The Telescope 66.12

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EASY ESCAPE TRANSFER PROGRAM ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO EARN AA DEGREE TO GAIN GUARANTEED ADMITTANCE TO CAL STATE SCHOOLS

the telescope Palomar College’s Independent Newspaper Vol. 66, No. 12 • Monday, March 11, 2013 1140 W. Mission Rd, San Marcos, Calif.

WHAT’S INSIDE

2 4 8

PALOMAR PASSES AUDIT

NEWS / Earlier this year, Palomar received AM audit report during a Governing Board meeting. Palomar’s spending has been in line with regulations.

PROP. 8 NEEDS A COMEBACK OPINION / An argument for same-sex marriage and why restricting it is like enabling slavery.

This map shows the 23 California State campuses.• Courtesy calstate.edu

SUBMIT CREATIVE WORK

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LIFE / The Bravura literary magazine is looking for submissions of poetry, fiction and graphic art.

cliff ireland

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

Palomar officials are working on new degrees that will guarantee students admitance into a CSU. SB 1440, the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR Act), which was signed into law in September 2010 by then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, established the Associate De-

SPORTS / The Palomar women’s basketball team won its conference and is deep in the playoffs.

EVENTS CALENDAR MARCH 11 MOVIE MONDAY FEATURING “MONA LISA SMILE.” FREE ADMISSION AND SNACK WTH STUDENT ACTIVITY CARD. 1 P.M. SU-204

March 11-15 aids memorial quilt on display at the library all this week .

march 12 free coffee and snack with student activity card at 4 p.m. in the escondido lobby.

March 13 free and confidential hiv testing available between 1 and 4 p.m. at the health services center. all participants Receive a prize and their results in 20 minutes.

March 13 The Palomar softball team plays against San Diego mesa at home at 3 p.m.

March 14 The Palomar baseball team plays against Southwestern in a conference game at 2 p.m. at myers field.

ASG election information Candidate Application Packets for the positions of President, Vice President, and Senators are now available. Students can pick them up in SU-201. The Application Packet will be due no later than noon on April 19. Forums for all candidates will be held on April 30 and May 1. The time and location are to be determined. Election week begins 8 a.m. on May 6 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 9. Election results will be posted on the morning of May 17.

THE TELESCOPE

gree for Transfer program.

It is designed to encourage California Community College students to earn an associates degree, while providing students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher a guaranteed and more efficient path to a CSU. “By fall 2013, the expectation is that 80 percent of the colleges will have SB1440 degrees in place for all of their transfer pathways and 100 percent by

fall 2014,” the minutes for the March 4 meeting of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges explains.

The Associates of Arts Transfer (AAT) and the Associates of Science Transfer (AS-T) degrees were created for students who already know what they want to major in.

TURN TO TRANSFER, PAGE 9

LAWSUIT

ANALYSIS

COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ASG

MS DOESN’T KEEP THEM DOWN

april testerman

COLLEEN PETERS

THE TELESCOPE

A Vista Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of Palomar College’s student government after a year-long lawsuit on the separation of the student government from Palomar administration.

On March 4, 17 days after the initial hearing, Judge Robert P. Dahlquist made the decision to not compel Palomar’s Associated Student Government (ASG) to accept the Coalition for Democratic Education’s proposition to separate the ASG from any administrative oversight.

“I think that really the students won here—and not the faculty,” ASG President Johnathan Farmer said.

He added that a lot of other work had been neglected because of the lawsuit. Now that it’s over, the ASG will be able to restore focus on Palomar’s student

body. Both Farmer and Public Relations Chair Rachel Keeney expressed the ASG’s contentment with the decision.

On the other side, Coalition member Alberto Nunez said, “It’s sad...We tried to better the student government so that it could really represent students because right now, no one really knows the student government.”

Nunez had run for ASG president in the past, but said he feels that he was not selected because he had a dissenting opinion on how the ASG should carry out its affairs.

The Coalition’s main focus, according to Nunez, is bringing power back to the students and having a student government that actually represents the students.

They believe that the Office of Student Affairs is corrupted and should be run by non-administrative faculty members only-- much like the Coalition.

TURN TO LAWSUIT, PAGE 3

THE TELESCOPE

After a Padres game one night, I decided that falling asleep on a public bathroom floor was a good idea. Logically, I kept telling myself it didn’t make sense, but I did it anyways. It was in this moment that I knew something must be seriously wrong.

Until then, I thought I was fine. I had been drinking, but nothing excessive. Nothing that would even come close to make me thinking the bathroom floor would substitute for a bed. Internally, I was cursing everyone who had been around me, because I swore I was drugged. To me, it was the only logical explanation.

The next day, I noticed that it was slightly difficult to see out of my left eye.

It started slowly and then quickly became a problem.

I spent a few days trying

to convince myself that the blindness was nothing, and that it would go away soon.

I even made it a joke and bought an eyepatch and Instagrammed photos of myself.

Outside it was one big laugh. The truth was, inside I was freaking out and had no idea what was going on.

I spent a considerable amount of time at the hospital and doctor’s offices in the next few weeks.

Turn to MS, Page 3

2• NEWS

Monday, March 11, 2013

AWARENESS

AUDITS

Palomar gets a high grade in 2012 audit Scott MORTON the telescope

People look on the AIDS memorial quilt displayed during the Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS rally in Washington, D.C., July 22, 2012. • Ray Chavez/MCT Campus

AIDS quilt displayed in library Jordan greene the telescope

The Health Center and a pride club are hosting the AIDS Memorial Quilt and events corresponding to it March 11-15, it will be available for viewing from 8 a.m. until closing on the second floor of the library.

The quilt was made in 1987 by women with HIV/AIDS who feared their story would never be told. The Names Foundation takes applications each year for who would like to host and display the quilt, and this year, Palomar was chosen to represent them and the women who suffered.

Palomar has been applying for years, and with the help of the Vista Community Clinic it has finally gotten the opportunity to have the quilt displayed.

Staff Assistant of Health Services Lenka Schanka said the quilt needed to be put in a place

where there was no direct sunlight to damage or dull the patterns, and security measures needed to be taken before it was brought to the campus.

Originally, Director of Health Services Jayne Conway looked into having the quilt displayed in the art gallery, but decided on the library because there were too many other events booked for the gallery and they didn’t want the quilt to be overshadowed.

On March 12, the first event, “Memory Quilts: Documenting Love and Loss in Needle and Thread” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m and will be hosted by Professor Bill Jahnel in room LL-208C. During the second event, Professor Fergal O’Doherty will be reading, “A Tree with No Leaves” from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in room MD-157.

The third event will feature Professor Peter Bowman speak-

ing about HIV/AIDS and civil rights protection from 3:304:30 p.m. in room MD-157.

On March 13, representatives from the Vista Community Clinic will be speaking on HIV education from 1- 2 p.m. in room LL-208C, and ≠English Professor Abbie Cory will be showing of the film “How to Survive a Plague” from 2 - 4 p.m. in room O-13. There will be a reception with refreshments from 5 - 7 p.m. in the lobby of the second floor of the library.

On March 14, Kathy Grove and two guest speakers will discuss “I Don’t Live with HIV, It Lives with Me: Women’s Stories” from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in room MD-157.

The Vista Community Clinic is also sponsoring free and confidential HIV testing March 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ST72, March 13 from 1 - 4 p.m. in the Health Center and March 14

In a time when community colleges across California are struggling to spend their money correctly, Palomar College received the highest rating possible in its most recent audit.

Christy-White Associates, who conducted the audit, found that all of the district’s money was spent accordingly to taxpayer plans and federal regulations in the 2011-2012 fiscal year ending in July. The auditor looks to see that funds are being spent according to federally regulated guidelines.

Only a small percentage of schools statewide receive an opinion with no deficiencies.

“The district should be proud of its accomplishments. An unqualified opinion with no findings is very rare,” said John R. Dominguez, a certified public accountant with Christy-White Associates.

The audit gives taxpayers reassurance that their money is being spent responsibly. It also gives the district’s bonds a better rating when a good grade is received on the audit. When the district goes to sell bonds for Proposition M, buyers can be assured that the money is being spent on the right projects.

Prop. M has funded the Natural Sciences building, the planetarium, the new Industrial Technology Center in addition to the Humanities building, theater renovation and baseball field relocation currently under construction. All of these projects were found to be in compliance with regulations, contracts,

TRANSFER

Women’s history month

San Diego Women’s Week

In honor of Women’s History month, Sharp Medical Center will be hosting a series of events throughout San Diego county.

March 11-15 is San Diego Women’s week.

Special speakers include

Deepak Chopra, Colleen Hensley and Palomar College dean of Career, Technical and Extended Education, Wilma Owens.

Events will be held on March 11, 13, 14 and 15, they will focus on women’s health, networking

current progress and grants, according to the audit.

The audit also checks that there are internal programs to make sure money is being spent correctly as well as making sure that dedicated people are working in finances.

“This audit report illustrates our outstanding stewardship of public funds,” new Vice President of Finance and Administrative services Ron Perez said.

Perez was hired in June, just before the new fiscal year. He is in charge of preparing the district’s budget, and putting it into action.

He will also be making plans for the future of finance, facilities and operations.

“My ultimate goal and responsibility is to ensure fiscal oversight of public funds, taxpayer funds, and a portion from the State of California,” Perez said.

In a Chancellor’s memorandum dated June 10, 2009, Palomar was targeted. At the time, it was found that Full-time equivalent students (FTES) was overstated for online students by one student dropping for every two staying enrolled. An online census roster for faculty to verify participation was implemented. By the 2012 audit it was fully functional and online FTES was correctly accounted for.

Teacher salaries, residency determination for credit, students actively enrolled, K-12 students enrolled in college (high school students taking college courses), open enrollment, and EOPS were all evaluated. They all were found to have no deficiencies and proper monitoring.

and empowerment.

Tickets range from $15 to $99 and $169 f0or the entire week.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to sdwomensweek.com/ or you can call (858) 487-1767.

CSUSM and UCSD coming to Palomar Students interested in transferring to either California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) or University of California San Diego (UCSD) will have the opportunity to speak with admissions representatives of the two schools throughout March and April.

CSUSM will be at Palomar on March 19 and April 17. UCSD

will be on campus March 11 and April 16.

Representatives from the schools will be meeting with students by appointment only, at the Transfer Center located in the Student Services Center building.

For more information and to make an appointment, students can call the Transfer Center at (760) 744-1150 ext. 2552.

PROP M

Prop. M continues to fund Palomar campus renovations Christine Foronda the telescope

Several new Palomar buildings now under construction will open for students and faculty this fall and early next year, according to Palomar officials.

The Trades and Industry (T) building, which is a part of the Industrial Technology Center (ITC), is set to complete construction in May, around the same time as the newly remodeled theater and Performing Arts Center. They will start holding classes in the new buildings this fall.

The Teaching and Learning

Center (TLC) and Humanities building are expected to open in 2014, according to Chris Miller, Palomar facilities department director.

Work on two satellite campuses is underway as well, he added.

A 2006 voter-approved bond, Proposition M, funds the construction. A $694 million proposition to expand, renovate and upgrade the Palomar College campuses.

The bond pays for parking, underground infrastructure and for the contents of the classroom like tables, chairs and computers, Miller said.

Student Charles Amor shared his opinion about the Prop. M money and construction happening on the campus right now.

“I wish that they could spend the [Prop M] money to offset the budget cuts and pay for teachers instead,” Amor said. “But by maintaining a strong diverse curriculum, all students benefit— past, present and future. It is what is going keep Palomar College as one of the best in the country.”

“The T building is being remodeled right now. It is going to have welding, water and waste water labs and cabinet and furniture technology,” Miller said.

“The ITC building has all automotive technology including auto shops and auto body. Now all the industrial technology classes will be in one area.”

Prop. M is also providing money for the renovations of the campuses located in Rancho Bernardo, Escondido and Fallbrook.

“The Escondido center re-imaging project is underway. The center is getting a whole brandnew, exterior look, new signage and a new tower,” Miller said.

The Escondido center is still currently holding classes, but will be closed from May 24 to Aug.12 to complete the interior portion of

the remodel. All construction will be finished during Fall 2013.

Miller explained that the North Education Center in Fallbrook is just raw land at the moment and has not yet been designed. Another site, the South Education Center in Rancho Bernardo, has an empty building that is being designed for school use.

Miller said Palomar’s facilities department and a firm called LPA Architects are making plans for additional student parking, a new Child Development Center, a new library and a new Student Services center, which are all in various phases of design.

NEWS • 3

the telescope MS Continued from Page 1

None of them could, nor can any still, explain why I passed out that night. Finally, after being blind in one eye for 10 days, an ophthalmologist told me, “I’m fairly sure you have optic neuritis, but I can’t see a problem in your eye. I’m afraid it is in your brain.

You absolutely have to get an MRI tomorrow morning.”

The urgency of his statement had me more concerned than what he said. I didn’t think that it would be as bad as it ended up being.

The next day, after spending 14 hours in the emergency room, I was told what would end up being the final verdict. The neurologist’s words are some that I will never forget.

“I feel that there is a 50 percent chance that you have Multiple Sclerosis... The lesions are consistent with those created by MS, and I feel that MS is what is causing your optic neuritis.”

I’ve always wondered how I would feel when I heard lifealtering news. My lack of a reaction startled me. My MS has never scared me. I took her words and immediately swore that it wasn’t going to stop any of my future plans; I just asked her what we do next.

I quickly found out that I was not alone in this battle. It turns out, I know many people who have Multiple Sclerosis. We just can’t tell who has it. There are a lot of college students who are going through the exact same thing as I did and still am.

According to the National MS Society, worldwide there are 2.1 million people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. In the United States alone, there are approximately 400,000 living with it. Multiple Sclerosis is an incurable disease.

Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with MS, and it is typically diagnosed when a person is 20-50 years old.

March 11-17, 2013 is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder where a person’s immune system attacks the myelin in the brain. Myelin protects the neurons that send messages to the rest of our body. If the

myelin has been destroyed by the immune system, the messages are not getting sent.

MS can present itself in almost any form. According to WebMD, typical first symptoms appear as blurred or double vision, thinking problems, clumsiness, loss of balance, tingling or numbness, or weakened limbs.

“MS is pushed to the side because you can’t see it. It’s not like cancer or something, but it’s just about as bad,” Palomar College student Desirae Stein, 19, said.

“With some cancers, there’s hope of being cured. With us, it’s like, nope.”

Many people walk around for years, even their entire lives without knowing they have MS. The reason for this is that many people have “silent attacks”-- times when the immune system is attacking a part of the brain that doesn’t control anything.

MS is pushed to the side because you can’t see it. It’s not like cancer or something, but it’s just about as bad.

DESIRAE STEIN • STUDENT

Sometimes, it can be very crippling, but for most of us, we can function as well as anyone else.

I have even been told that I am faking it. I’ve been lucky enough to have an amazing support system. Stein, has not been so fortunate. The worst part of living with MS, she said is that she has lost all her friends.

For Stein, the onset of her multiple sclerosis was different.

In June 2012, Stein’s left foot started to feel slightly numb. The numbness traveled up her left leg, across her waist and down her right leg. Soon, she said she was completely numb from her natural waist down. Doctors did

lawsuit Continued from Page 1

The Coalition is backed by a few faculty members but is advised by physics and engineering Professor Daniel Finkenthal.

“It is unfortunate that the students of Palomar College will not be allowed to vote on the Proposition for Student Control of Student Government, despite the more than 3,000 signatures that were ultimately gathered. It is also unfortunate the students of Palomar College will continue to go without fair and meaningful representation in College Governance,” Finkenthal said in an email.

Finkenthal wrote that he believes that though the Coalition has lost, many victories have come of the situation.

“The ASG’s promise to start

holding elections for all officers including Senators is a direct result of the Coalition’s efforts, both on the campus and in the courtroom,” he said.

The judge did suggest in his decision that an “independent association of students” may be formed separate from the ASG-something Finkenthal said he agreed with.

ASG’s Farmer however, said he believes that the Office of Student Affairs has done nothing to inhibit the ASG’s progress and has always been supportive in every way to the ASG. “After watching this whole thing go on—I think people have forgotten about what’s best for the students,” Farmer said.

an MRI and they started to understand.

“At first I was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, because of having a lesion in my spine,” Stein said. “They said if I had one in my brain, then I would most likely have Multiple Sclerosis.”

Even though this disease is stuck with us forever, there are positive aspects to having a neurological disorder. Stein and I agree that we appreciate life more. We live like we’re going to have a relapse tomorrow.

“Before MS, you’re living every day and you don’t realize how lucky you are to just be able to get up and go walk somewhere,” Stein said.

Since being officially diagnosed on Aug. 9, 2012, Stein has had two more relapses. This means that at three different times, her MS has created new and obvious symptoms. Her second attack was vertigo in her right eye, and her third was numbness in her hand and fingers.

I was officially diagnosed on Dec. 6, 2012. I have not had another relapse yet. Multiple Sclerosis develops differently and at a different pace in everyone who lives with it.

“I had an MRI done in 2009 because I was having headaches and it came back completely clean,” Stein said. “So between 2009 and now, I just got a bunch of lesions.”

Researchers don’t know what causes MS, though they have determined that it is not hereditary.

Since it is still incurable, the only option for patients are treatments that are intended to control the immune system and lower the instances of relapse.

The majority of treatments for this disease involve injections. For me, it’s an injection three times per week. For Stein, it used to be an injection every single day.

Some patients have to inject once a week.

“When I first was diagnosed and I had to give myself a shot every day, it made me have to think about it every single day,” Stein said.

Awareness of MS is crucial. We hold on to hope that researchers will find out what causes MS. If

Graphic shows what triggers multiple sclerosis, a disease that provokes the immune system to attack nerves in the brain and spinal cord. • Philadelphia Inquirer 2007

they can do that, then they may be able to find a cure.

The National MS Society holds events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for the disease. On April 21, you can get involved with Walk MS at Legoland in Carlsbad. On Dec. 7, the National MS Society is hosting MuckFest MS. It’s a five-mile mud-filled obstacle course.

The society also hosts golf tournaments, bike races and dinner auctions. For every event they hold, all the money goes to the National MS Society and its programs.

For more information on Multiple Sclerosis or any of these events, visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org.

The scariest part of Multiple Sclerosis is the not knowing. I take the advocacy route. I let everyone around me know that I have Multiple Sclerosis. I’ve learned that the more people know about this disease, the more understanding they are when it causes some sort of inconvenience.

Not only do I want a cure, but while I wait for that, I mostly look for understanding. Under-

standing that I get sick from treatment a few times a week. Understanding that I get tired easily, and mostly, understanding that I can’t predict my next relapse any better than I can predict the next earthquake. We just don’t know.

Just the same, many people aren’t able to tell just by looking at us.

The only two ways you can tell I have MS are the orange ribbon I have tattooed on my wrist, and occasionally, if you watch me long enough, you will see me checking the vision in my left eye. I still don’t have all my vision back. It’s always blurry, and some days it get worse- especially if I get too hot or too stressed. The lesion on my optic nerve causing the blindness did not heal all the way. It’s just one more scar that will forever stay on my brain.

Awareness is important because MS should not be a silent disease. The more people know, the more it will be talked about, and the more it will be understood.

CPETERS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM @COLLEEN_TERESA

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4• OPINION

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Monday, March 11, 2013 PROPOSITION 8

the telescope Focused On Palomar Monday, March 11, 2013 Vol. 66, No. 12 Palomar College, San Marcos, Calif.

KAITY BERGQUIST editor in chief COLLEEN PETERS MANAGING EDITOR & COPY EDITOR APRIL TESTERMAN NEWS EDITOR MARISSA MILLOY OPINION EDITOR EMMA MALISZEWSKI LIFE EDITOR SYDNEY DAVISON assistant LIFE EDITOR

MARRIAGE EQUALITY SHOULDN’T BE AN ISSUE Gary Nelson

SCOTT ROBERSON SPORTS EDITOR

The Telescope

SCOTT MORTON ONLINE EDITOR MATTHEW SLAGLE MULTIMEDIA EDITOR ERIN HIRO ADVISER DEB HELLMAN BUSINESS MANAGER STAFF WRITERS Rose Miriam Babiarz, Lloyd Bravo, Carolyne Corelis, David krueger, Cliff Ireland, Gary Nelson, Heather Randall, zach phelps, Nada Sewidan, Christine Foronda, Nicole Gibbs, Jacqueline Haudek, Conner Jones, Daniel Swalm, Diana Valdez, Jordan Greene PHOTOGRAPHERS PETER ASHUE, Phyllis Celmer, Brian Korec, Andrea Gruber Matthies, Gary West

ADDRESS THE TELESCOPE PALOMAR COLLEGE 1140 W. MISSION ROAD, SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 PHONE / 760-891-7865 NEWSROOM / MD-228 website/ www.the-telescope.com facebook/ search “the telescope” twitter/ @telescopenews EMAIL/ editor@THE-TELESCOPE.COM AD EMAIL/ ADS@THE-TELESCOPE.COM THE TELESCOPE WELCOMES ALL LETTERS TO THE Editor.

Letters must be typewritten, under 300 words and include the author’s first and last names, major and phone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be emailed to editor@the-telescope.com.

The Telescope reserves the right to edit letters for space and grammatical errors and not to print lewd or libelous letters. Letters must be received one week prior to the newspaper’s publication to be considered for inclusion.

The Telescope is published 8 times per semester.

Opinions expressed in the newspaper are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily represent those of the entire newspaper staff, Palomar faculty and staff members or the governing board trustees.

ASSOCIATED COLLEGE PRESS

Maceo G. and Steve Fowler hold up a rainbow sign as opponents to Proposition 8 gather at Market and Castro Street to march to City Hall in San Franciso. •Brian Baer/Sacramento Bee/MCTCampus

california newspaper publisher’s association

California is closer than ever to seeing the return of same-sex marriage, and not a moment too soon.

Marriage equality is important in the growth of humanity, and California never should have voted on Proposition 8 to begin with. Voting to restrain the legal rights of gay and lesbian Americans is comparable to putting slavery on the ballots.

Prop. 8 flies in the face of what our nation was founded upon and put an outdated, bigoted law on the books.

Abolishing gay marriage, no matter what state or country you’re in, is truly a crime against humanity.

While newer research supports that there are a growing number of Americans in support of same-sex marriage, it wasn’t that long ago that gay and lesbian Californians were stripped of their short-lived right to marry.

As a result of Proposition 8 back in November 2008, gay marriage was banned by adding Section 7.5 to the Declaration of Rights in the California Constitution, which reads that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid in California.

Just one day later, marriage equality had left the Golden State, the amendment taking effect immediately.

It was 46 years ago that interracial marriage was legalized, yet under the same sphere of prejudice, the government failed to consider the ethical repercussions of segregating homosexuals to a lower class and denying them these civil rights.

“Here’s the thing about rights, they’re not actually supposed to be voted upon, that’s why they’re called rights,” said political commentator and openly gay television host, Rachel Maddow.

SEPARATING CHURCH AND STATE

Of course, there are those who will use excuses ranging from religion, tradition, procreation, education and even the fall of civilization as we know it, to wage war on keeping marriage equality out of the Constitution.

America was established on the notion of separation between church and state, therefore the only reason religion should come into play is if the person practicing that religion is also a homosexual and wants to abide by their faith. Traditions change - thank goodness, otherwise we’d still be hunting down witches.

Education is about facts, and the sooner that people realize homosexuals are a valid piece of the spectrum, they’ll accept that

L.G.B.T. education is just as important to our culture as any other facet of minorities. California became a role model in January 2012; becoming the first state to require public schools to teach gay history.

One outspoken comedian and political satirist who puts proponents to shame is Bill Maher. In his 2005 book titled “New Rules,” he wrote, “New Rule: Gay marriage won’t lead to dog marriage. It is not a slippery slope to rampant inter-species coupling. When women got the right to vote, it didn’t lead to hamsters voting. No court has extended the equal protection clause to salmon. And for the record, all marriages are ‘same sex’ marriages. You get married, and every night, it’s the same sex.”

Polls from the past two presidential elections have shown that over half of the population of the United States supports same-sex marriage.

It wasn’t long after the 2008 election that anti-gay rights protests, lawsuits and other demonstrations reached an all-time high nationwide. Some of those lawsuits are still proceeding, one in particular could repeal the amendment and will conclude later this year, leaving thousands of L.G.B.T. couples anxiously awaiting a verdict.

SUPREME COURT RULING

United States District Court Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8 on Aug. 4, 2010 in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Judge Walker’s ruling was that Prop. 8 violated both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

Our president is truly revolutionary; being the first sitting commanderin-chief to endorse same-sex marriage.

Later, in the case of Strauss v. Horton, the California Supreme Court upheld Prop. 8.

However, it only allowed those already married to stay married legally. Walker then issued an injunction against enforcing Prop. 8 and a stay to determine suspension of his ruling pending appeal.

This was a major win for gay rights advocates and same-sex couples, not just in California, but across the country due to the word-

ing used in Judge Walker’s verdict specifically labeling Prop. 8 “unconstitutional.” Some argued that the verdict was biased because the issuing judge is openly gay. However, the panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed that Judge Walker was not obligated to recuse himself from the case because of his sexual orientation.

SUPPORTIVE PRESIDENT

During the 2013 presidential inauguration, President Barack Obama fiercely endorsed marriage equality, stating live on national television, “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law -- for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”

Our president is truly revolutionary; being the first sitting commander-in-chief to endorse same-sex marriage, not to mention that he’s already seen to the undoing of the armed forces infamous “Don’t ask - Don’t tell” policy and his administration ordered the U.S. Justice Department to stop defending D.O.M.A. (The Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, that bars same-sex couples from federal rights) in court.

POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT

One large impact that hasn’t garnered much media attention is the positive impact that same-sex marriage could bring to a struggling economy.

At UCLA, researcher M.V. Lee Badgett, director of the Williams Institute for Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, conducted a study showing that allowing same-sex couples to marry in Vermont would result in an additional $30.6 million for the state over a threeyear period.

Another study conducted early 2013 estimated that New Jersey could have generated economic gains of $48 million to $119 million over the same span of time, had Gov. Chris Christie not vetoed it.

A much happier, wealthier California is on the horizon - and although the L.G.B.T community of America still has many battles to face along the road to equality, this small step to some is quite a large leap for others.

The Supreme Court trials on Prop 8 and D.O.M.A. will conclude at around the same time. Once repealed, gays and lesbians will be recognized by the Federal Government, which could mean the statewide constitutional bans will fall as well. Let’s move forward; we can’t afford to to linger in ignorance any longer.

GNelson@the-telescope.com

OPINION • 5

the telescope ONLINE CLASSES

MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES LEAVE STUDENTS DISCONNECTED

Jordan Greene The Telescope

Online classes are offered at virtually every college in the country. These classes are the foundations of a new idea called Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs. The concept is a good one, but the model needs work.

Online classes are great for highly motivated students who would normally have trouble accommodating traditional classes to their busy schedules. However, they are not beneficial for students who need the face-to-face stimulation that a traditional classroom setting provides.

It is problematic because some students find online courses to be easier because they can cheat through the use of websites such as Google, and can finish lessons on their own time. While online classes provide the same materials a traditional classroom would, some students would rather look up the answer to each question on Google than spend time reading hours of text when they get no immediate benefit from it.

Students who take these classes simply to get credit without trying are the same students who will probably not pass this type of class.

A MOOC allows about 60,000 students to enroll per class. This would lead to a crazy amount of students who have no interest in the subject or learning, but are taking it because they can get away with not doing any work or showing up to class. This would in turn lead to a greater student apathy for school, thus bringing about a more lethargic generation of students.

According to an article in the New York Times, a significant portion of students struggle without contact with an instructor.

Students taking online courses are doing

Illustration by Dave Blazek/ Post University/MCTCampus

poorly because there is not an instructor present to answer questions and clear up any misunderstandings with the material.

Having a class size of 60,000 would mean students who want to learn but simply can’t without extra help from an instructor would be left to fend for themselves. This would not encourage the students to continue with their educations and could ensure a greater

drop-out rate.

Palomar has been discussing offering MOOC classes. This would be detrimental to the thousands of students who should be in a traditional classroom environment. If such courses were added to the course catalog, there should be a GPA requirement, or some sort of prerequisite. This would allow only the students who are motivated and pre-

pared to work hard and succeed in this type of class, and not simply skate by through the use of the Internet.

Engagement in a course comes partially from physically being there to interact with the professor and other classmates. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, without these classic elements, students are likely to feel disconnected from the course.

This may not be the case in online classes with only 20 students, where the professor can easily email them and keep in contact in case there are problems. However, this is nearly impossible for a class size of 60,000, as students are far less likely to get in touch with a professor if there is a concern.

Taking classes online instead of physically attending a class should not be taken for granted; it should be an option for those who take school seriously and want to learn, but may have trouble fitting classes into their weekly routine. There should be an application for the course, asking for student GPA and a professor recommendation stating the student has enough drive and potential to succeed in an online course of this size.

There is another option for online courses called a hybrid course, where there is some lecture time in class, but homework and quizzes, or additional material, would be online. These classes have good success rates, according to the New York Times.

However, they would be extremely difficult to incorporate with a class size of 60,000, as MOOCs have.

If online courses are going to be the future of a Palomar College education, the designers and instructors have serious work to do before the MOOC model is ready for public use.

JGREENE@the-telescope.com

ON-SCREEN

HOLLYWOOD PORTRAYS THE MIDDLE EAST NEGATIVELY Nada sewidaN THE TELESCOPE

In a society that is bombarded with movies and television shows that portray the darker side of the Middle East, people begin to see only the negative aspects of the culture and its people. This leaves many unable to identify a different viewpoint. This is where racial tensions and misunderstandings arise.

Many recent mainstream movies such as “Argo,” “Zero Dark Thirty” and the television show “Homeland,” all portray the current conflict in the Middle East. But these images presented on the screens can be inaccurate and misrepresented, which reveals that American entertainment is missing a larger piece of the puzzle.

The recent Oscar nominated movie “Argo”, which won the award for best picture, serves as an enormous example of how negatively the Middle East can be portrayed.

Throughout the film, I had this unexplainable sense of fear.

I wasn’t at the edge of my seat fearing if the American hostages were going to come out alive or not. Instead, my fear was rooted in the very real possibility that America would watch a movie like “Argo” and firmly believe that is how people are in the Middle East.

I was afraid that the majority of the audience won’t be able to look past the unrealistic dramatizations but instead focus their attention on a violent, jumbled portrayal of a misunderstood nation. It’s not that all aspects being depicted are a lie, but when all that is being represented of a culture is violence and hate, then it becomes inaccurate.

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/MCTCampus

For example, in the movie, the protestors who filled the streets were portrayed as chaotic, orderly, and consumed with rage.

This can lead the audience to magnify the situation and believe that what is being represented portrays the Middle East as a whole.

However, in reality protestors only represent a small percentage of the population, but when all is being portrayed is that small percentage, then misrepresentations occur.

Why condemn an entire population with a negative image for what a small percentage does?

It’s not just about watching a movie for entertainment, it’s about what’s left after the movie is over.

Spending two hours being exposed to a battle of good versus evil, where evil consists of the Middle East and its people, tends

to leave quite an impact on the mind of the audience.

In the results of the 2012 Chicago Council Survey of American Public Opinion and U.S. Foreign Policy, 53 percent of participants saw violent Islamist groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan as a “critical” threat to U.S. vital interests in the next 10 years.In the same survey 73 percent of participants believe The Middle East will be the greatest threat to U.S. security in the future.

Mainstream movies may not be a direct cause of America’s attitude toward the Middle East, but, if anything, these movies and television shows reinforce and even play on America’s fears and beliefs.

If Hollywood started revealing a different side of the Middle East, I wonder how America’s attitudes would change?

Media is a powerful channel and I believe

it should be used to alleviate fear rather than exploit it.

It’s always hard to form an opinion about a subject or topic when all you are presented with is one side. You can’t truly know something unless you’ve seen it from all angles.

It’s the same when presented with any culture or race; what we know of the Middle East is what we hear in the news or see on television screens. However, is what is being portrayed the truth? It’s a possibility, but a very uncertain one. How do we really know that when Hollywood takes stories and forms and molds them into preconceived, stereotypical notions?

The Middle East and its people are often portrayed in movies as terrorists with ruthless hearts and evil intentions. So, when was the last time you saw a movie that exposed the Middle East in any sort of positive light?

In a society that is quick to judge and makes minimal effort to expose the truth, fear and hatred tend to transpire causing misunderstandings to occur.

If our society actually took the time to discover how the people in the Middle East live their lives and what kind of people they truly are, you will come to find that most of these people are nothing like how they are portrayed in the movies. They are people of a different race with different beliefs, but people nonetheless.

Our differences should not divide us, but instead, we should try to truly understand each other instead of believing mainstream stereotypes and ideas; it’s the only way we can let go of prejudices and learn to appreciate one another for our differences. nsewidan@the-telescope.com

6 • LIFE

Monday, March 11, 2013

comedy

Palomar student and aspiring comedian performs at local shows Scott Morton The Telescope

The life of a college student can be stressful. Add to that working two jobs and being married with two, 3-month-old babies and it mightsound impossible to find time to laugh. But that is exactly what one Palomar student does with his extra time.

David Zafra is a comedian who started less than a year ago, but he is already being booked in San Diego and Orange County, as well as hosting his own show for local comedians in North County.

“It’s a show in Vista, because there are no places in North County to do comedy. Me and my friend David Hollingsworth run it.

Since we are both named David it is called ‘Dave’s of our lives,” Zafra said.

At Palomar, Zafra took graphic design classes and networked within the program, enabling him to get work as a freelance 3-D graphic designer with no formal degree or certificate.

He also works nights as a grocery store clerk. He uses this time to write material for his sets.

“Sometimes I will just be walking around stocking the shelves and I will think of something funny; I will run it over and over and over in my head figuring out how

to make it a joke. Then I try it out on stage. I keep what works and trim away what doesn’t until it is polished,” he said.

Comedy started as just entertainment for Zafra. He would go to the comedy clubs in San Diego to watch comedians.

Eventually he met local comedians Christian Spicer and Rajan Dharri at a coffee house called Lestat’s in North Park.

Zafra’s friends had a podcast at the time, they were going to comedy shows every Tuesday nights.

The shows inspired Zarfra to do his own comedy.

“One time I was at Lestat’s, and Spicer was doing really bad, he was bombing, so he asked the crowd, ‘Has anyone ever wanted to do comedy before?’ I clapped and he said, ‘Well alright, get up here.’ I totally chickened out and couldn’t do it, but I used that to tell myself ‘Okay, I’m going to do this.’”

Two weeks later he was on stage for the first time.

Comedy wasn’t something he grew up practicing, and he never thought of himself as exceptionally funny.

“I listened to George Lopez and Patton Oswalt and a couple other mainstream comedians as a kid, but it never sparked a passion for comedy in me until I met local

names in the scene like Zoltan, Kyle Ray and Billy Bonnell. Guys like that, that most people don’t know about, are very important in why I started doing stand-up,” Zafra said.

Getting good at comedy isn’t easy, and a person has to have thick skin against an audience that might not like the jokes. Zafra recently performed on Feb. 1 at L.O.L. Fest in Mira Mesa. Hosted

by Palomar student Chris P. Bacon, the event included other Palomar students Jimmy Wolpert and Tommy Lucero as well as professionals.

“If an upstarting comedian can do well at an open mic bar show, then you can do good pretty much anywhere,” fellow comedian Michael J. Benson said. “If they can do good where people aren’t paying attention, then you know that they have some promise.”

You can see Zafra yourself at the Hillstreet Cafe on Thursdays, as well as R. O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Escondido some Wednesdays.

You can catch “Dave’s of our Lives” at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu in Vista on selected Saturdays.

“I try to get a good headliner from LA or San Diego every time.

The headliner alone makes the $5 charge worth it,” Zafra said.

Palomar student David Zafra performs his comedy routine on Feb. 21 at Kelly’s Public House in Rancho Bernardo • Brian Korec/ Telescope

smorton@the-telescope.com

Enjoy These

Exciting Spring Performances!

March 12, 22

March 15

March 16

March 20

Palomar Symphony Orchestra Strings are the Thing!

Palomar Jazz!

Something Hot, Something Cool

Palomar/ Pacific Coast Concert Band A Musical Passport

Palomar Brass Ensemble The Brass is Back!

Join Palomar’s always hot, always cool Day and Night Jazz Ensembles as they take on contemporary and classic Big Band arrangements with the soulful swing that has made them famous! The Spectrum Singers, directed by Janet Hammer, will also be featured.

North County’s largest concert band signs on for a breathtaking whirlwind tour of contemporary and classic music. Visit Russia, Sweden, Spain, Britain, Austria, Germany, Turkey and France!

Directed by Paul Kurokawa & Bob Weller

Saturday, 2pm; 02 Performance Studio, Palomar College, San Marcos Campus

The vibrant Strings of the Palomar Symphony Orchestra (joined by members of the Poway Symphonette) are featured in an earthshaking celebration of style! Be there to witness works by W.A. Mozart, Divertimento K. 138; Edward Elgar, Serenade for Strings; Leos Janacek, Idyll; Edvard Grieg, From Holberg’s Time, and the west coast premiere of Gordon (Dick) Goodwin’s Level 4/Area Red. Directed by Ellen Weller

Note: Special Locations: Tuesday, March 12, 8pm; California Center for the Arts Escondido, $12 General, $10 Seniors and Staff, $8 Students

Friday, 8pm; 02 Performance Studio, Palomar College, San Marcos Campus $12 General, $10 Seniors and Staff, $8 Students

Directed by Kenneth Bell

$12 General, $10 Seniors and Staff, $8 Students

This bold, exciting ensemble was on hiatus last semester, but is ready to return this Spring with a fresh lineup and repertoire!

Welcome them as they honor the classics and embrace the future with invigorating, all-brass performances!

Directed by Paul Kurokawa

Wednesday, 8pm; 02 Performance Studio, Palomar College, San Marcos Campus $12 General, $10 Seniors and Staff, $8 Students

Friday, March 22, 8pm; Poway Center for the Performing Arts; $5 suggested donation

Tickets: www.palomarperforms.com, 760.744.1150 x2453 or Box Office (GJ Bldg.) Thurs. & Fri., 12 to 4pm “Like” us at www.facebook.com/PalomarPerformingArts • Follow us at www.twitter.com/PalomarPerforms

LIFE • 7

the telescope music

REVIEW

Symphony plays March 12 Jordan Greene The Telescope

Palomar’s cast during a rehearsal for ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’ on Feb. 20 in the Performance Lab. • Heather Randall/Telescope

Performance gets mixed review Sydney Davison The Telescope

While Palomar’s production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” started slow, there were a few memorable moments that ultimately saved the show.

Palomar Professor Pat Larmer directed the Performing Art’s production of ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone,’ played from March 1-10.

This production had the audience contemplate what happens after you die, where you go, who you see, and the relationships left behind. It was performed by a talented cast of six.

This dark performance was engaging and thought-provoking.

Each character contrasted one another, and gave the production a multifaceted view on dealing with the lives that we live, and the ones we leave behind.

Written by Sarah Ruhl in 2007, it is a satirical story of two opposing characters, and the desire of one to redeem another in the eyes of society.

The story follows Jean, played

by Sarah Wootton, a woman who picks up the ringing cell phone of a man in a coffee shop. Only after does she realize that Gordon, played by Dustin Emery, isn’t alive. The rest of the play then follows Jean as she tries to leave Gordon’s family with a respectable image of him.

Although Wootton’s performance was a little over-dramatized and felt too forced, she depitcts a timid and naive main character who involves herself more in the lives of the family Gordon has left behind.

The scenes were open and inviting to an audience, but the real engaging aspect of the sets were the lighting and sound effects, as well as the multimedia images in the background of the stage. The production’s depiction of an “afterlife” is shown with a chaotic noise of cellphone conversations.

Through these images, the audience realizes one of the main themes of the play, in which we live in a chaotic world always in transit and moving.

Emery also addresses this

idea in his monologue, claiming that people are always in transit, their souls aren’t residing in their bodies.

Emery’s monologue is reason enough to go see the show. His selfish demeanor and self-absorption of the character’s psyche engages an audience. He discuses the ideas of what can happen to you after you die. He depicts a dying man’s last thoughts, and a regret of what he has left behind.

Each character’s relationship with another is greatly emphasized in the production. The play shows the course of a person’s actions as well as the affect on the ones they love. Death affects the living more than the dead, and the play shows how family is affected by a man’s death.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” may cause audiences to contemplate their lives and decisions. You begin to realize that death is inevitable, and wonder what you may leave behind in the hearts of others and their opinions of you. sdavison@the-telescope.com

Palomar’s Symphony Orchestra partnered with Poway Symphonettes to create a musical experience featuring a wide range of sounds suitable for all audiences.

The Palomar Symphony Orchestra string players, directed

by Ellen Weller, are having a concert at 8 p.m. on March 12 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

The concert is being held at this special location due to construction of the theater on the San Marcos campus, but the concert is an opportunity for students to play at a new location and gain experience with other orchestral groups.

The performers of Palomar will be joined by members of the Poway Symphonette to perform W. A. Mozart’s “Divertimento K. 138,” Edward Elgar’s “Serenade for String,” Leos Janacek’s “Idyll,” Edvard Grieg’s “From Holberg’s Time,” and the West Coast premiere of Gordon (Dick) Goodwin’s “Level 4/Area Red.” “The Holberg Suite has an awesome intro; it sounds like the Wild West to me and the Janacek sounds like Russian folk music,” former Palomar music major and aspiring conductor Thomas Arsley said.

The members of the orchestra have been rehearsing since the beginning of the semester, and have come a long way since then. Arsely also stated the orchestra was made up of mostly older community members, which forms a greatly diverse body of people. He believes they

are a great bunch with a lot of promise.

“It’s so nice to be playing [at the California Center for the Arts]. I’ve played there with other groups, and I simply love the acoustics and sound we can make there,” said principal cellist Lori Kirkell.

She also said it is “sweet” to be playing with the Poway Symphony and she is excited to play with the “kids.”

Tickets are $12 for General Admission, $10 for seniors and staff and $8 for students. Advanced tickets are available at www.palomarperforms.com, or from the Palomar Performing Arts box office at (760) 744-1150 x2453. Tickets are also available at the CCAE box office the night of the performance. jgreene@the-telescope.com

Cellist Joyce Rooks practices during a symphony rehearsal on March 5 in D-6.

• Heather Randall/Telescope

Theater

Palomar’s Performing Arts Complex renovation nears May 1 completion

Christine Foronda The Telescope

In July 2011, Palomar officials held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the Howard Brubeck Theatre renovation and the construction of a new performing arts building. Now, the new Performing Arts Complex is scheduled to complete all construction on May 1, 2013.

According to the new building’s vision statement, “the new Performing Arts Complex will feature several state-of-the-art performance venues and studios to support the extraordinary range of our creative endeavors.

It will provide an inspirational environment for over 3,000 students and thousands of community members.”

Justin Smiley, performing arts production manager, said he believes that the new Performing Arts Complex will greatly benefit all students who participate in music, theater and dance.

“The new performing arts building has two new dance studios and a black box theater with removable seats, which makes

(the performance space) much more flexible,” Smiley said.

“There is an outdoor courtyard that connects the (Performing Arts Complex and Howard Brubeck Theatre) that may also be used for performances.”

Aside from the dance studios and black box style performance space, the building is also going to hold offices and a costume shop, as well as provide shared rehearsal space for all department areas.

Smiley said, “the new building will suit [the Performing Arts department’s] needs well.”

The complex was one of the projects paid for by Proposition M, a $694 million proposition to maintain, repair and upgrade the Palomar College campus.

“The Palomar community is going to get its money’s worth with the new Performing Arts Complex,” said Molly Faulkner, the department chair of the performing arts.

Faulkner, who also teaches ballet production and dance history, expressed her excitement that the new Performing Arts Complex is set to officially open in fall of 2013.

“Classes are going to be held

First look at the new Performing Arts Complex through the fence. •Christine Foronda/ Telescope

in the new building next semester,” Faulkner said. “Dancing will be done in [the new Performing Arts Complex] rather than in the O building.”

Smiley and Faulkner both emphasized that the newly remodeled Howard Brubeck Theatre should not be overlooked.

Smiley said one of the main ren-

ovations in the theater involved reshaping the stage to make it more flexible, where seats can be added or removed and the stage, if need be, could be expanded.

There is less seating, he admitted, but that it improved sight lines to the stage and increased storage.

Smiley added that wood will line the theater replacing the brick, which would greatly improve the acoustics.

He mentioned that the theater also had updated technical systems, new orchestra shells, a new ceiling and a new orchestra pit.

Faulkner said she was pleased that the renovation included cleaning and stopping water infiltration into the orchestra pit.

She also agreed with Smiley that the stage was much more “user-friendly” and with new orchestra shells, she mentioned that the Howard Brubeck Theatre would have a state-of-the-art concert hall.

“I am very excited,” Faulkner said. “The new performing arts building and renovated theater is going to be a real gem of North County.” cforonda@the-telescope.com

8 • LIFE

Monday, March 11, 2013 Clubs

BSA celebrates cultural diversity Jacqueline Haudek The Telescope

Palomar professor Carlton Smith and fiction committee members (left to right) Mariah Key, Erica Clodig and Devin Collins, discuss decisions about Bravura Magazine on Feb. 28 in BE-6 • Andrea Gruber Matthies/Telescope

BRAVURA

Palomar’s student-run literary magazine seeks submissions Nada Sewidan The Telescope

Palomar’s literary magazine is looking for students’ poetry, fiction and graphic art for publication this year.

Bravura, the literary magazine, is edited and ran by students enrolled in Eng 137.

Led by faculty advisers Rocco Versaci and Carlton Smith both of whom have been working at the Bravura for 14 years.

“It’s a forum for creativity for our students,” Versaci said. “The more people that know about it and send something in, the richer it is.”

Student editors choose what section they would like to be in charge of, be it poetry, fiction or graphic design.

Once they have been chosen, the submissions begin rolling in and each student spends the majority of class time reading and editing all pieces in their specified section.

“What we noticed over time is that every issue is kind of like a reflection of the collective personalities of the class,” Smith said. “That’s what’s exciting and fun, because this group will create a magazine that is unique and reflects not only this moment in time, but their own ideas about literature and voices on campus.”

The student editors make decisions about the pieces, but Versaci and Smith discuss certain pieces with the class as a learning experience.

“We really respect the student choices and wisdom,” Smith said. “There hasn’t been many occasions where we really intervene.”

Versaci and Smith spend the majority of class time discussing aspects of writing, editing and helping students recognize what elements make strong writing

The deadline for the upcoming 49th issue is March 15, and all students are welcomed and encouraged to submit their creative pieces. Even if the deadline is not made, students’ pieces will be saved for next year’s publication.

via workshops.

“The professors are sort of the kings,” Dayna Giehl, a student on the publication said.

“They oversee everything, but we have a lot of say of what gets published.”

After editing and working with the pieces, the class ultimately decides whether a piece will be featured in the magazine.

However, not all submissions make it into Bravura.

Over 500 submissions have been compiled for this edition alone, but only about 70-75 pieces get to be featured in the magazine.

“It’s very competitive, which makes it a great accomplishment to be in the literary magazine and the bar just keeps getting higher,” Smith said.

Several students working on the publication have had their pieces featured in past editions of Bravura, and some have entered their pieces for this upcoming edition as well.

Devin Collins, a student in the class who was published in the previous edition, wrote a poem called, ‘The Sleeping Beauty of New York.’

Collins said he worked on the piece sporadically over the span of two semesters. He was also approached by a fellow classmate from his creative writing class who encouraged him to submit.

“It was a great experience to have my work published,” Collins said. “I was really honored to be published by my peers; it was nice to know that they thought my work was good enough.”

The Bravura is designed to let students express themselves, and Wyatt Reno used his submission for exactly that.

He submitted a fiction piece called, ‘OUT’ which was ultimately his coming out piece.

Reno said he spent most of his nights for about two weeks writing and editing the piece.

“Being published is a really cathartic experience. It’s a celebration of literature and perspective,” Reno said.

For student Heidi Baumgart, her poem, “Locks on the Erie Canal” was written and edited in one week. “It’s really exciting and fun to have been published,” Baumgart said.

Baumgart is submitting three literature and two artwork pieces for the upcoming issue of Bravura.

The deadline for the upcoming 49th issue is March 15, and all students are welcomed and encouraged to submit their creative pieces.

Even if the deadline is not made, students’ pieces will be saved for next year’s publication.

“If you have any interest, no matter how amateur you think you are, I suggest you try to submit,” Reno said. “It’s a really rewarding experience.”

Submissions are accepted year round to Rocco Versaci via email rversaci@palomar.edu. nsewidan@the-telescope.com

The Black Student Association is a club on campus that looks to provide awareness and celebration of cultural diversity while respecting and honoring black history.

With a new focus on celebrating diversity, the Black Student Association is looking forward to a broader outlook of celebrating other races and ethnicities this semester, while still maintaining a strong focus on issues pertaining to African-American culture.

“In the past, the focus of the club has been about AfricanAmerican culture, but this semester we are trying to shift away from being only about African-American culture and are focusing on celebrating cultural diversity in general,” said the president of the club, Melissa Laws.

Palomar student and club member Kevin Rice said that what makes Laws a good leader is that, “she is very informational, inspirational and impacts peoples’ lives. She sees things from perspectives that others don’t see.”

The club members hope to spread appreciation for all ethnicities and want to invite everyone to join the club.

“We are starting to see some new races in the club this semester, which is great,” Laws said.

While including the new focus the heart of the Black Student Association is still the African-American culture.

One of the main goals is to appreciate how far AfricanAmericans have come in the United States, but also look toward how African Americans can still progress.

“We respect the history of African Americans and celebrate where we are now, and also fo-

cus on how to move forward,” Laws said.

One way the association is doing this is by spreading the value of education and stressing the importance of staying in school.

“This semester we are focusing on education, trying to motivate kids to stay in school and explaining why it is important,” Laws said.

To accomplish this goal, the association has been talking to children at San Marcos Middle School to encourage them to stay in school and to explain the value of going to college.

The association has also been reading to the children at the Child Development Center on the Palomar San Marcos campus, to help foster a love of education early.

HIV/AIDS is another issue that is important to the Black Student Association. The association is planning a formal gala to help raise awareness toward the issue of HIV/AIDS. The gala will include guest speakers who have been working with kids affected by HIV/AIDS helping them learn to cope with the disease.

“The reason we are doing the gala is because when many people hear the words HIV/AIDS, they assume it is because the person has done something to put themselves in that position.

Many people don’t realize there are children and young teens living with the disease,” Laws said.

The Black Student Association hopes that the gala can help raise awareness and support for children living with HIV/AIDS. It is planned for June 8 and is open for anyone to attend. The location is still undecided.

The Black Student Association meets from 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays in SU-19. jhaudek@the-telescope.com

Melissa Laws, the president of the Black Student Association, encourages people of all ethnicities to join the club. • Heather Randall/ Telescope

NEWS • 9

the telescope transfer Continued from Page 1

They have a precise curriculum that, after receiving the AA degree, community college students can transfer to a CSU with junior status into the same major as the degree.

If these degrees are followed correctly, then students will be able to graduate without wasting time and money on other classes, such as classes that are not transferable to a CSU. “It [degrees] helps eliminate duplication of effort, that is, students don’t take an excessive amount of classes,” the chair of the Curriculum Committee Greg Larson said. “Because the degree is designed to be completed in 60 units at the community college level and an additional 60 units at the Cal State.”

In a 2010 press release by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO), community college students transferring to a CSU graduated with an average of 162 units, 42 units above the minimum requirementIn addition, 80 units were taken at the community

college level, when only 60 were required.

Currently, there are 24 different AA-T and AS-T degrees that have been approved for the program with more in development.

However, because the transfer degrees are still relatively new, not all of them are offered at every community college campus yet.

In order for them to be offered, the current curriculum (or a new one) has to be approved before the community college can offer the degree.

At Palomar, only sociology, psychology and mathematics are offered so far, but according to Larson geology and geography should be becoming available soon.

A combination of multiple groups determines which classes are required for each of the individual degrees. Some of those included are the Academic Senates for the California Community College and CSU systems, curriculum chairs, articulations officers and counselors. Once classes are approved, then a Transfer Model

Curriculum (TMC) is released by the Academic Senates to community colleges. Once there, it is up to them to develop their own TMCs that will be aligned with theirs. The staple of each individual TMC will be the list of classes required for the minimum 18 units needed for each degree.

“The idea is that in no more than 60 units, you complete at least 18 units in your major, plus all the CSU [general ed] requirements or the IGETC,” Larson said.

As intriguing as the idea of these degrees may seem, there are a couple of points that Elvia Nunez-Riebel, the Transfer Center director, cautioned about.

“CSU will make room for you somewhere in the state system, but it’s not necessarily going to be where you really want to go.”

Nunez-Riebel said. If a student receives an AS-T in English and then applies for transfer to Cal State San Marcos, it doesn’t mean that they will automatically get accepted into that school.

The transfer degrees come with a guarantee to a CSU, but not a

File photo of Palomar’s Transfer Center

specific one. So if Cal State San Marcos is full, then there would be no room to accept transfers. They will however, help locate another CSU in the state that has room in the program that the student requested.

Nunez-Riebel also warned about changing degrees after you have transferred, because then all bets are off on the guaranteed parts.

“When you transfer, you stay with that degree,” Nunez-Riebel said. “You can’t apply with one de-

gree and then change your mind, because then we can’t promise that you’re going to be done in the [additional] 60 units.”

Students interested in finding out more information about the Associated Degrees for Transfer program, to include the other degrees that are offered, can visit the websites ADegreeWithAGuarantee.com and the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges’ website, asccc.org.

Cireland@the-telescope.com

college costs

Private schools proving to be cheaper than public

ZACH PHELPS THE TELESCOPE

It really isn’t news to any conscious individual that the price of getting a higher education has risen astronomically in recent years, what some may not know is that public schools can actually end up costing more than private schools.

Only 10 years ago, the Department of Education reported that the average annual cost (including tuition, room and board) of attending a 4-year public university was just over $10,000 nationwide.

However, when the Department of Education (DOE) released its average college costs projections for 2013, it reported that students could expect to pay around $22,000 per year nationwide for public schooling, with schools in wealthier states (i.e. California) projected to put students behind $30,000 or more.

And if the spike in public schooling wasn’t enough, the DOE reported that the average annual cost for a private school would be $44,000.

Students often disregard private colleges and universities as inaccessible due to the costs involved.

What many don’t realize is that many of the same forms of financial aid available to public colleges and universities are also available for private schools-- and sometimes even more.

The first and most touted source students can look into is Federal Pell Grants. Pell Grants are given by the federal government to undergraduate students (from both public and private schools) who qualify for them, based on their financial need. If eligible, students can receive up to $5,550 through Pell Grants per year.

Another option for receiving financial aid is through a school’s endowment program, which is the fund schools form every year from

alumni donations. Many private schools might cost more than public schools, but they too often have a larger yearly endowment, and so can offer more aid to students.

Palomar College student Ali Curiel said, “My cousin went to a private school in Washington, and because of her grades and that she was a first-generation college student, the Alumni Association covered most of her tuition.”

Also, since private schools rely less heavily on government funding, recent federal cuts on education spending don’t disrupt private colleges’ scholarship opportunities as much.

Most schools also offer awards or scholarships to students in a variety of fields, including exceptional athletic or academic performance, racial or ethnic background and field of study.

This is particularly true at private schools that offer a specialized

campus, such as women’s colleges, Christian colleges or Liberal Arts colleges. At several of these schools, students can receive scholarships for specialized studying or conducting important programs in the school’s focus area.

Palomar student David Johnston said he always planned on transferring to a school in San Francisco, but only recently decided to look into private art schools. “I’ve always been pretty good at painting, and a lot of [private] schools up there have scholarships for artists they think have exceptional talent, so I’m hoping to score one,” said Johnston.

For students who already have an interest in joining the military, ROTC is another option. By joining the Reserve Officers Training Corps, students commit themselves to drilling throughout their time at school and becoming officers in their particular ROTC branch upon graduation.

In exchange for this, students’

Vice President Joe Biden giving his speech on college affordability to an assembly in the gym at Central Bucks High School West, Jan. 13, 2012. • Clem Murray/MCT Campus

college costs are mostly (if not entirely) covered by the government.

For those looking to go to school out of state, private colleges might actually provide a less expensive alternative to attending a public school.

While most public schools charge students a significantly higher tuition rate for being for out of state, most private schools cost the same for both in and out-ofstate residents.

Zphelps@the-telescope.com

10 • SPORTS

Monday, March 11, 2013

softball

Active bats have Palomar softball off to a hot start lloyd bravo the telescope

Palomar’s softball team makes an impact through experienced sophomores, a talented freshman and powerful bats while leading the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC).

Comets started the season with a 12-3 record and a 3-0 start in conference. Palomar currently sits on top of the PCAC. “This team has a lot of good sophomore leadership this season,” said Head Coach Lacey Craft on experience along with her team’s determination in preseason for the Comets’ current success. “The foundation that was in place in the fall is part of the reason why we are able to be more competitive this season.

“A big factor in our success so far has been our offense this year,”

Palomar pitcher Carlie Daniel during the 10-1 win against San Diego City College on March 1. • Photo courtesy of Hugh Cox

explained Craft. Although true, it’s merely an understatement as

the Comets have out scored their opponents 125-57.

The Comets are also confident and show off their resilience against Chaffey when a 9-1 deficit became a 21-15 victory on Feb. 25.

“We are stringing hits together,” said catcher Mercedes Montanez.

As outfielder Jasmine Vogel adds, “We keep a high intensity in the dugout and always get rallies going.”

However, one of the biggest factors comes from Carlie Daniel a freshman from San Marcos High School who has a 7-1 pitching record along with leading the team in home runs. “I’m very excited that she is having success on both sides of the ball. She is a strong girl that is relaxed enough during competition that it lets her perform the way she wants,” said Coach Craft.

Jasmine Vogel, a recent recipient of a scholarship to the University of Colorado Pueblo and a key player in the Comets’ current

roster compliments the rising star. “[Daniel] is a big part of our success,” said Vogel. “I think she is the most calm softball player I’ve ever seen. At bat she is so relaxed, she just lets her hands go when she sees the right pitch.”

Even with experienced sophomores and talented freshmen, the best teams have to focus on improvement. “Our pitching staff is always grinding in the bullpen, trying to stay consistent,” said Coach Craft.

Craft also emphasized defense as one of the elements the team needs to work on this season, but feels that the team has not been truly challenged.

“We need to be prepared to make more plays defensively as the season goes on and games get closer.” lbravo@the-telescope.com

SPORTS • 11

the telescope Men’s basketball

palomar wins share of conference title Scott Morton the telescope

The Palomar men’s basketball team finished the regular season in first place, tied with MiraCosta College.

The team won the first game of the state playoffs against Pierce College of Los Angeles (73-55).

Pierce College was ranked No. 5 and was upset by No. 14 ranked Palomar. Both teams were given a bye in the first round.

“We have great chemistry, great kids, it has just been really fun coaching them this year,” head coach John O’Neill said.

“We’ve got some real good talent. We’ve got good kids coming off the bench, we’ve got good starters, a lot of things mesh this year.”

With the regular season over, the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference honored top players and coaches for all-conference selections.

Palomar took top honors with Head Coach O’Neill being honored as Coach of the Year.

Comet stars Dejuan Ervin and Joe Vaz took home men’s player of the year and co-player of the year respectively. Calvin Smith and Aaron Roedl took home honorable mentions.

Their playing has helped the Comets stand out against the competition all season. “The team is really running on all cyl-

inders right now,” Assistant Coach John Hotaling said. “It is a fun team to coach and watch.”

At 7 feet 1 inch, Vaz is one of the tallest players in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

In their game against Western State Conference North champions, Los Angeles Pierce, Vaz scored 21 points and got a game-high 10 rebounds.

His height and defensive prowess made it hard for the Brahma Bulls to score the entire night.

Late in the game, Palomar led by 25 points, so O’Neill pulled his remaining starters to give the bench some play time.

“The guys coming off the bench have been outstanding because we can play a lot of guys. We don’t have much drop off when we take guys out and put them in,” O’Neill said. “Plus, they are so energized.

They give a lot of energy to the guys on the court.”

The team works together and even the bench is involved in the wins. “When they see a good pass, our bench just goes crazy,” O’Neill said.

“This is the first playoff game we have won on the road since I have been here since 1999-2000,” O’Neill added. “So that was a huge, big win. We played really well all over.” smorton@the-telescope.com

Men’s basketball

Palomar center Joe Vaz (center) blocks a shot on Feb. 20 in The Dome.• Peter Ahsue/Telescope

Men’s basketball

Ervin provides missing leadership Vaz brings underneath presence scott roberson

Scott Roberson

the telescope

the telescope

The point guard position in basketball is the equivalent of a quarterback in football. It requires a player to have many characteristics including leadership, experience, and good decision making.

Dejuan Ervin has portrayed all these attributes in his short stint at Palomar College leading the Comets to a conference title.

Ervin, a Sophomore from Reno, Nev., has posted an impressive stat line this season. He has averaged 18.6 points per game, 4.6 assists per game, and 5.5 rebounds per game.

Apart from great numbers, he has assumed the leadership billet of the Comets’ squad.

“He gets everyone in tune with the game. He is the leader that we have been missing the last couple years. He has been our captain all year,” Associate Head Coach Dima Artamonov said.

Ervin contributes his leadership abilities to his experience and vocal abilities.

“I am very loud, so when I notice that practice is not going well, I use my voice to get it going,” Ervin said. “I always got to bring my ‘A’ game, and can’t be caught slipping. If I’m not practicing hard, then the freshmen will think they don’t have to practice hard.”

His hard work mentality on the court, and easy going mentality off the court has earned the respect from his teammates.

“Dejuan brings talent, energy, and a ton of leadership. We all look up to him.

He is one of the most talented players I

In modern day sports, the loudest and flashiest athletes tend to be the focal point of media attention, overlooking those who just get the job done.

Palomar’s center Joe Vaz is the epitome of this type of player; however, his 7 foot 1 inch stature demands the attention of his opponents.

Vaz choose to attend Palomar College after his head coach recommended he look into the basketball program here. “I played at Rancho Buena Vista High School. My coach there served under (Head Coach John) O’Neill who coached at Rancho before Palomar, so they suggested that I come here to play,” Vaz said.

It is very fortunate for the Comets that he did after the successful season he has experienced thus far. He has posted 15.9 points per game and has amassed 335 total rebounds this season.

Although he is very silent, his work ethic has earned him the respect of his teammates.

“He brings the silent leadership. He is about action more than words. He is such a huge presence on this team because he is so big,” teammate Calvin Smith said.

Apart from his hard work, Vaz’s friendly demeanor has made him very popular on the team. “He’s always happy to be here.

He loves playing the game. Nobody ever has anything bad to say about the guy. He is everybody’s best friend because he gets along with everybody,” Associate Head Coach Dima Artamonov said.

He continued commenting on his play,

Palomar basketball player Dejuan Ervin outside the Dome on March 5 before a team practice. • Heather Randall/Telescope

have ever played with. He brings a lot to the table,” teammate Calvin Smith said.

He continued, “He is hilarious! He is a jokester. He is definitely someone you can rely on because he is just a great guy.”

A student-athlete must balance his studies and practice. In the case for Ervin, however, he also raises his five-yearold son.

Ervin attributes his son as his motivation to improve every day. “I want my son to see a father that is successful.”

Ervin, a physical education major, has many aspirations in life. He hopes to become a teacher, a high school basketball coach, and own a barbershop.

“I had a rough high school past, so I want to come back and contribute something this time.”

Sroberson@the-telescope.com @scottroberson55

Palomar basketball player Joe Vaz outside the Dome on March 5 during a post-season team practice. • Heather Randall/Telescope

“Joe’s mentality is relaxed. He is able to let things happen and adapts very well.

On the opportunity of continuing his basketball career, he has received a few calls from universities, but will be undecided until after the season.

Vaz continued his “team first” mentality by contributing most of his success to his coaches and teammates. “My teammates are the reason I have been successful in basketball. My coaches have pushed me to be better.”

The other aspect of motivation to work hard and get better every day is his mother. “My mom used to play college ball, so I have always wanted to live up to her.”

Vaz is a human behaviors major with aspirations of possibly teaching younger kids once he obtains his degree. sroberson@the-telescope.com @scottroberson55

12 • SPORTS

Monday, March 11, 2013

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

comets take conference championship Colleen peters the telescope

When women’s basketball Head Coach Leigh Marshall took control of the team, she only hoped she would have enough women to compete.

Three years later, Marshall has led the team to a Pacific Coast Athletic Conference championship.

Finishing the regular season at 16-10, 9-3, the Comets entered the Southern California Regionals for the first time with Marshall leading the charge.

The first season that Marshall headed up the team was a rebuilding year for a team that had no players at the beginning.

That season, they finished with a dismal 0-21 record. In fact, it wasn’t until February the following season that Marshall won her Palomar women’s basketball team poses for photos after winning the final PCAC season game on Feb. 22. The win meant that the team first game for Palomar.

There were some obvious ad- had captured the conference title and would be competing in the regional championship tournament. • Cliff Ireland/Telescope vantages to coaching a team that “These are players that we’ve began with no players. that this season was, in a way, harder, while trying to help them improve individually. recruited and it’s really bringing Marshall said that, from the easier.

This season, Marshall saw her our program up,” Marshall said. beginning, coaches have focused Marshall said that during those on recruiting high school players first two years she really focused very first class of sophomores “It’s definitely a different feel who would improve the team. on teaching the women some ba- leave the program.These were the than when I first started.” first women whom Marshall had Starting with nothing, MarThough it was a challenge sic fundamentals.

This season, however, her fo- specifically recruited for the pur- shall said she has had the opporteaching some of the new players tunity to build the atmosphere in the first season, Marshall said cus was on pushing the women poses of rebuilding this team.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

and culture around the team.

That culture, which Marshall described as “good,” is tangible for the women on the team, which becomes apparent on the court.

“I’m comfortable with every single person. They’re like my second family,” said freshman guard Maureen Fegan.

Next year, the team will lose seven sophomores, of whom three are starters.

However, Marshall said that the team already has a verbal commitment from one player.

Going into the next season, the returning team members look to charge forward from where they are now.

“We’re excited about next year’s recruiting class, but we’re focused on now,” Marshall said.

Fegan said she knows not to expect the same results next year.

Starting the season, she is going to have to push even harder.

However, she is hopeful that the hard work pays off.

“It’s all going to be different; it’s not the same people and the atmosphere,” Fegan said. “But I’m going to go into it expecting to do great things.” cpeters@the-telescope.com @colleen_teresa

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Team energized by Pinckney’s intensity Fegan presents needed consistency Nada sewidan

nada sewidan

the telescope

the telescope

Passion: it’s what fuels the heart. It’s filled with intensity, desire, perseverance and hope.

With Alliya Pinckney, it’s this passion that makes her the dynamic basketball player her coach said she is.

Head Coach Leigh Marshall said that Pinckney is a leader filled with intensity and passion. “Her leadership, intensity and her capabilities is what stands out most for this athlete,” Coach Marshall said. “She is one of the best athletes that I have around.”

Sophomore captain for Palomar women’s basketball team, Pinckney started playing basketball in her freshman year of high school.

Previously, she had competed as a gymnast, but she discovered a new love on the court.

“Basketball is where my heart is,” Pinckney said.

Her brother’s unending support inspired her to join the basketball team.

“I’ve always looked up to my brother, and to know that I made him proud is one of my main sources of motivation,” Pinckney said.

However, following an injury in her junior year of high school that wouldn’t allow her to play for the season, and a cross-country move from Chicago to San Diego during her senior year, Pinckney learned how to cope with adversity. “(I) learn from every experience, and every struggle,” Pinckney said. “You must learn to prevail and you have to let these experiences work for you.” Pinckney took

She was only 5 years old when her dad handed her her first basketball, and for Maureen Fegan, it was love at first sight.

A freshman playing for the Palomar women’s basketball team, Maureen Fegan began her basketball career 13 years ago.

Her inspiration behind her success can be traced back to her parents, who motivated her to pursue basketball.

“My parents both used to play basketball and my dad would always work with me,” Fegan said.

Growing up, Fegan said she remembers playing basketball outside her home with her family members and neighbors.

She recalls nights where they would help her with shooting. Aside from training with her father, Fegan said she joined recreational basketball leagues.

With the team recently winning a conference title and looking to the playoffs, Fegan explained the joy she feels when she’s on the court playing basketball and being surrounded by her fellow teammates.

“Once I walk into the gym, I’m happy and I’m just glad to be there,” Fegan said.

Head Coach Leigh Marshall said she recognizes the contribution Fegan has made to the team.

“She has come into her own, and her confidence level has gone up a lot,” Coach Marshall said. “Every time she shoots the ball, we think it’s going in.”

Teammate Melanie Lombardi praised Fegan for her consistency with shooting.

“Mo is probably one of our most dependable players,” Lombardi said.

Palomar basketball player Alliya Pinckney after the Feb. 27 playoff game. • Brian Korec/Telescope

these struggles and transformed them into life lessons that she utilizes on the court today.

Her drive and her passion have impressed her teammates.

“Alliya is very helpful, motivational and a great leader,” fellow teammate Tina Mendoza said. “She pushes the team and wants the best for the team.”

These qualities helped Pinckney and the team earn the conference title.

“It was my main goal, because last year I didn’t truly understand what it meant to win a conference title and to have that banner,” Pinckney said.

Pinckney’s future plans for basketball remain uncertain but she is committed to furthering her basketball career.

“I’m passionate, which makes me a really competitive person and that’s what makes me the player I am today. And, because I hate losing, it motivates me to be the best I can be,” Pinckney said. nsewidan@the-telescope.com

Palomar guard Maureen Fegan outside the Dome on March 4 duirng a team practice. • Kaity Bergquist/ Telescope

“When we need someone to make a bucket, free throw or a lay-up in drills, Mo is money.”

The bond that Fegan formed with her teammates goes beyond the basketball court.She said the team socializes once a week.

Fegan plans on playing basketball for Palomar next year as a sophomore and hopes to play for a 4-year university, provided she gets offers.

Fellow teammate Tina Mendoza sums up Fegan’s importance to the team.

“Mo is awkward but funny,” Mendoza said as her laugher echoed through the Dome. “You will always want to be around her, especially you don’t know what funny thing she’ll do next and honestly, who wouldn’t want to be her friend?” nsewidan@thetelescope.com