The Advocate - Aug. 27, 2008

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B sports ◆ page 7

scene ◆ page 8

J.D. Banks

CMYK

Warm fall welcome

‘Deathrace’ takes last

Athlete, coach remembered

Staffers return from summer festivities

CMYK

campus beat ◆ page 6

Plot left in dust as action drives film

VOL. 91, NO. 1

SINCE 1950

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008 ACCENTADVOCATE.COM

THE WEEKLY STUDENT VOICE OF CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE, SAN PABLO, CALIF.

8 PAGES, ONE COPY FREE

Police office up in flames

Summer students robbed

A GRAND OPENING

Unknown aggressors steal from four victims; no suspects apprehended

Police Services at DVC leveled by arson fire

By Brett Abel

in brief

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

By Regina Sarnicola OPINION EDITOR

At approximately 2:17 a.m. on June 23, the Pleasant Hill Police Department received an alert from Diablo Valley College that there was a fire on campus.

The Contra Costa County Fire Department was on scene within six minutes and had the fire located at the Police Services Building controlled by 2:35 a.m.

“We do know it was an intentionally set fire,” Contra Costa Fire Department Fire Marshall Richard Carpenter said. “We also know that it was not just a break in, but was to “We are directed destroy the still actively building and dampursuing cause age.”

T h e leads and approximately contacting 40 feet by 60 possible feet wooden structure suspects headquarters located based on was on the southinformation east corner of the DVC camfrom pus. different W h i l e one was sources.” no injured, the building sufJose Delatorre, fered heavy Pleasant Hill Police damage and Department since the incilieutenant dent has been completely removed.

Additional staff was on location throughout the morning and afternoon to assist in the salvage and cleanup process.

Apparently three separate fires were set off throughout the building. Carpenter said the fire was predominately in three areas, two on the outside of the building and the third in the lobby area.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department with additional support from the Pleasant Hill Police Department Special Investigation’s Unit, Contra Costa County Fire Department and the Contra Costa County Community College District’s Police Services department.

■ SEE DVC FIRE: Page 4

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Finished at last — The MCHS Jazz Band, conducted (L-R) by Israel Simms with Briana Parte and Sien Rivera playing violin and Arturo Leon on flute, perform during the grand opening of the Student Services Center on June 10. The center opened for the summer semester after its move from the H Building was completed.

GATEWAY TO LEARNING

Student Services Center opens to rave reviews

By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR

After decades in the Humanities Building, the oldest building on campus, all student services departments were finally relocated over the summer to the newly opened Student Services Center.

College, district and city officials gathered June 10 at the SSC, located between the Computer Technology Center and the Student Activities Building, for the building’s grand opening.

All student services — CalWORKs, job placement, the Transfer/Career Center, EOPS, financial aid, admissions and

records, international students, counseling, DSPS, matriculation/ articulation and assessment — are housed in the 18,000-square foot building, making it a “one-stopshop” for all student services.

The building was open to the public on June 2 after student services staff moved in after Memorial Day. “When (students) leave this building they will be ready to go to the other (academic) buildings,” Dr. Tony Gordon, Governing Board trustee for West County, said of the new building.

The building is the first major project of the college’s Facilities Master Plan, according to a report released by design firm Perkins + Will on March 7.

“This marks the beginning of some changes going on at Contra Costa College,” President McKinley Williams, who also acted as master of ceremonies at ■ SEE SSC: Page 4

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Paper work — Counselor Luci Castruita (left) helps Jessica Merjiuari finish up some forms at the Counseling Office in the SSC.

A group of at least three individuals robbed four students, two at gunpoint, within minutes of each other the morning of July 17, police said.

Police Services Sgt. Jose Oliveira said between 10:15 and 10:25 a.m. a group robbed four people on campus in three parking lots across campus.

Oliveira said the suspects are three African-American males who were driving a newer model, burgundy Honda Accord or Civic.

According to Oliveira, no one was seriously injured, although two victims were punched — one of whom received medical assistance for a cut. Two victims, he said, saw a firearm.

Two were robbed near the bus turnaround in Lot 1 while two others were in Lot 6, near the Gymnasium, and in Lot 11 on the other side of campus, near the Applied Arts Building.

Since then, Oliveira said there have been no more robberies on campus.

He said it would be difficult for him to determine whether the number of students on campus would affect the occurrence of robberies.

“These types of things are very random,” he said.

Also, he said there have been no further leads developed and no arrests have been made.

In an e-mail sent to Contra Costa College faculty and staff, Oliveira said Police Services

By Francisco Rendon SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the California State Legislature have still failed to sign off on a budget for the current fiscal year, depriving programs all over the state, including community colleges, of money.

The district had a $20 million operating reserve saved up at the beginning of August, but that number is projected to dwindle down around $4 or $5 million should the impasse remain unresolved into

September.

Throughout the fiscal year, which for the district began on Aug. 25, the expenses of community colleges such as payroll, utilities, contacts and vendors are being paid for by money left over from the last fiscal year, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Kindred Murillo said.

This money, which is supposed to be appreciating through interest, is instead being spent and the district is losing money through interest as a result.

So far, the district anticipates a loss of $18,000 throughout August and up to

editorial Squabbling stalls progress

As the governor and legislature fight over the budget, it is the people that pay.

page 2 $50,000 if the impasse carries over into September.

The district’s total spending for 2007-08

student numbers stagnate

SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

Enrollment at Contra Costa College has remained steady since fall of 2007, despite a slight decrease in the number of students in attendance. The number of students has decreased from 7,528 at this time last fall to 7,283.

Funding from the state is provided not according to how many students are enrolled, but the number of full-time equivalent students.

CMYK

CCC

By Francisco Rendon

✔ no further leads and no arrests have been made

is estimated around $162 million.

Murillo said that in the event the district depletes its operating budget, it will be forced to borrow money from areas such as retiree health benefits account.

“It can get very expensive when they don’t fund us properly,” she said.

The governor’s unwillingness to raise taxes and the legislature’s insistence on the contrary is one of the contributing factors to the stalemate.

The budget determines how much money is apportioned per full-time equiv■ SEE BUDGET: Page 4

Face-lift — The Applied Arts Building gets new signage installed on Friday. All of the buildings on campus are receiving new name plates as part of the campus signage and lighting project.

The college’s FTES as of Friday is 2,744.65, virtually the same as the number at this time last year, 2,742.90.

These numbers are measured not by the number of students enrolled, but for every 12 units that are being taken. Each one of these FTES is a unit of apportionment from the state.

“Enrollment is how we get money from the state. It’s our lifeline,” Senior Dean of Research and Planning Tim Clow said.

“Basically right now, we’re kind of flat.”

The number of units enrolled in has only ■ SEE ENROLLMENT: Page 4

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW B

indicate

✔ no other robberies have occurred since

Governor, legislature in budget deadlock

JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE

CMYK

numbers

✔ no serious injuries occurred, one victim received medical attention for a cut

■ SEE ROBBERIES: Page 4

Fewer students enrolling, unit count holding steady Early fall

✔ three suspects rob four students, two at gunpoint

2 THE ADVOCATE Quotable “Words are a form of action, capable of influencing change. Their articulation represents a complete, lived experience.”

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2008 VOL. 91, NO. 1 ●

Editorials

Ingrid Bengis author 1972

Bickering hurts district

Justin Morrison

editor in chief

Brett Abel

associate editor

Alec Surmani

associate editor

Party feuds delaying budget affect colleges statewide

Jeff Carillo sports editor

Francisco Rendon

spotlight editor

Regina Sarnicola Lauren Shiraishi

opinion editors

Lamar James news editor

Isaac Thomas photo editor

Toni Silva

ad manager

Paul DeBolt

faculty adviser

Staff writers

Sam Attal Dariush Azmoudeh Brent Bainto Marco Becerra Asia Camagong Mario Diaz Anthony Farr Ryan Jacques Marika Johnson Cassandra Juniel Jazmaine Mitchell Holly Pablo Diana Reyes Shahruz Shaukat Jon Zantua

Staff photographers Sam Attal Erik Verduzco

Staff illustrators

Wryan Castleberry

Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000

JACC Pacesetter Award

1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Member Associated Collegiate Press California Newspaper Publishers Association Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us

Phone: 510.235.7800 ext. 4315 Fax: 510.235.NEWS E-mail: advocate@ contracosta.edu or letters.advocate@ gmail.com

Editorial policy

Columns and editorial cartoons are the opinion of individual writers and artists and not that of The Advocate. Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which is made up of student editors.

OPINION

l WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008

W

ith the state budget impasse moving past last year’s mark of Aug. 24 still unresolved, programs all over the state are once again losing money and time.

This is just another instance of the governor and the California State Legislature’s refusal to compromise, and, once again, it is causing Californians to suffer.

The district is spending from a $20 million operating budget, which is left over money from the previous fiscal year. This money is slowly being depleted, and seeing as the district consumes an estimated $162 million a year, this money will not last indefinitely.

Beyond the monetary limit, our real problem with forcing the district to spend money from this operating budget, is that this is money normally in an account that gains This is just interest. When we spend it, we lose money in interest, close to $18,000 another throughout the month of August.

Situations like this are happening in local governments all over the instance of state.

These politicians are much more the governor worried about their individual track records, their victories and losses for and the the party, than they are about what truly benefits all people, regardless California of political party.

There is plenty of blame to go State around and this situation is far beyond Legislature’s the fault of one individual.

This is a clear instance of unnecessary bickering and diplomatic inad- refusal to equacy. And our district, as well as other programs across California, is compromise, losing money in interest, and is being forced to go through the current fis- and, once cal year without knowing how much money it will receive. again, it is Petty partisanship and political pride are becoming huge barriers in causing state politics and the fact that something so basic as passing the budget Californians is taking so long is incredible.

When two parties approach one another with the goal of compro- to suffer. mise, especially for the benefit of 36 million people, it is most certainly possible.

Yet, even after almost two months of deliberation, there is still not a single sign that either side in this battle is willing to yield an inch.

The inability of our state’s leaders to sit down, bite the bullet and find common ground to allow our state’s government to continue working, is a clear indictment of them all. For, what do we elect politicians for, if not to effectively govern our state?

These politicians would love for us to write this off as just another common occurrence and accept that this is just the way things work.

In reality, this is a clear case of politicians’ egos deciding the policy of the state and the fact that this is nothing new is no less of a reason to be outraged.

But all the outrage and fulmination will be empty and meaningless if we send this same batch of politicians back to Sacramento in November. If you are really outraged, you will register to vote right now. If you are truly outraged, you will make sure to cast your vote against every incumbent on the ballot.

Because if we, the voters of California, re-elect these clowns, then we will be deserving what we get — more of the same.

WRYAN CASTLEBERRY / THE ADVOCATE

■ Family

Ordeal a reminder of family’s strength

I

had the privilege this summer of being present for the birth of my new cousin.

While the birth was amazingly quick and thankfully uncomplicated, the series of events leading up to it were not.

The day before, my aunt had stumbled and fallen onto her stomach. My mom, sister and I all canceled our weekend plans and took work off to rush up to Sacramento.

And a few weekends previous, we had another close call.

Only my mom was the one about to be checked into the hospital.

On the weekend of the baby shower, most of our time was spent prepping for the event. For almost two days, we embodied Cinderella — cooking, decorating and cleaning for the party.

Family had come up from Los Angeles to visit, but the stress and bustle of the party kept us preoccupied.

By the end of the party we were exhausted.

As we began the clean up and tried to relax, I realized I had not seen my mom in a while. I was told she had gone upstairs to try and rest. I went to check on her and found the guest room empty.

Instead, I discovered her on the floor of the bathroom, curled up with her head in her hands.

It was a frightening scene, witnessing my usually strong and composed mother in such a vulnerable state.

Every now and then, unexpectedly, my mother experiences migraines. Only her migraines are excruciating and almost

reginasarnicola unbearable. Over the years, they seem to have gotten worse. The stress of the weekend and her lack of sleep did not help.

I got down next to her and tried to talk to her, find out what I could do. After bringing back a wet cloth for her head, some water and pain reliever, her last request was for me to hold her hand. Then all there was left to do was wait for the migraine to pass.

The pain would come in waves, with her OK one moment, able to sit up and talk a little. Then the pain would return and the next moment she would be holding her head between her legs, rocking back and forth. She kept close to the toilet, in case she felt she was going to throw up. I had never seen my mom this bad before.

My relationship with my mom has gotten rockier since I started college. I was the one by her side the entire time, however, holding her hand and giving her massages to keep her comfortable. Family members trickled in and out, going to retrieve things like ginger ale or pillows.

The bathroom floor quickly became our temporary home.

My grandpa came in said a prayer over her and my uncle

offered to take her to the hospital.

As the pain reliever kicked in my mom was able sit up, and the waves of pain began to subside.

She was able to talk and began to return to herself. My sisters came up and squeezed into the bathroom with us. My grandma, aunt and a family friend all found places in the hallway.

Having everyone camping out in the hallway was comforting.

The catch up conversations we had not been able to have during the weekend started up and my sister brought in a deck of cards to play UNO. Eventually, it became impossible to walk down the hallway because of all of us sitting there.

The situation became somewhat humorous and we shared some good laughs.

At the same time, it was a warm reminder of how wonderful my family is and how much we share, even from the floor of a bathroom.

Thankfully, my mom eventually felt much better and we exchanged hospital food for some home cooked barbecue.

The birth of my cousin was a miracle. Witnessing the tiny new life come into the world is beyond words. And after all that was experienced regarding him, he undoubtedly will always be a little reminder of the importance and strength of our family.

Regina Sarnicola is an opinion editor of The Advocate.

Contact her at rsarnicola. advocate@gmail.com.

CampusComment

What do you think of the new Student Services Center?

“It’s very well organized. It is easy for us to move around in. The technology is helping us a lot.”

“It is all right. It’s nice to have all of the administration and counselors in one place.”

Joseph Silo Jordan Miller

Eric Rascon culinary arts

“It’s better than the old location. The old location was crowded.”

engineering

physics

“I’m happy with it. It’s more organized than the old building that was half classrooms.

I’m glad that they’re fixing the school, it has a nicer layout and it’s easier to find.”

Krystian Grove psychology

“It is pretty cool, it’s more organized than when it was in the Humanities Building.”

“It is a lot nicer. It has air conditioning (and) it’s a lot more organized.”

Malcolm Malaowala

Mario Martinez

psychology

business

“I like it. The location sets it apart from the rest of the school, which is more convenient.”

Siara Spriggs sociology

FORUM ■ CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE

3

■ REFLECTION

Summer expectations fail to deliver laurenshiraishi

Connection to heritage lost in assimilation

I

was recently on my way to dinner when the topic changed to the Olympics. It started innocently enough, when one of my friends asked, “Who are you supporting?”

My best friend and I immediately replied, “the U.S., duh. You aren’t?”

He scoffed at this. “No, China!” was his response.

“You two should be supporting your countries.”

My best friend shot back, “So? We’re Americanized.”

At this point, I should mention that my two friends are Chinese-American, and I am a fourth generation Japanese-American.

Although I am full-blooded, one could barely call me Japanese. I prefer R&B to JPop, chick lit to manga and I hate the texture of raw fish.

I look at some of the Japanese athletes in the Olympic games and, taking in their pale skin and bleached hair, I reflect that we look almost nothing alike.

Some of my early childhood memories include the private pre-school I attended, where I learned the Japanese words for colors and family members. Aside from this, I did not need to speak the language at home because everyone in my family spoke only English.

My closest friends were white. Aside from having slanted eyes and dark hair, most of the time I did not even feel Asian.

As I grew older, I continued to feel indifferent toward my heritage. I remember feeling ashamed when I learned in school the atrocities of the Japanese during World War II. But then I realized that the Japanese people as a whole should not be held accountable for the actions of the extremists who were hungry only for power.

By high school, I had learned to accept my roots.

People would find it fascinating that I was Japanese. I even wrote in an essay how I was proud to be JapaneseAmerican, but then I realized how I was really like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Growing up, I was exposed to almost every race except my own. The only places I would have had the opportunity to connect with Japanese kids my age was through church or the basketball leagues, neither of which I participated in.

Sometimes I still feel ashamed when I hear my friends speaking in their native language to their parents.

To me, the longer one has been in America, the more they assimilate into this society and lose touch with their heritage.

Yet at the same time, I feel lucky that my parents are as “Americanized” as me. I am fortunate to have them support me in whatever I choose to do with my life.

I wish I were more in touch with my culture.

Japanese is a beautiful language and I am proud to have descended from such a strong, intelligent people.

I feel glad for Japan when they place first in the events they participate in, but in the end, I hope America brings home more gold medals.

T

he summer is supposed to be a time where you can hang out and have a little fun with your friends and not have any worries.

At the end of the spring semester, I was really looking forward to the summer and expected it to be fun.

I was hoping for a lot of stories to tell about places I went and the new people I met during the three months.

I registered for two summer classes but decided to drop one and just take Speech 120.

Since I have never been afraid to talk in front of a large number of people, I thought that class would be something fun and enjoyable to take over the summer.

The summer started off slow. To make things worse, I was not really doing anything to keep my mind occupied.

I found myself daydreaming a lot about the days I work for The Advocate and writing stories.

I could not wait to get back just to see the new people who were taking the class and to catch up with the older members who had helped me a lot.

Spring 2008 was my first semes-

seemed to go by so fast it made me feel as if I did not have time to do anything.

With fiveAs the hour classes and homework most summer nights, I had to do more studying went by and than partying. ter on The Advocate and I was The summer really happy I was taking a class that would give me experience in the class started may have been boring for me, field of work I have a great passion I did get a for. to progress, but chance to meet As the summer went by and class members started to progress, I felt like I was I felt like I some of my family I missing out on a summer break I had never met before. worked so hard for. was missing It also made It seemed as if I had been going me realize that to school all my life yet only enjoyed a few summers because due to slipout on a summer may mean a time for ping grades, I had to attend summer and exciteschool. summer fun ment for some Yet, even with taking the summer but that classes, I never expected my summer break I had people, does not mean to be so boring. plans will always The summer was really not a worked so go through or summer at all. situations will The breezy cold days made it feel more like fall or winter and put a hard for. not pop up unexpectedly. damper on going to the beaches and Next summer I think I will just go water parks. on a trip to make up for the disapSometimes the summer days

lamarjames

pointing summer of 2008.

I will make sure that my friends and I will have the same schedules so we can hang out, therefore ensuring I won’t worry about not having fun.

I will just have fun without thinking about it.

Summer for me next year will be different.

I will be better prepared to take summer on like a thief in the night.

I will be ready to tackle any obstacle that comes between me and finally having a summer that will be unforgettable — a summer that will go down in the Lamar’s Summer Hall of Fame.

I will make sure to try anything new that someone or something presents me with.

I will have no limitations.

In the midst of my boring summer, I learned new things about myself and set new standards.

Next year, however, I plan to make it my New Year’s resolution to have a great summer.

Lamar James is news editor of The Advocate. Contact him at ljames.advocate@gmail.com.

BUY TLEHSISN, K MORE

American culture turns materialism into top priority

By Francisco Rendon SPOTLIGHT EDITOR

T

hroughout the history of this country, people have been coming to America hearing promises of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

In the past, people have associated happiness with social status, family relations and romantic relationships. Today, however, nothing seems more closely tied to happiness than financial security.

Never before in the history of our society has such a heavy emphasis been placed on constantly spending money for new things.

Indeed, with common expenses such as housing, transportation, utilities, phones, internet and food there is a large amount of money needed just to function in society.

But beyond necessity, it seems like most forms of recreation in America involve spending more money to buy things. As a nation, we are becoming more and more identifiable as consumers.

After terrorists attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, our president told the nation to respond to this terror by shopping and purchasing more material possessions.

Economically, the United States consumes goods from all over the world. As a country, the United States consumption of foreign

products is extremely important to the world economy. A large world concern is that if Americans fail to continue consuming at a constant rate, the economies of producing nations all over the world will suffer.

Of course throughout American history, there have always been wealthy elite, with money to burn and, historically, a small percentage of the population has controlled the majority of the wealth.

This is the nature of capitalism and is nothing particularly new.

What is frightening about our modern culture is the idea of “conspicuous consumption,” the idea that one must buy things just to demonstrate that one is not poor. In this culture, people buy things in order to ease their own insecurities and derive self-worth from the things they purchase. Ironically, this culture of conspicuous consumption is rampant in middle class and lower-income families, particularly in urban inner cities.

As a culture of consumers, we are constantly being told to buy things, consuming goods from all over the world.

A recent study from A.C. Nielson Co. indicates that watching television is one of the most popular recreational activities. The average American watches more than four hours of television every day. It is news to no one that watching television usually entails watching copious amounts of commercials.

According to this study, by the age of 65, the average American will have seen 2 million commercials. Seeing as how the purpose of an advertisement is usually to get people to purchase something, Americans continue to buy all kinds of products

at a high rate.

Whether it be video game systems, new cellular phones, clothes, prescription drugs or any other item, Americans as group are very eager to contribute to our culture of consumption. The two activities are either telling us to go out and buy new things in advertisements, which are coming in at a record pace, or actually going out and buying new things, often things we do not even need.

Our country’s huge levels of consumption are having truly detrimental effects on the world around us. Everything that we buy, be it deodorant, shoes, toilet paper or anything else, all uses natural resources.

The United States makes up only 5 percent of the Earth’s population. Yet, the United States Geological Survey reports that over Americans use 25 percent of the Earth’s resources.

Additionally, the world as a whole is consuming the planet’s resources much faster than it is producing them and it is common knowledge that some resources, such as crude oil, are going to run out very soon.

Spending money is one thing. Americans work more documented hours than any other country on the planet and we do this for money. Some use it to buy things, but others simply try to amass large amounts of money.

Of course, this is the culture in which we live, and financial security definitely provides one with more opportunities. However, materialism, when brought to excess, can distract people from other important aspects of life.

While material possessions can sometimes entertain and amuse us, Americans as a culture seem to consume material possessions to fill their ego, to derive their value. It goes without saying that if you rely on things to make yourself feel good, your self-worth will be gone faster than the things you buy.

Indeed, the culture we live in exerts many influences on us every day, and while there might not be a lot we can do to change aspects of our culture, it is important that we are aware of them.

Contact Francisco Rendon at frendon. advocate@gmail.com.

Lauren Shiraishi is an opinion editor of The Advocate. Contact her at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail. com.

WRYAN CASTLEBERRY / THE ADVOCATE

4 THE ADVOCATE

l WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008

Newsline ■ GALLERY

Faculty exhibit on display The 2008 Faculty Exhibition is now on display in the Eddie Rhodes Gallery. It will remain open through Sept. 5.

Hours for Monday through Thursday are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Works on display include drawings, paintings, photography, ceramics and textiles.

CAMPUS BEAT

Robberies | Two of four attacked in summer hold-ups ■ FROM: Page 1

interviewed the victims, who had their backpacks and wallets taken. It also said at least six witnesses spoke with Police Services the day it happened.

EOPS manager Vicki Ferguson said after two of the victims were attacked at the bus stop, they came into the Student Services Center.

“The victims ran into the building,” she said. “It was the closest building to where it occurred.”

Ferguson said one student was involved

in the EOPS Summer Academy and he and the other victim had been robbed en route to the bus stop.

She said her EOPS student saw another student being robbed and said to the group, “‘What’s going on?’ By him trying to help, he got robbed.”

By the time Ferguson was out of her office, she said, Police Services had already been called and then she and the other managers in the SSC worked to make sure everyone was OK. “We made sure everyone was safe and

secured the area,” Ferguson said.

Police Services officers arrived at the bus stop quickly, she said.

“It was like, ‘Wow’ — a split second. I thank them for that.”

There were two officers on duty when the robberies occurred, Oliveira said.

After the robberies, Oliveira said he and Police Services Chief Charles Gibson would review the course of action to take on the matter for the protection of students and employees for the duration of the summer session.

in the H Building, causing hot summers and cold winters for student services.

Counselor Norma Valdez-Jimenez said, “In the (H Building), the air conditioning doesn’t work, the heating doesn’t work.

“When we were packing it was like a party in there. I remember years ago when we were told about a new building.

I was excited,” she said.

The SSC, Butt said, is a “green building,” designed for sustainability. The sunlight into the building allows for minimal electrical use during the day, but the light itself is also limited, which will keep the lobby from heating up and requiring excessive air conditioning, Butt said.

He said the q energy conservation design will help the college save approximately $10,000 a year when compared to the amount used in the H Building.

Funding for the SSC came from the Measure A Bond passed by county voters in 2002, a fact college and district officials did not overlook during the commencement ceremony.

“Voters in West County need to be thanked,” Gordon said. “They passed the bond to make this possible.”

Williams continued, passing on that sentiment.

“Without the voters in West County, we couldn’t have passed Measure A,” he said. “I think students deserve (the SSC) and the community deserves it.”

Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.

Contact Francisco advocate@gmail.com.

CrimeWatch

Tuesday, June 17 A student reported a wallet lost on campus.

Officers reported to a medical emergency on campus.

Officers responded to a traffic accident.

Monday, June 30 Officers responded to a battery on campus.

An attempted theft was reported.

Wednesday, July 2 A subject was contacted and it was determined that he was in need of medical evaluation.

The subject was transported to a hospital.

Thursday, July 3 Unknown subjects vandalized the Student Services Center.

Wednesday, July 9 Two subjects were involved in mutual combat.

Monday, July 14 College property was reported lost.

Tuesday, July 15 A student was issued a referral for misconduct.

Friday, July 18 A subject was arrested and cited after a short pursuit.

Monday, July 21 A victim reported the theft of his backpack.

Tuesday, July 22 A student referral was submitted due to a student’s inappropriate behavior.

A staff member reported a suspicious circumstance related to a student.

A male juvenile subject was arrested for committing vandalism on campus.

A student reported she received a criminal threat from her ex-boyfriend.

Monday, July 28 A college employee was not feeling well and requested medical attention. He was transported to a hospital.

Friday, Aug. 1 Two juvenile subjects were contacted during a pedestrian stop and were found to be under the influence. Both juveniles were released to their parents.

Monday, Aug. 18 Officers responded to a fight at the bus stop.

Wednesday, Aug. 20 A victim reported the theft of a vehicle A subject was contacted and arrested for obstructing a officer.

—Sam Attal

babel.

■ FROM: Page 1

Parking permits are now available for purchase in the Bookstore and Student Services Center.

They are $35 and enable a student to park in the student parking lots for the fall semester.

Police Services will begin ticketing students without a permit on Sept. 1.

Thursday, June 5 A subject was arrested for being in possession of marijuana.

at

decreased to 57,619.40, from 56,939.50 last year.

The discrepancy between the number of units enrolled and the number of students registered might be because enrolled students are taking more units, Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said.

One possible condition affecting the lower enrollment numbers, however, is the cutting of available classes.

Senior Dean of Instruction Donna Floyd said that because the college was spending so far over budget this year for specific C-contract courses, many of them were cut.

These courses are sections that are taught by parttime and full-time professors who already have a full schedule.

One of the strategies used in deciding which classes were cut was to find the appropriate number of sections needed for the amount of students enrolled “When in the course while filling all the classes. Other classes were students wait cancelled due to poor enrollto ment, Floyd said.

“When students wait to reg- register they ister, they actually do themselves a tremendous disser- actually do vice,” Hernandez said. themselves a If a class has low numbers of students registered for it tremendous early, it can be cancelled, he disservice.” said.

Floyd said, “It’s almost setting yourself up not to be suc- Frank Hernandez, senior dean of students cessful by registering late.”

Despite the high number of students who registered late, counseling department Chairwoman Norma Valdez-Jimenez said the administration worked well with counselors to better staff the Student Services Center.

This enabled the college to better handle the rush of students that usually come during the week before and the first week of school. From Aug. 11-22, 930 students visited had counseling appointments, Valdez-Jimenez said.

EOPS and CARE manager Vicki Ferguson said the early rush of students is always difficult.

“A lot of students are unfamiliar with the system,” Ferguson said. “A lot of them are the first one of their family to go to college.”

In the new SSC, however, workers and managers went into the waiting area and talked to individual students to make sure they were in the right lines and received the proper help.

Valdez-Jimenez said that when individual students are forced to wait long periods of time, the entire process is slowed.

“Where we struggle is the students who wait until the last minute to enroll,” she said. “If you can’t see your counselor, if you can’t (see) financial aid, it creates a funnel. (The process) gets stopped up.”

Although there were long lines, Valdez-Jimenez said the counseling department did a better job managing the rush of students than it had in the past.

This year, 3,024 students were recorded attending counseling sessions from May 25 to Aug. 22, with 600 more students seeing counselors by appointment than last year, she said.

Fall parking permits on sale

Tuesday, May 20 Officers responded to a physical assault at the bus stop.

Contact Brett Abel advocate@gmail.com.

Enrollment

■ PARKING

Thursday, May 15 Officers received a report of an unknown male subject exposing himself in a computer lab.

Oliveira said Monday that Police Services had extra officers on patrol around campus after the incident.

Oliveira and Police Services sent out an e-mail to students July 22 alerting them as to what occurred five days earlier and gave a list of tips of what to do if one comes into a similar situation.

“One: try to cooperate,” Oliveira said.

“It’s not worth getting injured.”

ISAAC THOMAS / THE ADVOCATE

Waiting room — Students sit in the lobby of the new Student Services Center waiting for their names to be called. The main lobby of the center offers access to admissions and records, EOPS, and financial aid along with a comfortable area for students to wait.

SSC | Services moved to new center ■ FROM: Page 1

the opening, said.

The area between the SSC and the SA Building will serve as an entry point to the campus, creating what Williams and Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez see as CCC’s version of Sproul Plaza at UC Berkeley.

Hernandez said the plans for the SSC began six years ago and did not experience any major stalls in development.

“We had to be patient, but here we are,” he said. “When we broke ground 18 months ago, I told everyone to envision a new building, a gateway. It is here.”

Donte Blue, an assistant in the now combined Financial Aid and EOPS Office, said he is glad to be in the new building, despite the few bumps that come with a new location.

“It’s a change for everyone — students and staff alike,” Blue said. “We’re working to make the transition as smooth as possible for our students. If it’s not better for them, what does it matter?”

Hernandez said the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I’m hearing students really like the new building,” he said. “Nothing but positive comments.”

Nursing major Siriphone Ratanasith likes the SSC better than the H Building because of its appearance, location and size.

“It looks way better and (is) closer to the parking lot,” she said. “Everything inside is easier to find. In the H Building, it had long lines and in the Financial Aid (Office) it was really small, hard to

move around.”

Hernandez said at the time the building was opened, it still had work to be done.

“It’s (more than) 90 percent done with,” Hernandez said of the construction to the building. “As we get used to the building, we’ll still continue to find issues. We’re still working on getting out some of the bugs.”

Alexis DeVille, music major, said he had a difficult time knowing when to get to the Financial Aid/EOPS counter.

“You can’t hear when they call your name,” DeVille, in his third semester, said. “I did admissions over there (in Humanities). It’s just a little too crowded. Over there it’s kind of small. It’s kind of bigger here, more space. I like it.”

A common fear during the construction of the building was the possibility of delays similar to what happened during the two-year renovation of the Library.

Building from the ground up, however, the SSC has not had any major set backs to its completion.

Andrew Butt, principle architect of the project, said the biggest problem in the new building deals with the floor’s edges continuing to pop off the individual floors.

“It’s not a huge problem. (It will be fixed) in the next few weeks,” he said.

The building’s positive aspects, however, greatly overshadow any shortcomings it has, especially when compared to those of the H Building.

Its greatest aspect, many say, is the working heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which was not working

Rendon

at

frendon.

DVC fire | Arsonist sets Police Services Office ablaze ■ FROM: Page 1

Lieutenant Jose Delatorre of the Pleasant Hill Police Department said they are currently following up on a number of leads in the investigation.

“We are still actively pursuing leads and contacting possible suspects based on information from different sources,” Delatorre said.

The headquarters contained both an alarm system and surveillance camera.

When the break-in occurred, the security alarm was the first to go off, with the fire department notified once the smoke alarm was triggered.

“The alarm did its business. All else including the camera surveillance tape is under investigation,” Lieutenant Tom Sharp of Diablo Valley Police Services said.

“We do have surveillance tapes of the person actually lighting the fires and utilizing the devices used,” Carpenter said.

According to Carpenter, the tapes have not been enough to identify the perpetrator.

While the building was damaged, Police Services was fortunate enough to have not suffered a large loss in its records.

“The records we did lose were more of an inconvenience than a tragedy,” Sharp said. “We were very lucky there was no human loss or injury. It mostly comes down to monetary loss, loss of equipment and of course, our facility.”

Chief Gibson of district Police Services said, “We had records in different places — some were also in file cabinets that were not in hot spots so those were a bit more protected.”

Following the response, Police Services set up operations in a temporary Mobile Command Post in the parking lot in front of the building.

Police Services has been relocated to DVC’s Engineering and Technology Building, located behind the original module. Sharp estimates Police Services will be in the ET Building for another six months before returning to another module on the

old foundation.

“My understanding is that the ET Building is a satisfactory short-term solution,” Christine Knox, Director of Marketing and Communications at DVC, said.

Gibson said the district has graciously agreed to add an additional 480 square feet to the module and are currently in the process of designing the new building. January 2009 is the targeted date to have the building up and running again.

“As far as precautions, we are planning to put in alarm and surveillance systems. It would also be nice to have a fire retardant building,” Gibson said. “Best of all, we’d like to apprehend the suspect and make an example out of him.”

Sharp said, “Really the only thing to do when something like this happens is to increase awareness. We are more aware now of offhand comments or jokes.”

Reward posters have gone up around the campus with a total of $12,000 being offered for information leading to the arrest

and/or conviction of the perpetrator. The district is offering $10,000 and Crime Stoppers, an organization that works to help prevent and solve crime in communities and schools across the nation, is offering up to $2,000.

DVC police aide Amrinder Singh said the incident has only strengthened the department.

“When situations like these come up, we know we can overcome them,” he said.

“It is not keeping us from doing our job.”

Singh said he doesn’t feel targeted, but is keeping an eye out.

Sharp said, “It didn’t dampen our spirits, we haven’t lost a step in the level of service we are able to provide. We are pretty much back to running about 100 percent again.”

For additional information, contact the Pleasant Hill Police Department at 925288-4600.

Contact Regina Sarnicola at rsarnicola.advocate@gmail.com.

Budget | State officials fail to produce complete plan ■ FROM: Page 1

alent student, Senior Dean of Research and Planning Tim Clow said. Without the knowledge of how much money is going to be received, he said it becomes difficult to decide how to divide the district’s funds.

Business Services Director Mariles Magalong said that at the community college level, there is little officials can do to

influence the outcome of the impasse.

“We are sitting here waiting for them to pass the state budget,” Magalong said.

Some of the legislators are attending the Democratic Convention, which is expected to further slow the process of passing a budget.

Disagreements between the Democraticcontrolled legislature and the Republican

governor are not a recent development.

Last year, they waited until Aug. 24 to pass the budget. The current year’s impasse is already the third-longest impasse in state history.

Gov. Schwarzenegger recently made his “August revise” as an attempt to compromise with the Legislature. As of press time, however, nothing has been finalized.

Murillo said that while community colleges are not expected to lose a large amount of money, the delay in finding a reasonable budget is still causing the district and programs all over the state to lose money.

Contact Francisco Rendon at frendon. advocate@gmail.com.

CAMPUS BEAT

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE

Wing Fling to reveal flavorful samples of restaurant’s cuisine Variety of styles to be showcased by student chefs

By Lamar James NEWS EDITOR

Beginnning the semester with a blast, the culinary arts department will host its semiannual Wing Fling competition in the Three Seasons Restaurant Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Students will compete to see who can make the best chicken wings, with the winning flavor receiving an award at the end of the event.

Admission is $5, and all customers will be able to choose from different styles of wings created by five different student groups.

Although the Three Seasons Restaurant does not officially open until Sept. 9, the competition will give culinary students a chance to showcase their skills and reacquaint themselves with the kitchen.

The department has once again experienced a growth in enrollment, with many first-time and returning students contributing to the already thriving program, culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes said.

“This semester, there is a big enrollment and I am glad to see

“I am looking forward to the full classes.

There is a high number of students in the class and I’m glad that the operation of the restaurant is taking a more positive turn.”

Patrick Robertson, culinary arts professor

new students and the old faces,” he said.

Culinary arts professor Patrick Robertson agreed, noting that the high enrollment is exciting for the program.

“I am looking forward to the full classes,” Robertson said.

“There is a high number of students in the class and I’m glad that the operation of the restaurant is taking a more positive turn.”

Sharkes said many of the students are anxious to enter the kitchen and really get in the spirit of serving people.

Not only are students within the department anxious about the upcoming semester, but those outside the program as well.

“Their meals are great,” student Tennisa Thomas said. “Their food is really cheap and they have a very nice dining area.”

According to Sharkes, the

Three Seasons Restaurant will be serving even more complicated dishes and presenting customers with an even higher standard of food quality.

The menu will be expanded with a variety of different dishes, such as cod cake with basil and black olive oils to stuffed chicken breast with green peppercorn sauce.

“The cooking is going to be different,” culinary arts student Melody Jackson, who has been active in the department for three semesters, said. “It will be a different line of cooks. The returning waiters from spring 2008 semester Culinary 120 will be the cooks now.”

Despite the rise in cost of many foods, the Three Seasons Restaurant is still dedicated to bringing quality food at inexpensive prices, Sharkes said.

He said that he wanted students to provide better service to customers, thus improving their dining experience and making them want to come back.

Additionally, the restaurant will be trying to expand by putting more tables and chairs on the patio in order to accommodate more customers.

Sharkes said they are going to have more people working the floor to help provide good service in the relatively confined space.

Contact Lamar James at ljames.advocate@gmail.com.

5

ERIK VERDUZCO / THE ADVOCATE

Stirring up flavor — Culinary arts department Chairman Nader Sharkes keeps a close eye on his creation. The Three Seasons Restaurant will host the semiannual Wing Fling Sept. 3.

District fills position with new vice chancellor ‘Qualified’ administrator Murillo eases into role

By Justin Morrison EDITOR IN CHIEF

Contra Costa Community College District hired Kindred Murillo, new vice chancellor of Districtwide Administrative Services, on Aug. 5.

Murillo comes to the job with 12 years of higher education experience, along with 13 years of work in outside management.

“She is eminently qualified for her role as vice chancellor,” former interim vice chancellor of Districtwide Administrative Services Mark Zacovic said. Murillo comes to the job with an extensive background in facility planning, working with bonds and measures, as well as being very technology savvy, which will help with major technology projects the district will be implementing, he said.

The district went through a rigorous process to fill the vice chancellor position and no candidate lacked strong credentials in community college finance

and administration. According to Zacovic, Murillo’s background in particular made her the choice candidate for the job.

“I’m very excited and enjoying (my work),” Murillo said, “This is a great management team.”

Though Murillo is looking forward to her new job and the experiences it entails, she still recognizes the large amount of work ahead of her. As she eases into her new position, she is getting a “sense of the things we can do, improvements that can be made and Murillo ways we can support people.”

Comes to Murillo will be overseeing the district all fiscal operations for the with years district and it is important that of education these operations be solid. experience.

The position requires her to be at the district office in Martinez, but Murillo is making it a point to come out to the campuses.

“I like being on the campuses and seeing what they

need and how to support them,” she said. Murillo has already made trips out to Contra Costa College and met with President McKinley Williams.

“She is a great addition to the district management team and the district as a whole,” Williams said, “She is confidant, passionate and a team player.”

All three of the community colleges in the district are unique Williams said, and Murillo understands that they all have different needs.

This understanding stems from her leaving the office and coming to the campuses to interact with the students, he said.

“She is very eager to come to college events and participate in them,” Williams said. “She wants to get to know the students.”

The fact that Murillo will not be able to interact with the students on a daily basis is the hardest part for her, she said. At her previous job in the Pasadena Area Community College District, she became accustomed to students coming into her office and asking for her assistance.

“I miss talking to students,” she said.

To help address this issue, Murillo has made it a point to attend CCC ASU meetings and events, as well as ASU meetings at the other two campuses.

Mentor program pairs teachers

By Brent Bainto STAFF WRITER

A program designed to help new professors with teaching strategies, classroom management and student interaction will soon be implemented at Contra Costa College.

The innovative teacher-mentor program places experienced professors in mentor roles, where they assist new hires, as well as existing staff who have only worked part-time positions or have taken on completely new ones.

Elected teacher mentors agree to serve a two-semester term with stipend and flex credit for professional development, which will become a requirement for new staff. They will also receive a letter of commendation and certificate of appreciation.

Academic Senate President Richard Akers is heading the program and aims to have the mentor program ready by this fall semester. A date is yet to be disclosed.

“The program will create a sense of excellence among faculty,” Dr. Akers said, “as opposed to just another job to be done and creates an opportunity to have an influence on the new faculty and institution.”

He plans to have an election process ready by next semester.

Both staff and students will

have a voice in the electoral process for model teachers, Akers said.

Students will be chosen from a nonbiased perspective and from separate educational divisions.

This will include the Natural, Social and Applied Sciences (NSAS), Liberal, Applied Health, Vocational Training and Athletics (LAVA) and Communication, Liberal Arts, Skill and Services (CLASS) divisions, as well as Middle College High School.

ASU President Jeanelle Hope expressed enthusiasm for the program, noting newer teachers will get a chance to gain experience.

Dr. James Duvall, earth sciences department chairman and former Academic Senate member, proposed the idea of the teachermentor program to the senate last year.

He has served as a state teachermentor and actively works outside of the classroom with students.

Currently, however, there is no formal teacher-mentor program present for professors in both universities and community colleges.

Duvall said that new teachers need at least an informal structure to fall back on for ideas and noted the importance of outside involvement with students past the classroom.

Contact Brent Bainto at bbainto.advocate@gmail.com.

Murillo started out her educational career as a teacher, before moving up the administrative ladder, imbuing a desire to meet student’s needs. A trait she has taken with her to this new position.

“When you’re not on campus, it’s easy to forget your focus is the students,” she said. “Part of the reason I like working here is that people understand they are serving students and helping them get an education.”

Murillo has already established a good working relationship with CCCCD Chancellor Helen Benjamin as well.

“I’m very happy with (Murillo) as a choice, a wonderful addition and will bring leadership that will be a great addition to the management team,” Benjamin said.

This relationship will be key in the upcoming years, Murillo said, “it’s going to be a busy couple of years, we have lots of things to do.”

For now, however, she is just “glad to be here and looking forward to working with everybody.”

Contact Justin Morrison advocate@gmail.com.

at

jmorrison.

Meet the new staff

Arnold

Psychology

Azizi

EOPS counselor

McNeal Nursing

Moore

Early childhood

JacobsBuster Nursing

Stefanova Foreign language

Webb

Physical education

Voorde

Counselor

Eight faculty members named full time New professors, counselors come aboard for fall

By Diana Reyes STAFF WRITER

Contra Costa College is welcoming eight new full-time college faculty members to its ranks this semester, some whom will be familiar faces to the campus community.

Nursing professors Fran Jacobs-Buster and Sean McNeal, counselor Maritza Vandee Vordee, psychology professor Mickelle Arnold, foreign languages professor Irena Stefanova, early childhood development professor Sandra Moore and physical education professor/baseball coach Marvin Webb have all become full-time faculty members. Middle College High School

teacher Godhuli Bose was also hired full-time.

Natural, Social and Applied Sciences Division Dean Terence Elliott said many applied, were paper screened and interviewed by hiring committees, however, few were selected for the open positions.

The college goes through a process of hiring new faculty members following the departure of professors who have retired or quit.

In order to form an agreement, college President McKinley Williams, Vice President Carol Maga and the United Faculty vice president must review the process to see who fulfilled the requirements.

“Each vacancy had very qualified candidates, therefore the decisions were tough to make,” Williams said.

For several years, after former foreign language department chairwoman June Chatterjee

“Each vacancy had very qualified candidates, therefore the decisions were tough to make.”

McKinley Williams, college president

retired, CCC filled the position temporarily with English as a second language professor Gabriela Segade.

In this case, the process to hire a chairperson for the foreign language department took place last spring. Irena Stefanova was hired.

Helen Kalkstein, dean of the Communication, Liberal Arts, Skills and Services Division, said it is unusual for a new faculty member to be hired as a department chairperson.

Stefanova is originally from Bulgaria and speaks French, Spanish, Portuguese, Bulgarian, English and Macedonian.

Kalkstein and Stefanova are hoping to expand the foreign language department in the future, with the goal of offering higherlevel courses such as Spanish 4, and expanding the number of programs. The only languages being offered right now are Spanish and Japanese. “(Foreign languages) is a small department, but with a lot of potential to offer more than two languages,” Stefanova, who also hopes to introduce French and Arabic classes to the department, said.

Kalkstein said, “We are very happy to have her. We are looking forward to seeing her department evolve. We’ve been waiting for this for years.”

Contact Diana Reyes at dreyes.advocate@gmail.com.

6 THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS BEAT

l WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008

Parking lots repaved due to poor conditions Overdue roadways

repaired, renumbered

Reorganization Previously, the campus parking lots were randomly numbered, but were reorganized chronologically around the campus. After being postponed due to budget, Lots 6 and 7, located at the front of the campus, were repaved over the summer. More parking lots will be repaved according to time and budget.

By Lauren Shiraishi OPINION EDITOR

Just before the start of the fall semester, Lots 6 and 7 were repaved, making the roads look and feel smoother.

The lots were fixed because of the poor conditions of the road, as well as for aesthetic reasons.

“There were a lot of spidery cracks in the road, and it didn’t look real good,” Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said. “We wanted to present a good image of the college since (Lots) 6 and 7 are the main lots people see when they come onto the campus.”

All of the main roadways on the campus were set to be repaved last year, but the plan was postponed due to the budget, King said.

When the college came up with extra money, however, the Buildings and Grounds Department decided to go ahead with the project.

Preparation for construction began two weeks ago and the actual paving and repainting of the lines of the lots took place the weekend of Aug. 16.

Altogether, the process took three to four days, but was finished before students arrived for fall classes.

“I was there at 6 a.m. on Monday morning, making sure the lots were all ready in time for the first day of school,” King said.

There are no definite plans to start repaving another set of parking lots, although they will be renovated if time and the budget allows.

“The other lots are still either in good

“There were a lot of spidery cracks in the road, and it didn’t look real good. We wanted to present a good image of the college since (Lots) 6 and 7 are the main lots people see when they come onto the campus.”

Bruce King,

Buildings and Grounds manager

condition or fairly new,” King said. “But Lots 1, 2, 5 and 14 could use it. We need to do more paving, and hopefully we’ll just get it done little by little.”

Students are pleased with the results as well.

“It looks very good. The new road is excellent and clear,” student Herb Whittie said.

Others, however, had not even noticed the change.

“I didn’t even pay attention to it,” student Mary Kate Rossi said. “The road is just kind of there. I think it looks OK though.”

The repaving is the second step of renovation of the parking lots.

Last spring, the lots were all renumbered, following a sequential order around the campus.

Contact Lauren Shiraishi at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com.

Program to help those in financial emergency $50,000 donation funds effort to support students

By Sam Attal STAFF WRITER

A new financial aid program will soon be available to those in danger of dropping out of school due to monetary problems.

Scholarship America’s Dreamkeepers program, funded by a $50,000 donation from Wal-Mart, provides financial support for students looking to gain a degree, certificate or transfer to a higher education university.

The services each student is eligible for will depend on factors such as the need for funds and the number of semesters the student has attended Contra Costa College.

First-semester students will be able to receive AC Transit and WestCat bus passes, gas cards and food vouchers to Lucky and FoodMaxx.

They will be required to fill out a Free Application for Student Aid, declare an educational goal or major and enroll in at least five units fulfilling that objective.

Students who have completed at least one semester, known as continuing students, will be able to obtain the same services.

They will also be given the opportunity to have some necessities, such as utility bills, medical expenses and rent, paid for.

Continuing students applying for aid share the same requirements as first-semester students. They also need to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average and make progress with toward completing their educational goal.

“We’re talking about serious students who have goals,” Foundation Director Linda Cherry said. “The whole point of these funds is to keep students in school.”

If interested, a person must fill out an application available in the Student Life Center. They will be interviewed by Student Life Supervisor Jennifer Ounjian and either granted or denied the aid depending on how focused the student is and the necessity of the service.

The question is whether or not money problems will keep the student from attending school, Ounjian said.

Students will be required to bring proof of bills or expenses that need to be met. If approved, the funds will be sent straight to the party requesting payment, to prevent the aid from being spent on other expenses.

“This is not money for tuition. This is not money for books. This is money to keep students in school,” Cherry said.

According to Cherry, the amount of aid a student

receives is negotiable.

Payments and expenses will be met before their due dates in most cases. Bus passes, gas cards and food vouchers will be available on the spot.

“We do expect to have a very quick turnaround from the time the student applies to the time of approval,” Ounjian said.

Once the aid is granted, attendance of a budgeting workshop is required. Budgeting workshops will be available either on campus or online once the program is in full effect.

Until this requirement is met, students will not be able to register for any classes or receive an official transcript.

If the program remains strong throughout the year, administrators and Scholarship America will discuss funding for future semesters.

Donations for the program are currently being accepted by the CCC Foundation and can be written off as tax deductible.

In the event that a high number of students receiving the aid drop out, the program will be cancelled or possibly retooled.

CCC is the only school west of the Mississippi River receiving the grant money, Cherry said.

This year, Wal-Mart funded nine other community colleges, along with the University of Maryland.

“We’re very proud as an institution that we were granted this honor,” college President McKinley Williams said. “(Scholarship America and Wal-

Mart) were very eager to support us.”

Wal-Mart chose the schools based on their demographical areas, known as “Wal-Mart Opportunity Zones.”

“It seems to me, with our community, we’ll probably need more than ($50,000),” Senior Dean of Students Frank Hernandez said. “Our students are in a very risky environment.”

Initially, the Dreamkeepers program began in early January 2005 to find out how emergency financial systems would help students stay in school, Barb Weber, assistant vice president of Scholarship America’s Scholarship Management Services, said.

Through Scholarship America and the Lumina Foundation For Education, 11 institutions were chosen for the pilot program. Lumina was able to grant $1.5 million, which lasted approximately three years.

“It was very successful,” Weber said. “(Lumina) knew community college students were at risk of dropping out due to emergency situations.”

Scholarship America is looking for support through donations for semesters to come and is currently in discussion with Lumina to continue the program.

For more information, contact the Student Life Center at 510-235-7800, ext. 4237.

Contact Sam Attal at sattal.advocate@gmail. com.

Annual All College Day sets tone for new academic year Event serves as opportunity to come together, gear up

By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Members of the college family rejoined Aug. 15 to kick off the new school year with Contra Costa College’s annual All College Day. All constituency groups of the college — students, faculty, staff and managers — gathered in LA-100 to review last year’s accomplishments, enjoy summer vacation stories and discuss this year’s projects.

“It’s always exciting to welcome back faculty and kick off the new year,” college President McKinley Williams said. “All College Day serves as an opportunity for us all to come together, hear about last year’s accomplishments and set the tone for the upcoming year.”

The major topic at this year’s All College Day was the college’s accreditation self-study.

“It’s a regular six-year self-study to make sure we’re up to snuff,” Carol Maga, college vice president, said. “Which I think we are.”

The accreditation self-study is 231page internal report of the college and, in October, a small group from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) will come and review the college’s policies and practices.

CCC has accreditation, which is what allows the college to give transferable units, degrees and certificates.

The ACCJC, Maga said, is composed of college presidents, vice presidents and other people of leadership roles from colleges across the state and country.

“The accreditation commission sets what they see as the best practice standards,” she said.

Williams said is critical for the college to receive high marks and responses from both the self-study and the visiting commission.

“It is important for the stability of the college that we do the self-study and get positive feedback from the study team,” he said. “It could affect accreditation, our ability to give degrees and certificates.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to take an internal look,” Williams said. “Identify areas we may need to improve.”

Also, Williams and Maga covered the ongoing Facilities Master Plan and the college’s construction, reconstruction and demolition.

The master plan was the main point of last year’s All College Day, when an architect from Perkins + Will, the firm hired to design the plan, laid out the whole plan to the college.

Since then, the Americans with Disabilities Act compliant path of travel from the Library to the Applied Arts and Administration Building, along with the construction of the Student Services Center, have been completed.

“We’re rolling right along with the implementation of the Facilities Master Plan,” Williams said.

Maga said in addition to the completion of some construction and renovation on campus, plans to start the first phase of the Facilities Master Plan, as released by Perkins + Will in March, are under way.

Architect firm tBP has been hired for Phase One, which includes demolition of the 50-year-old Humanities Building, which will be replaced by a Classroom Building, much like the Liberal Arts Building.

Also included in the phase is the demolition and relocation of the Student Activities Building and the creation of an entrance to the campus and a new meeting area.

“We’re going to get started on them, the programming phase,” Williams said.

“Get staff people from the college, start to communicate what the buildings are going to look like, what features it will have, its layout.”

He said the planning is important because the buildings will be standing for the next 35 to 40 years.

“It’s important to get our best minds together to figure out how to create the building,” Williams said.

A concept he wishes to get into all new buildings is that of “linger and learn.”

Williams looks to implement several areas for students and faculty to gather in the buildings and on campus, modeled after the Center for Science Excellence.

“The Center for Science Excellence has been extremely successful with the space created for them,” Williams said.

“The concept for space we want to replicate when we remodel or build where students feel comfortable studying, feel comfortable collaborating on projects.

JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE

Way to go — President McKinley Williams awards earth sciences department Chairman James Duvall for his volunteer service at All College Day. “The new Classroom Building will have such a space in the facility also.”

On a more lighthearted note, Williams and Alpha Gamma Sigma, the college’s honor society, gave several awards to faculty and staff.

AGS gave its Golden Apple Award to math professor Sherry Sharufa for her work with students.

“I’m so honored,” she said. “It feels good to be appreciated.”

Sharufa said she tries to make students comfortable in her classes and feels that how she cares for students helped her earn the award.

She said it is important for professors to understand students’ backgrounds and learning styles are diverse and professors have to recognize that in their teaching styles.

Williams gave out five awards to fac-

ulty and staff, recognizing their work and efforts on campus.

Earth sciences department Chairman James Duvall received an award for his time as a volunteer on committees and student groups and African-American studies professor Carolyn Hodge earned one for her support of students and on campus events.

Friends of the Library President Janis Walsh was recognized for her work while the Library moved from the SA Building to the Library and Learning Resource Center. Additionally, Classified Senate President Mercy Pono earned an award for her work on shared governance committees and custodian Monty Gayton as the college’s most helpful employee.

Contact Brett Abel advocate@gmail.com.

at

babel.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008 l THE ADVOCATE

7

Comet legend makes final pass jeffcarillo

Gold medal game a thrill to experience

T

he gold medal game for the U.S. men’s national basketball team in the 2008 Olympics was nothing short of spectacular.

The U.S. earned every bit of the victory, pulling out the game by a final score of 118-107 on Sunday, and what followed was pure joy.

Seeing the American players’ reactions as the final seconds ticked off the clock is something I will remember for a long time.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski and guard Jason Kidd hugged each other, while LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony started a chant of “U.S.A., U.S.A!” and the sight of so many smiles on the faces of players like Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade was truly a sight to behold.

Some may say the U.S did not win convincingly, but they earned their gold medals and they performed with ultimate humility and the highest level of showmanship and respect to their opponents and to the fans.

The Redeem Team was essentially a team that every American basketball fan can be proud of, as they demonstrated the true American spirit in their quest for gold and redemption.

The sight of the athletes as they received their gold medals was also a picture of just how much the gold meant to the Redeem Team.

As James, who was arguably the biggest differencemaker in the tournament with his leadership and defensive aggressiveness, bent down to receive his medal, he held it inches away from his eyes and just stared at it, letting the emotions of success and victory all sink in. Bryant stood on the podium and sang along with the U.S. national anthem as Anthony wiped a tear from his eye as the American flag was raised.

And in another great gesture displayed by the American team, after being awarded the gold medals, they took them off their necks and hung them each on coach Krzyzewski’s neck, as well as assistant coaches Jim Boeheim, Mike D’Antoni, Nate McMillan and the architect of the Redeem Team, Jerry Colangelo.

The dream scene of the gold medal ceremony was made even greater by what occurred for 40 exciting minutes of basketball.

Despite losing 119-82 to the U.S. in the preliminary round, Spain became the first opponent to give the Redeem Team a game.

Spain fought and hung tough against the U.S., staying within striking range and cutting the deficit to as little as five points in the final three minutes of play.

Bryant then hit a 3-pointer off a pass from Wade and drew a foul for a four-point play, which he converted.

After another clutch 3 from Wade and a couple free throws from guard Chris Paul, the U.S. team culminated three years of hard work toward redemption.

The game will be remembered as one that took the U.S. back to the top of the world.

Given the past successes of USA Basketball, the fall from grace in 2004 and the tremendous pressure this team faced to win gold, the Redeem Team was exactly that.

Jeff Carillo is sports editor of The Advocate. Contact him at jcarillo.advocate@gmail.com.

‘J.D.’ Banks, CCC basketball star, dies at 73

By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR

A staple of the Contra Costa College athletic department passed away this spring after having a more than 50-year relationship with the college.

Joe “J.D.” Banks, 73, died May 15 from heart failure in Richmond, the city in which he became a high school and college basketball star.

Banks played at CCC in the 1955-56 season, when the Comets made it to the State Championship Final Four.

After playing with the Harlem Globetrotters for a year, Banks played with their expansion team, the Clowns, for nine years.

When he returned to CCC in 1970, he was an assistant coach to men’s basketball coach Ed Greene for 18 years. He was also the college’s equipment manager until he retired in 1996.

Banks was the college’s first All-American and was in the first group of inductees to CCC’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Although Banks retired from coaching in 1988, he continued to come to the campus and athletic events, namely the sport he loved — basketball.

“He probably didn’t miss five games in 30 years,” Greene, former men’s basketball coach, said.

Greene says he knew more about Banks than almost anyone else because of the amount of time the two spent together.

“We went to every city in Northern California,” Green said of his times traveling to tournaments with Banks. “For three or four days, we’d play one game a day for two hours. That leaves 22 hours. We spent a great deal of time talking.”

The topics of discussion were vast — from basketball, to traveling, to playing with the Clowns, to life situations.

“He had a wealth of experience,” Greene said. “He might have been the most influential man in my time (here).”

It was difficult to find someone who could speak an unkind word of Banks.

“Even those that hated him loved him,” Greene said.

“Anytime you can walk into a facility and you can call him

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

All-American — Former Harlem Clown and Comet basketball star Joe “J.D.” Banks, 73, died May 17 from heart failure. Banks played on the CCC team that went to the State Final Four. by his first name and everyone knows him,” he said. “J.D. is J.D.” But Banks faced hardship when he left Richmond.

After a stellar career at Richmond High School, where he graduated in 1954 as a fourtime state champion, he earned a scholarship to the University of Idaho, but returned to Richmond a year later.

Neither Greene nor Banks’ wife Mae could say why he decid-

ed to leave. But J.D., in a video recorded for his induction into the Hall of Fame, simply said, “I didn’t like it.”

After his career at CCC and before his stint with the Globetrotters, Banks attended the Boston Celtics camp where he competed with long-time friend Bill Russell for a spot on the NBA team’s roster.

Due to the league’s racist policy toward African-American ath-

letes, however, he was kept off the roster, Banks said in 2004. “(The NBA) was just beginning (to integrate). I feel that’s the situation why I didn’t make the NBA,” he said.

“A team only had one or two (African-American players).

Boston had Bill Russell coming and Sam Jones — they were close to their quota,” Banks said jokingly, breaking out his well-known smile.

Less than two years later, the NBA allowed African-American players at a much higher rate.

Banks’ daughter Pamela said if her father were only a few years younger he would have been an NBA player.

She also said J.D. had two loves — his sports and his family.

When J.D. won awards for his play with the Clowns, he would take his three daughters with him to center court to receive them.

“He loved his sports. Little League World Series, he watched that,” Pamela said. “He was a fan of the WNBA, golf and hockey.

But his love was basketball. He loved football and baseball. But his (real) love was basketball.”

J.D.’s love and devotion to his family, however, was unmatched, even by his love of basketball.

“My biggest memory I have of him,” Pamela said of her father, “was when he told me, ‘When you have children, you’re a parent for life.’”

J.D. was also a brother until the end. When his two sisters were sick he took care of them, providing comfort until the day they died.

When Pamela heard her father was ill with colon cancer, she tried to do what he did for his sisters.

“That’s what he did and what I was trying to do,” she said. She quit working and moved into her parents’ house to look after J.D. and her mother Mae. “My father, he’s a special man in my life,” Pamela said. “I’m lost without my dad.”

Current men’s basketball coach Miguel Johnson played under Greene and Banks in the 1989-90 season. “(Banks) would always give advice,” Johnson said. “He said, ‘Continue what you’re doing, play with heart and finish things out.’”

After Johnson became the coach of the Comets in the 200607 season, Banks continued the relationship.

“He’d always show up, sit behind the bench and pull me to the side,” Johnson said. “(Banks said,) ‘Keep your head up and push through. You have to sacrifice and have heart.’”

Johnson said Banks will be missed, but coaches can continue Banks’ commitment to the college and its athletes.

“We can continue to be involved in these young students’ lives,” Johnson said. “Not just on the court, but off the court.”

Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.

SportShort CCC defense ‘ahead’ of offense in team’s preseason scrimmage

JUSTIN MORRISON / THE ADVOCATE

Fight for it — Comet right midfielder Chris Garcia (right), freshman, fights off a City College of San Francisco player in Saturday’s scrimmage against the Rams. The Comets won 2-1.

Team starts with 2-1 win

By Brett Abel ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Comet fall sports season kicked off Saturday afternoon when the men’s soccer team faced off against City College of San Francisco in a scrimmage.

Contra Costa College scored two goals in the first half to go up 2-1 over the Rams and eventually closed out the contest by the same score.

Rudy Zeller, Comet men’s soccer coach, said although the win does not count in the team’s overall record, the game is good to see to the players play against other teams before the season starts.

“My first seven or eight years

ScoreBoard Comets 2 Rams 1 Next Game: Sept. 3, at Merritt

I didn’t have any scrimmages h e r e ,” Zeller said. “I figured, ‘Why not put players in real

game situations?’”

CCC has its next scrimmage Sept. 3 at Merritt College in Oakland. The team begins non-conference play Sept. 5 at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

The Comets first faced off with CCSF at 1 p.m. Saturday before

playing Cañada College at 5.

“Both (teams) are among topnotch playoff contenders,” Zeller said.

CCSF started the game strong, and the Rams’ Enoch Navarate scored the game’s first goal.

Freshman Diego Oerellano matched CCSF’s goal, chasing down a long pass from midfield.

After the CCSF goalie misplayed the ball and put himself out of position, Oerellano placed the ball in the net with ease.

The Comets took the lead when sophomore forward Jose Gonzalez headed in the final score of the game.

Contact Brett Abel at babel. advocate@gmail.com.

The Contra Costa College football team held a scrimmage on Saturday at Salesian High School, evaluating talent and holding starting position battles for the upcoming season.

Due to the renovation of Comet Stadium, the football team held its scrimmage at Salesian High School.

During the scrimmage, as starting positions were up for grabs, the defense looked sharp with strong play coming from the linebacker and defensive back positions.

“The defense right now is ahead of the offense,” coach John McDermott said. “We have work to do, but there are plenty of positives on both sides of the ball.”

The offense was having its share of ups and downs, as the unit had difficulty running the ball and opening up a passing attack, due to poor blocking up

front, McDermott said.

The offense displayed sparks of life with key play from returning starters. Alberto Johnson and Deonta’ Allen led the way at the wide receiver positions. Royce Hughes looked good, but could not get comfortable in the pocket because of the lack of help on the offensive line.

“We need a lot of help on the offensive line,” McDermott said.

“Movement from the line is the key to our offensive game plan.

“We are in a position to win if we can run the ball, and then we can open up our passing attack,” he said. “With only three returning starters there was just a lot of talent evaluating and just getting guys comfortable in their positions.”

The Comets play a scrimmage at San Jose City College Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m.

— Anthony Farr

Game of the Week Men’s soccer Contra Costa College VS.

American River College When: Sept. 9, 2:30 p.m.

Where: Soccer field Records: CCC 0-0 overall, 0-0 in the BVC. American River 0-0 overall.

Background: The Comets play American River in their first home game of the 2008 season. The team is looking to gain a measure of revenge against the Beavers for last season’s 1-0 loss at American River. CCC’s first game of the season is on the road against San Joaquin Delta College on Sept. 5. The team is looking to build upon last season’s strong finish and compete for a Bay Valley Conference title.

— Jeff Carillo

8 THE ADVOCATE Unleashed

Movies

This week: “Babylon A.D.” (PG-13) “College” (R) “Disaster Movie” (PG-13)

DVDs

SCENE

l WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, 2008

Lots of ‘Death,’ not much plot ‘Deathrace’ satisfies only fans of mindless Hollywood action fare

explodes on the screen, there is little emotional pay-off by the conclusion. The action is there for the sake of action with very little human drama involved. What human element there is in “Deathrace” is simply cookie-cutter.

Jason Statham plays Jensen Ames, a

By Ryan Jacques man who is framed for the murder of his STAFF WRITER wife. He is taken away from his daughter to Terminal Island Penitentiary where he “Deathrace” is exactly what audimeets the warden, played by Academy ences would expect from a movie about Award-nominee Joan Allen. inmates who drive heavily armored cars It is there Ames is propositioned by with machine guns in a race to blast their the warden to drive in her televised show way to freedom.

As an action movie, it succeeds in its called “Deathrace.” If he wins the race, level of carnage that includes explosions, he wins his freedom.

Statham adds yet another laconic neck-breaking and brass flying in the air action hero credit to his resumé. The to the tune of roaring fire-power.

The film is reminiscent of the Arnold movie serves as a vehicle for him, much like his “Transporter” series.

Schwarzenegger movies of the 1980s, Statham has developed himself into like “Commando.” After all the action the man’s man action hero of the new mil-

New releases: “What Happens in Vegas” (PG-13) “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?”

(NR)

CDs

lennium, taking over the role Schwarzenegger left vacant in the nineties.

The character of Ames is a man who lives in a possible near-future where America’s economy collapses and crime becomes an epidemic. Prisons fill up and private corporations run them for profit.

The warden of Terminal Island is a woman who makes her own luck. She has Ames take over the persona of a masked man named Frankenstein in order to get higher ratings for her show.

Allen, who is known for her roles in “Pleasantville,” “Nixon” and the Bourne movies, gives the most wooden performance of her career. As the antagonist, she tries a number of ways to prevent the racers from winning their freedom, ensuring her dominance.

Though, she never seems like much of a threat and that takes away from the suspense.

There is never a time when the audience believes the hero will not get out of her trap. When they see a new threat come, they simply wait for the subsequent explosive spectacle.

Tyrese Gibson plays Machine Gun Joe, another racer, who desires to win his own freedom.

Gibson does his best to work through some muddled

New releases: The Verve: “Forth” The Game: “LAX” DragonForce: “UltraBeatdown” BB King: “One Kind Favor” Slipknot: “All Hope Is Gone”

Books

New releases: Terry Brooks: “The Gypsy Morph (The Genesis of Shannara, Book 3)” Kathy Reichs: “Devil Bones: A Novel” Stephanie Laurens: “The Edge of Desire” Nina Garcia: “The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own” Anne Rolphe: “Epilogue: A Memoir” Jayne Castle: “Dark Light (Ghost Hunters, Book 5)” Editor’s note: This column lists popular new (and upcoming) releases for the week.

dialogue and a confused character. There is an odd exchange where Joe is speaking to Ames and he decides to call him Igor because of how ugly he is.

This character is supposed to be Ames’ biggest competition and he resorts to playground strategies for name-calling by saying that he has an ugly face.

Yet, there are moments where Joe is totally ruthless, kicking an inadequate crew member out of his car at high speed.

By the end of the film, the audience may moviereview be confused in deciding whether to root for his character or not.

Of all the actors, Ian McShane pro“Deathrace” vides the best perfor★★★★★ mance as Coach, the Starring: Jason Statham, Joan crew leader for Ames.

Tyrese Known for his portrayal Allen, Gibson as Al Swearengen of Directed by: Paul “Deadwood” fame, W.S. Anderson Genre: Action McShane gives the movie life, taking typical dialogue and making it somehow credible.

The director of “Deathrace” is Paul W.S. Anderson, a man responsible for giving the world works like “Mortal Kombat,” “Resident Evil” and “Aliens vs. Predator.”

While his movie “Event Horizon” remains one of those bad movies out there that is good because it is bad, Anderson nevertheless seems incapable of giving audiences anything beyond an adaptation of a pre-existing property.

“Deathrace” has unimaginative dialogue, stock music, shaky, stereotypical camera work and a cliche ending, yet with non-stop eye candy.

People will get what they pay for.

Contact Ryan Jacques at rjacques. advocate@gmail.com.

SPECIAL TO / THE ADVOCATE

‘Ratatat’ fires off an electronic masterpiece Little-known duo creates entrancing musical mixes

By Shahruz Shaukat STAFF WRITER

Listening to online radio has distinct benefits.

One of the major benefits is getting personalized recommendations for new artists that one may have never heard of before, such as Ratatat, a band that is not that well known, but still has remarkable talent.

Ratatat is a New York Citybased duo composed of guitarist Mike Stroud and producer Evan Mast. Ratatat’s eponymous

first album is an instrumental electronic album consisting of unique genre-bending tracks that can attract fans of all kinds of music.

Made entirely on Mast’s PowerBook over the course of two years, it is the product of two talented musicians’ creativity and temperament.

The opening track, “Seventeen Years,” starts off as a chaotic blend of Mast’s fastpaced synthesizer and Stroud’s frenetic guitar-work. It is an aural display of fireworks that lies somewhere between rock, techno and hip-hop.

But about halfway through, the music slows into a serene downtempo, reminiscent of slow waves drifting back and forth in

Lost Treasure an ocean. The effect of the sudden change of meter is stunning.

The rest of the album has trouble living up to the first track, but is enjoyable nonetheless.

Each track on the album follows a general rhythm of building up tension and then offering a release as the song progresses, which creates an interesting mood on the album as a whole.

Fans of Daft Punk and other electronic artists will enjoy tracks like “El Pico” and

“Germany to Germany,” which feature upbeat synthesizer beats and occasional heavy metal guitar chords.

Fast-paced and frenzied, “Germany to Germany” starts right in the chorus of the song.

When the song finally slows down for a short melodic intermission, it launches back up twice as loud and hectic without warning.

Tracks such as “Breaking Away” and “Lapland” showcase Ratatat’s hip-hop side, thanks to Mast’s hypnotic drum machine beats combined with Stroud’s equally entrancing guitar riffs.

“Breaking Away” is a great example of how Ratatat is able to transform hip-hop into rock and back with ease.

The song takes a slow drum beat peppered with electric guitar, and slowly increases the pace until it renovates into an arena rock anthem that can only be described as epic and ambitious.

The album’s final track, “Cherry,” named after Ratatat’s earlier band name, presents a slow, soothing melody. The atmospheric synthesizer sounds offer a well-balanced counter to the chaotic opening track and provides a solid finish to the overall album.

For fans of any kind of music, “Ratatat” is an album worth checking out.

Contact Shahruz Shaukat at sshaukat.advocate@gmail.com.

Student, faculty expressions showcased in spring Current

By Alec Surmani ASSOCIATE EDITOR

For all of the demeaning labels Contra Costa College has erroneously gathered over the years, only one negative description truly fits — Commuter College.

Most of the student population is made up of people who choose to or simply cannot remain on campus long enough to forge bonds with their fellow students.

Between the 18- and 19-year-olds looking to keep their heads down and power through their general education in an effort to transfer as soon as possible and the working adults ranging from their late 20s to at least early 80s trying to squeeze in some units in between their careers and family, little solidarity is formed among the student body.

This may not necessarily be a bad quality, in fact it is part of what defines CCC. It does make it difficult for student clubs to thrive, a fact the Poetry Club knows all too well.

Constantly struggling with low membership and a meager budget, the club nevertheless managed to put out a strong product at the end of the spring semester.

The latest edition of Current magazine features a wide array of student and staff

art.

Poems range a variety of styles, from bullet-point lists instructions on glovemaking to short stories about people losing themselves in museum paintings.

Some of them are as short as four-word quips about Internet deception, while others are lengthy reflections on a father-son relationbookreview ship.

No matter what length or form they take, they provide an intriguing insight into how some “Current” CCC students are think★★★★★ ing, feeling and expressAuthor: Various ing themselves.

Genre: Poetry A number of staff and Release Date: Available now faculty members also contribute works to the magazine, such as sociology professor Dr. J. Vern Cromartie’s elegy for a former Black Panther who died of lung cancer in 2007, titled “Commemoration for Brother Jimmy.”

More lighthearted works from faculty members can also be found. Poetry Club adviser and United Faculty President Jeffrey Michels turns in a comical offering, “Owed to the Library,” which he previously showcased at the Library’s open-

ing ceremony in November.

In addition to printed word, the magazine also features an assortment of photographs and paintings.

Some are simple captures of nature or childhood, while others are colorful displays of watercolor or manipulations of the hand.

These visual accompaniments greatly compliment the writings and further illustrate the artistic merit of some of CCC’s more creative students.

As a whole, Current exemplifies what students on campus can do when they express themselves and come together to share that expression with their fellow Comets.

It takes bravery to admit that one wishes they could experience the invulnerability felt by their child when they put on Power Ranger underwear.

True bravery, however, is exposing

others to such personal desires, particularly when one has to go so far out of the way to do so.

Contact Alec Surmani at asurmani. advocate@gmail.com.