooms, they will also have private rooms where they can if needed

interview victims and suspects.

Being that the new building location is not directly on campus it will be a little more difficult to get on campus if assistance is needed.”he said.

“We’ll be changing the patrol strategies for easy access to campus problems, more officers will be on foot,” Doherty added.

The campus is made safer with more patrol throughout campus grounds. “The campus Police Department will be housed in the basement and first floor of the CTC building, (and) it will be designed specifically for Police work.”

City’s Urban Garden grows fresh veggies

By OLIVIA HOLT City Times

CARLOS MAIA City Times

Urban Garden intern waters a new batch of peppers to keep them hydrated due to the extreme temperatures.

The Urban Garden at City College is a welcoming site among the city's high-rise buildings. Monarch butterflies flutter throughout the garden, greeting people as they walk along the dirt pathway to the sitting area that is shaded with the help of recycled corn husks.

It seems that every being in the garden has its part and really comes together in full circle to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Seeds at City is the first college or university urban farm program in San Diego County and has played a ground breaking role in helping students and people with the education, aid and tools to live a sustainable and healthy life-style.

“The program helps students and people establish viable skills needed to live a sustainable healthy life-style by being able to provide organic food to people in their community,” said Julia Dashe the gardening educator at Seeds for City who is also part of the team at San Diego ROOTS Sustainable Food Project.

The progressive program was formed through a collaboration effort between the Environmental Stewardship Committee and the San Diego ROOTS Sustainable Food Project. “One of the things we wanted to do, is really push education in green technology, one of the ideas that stemmed was the garden,” said Karon Klipple who is Chair of the City College's Environmental Stewardship Committee.

By 2010, Seeds at City may establish the first certificate in urban agriculture in Southern California. “Organic farming skills is a heavily needed sector in communities,” Dashe explained.

Ben Diamond, an intern majoring in Environmental Studies will

be transferring to UC Santa Cruz in the fall and said, “I want to take what knowledge I've gained from this farm and take it over there, as well as into the community.”

A year old, Seeds at City continues to grow all year round: A new shed made out of recycled wood stands near the wash basins, and some new slimy friends, the worms, have been added to the compost.

“The compost is made from the City College's cafeteria scrapes and student's coffee grounds,” Dashe explained to a group of high school students from Crawford High School that was visiting the Urban Garden.

“There are six new interns this fall that will be helping in the garden and volunteers are welcomed every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 A.M. until noon,” Dashe explained.

Arny Brenes who is a volunteer for Seeds for City started volunteering when extra credit was offered for his Chicano Studies 150 class, after the class ended he continued volunteering because he felt the experience was very rewarding on a personal level. “Working the land, watching things you've planted and nurtured, grow to nurture your body...is a really good feeling.”

There is also a new gardening site by the Continuing Education building, “We are growing Hopi corn and organic cut flowers there and sell them at the farmers market” said Dashe. The Farmer's Market is every Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.

“I believe in what they are doing and like to make a contribution and hopefully learn something along the way ... Plus, it gets me out of my desk,” said Conroy Frit, a volunteer for the Urban Garden.

For more information on interning or volunteering visit www.seedsatcity.com

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City Times

CityArts

September 8, 2009

Street Sceners rock out in scorching sun

By VANESSA GOMEZ City Times

On Aug 28-29, Street Scene invaded downtown San Diego for a weekend loaded with blazing temperatures, a mixture of high energy and mellow acts, and thousands of concertgoers jumping and swaying in the streets.

The crowds, decked out in mostly cowboy boots and slinky barely-there tops, tried their best to enjoy the two-day festival under the unmerciful San Diego sun. Guarded with high SPF sunscreen and colorful paper mache hats, they enjoyed more than 45 bands spanning across five stages.

Bands like New York’s “Ra Ra Riot,” drew numerous early street sceners with their indie electric violin and their unique cello sounds.

Mexican electronica heroes “Nortec Collective” pumped up the crowds with synthesized beats that played second fiddle to the band’s accordion and tube players.

Pittsburgh based Girl Talk caused a stampede towards the stage, as hundreds of screaming females rushed security for a chance to join the club-like atmosphere surrounding him. Armed with his laptop full of music samples from all different genres of music, he rocked Metallica and Jackson Five mixes, as confetti and toilet paper shot into the crowd, all building to close out the set with a cascade of fireworks.

Public Enemy and Busta Rhymes, undeclared replacements for the cancelled Beastie Boys act, drew a huge crowd anxious to get their Hip Hop fix.

Flavor Flav took the stage in his classic oversized Movado garb and baseball cap. Rhymes got the camera-happy crowd going when he asked the audience to “remind (him) to call out some EMS units for cardiac arrest” with his blasting bass music set.

The Beastie Boys were still recognized by headliner M.I.A. as she sampled “Sabotage” and “Intergalactic” to compliment her song’s “Bird Flu” lyrics.

The scorching temperature

CARLOS MAIA City Times Ozomatli performs on Aug 2 9 at the 25th annual San Diego Street Scene on the Zaranbanda stage. The band’s eclectic grooves features a blend of Latin, hip-hop and other genres. on both days was a hot topic for acts and audience members alike. Zee Avi took the stage with her soft acoustic guitar tunes on the Green Stage, inconveniently placed in direct sunlight.

“I didn’t think it took two minutes for ice to melt,” Avi said, as she picked up her newly warmed beverage.

With bottled water priced at $3 and other refreshing beverages, like strawberry lemonade priced at $4, some concertgoers felt that Street Scene was expensive to brave the heat.

“It’s so damn hot out here,” Tommy Sewell, a Mesa College student said. “There’s not much else to do other than spend money on overpriced food and then stand in the heat to watch a B- minus show. At least at shows like Coachella, they have arts and crafts to do.”

Street Scene vendors did their

best to sell a variety of food and beverages to keep audiences energized. Woodstock’s Pizza, a San Diego local pizzeria, offered tow slices for $7, while Rubio’s Baja Grill brought along their signature burritos to sell for $8.

Alternative Rock band, Silversun Pickups,’ lead singer Brian Aubert commented on his favorite Street Scene treat, the California Burrito.

“Back in LA, we have San Diego folk...putting french fries in their burritos,” Aubert said. “It’s delicious and it’s less work to just (buy) them here.”

Also adding to the aggravation of the heat were consistent sound problems from stage after stage.

Both supporting acts and headliners alike were plagued with earpiercing feedback and altogether sound loss.

Yvette Soliven, a Mesa College psychology major, was excited to

check out Kentucky bred-band, Cage the Elephant, but was disappointed with the sound quality.

“The sound went out completely during their set.” Soliven complained. “It was terrible. (We) thought about asking for our money back.”

A moment of remembrance for recently deceased DJ AM was also ruined when the lights went out completely during Chromeo’s set.

“Talk about a bad time to have technical problems.” Sewell added.

Others felt the music was worth the sun’s stunning temperatures.

ASG President David Campbell was also in attendance and joked, “it was so hot I almost fainted at The Faint.”

Campbell did mention that bands like Cage the Elephant “smashed it hard” and that “it was

totally worth the heat.”

Security changed up from last year’s event, as a main barricade was formed between legal drinkers and under age music fans at both Fulano and Fulana stages.

The barricade formed a center walkway, allowing security to walk up and down between sections, surveying concertgoers involved in moshing and crowd surfing.

Although a large fight broke out during the Modest Mouse set at Fulana stage, Street team member Johnny Stamford praised the new addition.

“It’s much easier to control the crowd when your forces are in the middle of it,” Stamford said.

New security features were met with an overabundance of police present. San Diego Police Sergeant J.G. Cesena commented that they were there “to make sure things stay(ed) safe.”

Dance department holds auditions for groups

By JOHN BALCHAK and BRI HEATH City Times

Auditions were held on Saturday, Aug. 29 for the City College Dance Department’s performing artists.

In a warm C building studio, Terry Shipman lead a modern dance group.

“Look up at the beautiful snow,” she instructed the ten students following her. As they held their positions and raised their heads she said, “Remember, the performance will take place on Dec 4 and 5.”

The auditions were held to determine which students will take part in the end of semester shows.

Only students enrolled in the dance department were eligible to participate and those chosen for a group must agree to attend rehearsals and be given add codes, as with any class.

“There are group pieces and also solo dancers,” Shipman said.

“It takes 15 people to fill a group.

There are faculty and student choreographers.”

Students auditioning had many different styles of dance groups to choose from. Modern and ethnic were represented along with hiphop and even ballet. Hip-Hop was the most popular with two groups totaling more than 20 dancers trying out.

Backing music ranged from new age to funky rap and included such artists as Metallica, Bjork, Mancini. Choreographers had only recently created these routines and dancers displayed the raw material that they will refine together over the next three months.

“It’s an exciting time with lots of new people and talent,” said Professor Alicia Rincon, co-chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department in Dance. “The students have an opportunity to develop ideas with their peers and to be resourceful because there is only one dance studio on campus” “Each piece is required to meet certain criteria,” explained Rincon. “First, the song must be a certain length. Second, the dance must have a beginning, middle and end. Third, the choreogra-

phy should develop. And finally, the dancer’s technique must be up to par.”

At least 45 students of varying experience levels competed for spots in whichever groups they chose. Rincon estimated that about 80 percent of the dancers who audition make it into the show.

“The Dance Department faculty are stellar and always an inspiration,” she told City Times.

“The students and faculty share ideas to raise the bar. I look forward to seeing the clever, new innovations that students come up with.”

One student auditioning was Greg Wassil. He is a student choreographer who has been enrolled in the music theater department for one year. He auditioned as a ballet performer.

“After one year I’ve learned to move,” Wassil said as he practiced graceful steps. In respect to the Dance Department, he said, “I like to work with fellow students and hope to also continue developing my theater and singing skills.”

BRI HEATH City Times City students audition for the City College Dance Department’s performing artists.

The City College Dance Department’s goals are to convey emotion and culture through an understanding of aesthetic values.

Dance is one of six options in the college’s Visual and Performing Arts program. The program

prepares students to perform or work in the field of dance.

“This audition process is a great experience for all in the department,” Rincon said. “The whole dance program is involved and the students are excited.

Sixth season of ‘Weeds’ ends in another shock In what fans came to call a slow season, “Weeds” pulls it off again with another shocking cliffhanger season finale to end its fifth season on the cable network Showtime.

“Weeds,” which aired it’s season finale on Aug. 31, did what it is known to do well with it’s season finale and concluded the show with a rather interesting cliffhanger, which left fans wondering what will happen next.

Since it’s shocking season 1 finale, fans have been following the show wondering what kind

of trouble the show’s protagonist Nancy Botwin will get herself into next. From dealing with gangsters and the DEA, the baroness of bud has somehow managed to survive the weed killing pesti-

TV Review Luis Bahena

cides as well as the competition.

Since its first season, the show has been garnering buzz all over. Time Magazine’s James Poniewozik named it as ninth on

it’s Top 10 Returning TV Series in 2007. Mary-Louise Parker, who plays the lead role of Nancy Botwin, the suburban housewife turned pot dealer, even went head to head with the competition and beat out four Desperate Housewives for the golden globe award for Best Performance by a TV Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 2006.

The nominees included the four lead cast members of the ABC Network hit show Desperate Housewives which included Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria-

Parker, Marcia Cross and Teri Hatcher. Yet in a surprising turn of events, Mary-Louise Parker beat out all of the ladies of Wisteria Lane with her portrayal of Nancy Botwin as the suburban baroness of bud.

This season introduced many new faces with big names. Guest stars included Demian Bichir and Kate del Castillo, both famous actors from Mexico as well as Canadian singer/song writer Alanis Morisette.

Showtime confirmed season 6 with 13 episodes alongside its con-

firmation of season 5 in 2008. The show was created by Jenji Kohan who was nominated for an Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series for “Weeds” in 2009.

Showtime has produced many mainstream shows such as “Dexter”, “The L Word”, “The Tudors”, “Queer As Folk” and “Californication.”

According to Showtime, “Weeds” is scheduled to return with its sixth season in 2010.

Luis Bahena is the City Times opinion editor

September 8, 2009

City Times

ARTS

5

Street Scene: less music, more ‘scene’

Joe Leonard City Times Local band “Crocodiles” heats up Casbah stage at 25th annual San Diego Street Scene.

San Diego’s 25th annual Street Scene, which recently reclaimed its rightful place in the checkerboard streets of downtown, was less sound, more scene.

The two-day music festival, which took place on Aug 28 and 29, had a sleepy tone Friday as gaps between bands’ sets left wandering concertgoers soundseeking and sun-screening.

It wasn’t until the brink of dusk when music began pulsating from every direction. Unfortunately, sound problems proved a recurring theme as several bands’ music cut out entirely during their sets. Frustrated scenesters will likely remember the scorching heat rather than the bands themselves.

Making up for Friday’s lull was the homecoming of Anya Marina, a former FM 94/9 disc jockey turned musician. Marina’s cutesy voice and pop-acoustic rhythms had loyal fans toe-tapping and singing praises.

From there, the ‘scene took an upward turn. As nightfall struck, it seemed as though the drowsy concertgoers jolted awake and a sudden burst of energy filled the tents.

Although a brief power outage on the Green Stage annoyed fans during the Nortec Collective set, the electronica-infused Mexican ranchera band managed to keep

the morale high and the danceable beats pumping.

Crocodiles topped off the Saturday line-up at the Casbah stage.

The two-man band blends Lo-fi with high-reverb. Sounding like rebel children of Echo and the Bunnymen, Crocodiles’ small set began the day with a better outlook than the previous day’s stream of trip-ups. What the band lacks in members, they make up for in noise.

A delightful surprise came in the form of Zee Avi, whose soulful voice and mellow, jazzy vibe proved that less is more. The 23-year-old singer’s rhythm guitar and ukulele playing was smooth

Festival Review Donna P. Crilly

and consistent.

It wasn’t until sound problems came looming on the Green Stage, yet again, that Avi’s set was practically ruined. After ten minutes of leveling out the sound, it seemed as though the Avi was finally ready to continue her set.

Unfortunately, she was drowned out by the “Yeas,” “Whats” and “Boyees” of Public Enemy beginning their set across the way at the Fulana stage.

The Zarabanda stage proved

to host the best acts Saturday evening as Ozomatli infused Latin grooves with hip-hop and brief stints of hard rock. After seeing a slew of disappointing acts, a few good ones and one great performance here and there, it was a relief to watch real musicians put on a show worthy of high-priced concert tickets.

At the end of the night, most concertgoers rushed off to watch M.I.A. prance around in neontights, wearing sunglasses with the waxing gibbous moon shining high above the street.

Meanwhile, the Zarabanda stage seemed nearly deserted except for a handful of eager fans waiting to hear some real soul music.

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings dazzled. Jones came out jiving and “doin’ the boogaloo” to the most musically enriched performance of the entire festival.

Jones is the epitome of soul and the Dap Kings do her justice as a tight-sounding band. Strutting around like Tina Turner, Jones’ powerful voice was in the tune of 1960s soul music, much like the styling of James Brown.

Unfortunately, most concertgoers missed Jones to be a part of the scene.

Donna P. Crilly is the City Times arts editor

Mockumentary ‘Chalk’ is a test of patience It’s the start of the school year and students aren’t the only ones bracing themselves for back to school survival. Chalk, the independent mockumentary of first time director, Mike Akel, follows the lives of three high school teachers and an assistant principal as they navigate the halls of fictional Harrison High in a quest to enlighten students and make it through the year unscathed.

The resonating message and focus of the film are on “the teacher”, the daily annoyances and behind the scene insecurities that make their profession

Jazz 88.3 update

By ERNESTO LOPEZ City Times

Jazz musician, Esperanza Spalding and her Quartet will be making their first appearance in San Diego on September 13 at The Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave. San Diego, CA. 92104.

Esperanza has been seen on Jimmy Kimmel Live, David Letterman and on May 12, she performed for President Barack Obama and his family.

The musicians’ website labels her talent as “blessed with uncanny instrumental chops, a multi-lingual voice that is part angel and part siren.” The musician is a bass player, singer and dancer.

To purchase tickets, visit www. jazz88.org and for more information call (619) 239-8836, basic tickets are $23 and general admission is $33. This event is a fundraiser for member-supported Jazz 88.3

and their working relationships painful, comedic and sometimes rewarding. Character driven and impressively realistic for a mockumentary, the film strives for something great, but ultimately falls somewhere between subtly

Movie Review Evonne Ermey

funny and painfully boring.

The film opens with three teachers: Mr. Lowry (Troy Schremmer), Mr. Stoope (Chris

Mass) and Coach Webb (Janelle Schremmer) introducing themselves to their dull-eyed, slackjawed students on the first day of class. At this point the viewer is given a chance to compare and contrast their different teaching methods and make assessments regarding who will inspire learning excellence and who will suffer total meltdown at the hands of teenage antagonists.

Right away, rookie history teacher, Mr. Lowry, has yardstick suicide written all over him. The admission to his students that he’s been teaching for “approxi-

mately an hour and ten minutes,” serves to confirm our suspicions of humiliation and degradation to come. The next three quarters of the film are spent grinding teeth and enduring embarrassment after embarrassment on his behalf.

His shortcomings are only amplified by the apparent ease with which Mr. Stoope, the school’s other history teacher, and Coach Webb take to the helm of their respective classrooms, though as the year waxes on we begin to see that these two have faults less obvious, but equally, if

not more troublesome, than Mr. Lowry’s.

Representing the administrative branch of Harrison High, is newly appointed, assistant principal Mrs. Reddell (Shannon Haragan). The mockumentary camera follows her as she breaks up schoolyard fights and ponders the appropriate action to take against a student who has told her to “kiss his white ass.”

During this early meeting she is still, somehow, optimistic about the school year ahead.

See Chalk, page 7

‘District 9,’ an alien nation “District 9” is one of the best movies to end the summer. The sci-fi thriller keeps the audience on a stand still, as practically every moment in the film puts you in an eye-capturing, eye-captivating mood.

Based in Blomkamp’s hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa, the fictional film focuses on an alien space ship suddenly hovering over the town, sending the public in a frenzy.

The government’s weapons and special tactics force, MNU (Multi-National United), places the sick and hungry aliens in an isolated spot, which becomes the ghetto of the already Johannesburg slums. Also known as “prawns” by the Nigerian drug pushers, the Imani Faust aliens are brutalized and tortured. MNU soon relocates the Aliens out of District 9 (away from the hovering spaceship).

Sharlto Copley played Wikus Van De Merwe, a pencilpusher corner office kind of guy that’s married to the boss’s daughter. Given a change of scenery, Merwe goes to work thinking he will be able to experience something new and help move the aliens out to better homes. Unwilling knowing, it was his last day on the job. Merwe discovers a seemingly harmless new weapon, which ultimately changes his life forever.

This film hits subjects such as racial issues, government problems, and the lies that governments and the media tell the public. It even incorporates a romantic side seen by the Merwe and his wife, challenging how far love will stretch and what people are willing to do for love.

Blomkamp’s versatile direction gives the audiences more to look forward to in potential future projects. Like canned soup, this movie took a while to warm up. Its flavor and contrast from reality and actuality meets us at a point of questioning. The film was the end of a great summer.

Movie Review

Imani Faust is a City Times staff writer

TRISTAR Courtesy image

6

CityVoice

City Times

September 8, 2009

True cost of classes Campus flavor taste like Cheetos The first couple of weeks of City’s fall semester have come and gone, and as we went through the motions of looking for impossible parking spots and running to class, we found ourselves feeling overwhelmed in the once familiar City buildings. We were surrounded in classrooms where finding an open seat was rare and walls were filled with students standing shoulder to shoulder. We grew accustomed to hearing exasperated reactions from crashing students, leaving rejected, without add codes. Why didn’t they register earlier?

A large number of these students fell victim to the $6 fee increase for tuition, where all City College students were made to pay the extra charge per unit or immediately be dropped from their fall semester schedule.

Some of us think, big deal, $6 is a small additional price to pay to get an education. Sure, City isn’t exactly Harvard, but other students pay big bucks for tuition in private schools to sit in stadium-seating auditoriums to take classes from professors you can’t make out without binoculars. Ideally, City would be the perfect environment to take courses with more instructor-student interaction.

Ironically, a large number of students on campus have their tuition fees covered by the Board of Governor’s Waiver.

And we had (some) warning. E-mail notices were sent to thousands of students, both on aid or not, to let them know the increase would be in effect.

So why have sympathy for

Vox Populi

students that neglected their e-mail?

Of course another group of us thought, wait a minute?

Six dollars per unit is a lot of money. What about those students that did pay on time and never heard word of the increase, only to show up to class the first day to discover, “Sorry, find another class?”

Maybe some students don’t readily use email or the mes-

Editorial

City Times Editorial Board

sage was sent to spam email where such notices would never reach the student.

We also thought there were a lot of students that were forced to make choices against their education like dropping a class or two because money was tight.

Collectively, the real discussion at hand isn’t about an extra $6. The discussion should begin with the true question: where is the money going? Is the money to cover programs that survived the budget cuts? Is the money going to cover construction currently underway on campus? If we all paid the extra fees, then why are classes filled to capacity?

Shouldn’t this money alleviate students’ fears of scrambling for classes that now read “no vacancy?”

The real focus shouldn’t be on the new price tag of education, but more on where that money goes, or even worse, has already absorbed into.

Students need to take a closer look at the real cost of education and not stand like the wallflowers in packed rooms.

Question by Kierah Ford Photos by Carlos Maia

Do you know about the fee increase?

How are you affected?

Omar Sanchez, 36 ESL Major “I don’t know about the fee increase. It does not affect me because I have a disability waiver. It’s new to me.”

Rune Winn Philosophy/ Spanish “Six bucks, is just a little more money. Its really not affecting me., But it doesn’t help considering how expensive the books are.”

Leslie Zatarain, 21 Child Development “I found out during my visit on the school website.

I have financial aid but I feel bad for everybody else because of the price of books and the fact that there are no classes. Times are hard.”

Isabel Berruecos Undefined Major “I am not paying for my classes, financial aid is so its not affecting me.”

CityTimes Volume 64, Number 2 September 8, 2009 www.sdcitytimes.com

Published as: The Jay Sees / 1945-1949 Fortknightly / 1949-1978 City Times / 1978Incorporating the newspapers Tecolote, Knight Owl and Flicks

Donna Crilly Arts Editor

Heather Richards Copy Editor

Carlos Maia Managing Editor

Luis Bahena Opinion Editor Features Editor

Donna Maranto Photography Editor

Ernesto Lopez News Editor

Sonjiala Hotchkiss Online Editor

Michele Suthers Calendar Editor Advertising Manager Illustrator

Urbanalities By Michele Suthers

smaller, more intimate. The students seem more genuine and passionate about their life goals and it shows in the different conversations I hear walking around both types of campuses.

I’m generalizing, of course.

There are always exceptions to these observations; but it’s a vibe that I’ve noticed overall. We’re here at San Diego City College because we want to be.

I love the fact that I’ve taken astronomy class with an 80-yearold war veteran at a previous community college. It’s different than sitting among an ant colony of students, several of which look like carbon copies of each other so that I recognize everyone and no one at the same time.

Rushing through school and life isn’t worth it in the long run.

I’ve learned to take my time and soak up what’s out there. I can explore my options and not burn out from the mad push to graduate and start a career.

Two years ago, I took a trip

to Columbia University in New York to visit one of my high school friends. I expected intellectual conversation and a highly motivated tone to emanate from the walls of the dorm. Instead, I saw the same boozers I would see at any San Diego State dorm hall, except the rooms were more expensive.

Donna’s Digs Donna P. Crilly

You know you’re growing up when ...

Being a 23-year-old college student who also happens to work full time doesn’t necessarily scream “grown up” but neither does a 32-year-old college student with a part time job.

What’s my point? It’s that being a student while employed, whether part time or full time, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a responsible grown up yet. I’ve come to realize that it’s the little things that tend to bring you to that level.

Responsibility. It sucks, but oh how crucial it is when it comes to making decisions. And lately, I find myself making the right ones, but of course, at the cost of something else.

Like minutes ago, when I was debating whether I should get me a bag of Doritos or a bottle of water with my remaining dollar.

Indulge in a pleasure or make the right decision? I went with the water, only because I know that as hungry as I am now, I do have food at home, but water I do not.

It’s the simple stuff such as these little options that I get every so often that make me realize what being a responsible person is all about. Forget the bills and going to work, any one person can tell you those are not so much as responsibilities as they are necessities, especially in this economy.

I’m talking about the simple choices that one makes on a

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Vanessa Gomez Editor-in-Chief

Shevaun Brandom Design Editor

Some of my most interesting moments at San Diego City College have been in the girl’s restroom. It’s not because of the nearly impossible task of pumping paper towels out of the dispenser; or because of the crackling of potato chip bags and munching sounds I once heard in the stall next to mine (Really? Potato chips on the toilet?). It’s the reading material carved or Sharpied to the inside of the stalls.

Wise proverbs or extremely short stories are typical campus restroom reading material. One story is about an old man who lived in the sea…”he died.” My favorite bit is in stall three on the third floor of the T-building. Last semester, the door read “F- City and Leann,” a random incision of two thoughts. Now, scribbled faintly below the original quote, it says, “I like Leann.” Recently, “who is Leann?” was added to the graffiti soap opera. What response will graze our beloved T-building bathroom stall next season? Stick around to find out.

After attending four different colleges, community and university alike, I can honestly say that City College’s vibe stands out from the rest. The downtown school is gushing with diversity and has sincere campus flavor.

For the girl chomping on potato chips in the potty, campus flavor likely comes in the form of Flaming’ Hot Cheetos Limon.

To me, the flair is a combination of things. For instance, I can get pop culture lessons sitting in the cafeteria. Thanks to the boisterous students usually clustered behind the row of computers, I now know what “doin’ da stanky leg” means. I watched and took mental notes as they gyrated their legs to an imaginary beat. Now, if I choose to, I can “stanky leg” from class to class.

At City, we don’t see sorority sisters toting around bags with Greek letters painted boldly on the side, wearing stiletto heels to an economics class of 500 students. At community college, the vibe is mellower. The classes are

Live And Learn Luis Bahena

daily basis. Like, not taking that big bag of chips or box of cookies because you know that bread, peanut butter and jelly will last you longer than junk food.

It’s choices such as these that make me realize how far I’ve come. It’s like there’s no one point where I can say that I grew up. It just sort of happened. No longer is going out as much of a priority as having my refrigerator stocked, my bills paid in a timely manner and my rent check sent out before the first of the month.

As the semester began, I found myself having to drop a class because the book was too expensive. Not only that, but we needed to start using it that first week.

I wasn’t going to be able to purchase the book until the following Friday!

In retrospect, dropping the class was a pretty good idea considering all the students crashing the course. Which is unbeliev-

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City Times Staff

John Balchak, Cristo de Guzman, Nicole Edmerson, Evonne Ermey, Kierah Ford, Imani Gentry-Faust, Olivia Holt, Brittany Johnson, Joe Leonard, Caroline Olsen-Van Stone, Heidi Stenquist, Donovan Terblanche

Contributors

Noemi Tracy, Chad Teichman

Roman S. Koenig Journalism Adviser

able. I’ve never seen as many as 10 crashers for one class.

This budget crisis has really hit City College hard. So many classes were cut, yet the enrollment is at it’s highest it’s ever been.

Luckily for me, I enrolled in my classes as early as I could to guarantee myself a seat. Of course, trying to go to school almost full time came at a cost.

I came to the point where I made the choice of giving up dating and cutting back on going out to really start focusing on school. Is that such a big thing to give up? I guess it depends on whom you ask.

Yes, I’ve cut back some things out of my life. I’ve set my priorities straight. No longer will I be going out all weekend long or searching for the next possible romantic conquest. But I’m OK with that.

Looking at the big picture, I much rather have a stable career, be debt free, have my car paid and be living in a good home, hopefully by the time I’m 30.

Sure, I’m pretty sure I won’t follow this path the whole way through, but knowing is half the battle. As long as I know what I’m doing, where I’m going and what I want, the rest should fall into place.

I myself know I’ll be facing a few challenges along the way.

Luckily for me, I’m pretty competitive… And I like a good challenge!

City Times is published twice monthly during the semester. Signed opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, City College administration, faculty and staff or the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees.

District policy statement This publication is produced as a learning experience under a San Diego Community College District instructional program. All materials, including opinions expressed herein, are the sole responsibility of the students and should not be interpreted to be those of the college district, its officers or employees.

Letters to the editor Letters to the editor are welcome, 350 words or less. The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling, punctuation and length.

Memberships Journalism Association of Community Colleges Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association

September 8, 2009

Shuttle

City Times

NEWS | ARTS

Continued from page 1

to the district office requesting they increase the student parking permit fee by $5. The additional money will cover the costs of the shuttle service.

Students that use the shuttle service are upset that it was stopped without first

exploring other alternatives, like charging a small fee to cover the costs.

“They can offset the price by having a semester shuttle pass but they didn’t give us any options ... they just stopped it cold,” Mike Spencer, a business major student. “I would have paid a fee in order to continue the service. It’s not a far walk, but I have a lot of books to carry and I don’t wanna walk to my car.”

Wendy Graves, also a business major,

said she is not happy as well about the shuttle service stopping. She noted that there’s always parking up by Balboa Park and police are always present looking out after the cars.

“I am bummed out, the shuttle is a good convenience. I am tired after class and I don’t want to walk up the hill to get to my car and since there is no parking closer to the school I have to park up there,” she said.

7

Graves added that she would have also paid a small fee for a semester shuttle pass.

For safety reasons, the evening shuttle service will continue to operate between the hours of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

For Fridays, students will be able to park for free in the Balboa Stadium Lot which is behind San Diego High School. On other days, a parking permit will be required.

Carlos Maia City Times

Guillermo Sedillo makes the rounds as the shuttle driver for City College students on September 3. Sedillo would usually wait for certain students he knew would need a ride during his breaks or make additional rounds.

DSPS

Continued from page 1

into documents.

“I have taught it to recognize hundreds of words in my vocabulary, including Spanish words.”

But, as is common in public institutions today, lack of funding is threatening to stall further progress. Barbara Mason is the learning disabilities specialist and former program coordinator of the DSPS. She revealed that there is a freeze on hiring additional staff or purchasing equipment

Chalk

Continued from page 5

Checking in with the teachers at different intervals throughout the school year, the crew captures the evolution of some and the slow deterioration of others. We watch the rapid downward spiral of Mr. Snoope as he greases gears and bullies students in his quest for the Teacher of the Year award. When Coach Webb isn’t roaming the corridors for wayward students or giving unsolicited class management

for the department.

“Our funding is down 32 percent for next year. We hope that half of that will be made up for with stimulus dollars,” Mason said. “No one wants cuts, but boom years can’t be counted on. We have to adjust to make it work.”

Mason also commented on the dedication and competence of DSPS and High Tech Center.

“I love it here at City College. Most of the instructors are career people; less transitory than other places,” adds Mason.

“The ratings of staff and curriculum are consistently high.” advice to her peers, she spends her time mooning over the anxious Mr. Lowry and contemplating why so many people think P.E. teachers are lesbians.

With a setting ripe for satire and with a cast of quirky characters, this film should be hilarious. Unfortunately the story becomes bogged down by its slow pace and almost painful attention to mundane detail, which somehow manages to downplay the high drama of life and distill it into subtle humor. Unfortunately, what is not subtle is just boring.

Tuition

Continued from page 1

It’s either work full time for low wages now or get an education now to get ready for better paying jobs in the future,” general education major Julie Flores said. “I was really stressed out. I thought I would be dropped from my classes and would have to re-enroll. I don’t work that much, and now I have to pay more?”

“Education is pushed a lot in society and when you get [to college] you have to pay a lot. It’s ridiculous,” child development major Tiana Frederick said. “And to make it worse, with this recession it’s hard to find a job to pay for school; more education is required to get better jobs.

It’s just a mess.”

Students who pay for their education out of their own pockets are coping with the higher price of education by taking fewer units.

“Book prices went up as well, so I

couldn’t take as many classes this semester. I would have to work more to afford all my text books,” business administration major Dave Preulard said. “Some of my friends were more affected by the tuition price change; they are not able to take a full load of classes in order to accommodate the increase in tuition and books.”

In total, 338 San Diego Community College District students were dropped from their classes. In addition to City’s drops, 29 students at Miramar College, 27 at Mesa College, and 14 at the Education Cultural Complex, added Sanchez.

Financial aid and third party scholarship recipients were not affected by the tuition increase; only those students that pay for their education out-of-pocket.

All Students concerned about the cost of tuition are being advised by the department of Financial Aid and Admissions to call their local elected officials to let know how they feel. Students can contact State Senator Christine Kehoe at (619) 645-3133 or State Assembly Member Lori Saldana at (619) 645-3090.

Evonne Ermey is a City Times staff writer

Please recycle this paper

Donna Maranto City Times

City’s Photography Club visited the Big Apple and took in the sights on a stroll on Lexington Avenue this summer break .

8

City Times

CitySports

September 8, 2009

City Knights’ turf gets a face lift

By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE

City Times

Whether it is in an athletic or academic role, the primary concern is for the student’s safety.

With this in mind, San Diego City College has spent $12,000 on having the soccer field repaired, a small price to pay when you consider that the playing surface has been under tremendous strain for the past few years with all the activity that has taken place on it.

The previous semester the field was a cause of several injuries, mostly twisted

ankles or knees.

The athletics department used to offer soccer as a class for beginners and intermediates. The field was in use every day for a number of hours, not including the fence jumpers out for a bit of weekend fun.

This year, because of the budget cuts, the field is only offered as an intercollegiate class. It is still is in use four hours a day, every day of the week.

The constant wear and tear left the field in an atrocious state, with major potholes, which hindered the flow of play.

On a number of occasions last year, with an open backfield and nothing but the goal-

Cross country aims to win

By DONOVAN TERBLANCHE City Times

Running over the river and through the woods to grandfathers house and then all the way back again is no problem for the San Diego City College cross country team, in fact running is what they live for.

This year brings new promises for this “Young and very motivated team,” as said

by Cross Country Coach Paul Greer.

This year’s team is not yet fully finalized, as the coaches need to make sure all the athletes fill their required academic fulfillments, but the coaches are inevitably hoping for a contingent of twelve potential runners.

The men’s cross country team of 2008 have all moved on with the one exception of Jose Lopez, who has trained extensively throughout the year. It will be up to him as the senior in team to lead the way.

The rest of the team comes from a tight nit family of high school runners, mostly from San Diego High, where they are familiar with the rigors required in running professionally and have the silverware to prove their worth.

This newly formed and highly motivated men's team's main goal is to bring back the winning tradition to City College and to make their coaches and school proud.

While most students had a relaxing

break at the beach, the men’s cross-country team has been rigorously training all summer long, pounding the pavement.

They started their school year off with a running start meeting and have been working with the coach since early August.

The men’s cross-country team ran their first race before the official start of the fall school semester.

Their first race is the Balboa four-mile, coming up Saturday, September 5. The first race of the season is a unique one because it involves not only runners from other colleges but also members from the community who may wish to participate. It could be considered a fun run.

This race is around the perimeter of Balboa Park and was created in the light of the budget cuts. The men’s team will be wearing their school colors and compete as though it were a sanctioned race.

The first official race is on September 11, against Palomar starting at 4 p.m. This year City College is looking for results from freshmen Ray Rebolledo and his brother Chris, both are runners who transferred here from San Diego High School and carry with them a winning record.

As a result of budget cuts, there will only be nine races this year. Even with funding being cut, this team hopes to establish a new era in winning.

“This is the best team we have had in years,” said Head Coach Peter Gregory.

Pay for play? ‘Living’ stipend for athletes

By Brett Sebastian

The Texas A&M Battalion COLLEGE STATION, Texas (U-WIRE) — Housing, tuition, books and almost every collegiate expense one can think of are included in a full-ride athletic scholarship, everything except one noticeable expense: living. With all their time going into practice, workouts, meetings, games and class, an athlete holding down a parttime job isn’t feasible.

Most of the time athletes can manage to squeeze by, but sometimes the circumstances become enough to push athletes to desperate measures. Many Texas A&M athletes also have children and other adult responsibilities that their scholarships don’t cover. A number of athletes throughout the nation take under-the-table payments and gifts that go against NCAA rules. It is also important to remember that many athletes come from poor backgrounds and money is tight for them and their families, regardless of scholarships.

Paying student athletes brings an image of athletes cashing a check, or even worse, making more than their teammates based on performance on the field. Images of boosters and powerful schools backing dump trucks of money to the best high school athletes to get them to sign with their school can’t help but be thought up.

However, paying a student athlete would be a much cleaner process than many think. The addition of a “living expenses stipend” isn’t unreasonable and would be highly regulated by the NCAA and universities to prevent illegal actions, corruption or payment differences between athletes or different programs.

It isn’t like the major universities don’t have the extra money to make such living expense attachments a reality. In 2004-2005 Texas A&M made over $5 million in athletic profit. With a living scholarship of $2,000 per year, the total cost for A&M’s nearly 650 student athletes would be just over $1 million. For a school that commands over $64 million in total revenue a year and has the ability to construct multi-million dollar basketball practice facilities with only days of notice, this isn’t unreasonable.

The top 10 profit gainers for athletics reads like a who’s who list of powerful state schools. Texas A&M, Michigan, Texas, Georgia and other schools of that nature may be able to afford such a cost, but smaller schools have thin margins and

the extra cost of a stipend would require cutbacks at another location.

Whereas Texas led the Big 12 in total profit with over $7 million, Iowa State made a total profit of a little over half a million; and Iowa State is a major BCS school. Small schools especially at the Div.-II and Div.-III level would be hard hit. Equality would be hard hit, and the major state and private schools with huge endowments, sponsorships and other cash cows would have a marked advantage over the little guys.

Then again, the NCAA has had little interest in fairness, with such institutions as the BCS and disproportionate TV time and exposure for the major schools and conferences among other things.

Condemning universities for rules violations and promoting the equality of all student athletes while selling TV rights to major conferences for billions and setting up an environment for the already wealthy schools to make much more off the hard work of student athletes isn’t exactly an equal system. The trade off is a free education, which is all well and good, but at the cost of little to no personal funds and a strict rule book keeping athletes from making potential income off such deals as sponsorships.

None of this factors in the fact that many athletes chose to forego their degree and declare for the pros. With the controversial NBA rule requiring one year between high school and the pros, many basketball players are more willing to go overseas to make their paychecks than take a year in college.

If the NCAA wishes to walk the line in the middle, choosing neither side, then it might consider loosening its rulebook.

Obvious offenses like cheating and having boosters pay athletes would be enforced, but if a student athlete were offered a sponsorship of some kind then they should have all the right to take it; they are adults, after all. A&M enjoys a lucrative sponsorship by Adidas and sells ads at football and basketball games. Even schools like New Mexico and San Diego State enjoy sponsorships from such academically pertinent institutions as casinos. The A&M archery team, which isn’t subject to NCAA rules, has athletes who enjoy sponsorships. The extra cash and equipment hasn’t diminished the scholastic and on-the-field prowess of that team. How bad would it really be if the Aggie tennis team took up sponsorship or if the track team had an Adidas scholarship the athletes themselves could enjoy?

keeper to prevent scoring, the ball when put forward, would go flying in all directions.

The result of this has seen the school spend the money on having the playing surface laser-leveled and has had all the large holes filled in, and new sod lain in an area of over 60 yards in the middle of the field.

“It’s better than its been in the last couple of years,” said Coach Milton Hildago.

As Southern California is experiencing one of its worst droughts in years, and water restrictions have been implemented statewide the task of preparing the field

is even more arduous. The banks and the area surrounding the field shall no longer be watered in an attempt to save money,.

The answer has come in the form of Calsense, an intriguing and intelligent piece of equipment that essentially has a water bucket on a pole and is connected to the internet, which in turn reads the weather and waters the field accordingly.

The grounds crew can fine tune Calsense to their desired specifications and correct the reading. Robert Lozares the grounds keeper said they “are watering it constantly and fertilizing the field every eight weeks.”

CARLOS MAIA City Times

Outside hitter Chelsey Cesarez jumps high to spike the ball as the Lady Knights slay Rio Hondo winning three games in a row Sept 2. The freshman, majoring in social work, helped the Lady Knights sweep the competition, scoring 25-17, 25-9 and 19-25.