San Jose City College Times, Vol 92, Issue 4, May 10, 2022

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Tuesday, May 10, 2022

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The Voice of San Jose City College Students Since 1956

Volume 92 Issue 4

Winners in ASG election

PHOTO COURTESY OF TIMES CONTRIBUTOR

President-elect Leif Benson, interviewed by Drew Glover at KJCC Radio during a live ASG Election Forum on April 6.

Victors take office in fall 2022

BY TIMES CONTRIBUTOR San Jose City College students have voted in new student officers for the Associated Students Government board for the next academic year.

Elections were held over a three-day pe-

riod from April 5 through April 7. Here are the elected officers: President: Leif Benson VP of Marketing: Skyler Alikoi Dy VP of Finance: Xitlaly Martinez Chief Justice: Vacant Student Trustee: Van Pham Director of Communications: Moe Shaar Director of Student Resources: Vacant Director of Student Engagement: Denim Sperisen

Incoming ASG president Leif Benson said his goal as president is to enrich the college experience for fellow students.

“I want to guide students to be more successful. A lot of students don’t know about the EOPS Center for low-income earners or the Jaguars Market free food giveaway.

There’s also free tutoring services available,” Benson said at an ASG Elections Forum at KJCC Radio.

Benson says he’d like to increase the

number and variety of clubs on campus.

Re-elected ASG Communications Director Moe Shaarf said it’s the job of the student government and the faculty to reach out more to the campus community.

“I’m trying to create more student engagement, for example, getting a food truck at one of the softball games.”

See WINNERS Page 4

The Robert N. Chang scholarship helps students succeed

The fellowship impacts SJCC students’ lives

BY IBER MORENO

TIMES STAFF

The Robert N. Chang Foundation Scholarship was introduced to the college in a ceremony on April 27.

The scholarship is to help the younger generation and young adults to succeed in their education and transfer to four-year universities.

Sam Ho, director of Communications, Community Relations & Diversity in the Chancellor’s Office, said that the Robert N. Chang Foundation has helped 130 students in the past 20 years with a significant amount of money.

“It has helped many students go on with their education and helped impact our students’ lives,” Ho said. “It has given students chances to go on to four-year universities and have education because education is the key to so many doors in the future.”

Ho reflected on life and the importance of the scholarship.

“In life as we get older every day that we go through, we have one less day to live on earth. Only once do we have an opportunity to serve others through education,” Ho said. “I think providing someone education is very important because you can help them become future leaders in our communities and help provide for their families.”

See SCHOLARSHIP Page 4

PHOTO BY IBER MORENO / TIMES STAFF

The Robert N. Chang scholarship ceremony was held on SJCC campus on April 27.

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2 OPINION

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

SJCC services assist students on campus VY NGUYEN

TIMES STAFF

San Jose City College has many opportunities for students to get help on campus.

On of these is the information desk located in the Student Center.

“If students need their student IDs, this is where they would come with copies of proof of registration to get that,” said Program Coordinator Xiomara Martinez. “Also, they are able to get the VTA Eco Bus Passes here.”

Martinez also said that the information desk offers a variety of other services including campus tours.

“So tours for students who are thinking about coming here, this is where they check in,” Xiomara said. “If you need to know where to find the classrooms, questions about registration, where to find a department, you’re looking for someone, definitely check in here.”

The Jaguar Market is also located in the Student Center.

“We offer daily snacks and weekly shopping. Students can come here for drinks, chips, burritos, soups or whatever we have,” said Cruz Munoz, 21, SJCC dental hygiene major. “For weekly shopping, we offer eggs, milk, chicken, veggies and fruits. We also have canned food and soups.”

The Jaguar Market may help students who have a tight budget.

“I think it’s very helpful for all students because some students live by themselves so they have to manage their budget,” Munoz said. “This is a perfect way to support them. In my perspective, it helps me a lot, saves a lot of money. If they (students) want to invest in other stuff, it helps a lot.”

The Cesar E. Chavez Library offers in-person and virtual library services for students, faculty and all district employees, according to the SJCC Chavez Library website.

The Library’s hours for the spring semester are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays and Sundays as well as campus holidays.

The campus library is also offering zero-cost tutoring services.

If students need tutoring or would like to review what they learned in class, they can take a look at the tutor schedule and pop into a Zoom room or stop by the Learning Resource Center on the first floor of the library for inperson tutoring.

Subjects include math, statistics, physics, chemistry, accounting, Spanish and essay writing.

Student Accessibility Services is located in the Student Center, Room 106.

“The one way you can use our

service is that you have a verification of disability,” said Program Assistant Martha Cazares. “That’s how we intake our students, with an application verification of disability.”

The SAS also offers specialized counseling, note-taking services, interpreters and educational plans.

“We also help with transfer to four-year universities,” Cazares said.

“SAS’s main goal is to make all content in class accessible to students.

If you are deaf, you can have closedcaptioning. If you are blind, it’ll be given to you in the format that you understand, like something auditory.

If you are in a wheelchair, you will be given adjustable seating in class.”

Students can also access health services in the Student Center.

“At the Student Health Services, all the students pay a student health fee, which covers some of the services that we provide here but not all the services,” said registered nurse Kathleen Barzegar. “We have a physician that’s on staff, and she sees patients by appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Barzegar said there are students that also come in that have medical coverage under the Fampact Program, which provides family planning services to eligible low-income students.

“They can see the doctor for well women, sexually transmitted interfaction testing, pregnancy testing,” Barzegar said. “For students not covered under the Fampact program, we have low cost pregnancy testing, lab testing for sexually transmitted diseases or other lab testing the doctors feel might be nessasry during the visit.”

For students who want to quit smoking, Health Services has a smoking cessation program.

“If there are students who are used to tobacco products or use nicotine products, vapes, and cigarettes, we have counselin that helps them stop smoking. That’s available free to students,” Barzegar said.

Health Services also offers birth control counseling, vision screening and mental health services.

“We have a case manager for mental health services. Her name is Elisse, and she meets with students to determine what their needs are,” Barzegar said. “If they’re having needs in certain areas, maybe with difficulties making their rent or being able to buy groceries, or if they’re having some mental challenges and need personal counseling, she meets with them and determines what their needs are.”

Health Services has two mental health counselors on staff that can meet for individual limited personal mental health counseling.

Editor-in-Chief Vy Nguyen

What do you think about the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade?

COMPILED BY MADISON WILBER / CONTRIBUTOR

Name: Miasol UsanBautista Age: 17 Major: Gen Ed “We keep putting restrictions on women’s bodies; not just women, but minorities. It saddens me. We don’t have these ethical arguments on other medical procedures.

It’s just this one.”

Name: Francis Seludo Age: 20 Major: Political science

Name: Flynn Hartung Age: 18 Major: Undecided

“I believe women have the right to choose what they want to do, and male politicians don’t have any right to belong in a woman’s body. Roe v. Wade should not be overturned.”

“It’s not pro-life; it’s just about controlling people below them to keep themselves in power. They don’t care about the kids.

As soon as they’re born, it doesn’t matter.”

Name: John Paul Age: 25 Major: Manufacturing

Name: Ethan Burrill Age: 17 Major: Math

Name: Elizabeth Mendoza Age: 16 Major: Middle College

“It can be a human rights violation; that’s what I think.”

“I am really pissed about this. It’s a massive setback. This is not just a warfare against women; this is a class warfare and racial warfare.”

“I think it’s indescribable because we’re going literally back in time. All those 50 years worth of laws, what has the fight been for?”

Editor’s note: In a story in our April 5th edition, the City College Times incorrectly reported that former SJCC student athlete DeJon Packer was stabbed to death. According to the Santa Clara County medical examiner, Packer died of “fentanyl toxicity.” The Times regrets the error.

Sports Editor Iber Moreno

Reporter Fadia Zeid

Adviser

Farideh Dada

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

SPORTS 3

SJCC softball team achieves success on and off the field IBER MORENO

TIMES STAFF

SJCC Lady Jags softball team are heading to the playoffs after a 32-5 winning record.

First base and outfield coach Terrell Jones said the regular season was great for the Lady Jags.

“It all starts in the fall. We start with fall ball and strength and conditioning and getting the skill down, and they buy into the program,” Jones said. “They work hard for each other like a family; and not only on the field, but off the field as well.”

Jones said he aimed at going to state from the beginning “The goal is to get through the playoffs and win the first two games and go to state,” Jones said.

Jones also praised coach Debbie Rooney’s 850th career win.

“Coach (Rooney) is such a great person, and she cares about everyone. But to see her be that successful is amazing,” Jones said. “A lot of people don’t know that in junior college history, coach is No. 1 when it comes to females as far as winning streaks go. She’s also never had a losing

season since she’s been here.”

Jones admired players for their success in academics.

“One of the things that coach preaches since she first got here was classroom first, softball second,’’ Jones said. ”Softball can take you far in life but education can take you even farther in life.

If you become successful in the classroom, then you’ll become successful in the future.”

First-year player Lareina Solis is excited about the team’s success and its great record.

“It means a lot to us that since August we put in the work, the amount of hours into it, and it shows,” Solis said. “Our work ethic is the biggest reason (we have had success) but also staying together as a family and being there for one another when someone is struggling.”

Solis has personal goals as well.

“My goal is to get all conference and to better myself every day and for sure get a walk off run to win the game,” Solis said.

She refers to Rooney’s 850th career win as a big achievement.

“Our team goal in the playoffs is to take it one game at a time

and hopefully go to Bakersfield and win state. Eight hundred fifty wins is amazing,” Solis said.

“Coach Debbie is the reason we are so successful and makes us better every day along with all the coaching staff who are pushing us to work hard.”

Rooney said she admires the team’s success.

“I think for us, the team came together trusting everyone’s abilities. Putting the time to learn the mental part of it, getting better and believing in each other, is what makes us successful,” Rooney said.

Rooney also talked about the team goal heading into the playoffs.

“We want to be successful to win by preparing next week for regional round one and provide the wins we need and move into super regional and then go to state,” Rooney said.

Rooney emphasized the importance of balancing school and sports for her team to be successful in the classroom.

“This team has definitely bought in, and they trust in the fact that they have to put the time in

PHOTO BY IBER MORENO

LADY JAGS HOST COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO AT SJCC’S LAST SEASON HOME GAME school work,” Rooney said. “So, time management is important.

We also do grade checks and planner checks to stay on top of their grades.”

Rooney also speaks about her 850th win and how she reached that milestone.

“It’s the question that people ask and I just say it takes a village

– all my past student athletes that made Jag ball successful and the coaches that I had and the support I had with them,” Rooney said.

“It’s a success for everyone.

It seems unreal that I’ve been doing this for 31 years. It’s the administration and the people that are around me. I surround myself with people that make me better.”

Humanitarian improved the lives of India’s downtrodden ARUNA MASOORKAR

Contributor

Bodhisattva Dr. Bheemrao Ramjee Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mahu, Madhya Pradesh, India, and was referred to as an Untouchable in Hindu.

According to Hindu, the religion’s caste system, humans are divided into four levels: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the fourth level was “Untouchables,” or downtrodden, which had lower status than animals.

His father was a subedar in the British army so he was allowed to go school, except that he had to sit outside the classroom on the ground and was not allowed to drink the water from the common pot.

The teacher did not touch Ambedkar’s notebook, afraid that he would become impure so he used to see it from a distance.

Yet Ambedkar solved and answered all the questions before the teacher could do it.

The downtrodden were not permitted to carry umbrellas, wear shoes, gold ornaments or go into town because if their shadow fell upon a Brahmin, it would pollute him.

They were required to tie a broom around their waist to clear their footprints while walking through streets as Hindus believed if they walked on it, they would become impure.

The downdrodden had to hang an earthen pot around their neck to

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY ARUNA MASOORKAR

SJCC celebrated the 131st birthday of Indian humanitarian Dr. Bheemrao Ramjee Ambedkar on April 14. Pictured from left: Field representative of assembly member Ash Kalra, Tuan Nguyen; International Program Director Doriann Tran; SJCC student Aruna Masoorkar; committee ambassador, Blake Balahadia; Director of student activity and development, Venerable Manikanto Bhikku-Abbott of Dhammakaya Meditation Center, Morgan Hill; and Venerable Pattanai Dhammadhiro. hold their spittle. They might not spit on the ground in case a Hindu should be polluted by touching it with his foot. Women were compelled not to wear blouses.

As a child, he used to think that when the sun, moon, earth and nature do not discriminate among all human beings then why do these people ill-treat us?

What is our fault? We look the same, then why we are referred to as downtrodden. He decided to find the solution to humankind and make equal rules for everyone.

Ambedkar completed a Bach-

elor of Art degree from Elphinstone College, Bombay, University of Bombay, in 1912.

In 1915 he received a master’s degree in Economics with sociology, history, philosophy, anthropology.

In 1917 he was the first Asian to obtain a doctoral degree from Columbia University, and in 1921 he got a Master of Science from the London School of Economics.

During this period he lost his two sons, one daughter and his beloved wife.

He was completely shattered,

but he did not give up the passion to uplift his community.

The downtrodden were not allowed to drink the water from the same pond, which people from other three levels could drink.

However, dogs and other animals were allowed to drink there.

By leading the group of this community, Ambedkar said, “We are not going to the Chavdar tank to merely drink its water.

We are going to the tank to assert that we, too, are human beings like others. It must be clear that this meeting has been called to set up the norm of equality.”

He was the first law minister of independent India and the chief architect of the Indian constitution.

In 1951 Ambedkar established the Finance Commission of India, opposing income tax for low-income groups.

Ambedkar resigned from his post as the first law minister of India when the Comprehensive Hindu Code Bill was dropped by the Indian Parliament.

The bill had two main purposes: To elevate the social status of Hindu women by giving them their due rights and to abolish social disparities and caste inequalities.

Some of the key features of this bill were: Women could now inherit family property, divorce and adopt girls.

The code gave both men and women the right to divorce if the marriage was untenable.

Widows and divorcees were given the right to remarry. Polyg-

SJCC science professors talk Earth Day 2022

amy was outlawed.

As a member for labor in the viceroy’s council from 1942 to 1946, Ambedkar was instrumental in bringing about several labor reforms.

He reduced working hours from 12 hours to eight hours in the seventh session of the Indian Labor Conference in New Delhi on November 27, 1942.

He also introduced several measures for workers such as dearness allowance, leave benefit, employee insurance, medical leave, equal pay for equal work, minimum wage and periodic revision of scale of pay.

Ambedkar also strengthened trade unions and established employment exchanges across India.

“He framed many laws for women workers in India such as the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, Women Labor Welfare Fund, Women and Child Labor Protection Act, Maternity Benefit for Women Labor and Restoration of Ban on Employment of Women on Underground Work in Coal Mines,” said Vipin Bhartiya, Aruna Masoorkar’s friend in India.

He received awards and honors of Bodhisattva in 1956, Bharat Ratna in 1990, First Colombian Ahead of Their Time in 2004 and The Greatest Indian in 2012.

On October 14th, 1956, he converted to Buddhism.

The Buddhist monk who converted Babasaheb Ambedkar to Buddhism called him the modern Buddha of this age.

Earth Day is an annual event held on April 22 where people across the globe host events to celebrate the planet and raise awareness for environmental issues.

READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE AT HTTP://SJCCTIMES.COM PHOTO BY ADAM BATLEY, CONTRIBUTOR

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4

ARTS& ENTERTAINMENT

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The pandemic wasn’t an obstacle for musician Two years of Covid pushed her team to go stronger

BY FADIA ZEID

TIMES STAFF

Mahlleh is the CEO of Fortify Studio 408, and co-founder of the Feminine Divine Collective.

“Feminine Divine Collective doesn’t really operate anymore. People went their own ways. I run and operate Fortify Studio 408. I cover music, culture, news, interviews and promotions for local artists,” said Arestegui.

Things were different in the past two years globally but fortunately, Mahlleh and her company Poetic Mogul made success and did not let the pandemic stop them.

“A lot of people were afraid to come out to our shows during the pandemic but for those that were not afraid to show up, I felt like I made some strong connections. I was able to connect with people like me that didn’t let the pandemic stop them from coming out. I got more compensation for my time during the pandemic. I had some really solid events and I definitely showed up. The pandemic was stopping people from coming together but my team and I had no competition. The pandemic made us stand out in the crowd. We adjusted to the change but we won’t stop,” said Arestegui.

PHOTO BY FADIA ZEID / TIMES STAFF

Mahlleh plays drums for her brand Poetic Mogul

Student Accessibility Workshop Workshop helps those with disabilities

BY FADIA ZEID

TIMES STAFF

San Jose City College held the Student Accessibility Services workshop on April 6. Students with disabilities were able to apply for educational help and services.

SAS counselor Teresa Martin assisted students with the applications for Individualized Education Programs and filling out disability forms.

“SAS assists students with disabilities who have a lot of difficulties understanding English and math classes, and they can receive additional tutoring help,’’ SAS counselor Thao Tran said.

Tran said students who need assistance can make an appointment with her, and she will help them with their classes.

Any disability student who needs help should set up an apportionment to talk with a counselor.

Students must submit an application for services and provide one of the following: • • • •

Learning disability assessment Individualized Education Program form, IPP or 504 plan SAS medical verification form Similar documents from another college the student attended

The SAS Center is located in the Student Center in Room 106.

Appointments are available in person or by Zoom meeting.

To contact counselor Thao Tran, email: Thao.Tran@sjcc.edu https://www.sjcc.edu/current-students/support-programs/student-accessibility-services

SCHOLARSHIP From page 1

Two other representatives of the scholarship, James Chen and Vincent Chang, also talked about the scholarship and its benefits.

“The scholarship is to help students who deserve it and students in need, and the foundation has been with the school for 20 years helping students,” James said.

James also talks about what it means to him.

“I think having a tough period going through college and realizing there is someone out there who believes in you, someone outside of your family, someone who doesn’t even know you believes in you, that you can be successful, is actually inspiring,” James said.

Another representative of the scholarship was Vincent, who talked about how they are going to help students be successful.

“This is our community. My hope is that everyone should care about each other. The welfare of other people is the welfare of the community and the welfare for your own life, and it’s my belief,” Vincent said. “Being able to provide this scholarship and to be a part of this event is really inspiring. Hearing stories of people’s struggles and the belief they had in themselves and carrying themselves through it, I’m really inspired by that.”

Vincent thanked people who helped with this scholarship.

“This scholarship would not be possible without so many people who know the students, as well the people who put the word out about the scholarship and make sure that all the materials are there,” Vincent said. “We have accumulated this huge network of connections with students.”

ASG WINNERS From page 1

Hopefully, this will encourage more students to come out and watch the athletes. It’ll get them talking, and from that you get more clubs on campus,” Shaarf said at the KJCC forum.

Some ASG positions remained vacant after the election.

“I can appoint a person to next year’s board, or the next president can. Because of limited time, the next president would likely appoint someone to those two positions,” current ASG President Francis Seludo said. “An individual can reach out to asgpresident@sjcc.edu and say they’re interested in those positions, and we can send them the information on what steps are to follow.”

Reflecting on his ASG presidency, Seludo said one of his greatest successes was connecting with students.

“One of the projects I was proud of was the school supply giveaway that I created during the pandemic. We distributed school supplies to more than 250 students during the 202021 year ,” Seludo said. “The happiness and smiles that we received was something I was proud about.”

The winning candidates will assume office at the start of the Fall 2022 semester and serve until the end of the academic year.

The ASG board meets every week at its offices on the first floor of the Student Center. This year, the meeting day is Wednesday at 4 p.m. The public is invited.

There is a financial incentive for serving on the ASG Board.

“Officeholders do receive payment for their service which are $100 per ASG meeting and $25 per committee,” Seludo said. “Students can also sit and attend committees and earn $25, but they must be appointed to the committees before receiving payment.”

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