WEDNESDAY l 11.13.19 OUR 70TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.
BELL FILLS INTERIM POSITION
n “Now that we’ve Campus enters selected somebody, we’ll transitional point, have a chance to debrief with the District Office and optimism grows By Jose Arebalo news editor
jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com
The hiring process for administrative positions on campus has been a disaster in previous years as large gaps in the system allowed candidates to be considered who do not accurately reflect what the campus community wants. This time around there has been a spirit of inclusivity fostered from the district level that was welcomed by the campus. While the process had its issues in the past, things were done differently this time around to ensure the campus’s most desired candidate was selected. This time around, the Contra Costa Community College District selected Dr. Damon A. Bell as interim president of Contra Costa
HR about some changes that we’re positive about,
— Brandy Gibson, Classified Senate president
College and at tonight’s Governing Board meeting, the board will be asked to approve his contract which will last through June 30, 2021. Classified Senate President Brandy Gibson worked together with Academic Senate President Katherine Krolikowski and Institutional
Effectiveness and Equity Dean Mayra Padilla to plan out the hiring process. The process seemed to be more streamlined with a steady release of information to the campus and garnered support from Human Resources at the District Office as well. “I think the process has improved, and I think that there are still things that we can do to make it a better process all around,” Gibson said. “Now that we’ve selected somebody, we’ll have a chance to debrief with the District Office and HR about some changes that we’re positive about and the things we still want to see done a little differently.” Unfortunately, to the dismay of many, hiring committees are not allowed to look at more information than what the candidates have submitted. This rule has resulted in concerning situations before and should hopefully be avoided moving forward. Gibson said the process for hiring an interim position is not laid out specifically by the district, so they asked the district to use the regular procedures for hiring a full-time president. They worked closely with district HR to craft the exact questions, rubric and job description to use. One of the better qualities o f
editorial
New interim president brings hope Bell’s hiring marks a shift in morale for a campus that desperately needed a change in leadership. PAGE 2 this search was the amount of input that the committee requested from the campus. Gibson said there were forums held where faculty and students were able to share their opinions. The public consensus was brought into clear focus for the candidates and the committee. “What they really want is somebody who will listen, who will want to make informed decisions, who can nurture faculty and staff on campus and help with some healing,” Gibson said. The hope is that Dr. Bell can help create a safe space in which we can have conversations about what needs to happen to improve the campus. A shift in overall morale of the campus is desperately needed and the community is ready to have a leader who can bring everyone to the table. “In the last several years, with all the changes in administrators and all the differences, we have, as faculty and staff, grown apart. We sometimes see ourselves as competing interests when what we really need to do is come together,” Gibson said. Lack of leadership has left many people on campus dealing with more than should be expected of
them, which can lead to extra stress. “A lot of the people that have been on campus have taken on additional responsibilities and feel the weight of ownership of tasks that really aren’t theirs,” Gibson said. The hiring of two interim deans has certainly helped with the workload and she looks forward to the hiring of a new vice president she said. To Gibson, the process flowed fairly well as the committee communicated with the district about what the campus needed in terms of support and backup, she said. “I think he (Bell) comes to us with a unique background and a lot of experience working in an interim position,” Gibson said. “He knows what it’s like to come onto a campus where there’s been instabilities, so it’s not going to be something that he’s surprised by.” Associated Student Union Vice President Alfredo Angulo got to sit in on the hiring committee as a representative for the student voice. “We thought Bell had all the things we were looking for from a good candidate,” Angulo said. They have chosen a candidate that seems up to the task of pulling together and lightening the load on campus staff. “He has the institutional knowledge to get the job done, he’s shown that he has knowledge of our community and he’s a good community builder,” Angulo said. One of the biggest demands that the campus has of its new leader is someone who is able to foster a cohesive working environment. “Right now, the college really needs someone to foment a sense of community and collaboration, especially among administrators,” Angulo said. La Raza Student Union President Ricardo Sanchez shared how students looked at the hiring process this time around. “Many of us felt like it was rushed. We wanted a little more SEE INTERIM, PAGE 3
Interim President Damon Bell
Finalist Gholam Javaheripour
Public speaks up at forums By Stacie Guevara scene editor
sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com
On Oct. 25, four candidates for the position of interim president of Contra Costa College visited Fireside Hall for a forum hosted by the Academic Senate and the Classified Senate of CCC. From 8 a.m. to noon, staff, students and community members alike gathered to watch and listen to Dr. Damon Bell, Dr. Kenneth Gonzalez, Gholam Javaheripour, and Dr. Wei Zhou. Two weeks following the gathering, an announcement by district Chancellor Fred Wood, sent Nov. 8, informed the campus community of Dr. Bell’s selection as interim president.
AN ARTIST’S LIFE SHOWN ON STAGE
n
Upon entry to the forum in October, observers were given a note card to write questions and a feedback card about each candidate. Attendees were encouraged to pose questions such as how the observer liked each candidate and whether each candidate answered questions fully and accurately. Each candidate spoke about their past and their professional lives for about 30 minutes before current Acting President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh held a question-and-answer session, asking the same set of questions to each candidate for about 15 minutes. Mehdizadeh asked questions such as how each candidate would contribute to CCC and make it
“I think it’s important that people’s voices are heard.” — Dr. Damon Bell, Contra Costa College interim president
better and how they would include the community and have them be more involved on campus. Dr. Bell’s focus was on tackling transitional issues for students at CCC, keeping enrollment up, and managing the school’s funds better. He said he also wanted to increase student input at the college. “I think it’s important that people’s voices are heard,” Bell said. Fewer than 20 people were at the forum at 8 a.m., but the room started filling up as more people arrived on campus and found out about the event.
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After each Q&A period, a 15-minute break was given before the next candidate would speak. Next up was Dr. Gonzalez, who was very focused on community and race. His aim was to include everyone at CCC and promote ethnic diversity. “We are all products of history and producers of history,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said he knew he wanted to be at a community college and was ready to face the under-representation of people of color in careers in higher education — he knew it would be diffi-
Finalist Wei Zhou cult. He talked about the faculty members who have been at CCC the longest and wanted those people to be leaders and help make some tough decisions. Of all four of the candidates, Javaheripour was the most experienced, having 40 years of higher SEE FORUM, PAGE 3
HBCU REPS VISIT CAMPUS CENTER PLAZA
COMETS FIGHT VALIANTLY
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Finalist Kenneth Gonzalez
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Quotable “I don’t think it’s fair to blame the First Amendment when someone makes a fool of himself in public.”
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EDITORIAL
CLEAN RECORD FOSTERS HOPE
Mary Worth Cartoon character 1998 Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief Robert Clinton associate editor Xavier Johnson web editor Denis Perez creative director Stacie Guevara scene editor Luis Cortes sports editor Jose Arebalo news editor Paul DeBolt faculty adviser Staff writers Fatima Carrasco Janet Lira Gonzalez Wanda Gonzalez Jojuan Johnson Luis Lopez Jose Rivera De’Jon Sylvain Staff photographers Mary Barnes Denis Perez Janice Spraggins Honors ACP National Newspaper Pacemaker Award 1990, 1994, 1997,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019 CNPA Better Newspaper Contest 1st Place Award 1970, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2013 JACC Pacesetter Award 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 2019, 2019 Member
Associated Collegiate Press
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Journalism Association of Community Colleges How to reach us Phone: 510.215.3852 Fax: 510.235.NEWS Email: accent.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
opinion
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 2019 VOL. 109, NO. 7
WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM
Campus optimism grows after interim appointed
A
fter months of sailing in what seems like a rudderless ship, the Contra Costa Community College District has selected Dr. Damon A. Bell to man the helm as interim president at Contra Costa College, pending Governing Board approval at its meeting tonight, in an attempt to get the campus back on course. CCC is no stranger to interim leadership and since the retirement of former president McKinley Williams in 2012, three of the six people to hold the position of president have been categorized as temporary. In the recent past, many in the campus community saw the hiring process for leadership positions in the district as ripe for overhaul. This sentiment reached a fever pitch following the consideration and subsequent removal of two candidates for CCC vice president of student affairs in November of 2018. In that case, the hiring process was halted when it was discovered that candidates Howard Irvin and LeRoderick Terry were both tied to incidents of sexual misconduct. Neither of the men included the improprieties when submitting their employment qualifications. However, candidate vetting has been a problem long before 2018. In 2016, following the reassignment of former CCC president Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, district Chancellor Fred Wood selected Dr. Chuy Tsang to serve a 4-month stint as interim president. Dr. Tsang’s appointment drew ire from many in the campus community who knew the interim was part of the administrative body at Santa Monica College who allowed students to be pepper sprayed by campus police during a protest about summer fee increases. Similarly, Dr. Wood was also embroiled in a pepper spray controversy while serving as an administrator at UC Davis in 2011. Lately, it seems the bad apples who slip through the screening process have a way of ending up at CCC. During this interim hiring process, which followed similar guidelines to requirements for hiring a permanent president, candidate identities were not released until the end of the process was in sight. Despite failing to enact sweeping changes to the vetting process for administrative candidates, Dr. Bell seems to be without a glaring cause for concern. The same simple Google search that prompted unrest regarding other administrators and educators were clean when applied to Bell. Because of his experience in an interim position and over a decade of administrative experience, Bell’s resume comes as a breath of fresh air. Dr. Bell is a member of the NAACP. His hiring begins to fill the void of black male leadership on campus, which is a concern expressed by the African American Staff Association, among others, in recent months. A little over one year ago the college ushered in a new president with hopes of a fresh beginning. But the sting of a rocky separation sullies feelings of hope and change that accompany most administrative hires. Because the campus community has been burned in the past, the optimism that accompanies this change brings with it a healthy dose of skepticism.
JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE
■ RACE
False privilege pins Latino vs. Latino
I
n Latino culture, superiority is taught at a very young age and, in many cases, it causes Latinos to discriminate against their own race. In Latino communities across the country, immigrants who find just a bit of stability immediately think of themselves as better than those who may not enjoy the same level of stability. That grandiose aura can be generated from anywhere or anything. A person can get a new job, acquire the latest tech, buy a new house or car. It doesn’t have to be big, but simply the fact their status has been elevated makes them feel it’s OK to reject those in their own community wrongly designated as lower. That’s why raising Latino children to think and act outside of their culture has become an increasingly common occurrence. Many Latinos are labeled white-washed, but still acknowledge other Latinos in their community as equal. Raising Latino kids to think they are white or saying they are not Latino and rejecting who they are is a growing trend with difficulties that aren’t regularly discussed. A person who is very clearly Latino saying he isn’t Latino and does not relate with the Latino culture is heart-breaking — but understandable. This phenomenon is most regularly displayed in national politics where
janetlira
multiple times in family and public settings. Recently, a server at a local restaurant belittled a patron because the patron asked if the server spoke Spanish — both women were Latina. The server told the customer that she did not speak Spanish, that this was America and she should learn English. I could not believe I was witnessing this level of discrimination and did not understand why a person would be so cruel to another person. When pressed, the server said she felt that way because she struggled to learn English and get a good job — so this woman should do the same. She said because of all the discrimination she weathered before learning a second language, she got the motivation to learn English. She was told it was great she took advantage of the opportunity, but shaming others who come from where you have is not going to help. It’s partially responsible for what pulls us down as a community. It truly doesn’t matter if it’s with a stranger or a close family member. Latino-on-Latino discrimination is sadly becoming a growing trend that will not change unless we begin to see all people as equals.
conservative Latinos are chastised for not supporting pathways to citizenship or legislation that supports Latino interests. The nuanced lives of Latinos living in America are not only expressed through Latinos are political talking chastised points. They are for not also highlighted in supporting the nation’s commupathways nities and neighborto citi- hoods. In the United zenship or States, or lega- people can choose to lization. be different and with that choice, comes the ability to adopt other cultures, religions and communities. The real issue should not be what race a person chooses to identify with in an attempt to better themselves — it’s calling out, discriminating against, people who were or are Janet Lira is a staff writer and illustrator for The just like you. Advocate. Contact her at I have witnessed these Latino-on-Latino divisions jlira.theadvocate@gmail.com.
CAMPUS COMMENT
What can our interim president do to improve our campus?
“I think the campus
“We need to have more
Cannek Heredia
Celia Alvarez
needs more people cleaning around.” undecided
textbooks available on reserve in the Library.” business management
“We just need to make
“He can add more
“We need a prayer
Jason Muturi
Oscar Megrada
Mansy Almanasi
this campus better by giving enough resources to each department.” computer science
lighting to the AA Building because it is too dark inside.” undecided
room on campus. We have been asking for it for a while.” political science
“A lot of departments
are suffering from a lack of resources. It will be great if he can bring those resources back.” Charles Ramirez
Student Life coordinator CINDY PANTOJA/ THE ADVOCATE
campusbeat
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NEWSLINE WORKSHOP
COLLEGE ADMISSION APPLICATION HELP The English department will offer assistance in the Learning Resource Center to help students with their four-year college applications. Students will need to register for ENGL 875N-2854, a free, non-credit class. During the workshop, students will receive one-on-one help from English professors with the UC personal insight questions UC & CSU college applications are due Nov. 30 at 11:59 p.m. For more workshop information, contact Puente co-coordinator and English professor Dickson Lam at dlam@contracosta.edu or call 510-215-4130.
EVENT
TRANSFER RESOURCES OVER BAGELS, COFFEE Get valuable information on transfer requirements, majors, financial aid and campus life during the Coffee, Bagels + College Applications event on Saturday in SA-227 from 9 a.m. to noon. Attendees will receive one-onone consultations on applying for transfer, can have their applications reviewed by counselors, and receive help with the Personal Insight Questions. Students must bring all of their unofficial transcripts from every institution they have attended and complete their TAP account. If you would like for us to help you with UC PIQs, nursing, or common app short essays, bring your completed rough draft printed or on Google Docs.
WORKSHOP
LIBRARY HOSTS WEB SEARCH SEMINAR The Contra Costa College Library will host a web search skills workshop for students in the Learning Resource Center on Tuesday at noon. The workshop will teach students about information challenges, including fake news, disinformation, propaganda, satire, “alternative facts” and more. Find out how “information bubbles” create environments of seeing only what you want to see, which can lead to misinformation. Students will also learn about evaluating information and websites students can use for fact checking and rumor control. For more information about the workshop, call the Library reference desk at 510-215-4897.
CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE
VETERANS DISCUSS TRAUMA
By Jose Rivera
ABOVE: Speaker Shaundi Goins talks about stigmas associated with mental health during the Veterans BBQ held Friday at Fireside Hall.
staff writer
jrivera.theadvocate@gmail.com
The annual Veteran’s Day event delivered powerful personal stories and messages to fellow veterans dealing with daily struggles and health-related issues stemming from the stresses and traumas of war. Shaundi Goins, author of “From Homeless to Greatness” and a top student recruiter for major universities, was an invited speaker at the event hosted by Veteran Services in Fireside Hall on Friday. Goins’s speech tackled mental health and a variety of other problems that veterans from a collection of backgrounds face regularly. Goins shared his personal experiences from his past as a Navy Seal who was discharged because of his mental disorders and addictions that he had as a young person. “I had a disease called substance abuse disorder. I was a drug addict,” Goins said. Many of the veterans present at the event shared the feeling of being traumatized or having the same disorders that Goins was once burdened with. Fred Nickels, a veteran and student at CCC, said that most veterans are, or feel, left out when it comes to learning. He said that most of the time teachers, staff and other students don’t have the respect for someone who suffers from PTSD. Nickels served as a combat medic and is now working toward becoming a physician’s assistant. Even though Nickels seems to have a normal life, it’s not like that,
LEFT: Veterans Outreach Specialist Marice Delmer speaks about resources available in the Department of Veterans Affairs. CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE
he said. “When working as a medic, during my time serving, my mental health got worse as time passed by. At some point, even the soldiers I was attending started noticing and recommended that I looked for help,” he said. Earlier this year, Nickels got diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a chronic condition that impairs one’s ability to focus. Nickel said his life got a little bit easier after being diagnosed, because he was finally able to understand and accept the fact that his world was a little different
from others. “I was almost one of the 22 and I thought about it more than once,” Nichols said referring to the 22 veterans who take their lives on a daily basis. Alexis Ortiz, a veteran working toward his chemistry degree, said people often don’t recognize the effort soldiers put into making the country a safer place. “I walk by people and most of them look down on me, almost as if I never existed,” Ortiz said. “Sometimes it’s hard for soldiers to ask for help from our teachers or classmates because they make us feel like we don’t matter.”
Ortiz said he had to drop a math class because even instructional aides and tutors had trouble helping him overcome his obstacles. Event organizer and Veteran Program Coordinator TeJae Dunnivant said the most important thing people can take from the event is to let veteran students know that help is always offered at CCC. Dunnivant also said the main benefit of the event is to educate people about the disabilities or disadvantages that veterans might have once stepping onto a college campus.
CRIMEWATCH
INTERIM | Bell hired for wealth of experience
Thursday, Oct. 17
Continued from Page 1
An unknown suspect stole two doughnut packages from the cafeteria at noon. Friday, Oct. 18 Two males were seen shoplifting in the Bookstore at 1:08 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 A student stole a backpack from the Bookstore at 10:08 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 Two males fought in the Library at 2:35 p.m. The aggressor was cited and released at the on campus police station. Monday Oct. 28 A student reported her vehicle was vandalized in Lot 14 at 9:30 a.m. — The Contra Costa Community College District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and campus life. The District does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, parental status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any access to and treatment in College programs, activities, and application for employment.
stress on the campus community from that gap. time,” Sanchez said. With the loss When the new hire was of a full-time president, many planned, the Associated Student projects have been put on hold Union gave a list of their desired and there’s been pressure and qualities. We sent a list of recom-
mendations in the form of a resolution to the hiring committee, Sanchez said. “We want somebody who has a background with communities of color, works towards social justice
and is comfortable and active on campus,” he said. This was done in hopes that Bell will be more proactive with students on campus — at least more so than previous presidents.
FORUM | Candidates vie for interim president slot Continued from Page 1 education work under his belt. He has worked in administration, student services and instruction. Javaheripour said he wants to build relationships with not only faculty, but also with students. “When I come in here, I don’t expect you to trust me — I need to earn that trust,” Javaheripour said. Javaheripour was also focused on the community around CCC and being an on-campus sort of interim president. “If we don’t get seen in the community, we get forgotten,” he said. He wants to address accreditation in his first project as interim president and get that taken care of. He hopes to work with the school, not for the school. Dr. Zhou was the final candidate
n “When I come in here, I don’t expect you to trust me — I need to earn that trust,
— Gholam Javaheripour, interim president finalist
that spoke and was also focused on community and diversity. Being a Bay Area native, he said, “Diversity is our power in the Bay Area, especially in the East Bay.” He also focused on having students’ voices truly be heard and listened to and he promoted diversity as well. Zhou promoted more student panels and opportunities for faculty to listen to students’ needs and he wanted to boost CCC’s reputation.
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
CCC interim president finalist Gholam Javaheripour speaks during the finalists forum at Fireside Hall on Oct. 25.
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Students get a chance to show off their style for a costume contest By Fatima Carrasco staff writer
fcarrasco.theadvocate@gmail.com
In an attempt to create a more festive atmosphere on campus, the Student Life Office and the EOPS Department held a costume contest in Campus Center Plaza to better spread the prizes and fun. Most events on campus work to blend fun and education, however, holding a campuswide costume party brings together members from all corners of the campus community. EOPS coordinator Leticia Mendoza said, “One day I just talked to Charles (Ramirez) about having this event and he got it done.” Mendoza not only helped facilitate the event, she also was a participant in the festivities. The coordinator welcomed students to the event dressed as a vampire. “I went to the store and picked something that looked cool. My kids said they think it looked OK so I went with it,” Mendoza said. Events on campus often see sparse participation with the largest draw being some amount of extra credit given for attendance, however, an event totally geared toward fun is something that is likely to draw a larger turnout. That sentiment was reflected in the way students happily participated. Contestants ranged in ages from faculty and staff to Middle
College High School and Gateway to College students. Student Life adviser Charles Ramirez said, “We are just trying to do something for faculty, staff and students just for fun. We wanted to do something collaborative outside of the sphere of teaching and to be in the Halloween spirit.” Spirit was definitely on display. Costumes ranging from pirates to unicorns to the Mad Hatter from “Alice in Wonderland” could be seen with a crowd favorite being the vampire bride. Not only did students arrive costume-ready to the event, many assisted others with their attire by doing large tasks like helping to apply makeup to small things like adjusting cat ears or devil horns. Prizes were donated by EOPS, which offered two $50 gift cards for the top contestants. Physical education and Zumba class instructor Oscar Solano said, “I’m dressed up as Neo from the ‘Matrix.’’’ The prospect of potentially winning free money was a major enticement as 32 entrants hoped to sway the public enough to earn the top prize. Voting for the event also worked to boost the social media profile of the Student Life Office and the campus overall. Signs were posted directing students to vote for the participants at @lifeccc, the campus’ social media
FATIMA CARRASCO / THE ADVOCATE
Student Life Coordinator Charles Ramirez assigns numbers to the participants in the Halloween costume contest in the Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 30.
handle. Ramirez said, “We decided to do the voting process through Instagram so we could give awareness to our school’s social media.” After the contest, photos of the participants were available to view on the campus’ Instagram account, however, information regarding who won the contest is nowhere to be found. The Student Life coordinator
hopes bridging the gap between students and the college’s social media account will offer a way for students to have information about things other than the fun events. Despite faculty and staff participation, students were the focus of the event. Ramirez and Mendoza also set up a section in the plaza to offer snacks and beverages to students. One point of contention during
the even were competing themes between the costume contest and the HBCU college admissions expo occupying Campus Center Plaza at the same time. Ultimately, the HBCU Halloween event, which included a DJ, provided music which served as a backdrop for an otherwise successful contest.
Team secures win, builds on success Speech earns top honors in inaugural competition
By Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief
After weeks of hard work and countless hours of preparation, the Contra Costa College speech team has continued to shine during regional tournaments. While competing in the Keeling Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament, held Oct. 4 at Chabot College, the team was awarded first, second and two third place recognition. “We have been fortunate that we have such an incredible group of people who are consistently ready for competitions,” speech professor Randy Carver said. This semester the speech team has around 10 members consisting of first-time participants and others who are returning who have more experience. Journalism major Xavier Johnson has participated in tournaments in the categories of dramatic interpretation, informative
and finished in first place and third place, respectively. “One of my biggest strengths is that I have a strong voice. It helps to keep a high intensity during my performances,” Johnson said. Computer science and business major Aman Butt competed in the informative category bringing home third place for CCC. “It requires a lot of effort to participate in the competitions. In order to be successful you have to allocate time to accomplish every task,” Butt said. Communications major Eric Martinez participated in the tournament for the first time as a novice, however, he was moved to the open division because there were not enough people to participate in the persuasive speech category. Even though he competed against participants with more experience, Martinez gave a strong performance and finished in third place.
“Our team really has a passion and dedication to compete. That’s the reason the team wins as much as we do,” Martinez said. The speech team also participated in Paul Winters Invitational Tournament held Nov. 1-3 at the University of the Pacific. However, with some veteran members of the speech team unavailable for the event, none of the participants were able to place in this competition. Speech proCarver fessor Steve Robertson said, “The team is doing an excellent job; we are going to keep working hard and keep up with this trend of success. Hopefully it will bring more people all the way up through nationals.”
DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE
The speech team prepares to compete for another tournament at Diablo Valley College this month. There they will compete against nationally award winning teams from Southern California.
Science structure enters third phase of construction By Wanda Gonzalez staff writer
wgonzalez.theadvocate@gmail.com
CINDY PANTOJA / ADVOCATE
Work on the construction site for the new Science Complex remains at a standstill awaiting the rainy season.
After months of enduring dust and limited campus access, the new state-of-the-art $68 million Science Complex project is pushing full speed ahead toward its construction stage. Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King said the first two stages are finished, which included the demolition of the old building and getting the foundation ready by leveling the dirt and bringing in utilities. They’ve already awarded the construction contract and have been given the approval to King proceed with construction. BHM Construction is set to start sometime this month, but since the rainy season is approaching, there may be some delays. If there are no major delays, the building should be completed by 2022. King also said the science departments are great departments but have the oldest buildings on
campus, so it’ll be nice for them to have a better facility. Students and professors are eagerly waiting for the new and expanded space. Chemistry lab coordinator Akwoung Saechao said they’ve been needing a new building for years. Saechao said the Physical Science Building which houses the chemistry classes doesn’t comply with modern safety standards. The fume hoods are old and not chemical resistant; there’s only one room with a hood sash, which is necessary when making chemical reactions; there is no stockroom; and there is no air conditioning. He said the current building is falling apart, and that the new building will fix all their problems. Many students and teachers said they feel the construction is taking too long. Stephany Martinez, a chemical engineering major, said the construction is taking forever. “I want to see it, but I don’t think I’ll be here by the time they finish it,” Martinez said. The current science buildings are outdated, so this new building will definitely give the campus a better feel, she said. Biology major Marissa Tran
Complex breakdown n The
$68.8 million project is on schedule and is expected to last 650 days. n The building is slated to be three stories tall and roughly 50,000 square feet. n The first floor will house six classrooms and an anatomy and physiology lab. n The second floor will carry the Center for Science Excellence, a dean’s office and biology lab. n A 55-seat planetarium and chemistry labs will own the third floor. said she’s looking forward to more tables in the classrooms and more rest rooms. “There are only three stalls, while other bathrooms have like 10,” Tran said. The astronomy, engineering, physics, chemistry and biology departments will be housed in the new science complex. Chemistry co-chair Leslie Alexander said she’s excited to for all the science departments to be together in one building.
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Appellate adventure
By Fatima Carrasco staff writer
LEFT: Political science classes from Contra Costa College took a tour of the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Friday.
fcarrasco.theadvocate@gmail.com
SAN FRANCISCO — In an attempt to offer instruction in realworld environments, several political science classes from Contra Costa College took a tour of the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals here on Friday. This opportunity offered students insight in both the history written on the walls of the building itself and in how the judicial system and courtrooms in general function. “This is a unique opportunity and it is great to learn about the judicial system and how things are done in the courts,” political science department chairperson Vanna Gonzales said. With the help of state administrative assistant Olivia White, students learned about the details in the building and facts and the history behind surrounding the building. The Ninth Circuit Court is a federal appellate court with limited jurisdiction, however, all appeals heard in this court may be taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. Most importantly, only cases that fall under federal law are taken by the court including civil and criminal matters. Students were also able to speak to a staff attorney, Jennifer Nut, who explained in depth the role of judges, staff attorneys and the process in which cases are taken in. “In the U.S. there are parallel court systems. In the state of California it’s the Ninth Circuit. There are about 60 staff attorneys who work behind the scenes, helping the judges make their decisions, Nut said. “We also deal with immigration cases. They actually come straight here without even going through trial court,” she said. Nut explained the cases are each rated on a scale of 1-24. The cases categorized from 1-3 will most likely never be heard.
Death row cases are always rated 24 and have priority over most. This is how cases are reviewed, she said. However, immigration cases have begun to gain popularity because of news exposure. In recent years, roughly 265,000 people from the Northern Triangle of Central America have left their home countries. Many of which are seeking asylum due to the violence of gang members inside their countries. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, “migrants from the Northern Triangle often surrender to U.S. border patrol agents to claim asylum. In 2018, the United States granted asylum to roughly 13 percent,” almost doubling the amount they accepted in 2015.
In San Francisco, the Ninth Circuit Court handles about 13,000 cases a year, with the majority having to do with immigration, White said. Students were able to see how the Ninth Circuit Court handled a petition for Fernando AguirreUrbina to halt his deportation to Mexico. Despite it being his native country, he contends that he may be tortured if he returns, according to testimony he gave established in court records. Aguirre-Urbina’s lawyer argued that under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), Article 3, Section 1, which states that “No State Party shall expel, return or extradite a person to another state where they are substantial grounds for believing that he would be in danger.”
PHOTOS BY FATIMA CARRASCO / THE ADVOCATE
Students majoring in political science discuss immigration laws and the appeals process in one of the judicial chambers of the largest of the 13 appellate courts in the U.S. on Friday.
Caravan highlights available HBCUs
By Stacie Guevara scene editor
sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com
Students were lured into Campus Center Plaza with the thumping rhythms of music from a live DJ mixed with schools from the Deep South as over 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) set up shop by Fireside Hall for Contra Costa College’s annual HBCU transfer caravan. Held Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., different HBCUs were lined up on campus ready to greet students and give them information on how to transfer to their school. Schools from Virginia, Florida,
Alabama, Louisiana and more were welcomed to CCC with open arms. Each school provided information such as eligibility requirements, admissions selection process, when, where and how to get an application and how transfer students could apply. Though the majority of HBCU students are African American, all the colleges promoted diversity on campus and supported students of all kinds of ethnicities attending their schools. Amanda McCombs from Central State University in Ohio said though 90 percent of the school is African American, every-
body can go there and is accepted. She also said it was her first time at CCC and thought the campus was beautiful and it was a fun day with people walking around in their Halloween costumes. Sociology major Stephan Carter said he is interested in going to an HBCU and was glad to attend the HBCU transfer caravan on campus. The Sociology major also said this was his first semester at CCC and he liked the resources the HBCU transfer caravan had to offer. Leslie Williams from Virginia State University in Petersburg provided students with information about internships and clubs at the
Political club hosts ‘Us’ film viewing Jordan Peele’s horror flick tackles poverty By JoJuan Johnson advocate staff
jjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com
The Community Organizing Political Action club (COPA) in partnership with the Inner Club Council (ICC) hosted a movie screening of Jordan Peele’s movie “Us” at Fireside Hall Oct. 29. COPA club President Elishes Canvess said approximately 30 students filled the venue to see the horror film which was chosen to be a seasonal movie for Halloween. The event was a replacement of the for the Democratic Debate watch party that was going to be
hosted on Oct. 15. However, the event was canceled due to poor air quality following the New Star Energy fire at their Crockett facility. As a result, the campus was evacuated and the watch party was canceled. According to COPA Vice President Alfredo Angelo, the club decided to host a movie night in an effort to bring students together. Other students, like COPA treasurer and math major Zahara Chavoshi said this event was to celebrate the end of midterm season. For any event at CCC to be deemed successful, it usually takes weeks of preparation and promotion to ensure a healthy turnout. According to ASU Director of Public Relations Kimyatta Newby,
it took two weeks for the group to organize the event because of the booking process and acquiring the food. COPA faculty adviser Vanna Gonzales said the watch party has been rescheduled for Nov. 20 when the next democratic debate is slated to be held. The Community Organizing and Political Action (COPA) club gives students a voice and puts them in charge of their political domain. It also offers a safe environment for students, regardless of political opinion,
college and what was important for students to put on their applications. She said there are over 100 clubs and organizations at that campus and for the mass communication major, there are TV and radio stations on campus, which can offer job experience opportunities. Williams said it was her first time at CCC, and she thought it was quite welcoming with a lot of involvement on campus. Carol Brown from BethuneCookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida said the BethuneCookman University campus was quite nice and family-oriented. She also provided the ethnic break-
down of the campus and supplied transfer information to students. She said they want to help people who are less fortunate and give back to the surrounding community. Tamika Starks from Xavier University of Louisiana located in New Orleans said her school offers specific grants for transfer students and a transfer lounge during the summer. She said amenities like those offer students opportunities to get involved on campus. To apply to this university, students must do so online and it is a very easy process — it is rather quick and there are no application fees.
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focus As the Washington Nationals celebrated their first ever World Series victory, religious protesters displayed signs and preached through megaphones during the victory parade in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2.
D.C. CELEBRATES WORLD SERIES WIN Photos by: Luis Cortes & Denis Perez For
more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com
Large video screens near the U.S. Capitol display images of the Washington Nationals World Series victory parade on Nov. 2. The screens were placed to show the final phase of the parade, when the players and front office staff gave speeches, allowing those unable to find a seat to watch.
A nun takes a photograph on her phone of the historic World Series parade in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2.
A Theodore “Teddy� Roosevelt mascot rides a bike during the Washington Nationals World Series parade in Washington D.C. on Nov. 2. National League Championship Series MVP Howie Kendrick hoists his MVP trophy during the World Series Championship parade, after hitting for a .333 batting average, with four RBIs in the NLCS.
sports
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LEFT: Comet running back Jerald Daniels trucks a defender during a rushing attempt during the Comets’ 30-9 loss to Yuba College on Saturday on Comet Stadium.
JANICE SPRAGGINS / THE ADVOCATE
Squad loses on sophomore day By Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief
cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com
Despite making gains on a onewin 2018 season, this year’s football team failed to reach the expectations players and coaches set for themselves this season. The season ended for the Comets (2-8 overall and 1-4 in the Pacific 7 Conference) with a 30-9 loss to Yuba College Saturday at Comet Stadium. Comet coach Pat Henderson said, “This was a tough loss. I’m COMETS just happy that the sophomores were able to come out here and that players were able YUBA to play ball in front of their families. “We appreciate everybody supporting us. It’s not always easy when you lose,” he said. For the Comets, the season was dictated by offensive lapses, however the team was vastly improved defensively. In this game, the Comets offen-
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sive woes continued with the only score coming by way of a run when the team was just a handful of yards from the goal line. Comet quarterback Jaylen Tregle said, “This game was hard fought. That is what the sport is. I’m really proud of my team. It was a game all the way through the third quarter. I think we can be proud of that.” Despite the final score of 30-9, Yuba College led by just eight points in the third quarter at 17-9. “The season wore us down a little bit,” Tregle said. “But it goes to show how much heart we have considering we played with low numbers during games, but we competed all the way through. I think we fought hard all the way to the end.” Just looking at the Comet squad this season, those who know the size of the team in years past can see there are fewer players in uniform than before. Henderson said, “One thing that I could say that I learned from this year is that we have to continue to do a good job recruiting. That will help us a ton.” The fact that there were fewer
players on the sideline for most of the season was not simply a matter of recruiting. Nagging injuries have also been a contributing factor to the team failing to provide a complete package of players on the field this season. “This year we had a lot of injuries. However, we have a lot of good players in the program who will allow us to continue to fight at a high level moving forward,” Henderson said. Comet coaches were not the only members of the program to recognize there were factors outside what happened on the field that were an impediment to the team’s ultimate success. Freshman Jonah Barnes-Moore said, “We did some good things this season, but we definitely have to get better. A lot of it comes down to getting new players in. “We had some adversities when it came to injuries along the way, so we’re just looking forward to next year. However, our main priority is making sure we clean up the mistakes that we had this year,” he said. Sophomore linebacker Randolph Ma’ae agrees with Barnes-Moore’s sentiment.
CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE
CCC defender Randolph Ma’ae (left) receives congratulations from Men’s Locker Room attendant Jerry Hodges following his final game as a Comet Saturday at Comet Stadium.
“We play hard, but sometimes playing hard is not enough, especially when you have injured teammates,” Ma’ae said. Despite the disappointing record, and finishing the season with a loss, Henderson remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances moving forward. He also commends his players for supporting each other and fighting with unity through the ups and
downs of what felt like an extremely long season. “Each team is special. I have always appreciated how this team comes out and fights. I appreciate those guys for that,” Henderson said. “They do a great job with building relationships with each other and regardless, win, lose or draw, our players are always willing to go the distance for us.”
Mariner shutout extends Comet losing streak Lack of goaltender hinders squad By Luis Cortes sports editor
lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com
A tough season is nearing its conclusion for the men’s soccer team after the team lost its sixth straight game, its second longest losing streak this season, a 4-0 loss Friday to the College of Marin at the Soccer Field. Contra Costa College’s 4-0 loss embodied the entirety of the 2019 season. The Comets (2-16 overall and 2-7 in the Bay Valley Conference) began the game without an eligible goalkeeper, which forced the team to play someone with no experience in goal. Comet defender Devin Martinez said two of his teammates, goalkeeper Orlando Perez and defender Brandon Barajas were out because they both received red cards in CCC’s previous game against Mendocino College. Martinez said, “We were down two players today, Brandon Barajas and Orlando Perez, because we received two red cards in the last game. We didn’t have a goalkeeper today so whoever was willing to go into the box played.” The Comet who stepped up was freshman Luis Serrano, who began the game in goal for the Comets.
He was tasked with stopping the BVC’s leading scorer coming into the game, Marin’s Peter Carroll. Five minutes into the game the Mariner’s (5-12-2 overall and 4-3-2 in the BVC) Carroll put his team up 1-0 after receiving a diagonal pass in the penalty box. The striker then completed the shot, which deflected off a Comet defender. Shortly after the Mariner score, CCC wasted a good chance to get on the board after striker Eliezer Paul-Gindiri’s shot missed wide wasting great build up play. Marin controlled the pace of the game for the majority of the first half, allowing CCC some chances but nothing concrete. Carroll put away his second goal of the day after hitting a half volley inside CCC’s penalty box. His score gave the Mariners a twogoal lead in the first half. Throughout the game both teams got physical at times, with play remaining chippy after a whistle was blown. Mariner coach Geoff Aguiar said the chippiness was a result of the referees not doing their jobs. “It’s on the officials to do their jobs,” he said. “When they let things go, it gives (the players) a mindset that they can get away with things.” To start the second half, CCC
LUIS CORTES / THE ADVOCATE
switched goalkeepers and allowed midfielder Hugo Lopez a shot in goal for the Comets. “I’ve never played goalkeeper in an official game before. I’ve only played goalkeeper for fun,” Lopez said. Although both Serrano and Lopez made good saves at times, it was clear they’ve never played the position before. The Mariners scored a third goal when defender Dany Rodas finished off a thorough pass on CCC’s right wing for 4 minutes into the second half. Following the score, the entire Comet defense pleaded with officials for an offside call that never came. Carroll finished off his hat trick and capped off a 4-0 win with a solo run into the Comets’ penalty box, after receiving a throw-in on CCC’s left side. Comet defender Moises Hernandez said his team played hard in this game and through a tough year.
ABOVE: Freshman midfielder Christian Diaz (left) takes a direct free kick during Friday’s 4-0 loss to College of Marin.
LEFT: Midfielder Luis Serrano kicks the ball as he plays goalkeeper.
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LEFT: A young Frida Kahlo, played by Vanessa Crisostomo Garcia (right), shows Diego Rivera, played by CarlosManuel Chavarria, her artwork during “Frida Kahlo: The Artist; The Woman” in the Knox Center on Oct. 24.
Frida Kahlo resurrected XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE
By Jose Arebalo news editor
jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com
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young actress seamlessly embodied the soul of Frida Kahlo as the drama department put on the world premiere of an emotionally explosive biographical play that gave audiences a glimpse into the heartbreak surrounding the life of the eclectic artist. In a performance that allowed the story to play out on stage, the cast was led by actress Vanessa Crisostomo Garcia, who plays Kahlo. “Frida Kahlo: The Artist; The Woman,” was a trailblazing effort for the community as it was entirety performed in Spanish, with English subtitles being projected overhead. While the drama that plays out on stage provided a deep look at what Kahlo’s heartbreak might have been like, it at times felt like more light could have been shed on how it all impacted her as an artist. Audiences were ushered by the chorus into different events that made up Kahlo’s life. The show had a strong start and was bolstered by a flurry of scenes performed swiftly, introducing the audience to the unique combination of the
strong, smart and trailblazing attitude that makes up Kahlo. For the majority of the show and carried rather gently to its end, the performance evoked a sense of what Kahlo’s heart went through. Garcia bares her soul on the stage as her lines were delivered with a fluency that allowed for a visceral display of how Kahlo actually felt. In scenes of anguish, she would growl in disgust with a face that could not be mistaken as otherwise. Playing to an underlying duality of joy and sorrows in the show, Garcia was able to transform into the sweetest soul when the ups and downs allowed. The show certainly put audiences through a multitude of different emotions as tragedies often befall Kahlo. While the audience watched the process unfold at every turn, events were depicted with increasingly dramatic effect. From the outset of the show, attendees ere exposed to Kahlo’s intensity and passion through her behavior in the face of uncertainty. Even as she left her stomping grounds in Mexico City, the artist stayed true to her culture.
She adeptly navigated disgust and confusion with the cultural differences she found in America. Early on, viewers see Cinthya Zuniga playing La Pelona, a skeleton representing death, dancing across the stage reacting to what goes on during scenes. The rest of the cast appears oblivious to death’s dance. Zuniga adds a layer PLAY of appreciREVIEW ated come“Frida Kahlo: The dic relief Artist; The Woman” from the ★★★★★ show’s tense Venue: Knox Center Director: Carlosmoments by Manuel Chavarria emoting in Open Until: Closed response to the actor’s actions. Adding another layer of complexity to the story, she follows Kahlo throughout most scenes as a constant reminder of the difficulties that come and go in her life. This dynamic highlighted Garica’s acting strength as screams in Spanish captured the audience’s attention regardless of what was happening on the periphery. Emotions flew across the stage colliding in passionate moments of love and tragedy
as Garcia masterfully drew the audience into each scene. A story of Kahlo’s valiant soul baptized through a life full of difficulties unraveled on stage portrayed beautifully by Garcia. The simplistic set of a table and benches, leaving the middle of the stage free, gave room for the actors to fully take up space with their movements in the theater. Garcia takes advantage of this by showing a fierce physicality in her scenes even as she holds a cane and subsequently hurls it across the stage or sits in a wheelchair swinging her arms. The show’s chorus, which served as a narrator, did a fine job reciting lines providing exposition for the upcoming scenes. The play’s rehearsal schedule took a hit prior to production, yet the cast still did its best to perform well — even as they traveled off-script for chorus scenes. Once the show gets into a rhythm, it becomes increasingly clear that it is going to be full of solidarity in the face of tragedy. With every introduction of some kind of positivity in her life, whether it be a new love,
new-found independence or acceptance and accolades in the artistic world, there was always a downturn not too far ahead. This constant emotional pendulum means there was a large task for the actors to accomplish. They were trusted to keep the audience in tune with each beat. Thankfully, director CarlosManuel Chavarria used this set up to his advantage by allowing Garcia as Kahlo and himself as Rivera to combine dynamic performances to portray the famous relationship in the play. The duo storms the stage with electric energy perfectly portraying the relationship down to the appropriate age gap. We watch the effects of Kahlo’s relationship with Rivera ripple throughout her life and career as she branches out and becomes a successful artist in her own right. There were some happy moments between the pair, but mostly the audience watched difficulties and disagreements play out. With devoted effort, the two thespians brought out a masterful rendition of heartbreak and perseverance.
Longtime establishment delivers classics American-style cuisine serves local community By Luis Lopez advocate staff
llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com
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estled between an international supermarket, and Contra Costa College in San Pablo, lies a small diner, Sukie’s Kitchen, that has been serving up breakfast for locals for more than 40 years. Sukie’s Kitchen is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tradition of going to Sukie’s has been passed down from generation to generation, Bennie Chung, Sukie’s owner, said. She has seen many generations of the same families come through the restaurant as customers. “We’ve had grandparents bring their grandkids and then those grandkids grow up and bring their kids. It’s a beautiful thing to see. The tradition of this restaurant continues within the community.” So embedded into the San Pablo community is the diner that a wall next to the entrance is full of photographs of regular customers that have been collected over the past 40 years. Chung said the restaurant
business and success is all thanks to the local customers. “Most of our customers are locals and have grown up coming here their whole lives. It has been them that keep it (Sukie’s Kitchen) going. So we are very thankful for their support throughout the years. We are glad they like it here and continue to return.” Along with the iconic history the restaurant holds for community members, the food portions and prices can’t be FOOD beat. This diner REVIEW takes you back Sukie’s Country to simpler times Kitchen and the menu ★★★★★ reflects that with Cuisine: its affordable American comfort pricing. food A “Weekday Where: San Pablo Breakfast Price Range: $10 Special,” which includes two eggs, hash browns, bacon and toast will cost diners no more than $7.95. For children, there are kid’s meals at affordable prices and a kid’s pancake combo that includes one pancake, one scrambled egg and one piece of bacon all for $5. The quality, and portions, of the food are superior than competing restaurants in the area. It’s hard to stretch a dollar nowadays, but Sukie’s definitely keeps its custom-
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Sukie’s Kitchen, located across El Portal Drive from Contra Costa College, offers a wide variety of American comfort food in a classic, spacious dining room that’s been in operation for over 40 years.
ers in mind. Sukie’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with traditional American dishes. What patrons can expect to get at the diner is a real home-cooked meal. In today’s fast paced world, chain restaurants provide an automated way of servicing the mass-
es and make every experience the same. But Sukie’s provides an authentic eating experience from a friendly crew that has been a staple in the community. And they do it at unbeatable prices. There is a reason Sukie’s has been around for so long and that may be because it is a timeless
wonder — a place where the staff will know you by name after a few visits, and vice versa. Most importantly, there are few area restaurants where patrons can feed their whole family and still have enough money to properly tip the server.