The Advocate 10-23

WEDNESDAY l 10.23.19 OUR 69TH YEAR CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE SAN PABLO, CALIF.

Pictured clockwise: Former Contra Costa College presidents McKinley Williams (top) Denise Nolden, Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, Katrina VanderWoude and interim president Chui Tsang.

INTERIM FORUM INITIATES PROCESS Friday meeting introduces candidates to community

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

As the search for an interim president of Contra Costa College continues, members of the Academic Senate and the Classified Senate will join forces and host a public candidates’ forum in Fireside Hall on Friday morning.

The exact time of the forum and the names of the finalists will be released Tuesday night or Wednesday, after The Advocate’s presstime. The interim president is expected to serve for one and a half to two years.

Academic Senate President Katie Krolikowski is working with Classified Senate President B r a n d y Gibson and Institutional Effectiveness and Equity Dean Mayra Padilla as they lead the pro-

cess of bringing in an interim president.

Dr. Krolikowski said the three of them held previous campuswide meetings on Sept. 24 and Oct. 2.

“In the time between those two forums, we conducted a survey that helped prioritize the ideas from the Sept. 24 (meeting) and those ideas ended up on the job announcement as desirable qualifications,” Krolikowski said.

She said the entire campus and all constituencies have been involved in this process.

“I’m really proud that we were able to bring campus input into the process — more than has ever been done before,” Krolikowski said.

The idea for Friday’s forum is for the interim presidential candidates to make public statements describing why they want the position and to introduce themselves to the campus community.

Krolikowski said it’s fairly common for presidential and vice-presidential permanent positions to have a forum like this so it’s a chance for the community to meet these people and get a feel for

their style.

Ideally, the people who listen to the forums can weigh in on their opinions of the candidates and that information can get to Contra Costa Community College District Chancellor Fred Wood, she said.

He may use the information gathered in his final hiring decision, she added.

Krolikowski said Dr. Wood wants to make a decision before the November Governing Board meeting takes place on Nov. 13.

CCC Acting President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh said the process for hiring the interim president requires timing because critical information must be confirmed before releasing it to the public.

“We allow individuals to share their background information, why they are interested in the college and why they think they

SEE FORUM, PAGE A4

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ, XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Crime log fails PLAN TO transparency test CERTIFY CAMPUS Failure to report incidents puts students at risk

By Denis Perez creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Native American culture honored PAGE A7-A8

Because of the recent uptick in campus violence across the country, most of the metrics used to inform opinions about ways to handle crime involve statistics, and rightfully so.

However, what happens when law enforcement fails to report those crimes in an accurate and timely fashion? More importantly, can Location: students really feel safe or Bus and Transfer Center

Summary: Assault near bus stop, Oct. 8

SEE CRIME, PAGE A4

Location: Bus and Transfer Center

Location: Campus Center Plaza

Location: Fireside Hall exterior

Summary: Larceny, Sept. 16

Summary: Simple assault, Sept. 23

Summary: Larceny, Oct. 2

Location: 2600 Mission Bell Drive Summary: Larceny, Oct. 10

Contra Costa College

HOLIDAY SEASON MASH UP CRITICIZED

PAGE A3

FACEBOOK: /accentadvocate

take proper precautions to avoid potential high-crime blind spots on campus if crimes are liberally reported?

Over the summer, the Contra Costa Community College District Daily Crime Log, which is accessible through the district website, listed only a handful of crimes that occurred over the nearly three-month break.

Contra Costa College crimes listed from June 6 through the first day of classes Aug. 26, ranged from three bouts of vandalism and an equal number of auto

INFOGRAPHIC BY ROBERT CLINTON, DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

INSTAGRAM: @cccadvocate

TWITTER: @accentadvocate

YOUTUBE: /accentadvocate

BEGINS

Committee reshapes accreditation plan

By Jose Arebalo news editor

jarebalo.theadvocate@gmail.com

Accreditation is central to any college’s existence and currently Contra Costa College is preparing to submit a report to the accreditation commission to be reviewed to reaffirm its status for the next seven years.

“The whole idea is to show, with evidence, that the college is doing the things we should be doing,” Academic Senate President Katie Krolikowski said. “Your degree Krolikowski will not mean much if we are not accredited, so it’s a serious deal.”

Senior Vice President of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Stephanie Dorker said the evaluation process is overseen by the ACCJC. “The accreditation cycle begins with the institution engaging in a robust self-evaluation process, which culminates in a report submitted to the commission,” she said.

Dorker serves as the staff liaison for SEE ACCREDITATION, PAGE A4

SNAPCHAT: @cccadv0cate

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Quotable “Overall there has been a lowering of the threshold of what’s deemed responsible reporting.”

Mike McCurry White House press secretary 1997 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 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 Member

Associated Collegiate Press

California Newspaper Publishers Association

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 made up of student editors.

opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 2019 VOL. 109, NO. 6 ●

WWW.CCCADVOCATE.COM

EDITORIAL

CYCLE OF ABANDONMENT I

Prices given priority over students’ menstrual needs

n 2016, Michelle Obama said the measure of any society is how it treats its women and using that metric of success, it stands to reason that a college can use that same standard to measure how well it functions in a community.

Using the treatment of women on campus as a yardstick, Contra Costa College is still leaps and bounds away from adequately providing a hassle-free learning environment for more than half of its students.

According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Management Information System, DataMart, more than 60 percent of the students enrolled at CCC during the 2019 spring semester were female.

That statistic begs the question, why aren’t feminine hygiene products available in any of the rest rooms on campus?

Students in need receive a false sense of security as some of the rest rooms are equipped with sanitary dispensers and receptacles for sanitary products, however, all the containers are inexplicably bare.

As a matter of fact, most rest rooms on campus do not even have sanitary dispensers in the first place.

There are higher than retail-average priced products available in the Bookstore and services like SparkPoint offer care packages, which include these items. However, it shouldn’t be a high school girl’s responsibility to choose between lunch or a pad.

Also, it stands to reason many students would choose to simply go home rather than trek across campus to talk to a stranger (generally a man) in the SparkPoint Office about their impending cycle.

A fact that’s often forgotten is the Contra Costa College campus houses two high schools, Gateway to College and Middle College High School.

Roughly two years ago, in October 2017, California Assembly member Cristina Garcia (D-Los Angeles) sponsored legislation to make life more normal and equitable for women — particularly those from marginalized communities.

The bill, AB10, says a public school maintaining any combination of classes from grade 6 to grade 12 that meets a 40 percent pupil poverty threshold, should stock 50 percent of the school’s rest rooms with feminine hygiene products.

The bill also prohibits a public school from charging for any menstrual products, including feminine hygiene products, provided to pupils.

Sure, the measure of students in poverty on a given campus is a difficult metric to determine, but it shouldn’t take legislation to urge administrators to doing the right thing.

The Western Center on Law and Poverty says women’s access, or lack thereof, to menstrual products is an issue many people don’t think about. But it’s one that deeply impacts women — especially women who are poor.

AB10 was crafted because the emotional stress of coping without these products has negative effects on academic performance.

Around the country, many schools have already begun offering sanitary products to students on the taxpayer’s dime.

In New York, where the cost of living rivals or exceeds the price of living in the Bay Area, residents are expected to pay about $29 per student annually.

That seems like a small price to pay to offer some level of educational equity to women on campus.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

■ HEAD TRAUMA

Boxing’s dangerous norms raise questions B oxer Patrick Day died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Oct. 16 after suffering a traumatic brain injury during his knockout loss to Charles Conwell in Chicago on Oct. 12. He was 27.

After two knockdowns earlier in the fight, Day was knocked out in the 10th and final round. He never regained consciousness and suffered multiple seizures on his way to the local medical facility.

Ring deaths are relatively infrequent compared to the thousands of bouts that occur on any given weekend. According to a study titled “Death Under the Spotlight: The Manuel Velasquez Collection, 2011,” there are approximately 13 ring deaths per year with 103 deaths occurring in the 2000s.

Despite its relative infrequency, any ring death is a reminder of the danger combat sport athletes face for their glory and our entertainment.

The past few months have been particularly deadly n the boxing world.

In July, 28-year-old Russian fighter Maxim Dadashev died due to head trauma sustained in a bout. Just days after Hugo Santillan, 23, suffered cardiorespiratory failure in Argentina after a grueling bout, ending in a draw.

It’s clear that boxing has an inherent risk that can’t be avoided.

At the end of the day it’s

xavierjohnson

dration that occurs during a 24-hour weight cut without the use of an intravenous injection, which is banned in most states, there simply isn’t enough time to properly rehydrate.

Boxers go into bouts dehydrated, which leaves them significantly more vulnerable to a traumatic brain injury.

The minimal efforts of creating more weight classes and limitations on how much weight fighters can gain back by fight time haven’t dis-incentivized weight cutting.

Same day weigh-ins aren’t the silver bullet solution to stop extreme weight cutting, but it’s one of the most obvious ways to significantly decrease extreme weight cuts.

With weigh ins happening within two hours of the fight, boxers are given less time to rehydrate and this practice would remove the competitive advantage of cutting weight.

Boxing is already a dangerous sport, so protecting fighters from unnecessary danger has been the rationale behind the creation of athletic commissions, implementation of drug testing, the use of gloves and safety regulations at events.

Now it’s time for boxing to finally address weight cutting.

two individuals punching each other in the head and body for upward to 30 minutes. Boxing has long been aware of the fact that traumatic brain injuries are a necessary evil the sport must accept.

As regulations have The past improved few since the 1920s, months boxing deaths have have been dropped significantly particularly and fighters like Day are deadly generally subjected to in the great preand postboxing fight medical care. world. However, one thread ties boxing ring deaths and traumatic brain injuries together — the act of weight cutting.

Weight cutting is when a fighter dehydrates himself before a fight to weigh an agreed amount before a fight. Weigh-ins are 24 hours before the fight, and Xavier Johnson is the web editor for The Advocate. some boxers often “cut” Contact him at xjohnson.

10-15 pounds before the theadvocate@gmail.com. weigh-in to make weight.

For the extreme dehy-

CAMPUS COMMENT

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, what is something you know about the disease?

“I think a better job

could be done informing the public about it rather than just asking for donations.”

Christian Arroyo

business administration LUIS LOPEZ/ THE ADVOCATE

“Even though no one

in my family has it, my mom reminds me that check-ups are something to have done when you’re a woman.”

Jacky Serrano

business administration

“It is important to

get early screenings for both males and females.”

Ryan Sturges nursing

“Along with early

“I know drinking water

“I know it’s more

Jessica Celis

Victor Delgado

Katrina Meneses

screenings, it’s important to bring awareness to a disease that’s not often discussed.” business administration

that’s been in plastic bottles for a long time can increase your chances of getting it.” economics

prominent in women over 40, so it’s important for them to get checked more often.” biology

forum

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CHRISTMAS SPIRIT LOST

T

Profit margins spell doom for holiday cheer

here was a time when the holiday season meant something. Leaves changed from green to brown, a crisp chill filled the air and there was a palpable anticipation held by children who knew Christmas was just around the corner.

Now, time feels compressed, seasons transition from scorching to rain and the holidays seem to come increasingly earlier each year.

The combination of Halloween candy shelved with Santa-themed lawn ornaments creates a seasonal sensory overload.

Whether it’s the corporatization of holidays, or the need to fill emotional voids in our lives with faux-festive cheer, the decision to extend the most profitable shopping season has been successful in multiple ways.

There is evidence to support both theories. In 2019 the magazine Business Insider reported findings that show people who begin Christmas celebrations earlier in the year are generally happier.

At the same time, oodles of fact-finding information exists highlighting the money saved by people who purchase gifts for their

cindypantoja loved ones before the Holiday season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving — unofficially known as “Black Friday.”

In order to create a seamless transition between these festive seasons, some interesting products have emerged to fill the void.

Recently, it’s hard to walk through the aisles of any major department store, beginning in mid-October, without wondering if we suddenly stepped into a wicked winter wonderland.

With a new trend inspired by director Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” gives tacit inspiration to the marriage of Christmas and Halloween products.

Now, children who saw the movie in the early 90s are adults inspired to merge the two most prolific holidays into one by deco-

rating a Christmas tree with Halloween inspired decor.

Consumers don’t have to wait until Christmas to decorate their trees with round ornaments and bright lights.

Now they can buy a tree and decorate it with spooky decorations in October, then keep changing the theme throughout the holiday season.

To purists, it’s a perversion of the highest order. However to marketers, it’s Don Draperlevel genius.

The National

Christmas Tree Association, found that roughly 41 percent of American households bought a Christmas tree in 2018 despite a much higher percentage of Americans, 65 percent, who personally identify as Christian.

Annually people in the U.S. spend nearly $5 billion — $4,872,162,522, on trees, laying out an average $96 for each one.

Lately Instagram is filled with pictures of families surrounding their Halloween trees.

The behavior definitely qualifies as consumerism, but is seemingly forced-fed by the need to be recognized on social media.

According to statista.com holiday retail sales are a fraction of the total retail sales in the United States, which were around $5.4 trillion 2018.

Unsurprisingly, holiday spending is projected to

increase by 5 percent this season coupled with an increase in online purchases. The vision that people have when defining what the season represents is in a moment of flux.

Ultimately, whether someone says Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas is inconsequential, the new-born king has always been profit disguised as family values.

Family-first holiday celebrations may not be a thing of the past, however, huddling around the fire in a snow-covered cottage will no longer be the initial impression the holidays inspire.

What can we expect for this upcoming holiday season?

Has consumerism taken over our family traditions or is this just a sign that we are ready to create new ones?

Cindy Pantoja is the editor-in-chief for The Advocate.

Contact her at cpantoja. theadvocate@gmail.com.

ILLUSTRATION BY CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

CAMPUS COMMENT

Do you feel influenced to get into the Christmas spirit when decorations come out in October?

“Not really, because it’s October. I could probably get into the Halloween spirit, but not Christmas.”

“No because Christmas is not even close yet.

We still have Halloween and Thanksgiving to come.”

“I’m always in the Christmas spirit, especially toward the end of the year” Kennedi Thomas

Angel Gonzales engineering

Jahsaan Goode undecided

undecided

“Yes it makes me get into the Christmas spirit because Christmas is just around the corner and also because of the attracting colors.”

Susan Xiong Lisbet Gomez undecided

JOSE RIVERA & FATIMA CARRASCO / THE ADVOCATE

“Yes. I get excited like a kid excited for the presents and excited because that’s when I travel with my relatives.” mathematics

“Yeah, maybe a little bit since that’s actually the point of it all.”

Tom Holt

Police Services lieutenant

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campusbeat

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NEWSLINE FORUM | Search for interim president continues DRAMA

PLAY DEPICTS LIFE OF MEXICAN ARTIST “Frida Kahlo – The Artist; The Woman,” the Contra Costa College drama department’s first production of the fall semester, will play at the Knox Performing Arts Center Friday at 7:30 p.m.

This play focuses on Frida Kahlo’s personal and professional life. It is a bio-epic that mixes history, folklore, culture, music and dance woven through magical realism, bringing to the stage the life of one of the most influential artists in the world.

The drama will run each Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. through Nov. 3.

Tickets are $10 if purchased online or $15 at the door.

For more information contact drama department Chairperson Carlos-Manuel Chavarría by email at cchavarria@contracosta.edu.

WORKSHOP

ORIENTATION HELPS WITH GENERAL ED Contra Costa College is hosting an informational session in cooperation with West Contra Costa Adult Education today from 1-2 p.m. in SA-106.

Students who attend will learn how to get a high school diploma or GED in four simple steps.

For more workshop information, contact the Student Services Center at 510-215-6027.

EVENT

JAZZ-OLOGY TO PUT ON PERFORMANCE The college’s commercial jazz ensemble, JAZZ-ology, will be performing at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo on Saturday.

The music department will also be raising funds and accepting donations at this fun event for the whole family.

For more information contact Dr. Stephanie Austin at saustin@ contracosta.edu.

CORRECTION On the front page of the Oct. 9 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “Wood to retire in 2020,” the event titled March 2019 and the two events titled February 2019 happened in 2018.

The Advocate regrets this error.

On page 5 of the Oct. 9 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “Actress embraces stage for first role,” cast member Vanessa Crisostomo Garcia’s name was misspelled.

The Advocate regrets this error.

On page 5 of the Oct. 9 issue of The Advocate in the story titled “Website help students choose classes,” the article listed a non-existent CCC professor Debra Dixon in the microbiology department.

The Advocate regrets any damage caused by this error to biology professor Deborah A. Dixon.

CRIMEWATCH Tuesday, Oct. 1 Unknown suspect stole a wallet in the GE building at 1:25 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 Two deep fryers were reported missing from a concession stand at 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 An unknown male suspect punched a victim in the face at the Bus Transfer Center bus stop at 4:30 p.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.

Continued from Page 1 are the right candidate for the college.”

Gibson said Friday’s forum is open to everybody — faculty, staff, students and community members.

They can expect the candidates for the interim presidential position to come and speak to the campus.

She also said organizers are hoping for a question and answer period, but cannot be sure of any details as of yet.

“I’m hoping that we have Gibson wonderful candidates from whom to select and we’ll end up with somebody who can lead us for the next two years as we go through accreditation and our strategic planning,” Gibson said.

She said they are still following the timeline and believes they are doing quite well with it, however, Krolikowski said the Academic Senate thinks the timeline has been rushed.

They are currently unsure of

n “I’m hoping that we

have wonderful candidates from whom to select and we’ll end up end with somebody who can lead us for the next two years as we go through accreditation and our strategic planning.”

— Brandy Gibson,Classified Senate president

when the process to hire the permanent president will begin, but Wood has said he intends for this interim president to serve for at least a year and a half. The new permanent president would be hired to start around June 2021.

Krolikowski said she suggested the idea to form a committee group that works together and Wood thought it was a good idea.

She said they have been leading the community voice, which got started when Wood asked faculty, classified staff and management to each send two people for a small committee that would help him

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

The last interim president at Contra Costa College was Chui Tsang in the spring of 2018.

hire the interim president.

Board Policy 2057 outlines how the Screening and Interview Committee for the position of president will be comprised.

Krolikowski said the main reason for Board Policy 2057 is ensure a balanced and diverse hiring committee is formed and that it reflects the college the best it can, instead of having Wood try

to figure that out on his own.

“The three of us have taken the lead. There are many people on the hiring committee, so we did get that full Board Policy 2057 membership. Each group made the appointments, but then the chancellor (Wood) would have the final decision of who got to be on the board,” Krolikowski said.

CRIME | Lack of police reports creates uncertainty Continued from Page 1 burglaries.

Even worse, in the following weeks after the fall semester began, the reports tailed off and only one crime was reported over a period of weeks.

“Last month Sano (Police Services Corporal David Sano) was on vacation. He is the person that approves the crime reports before I look at them for final approval,” Police Services Lt. Tom Holt said.

He said the crime logs in the first week Holt of October suffered because of this.

“This was an unplanned hiccup,” Lt. Holt said.

In years past, the beginning of the semester is a time when crime on campus becomes more noticeable. On the first day of the spring 2018 semester, three

n “Last month Sano

(Police Services Corporal David Sano) was on vacation. He is the person that approves the crime reports before I look at them for final approval..”

— Tom Holt, Police Services lieutenant.

auto burglaries were reported with more reports flowing in throughout that week.

This semester, inquiries made

by Advocate staffers to campus police about crime reports have fallen on deaf ears, prompting them to make a call to district Police Services Chief Ed Carney.

The chief said he’d heard of no interruption in the reporting process and reiterated that submissions were generally filed within 24 hours.

Carney seemed generally unfazed that no crimes had been reported on campus for nearly three weeks to start the semester.

Crime on campus was not the only information Police Services failed to distribute to students — on Sept. 12 a gas leak in Richmond prompted a shelter in place alert to spread throughout the city, and it eventually encompassed the entire CCC campus.

From the time the leak was discovered, to the time when work was complete, no warning or notification was issued to the campus community by Police Services.

“I typically work with CCC marketing to reach out to the campus community via social media. If we need to do alerts about crimes or safety issues we use Regroup and CCC Marketing,” Holt said.

Despite having a plan to inform students of potential threats, the gas leak and potential crimes on campus are not the only messages involving criminal behavior this semester that Police Services has failed to disseminate to students.

Roughly one month after the September gas leak, a murder occurred three blocks from campus. Just after 10 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 8, a shooting occurred on Loyola Drive, which

left a nearby neighborhood shaken.

Despite knowing many students use the surrounding streets for free parking, administrators and Police Services allowed members of the campus community to remain unaware of the murder that occurred just steps from the Applied Arts Building.

Holt said violent crime is always more concerning than non-violent crime, but Police Services is concerned about all crime. They are also concerned about natural disasters, so they also train and prepare for these.

Governing Board Student Trustee Shreejal Luitel said, “I think the marketing team at the college needs to work with (Police Services) so students can be informed about crime on campus.

“Frankly, I didn’t know there was a crime log,” he said. “That is important for students on campus to know and to reassure them of their safety.

“I know that Police Services is working its hardest, but we need to make sure we know where we can improve something.”

ACCREDITATION | Site visit scheduled for fall of 2020 Continued from Page 1 CCC. “Once the report is submitted, the college receives a site visit from a peer review team whose job is to validate the claims made in the report,” Dorker said.

“Their findings will identify areas of exceptional practice, areas where the college may need to improve and where the college is not meeting standards,” she said.

Those findings are then reported and reviewed by the accreditation commission.

Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Equity Marya Padilla said, “Every (standard) team has gone through a first process where we were looking at evidence that we meet each of the standards. Then we have to analyze that evidence to say how we think the college is doing around the standards.”

Since this project is time sensitive, the reins were handed to Dr. Padilla during Dean of Instruction Tish Young’s extended leave.

Teams of five to seven people were created with classified and faculty level representatives to address each standard. These teams worked to create topic sentences, and from their paragraphs provide evidence on how they meet each standard.

“Everyone has gone through each of the standards and bulleted all the evidence that they think supports that we meet that standard,” Padilla said.

Padilla plans to share a draft of the report with the college’s student government, Classified Senate, Academic Senate and Management Council by the end of November. “That way input from the general campus gets put into the document,” Padilla said.

In December, there will be a first read of the second draft at a College Council meeting.

On Oct. 4, there was a meeting in which groups reviewed each other’s written submissions.

Padilla said this is an important part of the process that faculty and staff are devoting energy and time to in order to ensure the college turns in a solid report.

The next meeting on Oct. 16, was used to look at the next steps everyone suggested.

“We’re going to triage them back to the group so that they can incorporate those suggestions and create a second draft,” Padilla said.

An additional goal she hopes to be born through this process is to standardize the way evidence is named so everybody is using the same Padilla template.

The process is also moving forward into the analysis portion.

“If there are places where we are exemplary, then we say that.

But if there are areas that need improvement, then we make recommendations,” Padilla said.

There is also a chance for the college to select areas for improvement on its own through a quality focus essay.

“This is really about all of these things that we’re doing to improve students’ experience and student learning,” she said.

Working through this process has shown the team what areas on campus could use more support.

“We haven’t been doing as great a job as we could have in terms of communicating where processes and procedures live,” Padilla said.

Every unit on campus has to do a program review every four years, with Career Technical Education programs doing theirs every two years.

n “Everyone has gone

through each of the standards and bulleted all the evidence that they think supports that we meet that standards.

— Mayra Padilla, dean of institutional effectiveness and equity

“We have made lots of improvements into that process over the last few years,” Padilla said.

“That is really the core of accreditation — how we do continuous improvement of the college.”

Padilla said the project has been a great opportunity to get input from students as well. “We’ve increased the number of student representatives on our planning committee to four,” she said.

“It is important that students stay informed and understand that we are going through an accreditation round,” she said. “The process has also allowed faculty to see what other departments are doing.

It’s a really good opportunity to hear what everybody else is doing and just be able to learn from each other.”

All three Contra Costa Community College District campuses (CCC, Los Medanos and Diablo Valley) are going through the accreditation process at the same time, so there is a lot of support at the district level. The process speeds up next semester as the report needs to be sent to the ACCJC by July to schedule an October visit.

The CCC team will have January through March to finalize all the writing before it goes to the College Council for approval.

Dr. Krolikowski said, “It takes a lot to provide an education. That isn’t directly what the teachers do

every day” There’s more that goes on behind the scenes to provide students an education and the accreditation commission examines all of that, she said.

“Our college hoped to have drafted paragraphs of the self study done over the summer. That didn’t happen,” Krolikowski said.

All through the spring semester there were meetings putting together teams to set up outlines, she said.

“But what has happened now is that those teams have been gathering evidence,” Krolikowski said.

The Academic Senate president said things are different this time around as the ACCJC has shifted the way it approaches accreditation.

“As opposed to looking for everything wrong, it’s to try to help the college know where it should be focusing its improvement efforts,” Krolikowski said.

“Of course, the college has places to improve, but we’re not at a state of zero in any category. I don’t think you have to be a perfect college to be accredited, but you have to be aware of your weaknesses and working on them,” she said.

There may be some feedback from the commission on areas to improve, but in the end, the college has been a high functioning institution for close to 70 years, she said.

After a review of the material reported, the commission will decide on the college’s accreditation status. It will decide to reaffirm accreditation for seven years, 18 months or to place the college on warning or probation if conditions warrant, Krolikowski said.

Droker said, “In severe cases where the college does not meet standards, a college can be placed on show-cause or its accreditation can be terminated.”

campus beat

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Inspirational staffer departs college

Marketing, media director moves on to Golden Gate

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

After over three years of faithfully serving Contra Costa College, Marketing and Media Design Director Brandy Howard has decided to leave CCC and join the marketing team at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Howard’s last working day was Oct. 15, but a reception was held on Oct. 11 for her and SparkPoint Coordinator Bill Bankhead, who is also leaving CCC to work as a district employee at Los Medanos College.

“It’s been such a privilege to become a part of the CCC family,” Howard said. “I’m really in awe of the work, the passion, the commitment and the grit that (faculty and staff) show every single day to get it done for our students. So I thank them for letting me be a part of that. I hope the work continues.”

Howard said near her last days at the college that she was going through the transition plan with her CCC marketing team. She has plans for her replacement to keep the current marketing plan on track and make sure her replacement doesn’t have to start over.

Howard said she has a regular schedule for content that she will share and it will be provided to her replacement — giving that person a guide to continue the work she and her staff have done. That depends on what type of work she has to advertise or send to faculty and students, because it might be events via social media, CCC’s website or through emails.

“I think the biggest (marketing) key to success to (a new marketing coordinator) getting started here at CCC is to come in with an orientation to listening to what is needed from the campus and

LEFT: EOPS/Care CalWORKs Manager George Mills hugs Brandy Howard (right) during a brunch and ceremony in Fireside Hall on Oct. 11.

CINDY PANTOJA / THE ADVOCATE

n “It has been such a

privilege to become a part of the CCC family — Brandy Howard, Marketing and Media Design Director

to understand where and how to prioritize the work,” Howard said.

“Because (marketing is) such a small department with minimal resources, it’s really important to try to put energy in places where it will yield the biggest return on

investments for the campus and for the community.”

Currently, the CCC marketing team consists of Digital Marketing Specialist Larry Womack and Media Design Specialist Tim Gleason. Both are part-time classified staffers.

Womack has worked closely with Howard and said it will be difficult without her, but he is optimistic because they currently collaborate with a lot of capable people who have worked with her in the past.

Acting President Mojdeh

Mehdizadeh said, “We have now opened the marketing and media design director position to find a replacement, but I don’t want to use the word replacement, because Brandy is irreplaceable.”

The hiring process will take about four-six weeks, while applications are reviewed and interviews are conducted. Finalists for Howard’s position will also be interviewed by the new college interim president, when one is selected.

Dean of Students Dennis Franco said Howard had an impact

campuswide and what she did was help get faculty messages out to the students in their language and in a way they would understand.

Mehdizadeh said before Howard was hired, the college administration couldn’t even access social media, the college website was “less than stellar” and “she has totally and completely set us straight.”

Mehdizadeh said Golden Gate University is extremely lucky to have her and she will be missed here at CCC.

Meeting breeds financial literacy Workshop helps students with budget stability

By Luis Lopez advocate staff

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

In hopes of providing students a greater chance of economic opportunity, SparkPoint hosted its second of a three-part financial planning series in SA-107 on Oct. 2.

The event, Brown Bag Boot Camp, was aimed at helping students plan out their financial budget while providing them with information on how to establish credit and maintain financial stability.

The boot camp included presentations from a financial education coordinator that could also answer questions for students.

During the event, students were provided with help on how to deal with financial challenges and prioritize their spending.

Financial workshops like this are a great help for students, financial education coordinator Ingrid Alfaro said.

“There are many students who return and speak on the success they’ve had with what they’ve learned at these workshops,” she said.

Results come fast and they work, Alfaro said.

The financial education coordinator uses what she’s learned from these workshops in her personal life as well.

n “There are many stu-

dents who return and speak on the success they’ve had with what they have learned at these workshops — Ingrid Alfaro, financial education coordinator

“These workshops definitely made me look at my spending and apply what I’m teaching to my own finances. I tell students all the time, I wouldn’t be giving you this advice if it didn’t work. I know it works because it’s worked for me,” she said.

For students who missed this

event supporting financial stability, SparkPoint is slated to host another financial workshop aimed at holiday budgeting today at 11 a.m. in SA-106.

Some students who have attended financial workshops in the past returned to get a refresher on what they’ve learned before. Biology major Dominique Bondes was at the event and said she’s attended financial workshops before.

“I attended a financial workshop before but didn’t really apply what I learned to my finances. I decided to attend this one and will definitely use what I’ve learned this time,” she said.

This workshop allowed for students to ask questions and get individualized help.

The biology major said, “I like that I was able to ask questions

that pertain specifically to me, it helps give me an idea of how to apply what I’m learning here to my finances.”

Like many events on campus, the event had a low turnout.

Students said there could have been a better job done of promoting the event because it is something students find useful.

Business major Matthew Macapinlae said he was not aware of the event but could have benefited from it.

“I’m pretty ill-informed about events like this because I don’t think there is enough done to let students know things like this are going to be happening on campus,” he said.

SparkPoint hosts financial education workshops throughout each semester.

College Foundation receives hefty contribution from local activist

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

After receiving a hefty donation of $50,000 from community members and author Sam Genirberg in the spring 2019 semester, the Contra Costa College Foundation has again received generous contribution from the activist.

The El Cerrito resident has doubled down on his gift from last semester, donating another $50,000 and has given a total of $100,000 to support CCC students.

You may be wondering why he would give away so much of his money — but the simple fact is he likes CCC and its students.

“He (Genirberg) really likes what he sees happening with our scholarship program. He likes what he sees and he wants to support our students,” Foundation Development Officer Sara Marcellino said.

He is also currently giving away $10,000 a year, via four iterations of the $2,500 scholarship named

after him — the Genirberg Family Scholarship.

Marcellino said the students who receive the Genirberg Family Scholarship will also receive a complimentary copy of Genirberg’s book, “Among the Enemy: Hiding in Plain Sight in Nazi Germany.”

The CCC Foundation is a separate nonprofit organization that raises money for programs and students at CCC. “We fund Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) tours and we’ve supported some innovative cross-department projects and we are raising money for the food pantry,” Marcellino said.

Essentially, the Foundation raises money and then gives the money away.

Currently, the Foundation’s two biggest programs are its scholarship programs and Wrap-Around Fund.

These supply emergency loans to CCC students who encounter unexpected financial instability.

The Foundation held a

fundraiser at Richmond’s Riggers Loft called the “Bring a Friend” event on Sept. 11, where its goal was to get new people to learn about CCC and the Foundation — and possibly contribute.

“The goal of the Bring a Friend event was to try to raise awareness for the college and the Foundation.

The more people know about us, the more they can support us,” Marcellino said.

CCC’s culinary arts department catered the event, which helped them raise funds as well.

Associated Student Union President Preston AkubuoOnwuemeka, health and human services (HHS) department Chairperson Aminta Mickles, and HHS Club President Kristin Lobos were some of the CCC faculty and students who attended the event.

Marcellino and her development associate Nalini Kale run the CCC Foundation.

Kale said she works on social media and marketing, as well as collecting contact information at

FILE PHOTO / THE ADVOCATE

Josielyn Bustamante (left) receives a scholarship certificate from Foundation Secretary William van Dyk during a recent Scholarship Awards Ceremony in the Knox Center.

events to keep in touch with the program’s donors and contributors.

The two work with other departments on campus — especially marketing.

Marketing and Media Design Director Brandy Howard said, “Marketing communication and fundraising are very closely tied because in order to be a successful fundraiser, you have to be a

successful storyteller. And those stories have to be packaged well.”

Howard said she and Marcellino work together on different initiatives, events and materials and have worked closely together to make the Foundation a success.

Howard and her marketing and media design team help write stories and post them to the CCC website for the Foundation.

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Survey shows disconnect

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

In mid-September, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office sent out a survey to California community college students asking them how they best prefer to receive their important information and updates about their colleges.

This survey was not sent to students through email, but it was posted on the Contra Costa Community C o l l e g e D i s t r i c t ’s Twitter and Facebook pages, which did not receive Feist much feedback.

H o w e v e r, according to Paul Feist, vice-chancellor of communications and marketing at the California community college’s

Chancellor’s Office, by the end of the survey, more than 3,000 students had seen it and responded to it.

“We’re pretty happy with the number of results that we’ve received on it,” Feist said.

He said he thought a large number of students had seen the survey and responded to it.

This was their first time conducting a survey with students of this sort to gain a baseline understanding of them. He’s trying to think of ways and ideas to improve their communications with students.

Feist said he and his team created the survey and want more input from California community college students. This was part of their initiative for Vision for Success.

This survey’s goal was to seek student input on Vision for Success communications.

“Input from the survey will be used to help us better translate the goals or legislative intent of Vision

n “Input from the survey

will be used to help us better translate the goals or legislative intent of Vision for Success-related efforts through toolkits for college teams or other technical assistance and resources to support colleges.”

— Paul Feist, vice chancellor of communication and marketing

for Success-related efforts through toolkits for college teams or other technical assistance and resources to support colleges,” Feist said.

Vision for Success has goals set out to achieve by 2022, such as increasing the number of people who earn degrees by 20 percent, increasing the percentage of students transferring to UCs or

CSUs and decreasing the number of units students are taking before they complete their degrees or certificates.

Though the survey was available for about two weeks, it had not gained much momentum on the Contra Costa College campus.

Student Nick Nian, who hasn’t yet decided on a major, said he is usually on social media and keeps up-to-date with CCC media.

However, he has not seen the survey.

Music major Adrien Ferrales said he also keeps up on the latest information through CCC’s social media, but he had not seen it either.

CCC’s Marketing and Media Design Director Brandy Howard said she had not seen or heard of the survey either. She oversees communications and marketing channels, media publication and external communications, like event emails for the college.

Regarding the state’s Vision for Success, Howard said the reason

they want to decrease the number of units students are taking before they complete their degrees or certificates is because when students first enroll at community colleges, they are still exploring and figuring out what they want, in terms of educational and career goals.

In this process, they may end up taking classes that are not applicable to their degrees, so Vision for Success helps students identify what they want to do and have clearer career and degree goals when they begin their college studies.

“Completing your educational career sooner and with fewer classes means you’re saving both time and money and you’re getting into your career more quickly,” Howard said.

Another goal of Vision for Success is to reduce equity gaps, meaning to help minority students continue to achieve their college goals at a faster rate when compared to their peers.

ASU lacks funds for installation of water fountains

King forgets to add plans to blueprints

By Jose Rivera advocate staff

jrivera.theadvocate@gmail.com

In order to ensure students are provided the opportunity for proper hydration, water fountains with bottle refilling stations were installed in new and renovated buildings during the ongoing campuswide construction project.

However, a few of the older fountains remain in the refurbished Applied Arts Building and the $5,000 water fountains are being put on hold because administrators are not sure where the money will come from.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Bruce King was tasked with pitching the idea of a fountain upgrade to the Associated Student Union (ASU) to gain funding for the project, however his endeavor failed to bear fruit.

King said he failed to include new water fountains for the refurbished AA Building after thinking it was not necessary because no one requested new fountains during planning.

King noticed the oversight after realizing the impact Eco-friendly fountains installed in the General Education and Student and Administration buildings had on reducing plastic waste on campus.

He said the new water fountains let people use refillable bottles, which helps with the environment when it comes to saving plastic.

Students and faculty members complained about not having refillable water stations in the AA Building, so King contacted the ASU for help.

Rather than decide as a board, the ASU allowed students to voice their opinion about whether to offer funding to the Buildings and Grounds manager or not.

Student senators based their decision on an online survey, run through Survey Monkey, which got the input of just 100 students.

Electrical engineering major Saul Flores said it wasn’t the best idea to survey students through online methods. He believes many students don’t have the ability to find out how to vote or how the decision impacts their success.

He said what the survey showed is that few students were able to participate in the survey since only about 100 people responded.

Vice President of Club Affairs Ricardo Sanchez said the ASU’s budget is decided at the beginning of every semester and a big chunk goes to ASU staff and its adviser.

“The cost of each water fountain is $5,000, and they (King) want us to pay for at least one,” Sanchez said.

“It’s not that we don’t want to (provide funding),” Sanchez said.

“It is that we can’t afford to help at this moment. If we had the money we would definitely help without even thinking about it.”

JOSE RIVERA / THE ADVOCATE

ABOVE: Lukas Leto Niemetz refills a water bottle on a nonrefillable water station on the first floor of the AA Building.

LEFT: New $5,000 refillable water stations like the on shown here in the Library, have not been installed in the AA Building.

Mouthwatering delectables please fundraising patrons

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Pianist Walter Bankovitch takes a sip of champagne at the annual Chocolate and Champagne event in Aqua Terra Grill on Oct. 12.

Tasty treats ranging from chocolate fettuccine with cream sauce and Parmesan cheese to a strawberry champagne ice cream dish and live vocal jazz attracted community members to the culinary arts and music departments’ collaborative annual Chocolate and Champagne event.

With over 30 appetizers and confectioneries to choose from, and more than two hours of live music, Aqua Terra Grill was busy with customers on Oct. 12.

The event took place from noon to 3 p.m., but people started leaving at around 2 p.m.

Each ticket cost diners $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Culinary arts professor Elisabeth Schwarz said the event was successful and she was happy to have the community’s support.

Students from the music department performed just outside the restaurant for about two hours, beginning with three instrumentalists and two vocal soloists displaying their talent.

At around 1 p.m., CCC’s commercial jazz vocal ensemble JAZZ-

ology performed its set to entertain the customers of Aqua Terra.

There were a few seating areas outside for diners to enjoy their food and watch the performers, but throughout the duration of the performance, few people sat outside.

Vocal jazz soloist and former member of JAZZ-ology Laura Karst said in past years during the Chocolate and Champagne event, people in the dining hall of Aqua Terra didn’t hear or even realize JAZZ-ology was performing outside.

In response to this, Schwarz said, on the way in customers could see the group was performing and customers were able to go outside to watch and eat.

She said she wished Aqua Terra’s and JAZZ-ology’s sound equipment were compatible so more patrons could hear their performance within the restaurant.

Music department Chairperson Dr. Stephanie Austin, who participated with her students in the event, said every year Chocolate and Champagne is normally advertised only as a culinary arts event. But she wants people to know JAZZ-ology is there — per-

forming, and not only providing entertainment, but also fundraising along with the culinary arts department and more people should know about that.

After JAZZ-ology performed its set of five songs, it was announced that the culinary department would be awarding a scholarship to five of its students.

Culinary arts majors Youlibeth Hernandez, Irazu Nuñes, Jorge Ramirez, Rochelle Gill and Aleyah James each received the Shirley G. Dyels Culinary Arts Scholarship.

Dyels attended the event and it was his second time giving out this scholarship.

He is an alumnus of the department and he wants to continue supporting the program.

Hernandez said it was her first time ever applying for a scholarship and she was so excited and grateful to have received it — she said it was completely unexpected.

Nuñes said this was her first Chocolate and Champagne event and she served as the hostess.

She thought it was successful, but wished more people knew about it so they could raise more money for scholarships.

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CULTURE OF RESISTANCE CELEBRATED Photos by Xavier Johnson For

more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com

ABOVE: An adult dancer participates in contest dancing at the Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow on Oct. 12 at Martin Luther King Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California.

LEFT: A singer sings a tribute song to LaNada War Jack (right), one of the co-organizers and last surviving members of the Native American protest occupation of Alcatraz in 1969 during the Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow at the Martin Luther King Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California on Oct. 12.

RIGHT: An adult contest dancer competes during the Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow on Oct. 12 at Martin Luther King Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California.

Native American vendors sold shirts, food and handmade crafts at the Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow at the Martin Luther King Civic Center Park in Berkeley, California on Oct. 12.

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PAINTING IDENTITY Urban natives re-claim untold familial stories

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

C

enturies of systemic erasure of Native American (Indian) culture other than street names and sports team mascots pushes the Indian populations living in cities into the shadows.

But Tommy Orange’s incredible novel “There, There” brings light to the urban Indians residing in the United States.

From the start, “There, There” makes it clear to the reader that the novel is telling an important story, with a prologue essay by Orange setting up a history of Indian populations and their oppression by colonial forces in the United States.

Orange, an Oakland native and an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, explores the lives of 12 different characters living in Oakland.

All the characters find themselves at the Big Oakland Pow Wow, a national gathering of Native Americans at the OaklandAlameda County Coliseum.

Each character, like Orange himself, is an “urban Indian” characterized by Orange in his poignant and empowering prologue essay as, “We came to know the Downtown Oakland skyway better than we did any sacred mountain range, the redwoods in the Oakland hills better than any other deep wild forest. We know the sound of freeways better than we do rivers. Being Indian has never been about returning to the land.

The land is everywhere or

nowhere.”

The changing face of Oakland, and all communities natives called home for centuries, is a topic addressed by the title of the book, whose meaning is unraveled throughout the novel.

It notably makes this point by referencing novelist Gertrude Stein’s “Everybody’s Autobiography” where she returns home to Oakland and her old family farm, which has now been developed into urban housing.

She famously says there “is no there, there.”

Before a single character is introduced, Orange encapsulates the themes of identity, which tie each character in the book together.

For teenager Orvil Red Feather, preparing for the pow wow is wresBOOK tling with REVIEW feelings of “There, There” validation ★★★★★ and a lack Author: Tommy of connecOrange tion to their Genre: Drama Indian heritage.

In the case of Calvin Johnson, his struggles with identity stem from a guilty rejection of his native heritage.

For many young urban Native Americans, feeling conflicted about their Indian identity is an issue, particularly for those with only one native parent like Edwin Black.

Black is a young, overweight and depressed man with a graduate degree in Native American literature. But he feels entirely disconnected from his Cheyenne heritage.

As each character is introduced, Orange’s brilliance as a sto-

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

ryteller becomes clear.

Each chapter bounces between the various characters giving a snapshot into their lives and what circumstances brought them to the Big Oakland Pow Wow. He switches perspectives between first and third person and each character’s struggles are representative of those modern Indians face today across America.

Alcoholism is touched on from a myriad of perspectives — from those in recovery, addicts, counselors and, in the case of Tony Loneman, living with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Depression, unemployment, homelessness and grappling with identity are all explored through the 12 relatable individuals.

Orange’s writing effortlessly slides off the page with paragraphs dense with meaning and deep cultural context for readers of Indian heritage or citizens of Oakland. His vivid and recognizable imagery of Downtown Oakland, or the sights and sounds of the Coliseum parking lot, give this book added authenticity.

As the pow wow nears, a thread of gun violence is woven into the plot line as one of the characters finds himself embroiled in a plot to rob the pow wow using 3D printed pistols.

This strikingly relevant plot line adds a rush of adrenaline to the novel.

During Orange’s second essay interlude, he brutally describes the

emotions of the Indians facing a gunman at the pow wow. However, as his words unravel, the deeper context of a historical and existential threat to Indian lives reveals itself.

It shows that the “gunman” is an ever-present threat.

Also, in the essay he describes the incredible diversity of the Big Oakland Pow Wow. The gathering brings together Indians from all parts of the country from New Mexico, New York, South Dakota and Montana.

It also unites those who grew up in cities or reservations with all types of backgrounds, from full blood, quarter blood, enrolled members of tribes and dis-enrolled members.

“We all came to the Big Oakland Pow Wow for different reasons. The messy, dangling strands of our lives got pulled into a braid — tied to the back of everything we’ve been doing all along to get us

here.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ‘There, There’ Published on June 5, 2018

TOMMY ORANGE

Pulitzer Prize award finalist

Born in Oakland, California

140,000 copies sold in the U.S.

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‘Joker’ inspires

spotlight

mental health dialogue with origin story

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UNDOCUWEEK PROMOTES AWARENESS ON CAMPUS XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

Rainbow Club President Alfredo Angulo has established the club to represent Contra Costa College’s LGBTQ population.

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Oakland Roots Sports Club awes soccer fans PAGE B2

MEN’S SOCCER TEAM LOSES ITS SECOND GAME IN A ROW PAGE B6

BSU aims to join black minds, create safe spaces PAGE B8

Activist forms Rainbow Club Quest continues for inclusion, representation

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Young political activists don’t often focus on one issue because as one issue is tackled, inter-sectional problems present themselves.

For an activist, this is seen as an opportunity to enact further positive change.

For sophomore political science major Alfredo Angulo, his activism and participation in the campus community has expanded this semester with the formation of the Rainbow Club.

His is a newly formed club on campus to advocate, provide support and hold events for the LGBTQ population at Contra Costa College.

“I wanted to create a space where queer youth can find community. You feel isolated by the surrounding community — that you don’t fit in,” Angulo said. “I didn’t know a lot of openly gay people and I imagine that’s the experience a lot of students are having.”

The Oakland native was already an active member of the campus prior to establishing the Rainbow Club.

After reading an opinion piece written by former Advocate Editor-in-chief Michael Santone, he became aware of the fact that there weren’t any groups on campus that advocated for the LGBTQ population.

“I saw the ‘We Stand Together’ signs on all the buildings, so I knew the campus was doing something to help queer students feel included. But I didn’t

n “I do hope with the

club that the people we have who are open will bring comfort to other people.”

— Alfredo Angulo, rainbow club president

know of anywhere there was a club of people on the spectrum,” he said.

Early this semester, Angulo teamed up with freshman Aubrey Kelly to establish the club that had a presence at the semesterly Club Rush event, complete with a live band next to its table.

Angulo took on a mentorship role showing Kelly how to establish the club and navigate the campus community.

Kelly said, “A month before the fall semester began, we met and he helped me understand the college system and the student center. He helped with starting the club and handling paperwork.”

An LGBTQ club has been an inconsistent part of the campus for the past decade.

Alphabet Club was its previous incarnation. But it faded away during the 2017 academic year. Since then, there hasn’t been an active club on campus.

Angulo recognizes this shaky history and looks at the stability of La Raza Student Union as an example. He uses his community organizing background as a foundation for the Rainbow Club to expand upon.

“We need to make concrete how important this club is,” Angulo said. “We want to make sure the people in the club have a passion and drive for building a community

for queer students on campus.”

“Once we get a solid structure of dedicated people our presence will expand. People will be more open to joining us,” he said.

Political science department Chairperson Vanna Gonzales said Angulo is a politically active student who wants to get involved in as many things as possible on campus and catalyze structures in different areas.

“I see him as a strong advocate for students, for voting rights and for promoting things that focus on the public good,” Gonzales said.

Angulo’s parents were political refugees from Mexico, and from an early age he has been interested in politics.

After the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2012, Angulo said he was inspired to get involved in community-based social movements like “Get Out the Vote” campaigns and lobbying.

One specific challenge the Rainbow Club faces is dealing with students who may not be open about their sexual identity due to a lack of comfort or safety concerns. While Angulo is an out bisexual student, he understands that others may not be at that point in their journey.

“I do hope with the club that the people we have who are open will bring comfort to other people. If people aren’t out and want to join the club but want to keep it confidential, I’m totally cool with that.

“I really want this club to give people the agency to feel proud of who they are.”

ILLUSTRATION BY JANET LIRA / THE ADVOCATE

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RIGHT: The Oakland Roots have played to a sold out Laney College stadium since their first home game on Aug. 31 against Cal United Strikers FC. The Roots wrapped up the last of their home games of their opening season Friday against the Los Angeles Force.

OAkland roots bring soccer to the town Photos by Denis Perez For

more photos, please visit our website: www.cccadvocate.com

By Denis Perez creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

RIGHT: Oakland Roots central midfielder Octavio Guzman and FC Juarez striker Diego Rolan fight for possession of the ball during the 4-2 win for the FC Juarez Bravos in Oakland, California on Sept. 8.

OAKLAND — ­ The Roots Sport Club is a professional soccer team playing in the newly formed National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

The upstart squad opened its season on Aug. 31 against the Cal Untied Strikers FC and just wrapped up its season’s homestand tying 1-1 against the Los Angeles Force on Saturday.

The team’s home games are played at Laney College.

The team’s league record is 0-3-2 and it is at the bottom of the NPSL Western Conference bracket and last in the overall leaderboard.

The Roots will face off against the No. 1 ranked Miami FC on Monday.

The team’s initial planning began in summer 2016 and was finalized in summer and fall of 2018 when the Oakland Roots club crescent was released.

The Oakland Roots club has an additional goal of unifying social movements and soccer in the East Bay as part of its “soccer for social good” model.

So far, the club has generated significant support, evidenced in their sold out home games and lively following on social media platforms.

The team has also brought commerce during its pre-game block parties at their stadium.

Oakland Roots goalkeeper Jairo Zermeno watches a ball go in the net during the 4-2 win for the FC Juarez Bravos in Oakland, California on Sept. 8.

RIGHT: Ryan Masch (left) scored the game’s tying goal and celebrates with his teammates during the Roots 1-1 tie with the Los Angeles Force on Friday, the last home game of the opening season.

A member of banda Tamborazo Arrazzadora’s plays the sousaphone as Laney College Stadium’s bleachers reflect on the instrument on Sept. 8.

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joker K ILLS Todd Phillips tackles society’s mental health issues in gritty origin story

By Luis Lopez advocate staff

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

T

odd Phillips has directed and co-written the greatest comic book-based movie ever made with “Joker” because in this film there is an actual attachment to the character that other comic book movies have lacked.

Where other movies are focused on keeping fans of the source content happy, this film focuses on creating an authentic character that derives emotion from audiences.

Theater-goers agreed and made the first “R” rated Batman movie October’s highest grossing movie of all time.

The film is an original take on the origin story of DC Comics’ character The Joker, taking place in 1981 and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the disturbed clown.

The film is a character study, which unfolds into a psychological thriller that will keep audiences hooked on the character’s journey while feeling uncomfortable through every moment of it.

No other film to date manages to capture the darkness that engulfs the psychological mind of a comic book character quite like this one.

This movie shows the creation of DC’s most iconic villain through a gritty real-life cinematic experience that can best be described as a combination of Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” and his film “The King of Comedy.”

Over the course of the movie, viewers are treated to one of the decade’s greatest character arcs. Phoenix does

an excellent job portraying the evolution of a mentally ill person into a deranged and psychotic villain.

This movie, unlike any other comic book-based movie in the last 10 years, actually has substance and depth to the story and characters, both of which are driven home by phenomenal acting. The pace of the movie is perfect. It is best described as a minute hand on a clock slowly revolving. By the second and third phases of the film, MOVIE viewers will be REVIEW questioning what is “Joker” real and what is not ★★★★★ — just like the lead Starring: Joaquin character.

Phoenix The sharp Directed by: Todd Phillips contrast between Genre: Thriller realism and questioning reality makes the film a thrill for the senses.

Gorgeous shots paired with one of the year’s best acting performances make “Joker” a must-see.

The film focuses on aspiring stand-up comedian and party clown Arthur Fleck, who lives in the crime-ridden city of Gotham and suffers from a disorder that causes

him to laugh uncontrollably at inappropriate times.

Realism sets the movie apart from other comic-based movies, making it obvious that the character is a mentally unstable member of society that isn’t too far off from our reality. Phoenix delivers his greatest performance to date, making viewers sympathize with Fleck’s (Joker) vulnerability.

Life continues to get worse for Fleck as he is mugged and loses his job, and access, to his social worker.

Showing what can happen when the mentally ill go untreated, the film examines the free fall into darkness for our character.

He is soon filled with dark thoughts that only get worse and worse, until he begins acting on those thoughts.

These dark and painful circumstances drive the lead character to transition into the villain known as Joker. The realistic nature of the movie makes the death and violence that much more significant. It also makes it eerily clear that Joker is potentially no different from any other untreated mentally unstable person in our society.

It’s hard not to feel bad for a person showing signs of wanting a happy and good life but receiving nothing but pain, grief and hate.

The prey becomes the predator in the second act of the film when Joker gives in to his psychotic thoughts — despite trying so hard to keep it together and fit into society.

The failure of his status in society

drives him to an all too familiar scenario of plotting a shooting. There is so much more to the movie that can be interpreted by watching, however, there is no doubt it will be a classic.

To contextualize Phillips’ “Joker” into contemporary mental health issues in society with any negative connotation essentially robs the movie of achieving its full potential.

The movie shares the same archetype with “Taxi Driver” and “The King of Comedy,” drawing similarities down to Scorsese being one of the film’s original producers.

The thing that those movies have in common with “Joker” is they all focus on disenfranchised people who live on the fringes of society.

Ultimately, Joker snaps and goes beyond the point of no return by committing a violent act.

For classic film goers, this is no different from any other movie in terms of violence. In contrast, new film watchers seem to have created controversy over the film’s violent themes. Most importantly, there is no other comic-based film with this amount of authenticity and depth.

The character development in the movie is like nothing ever done in a superhero film.

Warner Bros should take note and create its superhero films with this classic look as it adds class to its movies and a sense of nostalgia.

DC should play to its strengths if it hopes to have a chance against Disney’s big-budgeted Marvel blockbusters.

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Undocumented week of action inspires Lecture highlights immigrant perseverance, cultural influences despite institutional attacks

By Stacie Guevara scene editor

sguevara.theadvocate@gmail.com

To bring awareness about Latinx people immigrating to the United States, Chicano/La Raza studies department Chairperson Agustín Palacios led a special lecture as part of Contra Costa College’s Undocumented Student Week of Action.

Dr. Palacios called the lecture “Latinx (IM)Migration to the United States” where he presented the historical, social and political context of Latino American immigration to the U.S. The event was held on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. in GE-225. Palacios said this lecture was open to all community members, but he offered extra credit to any of his attending students from his current La Raza 113 and La Raza 127 classes.

African American studies and liberal arts major Regina Alexander said she attended the lecture because she is interested in ethnic studies and wanted to learn more about Latino immigration in the U.S. Throughout the lecture, Palacios focused on the

European versus Latino immigrant experience, the U.S. dependence on immigrant labor and why Latinx people come to the U.S. Art major Miguel Valdez said he came to the lecture because he was curious as to what the lecture would go into detail about and wanted to know more about the history of Latinos coming to the U.S. In the late 19th century, large numbers of Latino immigrants started coming to the U.S. Up until the Immigration Act of 1924, European immigrants could come to the U.S. without needing permission and they couldn’t be deported if they stayed in the U.S. for over five years.

At this time, European and Latinx people were able to become citizens through a similar process to which we have today, but Asian people were not able to become citizens at all.

The Border Patrol was also created in 1924, which made crossing the border more difficult.

In 1965, the Immigration and Nationality Act passed and this was the first

time Latinx people weren’t allowed in the U.S. By the 1970s, the number of Mexican citizens migrating to the U.S. rose to over one million people.

As Palacios continued going through the lecture, he said, “We (Mexicans) have the distinction of being the group with the oldest population within the country.”

He explained that people who are now known as Mexicans have physically been in U.S. territory the longest — they were here before Europeans conquered the Americas and they are still here today.

He spoke about indigenous tribes and how Latinx people today carry the blood of those indigenous peoples but are now

Visa overstayers have outnumbered border crossing undocumented immigration by half a million since 2007.

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE SOURCE: PEWRESEARCH CENTER

known as different ethnicities, such as Mexican or Central American.

He continued to talk about Latinx people coming to the U.S. and noted how children are brought to the U.S. at a young age — so young that they don’t remember living or being from anywhere else except the U.S. However, they are still immigrants and, in some cases, still undocumented.

“That’s the narrative that sometimes gets lost,” Palacios said.

Prior to the 1980s, most Latinx immigrants were Mexican, but U.S. involvement in Central American countries forced many Central American people north.

Palacios then started discussing how m a n y L atinx

immigrants come to the U.S. and work in agriculture, but instead of being referred to as immigrants, they are referred to as workers — implying they are not as valued and are essentially dispensable.

He said agriculture has made California rich for more than 100 years, and the sacrifices of those immigrants have made the state successful.

He ended his lecture with a photograph of the California fires of 2018, the dan-

gerous air filling an agricultural field full of “workers.”

He noted that classes were canceled here at CCC, but the owners of that land thought, “Let them (the workers) get sick.

They’re workers, they’re expendable.”

Legend smuggling

illegal entry

visa misuse

illegal re-entry

1998

2003

2011

2018

20K Total

39K Total

81K Total

100K Total

The Trump administration prioritizes criminalizing illegal immigration as a felony, a trend in the government that has risen since the 1990s. Cases had been historically treated as a civil matter. Currently, there is a tremendous back log in asylum cases because of the high number of felony prosecutions.

Federal criminal prosecution by type More than 50,000 people are being held in ICE detention centers. More than 11,000 children are held in detention centers.

Illegal immigration has been decreasing since the 1990s.

Truths about undocumented immigration, detention

Centers to provide aid, resources for Dreamers

By Luis Lopez news editor

llopez.theadvocate@gmail.com

A new collection of Dreamer centers may open on campuses across the Contra Costa Community College District as soon as fall 2020 if a proposal is approved by the Governing Board.

The centers at Los Medanos, Diablo Valley and Contra Costa colleges would provide academic counseling and serve as an informational resource center for students who may be part of the Dream Act Sanchez or undocumented.

It would also be open to members of the community.

Associated Student Union Vice President of Clubs Ricardo Sanchez proposed the idea at the Governing

the United States as children.

Since it was passed by the Obama administration in 2014, student myself, I felt this a whole generation of students was something necessary is entering the education system for undocumented students without much academic guidance.

Helping undocumented stuon campus. dents is something close and — Ricardo Sanchez, ASU vice president personal to Sanchez. He said a Dreamer center at CCC would be exponentially helpful for undocumented students and community Board meeting last month. Sanchez members alike. said he learned about other Dreamer “Being an undocumented stucenters and it inspired him to learn dent myself, I felt this was somehow to set one up on campus. thing necessary for undocumented “I learned that campuses across students on campus,” Sanchez said. the state had dreamer centers and First semester business major I thought that was something that Christian Hans said a Dreamer cencould be really good for our cam- ter would be a perfect addition to pus,” he said. the college.

The Development, Relief and “The campus would really benEducation for Alien Minors Act efit from an informational center (DREAM Act) was a bill in the U.S. like that,” he said. “I’ve known classCongress that granted temporary mates who are (DACA students) so asylum to certain undocumented it’s good to know they’ll have a place immigrants who were brought to on campus that can provide them

n “Being an undocumented

with information.”

Supporting the center is CCC Student Life Coordinator Charles Ramirez, who said the center would be great for the community.

Assembly Bill 1645 was signed by the Governor Gavin Newsom shortly after its birth.

The bill mandates a Dreamer center to be created at every public college or university in California.

The bill would open the center up for funding through fundraisers and donations to the school.

Student Yada Sitiprawet, who has yet to decide on a major, said she likes the college’s continued effort to be an all-inclusive campus.

“This campus has a lot of diverse groups and clubs so having a Dreamer center, I believe, adds to that.

“I think it will be a very successful center that will benefit a lot of undocumented students and community members.”

Landmark bill delivers specialized support

By Jose Rivera advocate staff

jrivera.theadvocate@gmail.com

After being passed on the floor of the state Senate, a bill bringing student centers to undocumented students will soon become mandatory at public colleges and universities up and down California.

State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Los Angeles), authored AB1645, which was approved by Governor Gavin Newsom Sept. 12 of this year.

In short, the bill mandates California colleges have a liaison to bridge the communication gap that exists between some immigrant students and the colleges they attend while also providing campus

centers specializing in providing specific information to those students and members of their communities.

The bill provides undocumented students up and down the state greater opportunities for success and simplifies the quest of those students to attain basic access to Rubio resources like financial aid and classes.

The bill mandates student centers have additional college opportunities like financial aid, as well as

extracurricular opportunities like social services, state-funded immigration legal services, job opportunities and more.

Many undocumented students in California will benefit by the bill’s passage.

They will have the opportunity to visit a location on their college or university campus that has all types of resources that will help them navigate through the higher education process.

Alondra Ramirez, who attends CCC and has yet to decide a major said, “Many people who are against it will say that undocumented students have far more help than local students, but just the fact that undocumented students can’t apply

to FAFSA is a good enough reason for them to pass AB1645,” Ramirez also said the new law will give most of her friends more learning opportunities, and would compensate for what most of the undocumented students have gone through in their lives.

“It’s small, but it’s a start,” she said. “I hope that one day it becomes a law across many other states in the U.S.” Undocumented student rights supporter Daisy Darden said, “It’s not right that people who have worked hard their entire lives to receive education get their education and opportunities taken away by a selfish president.”

LEFT: A butterfly drawn to represent undocumented Dreamers decorates Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 14 for the annual Undocumented Student Week of Action.

MARY BARNES / THE ADVOCATE

Advocates unite, provide services, smiles

By Cindy Pantoja editor-in-chief

cpantoja.theadvocate@gmail.com

In support of undocumented students and as a means to offer access to available resources, the Dreamer Alliance at Contra Costa College held its annual Undocumented Student Week of Action from Oct. 14-18.

This week is a system-wide campaign at California colleges to advocate and provide support and resources for undocumented students in the state.

Over the course of the week, Contra Costa College offered webinars with information on how to pay for college, how to access reputable legal support and how to achieve healing through art.

La Raza Student Union Vice President Ricardo Sanchez said, “This is a week dedicated to undocumented students. It is just a way for the college to make a safe space for undocumented students and provide them with free resources throughout the week.”

The week of immigrant advocacy began with an event held in Campus Center Plaza hosted by the Student

Life Office.

About 100 attendees were greeted with Mexican bread and agua fresca (fresh fruit flavored water).

They also had the opportunity to share their immigration stories on a poster board.

“We hope students engage in this weeklong event,” Student Life Coordinator Charles Ramirez said.

“Hopefully, students will be comfortable to share their stories so other students can get a perspective of what it means to be an undocumented student.”

During the course of the week, different factors such as the evacuation of the college due to the NuStar Energy Facility fire in nearby Rodeo negatively affected the student participation in activities.

ASU Vice President Alfredo Angulo said a lack of communication between college administrators and organizers provided a challenge with planning the events.

“Administrators kept switching who was in charge of organizing it, so we had limited time,” Angulo said. “The task of organizing it was originally given to Student Life

about two weeks before — but then they decided to task the Dreamer’s Alliance.”

The poor promotion of the event was also a factor in decreased student participation in events like the webinars.

The “Undocuhustle” webinar and the “Unducually” mixer event were merged into one event because fewer than 10 students showed up to each gatherings.

“The week was all planned and advertised within basically a week and a half, so we didn’t have much time to get the word out,” he said.

Angulo said most students on campus were not aware of the events because the Dreamer’s Alliance only had one day to distribute fliers with information about the activities.

“We are hoping that next year administrators don’t throw it at us last minute,” he said. “I understand that due to our lack of full-time administrators, things are taking longer to do. I wish they (administrators) had more consideration for the larger meaning behind this week.”

LEFT: Students write messages on a poster during the annual Undocumented Student Week of Action in the Campus Center Plaza on Oct. 14.

MARY BARNES / THE ADVOCATE

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LEFT: Comet midfielder Nick Silva dribbles up the field as Yuba College midfielder Salvador Ramirez pressures him during Contra Costa College’s 2-1 Bay Valley Conference loss at home Friday.

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Early lead squandered after error

By Luis Cortes sports editor

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

Despite holding a lead and keeping the final score close, the Contra Costa College men’s soccer team fell 2-1 against Yuba College (2-3-1 in the Bay Valley Conference, 5-10-1 overall) Friday at the Soccer Field.

CCC (2-4 in the BVC, 2-13 overall) took a 1-0 lead three minutes after kickoff. Defender Moises Hernandez kicked a long-range shot that forced 49er goalkeeper Jose Madrigal to block the shot one-handed.

However, his attempted save deflected the ball to striker Eliezer Paul-Gindiri who jumped on the loose ball inside the penalty box for an easy CCC score.

Comet assistant coach Diego Garcia said his team was forced to use a different line up to begin the game.

“We had a new lineup to start because we didn’t have three starters. One was suspended and two

were injured,” Garcia said.

The Comets will be closer to full strength when they face Napa Valley College Friday at 4 p.m. in Napa.

Comet freshman goalkeeper Quetzal Garcia kept the 49ers from scoring the tying goal in minute 36 with an outstanding one-on-one save, blocking the shot with his body. The stop was one of multiple saved shots from Garcia in the first half.

Unfortunately for the Comets, Garcia’s heroics were not enough to keep the 49ers off the scoreboard near the close of the first half.

The 49ers tied the game 1-1 six minutes later with a diagonal pass from the left wing by midfielder Bryan Del Rio to his oncoming teammate Jorge Avelar whose shot went past goalie Garcia.

With 18:17 left in the first half Garcia was fouled by 49ers defender Alejandro Barajas as both players went for a loose ball at the edge of the penalty box. Garcia jumped for the ball and Barajas was unable

Small team suffers sixth BVC loss

By Denis Perez creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Going into the second half of Friday’s contest on the Soccer Field, the Comet women’s soccer team trailed Yuba College 4-0.

Despite an increase in its overall effort, the team was unable to climb into contention on the pitch and lost the game 4-1.

The Comets are winless, playing with 11 players and have no substitutes.

During the week, Contra Costa College (0-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) held no practices with its full squad because of schedule conflicts, Comet coach Ted Steen said.

“There is much adversity,” Steen said.

However, this season is about seeing the positives in all the negativity.

He said his team is young and it is a growing program. The rest of the season now consists of facing the same BVC teams they have played for a second time.

“We are halfway into the season,” he said.

The Comets return to action Friday hosting Mendocino College (1-5 in the BVC) at 4 p.m.

To adjust for the lack of available bodies and the lack of intra-team communication during practices,

Steen said he has moved players around to optimize its talent.

Ofa Vi has taken over goaltending duties from Sicaly Sorrell, who now plays defensive left back.

In addition to that change, Raquel Alvarez has been moved from the midfield to the center forward position. Alvarez plays as the solitary forward using her dribbling skills and pace to move the ball up the field.

But with the women on the team possessing different levels of experience, playing together without practicing does not produce the type of passing the team needs, Alvarez said.

“I find myself dribbling the ball up the field to gain ground, but eventually I am defended,” she said.

She understands that the team is growing, but the lack of practice time has deterred the squad from knowing how to advance as a team, Alvarez said. Instead, they rely on long passes up the field and wild clearances in the defense.

Steen said the team hopes to spur more play in the midfield while adding strength in the defense.

Abigail Plascencia has been placed at defensive center back replacing Sindy Mendoza who is now playing at the midfield posi-

n “We had a new lineup

to start because we didn’t have three starters. One was suspended and two were injured.”

— Diego Garcia, assistant coach

to stop forcing him to run into the leaping goalie.

Garcia hit the ground hard and stayed down for a minute.

The Comets were forced to make a substitution and inserted freshman goalie Orlando Perez coming in for the injured Garcia.

At halftime, the game was tied 1-1 with CCC attempting two shots on goal in the half. The 49ers attempted five shots.

Five minutes into the second half, Chotov was injured on a shot attempt. The freshman midfielder remained down on the ground in pain and was eventually carried off the field by teammate Nick Silva

and athletic trainer Lisa Martinez.

After the game, Chotov said he feared it could be his ACL. “I still have to get a scan later, but I hope it isn’t my ACL because I tore it in high school,” he said.

At minute 6 of the second half, the 49ers came narrowly close to breaking the tie on a curving corner kick on the Comets’ left side that came off the crossbar.

Perez made a terrific close range save by blocking the ball with the middle of his body.

Assistant coach Garcia praised both freshman goalkeepers, while looking forward to next year.

“Both had a great game and both are freshmen so it’s good for them to compete now. Hopefully that carries on to next year,” Garcia said.

The Comets failed to capitalize after receiving a direct free kick inside the penalty box arc with 25 minutes to play. Moises Hernandez’s shot down the middle was deflected out for a CCC corner.

tions.

“He puts me back there to make our defense stronger,” Plascencia said.

Defense is what CCC played for most of the first half against Yuba (4-2-1 in the BVC) and a little less in the second half.

Yuba’s players were faster and more skilled, which was evident in the first 10 minutes of the game when the 49ers scored back-toback goals.

The rest of the first half saw CCC bombarded with shot attempts, 29 in total, from faster Yuba offenders who outpaced Comet defenders.

In the second half, CCC was able to slow Yuba’s offense and forced a free kick from around the 30 yard line that Plascencia hammered in.

CCC’s women’s soccer program has not completed a season since 2014. In that year, the team finished its one-win season shorthanded.

Following a bad cross from that corner that missed every Comet player, the 49ers cleared the ball toward the middle of the field.

Comet defender Luis Amurio missed the clearance and whiffing on the ball with 49er forward Jorge Avelar stealing the ball with only goalie Perez standing in the way to goal.

49ers’ head coach Rene Villegas said his team looked to capitalize on a Comet error in the second half.

“Toward the second half we noticed their (CCC’s) defenders missing some balls, so we told our forwards to play out wide and come in on the long balls and we scored on one. We decided to do that because someone scored a similar goal against us,” Villegas said.

Comet forward Eliezer PaulGindiri said his team had chances to score but failed to capitalize on the opportunities and the fast start.

LEFT: Comet forward Raquel Alvarez (left) dribbles up the right side of the field as Yuba left back Priscilla Gonzalez tackles her at the Soccer Field Friday.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

Comets switch up

Goalie: Ofa Vi replaces Sicaly Sorrell.

Midfield, defense: Abigail Plascencia switches to center back and Sindy Mendoza to midfield.

Forward: Raquel Alvarez is now center forward.

Comet goalie Ofa Vi moves up her box to punt the ball during Friday’s match.

Comet defender Abigail Plascencia (right) and Sindy Mendoza (left) celebrate Plascencia’s goal against Yuba College on Friday.

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Squad loses 43-6 to Dons

Wide receiver finds stability far from home

By Luis Cortes sports editor

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

For Contra Costa College wide receiver Dominique Latham, life wasn’t as easy as he made it seem growing up in Seattle, Washington.

Latham grew up moving around the state and growing up without a father, leaning on his family and football at a young age.

Latham praised his mother for helping mold him into the person he is today — while also motivating him.

“My mother motivates me to do football stuff. She lifts me up after games, good or bad. She’s solid and my rock — especially because she was the father and mother figure for me,” Latham said.

Latham was born in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle. After that, Latham said he lived all over Washington.

The receiver said his transition to the Bay Area was easy for him because he said the weather is somewhat similar and he has teammates from Seattle here.

Latham said even with some teammates being from Seattle and the nice Bay Area weather, he still feels a little homesick.

Comet coach Patrick Henderson said Latham was originally a part of the group of recruits from Seattle but didn’t expect him to be a spark this season.

“Dom (Latham) was a part of the group from Seattle. We didn’t expect him to be a spark that he is. If he keeps it up, he will make waves in the program and (accelerate his) recruitment,” Henderson said.

Latham leads the Comets in receptions, yards, games played and touchdowns, compiling 18 receptions for 233 yards and two TDs this season.

Latham gets through the grind of being away from home because

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Early advantage wasted, defense overpowered

By Luis Cortes sports editor

lcortes.theadvocate@gmail.com

The high of the previous week’s 24-16 win over San Jose City College ended abruptly as the Comet football team (2-5 overall and 1-1 in the Pacific 7 Conference) suffered a 43-6 loss to first place De Anza College (4-2 overall, 3-0 in the Pac-7) Saturday in Cupertino.

Contra Costa College began the game with an early touchdown drive that saw the Comets march down the field with a 12 play, 90-yard drive.

Quarterback Jaylen Tregle connected with running back Capassio Cherry for a 15-yard passing touchdown to give CCC an early advantage.

The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked leaving the Comets with a 6-0 lead.

However, Keegan GraysonZehrung’s kickoff was immediately returned for an 82-yard touchdown by Jevon Sturn.

The Dons converted the extra point, giving them a 7-6 lead with 3:39 left in the first quarter.

CCC’s defense throughout the game was unable to stop the Don offense which saw the home team averaging 7.7 yards-per-play compared to the Comets’ 3.1.

However, the Comet offense did move the ball at times, converting on 75 percent (3 out of 4) on fourth down attempts.

The Comets return home to play Los Medanos College on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Comet Stadium.

Despite some positive stat lines, CCC found itself down 24-6 at half time. The Comet defense stepped up in the third quarter of the game by not allowing any offensive points. The Dons only two points in the quarter came by forcing a CCC safety on a muffed punt.

De Anza went on to score 17 points in the fourth quarter to cap off their fourth consecutive victory.

Comet coach Pat Henderson said his team’s performance wasn’t good.

“Our performance was very poor, we lacked tenacity and effort.

The Comets got in the Comets’ way,” Henderson said.

n “It’s a good thing to

have moved to different places because it helped me with getting comfortable with new people in new places.

— Dominique Latham, wide receiver

he talks to his mother and brother on the phone every day.

He also credits his history of moving constantly to helping him adjust to life away from his family.

“It’s tough being away from family, but I get to talk to my mom and brother every day and about everything. It’s a good thing to have moved to different places because it helped me with getting comfortable with new people in new places — kind of a blessing,” Latham said.

CCC running back Capassio Cherry, who is also from Seattle, attended Edmonds Woodway High School, a rival of Latham’s Mountlake Terrace High School.

Cherry said he has got to know Latham in high school and began to talk a lot more during their junior year.

The conversation they had led to Cherry coming to CCC. “Me and Dom (Latham) started talking a lot during our junior year. He told me he was looking at junior colleges. He’s the one who got me to come out with him to CCC,” Cherry said.

Along with being good friends outside of football, Cherry said they complement each other’s game because of their familiarity.

“When we are running routes, whether he catches the ball or I catch the ball, we help each other succeed. We’re like a dynamic duo. We complement each other’s games very well,” Cherry said.

Aerial bombardment stifles Comet squad

By Xavier Johnson web editor

xjohnson.theadvocate@gmail.com

Dropping two games in straight sets last week against College of Alameda (3-15 overall, 2-6 in the Bay Valley Conference) and Yuba College (6-8 overall, 4-4 in the BVC), the winless volleyball team is entering the halfway point of its season without a single set win.

The Comets (0-9 overall, 0-8 in the BVC) have struggled all season with their receiving, which culminated in the last two game losses where service receives were a primary factor of their defeat.

Against Napa Valley College on Oct. 9, the Comets lost their first set 25-0, giving up 16 services aces to libero Sophia Green. The trend continued against Alameda when the Comets gave up 22 service aces, 10 of those from outside hitter Camille Selna.

Selna also notched 12 kills in the contest.

“We have bad coordination on the court. (Alameda) hits a lot of corners and we couldn’t get to the balls,” Comet middle hitter Yarely Escobar said.

The first two sets against Alameda were emblematic of the Comets’ season as a whole.

The team failed to capitalize on Alameda’s mistakes and generate

its own offense.

The first two sets both finished 25-7, with Alameda dominating behind Selna’s hitting, which put a lot of pressure on libero Jamie Tianero to get digs and keep plays alive.

“We couldn’t get a read on Camille (Selna). They had two amazing hitters,” Tianero said.

In the third and final set, the Comets were able to rally and put together an early scoring run that put Alameda on its back feet.

There was a noticeable shift in the team’s energy making everyone play better.

Tianero, setter Kimberly Calip and outside hitter Sydney Thach were instrumental in the team’s scoring run.

Tianero said, “In the third set we all were hyped. We try to keep the energy up after points. We play so much better when we’re happy to play.”

Despite their early push, the Comets were overwhelmed by Alameda’s offensive pressure and lost the set 25-11, losing the game 3-0.

This season has been one of hardships for the volleyball team.

With the Gymnasium renovations, the team is practicing and playing home games at Pinole Middle School. In addition, the team has

LEFT: Freshman middle blocker Christina Hall (left) hits the ball past two defenders during the Comets’ game against College of Alameda on Oct. 16 at Pinole Middle School.

XAVIER JOHNSON / THE ADVOCATE

had several roster shakeups that forced the team to integrate new players into the lineup.

Early in the season one of their two sophomores, outside hitter Angel Munar, left the team. A couple weeks later freshman outside hitter Katrienne Lemye left the team.

Due to the departures, the Comets now have to integrate new players Christina Hall, Anna

Miculob and Janna Galang into more substantial roles.

Coach Christy Tianero said another major challenge is managing her players’ busy schedules alongside the added commute time that comes with practicing at Pinole Middle School.

“When we practice receives, we don’t have everyone (there) so the ones who can be there have improved, but when you’re on the

court there are six people on the court.

“We’re a work in progress. It’s tough to get everyone to practice,” Tianero said.

The Comets are entering the point in the season where all their remaining games are rematches.

The team dropped its first rematch of the season against Yuba on Friday.

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“

B8

People treat you different when they don’t have knowledge about your culture — when you have a different skin color or your name sounds foreign.”

— Kwaku Baffo-Gyan, Black Student Union treasurer

DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

African American studies major Tiye Gordon (middle) has taken up the leadership role in the Black Student Union this semester and hopes to lead a group of black students to promote black-oriented education and create a safe space to breed a black identity.

Educating black minds ‘Lighthouse’ of peer resources goal of BSU

By Denis Perez creative director

dperez.theadvocate@gmail.com

Tiye Gordon’s educational journey and life experiences have led her to Contra Costa College to study African American studies and have given her the motivation to lead the Black Student Union (BSU).

“I want to create a study space for black students,” Gordon said After graduating high school in 2007, Gordon enrolled in an academy of arts program, which she did not complete, and later started beauty school in 2013.

After dropping out of that program, she enrolled at CCC in spring 2019.

“I needed to figure out why starting school this time was different from the other times,” she said.

She said taking African American studies classes was the spark to her

passion for education.

At her previous post-high school educational institutions, she never saw a day when she was taught by a teacher or professor of black ancestry.

Even more, there was no BSU or a space for black students to come together as black people, she said.

“I hadn’t had a black teacher since high school, and there is something about having the connection with someone that is teaching you that looks like your mom,” she said.

When she started taking classes at CCC, she said she experienced a remarkable thing.

The teachings of black history from a black professor increased her desire to uplift the history of the black students,

U N I T Y

advocate staff

dsylvain.theadvocate@gmail.com

A week-long trip to the southern United States will offer Contra Costa College transfer students a firsthand look at what Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have to offer.

Transfer C ounselor Coordinator Andrea Phillips is set to continue her Get on the Plane HBCU Tour for the spring 2020 semester.

BSU pillars

The BSU hopes to create a space for black students to study and motivate each other to finish their goals.

Get on the Plane exposes students to black culture

By De’Jon Sylvain

she said.

One of those teachers is African American studies department Chairperson Carolyn Hodge.

“Tiye (Gordon) is comfortable with public speaking, has consistency and has realized that she wants to be a leading force,” Hodge said.

This semester, Gordon is the

“It’s an opportunity for students to explore historically black colleges,” Phillips said. “One is able to experience student life and academic like-minded students.”

A historically black college is a college or university that was originally founded as a supportive setting to educate students of African American descent.

HBCUs serve those of different racial and cultural backgrounds.

The week-long trip starting March 29, 2020, and ending April

R O O T S

3, invites students from a “wide range of cultural, socio-economic backgrounds and majors” to receive a firsthand view of student life on an HBCU campus and information regarding university expectations.

“Students are given the opportunity to experience life and to see what their options are,” Phillips said.

The academic sessions and campus tours are organized as research tools that provide a firsthand view of the student experience.

Phillips “Students will gain awareness of their options,” Phillips said. “They will be able to witness something outside a 25-mile radius.”

Phillips said that for many students, the trip allows them to gain a sense of self.

“The experience develops the

president of the BSU at CCC, and she said she wants to ensure her black peers have access to a think tank that can connect black minds to their roots.

“We want to create a group of black people who can encourage each other to continue on with their majors and create a study group around that,” Gordon said.

Gordon’s goal is to be a lighthouse for resources to her black peers and guide them to programs that can edify their minds as black people.

Specifically, she wants to make sure black students know that there are African American classes that they can take that fit into their general education plans.

She said she also wants to raise awareness about the drop in African American studies classes offered at CCC. “Having the African American

The club also aims to educate black students about African roots and the rich history of black people.

classes cut affects how many black students see an image of themselves in history,” she said.

Political science major Kwaku Baffo-Gyan said to fight against the societal norm to exclude minorities from educational institutions’ curriculum, black students need to come together and form a union where they can represent themselves.

“People treat you different when they don’t have knowledge about your culture — when you have a different skin color or your name sounds foreign,” he said.

Baffo-Gyan, the BSU treasurer, said no matter what, black students have to take their identity and be themselves.

He said in college it is important to join a group and form a movement, even if it is hard to get people to buy into the idea of communal progress.

I D E A S

BSU president Tiye Gordon and her team are setting a foundation to promote black intellectuals.

INFOGRAPHIC BY DENIS PEREZ / THE ADVOCATE

n “One is able to experience student life and academic like-minded students.

— Andrea Phillips, transfer counselor coordinator

whole person and the character of one,” Phillips said.

The application process requires an official application, a letter of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, a personal essay and an individual interview with the selection committee.

According to Phillips, a committee of faculty members and administrators sit with each applicant before sending out acceptance messages.

Approximately 12 students will be able to attend the trip.

Minimum eligibility requirements state that students must complete at least 12 transferable units.

Students must also attain a 2.5 cumulative transferable grade

point average (GPA) or higher at the time of application and maintain this GPA throughout the fall semester grading period.

Students can also attend a fall 2019 Get on the Bus Bay Area Campus Tour and receive an HBCU application orientation.

Students who do not meet these expectations will not be able to participate in the program.

Those in attendance will visit the following HBCU campuses: Morehouse College, Spelman College, Fort Valley State University, Florida A&M University, Southern University, Dillard University and Xavier University of NOLA. The tour will include a roundtrip flight from Oakland to Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta and lodging, meals and ground transportation.

The application deadline is Nov. 26.

For information regarding the campus tour, students can contact Phillips at aphillips@contracosta. edu or visit her in the Career/ Transfer Center in SA-227.