Opinion: Holding media accountable for accuracy
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Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
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The Voice of San Jose City College Since 1956
Volume 81 Issue 1
Reading better with colors
Plastic overlays can relieve visual stress BY ALEX WRIGHT TIMES STAFF
It is hard to read when the text on your paper appears to move or be drowned out by the white of the page. The little-known and controversial Irlen Syndrome and its treatment method may relieve these symptoms. According to literature on the Irlen Foundation website, Irlen Syndrome is a perceptual processing disorder, a problem with how the brain processes information. Treatment for Irlen is simple: colors. People with Irlen can benefit from colored plastic overlays, colored paper or tinted glasses or contacts. Critics of Irlen Syndrome, the academic, scientific community and eye doctors, claim the studies supporting Irlen are unscientific, poorly conducted and anecdotal. In spite of the criticism, people receiving treatment using the Irlen method swear it works. Struggling students can change the background color in their word processor or visiting the Irlen website and try changing the background color to see if reading on color helps them. A written diagnosis could result in accommodations such as use of filters or tests printed on colored paper. Sheryl Pliskin, LMFT Double check with an academic counselor to make sure accommodations are a possibility as screening and diagnosis costs money and may not be covered by insurance. Irlen is a relatively new disorder discovered by Olive Meares and Helen Irlen in the 1980s.
“It made a significant positive impact in my life.”
STEPHANIE SMITH / TIMES STAFF
Left, Alex Wright, 33, software engineering explains Irlen Syndrome to Luis Martinez, 24, undecided, on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at San Jose City College. “One of her students came into the classroom with a gel (colored plastic overlay used on lights) from the theater department and was using it to read,” Sheryl Pliskin, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist said in a phone interview on Dec 12. Pliskin is a program director at San Francisco’s Alternate Family Services. She also has Irlen Syndrome and provides diagnostic services to Bay Area residents. When she was in college, a fellow student offered Pliskin their Irlen glasses after she asked to copy their notes because the overhead projector hurt her eyes, Pliskin said. “I put them on and everything just shifted,” Pliskin said. “It made a significant positive impact in my life: in my sense of self,
my identity (and) my self-esteem.” The improvement was so profound that she chose to get training and offer Irlen services to others shortly after college. Pliskin warns that some people have other challenges on top of the light sensitivity and may not get instant results, but for some the results are similar to hers. Pliskin says her grades improved with the Irlen method and she is not alone. In 2006, Stoddard Elementary School in southern Calif. screened all 4-6th graders for Irlen and gave filters to those who benefited from them. Stoddard reported a 25 percent increase in their overall State Standardized Test score. According to an independent brain imaging study, people with Irlen Syndrome are
overstimulated by light and have decreased activity in parts of the brain. A second scan showed the afflicted patients’ brain activity near normal when researches used colored filters to tint what the patient was seeing. They study was conducted by Dr. Daniel Amen in Irvine, Calif. While some think the Irlen method is simply a placebo effect, those suffer from visual stress the Irlen Method has improved their quality of life. Pliskin said for her, “It was life changing.” For more information on Irlen Syndrome, visit www. Irlen.org.
Museum curator at SJCC Professional expert expands students’ worldviews BY ALEX WRIGHT TIMES STAFF
The Triton Museum’s work in Santa Clara is curated by one of San Jose City College’s own art instructors. Adjunct professor Preston Metcalf brings the viewpoint of a working professional in the art field to the school, said Sean Abel, dean of Humanities and Social Science. “It’s a pretty big deal for us to have
somebody of that specific background in our art program,” Abel said. Metcalf has not only worked with a number of museums in the past, including the Triton Museum of Art, San Jose Museum of Art and San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, but also simultaneously teaches at Mission College and SJCC. “He really enjoys the opportunity to come and teach,” Abel said. “It is really something different than what he normally does.” The Triton Museum was founded in 1965 by W. Robert Morgan, a local lawyer and art patron. The Triton displays contemporary art from local artists. According to the Triton Museum, Met-
NEXT NEWSPAPER: Feb. 23
calf has published over 60 articles on art and art history. “He is so incredibly knowledgeable and personable. He’s the kind of guy you want to have as a teacher. It is a great thing to have for our students.” Abel said. Some students take more art history classes after having him once. Marco Martinez, 21, is a psychology major who had Metcalf as a professor for a survey in Asian Art. “I’ve taken him twice. He’s the best teacher I have had so far,” Martinez said. “We have such a strong art faculty to begin with,” Abel said. “He just adds to that strength.”
ALEX WRIGHT / TIMES STAFF
Professor Preston Metcalf lectures in his art history class on Friday Nov. 20.
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2 Opinion
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Police must wear body cams
What advice would you give strangers?
Protection for (and from) our protectors TIMES EDITORS
Instilling body cameras for the police will provide safety for both the police officers and those who they come in contact with. The knowledge that both parties are being watched will hinder extreme negative and violent behavior. Who would be watching the police footage? In order to have a transparent judicial system, police videos should be made a public record. However, having the videos made as public record could also be harmful to the identity of the officer(s) involved and the suspect. “The only time people can know that the officers have not been turning on the cameras would be in a scenario where there is a complaint against the officer,” associate criminology professor at the University of Nevada Bill Sousa told the Huffington Post about the body cameras in Nov. 2014. According to a 2013 University of Cambridge study, officers who wore and were self-aware of their body cameras, behaved in a more controlled manner. “In all videotaped incidents (regarding physical altercations with civilians and police) in which force was used by officers the subject is clearly seen to be physically-abusive or to (be) physically resisting arrest,” Police Chief Tony Farrar of Rialto, Calif. and author of the study wrote. “There was an overall reduction from 28 complaints filed lodged in the 12 months before the trial to three during the (study).” Major cities such as Albuquerque and New Orleans have equipped their police forces with body cameras. Other major cities such as Los Angeles and New York
City have initiated programs and are simply waiting on funding. Body cameras are even being implemented in university security forces. Eastern Michigan University invested $17,000 in body-worn cameras for on-campus security at the beginning of 2015. According to Mobile-Vision’s website, a publication for first responders, a frequent issue in the university setting is underage drinking which could be potentially dangerous for those involved in the situations. The overwhelming number of police complaint reports will lessen due to the cameras keeping individuals honest and proving when allegations are false. Video and audio evidence could prove an officer was in the right for using a certain extent of force in order to subdue a suspect. Accountability will be captured. Yet, instances of violent police encounter have always been present. For example, the death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale Bart station in Oakland in 2009 has been one of the most publicized incidents on the West coast in the recent years. Grant was unarmed on the ground and shot by a police officer. This police-involved altercation was recorded by bystanders with their cell phone cameras. Video was shot with the intent to record the portrayal of officers behaving badly and show the victims’ fate. Body cameras are guarding the citizens and our protectors, not merely a witch hunt for dirty cops. Instilling these cameras will defend and serve as another tool for achieving justice.
COMPILED BY JAMES HARTLEY/ TIMES STAFF
Name: Viridiana Castellanos Age: 19 Major: Graphic Design
Name: Thuat Nguyen Age: 23 Major: Prepharmacy
Make sure your first impression is friendly.
Stay active. Think locally, act globally.
Name: Momo Bedier Age: 16 Major: Theater
Name: Cayleigh Coester Age:19 Major: Psychology
Do not wait until the last moment to get things done.
Do not judge a book by its cover. It is impossible to know anyone’s back story...Learn before passing judgment.
Letter to the editor and response: Gender identity Times’ article praised
To the Editor, Thank you for publishing Alex Wright’s story on gender identity and the difficulty involved when we are young and gaining self-awareness. It left me in tears, but also with renewed hope. I am transgender, too, and I also had a moment in front of the bathroom mirror. Finding our way, our self-love, is hard but we can get through it. My moment was more about dreams lost. It was about my own hopelessness. It was hard, but I got through it. I am lucky. Many of today’s LGBTQ youth are feeling disenfranchised, strange and unwanted. They are depressed. I hope a lot of people get to read (Wright’s) article and know they are not alone. I have struggled with my identity, with feelings of strangeness and severe depression.
The Times welcomes comments and opinions that do not exceed 200 words. Letters can be dropped off at or sent to: the Times mailbox at Reprographics the newsroom in the Technology Center citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu
We will continue to strive and provide our readers with the Over the years, I was depressed and burdened by my sexuality, by my lifestyle, my wants and desires in juxtaposition to most diverse and factual articles. We wish you luck on your journey. societal expectations. A touching article such as this one gives me hope that more people will know they are not alone, and through that, somehow fewer young people will go through what I went through. We might not fit in with so-called normal society, but that is okay. Thanks, Angel S. Dear Angel, We at the City College Times, appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us and share a wonderful letter about a personal article for one of our writers. Alex Wright was more than thrilled when he heard that we received this letter regarding his article, “When you just don’t fit and don’t know why,” from the Nov. 17 issue of the City College Times.
Editor-in-Chief Araceli Lopez
Photo Editor Stephanie Smith
Managing Editor Noe Magana
Web Editor Alex Wright Graphic Designer Patrick Jenkins
Have something to say? Email your letters to the editor at: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu
Reporters Larry L. Harris James Hartley Faculty Adviser Farideh Dada
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CAMPUS NEWS 3 Support for veterans available at Student Center Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Serving those who served and their families
BY NOE MAGANA TIMES STAFF
There are no visible signs that it exists, but the San Jose City College Veterans Resource Center is located in one of the many “hidden” rooms on the second floor of the Student Center. Gary Ledesma, veterans, general transfer and career counselor, said the VRC was founded about three years ago, however SJCC has provided assistance, academically and with referrals, to veterans long before he arrived at SJCC in the late 1980s. Ledesma said he estimates the Veteran Affairs in SJCC assists 200 students per semester. Most students tied to the VA are either veterans or immediate family members of veterans. “It’s open to anyone,” Ledesma said. “We have students whose parent has been a veteran and they can come in and we can definitely support them and help.” Kathy Araki, VRC program assistant and Robert Leow, 28, business, emphasized the program’s three Cs: community, commodity and connection. “We have four computers here that (veteran students) can use for school work,” Araki said. “We have a refrigerator where they can store their food that they
“Bookstore Puppet”
want to bring in.” Araki also said veteran students are always welcome to use the center to work on their homework, relax, eat or just gather to interact with each other. “It provides me access to computers, people, privileges, relaxation, a place to come between classes just to study (and) talk to people,” Robert Leow said. The VRC also offer tutors, if requested by its students. “If they come in here and ask if there is somebody available (to tutor), I can find out,” Araki said. Veterans are also offered an opportunity to consult Dr. Gonzalez, a VA Psychologist, confidentially every other Thursday. “A lot of veterans come back with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and they have issues they like to discuss with a person that is knowledgeable about their types of mental health problems,” Ledesma said. Ledesma also said Veterans are among four groups that are offered priority registration in California along with CalWorks, EOP&S and disabled students. “Any of the questions I have about finances or anything else, there is somebody here that can figure it out,” Leow said. Ledesma said there are one or two
BY PATRICK JENKINS/ TIMES STAFF
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE SMITH/ TIMES STAFF
Student Robert Leow uses one of the computers at the SJCC Veterans Resource Center located in the Student Center on Dec. 15. veterans that can “informally” help with tutoring in math or English along with professionals that can help in other areas veterans need help with. “We have an employment person come in and talk about what jobs are there for veterans,” Ledesma said. “(We) try to get veterans employed.” A complete list of the services offered by the VRC and VA are available on the SJCC website under Support Programs.
Veterans Resource Center Hours of Operation Monday: 5 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Dear Look past Jazzy the smoke Dear Jazzy, How are you doing? I love the advice column. I have this girlfriend. She is hot, but she does not like it when I smoke. I smoked before I even met her. It is what I do. We get along well. Things between us are cool, but I have to dump her. What do you think? Should I move on? I got a few new things in mind. I cannot talk about this all the time. She will not give it a rest. What do you think? Thanks, Ricky Rodriguez
Dear Ricky, I am glad that you find my advice column helpful, I appreciate that. There are worse things than having your girlfriend worry about you smoking. She worries about your health; you have got yourself a keeper. It is unclear exactly what you “smoke,” but keep in mind, “too much of anything, ain’t good for you.” You say you have a few new things in mind? That sounds ominous. Are you wanting to try something harder than smoking? Smoking is a bad and addictive habit, but it is ultimately your choice whether you quit or not. Communicate and find a compromise that is what a relationship is all about. Try vaping or give yourself a weekly smoking limit. But it seems that you have already made up your mind. You would rather smoke, whatever you are smoking, rather than come to a compromise with your girlfriend. If continuing a bad habit is more important Do you need advice? to you than staying with Email your concerns to someone who clearly citycollegetimes@ cares about your welljaguars.sjcc.edu. being, then break up with Place in news boxes her. She deserves better. located on the bottom Best of luck, floor of the Tech Jazzy Center and in the Student Center.
4 Campus Map
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Campus Map 5
6 Campus Life
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Pay your way through college Federal work study is the answer to finance your education BY LARRY L. HARRIS
TIMES STAFF
Federal Work Study is a financial aid grant to San Jose City College used to employ students at various on-campus jobs. The financial aid office of SJCC administers these funds and at any one time there are 90 to 100 SJCC students employed through this financial aid program. The minimum wage is currently $10.30
per hour. To qualify students must be enrolled in a minimum of six units and carry a minimum 2.0 GPA. SJCC student, Alva Long, 52, psychology major, has been involved in the FWS program for years and has combined this program with his Board of Governors fee waiver to fund his educational cost. Long said, “The FWS program is great and it also allows me to give back to the community and my fellow students as a tutor.” Financial Aid Specialist Xiomara Martinez said she along with several of her work mates entered into full time employment with SJCC through the FWS program. A small sample of openings appear below.
COMPILED BY DARRICK HURD / CONTRIBUTOR
If you could choose one super power, what would it be?
Federal work study open positions Administrative Services Student Assistant
Entry Level - $10.30/hour Title: Student Assistant Role and Responsibilities: Assist with keeping the department organized. Mostly clerical work, filing data entry. Department: Administrative Services Number of Openings: 1 Name of Contact: Corrine Salazar Phone number: (408) 298-2181 ext. 3187 Qualifications: Have basic oral communication. Knowledge of microsoft office. Email: corrine.salazar@sjcc.edu Days needed: Monday - Friday Hours needed: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Name: Tynique Wilson Age: 19 Major: Nursing I sought the honor of absorbing the noble powers of Wonder, so that I may become quicker, sharper and stronger in sports.
Name: Vincent Aguilar Age: 23 Major: Liberal Arts, Social & Behavior Science I would want to time travel and to live in different dimensions in the past.
Name: Tran Tran Age: 29 Major: Business Genie in the Lamp powers sound feasible, because I wish to own a coffee shop.
Business/Workforce Development Student Assistant
Entry Level - $10.30/hour Role and Responsibilities: Assist with keeping the department organized. Mostly clerical work, filing data entry. Title: Student Assistant Department: Business/workforce division Number of Openings: 1 Name of Contact: Jessica Canales Qualifications: Have basic oral communication. Knowledge of microsoft office. Phone Number: (408) 288-3131 Email: jessica.canales@sjcc.edu Days needed: Monday - Friday Hours needed: Flexible
Disabled Student Program Assistant Entry Level - $10.30/hour Title: Student Assistant Role and Responsibilities: Assist instructor and office staff in data entry, answer phones, make appointments, file. Department: Disabilities Support Program & Services Number of Openings: 2 Name of Contact: Meredith Carpenter Phone number: (408) 298-2181 ext. 3894 Qualifications: Must have completed Math 13 (or higher math) or English 1A with a “C” or better. Good communication skills. Email: meredith.carpenter@sjcc.edu Days needed: Monday - Friday Hours needed: Flexible between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Name: Kuljot Bath Age: 19 General Education
Name: Carlos Sanchez Age: 19 General education
Name: Jenny Johnson Age: 24 Major: Art
My super power would be invisible at my will because I imagine life would be a whole lot easier just to simply disappear.
I can see myself being the Ghost Rider, the character Nicholas Cage plays, because he is fire proof. I believe being fire proof can help save people lives like firefighter.
I would like to have the ability to clone into different people, by harboring this power I can soothe the freedom of doing as I please.
Opinion: Fear or phobia Is it legitimate or an illusion? BY JAMES HARTLEY TIMES STAFF
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain or harm. It is an emotion induced by a threat perceived, which causes a change in brain and organ function and ultimately a change in behavior from traumatic events. A phobia is an extreme or irrational fear of something. A person will take something and perceive it as a threat even though it probably will not harm them. These days, I feel I am seeing more phobias than actual fears, but no one is being called on them because society allows inappropriate reactions to things people are scared of or not comfortable with. Not only do I see this in schools, but also in the work place and in public space as well. Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump said in a speech that America should stop allowing Muslims to come to America until the government figures out “what’s going on,” after the shooting in San Bernardino where 14 people were killed by a couple who happened to be Muslims. Trump took what those two individuals did and placed the blame on the whole Muslim community. People do violent things, such as shootings and robberies, every day in America. Why does Trump
feel he has to keep a whole religion from coming to American soil based on a single situation? Coming from an inner city community like East Palo Alto, when someone says they fear me, it makes me feel like a monster and truthfully it angers me. Someone saying they fear you because of what you look like or where you are from is unacceptable. What gives strangers the right to act out on their fears in a way that affects the person they fear simply because of how he or she dresses, speaks or even walks? I think people use the word fear in order to gain an advantage in certain situations. For example, if a person says he or she is in fear of someone, others may follow and accuse the “suspect” of being what the stereotypes lead them to believe. If a phobia is the cause for that person’s fear then who is to blame? One person’s freedom should not be stopped because another person says they fear them. Every fear does not call for an action. For example, if a person has a phobia of spiders, it does not mean that person needs to go out and kill all the spiders in the world because of the possibility it might harm them. We as a society must learn the difference between fears and phobias in order to keep the American dream alive. Freedom is an American right. Our freedom should not be taken away because of fear that is not warranted. Next time someone says they are in fear of someone ask the question; is this fear or phobia?
7 A&E
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016
Jaguars Sudoku
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE SMITH/ TIMES STAFF
The SJCC Times congratulates Morgan Tong, 16, undeclared, on winning the Streetlight Records $20 gift card by correctly completing the games page on the Nov. 3 issue of the newspaper. “When I found out I won, I was excited, but sad because I had to wait to get my prize,” Tong said. “I love word games and play competitive pro scrabble with people four times my age.”
You can be a winner too!
SAME
USF,
JUST CLOSER.
AND LESS
FOG.
Entry instructions: Email a picture to citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu Or Bring crossword to Technology Center, room 302 Or Drop it in the news-tip boxes located in the Student Center or Technology Center. Winners will be announced in our next issue on Feb. 23. Submit this completed sudoku by Thursday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m. for a chance to win a $20 StreetLight Records gift certificate. Entry Form Name: __________________________ Phone Number: __________________ Age: ____________________________ Major: __________________________ Email: __________________________
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