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Station Tavern hosts Gonzalez fundraiser By Ryan Johnson City Times Station Tavern & Grill in South Park donated a portion of its sales on Nov. 10 to the family of Diana Gonzalez, the City College student who was found dead on campus Oct. 12. The popular bar and grill made a donation from each sale and also took cash donations as part of the three-hour fundraiser. About $560 was raised in cash and $1,135 in checks to help the family pay legal fees and funeral expenses and to attempt to adopt Crystal, Gonzalez’s 10-month-old daughter. Beatriz Luna, Gonzalez’s cousin, spoke on behalf of the family and thanked all in attendance for their support and donations. “Our family felt very blessed to witness so many people coming together with the desire to help,” Luna said. “There was a tremendous amount of support and sympathy from others, which gives us strength to continue fighting the battle against domestic violence and a system that fails to protect its most noble citizens,” added Luna. Many students, faculty
and friends of the slain student joined many members of the Gonzalez familyincluding her parents, sister and daughter. The fundraiser was organized by campus groups Visionary Feminists and Bringing Education and Activism Together (BEAT). “I was so honored to be part of such a wonderful community who refuses to tolerate n Q&A domestic with Diana violence and Gonzalez’s who came father. out tonight to show their Page 3 support for a family who is so deserving of our efforts,” said Larissa Dorman, BEAT’s adviser. “We hope to keep (Gonzalez’s) story alive and continue to apply pressure to the (district attorney’s) office,” Dorman said. The San Diego District Attorney’s office said it lacked sufficient evidence to file charges against Gonzalez’s estranged husband, Armando Gabriel Perez, after Gonzalez reported that he kidnapped, raped and assaulted her over a threeday period in September. To make a donation to the Gonzalez family contact Cabrillo Credit Union, use account #19370700.
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November 18, 2010
Campus honors vets
Dean of Student Affairs Denise Whisenhunt addresses a group of people in attendance at the Arlington West tribute on Nov. 9 in Gorton Quad. Anulak Singphiphat, City Times
City College groups unite to pay respect to veterans of all wars By Ernesto Lopez City Times A temporary cemetery with about 300 white wooden crosses representing Arlington National Cemetery were set up in Gorton Quad on Nov. 9 for the Arlington West Event. The event, held in honor of Veteran’s Day, featured speakers who paid tribute to those that have served in
different wars. Some crosses bore names of the deceased and ages of service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. “This day is about honoring the living, those that have served our country,” Dean of Student Affairs Denise Whisenhunt said in opening remarks. “This is not Memorial Day, it’s Veterans Day.” Maurice Martin, City College’s Veterans for Peace
president, said the event was organized to honor fallen soldiers and those that are still serving. Martin said City College has about 1,000 registered veterans and there are 22 of them in the Veterans for Peace club. According to Martin, the name Arlington West was given by WWII veteran Ted Berlin and reflects the name of the United States national cemetery.
Among other veterans present, City College Military Education Program professor Leo Padilla, who served in the Navy for 35 years, gave a sobering account of his days in service. “The greatest moments in my service to the country was not of war, but of the people I served with,” Padilla said. “Together we sought See Veterans, page 14
Faculty and staff take time to heal after campus tragedy By Angella d’Avignon Correspondent In an effort to provide support for faculty and staff after the death of Diana Gonzalez, City College President Terrence J. Burgess hosted a “Forum on Healing in the Aftermath of Tragedy,” on Nov. 9. This special session featured Dr. Darlene Hoyt, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience working closely with law enforcement and other state agencies contending with the ongoing effects of major trauma. City College faculty and staff were provided the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about the incident. Many attendees expressed Darlene Hoyt, a clinical psychologist, leads the faculty and staff of City College feelings of bewilderment and through a relaxation exercise in the faculty lounge on Nov. 9. anger that warning signs Anulak Singphiphat, City Times
“I’m outraged about the number of ways (Diana Gonzalez) was silenced.” -Kelly Mayhew, English professor seemingly went unnoticed yet affected campus safety so greatly. “(Gonzalez) represents so many of our students,” said professor Kelly Mayhew. “I’m outraged about the number of ways she was silenced.” Dr. Hoyt spoke about student-teacher confidentiality and explained appropriate methods of communication when a teacher is concerned for a student’s welfare, especially if an instructor is afraid
to be nosy or overstep boundaries. “Our students’ lives are there in the classroom,” Mayhew said. Mayhew went on to describe a classroom model that encourages students to bond with one another in class. “They know each other as people and become cohorts and often leave the class together.” One professor who regularly works late with students on campus complained that classroom doors are left open and very few, if any, security officers are visible. Other faculty offered ideas such as implementing a buddy system or a student escort team. Burgess introduced an initiative to develop a safety response plan, which would include cameras, panic See Heal, page 14