T
TEMPEST
Catcalling: It’s ruining our society OPINION ON 3
<< See what Solano’s artists have been working on lately FEATURES ON 4
Two sculptures on display in “Introductions” by art instructor Marc Lancet. See page 4 for more. Hailey Dykes/Tempest
How does Solano stack up against the competition? NEWS ON 2
• SEPT. 2 - SEPT. 22, 2015 • VOL. 32, NO. 1 • FAIRFIELD, CA • www.solanotempest.net •
SCC secures grant, allowing scholarships for STEM majors Judith Perez Staff writer
Each student will receive an average of $3,000 a year for two years of study at Solano and one year after they transfer to a four-year university of their choosing.
jperez@solanotempest.net
Thanks to a $622,715 grant from the National Science Foundation, Solano Community College has awarded 20 scholarships this year to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors. The grant money will ultimately be used to award 165 scholarships to “academically talented and financially needy” students over a five-year period, according to an SCC news release. “Applying for the funding was competitive,” said Professor Genele Rhoads, director of the grant. “Lots of schools across the country apply for these through the NSF.”
With such a hefty scholarship there comes a broad set of standards applicants must follow, Rhoads said. She emphasized the need to be a full-time student, have a minimum of 12 units, be in one of the STEM majors and take at least one STEM class each semester. “There are 20 scholars this year. We can give up to 35 next year so we’re hoping to expand the program next year,” said Rhoads. Next year she says she hopes to recruit more awardees from local high schools. Out of this year’s 20 scholars
only two came directly from high school, Rhoads said. J.D. Winters, a computer science major who received one of the scholarships, said that it allowed him to quit his job, allowing more time for studies. “It gives me more time to not worry about money,” Winters said. Richard Coucoules, chemical engineering major, agreed with Winters and said that money was a common worry for a lot of the scholars. “The problems I had with school was supporting myself as I was going to school,” Coucoules said. “It’s like a job I don’t get paid for. It’s a job that I give money away for, so the scholarship definitely helped me out.”
“The most important part is preparing our students to be future STEM professionals,” said Jose Ballesteros, the director of Solano’s Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program. Ballesteros said through this scholarship, scholars get more opportunities for professional development. “We’re learning as we go, as we move forward,” Ballesteros said. “We’re taking the experience that we have had running other programs and using those to allow us to put the students in their best interest.” Editor’s note: Staff writer Judith Perez is one of this year’s STEM scholarship recipients.
Make the most of your trip to financial aid Melissa Espinoza Staff writer mespinoza@solanotempest.net
Financial aid touches every aspect of a college and here at Solano the staff at the financial aid offices work in keeping programs in the school so that financial is not taken away from the students. Robin Darcangelo is the Associate Dean of Students, Financial Aid, EOPS/CARE and Veterans. Darcangelo has been at Solano College for four years but has 20 years of experience. Darcangelo and her staff have been working to bring more programs, information and assistance for the SCC students. “Financial aid is a national resource, is not limited to a community college,” Darcangelo said.
During her first year at SCC, Darcangelo had to deal with numerous complaints from unsatisfied students. This year Darcangelo and her staff made sure that students got their financial aid by the first week of classes. Solano’s financial aid office has grown so much over the past few years and has become successful in students’ satisfaction. About $30 million come out of the financial aid office each year to help Solano students, Darcangelo said. Solano’s financial aid office has launched a Financial Literacy program to help students learn how to manage their money, manage a bank account, living expenses and make better money choices.
One of the staff members of the financial aid office trained and has been certified by the state of California to teach workshops for SCC students. Another great resource is Financial Aid TV, offered on the SCC website. This is a series of videos which answer questions students have about financial aid. “The success is due to the fact that I have a highly trained staff,” Darcangelo said. Darcangelo said she is seeking more funding and hopes the department will keep improving and offering new programs and ideas. Serving five generations of students toward success is what is most important, Darcangelo said. “They are not just students but our partners and we believe in them.”
Additional Information • • • •
Learn about the different types of financial aid and their requirements. The FAFSA, BOG waiver, and Pell Grants are just some of the financial aid oppurtunities available to students. Always apply early for financial aid. You don’t want to get stuck waiting weeks after school has started to get money for textbooks. If you need assistance, go to the financial aid office in the 400 building or use the links on the SCC website. If you are just submitting paper work to the financial aid office, don’t waste your time in line. There is a drop box available located on the left of the office windows.
MORE ONLINE AT WWW.SOLANOTEMPEST.NET Check out our special extended Campus Conncetion online!
Melissa Espinoza/Tempest
QUOTE OF THE WEEK “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” -C.S. Lewis
SIZING UP SOLANO How Solano Community College compares to other community colleges in the area.
SCC DVC NVC
enrollment
Solano Community College
Diablo Valley College
Napa Valley College
9,824
20,089
6,834
students enrolled
students enrolled
students enrolled
transfer rate for students who began studies in Fall 2011
13% 12% 10% graduation rate
Solano Napa
for students who began studies in Fall 2011
28% 39% 31%
student-to-faculty ratio
crime rates as reported in 2013
Full time Part-time
Part-time
part-time
Full-time
65 %
63 %
part-time
Full time
35 %
full-time
37 %
66 % Part time
Full-time
DVC
full-timeNapa
full-timeSolano
34 %
% part-time vs. full-time
Part time
Part-time
part-time
Full-time
Napa
23:1 27:1 21:1 6 assaults 2 1 Part-time
Full-time
motor vehicle thefts drug violation
2 2 4 8
burglaries robberies drug violation motor vehicle thefts
O d e N rt o e p re crim
information from the National Center for Education Statistics.
3
THE TEMPEST n SEPT. 2 - SEPT. 22, 2015
opinions compliments... or harassment? one woman’s take on catcalling, and what we can do to stop it
Catalina Donnell Staff writer cdonnell@solanotempest.net Street Harassment: we all have seen it, either walking down the street or at your local mall. Some of us have even experienced the harassment first hand. A recent video that went viral on the internet showed a young woman walking down the streets of New York City for 10 hours while capturing catcalls she received from strangers on the street. The video sparked a heated conversation regarding catcalling and its numerous angles. Some argued that the video was fake, while others debated that the video was filmed to show African American men in bad light; however what really got people talking was if this is an issue that should be taken seriously. There are people who believe that there’s nothing to be worried about because it’s a compliment and that the women should be happy because that means they are attractive. The women who are victims of catcalling say that it makes them feel unsafe and violated. In an online informal survey study done by Stop Street Harassment, 99% of 811 female participants said they experienced some type of street harassment, including: leering, honking and whistling, sexist comments,vulgar gestures, sexually explicit comments, kissing noises, following and etc.
People should know the difference between a compliment and harassment. Saying someone looks beautiful is one thing, but being vulgar with your comments or invading someone’s personal space is another. This happens to some women on a daily basis, even multiple times in one day. Is this something that should be of concern? Of course! These women are someone’s wife, sister, daughter or even mother. It isn’t okay to blame the woman for how she is dressed either, that’s not an excuse to harass someone! Stop Street Harassment posted that, research professor Laura Beth Nielsen conducted a study in the San Francisco bay area regarding street harassment. She asked 54 participants whether they had been the victims of offensive speech, and 100% said they had experienced harassment. This happens in
offensive
Art by Vanessa Joseph our backyard and something should be done about it. If you’re a guy who participates in catcalling think before you speak. If you really want a girls attention or want to get to know her, just simply go up to her and be POLITE about it. For women who are going through this, you are
not alone; if you walking alone on campus and don’t feel safe or just don’t want to deal with harassment, contact the campus police at (707) 580-6526 and they will escort you to your car or another class.
creepy uncomfortable campus conversation
What’s stressing you out this semester?
“Just finding out that I wanted to do business, and stressing about all the classes I have to take.”
“Getting all my books, and meeting all my teachers, getting a feel for them.”
Member: California College Media Association • Journalism Association of Community Colleges • California Newspaper Publishers Association • Associated Collegiate Press
Nicholas Buckley Physics
Jamilla Alhark Undeclared
Kayla Flores Business
The Tempest is published by Solano College students. Opinions expressed in the paper are those of the individual writers and artists, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the college’s governing board, the administration, the faculty and staff, or the Associated Students of Solano College. Readers may take up to five copies of The Tempest free. Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents.
“I don’t know. Nothing in particular... Should I be stressed?”
TEMPEST
THE
THE VOICE OF SOLANO COLLEGE
Dagmar Kuta editor-in-chief staff writers: Jace Barrera Melissa Espinoza
Cat Donnell Judith Perez Zuriel Sanders faculty adviser: Samanda Dorger
Hailey Dykes Armando Quiros
reporter/photos: Tempest staff
“Setting up for the semester, getting students in place to handle all the requests.” Marie Mayne Tutoring Center Coordinator
contact us: It is The Tempest’s policy to correct any errors in the paper. Please contact us if you spot one. To get in touch with us: phone: (707) 864-7000, ext. 4361 e-mail: tempest@solano.edu postal address: SCC, Room 1861 4000 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, California 94534
4
features
W
THE TEMPEST n SEPT. 2 - SEPT. 22, 2015
introductions
ith the new semester comes a new feature art display in the 1300 building. This time, instead of shining the light on students, we get to see an intimate look at some professor’s personal projects. Works from nearly twenty professors at SCC are on display in this show, entitled “Introductions”. “I don’t eat insects, but I have and would [again],” said Rachel Smith, professor of graphic design whose works are on display within
the show. Instead of what students may consider her realm of art, Smith chose to display two gouache paintings side by side. The paintings depict insects served as meals, something squeamish people may wither at. “You just have to get over the ick factor.” On Sept. 20, professors will hold an artists talk, during which they will discuss technique and concept. The artworks will be displayed through Oct. 20, when the artists will hold a closing reception and chat with viewers.
top: An oil painting by Rick Deragon, painting professor. “The river gave forth more fish than the man had seen at any one time, and as he pulled in his baskets the hunger season didn’t seem so long after all.” above: Two pieces by Ron Zak, professor of photography. The pair are entitled “Body Betrayal,” an homage to his recent health problems. left above: On the left hangs “What’s for Dinner?”, and on the right “Diet for a Small Planet, both by graphic design professor Rachel Smith left: Tonja Patton, child psychology major, examines one of the wokrs in the collection. This piece in particular, “Roots,” was created by Abigail Rubenstein, professor of drawing and painting. bottom left: An abstract sculptural piece by Janene Whitesell, professor of communications and exhibitions design. This piece comments on the way of the world in America, with book spines reading “The Way Things Ought to Be,” and “Violence in America”.